Chapter 45: Various Flavors

The office was utterly quiet, the only sound Meng Chuning’s breathing growing steadily heavier.

“Is it okay, sister?” Jiang Xiaoyi wondered. She’d been so forward already—why wasn’t her sister saying anything?

Meng Chuning watched her quietly, sensing something was off.

Jiang Xiaoyi’s eyes blinked innocently, wide with feigned purity. Meng Chuning recalled the night before in the car: Jiang Xiaoyi’s cheeks flushed crimson as she buried her face in Meng Chuning’s neck, utterly shy. Yet now, she could talk about eating little buns without so much as blushing or skipping a beat.

“Okay,” Meng Chuning said, staying rooted in place with a hint of anticipation. “Come on, Xiaoyi.”

What did “come on” even mean?

Jiang Xiaoyi’s gaze swept the office. “Sister, where are the little buns?”

Meng Chuning: “…”

She really had been overthinking it.

“Sister?” Jiang Xiaoyi seemed to catch a flicker of disappointment on Meng Chuning’s face. What was that about?

Meng Chuning took a small step back, a touch embarrassed. “What flavor of little bun do you want?”

“Any flavor is fine,” Jiang Xiaoyi said without hesitation. “As long as it’s your little buns—mmph…”

The word “eat” got swallowed back into her mouth. Meng Chuning’s soft body pressed against her, and she tilted her face up, nipping Jiang Xiaoyi’s lip in mild annoyance.

“Mm?!” Jiang Xiaoyi’s lower lip throbbed with a mix of numbness and pain. She blinked at the Meng Chuning now mere inches away, her mind still foggy.

After the bite, Meng Chuning’s tongue darted out to soothe the spot with a gentle lick. Jiang Xiaoyi’s lips glistened, reddened and wet. Her eyes flickered as she murmured, “Sister, that really hurts.”

The instinctive whine softened Meng Chuning’s heart. Her pale fingertips brushed the sheen of moisture on Jiang Xiaoyi’s lips, a low chuckle escaping her. “If sister kisses it better, it won’t hurt anymore.”

“Really?” Jiang Xiaoyi leaned in a little, bringing her lips closer. “Then be gentle, sister.”

Their gazes locked at eye level. Meng Chuning’s arms slid around Jiang Xiaoyi’s neck, her soft lips brushing tenderly over the slick, reddened pout.

Jiang Xiaoyi parted her lips slightly and pressed back. Sensing the initiative, Meng Chuning paused and pulled away. Jiang Xiaoyi leaned in for more but kissed only air, opening her eyes in confusion. “What’s wrong, sister?”

It was payback for those misleading words earlier. Meng Chuning deliberately held back, as if refusing to satisfy her. She let go and said, “I have work to do later.”

“Huh?” Jiang Xiaoyi licked her lips, an inexplicable emptiness settling in. She had to tamp down the lingering spark from her sister’s kiss.

Meng Chuning pinched her cheek. “There’s a bakery on the twelfth floor. Tell the pastry chef what kind you want, and they’ll make it for you.”

But buns from the pastry chef wouldn’t complete the task. Jiang Xiaoyi frowned, whispering, “I want to eat your little buns, sister.”

Meng Chuning forced herself not to overthink it, clearing her throat. “If you want them, come to my place tonight. I’ll make some for you.”

Jiang Xiaoyi’s eyes lit up instantly. “You know how to make little buns, sister?”

“Mm.” Meng Chuning opened the office door and called out, “Shen Ling!”

Shen Ling hurried over. “President Meng, you called?”

She turned and spotted Jiang Xiaoyi, her smile widening. Another win for their ship—President Meng and Jiang Xiaoyi seemed blissfully solid these days.

“Shen Ling, go buy some ingredients for making buns and have them delivered to Lovers’ Water Bay,” Meng Chuning said, transferring money via her phone. “I’ve listed everything in a spreadsheet. Just get those.”

Shen Ling beamed. “Right away!”

“Sister, isn’t this too much trouble?” Jiang Xiaoyi hadn’t expected completing the “eat little buns” task to involve so much hassle—having Shen Ling shop for raw ingredients and all.

Meng Chuning smiled. “If you want it, it’s no trouble.”

“Mm…” A wave of warmth flooded Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart. It felt like being truly cherished.

…

At nine that evening, Jiang Xiaoyi had wrapped up on set and was waiting for a cab by the roadside.

A car pulled up beside her. The window rolled down, revealing a somewhat unfamiliar face. Jiang Xiaoyi glanced over—it wasn’t someone she knew—and shifted away slightly.

“Jiang Xiaoyi.” The woman in the car called her name. Jiang Xiaoyi turned back, lowering her head. “Were you calling me?”

Zhou Yiyan suddenly laughed. “Don’t you recognize me anymore?”

Jiang Xiaoyi racked her brain. She did look familiar… Then it clicked. “Sorry, Director Zhou! My brain just didn’t catch up—I did recognize you, I swear…”

Zhou Yiyan chuckled at her flustered rambling. “No worries. Where are you headed? I can give you a ride.”

“No need, Director Zhou. I can get back on my own.” But Zhou Yiyan pushed open the back door. “Cabs are hard to find around here. Let me drive you.”

Refusing again would seem rude. Jiang Xiaoyi nodded reluctantly and slid into the car. “Thank you, Director Zhou.”

Was her memory really failing her? How could she not recognize Director Zhou on sight? And Director Zhou remembered her—it was mortifyingly embarrassing. Sitting in the same car now, all Jiang Xiaoyi felt was awkwardness.

Zhou Yiyan glanced at her. “Where to?”

“Lovers’…” Jiang Xiaoyi caught herself just in time. An unknown eighteenth-tier actress living in a villa district? Unreasonable. If Zhou Yiyan realized she was heading to Meng Chuning’s, it might spark rumors.

Zhou Yiyan prompted, “Mm?”

Jiang Xiaoyi changed tack. “Ripple Mountain Subway Station. I can get off there.”

“That’s on my way.” Zhou Yiyan nodded, and the driver pulled away.

Jiang Xiaoyi shrank into her corner of the car, staring out the window. Why was Director Zhou giving her a ride? They weren’t close. Maybe Boss Ruan Feng had asked her to look out for her.

In the quiet car, Zhou Yiyan spoke up. “How’s filming going?”

Jiang Xiaoyi turned slightly. “Smoothly. I haven’t thanked you yet for recommending me to the crew, Director Zhou. Thank you.”

“Just a small favor—no need to thank me.” Zhou Yiyan spoke mildly. “I only introduced Ruan Feng to the director. It was Ruan Feng who really pushed for your role.”

Jiang Xiaoyi had never heard it from Ruan Feng or Sister Lu Xi.

“Ruan Feng didn’t tell you?” Zhou Yiyan explained. “The director wasn’t planning to cast you at first. Ruan Feng went on about your strengths until he agreed to audition you.”

“She didn’t mention it.” Jiang Xiaoyi hadn’t realized. So Boss Ruan Feng had worked so hard behind the scenes for a minor role.

Zhou Yiyan continued, “Spring Wind Entertainment is tiny. Without connections, it’s hard to break into the Entertainment Circle properly. You’ve been in the industry two years and you’re still eighteenth-tier—that’s why.”

Jiang Xiaoyi got the point. Director Zhou was saying she hadn’t truly entered the circle yet.

“So you’re still refreshingly naive,” Zhou Yiyan said with a soft sigh. “The Entertainment Circle’s waters run deep. You’ll learn that soon enough.”

Jiang Xiaoyi heard lines like that from Sister Lu Xi all the time, but she wasn’t afraid. “Thanks for the reminder, Director Zhou.”

Ripple Mountain Subway Station arrived quickly. Jiang Xiaoyi got out and waved. “Drive safe, Director Zhou.”

Zhou Yiyan smiled faintly. “Good night.”

As the car drove off, Jiang Xiaoyi let out a breath of relief. Sharing a car with Director Zhou had felt oddly stifling.

Her phone buzzed twice. Jiang Xiaoyi answered while walking, grinning. “Boss, why are you calling me?”

Ruan Feng listened to her cheerful tone. “What happened? You sound thrilled.”

“I just found out how hard you worked to snag me that little role. You haven’t given up on me after all—so yeah, I’m happy.” Jiang Xiaoyi laughed as she finished.

Ruan Feng tsked. “Even if I gave up on myself, I wouldn’t give up on you.”

“Eek…” It was cheesy. Jiang Xiaoyi pivoted. “So, what’s up, boss?”

Ruan Feng remembered her point. “Tomorrow night at eight, come with me to Hengwan Pavilion for the LP High Jewelry Banquet. Big-name stars and directors will be there—we can network.”

“Boss…” Jiang Xiaoyi hesitated. “LP is luxury jewelry. From what I know, only VIP clients and brand ambassadors get invites. How do we qualify?”

Ruan Feng replied, “Gu Nanzhi sent the invite. Guess it’s because she and Lu Xi have been close lately, so she’s looping us in.”

Jiang Xiaoyi was stunned. Sister Lu Xi was that connected?

She walked the rest of the way to Lovers’ Water Bay. At the villa gate, Meng Chuning was already waiting. “Xiaoyi, why’d you walk here?”

That evening on set, Meng Chuning had offered to send a driver, but Jiang Xiaoyi refused. She could handle her own commute—didn’t want to seem helpless.

Jiang Xiaoyi hurried over. “I ran into Director Zhou after wrap. She dropped me at the subway station, then I walked.”

Meng Chuning took her hand and led her to the kitchen. “What did you talk about?”

Jiang Xiaoyi recapped the conversation. Meng Chuning’s eyes narrowed slightly. “She called you naive? Sounds like Director Zhou has a good impression of you.”

“Nah, we’ve only met twice. Why would she? Our boss knows her, though—she probably gave me a ride for Ruan Feng’s sake.”

Jiang Xiaoyi touched her nose tip. Besides, she didn’t feel all that naive.

Meng Chuning washed her hands and dried them, then dabbed flour on Jiang Xiaoyi’s cheek with her fingertip. “Little Flower Cat, you really are pretty naive.”

“Sister…” Jiang Xiaoyi reached to wipe it off, but Meng Chuning caught her wrist and floured the other cheek too. “Xiaoyi, you’re adorable like this.”

Jiang Xiaoyi felt ridiculous. “Sister, let me wipe it off.”

Meng Chuning shook her head, smiling. “Nope.”

With both hands pinned, Jiang Xiaoyi ducked her head close and blinked. “Fine, sister. Let me draw one on you too.”

“Hm?” Before Meng Chuning could react, Jiang Xiaoyi tilted her head and pressed her left cheek to Meng Chuning’s—a warm, fleeting touch that left flour behind.

Meng Chuning’s cheek flushed pink, now dusted with flour. Jiang Xiaoyi grinned and leaned in with her right cheek. Meng Chuning turned and planted a kiss there instead.

Jiang Xiaoyi froze. “Sister…”

Gazing at the faint lipstick mark on Jiang Xiaoyi’s pale cheek, Meng Chuning said innocently, “If you press your face close, doesn’t that mean it’s for kissing?”

Jiang Xiaoyi’s lashes lowered, her protest weak. “That’s not… I just wanted to rub flour on you…”

“Oh, really?” Meng Chuning’s lips curved as she offered her other cheek. “This side’s not done yet. Go ahead.”

Up close, Meng Chuning’s skin was flawlessly translucent, rosy and perfect. Jiang Xiaoyi leaned in as if entranced, pressing a kiss to the soft, white cheek. She pulled back in a panic with a soft smack, suddenly aware of what she’d done.

“Xiaoyi?” Meng Chuning turned to her, clearly surprised.

Jiang Xiaoyi bit her lip. “You said it yourself—if the face comes close, you kiss it.”

After saying that, Jiang Xiaoyi looked away, her face flushed as she changed the subject. “Sister, what do we need to prepare to make those little buns?”

Meng Chuning looked at her and kept smiling. “Xiaoyi, why don’t you stay over tonight?”

They had been talking about making little buns, so why did her sister suddenly bring this up? Jiang Xiaoyi felt it wouldn’t be right to stay. “But if Aunt finds out, won’t she get mad?”

“She won’t,” Meng Chuning said, releasing her hand. “Mom’s not in City A today, so she won’t know.”

Jiang Xiaoyi shook her head. “Still, no.”

It seemed Meng Qinglan had really scared her last time. Meng Chuning shook her hand gently. “My sister and Little Dumpling aren’t here. I’ll be scared all alone. Xiaoyi, stay and keep me company, okay?”

No wonder she hadn’t seen Sister Fanyu. Jiang Xiaoyi gave in. “Alright.”

She had used that excuse several times now, yet Jiang Xiaoyi still believed her so innocently. Meng Chuning felt a little worried. “Xiaoyi, what if someone else tricks you away someday?”

Jiang Xiaoyi shook her head. “No way. I’m really good at spotting scams.”

“Really?” Meng Chuning smiled, letting go of her hand. “Before you got here, I already prepped some of the little buns. Now we just need to turn on the oven and wait ten minutes.”

Jiang Xiaoyi bent down and peered into the oven. Neat rows of little buns were arranged perfectly inside. “Sister, your baking skills are amazing.”

There were four kinds in the oven, each one looking flawless.

Meng Chuning set the temperature, and they watched together as the buns gradually rose.

Ten minutes later, Jiang Xiaoyi slipped on oven mitts and opened the door. A wave of soft, milky fragrance hit her. “It smells so good. They look delicious.”

“This is my favorite, the flaky pineapple bun. Want to try one?” Meng Chuning held a pineapple bun to her lips. Jiang Xiaoyi leaned down and took a bite.

Meng Chuning watched her a bit nervously. “Is it good?”

Jiang Xiaoyi tasted the tangy sweetness of pineapple, with a crust so flaky it crumbled perfectly. “It’s better than any little bun I’ve ever had. I want more.”

“They’re all yours.” Meng Chuning watched as Jiang Xiaoyi happily devoured four buns, one after another. “Really that good?”

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded, still savoring the aftertaste. But she had eaten them all, so why hadn’t she heard the task completion sound?

Had System PP gone offline?

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart raced a little. Had she misunderstood? After all, System PP loved speaking in riddles.

Meng Chuning took her hand and led her upstairs. “Xiaoyi, go ahead and shower first. I’ll find some clothes for you.”

The hot water downstairs still wasn’t fixed, so Jiang Xiaoyi headed into Meng Chuning’s bathroom again.

She closed the door and quickly messaged Su Jiuyue.

Xiao Yi: 【Jiuyue! What does “want to eat little buns” really mean?!】

Xiao Yi: 【This isn’t just about actual little buns!】

Su Jiuyue replied almost immediately this time.

Jiuyue: 【Didn’t you say you got it? (sweatdrop emoji)】

Jiuyue sent her a Flower Market Story snippet.

Jiang Xiaoyi: “…”

It felt all too familiar.

She tremblingly opened it.

[In the bedroom, one woman stripped naked and lay on a bed covered in rose petals. Another woman embraced her from behind, her hands sliding up from her lower abdomen to grip and knead firmly. “Sister, you’re so soft.”]

Jiang Xiaoyi’s hand shook. Now she understood why Liju Teacher had blushed.

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi stared at her reflection in the mirror, her cheeks flushing uncontrollably again.

Remembering the messages she had sent Meng Chuning, she bit her tongue. Aaaah, what would her sister think of her?

System PP had told her to take the initiative, and she had—but in completely the wrong direction.

Meng Chuning’s voice came from outside. “Xiaoyi, have you started washing up? I don’t hear any water.”

“Oh… oh.” Jiang Xiaoyi set her phone aside, head down. “I’m washing now.”

What was she supposed to do when she went out? How should she take the initiative? As Jiang Xiaoyi showered, she felt shy, yet a faint anticipation stirred. Her sister did feel so soft…

“Hiss…” Jiang Xiaoyi quickly turned the water to cold to snap herself out of it. When she finished and reached for a towel, she realized there was nothing in the bathroom.

She had rushed in and forgotten to grab one.

“…” Fresh out of the shower, Jiang Xiaoyi felt hot all over again. She cracked the door open a sliver. “Sister?”

“Mm?” Meng Chuning stood by the window and glanced over, as if she knew what was up. “Look down.”

Jiang Xiaoyi looked. A towel and pajamas sat on a stool nearby. “Thanks, Sister.”

But to reach the towel, she’d have to open the door wider. Jiang Xiaoyi silently pushed it open a bit more and stretched out her arm, but it was still just out of reach.

“Sister…” From behind the door, Jiang Xiaoyi tilted her head to look at her. “Could you turn around first?”

At this distance, she’d have to step out to grab it—her arm wasn’t long enough. Why had her sister put the clothes so far away?

Meng Chuning watched her with interest. “Why?”

“I need to come out to get them, Sister.” Surely her sister would understand now.

Meng Chuning teased her on purpose. “Mm, come out then.”

“I’m not wearing anything… it’s embarrassing.” Jiang Xiaoyi’s face burned as she pleaded softly. “Sister, please don’t look, okay?”

They stared at each other silently for a few seconds before Meng Chuning chuckled under her breath. “Alright, I won’t look.”

Clearly, Jiang Xiaoyi wouldn’t come out unless she turned away. Meng Chuning’s ploy had failed, so she turned around. She heard the bathroom door open and close behind her.

After fumbling around to get dressed, Jiang Xiaoyi emerged to find Meng Chuning leaning against the bed, tapping away on her laptop.

How was she supposed to bring it up to her sister?

Jiang Xiaoyi tiptoed around. “Sister, are you working?”

“Just handling a file. It’ll be quick.” Meng Chuning stared at her screen but glanced over distractedly. “What’s wrong? You look like you have something to say.”

Jiang Xiaoyi hesitated. “Sister, I’m… hungry.”

Meng Chuning closed her laptop. “Still hungry?”

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded. Meng Chuning started to lift the covers. “I’ll go to the kitchen…”

“Wait.” Jiang Xiaoyi pressed her hands to Meng Chuning’s waist, her face burning as she leaned in close. “I want to eat Sister’s little buns.”

Meng Chuning froze. “Wha… what?”

Jiang Xiaoyi’s heated gaze drifted down to Meng Chuning’s collarbone and below, then quickly back up as she whispered, “C… can I, Sister?”

Meng Chuning knew exactly what she meant now.

“Xiaoyi…” Smiling, Meng Chuning leaned in for a kiss. “Help yourself.”

Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart pounded harder, her cheeks growing hotter. She pushed Meng Chuning down onto the bed beneath her.

Then, taking the initiative, she slowly slid Meng Chuning’s silk pajamas upward. Jiang Xiaoyi’s whole body burned as her sister’s slender waist came into view, followed by her taut, flat abdomen, and then the full curves that had been hidden.

Jiang Xiaoyi lowered her eyes and pushed the silk top up to Meng Chuning’s collarbone, revealing her sister’s perfect figure right before her.

Meng Chuning’s breathing quickened, her soft white breasts rising and falling, drawing Jiang Xiaoyi’s gaze.

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s hands gripped Meng Chuning’s waist. Mimicking the Flower Market Story, she slid her skin against the dimples there, then cupped both sides and squeezed inward.

Like she was starved for it, Jiang Xiaoyi flushed red and leaned down to take one into her mouth.

Warm breath spilled over it. Meng Chuning felt a sudden heat there, her legs curling instinctively and kicking against the bed as her back arched, pressing herself upward.

“Mm…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s tongue was pushed back; she could only open wider to take it in.