Chapter 17

The midday sun streamed into the small courtyard, half-deflected by the eaves and vine trellis, the remaining half flowing into every corner.

The air conditioning was on in the dining room. Only half of the sheer curtains on the floor-to-ceiling windows were drawn, revealing the scorching world outside.

The banana leaves were baked crisp, the vine tendrils curled and withered, the stone benches already heated to a burning temperature. No one was in the courtyard.

Jianjia Town was generally cooler than the city, but during this season and this time of day, the sun wasn’t friendly either.

Chu Ruoyou didn’t notice Yun Huizhi’s momentary lapse. Yun Huizhi’s cooking was even better than she’d imagined. She chewed slowly, eating with focus.

“Not yet decided.”

She then looked up at Yun Huizhi. “Guide Yun hasn’t taken me to many places yet. We haven’t even finished seeing all the scenic spots in the mountains. What’s the rush? Aren’t we going back into the mountains tomorrow?”

Yun Huizhi let out a huge sigh of relief. “Right, there are lots of places to have fun.”

But her mood had completely sunk. She silently felt embarrassed by her earlier reluctance and disappointment.

And also felt melancholy at her current secret delight.

It was like one part of her body was baking in the courtyard, about to collapse from heatstroke, while the other part was leisurely enjoying the cold breeze indoors.

Chu Ruoyou said, “What I mean is, we’re often out and about, so you won’t have many opportunities to cook. Don’t worry I’ll exploit you.”

“I’m not worried.”

Yun Huizhi gave her a bright smile. “Serving Ms. Chu is this tour guide’s blessing!”

Red lips, white teeth, bright eyes, a captivating gaze.

These words flashed through Chu Ruoyou’s mind.

Little Zhang’s younger sister came to the shop today to bring him lunch. The siblings entered the dining room carrying an insulated lunch box.

The moment she saw Yun Huizhi there, Zhang Cai abandoned her brother and came right over.

Chu Ruoyou sat unmoving, twisting open her teacup to drink the tea Yun Huizhi had brewed for her, ready to watch a good show.

Zhang Cai saw the unfinished remnants on the table and asked, “Who made this food?”

Yun Huizhi raised a hand. “Me.”

Zhang Cai curled her lip. “Cooking for her in this heat? You must really like her that much.”

It was just cooking a meal. It wasn’t like she liked her that much.

Yun Huizhi was embarrassed by the high schooler’s blunt words. She’d thought the girl was just here to stir trouble, preparing to signal Little Zhang with her eyes to come to the rescue.

But then the next line was, “When are you coming to my family’s BBQ place for a meal?”

Seeing Yun Huizhi’s eyes flit towards Chu Ruoyou, Zhang Cai followed her gaze. “Bring her along too, of course.”

Yun Huizhi laughed. “You’re going to treat us?”

Zhang Cai had invited her a few times before, saying she’d treat her to a meal back at the shop.

But Yun Huizhi already knew what her intentions were, so she didn’t dare acknowledge her enthusiasm.

Yun Huizhi had probed Little Zhang; Zhang Cai hadn’t come out to her family. She only let loose in front of her brother because he didn’t talk much or meddle.

So ever since Zhang Cai returned to town, to avoid her, Yun Huizhi hadn’t gone to eat her family’s BBQ again. She was actually kind of craving it.

“Nope.”

Zhang Cai gave a “hmph,” the meaning self-evident: You’re already with another woman, and you still want a free meal?

“The BBQ isn’t selling well. Help us out.”

To put it plainly, they were being recruited as paying customers.

Little Zhang probably couldn’t listen anymore. He looked up from his lunch box. “Zhang Cai, come here.”

Chu Ruoyou was the first to agree. “We’ll go tonight.”

She smiled gently at Zhang Cai, finding the girl rather cute and not malicious at all.

Zhang Cai was a typical small-town girl: not tall, slightly darker skin, but with very good skin quality.

Her eyes were dark and bright, her features small and delicate. Her personality—lively, straightforward, and kind.

“Great! My family’s BBQ is super delicious.”

After boasting, Zhang Cai casually explained, “I saw you two started cooking for yourselves, so maybe you’re tired of other stuff.”

Chu Ruoyou picked up her cup and left the dining room. Yun Huizhi was responsible for clearing the table and washing the dishes.

Zhang Cai watched this and whispered to her brother, “Bro, look. She cooked, and now she’s washing dishes. Nothing good comes from her being with that woman.”

Little Zhang ate a couple more bites before bothering to respond. “She’s willing. Or maybe Miss Chu isn’t feeling well.”

Zhang Cai turned and saw Chu Ruoyou’s back disappearing at the top of the stairs. Covering her mouth with a giggle, she said delightedly, “I just realized she’s so beautiful. Even prettier than Yun Huizhi. What’s her full name?”

Little Zhang blinked tiredly and said slowly, “I forgot.”

“Tch, you really are my own brother. What can you remember?”

Remember you called her a bad woman last time, said she’d seduced Yun Huizhi so much she walks on air.

–

The sun was so intense no one dared go out. After cleaning up the kitchen, Yun Huizhi ran upstairs.

As soon as she entered the room, she heard, “Good work. Poured you some water. Drink up.”

Yun Huizhi was thirsty too, but after drinking half a cup, she didn’t really want any more. Under Chu Ruoyou’s intimidating stare, she obediently finished it.

She washed her face and came out, asking enthusiastically, “Are you going to sleep again?”

Chu Ruoyou said tactfully, “…I don’t want to do other things.”

Yun Huizhi pouted slightly, disappointed. “Ah, you really don’t want to watch a movie?”

Chu Ruoyou paused. “Watching a movie is fine.”

They turned on the projector and sat on the sofa browsing for a film. Yun Huizhi asked, “What kind do you like?”

“As long as it’s not a trash film full of logical loopholes and errors, I’m fine with anything.”

Honestly, that requirement was a bit high.

In the end, they chose a healing foreign film. The scenery was beautifully shot, and the female lead was adorable.

Snow mountains, grasslands, herding, wooden cabins.

It dispelled the subtle summer heat, possessing a calming power.

Yun Huizhi sat cross-legged, hugging a cushion, her head resting on Chu Ruoyou’s shoulder. Like a live bullet comment feed, she constantly gave sharp commentary on every detail.

During a long landscape shot, they had time to idle chat. Chu Ruoyou called her a “bullet comment,” then said, “I don’t like having comments on when watching shows.”

Yun Huizhi stuck out her tongue and chatted away. “Most of the time I turn them on, but then I get angry at dumb comments, and sometimes even disgusted by certain things. So I have to turn them off. But then when I’m watching an exciting part alone, I feel lonely. So I turn them on again. Back and forth like that.”

Chu Ruoyou mocked, “Sounds quite arduous to watch a show.”

“Having bullet comments on is like being in a relationship.”

“How so?”

“When you have them, you often find them boring, can’t understand them, and get angry. But living without them feels empty. During the wonderful and sad moments, you really need their company.”

Yun Huizhi sighed emotionally. “Such a contradiction.”

This was quite an interesting analogy. Chu Ruoyou discovered that Yun Huizhi wasn’t as superficial and simple as she appeared. “Do you usually think about so many things?”

“No, I just thought of it. Maybe it’s been too long since I was in a relationship. I’m feeling lonely.”

“So honest.”

Chu Ruoyou laughed quietly, lowering her head to look at her. Her lips accidentally brushed her hair, then pulled away.

Yun Huizhi had wanted to ask if she thought being single was better or being in a relationship.

But then she remembered the person had just finished a divorce and was here to clear her mind, so she dropped the topic.

Near the end of the film, the background music from the snowy peak swelled. The protagonist, barefoot in a dress, ran across the grassland.

The clear blue sky was gentle and bright, the flock of sheep scattered like pearls.

Yun Huizhi felt joy and planted a kiss on Chu Ruoyou’s cheek with a smack.

Chu Ruoyou immediately frowned. “I can feel your saliva.”

Yun Huizhi was shameless. “Don’t you like moist lips? Mine are very moist right now.”

“Get lost.”

Chu Ruoyou shifted away.

Yun Huizhi pulled her back, hugging her, whining pitifully, “Hmph, you told me to get lost.”

Her eyes were downturned, looking pitiful and adorable.

Chu Ruoyou didn’t soften though. Laughing, she asked, “Then why haven’t you gotten lost yet?”

“I won’t get lost. I want to hug you.”

Yun Huizhi nuzzled into the crook of her neck, like the little lamb in the movie clinging to the heroine.

Unfortunately, Chu Ruoyou didn’t have the heroine’s angelic temper. Suddenly impatient, she pinned her down and bit her neck—not too hard, not too soft.

Yun Huizhi immediately whimpered, “You’re a little puppy!”

“Just checking if you’ll behave.”

“No way! That hurt so much! I can’t swallow this anger. You have to let me bite you too!” Yun Huizhi protested.

Chu Ruoyou pushed her away and got up from the sofa. Yun Huizhi clung and tangled with her.

The two fought another round on the bed. Ultimately, Yun Huizhi never managed to bite Chu Ruoyou.

“You win this round.”

Kneeling on the bed, Yun Huizhi made a white-flag gesture. “Truce. We stop fighting.”

Chu Ruoyou agreed. “Tired. I’m going to sleep.”

“You sleep first.”

“Will you sneak attack me?”

Yun Huizhi rolled her eyes and said with a smile, “I won’t. I’m a good kid.”

“If you dare…”

Chu Ruoyou paused, thinking of a threat to make her afraid.

Before she could formulate the words, Yun Huizhi said, “I definitely won’t.”

She pursed her lips, shy yet scorching. “I couldn’t bear to bite you hard enough to hurt you.”

Her eyes were clear, without the slightest impurity.

Like a mountain stream blessed by a rainbow.

Chu Ruoyou went completely still. She asked her, “Why couldn’t you bear it?”

Yun Huizhi was lost for a moment, looking at Chu Ruoyou. She nervously shifted from kneeling to sitting, a bunch of small movements.

Then she smiled and said, “You’re my client after all, my sugar sister. I can’t even flatter you fast enough; how would I dare bite you?”

So it was because of money.

Very realistic, and very simple.

Simplicity was best. Yun Huizhi had been right last night—there was no need for hypocrisy between them.

Their afternoon nap lasted over an hour, ending when Yun Huizhi’s phone rang.

“Hello, Mom.”

Who knows what was said on the other end; Yun Huizhi didn’t make a sound for a long time.

Chu Ruoyou sat up to drink water. She saw Yun Huizhi’s expression turn very cold, with a hint of impatience.

“When?”

“Oh, whatever you want. I want to be alone this month. Just don’t bother me.”

After hanging up, knowing Chu Ruoyou had been listening, she said, “It was my mom. Sometime later, she might bring my little sister over for a visit.”

“Worried about you?”

“Nope.” Yun Huizhi swallowed the rest of her words, not explaining further.

Chu Ruoyou didn’t feel like asking either.

Once the temperature dropped, the two watched the sunset together for a while, then took their bicycles out.

They rode slowly westward, as if chasing the setting sun.

Yun Huizhi couldn’t help but whistle.

Her whistling was very impressive, light and pleasant, carrying the rhythm and melody of a song.

Chu Ruoyou criticized her like an old pedant. “What kind of image does a girl create whistling like that?”

“Are you an old fogey?”

Yun Huizhi actually retorted, “Girls can’t even whistle? Did men patent it?”

Chu Ruoyou said calmly, “Regardless of gender, whistling all the way down the street is unbecoming.”

“I don’t care, I’m gonna whistle!”

“Then I’m not riding your bike.”

“Fine, then jump off.”

“I’ll jump right off.”

After saying this, Chu Ruoyou wrapped her arms tighter around her waist. Yun Huizhi’s hair was blown onto her face by the evening breeze.

The sound of whistling was still in her ears. She suddenly fell in love with this summer.