Peach-Orange! – Chapter 214 – Growing Anticipation and Unease

“Alright, my time is limited. I need to get back to my research. You two chat slowly.”

After Chengcheng stood up, Tang Tang looked at her in surprise. “Leaving so soon? You haven’t even touched your burger.”

Su Tao patiently explained for Chengcheng. “Chengcheng is working on research with her advisor. She only gets a few hours off each week. Sometimes when I message her on WeChat, it takes forever for her to reply.”

“Oh, I see….”

Though still somewhat puzzled, Tang Tang waved goodbye to Chengcheng.

Once she was gone, Tang Tang immediately felt more at ease.

With Chengcheng around, she’d felt like prey being watched.

Her departure didn’t affect the flow of conversation between the remaining two.

Perhaps because Chi Xiaocheng’s revival had given Su Tao more hope, she didn’t hold back much in her chat with Tang Tang, though she did adjust some details.

She mentioned that Xiaocheng had been critically ill and near death, only showing signs of improvement recently.

She could wake up from her coma at any moment, which was why Su Tao was so excited.

The two talked for a long time, then went window-shopping. By the time they were about to part ways, it was nearly evening.

Walking beside Su Tao, Tang Tang sighed with a hint of envy. “It’s so nice… You grew up together, relied on each other, overcame so many difficulties, and ended up together. I’m kind of jealous.”

Su Tao smiled sheepishly. “What’s there to be jealous about? You could easily find someone great too, right?”

Tang Tang shrugged. “It’s not that simple. In another two years, I might have to enter an arranged marriage.”

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She kicked a small pebble on the ground. “But enough about that. Once your Xiaocheng wakes up, you’re planning to confess right away?”

“Yes!” Su Tao nodded firmly. “After confessing, no matter what happens, I’ll love her in my own way.”

Tang Tang clicked her tongue. “No plans for a more ceremonial confession? This is one of the most important moments of your life!”

“Well… I haven’t thought that far ahead. Confessing is what she wants most, and I want to say those words to her as soon as possible, to let her know how I feel.”

“Fine. But later, you have to introduce her to me. If you two get married, I’ll be your bridesmaid!”

“Get out! We’re nowhere near marriage yet!”

Waving goodbye to Tang Tang, Su Tao stuffed her hands into her coat pockets and gazed at the fiery sunset, a small smile tugging at her lips.

A scene from one of her dreams resurfaced in her mind.

“Once Xiaocheng wakes up and recovers, I’ll take her to the amusement park again. We’ll ride the Ferris wheel one more time.”

Regrets from dreams should be resolved in reality.

That eternal confession… she would say it over and over again.

With lighthearted anticipation, Su Tao walked toward Chi Xiaocheng’s home, her high ponytail swaying behind her, making her look both elegant and spirited.

While waiting at a crosswalk, during the last few seconds of the red light, a short-haired boy nervously approached her, his face flushed. “Um… excuse me, miss. You’re… really pretty. Could I… get your contact info?”

The boy was so nervous he couldn’t even meet Su Tao’s striking eyes.

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In the distance, a few of his friends were egging him on, watching eagerly.

He’d lost at rock-paper-scissors, and now the shy boy was mustering all his courage.

In the past, Su Tao would have politely declined, saying she wasn’t interested in dating right now.

But now—

Su Tao glanced at the now-green light and smiled faintly. “Sorry, I have a girlfriend.”

With that, she walked away.

Her swaying ponytail left the boy dazed.

Back home, Su Tao received another message from Professor Su.

According to the tests, Chi Xiaocheng’s condition had improved further. Though uncertainties remained, based on decades of medical experience and the data from the equipment, she could wake up at any time within the next two to three days.

This news sent another wave of excitement through Su Tao.

She was so happy she even picked up King and spun around, half-considering dragging the cat into the bath with her.

But for some reason, the cat was deathly afraid of bathing with her, scratching at her in its desperation to escape the bathroom.

This puzzled Su Tao.

King wasn’t usually this afraid of water.

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That night, Su Tao browsed Taobao, carefully considering how to spend the last 500 yuan in her wallet.

She didn’t know exactly when Chi Xiaocheng would wake up, but she wanted to prepare a gift in advance.

Yet after hours of searching, she couldn’t find anything suitable. At least, nothing that felt right for Xiaocheng.

When bedtime came, she placed the little straw doll on her pillow and hugged the large brown teddy bear, drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, Su Tao woke up early.

Exercise, breakfast, catching up on the news, then off to work and study at the café. Filled with renewed purpose, she seemed more vibrant than ever, able to smile at everyone she met.

The difference between now and a month ago, when Chi Xiaocheng had just died, was night and day.

Meanwhile, Chi Xiaocheng, now just a day and a half away from waking up, remained hidden inside the straw doll, often leaning against King as she observed Su Tao’s changes.

[Su Tao]

[Height: 166 cm]

[Weight: 95 → 96]

[Size: C]

[Current Status: No negative effects]

[General Favorability Toward Host: 99 (She has fully accepted you as the most important person in her life. Your return fills her with anticipation.)]

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[Romantic Favorability Toward Host: 63 → 67 (Though gender norms still linger in her mind, she’s doing her best to ignore them. She’s realized she likes you, but much of that affection stems from external pressures rather than active choice. If unexpected events occur, this forced affection may diminish.)]

[Possessiveness Toward Host: 60 → 45 (Your death was not set in stone. As her emotions stabilize, her rationality returns. Knowing you’ll wake up, she’s focusing more on the future. Subconsciously, she believes you’ll always love her no matter what, so she no longer feels the need to possess you. After all, you won’t run away. She wants you to have a better life, so she’s devoting more time to self-improvement.)]

The Status Glasses’ feedback filled Chi Xiaocheng with both joy and unease.

The joy came from Su Tao’s weight increasing by half a kilogram.

The girl who had grown gaunt after her death was slowly regaining a healthy weight.

But this joy paled in comparison to her growing anxiety.

“Her favorability is rising too slowly.

“And her possessiveness toward me has dropped significantly.”

As Chi Xiaocheng sighed sadly, conversing with the system in her mind, Tang Tang’s appearance only deepened her unease.

Clutching the 4,135 faith points she’d saved up, she scoured the system store for something helpful.

[Host, what are you looking for?]

The system’s question made her pause.

“System, does the store have anything that can give me temporary amnesia?”