Jiang Yi’s friends came to visit her, partly to check on her health and partly to discuss their college applications.
Soon, their college entrance exam scores would be released. Everyone had performed well academically and was fairly confident about the schools they wanted to attend.
However, the best universities in the country were all located in the capital. Chen Wanzhou and the others had grown up in Yuncheng, which also had excellent institutions, so they were torn between staying close to home or leaving for better opportunities.
Jiang Yi, however, had no such hesitation. Hearing their discussions, she said, “Just go. You’re still young—you should step out and see the world.”
“Four years is a long time, and it’s the perfect age to leave home and explore. If you don’t go now, how will you adapt to life later?”
Even if they had family businesses to inherit, they still needed to gain experience first.
Lin Yinxi strongly agreed with this view: “Exactly. I’m definitely leaving Yuncheng—otherwise, my family’s ‘big Buddha’ would nag me to death every day.”
Jin Duolai was more hesitant: “I’m still thinking about it. The schools in Yuncheng are already great for my major.”
Zhang Tiantian, on the other hand, had already secured a spot through early admission—her school was in the capital. Hearing this, she said, “My school’s already decided, but I’ll miss you guys. If you miss me too, you could always apply to schools in the capital.”
Chen Wanzhou smiled. “Well… my family wants me to go to Capital University for business school. So I’ll be heading there with Tiantian.”
After saying this, she turned to Lin Yinxi. “What about you? Want to come too? Capital University’s broadcasting department is top-tier. If you come, we could even rent a place together off-campus.”
The class monitor shot her a disdainful look. “No way. Who wants to live with a spoiled rich girl like you? I’d probably end up being your maid!”
Chen Wanzhou was instantly riled up. “What do you mean, ‘your maid’? I can cook, you know! Unlike you, who can’t even tell rice from wheat.”
Lin Yinxi scoffed and ignored her.
Chen Wanzhou glared at her before turning to Jiang Yi. “I remember you applied to the police academy in the capital, right? If you get accepted, you’ll go?”
Jiang Yi nodded. “Unless something unexpected happens, yeah.”
Chen Wanzhou seemed thoughtful at this. She then turned her gaze to Jiang Sixian and asked, “What about you, Xianxian? What major are you planning to apply for?”
Jiang Sixian hesitated, glancing at Jiang Yi before finally shaking her head. “I’ll decide after the scores come out.”
They chatted until evening, having dinner at the Jiang residence before heading home.
Jiang Yi returned to the cottage, and Jiang Sixian, while their mothers weren’t paying attention, sneaked over again.
At the time, Jiang Yi was in the shower. When Jiang Sixian suddenly pushed the door open, Jiang Yi yelped in surprise, leaping into the bathtub and curling up defensively.
Jiang Sixian burst out laughing at the sight. She walked over to the tub, looking down at Jiang Yi with amusement. “Why are you so scared? Do you think I’m going to eat you?”
Jiang Yi shot her a look, patting her chest in relief. “Do you have any idea how terrifying that was? Just barging in without warning—anyone would be scared out of their wits!”
Jiang Sixian pursed her lips, slightly displeased. “Is it really that bad? Fine, I’ll knock next time.”
Jiang Yi gave a noncommittal hum, relaxing and stretching out in the tub.
Jiang Sixian leaned over her, her eyes soft. “Want me to join you?”
Jiang Yi looked up, scanning her. Jiang Sixian was wearing a thin, sleeveless nightgown, her freshly washed hair tied up, revealing her fair neck and delicate collarbones. She looked both innocent and alluring.
Lately, Jiang Yi had been sharing the tub with her quite often. Hearing the invitation, she reached out, grabbed Jiang Sixian’s wrist, and grinned. “Sure, come on in.”
Jiang Sixian let out a small protest—”Slow down!”—before letting Jiang Yi release her hand. Then, right in front of Jiang Yi, she slipped out of her nightgown and stepped into the tub.
Jiang Yi wrapped her arms around Jiang Sixian’s waist, leaning back with her eyes closed. “Ah, this is so nice. Maybe I’ll just sleep here tonight.”
Jiang Sixian chuckled. “If you don’t mind catching a cold, go ahead.”
Jiang Yi tilted her head, considering it, then gave up. “Never mind. I’d probably slip under and drown.”
Jiang Sixian didn’t like hearing that. She quickly covered Jiang Yi’s mouth, shooting her a reproachful look. “Don’t say things like that.”
Jiang Yi froze at the sudden touch. Meeting Jiang Sixian’s eyes, she saw the seriousness in them and felt a surge of warmth in her chest.
Blinking, Jiang Yi stuck out her tongue and licked Jiang Sixian’s palm.
Jiang Sixian’s hand twitched, her ears turning pink. She pulled her hand away, avoiding Jiang Yi’s gaze, and murmured, “Stop talking about dying all the time. It makes me sad.”
Jiang Yi nodded, agreeing.
She hugged Jiang Sixian tighter, resting her chin on her shoulder. “But Jiang Sixian, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you…”
Jiang Sixian held onto her arms, leaning into her embrace. “Mm, go ahead.”
Jiang Yi hesitated before finally speaking. “Remember at the start of the year, when I asked what you wanted to do in the future… and you said you might study law, maybe become a prosecutor…”
“Did you say that… because of me?”
Jiang Sixian paused before nodding subtly. “Partly… because back then, I wanted to be closer to you.”
Hearing her suspicion confirmed, Jiang Yi felt a little happy. She smiled but couldn’t resist teasing. “But if you become a prosecutor, we’d be on opposite sides at work.”
Jiang Sixian turned to look at her. “What’s wrong with that? Maybe the rivalry would make you see me in a new light.”
Jiang Yi was momentarily speechless. “That’s such a weird way to think. Do I seem like the type who’d be into that ‘love-hate’ dynamic?”
Jiang Sixian huffed. “Who knows? You and Chen Wanzhou seem pretty into it.”
Something about that statement felt off. Jiang Yi leaned forward, studying Jiang Sixian’s face closely. “Wait a second… are you jealous?”
Unlike Jiang Yi, who was easily flustered, Jiang Sixian didn’t shy away from the question. She met Jiang Yi’s gaze head-on. “Yes, I am.”
“You and Chen Wanzhou are so close—always hugging, play-fighting, dancing, doing all kinds of fun things together.”
Yet at home, Jiang Yi would act cold toward her. Even though she clearly cared, at school with her friends, she acted like she couldn’t be bothered. Sometimes, Jiang Sixian found that side of her downright annoying.
Jiang Yi muttered under her breath, “You danced with Chen Wanzhou too, you know. In front of everyone, no less.”
Jiang Sixian turned to look at her, taking in her pouty, jealous expression. Any lingering frustration melted away. She pinched Jiang Yi’s ear, unable to hold back a laugh.
Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at Jiang Yi. “So… you were bothered by that?”
Jiang Yi looked away, stubborn. “No, I wasn’t.”
Her blatant lie—clearly seething with jealousy but refusing to admit it—delighted Jiang Sixian. She leaned up, pressing a kiss to Jiang Yi’s lips. “Then next time, dance with me instead. Take me away before anyone else can, okay?”
Jiang Yi feigned indifference. “We’ll see.”
After airing their “ancient grievances,” Jiang Yi circled back to the earlier topic. “But seriously, if it wasn’t for me, would you actually want to be a prosecutor?”
She pulled Jiang Sixian onto her lap, facing her directly. “Tell me the truth, Jiang Sixian. This is a lifelong decision—you need to think it through.”
Perhaps because Jiang Yi was being so earnest, Jiang Sixian also grew serious. She wrapped her arms around Jiang Yi’s neck, thinking for a moment. “If you’re asking that… right now, I don’t really have any strong preferences.”
“I used to consider business school since my family’s in that field, and I was interested… but later, I wasn’t as sure…”
Jiang Yi didn’t try to influence her choice, only saying, “Then start thinking about it properly now. When it’s time to submit your applications, pick something you genuinely want to do.”
She paused before adding, “Honestly, I’m a little conflicted too—about whether I still want to go to the police academy. Before, I thought about becoming a doctor, a really good one… so I could cure my mom’s illness.”
“So I’m also wondering if I should change my application.”
She looked up at Jiang Sixian, speaking earnestly. “Let’s figure it out together—plan the first step of our futures, okay?”
Jiang Sixian nodded but added, “But Jiang Yi, remember—I don’t want a long-distance relationship.”
Jiang Yi laughed, swaying her gently in the water. “Don’t worry. I can’t exactly travel, and I’m not great at living with others anyway. When we go to college, let’s rent a place together, yeah?”
If she really only had two years left, then no matter what, she wanted to spend every moment she could with Jiang Sixian.
At the very least, she didn’t want to die with regrets.
Jiang Sixian smiled, stroking Jiang Yi’s cheek. “Actually… we could just buy a place. Jiang Yi, I’ve saved up some money from New Year’s gifts. It’s enough for us to get a home together.”
“If you want, we could start our own family anytime.”
Jiang Yi blinked. “Uh… let’s talk about that after we turn twenty.”
Jiang Sixian had already tested her boundaries and nodded in agreement. “Okay, after twenty it is.”
She smiled, tracing Jiang Yi’s jawline. “But Jiang Yi, I have a question for you too.”
Jiang Yi was in a good mood. “Go ahead.”
Jiang Sixian wrapped her arms around Jiang Yi’s shoulders, locking eyes with her. “Who’s the girl next door? How did you end up playing games with her?”
“And… how long have you known her?”
Jiang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. “That’s… not really important… Should we head back to the room instead?”
Jiang Sixian wasn’t letting her off the hook. “Oh? But I think it’s very important. Don’t you want to tell me?”
This was dangerous territory—the more she said, the worse it could get. Jiang Yi leaned in, kissing Jiang Sixian fiercely until she responded. Then, carrying her out of the tub, Jiang Yi headed for the bed, murmuring, “Let’s just forget about that.”
“Jiang Sixian, it’s time for me to make good on my promise.”
To avoid any post-factum reprimands, Jiang Yi knelt on the bed, kneeling before Jiang Sixian, and spent the night making thorough amends.
