The complaining trailed off with fading footsteps.
Jiang Ruoning buried herself in her embrace, listening to the heartbeat that matched her own perfectly. Her breathing unexpectedly calmed down. Shi Sui carried a heavy scent of alcohol, but it couldn’t mask the faint fragrance seeping from her skin. Jiang Ruoning bit her lower lip and softly asked Shi Sui, “Has Auntie Lin left?”
Shi Sui tilted her head to glance over and said, “Not yet.”
Jiang Ruoning caught a glimpse of Auntie Lin’s figure vanishing around the corner with her peripheral vision but didn’t call out the lie. She just murmured an “oh,” and the hand that had been resting on Shi Sui’s shoulder tightened its grip, fingers clenching the fabric of Shi Sui’s shirt.
A gentle breeze stirred.
The September evening had already turned cool. Jiang Ruoning, dressed in a skirt, shivered from a couple of gusts of cold wind and let out a sneeze.
It came out of nowhere.
While they were hugging so closely.
Jiang Ruoning felt like she didn’t need a castle—she’d already dug one out with her toes from sheer embarrassment.
Shi Sui asked her, “Are you cold?”
Jiang Ruoning sniffed. “A little.”
She pulled out of Shi Sui’s arms, trying to steady her breathing. “I didn’t bring a jacket when I stepped out.”
Shi Sui said, “I have one in my car—” Then she remembered. “I didn’t drive.”
Jiang Ruoning asked, “How did you get here, then?”
Shi Sui replied, “Took a cab.”
Jiang Ruoning was a beat slow on the uptake. “Oh, right, you were drinking.”
Shi Sui nodded and stood up. “Let’s go.”
Jiang Ruoning worried, “Can you even walk?”
Shi Sui said, “I’m fine. But you’ll have to drive. Does your neck still hurt?”
It wasn’t her who asked.
Jiang Ruoning had even forgotten about her stiff neck.
After being buried in the embrace for so long, she hadn’t felt it. Now, as sensation slowly returned, Jiang Ruoning tilted her head slightly and said, “It hurts a little, but it’s not a big deal.”
Compared to right after waking up, it was worlds better. Whether she got acupuncture or not didn’t matter to Jiang Ruoning, but if it gave her an excuse to see Shi Sui, she was more than willing.
Once in the car, Shi Sui pulled up the navigation on her phone and connected it to Jiang Ruoning’s car Bluetooth. When there were no directions, music filled the cabin. Shi Sui recognized it. “Ye Yu’s song?”
Jiang Ruoning turned her head and smiled. “This one was from when she first debuted. It didn’t get much traction, not many people listened to it, but I really like it.”
Shi Sui paused for a moment and said, “I like this song too.”
Jiang Ruoning asked, “Are you a fan of hers?”
Shi Sui looked at Jiang Ruoning and nodded.
More than a fan—she was one of the first.
They had gone to cheer Ye Yu on at every round of her first singing competition qualifiers.
Jiang Ruoning was a bit surprised. “I thought you’d be into more niche music.”
Shi Sui was straightforward. “Do I not look like someone with mainstream tastes?”
Jiang Ruoning wanted to shake her head, but her neck hurt, so she smiled instead. “You don’t. You look like a fairy who doesn’t touch the mortal world.”
She turned playful.
Making Shi Sui chuckle.
Shi Sui asked, “You and Ye Yu—are you close?”
Jiang Ruoning gave a soft hum. “Hm?”
Shi Sui said casually, “I saw an interview.”
“Oh~” Jiang Ruoning got it. “You mean that interview with Ye Yu?”
That was where eighty percent of her CP fans started shipping them. The host had asked Ye Yu if there was anyone in her music career she wanted to thank in particular. Ye Yu didn’t hesitate. “Lots. All my friends, my manager, my company—they’re all people I really want to thank.”
The host pressed, “The one you’re most grateful to?”
Perhaps catching the host’s intent, Ye Yu thought for a moment. “There is one person I’m especially, especially grateful to.”
The host’s eyes lit up, thrusting the mic toward Ye Yu’s mouth. Ye Yu said, “When I watch movies, my favorite part is when the protagonist goes through hell and back, never giving up, and finally creates a miracle.”
“My life had a miracle like that too.”
“She helped me so much—without her, I might not have had the courage to stand on stage. There wouldn’t be a singer Ye Yu today.”
The host smelled gossip and leaned in for more, but Ye Yu smiled. “It’s her birthday today. Happy birthday to her.”
After the interview aired that night, Ye Yu reposted a birthday video for her on Weibo with a heart gesture.
It didn’t blow up right away.
Once the interview aired, everyone realized Ye Yu was talking about her. Luckily, Ye Yu’s agency was quick to act, or Jiang Ruoning’s secrets would have been stripped bare.
Jiang Ruoning still shuddered at the memory. “She got me in so much trouble! It was terrifying! I gave her a real scolding afterward!”
Shi Sui took in her reaction, lowered her gaze, and smiled faintly. “So, you’re just friends?”
Jiang Ruoning turned her head excitedly. “Of course!”
Shi Sui reached out and gently turned her head back. Jiang Ruoning blinked.
Those hands brushed her cheek—soft and light, but in Jiang Ruoning’s heart, it stirred up a storm!
Her cheeks flushed bright red with a smack.
She stared dead ahead.
Her body went rigid.
Like a newbie driver gripping the wheel too tight. Shi Sui beside her reminded, “Turn right.”
Jiang Ruoning didn’t catch it. “Huh?”
Shi Sui glanced at the rearview mirror and lightly patted Jiang Ruoning’s right hand. Jiang Ruoning switched from the fast lane to the auxiliary road. There were few pedestrians and even fewer cars in the suburbs; they drove the whole way without much traffic. The greenery was nice, though. Jiang Ruoning gazed out the window and said, “The scenery here’s pretty good.”
“Mm.” Shi Sui said, “It’s a good spot for camping.”
Jiang Ruoning had lived in Shangjing for years and didn’t know about this hidden gem. She asked Shi Sui, “You know this place well?”
Shi Sui replied, “Came here a few times back in school.”
The first time was when Jiang Ruoning discovered it. Back then, for dates, they’d hop on buses and go wherever, getting off at random stops for lunch, then wandering nearby sights. One time led them here. Jiang Ruoning loved the serene vibe, and they even rented a tent for the night. They came back a few more times and talked about bringing Qin Zheng and Yun An along, but schedules never lined up.
Jiang Ruoning nodded. The car passed a stretch of road and turned left; she spotted a clinic.
The navigation showed they’d arrived.
After parking, Jiang Ruoning checked the time. “Are we too late?”
Shi Sui said, “They close at eleven.”
Jiang Ruoning replied, “That should be enough.”
Shi Sui got out, walked to Jiang Ruoning’s side, and opened the car door for her. Jiang Ruoning’s lips curved up as she stepped out, and Shi Sui smoothly took her bag.
Jiang Ruoning watched her profile as Shi Sui led her inside.
A woman in glasses and a white coat sat at the front desk. She looked up at the sound of the door, adjusted her glasses. Shi Sui spoke first. “Doctor Ma.”
Doctor Ma stared at Shi Sui, finding her vaguely familiar but unable to place her. She asked, “What’s wrong?”
Shi Sui said, “My friend has a stiff neck. I was hoping you could do some acupuncture.”
Doctor Ma stood and gestured to Jiang Ruoning. “Sit here.”
Jiang Ruoning instinctively glanced at Shi Sui, who nodded encouragingly. Only then did Jiang Ruoning sit on the stool. She’d always been scared of doctors since she was little. When Doctor Ma’s fingers pressed against her neck, Jiang Ruoning’s heart prickled with unease.
Shi Sui leaned in but couldn’t see much. Doctor Ma prodded with her fingers, and Jiang Ruoning yelped.
Shi Sui hurried, “Go easy—she’s scared of pain.”
Doctor Ma shot her an annoyed glare.
Shi Sui pressed her lips together.
Jiang Ruoning caught her deflated look out of the corner of her eye. Her body hurt, but her heart was sweet.
Doctor Ma pressed acupoints on her neck while asking, “Does it hurt here?”
Jiang Ruoning’s eyes teared up from the prodding. She gasped, “It hurts!”
Doctor Ma pressed nearby. “Here?”
Jiang Ruoning said, “This side’s a bit better.”
Doctor Ma checked a few spots, then pressed the sorest one. Jiang Ruoning bit her lip, her features scrunching up. Doctor Ma said, “Not too serious. Acupuncture for three to five days should fix it.” She turned to Shi Sui. “You, come here.”
Shi Sui stepped in front of Jiang Ruoning as instructed. Doctor Ma had Jiang Ruoning spread her legs and pushed Shi Sui between them. Both froze, bodies stiffening, but Doctor Ma casually draped Jiang Ruoning’s arms around Shi Sui’s waist. “Hold on tight when it hurts later.”
Jiang Ruoning hadn’t processed what “hurt” yet when Doctor Ma pressed hard. Pain surged; she let out a muffled grunt and hugged Shi Sui tight without thinking.
So slender.
Even slimmer than she looked.
Jiang Ruoning zoned out. Doctor Ma pressed another spot, and she hissed, voice low. “Ah…”
Shi Sui asked softly, “Does it hurt a lot?”
Doctor Ma said, “Bear with it. Squeeze your friend when it hurts. Your nerves are too tense—gotta loosen them up first with massage, or the needles will hurt too.”
Jiang Ruoning wanted to cry. “Got it.” It hurt like hell, but she stayed polite. “Thank you, Doctor.”
Doctor Ma didn’t hold back. “Hold tight.”
Jiang Ruoning wrapped around Shi Sui’s waist. Shi Sui arched forward into a curve. Jiang Ruoning’s hair brushed under her eyelids; a downward glance revealed the whirl on top of her head. Doctor Ma pressed her neck down with one hand while massaging with the other. Finding it awkward, she called to Shi Sui, “Hold here.”
She pointed to Jiang Ruoning’s slender neck. Shi Sui placed her right hand on the nape.
A numbing tingle shot from Jiang Ruoning’s neck straight to the crown of her head.
She couldn’t tell if it was pain or something else. She bit her lip, holding back desperately.
Finally, Doctor Ma finished the massage. “Pay up. I’ll go prep the acupuncture stuff.”
Jiang Ruoning was still in agony. Shi Sui asked, “How much?”
Doctor Ma said, “Eighty a session. Pay as you go.”
Shi Sui paid. Jiang Ruoning said, “I’ll transfer it to you later.”
“Still hurt?” Shi Sui crouched down in front of her, looking up. Jiang Ruoning tried tilting to the other side. “Ow—not as bad as before.”
She lit up. “It actually works.”
Doctor Ma snorted. “What, you think I’d take your money for nothing?”
Jiang Ruoning tugged at her lips and made a face at Shi Sui, who smiled back.
They were exchanging glances.
Doctor Ma said, “We’ll do the rest in the back room.”
Jiang Ruoning grabbed Shi Sui’s arm. “Why the back room?”
Her eyes were too clear, nothing but Shi Sui’s reflection in them.
Shi Sui stared, entranced, until Jiang Ruoning tugged again. Half-jokingly, she said, “To kidnap you.”
Jiang Ruoning: …
Shi Sui sensed the awkward silence and flushed. “Not funny?”
Jiang Ruoning burst out laughing. “You can actually joke.”
Shi Sui: …
Her face heated as she stood, but Jiang Ruoning held her arm. “Hey.”
Shi Sui looked down.
Jiang Ruoning pointed at her shirt. “Looks like… it got my lipstick on it.”
Shi Sui saw the faint lipstick mark on the side of her white shirt—subtle but visible. Before she could speak, Jiang Ruoning frowned. “Not sure if it’ll wash out. Don’t move—let me try wiping it with a wet wipe.”
She pulled a single-pack wet wipe from her bag, opened it, and rubbed at the shirt. The cool alcohol hit Shi Sui’s skin, making her suck in a breath.
Unaware, Jiang Ruoning scrubbed harder. Shi Sui caught her hand. “It’s fine.”
Jiang Ruoning said, “Doesn’t seem to be coming off.”
She looked up in frustration at Shi Sui. “Shouldn’t have worn lipstick.”
Shi Sui met her gaze, her eyes drifting to Jiang Ruoning’s thin lips. The color was sheer, close to natural. Shi Sui’s finger unconsciously brushed Jiang Ruoning’s lip, rubbing side to side. Jiang Ruoning’s eyes locked on Shi Sui’s, her lips parting slightly as her teeth lightly nipped Shi Sui’s fingertip.
