After Yu Lingshan said she liked her a few times, Xu Shi started crying again.
She was so annoyed with herself for crying, but she couldn’t stop. While hugging Yu Lingshan and resting on her shoulder, she mumbled, “Just for a little while. It’ll be over in a moment.”
Xu Shi didn’t seem to be in any real trouble, so Yu Lingshan didn’t press for details. She just let Xu Shi cry, patting her hair to comfort her.
This time, Xu Shi’s crying spell was short. She forced herself to stop in less than a minute.
She pressed her face into Yu Lingshan’s shoulder, took a deep breath, and then slowly let it out.
“Okay, I’m fine now.” Xu Shi pulled back a little and smiled at Yu Lingshan.
Yu Lingshan pushed the bangs away from her forehead. “What’s wrong? What happened? Why are you crying like this?”
Xu Shi glanced around. “Let’s talk in your car.”
Yu Lingshan nodded, took off her jacket, and draped it over Xu Shi. “Put this on.”
Only then did Xu Shi realize she had rushed downstairs in her pajamas.
She murmured an “oh” and put on the jacket before Yu Lingshan led her out and into the car.
As Yu Lingshan turned on the interior light, Xu Shi said, “You walked me home tonight, right?”
Yu Lingshan leaned her hand on the center console, looked at Xu Shi, and hummed in agreement.
Xu Shi continued, “My mom was inside the door. There’s a corner right there, and she was standing in it.”
Yu Lingshan’s eyebrows shot up, and she sat up straighter. “She saw?”
Xu Shi nodded. “Mhm.”
Yu Lingshan looked just as surprised. “And then?”
Xu Shi sniffled. “At first, I wasn’t sure if she’d seen anything. She seemed extremely calm. She had come down to throw out the trash, and she didn’t say anything to me after she was done. It wasn’t until we went upstairs,” Xu Shi glanced at Yu Lingshan, “that she asked me directly, ‘Don’t you have something you want to tell me?’”
Yu Lingshan’s brow gradually furrowed. “She knows?”
Xu Shi nodded. “She didn’t say it outright, but thinking back, she must have known for a long time.” Xu Shi thought for a moment. “Not known, exactly, but suspected.”
Yu Lingshan: “What happened after that?”
“I admitted it right away,” Xu Shi said. “Then she started crying. She didn’t say anything, just cried.”
Yu Lingshan: “And you cried with her.”
Xu Shi hummed in agreement. “Yeah, we hugged and cried together.” Xu Shi looked miserable. “It was the first time I’d ever seen her cry like that, but she wouldn’t say anything. After she was done crying, she said she couldn’t stand to look at me and went to take a shower and go to bed.”
The whole thing felt so inconclusive, leaving Xu Shi completely confused about what her mother was thinking.
As Xu Shi recounted the story, her voice started to crack again. Yu Lingshan stroked her head. “It’s okay.”
Xu Shi sighed. “Why? It’s so strange. How could she have known?”
Yu Lingshan asked Xu Shi, “Do you mention me often at home?”
“Pretty often,” Xu Shi said, blinking. “Is that why?”
“Maybe not entirely,” Yu Lingshan said, checking the time. “Your mom should be asleep by now, right?”
Xu Shi: “Probably. It’s been quiet for a while.”
Yu Lingshan caressed Xu Shi’s cheek with her thumb. “So, I’m taking you home with me?”
Xu Shi nodded emphatically. “Yes, please.”
Yu Lingshan patted Xu Shi’s hair and started the car. Throughout the entire drive, she was very attentive to Xu Shi’s mood, turning to look at her from time to time.
Checking to see if she was still crying, if she was still upset.
At a red light, Xu Shi finally couldn’t help but laugh. She tilted her head toward Yu Lingshan. “I’m fine. Just drive.”
Yu Lingshan smiled and reached out a hand. Xu Shi automatically leaned in to let her touch her face. “Let’s not think about it for now.”
Xu Shi said softly, “Okay.”
Yu Lingshan: “With everything that happened tonight, is it a bad idea for me to take you home with me now?”
Xu Shi laughed. “A little late to be thinking about that now, big sister.”
Yu Lingshan: “Thinking about it now is just a formality. I’m not actually taking you back.”
Xu Shi: “You could, you know. Make a U-turn up ahead.”
Yu Lingshan pinched Xu Shi’s cheek. “Say that again.”
Xu Shi smiled and pulled her face away.
Yu Lingshan: “Feeling better?”
Xu Shi sighed. “It’s been like this all night, up and down.” She tilted her head. “Thinking about it, my mom’s reaction was actually pretty good. It seems like she doesn’t accept it, but she didn’t really not accept it, either. Right?”
After speaking, Xu Shi looked at Yu Lingshan expectantly.
The light ahead turned green. Yu Lingshan tossed out a “Right,” and stepped on the gas.
Yu Lingshan: “So don’t be sad for now.”
Xu Shi: “Okay.”
By the time they arrived downstairs at Yu Lingshan’s building, Xu Shi’s bad mood had passed. When Yu Lingshan offered her hand, she smiled and took it. In the elevator, she even had the spare energy to read the ads, remarking that they were new and different from a few days ago.
Then she mentioned that she still hadn’t told her mom about winning first place in her group today.
Seeing that Xu Shi’s spirits had lifted, Yu Lingshan said, “The announcement for your finals came out tonight, including the location. Did you see it?”
Xu Shi said, “Oh, oh. The organizers emailed me tonight. I was crying with my mom then, so I forgot about it later.” She pulled out her phone as she spoke. “This must be it.”
Yu Lingshan was inexplicably amused by Xu Shi.
Yu Lingshan asked, “I’ve already booked a hotel. Are you staying with me or in the one arranged by the organizers?”
Xu Shi hooked her arm through Yu Lingshan’s. “Do you even have to ask? I’m sleeping with you, of course.”
Yu Lingshan shook her head. “Oh no. My girlfriend is going to be in the same profession as me. What am I going to do?”
Xu Shi tightened her grip, her voice full of defiance. “Is that a bad thing?”
Yu Lingshan was smiling inwardly. “I never said it was a bad thing.”
As they stepped out of the elevator, Xu Shi suddenly burst out laughing.
Yu Lingshan: “What is it?”
Xu Shi: “You actually care a lot about my competition, don’t you? You even find everything out before I do. I thought you didn’t care about it at all, since you never talk to me about it.”
“Of course I care,” Yu Lingshan said. “But I’m a cool person. I don’t like to show my concern so openly. I can’t let you find out.”
Xu Shi: “Hahahahaha, Yu Lingshan, you’re hilarious.”
Her eyes were still red, and being made to laugh so suddenly gave her a strangely adorable look.
Xu Shi continued, “But you’ve said it now, so I know.”
Yu Lingshan: “Can’t be too cool, or all my efforts would be for nothing.”
Xu Shi laughed so hard her eyes disappeared. “Hahahahahaha.”
Yu Lingshan smiled too.
The little one’s happiness was still so simple. No matter how small or insignificant the matter, it could always make her laugh. Her mood soured quickly, but it brightened even faster. She was so easy to coax.
Once inside, Xu Shi was basically back to her usual self, muttering about how she’d come downstairs in her pajamas and wondering what she had been thinking.
Having been here so many times, Xu Shi already treated the place like her own home.
And since Yu Lingshan had never been formal with her, Xu Shi felt even less like a guest.
She walked in, took off the jacket herself, and hung it on the coat rack. Then she turned to see Yu Lingshan walking over from the kitchen with a carton of ice cream in her hand.
Xu Shi’s eyes lit up instantly. “Blue Star.”
Yu Lingshan handed it to her. “Here, for the sad little one.”
Xu Shi grinned. “Liar, Heard.”
Then, a sudden realization struck her. “Ah! So you knew I liked ice cream because of my old Weibo.”
Yu Lingshan: “That’s right, Reason Only Has a Say.”
Xu Shi shook her head. “You like me so much.”
Yu Lingshan laughed and pinched Xu Shi’s cheek. “What did you say?”
Xu Shi stuck out her tongue and rolled onto the sofa, dodging Yu Lingshan’s hand. “You haven’t showered yet, have you? Go take a shower.”
Of course, Yu Lingshan didn’t go right away. She got on the sofa and sat on Xu Shi’s lap.
Xu Shi’s eyes curved into crescents. “What, what are you doing?”
Yu Lingshan: “Give me a smile.”
Xu Shi took the spoon out of her mouth and gave Yu Lingshan a grin. “Hehe.”
Yu Lingshan touched the corner of Xu Shi’s eye. “Crybaby.”
Xu Shi wanted to object, but since she had just been crying, her protest lacked conviction. “Not really.”
Yu Lingshan fiddled with Xu Shi’s hair again. “Your hair looks good down.”
Xu Shi asked her, “Does it not look good tied up?”
Yu Lingshan was direct. “It doesn’t.”
Xu Shi’s smile vanished.
Yu Lingshan laughed. “It does, it does. My girlfriend looks good no matter what.”
Only then did Xu Shi cheer up, scooping up a large spoonful and offering it to Yu Lingshan.
But before it reached Yu Lingshan’s mouth, she pulled it back. “You’re on your period.”
Yu Lingshan leaned forward and took the spoon in her mouth herself. “One bite is fine.”
Xu Shi: “It’s vanilla.”
Yu Lingshan: “I know.”
Xu Shi: “It’s my favorite.”
Yu Lingshan: “I know.”
Xu Shi smiled with satisfaction and lowered her head to continue eating her ice cream.
Yu Lingshan didn’t move, just sat there watching Xu Shi eat. She idly hooked a finger around the strap of Xu Shi’s pajama dress. “First time seeing you in your own pajamas. They even have strawberries.”
Xu Shi looked down, joining Yu Lingshan in examining the various strawberries on her dress.
Then, Yu Lingshan suddenly pressed down on one of the strawberries.
Xu Shi wasn’t wearing anything underneath, and because of Yu Lingshan’s touch, she flinched.
“Ngh…”
And the person being teased just sat there obediently, spoon in her mouth, staring at Yu Lingshan with wide eyes.
Her eyes seemed to say, “Wh-what are you going to do?”
And then, “Go ahead and do it.”
Of course, Yu Lingshan leaned in to kiss her.
Having just eaten ice cream, Xu Shi’s mouth tasted sweet and fragrant. As Yu Lingshan moved closer, she quickly removed the spoon and reflexively went on the offensive.
But her offensive didn’t last long. Just as Xu Shi’s tongue slipped inside, Yu Lingshan suddenly pushed her away.
She pulled her clothes straight, stood up, and backed away, all in one smooth motion.
“Showering.”
With those two words, Yu Lingshan turned and left.
Xu Shi: “…”
In the living room, all that was left for Xu Shi was an unfinished kiss and a half-melted carton of ice cream.
Whatever. The ice cream was delicious, too.
Xu Shi resentfully stabbed her spoon into the ice cream, resentfully scooping up a large bite and putting it in her mouth.
Then, suddenly, she noticed a camera on Yu Lingshan’s TV cabinet.
Xu Shi put another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth, slipped on her slippers, and crouched in front of the TV cabinet. She looked at the camera, then at the front door, then at the sofa.
Since Yu Lingshan was able to give her those two video clips, did that mean the camera had also recorded their first time?
Xu Shi’s body instantly grew hot at the thought. Although she couldn’t quite remember what she had said that night, it wasn’t exactly an everyday conversation.
If Yu Lingshan had been in a good mood that day and edited that clip too…
Well…
Well, she kind of wanted to see it, too.
Hahahahahaha.
Xu Shi sat in the living room for a while, then went to Yu Lingshan’s bedroom out of boredom.
When she opened the door, she heard the sound of running water from the bathroom.
Sometimes Yu Lingshan took slow showers, and sometimes she was quick. Today was probably one of the slow ones.
Not knowing how long she’d have to wait, Xu Shi went to the kitchen.
Before opening the fridge, she wondered if there would be more Blue Star inside.
After opening the fridge, Xu Shi saw the row of identical containers and broke into a smile.
Yu Lingshan really did like her a lot.
Xu Shi’s good mood was instantly maxed out. She took out another flavor of ice cream.
When she returned to the bedroom, the sound of the shower had been replaced by the sound of a hairdryer.
Xu Shi sat on the edge of the bed, facing the bathroom, eating her ice cream and listening to the sound, feeling utterly content.
The hairdryer ran for about five minutes before stopping. Xu Shi swallowed the bite in her mouth and heard the bathroom door click open. Yu Lingshan walked out.
Xu Shi immediately sat up straight and smiled at her. “Hello there. Long time no see.”
Yu Lingshan laughed, not at all surprised to find Xu Shi in her room.
She still hated wearing slippers as much as ever. She padded barefoot onto the rug by the door, then walked straight over and sat on Xu Shi’s lap.
“Last bite.” Xu Shi offered the ice cream on her spoon to Yu Lingshan.
Yu Lingshan opened her mouth, closing her lips around the spoon and taking the ice cream. But the next second, she suddenly wrapped her arms around Xu Shi and kissed her.
The cold spread between their mouths. Yu Lingshan tilted her head, her nose brushing past Xu Shi’s, and her hand pressed down on that strawberry again.
Two soft hums escaped Xu Shi’s nose. Yu Lingshan smiled and pulled back slightly. “Another carton.”
Xu Shi: “I wanted some.”
Yu Lingshan: “Don’t eat so much ice cream at night, big sister.”
Xu Shi’s tone was light. “Got it, little sister.”
Yu Lingshan took the empty carton from Xu Shi’s hand, threw it in the trash, and then turned back to push Xu Shi down onto the bed.
Without a word, she slid down like a cat and bit the bright red strawberry.
Yu Lingshan’s mouth was still cool from the ice cream, and Xu Shi’s clothes were thin. The sensation made Xu Shi gasp, sucking in a breath of air.
Yu Lingshan let out a triumphant laugh as her teeth and tongue began to work more insistently.
Yu Lingshan’s hair wasn’t completely dry yet, and when Xu Shi cupped her head, her palms felt a little damp.
Following the strands of hair, Xu Shi cradled the back of Yu Lingshan’s head and closed her eyes.
Yu Lingshan was having a great time. After a while, she abandoned the strawberry, pushing the fabric aside to taste her directly.
Xu Shi’s fingers tightened and loosened in turn. When Yu Lingshan was finally done playing, Xu Shi let out a sigh of relief.
Yu Lingshan propped her head on her hand, lying beside Xu Shi. She traced Xu Shi’s lower lip with her thumb and whispered in her ear, “Does that feel good?”
Xu Shi instantly blushed and turned to bury her face in Yu Lingshan’s embrace.
“Hm?” Yu Lingshan’s voice was laced with laughter as she toyed with Xu Shi’s earlobe. “Answer me.”
Xu Shi’s voice was muffled. “Mhm.”
Yu Lingshan: “I can’t hear you.”
Xu Shi lifted her head, gave a forceful “mhm,” and buried her face again.
Yu Lingshan laughed. “Big sister taught me well.”
Muffled from within the embrace, Xu Shi said, “I didn’t teach you that.”
Flustered and annoyed, Xu Shi flipped Yu Lingshan onto her back.
Yu Lingshan held up her hands in surrender. “Big sister, I’m on my period.”
Xu Shi’s smile froze on her face.
Yu Lingshan let out a low laugh and gestured with her head. “Lie down properly.”
Xu Shi wasn’t willing. She kissed Yu Lingshan’s lips once before lowering her head, returning what Yu Lingshan had just done to her, but with even more intensity.
Yu Lingshan’s voice was soft, and her body was sensitive—a switch everywhere she touched. Xu Shi loved it.
But there was nothing to be done. They couldn’t continue.
Finally, Xu Shi placed a kiss on Yu Lingshan’s waist and lifted her head.
Yu Lingshan smiled and patted Xu Shi’s shoulder. “Come on, lie down like a good girl.”
Xu Shi was defiant but had no choice but to lie down beside Yu Lingshan.
Yu Lingshan adjusted the pillow under her arm, pulled Xu Shi into her embrace with one hand, and turned on her side to look at her.
Xu Shi looked back at Yu Lingshan.
By now, they could no longer hold each other’s gaze for long. Less than two seconds later, their heads were leaning against each other.
They kissed intermittently. Held by Yu Lingshan, Xu Shi couldn’t do anything but feel her hands.
She…
Later, Xu Shi closed her eyes and heard Yu Lingshan make a clicking sound with her tongue.
Xu Shi knew what that sound was for. She let out a muffled laugh and snuggled closer into Yu Lingshan’s arms, not wanting her to see her face.
“What’s going on, Xiao Zhi,” Yu Lingshan’s voice was full of teasing, “weren’t you the one kissing me just now? How did you get yourself into this state?”
Xu Shi’s body was tingling uncontrollably, and she didn’t dare speak.
Help me. Why was Yu Lingshan like this?
When Xu Shi wouldn’t let her see her face, Yu Lingshan kissed her ear.
Her hands weren’t idle either, teasing Xu Shi both high and low. It was incredible.
Then Yu Lingshan suddenly applied more pressure and asked, “Do you want it?”
Xu Shi’s mind was a complete blur. Buried against Yu Lingshan’s shoulder, she had no idea what day or year it was.
“Xiao Zhi,” Yu Lingshan called her.
Xu Shi didn’t respond.
Yu Lingshan called again, “Miss Xu.”
Xu Shi’s mind was a mess, but she had to spare a sliver of attention to answer Yu Lingshan. “Mhm.”
Yu Lingshan: “Answer me.”
Xu Shi: “I want it.”
Yu Lingshan chuckled. “I can’t hear you.”
Xu Shi was on the verge of tears. She uncovered her eyes, then her mouth, and shouted, “I want it!”
Yu Lingshan burst out laughing and slowly…
Xu Shi had discovered that Yu Lingshan was far too talkative. It was one thing for her to say things, but she always insisted on a response from Xu Shi.
She wouldn’t let her off the hook if she didn’t speak.
Who could possibly stand it?
