Peach-Orange! – Chapter 301 – Past Life, Present Life (Important Chapter)

No one to confide in.

Dare not speak to anyone.

Can only bury it deep in my heart, hiding the unease and fear whenever it surfaces.

‘Am I forcing Tao-Tao like this? Is her current affection for me truly genuine?’

‘If I push too hard, will she come to hate me?’

‘Does she love the current me, or the original Xiaocheng?’

Unable to voice these questions to others, she could only throw them at herself.

Dark Xiaocheng looked at Chi Xiaocheng’s bewildered expression and sighed helplessly, “She would.”

The answer came without hesitation or contemplation, leaving Chi Xiaocheng stunned. “…Xiao Hei, ¹ Literally “Little Black” You’re so blunt?”

“Because this is the answer you wanted to hear,” Dark Xiaocheng rolled her eyes. “And why are you suddenly giving me nicknames?”

“Because I didn’t know what to call you, and you’re dressed all in black.”

Chi Xiaocheng touched her hair, sizing up her other self.

Honestly, apart from looking identical, she couldn’t see any similarities between them.

The elegant gown was a deep, dark black.

The rose adorning her head was black.

Her accessories, ribbons, sleeves, elbow-length silk gloves; all black.

Even the long stockings and elegant high heels were black.

The only other colors on her were the starlike embellishments on the black dress, glowing with a subdued luster.

Chi Xiaocheng sighed softly. “Forget it, I won’t ask you this question anymore.”

Asking herself was useless. What answers could she possibly get?

Xiao Hei knew exactly what she was thinking.

So the answer given would inevitably be the one she desired.

Of course, she wanted to ask Su Tao this question too.

But she didn’t dare.

Even if Su Tao’s love for her was hypocritical, she couldn’t bear to shatter that illusion.

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Chi Xiaocheng looked up. Though she hadn’t gotten an answer, voicing her thoughts had lightened her mood. “Since you’re appearing before me now, does that mean this dream is about to end?”

“Well… there’s still some time left.”

Dark Xiaocheng raised a hand, slender fingers sheathed in black silk gloves.

Snap!

With a flick of her fingers, the scene before Chi Xiaocheng instantly changed. She was no longer sitting on the ground.

Instead, she stood on the side of the street.

Before her was Su Tao, telling her not to be unreasonable.

Chi Xiaocheng understood that this was another new cycle.

Dark Xiaocheng strolled to her side, placing a small hand on her shoulder and whispering into her ear, “Before you wake up, you can experience the dream’s beginning one more time. If the choice to break free was yours, what would you do?”

With that, Dark Xiaocheng stepped back, dissolving into motes of starlight.

When she reappeared, she was standing far away, as if watching a show.

Meanwhile, Chi Xiaocheng was surprised to find she could now control this body.

No longer just an observer trapped within.

As she stood dazed, Su Tao seemed to grow impatient at her prolonged silence and lack of movement.

Frowning, she added, “Xiaocheng, I have things I want to do too. I need some personal space. You always talk about finding something you like and working hard for it. Well, now’s your chance. You’re an adult now, so stop just talking and actually do something, okay?”

Every word she spoke urged Chi Xiaocheng to leave.

Chi Xiaocheng had once imagined—

If she could travel back to the time right before their fight, or even earlier,

She had countless ways to win Su Tao over before Ye Liang’s relationship with her could deepen.

But that assumption was based on the absence of the world’s will.

Now it seemed most of those methods were useless.

But not all.

The opportunity was before her. She could try.

But….

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Chi Xiaocheng didn’t want to. Right now, she only wanted an answer to a question that had haunted her for so long.

She took a quiet breath.

Looked up at Su Tao.

A droplet-sized crimson hue tinged her left eye, lending an odd gleam to those clear pupils.

It seemed the dream version of herself also possessed intermediate acting skills, just like in reality.

Chi Xiaocheng spoke naturally, yet loudly, voicing the words in her heart:

“Tao-Tao!

“You ask why I’m immature, why I cling to you, why I always talk about finding something I like but never act, why I’m so unreasonable!

“It’s because the only thing I love, the only person I love… is you!

“I don’t just like ‘Sister Tao-Tao,’ I love you, Tao-Tao!”

Her voice was loud, her gaze firm, her small hands clenched tightly over her chest. She had laid bare her true feelings from reality.

“I love you. That’s why I’ve been so unreasonable!”

‘I’m not being unreasonable. You just never understood what I truly wanted.’

‘Our initial fight, the misunderstandings that followed… it all could’ve been resolved with just this one sentence.’

‘So, please give me the response I crave, okay?’

‘This is my dream. Please, follow my heart and take my hand, okay?’

Su Tao froze.

One hand flew to cover her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief.

For a fleeting moment, her expression and gaze seemed to struggle.

Then Ye Liang reached out, giving her shoulder a light pat.

Instantly, Su Tao bit her lower lip harder.

Then, under Chi Xiaocheng’s hopeful gaze, she took a fearful step back. “Xiaocheng, what are you saying? Jokes have limits! Saying you love me… we’re both girls!”

As the words fell—

Crash!

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A sound like shattering glass echoed.

The dream broke.

And she woke up.

Chi Xiaocheng still lay in bed, her eyes devoid of post-sleep grogginess. Only a bitter smile touched her lips.

“So that’s the answer, huh….”

She fell silent. The only sound left was rain pattering against the window.

Ink-like darkness enveloped her, bringing endless loneliness once more.

Chi Xiaocheng could only pull the blanket tighter, her lips trembling slightly.

“Xiao Hei… are you there?”

“I am.”

With the reply, the lights flicked on.

Emerging from the covers, Chi Xiaocheng saw her black-gowned self leaning against the headboard, watching her.

A sense of comfort washed over her. She managed a small smile.

“Good. Then turn off the lights and let’s sleep.”

She reached out, but Dark Xiaocheng grabbed her wrist and shoved her aside.

“Sleep? Lights out?”

Dark Xiaocheng looked thoroughly annoyed, jabbing a finger toward the door.

“Right now, take your pillow and go knock on Su Tao’s door.”

Chi Xiaocheng hesitated. “But Tao-Tao’s already asleep. She’s under so much pressure daily. Getting proper rest isn’t easy. We shouldn’t disturb her….”

“Are you trying to be an idiot too? Find an excuse to sleep together tonight, and you can share a bed every night after! If you’re scared, go rely on the person you love! Stop dawdling and get moving!”

Though her words were sharp, Dark Xiaocheng’s actions were swift. She shoved a pillow into Chi Xiaocheng’s arms and pushed her out the door.

Without another word, she knocked on Su Tao’s door.

When the drowsy girl opened it, Dark Xiaocheng gave Chi Xiaocheng a firm push—

Sending her tumbling straight into Su Tao’s arms.

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Blinking in confusion, Su Tao instinctively wrapped her arms around Chi Xiaocheng to steady her. “X-Xiaocheng?”

A thunderclap boomed outside. Understanding dawned on Su Tao.

Gently, she stroked Chi Xiaocheng’s head. “Scared of the thunder?”

“…Mhm.”

“Then I’ll hold you while you sleep. I’m here.”

The girl’s scent and tender voice instantly soothed Chi Xiaocheng.

Pulling back slightly, she turned, only to see Dark Xiaocheng leaning against the doorframe, nodding at her resignedly.

In that moment, Chi Xiaocheng understood why lonely people often imagined companions.

Sometimes, taking that first step requires just a little push of courage.

She followed Su Tao into the room. The door closed behind them.

Only then did Dark Xiaocheng turn away, shutting Chi Xiaocheng’s bedroom door as well.

Alone in the room, she embraced the solitude that was always meant to be hers.

“Xiao Hei….”

Dark Xiaocheng murmured the name, then clicked her tongue.

“Tch. What a generic name.”

Sitting on the bed, she picked up the grey wolf plushie and hugged it lightly.

“System, you there?”

[What do you want?]

“She… gave me a name. Xiao Hei… does it sound nice?”

[Tch, what’s so great about a generic name? She calls me ‘System’ every day. I’m the one who’s been helping her all these months.]

[And remember your place. Letting you have independent thought was a last resort. Now you’re touching real objects? You’ve crossed a line.]

“Relax. It won’t notice.”

Dark Xiaocheng smirked, then glanced at the firmly shut door.

“But this… really was the most unexpected outcome.”