The morning dawned under a blanket of unyielding grey, the sun a mere rumor behind the clouds. Green branches, roused from their slumber, stretched languidly in the soft breeze, shedding crystal dewdrops that shimmered like scattered pearls as they cascaded from each leaf. Within the hushed confines of the bedroom, two forms lay intertwined, their closeness a silent testament to an unspoken intimacy.
A subtle tremor rippled through Jiang Ci’s long eyelashes as his eyes slowly flickered open. A stark expanse of white dominated his vision, gradually, painstakingly, giving way to a hesitant focus. The pervasive mist that had long veiled his world began to recede, and for a fleeting, breathtaking instant, his sight cleared. It wasn’t perfect, akin to peering through severely scratched glass, yet it offered him the precious ability to perceive. He lowered his gaze, his eyes drawn with an almost magnetic pull to the small face nestled upon his chest. He closed them, then opened them again; the vision, though still indistinct, was enough to finally discern Su Yue’s form.
He recalled the insistent whispers from the servants, painting Su Yue as a figure of darkness and plumpness. While he knew she had since thinned, he had never dared to imagine this. His blindness, after all, had rendered her appearance irrelevant; her comforting presence was all that truly mattered. But now, gazing at the small, snow-white face before him, a rare and profound astonishment flickered in his dark eyes. The woman nestled against him bore no resemblance to the “ugly” image he had painstakingly constructed in his mind.
Her complexion was not dark, but a luminous, almost ethereal white, so remarkably fair it reminded him of a delicate sphere of creamy jade. No wonder, he mused, her cheeks felt so exquisitely delicate and smooth beneath his touch. Her nose, a dainty, pretty tip the color of untouched snow, was small and utterly charming. She wore black pajamas, her small, rosy and shiny mouth slightly parted, revealing the faintest glint of white teeth. Unable to resist, his slender fingertips brushed those soft lips, his warm thumb gently tracing their tender curve. They were incredibly soft. He continued his exploration, his gaze drifting lower. Su Yue’s two hands rested softly upon his chest. He took one, bringing it before his eyes, examining it with a newfound, almost childlike, curiosity. Her white, slender fingers boasted nails of a tender, lustrous pink, healthier and more vibrant than any he’d seen. Her palm, having a healthy blush, felt utterly boneless when he squeezed it. Jiang Ci’s large hands effortlessly enveloped Su Yue’s, kneading them gently, a silent gesture of his burgeoning fascination. A rare, contented smile played upon his lips. He had, it seemed, profoundly wronged her. She was not ugly at all.
As he toyed with her hand, Su Yue stirred agitatedly, the side of her face buried in his chest turning. In the next shattering second, Jiang Ci’s newfound clarity was brutally marred by the sight of several scars on her snow-white face. One, alarmingly, was the size of a thumb and a half. His large hand released her soft one, his slender fingertips brushing the rough, scabbed texture. Hard and stark against her smooth, white skin, they appeared like stark black ink stains on a pristine page—an undeniable eyesore. This, he realized with a pang that pierced his chest, was the price she had paid for him. No wonder her cries had been so heartbreaking that day. She truly was disfigured. Yet, as his fingertips gently traced their contours, Jiang Ci lowered his head and kissed them. Hmm, he thought. He didn’t dislike it.
“Don’t scratch me,” a low, soft voice, laced with a lazy, tender tone, sent a shiver down his spine. Su Yue, roused by the unfamiliar tickle on her face, blinked open her eyes, inadvertently meeting a pair of dark, smiling ones. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she stared at those eyes until the smile within them vanished, replaced by an unmistakable glint of mischief.
Su Yue knew, implicitly, that she was in trouble. She yawned languidly, her voice taking on an arrogant accusation. “Why are you scratching me? You’re not letting anyone sleep.”
“I just got you up. Don’t you have class today?” Jiang Ci countered, raising his brows. He looked at her, and even through the lingering blur, he could clearly discern the light blush on her snow-white face, fresh from slumber. He swallowed, a primal urge to take a bite.
“Yes.” There was no class for the first session today, so she didn’t have to rise so early. She had fully intended to luxuriate in bed.
“Then you’re not getting up yet?” Jiang Ci’s face suddenly tightened, a flicker of irritation crossing his features.
“Why are you so fierce all of a sudden?” Su Yue leaned closer to Jiang Ci. “Huh?” she murmured, her voice laced with an innocent curiosity. “Jiang Ci, the scar on his face seems to have become a little smaller.” She had noticed a scar on the edge of his jaw before, but now it was smoothed out. Jiang Ci’s own scars, it seemed, were slowly shrinking. Would they all eventually fade away? Su Yue curiously touched his scar with her hand. The flesh here felt strikingly different from the rest of his face, surprisingly soft.
A small, snow-colored face, framed by rosy lips, was suddenly magnified before him, emanating a faint, sweet milky fragrance. Jiang Ci, a man never prone to denying himself, felt the delicious proximity. His favorite Food was, quite literally, on his lips. When he was hungry, he took a bite. With that thought, Jiang Ci’s thin lips descended upon Su Yue’s delicate chin. His mouth opened, and he bit.
“Umph,” Su Yue gasped softly, startled, her eyes widening in disbelief. She clutched her bitten chin, wet and undoubtedly stained with Jiang Ci’s saliva. “Jiang Ci, you…”
The tip of his tongue savored a delicate, faintly milky taste. Jiang Ci licked the corner of his lips. He raised his eyes to meet hers, a playful tsk escaping him. The taste, he decided, was exquisite. “If you touch my face again, it won’t be as simple as biting you next time.” Jiang Ci hooked his lips. “You still can’t get up?”
Su Yue, as usual, shot him a secret glare. Her chin, smeared with saliva, felt undeniably dirty. She threw off the quilt and retreated to the bathroom. Jiang Ci hadn’t been angry for the past two days, and the scars on her face hadn’t worsened, so Su Yue felt no particular urgency. After washing, she meticulously applied ointment to her scar.
Emerging from the bathroom, Su Yue saw the man sprawled languidly on the bed. “Jiang Ci, I’ve squeezed the toothpaste for you. Go brush your teeth.” She walked to the closet, opening its door to reveal a crescent white dress. She typically changed clothes directly in the room, knowing Jiang Ci could see nothing, and thus felt no need for modesty. Last night, she’d worn shorts. Now, she unbuttoned and shed her pajamas. Her trousers were next.
Suddenly, as she slipped them off, she felt a burning gaze upon her back. Su Yue turned, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes, and met Jiang Ci’s dark, bottomless gaze. Even knowing he was blind, an inexplicable sensation washed over her—the distinct, unnerving feeling of his eyes fixed upon her.
“Jiang Ci, why don’t you brush your teeth?” Su Yue asked casually, the room’s silence almost oppressive.
Jiang Ci’s chin lifted, his eyes dangerously half-squinted. “No hurry,” he said lazily. Though his vision remained blurred at this distance, it did not hinder his perception of Su Yue’s overly slender and delicate body. Especially when she turned, he seemed to glimpse the alluring greasy white arc swaying above. His resolute chin gradually tightened, and an indescribable heat surged from his chest. Jiang Ci lowered his eyes, his face darkening with a familiar irritation. “Su Yue, you are bullying me again because I’m blind.” This woman was truly hateful. She changed clothes in front of him, dangled enticingly, and then, with audacious insolence, secretly stared at him when he was angry.
Su Yue turned back, donned her dress, and rolled her eyes with an air of innocent exasperation. “How can I bully you?” Then, she walked to Jiang Ci, turned her back to him, and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I can’t pull the chain. Can you help me, please?”
At close range, Jiang Ci could now clearly discern the expansive, jade-white skin of Su Yue’s back. At this moment, Jiang Ci felt not only his chest dry, but his entire body aflame. He said gloomily, “Su Yue, don’t you want to go to class today?”
Su Yue took Jiang Ci’s hand and placed it on her back. “I’m going. Hurry up, I’ll have breakfast later.”
His fingertips inadvertently brushed her delicate skin. Jiang Ci gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed on the beautiful back before him, his eyes gradually moving downward, where he could still discern her lovely waist.
“Jiang Ci?” Su Yue urged.
Jiang Ci, with a visible effort, calmed himself and helped her pull the zipper up. Su Yue turned her head, smiling at Jiang Ci, and praised, “Jiang Ci, you are so kind.” When she sought his assistance, she always sweetened the request with honeyed words.
Jiang Ci snorted coldly, offering no reply, and stalked to the bathroom with a sullen expression.
Breakfast was a lavish affair, a feast for the senses. Bird’s nest porridge, subtly sweet and impossibly glutinous, rested beside fresh shrimp pasta generously smothered in thick, salty cheese. There were small, plump siumai dumplings, seemingly bursting with savory soup, and an adorable coconut jelly dessert shaped like a playful bunny. Macaroni, crafted with pearl onions and two-color olives, exquisite crystal-skinned shrimp dumplings, creamy yogurt, fresh juice—it was a spread designed to awaken even the most slumbering appetite.
Su Yue took a sip of juice and observed Jiang Haoyan, who sat opposite her, diligently eating macaroni with a small silver spoon. “Jiang Ci, when kindergarten starts in September, let’s send Xiao Haohao to school.” Compared to other children his age, Jiang Haoyan was remarkably well-behaved and intelligent, able to dress himself, put on his own shoes, brush his teeth, and wash his face without adult help.
At Su Yue’s words, Xiao Haohao instantly looked up, his big eyes fixed on Su Yue, pleading. Haohao wants to go to school.
Jiang Ci raised his eyes. At this close distance, he could see Su Yue’s eyes, moist and translucent like pools of still water. “Whatever.”
“What is whatever means ‘?” Su Yue pressed. “Xiao Haohao can take care of himself, and he’s about the right age. When he goes to kindergarten, there will be many children to play with him.” Every word Su Yue spoke seemed to brighten Xiao Haohao’s eyes, and he even nodded in fervent agreement.
“Oh,” Jiang Ci replied expressionlessly. “Then you can send him there.”
Su Yue glared at him. “Let’s take him there together.” She glanced at Xiao Haohao, who was staring at her with wide, hopeful eyes, and smiled. “Let’s choose a kindergarten for Haohao.” Hearing this, Xiao Haohao’s small mouth spread into a wide grin, revealing tiny white teeth.
After breakfast, Su Yue retrieved the mask from the side and placed it over her face. “I’m going to class. Not many classes today. I’ll give you mango cake when I come back.” Jiang Ci looked at the white mask on her face, finding it an eyesore. She was still wearing this to school because of the scars on her face?
Watching her slender figure vanish from sight, Jiang Ci took out his mobile phone. The other end of the line connected quickly. “I want some medicine for scar removal,” Jiang Ci stated directly, his voice devoid of emotion.
On the other end, Lu Chenli seemed to be speaking to someone nearby before silence fell. Startled, he replied, “Do you want to remove the scar on your face? The scar on your face is too serious; you’ll need surgery. Scarring medicine won’t work.” He had previously asked Jiang Ci if he wanted to treat his face. Though it couldn’t be fully restored, it would be better than his current disfigurement. Had Jiang Ci finally, unexpectedly, changed his mind?
“It’s not for me,” Jiang Ci said lazily.
“You’re not using it?” Lu Chenli suddenly remembered that Jiang Ci’s wife, Su Yue, had been disfigured by acid at the banquet while saving him. So, Jiang Ci was looking for medicine for Su Yue. “You know I’m just an ophthalmologist. I’m not good with skin problems, but I can ask my senior brother for you.”
“Um.”
Today, Xu Xue still hadn’t come to class. She was recuperating at home, preparing for next week’s agonizing surgery. After class, Jin Mingyuan lay slumped on the table, bored, her gaze fixed on Su Yue’s fingers as they held her pen. They were impossibly fair and slender, and even her nails were pinker and more lustrous than ordinary people’s. Jin Mingyuan was consumed by envy. Even her fingers were so exquisitely beautiful; it was truly too much to bear.
At that moment, the deputy monitor approached with a small notebook. “The end of next month is the school’s 50th anniversary celebration, and the school requires each class to have a program. Everyone else has signed up, Mingyuan, Su Yue, which one do you choose to participate in?”
Jin Mingyuan frowned. “Didn’t you say there would only be one show? Everyone in the class must participate?”
“Every class reports four programs, and finally, a better one is selected,” the deputy monitor explained. This was the school’s 50th anniversary, a grand celebration where many important guests and parents would be invited, a truly significant event. The deputy monitor showed the book to Jin Mingyuan. “I heard that the school beauties in the first class are going to dance, and the department flowers in the third class are going to perform and play the piano. This is already eye-catching. There are also many talented people in other classes, but we don’t have any in our class. So, to be fair, there will be a show in four groups, and you can choose one to participate. Anyway, it’s unknown whether it will be able to go on stage at that time.”
Jin Mingyuan stared at the choices in the book. Classical dance was full, chorus was full, hip-hop dance was full, and there weren’t enough people left for the remaining sketch. “What kind of sketch is this?”
“This is what the squad leader thought of: ‘Snowwhite ‘,” Du Xiaoying, the deputy squad leader, explained, her eyes sweeping to Su Yue. “Su Yue, why don’t you play the witch after the Poison Queen transforms?” Recently, rumors had circulated about Su Yue’s facial injury. What was once mere speculation had now been confirmed by her daily mask. Therefore, it was, in a twisted way, quite suitable for Su Yue to play the witch. “You don’t need to worry about showing your face. When the time comes, the witch will wear a black cloak with a big hat. If you put on the hat, the audience will not see your appearance.”
“Why is Yueyue playing a witch?” Jin Mingyuan scoffed, genuinely annoyed. Even if she played a character, it should be Snow White!
“There are only two characters left: the dwarf and the witch,” Du Xiaoying quickly clarified. “The others have been picked out. You can discuss who will play the dwarf and who will play the witch.”
“It doesn’t matter, I’ll play the witch.” Su Yue found it unexpectedly interesting. She had always played the beautiful, fragile heroine, the “vase.” She had never before attempted an ugly, venomous role.
Jin Mingyuan, seething, declared, “Then I’ll play the dwarf!” Even though they were both so undeniably beautiful, they were forced to portray such unsightly characters!