Chapter 67: Surrounded by Pretty Big Sisters

Li Yunli steadied her, helping her get more familiar with the snowboard after a little practice until Ji Zhenshi stood firmly, treating her like a pillar.

She patted the snow off the turtle plush strapped to her backside and slowly released her hand. “Why don’t you give it a try first? If it doesn’t work out, we can get a coach. The one I had earlier was pretty good.”

“I don’t want a coach. I want you.”

“But I’m not exactly an expert myself.”

“Then I’ll do it on my own. I can manage…”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Ji Zhenshi toppled over again. Li Yunli couldn’t even catch her in time.

Her awkward tumble drew a laugh from Li Yunli. “Not so cool now, huh? You’re about to end up looking like a muddy kitten soon.”

Ji Zhenshi hung her head in embarrassment, trying to slide forward on her own in secret, gritting her teeth as she insisted, “I can do it.”

This was nothing like she’d imagined.

Snowboarding was way harder than she’d pictured, and most importantly, wasn’t she supposed to be the one protecting Sister A-Yun? How had it turned completely upside down?

Ji Zhenshi inched along at a turtle’s pace to a corner. “Sister A-Yun, you go ahead and practice with the coach. I’ll try it out by myself for a bit. I can do it—I’ll pick it up in no time.”

This was the last shred of her pride.

Li Yunli saw right through her stubbornness. “Alright then. Play around for a while on your own. I’ll go grab you some water.”

“Okay.”

Too proud to call for a coach, Ji Zhenshi kept getting up only to fall again after a couple of steps. Her head spun from all the flops, and she clutched the handrail in frustration.

It wasn’t anything like what she’d thought after watching those videos online.

She’d imagined a romantic glide together, not this tragic comedy of constant wipeouts. Meanwhile, Sister A-Yun wasn’t pushing herself at all—she’d humbly asked for lessons and was already getting the hang of it fast.

While she remained a total beginner, stuck in place.

Plopping down onto the turtle plush, Ji Zhenshi planted her hands on her hips and stared at her snowboard, her head throbbing.

“Miss, is this your first time snowboarding?”

She was rubbing her temples when a sweet voice chimed in from the side.

Ji Zhenshi glanced over. Three young girls she didn’t know, all in their early twenties.

Out in public, Ji Zhenshi stayed on high alert. They eyed her intently, and though she only managed a polite smile out of courtesy, she asked warily, “Yeah, it is. What’s up?”

“We saw you struggling here all by yourself. We know how to snowboard—want us to teach you?” one of the brown-haired sweeties spoke up again.

Their friendly tone, plus the fact they were all girls, put her a bit more at ease.

Ji Zhenshi sized them up before instinctively clutching the 101.50 in pocket money Li Yunli had given her close to her chest. After a long pause, she blurted out, “I don’t have any money.”

It was trauma from getting scammed out of over a hundred bucks online.

Right now, all she had on her was that bit of change from Sister A-Yun. If she got duped again, Sister A-Yun really would confiscate her wallet for good.

The brown-haired girl smiled even wider, inviting her warmly. “Nah, we just saw you here alone and thought it’d be fun to team up. We’ll teach you snowboarding, and in return, could you take some photos for us? Our tripod never gets the right angle.”

They each held selfie sticks and looked like the photo-obsessed type, full glam makeup even for skiing.

It was just snapping a few pics—what was the harm?

“Sure.” Ji Zhenshi agreed readily.

They said they were teaching her, but really it felt like they were just letting her fall over and over until she got the feel for the board. Her control improved bit by bit.

Best of all, with spectators chattering in her ear—and them wiping out too—she didn’t feel quite so humiliated.

Ji Zhenshi was easygoing by nature, and soon enough, they were all hanging out like old friends.

“I’ll take your photos first.” Ji Zhenshi took off her goggles and held out her hand.

Unbeknownst to her, the three girls’ eyes lit up at her full face. The one with brown hair in the middle looked especially eager.

A 5’11” ray of sunshine like Little Dog? Irresistible.

The brown-haired girl handed over her phone first. “What’s your name, miss? You look older than us. Still in college?”

Her fingertip brushed Ji Zhenshi’s oddly, but with her hand numb from the cold, she didn’t notice. Head down fiddling with the lens, she answered offhandedly, “Nah, I just graduated this year. Not a student anymore.”

Wary as ever, she kept her name to herself.

“So you’re only a few years older than us. You’re so tall—are you from up north?”

“Nope, southerner through and through.”

“A southern girl this tall and this pretty? Bet you have a boyfriend, little sis.”

It was pure probing—Ji Zhenshi just had that vibe.

“Nope, no boyfriend. Just a girlfriend.” She raised the phone, focused on getting good shots to avoid any awkwardness later.

Standing shots made them look short, so she crouched to try different angles.

“Take a look—maybe we can try another spot,” Ji Zhenshi suggested.

But the next instant, chaotic laughter erupted around her as they gushed over every photo.

Surrounded in the middle, Ji Zhenshi felt enveloped in a 3D sound dome, her ears ringing. After getting used to the quiet with Li Yunli, the noise grated sharply.

Sister A-Yun was still the best—no dramatics over nothing.

Right then, the person on Ji Zhenshi’s mind stood watching from afar as a flock of beauties swarmed her, chatting and laughing.

How was this little rascal like this? Shy with her during lessons, but fine with them?

Snapping pics for them, grinning like an idiot. Blinding.

Li Yunli gripped her water cup tighter. She’d rushed down with it, worried Xiao Zhen would get bored alone.

Bored? This brat was thriving—surrounded by admirers teaching her and posing for shots.

Li Yunli gritted her teeth inwardly. Fine, ignore her.

Loves being mobbed by pretty girls, huh?

She fit right in—probably used to charming sisters and such.

A sour tang hit Li Yunli as she clenched her jaw, chest heaving. She absolutely wouldn’t admit she was jealous.

She hadn’t planned to interrupt the “bliss,” until she overheard, “Hey, miss, we’re hitting it off so well—add us on WeChat? We could grab dinner if we run into each other again.”

“Huh?” Ji Zhenshi was already scheming an escape from their enthusiasm when they asked for contacts.

She glanced guiltily to the side—and locked eyes with Li Yunli holding the water cup. Awkwardness bloomed between their stares.

Ji Zhenshi’s mouth opened, but realizing her predicament, she felt like even the Yellow River couldn’t wash this clean.

Suddenly surrounded by beauties and getting hit on for numbers—who wouldn’t get jealous?

Li Yunli just watched her, her usual tenderness frosted over. The chill in her gaze pricked Ji Zhenshi.

This was bad… Sister A-Yun was upset.

“Miss?” the brown-haired sweetie called again.

Ji Zhenshi yanked Li Yunli’s hand over, pointing at her with a smile. “No need—we’re good. My girlfriend wouldn’t like it.”

Li Yunli forced a polite smile and nodded faintly. But when her eyes shifted to Ji Zhenshi, they darkened, a frosty gloom gathering at the corners.

Just that look made Ji Zhenshi’s heart sink, a chill racing down her spine. She shot Li Yunli a sheepish grin, survival instincts kicking in as she laced their fingers tight. “No contacts then. It was fun hanging out, but I’m probably too hopeless to keep bothering you all. I’ll stick with my girlfriend for lessons.”

With that, Ji Zhenshi dragged Li Yunli away, fleeing the scene in utter disarray.

No way could she let Sister A-Yun see them anymore, or the fallout would be impossible to smooth over.

Once out of sight, Li Yunli yanked her hand free. Her accusatory glare pinned Ji Zhenshi, though she said nothing, just readjusted her gear with her head down.

Ji Zhenshi’s hand hung empty. Spotting the water cup, she snatched it up with a placating smile. “Water Sister A-Yun got for me? You’re too sweet. I was parched. Are you my personal rain goddess or what?”

Obvious flattery, but Li Yunli didn’t even glance up, ignoring her completely.

Frozen in place, Ji Zhenshi knew she’d really pissed off Li Yunli this time.

Thump—she dropped to her knees before Li Yunli. The knee pads and soft snow kept it painless, but the apologetic pose screamed sincerity. “Sorry, Sister A-Yun. I was just going with the flow to snap a few pics. I don’t even know them.”

“Don’t be jealous anymore? Getting mad ages you with wrinkles, and at your age, you gotta watch that.”

At that, Li Yunli finally pressed her lips together and spared Ji Zhenshi a look.

But it wasn’t her usual warmth—instead, it carried a sharp, icy edge.

Great. One sentence, two offenses.

“What’s wrong with my age?” Li Yunli drawled.

She’d just turned twenty-nine after New Year’s—not even thirty. Did Ji Zhenshi see her as old already?

All that talk of not minding her age—a little liar!

“Huh? That’s not what I meant! I just…”

Now she’d really dug herself deeper.

Before Ji Zhenshi could finish, Li Yunli glided off, her grab missing by a mile.

Watching Li Yunli’s retreating back, Ji Zhenshi regretted it all.

She wanted to chase after, but her skills were trash—one meter forward, three in a crash.

Pitifully eyeing Li Yunli’s departure, Ji Zhenshi sat yearning, the culprit drowning in remorse.

It was over. Truly over. Sister A-Yun was jealous.

“Why’d it turn out like this?” Sitting in the snow, she doodled a rose and muttered to herself.

Li Yunli was always so gentle and considerate. This cold-shouldering anger was throwing her off.

Especially just now—couldn’t even hold on before she bolted.

Boredly playing in the snow, Ji Zhenshi suddenly tilted her head, realizing something belatedly.

Sister A-Yun could get jealous too—and just like anyone, sulk and give the silent treatment.

The thought sparked an odd thrill, wrapping her in giddy sweetness. She couldn’t help grinning to herself.

Sister A-Yun was jealous of her. Jealous enough to ignore her.

Cherished like that, Ji Zhenshi rolled happily in the snow before inching to Li Yunli’s path, sprawling pitifully over the railing and gazing longingly.

She had to make it up to Sister A-Yun properly.

Li Yunli took everything seriously, skiing carefully and slow, staying steady without many falls.

Way better than a certain quitter.

And that quitter was now starry-eyed, watching Li Yunli glide while snapping photos nonstop—Ji Zhenshi, the ultimate fangirl.

Sis was cool as hell too.

Without her disability holding her back, she’d shine in any field, with way more chances to flaunt her allure.

Ji Zhenshi didn’t want to selfishly hide Li Yunli’s edge. She hoped Li Yunli would flaunt her feminine charms for all to see.

“Sister A-Yun, over here—come to me, okay?” Spotting her approach, Ji Zhenshi waved frantically and offered the water cup with both hands. “You must be thirsty. Have some water?”

Her coaxing tone dripped from every pleading word, eyes full of fawning.

Please, Sister A-Yun, don’t be mad.

Li Yunli glided to a smooth stop before her, lifting her gaze unhurriedly.

Ji Zhenshi blinked piteously, the little grass tuft on her helmet swaying like a plea for mercy. Adorably heart-melting at a glance.

She didn’t take the cup, just huffed softly in silence.

What a opportunist—using her own gesture against her.

Li Yunli almost laughed at herself sometimes. Naughty Xiao Zhen.

“Can I slide with you?” Ji Zhenshi slipped under the railing, snuggling into Li Yunli’s arms and seizing every chance to be close.

Li Yunli’s cheeks flushed from exertion, breath coming in short bursts.

Her lips parted for air, eyes puffy and red as she eyed Ji Zhenshi. “You can’t—we’ll crash together.”

Ji Zhenshi was different. Those hands were her lifeline, her career. Li Yunli knew exactly what they meant to her, so caution first.

Jealous or not, she wouldn’t risk her distance—just mindful of the job.

Ji Zhenshi offered the cup again, yielding sweetly. “Okay then. I’ll just watch you.”

Her hopeful stare softened Li Yunli’s resolve; she reluctantly took it, only to see the straw all mangled from Ji Zhenshi’s teeth.

Like a kid gnawing everything.

Li Yunli shot her a sideways glance and sighed noiselessly. “It was a fresh straw. Keep it up, and I’ll get you a chew toy.”

Ji Zhenshi’s chompers were vicious—on straws or… skin.

The mild reproach landed, and Ji Zhenshi grinned sheepishly. “I got bored waiting. Sister A-Yun, don’t be mad. I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have played with them or taken their pics. We weren’t even friends.”

She didn’t dare frame it as kindness; it’d only fan the flames.