Gu An’an regretted her agreement almost immediately.
Chu Ran was young and passionate, driven by nothing but pure affection in her determination to take Gu An’an to university. But after years of navigating society’s harsh realities, Gu An’an knew all too well how fearsome gossip could be. Malicious words were sharper than any knife, wounding without drawing blood!
The thought of Chu Ran facing pointing fingers and whispers filled her with sorrow. Unable to hold back, she buried her face in Chu Ran’s shoulder and began to sob.
Her tears fell like beads from a broken string, racing down her cheeks. Chu Ran’s neck, pressed right against her face, was soon soaked—a sticky patch of warm tears that twisted uncomfortably in Chu Ran’s heart.
She had no idea why Gu An’an produced so many tears. She really was like one of those people made of water, straight out of a storybook.
That tear-streaked face hovered right before her eyes, soft sobs mingling with faint tremors. Her slender shoulders looked so fragile and helpless.
The sight of her—teary-eyed and fragile, like a delicate flower after rain—was utterly bewitching. It was as if a wounded little white rabbit had been set before a big bad wolf, relentlessly stirring the dark impulses buried deep in Chu Ran’s soul.
Strange sensations stirred once more. The heartache in her eyes was swiftly overtaken by an inexplicable surge of desire.
She is mine!
The thought took root like the intoxicating nectar of a poppy flower, seeping straight into her bones.
Without a second’s hesitation, Chu Ran turned her face and pressed her lips to Gu An’an’s.
The girl’s soft, yielding lips brushed against the plump, resilient flesh of her cheek, sucking and licking with delicate nibbles. The faint touches sent itchy tingles across her skin, sparking unfamiliar sensations that left her both shy and afraid.
Gu An’an forgot all about crying and pushed at her. “Little Ran, don’t…”
But Chu Ran was like a woman possessed. Far from relenting, she pressed a hand to the back of Gu An’an’s head, holding her in place.
A fresh flurry of hot kisses rained down on her tear-soaked face.
That strange, unfamiliar feeling lingered, growing ever more intense.
Mysterious. Tempting. Terrifying.
Gu An’an cracked her eyes open, stealing a glance at Chu Ran.
Chu Ran’s eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted as she licked and kissed her cheek with intense focus. Suddenly, Gu An’an realized how captivating she looked—an allure she’d never noticed before.
She trembled involuntarily.
Something struck the softest spot in her heart.
A wild thought flashed through her mind: Can girls really kiss other girls?
The idea startled her. It was absurd, utterly ridiculous for someone like her. Yet once it took hold, it rooted itself like a stubborn vine, impossible to shake loose.
Her heart raced in panic, her thoughts in chaos. She could hear her own heartbeat thundering like war drums—thump, thump, thump.
So this is what it feels like to be kissed…
A shy, indefinable sweetness welled up inside her, mingled with a subtle joy. She even wanted to stay like this, leaning against Chu Ran forever.
But then, another face burst into her mind—radiant and striking!
Qian Hao.
She sat poised in a luxury car, radiating the confident aura of a true eldest miss. Elegant and aristocratic, beautiful as a blooming rose, she seemed to glow from within. Beside her, Gu An’an felt utterly overshadowed, like an ugly duckling next to a swan.
Self-doubt crashed over her. Even that absurd thought now seemed to mock her.
Only someone as perfect as Qian Hao deserves Little Ran.
Shame burned through her, filling her heart with sorrow.
At that moment, Chu Ran gently released her. “Sister An’an, no more crying. We need to pack our bags and head to the capital city right away. Once we’re there, we’ll start a brand-new life. Things will only get better for us.”
Her voice brimmed with confidence, her tone resolute and full of hope for what lay ahead.
Her bright eyes shone with concern for Gu An’an.
The sight only deepened Gu An’an’s shame. She silently berated herself for that strange thought.
Little Ran sees me as her big sister and cares for me like one. How could I let my mind wander to something so twisted?
Chu Ran took her hand. “Sister An’an, why aren’t you saying anything? You’re not backing out, are you?”
She crouched in front of her, eyes blazing intently.
That brilliant gaze seemed to pierce right through to her hidden thoughts. Gu An’an ducked her head in a fluster. “N-no, of course not.”
Chu Ran leaned in, tilting her face up from below to meet her eyes. “Really?”
“Really.”
Chu Ran lit up with joy and rose to scoop her into a hug. “You said it yourself—don’t even think about going back on your word. Alright, time for your massage. The doctor said we can do an extra one every day now.”
She bent down, her long hair cascading over Gu An’an’s face. One arm slid behind her back, the other under her knees, and she lifted her effortlessly.
Gu An’an’s arms wrapped around her neck on instinct.
Chu Ran’s delight grew at their perfect sync. She flashed a grin.
That smile sent Gu An’an’s heart into even greater turmoil. She turned her face away—and bumped right into Chu Ran’s chest.
She could hear Chu Ran’s heartbeat.
Steady. Strong. Utterly reassuring.
Her steps were the same—steady and powerful, reliable in every way.
Gu An’an couldn’t help looking up at her.
She’d always seen Chu Ran as a little kid, her gaze naturally filled with a big sister’s fondness. In her eyes, Chu Ran had been nothing but a cute, clever, pretty little girl.
But now, she saw something entirely different.
Chu Ran had grown up. She lifted Gu An’an without strain, her face no longer rounded with baby fat but sharply defined, her features bold and three-dimensional: high nose bridge, big expressive eyes, thin lips. Her girlish beauty carried a youthful vigor. When serious, she looked cool and handsome; when she smiled, her straight white teeth gleamed in a radiant, infectious grin.
Gu An’an couldn’t help thinking: Little Ran has grown so strikingly handsome and charming.
Chu Ran had felt her gaze all along. A touch of anxiety crept into her heart—had Gu An’an noticed something? She asked softly, “Sister An’an, do you really think I’ve turned bad?”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her stare probing.
Gu An’an jumped, her heart thumping like a startled deer as she shook her head. “No! Not at all!”
Chu Ran looked away and set her down on the physiotherapy bed. She began rolling up Gu An’an’s pant legs. With the air conditioning on, she’d changed her into long pants to keep her legs warm.
Gu An’an’s legs were slender and perfectly proportioned, with graceful lines that any girl would envy—long, straight, and elegant. The loose pants hung baggy on her, and a few rolls brought them up to her thighs, revealing skin that was both long and fair.
Gu An’an quietly reached down and pressed the fabric at her thigh.
Chu Ran paused. “What’s wrong? Does it hurt somewhere? Or is it itchy?”
As she spoke, she reached out to touch, giving a light scratch.
Though her legs were paralyzed, the skin at her thighs was incredibly sensitive. The ticklish sensation made Gu An’an grab her hand in a hurry. “Little Ran, just massage my calves. You don’t need to do up here.”
Chu Ran was adamant about the full-leg massage. “No way. The doctor said the whole leg needs it. We have to follow instructions.”
Gu An’an saw the stern, serious look on her face and couldn’t bear to argue. She endured the itchy, tingling sensation as Chu Ran worked.
Chu Ran massaged with utmost seriousness, her focus unbreakable. Her ten fingers started at the soles of Gu An’an’s feet, warm palms kneading the skin with just the right pressure—blissfully comfortable. They moved slowly up from her ankles, the process meticulous and thorough, missing not a single inch of skin.
Gu An’an’s heart rose and fell in time with the rhythmic strokes.
Chu Ran stared intently at her legs; Gu An’an gazed at her profile, lost in thought.
“Little Ran, when are we leaving? Are we going with Qian Hao?” she asked suddenly.
Chu Ran thought for a moment. “In about a week, yeah. We’ll go with her.”
“She’s a good person. And she treats you well,” Gu An’an couldn’t help adding.
Chu Ran gave a noncommittal hum. She didn’t want to dwell on Qian Hao and changed the subject. “We’ll drive there, so we can stop and rest whenever you need. Don’t worry—I’ll take care of everything.”
Seeing the worry on Gu An’an’s face, she added, “Sister An’an, my homeroom teacher messaged today. I’m picking up the bonus from school tomorrow—five hundred thousand! We’ve got money again, so no need to stress. Our life from here on out is only going up.”
Gu An’an smiled, her gaze softening with unusual tenderness.
“Little Ran, you’re truly amazing.”
She meant every word, swelling with pride at her accomplishments.
Chu Ran beamed with pride. “Of course! All thanks to how you raised me, Sister An’an.”
“How could that be? I’m not all that impressive,” Gu An’an said, shaking her head as if a bit overwhelmed by the praise.
Chu Ran clearly disliked that response. She stated with absolute certainty, “Of course you are. Without Sister An’an, there wouldn’t be a me. Everything I am comes from you.”
Gu An’an didn’t deny it further.
Chu Ran’s firm affirmation delighted her, but deep down, she was quietly shaking her head.
She didn’t believe that Chu Ran’s brilliance was something she had cultivated. Chu Ran had always been that intelligent and radiant by nature—Gu An’an had simply been lucky enough to stumble upon her.
A genius like Chu Ran deserved a bright future and a splendid life, just like Qian Hao’s.
As her older sister, Gu An’an felt fortunate enough simply to be part of that wonderful life.
If only she weren’t paralyzed, and if she herself were a little more accomplished, things would be even better.
That way, standing at Chu Ran’s side as her sister wouldn’t embarrass her.
The next day, Chu Ran prepared to head out to meet Lawyer Qian.
Before leaving, she lifted Gu An’an from the wheelchair and settled her on the sofa, propped up comfortably. She even carefully tucked a soft pillow behind her back.
She worried that sitting in the wheelchair too long would strain Gu An’an’s back.
Next, Chu Ran wheeled over a small movable table and arranged milk, plain water, and some snacks on it. She made a fruit platter, then placed the TV remote and Gu An’an’s phone within easy reach.
Gu An’an couldn’t help but laugh and sigh at the same time. “Little Ran, go claim your prize already. At this rate, I feel like some frail old lady in her eighties.”
Chu Ran frowned at the way she described herself. “Sister An’an, don’t talk about yourself like that. In my eyes, you’re as beautiful as a fairy—always have been, always will be.”
She never held back her praise for Gu An’an, and every word came straight from the heart.
To Gu An’an, though, those words carried a bittersweet tang.
Chu Ran continued, “If anything comes up, call me right away—I’ll rush back immediately. I’ll take the keys with me when I go. If anyone knocks, just ignore them.”
The day before, when she’d taken Gu An’an to the hospital, they hadn’t been able to hail a ride home. Gu An’an had been forced to endure strangers’ stares on the street, and it had torn Chu Ran up inside. Now that Gu An’an had agreed to accompany her to the Capital City, Chu Ran was overjoyed—but she also silently vowed to handle every little detail perfectly. She absolutely couldn’t let Gu An’an suffer again.
Gu An’an’s heart felt both warmed and guilty. Once she’d finally coaxed Chu Ran out the door, she couldn’t hold back the tears that slipped down her cheeks in secret.
The kinder Chu Ran was to her, the more fiercely she clung to it.
