Chapter 147

The boy raised his right hand with satisfaction and stroked the girl’s dry black hair. His brows drew together almost imperceptibly once more, but then he smiled gently.

“Your name will be Yingyue.”

He took the little girl’s hand and led her upstairs, saying as he went, “All right. I’ll take you to have a bath first, and then we’ll change you into something pretty. Girls ought to dress beautifully, like princesses. That way, they can meet handsome princes.”

As he spoke, he smiled at the little girl—at Yingyue.

Yingyue looked down at their clasped hands, then up at the beautiful figure walking before her and the long golden hair that swayed with every step. A happy smile curved her lips.

I have already met a handsome prince before I even became a beautiful princess!

You are my prince, my very own magician—the magician who will turn me into a beautiful princess!

The girl’s eyes shimmered with enchanting light. Without realizing it, she tightened her grip around the boy’s little hand.

The boy led Yingyue into a room that was very simple, yet possessed an understated elegance and luxury. He ushered her toward the bathroom and said warmly, “There you are. Go take a bath. I’ll find you a beautiful princess dress and make you look absolutely lovely.”

Smiling with narrowed eyes, he patted Yingyue’s head before leaving.

Yingyue watched his retreating figure, her lips curving upward, then walked lightly into the bathroom.

The bathroom was furnished in the same understated yet luxurious style. As she moved through it, Yingyue ran her fingers over the smooth, gleaming white bathtub carved from marble, as well as the other toiletries, each one exquisite enough to be a work of art.

When she reached the tub, she glanced at the golden faucet and turned it on. At once, warm, clear water poured forth. Before long, the bathroom filled with mist, as though it had become a realm of fairies. Yingyue’s pale little face gradually flushed pink.

With small hands, she carefully undid her clothes one piece at a time and stepped into the hot water. She poured bath liquid into the tub, and thick white foam soon filled it, completely hiding her tiny body and leaving only her palm-sized face visible.

Meanwhile, the boy made a phone call. Not long afterward, a middle-aged man dressed like a proper butler arrived with several maids, pushing racks of clothing. He lowered his head respectfully beside the boy and said, “Young master, the clothes have arrived. Please see whether they meet your approval.”

The boy looked over everything on the racks, then nodded in satisfaction. He selected one outfit and waved his hand.

“You may go.”

“Yes, young master.”

The boy took the clothes and walked to the bathroom where Yingyue was bathing.

“Blue Blue, I’ve left your clothes here.”

“Oh, all right. Thank you.”

After receiving her answer, the boy went to the bed and sat down, opening a book to read.

Before long, Yingyue emerged wearing the clothes he had chosen for her. She approached him shyly and said in a soft voice, “I... I’m finished.”

At her words, the boy lifted his head. The instant he saw Yingyue, his heart gave an uncontrollable tremor. Then he smiled.

“You look beautiful.”

Yingyue’s cheeks immediately turned crimson.

“Thank you.”

She stole a glance at him and asked quietly, “What... what is your name?”

“Arthur Rivers.”

Arthur... Rivers...

“Your eyes are so beautiful, as clear and blue as the sky.” Yingyue gazed at Arthur’s lovely sky-blue eyes, momentarily entranced. “May I call you Sky?”

The boy was startled for a moment, then smiled.

“All right. From now on, I’ll be your Sky alone.”

That year, Yingyue met Arthur.

She was his Blue Blue.

He was her Sky.

In the blink of an eye, the scene shifted. It was still that same grand house, understated yet luxurious.

In a simple blue-and-white bedroom, a tall figure reclined comfortably in a wicker chair, a book in his hands. He was reading with complete concentration, a trace of warmth lingering at the corners of his lips.

Suddenly, darkness fell over his eyes. Then a deep, husky voice sounded beside his ear.

“Guess who I am?”

A fond smile brushed across the young man’s lips, but he cooperated by pretending to be surprised.

“Who are you? Let me think.”

He pretended to ponder, then said, “Hmm... are you Hill, the butler?”

“No.”

The deep voice held a hint of delight.

“Guess again.”

The young man guessed several more names, but none were correct. The small hands covering his eyes finally moved away. Pretending to be displeased, he said, “You’re so silly! You never guess who I am!”

It was a clear, bright female voice.

The young man pulled the newcomer into his arms and laughed.

“That’s right. I’m very silly. I can never guess. Nothing like our Miss Blue Blue, the unparalleled young lady who possesses both intelligence and charm.”

As he spoke, he rubbed his chin against the top of the girl’s head.

Yingyue nestled in Arthur’s arms like a languid kitten, thoroughly enjoying his affection. She spoke softly.

“That’s right. Sky is a big fool. It’s only because I’m so kind that I’m willing to put up with you.”

Her words were full of helpless disdain, but the little face hidden against Arthur’s chest was bright with a smile.

Arthur wrapped both arms around the petite figure in his embrace and said indulgently, “Blue Blue, summer vacation is about to begin. Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

“Sky, will you have time to go away with me during the holiday? Aren’t you very busy?”

At his words, Yingyue immediately lifted her head. Her violet eyes shimmered with captivating light. The sight made Arthur’s heart constrict. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

“Even if I’m busy, I still have to make time for my little princess.”

Yingyue’s cheeks grew even rosier and more alluring after his kiss, but she was still considerate enough to say, “Will it really not interfere with your work? I don’t want you to exhaust yourself.”

Yingyue knew that Arthur was always busy. Whenever he made time for her, he compressed several days’ worth of work into only a few days, all so he could take her out and show her around.

Arthur’s eyes were filled with tenderness. He kissed her cheek again and said, “It’s all right. I’ve discovered a very beautiful place, and I’m sure you’ll like it. Besides, it will be a chance for me to relax and clear my mind.”

“All right, then. But you mustn’t tire yourself out, understand? Otherwise, my heart will ache!”

Although Yingyue was delighted by the idea of traveling, she had never forgotten that, in her heart, Arthur was the most important person of all. Nothing mattered more than him.

In the years since Yingyue had come to Arthur’s home and begun living with him, she had gradually come to regard him as the most important person in her life. Because of Arthur, she was no longer as timid and timidly withdrawn as she had once been. Yet through their constant companionship, she had also entrusted every one of her feelings to him.

Her emotions toward Arthur were complicated. There was affection, respect, and dependence. To Yingyue, Arthur was family, friend, and lover. In her world, there was room for only one person—and that person was Arthur.

Gradually, Arthur’s image began to blur. Yingyue felt terribly tired, and before she knew it, she sank helplessly into sleep.

—In the World of Reality—

Shilei spent more than half of every day visiting Yingyue. As Mr. Gongyang continued to treat Yingyue with acupuncture, Shilei noticed that the color was slowly returning to her face.

Although Yingyue remained unconscious, she no longer looked quite so worrisome. Mr. Gongyang had said that the reason she had not yet awakened was that her memories were gradually returning. At present, she was organizing those memories, which was why she could not wake.

But when that day came, it would mean that her memories had been completely restored and her body had recovered as well. She would no longer suffer the intermittent headaches that had plagued her before.

For that reason, every day, the smile on Shilei’s face grew a little brighter as Yingyue’s complexion improved.

—Within the Reconstructed Memories—

When Yingyue’s mind cleared once more, the scene before her was no longer Arthur’s understated yet luxurious villa.

Instead, she found herself surrounded by waterways crisscrossing in every direction. It resembled Venice, yet it was even greener than Venice—as though it were a green Venice.

The surface of the water reflected the images of one little green house after another. The roofs of the houses were woven from reeds. Not only were they sturdy and durable, but they also kept the homes warm in winter and cool in summer. It was truly an ideal destination for travel and vacation.

At that moment, Yingyue and Arthur were seated in a small wooden boat, leisurely drifting along the canal. Beside them, a tour guide was recounting the history of the beautiful village of Giethoorn in a gentle, unhurried voice.

Arthur sat in the boat with a map of Giethoorn in his hands, studying it carefully to decide which places were worth visiting. Yingyue listened while watching the people along the banks.

Farther away, on a tree-lined path, tourists rode bicycles freely through the scenery. There were travelers exploring on their own, sweet couples enjoying each other’s company, and groups of elderly people out on spring excursions. Every face was alight with vitality and happiness.

As Yingyue watched, unconcealed admiration gradually appeared in her brilliant violet eyes. She turned to Arthur and said, “Sky, let’s go cycling along that tree-lined path tomorrow!”

Arthur raised his eyes and followed her yearning gaze toward the distant path. Dappled sunlight fell upon the verdant wooded island as tourists passed by on bicycles one after another. Every face was filled with delight. Even from so far away, their infectious laughter seemed almost audible.

Arthur looked away and turned toward Yingyue, whose eyes were full of anticipation. His sky-blue eyes were filled with affection. He reached out and ruffled the top of her head with a smile.

“All right. We’ll do whatever Blue Blue wants. Wherever Blue Blue wants to go, that’s where we’ll go.”