Category: After Breaking Up, the Gentle Older Sister Went Crazy

Chapter 37

Jiang Siyi, in her rebellious life, had never had the habit of asking for help.

The background noise was still the same chorus of complaints from the other victims—”Officer, we’re from out of town, can you please investigate this quickly?”

“Officer, where’s my bag? Give me back my bag!”

Amidst the chaos, she remained silent, not responding. Shen Shiwu wasn’t in a hurry, but exceptionally patient, just like many years ago, waiting for Jiang Siyi to finish her homework, never rushing her.

What was the one thing modern young people couldn’t live without?

The internet.

Thinking this, Jiang Siyi chose the first option, saying with forced conviction, “You’re a good person.”

“…”

The other woman didn’t react, and just as she was about to look up, she heard a cold snort. “And?”

Say something nice.

Wasn’t that nice enough?

Jiang Siyi questioned her life choices. After a while, just as she was about to try complimenting Shen Shiwu in a more eloquent manner, the woman sighed softly. “Forget it, just beg me.”

“?”

Perhaps Shen Shiwu’s expression was too unreadable, her composure too unshakeable, Jiang Siyi opened her mouth, then swallowed her question.

She stared at the floor, resigned. “Okay, I’m begging you.”

“Are you begging the floor, or me?”

Jiang Siyi frowned. “You.”

“Then look at me.” Shen Shiwu tilted her face up, forcing her to meet her gaze. “Look into my eyes and beg me.”

Lin Yusheng, sitting closest to them, was fast asleep, while the surroundings were still noisy, everyone anxious and preoccupied, no one paying attention to them.

Jiang Siyi was trapped in Shen Shiwu’s grip, the pressure increasing with every slight movement.

She was forced to look into Shen Shiwu’s eyes.

Seeing someone about to turn around, Jiang Siyi gritted her teeth. “I’m begging you.”

Although unwilling, she softened her tone, since she needed help. “Please help me.”

Shen Shiwu finally released her after a while.

Under the woman’s satisfied gaze, Jiang Siyi felt her face burning.

She had never seen a theft case resolved so quickly.

Two hours later, deep into the night, even the birds had returned to their nests, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the police station. Accompanied by a shout of “Don’t move, police!”, the culprit was apprehended.

Jiang Siyi was momentarily stunned as she received her phone back.

She looked at Shen Shiwu’s back as she spoke to the police officer and slowly lowered her head—after all these years, Shen Shiwu was still powerful and capable, able to handle everything.

While she… besides some success in her writing career, was still useless in other aspects.

Footsteps approached.

Shen Shiwu asked, “Is your phone damaged or anything?”

Jiang Siyi checked her phone and shook her head. “No.”

The woman nodded, then glanced at Lin Yusheng, who was still fast asleep. “She’s your editor?”

“Yes.”

Shen Shiwu’s eyes suddenly darkened, and she asked, “Do you need another editor?”

Jiang Siyi abruptly stood up and walked out.

The woman behind her chuckled, pointing at Lin Yusheng. “Leaving her behind?”

The latter finally stirred. She opened her eyes, the first thing she heard being Jiang Siyi’s indifferent voice, “Let her be, she’ll wake up eventually.”

“…”

Lin Yusheng blinked a few times, saw that Jiang Siyi had already left the police station, and was about to yell, “You found your phone?” when she was startled by Shen Shiwu, who was standing beside her.

She had seen a lot in her forty-something years of life, and with just a glance, she guessed what had happened—Jiang Siyi had gone to her ex-wife’s older sister for help.

Although she was older, she still felt intimidated by Shen Shiwu. So, Lin Yusheng moved to the side before standing up and asked Jiang Siyi, who was still standing there, “What about my phone?”

“Find it yourself.”

“?”

Bullying her because she didn’t have a powerful ex-wife’s older sister, huh?

Lin Yusheng grumbled inwardly and went back inside, asking the police officer, “Hello, can you handle my case now?”

But the officer didn’t even look at her, continuing to stare at his computer. “We’re really busy today, how about tomorrow?”

Lin Yusheng wanted to stomp her foot in frustration.

She opened the door and called out to Jiang Siyi, “Can you ask your ex-wife’s older sister to help me?”

Jiang Siyi didn’t want to be pinched again.

She turned her head away. “No.”

Seeing that Lin Yusheng was about to start reminiscing about the past again, Jiang Siyi almost crushed her phone. A few minutes later, she and Shen Shiwu were standing outside, the warm summer night breeze making them feel slightly restless.

Jiang Siyi wiped the sweat from her forehead and said awkwardly, “Can you ask the police to handle my editor’s case quickly?”

Shen Shiwu feigned surprise. “Sure, what’s in it for me?”

In the past, no matter what Jiang Siyi asked for, even the stars in the sky, Shen Shiwu would have granted her wish without hesitation.

But now, their relationship seemed to involve a cost-benefit analysis.

Jiang Siyi suddenly felt a pang of sadness, thinking that time was truly a terrifying thing, able to destroy everything in just four years.

But this was a change she had to accept.

After all, she was the one who had initiated the breakup.

—”What do you want?”

—”Anything, except for relationship-related things, like getting back together. I can agree to anything else.”

Shen Shiwu chuckled softly. “No going back on your word.”

Hearing this, Jiang Siyi felt a sense of unease. But it was almost midnight, and she had no other choice.

So she nodded, her voice soft. “I promise.”

Shen Shiwu wasn’t one to extend her kindness indiscriminately. She didn’t care about anyone else’s problems, only Jiang Siyi’s. But now that the girl had softened her stance, she could only agree. “Okay.”

At half-past one in the morning, Lin Yusheng, surprised, received her phone back. Relieved, she desperately wanted to know who Shen Shiwu was.

But seeing Jiang Siyi’s gloomy expression, she chose to keep quiet.

The hotel was close to the night market, less than an eight-minute walk. Before leaving, Jiang Siyi asked Shen Shiwu again, “Have you thought about it?”

The latter replied calmly, “No, I’ll tell you when I’ve decided.”

But as Jiang Siyi turned to leave, she added, “How can I contact you?”

“Direct message me on Weibo.”

“…That’s too much trouble.”

“It’s not,” Jiang Siyi’s dark green dress blended into the night, her voice cold, “Just send me a message.”

The next day, she regretted her words.

Because Shen Shiwu, using her real-name verified account, followed her on Weibo and sent her countless messages.

The messages were fine; she could just block them if they became annoying. But the follow… that was a disaster.

“Unfollow me immediately!” Jiang Siyi banged on Shen Shiwu’s door, gritting her teeth. “Open the door!”

Shen Shiwu had just gotten home and hadn’t changed her clothes yet. She leaned against the doorframe and asked lazily, “Why?”

“You’re the CEO of Shen Group, practically a public figure. Although your newly registered account won’t be easily discovered, sooner or later, it’ll make headlines.”

“And you even verified it with your real name!” Jiang Siyi’s head was buzzing, and she almost started pacing. “Unfollow me!”

It had been a while since Shen Shiwu had heard her speak so much.

She was amused. “Go on.”

Jiang Siyi’s face darkened completely.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. “I’m done. Two words, unfollow.”

Shen Shiwu blinked, feigning innocence, but her tone was firm. “No.”

“This is my personal account, even you, as my ex, can’t interfere.”

Seeing that the girl was about to explode, Shen Shiwu added, “But it’s not completely impossible.”

Her lips curved into a smile. “How about this, give me another favor.”

Jiang Siyi fumed silently for ten seconds, then turned and stormed back to her own apartment. But less than ten minutes after she lay down on her bed, the doorbell rang.

She went to open the door, her slippers dragging against the floor. “Coming, who is it?”

It was strange.

It wasn’t a person standing outside her door.

But a small rabbit.

Jiang Siyi almost stepped on it, but she quickly retracted her foot.

Seeing no one outside, she called out, “Whose rabbit is this?”

There was no response.

She squatted down, looking at the fluffy lop-eared rabbit, feeling slightly at a loss.

Jiang Siyi wasn’t used to keeping pets. Having experienced two painful separations in her life, she was afraid of the word “leaving.”

Even with people, let alone pets.

Eternal things were rare in this world; most things were only temporary.

So she simply chose not to have them.

The rabbit’s fur looked soft.

Jiang Siyi watched as it sniffed around, her hand itching slightly.

Just a quick pet, it shouldn’t hurt, right?

So she slowly extended her hand.

The rabbit seemed to like her very much, nuzzling against her hand, its little paws twitching.

Jiang Siyi squatted at her doorstep for a long time, then finally picked up the rabbit and held it in her arms.

Whatever, it’s not safe outside, I’ll bring it inside first.

Sitting at her desk with her laptop, she and the rabbit watched the security footage. When Jiang Siyi saw the culprit, she was speechless.

On the screen, Shen Shiwu was carrying the rabbit, walking slowly out of her house, then, without hesitation, straight to Jiang Siyi’s door.

And then, very calmly, she rang the doorbell.

After that, she walked back to her own house, and just as she closed the door, Jiang Siyi came downstairs, the rabbit in her arms.

…

Smooth as silk, a masterclass in manipulation.

Jiang Siyi looked down at the rabbit in her arms, speechless.

She couldn’t be mad at the rabbit; it didn’t know anything, it was innocent.

She had to be mad at its owner.

She closed her laptop, sat quietly for a moment to gather her strength, and was about to storm out to demand an explanation when the doorbell rang again.

Jiang Siyi sneered, petting the rabbit as she went to open the door.

Shen Shiwu must not have had to go to the office today, as she was wearing pajamas. A dark blue silk set that revealed her delicate collarbone.

Jiang Siyi quickly averted her gaze after a quick glance.

She discreetly covered the rabbit’s eyes, her expression cold, about to speak, when Shen Shiwu beat her to it.

Shen Shiwu’s eyes were filled with meaning, her voice slow and deliberate as she started lying:

“My rabbit isn’t well-behaved, it ran away.”

Jiang Siyi scoffed inwardly, wanting to say that she had security cameras, but Shen Shiwu continued—

“I’m here to catch it. Has anyone seen it?”

Jiang Siyi, holding the rabbit, took three steps back.

Then she slammed the door shut and locked it.

Chapter 36

The day she left for Beicheng was a rare sunny day. The warm sunlight seemed to ripple across everything.

A certain great author had also gotten her hair permed into waves for the occasion.

The clicking of her black stilettos against the floor mixed with the reporters’ questions, creating a cacophony of sounds.

Lin Yusheng, who rarely accompanied her to events, was startled by the scene.

As expected of an award-winning writer, her popularity is comparable to a celebrity’s.

Lin Yusheng thought, feeling a surge of pride.

“Miss Jiang, we heard you rejected the film adaptation offer from an overseas company. Is it because of your first love?”

“Miss Jiang, you once wrote in your book…”

Ever since she had answered that “not one of” question, the media had been relentlessly pursuing Jiang Siyi’s love life.

She pulled her mask higher, only her indifferent eyes visible.

She refused to answer any of the questions thrown at her.

Finally, inside the car, Jiang Siyi covered herself with her coat, ready to hibernate in the middle of summer. Lin Yusheng, rubbing her temples, seeing her like this, said, “We’ll be at the venue in about ten minutes, get up and fix your makeup.”

Jiang Siyi tried to argue. “I’m wearing a mask, why do I need to fix my makeup?”

“You can at least fix your eye makeup, your eyelashes are all droopy.”

“…”

After a moment, she resignedly opened her eyes and took out her compact, patting her face with powder.

As soon as they got out of the car, staff members from the organizer came to greet them. One of the interns couldn’t take her eyes off Jiang Siyi.

After they entered the venue, she whispered to her colleague, “Ms. Jiang is so beautiful. Even with a mask, you can tell she’s incredibly elegant.”

Many of her readers and fans felt the same way.

So, when Jiang Siyi, dressed in a dark green dress, entered the venue, their screams intensified, the books in their hands unable to muffle the sound.

“Dear readers, Ms. Jiang’s book signing is about to begin. Please line up and wait patiently, thank you!”

The venue was large, and Lin Yusheng held a microphone, directing the crowd. After making sure everything was in order, she took the first book from a reader.

“Teacher, I’m taking the college entrance exam this year, and I love your work. Actually, I skipped class to come here, and I’m a little scared to go back to school…”

Jiang Siyi was always gentle with her readers, hiding her sharp edges, sometimes even acting as a kind older sister.

When the young reader finished speaking, she was suddenly reminded of her own teenage years.

Jiang Siyi, snapping back to reality, said, “However you came here, you should go back the same way. You have to be responsible for your actions.”

She had wanted to add, “For example, if you climbed over the wall to get here, climb back. As long as your skills are good, no one will notice.”

But she swallowed the words—she was no longer the playful girl from four years ago. Saying that now would only make headlines the next day.

She could even imagine the headline: #Popular Author Jiang Siyi Incites Readers to Skip Class, Suspected of Endangering the Nation’s Youth#

Her lips twitched, and she started lecturing the reader, echoing Fu Jing’s words from years ago, “Your senior year is for studying. You can skip class this time, but not next time.”

The time allotted for each reader was limited.

The reader took the signed book and nodded repeatedly. “Mm-hmm, I’ll study hard.”

The rest of the book signing went smoothly. Jiang Siyi’s hand was cramping by the end, but she enjoyed it.

The line gradually shortened, only four or five people left.

Another book was handed to her. Jiang Siyi didn’t look up, asking, “What’s your name?”

The person was silent for a few seconds, as if considering, then replied, “Ex-wife’s older sister.”

“???”

Jiang Siyi’s pen froze, and she abruptly looked up, seeing a woman in a dark blue dress standing before her.

Her first thought: Oh, blue and green, matching outfits.

Her second thought: Oh, it really is my ex-wife’s older sister.

Jiang Siyi: “…”

Seeing her frozen, Shen Shiwu leaned against the table and repeated those three words.

Although there weren’t many people left in line, many readers were still lingering around.

Jiang Siyi wanted to jump up and cover Shen Shiwu’s mouth.

Lin Yusheng, beside her, pretended to clear her throat, then picked up the small gifts and started distributing them. “Here, a small gift from Ms. Jiang, one for everyone, no need to rush.”

The crowd was instantly distracted, no longer paying attention to them.

Shen Shiwu leaned closer, lowering her eyes. “Are those three words too embarrassing to write?”

Her eyes were filled with meaning, dark as the night. Jiang Siyi, feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, looked away and finally started writing.

She gripped the pen, her knuckles turning white, and calmly wrote—To Ex-wife’s older sister.

She could have added a well-wish, but Jiang Siyi just wanted to get it over with and call the next person. But Shen Shiwu seemed to have come prepared.

Just as she was about to close the book, Shen Shiwu stopped her. “A well-wish.”

She pretended to think for a moment, then said slowly, “Write, ‘Wishing for our reconciliation soon.’”

Shen Shiwu’s voice was laced with amusement, her tone cheerful.

Jiang Siyi was speechless.

She had realized, since their reunion at the bar, that Shen Shiwu still had feelings for her. But she hadn’t expected her to bring up getting back together like this.

Hearing her straightforward words, Jiang Siyi was suddenly reminded of four years ago.

Back then, after they had become official, Shen Shiwu’s love had been passionate and direct, while she had been… insecure and sensitive.

It seemed they had never been on the same page.

Jiang Siyi’s face remained expressionless. She didn’t write anything, but simply closed the book and handed it back.

As if saying: Take it or leave it.

Shen Shiwu had anticipated this.

She had come all the way to Beicheng and waited in line for hours, giving Jiang Siyi a chance—if she agreed, then there would be no need for drastic measures.

There were many disobedient children in the world.

And the one she had once raised seemed particularly stubborn.

The woman calmly took the book, glanced at the cover, then said meaningfully, “Nice, it’s quite a good likeness.”

Only after Shen Shiwu turned and left did Jiang Siyi’s face flush.

She had personally commissioned the cover design.

It was a picture of two people, their backs to the viewer, leaning against each other.

And the key element was the London Eye in the background.

I should have asked for a more subtle design…

She thought silently, wanting to stand up and walk around to cool down.

The book signing ended in the evening. The sky was ablaze with the colors of sunset, and Jiang Siyi, feeling tired, walked outside, then paused, slightly stunned.

It had been years since she had seen such a beautiful sky.

It wasn’t that London didn’t have sunsets, every country did.

It was just a matter of perspective.

“What are you looking at? The Beicheng night market is very lively, want to go check it out?” Lin Yusheng, thinking she was reminiscing about her first love, seeing her dazed expression, asked, afraid she had developed early-onset dementia.

Jiang Siyi finally looked away.

Embracing the Chinese mentality of “since we’re already here,” she nodded. “Let’s go.”

The night market was crowded, people bumping shoulders. Jiang Siyi, momentarily disoriented, wanted to remind Lin Yusheng to be careful of pickpockets, then remembered they were in China and kept quiet.

But she had become too relaxed.

So relaxed that she didn’t even notice when her phone was stolen from her pocket.

By the time she realized it, Lin Yusheng had already yelled, “Where’s my phone!?”

Twenty minutes later, they were sitting side by side at the police station. Several other people were there too, all tourists who had been robbed.

The police station was lively, perhaps because they were busy. When Jiang Siyi asked to check the surveillance footage, no one reacted.

A police officer said, “Wait a moment, don’t worry.”

“My flight is tomorrow morning.”

“Then stay here for a few more days, our night market is very lively, just be careful of pickpockets.”

“…”

Jiang Siyi wanted to scream.

Just as she was about to speak, another couple came in, saying their luggage had been stolen, including their IDs, and demanding immediate action.

The noise level increased.

Jiang Siyi’s face darkened, and she sat back down, defeated.

As she was dozing off, she heard approaching footsteps, stopping in front of her.

Jiang Siyi drowsily opened her eyes, thinking she was dreaming.

The woman looked down at her, frowning. “What are you doing here?”

Jiang Siyi’s mind was foggy with sleep, and she looked at the person before her, a sudden wave of emotion washing over her.

When tired, people acted on instinct.

She subconsciously reached out and tugged on Shen Shiwu’s sleeve, then quickly let go, as if realizing she had done something inappropriate.

Shen Shiwu: “…”

She glanced at Lin Yusheng, who was fast asleep, then at another person yelling into the phone, “Yes, my bag was stolen!”

Then she asked Jiang Siyi, “Something stolen?”

Jiang Siyi mumbled in agreement.

She sniffed, feeling aggrieved that the police weren’t taking her case seriously.

Shen Shiwu, seeing her head drooping lower and lower, guessed what had happened. She resisted the urge to pat her head and turned to walk in another direction.

Jiang Siyi stared at Shen Shiwu’s back as she talked to a police officer.

Just like the countless times she had secretly looked at Shen Shiwu years ago, she was caught.

Seeing the girl’s evasive gaze, Shen Shiwu’s eyes darkened.

“Please handle this as quickly as possible. My child has a flight tomorrow morning, it’s urgent.” After saying this, she turned and walked back to Jiang Siyi.

Jiang Siyi, hearing the footsteps, touched her nose.

“Jiang Siyi,” Shen Shiwu called out, stopping in front of her.

Although she was no longer a child, hearing her full name, Jiang Siyi still felt a sense of… oppression.

She looked up. “What?”

“Want to find your phone quickly?”

Jiang Siyi blinked, a little puzzled, but still nodded. “Yes.”

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she added, “Isn’t that obvious?”

Shen Shiwu chuckled softly.

She leaned down, touched the girl’s earlobe, and gently pinched it, making her shiver, then said—

“Then say something nice.”

“Or, beg me.”

Chapter 35

That night, Jiang Siyi called her therapist for the first time in a while.

It was afternoon in London, and the therapist, basking in the sun, said in a slow, calming voice, “She is the root cause of your worsening condition. It’s best to stay away from her, unless there are exceptional circumstances.”

Jiang Siyi responded with a faint “Mm-hmm.”

Her focus was entirely on the “exceptional circumstances” part.

She had been staying home for a week, and things had been relatively peaceful. Apart from almost getting sick of takeout, life was quite comfortable.

On Sunday, after finishing her writing for the day, Jiang Siyi opened the curtains, saw that the weather was surprisingly nice, and decided to go for a walk.

It was early July, and the sun was getting increasingly intense, almost unbearable by noon.

But not long after she stepped outside, dark clouds gathered, and a sudden downpour began.

Jiang Siyi felt betrayed and was about to turn back when a shout pierced her ears, “Jiang Siyi!”

Inside the cafe, they sat in a quiet corner, the transparent glass wall offering a view of the passing pedestrians. Lin Yusheng, watching Jiang Siyi leisurely sipping her coffee, asked, “Great author, when are you handing in your manuscript?”

Jiang Siyi stirred her coffee slowly. “What’s the rush?”

“Fine, take your time. As long as you hand it in before the end of the year, I’ll be grateful.” Lin Yusheng took out a contract from her bag. “Here’s the offer from the film company.”

A stack of papers was placed on the table. Jiang Siyi glanced at the number Lin Yusheng gestured—seven figures.

She remained unfazed, continuing to stir her coffee.

Lin Yusheng: “…”

“I’ve come all this way to deliver the contract, can you at least say something?”

“I’m afraid you won’t like what I have to say.”

…That’s a rejection.

Lin Yusheng stared at the contract, then almost exploded. “They’re practically begging for the rights, and you, you don’t even appreciate it!”

If this had been the Jiang Siyi from before she turned seventeen, faced with such an opportunity to get rich, she would have grabbed it without hesitation. But now, plagued by her anxiety, which sometimes felt life-threatening, what good was a little money?

Besides… this book was a tribute to her first love.

In other words, it was written for Shen Shiwu.

The editor was still trying to persuade her—”It’ll be released overseas, no need to cut the romance, finding two actors to portray the characters isn’t a bad thing, it can even boost your popularity.”

Jiang Siyi finished her coffee in one gulp.

She didn’t usually like coffee; it was too bitter. She only drank it when she needed a boost. She pursed her lips. “I won’t authorize any film adaptations of my work.”

“If you want to make money from this, you should find someone else.”

After so many years, Lin Yusheng knew her temperament well and had anticipated this outcome.

But she had still held onto a sliver of hope, as Jiang Siyi was unpredictable, just like her writing, often defying expectations.

Finally giving up, Lin Yusheng stuffed the contract back into her bag. Perhaps her throat was dry from talking, she drank most of her coffee, then changed the subject. “Fine, but you’ll at least attend the book signing in Beicheng, right?”

This wasn’t a problem.

Jiang Siyi nodded in agreement.

Lin Yusheng sighed repeatedly, and only when Jiang Siyi was about to leave did she regain her composure. “I came back to China specifically to accompany you to the book signing.”

Then she added, “I don’t have a place to stay in Qinan, can I stay at your place?”

Jiang Siyi smiled. “No.”

Lin Yusheng started her usual dramatic act. She was only in her early forties, not particularly old, but she loved to reminisce about the past.

From the first manuscript Jiang Siyi had submitted to Yunyu Publishing to all the things that had happened since, she recounted everything.

Regardless, Lin Yusheng was indeed her mentor.

So, after about ten minutes, Jiang Siyi relented. “Fine.”

She sighed. “But you have to move out after the book signing.”

The walk from the cafe to her apartment took only ten minutes.

Lin Yusheng entered, casually tossed her bag onto the sofa, and started exclaiming, “Wow, what a mansion!”

“Not really.” Jiang Siyi watched her walk around in her high heels, thinking, You haven’t seen my ex-wife’s older sister’s villa.

“Okay, calm down. The book signing is the day after tomorrow, right?”

Lin Yusheng felt that Jiang Siyi’s temper had worsened since returning to China. She used to politely call her “Auntie,” but now she was being treated like a stranger.

She nodded, then asked softly, “Is your… condition getting worse again?”

Jiang Siyi didn’t reply immediately. She poured herself a glass of water, and only after the warmth spread through her stomach did she speak, staring at the rising steam. “Maybe.”

Not wanting to dwell on the topic, she changed the subject. “I’ve almost finished the manuscript. I’ll go upstairs and get my laptop.”

With that, she went upstairs.

Being in someone else’s home, Lin Yusheng didn’t wander around but sat down and started scrolling through her phone.

In the quiet apartment, the doorbell suddenly rang.

She called out, “Jiang Siyi, someone’s here.”

Remembering that she had ordered her childhood favorite—daily milk delivery—a few days ago, Jiang Siyi replied, “Open the door, do you expect me to jump down?”

The sound of high heels clicking against the floor approached the door.

Lin Yusheng opened the door, and the person outside seemed to suddenly turn cold.

She didn’t recognize Shen Shiwu and asked, “Hello, can I help you?”

Then she carefully examined the woman before her.

Her long, slightly curled hair was as dark as ink, her features striking, the simple shirt she wore exuding elegance.

A beautiful woman.

Lin Yusheng raised an eyebrow, wanting to rush upstairs and tell Jiang Siyi, “Forget about your first love, look at this one!”

Just then, Jiang Siyi came downstairs, laptop in hand.

Seeing someone at the door, she asked, puzzled, “Who is it?”

Lin Yusheng stepped aside.

The moment Jiang Siyi met the woman’s gaze, she instinctively wanted to close the door—her anxiety was acting up again.

But Shen Shiwu’s expression softened slightly, and she said softly, “I’m here to deliver milk.”

“…”

A billionaire CEO delivering milk door-to-door? Who would believe that?

Jiang Siyi tried to compose herself and lied, “I didn’t order any milk.”

“Really?” Shen Shiwu looked down at the order information, then looked up at the house number again. “Third row, number eighteen, isn’t this your address?”

After a few seconds, Jiang Siyi’s face stiffened, and she snatched the bottle of milk from Shen Shiwu’s hand, about to slam the door shut.

But a hand stopped her.

It was only a few centimeters away from being crushed. Jiang Siyi gasped inwardly and froze. Shen Shiwu, seeing her abrupt stop, her eyes filled with an unreadable expression.

She took out a box of chocolates from behind her back, the packaging covered in English, tied with a golden ribbon.

“Hello, new neighbor, this is a small gift, nothing too expensive, please accept it.”

Jiang Siyi was completely stunned.

Her mouth opened and closed several times, then she asked, her voice flat, “What did you say?”

“New… neighbor.” The woman said calmly. “Are those three words so difficult to understand, great author?”

The next moment, Jiang Siyi slammed the door shut, both the woman and the chocolates now outside.

She declared, “You better move out.”

Shen Shiwu raised an eyebrow, thinking the girl was getting increasingly fierce.

Fierce like… a hissing rabbit.

Thinking this, her eyes darkened, and she continued, “I’ll wait until you accept the chocolates before I leave.”

Although she said that, Shen Shiwu’s true intention was—if Jiang Siyi didn’t open the door, she wouldn’t hesitate to break the lock.

And throw the other person inside out as well.

The light rain, which hadn’t stopped, suddenly intensified. Although Shen Shiwu was standing under the eaves, a few raindrops still landed on her.

She coughed a few times, pretending to be sick. Seeing that there was still no movement from inside, she was about to turn around to find a tool when the door finally opened a crack.

Jiang Siyi didn’t look at her but took the chocolates, her eyelashes lowered.

She mumbled, “You can go now.”

Inside, Lin Yusheng, having witnessed the whole scene, felt that there was definitely some history between them. Eager for gossip, she asked tentatively, “Do you… know that beautiful woman?”

Jiang Siyi thought she was stating the obvious.

“What do you think?”

Lin Yusheng slapped her thigh. “You definitely know each other!”

“Could it be… you two…” She suddenly paused, then her eyes widened in realization. “Don’t tell me she’s your first love?”

Jiang Siyi threw a pillow at her. “So what if she is? Got a problem with that?”

Lin Yusheng repeated “No wonder” several times, then clicked her tongue. “You should have told me your ex-wife’s older sister looked like that.”

“I used to think you were hopelessly in love, but now, if it were me, I might be even crazier than you.”

Hearing this, Jiang Siyi felt inexplicably annoyed. She frowned. “Do you believe I’ll throw you out?”

The other woman immediately fell silent, made a “shh” gesture, and started working on her laptop.

The sound of rain filled the quiet apartment. Jiang Siyi hugged her laptop, finding it too heavy, and put it aside.

She curled up on the sofa, her view through the window offering a clear sight of the “twin” courtyard house opposite hers.

She had just seen Shen Shiwu enter that house.

Jiang Siyi sighed inwardly, her temples throbbing. Then, the buried memories resurfaced.

The stormy night, huddled alone in bed, afraid to move.

And that glimpse of Shen Shiwu and Yang Yu at Yu An Mansion…

Feeling her teeth chattering slightly, Jiang Siyi closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down.

After a long while, she finally opened her eyes.

The weather in Qinan was not only rainy but also unpredictable. Now, sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow on the floor.

Lin Yusheng looked up, surprised, and also glanced outside. “It’s sunshower, haven’t seen one of those in a while.”

Jiang Siyi didn’t reply, simply looking outside.

As if by some unspoken agreement, at the same moment, the door of the house opposite hers opened, and a tall figure stepped out.

Jiang Siyi froze.

The dark clouds had mostly dispersed, leaving only a light drizzle. The sunlight intensified, as if magnified.

Shen Shiwu stood at her doorstep, her arm shielding half her face.

As if she had sensed her gaze, she suddenly turned and looked at Jiang Siyi.

Jiang Siyi’s heart skipped a beat.

Because she saw, under the warm sunlight, not far away, the person she had longed for and yet avoided for four years, tilting her head and smiling faintly at her.

Chapter 34

Rainy days foreshadowed our reunion.

***

Four years could indeed change many things.

The early summer morning still feels cold. This was Jiang Siyi’s first thought after waking up. Then, ignoring her inner turmoil, she quietly slipped out of the familiar villa.

In the wealthy district, ride-hailing services were always quick.

Jiang Siyi didn’t have to wait long before getting into a car.

The driver was a woman, her accent suggesting she was from northern China. She started chatting enthusiastically. “It’s been raining a lot in Qinan recently, the temperature is low. Aren’t you cold, young lady, wearing only a shirt?”

The young lady’s face was flushed, as if she had done something wrong.

But she still replied stiffly, “I was in a hurry, I just grabbed something to wear.”

The driver responded with an “Oh” and focused on the road. Jiang Siyi fidgeted with the corner of her shirt, then, feeling the heat in her cheeks, quickly let go.

She took out her phone and, with a blank expression, sent a message to her long-time friend Xu Yuan—”What do I do if I slept with my ex-girlfriend on the first day back?”

Xu Yuan had been doing well back in her hometown, becoming an HR director at a young age. She adjusted the blinds in her office, then clicked her tongue. “I was wondering why you weren’t replying to my messages. Turns out you’ve rekindled your old flame with your ex-wife’s older sister.”

Jiang Siyi’s mind was in turmoil, and she clicked on the voice message without thinking, putting it on speakerphone, almost jumping out of the car at those words.

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror and said considerately, “It’s okay, I didn’t hear anything. Continue your conversation.”

“…”

It’s human nature to be nosy, but isn’t this a bit too obvious?

Jiang Siyi tapped the screen harder.

She thought for a long time, deleting and rewriting her message several times, until the other person was about to send a question mark, before finally sending it—”Don’t worry, I’m not getting back together with her.”

A classic case of protesting too much.

Xu Yuan thought her stubbornness had reached a new level. After a long silence, she sent an eye-roll emoji.

The apartment she had bought two years ago wasn’t far from the city center, but the light rain continued, the roads were wet, and the traffic was heavy. It took half an hour for Jiang Siyi to get home.

She collapsed onto the sofa the moment she entered, sprawling out. Then, thinking of a certain someone, she curled up like a cat—

Shen Shiwu.

How had she changed so much?

If four years ago, she had been a smiling tiger, now… she was a raging lion.

The memories of last night flooded back, mixed with the intoxicating alcohol, Shen Shiwu’s scent still lingering in the air.

Jiang Siyi was silent for a moment, then lifted her oversized shirt and examined the marks on her body. Her lips trembled slightly.

Well, that was terrifying.

Having overexerted herself last night, she glanced at the time—only past seven—and went upstairs to sleep. She was woken up by a phone call—”I’m sleeping, make it quick.”

“You’re really not coming back?”

Jiang Siyi’s drowsiness vanished.

Lin Yusheng chuckled. “You promised to have dinner with the people from the film company, and you just up and left for China.”

“Seriously, what’s so special about your first love that you’re so hung up on her?”

Jiang Siyi lazily rolled over, then asked, “Who told you I came back for her?”

“…”

“Fine, do whatever you want, it’s not like I can control you.” Lin Yusheng, exasperated, hung up after a tirade.

Glancing at the lock screen, she realized it was already two in the afternoon.

Jiang Siyi’s sleep schedule was always erratic. She dozed off for a while longer, then, feeling hungry, she got up, changed her clothes, and went out to find something to eat.

The light rain continued, the air damp and refreshing.

Jiang Siyi was very satisfied with her apartment. Standing at her doorstep, she watched the rain falling on the eaves for a while before slowly walking out.

A fifteen-minute walk brought her to the city center.

Four years had passed, but Qinan hadn’t changed much. The shopping mall in the west of the city was still bustling. Jiang Siyi held her umbrella and strolled leisurely, eventually stopping in front of the claw machine arcade.

As if drawn by some unknown force, the now twenty-something-year-old stepped into the familiar place once more.

This place was perfect for reminiscing. After all these years, not only was the interior unchanged, but even the playlist was the same.

Jiang Siyi exchanged for a hundred tokens.

Holding the basket filled with tokens, she wandered around the arcade. Her striking appearance attracted the attention of many children.

Don’t look, my skills aren’t even as good as yours.

Jiang Siyi tried to shake off the little tails, but failed.

“Here, two tokens each, go play.” Rather than lose face, she preferred to lose a few yuan.

As expected, the children were delighted, thanking her repeatedly before running off.

Jiang Siyi sighed in relief, ready for her solo claw machine battle.

The basket gradually became lighter, and seeing that she only had a few tokens left, she sighed and muttered to herself, “It seems I’m still not good at this.”

Just as she was about to choose another machine to waste her remaining tokens on, she turned around and bumped into a tall figure.

The arcade was well-lit, and the person’s shadow stretched across the floor, a dark silhouette.

Jiang Siyi almost dropped her basket.

“Not playing anymore?”

It wasn’t exactly a case of things changing drastically. The arcade was still here, and so was the person. But Jiang Siyi still felt something was different.

She slowly looked up.

Shen Shiwu was putting a handful of tokens into her basket. Suddenly feeling the weight in her hand, before Jiang Siyi could speak, she heard Shen Shiwu say, “Continue playing.”

She knew what was different now.

Shen Shiwu was no longer gentle, but cold and distant, without a trace of warmth.

Jiang Siyi lowered her eyelashes and said in a low voice, “I don’t want to play anymore.”

“I have something to do, so I’ll be going…”

Before she could finish, Shen Shiwu took a step closer, her teeth gritted, as if facing a sworn enemy. “Running away again?”

“After all these years, aren’t you tired of running?”

Jiang Siyi tried to dodge, but Shen Shiwu pressed her knees against the machine, trapping her.

Fortunately, no one was around.

Jiang Siyi looked at the person she had longed for, so close, yet she couldn’t speak.

Shen Shiwu, on the other hand, seemed to have been holding back for a long time, finally able to vent her frustrations. “Breaking up without any warning, then suddenly coming back. Jiang Siyi, what are you trying to do?”

“…Qinan isn’t your territory, I can come and go as I please. Why shouldn’t I?”

Jiang Siyi’s rebellious spirit hadn’t completely disappeared.

Shen Shiwu suddenly chuckled.

“Because I raised you.”

Although the time Shen Shiwu had taken care of her wasn’t long.

She had the right to say those words—during her coming-of-age, Shen Shiwu had taught her more than just academics.

For example, that there was no shame in buying underwear.

And how to navigate the world, how to love someone.

And those things in bed…

So, the words “raised you,” coming from her lips, weren’t too arrogant.

Remembering the past, Jiang Siyi couldn’t help but tremble.

Her teeth chattered, cold sweat forming on her forehead. She abruptly pushed Shen Shiwu away and ran, her legs weak.

The game tokens scattered across the floor, glinting under the lights.

The commotion attracted the attention of an employee.

Shen Shiwu’s expression turned cold.

She casually tossed the basket onto a machine, squatted down calmly, and started picking up the tokens, one by one, her movements meticulous.

After refilling the basket, Shen Shiwu apologized softly to the employee, then walked over to a group of children and offered them the tokens.

Just like she had done with Jiang Siyi many years ago. “Here you go.”

“These are for you.”

Children’s happiness was simple.

As she turned to leave, Shen Shiwu overheard one of the children say, “We’re so lucky today! Two older sisters gave us tokens.”

“They’re so rich. I wish I could grow up quickly…”

Just before leaving, Shen Shiwu paused. She looked towards the corner and saw Jiang Siyi’s umbrella leaning against a machine.

Without thinking, she went over and picked it up.

The rain was still falling.

The shopping mall had a large open area, and Jiang Siyi could only walk along the covered walkway, but she still felt a chill.

The traffic was heavy, and hailing a cab would probably take a while. She looked at the rain, thinking she probably wouldn’t die if she ran home, just catch a fever at most. So, after calming down slightly, she was about to make a run for it—

When her collar was gently tugged.

Click.

The sound of an umbrella opening.

Shen Shiwu handed her the umbrella, didn’t say anything else, and turned to walk in the opposite direction.

The faint scent of cedar lingered in the air.

Jiang Siyi gripped the umbrella handle, hesitated for a few seconds, then stepped into the rain.

The streets were crowded, and the umbrella obstructed her view. She didn’t notice the Mercedes-Benz quietly following her.

Shen Shiwu sat in the car, slowly turning the steering wheel.

She rested her head on one hand, seemingly relaxed, but her gaze was fixed on the figure ahead.

Four years had passed, and the girl seemed to have grown taller. Not only that, but her style had also changed.

The girl who used to love floral dresses had now traded them for elegant long skirts.

So, it wasn’t just her who had changed.

Shen Shiwu followed Jiang Siyi as she turned onto another street. It was closer to the residential area, and there were fewer cars and pedestrians, so she slowed down, observing the changes in the girl.

Only after Jiang Siyi entered her apartment building did the car stop.

Raindrops pattered against the windshield.

Shen Shiwu looked at the traditional Chinese courtyard house in the distance, then lowered her eyes after a long while. She sighed and finally accepted the fact.

Jiang Siyi had truly grown up.

—But what did it matter?

Her phone rang. Shen Shiwu answered, and her assistant’s voice came through. “Boss, the information you requested has been sent to your email.”

“Also, Miss Jiang’s most recent trip was a book signing in Beicheng.”

After hanging up, a faint smile appeared on Shen Shiwu’s lips.

She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, her mood seemingly lifted.

—Since Jiang Siyi dared to come back, she would make sure it was a trip she would never forget.

Confinement, control.

She wanted her to stay by her side forever, until death do them part.

Chapter 33

It was a pleasant afternoon.

Cicadas chirped, clinging to the camphor leaves, their movements creating fleeting shadows.

Jiang Siyi quietly packed her luggage. Half an hour before leaving, she sat in her room, silently observing every corner.

After the college entrance exam, the textbooks and worksheets on her desk had long been discarded, replaced by cosmetics, but now it looked even cleaner.

Sunlight streamed in, not a speck of dust visible.

“Xiao Si, we should go to the airport.” Shen Yun, who usually paid great attention to her appearance, even wearing makeup for a walk, looked unusually haggard today, her face bare, dark circles prominent under her eyes.

She opened the door softly, as if afraid of disturbing something.

Jiang Siyi gripped the handle of her suitcase, then loosened her grip. “Okay.”

***

When she left, she didn’t see any of the people she had grown familiar with.

The housekeeper, Auntie Wang, and another person she didn’t want to mention.

Shen Yun had done an excellent job of keeping her departure a secret, and with her own convincing acting, no one suspected she was leaving today.

Jiang Siyi sat in the back seat of the car, feeling like it was all a dream. She was still a struggling senior student, going to school every day, chatting with Auntie Wang, and dozing off in the back seat when she was tired.

But looking up, she realized the car wasn’t heading towards the school.

Shen Yun had bought her breakfast, a bag of butter croissants. She held it in her lap, the crinkling of the packaging echoing in the quiet car.

Shen Yun, holding the steering wheel, asked, “Xiao Si, aren’t you hungry?”

The girl finally snapped back to reality.

She opened the bag and took a bite of a croissant.

The car windows were rolled up, the air conditioning on. Even the only source of fresh air was gone, and Jiang Siyi felt her mouth dry, but she continued chewing stubbornly.

She numbly ate most of the bag.

The airport was noisy.

Shen Yun dropped Jiang Siyi off at the security checkpoint, saying the landlord was an old friend of hers, a very kind person, and that Jiang Siyi should ask for anything she needed.

Jiang Siyi nodded faintly, then heard Shen Yun say, “I’ll be going back to London in a while.”

“I can take care of you there.”

“No, thank you,” the girl forced a smile. “I’m an adult, I can take care of myself.”

“I have to go now. Goodbye, Auntie.”

Before boarding, Jiang Siyi sat quietly in a corner. New messages kept popping up on WeChat, Shen Shiwu asking her what she wanted for dinner.

“Not busy today, I’ll be home around four. What does Xiao Si want to eat? How was the seafood soup I made last time?”

The girl lowered her eyes, her eyelashes casting shadows on her face.

She could feel her heart breaking, piece by piece.

The boarding line grew longer. Jiang Siyi held her phone, about to send a voice message, then hesitated, repeating this several times, unable to say the words.

Finally, she typed—

Shen Shiwu, let’s break up.

The moment the message was sent, she turned off her phone.

Her bittersweet first love ended on this summer day.

***

Jiang Siyi never thought she would become familiar with London.

It often rained here, the wind strong, and sometimes, waking up to a gloomy sky, her mood would dampen.

But later, she became busy, her days filled with classes and writing, and she no longer had time to pay attention to the weather.

Speaking of writing, at first, she only wrote short stories, a few tens of thousands of words, published in Yunyu Publishing’s magazine. Then one day, perhaps unable to bear the insomnia, she sat down at her computer and typed the first word of her novel.

And so she wrote and wrote, and when she finally looked up, autumn had arrived in London.

One day, Jiang Siyi was on her way to class, carrying a stack of thick English textbooks, running along a path covered in fallen maple leaves. Lost in thought, thinking about her novel’s outline, she tripped and fell flat on her face.

The fall was loud. Jiang Siyi hissed, feeling embarrassed, and was about to get up when someone touched her arm—a girl helped her up.

Jiang Siyi was about to thank her when she met her eyes and was momentarily stunned.

Those eyes… they look so familiar.

“You’re Chinese, right? Me too.” The girl’s face softened as she smiled. “I’m a psychology major, what about you?”

“Humanities and Arts.”

The girl gasped, a look of admiration in her eyes, and extended her hand. “My name is Yu Wen.”

Jiang Siyi hesitated for a few seconds before shaking her hand. “I’m Jiang Siyi.”

Just like that, she made her first friend at school.

In the following days, the two often ate together, went shopping, and even saved seats for each other at the library.

As they got to know each other, Jiang Siyi noticed that Yu Wen was similar to Shen Shiwu in some ways. Besides their similar eyes, they both preferred light flavors and avoided greasy food.

At first, she would be reminded of Shen Shiwu, but later, her heart became like stagnant water, no longer stirred—Just a resemblance, not the same person after all.

She had thought their friendship would last, but unfortunately, it didn’t. Not long after, Yu Wen, drunk, confessed her feelings for her.

Jiang Siyi was writing at her desk when she received the call. She stopped typing, listening to the other girl’s words, and blinked slightly.

The manuscript on her computer was at the part where the protagonist was experiencing unrequited love.

This reminded her of her own first love, of that moment of awakening.

It was different from all the fleeting crushes she had had.

It was a beautiful, yet bittersweet, cautious, yet irresistible, longing. A love that reached out, yet hesitated to embrace.

It was an unforgettable feeling, etched deep in her memory.

“I’m sorry,” she said, thinking of a certain someone, her heart aching, “I have someone I like.”

The call ended.

Jiang Siyi stared at the computer screen, silent for a long time, then silently broke down—yes, she had never forgotten Shen Shiwu.

The instinct to love couldn’t be suppressed. Just now, she had not only thought of Shen Shiwu, but she had also spoken those words.

She still loved her.

Her hands, resting on the keyboard, trembled uncontrollably.

A wave of pain washed over her.

Her ears rang, and she felt cold sweat on her skin, her limbs numb and unresponsive.

After calming down slightly, she immediately went to the hospital.

After receiving the diagnosis, her slender figure leaned against the window in the hallway, staring at the words “anxiety disorder,” surprisingly calm—she had known something was wrong for a while.

After getting her medication, Jiang Siyi didn’t go home but went to a nearby park.

Late autumn, almost winter. She found a secluded spot and sat down on a wooden bench covered in fallen maple leaves. She picked up a leaf, holding it up to the light, staring at it for a long time—

What was the weather like back home?

Was it still raining in Qinan?

After a while, the leaf fluttered to the ground.

Jiang Siyi looked up.

She stared at the bare branches above, waiting for another autumn without the person she loved.

 

Chapter 32

Jiang An’s parents had a marriage of convenience.

Until her death, she hadn’t received a shred of love from her family.

That night, Shen Yun dreamt of her old friend.

She had always complained that Jiang An never visited her in her dreams, but now she finally did.

She looked the same as in her memory, only much paler, her limbs stiff. She seemed distraught, repeating, “Same-sex… same-sex again, why, why!?”

Shen Yun woke up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, her heart pounding.

After a while, she went to wash her face, the cold water mixing with her sweat.

She murmured to herself in the mirror, “No… I have to separate them.”

***

Perhaps it was the rain and the thunder, but Jiang Siyi didn’t sleep well. She stared at the ceiling for a while, then got out of bed.

The housekeeper was busy in the kitchen.

Seeing Jiang Siyi come downstairs, she wiped her hands with her apron. “Miss Jiang, breakfast will be ready in five minutes.”

Jiang Siyi went to the fridge for a bottle of iced water, took a few sips, and then said, “Take your time, I don’t have much of an appetite today.”

A few minutes later, she heard footsteps coming from the stairs. She thought it was Shen Shiwu, but it was Shen Yun slowly making her way down. Perhaps because she wasn’t wearing a face mask, her complexion seemed a little pale.

“Good morning, Auntie Shen.”

Shen Yun smiled faintly. “Good morning.”

When Shen Shiwu also came downstairs, the three of them sat at the dining table for breakfast. The atmosphere was quieter than usual, but otherwise, everything seemed normal.

“I have a contract to discuss at Yu An Mansion this afternoon. I’ll be back after that.” She glanced at Jiang Siyi, who was drinking her milk.

Jiang Siyi wiped her mouth with a napkin, indicating she had heard.

Shen Yun, eating her toast, asked casually, “Around what time?”

“Two o’clock.”

She nodded. After Shen Shiwu left, she discreetly took out her phone and sent the time and location to Yang Yu.

Her expression was complex, as if she couldn’t bring herself to say the words. Finally, her voice slightly unsteady, she said to Jiang Siyi, “Xiao Si, Auntie will take you out for a while, okay?”

The girl obediently replied, “Okay.”

It was the busiest shopping mall in the west of the city, a popular spot for young couples.

Jiang Siyi remembered that Shen Shiwu had brought her here to buy clothes a long time ago, and a smile appeared on her lips.

It was also close to Yu An Mansion.

Shen Yun, holding the girl’s arm as they walked, said casually, “After we’re done shopping, we can go find Shiwu.”

Jiang Siyi’s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. “Okay.”

She now had a deeper understanding of what it meant to spend money like water. Loaded with shopping bags, she was dragged into another luxury store and couldn’t help but say, “Auntie, haven’t we bought enough?”

“Not at all, these are for you to wear and use when you go to university.” Shen Yun waved her hand dismissively, continuing to browse. “This coat looks nice on you, and…”

At this moment, Jiang Siyi didn’t understand the implications of those words.

She felt a warmth spread through her heart, even holding the shopping bags with more enthusiasm.

After shopping, they went to a restaurant.

“Xiao Yu likes Western food. I used to bring her to this restaurant all the time,” Shen Yun said, taking a bite of steak. “I wonder if Xiao Si likes it too.”

Jiang Siyi’s hand paused.

She forced a smile and said truthfully, “I’m not really used to it.”

Shen Yun said slowly, her tone meaningful, “That’s normal, different tastes. Actually, I don’t really like this kind of food either.”

“But Shiwu, like Xiao Yu, enjoys it.”

The change in topic was abrupt, but her expression remained unchanged.

Jiang Siyi was stunned, then thought she was overthinking and forced a smile. “Well, different strokes for different folks.”

After the not-so-pleasant meal, they continued browsing for a while, killing time.

It was three o’clock in the afternoon.

They got into the car and arrived at Yu An Mansion ten minutes later.

Everyone here looked wealthy, even their pets seemed to live a better life than ordinary people.

Jiang Siyi was glad she had dressed maturely today. She carefully walked in her heeled shoes, afraid of making a mistake.

“Hello, ladies, would you mind waiting in the VIP lounge for a moment?” Even the waiter exuded elegance, her hair neatly tucked behind her ears.

Shen Yun nodded gracefully and then added, “Don’t tell Shiwu we’re here, let her continue with her work.”

The waiter didn’t dare to disobey and left.

After a while, Shen Yun finally looked up from her phone. She suddenly said, “I need to use the restroom, Xiao Si, come with me.”

The hallway was covered in a long velvet carpet that seemed to stretch endlessly. Jiang Siyi waited, bored.

She looked at the paintings on the wall to kill time when she heard the door of a meeting room open.

Drawn by curiosity, she quietly approached.

A waiter came out, holding a large bottle of wine, struggling to close the door with one hand. Afraid of dropping the bottle, her movements were careful and slow.

As the dark wooden door closed, Jiang Siyi’s eyes widened, and she froze—

Shen Shiwu was sitting inside.

And beside her was Yang Yu.

Why was Yang Yu there for a business meeting?

Because she was capable, of course.

But… but…

Jiang Siyi’s mind was in turmoil.

Her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the carpet.

The carpet was soft, and her knees didn’t hurt, but she felt like her heart was bleeding. Shen Shiwu, why do you always do this?

The soundproofing in the meeting room was excellent, and no sound escaped once the door was closed. Jiang Siyi, supporting herself against the wall, stood up. Seeing a waiter approaching, she quickly retreated and hid in the restroom.

Shen Yun was washing her hands. Seeing her rush in, her expression panicked, she understood.

But she still asked, “Xiao Si, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Siyi was wearing the elegant makeup Xu Yuan had taught her for the coming-of-age ceremony. After the college entrance exam, she had practiced for a long time before finally mastering it.

Now, she felt the foundation on her face heavy and tight.

“Auntie Shen, let’s go back.”

“I’m tired and want to rest.”

Shen Yun looked at her, almost forgetting to turn off the faucet.

Her heart also ached, and after a long moment, she softly said, “Okay.”

***

The rain tonight was as heavy as that night.

The thunder roared, threatening to shatter the windows. Jiang Siyi curled up in bed, a small, trembling figure, her tears long since dried.

It was eight o’clock, and there was still no sign of Shen Shiwu downstairs.

She had said she would be back after the meeting, but it was so late now—was the contract really that difficult to negotiate?

You lied to me again.

Jiang Siyi’s chest felt tight, but she still didn’t lift her head from under the covers. Only when she was about to suffocate did she kick the blanket off the bed.

The blanket fell to the floor with a thud, the cold seeping into the fabric.

The rain intensified.

With every clap of thunder, Jiang Siyi broke out in a cold sweat. She covered her ears, her feet touching the cold floor, and like a dog retrieving a bone, she pulled the blanket back onto the bed.

As warmth returned to her body, Jiang Siyi thought, her body trembling,

Shen Shiwu, I’m so tired. I don’t want to like you anymore.

At eleven o’clock, the world was silent, only the soft patter of rain against the window, the annoying thunder finally ceasing its roar.

The door creaked open.

Jiang Siyi was a light sleeper, or rather, she had been half-awake the entire time, never truly falling asleep.

She knew it was Shen Shiwu.

As expected, the familiar scent filled the air, but it was also unfamiliar, tinged with the smell of alcohol.

The woman was carefully tucking her in.

Jiang Siyi was truly exhausted, so she didn’t move, pretending to be fast asleep. Perhaps sensing her tense body, Shen Shiwu called softly, “Xiao Si.”

Normally, the girl would be crying by now, but she was eerily calm, unable to shed a single tear.

She turned around, her eyes wide open. “You’re back.”

Shen Shiwu was about to speak, but was interrupted. “I’m going to sleep now, you can go.”

The woman’s figure stiffened.

“Did the thunder scare you? I’m sorry, I…”

Jiang Siyi clicked her tongue softly.

“So what if it did? It’s over now.” She turned away again, covering half her face with the blanket. “I’m going to rest. Go back to your room.”

Her dismissal was clear, and Shen Shiwu, glancing at the time, thinking it was indeed late, quietly left the room.

Just before closing the door, she lowered her voice. “I’m not going to the office tomorrow. I’ll stay home with you.”

Silence returned to the room.

Jiang Siyi hadn’t closed her eyes the entire time.

After a long while, she scoffed.

The storm and thunder were over, but when she needed comfort the most, Shen Shiwu hadn’t been there. And now, when everything was fine, she was talking about staying home with her.

Shen Shiwu, I don’t need this kind of love.

She had thought she could finally sleep well during summer break after the college entrance exam, but now it seemed she was wrong. Jiang Siyi stared at the ceiling until dawn.

Close to six o’clock, as the sky lightened slightly, she rubbed her tired eyes and reached for her phone.

The editor had sent her several messages—”Xiao Ying said your family is well-off. Are you really not considering developing your career abroad?”

“A good mentor is hard to find, I think you understand this.”

…

“Can you tell me when your college entrance exam results are released? I might be able to recommend some good universities for you.”

A few days ago, Jiang Siyi would have refused without hesitation. But now, staring at the messages, she hesitated.

After a long while, she typed, “Thank you, I’ll consider it.”

The editor, receiving this unexpected reply, seemed to see a glimmer of hope and sent her several voice messages.

Jiang Siyi tossed her phone back onto the nightstand, rubbed her neck, and got out of bed, her steps unsteady.

After washing up, she sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the floor, lost in thought.

Her vision gradually cleared, and she picked up her phone again, opening Shen Yun’s chat—

“Auntie, if I choose to study abroad, will my mother’s inheritance be enough?”

Shen Yun replied after a while.

“More than enough.”

Seeing those two words, Jiang Siyi’s palms started to sweat. She couldn’t describe her feelings, but they weren’t pleasant.

She took a deep breath, exited the chat, and silently unpinned Shen Shiwu’s chat.

The apple that fell to the floor couldn’t grant wishes.

The legend of the London Eye wasn’t real either.

The countless promises were just empty words.

Thinking this, she suddenly felt relieved.

Why chase after something unattainable?

Nothing in this world truly belonged to anyone, except for their shadow.

—Living her own life was what mattered most.

Chapter 31

When I become a little better.

Jiang Siyi had wanted to say that.

But that felt too far off. She leaned back in the car seat, watching as Shen Shiwu fastened her seatbelt, and suddenly said, “On the day my college entrance exam results are released.”

Shen Shiwu, still leaning over, looked into the girl’s eyes, guessing most of the reason.

She tapped Jiang Siyi’s forehead lightly. “You…”

“Always overthinking.”

Jiang Siyi looked away, not denying it.

The car slowly moved forward, the traffic heavy, the sound of car horns blaring.

The spot where the four of them had been standing was now empty. Jiang Siyi, looking at it, thought of Shen Yun’s attempt to set Shen Shiwu up with Yang Yu, and her heart ached.

—It’s all because I’m not good enough.

She rolled down the car window, letting in the noise from outside. She turned her face to the wind, and after a long while, as the car finally moved out of the congested area, she felt slightly better.

“What do you want to eat?”

Jiang Siyi had been under a lot of stress from studying lately, and her sleep quality was poor. She leaned her head back, almost falling asleep. Waking up groggily, she mumbled, “Anything but Western food.”

Shen Shiwu patted her head. “Mm, not Western food.”

“There’s a private kitchen nearby, want to try it?”

Jiang Siyi wasn’t picky and nodded, the drowsiness in her eyes fading slightly.

She was led out of the car and into the restaurant. The waiter, seeing Shen Shiwu, immediately called the owner over.

“Mr. Shen, it’s been a while,” the owner greeted enthusiastically. “Here with your younger sister today?”

Shen Shiwu smiled. “Not my younger sister.”

The owner paused, afraid of saying the wrong thing, and quickly changed the subject. “Okay, okay, please come in.”

The VIP room was very private. After they ordered, the waiter carefully closed the door. Shen Shiwu, watching Jiang Siyi engrossed in her phone, suddenly said, “I have a gift for you.”

The girl looked up, not hearing clearly. “A gift?”

Shen Shiwu placed a rectangular box on the table as if by magic. She rested her chin on one hand and pushed the box forward with the other. “A new phone.”

Phones held a special significance for Jiang Siyi. The one she was currently using was a second-hand phone she had bought with half her earnings from her part-time job.

There was nothing wrong with a second-hand phone. It was cheap and durable, and she was satisfied with it.

But people always had aspirations.

She had always thought that when she made a lot of money, the first thing she would do was buy a new phone.

Jiang Siyi hesitated, not reaching for the box.

Shen Shiwu suddenly stood up and sat beside her.

She looked at the girl’s side profile, her fingertip tracing a few strands of hair. “If you don’t take it, I’ll kiss you.”

Jiang Siyi finally realized—they hadn’t been intimate in a while.

She looked into Shen Shiwu’s eyes, blinked slightly, and then asked, “Did you buy this with my mother’s money?”

Afraid she wouldn’t accept it, Shen Shiwu nodded.

Jiang Siyi’s emotions were complex.

She chuckled, as if to mask a sigh, and said slowly, “Okay, but thank you for going through the trouble of buying it.”

Staring at the girl’s lips, Shen Shiwu was about to lean in when the door opened, and the owner came in to serve the dishes.

The atmosphere froze.

The owner, seeing their close proximity, wanted to chop off her own hands.

The dozen or so dishes were served in under half a minute. As the owner left, she considerately said, “Mr. Shen, I’ve stationed two waiters outside your door.”

Then she fled, the entire process smooth and seamless.

The two in the private room: “…”

Shen Shiwu clicked her tongue, her expression displeased.

Looking at the blushing girl beside her, the desire within her deepened.

So she said, “Now that we’re alone, can I kiss you?”

Jiang Siyi’s eyelashes fluttered, and she asked, “If I say no, will you not kiss me?”

Shen Shiwu chuckled softly.

She wrapped her arms around the girl’s slender waist, her voice echoing in her ear. “If Xiao Si says no, then I’ll just… have to do something else.”

But she only kissed Jiang Siyi.

Having not done this in a while, Shen Shiwu lost control again. Jiang Siyi’s body went limp, her eyes slightly red as she leaned against the leather sofa.

Her long hair cascaded down, her arms limply at her sides, like she was drowning in the sea.

The owner knocked on the door again, saying she was bringing more dishes. The sound startled Jiang Siyi, her eyes filled with panic.

Shen Shiwu admitted, she loved seeing the girl like this, so she teased, “It seems someone is coming in.”

Jiang Siyi was about to speak, but her lips were captured again. It wasn’t until tears welled up in her eyes that Shen Shiwu lifted her head and called out, “We don’t need anything.”

Seeing the girl’s distraught expression, Shen Shiwu inwardly berated herself. She gently kissed Jiang Siyi’s forehead. “Sorry, I scared you.”

Jiang Siyi sniffed, her lips swollen and red. She said sullenly, “Help me up.”

After the chaotic meal, Jiang Siyi couldn’t sleep in the car, so she started setting up her new phone.

The first thing she did after turning it on was download a cloud storage app.

She backed up all her photos, especially the ones from the Lunar New Year in London. After that, she downloaded WeChat and logged into her account.

The class group chat was incredibly active, with new messages popping up every second.

She scrolled through the messages, seeing that some classmates had already dyed their hair, and many were planning graduation trips.

Everyone was letting loose.

Jiang Siyi smiled faintly.

She usually didn’t participate in the group chat. After reading the messages, she exited the chat and was about to reply to Xu Yuan.

Then she saw a notification for a new friend request.

—Hello, I’m an editor from Yunyu Publishing. Please accept my request.

Jiang Siyi’s eyes widened, and she quickly accepted.

The other person replied quickly: “Hello, my name is Lin Yusheng, I’m an editor at Yunyu Publishing.”

“We really liked the manuscript you submitted and would like to publish it in our magazine. There are a few places that need revising, would you be available?”

Jiang Siyi remembered Wu Ying mentioning this a long time ago, but she hadn’t received any emails, so she had assumed her manuscript had been rejected.

She replied without hesitation, “Yes, please let me know what needs to be changed.”

That night, Jiang Siyi revised her manuscript and earned 500 yuan. She stretched, feeling sore, and collapsed onto her bed, exhausted but happy—Finally, she had a marketable skill.

She tossed and turned in bed, hugging her pillow, until she almost suffocated, then she poked her nose and mouth out.

She wanted to secretly improve herself, hoping to one day publish a book and impress Shen Shiwu, and also to make everyone think—

They were a perfect match.

***

Over the next few days, Jiang Siyi sent all her old essays and short stories to Lin Yusheng. The editor appreciated her writing style, praising her generously, and even asked, “Have you considered developing your career abroad?”

Jiang Siyi was having breakfast when she received the message, and Shen Shiwu was about to leave for work, laptop in hand.

The woman kissed her cheek before leaving.

“If you’re bored, you can come to the office. I’ll have Auntie Wang pick you up.”

Jiang Siyi’s face burned.

“I’m not bored. Auntie Shen is here with me.”

Shen Yun rarely came back to China, so now that she was here, she wanted to stay longer. Therefore, Jiang Siyi and Shen Shiwu had to be more discreet with their affection.

The door opened and closed, Shen Shiwu’s figure disappearing. Jiang Siyi stared at the door for a long time, lost in thought, before finally snapping back to reality.

She opened her phone and replied, “Sorry, I haven’t considered that yet.”

After breakfast, Shen Yun finally woke up. She came downstairs slowly, a face mask on, looking relaxed.

Seeing Jiang Siyi, she smiled. “Xiao Si, why are you up so early, even though the college entrance exam is over?”

Jiang Siyi replied obediently, “My biological clock, I woke up at this time.”

Shen Yun nodded, sat down for breakfast, and chatted with her. Noticing the girl’s bare wrist, she feigned anger. “Where’s the bangle I gave you? Why aren’t you wearing it?”

“It’s too precious, so I put it away.”

“Why put it away? I gave it to you to wear.”

Only after Jiang Siyi went back to her room and put on the jade bangle was Shen Yun satisfied. She patted the girl’s hand. “It’s okay, don’t worry about breaking it. If it breaks, I’ll buy you a new one.”

Shen Shiwu came home early today. Opening the door, she saw the two of them curled up on the sofa, watching a drama, having used up a whole box of tissues from crying.

She said helplessly, “Mom, don’t be a bad influence on Xiao Si.”

“Heh, I should be saying that to you.” Shen Yun waved her away. “Move, move, don’t block our view.”

It was an ordinary day. After dinner, Jiang Siyi, as usual, lay on the sofa, playing on her phone. She seemed to be killing time, but she was actually keeping Shen Shiwu company while she worked.

Shen Yun, unable to stay awake any longer, went upstairs to bed, leaving the two lovebirds alone in the living room.

Jiang Siyi yawned, also wanting to go back to her room to rest. But just as she moved, she was pulled back.

Shen Shiwu held her wrist. “Not keeping me company anymore?”

Jiang Siyi was afraid of Shen Yun suddenly coming out of her room; the mere thought made her want to faint.

So she whispered, “Stay… stay away.”

But Shen Shiwu didn’t listen. She tilted Jiang Siyi’s chin up, her voice husky. “I want to kiss you.”

“We can’t do it here, what if someone sees us…?”

The only response was the sound of running water.

Having lost all her strength, Jiang Siyi could only give up struggling, a strange sense of excitement amidst the tension.

Like they were having a secret affair.

Her chin was numb, her lips and tongue still tingling from the kiss. In a daze, Jiang Siyi responded, deepening the kiss.

A long time later, they finally separated. Shen Shiwu kissed the tip of her nose and whispered, “Come to the office with me tomorrow. I miss you.”

Jiang Siyi’s body tingled.

She nodded dreamily and was pulled into a tight embrace, their bodies pressed close together in the quiet living room.

The lights were off at the stairwell, shrouded in darkness, but a figure stood there.

Shen Yun, feeling thirsty, had come downstairs for some water, never expecting to see this.

She was stunned.

Only when the two stirred did she snap back to reality and quietly retreated to her room.

Closing the door, she leaned against the wall, replaying the scene in disbelief.

—This can’t be happening.

—Xiao Si was the daughter of her deceased friend… this, this was wrong!

Chapter 30

Jiang Siyi didn’t go back to school.

The villa complex was near the city center. It was eight o’clock, and the streets were crowded with people under their umbrellas. She walked aimlessly, wanting to find a place to sit and clear her head. She checked her pockets, but only found a few coins.

The rain wasn’t heavy, but it was chilling. Her clothes were damp in several places.

She wandered for a while, then stopped by the roadside. The pedestrian crossing light turned green, and the people beside her hurried across, several bumping into her.

Jiang Siyi stumbled, watching their retreating figures, and unconsciously started walking.

She blended into the crowd, pretending she wasn’t alone.

Reaching the other side of the street, the crowd dispersed. Jiang Siyi watched in a daze as an umbrella went left, two scooters went right…

Tears welled up in her eyes and trickled down her eyelashes.

Drip—

Landing on the muddy ground.

She didn’t know where to go.

It felt like that rainy night all over again.

Jiang Siyi wiped a bench with her sleeve and sat down, staying there for a long time, so long that the city lights changed colors hundreds of times, before she finally snapped back to reality.

Standing up, she decided to go back to school.

Xu Yuan, her teammate for so many years, covering for her was a piece of cake.

Jiang Siyi returned to school ten minutes before the end of evening self-study.

She squatted by the back door and signaled to her “comrade.” Xu Yuan quickly understood and found an excuse to lure the PE teacher away.

Five minutes later, when she returned to the classroom, Jiang Siyi was already sitting at her desk, quietly doing her homework.

On the way back to the dormitory, Xu Yuan asked, “Why are you soaked after just going out for a while?”

Jiang Siyi forced a smile. “It rained, and I didn’t have an umbrella.”

“Wasn’t it just a drizzle?”

“It suddenly started pouring when I was coming back.”

Xu Yuan was even more surprised. “And your girlfriend didn’t even walk you back? Or give you an umbrella?”

Jiang Siyi accidentally stepped in another puddle.

Her voice was flat, almost a mumble. “There were no umbrellas at home. She probably… lent it to someone.”

The next day, she asked Fu Jing for permission to stay in the dormitory to study over the weekend. The teacher readily agreed, even praising her, “Good, your attitude is getting much better.”

Then she offered her a chocolate bar.

Jiang Siyi didn’t take it, smiling. “Sister Bao, I’m cutting down on sugar.”

Fu Jing was a little surprised, but put the chocolate back in her drawer. “Okay, then hurry back to class, it’s almost time.”

Jiang Siyi nodded and quietly left the office.

Fu Jing stared at her retreating figure, stunned, suddenly feeling that something was different.

Jiang Siyi didn’t go home for three weeks straight.

During this time, Shen Shiwu came to the school several times, wanting to see her, but was always rejected. Sometimes the excuse was too much homework, sometimes it was that the classroom was too far from the school gate.

In short, she refused to see her.

Whether it was because she didn’t want to see her, or because she genuinely couldn’t, Shen Shiwu desperately wanted an answer. So today, she didn’t wait at the school gate, but went straight to the classroom building.

Not many students stayed at school over the weekend, and the building was quiet.

She easily found the classroom and saw her girlfriend, whom she hadn’t seen in over half a month, diligently working on her homework.

Her pen never stopped moving.

Shen Shiwu watched from the doorway, as if trying to make up for lost time.

After a long while, Jiang Siyi finally put down her pen. She glanced at the clock on the wall, took a short break, then took a cup of instant noodles from her desk and headed out.

Shen Shiwu didn’t hide, standing there, wanting to see the girl’s reaction.

Her eyes were tired from studying, and she squinted, holding the noodles, not noticing anyone outside the classroom.

Until she opened the door and bumped into someone.

Thud— the noodles fell to the floor.

Jiang Siyi quickly bent down to pick them up, but the cup rolled away, heading towards the water dispenser. Shen Shiwu reacted quickly, easily catching it with her long legs.

She looked at the girl, who was frozen in place, and finally sighed. “I’ll take you out to eat.”

It was the same Thai restaurant.

Jiang Siyi had been eating instant noodles for days, and her stomach was protesting loudly. She discreetly held her stomach, trying to silence it.

Inside the private room, the dishes were served, and Shen Shiwu said softly, “Eat.”

She couldn’t be mad at food.

Especially when it was paid for with Shen Shiwu’s money.

Jiang Siyi stopped overthinking and started eating quickly.

“Why are you eating so fast? Do you not want to see me that much?” Shen Shiwu had been suppressing her anger all this time, but it still leaked into her tone.

Jiang Siyi paused, her chopsticks hovering over her food, but didn’t reply.

“Seems like I was right.” Shen Shiwu’s eyes were dark, her expression unreadable. “All those excuses about being busy with schoolwork, you just didn’t want to see me, right?”

Remembering that night, braving the rain and climbing over the wall to see Shen Shiwu, only to find her with someone else, Jiang Siyi suddenly felt the food turn bitter in her mouth.

Her throat tightened with emotion, and it took her a while to recover.

Shen Shiwu, seeing her like this, couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsh. She looked away and said softly, “Eat first.”

In the past, Jiang Siyi never confided in anyone, no matter how wronged she felt, and no one listened to her anyway.

But now, gripping her chopsticks, she felt a surge of emotions.

She asked, “What have you been doing while I wasn’t home?”

Shen Shiwu paused, then replied truthfully, “Working.”

Jiang Siyi nodded, her lips moving slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words.

Shen Shiwu, seeing her hesitation, asked, “What’s wrong?”

When the girl looked up again, her eyes were glistening with tears. She fought back her emotions and finally managed to speak. “That Wednesday night… I came to find you.”

Shen Shiwu finally understood the reason for her unusual behavior.

“I saw you with someone else, and… and Auntie Shen.” Her chopsticks clattered to the table, knocking over a bowl of soup, but Jiang Siyi didn’t seem to notice, continuing in a disjointed manner, “You went inside together.”

She should have insisted that Yang Yu leave earlier that night.

Shen Shiwu felt a pang of regret. She took a tissue and walked over to Jiang Siyi, explaining, “My mom came back for something that day, and she ran into Yang Yu at the airport, so she offered her a ride.”

“My mom is a law expert, and Yang Yu said she had some questions to discuss with her, so they went inside to chat for a bit, and then…”

“You took her home,” the girl finished her sentence.

“Of course not,” Shen Shiwu wiped away the tears from the corner of her eye. “I had the driver take her.”

But you promised me you wouldn’t talk to her, not even a single word.

Jiang Siyi swallowed the bitterness, feeling pathetic, and didn’t say anything.

After a long while, she leaned against Shen Shiwu.

The woman, sensing her movement, pulled her into a hug.

Amidst the soft whispers of comfort, Jiang Siyi felt numb. She inhaled the familiar scent, her heart in turmoil.

Shen Shiwu, I think I’m sick.

She thought.

***

In the following days, Jiang Siyi devoted herself to her studies.

Since she had applied to stay in the dormitory over the weekend, she should stick to it. Shen Shiwu didn’t object, often bringing her snacks and fruits or taking her out to eat.

On the day of the college entrance exam, Shen Yun, dressed in a red cheongsam, waited outside the exam hall with Shen Shiwu.

“Finally letting me see Xiao Si on the last day, Shen Shiwu, what are you up to?” Shen Yun asked, her voice sharp.

Afraid of reminding Jiang Siyi of that incident, Shen Shiwu had refused to let her mother come and pick her up these past few days.

“Are you afraid that Xiao Si will ignore you if she sees me?” Shen Yun waved a fan and continued chattering, “Let me tell you, Xiao Si definitely likes me more than you.”

Hearing this, Shen Shiwu finally reacted.

She looked at her mother intently, then chuckled, a hint of mockery in her voice.

Shen Yun: “…”

When the first student rushed out of the exam hall, the media and parents swarmed them. Shen Yun, wanting to join the excitement, squeezed into the crowd.

Shen Shiwu ignored her mother and kept her eyes fixed on the exit, afraid of missing Jiang Siyi.

Finally, the girl emerged, carrying her exam materials. Because of her striking appearance, she was stopped by a reporter for an interview.

“Hello, student, what do you think of the difficulty of this year’s college entrance exam?”

Jiang Siyi blinked. “Moderate, not too difficult.”

“Do you have a target university?”

“Well… maybe Qinan University.”

“Okay, thank you. We wish you all the best in getting into your dream university!”

After answering, Jiang Siyi turned to leave, but her wrist was caught a few seconds later. Shen Shiwu shielded her from the sun, smiling gently. “Congratulations on finishing the exam, Xiao Jiang.”

Her hair shimmered in the sunlight.

Jiang Siyi was stunned for a few seconds, then finally smiled, her first genuine smile in a long time.

At the same moment, Shen Yun rushed over and pulled her into a hug.

“Xiao Si, you’re done? Let’s go, I’ll take you out to eat. What do you want?”

Jiang Siyi looked at her, remembering her indiscriminate enthusiasm, and lowered her eyes. “Anything is fine, Auntie.”

“How about Western food, or Japanese?”

“Mm, I’m not picky.”

Shen Yun was about to praise Jiang Siyi for being so well-behaved when a familiar female voice called out, “Auntie Shen!”

Yang Yu ran over, her hair slightly disheveled. After catching her breath, she smoothed her hair. “Auntie, what a coincidence, we meet again.”

Shen Yun smiled. “Xiao Yu, it is a coincidence. Are you here to pick up your child too?”

“No, I was just passing by.” She waved her hand, glancing at Shen Shiwu from the corner of her eye.

Shen Yun had long since noticed Yang Yu’s interest in her daughter. She was open-minded and didn’t mind same-sex relationships, so she wanted to give them a chance to be alone.

“Xiao Yu, haven’t eaten yet? A new Western restaurant just opened in the north of the city, the food is authentic. Why don’t you and Shiwu go try it?”

Yang Yu’s cheeks flushed slightly.

She couldn’t hide her smile. “Sure.”

“But I don’t know if Miss Shen has time…”

“No.” Shen Shiwu’s expression was dark, like the sky before a storm.

She frowned and said to Shen Yun, “You go have Western food with her.”

“I’ll take Xiao Si home.”

Before even Jiang Siyi could react, Shen Shiwu had grabbed her wrist and was leading her away.

The crowd was noisy and chaotic.

Amidst the clamor, Jiang Siyi heard Shen Shiwu’s soft voice, “Sorry, I put you in an awkward position again.”

“So,” Shen Shiwu patted her head, “Xiao Si, when are we going public?”

Chapter 29

The late spring rain was fine, blown against the window by the wind, making no sound.

Jiang Siyi, wrapped in her blanket, slept soundly.

The room was dim, only a sliver of light coming through the slightly parted curtains by the desk. Shen Shiwu, using the faint light, had already finished copying four classical Chinese texts and was now writing out solutions for her girlfriend’s worksheets.

It wasn’t until a bird chirped outside the villa at noon that the sleeping figure in the bed stirred.

She blinked a few times, then her eyelids drooped again.

Her body ached, and she had no energy.

Half an hour later, Shen Shiwu’s pen paused as she heard a rustling sound from behind. Turning around, she saw the girl, who had just been kicking the blanket, suddenly become still.

It seemed she had fallen asleep again.

She smiled faintly and continued writing.

But less than three seconds later, the same rustling sound came again.

Turning around once more, the girl was still, as if frozen.

Shen Shiwu felt a playful claw scratching at her heart.

She knew Jiang Siyi was teasing her, so she played along, but after several rounds of this, her neck was starting to hurt.

The woman finally put down her pen and stood up.

The girl in the bed was curled up under the blanket, like a ball, fidgeting one moment, then still the next.

Footsteps approached, and Shen Shiwu bent down and pulled the girl out of the blanket. Jiang Siyi looked at her, then quickly hid half her face under the blanket again.

Her voice was muffled. “It’s all your fault.”

Shen Shiwu sat on the edge of the bed and gently touched the girl’s eyes. “Mm, it’s all my fault.”

“…”

“It’s all your fault, I have no energy left, how am I supposed to do my homework?” She waved her fists weakly, pretending to hit her.

The woman leaned closer, as if offering herself up for punishment, then said considerately, “I finished the copying for you.”

Jiang Siyi raised an eyebrow, thinking, That’s more like it.

Her throat was a little hoarse, and speaking was a struggle, so she simply closed her mouth, too lazy to say anything.

After a long while, she finally spoke again. “Then you might as well finish the rest of my homework too.”

Shen Shiwu didn’t answer directly, but said with a smile, “There are forty-two days left until the college entrance exam.”

Little Jiang fell silent.

She gave up struggling and sat up, about to get out of the warm, fragrant blanket, when she was pulled into a familiar embrace.

As her feet left the ground, she remembered last night, being carried to the desk…

“What are you thinking about?” Shen Shiwu asked, seeing the girl’s unusual expression as they stood before the bathroom sink.

The girl quickly replied, “Nothing, nothing.”

She quickly started brushing her teeth and washing her face, not daring to look in the mirror. A few minutes later, tossing the towel aside, the heat in her cheeks subsided, and she started giving orders. “I’m hungry, is there anything to eat?”

And so, she was carried downstairs.

Shen Shiwu’s cooking skills were truly impressive.

“Cough, cough…” She was eating happily when she suddenly started coughing violently, as if remembering something. Shen Shiwu quickly patted her back and poured her a glass of water. “Slow down.”

Jiang Siyi felt like she was doomed—even a simple sentence could trigger inappropriate thoughts.

She composed herself and waved her hand dismissively, but her cheeks flushed even redder. She quickly explained, “I choked.”

Seeing her flustered attempt to cover up, Shen Shiwu hid her smile, not wanting to embarrass her further.

***

As the college entrance exam approached, the pressure intensified, and the school, to improve the enrollment rate, required even day students to attend evening self-study and preferably stay in the dormitory.

During break time, Fu Jing brought up the matter, tapping her pen against the podium. Jiang Siyi put down her pen, unsure what to do.

Staying in the dormitory would indeed be more convenient for a senior student. Although she had Auntie Wang and her girlfriend to drive her, staying at school would allow her to sleep in a little longer.

She hesitated, then called Shen Shiwu during lunch.

As always, the other woman answered quickly.

“Is that so?” Shen Shiwu nodded. “Does Xiao Si want to stay in the dormitory?”

“I don’t want to, but I have no choice.”

The woman simply said, “Okay.”

After hanging up, Jiang Siyi sighed—she was reluctant to stay in the dormitory, but for the sake of her grades, getting into a good university, and closing the distance between her and Shen Shiwu…

The temporary hardship was worth it.

Thinking this, her mood improved slightly. Back in the classroom, she took out her instant noodles and went to the water dispenser.

That evening, twenty minutes before evening self-study, Shen Shiwu came to deliver her bedding.

There was a wind outside, much colder than during the day. Jiang Siyi ran to meet her, her face breaking into a smile as she saw her. “You’re here.”

Shen Shiwu, seeing that she wasn’t even wearing her school uniform jacket, frowned slightly. “Why are you wearing so little? You’ll catch a cold.”

Little Jiang, full of youthful energy, said nonchalantly, “Young people are strong, you wouldn’t understand.”

“So you think I’m not strong?” Shen Shiwu raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Siyi understood the underlying meaning, but pretended not to, innocently changing the subject. “Give me the bedding, it’s getting late, you should go home.”

“Chasing me away on your first day in the dormitory.” Shen Shiwu looked at her intently. “Found a new love interest?”

New love interest my ass.

Jiang Siyi hugged the bedding, her figure completely hidden.

She wanted to chat with Shen Shiwu more, but she was afraid the topic would shift to that night, so she could only say, “Don’t worry, even if the cafeteria lady finds a new love interest, I won’t.”

“I’m going to be late for evening self-study. I’ll go ahead, bye.” She ran for a distance, then stopped and looked back, seeing Shen Shiwu still standing at the school gate, not having left.

She raised her voice. “I’ll call you when I get back to the dormitory!”

Seeing the girl struggling with the bedding, which was bigger than she was, Shen Shiwu’s eyes softened. Hearing her words, she nodded in acknowledgment.

Jiang Siyi was about to complain about her aloofness when a shout came from behind, “Which student is talking?”

It was the head teacher.

She ran off faster than a mouse. Reaching the classroom, she put the bedding on another chair, then thought to herself, It’s not like I’m having a secret affair with Shen Shiwu, why did I run?

A few seconds later, Little Jiang fell into deep thought.

Living in the dormitory did improve her study efficiency, but it greatly hindered her love life.

For example, ten minutes before lights out, she was excitedly heading to another floor to call her girlfriend when she discovered the phone was broken.

Fine, I’ll try another floor.

The front door on the first floor was unlocked, and Jiang Siyi shivered in the cold. Having just showered, she was wearing slippers, now staring at the phone.

All the phones in the entire building are broken?

Jiang Siyi sniffed, then calmly left—Shen Shiwu would understand.

Less than a minute after she returned to the dormitory, the dorm supervisor came to patrol, yelling, “Get into bed, lights out soon!”

“Why are you still drying your hair? Stop it, go back to your room.”

Jiang Siyi climbed into bed, spread out the blanket Shen Shiwu had washed for her, and covered herself with it.

The faint fragrance filled her senses.

Thinking that she had run around several floors but couldn’t even talk to Shen Shiwu on the phone, the usually strong Jiang Siyi felt a pang of sadness, her eyes welling up.

She cried silently for a long time before falling asleep. The next morning, she woke up with slightly swollen eyes.

Xu Yuan, who lived in the opposite dorm, was startled when she opened the door and saw her. She took a few steps back. “Who beat you up?”

Little Jiang was silently distraught.

She asked, “Is it that obvious?”

Xu Yuan nodded. “Yes, it looks like someone punched you in both eyes.”

Remembering that the person she cared about wasn’t at school, Jiang Siyi suddenly felt relieved. Her mood improved, and she urged Xu Yuan, “Let’s go, breakfast.”

Soon, the two girls, forced to live in the dormitory, were squatting in the hallway, eating their porridge.

The first class was Chinese. Fu Jing, holding a stack of papers, said angrily, “You two are late again!”

Jiang Siyi hung her head.

She looked like she was listening attentively, but she was actually half-asleep.

Only when Fu Jing raised her voice again was she jolted awake. When asked why she was late, Jiang Siyi replied honestly, “I’m used to eating leisurely at home, I didn’t pay attention to the time.”

Fu Jing’s face darkened.

But remembering that her guardian was Shen Shiwu, she simply sighed and waved her hand dismissively. “Alright, go inside, pay attention in class.”

When she was a day student, time seemed to fly by, and the weekend would arrive in a blink of an eye. But now, back in the dormitory, Friday seemed like a distant dream.

When Jiang Siyi felt like she had been suffering for an eternity, she checked Xu Yuan’s calendar and realized it was only Wednesday.

Looking at the college entrance exam countdown written on the blackboard, she lowered her eyes, burying her unspoken emotions deep in her heart, then quietly returned to her seat, trying to numb her mind with studies.

The PE teacher was on duty for evening self-study tonight.

She was very lenient, spending most of her time playing on her phone, not caring what the students were doing, leaving as soon as her shift ended.

Jiang Siyi finished all her homework and reviewed the material during the first self-study period.

Staring blankly into space, she suddenly felt a wave of sadness wash over her, her heart feeling heavy and damp.

She opened the window a crack.

She needed some air.

Evening self-study consisted of three periods, ending at nine o’clock. During breaks, the hallway was almost empty, except for the occasional student going to the bathroom.

Only Jiang Siyi stood outside, leaning against the railing. She stared into the darkness, seemingly conflicted.

A few seconds later, as if she had made up her mind, she told Xu Yuan she was leaving and quietly slipped out of the building.

It had rained last night, and the sun hadn’t come out today, so the ground was still wet. The surroundings were dark, and Jiang Siyi, lifting her pants slightly, accidentally stepped in several puddles.

She made her way to the back gate.

The hole in the wall seemed to have been discovered by the school authorities and was now sealed with cement. Jiang Siyi sneered, scaled the not-so-high wall, and landed steadily on the other side.

Her pockets jingled with a few coins.

Fortunately, the last bus on Route 5 ran until midnight. Jiang Siyi found a window seat, her heart still racing.

Strange.

She had done much worse things before, but her heart had never pounded like this.

Getting off the bus half an hour later, Jiang Siyi sneezed several times. She wrapped her school uniform jacket tighter and, using the streetlights, carefully avoided the puddles.

Her pace quickened, eager to see Shen Shiwu.

Click— the streetlight went out.

Jiang Siyi frowned, thinking it was ridiculous that the villa complex didn’t even bother fixing the lights.

Perhaps her complaint worked, as a few seconds later, the light flickered back on.

Jiang Siyi was about to continue walking when she suddenly froze.

Under the light, two figures stood by her front door, talking.

Then, another woman appeared. The figure looked familiar, someone she had just met recently. Jiang Siyi only needed a glance to confirm it was Shen Yun.

She affectionately took the woman beside Shen Shiwu’s hand and led her inside.

At the same time, Jiang Siyi, frozen in place, finally saw the other woman’s face clearly—

It was Yang Yi’s sister.

Yang Yu.

The figures disappeared inside the house.

Leaving her alone outside, feeling lost and confused.

A light rain started to fall.

A chill crept in.

Jiang Siyi lowered her eyes, her head feeling dizzy. She was probably catching a cold.

Chapter 28

A certain little panda, after thoroughly washing her face and having her makeup reapplied, returned to the sports field with a teeth mark on her cheek.

She discreetly let a few strands of hair fall, partially covering the mark, but she still felt self-conscious. In contrast, the culprit beside her was much calmer.

Jiang Siyi glanced at her, the mark on her face burning.

Perhaps because the parents had gone to visit the school buildings, the sports field was much less crowded now. Most of the remaining students were taking pictures. Jiang Siyi saw Xu Yuan taking pictures with her mother in the shade.

Xu Yuan, noticing her, waved.

Fu Jing, when not teaching, was quite amiable, currently acting as a photographer.

Seeing the two of them approach, she greeted Shen Shiwu respectfully, then asked, “Do you want to take a picture with the Polaroid?”

Seeing that no one had noticed the mark on her cheek, Jiang Siyi relaxed slightly, thinking it must have faded. She held Shen Shiwu’s hand for a moment, pretending it was accidental, then quickly pulled away.

“Yes, please, teacher,” Shen Shiwu, understanding her intention, replied.

The late April air was warm. Under a gardenia bush, with only a few buds blooming, the two took their first picture together.

The photo was small, a white-bordered rectangle.

Jiang Siyi traced its surface for a long time before looking up, overhearing Fu Jing discussing grades with Xu Yuan’s mother.

Amidst the noise, they kept their surging affection hidden.

Waiting for summer to arrive.

***

School ended an hour earlier today.

On the way home, Jiang Siyi held the photo, reluctant to let go. She wanted to put it behind her phone case, but she couldn’t bear to part with it.

Shen Shiwu, seeing her like this, chuckled. “You like it that much?”

Jiang Siyi clutched the photo tighter and retorted, “I’m mainly admiring my own beauty.”

The woman, holding the steering wheel, nodded. “Indeed, very beautiful.”

Little Jiang rolled down the car window slightly, then, after a long while, turned back.

Back home, Jiang Siyi rushed upstairs without stopping, faster than a dog.

Her calm demeanor was all a pretense. She hadn’t forgotten Shen Shiwu’s words—”I’ll grant your wish”—all afternoon.

She had said she wanted to try, but now that it was about to happen, she was more nervous than anyone.

Seeing that Shen Shiwu hadn’t followed her upstairs, she couldn’t quite describe her feelings. She was relieved, but also a little annoyed.

Jiang Siyi sat on the edge of her bed to calm down. She didn’t even have dinner, going straight to the bathroom with her pajamas.

As she was enjoying the warm water, there was a knock on the bathroom door.

The sound of running water was loud, making the woman’s voice from outside sound muffled.

Shen Shiwu stood outside, her voice soft. “Dinner’s ready.”

Jiang Siyi was lathering herself with body wash. “Okay, I’ll be out soon.”

After a while, the girl finally emerged from the bathroom, the faint scent of freesia filling the air.

She met Shen Shiwu’s gaze and almost lost her balance.

“What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for my girlfriend to have dinner.”

“…Oh.”

Jiang Siyi’s hair was still wet, and she was about to reach for the hairdryer when Shen Shiwu beat her to it.

Shen Shiwu turned a chair around and patted the back of it. “Come sit.”

Jiang Siyi’s hands were wet, water dripping from her hair.

She lowered her eyelashes and walked over to sit down.

The warm air from the hairdryer made her drowsy.

Feeling Shen Shiwu’s slender fingers running through her hair, she thought hazily—This woman is going to spoil me rotten.

She drawled Shen Shiwu’s name.

Shen Shiwu patted her head. “Don’t be so informal.”

Jiang Siyi tilted her chin up, like a cat being petted.

She called out again, “Shen Shiwu.”

The woman behind her chuckled helplessly. “I’m here, what is it?”

“Haven’t you noticed you’re turning me into a useless person?”

Shen Shiwu pinched her cheek, about to reply.

But seeing that the teeth mark had completely disappeared, her expression darkened.

Her words changed. “Then I’ll keep you by my side, spoiled by me for a lifetime.”

She traced the girl’s face with her fingertip, then gently scratched her chin. “Okay, Xiao Si?”

Although her tone was as gentle as ever, Jiang Siyi suddenly felt a chill. The tickling sensation forced her to look up, meeting Shen Shiwu’s downcast gaze.

Shen Shiwu’s eyes were like the feathers of a black crow.

Jiang Siyi quickly looked away, her heart pounding.

After a moment, she softly replied, “Okay.”

The hairdryer suddenly stopped, but Shen Shiwu’s hand continued its ministrations, twirling a few strands of still-damp hair around her finger.

“What did Xiao Si just say?” she asked, smiling. “I didn’t hear clearly. Say it again.”

Jiang Siyi didn’t know what her answer implied.

She had always been insecure, so hearing Shen Shiwu’s words about staying together forever, she naturally agreed.

So she said, “I said okay.”

Shen Shiwu seemed to be holding something back, then continued drying her hair. After a long while, she casually tossed the hairdryer onto a cabinet and asked, “Are you hungry?”

Jiang Siyi had eaten several pieces of cake at the ceremony today and wasn’t hungry at all. So she shook her head. “No.”

Shen Shiwu nodded thoughtfully, then, under the girl’s puzzled gaze, went to lock the door.

As the click echoed through the room, Jiang Siyi’s eyes widened slowly.

Her heart pounded so loudly that she forgot to even blink, staring blankly at the woman’s every move. But the moment Shen Shiwu turned around, she quickly lowered her head.

The hopeful, yet unsettling, thought was amplified, filling her mind.

Jiang Siyi stared at the floor, her long hair covering half her face.

Her vision suddenly cleared—

Shen Shiwu was tying her hair, using the same ice cream hair tie, this time only looping it twice, loosely, so it could be easily pulled off.

The woman’s voice, calm and unhurried, came from behind.

“Not much homework today, right?”

The question was loaded.

If Jiang Siyi said no, the consequences were obvious… but what if she said yes?

Would there be no reward?

Her rebellious nature always emerged at the strangest times.

Little Jiang thought for a moment. “A lot.”

A chuckle came from behind, no longer disguised, but tinged with amusement.

Shen Shiwu’s lips curved into a smile as she took off the hair tie and put it on her wrist.

Watching the girl’s fragrant hair cascade down, she leaned closer. “Then let’s go to the desk.”

“To do…”

“Our homework.”

Her feet left the ground. This was the first time Shen Shiwu had carried her like this. Jiang Siyi could only cling to the woman’s arms, trying to find her balance.

She was lifted higher.

Jiang Siyi gasped and instinctively wrapped her arms around Shen Shiwu’s neck.

The desk was messy, covered in worksheets, books, and pens. As she was placed on the desk, things clattered to the floor.

Her breath hitched, trapped in Shen Shiwu’s embrace, unable to move. Meeting the woman’s gaze, she stammered, “My backpack is still downstairs.”

“It’s okay,” she chuckled softly, “we can still do our homework.”

Before she could say anything else, her lips were captured, her breath stolen away.

This kiss was deeper than any before, and Jiang Siyi could only let out a few whimpers, pushing against Shen Shiwu’s shoulders—she couldn’t take it anymore.

Any creature would be unhappy if their meal was interrupted.

Especially by the meal itself.

Shen Shiwu paused, giving her a moment to breathe, then her gaze shifted.

She bit down gently on the girl’s collarbone, leaving several faint marks.

Jiang Siyi’s back stiffened, a slight sting making her think of a puppy marking its territory. She hissed softly, only to be met with Shen Shiwu’s warm breath against her ear.

She heard Shen Shiwu’s low, husky voice, whispering mbiguous words—”Older sister will reward you, okay?”

Jiang Siyi used to detest this form of address.

But now… she had to admit, it was quite effective.

Hearing Shen Shiwu ask for her opinion, as she always did, Jiang Siyi’s last shred of resistance snapped. Her earlobe was kissed, and she trembled, replying a few seconds later, “Okay.”

Freesias were fragile, especially their petals. After being played with, they would wilt and droop, protesting their mistreatment.

Shen Shiwu soothed her. “Good girl, just wait a little longer.”

Jiang Siyi lay on the desk, her hair disheveled, tears welling up in her eyes, her lips slightly parted as she stared at the ceiling.

She quickly covered her face with her hands, only her tear-filled eyes visible.

Perhaps sensing her attempt to suppress her sounds, Shen Shiwu shifted her attention elsewhere, and the girl arched her back, her hands weakly gripping the edge of the desk, creating a rhythmic accompaniment to their intimacy.

“No more…”

“It’s been several times already.”

Shen Shiwu continued, the hair tie on her wrist dangling, catching Jiang Siyi’s eye.

It was too embarrassing.

She closed her eyes, biting her lip, trying to suppress her sounds.

But it was futile.

The hair tie continued to sway.

The worksheets on the desk scattered to the floor. Jiang Siyi grabbed a book to cover her face, but it was tossed aside.

Clatter—

A loud thud.

Jiang Siyi trembled as Shen Shiwu leaned in again, their bodies pressed close together.

Shen Shiwu’s voice was laced with laughter, yet her tone was firm—”Open your eyes and kiss me.”

Those words made Jiang Siyi’s tears flow even more freely.

Another wave of emotions washed over her, and she had no strength left, only able to press a soft kiss against Shen Shiwu’s lips.

“Not enough, again.”

Little Jiang, her head spinning, thought resentfully amidst the endless torment…

She would never initiate anything like this again.

It wasn’t until late at night that Jiang Siyi finally fell into a deep sleep. Hazily, she only knew that she was carried to the bathroom, cleaned up, and tormented a few more times before being brought back to bed.

In the last second before she drifted off, she was still cursing Shen Shiwu, that two-faced woman.

***

The next morning, Shen Shiwu, who hadn’t slept all night, listened to the girl’s mumbling in her sleep and fell into deep thought.

After a while, she looked at the marks on Jiang Siyi’s body and, for once, reflected on her own actions.

—I didn’t control myself. I was a bit of a jerk.

Fortunately, it was the weekend, and her girlfriend didn’t have school, so it didn’t matter if she slept until the afternoon. Shen Shiwu stared at the sleeping girl’s face for a long time, wanting to kiss her again.

Afraid of waking her up, she only gave her a light peck before carefully getting out of bed.

Looking at the mess, Shen Shiwu quietly tidied up, then went downstairs to retrieve Jiang Siyi’s backpack—

To make amends, she would help her girlfriend with her homework.