I Miss You Even in the Daytime [Rebirth GL] - Chapter 5

Xu Liming’s hand remained suspended in mid-air. She awkwardly rubbed her fingertips together—her rectangular nails were trimmed neatly and cleanly, like translucent pink agate chips. Her knuckles were well-defined, and even with her fingers curled, one could tell they were long and slender.

They were very beautiful. Lu Baitian’s eyes were like fallen stars, humbly hiding in the darkness. She tried even harder to hide her own hands.

Hands that were rough, covered in calluses and scratches.

“Uh, I…” Xu Liming had only uttered two words before the person in front of her lowered her head and fled as if escaping, leaving her standing there in bewilderment.

Am I some kind of monster? Xu Liming took out her phone to check her reflection.

Hmm, as handsome and graceful as ever. Not scary at all.

Xu Liming shook her head and stopped overthinking it. She turned back toward her dormitory. Since there were no morning classes today, it being Monday, she could catch up on some sleep.

Lu Baitian stood in a corner of the sour-smelling cafeteria, holding a mop and staring blankly into space.

“Xiao Lu, what are you dazing off for? If the floor isn’t dry by the time students get out of class, they’ll stomp all over it and make it even harder to mop!” A cafeteria auntie wearing a mask and cap poked her head out from the kitchen, shouting at the top of her lungs.

Lu Baitian snapped back to her senses, quickly cast her thoughts aside, and lowered her head to continue mopping.

Auntie Fang watched the slender, busy figure through the gap in the door and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. She liked this girl; she worked quickly and cleaned thoroughly. You could tell at a glance she had endured hardships—she wasn’t like those pampered kids.

But the more she saw this, the more her heart ached. She hadn’t seen her wear any decent clothes in six months, despite being such a fair and clean girl.

Auntie Fang watched for a moment, then went into the kitchen to pack a few meat buns and a carton of hot soy milk. She stepped forward and tucked them into Lu Baitian’s arms. Lu Baitian instinctively tried to refuse, but Auntie Fang firmly pushed them back.

“Aiya, what are you afraid of? I paid for these myself. You haven’t had breakfast, have you? Eat this in a bit.” Auntie Fang finished with a chuckle and turned back to the kitchen.

Lu Baitian looked gratefully at Auntie Fang’s stout back and quietly hid the buns in her coat.

It was time for self-study to end. Students living nearby began to filter into the cafeteria. The space that had been empty and desolate just moments ago was gradually filled with steaming vitality—friends calling out to each other, a noisy bustle.

A few boys studying Communication Engineering ran into the cafeteria, snagging a table before the crowds arrived. Like monkeys, they craned their necks toward the entrance, constantly slapping one another.

“Is she here yet? Is she here?”

“Quiet, I’m looking!”

“Drama and Film is in the Third Teaching Building; they should be here soon.”

“They’re here, they’re here! Hey, you, come wipe this table!” The one jumping the highest suddenly turned and shouted at Lu Baitian, who was using a rag to clean a nearby surface.

Lu Baitian walked over with downcast eyes, lowering her head to wipe away the thick grease left by the previous group. Exaggerated gasps of admiration reached her ears.

“Is that her? The one you like, the Directing major?”

“That’s her. Lin Wan! Over here! There’s a seat!” A boy beckoned with a flushed face. When Lin Wan looked over, they pulled at each other and scattered like startled birds.

The air finally quieted down, followed by a familiar perfume that forcefully crowded into her nostrils, dispersing the smell of food. Lin Wan’s pristine, spotless white shoes appeared by the table.

“It’s great being with Wanwan; someone even saves us a seat for lunch.” Tang Qian sat down with a smile and then habitually ordered the other girl with them: “Go get our food, same as yesterday.”

Lu Baitian quickened her wiping motions, then turned to leave, but was stopped by Tang Qian.

“Wait, it’s not clean here yet!” Tang Qian raised her eyes and suddenly seemed to find something amusing, giggling. “Lu Baitian? You’re doing work-study here?”

Her voice was high and sharp. Several classmates in the vicinity looked over.

Lu Baitian was long used to this. She gave a numb “Mhm” and continued to scrub at the grease Tang Qian mentioned—grease that was invisible without a magnifying glass.

Seeing that she still wanted to leave, Tang Qian suddenly stood up and pressed a hand onto her shoulder, forcing the struggling Lu Baitian to sit opposite her. She said with a smile, “Aiya, we’re roommates. Since we’ve run into each other, have something to eat. My treat!”

She smiled very sincerely, as if she truly intended to buy her a meal.

Lu Baitian looked up. Lin Wan was sitting opposite her with a smile. She made a simple brown sweater look exquisite—gentle and sweet.

“Baitian, it’s fine. Eat.” Lin Wan took a loaded tray from the roommate who had returned from the food counter and placed it in front of Lu Baitian. Lu Baitian was still clutching her stained rag, her fingers frozen red like radishes from the cold water.

“No thanks,” Lu Baitian said, trying to stand up again, but Tang Qian’s hand was still on her shoulder.

Lin Wan’s gaze dropped slightly, and she patted Tang Qian. “Qianqian, forget it.”

Tang Qian still didn’t let go of Lu Baitian. She gave Lin Wan a playful, reproachful look, but when she turned back to Lu Baitian, her tone had changed: “Last night, Wanwan’s favorite book was torn. You were the only one in the dorm.”

Lu Baitian’s fingertips twitched.

“I didn’t do it,” she said.

“Then who did? Someone broke into our dorm to steal? Well, then we should just tell the counselor and get them disciplined.” Tang Qian narrowed her eyes, smiling sweetly.

Lu Baitian didn’t speak. Her fingers dug into the folds of the rag; the chilblains on her fingertips had cracked—she wasn’t sure if they were bleeding.

Tang Qian and the silent roommate exchanged a look. They suddenly reached into her pockets. Lu Baitian struggled without a word, but the commotion didn’t draw anyone’s attention.

The buns and soy milk from Auntie Fang fell out of her pocket, crushed into a mess by someone’s foot. Lu Baitian looked at the steaming bun on the floor and forced herself not to shed a single tear.

Finally, the piece of paper in her pocket was ripped out. The torn book page had been carefully folded by her into a neat square.

The square was quickly and messily unfolded. Lin Wan held the paper between her fair fingertips, frowning at Lu Baitian as she spoke softly, “Baitian, did I ever do anything to wrong you?”

Lu Baitian’s tears fell, splashing onto the table. She finally chose to meet Lin Wan’s gaze. Lin Wan was momentarily startled by what was hidden in those eyes and unconsciously tightened her grip.

“Lu Baitian, you stole my things again, and you’re looking at me like that?” Lin Wan spoke. Her gentle tone was full of disappointment.

“I didn’t.” Lu Baitian raised her voice this time. She let go, and the rag fell into the mess on the floor.

She said, “I have never stolen anything.”

When Xu Liming woke up, the dormitory was quiet. She yawned and rolled over, nearly falling off the bed in fright at the four glowing eyes staring at her.

Tao Ning and Sun Muya were standing below her bed, clearly back from the cafeteria, holding takeout containers.

Seeing Xu Liming awake, Tao Ning raised her hands with a grin. “This is for you. I didn’t know what you liked, so I just bought a bit of everything.”

“From the Second Cafeteria. It was expensive,” Tao Ning added quickly, fearing she wouldn’t be used to ordinary food.

It took Xu Liming a moment to realize the two were likely apologizing for the morning’s incident. She sat up, pulled on a baseball cap to fix her messy hair, and climbed down lazily.

“It’s fine. I’ll eat anything, I’m not that picky,” Xu Liming said, taking the bag from Tao Ning and pulling out a chair.

As she untied the knot, she spoke again: “Fabricating rumors about others can carry a maximum sentence of three years in prison. You must know that, right?”

“I really didn’t fabricate it!” Tao Ning defended herself quickly. “That’s just what people are saying…”

“Spreading rumors is also illegal.” Xu Liming pulled apart her disposable chopsticks.

“I was wrong.” Tao Ning dropped her head with a thump.

Xu Liming ate slowly. The two dishes and soup her roommates brought were from her favorite window—the flavors were light and suited her palate perfectly.

Behind her, the two roommates nudged each other into the bathroom, whispering.

“She doesn’t hold a grudge against us, does she?” Tao Ning poked her head out to look at Xu Liming’s back before shrinking back. “Her temper is something else, huh? She poured coffee right over that guy’s head. I was too scared to even speak.”

“Probably not,” Sun Muya patted her chest. “Be careful with your words from now on. We have to live together for three years; endure what you can.”

“What if she pours coffee on my head?” Tao Ning covered her precious hair.

“Endure it,” Sun Muya said, clenching her fist.

After finishing her meal, Xu Liming felt a bit bored. She pulled her laptop over and clicked around idly. She accidentally opened the class group chat and was met with a long row of “Received” messages.

She scrolled up and found that the Academic Representative had sent a file—a notification for the rehearsal schedule of the Drama Festival hosted by Huachuan. Xu Liming opened and closed it with little interest. Just as she was about to close the chat interface, she saw Lin Wan’s avatar.

Received, Lin Wan had replied.

Xu Liming’s movements stopped. She sat up straight and re-examined the registration information as forgotten memories flooded back.

She had participated in this competition before. Back then, she had shamelessly joined Lin Wan’s group. From choosing the script to recruiting actors and organizing rehearsals, she had done everything. In the end, however, her name was only listed as a participant, tucked away at the very bottom.

It was this work that won Lin Wan first prize, launching her career in the field. Xu Liming, meanwhile, was rumored to have just “ridden her co-toils,” cheating her way to credits by putting her name on Lin Wan’s work.

In the past, Xu Liming cared about Lin Wan and didn’t care about fame, so she never fought her.

But now it was different. An interested curl appeared at the corner of Xu Liming’s mouth. She, Xu Liming, had no intention of being a stepping stone for others anymore.

Judging by the current timeline, the competition should be halfway through. If she withdrew now, what kind of expression would Lin Wan have?

In a good mood, Xu Liming leaned back in her chair. Just as she was about to think about how to put this into practice, the class group chat, which had been quiet for a while, suddenly erupted. Messages surged up like bubbles, the “pinging” never-ending.

「Shocking news! Someone’s fighting in the cafeteria!」

「Which grade?」

「The Directing class!」

Xu Liming’s eyes ached from the constant bombardment of notifications. She set the chat to “Do Not Disturb.” But just as things went quiet, the bathroom door next to her slammed open with a thud.

“My god!” Tao Ning ran out in a panic. “Lu Baitian hit Lin Wan!”

“Who?” Xu Liming and Sun Muya stood up at the same time.