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

Chapter 27

This was the longest five minutes of Jiang Siyi’s life.

The principal patrolled the sports field, holding a microphone and proclaiming, “Your growth and development are inseparable from the dedication of your parents.”

“Therefore, the first part of this coming-of-age ceremony should be dedicated to them!”

Many parents were deeply moved, tears streaming down their faces, echoing the sentiment. Shen Shiwu traced Jiang Siyi’s earlobe with her fingertip, making her shiver, and then chuckled. “Why aren’t you saying thank you?”

Jiang Siyi wanted to bite her shoulder.

But that was obviously not possible in public.

She said dryly, “Thank you.”

“That’s not sincere at all.” Shen Shiwu was clearly not satisfied. “Say it again.”

Jiang Siyi nudged her shoulder with her chin in protest, only to be met with another chuckle.

She said slowly, enunciating each word, “Thank… you.”

Then she lowered her voice and added, “My girlfriend.”

Shen Shiwu was finally satisfied. She patted the girl’s head. “Mm, good. I’ll reward you when we get home.”

“What reward?”

“Anything you want.”

Jiang Siyi felt like she was going crazy.

Her first thought was—Could the reward be that?

The information she had found online that day flooded her mind, and Jiang Siyi felt ashamed for even thinking about it in broad daylight.

But after a few seconds, she felt there was nothing wrong with it.

She was an adult now, what was wrong with being curious?

Jiang Siyi nodded to herself inwardly and heard Shen Shiwu ask again, “What reward do you want?”

Damn it, my mind is in the gutter.

Little Jiang mumbled, “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll tell you when we get home.”

The five minutes finally ended.

Jiang Siyi pulled away from Shen Shiwu’s embrace, the soft touch lingering on her face. She sniffed, avoiding eye contact.

“Alright, now for the second part!”

Jiang Siyi’s heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over her.

As expected, the principal returned to the stage, her voice full of enthusiasm. “All students, sing together!”

“…”

Dressed in haute couture, with a full face of makeup, you want me to sing in the sun?

Jiang Siyi wanted to bang her head against a wall.

Shen Shiwu was suppressing her laughter. “Sing well, I’m looking forward to it.”

Seeing that the girl was about to explode, she quickly added, “Be good, I’ll make you sweet and sour pork ribs when we get home.”

Fine.

Little Jiang, easily swayed by food, temporarily forgave her.

The person in charge of the PA system seemed to have been waiting for the command. As soon as the principal finished speaking, music started playing.

It was a song composed by the school’s music teachers, its fast tempo meant to showcase the students’ youthful energy.

The singing from below was sporadic.

Some students didn’t even open their mouths.

Shen Shiwu looked at the girl beside her. “Why aren’t you singing?”

Jiang Siyi forced herself to sing louder, even replying with a smile, “I am singing, thank you.”

The four-minute song finally ended.

Seeing the smile on Shen Shiwu’s lips, Jiang Siyi felt defeated, but still couldn’t help but ask, “Was it that funny?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“…”

That apology was as effective as punching cotton.

The ceremony finally ended. It was free time now, and the students could take pictures at the coming-of-age gate.

Jiang Siyi felt sweat trickling down her forehead. She was tired, and the crowd was overwhelming—she wanted to hide in Shen Shiwu’s arms and rest.

Just as she was about to discreetly move closer, someone called out to her.

That voice… could it be…?

“Senior Jiang!”

Jiang Siyi turned around stiffly and saw Yang Yi standing behind her, her expression still nervous.

This junior, please take it easy.

My girlfriend is right here.

Jiang Siyi was still worrying when she heard a girl’s voice, “Senior, can you come with me for a moment?”

No, unless I want to die.

She was about to refuse when she heard Shen Shiwu’s calm voice, “Go ahead, I’ll wait for you here.”

“?”

Jiang Siyi almost stomped her foot in frustration.

Fine, you said it yourself.

Exasperated, she said to Yang Yi, “Okay, let’s go.”

There was a back gate at the corner of the sports field, practically a hole in the wall, hidden by bushes, inconspicuous.

Before she had been “reformed,” Jiang Siyi had used it countless times to skip evening self-study.

Yang Yi, no longer as hesitant as before, seemed to have mustered all her courage and handed her another love letter. “Senior, I really like you.”

“I know you’re not interested in me, but…”

“Can you give me a chance?”

Jiang Siyi, seeing her sincere expression, sighed heavily.

She firmly refused again. “I’m sorry, I told you before, you’re a wonderful girl, with excellent grades.”

“But I really can’t agree to this.”

“Why?” She was on the verge of tears. “Do you have someone you like?”

“No,” Jiang Siyi shook her head, then added, “I’m already with the person I like.”

Returning to the sports field, she didn’t see Shen Shiwu. After searching, she found her standing in the shade of a tree.

Jiang Siyi lifted her dress slightly and was about to run towards her when she saw another person standing beside Shen Shiwu.

They were about the same height, both looking mature and composed, a perfect match.

The girl suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She stood there, feeling her makeup melting under the heat.

The camphor trees weren’t in full bloom yet, but their large leaves still provided some shade.

Under the tree, Shen Shiwu took a few steps to the side, creating some distance, and said coldly, “Please keep your younger sister under control.”

Her words were harsh. “Don’t be a bad influence on my child.”

Yang Yu chuckled. “You’ve adopted a child?”

Shen Shiwu frowned deeply at the term of address, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Yang Yu looked at her, her expression complex. “I was from Fu Zhong High School too, but you probably don’t remember me, since you transferred overseas so quickly…”

She was interrupted.

Shen Shiwu’s voice was flat. “I don’t remember.”

The woman smiled wryly, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, pretending to be nonchalant. “It’s okay, it’s all in the past. At least you know me now.”

She clutched her designer handbag, a faint scratch mark visible on its surface. Remembering the initial topic, she continued, “I’ll keep my sister under control. Puppy love is indeed inappropriate.”

“It’s not her who’s engaging in puppy love, it’s her who wants to,” Shen Shiwu corrected, as if it was a very important distinction.

Yang Yu nodded, stunned, but before she could say anything, Shen Shiwu turned to leave. She called out, raising her voice slightly, repeating her earlier question.

The shadows on the ground froze.

Shen Shiwu paused, but didn’t turn around.

Afraid of affecting Jiang Siyi, she swallowed the words “taking care of my girlfriend is only natural” and didn’t even bother turning her head—

“Because I want to.”

Shen Shiwu found Jiang Siyi in the senior year building.

Seeing the smudged eyeliner around the girl’s eyes, she knew she had been crying.

She sighed inwardly. And this little panda was still pretending to be indifferent. “Why are you staring at me?”

Shen Shiwu, without a word, pulled her into the bathroom.

After making sure no one was inside, she tilted Jiang Siyi’s chin up, forcing her to look in the mirror. “You tell me.”

The girl’s face instantly flushed.

Seeing the dark smudges around her eyes, she was first relieved that she hadn’t run into anyone, then embarrassed.

But most of all, she felt aggrieved.

Jiang Siyi didn’t want to be silent anymore. Tears streamed down her face like the spring rain, her voice softening. “It’s all your fault.”

“My fault again?”

The girl turned and buried her face in Shen Shiwu’s embrace, mischievously rubbing her face against her clothes, then asked, “Why were you standing with Yang Yi’s sister?”

Her voice was muffled, choked with sobs, as if she had been greatly wronged.

Shen Shiwu held her tighter, knowing she was jealous, and patiently explained, “I told her to keep her younger sister under control.”

“So she wouldn’t be a bad influence on you.”

Hearing this, Jiang Siyi was momentarily stunned—for so many years, whenever this topic was brought up, she had always been the “bad influence.”

For example, teachers always warned her not to be a bad influence on other students.

But from Shen Shiwu’s lips, it was completely different.

Jiang Siyi sniffed, her mood improving slightly, but she was still not satisfied. She tugged on the buttons of Shen Shiwu’s coat, her eyes red. “Okay… but.”

“But what?”

“You said on the sports field that I could have any reward I wanted.” Jiang Siyi lowered her eyes, finally letting go of the buttons, and grabbed Shen Shiwu’s wrist, gently swaying it.

“I don’t need a reward, just grant me a wish.” She said generously.

“Okay, tell me.”

“Don’t talk to her.” Jiang Siyi’s tone was slightly fierce. “Not a single word.”

Shen Shiwu’s eyes flickered.

She thought—After taking care of her for so long, she’s finally showing some temper, learning to be spoiled.

She was pleased.

“Okay, anything else?” The woman seemed to be in a good mood.

Jiang Siyi, seeing her agree, hummed softly, like a proud little panda. “No.”

“You still have another reward.” Shen Shiwu reminded her.

“You can’t have your cake and eat it too. I’m not greedy, just one wish is enough.”

“With me, you can always have both.” The woman leaned down and kissed her cheek, making her blush, then whispered, “You can be greedy.”

Jiang Siyi’s eyelashes fluttered, her mind filled with certain images.

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

“When have I ever lied to you?”

Jiang Siyi was a little hesitant, unsure how to express herself.

Finally, she mustered her courage and whispered in Shen Shiwu’s ear, “I want…”

“I want to try.”

Shen Shiwu blinked.

Seeing the girl’s obvious panic, as if she wanted to take back her words, the long-suppressed desires within her threatened to erupt.

Sensing the change in Shen Shiwu’s gaze, Jiang Siyi felt like she was suffocating.

She tried to salvage the situation, saying casually, “I mean, it’s…”

Before she could finish, Shen Shiwu bit her cheek gently.

A faint teeth mark appeared, like a wolf marking its territory.

Jiang Siyi was stunned.

Shen Shiwu traced the mark with her fingertip, satisfied.

“Okay,” she said softly, her teeth grazing the girl’s skin, “I’ll grant your wish.”

Chapter 26

Late at night, the villa was silent.

Jiang Siyi lay in bed, wide awake, her mind replaying the scene of being pinned against the desk and carefully instructed.

So, hands could be used like that too.

She silently screamed into her pillow, her face burning.

Although Shen Shiwu had only touched her through her pants, she could clearly feel herself…

It was a completely new sensation.

So, she… also desired Shen Shiwu?

Little Jiang let out another silent scream.

After calming down, she reached for her phone on the nightstand and brought it under the covers.

If there’s something you don’t understand, search it online.

Half an hour later, enlightenment dawned upon her, and she turned off her phone, her face pale.

She burrowed under the covers, trying to calm down and sleep, but a few seconds later, she bolted upright.

Now she definitely couldn’t sleep.

The price of staying up most of the night was that she slept like a log the next day. When Shen Shiwu knocked on her door three times without a response, she could only enter the room and walk over to the bed. “Xiao Si, are you feeling unwell?”

Jiang Siyi, hearing the noise, lazily opened her eyes and, realizing she was about to be late, quickly sat up.

Her head felt dizzy. “No, I’m fine.”

Seeing her about to get out of bed, Shen Shiwu stopped her and felt her forehead. Jiang Siyi, seeing her frown, asked groggily, “What’s wrong?”

“Your forehead is burning up. You have a fever.” Shen Shiwu gently tucked her back into bed. “Go back to sleep. I’ll call in sick for you today.”

“No, I have math class today.” Jiang Siyi clutched the blanket, worried.

“You have your girlfriend to teach you at home.” Shen Shiwu gently caressed her cheek. “Don’t worry about anything, just rest. I’ll go get the thermometer.”

Shen Shiwu’s words seemed to have a magical power, instantly calming her down.

Jiang Siyi nodded and closed her eyes, feeling drowsy.

Her temperature was high, and Jiang Siyi hated going to the hospital, but she had no choice but to get up.

In the car, wrapped in the blanket that carried Shen Shiwu’s scent, she felt a sense of peace.

Perhaps because of the flu season, the hospital was crowded even though it was only past seven. Jiang Siyi leaned against Shen Shiwu, her head heavy.

After seeing the doctor, she had to get an IV drip. It had been a long time since Jiang Siyi had been sick, and she blinked at the mention of needles. “Can I just take medicine?”

Shen Shiwu smiled and refused. “No.”

…Smiling tiger.

“Nurse, my veins are a little thin,” Jiang Siyi said, watching as the nurse disinfected the back of her hand.

“Don’t worry, young lady,” the nurse said, seeing her nervousness. “Relax.”

Shen Shiwu held her other hand.

“Xiao Jiang has to be brave.”

Seeing the needle, Jiang Siyi turned her head away and hummed softly. “I’m not a child, how could I be afraid of this?”

Then she remained exceptionally calm.

“All done, young lady. The needle is out. What are you still sitting here for?”

“…Oh.”

I overdid it. Little Jiang thought, quickly getting up and hurrying away. Shen Shiwu, holding the IV bag, quickened her pace and caught up to her. “Don’t walk so fast, you’ll dislodge the needle.”

Jiang Siyi didn’t want to get poked again, so she immediately slowed down, from a rabbit to a snail.

Getting an IV drip was boring, so the studious Jiang Siyi asked Shen Shiwu to bring her backpack over.

She flipped through her worksheets with one hand, and as she glanced at the person beside her, she noticed her slender, well-defined hands and couldn’t help but think of last night—Stop it, no inappropriate thoughts in broad daylight!

“Why are you blushing?” Shen Shiwu’s voice suddenly rang out.

Jiang Siyi touched her nose guiltily and blurted out, “I have a fever, of course I’m blushing.”

Afraid of being found out, she quickly changed the subject. “The school is holding a coming-of-age ceremony next month.”

“I know. I’ve already ordered your dress. It’s the latest haute couture design, you’ll like it.”

Jiang Siyi paused. “So soon?”

“Didn’t I tell you?” Shen Shiwu noticed her messy hair and stood up, walking behind her. “I’ll take care of everything for you.”

The woman leaned down as she spoke, her breath warm against Jiang Siyi’s skin. She took a hair tie out of her pocket and deftly tied the girl’s hair.

Jiang Siyi touched the back of her head, realizing something. “Why did you steal my hair tie?”

“Taking my girlfriend’s hair tie isn’t stealing.”

Shen Shiwu wasn’t ashamed at all, even sounding righteous. “It’s my right.”

Jiang Siyi: “…Oh.”

Fine.

“Then remember to return it to me after you’re done,” Shen Shiwu said casually, opening her laptop and resuming her work.

Jiang Siyi had bought the hair tie on a school trip. It had a cute, slightly childish ice cream charm.

She didn’t understand why Shen Shiwu, a billionaire CEO, would want such a thing.

“Not willing to give it to me?” The woman turned to look at her.

“It’s just a hair tie, you can have it.” Little Jiang was generous, as if she were a spendthrift.

“Then give me a hairpin too.”

“…I might as well just give you my head.”

“Okay, since you’re already mine.”

Jiang Siyi’s movements slowed down. When Shen Shiwu looked over again, she saw the girl blushing furiously.

***

The weather warmed up at the end of April, green leaves swaying in the breeze.

“All senior students, gather at the sports field before 1:00 PM!” The announcement blared from the PA system, startling the birds perched on the branches outside.

The classroom was noisy, no one paying attention to the head teacher’s announcement.

By the window, Xu Yuan was teaching Jiang Siyi how to apply makeup.

“Sunscreen first, then primer, no wait, this is foundation.”

Little Jiang, clumsy, was a bit confused. After struggling for a while, she almost looked like a ghost.

“Forget it, forget it, I’ll do it for you,” Xu Yuan sighed.

It was the coming-of-age ceremony today, and everyone had their phones. When the time came, Fu Jing knocked on the classroom door, her high heels clicking. “Let’s go, to the sports field.”

“Perfect timing, just finished her makeup.” Xu Yuan looked at Jiang Siyi’s face, nodding with satisfaction. “No wonder Yang Yi is so smitten with you.”

Jiang Siyi warned her, “Don’t mention this in front of my… older sister later.”

“Why? Afraid your older sister will get jealous?” She held out her hand. “Since I’m doing you a favor, how about a little something in return?”

Jiang Siyi rummaged through her desk, then took out a handful of candy. She kept all the grape-flavored ones for herself and gave the rest to Xu Yuan. “Here, that’s generous enough, right?”

“Didn’t you used to find this flavor too sweet? What, suddenly in love with it?”

Jiang Siyi thought of something and nodded. “Yes, suddenly in love with it.”

She usually attracted a lot of attention, and today was no exception. She wore a pure white mermaid dress, adorned with feathers and sparkling rhinestones around the neckline, catching the sunlight.

She couldn’t walk fast, so she slowly made her way to the sports field with Xu Yuan.

“My mom said the parents are already at the sports field.” Hearing this, Jiang Siyi suddenly felt nervous.

She nodded in acknowledgment.

She used to think the walk from the classroom building to the sports field was like crossing the Pacific Ocean, but today, she felt differently. As they approached, her heart pounded in her chest.

The teachers were on stage, preparing their speeches, while the students below were a chaotic mess, not even forming proper lines, some even separated from their classmates.

Like Jiang Siyi.

As soon as they entered the sports field, she and Xu Yuan were separated by the crowd, and the mermaid dress restricted her movements.

She could only slowly make her way through the crowd.

“Little Mermaid, lost your parents again?”

A familiar voice came from behind, and Jiang Siyi’s eyes lit up. Just as she was about to turn around, a careless boy bumped into her, about to step on her foot—

Shen Shiwu’s expression darkened, and she quickly pulled the girl into her arms.

Jiang Siyi didn’t hear a word of the boy’s apology; she was too busy looking at Shen Shiwu.

Even when she’s angry, she’s so beautiful.

The girl clutched Shen Shiwu’s sleeve.

She wanted to kiss her.

“Your school isn’t very good at managing crowds,” Shen Shiwu said, her gaze softening as she looked down at the girl in her arms, but her tone still carried a hint of annoyance.

Jiang Siyi straightened up, reluctantly creating some distance between them.

She didn’t reply, but beckoned Shen Shiwu closer, her earlobes turning red, wanting to whisper something.

Shen Shiwu naturally leaned in.

The next second, the girl, in her elegant makeup, looking much more mature, whispered in her ear:

“I want a kiss.”

Shen Shiwu felt her self-control slipping away.

She took a deep breath and met Jiang Siyi’s shy, yet expectant, gaze. “We’ll go home.”

“When we get home, I think you’ll regret saying that.”

Jiang Siyi was instantly petrified.

Seeing her stunned expression, Shen Shiwu couldn’t help but chuckle and softly praised, “You look beautiful today, my Little Mermaid.”

Jiang Siyi had been complimented on her looks many times before. With her striking features, she had always been popular at school.

She was used to these empty compliments.

However, hearing them from Shen Shiwu made her heart race. She lowered her eyes, trying to hide her shyness and embarrassment.

“It’s, it’s okay.”

So, all those years, she hadn’t felt anything when complimented because the words hadn’t come from someone she cared about.

—”Alright, students, please quickly find your class lines, the ceremony is about to begin!”

The principal’s voice boomed from the stage. Perhaps because their parents were present, the students quieted down and started looking for their classmates.

“Eh, where’s Xu Yuan?” Jiang Siyi asked, holding Shen Shiwu’s arm as they walked.

“Probably writing you another love letter.”

“…”

Damn, I forgot about that.

Jiang Siyi wisely kept quiet, but the next second, Xu Yuan suddenly appeared, patting her shoulder from behind. “You’re going the wrong way! Our class is over there!”

The girl’s first instinct was to check Shen Shiwu’s expression.

Fortunately, her girlfriend’s expression was normal, at least not as cold as before.

That’s right, Shen Shiwu was a powerful CEO, how could she get jealous over something like this?

Relieved, she chatted with Xu Yuan as they walked. “Where did you come from? Where are your parents?”

“My mom is talking to Sister Bao. I didn’t want to listen, so I came to find you.”

Seventeen and eighteen-year-olds always had endless things to talk about with their best friends. After a while, Jiang Siyi remembered that her girlfriend was following behind them.

She glanced at Shen Shiwu nervously.

The other woman’s expression remained unchanged, completely calm.

Okay, relieved again.

A few minutes after they returned to their class line, the principal finally spoke again. She started with an impassioned speech, moving herself to tears, then declared without missing a beat, “Now, let’s begin the first part of the coming-of-age ceremony!”

She wiped away her tears with a tissue and then raised her voice. “Every student must hug your parent for five minutes and say ‘thank you’!”

The students fell silent.

Jiang Siyi looked at the rising sun and wondered if it was too late to fake fainting.

“Begin!” After giving the order, the principal quickly stepped off the stage to watch the spectacle.

Shen Shiwu looked at her motionless “child,” not showing any impatience, simply staring at her calmly.

Whatever, it’s not like I haven’t hugged Shen Shiwu before, what’s there to be shy about?

Jiang Siyi thought, slowly opening her arms, but before she could take a step forward, a certain parent took the initiative—

Pulling her into a hug.

Little Jiang froze, not daring to move.

She held her breath, thinking silently,

So… soft.

Chapter 25

The house was warm, and the snow rabbit started to melt, quickly losing its shape. Jiang Siyi panicked and ran to the kitchen, stubbornly insisting on putting it in the freezer.

That night, Little Jiang slept soundly. The next morning, she rushed downstairs, tossed her backpack onto the sofa, ignoring Shen Shiwu, who was sitting at the dining table, and went to check on the snow rabbit.

The rabbit’s head was tilted, its limbs splayed, its form completely distorted, a tragic sight.

Jiang Siyi took the “corpse” out of the freezer and showed it to Shen Shiwu.

“My rabbit died,” she said, her face gloomy.

The rabbit was dead, but she was still alive, and she had to go to school.

Jiang Siyi leaned against the car window, watching Shen Shiwu lean closer. She glanced at Auntie Wang and held her backpack in front of her. “What? I have to go to school.”

“Do you want a real rabbit?”

Jiang Siyi lowered her backpack slightly, revealing her eyes. “Are you going to give me one?”

Shen Shiwu brushed a strand of hair from her face. “If you want one.”

Jiang Siyi had kept many pets as a child, but none had stayed with her until now.

She remembered, when she was very young, shortly after her mother’s death, her two-year-old stray cat had suddenly fallen ill.

Jiang Siyi had rushed to the pet hospital in the rain, but because she didn’t have any money, they refused to treat her cat, and she missed the best chance to save it.

It was from that time that she started to distance herself from the world.

“No, it’s okay,” Jiang Siyi lowered her eyes, making up an excuse. “I’m too busy with school, I don’t have time for a pet.”

“Then after the college entrance exam.” Shen Shiwu leaned closer, shielding her from the cold wind outside. “We’ll get one together.”

The woman was wearing glasses today, her hair loosely tied up, a few strands framing her face, the dark hair contrasting with her red lips.

Jiang Siyi suddenly remembered the image of herself hugging her cat, crying at the entrance of the pet hospital.

She realized that the girl who had vowed not to get attached to anything had changed—and what had caused this change?

It was love.

She blinked, a smile finally appearing on her lips.

“Okay, we’ll get one together after the college entrance exam.”

***

Early spring in March, although winter was over, there was no sign of warmth. Jiang Siyi filled her cup with hot water from the dispenser, sipping it as she walked, hissing at the heat.

The computer in the classroom was still on, and news headlines scrolled across the bottom right corner of the projection screen.

Jiang Siyi glanced at it and suddenly froze. Xu Yuan, walking behind her, almost spilled her water. She asked, puzzled, “What are you doing? Are you trying to kill me?”

The girl quickly looked away.

“No, I just sat for too long, my legs are numb.”

She went back to her seat and handed Xu Yuan a few tissues. “Here, a reward for you.”

Xu Yuan’s mouth twitched. “Get out.”

During lunch break, Fu Jing generously gave the class twenty minutes of free time. Jiang Siyi, after finishing the last problem, felt her temples throbbing and, seeing that half the class was asleep, she also put her head down.

It was strange. She felt sleepy while doing problems, but the moment she closed her eyes, she was wide awake.

Lying on her desk, she couldn’t help but think of the news headline she had just seen—Major Shift in the Business World: Li Nan’s Company Acquired by the Shen Family Today at 11:00 AM!

Jiang Siyi felt a sense of satisfaction.

Since she couldn’t sleep anyway, she lifted her head. With the pressure of studying, no one else had moved.

Spring was always rainy, but unlike the torrential downpours of summer, the rain was gentle and soft.

Jiang Siyi watched the raindrops falling on the window, tracing their paths down the glass. She traced Shen Shiwu’s name on the foggy window with her fingertip.

“Alright, everyone, wake up.” Fu Jing tossed the graded papers aside, gestured for the class representative to distribute them, then tapped her pen against the podium. “Time’s up. Let’s go over yesterday’s quiz.”

Jiang Siyi quickly smudged the name on the window, turning it into a solid circle.

“I want to commend Jiang Siyi for her excellent essay. I’ll print it out and post it on the wall. You can all read it after class.”

Jiang Siyi’s essays were always outstanding, so the other students weren’t surprised. Only Xu Yuan clapped enthusiastically, almost cheering.

She was met with a glare from Fu Jing. “Xu Yuan, going off-topic in your essay in your senior year, how did you manage that?”

“Off-topic? Impossible!”

“The topic was ‘The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Fast-Paced Society,’ and you wrote about how you even have to race against time to eat instant noodles at school.”

“Isn’t that related to the topic?”

“I’m not finished,” Fu Jing said, exasperated. “And why did you spend two-thirds of your essay complaining about how uncooked instant noodles taste terrible?”

Xu Yuan fell silent.

She scratched her head sheepishly, making half the class laugh.

After the lunch break, as Fu Jing was leaving for the office, she suddenly remembered something and turned back. “Oh, right, the school is holding a coming-of-age ceremony for the senior year next month.”

“You can wear makeup and dresses. Most importantly, your parents have to come too.”

Fu Jing felt a surge of emotion, looking at the forty-something students before her, and smiled warmly. “Congratulations, you’re all adults, or soon to be.”

“Another year older, so—” her tone changed, “you have to study even harder and get into a good university.”

The class instantly erupted in protest. “Teacher, can’t you be a little more sentimental? Do you have to be so harsh?”

Fu Jing scoffed, turned around, and walked back to the office, textbook in hand.

Because of the coming-of-age ceremony, the class was buzzing with excitement, discussing what kind of dresses to wear. Xu Yuan rushed over. “Hey, are you wearing makeup that day?”

Jiang Siyi replied bluntly, “I don’t know how to.”

“I’ll teach you, it’s easy.”

Little Jiang, who had been barefaced for eighteen years, cracked her knuckles and then nodded. “Maybe I should wear some.”

“The teachers are all in a meeting, so we have self-study!” Senior year teachers were always busy. When the class representative announced this, the chatter in the classroom grew louder, almost unruly.

But with their heavy workload, it was normal for them to relax and chat occasionally.

Xu Yuan pulled a chair over from the podium and sat down. Jiang Siyi, suddenly remembering her essay, asked worriedly, “How did your essay end up so off-topic?”

Xu Yuan sighed. “I had a fever that day, and I wasn’t feeling well. My handwriting was all over the place.”

“I just wanted to reach the required word count, so I could at least get some points.”

Before Jiang Siyi could reply, someone behind them chuckled. Xu Yuan turned around and clicked her tongue. “Wu Yu, what are you laughing at?”

“Someone going off-topic in their senior year, what a rare sight.”

“Mind your own business! Did I write on your test paper?”

“Please don’t.”

The surrounding students whispered, “Look, they’re at it again.”

Xu Yuan’s temper wasn’t good when dealing with idiots. She stood up, her chair clattering to the floor.

Jiang Siyi casually leaned against the wall, seemingly nonchalant, but discreetly kicked the chair towards the back.

As expected of long-time teammates, their coordination was perfect, the chair hitting Wu Yu’s outstretched foot.

His face flushed red with pain. “You’re resorting to violence?”

“No,” Jiang Siyi twirled a strand of hair, feigning innocence. “It was the chair that moved.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear, suddenly thinking of Shen Shiwu, wishing she were here.

If she were, she would definitely help her tie her hair.

The loud clatter of the chair made the students in the class scatter, afraid of getting hit. Wu Yu stood up abruptly, his back straight, but his words betrayed his fear. “Do you believe I’ll tell the teacher?”

Jiang Siyi and Xu Yuan exchanged glances, thinking his name truly suited him (Wu Yu – meaning “no help/useless”).

“Someone like you, even the neurology department wouldn’t bother treating you.” Jiang Siyi rolled her eyes. “Go ahead and tell the teacher.”

Ten minutes later, the office was lively again. Fu Jing, having just finished her meeting, looked at the familiar face and fell silent.

“What happened this time?”

Wu Yu pointed at his foot. “Teacher, they hit me with a chair!”

“Who told you to be a smart aleck?” Xu Yuan yelled.

After understanding the situation, Fu Jing sighed. “Alright, both sides are at fault, but this time, you two should really reflect on your actions.”

She looked at the two girls. “Do you know that whoever starts the fight is the one who gets in trouble?”

Jiang Siyi’s face remained expressionless. “No.”

Fu Jing, at her wit’s end: “…”

Her hair practically stood on end with anger. “Call your guardian!”

This was Shen Shiwu’s umpteenth visit to the office.

She looked at the girl beside her, her head down, and asked the teacher, already used to this, “What happened this time?”

“She had an argument with a male classmate and resorted to violence.”

“I didn’t resort to violence,” Jiang Siyi argued. “I only used my foot.”

Fu Jing’s face darkened completely, while Shen Shiwu nodded. “Yes, she used her foot.”

Fu Jing: “…”

“But,” she turned to Jiang Siyi, “did you use your foot first?”

Jiang Siyi bit her lip and nodded slightly.

The woman seemed to be deep in thought, then said to the homeroom teacher, “Understood, teacher. I’ll discipline her when we get back.”

Little Jiang’s eyes widened—this was the first time Shen Shiwu had said she would discipline her.

She felt aggrieved, but also… a little expectant.

How would she be disciplined? Could it be… the same as the last punishment?

After school, Jiang Siyi’s mood was complex, her steps heavy. She slowly walked out of the school gate and saw Shen Shiwu waiting for her.

Had she not left at all?

In the car, the woman was unusually quiet. All the way home, Jiang Siyi was the first to rush upstairs. Just as she was about to close her door, Shen Shiwu stopped her. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

Jiang Siyi retorted, “I’m not in a hurry.”

She let go of the doorknob, turned around, and went to her desk, opening her backpack to do her homework.

“Xiao Si,” Shen Shiwu called her.

“Hmm?” Jiang Siyi paused, her hand hovering over her worksheets. Turning around, she smelled Shen Shiwu’s scent.

The next second, Shen Shiwu leaned in, pinning her against the desk.

Little Jiang was frozen.

Don’t, don’t get so close!

Her chin was tilted up, and she heard Shen Shiwu’s whisper, “Our Xiao Si is truly remarkable.”

She chuckled, sending shivers down Jiang Siyi’s spine. “Even good at fighting.”

It wasn’t even her fault! Jiang Siyi sniffed, wanting to cry.

Seeing her change in mood, Shen Shiwu sighed. “Next time, before you fight, can you think about your girlfriend?”

Jiang Siyi looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. Seeing Shen Shiwu so close, her mind didn’t register her words. “What?”

“Other people go to their significant other for support when they’re wronged,” she said, sounding helpless. “Why are you always different?”

Go to their significant other for support.

These words were foreign to Jiang Siyi.

She looked away, her hands gripping the edge of the desk.

“I know my little girl is very capable, independent since childhood, good at fighting and arguing,” Shen Shiwu looked into her eyes, and seeing her gaze flicker, she gently bit her lip.

Feeling the girl tremble, she finally let go and continued, “But sometimes, you can rely on me.”

“You have to allow fate to change the course of your life.”

“For example, you’re not alone anymore. You have me.”

Is this Shen Shiwu’s way of disciplining her?

Jiang Siyi’s lip was slightly swollen, her face flushed. She steadied herself, her voice soft. “I understand.”

“Are you sure?”

The girl nodded repeatedly.

“Then let me test you. If we could turn back time, what should you have done today?” Shen Shiwu massaged the back of her neck, her voice low.

“I should…”

“I should have scolded him first, not used my foot, and then called you.”

“And waited for you to arrive before doing anything.”

Shen Shiwu couldn’t help but chuckle and tapped the girl’s forehead. “You…”

“Mm, that’s mostly correct. But you should know that once I arrive, you don’t have to do anything.”

“I’ll take care of everything.”

Jiang Siyi’s throat tightened with emotion. She looked up, holding back her tears, and suddenly called out Shen Shiwu’s name.

“What is it?”

“Thank you.”

The girl leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Thank you for loving me.”

Chapter 24

Legend has it that couples who kiss under the London Eye will be together forever.

So, Jiang Siyi decided to become superstitious from this moment on.

Winter break was short, and after spending some time abroad, the last semester of high school arrived quickly.

They returned to China a few days before school started.

It was drizzling that day. Although the rain had stopped, the air was damp, and Jiang Siyi, not paying attention, almost slipped. Fortunately, Shen Shiwu, always attentive, caught her in time.

Jiang Siyi looked at her white padded jacket, her heart still racing, and wrapped her arms around Shen Shiwu’s arm, leaning closer. “It’s so cold.”

Shen Shiwu patted her head. “It’s colder because of the rain.”

“Why don’t you wait here? I’ll bring the car over.”

But the girl held on tighter, shaking her head. “No, I want to walk with you.”

“Why are you acting like we’re parting forever?” Shen Shiwu chuckled.

Jiang Siyi hummed softly, ignoring her.

As they walked towards the parking lot, a voice called out from behind, “Jiang Siyi?”

That familiar voice… could it be…?

As expected, turning around, she saw Fu Jing, dressed in a long coat, standing there with a small suitcase beside her. She was holding her car key, about to press the button, looking at the two of them.

Running into her homeroom teacher in the parking lot with her girlfriend, Jiang Siyi thought her luck was truly something else.

Wait, girlfriend.

Jiang Siyi, as if electrocuted, quickly let go of Shen Shiwu’s arm, clasped her hands behind her back, and forced a smile. “Sister Bao, what a coincidence.”

Fu Jing’s expression didn’t change, and she also found it quite a coincidence. “Yes, it is. Where did you two go on your trip?”

“London.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t have been on the same flight, would we?”

Jiang Siyi’s heart tightened.

“We were in… first class.”

Fu Jing waved her hand dismissively, joking, “Then definitely not. My wallet can’t afford that.”

The girl finally relaxed.

For the past ten-plus hours, she had practically been glued to Shen Shiwu, from check-in to boarding, like a koala clinging to a tree.

If they had been on the same flight, Fu Jing wasn’t stupid. Seeing their close interaction, she would definitely have become suspicious—What kind of best friends hug and almost kiss like that?

“Okay, school starts in less than a week. Get back into study mode.” Fu Jing opened her trunk, put her suitcase inside, and said, “Then I’ll be going now.”

Jiang Siyi immediately replied, “Okay, goodbye, teacher.”

Then she urged Shen Shiwu to leave quickly.

The woman stared at her guilty expression for a moment, then, as they approached the car, she beckoned Jiang Siyi with her finger.

Jiang Siyi, puzzled, hurried over. “What’s wrong?”

Dark clouds had gathered in the sky, and it looked like it was about to rain again.

Seeing Shen Shiwu’s silence, she was about to urge her again when she heard her say, “Close your eyes.”

The moment she closed her eyes, Jiang Siyi felt a light peck on her lips.

Her face instantly flushed, and she was about to open her eyes when Shen Shiwu’s hand covered them, followed by a more lingering kiss.

It was a light kiss, like a dragonfly skimming the water, creating ripples.

When Shen Shiwu finally pulled away, Jiang Siyi opened her eyes, her head slightly dizzy. She touched her lips and asked, “Why did you suddenly kiss me?”

She nervously looked around, relieved to find no one had seen them.

Shen Shiwu had already opened the car door for her and replied calmly, “It’s raining.”

Jiang Siyi got into the car. “What?”

The woman closed the door, walked around to the driver’s side, and continued, “It was raindrops on your lips, not me.”

Jiang Siyi: “…”

She remained silent for a while, then turned her head and pretended to sleep, refusing to make a sound.

Shen Shiwu took a blanket from the back seat and covered her with it, whispering softly, like coaxing a child to sleep, “Good night.”

Her breath brushed against Jiang Siyi’s face, making her heart race. Jiang Siyi discreetly pulled the blanket higher, covering her face completely.

***

The weather in Qinan this year was strange. It had never snowed before, only a few flurries at most, but this year, they had already had two heavy snowfalls.

The snow covered the ground all the way to the school building, making it difficult to walk.

Jiang Siyi, carrying her heavy backpack, trudged through the snow and finally made it inside. She shook the snow off her clothes, stamped her numb feet, and slowly walked upstairs.

Entering the classroom, Xu Yuan, unlike usual, didn’t rush over to her, but remained at her desk, working on problems.

Everyone else was the same.

Jiang Siyi understood—after all, the college entrance exam was only a few months away.

She walked quietly back to her seat, took out her completed winter break homework, a thick stack of study materials, and started reviewing.

In the quiet classroom, Jiang Siyi suddenly thought,

Her youth was truly coming to an end.

The classroom only became lively just before lunch break, as the snow intensified. The southern children, rarely seeing snow, excitedly rushed out into the hallway.

Xu Yuan finally lifted her head from her books. Seeing the crowd outside, she beckoned Jiang Siyi over.

They squeezed into a quiet corner, leaning against the railing, watching the snow.

Xu Yuan suddenly asked, “Which university do you want to go to?”

Jiang Siyi caught a snowflake in her hand, watching as it quickly melted into a small puddle. She murmured, “I… haven’t really thought about it.”

“But I definitely don’t want to go anywhere else. I want to stay in Qinan.”

“So, Qinan University?”

The girl sighed softly and nodded after a long moment. “Mm, but I probably won’t get in.”

“How do you know if you don’t try?”

Jiang Siyi smiled at her, a hint of bitterness in her smile. “What about you? Which university do you want to go to?”

“I want to go back to my hometown.” Xu Yuan sighed. “I came to Qinan with my parents in my first year of high school, and now it’s my senior year, but I’m still not used to many things here, like the food.”

Jiang Siyi blinked, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that? It’s not like I’m dying.” Xu Yuan laughed and patted her shoulder. “We can still see each other during holidays.”

“Just give me a call, and I’ll fly back to Qinan. How’s that? Loyal enough?”

Jiang Siyi finally smiled, pretending to be indifferent. “Tsk, go ahead and leave, I won’t be sad.”

She stared at the falling snow, her voice lost in the cold air. The snow intensified, and Jiang Siyi tilted her head, her hair covered in white.

Xu Yuan knew she was being sarcastic.

Seventeen and eighteen-year-olds were always full of emotions. She sniffed, her voice slightly choked.

She said, “We’ll be best friends forever!”

“A temporary separation is just for a better reunion. Besides, I haven’t left yet.”

Jiang Siyi, feeling cold, put on the hood of her winter uniform. She looked like a ball, nodding her head in agreement. “Yes.”

“Only after parting do we truly appreciate reunions.”

She smiled. “Even after graduation, we’ll definitely meet again.”

***

Auntie Wang’s elderly relative had passed away, so she couldn’t pick Jiang Siyi up from school today. Shen Shiwu was busy with work, having several meetings a day.

Jiang Siyi knew it was because of the acquisition of Li Nan’s company.

So, Little Jiang sent Shen Shiwu a long voice message, volunteering to take the bus home.

“I’m an adult now. If I can get lost even on a bus or subway, I might as well not go to university.”

Shen Shiwu, after listening to her employee’s report, didn’t transcribe the voice message, but held the phone to her ear.

Hearing the girl’s slightly complaining tone, she couldn’t help but chuckle and typed a reply: “Okay, message me when you get home. I’ll be back at seven tonight.”

Shen Shiwu put down her phone and looked out the window at the heavy snow, clicking her tongue at the harsh weather.

She wasn’t afraid of Jiang Siyi getting lost.

But it got dark early in winter, and with the snow, she was worried the girl would be scared walking alone at night, and she didn’t want her to get cold.

Thinking this, Shen Shiwu casually tossed the documents onto the table, the thud startling the department heads.

“That’s all. Go do it.”

“I want to see the news of Li Nan’s company being acquired by noon tomorrow.”

She stood up, grabbed her coat, and walked out briskly. The others quickly stood up. “Okay, goodbye, Boss.”

Entering the elevator, Shen Shiwu checked the time. Just then, Jiang Siyi sent a message. Opening it, she saw the girl’s obedient message saying she was on the bus.

She replied with a voice message: “Okay, be careful. Should I wait for you at the bus stop?”

Meanwhile, the girl had finally managed to squeeze onto the crowded bus, barely able to stand near the front.

All she could see were heads, backpacks pressed against each other. The cramped space made her sweat even in this cold weather.

Jiang Siyi sighed, wanting to talk to Xu Yuan, who was behind her, and ask if it was always this crowded after school, but she couldn’t even turn around.

She gave up and felt her head swaying with the movement of the bus, feeling slightly dizzy.

Finally, they reached her stop. Jiang Siyi asked the driver to open the front door and, after squeezing off the bus, waved goodbye to Xu Yuan, who was still trapped inside.

The bus pulled away, leaving a trail of exhaust fumes.

It was freezing outside, and Jiang Siyi shivered. The surroundings were getting dark, and she was about to turn on her flashlight when she realized Shen Shiwu had replied to her message a while ago.

She replied as she walked towards the villa complex, then quickened her pace, regretting not checking her messages earlier. If she had, Shen Shiwu would have been with her—Whatever, it’s not a long walk.

Jiang Siyi thought, trudging through the snow, each step creating a crunching sound, as if the snow was crying out in pain.

Halfway there, staring at the snow on the ground, she suddenly realized it had been years since she had built a snowman.

So, the usually obedient Little Jiang decided to be a little rebellious.

She tossed her backpack onto a bare tree branch. Then, rubbing her hands together, she started scooping up snow and shaping it, just like she used to as a child.

What should I make?

A tiger.

And give it to Shen Shiwu, that smiling tiger.

She got to work, squatting down and rolling up her sleeves, no longer feeling the cold. The snow melted in her hands as she quickly shaped it.

Footsteps in the snow were usually muffled.

Shen Shiwu didn’t know how long she had been watching, but seeing the girl’s diligent figure, she shook her head helplessly.

She slowly approached, and when she was only an arm’s length away, Jiang Siyi seemed to have finished, holding something in her hands as she tried to stand up.

Oh no, she squatted for too long, she’s going to fall.

The girl exclaimed inwardly, her first instinct being to protect what she was holding.

My snow tiger!

Thud—

The tiger crashed.

Seeing that Jiang Siyi was about to fall too, Shen Shiwu quickly caught her by the waist.

Seeing the girl’s lips blue from the cold, she caressed her cheek. “Not going home at night, secretly playing in the snow outside?”

“Not very well-behaved.”

Jiang Siyi, caught red-handed, quickly pulled away from Shen Shiwu’s embrace, wanting to escape the scene of the crime. She retrieved her backpack from the tree and urged, “Let’s go, let’s go home.”

By the time they got home, it was already half-past six. Jiang Siyi, her brain fried from studying, had several bowls of crucian carp soup for dinner and was now stuffed, sitting on the sofa in a daze.

She had finished most of her homework at school, although she hadn’t reviewed or done any practice problems yet, she still wanted to rest for a bit.

So, Jiang Siyi leaned back on the sofa, her posture relaxed.

Huh.

Where did her girlfriend go?

She suddenly sat up straight and called out, “Shen Shiwu?”

But there was no response.

Jiang Siyi frowned. Not seeing Shen Shiwu in the kitchen, she went to look for her. Just as she was about to open the front door, Shen Shiwu beat her to it.

The temperature had dropped even further at night. A gust of cold wind and the scent of snow swept in as the door opened.

Shen Shiwu stood outside, her black coat making her look imposing, her hands hidden behind her back.

“What are you doing outside?” Jiang Siyi couldn’t help but ask, seeing the wet patches on her sleeves. “Come in quickly, it’s snowing even harder now.”

Shen Shiwu didn’t move, but extended her hand towards the girl.

Although it was dark, under the light by the front door, Jiang Siyi could see what it was.

A snow rabbit.

More meticulously crafted than the one she had made, its form easily recognizable.

The woman’s expression softened, her features even gentler under the light.

She leaned down. “A rabbit for you.”

Jiang Siyi was still stunned.

After a few seconds, her eyes lit up, and she carefully took the snow rabbit.

“I actually made a snow tiger for you, but I… set it free,” the girl explained, her tone apologetic.

She looked down at the snow rabbit in her hand, feeling useless for not even being able to make a proper snowman.

Shen Shiwu closed the door with a thud.

“Why a tiger?”

“…Because.”

The girl said frankly, “Because you’re like a smiling tiger.”

Shen Shiwu, seeing her slightly evasive gaze, wasn’t annoyed, but chuckled instead.

Seeing her laugh, Jiang Siyi retorted, “Then why did you make a rabbit?”

“Because it’s as cute as you.”

Seeing the girl lower her head and stare at the floor, embarrassed, she tilted her chin up and said softly,

“Thinking of each other even while making snowmen, it seems our hearts are connected, Xiao Si.”

“Which means you’re always thinking of me, and I…” She deliberately paused.

As expected, the girl’s eyes sparkled, staring at her expectantly, waiting for her to continue.

Shen Shiwu chuckled softly and kissed her forehead—

“And I think of you every second of every day.”

Chapter 23

“Shen Shiwu actually called me ‘owner’ and asked me to kiss her!”

Jiang Siyi sat at her desk, surrounded by a mountain of worksheets and textbooks, but what she was writing in was a notebook.

Obviously, Little Jiang was writing in her diary.

“She’s been a bit scary lately. Although I kind of like it, I still need to avoid her—my lips can’t take any more damage!”

Jiang Siyi gripped her pen, furiously scribbling down her thoughts, a stream of consciousness, all centered around Shen Shiwu.

After filling a whole page, she reread it with satisfaction, then carefully hid it in her drawer.

Hiss, I touched my lip, it hurts.

Jiang Siyi licked the wound, feeling a rare sense of helplessness—

This must be what they call a happy problem. Sigh, single dogs like Xu Yuan wouldn’t understand.

***

Jiang Siyi, afraid of further injuries, secretly avoided Shen Shiwu for a few days, until a week later, she was caught and dragged into the car, headed for the airport.

It was a clear day, the sun finally emerging from behind the clouds, its warmth enveloping the girl. She squinted, sleepiness creeping in.

“Xiao Si,” the woman suddenly spoke.

Jiang Siyi, mid-yawn, feeling uncomfortable, replied, “What?”

“Avoiding me again?”

Again?

The girl’s lips still ached faintly. She fidgeted with her fingers, hesitant to tell the truth.

Glancing at Shen Shiwu’s side profile, she noticed the woman’s expression was a bit gloomy, so she gritted her teeth and confessed, “I’m afraid you’ll bite me again.”

After saying it, she realized it didn’t sound quite right.

So she corrected herself. “Afraid you’ll… kiss me again.”

That didn’t sound much better either.

Jiang Siyi, after a few seconds of silence, decided to show, not tell. She pointed at her lips, where a small scab had formed.

She lowered her eyes, looking slightly aggrieved. “It hurts.”

Half an hour later, in the first-class lounge, Shen Shiwu watched the sleeping girl beside her and reflected on her own behavior.

She had indeed been a bit out of control lately.

Jiang Siyi looked angelic while sleeping, all her prickliness gone, revealing only her softest and most vulnerable side.

Shen Shiwu brushed a strand of hair from her face. The girl, a light sleeper, stirred and leaned her head against Shen Shiwu’s hand.

Feeling her warmth, the woman sighed inwardly.

Forget it, she should shed her wolf skin and be a good person for now.

The flight from Qinan to England took more than ten hours. Fortunately, Shen Yun had booked first-class tickets, so even a long flight wouldn’t be too uncomfortable.

With the eight-hour time difference, it was still morning in England when they landed. Shen Yun had sent a private driver to pick them up. Looking at the foggy weather outside, Jiang Siyi instinctively grasped Shen Shiwu’s finger.

She easily felt insecure in unfamiliar environments.

Shen Shiwu knew this and pulled her into a hug, gently patting her back. Jiang Siyi glanced at the driver, who was focused on the road, and hesitantly pulled back slightly.

Seeing her struggle, Shen Shiwu, in her “good person” mode, didn’t stop her, only saying softly, “I’m here, you don’t have to be afraid.”

Jiang Siyi’s tense body relaxed.

She held Shen Shiwu’s hand tightly, their intertwined fingers hidden from view.

Shen Yun lived in a bright, luxurious manor. Getting out of the car, Jiang Siyi stared at the large European-style house, her eyes fixed on the countless Roman columns.

So rich.

Just as she thought this, a woman in a dark-colored dress hurried out. She wobbled in her high heels, her pace slowing as she descended the steps.

Jiang Siyi quickly went over to help her.

Seeing her approach, Shen Yun didn’t say a word but pulled her into a hug.

“Xiao Si, oh my, you’ve grown so much! You’re eighteen now, right?” The woman patted her head a few times, then said, “The gift I prepared for you is inside, wait here, I’ll go get it!”

She hurried inside, then came back out a few seconds later, waving at the girl. “Xiao Si, come in, what are you standing there for?”

Jiang Siyi blinked and smiled. “Okay, Auntie.”

They sat on the sofa. Shen Yun was still upstairs, and Jiang Siyi felt a little nervous, as this was her first time meeting Shen Shiwu’s mother.

“My mom is quite lively. She’ll probably want to chat with you about everything,” Shen Shiwu reassured her. “Don’t be nervous.”

“Just talk to her like you talk to me.”

“Then Auntie will probably find me too loud.” Jiang Siyi shook her head, thinking it wouldn’t work. “I should be more polite.”

Just as she finished speaking, Shen Yun rushed down the stairs, holding a small rosewood box. Jiang Siyi immediately straightened her back, more attentive than in math class.

Shen Shiwu smiled helplessly and shook her head.

“Come here, Xiao Si, give me your hand.”

Judging by the box’s appearance, the contents were definitely expensive. Jiang Siyi hesitated to extend her hand as Shen Yun approached.

Shen Yun simply took her wrist and opened the box, revealing a beautiful ice jade bangle.

Jiang Siyi didn’t know much about jade, but just looking at the quality, she knew it was worth a fortune.

“A 54 mm diameter, perfect fit.” Shen Yun put the bangle on her wrist, nodding with satisfaction. Then she said gently, “This is an adult gift from Auntie. Don’t feel burdened, just accept it.”

Jiang Siyi felt the weight on her wrist. She wanted to say something, but Shen Shiwu patted her head.

She whispered, “Just accept it.”

Little Jiang opened her mouth, then obediently thanked her. “Thank you, Auntie.”

The London winter was harsh. On New Year’s Eve, it snowed heavily, half-burying the red telephone booths, the snow falling softly onto the ground, melting into a spilled latte.

This was Jiang Siyi’s first time abroad. Shen Yun led her through the streets, their pace quick. Glancing back, Jiang Siyi saw Shen Shiwu following them at a leisurely pace.

Amidst the falling snow and the sea of unfamiliar faces, the unease in Jiang Siyi’s heart was gradually soothed by love, and she no longer felt lost.

Chinatown was especially lively tonight, filled with the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year, decorated in vibrant red, with long strings of lanterns hanging outside many restaurants.

“Xiao Si, look, the parade floats and the lion dance!”

Shen Yun, having lived here for so many years, was used to this, but she still patted Jiang Siyi’s hand, gesturing for her to look.

Jiang Siyi, despite the deafening music, didn’t find it noisy. The parade participants were mostly Chinese people dressed in Hanfu, their faces beaming. As they passed by, a young woman suddenly handed Jiang Siyi a lantern.

“Thank you, Happy New Year,” Shen Yun thanked her, seeing the girl’s stunned expression.

“There are many small events in Chinatown during the New Year. Xiao Si, you have to react quickly.”

Jiang Siyi, holding the handmade lantern, blinked. “Okay.”

The snow intensified, and the three of them went into a taiyaki shop, sitting by the window to watch the snow. As they chatted, the window fogged up, and Jiang Siyi, peering through the mist, saw a couple kissing outside.

Her face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, continuing to eat her red bean taiyaki. It was delicious, the sweetness a pleasant contrast to the cold.

Shen Yun excused herself to go to the bathroom, but she didn’t return for a long time. They later learned that she had run into an old friend and was catching up.

Shen Shiwu, after learning the situation, returned and tapped the table, startling Jiang Siyi. She looked up and asked, “What are you doing?”

“You were watching them kiss for that long?”

“…I was watching the snow!”

It was cold outside, and Shen Yun was sensitive to the cold. Since she had run into an old friend, Shen Shiwu told her to stay in the shop while she took Jiang Siyi for a walk.

Pushing open the wooden door, snowflakes landed on the girl’s eyelashes. She blinked, brushing them away.

Shen Shiwu asked, “Where does Xiao Si want to go?”

Jiang Siyi sniffed, remembering Big Ben from her English textbook, and stared at her shoes. After a moment, she said, “I want to see the clock.”

“Big Ben.”

The Thames at night, illuminated by the city lights, shimmered. The wind was strong at the pier, and Shen Shiwu tightened Jiang Siyi’s scarf, holding her close to share her warmth.

The snow lessened after they boarded the cruise. Jiang Siyi went to the bar for a hot drink, then went up to the upper deck, holding onto the railing, letting the wind blow on her face.

Despite the cold, her heart was warm, her hand intertwined with Shen Shiwu’s, her whole body tingling.

The cruise passed by many famous landmarks, such as the London Eye, Big Ben, and Shakespeare’s Globe.

At each spot, Jiang Siyi took many pictures with her phone, but the camera was often tilted.

Because she was secretly taking pictures of Shen Shiwu.

Only after her photo album was filled with blurry pictures of Shen Shiwu was she satisfied, unaware that Shen Shiwu had noticed her little actions.

She found the girl’s sneaky behavior endearing.

The cruise continued its journey, and before it got completely dark, they finally reached Big Ben.

The grand structure stood majestically. Jiang Siyi had thought that with her difficult life, she would never see the things she had only read about in textbooks, but reality proved her wrong.

At eighteen, standing beside the person she loved, she was witnessing many beautiful sights.

At this moment, she had no other wishes, only hoping that this happiness would last forever.

Jiang Siyi felt a lump forming in her throat. The wind, mixed with snow, stung her cheeks, but a warm touch quickly followed.

Shen Shiwu kissed her eyes, as if trying to kiss away all her sadness.

“Why are you crying?”

Jiang Siyi’s eyelashes fluttered. “Because I feel too happy.”

Too happy.

So, the thought of them parting ways one day made her heart ache.

She desperately wanted to make a promise.

The cruise sailed steadily. As they passed by the London Eye, many people stood up from the viewing sofas. The mix of languages and the tour guide’s voice made Jiang Siyi’s heart race.

Her hot drink had gone cold, and her fingers were icy from the wind.

The girl rubbed her fingers, then said seriously, “Shen Shiwu.”

“Yes?”

“I have a very extravagant request. Will you agree to it?”

Shen Shiwu’s eyes, fixed on the girl’s dark, bright eyes, sparkled with amusement.

“I agree.”

Jiang Siyi felt the cold drink in her hand suddenly become warm again.

She held Shen Shiwu’s hand tighter, her voice soft, almost coquettish.

“Stay with me forever.”

Jiang Siyi felt a little shameless, but then she thought, We’re dating now, what’s so wrong with asking for this?

The cruise gradually approached the London Eye, the air filled with chatter in different languages.

Suddenly, the snow intensified, and everyone retreated indoors, the sudden silence almost eerie.

“Okay,” Shen Shiwu’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, yet full of affection. “I swear.”

“I’ll stay with you forever, until my soul perishes.”

Unable to resist, they kissed.

In the snowy night, on the Thames.

As the cruise passed by the London Eye, a bird flew overhead. Besides that, no one knew.

Chapter 22

Before meeting Shen Shiwu, Jiang Siyi firmly believed she was incapable of acting coquettishly.

And the words “soft attitude” would never appear in her life.

Until—

In the quiet villa, under the dim lights, the girl was held captive in the woman’s embrace, not daring to move.

Earlier at school, Jiang Siyi had managed to temporarily evade the issue with a barrage of logical arguments.

She had said calmly, “We have plenty of time, there’s no need to settle the score right now, right?”

Shen Shiwu had seen through her little scheme, but had agreed in the end. “Then let’s wait.”

And so, they waited, until this very moment.

The woman loosely held the girl’s waist, her expression relaxed, listening to her flustered explanations. Jiang Siyi, flustered by the woman’s intense gaze, stumbled over her words several times, then, annoyed, looked away.

Shen Shiwu gently turned her face back. “What are you looking at?”

Little Jiang hummed. “Looking for ghosts.”

The woman slowly took off her glasses and tossed them onto the sofa. “Are ghosts prettier than your girlfriend?”

Jiang Siyi’s throat tightened.

After a moment, she admitted, “No.”

Shen Shiwu chuckled, and Jiang Siyi, held in her embrace, could feel the slight vibrations.

Seeing that the woman was in a good mood, she decided to press her advantage, burying her face in Shen Shiwu’s neck. “Just let it go.”

She nuzzled closer and mumbled, “You used to be so gentle, you never punished me for anything.”

“Even if I ran off with a ghost, you wouldn’t scold me.”

“Because you’re my girlfriend now.”

Shen Shiwu couldn’t resist and kissed her cheek. Seeing the girl’s breath hitch, she smiled. “It’s normal for lovers to have possessiveness.”

Possessiveness.

Jiang Siyi, with her limited relationship experience, blinked a few times, unfamiliar with the term.

Shen Shiwu caressed the girl’s lips, enjoying the soft texture.

She applied a little pressure with her other hand, and Jiang Siyi gasped softly as her head was gently pushed down.

“I can waive the punishment, but I need to teach you your first lesson—”

“What possessiveness means.”

When the woman’s teeth grazed her lip, Jiang Siyi felt a slight sting, but then her mind went blank, and she instinctively clutched Shen Shiwu’s shirt.

Like a rose being burned, its dark petals dripping blood, the kiss was deep and lingering.

When her lip split slightly, and she felt like she was melting into the woman’s embrace, Jiang Siyi finally understood the power of possessiveness.

It was like… becoming one.

But she liked the feeling. At this moment, at least, her heart was free of worries, and as she was kissed, a sense of security washed over her.

So, she responded, deepening the kiss.

The night deepened, and the two embraced, lost in the moment.

***

After that day, Jiang Siyi rarely smiled unless necessary, because…

Her lips were slightly chapped, and any movement would make them sting.

So, Little Jiang angrily changed Shen Shiwu’s contact name to

A Nibbling Puppy.

She looked at it, satisfied, chuckled a few times, then tossed her phone onto the bed and went back to her worksheets.

For a senior student, there was no such thing as a relaxing winter break.

Shen Shiwu still went to work during the day, and Jiang Siyi didn’t mind. After all, she was afraid that if the company really went bankrupt, and she didn’t have any income yet, they would both end up on the streets.

Days passed quietly. One morning, as the sun rose, Jiang Siyi woke up early, which was rare.

Because the sound of firecrackers had woken her up.

Setting off fireworks had been banned in the city center in previous years, but the regulations had recently loosened, and everyone was excited.

Even before New Year’s Eve, the city was already lively.

Although still sleepy, Jiang Siyi couldn’t fall back asleep, so she got up and went downstairs.

Surprisingly, Shen Shiwu wasn’t at work today, but sitting on the sofa with a laptop on her lap.

Seeing her come down, she was also surprised. “You’re awake?”

Jiang Siyi, still in her thick pajamas, rubbed her eyes and nodded. “I was woken up by the noise outside.”

Seeing that Shen Shiwu seemed to be contemplating a solution, Jiang Siyi waved her hand. “No, no, I think it’s nice.”

“I don’t mind being woken up like this.”

She sat down at the dining table and started eating.

Just as she picked up her chopsticks, a woman’s voice called out from the laptop, “Xiao Si!”

Startled, Jiang Siyi dropped both her chopsticks.

Shen Shiwu smiled wryly. “Mom, you scared Xiao Si.”

Shen Yun composed herself. “Really?”

She thought for a moment. “Then move aside and let Xiao Si see the screen.”

“…”

Shen Shiwu stood up, leaving the laptop on the sofa, and picked up the chopsticks for Jiang Siyi. After giving her a new pair, she said softly, “I’m video chatting with my mother.”

“Do you want to say hello?”

Jiang Siyi fidgeted with her fingers, clearly flustered.

Because she didn’t know how to talk to elders.

Shen Shiwu, noticing her discomfort, pinched her cheek. “It’s okay if you don’t want to. Continue eating.”

But after a few steps, Little Jiang suddenly said, “It’s… okay, I can say hello.”

Shen Yun had elegant features, with arched willow-leaf eyebrows and a high nose bridge, her long hair loosely tied up. She smiled at Jiang Siyi, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Xiao Si, do you still remember Auntie? I was at your first birthday party.”

Jiang Siyi’s childhood memories weren’t very clear. She paused for a few seconds, then said, “I remember.”

This is Shen Shiwu’s mother, how could she say she didn’t remember?

Shen Yun was delighted and started reminiscing about things from long ago. Having told a lie, Jiang Siyi had to keep it up, racking her brain to avoid being exposed.

Shen Shiwu sat across from her, her chin resting on her hand, watching with amusement.

“Xiao Si, has Shiwu been taking good care of you?”

Jiang Siyi quickly glanced at Shen Shiwu, her face flushing as she thought of something.

She nodded obediently. “Older sister has been very good to me.”

Hearing the long-lost term of address, Shen Shiwu raised an eyebrow.

“Just tell her if you need anything. Don’t be shy, okay?”

“We’re family.”

This time, Shen Shiwu spoke up.

She agreed. “Yes, we’re family.”

Jiang Siyi looked at the smile on Shen Shiwu’s lips and rubbed her ear. “I know, thank you, Auntie.”

After chatting for a while, she realized that Shen Yun seemed to have a rather lively personality, which didn’t quite match her gentle appearance.

“It’s almost New Year’s Eve again,” Shen Yun sighed, then changed the subject. “Xiao Si, do you want to come visit me abroad?”

“We can finally meet and chat in person.”

Thinking of Shen’s mother being alone abroad, Jiang Siyi didn’t hesitate. “Sure.”

Shen Yun slapped her thigh. “It’s settled then!”

Overcome with emotion, she suddenly started coughing, covering her mouth with her sleeve. Fortunately, it was only a few coughs, nothing serious.

Shen Shiwu quickly went over. “Did you forget to take your medicine again?”

Shen Yun waved her hand. “Of course not, I remember very clearly.”

Afraid of her daughter’s nagging, she said to Jiang Siyi, “Then I’ll book the plane tickets for you. Okay, Xiao Si, Auntie has to take the dog for a walk now, so I’ll hang up.”

“See you soon.”

After the video call ended, Jiang Siyi was a little worried. “Is Auntie’s health not good? Maybe you should visit her more often.”

“Her health has improved a lot in recent years,” Shen Shiwu patted the girl’s head. “She’s doing well in England. She spends her days gardening and walking the dog, living a comfortable life. If I go back, she’ll scold me for not taking good care of you and send me back here.”

Jiang Siyi was slightly relieved and couldn’t help but chuckle at the last part.

She leaned back on the sofa, her expression relaxed. “So you have to listen to your mom and take good care of me.”

“You were just calling me ‘older sister,’ and now you’ve stopped?”

Jiang Siyi immediately sat up straight.

She hummed softly. “You’re not my older sister.”

“Then what am I to you?”

Jiang Siyi knew what Shen Shiwu wanted to hear, but she refused to play along.

“Roommates, I guess.”

Roommates with benefits.

She stood up to get something to eat; her stomach was rumbling.

Shen Shiwu didn’t stop her. Only after the girl was satisfied and started playing on her phone did she lean over and effortlessly snatch it away.

“Give it back!” Little Jiang was confused and a little angry.

Shen Shiwu had intended to lock the phone and put it on the table, but just then, Xu Yuan called on WeChat.

Because of the love letter incident, Shen Shiwu didn’t have a good impression of her.

She paused, then tapped the girl’s cheek with the vibrating phone.

“Someone’s looking for you.”

Jiang Siyi, thinking that Shen Shiwu had finally had a change of heart and was returning her phone, reached for it. But Shen Shiwu raised it higher and suddenly answered the call.

Xu Yuan’s voice boomed like firecrackers—

“It’s Yang Yi’s birthday, and she invited you to her party. Are you going?”

“There’s no one else, just those juniors, the ones we met before.”

“But your girlfriend probably won’t let you go… Hey, why aren’t you saying anything? Say something!”

Jiang Siyi almost jumped out of her skin. She composed herself, pressed Shen Shiwu’s arm down, and said into the phone, “I’m not going. Tell her I don’t have time, I have to study.”

Xu Yuan, hearing her finally speak, said, “I thought you fell asleep after answering the phone. Okay, I’ll tell her.”

The call finally ended. Jiang Siyi heard Shen Shiwu’s flat voice, “Our Xiao Si is quite popular.”

Jiang Siyi touched her nose. “Not really.”

Just as she was trying to figure out if Shen Shiwu was being sarcastic, the woman suddenly chuckled and said, slowly and deliberately, “A Nibbling Puppy.”

She lowered her eyes. “Nice contact name.”

Jiang Siyi’s heart sank.

She maintained a calm facade. “How could you look at my phone!?”

“Mm, I’m sorry.” Shen Shiwu apologized readily, then tapped the girl’s head lightly with the phone. “I shouldn’t have looked at your phone.”

Little Jiang, who had been planning to use this opportunity to her advantage: “…”

She stuffed her hands into her pajama pockets, pretending nothing had happened.

Her pajamas were white, with a hood and two ears, like a little bear. Shen Shiwu’s heart softened, and she wanted to bite the girl’s fair cheek.

But at the same time, a mischievous thought crossed her mind.

Jiang Siyi watched as Shen Shiwu slowly approached, sensing danger, and instinctively tried to back away.

But this played right into Shen Shiwu’s hands, as she backed into the dining table, trapping herself.

“If I’m a puppy, then you’re my owner.”

The woman stared at her flushed earlobes for a moment, then leaned in and bit down gently.

Her voice was slightly muffled.

“Owner, why are you trembling?”

Chapter 21

Physiological needs.

To put it bluntly, wasn’t that just…

Jiang Siyi’s mind raced. It wasn’t until lunchtime, amidst the noisy crowd in the cafeteria, that she finally regained her composure.

The cafeteria doors were wide open, letting in a gust of cold wind. Jiang Siyi, standing in line, shivered.

Xu Yuan, seeing her finally react, said, “Oh, not thinking about your girlfriend anymore?”

Little Jiang scoffed. “I wasn’t thinking about her.”

After finally buying their lunch, they found a place to sit. Xu Yuan, seeing that Jiang Siyi’s tray was filled with only vegetables, exclaimed, “Are you becoming a vegetarian?”

Jiang Siyi shushed her. “Keep it down.”

She took a bite of cucumber. “I’m on a diet.”

Xu Yuan couldn’t understand. “You’re already as thin as a stick insect, and you’re still dieting?”

“…You’re the stick insect.”

After lunch, they took a detour through a path lined with trees, hoping to find some shelter from the wind.

They inadvertently stumbled upon several couples on secret dates.

“Oh my god, wasn’t that couple from Class 6? Their faces were so close, could they be…?”

Jiang Siyi hadn’t seen clearly, and even if she had, she wouldn’t have recognized them. So, she simply replied to the latter half of the sentence, “Kissing?”

Xu Yuan glanced back, finally confirming, “It really was the couple from Class 6.”

“They must have been kissing. They were acting so suspiciously.”

“Are they adults?” Jiang Siyi touched her nose. “Over eighteen, kissing isn’t a big deal.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Yuan looked at her intently.

As if seeing through her, she asked, “Have you and your girlfriend…?”

Jiang Siyi quickly denied it. “Of course not!”

A few minutes later, sitting on a bench in the small grove of trees, Jiang Siyi covered half her face with her oversized winter uniform sleeve, her voice muffled. “What’s wrong with real couples kissing?”

Xu Yuan, seeing her shy demeanor for the first time, became even more curious. “So, you’re dieting, could it be because…?”

“Shut up!”

She didn’t even deny it.

Xu Yuan gasped, then patted her shoulder. “What’s wrong? We’ve been friends for so many years, why are you so shy?”

Jiang Siyi finally moved her sleeve.

She stared at the withered leaves above, the heat in her cheeks finally subsiding.

After a long moment, she lowered her voice and confided in her friend.

“What if something really happens,” Jiang Siyi fidgeted with the corner of her clothes, “what if I’m too… fleshy?”

“That’s why I’m dieting.”

Xu Yuan facepalmed. “Why are you so insecure about dating?”

“Someone who loves you won’t care about those things.”

Jiang Siyi sighed.

She felt that dating Shen Shiwu was like that grape-flavored hard candy.

Sweet and sour.

And the sourness stemmed from her endless feelings of inadequacy.

***

The cold winter wind blew, and many days passed. As the Lunar New Year approached, so did the winter break.

Two days before the final exams, Shen Shiwu thoughtfully started working from home, going upstairs to supervise her girlfriend’s studies after finishing her online meetings.

Looking at the pile of textbooks and worksheets on her desk, Jiang Siyi groaned, but remembering her improved, yet still not ideal, scores, she diligently started working.

She had to be better.

To be worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with Shen Shiwu.

After Jiang Siyi’s protests—actually shy refusals—Shen Shiwu finally stopped giving her punishments for getting questions wrong.

She seemed to have returned to her usual gentle self.

The day after the final exams was a rare sunny day, not a drop of rain in sight. The warm sunlight felt pleasant on her skin.

Having survived another semester, the classroom was in chaos, someone yelling, “Finally, I can go home for the New Year!”

“Hey, don’t forget to bring your homework back. Sister Bao said we have to check in on the group chat,” a class representative reminded.

“…”

There were too many things to take home, and Jiang Siyi was in a dilemma. She neatly stacked the textbooks and tried to stuff them into her backpack, but with a rip, the zipper broke.

She felt a pang of distress.

Because Shen Shiwu had bought her this backpack.

Jiang Siyi sighed, looking at the gaping backpack, and took a few gulps of water.

Her throat felt better, and she felt less overwhelmed, so she continued packing.

The once youthful and beautiful high school girl had transformed into a pack mule.

Her backpack, with a broken zipper, was slung over her chest, barely containing all the books.

A bag Shen Shiwu had prepared for her that morning hung around her neck, bulging with worksheets and leftover snacks.

She held several cups of instant noodles in her arms, a jump rope (required by the school) wrapped around her arm, and a badminton racket slung over her shoulder.

She gathered her strength, said goodbye to Xu Yuan, and walked out of the classroom.

Parents were allowed to enter the school today, but only for boarding students. As a privileged day student, Jiang Siyi had to fend for herself.

It wasn’t too tiring, after all, she could even fight three people at once, so carrying some books was nothing.

Just as she thought this, the instant noodles in her arms slipped and fell to the ground.

Bending down to pick them up was a bit of a struggle. Jiang Siyi was about to sigh and bend down slowly when she saw someone pick them up.

“Thank you.”

Her arms were full, obstructing her view, so she didn’t know who it was.

The kind stranger didn’t speak, seeming aloof. Jiang Siyi reached out, struggling slightly. “Give them to me.”

The kind stranger still didn’t move.

Not even returning the noodles.

Jiang Siyi wondered—Could they be craving her noodles?

No, not my noodles!

They were seafood-flavored, her favorite.

Just as her thoughts were running wild, someone patted her head.

Shen Shiwu’s voice was laced with amusement. “Don’t recognize me anymore?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Jiang Siyi suddenly felt exhausted, her body aching, as if she couldn’t even lift a single worksheet.

So, after seeing who it was, she blinked a few times. “I’m tired.”

“Help me.”

Shen Shiwu, seeing her loaded down with bags, thought she looked like a small animal moving house and, unable to contain her laughter, reached out to take some of the things.

Jiang Siyi felt that Shen Shiwu must be mocking her, thinking she was weak.

So, Little Jiang immediately changed her mind.

She took a few steps back, lifting her chin, finally revealing her face.

“Forget it, as an independent adult, I should do things myself.” The girl declared, as if she had made a firm decision, and walked around Shen Shiwu, heading downstairs.

After a few steps, she realized that the other woman hadn’t followed.

Jiang Siyi was puzzled and turned around to see her girlfriend being stopped.

Hiss, why is Yang Yi there too?

“You’re Jiang Siyi’s older sister, right?” Yang Yi, having met Shen Shiwu at the barbecue before, continued, “This is my older sister.”

“She wants to meet you!”

With that, the girl nudged her sister’s arm, and the latter quickly nodded. “Y-yes.”

Shen Shiwu looked up and saw Jiang Siyi standing not far away, her face dark.

Yang Yi followed her gaze and saw Jiang Siyi holding a pile of things.

The lights in the hallway had been broken for a while, and now, with the sun setting, it was difficult to see Jiang Siyi’s expression clearly.

Yang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. She told the two to chat and turned to run towards Jiang Siyi.

Her voice was soft. “Senior, let me help you.”

Normally, Jiang Siyi would have refused.

But now, looking at the two women facing each other, her heart twisted like crumpled paper.

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

“No problem, no problem!”

Yang Yi took the instant noodles from her arms and then took the badminton racket from behind her. “Senior,”

She suddenly lowered her voice, as if sharing a big secret.

“Look, it’s your sister and my sister.”

Jiang Siyi looked away, feigning indifference, even forcing a smile. “Mm, I see.”

“My sister said your sister is her ideal type!”

Yang Yi, oblivious to the tension, even giggled. “If they get together, then we’ll…”

“We’ll be able to see each other every day!”

The lights flickered and then came back on. The students and parents passing by in the hallway were surprised. “Why are the lights so bright now?”

Jiang Siyi’s stiff expression finally caught Shen Shiwu’s attention.

“I have a girlfriend.” Her heart tightened, and she quickly walked towards Jiang Siyi.

“Let’s go.”

Seeing her approaching, Jiang Siyi said softly to Yang Yi, who happily replied, “Okay, let’s go, let’s go.”

But Yang Yi didn’t expect the other girl to take three steps at a time, walking briskly and silently.

She panted. “Senior, wait… wait for me.”

Just as she finished speaking, the things in her hands were effortlessly taken away.

Shen Shiwu looked down at her. “You can go now.”

“Go find your sister.”

Yang Yi was stunned, scratching her head. “Okay… goodbye, older sister.”

***

Jiang Siyi looked at the scattered dark clouds in the sky, sighing at how quickly the winter weather changed.

She sniffed, composed herself, and decided to wait for Shen Shiwu—

The school was too crowded, and she couldn’t find where Shen Shiwu had parked.

Her ability to identify people by their footsteps seemed to have malfunctioned.

Every time Jiang Siyi looked up, the person she saw wasn’t Shen Shiwu, and her heart sank a little.

Yang Yi’s sister was elegant, with long, shiny black hair, fair skin, and large eyes.

Most importantly, Xu Yuan had told her that she was a returnee from overseas and had opened her own law firm after returning to China.

She’s the perfect match for Shen Shiwu in every way.

As for herself, besides the calluses on her hands, the worksheets covered in red marks, and the countless disciplinary actions…

She had nothing else to offer.

Thinking this, she felt utterly defeated and sat down, ignoring the stares, burying her face in her knees.

The sky gradually darkened.

The girl sat in the corner, laden with bags.

After a while, her arms felt lighter. Slowly lifting her head, she saw Shen Shiwu squatting down in front of her, a hint of helplessness in her expression.

She had figured it out.

Whenever this girl was upset, she would run and hide, but she wouldn’t go far, waiting for her to find her.

She also understood that this was a sign of insecurity.

The woman’s eyes softened with distress.

She lowered her voice. “The ground is cold. Let’s get up.”

Jiang Siyi bit her lip, her throat tight with emotion, unable to speak.

Shen Shiwu, afraid she would catch a cold, seeing the girl motionless, adjusted her collar.

Then she lowered her voice:

“Get up yourself or I’ll carry you. Choose one.”

“If you don’t answer, I’ll assume it’s the latter.”

Shen Shiwu’s fingers brushed against her hair, playfully twirling a few strands.

“And no blushing.”

Seeing the woman about to lean closer, Jiang Siyi quickly stood up.

Her head felt dizzy from sitting for so long, and coupled with her bad mood, seeing that no one was around, she buried her face in Shen Shiwu’s embrace.

Her voice was muffled.

“Yang Yi’s sister is amazing.”

Hearing this, Shen Shiwu instantly understood the reason for her unusual behavior.

She gently pinched the back of the girl’s neck, making her shiver slightly.

“What does that have to do with me?” Her lips brushed against the girl’s ear.

“My Xiao Si is amazing too.”

Jiang Siyi’s body tingled, and she almost lost her balance.

The place where Shen Shiwu had touched her felt hot, and she desperately tried to pull away.

But Shen Shiwu held her tighter.

A soft chuckle sounded above her head.

Jiang Siyi heard her slow, deliberate voice:

“What’s the rush?”

“I haven’t settled the score for you running off with that junior.”

Chapter 20 Part 3/3

Jiang Siyi’s fighting skills were honed from a young age.

As a child, she was often bullied, called a wild child, a kid with no one to care for her.

At first, Little Jiang would remain silent, ignoring the insults. But when she got angry, she would pick up pebbles and throw them.

After pretending for so long, she eventually started fighting for real.

But Little Jiang was kind. Under normal circumstances, she would only use her words, unless she encountered a particularly nasty person, like this bull.

Only then would she raise her precious hand—

“Holy crap, Jiang Siyi, are you trying to kill him!?”

A backpack flew through the air, hitting Tieniu squarely on the head. He stumbled, about to retaliate, when Jiang Siyi grabbed him by the neck, pinned him to the ground, and slapped him several times.

“What else?” The girl sneered. “With your scrawny body, you dare to challenge me?”

Although Tieniu’s name sounded tough, he was as thin as a rail and shorter than Jiang Siyi. His face flushed red with anger, his head ringing from the slaps.

“Stop, stop, stop!”

He tasted blood in his throat and, feeling scared, quickly surrendered.

“I was wrong, okay! Stop hitting me!”

The girl punched him in the chin one more time before releasing him, looking down at him condescendingly. “Didn’t you say you wanted to fight me?”

“Is that all you’ve got?”

Tieniu hadn’t expected her to be so strong and agile, like a leopard.

He shakily stood up, his hands scraped from the track.

Seeing him lower his head, not daring to speak, Jiang Siyi didn’t bother talking to him either. She picked up her backpack, dusted it off, and walked back to the classroom building.

The first class was history. Figuring she had missed most of it, she went to the bathroom to wash her hands.

After washing them four times, she finally dried her hands and opened her backpack for a tissue.

Then she saw that the fruit and snacks Shen Shiwu had packed for her were a mess.

She must have lost control during the fight.

Jiang Siyi frowned, took out the crushed strawberries and cherries from the bottom of her bag, rinsed them, and put them back in the lidless container, pressing them down.

As for the cookies… seeing how crumbled they were, she went outside and ate them.

Damn Tieniu.

You better not mess with me again, or I’ll put you in the ICU for a few days!

Little Jiang fumed, crunching on the matcha-flavored cookies, not noticing someone approaching from behind.

A classic replay.

“Eating something so delicious? Share some with your teacher?”

No way, this is the food my girlfriend packed for me. I don’t even want to share it with myself.

Jiang Siyi almost blurted it out, then realized her mistake and quickly turned around. Seeing who it was, she sighed inwardly—

Little Jiang, you’re doomed again.

It was break time, and many teachers, finding it too cold to go outside, were staying in the office, grading papers and gossiping.

“Teacher, she beat me up!” Wang Tieniu wailed, tears and snot streaming down his face. Fu Jing clicked her tongue and tossed him some tissues. “Stop crying!”

Jiang Siyi stood beside them, bored to the point of almost bouncing on her feet.

“Come on, Jiang Siyi, tell me what happened.”

“Teacher, I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you!”

“You shut up. All you do is cry and whine, it’s annoying.”

Tieniu pouted and said, “Okay.”

“He challenged me to a fight, and I taught him a lesson.” Jiang Siyi’s explanation was concise, not wanting to waste any words.

She appeared nonchalant, as if she didn’t care about the punishment, but her hands, clasped behind her back, were discreetly massaging several bruises.

She had always been ruthless with herself.

“So the root cause is that Wang Tieniu challenged Jiang Siyi to a fight, right!?” Fu Jing rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. “Fighting in your senior year, I’m speechless.”

After sighing, she found it rather amusing and said to the boy, “So you challenged someone to a fight, lost, and then ran to tell the teacher?”

Wang Tieniu, simple-minded, couldn’t understand and still felt foolishly confident. He thought that with his injuries, his bruised and swollen face and the slap marks, the teacher would feel sorry for him!

And then she would take his side!

He pointed at his face. “Because I’m much more injured than her.”

Everyone present was speechless at his logic: “…”

“What can you do if you’re weak? Can’t even play fair, and then you run to tell the teacher.” Jiang Siyi rolled her eyes, thinking how wonderful it would be if all the other college entrance exam candidates were as “smart” as him.

“You asked for it, what else can I say? It’s your own fault.” Fu Jing didn’t want to deal with this anymore. She had wanted them to apologize to each other and be done with it, as she still had to prepare for her lessons.

But Wang Tieniu insisted on getting justice. “I called my mom. She’s on her way.”

Jiang Siyi was speechless, feeling utterly exhausted.

Her anger flared, and she was about to unleash a torrent of curses, but then she remembered Shen Shiwu’s words about behaving herself at school and paying attention in class.

She swallowed her words.

Tieniu’s mother arrived twenty minutes later, her hair permed, large round earrings dangling from her ears, sparkling.

She barged into the office. “Tieniu, what happened? Did someone beat you up?”

Fu Jing pulled over a chair for her to sit down and explained the situation.

The woman was silent for a moment, then grabbed Wang Tieniu’s ear and started scolding him. “Why did you go around picking fights? Don’t you have anything better to do, like practice problems?”

Tieniu hadn’t expected this.

He yelled, “Mom, that hurts! You’re pulling on my wounds!”

The woman finally examined his face.

At the same time, the office door opened again. Jiang Siyi, enjoying the show, didn’t bother turning around, thinking it was a student coming to correct their homework.

Until her head was patted.

Jiang Siyi froze, turned around, and saw Shen Shiwu standing behind her.

The woman must have just come from a meeting, as she was still wearing her silver-rimmed glasses, which accentuated her bright red lips.

Tieniu was still being scolded, the noise making Shen Shiwu frown, her mood seemingly sour.

She caressed Jiang Siyi’s face. “I’m here, don’t be afraid.”

Little Jiang, a seasoned fighter, wasn’t afraid of a little brawl. But now, her voice softened inexplicably.

She sniffed and mumbled in response.

“Shen Shiwu,”

“Someone bullied me.”

With so many people in the office, Shen Shiwu suppressed her urge to do something. She said softly, “Go back to your classroom, okay?”

Jiang Siyi tugged on her sleeve. “Why?”

Shen Shiwu wouldn’t say it was because she was afraid of scaring Tieniu’s mother.

She gently scratched the girl’s nose. “I have your schedule. It’s math class now.”

Jiang Siyi, acutely aware of the pressure of senior year, didn’t hesitate any longer. She glanced back at the scene and left the office.

The moment the door closed, Wang Tieniu yelled, “Why did she get to leave!?”

Shen Shiwu’s expression turned icy as she walked towards him, her voice sharp. “Now, let’s talk about your expulsion.”

Never provoke the Shen family.

This was a long-standing saying in Qinan City.

When Wang Tieniu walked out of the office, his eyes were vacant, his lips trembling. His legs gave way, and he almost knelt down.

He had been expelled.

Without even needing the principal’s approval.

Just like that.

His mother was still yelling in the office, saying how could they find a new school for her son with only a few months left until the college entrance exam!

Shen Shiwu sat calmly in her chair and said slowly, “My child was bullied like this. Expelling your son is already lenient.”

“Your sister wasn’t even injured!”

“And I already scolded Tieniu. He was clearly in the wrong…”

Only three people remained in the office now; the other teachers had discreetly left, afraid of getting involved and losing their jobs.

“Isn’t that enough?”

Shen Shiwu glanced at her. “There are consequences for one’s actions. It’s a simple principle.”

Fu Jing wanted to say something, but didn’t dare, screaming inwardly—

No one told her that Jiang Siyi’s guardian was the Shen heiress!

Remembering how she had scolded Jiang Siyi almost every day, her heart pounded, and she remained silent.

…

After the matter was resolved, Shen Shiwu didn’t leave immediately, but waited outside the classroom for Jiang Siyi.

Seeing the girl rush out, she instinctively wanted to pull her into a hug.

But they were at school, so she had to maintain a distance, at least not be too obvious.

“You haven’t left yet?” Jiang Siyi asked, bouncing on her toes, clearly in a good mood.

Shen Shiwu was about to speak when her gaze fell on the girl’s right hand.

Her voice was low. “What happened to your hand?”

Jiang Siyi quickly shoved her hand into her pocket and shook her head. “Nothing.”

Seeing the change in Shen Shiwu’s expression, she had no choice but to show her hand.

The girl’s skin was fair and smooth, making the bruise on her hand even more prominent.

Actually, I did it to myself.

Jiang Siyi thought, but didn’t say it out loud.

She looked into Shen Shiwu’s eyes, seeing a mix of emotions she couldn’t decipher, and thought silently—

Are you…feeling heartsore for me?

Are you going to comfort me and coax me now?

Little Jiang felt smug, thinking that hurting herself had been worth it.

It was break time, and students were passing by in the hallway. Shen Shiwu’s black coat stood out among the sea of school uniforms.

The woman held the girl’s hand for a moment before letting go.

Her eyes were deep and unreadable, and Jiang Siyi felt a sense of unease, as if shrouded in fog.

The girl looked away, but Shen Shiwu continued to watch her.

After a long moment, Jiang Siyi’s wrist was grasped, and she was led to a secluded corner at the stairwell.

Making sure no one was around and that they were in a blind spot for the security cameras, Shen Shiwu gently kissed her hair.

“You were bullied. Why didn’t you come to me immediately?”

Jiang Siyi thought, I wasn’t really bullied, it was all an act.

But she changed her words. “Because I didn’t want to trouble you.”

Shen Shiwu seemed to sigh and then pinched her earlobe. “So, from now on, if you need to use the bathroom, are you also going to be afraid of troubling me and just hold it in?”

Jiang Siyi’s mind went blank.

Completely short-circuited.

Chapter 20 Part 2/3

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silent glow.

Except for the night shift, most of the company’s employees had already left, and only a few floors still had lights on.

Including the CEO’s office.

Jiang Siyi had already received three punishments. She stared at the problem, racking her brain, but couldn’t figure it out. Finally, she gave up. “I don’t know how to do it!”

She declared, her voice laced with frustration and a hint of grievance.

It was Friday, and she could have been home, sleeping soundly in her bed.

It was all Shen Shiwu’s fault.

“I’ve explained this problem six times.” Shen Shiwu hugged her and swayed slightly. “Were you even listening?”

Of course, I was listening.

But being held by you makes my brain short-circuit.

Jiang Siyi hung her head, feeling even more aggrieved. She leaned against the desk and turned, burying her face in Shen Shiwu’s embrace.

Shen Shiwu knew she was sulking and held her tighter. “Let’s stop here for today.”

Heh, that’s more like it.

Jiang Siyi, her scheme successful, lifted her head and tried to get off her lap.

But the hand on her waist tightened, clearly refusing to let her go.

“Did you forget something?”

“…What?”

Jiang Siyi pretended to be clueless, like a goldfish.

Shen Shiwu’s hand moved to the back of her neck, gently pinching it. Seeing the girl flinch and try to dodge, her smile deepened. “Your punishment.”

Jiang Siyi’s eyes darted around, trying to avoid it, when she noticed the necklace around Shen Shiwu’s neck—

It was a matching set with the one she had given her.

She changed the subject. “Your necklace looks familiar.”

Shen Shiwu nodded, not hiding anything. “It’s a pair with yours.”

Then she repeated those two words.

“Punishment.”

Jiang Siyi: “…”

Poor Little Jiang, seeing that she couldn’t get out of it, could only resign herself to her fate. She pouted. “What’s the punishment?”

Shen Shiwu tilted her chin up, as if she had already planned it, and said slowly, “Kiss me.”

Jiang Siyi felt heat rising to her cheeks.

Like a freshly steamed bun.

She stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence, only repeating, “K-kiss you.”

Shen Shiwu tilted her head. “Is there a problem?”

The girl had already taken off her school uniform jacket, revealing a fluffy white sweater underneath, soft like a rabbit.

The rabbit’s eyes weren’t red this time, but her face was flushed, the blush spreading down to her neck.

The woman sighed inwardly.

So easily embarrassed, what’s she going to do in the future? Dig a hole and hide?

But… it’s really cute.

Jiang Siyi clearly didn’t know what the other woman was thinking. Her mind was racing—

What do I do? My girlfriend wants me to kiss her, but I don’t know how!

So she could only fidget with Shen Shiwu’s hair and whisper, “Why can’t you kiss me?”

Her chin was tilted up even higher.

She heard Shen Shiwu chuckle. “Open your mouth.”

The moment their lips touched, Jiang Siyi trembled, her eyes closing involuntarily as her other senses heightened.

Her mind went blank, only remembering that time in the dormitory, when Shen Shiwu had fed her candy and said those same two words.

The memory of the grape-flavored candy flooded back.

She suddenly felt that the candy had been bland and tasteless.

She was kissed until she was dizzy, her hands not knowing where to go, clutching at Shen Shiwu’s shirt, wrinkling it.

“I can’t…” The girl finally managed to speak.

If they continued, she would suffocate.

Shen Shiwu finally let her go.

Jiang Siyi’s body felt weak, and she could only lean against Shen Shiwu, catching her breath.

“Looks like we need more practice.” The woman seemed amused, stroking the back of her head.

Little Jiang, mocked, felt indignant and playfully bit her arm.

Shen Shiwu didn’t get angry. She pulled her collar down, revealing her collarbone, and indicated that she should bite there instead.

Little Jiang glanced at it and quickly lowered her head, playing dead.

“It’s okay, we have plenty of time.”

The woman’s voice was laced with laughter. “Our Xiao Si can learn slowly.”

Having sat on Shen Shiwu’s lap for so long, her feet felt unsteady when she stood up.

Jiang Siyi gathered her belongings, grabbed her backpack full of worksheets, and fled.

She opened the door and stood outside. “I’ll wait for you here.”

Shen Shiwu leaned against her desk, watching the girl run off, and briefly regretted her actions.

—I got a little carried away.

After a few seconds, she straightened up, resolving to be gentler next time.

***

They say women change a lot when they’re in love.

Jiang Siyi felt that Shen Shiwu was no exception.

For example, she would occasionally say things that made her blush.

For example, she would kiss her several times a day.

Little Jiang solemnly declared—well, actually, she enjoyed it too.

On Sunday, Wu Ying arrived for her usual tutoring session and was surprised to find that Jiang Siyi had mastered the basics. Jiang Siyi touched her nose. “Shen… my sister taught me.”

“That’s great! Then we can move on to practice problems.”

After solving countless problems, it was finally break time. Jiang Siyi put down her pen, her head buzzing.

“I have good news for you,” Wu Ying leaned closer. “Your manuscript has been accepted.”

“Really!?”

“I specifically mentioned your manuscript to my cousin, and she thought it was very good. But there are a few places that need revising. Check your email.”

Jiang Siyi felt like she was dreaming.

“Where will it be published?”

“Probably in a youth literary journal, or their company’s magazine.”

Wu Ying smiled at her. “See, you’re very smart. You just didn’t want to study before.”

“The college entrance exam is this year. You have to work hard.”

Jiang Siyi hummed in agreement, her mood elated. She leaned back in her chair, for the first time, starting to imagine her future.

A future with Shen Shiwu.

“But I won’t be coming over after this semester. We only have one more lesson left.” Although they were the same age, Wu Ying always seemed much more mature. “You can’t slack off.”

Jiang Siyi responded with an “Ah.”

“It’s okay, your sister will teach you.”

The girl paused, speechless.

If Shen Shiwu was going to be the one teaching her from next semester, wouldn’t her lips be worn out from all the kissing!

Time flew by, and she had never felt that tutoring sessions were so short.

She followed Wu Ying downstairs, watching her leave with reluctance.

The door closed behind them.

Shen Shiwu turned her face and asked, looking down at her, “Enjoying the view?”

Jiang Siyi was forced to look up, seeing the coldness in the woman’s eyes, and had a sudden epiphany. “I wasn’t looking at Xiao Ying.”

“I was watching the swallows flying low. It’s probably going to rain.”

“…”

Seeing that Shen Shiwu still looked displeased, Jiang Siyi stood on tiptoe and pecked her on the cheek.

It was the first time she had initiated a kiss.

A smile finally appeared in Shen Shiwu’s eyes, her tone returning to normal, but her words were completely different. “Just a kiss on the cheek?”

Sensing danger, Jiang Siyi tried to run, but was caught.

She was pressed against the door, unable to move.

A long time later, she touched her slightly sore lips, her expression aggrieved—

Why so gentle usually, but like a hungry wolf at times like this?

She felt cheated, on the verge of tears.

It was a school day again, and Shen Shiwu was busy with work, so Auntie Wang was back on chauffeur duty.

“Auntie, you’re back from putting out the fire?” She suddenly remembered before getting into the car.

“Yes, just got back.”

Jiang Siyi got into the car, hugging her backpack, knowing the driver was lying, and ignored her.

“Behave yourself at school, don’t think about me too much, okay?”

Little Jiang almost bristled. She retorted, “I wouldn’t think about you,” and slammed the car door shut, urging Auntie Wang to drive.

“Miss and the boss have such a good relationship.” Auntie Wang chuckled, her thoughts pure.

Kissing every day, how could their relationship be bad?

Jiang Siyi thought, unusually quiet.

“Just like real sisters.”

This time, she reacted, waving her hand. “There’s still a difference.”

What if there wasn’t a difference!

Auntie Wang was taken aback, thinking their relationship wasn’t actually that good, and dropped the topic.

Jiang Siyi felt a sudden pang of guilt. Seeing the driver’s silence, she also remained quiet, drinking the milk Shen Shiwu had packed for her.

Perhaps her nonsense about the swallows flying low had worked, as it was drizzling this morning. The girl watched the rain outside the window, realizing she hadn’t brought an umbrella.

She unzipped her backpack and saw it was filled with things.

Two boxes of fruit, a few packs of snacks, and a blue umbrella.

The rest were worksheets. She hadn’t brought any textbooks, finding them too heavy—after all, her girlfriend was a walking textbook.

Jiang Siyi looked down, her heart warmed, like the sun emerging after the rain.

After rushing into the school, she checked the time. She still had eight minutes before she was late, so she slowed down.

Suddenly, a jarring voice called out from behind, “Jiang Siyi!”

Turning around, she saw the boy whose desk she had kicked over.

What was his name again… Oh, Wang Tieniu.

“Jiang Siyi, do you dare to meet me on the sports field for a fight?”

Tieniu’s nostrils flared as he spoke, truly resembling a bull. Jiang Siyi felt a wave of disgust, but couldn’t help but chuckle.

The boy felt insulted and yelled, “What do you mean by that?”

“One word, do you dare or not?”

Jiang Siyi, still holding her milk carton, wasn’t fazed. She asked, “Just you?”

Wang Tieniu had been practicing taekwondo these past few days, his confidence soaring. He nodded. “Yes.”

He thought she was scared and sneered. “If you apologize to me now, fine, we’ll let it go.”

“I won’t bother you again.”

Jiang Siyi slowly took a sip of milk. The sweetness reminded her of Shen Shiwu, and her mood improved. She decided to go easy on him later—

Just a few days in the hospital should do it.

She tilted her chin, indicating the sports field, her expression mocking and disdainful.

“I’ll allow you to call an ambulance in advance.”

Chapter 20 (1/3)

Jiang Siyi stood in the hallway for a long time, letting the wind blow on her face.

The January wind was biting, numbing her hands and feet, but it couldn’t dispel the heat in her cheeks.

She carefully placed the love letter at the bottom of her backpack before slowly walking back to the classroom.

“Jiang Siyi, don’t sleep in class anymore, understand?” the math teacher said as she wrote a formula on the blackboard.

“Mm.”

The girl returned to her seat and nodded at the teacher.

The other students were surprised, whispering amongst themselves, “Her sister must have given her a good scolding.”

“I think so too!”

Little Jiang, who heard everything: “…”

The curtains were tightly drawn, blocking out any draft. Although the lights were on, the classroom still felt dim. Normally, Jiang Siyi would be fast asleep.

But today was different.

She opened her textbook, found the problem the teacher was explaining, and started listening attentively.

She felt like she was back to being the good student she had been for a while.

Senior students didn’t have a long break between classes. When the music for exercises started playing, the math teacher abruptly turned it off and continued explaining the problem.

The students were used to it. Although tired, they could only listen.

Xu Yuan, restless, started making faces at Jiang Siyi.

Jiang Siyi mouthed a few words back.

“What are you two doing?” The math teacher’s eyebrows shot up, and a torrent of scolding followed. Unsurprisingly, both of them were kicked out of the classroom.

“I didn’t even finish listening to the problem.” Jiang Siyi squatted in the hallway, clutching her worksheet, feeling frustrated. But then she thought it was okay; she could mark it and ask Shen Shiwu later.

Xu Yuan was shocked. “How did you become a good student again?”

Jiang Siyi hummed. “Because I’m in a good mood.”

“Oh,” Xu Yuan looked at her expression and sensed something was up. “How good?”

Jiang Siyi, tired of squatting, slowly stood up, leaning against the wall.

Looking at the foggy sky, her voice was clear.

“I’m dating someone.”

Xu Yuan almost jumped out of her skin.

“Who? Your sister?”

Jiang Siyi blinked. “Mm.”

“No way! Tell me everything!” Always eager for gossip, she nudged Jiang Siyi’s shoulder. “Who confessed?”

Jiang Siyi almost blurted out—Of course it was me.

But remembering the love letter, her face flushed. After a long while, with Xu Yuan practically bouncing with anticipation, she finally said, “We confessed to each other.”

“Mutual confession? Oh my god, that’s so sweet.”

Xu Yuan, seeing her blushing like a red apple, added, “You’re blushing like this even when she’s not here. Aren’t you going to die of embarrassment when you go home tonight?”

Jiang Siyi scoffed. “I never get embarrassed. Don’t worry.”

Then she discreetly hid half her face behind her worksheet.

***

The fog thickened, gradually obscuring the sky.

During break time, Jiang Siyi pulled the curtains open a crack, looking at the white expanse outside, thinking how dangerous it must be to drive.

She stared for a while, her palms starting to sweat.

Jiang Siyi couldn’t focus during the last class and was the first one out of the classroom when the bell rang. The school’s PA system was playing music, not a recent pop song, but a piano piece.

Listening to the gentle melody, Jiang Siyi’s heart calmed down slightly.

The fog was thick, enveloping the pedestrians, making it difficult to walk.

She could only slow down, carefully making her way through the fog.

“Eh, where’s Shen Shiwu?”

Usually, Shen Shiwu would be waiting at the same intersection, but today, there was no sign of her. Jiang Siyi felt a pang of anxiety, remembering her mother…

A long time passed, so long that even the lady selling sausages had packed up and gone home, but Shen Shiwu still hadn’t arrived.

Why?

Could something have… really happened?

The fog was too thick, and she was afraid of falling, so she squatted down, her heart pounding. If something had happened to Shen Shiwu, she wouldn’t be able to get to her in time.

Shen Shiwu finally found the small figure squatting on the ground.

Relieved, she walked towards her, the clicking of her high heels against the pavement echoing in the fog. She squatted down in front of the girl. “Little girl, your girlfriend is here to pick you up.”

Jiang Siyi finally looked up.

Meeting the woman’s gaze, she threw herself into her arms.

Shen Shiwu’s embrace was warm and fragrant, and she couldn’t help but nuzzle closer.

“Sorry, the traffic is terrible because of the weather.” Shen Shiwu patted her back, holding her tighter. “I’m late.”

“Were you crying again?”

Jiang Siyi, her thoughts exposed, quickly blinked back her tears. She buried her face in Shen Shiwu’s neck, her voice muffled. “No.”

The winter uniform was thick and white, and Shen Shiwu, looking down at the girl in her arms, felt like she was holding a fluffy ball.

She couldn’t help but chuckle, her voice filled with amusement. “Okay, if you say so.”

“It’s too cold outside. Let’s go home.”

Jiang Siyi finally lifted her head.

She nodded. “Mm, let’s go home.”

The person she had a crush on had suddenly become her girlfriend, and Little Jiang wasn’t quite used to it. She slumped in her seat, fidgeting nervously.

Shen Shiwu had seen through her long ago. Seeing her earlobes flushed, she chuckled softly. “Why are you so nervous?”

Jiang Siyi hummed, refusing to admit it. “I’m not nervous.”

“You’re blushing all over, and you’re still denying it?”

She fell silent, then mumbled after a while, “This is my first relationship, so I’m not very experienced. I get shy sometimes, don’t mind me…”

The traffic was indeed terrible because of the fog, the sound of car horns blaring incessantly. The girl lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers, her voice growing softer.

Shen Shiwu looked at her sideways, her heart fluttering.

“Although this is my first relationship too, I can teach you.” She held the girl’s wrist and then opened her own hand. “For example, holding hands.”

Jiang Siyi’s breath hitched, and she slowly raised her left hand.

The moment their fingers intertwined, she felt a warmth spread through her body.

Shen Shiwu’s hands were beautiful, slender and pale, her nails neatly trimmed. Even without any jewelry, they exuded elegance.

And her own hands…

Looking at the calluses on her middle finger from years of writing, Jiang Siyi subconsciously tried to pull her hand away.

But Shen Shiwu’s grip tightened.

Tapping the steering wheel, she said slowly, “Now that you’re holding my hand, you can’t run away, ever.”

I wouldn’t run away.

Jiang Siyi thought, nodding resolutely.

School ended early on Fridays, and since Shen Shiwu was busy with work, she took Jiang Siyi to the office. Entering the revolving door, Jiang Siyi saw that Shen Shiwu was still holding her hand and tried to pull away.

Shen Shiwu looked at her. “What’s wrong?”

The girl lowered her voice. “With so many people watching… isn’t this a bit inappropriate?”

“What’s inappropriate about it?”

Just then, someone greeted Shen Shiwu. Jiang Siyi looked over and saw it was the woman who had given her the apple last time.

“Hello, Boss, Happy New Year.”

She seemed to be quite familiar with Shen Shiwu. Seeing their intertwined hands, she didn’t seem surprised and even spoke to Jiang Siyi, “Little girl, here to play again?”

Jiang Siyi suddenly didn’t want to talk to her and moved closer to Shen Shiwu.

What little girl? I’m your boss’s girlfriend!

Shen Shiwu frowned. “If you’re so free, I can transfer you to the finance department.”

The woman immediately fell silent.

She waved her hand. “No, no need. Then, Boss, I’ll go upstairs now. Goodbye.”

Sensing the increased pressure on her hand, Shen Shiwu chuckled. “Still think it’s inappropriate?”

“No.” Jiang Siyi now practically wanted to hang off her.

Walking side by side with Shen Shiwu, her steps were stiff, and she only relaxed after entering her office.

She pulled a chair next to Shen Shiwu and dumped her worksheets onto the desk.

Seeing the girl obediently pick up a pen and start working, Shen Shiwu patted her head. “Good girl.”

Little Jiang, praised, puffed up her chest and continued working.

What was it like to do homework next to a charming CEO girlfriend?

Jiang Siyi’s answer: Impossible to focus, completely impossible!

And so, she was caught.

Her barely-touched worksheet was taken away, and Jiang Siyi watched as Shen Shiwu tapped her head with a pen.

The tap was light, but she still dramatically closed her eyes, pretending to be in pain.

“Not focused at all.”

“Two hours have passed, and you’ve only done three multiple-choice questions?”

My soul has been captured by you.

Jiang Siyi huddled in her chair, looking small and round. She mumbled, “I don’t know how to do them. Xiao Ying only taught me the basics, but the recent worksheets have been really difficult…”

Shen Shiwu glanced at the worksheet and saw that it was indeed true.

Without a solid foundation, everything else was impossible.

She put the worksheet aside and said, “Then do the homework Wu Ying assigned.”

“I didn’t bring it.”

“…”

Shen Shiwu picked up the worksheet and placed it in front of the girl again. “Then there’s no choice. Continue working.”

Jiang Siyi was about to complain that she really didn’t know how to do them when she heard the other woman say, “I’ll teach you, one problem at a time.”

Okay.

She felt a surge of joy, shifted the worksheet slightly, and pretended to compromise. “Fine.”

Half an hour later, Jiang Siyi wasn’t smiling anymore.

She was sitting on Shen Shiwu’s lap, the soft touch behind her rendering her motionless.

“Daydreaming again?”

Shen Shiwu traced her earlobe with her fingertip, her smile still gentle, but her tone slightly dangerous. “Thinking about someone?”

Jiang Siyi’s grip on her pen tightened.

She defended herself, “I’m thinking about the problem.”

“Is that so? Then I wrongly accused Xiao Si.” Shen Shiwu leaned against her shoulder, observing the girl’s every expression.

Seeing her eyelashes flutter slightly, a mischievous thought crossed her mind.

“I’ve explained this problem three times already. If you can’t solve it in fifteen minutes…”

“Then I’ll have to punish you.”