“My towel fell on the floor. It’s dirty now.”
Crack—
Cha Susu froze solid, then shattered into pieces. Had she just gotten ahead of herself?
“N-No, it’s fine, Shengsheng. You can use it,” Cha Susu stammered, her face burning even redder with shame.
After washing her hands quickly, Liang Sheng realized she’d forgotten her facial cleanser and stepped back out of the bathroom.
As she passed Cha Susu, Liang Sheng noticed something off about the Green Tea Girl standing nearby. She glanced over and saw the girl’s cheeks flushed bright red.
“Hey?” Liang Sheng walked up to Cha Susu and, amid the girl’s startled expression, reached out to touch her forehead. “Susu, your face is so red. Are you running a fever?”
Liang Sheng thought maybe Cha Susu had caught a chill from how cold it had been the day before.
“It’s so hot…” Liang Sheng muttered to herself, ignoring how Cha Susu looked ready to burst into flames. “Oh, probably because I just washed my hands with cold water, so my hand feels cool?”
With that question hanging, Liang Sheng leaned in closer, pressing her forehead against Cha Susu’s.
“Mmm, whoa…” Cha Susu stood rooted to the spot.
Liang Sheng’s face was right there, inches away.
So… so beautiful. Cha Susu stared at her long lashes and those clear green eyes, gentle as a spring.
How could anyone be this gorgeous? She could feel Liang Sheng’s breath warming her face.
Her gaze drifted lower, locking onto Liang Sheng’s lips. They were full and smiling, looking soft and inviting. What would it feel like to kiss them? Another bold thought bubbled up in Cha Susu’s mind.
“Hmm, no fever. Your temperature feels about the same as mine.” Liang Sheng pulled back and touched her own forehead, smiling at the Green Tea Girl. “Good thing you’re okay. I was worried you’d caught a fever.”
Was this… her showing concern for me?
Ding~ Favorability increased.
“Cha Susu’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 91”
“Thanks for worrying about me, Shengsheng~” Cha Susu squirmed shyly, twisting her slim waist a little.
Whew, good thing Shengsheng pulled back just then, or else… Cha Susu bit her lower lip. Or else she might have done something she’d regret!
Wait, hold on! Why was she even thinking about kissing Liang Sheng? Cha Susu reeled in shock, staring at Liang Sheng’s back until the bathroom door clicked shut behind her.
She swallowed hard, her hands trembling as she pulled out her phone and typed a message to her dad: Dad, I think I like someone.
Her father replied almost instantly. “Which punk kid caught our Susu’s eye? It’s his lucky day.”
Cha Susu felt a whirlwind of emotions, unsure how to respond to her old man. The thing was, this person wasn’t a punk kid at all!
Her parents were pretty open-minded, especially her mom. A long time ago, her mom had openly admitted to her and Dad that she’d been bisexual in the past. That had sent Dad clinging to Mom’s leg, bawling and asking why she hadn’t just said she only loved him.
Back then, Cha Susu’s mom had told her, “Sweetie, Mom just wants you to find someone you like who treats you right—boy or girl, doesn’t matter. Pick who makes you happy. Don’t worry about your dad’s feelings; Mom’s cool with it.”
Dad had chimed in from the sidelines, insisting he felt the same way.
Cha Susu had snuck a laugh back then, thinking there was no way she’d ever fall for another girl. What a joke her parents were pulling, with no boundaries. And now, here she was, eating those words.
“Dad, the person I like… isn’t a boy.”
Cha Susu edited the message with a pounding heart, hesitated for ages, then finally hit send.
To her surprise, her father replied in a flash.
“A girl, huh? Is she pretty? Our Susu is so amazing; she must like you back! When can you bring her home so we can meet her?”
Huh? Cha Susu hadn’t expected it to go this smoothly.
Aaaah! She’d been agonizing just moments ago, and now she felt totally free!
Emboldened, Cha Susu sent her dad a voice message without a second thought. She glanced at the tightly shut bathroom door and whispered, “Dad, the girl I like… you’ve met her. It’s Liang Sheng.”
Her father, Cha Su, immediately called her on video. Cha Susu popped in her earbuds and answered.
The screen lit up to reveal her dad’s gossip-hungry face.
“Sweetie, tell me everything. How’d you fall for Liang Sheng?”
Cha Susu huffed playfully. “Dad, you’re such an old gossip! Snooping on your daughter’s love life.”
Cha Su clutched his chest in mock hurt. “Ouch, does my little girl think I’m too nosy now?”
“No way!” Cha Susu giggled. “But why are you asking? Don’t you think Liang Sheng is super pretty?”
Cha Su’s eyes lit up in realization, pointing at her. “Ohhh! So you’re just lusting after the girl’s body! Love at first sight, huh?”
“Nooo!” Cha Susu pouted. “Don’t tease me, Dad. I’m serious about liking Liang Sheng. You don’t think there’s anything wrong with that?”
Cha Su shrugged on the video. “Not a thing wrong with it. Liang Sheng’s a great kid—smart, caring, sweet talker too.”
“Right?!” Cha Susu’s heart soared hearing her dad approve of her crush.
Cha Su stroked the stubble on his chin, tilting his mouth thoughtfully and sucking his teeth. He eyed his daughter. “Only one thing: you’re still too young, Susu. Dad suggests waiting till you’re an adult before dating her. But if you’re both into each other, no harm in trying now. Just don’t let the paparazzi catch you—it could hurt your career.”
Cha Susu nodded, her expression turning serious. “Got it, Dad. I know all that.”
Just then, the bathroom door slid open. Cha Susu panicked and hit the end call button.
“Dad, Liang Sheng’s coming out. Talk later!”
Cha Su sent a sour message: “Fine, you heartless little thing. Got a girlfriend and forgot your old man.”
Cha Susu saw it and burst out laughing. “Pfft!”
“No way, Dad! You’re still my favorite person!”
“That’s more like it. Don’t you dare turn heartless.”
“Susu, what are you looking at? You’re grinning ear to ear.” Liang Sheng emerged from the bathroom, using Cha Susu’s towel to dry her face.
Cha Susu grinned. “Hee hee, just chatting with Dad! He said you’re smart and sweet, Shengsheng.”
“Wow, really~” Liang Sheng dried her face completely. “Your uncle thinks that highly of me?”
