Chapter 54: Cat Ears

“No, I didn’t,” Meng Chuning protested. Her body was cushioned by Jiang Xiaoyi’s hand from below, causing her to slide downward until she ended up sitting squarely on her lap.

Meng Chuning noticed that Jiang Xiaoyi was getting bolder and bolder. It was clearly Jiang Xiaoyi’s knee propping her up to keep her from slipping off, yet she had accused Meng Chuning of using her little butterfly to bite.

Meng Chuning’s eyes grew redder at the corners. She arched her lower back off the bed, and Jiang Xiaoyi cradled her in her palm, reluctant to let go. “Sister, how are you so soft?”

Meng Chuning flushed at the words. “Alright, Xiaoyi. I want to take a shower.”

“I’ll carry you there while holding you,” Jiang Xiaoyi replied. She stood up, slipped off the black lace panties wedged in the crook of Meng Chuning’s legs, and then scooped her up.

Meng Chuning instinctively wrapped her legs around Jiang Xiaoyi’s waist. “My clothes…”

She meant to say they still needed to come off, but Jiang Xiaoyi was already carrying her toward the bathroom. “We’ll take them off inside.”

Suddenly, Meng Chuning felt like laughing. “Xiaoyi, do you remember the last time we showered together?”

“…I do,” Jiang Xiaoyi said. Of course she remembered—it had been a task from the System. They had to hold hands the whole time in the bathroom, swapping positions without letting go. What had Meng Chuning thought of her back then? Had she found it weird that she clung so much, even insisting on holding hands constantly? Jiang Xiaoyi felt embarrassed just recalling it.

Jiang Xiaoyi spread out a bath towel on the vanity. Meng Chuning sat atop it, her legs dangling. “When you were washing me that time, you wrapped me up like a mummy. Were you really so afraid to look at me?”

“I was back then,” Jiang Xiaoyi admitted. She lowered her gaze and reached for the zipper on the side of Meng Chuning’s skirt. With one arm around her waist, she lifted her and slid the skirt off.

Meng Chuning settled back onto the vanity and hooked her legs around Jiang Xiaoyi’s waist. “Xiaoyi, why did you say you wanted to shower with me back then?”

“I…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s waist was tightly encircled by those legs. Meng Chuning had trapped her between her thighs, a position that made Jiang Xiaoyi desperately want to pin her against the mirror and have her way.

But right now, Jiang Xiaoyi didn’t dare lift her eyes. She had only done it to complete the task—it wasn’t like she truly wanted to shower with Meng Chuning.

“What’s wrong, Xiaoyi?” Meng Chuning leaned forward and rubbed against her. Jiang Xiaoyi’s cheeks burned, her side tingling from the contact. “Sister, don’t you think all the things I did to you before were weird…?”

Jiang Xiaoyi felt a twinge of guilt. What if Meng Chuning found out she had only done all those strange things because of the System? Would her sister get angry?

“Look at me, Xiaoyi.” Meng Chuning pinched her chin with pale fingers. “What’s weird about them?”

The bathroom lights blazed overhead, bright enough to sting the eyes.

Jiang Xiaoyi’s gaze shifted. She first caught sight of her own flushed face in the mirror, then met Meng Chuning’s eyes.

“You don’t think they’re weird, Sister?” Jiang Xiaoyi’s eyelashes trembled. Waking up from the charity banquet and demanding cuddles was strange enough. Then posting that Moments update visible only to Meng Chuning about wanting to bury her face in her chest—every single thing was so embarrassing she didn’t dare dwell on it.

Meng Chuning shook her head. “Nope.”

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi figured her sister must have rose-tinted glasses when it came to her—that was the only reason it wouldn’t seem strange.

“Xiaoyi.” Meng Chuning tugged at the hem of Jiang Xiaoyi’s shirt. “You still have clothes on.”

Meng Chuning was down to just a beige crew-neck blouse now. Jiang Xiaoyi reached out to unbutton it, revealing soft, snowy curves that swayed into view.

Jiang Xiaoyi’s fingertips inevitably brushed against skin as she worked the buttons. Meng Chuning watched her and chuckled. “Xiaoyi, you’re still so nervous.”

Meng Chuning’s figure was flawless—full and soft below her collarbones. Staring at her up close made Jiang Xiaoyi’s head swim. She had an inexplicable urge to bury her face right there.

Jiang Xiaoyi stared blankly, unable to tear her eyes away. Meng Chuning reached back and unhooked her bra.

The constraint snapped free, and the squeezed fullness bounced out. Jiang Xiaoyi’s cheeks exploded with heat, her temples throbbing. Her first instinct was how amazing it would feel to dive in without any barriers, licking and nipping.

“What’s wrong, Xiaoyi?” Meng Chuning cupped her face. “Your cheeks are burning up.”

“I…” Jiang Xiaoyi wrapped her arms tightly around Meng Chuning and pulled her close. She turned her head and took her earlobe between her lips, barely holding back. “Sister… you look so delicious.”

Meng Chuning shivered instinctively. Jiang Xiaoyi pursued, nipping lightly from her earlobe down to her neck.

A tingling jolt shot from her earlobe, spreading like electricity. Just as Meng Chuning thought she would continue lower, Jiang Xiaoyi pulled back from her collarbone, breathing raggedly. “Sister, we have to go out tomorrow. I can’t go too far.”

Meng Chuning’s breathing was still erratic. “Huh?”

“Yesterday was already too much. I need to hold back.” Jiang Xiaoyi licked her lips. “Or else you might not be able to walk tomorrow.”

Meng Chuning nestled against her, laughing. “We don’t have to go out tomorrow. We could just stay home and do this all day.”

“Don’t, Sister…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s face turned even redder from her words. “Tomorrow I want to go on a date with you.”

…

Stepping into the Comic-Con Center felt like entering a 2D wonderland. Jiang Xiaoyi gazed in fascination at the cosplayers passing by—each one straight out of a comic book.

Su Jiuyue waved from the convention info desk. “Xiaoyi!”

Jiang Xiaoyi turned at the sound and saw Su Jiuyue in a dark lace camisole top, her makeup done and hair curled. From afar, she looked like a little figurine, but up close, Jiang Xiaoyi could see the cat girl makeup, complete with a black tail trailing from her skirt.

Su Jiuyue called out again. “I grabbed your stamp booklet and booth map for you.”

The otaku Su Jiuyue knew the Comic-Con drill inside out. Jiang Xiaoyi nodded. “Got it.”

“Sister.” Jiang Xiaoyi reached back to hold Meng Chuning’s hand, only to find her lagging behind at a leisurely pace.

Jiang Xiaoyi went back to her. “What’s wrong, Sister?”

“Xiaoyi, um…” Meng Chuning’s cheeks were pink. “Do I really have to wear these cat ears and tail?”

They had just bought a cat-themed accessory set for her at the Comic-Con merch store. Now Meng Chuning leaned against Jiang Xiaoyi, reluctant to show her face. “Xiaoyi, this is so embarrassing.”

Meng Chuning wore a dress like a fluffy soufflé cake, with a snowy white tail perked up behind her. She looked innocently pretty.

Jiang Xiaoyi smiled and took the fuzzy tail in hand. “Sister, you look adorable.”

“Ah…” Meng Chuning’s voice quivered. “Don’t touch my tail in public.”

Jiang Xiaoyi wasn’t just holding it—she was stroking it from base to tip in her palm. Meng Chuning’s face heated up; the way Jiang Xiaoyi did it was far too sensual.

“Sister…” Jiang Xiaoyi leaned down. “Meow for me?”

Meng Chuning turned away. “No…”

Their stunning looks drew sidelong glances from passing cosplayers.

Su Jiuyue had been snapping photos with cosplayers everywhere—the girls here were all so nice, never refusing a pic. Bursting with excitement on her way back, she spotted Jiang Xiaoyi and Meng Chuning. She couldn’t resist suggesting, “Xiaoyi, President Meng—mind if I get a shot of you two?!”

Who could’ve guessed the YN Group President was cuddling against Jiang Xiaoyi like a little kitten, while Jiang Xiaoyi teasingly toyed with her tail, leaving Meng Chuning’s face flushed.

It was a perfect moment—who wouldn’t love it? It had to be captured.

“Sister, look at the camera.” Jiang Xiaoyi smiled down at her. Meng Chuning blinked blankly toward Su Jiuyue.

Su Jiuyue mashed the shutter button in a frenzy. She felt herself turning into a rabid Chu-Xiao CP fan.

The photo printed out right away. Su Jiuyue handed it to Jiang Xiaoyi. “What do you think?”

In the picture, Meng Chuning’s eyes were wide and round, her mouth slightly open—like a startled kitten. Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart melted. “Sister, you’re too cute.”

Jiang Xiaoyi realized Meng Chuning had so many sides she hadn’t seen yet. She’d thought her sister was aloof before, but now she seemed like a kitten who only knew how to act spoiled.

Meng Chuning leaned over and noticed only how tenderly Jiang Xiaoyi gazed at her in the photo—though her hand was still pinching and playing with the tail. She clearly loved this outfit on her.

“Xiaoyi…” Meng Chuning beckoned her over. Jiang Xiaoyi bent down and offered her ear. “What is it?”

Meng Chuning whispered, cheeks red. “Meow~”

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s ears tingled at the sound. When she turned to look, her own neck flushed. “What was that for, Sister?”

Meng Chuning blinked innocently. “Didn’t you want me to meow for you?”

She had teased her like that just moments ago, but having it purred right in her ear without warning left Jiang Xiaoyi overheated.

Meng Chuning saw her go quiet. “You don’t like it?”

Jiang Xiaoyi rubbed her earlobe. “I love hearing you, Sister. Do it again.”

Meng Chuning laughed softly. “Then I’ll meow for you at home.”

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi suddenly pondered how to rip off that soufflé dress—maybe the cat ears and tail had other uses too.

Su Jiuyue watched with starry eyes nearby. Jiang Xiaoyi and Meng Chuning were such a perfect match; she could fanfic ten thousand words about them in minutes.

“Jiuyue.” Jiang Xiaoyi waved a hand in front of her. “Did you find those novels?”

Su Jiuyue suddenly remembered—Jiang Xiaoyi had asked her to track down the novels she’d written in high school.

“I found one. Not sure where the others went—I’ll keep looking when I get home.” Su Jiuyue finished, and Jiang Xiaoyi nodded. “Thanks, Jiuyue.”

Su Jiuyue winced playfully. “What’re you thanking me for?”

A nearby cosplayer warmly approached Meng Chuning. “Teacher, you look so pretty! Can we get a photo?”

Meng Chuning had heard that refusing photos at Comic-Con was rude.

“Can we do heart hands, Teacher?” The cosplayer girl held up half a heart with her right hand. Meng Chuning hesitated. Jiang Xiaoyi started to step forward.

Su Jiuyue quickly made a heart with her left hand to complete it. “Teacher, I love your cosplay so much—can we do hearts together?”

The cosplayer blinked in confusion. “But we just took one.”

Su Jiuyue cooed. “That one didn’t have hearts! Please, Teacher?”

Distracted by Su Jiuyue’s enthusiasm, the cosplayer couldn’t focus on Meng Chuning. Jiang Xiaoyi seized the moment to grasp Meng Chuning’s wrist from behind. “Sister, let’s head out first.”

Meng Chuning gripped her hand back and smiled. “Where to?”

“Let me think.” Right now, Jiang Xiaoyi just wanted to drag Meng Chuning away from the Comic-Con Center.

She finally got what Su Jiuyue meant by “stamp collecting”—snapping close-up pics with cosplayers. The poses were intimate: heart hands, cheek presses, hugs. Jiang Xiaoyi’s eyes had widened at Su Jiuyue’s booklet full of them.

Someone had just asked Meng Chuning for heart hands. Next thing, someone might want a cheek-to-cheek hug.

“Slow down, Xiaoyi.” Meng Chuning struggled to keep up as Jiang Xiaoyi pulled her along. Jiang Xiaoyi glanced back and saw the tail swaying high and playful with each step Meng Chuning took.

Jiang Xiaoyi couldn’t for the life of her figure out why she’d picked out this particular outfit for Meng Chuning earlier.

“Sis, I think I should take your tail off,” Jiang Xiaoyi said. She circled behind Meng Chuning, gripped her lower back, detached the tail, and held it in her hand.

Meng Chuning turned her head. “What’s wrong? You just said I looked cute. Now you don’t want me wearing it?”

“It’s not just cute anymore.” Jiang Xiaoyi pictured Meng Chuning swishing her tail around. No, that was straight-up seductive.

Meng Chuning blinked curiously. “If it’s not cute, then what is it?”

“I’ll tell you later when we’re home, Sis.” Jiang Xiaoyi held her hand all the way to the parking lot. “Your clothes are in the car, right?”

“Yeah.” The outfit Meng Chuning had on was the one Jiang Xiaoyi had chosen for her to wear at Comic-Con. Her regular clothes were stashed in the back seat.

The Comic-Con had been packed to the gills, but the parking lot was deserted and eerily quiet.

Jiang Xiaoyi pulled the car into an empty spot not far from the entrance, nosing it up against the wall in a secluded corner.

“Sis, hop in and change first,” Jiang Xiaoyi said, opening the back door. “We’ll go catch a movie together after.”

“Sure!” Meng Chuning was thrilled at the idea. Holding hands with her little girlfriend in a dark theater sounded incredibly romantic.

Meng Chuning climbed into the car and pondered her options—romance flick, horror, or maybe a comedy?

“Xiaoyi,” she called. The zipper on her back was jammed. “I can’t get this skirt off.”

The car dipped slightly as Jiang Xiaoyi slid in and shut the door. “Sis, turn around so I can take a look.”

Meng Chuning turned and swept her long hair aside. Jiang Xiaoyi pinched the zipper between her fingers and gave it a tug. “It’s caught pretty good.”

“Ah?” Meng Chuning glanced over her shoulder. “Can you get it down?”

“I’ll give it a shot.” Jiang Xiaoyi gripped it with both hands and yanked. There was a sharp rip as the skirt split open, baring Meng Chuning’s smooth, pale back. Her delicate shoulder blades quivered faintly.

With the skirt bunched around her waist, her seamless bra clung to her slender back like a second skin. Jiang Xiaoyi’s throat went dry as she stared. “Sis… I just ripped your skirt to shreds.”

“It’s okay.” Meng Chuning doubted she’d ever wear it again anyway. She reached for the bag to grab her clothes, but Jiang Xiaoyi pressed up against her from behind. Her hands slipped around Meng Chuning’s waist. “Sis, let me take it off for you.”

“I can do it myself…” Before Meng Chuning could finish, Jiang Xiaoyi pulled her into her arms and tugged the skirt the rest of the way down her hips, tossing it aside.

Jiang Xiaoyi fished the spare clothes out of the bag and guided Meng Chuning to sit facing her. “Sis, let me help you get dressed.”

Meng Chuning felt like she’d suddenly forgotten how to dress herself. “Xiaoyi, I can manage.”

“Leg,” Jiang Xiaoyi said, holding out her palm. Obediently, Meng Chuning rested her calf in it.

Jiang Xiaoyi slid the skirt up one leg, then snatched the other to slip it in too.

Meng Chuning’s cheeks burned bright red. “…”

When she pulled out the top, Jiang Xiaoyi studied it with a frown. “Sis, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in this one.”

“I just bought it.” Meng Chuning snatched it and slipped it on herself. “What do you think? Does it look good?”

The beige knit sweater hugged her waist perfectly, its square neckline with lace cutouts framing an alluring swell of soft, pale cleavage. Meng Chuning was blessed with a body that could only be described as a natural temptress.

Jiang Xiaoyi’s eyes locked onto that deep valley, a wave of heat washing over her. “Sis… don’t wear this one out.”

Meng Chuning arched her back slightly and braced her hands on the seat, gazing at Jiang Xiaoyi. “You don’t like it?”

The motion pressed her arms against the plush, snowy curves of her chest, nearly spilling them right out of the gaping neckline.

“Sis…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s hand darted into the neckline to adjust the fabric. “You need to wear this properly.”

Moments later, Jiang Xiaoyi had her fully dressed again. Meng Chuning bit her lip. This wasn’t some modest getup—she’d picked it out on purpose just to wear around Jiang Xiaoyi.

“No…” Meng Chuning leaned into her. She didn’t even get the rest of the words out before Jiang Xiaoyi’s hand glided off to the right.

Meng Chuning’s arm went limp as a pleasant tingle shot through her chest. “Xiaoyi…”

Jiang Xiaoyi felt the telltale change and flushed hot in the cheeks. She’d just finished straightening the clothes and couldn’t help but graze it lightly with her nail.

Meng Chuning gazed at her, eyes reddened.

Jiang Xiaoyi swallowed softly. “Sis… you’re so sensitive down there.”