Chapter 29
Chapter 29: Same Time, Same Place
Crescent Moon Station.
Close to eleven at night, after finishing work at Adelina’s, Philin was transferring trains at Crescent Moon Station.
Speaking of which, last time he had encountered Violet at Crescent Moon Station too.
Philin carefully looked around, confirming that no Seraphiel family crests appeared in the VIP lounge.
He sat on a bench, waiting for the train.
He felt like Adelina was getting deeper and deeper into this—she had been a bit too intense today.
Even at night, Crescent Moon Station was still bustling.
The platform was crowded with people coming and going, vendors’ calls rising and falling.
“Papa!”
A familiar twin-tailed little girl waved happily, emerging from the crowd.
“Lina, still selling things this late?”
Philin pulled this little girl who was still selling popsicles at night into his arms, patting her head.
The strap of her cart was somewhat worn, rubbing against her patched clothes.
“Guess who I just saw!”
Lina bounced excitedly, placing both hands on Philin’s legs, her eyes unable to hide her excitement.
“Who could make Lina so happy?”
“Mama, of course! I saw her!”
Mama?
Dai?
“The pretty green-eyed sister?”
“Yes! And the sister gave me a hundred crowns, saying it was a gift from Papa.”
Philin had indeed given Dai ten thousand crowns, obtained by exchanging her jewelry.
“Mama said I gave it to you?”
“Yes, thank you Papa! I’ll take you to find her.”
After speaking, Lina tightly gripped Philin’s index finger with her hand.
“Wait, Lina, I won’t go.”
According to the newly amended contract, his service to Dai was 24 hours, but the service scope was limited to his home, and Philin’s normal outings and work couldn’t be disturbed.
Otherwise, Philin wouldn’t be able to meet with other clients.
Going over now would just be adding to his workload.
Overtime? Even dogs wouldn’t do it.
“Did you and Mama have a fight?”
Lina showed visible disappointment, gripping Philin’s clothes tightly.
“Don’t fight, okay? I, I’ll give you popsicles, no charge, you give them to Mama, and Mama will be happy.”
Lina opened her cart and carefully selected the most expensive one, handing it to Philin.
Philin fell silent.
The platform bustled with people coming and going, hurried footsteps and train roars interweaving.
The night wind blew, carrying a hint of coolness, making the wind chimes under the platform canopy ring.
“Let’s go. Since it’s Lina’s request, I have to agree.”
Philin picked up Lina, holding her close.
Lina pointed to the other side of the station. Philin hadn’t walked two steps before he saw Dai.
She really was too distinctive.
That tall figure stood out particularly on the platform.
She wore a well-tailored long coat that outlined her elegant silhouette.
Her presence was so strong that passersby couldn’t help but glance her way.
“Mama!”
Lina in his arms jumped down and ran to Dai’s side in two or three steps.
Dai turned around, revealing a fair, delicate profile. Her pinned black hair made her look even more noble.
She instinctively reached out to catch the rushing Lina, pulling her into her arms.
When Dai saw Philin, those dark green eyes unconsciously flickered, her fingers instinctively smoothing the stray hair by her ear.
“Papa bought you popsicles, Papa loves you so much!” Lina’s innocent words made Dai’s cheeks slightly flush.
Philin had expected Dai to correct such terms with her rational tone again.
But Dai didn’t today.
Dai took Philin’s popsicle, crouched down, and pressed her face against Lina’s.
“Lina.” Dai’s voice was surprisingly gentle, “At night, have Papa give you warm things. It’s getting colder now.”
“Got it!”
Lina nodded seriously.
When saying this, Dai’s gaze secretly glanced at Philin, but she hastily looked away when their eyes met.
Ever since that day she discovered Philin had read her notebook, Dai hadn’t slept all night.
She thought about many things.
He would remember the temperature she liked for her tea.
He would silently prepare warm milk when she stayed up late.
He would use various ways to cheer her up when she was in a bad mood.
Those feelings suppressed by rationality seemed to find a gap and kept flowing toward her heart.
These should have been just what was required in the contract.
But now, knowing that Philin had seen through her secret yet still hadn’t left, that rational wall that deeply enclosed her had cracks.
You can accept these feelings—he won’t leave you because of your thoughts! Her brain told Dai.
“Papa, Mama, I’m going somewhere else now. You two be good and don’t fight!”
Watching Lina’s bouncing figure disappear, Dai secretly observed Philin beside her.
The two standing side by side seeing off their child looked just like a real married couple.
This thought made her heart beat even faster.
Dai suddenly remembered what Philin had said to her that night.
“Since we’re lovers, we should hold hands and solve all problems together.”
This was the promise he gave after knowing her secret.
His firm gaze and tone—was it really just because of the contract?
Dai found herself beginning to expect things she shouldn’t expect.
For instance, did he also have even a little bit of… liking for her?
Philin saw Adelina’s shadow in Dai’s eyes.
He was very puzzled—had Adelina’s expression been transmitted to Dai through him?
This thing was actually contagious.
“Miss Dai, are you here to pick someone up at the station?”
“Yes, someone my father sent is coming.” Philin’s voice interrupted Dai’s wild thoughts.
“I see.”
Philin didn’t ask further.
It wasn’t service time now—providing basic smile service was enough.
“She’s here to check if we’re really lovers.”
“So soon?”
Philin had thought there would be at least a week of preparation time.
“Yes.” Dai answered in an extremely small voice, head lowered.
“My train is coming, so I’ll head back first. Miss Dai, take care of yourself and don’t catch cold.”
Philin turned to leave but felt his sleeve being tugged.
“Miss Dai?”
From somewhere came the courage—Dai’s hand uncontrollably grabbed his sleeve.
“I…” She tucked her chin into her collar, her voice very small, “Let’s go back together.”
After saying this, Dai felt her face instantly burning up.
All the knowledge she had learned in her life floated through her mind, analyzing what her behavioral motivation really was.
Finally, Dai reached a conclusion.
Right now, she just wanted to spend a little more time with him.
“But…”
Philin hesitated.
“I know it’s not service time now.” Dai bit her lip and gathered courage to continue, “We’re just going back together, I’ll pay for the ride, and you won’t have to transfer trains…”
Her voice got smaller and smaller, finally almost inaudible. But she still gripped Philin’s sleeve tightly, as if this way she could keep him.
The night wind blew, and the platform wind chimes made crisp sounds. In the roar of the incoming train, Dai felt her heartbeat was loud enough for the other person to hear.
“If it’s Miss Dai’s request, I’m very happy to accompany you.” Philin smiled at Dai’s expectant expression.
It definitely wasn’t because someone paid for the ride so he didn’t have to transfer trains!
What heartless bastard could bear to let such a cute beautiful girl go home alone?!
“Mm…” Dai nodded but still didn’t let go of Philin’s sleeve.
Tonight’s wind was a bit strong.
He took a scarf from his bag and gently wrapped it around Dai’s neck: “This way you won’t catch cold.”
Don’t ask why he had a scarf in his bag during late summer—this was his professional pride.
The important thing wasn’t the item, but the thoughtfulness of keeping the other person in mind.
Dai lowered her head, letting him wrap the scarf around her.
She could smell Philin’s scent on the scarf, which made her heart race again.
“Let’s go.” Philin turned and walked ahead.
Dai followed behind him, looking at his back, wishing this could continue forever.
Two in the morning.
Dai suddenly opened her eyes and threw off the covers.
She had completely forgotten she was supposed to meet someone at the station!
“Bernice?! You’re not still at the station, are you?” She urgently activated her communication magic seal, explaining what had happened tonight.
Crescent Moon Station.
Under the moonlight, a tall figure leaned against the platform wall. Her black hair with red highlights swayed gently in the night wind, the tips glinting with a metallic sheen.
The girl wore a loose white short-sleeved T-shirt with the collar casually tied in a knot, revealing a small section of her slender waist. Below was a high-waisted pleated skirt and ankle-high black Martin boots.
She had been standing in the wind for over two hours.
“You color-obsessed, friend-forgetting bad woman.”
She said to the communication seal, her voice calm without a trace of fluctuation