The Midnight Stalker and the Jealous Sister
The soft glow of light flickered across the guest room's walls, casting faint shadows as Yao Yao lay on the bed, arms crossed behind her head, eyes open.
Not when there was so much to think about, she just can't sleep.
Her first day back at the Shang estate had been a delicate act, a game of carefully chosen words and expressions. And tomorrow, they would return to the main mansion.
She exhaled quietly, rolling onto her side. Her thoughts drifted to Su Mi.
Is she alright?
Being assigned to the stables wasn't just punishment, it was humiliation.
Su Mi had protected her, cared for her, yet now she could do nothing in return to protect her. Yao Yao's fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her sleeve.
I'll fix it.
But first…she needed to secure her place in this house.
The night air was still when she felt it.
A presence.
....
It wasn't hostile, nor was it trying to hide.
She opened her eyes and a voice cut through the silence.
"You're rather bold, aren't you?"
The voice was smooth, lightly amused.
Yao Yao turned her head slightly, her pink eyes locking onto the figure standing at the window. His golden eyes reflected the dim light, deep and unreadable.
He wasn't much older than her—perhaps ten at most—but there was something about him that felt… wrong.
Or rather—off.
He stood there with the kind of ease that didn't belong to a child...almost reminding her of herself.
Yao Yao didn't bother playing the part of an innocent child. For the first time since she her rebirth into this world, she simply… was herself.
She slowly sat up fully, crossing her legs beneath her.
She rested her fingers against her lips, tilting her head, "You certainly didn't come through the front door."
The boy's lips curled slightly.
"Perhaps I enjoy making an entrance."
Yao Yao smirked.
"Then you should've brought fireworks."
The boy let out a quiet chuckle, as if he had genuinely been amused.
Then—his expression shifted.
Serious.
"You caused quite the commotion today," he teased, stepping lightly into the room. "Even the noble families are whispering about you."
Yao Yao didn't blink.
"And?"
The boy's golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"No denial?"
"Why bother?" she replied lightly, stretching her arms above her head before letting her body fall heavily onto the bed, sinking into its softness.
He watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he took another step forward.
For the first time, Yao Yao felt it.
A pulse.
Something powerful.
Not threatening, but like an unseen force stirring silently just beneath his skin.
But it wasn't just his magic.
It was his presence.
"So," she said restlessly, turning over and resting her chin on her hand, "are you here because you were sent, or were you simply just...stalking me?"
The boy raised an eyebrow.
"..Stalking..?"
"Well, I don't believe in people showing up at ungodly hours just for a friendly chat."
Another soft chuckle escaped his lips.
He moved closer, stopping just beside her bedside.
"Tell me," he murmured, "who is your father?"
Yao Yao didn't hesitate.
"Shang Zhao."
He watched her closely.
"And your mother?"
Yao Yao smiled slightly.
"Why do you want to know?"
The boy's golden eyes glowed in the dim light, his smile unbothered, showing not even a hint of irritation at Yao Yao's avoidance.
"That's not an answer."
"And yet, neither is yours."
They studied each other in silence.
Two children, yet not children at all.
One hiding too much, the other hiding too well.
Finally, the boy exhaled softly.
"I didn't expect to meet someone like you here," he murmured. "Someone who…"
He trailed off, tilting his head.
Yao Yao raised an eyebrow.
"Someone who…?"
His lips curved into something faintly amused.
"Never mind."
Then—just like that—he was gone.
No sound.
No trace.
Just the faintest ripple of lingering energy.
Yao Yao stared at the empty space where he had stood. She had met many people in her past life, people who hid knives behind their smiles...
But this boy…
He was different, unpredictable and unreadable.
Not an enemy, neither an ally.
And worst of all—
He was clearly entertained by her.
Yao Yao sighed softly as she tumbled back on her soft bed and gently closed her eyes.
The next day, the Shang family prepared to leave for the main mansion. Servants bustled about, gathering fine silk bags, preparing the carriage.
Yao Yao stood near the entrance, her hands clasped neatly in front of her.
Her mind was still replaying last night's encounter.
Who was he?
And why had he come?
She didn't have time to dwell on it.
Soft, delicate footsteps approached.
She turned her head just as Shang Ying Ying walked up beside her.
"You should watch yourself when we return home," Ying Ying said lightly, gazing at the waiting carriage.
Yao Yao blinked up at her.
Ying Ying's tone remained polite, but a sharp edge cut beneath her words.
"Don't think that just because you've returned, you're truly one of us. A bastard child will always be a bastard."
Yao Yao fidgeted slightly, shifting her hands.
She let her lips tug into a hesitant smile, as if she were unsure of what to say.
"…Oh," she murmured softly.
Ying Ying didn't look at her.
"Just don't embarrass Mother."
With that, she stepped forward, gracefully making her way toward the carriage.
Yao Yao stood still for a moment.
First, a silent boy sneaking into her room at an ungodly hour, taking an unusual interest in her. Now, a noble sister looking down on her...perhaps from..jealousy?
Clearly, she thought to herself, her cuteness was too much for them to handle..
As Yao Yao took a slow breath and stepped forward, following the rest of the family into the carriage, she couldn't help but wonder—
What awaits her at the main estate?