Chapter Five: A Tremendous Miscalculation by Suzuna of the Moon Palace

Is the past something that can be changed? Tsukimiya Suzuna once firmly believed it was possible, until the moment she saw the blind Chen Xiaozhu. The shock struck her like a bolt of lightning, and tears poured uncontrollably from her eyes.

According to the original timeline, Chen Xiaozhu’s blindness should have happened much later. Suzuna had sworn an oath to stop her little sister from ever enduring the torment of losing her sight again, no matter the cost.

But now, her sister was already blind, a fact that could no longer be altered. Did this mean that—would it also happen to Senpai? Would Senpai, sooner or later...

"Tsukimiya, are you alright?" Chen Zi’ang asked, his concern evident.

"I’m fine, Senpai. I’m fine..." Suzuna hurriedly wiped her tears with her sleeve.

Yet the tears would not stop. An immense sorrow and fear gripped her heart, causing her whole body to tremble uncontrollably.

Zi’ang was alarmed but gently guided Suzuna to the sofa, handed her a packet of tissues, and went to the bedroom to fetch a fresh towel.

Suzuna, face soaked with tears, stared stiffly at Xiaozhu, her limbs feeling as heavy as lead.

She tried to stand but couldn't move; she wanted to speak but no sound would come.

Only when Xiaozhu turned her empty, unfocused gaze in her direction, and murmured softly, "Suzuna... why are you crying..." did Suzuna regain a shred of strength, struggling to her side and wrapping her small frame in a trembling embrace, closing her tear-filled eyes.

"I’m sorry." She bit her lip in anguish, drawing blood between her teeth. "Xiaozhu, I’m sorry...

"I couldn’t save your brother. I’m so sorry..."

Xiaozhu slowly reached out, gently patting Suzuna’s still-shaking back.

"It’s alright," she whispered. "It’s alright."

Her sister’s gentle touch seemed to fill Suzuna with just enough courage to finally suppress her sobbing and trembling, her voice breaking as she choked out, "Xiaozhu, I...

"This time, I won’t let go again..."

After a pause, she continued in a hoarse, pain-stricken voice, "Xiaozhu, I... I’ll make sure you both find happiness."

"Those... those damn people, those damn..."

"I’ll kill them all. Every last one of them... I’ll kill them all..."

Chen Zi’ang emerged from the bedroom and stepped into the living room to see Suzuna holding Xiaozhu, speaking to her with tender affection.

Even more surprising, his sister nestled quietly in her arms, showing none of the usual resistance she had toward unfamiliar guests. This left Zi’ang rather stunned—no matter how kind previous housekeepers had been, Xiaozhu had never shown them the slightest warmth.

Was it because Tsukimiya had such a pleasant voice that she received special treatment?

Could my sister actually be a voice enthusiast?

Zi’ang couldn’t quite understand. Silently, he handed over the clean towel.

Suzuna took it, first wiping the tears from Xiaozhu’s hair, then dabbing her own face haphazardly as she asked in a mournful voice, "Senpai, is there really no cure for my little sister’s illness?"

So that’s why she was crying? Zi’ang shook his head. "There’s really no way. We’ve been to all the major hospitals."

He paused, as if realizing something, and said quietly, "Tsukimiya, do you know what that means?"

"What does it mean?"

"It means I could never abandon my sister," Zi’ang said slowly. "We’ve relied on each other since childhood. Xiaozhu has only me to depend on—past, present, and future."

"And as for me, I suppose my whole life will be spent by Xiaozhu’s side." He laughed at himself. "Who else would want someone with such a burden at home?"

Suzuna sat dumbly holding the towel, understanding the implication in Zi’ang’s words.

Xiaozhu’s condition was like that of a severely ill elder, entirely dependent on care, which meant Zi’ang’s value on the marriage market was negative—unless he was fabulously wealthy and had three or four maids, no woman would willingly marry into such a family, where she would have to care not only for her husband, but also for a disabled sister-in-law.

At least a husband could contribute financially. What could the sister-in-law do? She would only be a burden.

Because of this, Zi’ang had already resolved himself to a lifetime of bachelorhood. He’d noticed Suzuna’s subtle attempts at intimacy and now took the chance to gently refuse her.

"Senpai," Suzuna said in a daze, "not every girl weighs pros and cons so carefully. If it’s true love..."

"If it’s true love, she deserves someone better," Zi’ang replied with a smile. "Why would she choose me?"

Why would she choose you?

Isn’t it because of you... Senpai, I...

I really, truly have been waiting, even if it meant falling into utter darkness, even when I thought a thousand times of ending this pain...

Seeing her at a loss for words, as if stunned, Zi’ang’s heart softened and he smiled, "It’s getting late. Stay for dinner, and afterwards I’ll talk to you about the lessons."

He tied on an apron and went to the kitchen. Suzuna watched his retreating back, wiped away the last of her tears, and said to Xiaozhu with a wry smile, "Well, Xiaozhu, your brother’s turned into a confirmed bachelor. What am I going to do now?"

Xiaozhu didn’t reply. She stared blankly ahead, motionless, like a delicate porcelain doll.

Having cared for his sister from a young age, Zi’ang was deft in the kitchen, quickly preparing a few dishes and serving them at the table.

Pan-fried hamburger steak with a fried egg, stir-fried greens with tofu, seaweed and egg soup, and rice served separately—unlike the elegant but meager portions of island cuisine.

Suzuna picked at her rice in small bites, watching Zi’ang patiently feed his sister before taking up his own chopsticks. She couldn’t help but say, "Senpai, you really are good at taking care of people."

"Nothing compared to a real chef," Zi’ang said with a faint smile. "Just make do."

Suzuna absentmindedly poked at the hamburger steak in her dish with her chopsticks.

She realized she’d made a fatal mistake—she’d been too eager to show Senpai her best side, going so far that he now felt unworthy of her.

If Xiaozhu were normal, as in the original timeline, she would surely be urging her brother to seize the chance to marry such an excellent sister-in-law.

But now, with Xiaozhu blinded and her mind unstable, no one could change Senpai’s mind.

Suzuna, you’ve made a disastrous miscalculation!

I need to change my approach. Calm down. Think.

That’s it! In the original timeline, Senpai was...

"What’s wrong?" Zi’ang noticed her stirring her rice distractedly and asked, "Is the food not to your taste?"

"Oh, no, Senpai—it’s delicious!" Suzuna’s eyes lit up as she beamed at him. "After dinner, will you teach me about work?"