Chapter 8: Another Nightmare

Back at home, under the eager gazes of Chu Guiyun and his wife, she ate until she could eat no more, then fled in a hurry back to her room. There were no afternoon classes for her, arranged by her parents, because previously she was not suited for school—they feared she might be bullied. Yet being confined at home was detrimental to her condition. In the end, a compromise was reached: she would attend school only half a day. Simply put, wealth allowed for such indulgence—after all, one of the school buildings had been sponsored and constructed by the Chu family.

She sat quietly in the lounge chair on her room’s balcony, where sunlight poured in abundantly and the view stretched wide and unobstructed. Every detail was thoughtfully arranged; this was her favorite spot. She walked slowly to the railing, surveying her surroundings. Over the past month, she had gazed upon this view countless times, yet it never grew old.

The Chu estate sprawled widely, a garden lush with vibrant blooms, a swimming pool shimmering with clear water, and every amenity complete—truly a magnificent mansion. Situated close to the city center, its value was undeniable.

Her eyes settled on the distant villa district, built in an irregular pattern, each residence unique, sprawling in size—land here was truly priceless. The nearest villa to hers was the only one bearing resemblance to her own.

After a brief, faint glance, she turned to sit back down. Suddenly sensitive to an unusual gaze behind her, she whipped around—but found no one. Only the curtains of the nearby villa danced gently in the breeze. Expression blank, she resumed her seat, staring blankly in that direction.

A shadow concealed behind the curtains stirred slightly. The dim light obscured their features, but she could faintly make out a tall figure, eyes dark as ink, glowing with a burning intensity.

She held her gaze for a moment, seeing nothing amiss, and breathed a sigh of relief. Leaning back in the chair, she closed her eyes. For some reason, when she focused intensely, she became especially sensitive—and exhausted.

A wave of weariness swept over her, dragging her into sleep. Before her eyes floated endless darkness. She stumbled forward, each step seeming to drain her strength. Sweat poured down her back, every move arduous—but a force compelled her onward, urging her forward, forward without cease.

The boundless darkness ahead seemed a monstrous maw, waiting to swallow her whole. She must not go further—must resist. With all her will, she tried to stop, but the force was overwhelming; her feet moved against her control.

The afternoon sun shone brightly. On the balcony, she furrowed her brow tightly, biting her lips until they bled, while behind the curtain, the hidden figure’s expression shifted drastically. Quickly pulling out a phone, they exclaimed, “Hurry, help her!”

As she struggled to break free, Yao Xiyue, who had come upstairs searching for her, waited outside the door for a moment. Receiving no response, she hesitated briefly before pushing the door open.

Finding no trace of her inside the room, Yao thought of the balcony. Stepping out, she saw her writhing in pain and immediately called out, “Tongtong, Tongtong, wake up! Wake up, you’re having a nightmare!”

The urgent voice at her ear helped her gather strength anew, retreating desperately backward. With a sudden “bang,” as if a string had snapped, a great force pushed her away from the dark vortex. Slowly, she opened her eyes, a dazed look within them, murmuring, “Mom…”

“Mom’s here, mom’s here!” Yao Xiyue wept with joy, gently patting her back, soothing, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, mom’s here.” She held her tightly, watching as she closed her eyes again and her breathing steadied. Yet she dared not leave her side, fearing the nightmares would return. Tongtong had been plagued by bad dreams lately—what could be done?