August, afternoon.
The radio broadcasted a gentle warning from the female host, saying that a once-in-a-century super typhoon, "Siren," was expected to make landfall in the evening, urging people outside to head home early.
While waiting at a red light, Su Luowei glanced at the sky through the car window.
The clouds were thick, the sky overcast, as if the weight of the heavens would come crashing down.
It was already two o'clock in the afternoon, three hours before the typhoon was set to arrive.
She looked at the basket of chrysanthemums on the passenger seat. No wonder the florist had been so generous today, stuffing the basket full.
As the light turned green and the cars ahead began to move, the car behind honked. Su Luowei slowly released the brake and merged into the traffic. Turning right at an intersection onto Cemetery East Road, she drove for another seven or eight minutes before spotting the entrance to the cemetery.
Due to the bad weather and the time of day, the cemetery was empty except for her and the security guard at the gate.
After entering the main gate, she walked up the long flight of stairs, ascending for nearly half an hour before finally reaching the hilltop. Su Luowei caught her breath, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and placed the flower basket on the stone slab in front of her mother's grave.
Today was her mother's death anniversary, and every year at this time, Su Luowei would bring flowers, spending time to update her mother about her life.
"...I bought a car. I drove here today, so it'll be much easier to visit you in the future."
"I'm doing well. Don't worry about me; I'll take good care of myself."
She rambled on for a while, but as the sky grew darker, Su Luowei glanced at her watch. It was 3:10 p.m.
It was time to leave. She had to get home before the typhoon hit.
The long staircase snaked downward, seemingly endless. After finally returning to the cemetery gate, Su Luowei got into the car and started the engine, only for the car's radar to emit a loud beeping sound.
There was an obstacle nearby.
Stepping out of the car, she walked to the rear, expecting to see a fire hydrant or a stone pillar, but instead, she saw... a person.
A woman dressed in a black Taoist robe, with long hair down to her waist, her skin as pale as snow.
Someone pulling a scam in a cemetery? Su Luowei knelt down and tapped the woman on the shoulder twice—no response.
The woman's head was bowed, making it impossible to see her face, but the skin on her neck was so pale it seemed almost translucent, with a faint bluish tint.
Hesitating for a few seconds, Su Luowei reached out to check if she was breathing. Thankfully, she was.
With the typhoon approaching, the cemetery security had already locked up and left. This area was remote, and no one else was around. Although her first thought was to call the police, her phone had died, turning off automatically due to lack of battery.
A remote cemetery, and a mysterious woman. A harder heart might have chosen to simply drive away at this point.
But Su Luowei had a soft heart.
She lifted the woman's arm, placing it over her shoulder, and with a firm grip on her waist, hoisted her up. The woman was surprisingly light—lighter than Su Luowei had anticipated.
As she lifted her, the woman briefly regained consciousness, her eyes blinking open as if a layer of mist covered them, making them appear wet.
Yet through the fog, her deep, dark eyes could still be seen.
Before Su Luowei could say anything, the woman closed her eyes again, her head resting limply on her shoulder.
After settling her into the backseat, Su Luowei started the car, hesitating slightly—should she take her to the hospital or the police station?
Before she could decide, raindrops began to fall, quickly turning into a downpour. Panicking, she turned on the windshield wipers and pressed down on the gas, the car gliding smoothly onto the road.
With the typhoon bringing torrential rain and potential flooding, and as a new driver unaccustomed to such conditions, she knew she had to get home before the storm worsened.
After bringing the woman inside and laying her on the couch, Su Luowei realized she had brought her home without thinking it through.
Meng Shuying woke up to find herself in an entirely unfamiliar place.
Just moments ago, she had been in the Ten Directions Blessed Land, quietly feeling her life slip away. When she opened her eyes again, she was here.
Before her were strange objects: oddly shaped white chairs and tables, a black box hanging on the wall, and a transparent lampshade on the ceiling.
A voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts, "You're awake?"
Someone was approaching from the distance, walking slowly toward her.
The living room wasn't large, and it only took ten steps for the woman to walk from the kitchen to the sofa. Yet to Meng Shuying, those ten steps felt like a lifetime.
She looked up and locked eyes with a curious gaze, and saw a face she had longed for with every fiber of her being.
One glance was all it took for her to know—the person before her was the one she had been searching for.
Across time and space, in this small living room, their eyes met.
A flash of lightning suddenly split the sky outside, casting the room in a harsh light. Thunder followed, and Su Luowei jumped, startled by the loud crash.
In that moment, the house was plunged into darkness as the power went out.
A brief silence followed. Right now, figuring out why the power was out and when it would return was more important than talking to this stranger.
Someone in the neighborhood chat mentioned that a circuit breaker had tripped. A repairman was already on the way, and power was expected to return in about ten minutes.
Without a flashlight, Su Luowei rummaged through her drawers and found several scented candles, lighting them and placing them on the coffee table. In the dim candlelight, they faced each other.
With nothing to do for the next ten minutes, it was the perfect time to figure out who this mysterious woman was. Not wanting her to misunderstand, Su Luowei quickly explained, "I found you unconscious next to my car. It was about to rain, so I brought you home."
She paused, watching the woman carefully.
Waking up in a stranger's home would make anyone panic, but the woman remained eerily calm, like a still pond, impossible to stir.
When no response came, Su Luowei had no choice but to continue awkwardly, "Are you feeling okay? I have some medicine at home if you need it."
The woman still didn't speak, only gazing at her in silence.
With a soft "beep," the power came back on. Relieved, Su Luowei leaned back against the couch, shifting into a more relaxed posture before asking again, "What's your name?"
Finally, the woman spoke, "Meng Shuying."
What a beautiful name.
In the bright light, Su Luowei took a good look at her. "Are you... a fan of Hanfu, or are you filming some kind of historical drama?"
Though Meng Shuying didn't recognize the terms, she understood the gist of what Su Luowei was asking.
But instead of answering, she asked, "And you? What's your name?"
As she asked, her gaze remained fixed on Su Luowei, as if afraid of being lied to.
"I'm Su Luowei."
The name rolled off her tongue, entering her heart and warming her chest.
Outside, the sky had darkened completely, and the storm showed no signs of stopping. It would be impossible to leave in such weather.
After standing by the window for a while, Su Luowei finally gave in, turning to the quiet woman. "The rain's too heavy for you to go anywhere tonight. Why don't you stay here for the night and leave tomorrow when the storm clears?"
The woman's lips moved slightly, her fingers curling into her lap before she gave a small nod.
To be honest, inviting a stranger to stay the night was completely out of character for Su Luowei. But for some reason, this woman gave her a strange, inexplicable feeling.
Opening the fridge, Su Luowei poured herself a glass of water and, after some thought, poked her head out to ask Meng Shuying, "What would you like to drink? Water, soda, or tea?"
After a moment's hesitation, Meng Shuying chose the safest option. "Tea."
"Okay." Su Luowei closed the fridge, grabbed a bottle of oolong tea, and handed it to her.
The plastic bottle was cold to the touch, with a thin layer of condensation on the outside. Keeping her expression neutral, Meng Shuying mimicked Su Luowei's actions and twisted the cap open.
The tea tasted cold and bitter, lacking the fragrance she was accustomed to.
Unable to hide her displeasure, Meng Shuying frowned slightly. Did her master usually drink this?
She had long established herself in both the human and demon realms. Although not one to indulge in luxuries, she had grown accustomed to a certain standard, and this mass-produced tea left much to be desired.
Pretending not to notice her discomfort, Su Luowei took a sip and asked, "Do you want to take a shower?"
Of course.
When Su Luowei had brought her back, she had still been unconscious. With one hand supporting her and the other holding an umbrella, they had both ended up soaked.
In the summer heat, Su Luowei's thin dress had dried almost immediately, leaving only the hem slightly damp.
But Meng Shuying's robe was heavy and long, layered thickly. The rain had soaked through, turning the fabric into a dark, heavy mess, making her pale skin seem even more ghostly.
After showering and changing into one of Su Luowei's nightgowns, Meng Shuying emerged, and Su Luowei realized she was much younger than she had initially thought.
She looked to be in her early twenties, with fair and delicate skin, thin eyelids, and pale lips. Her eyes were deep, and even though her expression was neutral, there was a subtle, sharp presence to her.
Yet in front of Su Luowei, she seemed obedient, though her submissiveness felt forced, as if she were suppressing her true nature.
This strange mixture of contrasting traits intrigued Su Luowei.
Calling her over for dinner, Meng Shuying sat at the table, eyeing the soggy mass in front of her with a frown.
"What is this?"
"Creamy bacon pasta," Su Luowei said as she sprinkled parsley on top. "It's a half-prepared meal. It tastes alright, though I didn't make it look very appetizing."
Not being much of a cook, she usually ate at the cafeteria during workdays and ordered takeout on weekends. Her fridge was practically empty, save for a few half-prepared meals she had bought for emergencies.
Meng Shuying glanced at the dish, seemingly assessing the truth of her words. Picking up a fork, she twirled a noodle and took a bite, chewing slowly before asking, "Do you enjoy eating this?"
"It's alright. Most convenience foods taste about the same, but since I can't cook, I'm not too picky."
Suddenly, her phone, resting on the table, lit up. The caller ID read: Zhu Hanhan.
As soon as she answered, the voice on the other end burst forth like a torrent, "Weiwei, are you home yet? It started raining cats and dogs around five or six, and I couldn't get through to you. I called several times, but your phone was off! I was so worried!"
Hearing her friend's concern, a soft smile spread across Su Luowei's face, her voice growing gentler. "Yeah, I'm home now. My phone died, so I couldn't answer."
"That's a relief! The wind is so strong outside, I was afraid it might blow you away."
"You're exaggerating."
Footsteps suddenly echoed through the receiver, and the wind picked up on the other end of the line.
"It's terrifying out here, like the world's ending! Are you scared being home alone? Should I come over and keep you company?"
"No need." Su Luowei tucked her hair behind her ear, her voice softening even more. "I'm not that easily frightened."
There was a sudden cough on the other end, and although nothing had been said, Su Luowei felt a strange sense of guilt creeping up on her. She glanced over at the woman sitting across from her, only to find her staring right back.
Taken aback, she hurriedly said into the phone, "I have to go now. Let's meet the day after tomorrow."
Hanging up, the atmosphere became heavy with awkward silence. Staring down at her plate of pasta, Su Luowei suddenly lost her appetite. Across the table, the woman hadn't eaten much either, her hands resting in her lap as she stared down.
Uncomfortable with the tension, Su Luowei cleared her throat and asked, "Where do you live? I can drive you home after the rain stops tomorrow."
"I don't have a home," Meng Shuying replied calmly. "My mother passed away a long time ago, and my father treated me badly, so I ran away."
Stunned, Su Luowei didn't expect to hear such a familiar story. Like her, this woman had also lost her mother early in life.
A sudden sense of empathy welled up inside her, prompting her to ask, "How old are you? Are you still in school?"
Meng Shuying didn't reveal her age, only answering the latter part. "I stopped studying a long time ago."
Compassion flickered across Su Luowei's face.
Sensing her hesitation, Meng Shuying's gaze darkened, her entire demeanor tinged with a subtle sadness. "I don't belong here. I have nowhere to go. Could I stay with you for a few days?"
As if fearing rejection, she quickly added, "I'm good at a lot of things. I can help clean the house, and I can cook for you too."
Normally, Su Luowei wasn't one to act on impulse, but facing someone who shared a story so similar to hers, she found it hard to say no.
Looking at her was like looking at her past self.
In the first two years after graduating, Su Luowei had struggled, burdened with student loans and the pressures of life. It had been a difficult time, but thanks to the kindness of others, she had eventually made it through.
Now that she was in a position to help someone else, how could she turn away?
Besides, the woman before her seemed so sincere, so pitiful, that it was impossible for her to refuse.
Because she lived alone, there was only one bed in the house. Unwilling to make her sleep on the couch, Su Luowei pulled out an extra blanket. As she laid the blanket neatly on the bed, she noticed Meng Shuying's somewhat complicated expression.
But Su Luowei remained calm. "You've never shared a bed with someone before?"
After a moment of reflection, Meng Shuying replied, "No."
Back when she was still a servant disciple, the others didn't like her and wouldn't let her share their bedrolls. Later, when she joined Qionghua Peak, she lived alone in the farthest house from her master, with no one to disturb her.
Eventually, she killed Min Lanmeng, broke the demon seal, and was hunted down by the Five Sects, only to be rescued by Fuguang. Together, they conquered the human world. By then, her cultivation was unmatched, and anyone who dared approach her bed—whether man or woman—was buried deep in the ground as plant fertilizer.
After turning off the lights, the faint glow of the streetlamp outside filtered through the gap in the curtains, casting a sliver of light on the bed.
The two lay with their backs to each other, their breaths quiet and steady. In her sleepy haze, Su Luowei heard the woman ask, "Have you ever shared a bed with someone?"
Rolling onto her back, her voice low from lying down, Su Luowei replied, "Back in college, when it wasn't convenient to stay in the dorms during winter and summer breaks, I'd share a bed with coworkers."
Meng Shuying asked again, "Who was the person you were talking to earlier?"
"Talking to?" It took a moment for Su Luowei to realize she was referring to the phone call.
Though unsure why Meng Shuying was so curious, she answered truthfully, "A friend."
Raindrops pattered against the windowpane in a steady rhythm. With her exhaustion finally catching up to her, Su Luowei soon drifted off into a deep sleep.
Listening to her gentle, even breathing, Meng Shuying curled her legs and silently rolled over.
In the half-light, half-shadow of the room, she gazed at her sleeping face.
She had waited for so long, searched for so long, and had even struck a deal with Wen Miaomiao in the Blessed Land of Ten Directions, willing to sacrifice everything for this chance to see her master again.
And now that they had finally met, her master didn't remember her. She had a new life, with new... friends.
Friends.
Meng Shuying mulled over the word, rolling it around in her mind. Her master had never had any friends before.
She only had her—just as she only had her master.
But now everything was different. In this strange new world, her master was no longer a mere soul residing in a jade ring. She was a real, living person.
She had gone to school, had a job, had friends. Meanwhile, Meng Shuying had become the wandering spirit from another realm.
But that wasn't a problem. Meng Shuying had already considered this possibility before she came.
No—more accurately, she had thought about it many years ago when she failed to find her master and began to consider the possibility that she had been reincarnated.
Her master had been reborn and lost her memories, which was why she hadn't come looking for her.
Or perhaps she still remembered but had reincarnated as a mortal, unable to cross the mountains and seas to find her.
Over the years, Meng Shuying had tried countless secret techniques to track her master's reincarnation, all to no avail.
Until she met Wen Miaomiao in the Blessed Land, who glimpsed a sliver of hope through the Dao. Wen Miaomiao told her that if they worked together, she would see the Ten Directions Dweller once more.
It was then that Meng Shuying learned her master had been reborn in another world.
No wonder she had searched every corner of the human and demon realms and still couldn't find her.
What she faced now wasn't the worst scenario. In her darkest moments, Meng Shuying had imagined far worse outcomes.
For example, her master might have been reborn into the family of someone she had once killed, doomed to hate her for eternity. Or perhaps she had married and had children, completely indifferent to the past.
Compared to those outcomes, this was actually the best result.
Meng Shuying reached out, her fingers gently tracing the sleeping woman's features, from her smooth forehead to her delicate nose, finally resting on her soft, pale lips.
She had never been this close to her before and had never realized just how beautiful her master's lips were.
Or perhaps she had noticed before but had been too young to care.
Now, after experiencing so much, after waiting for what felt like an eternity, she was seeing this face again, and with it, desire was slowly awakening in her heart.
She had already lost her once. She wouldn't lose her again. The only way to stay together forever was simple—
To be truly, wholly hers.
In both body and soul.
* * * *
(If timeline set after Meng Shuying makes a deal with Wen Miaomiao in the Ten Directions Blessed Land.)