People are emotional creatures at heart.
No matter who you are, there are plenty of times when your hands move faster than your thoughts—your mind hasn’t caught up, but your body is already in motion.
That was exactly what was happening to Chi Yuliang right now.
It was only after she’d fully realized what she’d done that a look of surprise slowly crept across her delicate features, arching her brows in bewilderment.
I… why did I pin Little Bai down on the bed?
I just wanted to tell her that as long as it was her own decision, there wouldn’t be any problem…
~~~
But what shocked Chi Yuliang even more wasn’t her own impulsive action.
It was the fact that, now fully aware of it, she only wanted to grip the wrists of the girl beneath her even tighter, refusing to let her break free.
“Liang… Sister Liang?”
“Shh… Little Bai, don’t move for now. Let me think… let me think this through properly…”
“……”
Think all you want. Think away.
Pondering is a freedom granted by the heavens to every rational being.
But before you turn into some deep thinker, shouldn’t you at least move that cotton candy off me first?!
When a supersized cotton candy presses down on a petite one a couple sizes smaller, it’s an all-out siege. The compression warps the bigger one, molding it to fit the shape of the smaller.
Sister Liang was always considerate on a normal day. Now, she was being even more so.
So considerate that she was on the verge of flattening Little Zhibai!
Wuwuwu, not only was it heavy, but it was soft too, with a wonderful bounce. And that was exactly why Ye Zhibai didn’t dare move a muscle!
This scene wouldn’t make sense to any mortal onlooker—even a deity dropping in would just shake their head in confusion.
But Guang Yu wasn’t your average deity.
With sky-high emotional intelligence, she steadily chomped down on a mouthful of wasabi, declaring that she could see everything crystal clear.
Heh, this is heavenly punishment. Retribution!
Ye Zhibai, you wouldn’t buy me any wasabi and even threatened to shove me into the lake. No manners at all—and look, karma’s here already!
—Bet you’re wrecked by those boobs now!
Little Fox’s verdict? Serves you right.
Ye Zhibai struggled a little.
Once she realized that the more she squirmed, the more awkward contact areas she’d end up with, she simply splayed her legs, letting her feet dangle off the bed.
She went still.
After all… Sister Liang’s entire body was practically bearing down on her now.
In her forward lean, the enticing triangular zone outlined by her tight skirt clung fast to Ye Zhibai’s thigh. The slightest twitch risked disaster.
But in a shocking turn, Little Zhibai—facing this situation, body relaxed and eyes closed—somehow managed to calm down bit by bit.
Listen to the sound of the wind… count the digits of pi in serene silence.
I’ve been pinned down in situations like this countless times lately, haven’t I?
Every few days, Yun’er pins me, followed by days of her groping away!
Sure, I have no idea why Sister Liang’s suddenly applying pressure, but at least she has zero intention of groping. Her feet are obediently planted on the edge of the bed too—no random rubbing like Yun’er does on my legs.
So what’s there to panic about?
Buoyed by confidence, Little Zhibai had only just started feeling cocky when—
She froze.
Not only did Sister Liang fail to shift away.
Instead, she slowly raised her hands from either side, as if cradling some priceless treasure. They converged gently, cupping Ye Zhibai’s cheeks.
Sister Liang’s hands were cool to the touch, giving Ye Zhibai’s face a refreshing chill. It felt nice.
Mmm… suddenly feeling a bit nostalgic.
Back at the orphanage, on sweltering summer days when the cicadas were in full cry, Sister Liang used to cool me down just like this.
No AC back then, so it was either this or just staying calm and cooling off naturally.
But Ye Zhibai had no time to savor the memory right now.
Peering through the cascade of Sister Liang’s purple hair draping down on either side of her head, what she saw on her face was endless worry.
Sister Liang—the ever-optimistic pillar of strength for Ye Zhibai—now wore an expression of utter helplessness and fear.
“Little Bai…” Chi Yuliang’s hand trailed along Ye Zhibai’s refined features toward her chin. “What… what should I do?”
“……”
If memory served…
This had to be the first time in her life that Sister Liang had ever asked her for help.
Before this, phrases like “What should I do?” or “I’m done for!” had always been Ye Zhibai’s exclusive lines when turning to Chi Yuliang.
I don’t know what’s suddenly gotten into Sister Liang.
But your Little Bai’s all grown up now.
Without you even realizing, she’s strong enough to protect you.
A surge of courage welled up from who-knows-where in Ye Zhibai. Mimicking her, she slowly lifted her arms from where they’d been spread out on the bed.
They looped around Sister Liang’s plush yet slender waist, hands finally clasping together at her back.
And so, even from her pinned position, Ye Zhibai had Chi Yuliang securely in her embrace.
Well… on the surface, given their size difference, it looked more like Chi Yuliang was the one holding Ye Zhibai.
But that didn’t matter anymore.
What did was the growing unease and concern swelling in Ye Zhibai’s heart.
“Tell me about it, Sister Liang. I’ve never been much use, and I don’t know if I can even solve your problem. But didn’t you teach me before? If something’s bothering you—making you uneasy or troubled—you have to speak it out. And that’s something we absolutely promised each other.”
Yeah, we made that promise right at my grave from my past life.
So you know how heavy that weighs!
Clearly, Chi Yuliang hadn’t expected Little Bai’s “bold move.”
She was surprised by the gentle clasp of those small hands at her waist and mesmerized by the powerful heartbeat thumping beneath her chest.
That heartbeat steadied her, restoring her calm.
Her left hand stayed lightly caressing Ye Zhibai’s cheek, unwilling to leave.
Her right propped against the bed, lifting her body slightly so she wouldn’t crush her precious Little Bai with all her weight.
A gap!
Spotting the opening, Ye Zhibai slipped to the side—not fleeing, but worried Sister Liang would tire herself out.
But the moment her body shifted from under Chi Yuliang’s, she was seized again! Chi Yuliang gave no ground. Her long legs, sheathed in sheer black stockings, moved nimbly, entwining Ye Zhibai’s smooth, pale ones—like the most exquisite quantum entanglement, inseparable.
At the same time, her arms locked around Ye Zhibai’s, refusing to let go.
Just like that, the one-above-the-other shifted into a face-to-face embrace.
Guang Yu let out another furious huff—
Downing a mouthful of wasabi.
—Playing it real fancy, aren’t you two!
This time, Ye Zhibai was genuinely panicking. Even with Yun’er’s “training,” she wasn’t used to such intense physical contact!
Especially… since this was Sister Liang—the big sister she’d admired and trusted since childhood!
Yet, in this ultra-close face-to-face, what Ye Zhibai read in Chi Yuliang’s eyes wasn’t desire or expectation.
It was a dependence, a poignant vulnerability, she’d never seen there before.
“Sorry, Little Bai. Big Sis got a bit carried away just now.”
Just now?
You calling your current moves not carried away?!
“Uh… n-no… it’s fine, Sister Liang. More than that, I’m worried—what’s suddenly wrong with you?”
“It’s all your fault, Little Bai…”
“……”
I mean, by general principles, not everything should be my fault.
Of course, Chi Yuliang wasn’t truly blaming her beloved Little Bai.
Seeing Little Bai’s amusing reaction actually made her livelier than usual, a spark of playfulness dancing in her eyes.
“Hee… got you all flustered, huh? I’m not being unreasonable… It’s all because of you, making me worry. Think about what you said earlier—once university starts, even without Big Sis, you won’t have any problems? The way you put it… I thought Little Bai wouldn’t need her sister anymore after that.”
“Hm? Yeah, I won’t need you anymore.”
“Little Bai?!”
Ow ow ow!! Sister Liang, your legs are gonna snap mine!
Ye Zhibai hurriedly backpedaled on her loose tongue: “I didn’t… I didn’t mean it like that! I meant, even if Sister Liang doesn’t keep fussing over me or bringing me this and that from now on, I can fend for myself. I won’t be a burden… I’m not saying I don’t need you emotionally. Sister Liang will always be my sister—no matter if the sky falls.”
“Uu… That’s exactly why I said I got carried away! I know all that! Little Bai… sorry, just for a little while—let Big Sis hold you, okay?”
“…!”
Do you all like to beg forgiveness after the fact?!
By the time you’re done talking, you’re already hugging!
Ye Zhibai’s face was firmly pulled into Chi Yuliang’s bosom, the milky scent of her face cream hitting her clearer than ever before.
With Little Bai’s face buried in her chest, Chi Yuliang finally let the long-hidden longing in her eyes spill out toward the empty wall, exhaling a heavy breath laced with a hint of huskiness.
Of course, it was just for a moment.
“You asked earlier why I was upset, right? I can tell you everything… Just now… I really didn’t know what to do. I have to admit, I’ve been forcing myself all along. The thought of you and me enrolling in different universities, living in different cities, making new families, our contact fading… it left me feeling so empty. Like… like some precious treasure had been snatched away by someone else. My heart just felt so stuffy and panicked.”
“Mm… Mm… Hm?!” (No one’s robbing your stuff, Sister Liang? Don’t overthink it!)
Ye Zhibai was smothered in the ‘facial cleanser’ cage, her voice faltering and mumbling as she tried to speak.
Amazingly, Chi Yuliang actually understood what she said.
As for this, while Little Bai wasn’t looking, Chi Yuliang pouted, her expression quite jealous.
“And you said no one would steal my stuff… Little Bai, you don’t understand. Every time I see Miss Zhiyun caring for you, cherishing you, there’s this stuffy feeling in my heart that I can’t quite name. Now I get it—that’s the worry that you only need Miss Zhiyun and will slowly forget about big sis… I’m really so scared, what if one day you get tired of big sis, what am I gonna do?…”
Mm… Ha! No way, Sister Liang. Saying that—isn’t that looking down on me a bit? Am I that kind of person?
“Of course Little Bai isn’t like that at all, that’s why I said sister has to sincerely apologize for that attitude just now!”
Mm…!!
Sister Liang! This isn’t an apology at all—you’re basically trying to smother me to death!
Little Bai’s face rubbed back and forth against her chest. Compared to the ticklish thrill tingling through her body, Chi Yuliang now felt even greater comfort from the heartfelt realization.
She suddenly had a feeling of great enlightenment.
In the past, she always felt that as long as Little Bai was doing well and happy, then no matter what, it was all fine.
But in fact, this is just one aspect.
Deep in the very depths of her heart, Chi Yuliang still harbors an important aspiration.
——I don’t want Little Bai to leave me, don’t want to part with her, don’t want to be forgotten by her.
Even more, I don’t want Little Bai to be snatched away.
Miss Zhiyun… I really thank you for giving Little Bai a home. This is also my wish. I’m happy for Little Bai.
But do you know… Little Bai and I grew up together from childhood.
We have watched together every sunrise and moonset, every winter tree and summer flower.
Perhaps in the days to come, I won’t be able to give Little Bai more companionship than you do.
But the past moments drop by drop, every tender spring bud bursting forth before us, every ant that crawled past us, carefully counted.
These are all the little moments from the years you never spent together with Little Bai.
Happiness… isn’t just as simple as watching her walk away.
I don’t know since when, but in my own life, the imprint of her petite frame’s existence has become impossible to erase.
Which university to go to, that’s Little Bai’s freedom.
But often going to play with Little Bai, I absolutely won’t yield in Little Bai’s life—this is sister’s freedom too, right?
Thinking of this, the more she pondered, the clearer it became, and Chi Yuliang hugged the person in her arms even tighter.
It’s so warm, Little Bai.
I don’t know how long it had been.
Guang Yu walked over.
She tiptoed up, peering slyly at Ye Zhibai’s face buried in Chi Yuliang’s chest.
Little Fox tentatively offered a faint reminder, which suddenly rang out.
“Uh… Chi Yuliang? How about you… loosen your grip on her a bit? Ye Zhibai looks like she’s about to pass out, ah, isn’t her face practically bloodless now! Hang in there, sis!! Stay alive!!”
!!
Little Bai!!!
