Chapter 27
This was the longest five minutes of Jiang Siyi’s life.
The principal patrolled the sports field, holding a microphone and proclaiming, “Your growth and development are inseparable from the dedication of your parents.”
“Therefore, the first part of this coming-of-age ceremony should be dedicated to them!”
Many parents were deeply moved, tears streaming down their faces, echoing the sentiment. Shen Shiwu traced Jiang Siyi’s earlobe with her fingertip, making her shiver, and then chuckled. “Why aren’t you saying thank you?”
Jiang Siyi wanted to bite her shoulder.
But that was obviously not possible in public.
She said dryly, “Thank you.”
“That’s not sincere at all.” Shen Shiwu was clearly not satisfied. “Say it again.”
Jiang Siyi nudged her shoulder with her chin in protest, only to be met with another chuckle.
She said slowly, enunciating each word, “Thank… you.”
Then she lowered her voice and added, “My girlfriend.”
Shen Shiwu was finally satisfied. She patted the girl’s head. “Mm, good. I’ll reward you when we get home.”
“What reward?”
“Anything you want.”
Jiang Siyi felt like she was going crazy.
Her first thought was—Could the reward be that?
The information she had found online that day flooded her mind, and Jiang Siyi felt ashamed for even thinking about it in broad daylight.
But after a few seconds, she felt there was nothing wrong with it.
She was an adult now, what was wrong with being curious?
Jiang Siyi nodded to herself inwardly and heard Shen Shiwu ask again, “What reward do you want?”
Damn it, my mind is in the gutter.
Little Jiang mumbled, “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll tell you when we get home.”
The five minutes finally ended.
Jiang Siyi pulled away from Shen Shiwu’s embrace, the soft touch lingering on her face. She sniffed, avoiding eye contact.
“Alright, now for the second part!”
Jiang Siyi’s heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
As expected, the principal returned to the stage, her voice full of enthusiasm. “All students, sing together!”
“…”
Dressed in haute couture, with a full face of makeup, you want me to sing in the sun?
Jiang Siyi wanted to bang her head against a wall.
Shen Shiwu was suppressing her laughter. “Sing well, I’m looking forward to it.”
Seeing that the girl was about to explode, she quickly added, “Be good, I’ll make you sweet and sour pork ribs when we get home.”
Fine.
Little Jiang, easily swayed by food, temporarily forgave her.
The person in charge of the PA system seemed to have been waiting for the command. As soon as the principal finished speaking, music started playing.
It was a song composed by the school’s music teachers, its fast tempo meant to showcase the students’ youthful energy.
The singing from below was sporadic.
Some students didn’t even open their mouths.
Shen Shiwu looked at the girl beside her. “Why aren’t you singing?”
Jiang Siyi forced herself to sing louder, even replying with a smile, “I am singing, thank you.”
The four-minute song finally ended.
Seeing the smile on Shen Shiwu’s lips, Jiang Siyi felt defeated, but still couldn’t help but ask, “Was it that funny?”
“No, I’m sorry.”
“…”
That apology was as effective as punching cotton.
The ceremony finally ended. It was free time now, and the students could take pictures at the coming-of-age gate.
Jiang Siyi felt sweat trickling down her forehead. She was tired, and the crowd was overwhelming—she wanted to hide in Shen Shiwu’s arms and rest.
Just as she was about to discreetly move closer, someone called out to her.
That voice… could it be…?
“Senior Jiang!”
Jiang Siyi turned around stiffly and saw Yang Yi standing behind her, her expression still nervous.
This junior, please take it easy.
My girlfriend is right here.
Jiang Siyi was still worrying when she heard a girl’s voice, “Senior, can you come with me for a moment?”
No, unless I want to die.
She was about to refuse when she heard Shen Shiwu’s calm voice, “Go ahead, I’ll wait for you here.”
“?”
Jiang Siyi almost stomped her foot in frustration.
Fine, you said it yourself.
Exasperated, she said to Yang Yi, “Okay, let’s go.”
There was a back gate at the corner of the sports field, practically a hole in the wall, hidden by bushes, inconspicuous.
Before she had been “reformed,” Jiang Siyi had used it countless times to skip evening self-study.
Yang Yi, no longer as hesitant as before, seemed to have mustered all her courage and handed her another love letter. “Senior, I really like you.”
“I know you’re not interested in me, but…”
“Can you give me a chance?”
Jiang Siyi, seeing her sincere expression, sighed heavily.
She firmly refused again. “I’m sorry, I told you before, you’re a wonderful girl, with excellent grades.”
“But I really can’t agree to this.”
“Why?” She was on the verge of tears. “Do you have someone you like?”
“No,” Jiang Siyi shook her head, then added, “I’m already with the person I like.”
Returning to the sports field, she didn’t see Shen Shiwu. After searching, she found her standing in the shade of a tree.
Jiang Siyi lifted her dress slightly and was about to run towards her when she saw another person standing beside Shen Shiwu.
They were about the same height, both looking mature and composed, a perfect match.
The girl suddenly stopped in her tracks.
She stood there, feeling her makeup melting under the heat.
The camphor trees weren’t in full bloom yet, but their large leaves still provided some shade.
Under the tree, Shen Shiwu took a few steps to the side, creating some distance, and said coldly, “Please keep your younger sister under control.”
Her words were harsh. “Don’t be a bad influence on my child.”
Yang Yu chuckled. “You’ve adopted a child?”
Shen Shiwu frowned deeply at the term of address, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
Yang Yu looked at her, her expression complex. “I was from Fu Zhong High School too, but you probably don’t remember me, since you transferred overseas so quickly…”
She was interrupted.
Shen Shiwu’s voice was flat. “I don’t remember.”
The woman smiled wryly, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, pretending to be nonchalant. “It’s okay, it’s all in the past. At least you know me now.”
She clutched her designer handbag, a faint scratch mark visible on its surface. Remembering the initial topic, she continued, “I’ll keep my sister under control. Puppy love is indeed inappropriate.”
“It’s not her who’s engaging in puppy love, it’s her who wants to,” Shen Shiwu corrected, as if it was a very important distinction.
Yang Yu nodded, stunned, but before she could say anything, Shen Shiwu turned to leave. She called out, raising her voice slightly, repeating her earlier question.
The shadows on the ground froze.
Shen Shiwu paused, but didn’t turn around.
Afraid of affecting Jiang Siyi, she swallowed the words “taking care of my girlfriend is only natural” and didn’t even bother turning her head—
“Because I want to.”
Shen Shiwu found Jiang Siyi in the senior year building.
Seeing the smudged eyeliner around the girl’s eyes, she knew she had been crying.
She sighed inwardly. And this little panda was still pretending to be indifferent. “Why are you staring at me?”
Shen Shiwu, without a word, pulled her into the bathroom.
After making sure no one was inside, she tilted Jiang Siyi’s chin up, forcing her to look in the mirror. “You tell me.”
The girl’s face instantly flushed.
Seeing the dark smudges around her eyes, she was first relieved that she hadn’t run into anyone, then embarrassed.
But most of all, she felt aggrieved.
Jiang Siyi didn’t want to be silent anymore. Tears streamed down her face like the spring rain, her voice softening. “It’s all your fault.”
“My fault again?”
The girl turned and buried her face in Shen Shiwu’s embrace, mischievously rubbing her face against her clothes, then asked, “Why were you standing with Yang Yi’s sister?”
Her voice was muffled, choked with sobs, as if she had been greatly wronged.
Shen Shiwu held her tighter, knowing she was jealous, and patiently explained, “I told her to keep her younger sister under control.”
“So she wouldn’t be a bad influence on you.”
Hearing this, Jiang Siyi was momentarily stunned—for so many years, whenever this topic was brought up, she had always been the “bad influence.”
For example, teachers always warned her not to be a bad influence on other students.
But from Shen Shiwu’s lips, it was completely different.
Jiang Siyi sniffed, her mood improving slightly, but she was still not satisfied. She tugged on the buttons of Shen Shiwu’s coat, her eyes red. “Okay… but.”
“But what?”
“You said on the sports field that I could have any reward I wanted.” Jiang Siyi lowered her eyes, finally letting go of the buttons, and grabbed Shen Shiwu’s wrist, gently swaying it.
“I don’t need a reward, just grant me a wish.” She said generously.
“Okay, tell me.”
“Don’t talk to her.” Jiang Siyi’s tone was slightly fierce. “Not a single word.”
Shen Shiwu’s eyes flickered.
She thought—After taking care of her for so long, she’s finally showing some temper, learning to be spoiled.
She was pleased.
“Okay, anything else?” The woman seemed to be in a good mood.
Jiang Siyi, seeing her agree, hummed softly, like a proud little panda. “No.”
“You still have another reward.” Shen Shiwu reminded her.
“You can’t have your cake and eat it too. I’m not greedy, just one wish is enough.”
“With me, you can always have both.” The woman leaned down and kissed her cheek, making her blush, then whispered, “You can be greedy.”
Jiang Siyi’s eyelashes fluttered, her mind filled with certain images.
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“When have I ever lied to you?”
Jiang Siyi was a little hesitant, unsure how to express herself.
Finally, she mustered her courage and whispered in Shen Shiwu’s ear, “I want…”
“I want to try.”
Shen Shiwu blinked.
Seeing the girl’s obvious panic, as if she wanted to take back her words, the long-suppressed desires within her threatened to erupt.
Sensing the change in Shen Shiwu’s gaze, Jiang Siyi felt like she was suffocating.
She tried to salvage the situation, saying casually, “I mean, it’s…”
Before she could finish, Shen Shiwu bit her cheek gently.
A faint teeth mark appeared, like a wolf marking its territory.
Jiang Siyi was stunned.
Shen Shiwu traced the mark with her fingertip, satisfied.
“Okay,” she said softly, her teeth grazing the girl’s skin, “I’ll grant your wish.”
Leave a Reply