Chapter 12 — Just a Dream

The night was quiet as Ji Yun Tong pushed open the door to her home. The living room was bathed in soft, dim light. She took off her coat and hung it by the door, only to notice her footsteps felt a little heavier as she slipped into her slippers.

The cushions on the sofa were arranged neatly, just as she had left them before she went out. The glass of water on the coffee table was still in its place, and the room was so quiet it felt as though time had frozen.

She walked into the bathroom, and as the warm water poured down, the steam enveloped her. She gazed at her slightly weary reflection in the mirror, her palm gently resting on her cheek.

A certain image flashed through her mind —

The photo, and the expression on Bai Henan's face at that moment.

She wasn't unaware of something, but… it wasn't necessary to delve into it.

The water continued to flow, washing away all the fragmented thoughts. She closed her eyes, focusing on the soothing sensation of the warm water.

After her shower, she changed into her pajamas, walked back to her room, and lay down, pulling back the edge of the blanket. Outside the window, there was no wind, and the night was peaceful, like a soft, gentle curtain.

As her consciousness slowly faded, Ji Yun Tong's body relaxed and sank into the soft bed, her breathing becoming steady.

In the darkness, a dream quietly appeared —

In the dream, she stood in an unfamiliar place.

The air carried a familiar scent, cool and tinged with a faint woody fragrance.

The light around her was soft, and she seemed to be standing in an open space, with only the sound of her own breathing breaking the silence.

Suddenly, a figure appeared behind her.

The familiar scent drew closer, fingertips brushing lightly against her wrist, soft and accidental, like an unintentional touch.

She didn't turn around, but she could clearly sense the person's presence.

Her heartbeat, for some reason, became clearer.

"… Ji Yun Tong."

A voice softly called her name, the tone carrying an emotion she couldn't quite describe.

She wanted to turn around, but realized she couldn't move.

The next moment, a gentle pressure landed on her shoulder, the warmth of the touch seeping through the thin fabric, making her breath falter for a moment.

The person leaned in a little closer, their warm breath lightly brushing past her ear, blurry and ambiguous.

But as she tried to see their face more clearly, the image shattered suddenly —

She snapped her eyes open.

The room was still silent, only the numbers on the digital clock showing the time — 4:00 AM.

Her heart raced, and a light sheen of sweat formed on her forehead.

She raised her hand and pressed her fingers to her brow, but the image in her mind wouldn't fade.

Who had she dreamed of?

The details of the dream had already started to blur, but the feeling was eerily clear.

She closed her eyes again, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself.

— It was just a dream.

However, when her gaze fell on her phone on the bedside table, the notification on the screen made her heart skip a beat.

[Bai Henan: Are you asleep?]

The time was 3:59 AM.

She froze for a moment, her fingers hovering over the screen, her heart inexplicably racing again.

She should have ignored it, but… this coincidence felt too subtle.

After a brief hesitation, she still didn't reply, flipping the phone face down, forcing herself to close her eyes.

The night, still, felt long.

The morning sun filtered through the curtains. Ji Yun Tong rubbed her eyes, feeling like she wanted to sleep just a little longer. Suddenly, she heard the sound of the front door quietly opening, followed by familiar footsteps.

Soon, Bai Henan's voice came from outside the door.

"Good morning, Miss Ji. I've already left breakfast on the table."

Ji Yun Tong blinked, and only then did she realize Bai Henan had come again. He had the key to her place, and every time he came to deliver breakfast, he always prepared everything silently, which gave her a peculiar feeling.

"Thank you, Mr. Bai," she responded, her tone calm, but her heart was subtly unsettled.

She sat up gently, hearing Bai Henan's footsteps gradually fade as he prepared to leave. She walked to the window and watched his figure slowly disappear, a vague, unexplainable emotion stirring in her heart.

Ji Yuntong walked into the living room, where breakfast was already prepared on the table. She silently sat down, savoring the familiar and warm meal, and the turmoil in her heart gradually calmed during this moment of tranquility. Today, she did not immediately practice yoga. The outside world remained quiet, while her thoughts, like the warm tea in her cup, slowly settled, accompanied by a slight reflection.

Ji Yuntong slowly finished her breakfast, her fingers gently tracing the rim of her cup as her gaze fell on the peaceful scene outside the window. This morning was particularly quiet. Yet, her thoughts unknowingly drifted back to Bai Henan.

Bai Henan, the person who always appeared quietly but somehow made her feel a subtle sense of unease. He never said much, always expressing his care through his actions. Ji Yuntong once thought that his behavior was merely a matter of politeness, but she realized that every time she met him, a vague disturbance stirred within her heart.

She furrowed her brows slightly, and the dream from last night resurfaced in her mind— the hazy figure and his deep voice. Ji Yuntong couldn't explain it all, yet she couldn't ignore that feeling. The familiar aura felt like some invisible force tugging at her heart.

"Maybe, it's just a coincidence," she whispered to herself, trying to calm down.

She got up and walked over to the corner of the pottery studio, starting to organize the pieces left over from yesterday. Although her hands were busy, her mind was unable to focus. Bai Henan's presence always seemed to stir her heart when she least expected it.

Ji Yuntong stopped her work, took a deep breath, and turned to look out the window. Perhaps, she should do something to clarify these feelings.

Just as she was about to continue her work, her phone suddenly rang, interrupting her thoughts.

It was Ji Jintang.

She picked up the phone, and Ji Jintang's voice came through the receiver.

"Sis, I'm back! Let's hang out tonight!"

Ji Yuntong frowned slightly. "What happened? Why did you suddenly come back?" Her tone was cool, with a hint of seriousness.

Ji Jintang elongated her words, "Nothing! What could have happened? I just want to come back and develop here."

Ji Yuntong remained silent for a moment, her gaze returning to the items on the table as her fingers unconsciously traced the rim of her cup.

"Is that really all?" she asked in a neutral tone, but there was a slight sense of inquiry.

Ji Jintang laughed lightly, her tone cheerful. "Sis, don't be so sensitive. I'm back, and we can't not even have a meal together, right?"

"Where are you staying?" Ji Yuntong didn't respond to her words, simply asking.

"I haven't found a place yet, so I'm staying at a hotel for now."

"See you tonight," Ji Yuntong said淡ly, not asking any more questions and hanging up.

Ji Yuntong put the phone down, her brows furrowing slightly. Ji Jintang's tone sounded carefree, but she always felt something was off. Her sister was always easygoing, but she wouldn't make such an unprepared decision.

She let out a soft breath, tidied up the items on the table, and headed downstairs. Since Ji Jintang was back, she might as well meet her in person.

Ji Yuntong went to the corner of the studio and opened the orders on the desk, reviewing the custom pieces that needed to be completed today. Most of these required meticulous handcrafting, and every process from clay selection to shaping and firing had to be handled with care.

She took a deep breath and began preparing according to the order requirements. Each piece of clay was slowly shaped by her fingers, its edges gradually becoming more defined. She occasionally picked up tools to carefully refine the corners, fully absorbed in her work. Pottery was not only her profession but also a form of spiritual release.

After organizing the materials, she started placing some of the completed pieces on the drying rack and checked other already-fired ceramics to ensure they met her standards for perfection. During this time, Ji Yuntong made hardly any sound; the only noise in the studio was the soft clink of clay and her gentle breathing.

Bai Henan quietly entered the studio, standing at the door watching Ji Yuntong without disturbing her.

After completing a certain amount of work, Ji Yuntong took a short break and finally saw Bai Henan standing at the door.

"What are you doing here?" Ji Yuntong raised an eyebrow, glancing at the time—it was already nearing noon.

Bai Henan raised an eyebrow and held up the items in his hand. "Didn't you say you'd make lunch? I brought some ingredients."

Ji Yuntong understood. "Go upstairs and wait for me. I'll just tidy up a bit," she said, quickly washing her hands and cleaning up the area.

Bai Henan, who had been sent upstairs, opened Ji Yuntong's door with a key and walked into the kitchen, placing the ingredients on the counter.

Ji Yuntong came upstairs about ten minutes later.

She entered the kitchen and began preparing. Bai Henan casually leaned against the doorframe, watching her skillfully wash and chop the vegetables with fluid and practiced motions.

"Need help?"

"You know how to?" She asked with a neutral tone, though with a hint of doubt.

"No, but I can learn," he replied slowly, almost casually.

She didn't respond, but handed him a bunch of greens. "Wash them."

Bai Henan took them and did as instructed.

The atmosphere wasn't particularly warm, but neither was it awkward. It felt as though this kind of interaction was perfectly natural.

The meal was soon ready. The two sat down to eat, the table set with two simple dishes and a soup—homey but flavorful.

"It's not bad," Bai Henan said after taking a bite, offering an honest evaluation.

Ji Yuntong glanced at him. "Mm."

"What? You think I'm picky?"

"You're not," she said lightly. "It's just rare to hear you compliment someone."

Bai Henan chuckled lightly. "Your cooking deserves a compliment."

The atmosphere between them softened slightly after his words. There were no unnecessary words, but the exchanged glances and subtle movements filled the air with an unspoken emotion.

After the meal, Bai Henan naturally began to clear the dishes. Ji Yuntong intended to stop him but saw how skilled he was, so in the end, she said nothing.

After finishing the meal, Bai Henan prepared to leave, but Ji Yuntong called out, "Class at 5:00 p.m. today. Remember to come."

Bai Henan nodded and softly replied, "Don't worry, I won't forget."