Chapter 71

Shen Zhirou woke up again past nine in the morning. Last night, she and Lu Yao had kept at it until very late. Now her wrists ached, and she wondered if her stamina had been slipping lately or if her Yaoyao was just too clingy. Last night’s Yaoyao had actually left her a little overwhelmed.

Shen Zhirou thought that if this kept going, she really needed to start working out.

The room’s curtains were still drawn tight, but some light filtered through from outside. Shen Zhirou lowered her gaze to Lu Yao, still nestled snugly in her arms and sleeping soundly, tenderness filling her eyes.

She glanced at Lu Yao’s chest and neck, her own ear tips turning faintly red. Had she gone too hard last night? The Little Kitten’s body was covered in red and pink marks from all her teasing, leaving scarcely any untouched skin.

Shen Zhirou tilted her head slightly and pressed a kiss to the corner of Lu Yao’s lips, her heart aching a little for the Little Kitten in her arms.

The kiss stirred Lu Yao awake. She buried her face deeper into Shen Zhirou’s embrace and rubbed against her, murmuring drowsily, “Jie Jie, hold me a little longer.”

Shen Zhirou kissed Lu Yao’s soft earlobe and cooed gently, “Okay, no rush. You were worn out last night—sleep some more.” One arm stayed wrapped around Lu Yao while the other reached for her phone to scroll through it idly.

Before long, Lu Yao began to whimper softly in her arms, her nose nuzzling Shen Zhirou’s neck. Her voice was thick with sleep and husky as she said, “Jie Jie, I want some water.”

Shen Zhirou gazed down at the adorably squishy Lu Yao cradled against her, her heart melting into a puddle. She cooed right back, “Alright, I’ll get you a glass of warm water, okay?”

With that, Shen Zhirou tried to ease Lu Yao out of her arms, but Lu Yao clung on fiercely, her arms looped tight around Shen Zhirou’s neck. “No way—you have to hold me.”

Amused, Shen Zhirou looked at the still-groggy Lu Yao and kissed her forehead. “How am I supposed to get your water if you won’t let go? Be good; I’ll be right back.”

“Mm~ I don’t want to be apart from you.” The Little Kitten rubbed against Shen Zhirou, coquettish and utterly refusing to release her.

Shen Zhirou was helpless against such persistence. She kissed the corner of Lu Yao’s lips and murmured softly, “So what now? Skip the water?”

“I want it.” Lu Yao’s soft reply was even more meltingly tender than her bedroom voice from the night before.

Shen Zhirou rubbed her own sore wrist, her gaze darkening just a touch. If her arms weren’t aching, the Little Kitten wouldn’t be leaving the bed at all, water or no water.

“Be a good girl—I’ll be right back. Just let go for a second.” Shen Zhirou stroked Lu Yao’s waist and back soothingly as she coaxed her.

Lu Yao cracked her eyes open and nuzzled deeper into Shen Zhirou’s arms, still not loosening her grip. “Jie Jie, carry me over there. I don’t want to be apart from you.”

The sight of those strawberry marks on Lu Yao’s neck melted Shen Zhirou completely. With a sigh, she gave in. “Fine then—hold on tight so you don’t fall.”

As she spoke, Shen Zhirou bumped up the air conditioning a notch, not wanting Lu Yao to catch a chill.

Lu Yao clung to her like a koala bear, arms around her neck and legs hooked around her waist. Thankfully, Shen Zhirou was strong enough that carrying her posed no trouble at all.

Careful not to press on any tender spots, Shen Zhirou carried Lu Yao to the dining table and settled her into a chair. She kissed the corner of Lu Yao’s lips and said, “There you go—I carried you all the way. Now wait right here while I get the water.”

Lu Yao’s lips pursed in a pout, her expression brimming with grievance as she stared up at Shen Zhirou. Those scattered red marks on her skin made Shen Zhirou’s ears burn. Chuckling, she leaned in and ruffled Lu Yao’s hair. “What’s with that face? It’s just pouring water—not even three steps away.”

“I still don’t want to be apart from you.” Lu Yao’s eyes never left Shen Zhirou.

“I’ll be right here with you.” Shen Zhirou cooed a few more reassuring words, then hurried to the water dispenser, filled a glass with warm water, and rushed back to hand it over.

Thirsty after their long night, Lu Yao drank eagerly. A few drops escaped down the corner of her mouth. With a hint of resentment, she pointed to her lips and looked at Shen Zhirou. “I remember Jie Jie wiping lipstick off other girls before.”

Shen Zhirou quickly dabbed away the water droplets from her jealous Little Kitten’s lips with a fingertip, cooing softly, “That was back when we were broken up, wasn’t it? I’ve never done that for anyone else while we were together.”

As she explained, Shen Zhirou scooped Lu Yao back up into her arms, intending to carry her to the bed for more rest. It was Sunday, after all, and neither of them had anywhere to be.

Lu Yao, nestled in her arms, wrapped her arms around Shen Zhirou’s neck and leaned in to plant a coquettish kiss on the side of her face. “Jie Jie, are you still mad at me? I won’t act like I did before anymore. Can you please not be so nice to other girls? It breaks my heart just thinking about you holding her hand, going to movies with her, and playing those claw machines.”

By the time she finished speaking, Shen Zhirou had already lifted her back onto the bed. She pulled the blanket over both of them as they sat facing each other, though very close—Lu Yao perched right on Shen Zhirou’s lap.

Seeing that Shen Zhirou didn’t respond, Lu Yao’s heart fluttered with panic. Her eyes reddened as she buried herself in Shen Zhirou’s embrace, acting spoiled. “Jie Jie, pretty please? I want to be your girlfriend. Can we skip all the other cats and dogs? You have me now.”

Shen Zhirou pressed her closer into her arms and gave a slight nod. Lowering her gaze to the girl in her embrace, her eyes brimmed with tenderness. “I’ve already made things clear with her. Since I can’t let go of you in my heart, I can’t string her along either.”

Lu Yao’s eyes lit up at those words. A flurry of scorching kisses rained down on Shen Zhirou’s neck. “I knew Jie Jie was the best. Jie Jie only needs her little kitten from now on. I’ll take good care of you.”

Shen Zhirou was caught off guard by Lu Yao’s sudden burst of passion and quickly held her tight to keep the little kitten from squirming.

“Alright, I need to get up soon. Do you want to sleep a bit more?” Shen Zhirou rubbed Lu Yao’s lower back gently, her voice soft. The mattress was too firm, and she hadn’t been particularly gentle toward the end last night—red patches mottled the little kitten’s back.

“Then I won’t sleep either, Jie Jie. I want to stay with you, always be together.” Lu Yao’s arms stayed looped around Shen Zhirou’s neck, refusing to let go no matter the coaxing. It took another half hour of clinging before Shen Zhirou finally persuaded the sticky little kitten to release her.

By the time they got up and tidied themselves, it was already past eleven in the morning. Shen Zhirou shook out her slightly sore arms and rummaged in the fridge for ingredients.

Shen Zhirou prepared lunch while Lu Yao helped out at the counter, washing potatoes and carrots. But her gaze kept drifting to Shen Zhirou’s fingers as she chopped vegetables—Jie Jie’s fingers were so long and slender. Lu Yao stared for a moment, her ear tips flushing pink.

She sidled up to Shen Zhirou, rubbing her cheek against her shoulder while staring intently.

Shen Zhirou looked at Lu Yao with amusement. “What’s up?”

“Nothing, I just missed you.” Lu Yao’s eyes were misty as she gazed at Shen Zhirou, her forehead bangs tousled from the nuzzling.

Shen Zhirou set down her knife and eggplant, opening her arms to hug the coquettish Lu Yao. “Why are you suddenly so clingy, hmm?”

“I’ll be clingy from now on too. I was so dumb before—I almost lost you and nearly let someone else take advantage. Not anymore. I’m sticking to Jie Jie forever.” As she spoke, Lu Yao leaned in for another affectionate peck at the corner of Shen Zhirou’s lips. She melted into Shen Zhirou’s arms, suddenly not wanting to move.

A smile tugged at Shen Zhirou’s lips. She dipped her head for a quick kiss on Lu Yao’s lips before coaxing softly, “If we keep kissing, lunch won’t get made. Be good—hugs after we eat.”

“Mm.” Lu Yao agreed sweetly, but her arms snaked around Shen Zhirou’s neck again, pulling her in for more kisses. They didn’t part until both were breathless, and only then did Lu Yao reluctantly return to the sink to finish washing the vegetables.

After lunch, Lu Yao curled up in Shen Zhirou’s arms as they watched shows together. But this time was different from before—those other times, Shen Zhirou had watched alone while Lu Yao sulked on the side out of jealousy. Now, she was finally held in Jie Jie’s arms.

With that thought, Lu Yao grew restless again. She twisted in Shen Zhirou’s embrace, arms habitually winding around her neck. Kisses peppered Shen Zhirou’s cheek and lips. Teased like this by the little kitten, Shen Zhirou lost all interest in the TV.

Shen Zhirou tightened her hold, pressing Lu Yao close, and leaned down to kiss her earlobe. “We did it too much last night. Be good and rest for now.”

“I’m not tired. Or is Jie Jie the one who’s worn out and needs a break? Then let me give your fingers a massage.” Lu Yao nestled against her while gently stroking Shen Zhirou’s fingertips.

“Did I wear Jie Jie out?” Lu Yao murmured teasingly into her ear, giving one fingertip a squeeze.

Shen Zhirou caught the little kitten’s mischievous fingers, lowered her eyes, and kissed them. She didn’t let go until the fire in her arms had dimmed.

Holding Lu Yao in her arms, Shen Zhirou turned the drama they had been watching back on, hoping to distract herself.

After some playful tussling with Shen Zhirou, Lu Yao started feeling sleepy. She had barely slept at all the night before and had only just dozed off that morning. After watching TV with Shen Zhirou for a little while, Lu Yao grew drowsy and fell into a deep sleep, nestled snugly in Shen Zhirou’s embrace.

Shen Zhirou gazed tenderly at Lu Yao cradled in her arms. Her Yaoyao really had no idea when to call it quits—she had even dared to pinch her fingers and tease her. Shen Zhirou resolved that once she recovered her strength, she would give this disobedient Little Kitten a proper lesson.

Her thoughts drifted to the red marks on Lu Yao’s back from where the mattress had pressed against her skin. Shen Zhirou pulled out her phone and searched around for a moment before finding a mattress identical to the one at Lu Yao’s home. She tapped to place the order. In their current situation, Yaoyao clearly had no intention of leaving anytime soon. Her skin was already so sensitive, and sleeping on that palm mat left her back covered in welts—Shen Zhirou simply couldn’t bear it.

The store was a local furniture shop, with delivery scheduled for tomorrow. Once that was done, Shen Zhirou set her phone aside and drifted off for a nap, still holding Lu Yao close.

With a soft chuckle, she planted a kiss on the corner of Lu Yao’s lips, her eyes brimming with tenderness.

As expected, once Little Kitten had made herself fully at home, there was no more pretending. Yesterday, she had at least come up with an excuse about her home water heater being broken just to stay over. Today, she was simply lounging in her arms, with no plans to leave.