Time flew by quick.
Qin Shimei was sleeping on her bed. Her brows furrowed and her head tossed from side to side. Her sweat dampened her nightwear.
She felt like she was in a black void; peaceful and quiet. Qin Shimei slowly opened her eyes, turning her head as she was taking notes of her surroundings. Soon the black void began to fade away, showing a clear celestial view; the floor was made out of clouds, and there were different shapes and sizes of mountains filled with trees.
When Qin Shimei looked up, she saw a huge island with beautiful and ancient buildings while other, smaller islands floating nearby either have waterfalls, a lake with mountains, and enchanted forests.
Qin Shimei is currently standing on the clouds, observing everything around her. While scanning the place, she heard a sweet girly voice behind her. Qin Shimei turned around and saw a four-year-old version of herself squatting down next to a little kid who sat down, hugging their knees against their chest. The little kid had their head down as their shoulders trembled. Qin Shimei could hear sniffling sounds coming from the small figure.
The little Qin Shimei tilted her head sideways, "Hey you, why are you crying?"
The little kid did not answer her but kept crying. Little Qin Shimei repeated her question, but this time she poked the small figure's shoulder to get the child's attention.
The little kid felt annoyed. They slapped the little girl's tiny hand and glared at her. The kid got up and took two steps back, trying to create some space. The little kid who seemed to be a seven-years-old, pointed a finger down at her, "Don't touch me! Why don't you just leave me alone? What? You also want to bully me too like the other kids?" The kid narrowed their eyes at her.
When Qin Shimei heard the small kid's voice, she was shocked that it was a boy! The little boy's facial feature looked more beautiful than a goddess. He had pure golden eyes, raven black hair, silky smooth skin, a high nose, thin pale pink lips, and long fluttering eyelashes with sword like eyebrows. Even though he has some baby fat on his cheeks, it did not diminish his appearance. Instead, it made him look adorable.
As he stood up, his tall and thin structured body overshadow the little Qin Shimei, who was still squatting down. The boy looked to be around four feet and eleven inches tall. How can a boy so beautiful even exist? Later, Qin Shimei heard a timid and sweet girly voice, "No... No. I want to cheer you up because you looked sad. I just want to be your friend." Little Qin Shimei replied back while rubbing her tiny hand that was recently slapped.
The little kid responded with a mocking tone, "You? A daughter born with a pure bloodline want to cheer me up, a hybrid? Don't make me laugh! You should just go scram to your grandpa, you spoiled brat!"
Right after his statement, the little Qin Shimei got up. She glared at him and tried to hold back her tears, but no matter what her tears were already running down her cheeks.
"You meanie! Waah!"
Little Qin Shimei quickly ran off crying to the direction where Qin Shimei stood-and passed right through her.
When the older Qin Shimei saw the young version of herself run through like a spirit, she saw a black hole forming under her feet. Qin Shimei started to panic before her body fell into the tunnel of darkness. Before the light above her almost vanished, she saw a head poke out. Qin Shimei heard the same voice of the little boy calling out to her.
Qin Shimei gasped as her upper body quickly launched forward from her bed, her whole body soaking in cold sweat. The room was still dark, but it did not conceal her pale face.
Qin Shimei's eyes were full of questions, sorrow and fear. She remains in the same position for awhile until her alarm clock went off. Knocking her out of her daydream, Qin Shimei reached over to press the snooze button. She rubbed her tired face and looked up at the ceiling.
"Why do I keep having these weird dreams?" She let out a deep and tired sigh. She removed the blanket on her lap and slowly got up to get ready for work.
Inside a black and white Audi R8, Qin Shimei was sitting on the passenger seat while Zhi Rou was driving. Zhi Ruo took a glance at Qin Shimei with a worried look.
"Little Shimei, are you okay? You do not look so well, your face looks so pale, and you have bags under your eyes."
The woman lazily waved her hand. "I didn't sleep well last night. I will be fine. I just need to move my body and keep my mind running to get my energy started."
Zhi Ruo concentrated on the road as she was speaking to Qin Shimei, "Little Shimei, you've been having this problem with sleeping ever since the hotel two months ago. Are you having post-traumatic stress disorder or insomnia?"
Qin Shimei didn't say anything, she was thinking back about the hotel incident and the relation it might have with her weird dreams.
"No, I'll catch up on my sleep after work. Besides, today is Friday, so I have the rest of the weekend to rest."
With Qin Shimei reassuring, Zhi Ruo felt at ease to know her friend is still taking care of her health, even though Qin Shimei has weird cravings for food like pickles dipped in tartar sauce.
Zhi Ruo wanted to gag at the memory but quickly shook her mind off from it. "Fine, fine... Whatever you say. This is not the first time when you said that, but look at you now. Do you even look at yourself in the mirror?"
Qin Shimei gave Zhi Rou an aloof expression, telling her to shut up.
Zhi Ruo put one hand up in surrender. "Sorry... Sorry. Oh! I forgot to tell you that my mom and dad are wanting to treat you out tomorrow for your birthday. If you can't find anything to wear at home, we can go shopping tomorrow morning."
Qin Shimei only replied with a nod. Her is heart filled with warmth, but sadly, she never celebrated her birthday with her family. Every year, her adoptive parents will go on a vacation with Qin Bai around this time.
In the past, Xing Jian would always send his assistant over to drop a birthday present as well as a happy birthday text message. That is what Qin Shiemi loved about him, he still cared enough to remember her birthday. But ever since Xing Jian went on his business trip, he stopped sending gifts and the birthday text.
Yesterday, he texted Qin Shimei that he left town and won't be back for two years, yet there was no happy birthday text after that. At least she will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow with Auntie Zhi, Uncle Zhi, and Zhi Rou.
Qin Shimei turned to Zhi Rou with a warm smile. "Zhi Ruo, thank you. You're the best friend and family I can ever ask for."