Chapter 36

“Bai Shuangshuang, I’ll give you one more chance to choose your words carefully.”

Under her intense gaze, she forced herself to rephrase: “Even if I wanted to, we’re not old enough yet.”

“Since you want it that badly, then when the time comes, come with me to take care of the paperwork.”

“…”

Yu Xichi spoke up at just the right moment. “Can you two give this adult a moment to talk? Whatever else you have to say, save it for private. Please?”

Teased into embarrassment, Bai Shuangshuang blushed and turned to her. “Auntie, is it okay for me and A-Sheng to be together?”

“What’s the problem?” Yu Xichi said. “As the old saying goes, keep the good stuff in the family. I don’t want you marrying out, and I don’t want this brat ruining some other family’s boy. Keeping it in-house is the perfect solution, right? And besides you, I doubt anyone else could keep her in line.”

“But we’re both girls.”

“So what if you’re both girls? That’s precisely why you’ll understand each other better—what she needs, what you need. Shuangshuang, you’re such a gem; I can’t imagine what kind of person would even be worthy of you. I’m terrified some sleazy guy will trick you one day. Sure, our Bai Tongsheng doesn’t have a ton of redeeming qualities, but she’s my own flesh and blood, so I have to cut her some slack. I’ve watched how she treats you all these years. If she were still like she was as a kid at the start, I’d have chased her out the door with a broom by now. But these days, her attitude toward you is spotless. So as far as your relationship goes? I couldn’t support it more.”

“But don’t most adults think this path is too hard and try to break couples like us up?”

“It’s still a tough road these days, sure. But so what? You’re the ones walking it—no one else is going to lend you their feet. If people criticize you, give it right back. Focus on your own romance; it doesn’t hurt them. A lot of folks don’t dare go this way because they’re scared their families won’t accept it. But you two? Your family is right here cheering you on. So Shuangshuang, Shengsheng—go forward boldly together. Walk it well, okay?”

“You two are the most important people in the world to Uncle and Auntie. If we can’t stand by you, who will? Our love for you isn’t just empty words. We’re family—always will be. No matter what happens, we’ll be right there with you.”

Bai Bingyang, who had been forced into silence by the threat of her leaving him to sleep alone, finally saw his opening.

“Your auntie’s spot on!”

Yu Xichi: “…”

Bai Shuangshuang: “…”

~~~

“Then we’re off. We’ll bring gifts back for you. Oh, Shuangshuang, come here—Auntie has a little private word for you.”

Bai Shuangshuang stepped closer, and Yu Xichi pulled her into a hug, leaning in to whisper in her ear. “I know you young folks—when the moment strikes, things can get heated easy enough. You’re all grown up now, and Auntie won’t stand in your way. But if you can show a little restraint, that’d be ideal. Anyway, we’ll leave you two to your romantic world. Eek, Bai Tongsheng’s glaring daggers at me. Scared now—bye!”

The door slammed shut, and only then did Bai Shuangshuang register what Yu Xichi had actually said.

Heat bloomed across her fair cheeks, and soon her entire face was scarlet.

Bai Tongsheng was just a student fresh out of Gaokao!!!

They’d only ever kissed at most—pure as could be!!!

Bai Tongsheng drew her into her arms, plucked the stem off a strawberry, and popped it into her mouth. “What’d she say to you?”

The berry was huge; Bai Shuangshuang managed only half before her mouth was full. Bai Tongsheng tucked the other half between her own lips and heard her say, half-amused, half-exasperated, “Auntie said we’re young and full of fire—even if we accidentally let things go too far, it’s no big deal. You’re barely grown! Her imagination’s running wild. Hmm? What are you—”

Bai Tongsheng’s hand slipped under the hem of her thin blouse, her gaze darkening. “I don’t mind giving you a hands-on lesson to figure out if your imagination’s too tame… or hers is too wild.”

Bai Shuangshuang smacked her hand away and shot to her feet from the embrace, flushed with a mix of shyness and anger. “Bai Tongsheng!”

She licked her lips, yanked her back into her arms, and sealed them with a warm, lingering kiss.

“Then let me steal a kiss to hold me over.”

Bai Shuangshuang wanted to cry but had no tears in her heart: No wonder Yu Xichi thought that way. As expected, the one who knew her daughter best was still her mom!

~~~

“Shuangshuang, we’re heading back tomorrow, okay? I brought some little gifts for you girls. Want to come pick us up?”

Yu Xichi pointed at a few small cakes while waiting for the server to pack them, speaking into the phone.

“What time tomorrow? We’ll be there.”

“Around three in the afternoon. See you then.”

Bai Bingyang couldn’t help blurting out, “Aren’t we already back? Why lie to Shuangshuang about returning tomorrow?”

Yu Xichi took the bag from the server. Once Bai Bingyang had paid, she grabbed his hand. “Isn’t it all for the surprise? Besides, with no adults home, those two lovebirds are smack in the middle of their honeymoon phase. Who knows what they might get up to in the living room? Come on, let’s grab some spicy duck necks next, then a few cups of milk tea.”

The man felt utterly helpless at the predatory gleam in her eyes. “Why do I get the feeling you’re the one who can’t wait?”

She struggled to stifle her laughter. “What? I’m totally chill.”

“…”

Yu Xichi eased the door open as quietly as she could. The house was pitch dark—no lights on—and she felt a twinge of disappointment. Bai Tongsheng really wasn’t making this easy.

But then she picked up on a faint, unusual sound from inside.

She patted Bai Bingyang beside her and flashed him a mysterious shushing gesture. She kicked off her shoes without a second thought—not even bothering with slippers—and padded barefoot toward the living room in perfect silence.

The sight of the two tangled in fierce battle on the sofa made the wolfish spark in her eyes blaze like a meteor streaking across the night sky.

In her haze of half-lucidity and half-surrender, Bai Shuangshuang sensed eyes on her. She turned her head in a daze and locked gazes with Yu Xichi, who had been peeking for a bit, developed a toothache from all the secondhand embarrassment, and was now plotting a stealthy exit.

Both of them froze.

Bai Tongsheng immediately sensed her lapse in focus. As punishment, she nipped at the little tongue entwined with her own—a silent warning: Distracted right now? Am I not kissing you hard enough?

Bai Shuangshuang snapped back to reality and shoved her away. Caught off guard, Bai Tongsheng toppled backward and hit the floor.

“A-Auntie! When did you get back?”

Yu Xichi tugged awkwardly at the corner of her mouth. When she caught the murderous chill in Bai Tongsheng’s eyes, she let out a pair of dry chuckles and unleashed a torrent of words without so much as a breath.

“Oh! I just remembered—there’s still something I forgot to buy! Auntie’s stuff is on the shoe cabinet, Shuangshuang. Grab it later, okay? I got cakes, milk tea, duck necks too—make sure you eat them! Heading out with your uncle now!”

The words barely left her mouth before she bolted like greased lightning.

Bai Bingyang had just picked up her slippers and started toward her when she yanked him outward. “Hurry, hurry—out the door!”

“Huh? Didn’t we just get home?”

“If we don’t scram now, you’ll end up with a stepmom for Bai Tongsheng!”

Bai Bingyang: ???

Bai Shuangshuang buried her face in her hands, mortified. Getting caught in the act by an elder—talk about mortifying!

Bai Tongsheng, robbed of her satisfaction right at the critical moment—like slamming on the brakes mid-race—hoisted Bai Shuangshuang over her shoulder, hauled her upstairs, locked the bedroom door, and gave her a thorough ravishing.

~~~

“Shuangshuang! I got into Changqing University too. For orientation, can I tag along with you guys? I’m kinda nervous going by myself.”

Bai Shuangshuang was surprised by Wen Yuqiu’s call. “You’re coming to Changqing too? Sure, but isn’t freshman orientation later than ours? A-Sheng starts a week after us—did yours get bumped up?”

“Truth is, I asked Bai Tongsheng first, but she thought I was annoying and blocked me outright! So I figured I’d ask you! Shuangshuang, pretty please? I’ll be on my best behavior—I’m fully aware of third-wheel etiquette! I won’t cramp your style at all!”

Bai Shuangshuang flushed at her words, terrified she’d say something even more outrageous, and quickly caved. “Fine, fine—we’ll go together. But can you even get tickets this late?”

Wen Yuqiu gave an abashed little laugh over the line. “Actually… I already bought them.”

Bai Shuangshuang found this shoot-first-ask-questions-later vibe strangely familiar.

“Jiang Chan, a little underclassman’s joining us for the trip. Could you help keep an eye on her along the way?”

After hanging up with Wen Yuqiu, Bai Shuangshuang paused, then dialed Jiang Chan.

Jiang Chan was apparently fiddling with something; the hiss and pop of sizzling oil provided lively background noise.

“Underclassman? Oh, one of Bai Tongsheng’s friends?”

“Yeah, she’s my high school roommate—a really cute girl. You two should hit it off. So when the time comes, could you look after her for me?”

“Sure. Anything else? If not, I’m hanging up. These tangyuan are about to blow—Boom! Oh crap, they really exploded!”

Bai Shuangshuang: “……”

“You okay? Didn’t get burned, did you?”

“I dodged it. Alright, alright, I’ll cook the tangyuan properly now. Talk later—see you then.”

Bai Shuangshuang could easily imagine the chaotic disaster on the other end of the line. Catching sight of Bai Tongsheng approaching from the corner of her eye, she asked offhandedly,

“Little Qiu’s going to Changqing University too? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Bai Tongsheng frowned. “She messaged you?”

At that, Bai Shuangshuang felt a wave of exasperation. “Why on earth did you block her? Unblock her already.”

Bai Tongsheng looked utterly repulsed. “No way. And you should steer clear of her too.”

“Huh? Little Qiu’s adorable! Why should I avoid her? Do you have some kind of grudge against her?”

Bai Tongsheng gave a cold laugh. “Why don’t you add it up yourself? Over those two short months of summer vacation, how many times did Wen Yuqiu come sniffing around for you?”

Bai Shuangshuang let out an “oh,” stifling a laugh in her heart. Her little vinegar jar was at it again.