Chapter 16 Five Hundred and Twenty Paper Cranes
+8 Pearls
Lilith awoke with a start, her throat tight and her hands instinctively clutching the hem of her shirt.She gasped for breath, still rattled by the remnants of the dream.
The IV drip was nearly finished, and just then, a nurse came by to check on her. She swiftly removed the needle and reminded Lilith that she would need to return the next day.
Lilith nodded absently, pressing the cotton pad to her hand to stop the bleeding while her mind was still lost in the odd dream she had just had.
How could this be?
Why did I dream about him?
She couldn’t make sense of it, so she ultimately chalked it up to her subconscious playing tricks on her.
Walking slowly along the hospital hallway, her thoughts still tangled, she didn’t notice the person ahead of her until it was too late. She collided with them unexpectedly. “Sorry!” they both apologized at the same time.
Looking up, Lilith saw a man whose face was marked with bruises. The area around his brow had scabbed over, but despite the wounds, his dark, intense handsomeness was unmistakable. A faint scent of blood lingered around him, and his tall figure made him stand out in the crowd.
He mumbled an apology and continued walking past her, but Lilith couldn’t help noticing his worn–out jeans and scuffed shoes.As her eyes traveled up, she noticed something strange–a white screen above his head with the words Male Lead written across it, followed by a few brief descriptions.
It all seemed oddly familiar, but the fever still clouded her thoughts, and the face from her dream lingered in her mind, preventing her from recalling where she had seen him before.
He’s probably just a random stranger, Lilith thought, so she decided not to dwell on it any further.
After a few more days of IV drips, Lilith’s fever and cold began to fade. Winifred brought over some medicinal leaves and insisted on giving her a steaming bath and foot soak, claiming it would help clear out any lingering toxins in her body.
Once school resumed, Lilith settled into a quiet routine. The weather gradually grew warmer, signaling the arrival of spring’s heat.
In early May, it was Liana’s birthday, which coincided with the extended Labor Day holiday.
Liana had come across a post online–or maybe it was somewhere else that claimed if someone folded 520 paper cranes for you, your wishes would come true, and you would be blessed with good luck for the entire year. She stared at her phone screen for a long time, her eyes filled with longing.
As a thoughtful gesture, Lilith had started buying colored paper back in mid–April, determined to fold all 520 cranes.
Her folding skills weren’t perfect. Many of the cranes ended up crooked or uneven, looking nothing like the elegant ones she had hoped for. But with each attempt, her hands grew steadier, and the cranes began to improve.
She took her work outside into the small garden, setting the glass jar on a wicker chair. Sitting on the grass, she focused carefully, folding each crane with precision and care.
Under the bright, clear sky, Lilith reflected on the same time last year. The memories felt distant, like they were locked behind a foggy veil. A gentle breeze stirred the air, making the paper cranes inside the jar flutter and dance in the sunlight.
It was almost noon when Winifred came over with a plate of fresh fruit, smiling warmly as she asked, “Miss Jones, who are these for?”
“For a friend,” Lilith answered softly.
“So, you’ve made a good friend at school. How nice,” Winifred commented with a smile.
“Yes,” Lilith replied, carefully folding another crane, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “She’s a very sweet friend. Her birthday’s
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Chapter 16 Five Hundred and Twenty Paper Cranes
coming up, and this is the gift I’m making for her.”
+8 Pearls
Her words carried an unexpected warmth, making Lilith feel more chatty than usual. She paused, thinking about Liana. Winifred, sensing the change in her mood, gently patted her on the head, sharing in her joy. “Miss Jones, don’t forget to come back for dinner in thirty minutes. I’ve made your favorite soup.”
“Okay, I’ll be there,” Lilith responded, not breaking her concentration as she continued folding. “Thanks, Winifred.”
She worked steadily, her hands moving more confidently as time passed. Glancing at her watch, she saw that it was almost time for dinner, so she began cleaning up her workspace.
Her legs, numb from sitting cross–legged for so long, protested as she stood. She almost stumbled but caught herself, sitting back down to massage the tingling sensation away.
The sound of a car honking caught her attention. Moments later, a vehicle pulled up, and Lilith saw her family members. stepping out one by one. Their holiday tradition was to go on outings or gather at a villa near a bamboo forest, sharing meals with the elders.
But Lilith never joined them.
The last time she’d seen them was on New Year’s, and honestly, she didn’t mind at all.
In just a couple of days, it would be Liana’s birthday, and Lilith had everything planned out.
She would finish folding a few more cranes that afternoon, then pick up some pretty wrapping paper and a gift box the next day.
She couldn’t wait to see Liana’s reaction, sure that her friend would love it.
Her thoughts focused on her plans as she stood, now able to move more freely. With the glass jar full of cranes held close to her chest, she walked away from the family gathering.
The sunlight hit the jar, making it shine brightly, casting flashes of light across the colorful paper inside. The reflections were blinding, causing Winona to squint, irritated by the glare..
“What are you staring at?” Hadden asked.
“Who do you think the jar of cranes is for?” Winona asked in return.
“Who knows?” Hadden, noticing where her attention was, casually added, “Maybe it’s for someone she likes.”
Winona scoffed, her voice dripping with mockery. “Someone she likes? Seriously?” She spoke with an exaggerated sneer, “Does she deserve to have someone?”
Hadden gently brushed his fingers through Winona’s hair, his voice soft and calming. “You’re still young. Don’t worry about these things.
The beads of his bracelet brushed against her ear, and for a moment, Winona’s eyes lingered on them. She turned away silently, her expression unreadable.
The next afternoon, Liana stood at the street corner near Lilith’s house, waiting as usual. Whether it was instinct or something else, Liana always made sure to meet her and check in on her whenever they went out.
When Liana saw the folded cranes, her face lit up, and she rushed over to hug Lilith. “Oh, my God. How did you think to give me this?”
“You were staring at that picture for so long last time, so I decided to make them for you,” Lilith explained with a grin.
“Did it take you long?”
“Not really. It wasn’t too bad. As long as you like it.”
“Hee hee, Liana giggled, patting the paper bag holding the gift. “Of course, I love it! I can’t even begin to explain how much!” The sunset painted the sky in vibrant colors, with clouds swirling like mist and birds soaring upward, their feathers drifting
Chapter 16 Five Hundred and Twenty Paper Cranes
+8 Pearls
down in the breeze.
It wasn’t long before nightfall. After leaving the mall, Liana walked with Lilith toward the street to catch a taxi.
After scanning the area for the third time, Lilith couldn’t hold back her thoughts. “Remember to look where you’re going. Stop staring around like that.”
“I’m not staring around. I just keep feeling like someone’s watching us,” Liana explained, her tone uneasy.
Lilith chuckled, shaking her head. “It’s just the crowd. There are too many people here for anyone to be paying attention to
us.”
“Well… maybe.” Liana scratched her head, then added with a laugh, “Maybe it’s because your gift is so precious, I keep thinking someone’s going to steal it.”
Lilith paused, then laughed. “Well, aside from you, I don’t think anyone else would care about this gift.”
“What are you talking about?” Liana said, her voice teasing.
When the taxi pulled up, Lilith smiled but didn’t argue. “Alright, go–back now. You parents must be waiting for you to celebrate your birthday tonight.”
The taxi couldn’t drive all the way to the villa, so they got out on the main road and walked the rest of the way. As Lilith was halfway there, a black Bentley sped past her.
The window wasn’t fully rolled up, and through the small gap, Lilith glimpsed Winona. She appeared tired, resting with her eyes closed, likely taking a break during the ride..
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