Cupid's Assistant

Chapter 28

A week went by, and then another. Soon, a whole month went by, and there was no sign of Xiaodan. Inside the classroom, everyone was heading out as class was over. Li Chyou tapped her books together on the table before stuffing them in her bag. A soft sigh came out of her mouth.

"I wonder how Xiaodan is doing? It's been a month now since she left, and midterms are here. She still hasn't answered my texts or calls. Has she answered any of you guys?" Li Chyou asked Zhu Haoran and Wu Mingze. They both shook their heads.

"I'm worried about her. I hope she's okay?" Li Chyou said, worried. Feng Yichen looked at Li Chyou's worried face before he slightly frowned.

"Yeah, me too but I think she's fine. Don't worry too much," Zhu Haoran said, ruffling Li Chyou's hair. Soon, they all got up and headed out. Wu Mingze was the last one out the door. He took out his phone and saw that all his messages were still unread. He frowned before texting her once again.

____

Meanwhile, Xiaodan was basking under the sunlight with her eyes closed. Throughout her absence, she had been in recovery, basking under the light to restore her health, as she was back in the nourishing quarter where she was cared for as a baby. During this time, her bracelet was off to be repaired.

"Xiaodan," a voice called her and continued calling her name.

"Hmm?" Xiaodan opened her eyes and sat up. "What's the matter, Auntie Bai?" Xiaodan asked once she spotted the person who was calling her name.

"How are you feeling today?" Auntie Bai, a sweet, refined old little lady who looked to be in her 70s, said.

"I'm feeling refreshed and rejuvenated today," Xiaodan answered honestly. To be exact, she felt better the first day she arrived at the nourishing quarter.

"That's good to hear," Auntie Bai sighed in relief. "When you arrived here, you looked so pale," she started to worry and continued on. Xiaodan nodded her head and repeated that she was fine.

"What is it that you called me?" Xiaodan asked again, standing on her feet.

"Oh yes, MengYao is here for you," Auntie Bai said, remembering her purpose of calling her.

"Also, I just heard from MengYao that you are back on mid-level cases. Why didn't you bother telling me," Auntie Bai slightly scolded her.

"I...simply forgot," Xiaodan sheepishly scratched her left cheek as she didn't really tell anyone. She went straight to work.

"But that's so good to hear! I was so worried about you, but now I'm so happy for you. Be careful so you don't get into trouble again," Auntie Bai reminded her.

"Mm...I know," Xiaodan nodded her head.

Xiaodan headed out of the recuperating area and into the resting area to find MengYao, waiting for her.

"MengYao, what brings you here?" Xiaodan said, walking up to her and sitting in front of her.

"I was just checking on you. How are you feeling? You look better than before," MengYao said, leaning her cheek against her palm.

"Better," Xiaodan said with a smile. "Basking in the sun really helped restore my energy," Xiaodan added.

"That's good to hear," MengYao said with a relaxed expression. "By the way, you've been here for a month," she added.

"Wait, what! A month," Xiaodan said, startled. "Wasn't I supposed to be fully recovered and back in two weeks?" Xiaodan sat straight up.

"That's what I'm wondering," MengYao said, putting her arm down. "Are you sure you are feeling better?" She crossed her arms.

"I think so," Xiaodan said, feeling uncertain. Xiaodan soon tightened her lips into a straight line.

MengYao didn't like to see Xiaodan's stressed-out expression and comforted her, "Xiaodan, don't worry about it. It might have to do with your bracelet. It's probably still being fixed. I'll ask Senior Zixin," relaxing her arms beside her side.

"Thank you, MengYao," Xiaodan forced a smile.

"If you are worried, I can check on them," MengYao said.

"What! MengYao, you know you might get in trouble-" Xiaodan tried to finish her sentence, but MengYao interrupted her.

"Don't worry about it," MengYao said.

"Are you sure? You know you might get in trouble for helping me," Xiaodan said, slightly nervous. She knew there was a written rule that didn't allow other cupid's assistants to help each other.

"I will be quick. No one will know," MengYao said, reassuring her.

"But-," Xiaodan tried to say.

"No, buts. Don't worry," MengYao said, getting up. "Alright, I should get go," MengYao quickly scurried away before Xiaodan could interject. Once MengYao was out of sight, Xiaodan took a deep sigh and pulled out an unconnected phone. She wondered how they were doing as she aimlessly looked at the phone.