Chapter 50

Shu Chi was caught off guard and pulled inside by Ding Ya. Completely unprepared, she was immediately drenched by the water.

“Ph-Phone…”

No sooner had she spoken than Ding Ya embraced her. The body pressing close through drenched clothes was warm and damp, and a voice laced with laughter soothed Shu Chi: “It’s in a waterproof pouch.”

Shu Chi’s hair was all soaked. She looked like she’d just been fished out of the water, the short strands plastered against her forehead. She looked down at the woman holding her and asked, her voice a deep rumble mixed with the sound of water, “Are we doing it now?”

Ding Ya looked up at her. “We could just shower, if you hate this kind of thing.”

How could she possibly hate it?

Shu Chi’s heart was racing. Inside the steamy, cramped shower stall, Ding Ya’s initial assertiveness was soon completely shattered.

It turned into muffled groans of complaint as her hands hit the glass. The one who’d said ‘I like it’ was her; the one complaining about Shu Chi’s calloused fingers was her; the one looking up with Shu Chi’s fingers in her mouth was still her.

It all became the limit of Shu Chi’s endurance, the indulgence after the string of reason snapped.

Ding Ya got her wish, releasing Shu Chi from her predicament. But she’d forgotten that some people are born with a wild nature. It might be tamed by their environment, but underneath was a coldness like a deep pool.

This was another side of Shu Chi. It became a deep, thorough taking that Ding Ya’s pleas couldn’t stop.

Kisses turned the tables; the techniques Ding Ya had taught were now turned back on her.

And after her lips and teeth were roughly grazed, the words crashed into her ear: “I choose you.”

……

The next day, Ding Ya was woken by her phone. She never turned off her vibration alert; waking up in the morning relied purely on the double assault of buzzing and ringing.

Last night’s shower had been an endless, dizzying affair. She had no idea how she’d even ended up back in bed.

Groggily, Ding Ya reached to fish for her phone from under her pillow. Another hand reached over and took her phone instead.

Ding Ya opened her eyes. Shu Chi was just sitting up, holding the still-vibrating phone. She asked, “Awake?”

The one-room apartment wasn’t large, and the bed was only a one-point-five meter. Ding Ya thought it was plenty for sleeping alone, but last night she’d learned that sometimes, it wasn’t quite enough.

After all, you couldn’t roll over a few times without ending up on the floor.

Shu Chi was wearing the men’s style pajamas Ding Ya had bought when she first moved in. The collar was very wide, revealing scratch marks all the way onto her neck, as if she’d been clawed by something mischievous.

Clearly, Ding Ya was the bold one, but now she felt a bit embarrassed. She turned her face away, reaching out with a voice slightly hoarse. “Give it to me.”

Shu Chi gave an “Mm.” She didn’t seem to find it unusual and said, “Then I’ll go wash my face.”

Ding Ya checked the time. It was almost eleven.

She rolled around in bed a bit, then called Ding Shuqing back.

Ding Shuqing picked up quickly. On a weekend, he was usually at the park walking the kids. “You finally answer my call, huh?”

Ding Ya’s voice was nasal with sleep. “What is it, Brother? Weekends are for sleeping in.”

Ding Shuqing checked the time and sighed. “Look at the time. You should be awake by now.”

Wrapped in her blanket, Ding Ya rolled over again. “I’m up, I’m up. If you have something to say, just say it quickly. I want to doze a little longer.”

Her brother on the other end said, “What did you tell Mom? Do you know, Mom came over to my place this morning.”

Ding Shuqing’s voice was full of grief and indignation. Even though he was married and a father now, in front of his mother, he was still a junior. Especially regarding his little sister Ding Ya, Ding Shuqing was often criticized for not caring enough.

The problem was, Ding Ya was already old enough!! How much more caring was he supposed to do? Wasn’t the greatest concern an older brother could show just letting her live happily?

Ding Shuqing absolutely didn’t dare talk back to Yang Jie. After being tormented by phone calls last night and grilled intensely again early this morning, Ding Shuqing was completely defeated. He used the excuse of taking the kid out for a walk to get in touch with Ding Ya and compare notes.

“I just told Mom last night that I’d finally won them over.”

Ding Ya’s voice was full of self-assurance. Her whole body felt amazing—well-slept with Shu Chi, in the best way. Shu Chi’s skills had improved at lightning speed. This kind of physical intimacy gave Ding Ya an entirely different kind of satisfaction, and her voice was joyful. “Didn’t I tell you on the phone before that I was pursuing someone?”

Ding Ya lay on her stomach on her pillow. She had several pillows on her bed, plus oddly-shaped plushies. They’d knocked many off the previous night, and Shu Chi had picked them all up.

“It’s all about taking things one step at a time, right?”

“One step at a time, my ass!”

Ding Shuqing roared. He was holding the kid’s hand. His outburst was so intense that an auntie walking by with her own child instinctively put some distance between them.

Ding Ya let out a snort of laughter. “Alright, alright. What’s with the huge temper so early in the morning? What if you scare the kid?”

This person was so cheeky now. Back in the day, she was a sweet little sister, but now she was purely a black-hearted one.

Ding Shuqing took a deep breath. “What’s this nonsense you told Mom about them only having a middle school education? How am I supposed to explain that?”

Ding Ya gave an “Oh,” and replied honestly, “Well, that’s the truth, isn’t it? It wouldn’t be good to lie to Mom, right?”

Ding Shuqing was silent for a few seconds. “If you had a daughter, could you accept this? Even if you didn’t go to some amazing university, at least you graduated! Your job is decent, and if you wanted to buy a house in Bramble City, the family would pay the down payment. This…”

Ding Shuqing was practically hyperventilating. He was clearly in the prime of his life, yet he felt like he was prematurely experiencing what it was like to have a teenage daughter.

Ding Ya retorted, “Going to a good university doesn’t mean they’re a good person. Are there no scumbags with PhDs?”

She yawned. “And besides, some of those elite university grads Mom set me up with were cheaters too. That one introduced before was exactly like that.”

Ding Ya looked at the ceiling and hugged the pillow Shu Chi had used. “It’s so damn annoying.”

“In terms of qualifications, how does Shu Chi lose? Earning a living is something even postgrads have to do eventually. Well, unless they have academic pursuits, that’s different.”

She thought of the look in Shu Chi’s eyes and pursed her lips. “And our Shu Chi’s situation isn’t that she didn’t want to study past middle school; it’s that she didn’t get the chance. You can’t just assume everyone who didn’t study hard enough chose that path, especially when your family’s conditions were good.”

Ding Shuqing hadn’t expected to get lectured by Ding Ya. He sighed. “The main point right now is, when are you planning on telling Mom?”

His voice sounded very distressed. “If it’s just dating, actually, not saying anything is also an option.”

Ding Shuqing had no confidence here. When his own online relationship turned real and he brought the person home, saying they met online, he got an earful from Yang Jie too.

Even if their parents weren’t exactly feudal-minded, they still had deep-seated prejudices against online dating.

“Brother, before, I never really had any thoughts about getting married.”

Ding Ya pulled the blanket over herself, speaking from inside it.

Ding Shuqing gave an “Oh,” and asked, “When did you ever have any?”

Ding Ya closed her eyes, thinking that Shu Chi must have used her newly opened camellia body wash—the scent was so strong. She murmured, “In the past, I thought it was all really boring. Being in love, getting married—all of it.”

Ding Shuqing was older than Ding Ya. He’d been quite the fun personality when young, and even after marriage, he hadn’t turned into a boring uncle. Every New Year, he’d still gather his wife and little sister to play video games together.

Ding Ya added, “But now, I feel pretty great about it.”

The man on the other end couldn’t even sigh anymore. “Then are you just going to keep Mom in the dark? I’m afraid she’ll just come find you directly.”

Ding Ya laughed. “She won’t. It’s New Year’s in half a month, and it’s super busy at the end of the year. She won’t have time, and neither will I.”

What nonsense. Ding Shuqing said irritably, “Well, I will come, then.”

Ding Ya said, “You’re the busiest at year-end, aren’t you? Lots of court cases to open.”

Ding Shuqing realized Ding Ya wasn’t feeling the least bit guilty. He couldn’t help but say, “You tricked her and you still have the nerve to say that. But I’m worried about you too. That Miss Shu doesn’t exactly look like a good person.”

Ding Ya warned him, “No personal attacks.”

“And Dad just looks like a sinister old man. Think you’re any better? If someone like you asked me for directions, I wouldn’t tell you either.”

Ding Shuqing snapped, “I wouldn’t ask you for directions! But if you really like her, I won’t stand in your way. As for Mom’s side, I told her yesterday I didn’t know anything. You figure it out yourself.”

After ending the call, Ding Ya tossed her phone aside and rolled around in bed a couple more times.

There were tons of messages on WeChat too. Last night, she had posted a story on her Moments—a photo of Shu Chi, a photo of the restaurant, that bouquet, and her dog.

Lots of people asked about it. Jing Yuqi had even directly sent a “double happiness” (double happiness character).

Ding Ya hadn’t written any caption, just posted a heart emoji.

People who knew, knew.

Shen Mu had sent a bunch of thumbs-up emojis.

Ying Qixin had sent question marks, as if she half understood, half didn’t.

Ding Ya hadn’t blocked her family either. Yang Jie hadn’t realized her daughter was talking about Shu Chi and she had even ‘liked’ the post.

Shu Chi hadn’t replied, nor liked it.

She had said ‘next time.’

So when exactly was next time?

As Ding Ya was still pondering, Shu Chi, having washed her face and changed her clothes, came over.

Her clothes from yesterday had been all soaked. This person, after all that late-night exertion, had still managed to wash and dry them, so she’d have something to wear today.

“Still sleeping?”

Shu Chi walked over and asked.

Her pants weren’t changed yet; she still wore those gray velvet pajama bottoms, the hems brushing the tops of her slippers as she looked down at Ding Ya.

Ding Ya hugged her blanket and looked at her, seeing no visible hickeys, no scratch marks.

Ding Ya reached out and tugged on Shu Chi’s pants. “Still want to sleep with me?”

Shu Chi almost fell kneeling onto the bed. “That’s not what I meant.”

Even though she was the one who’d nearly done Ding Ya in last night, she was still the one blushing now.

Ding Ya found these two completely different personalities—in bed and out of it—incredibly amusing. She simply lifted her hand and tilted Shu Chi’s chin up. “Got anything else going on today?”

Shu Chi shook her head. “Nothing major.”

Ding Ya let out an “Oh,” and said, “Then come back to sleep a little more, customer~.”

She even put on a long, coquettish drawl. Shu Chi, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, removed her hand. “You said you didn’t want anymore.”

Ding Ya shook her head. “That was yesterday.”

Her pajama top was a wrap style with ties, and it easily came undone as she slept. Now, as the blanket slipped loose, Shu Chi easily saw the kiss marks on Ding Ya’s chin and neck.

Shu Chi earnestly tucked the blanket back around Ding Ya. “Then sleep a little longer.”

Ding Ya: …

Shu Chi’s hand was caught. Ding Ya asked, “You’re leaving?”

Shu Chi shook her head. “Didn’t you say you wanted noodles? I’ll go to the supermarket.”

Ding Ya’s bed was too soft. Last night while sleeping, it felt like Shu Chi was sinking completely into it. A strange scent, a strange body wash, a strange body lotion, a strange yet familiar sensation.

Shu Chi felt like she was sinking into a cloud. Even now, it still felt like a dream.

Was it too fast?

But the feeling of surging emotion, of intimate closeness, was so utterly addictive.

Was this love?

Ding Ya said, “It’s not.”

Shu Chi only then realized she’d spoken her thoughts aloud. Ding Ya stretched out her hand toward her. “A hug is fine then, right?”

Her pajama top was wide open, displaying complete openness and abandon. “If you’re going to the supermarket, then I’ll just lie in for a bit.”

Shu Chi hesitated a little, wondering if she should hug her. As a result, Ding Ya pulled her, and she tumbled down, her face buried right in Ding Ya’s chest. A soft, tender feeling washed over her face.

Ding Ya gave a wicked smirk. “Off you go now, little wife. Hurry and make me something to eat.”

She even patted Shu Chi’s rear, noticing how fit this person was from working out—her figure was tight and toned, unlike her own, which still had that stubborn bit of tummy.

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Shu Chi stood up. When she left, she even took Yunbao with her.

Ding Ya often took her little dog to the supermarket downstairs, sitting it right in the shopping cart.

She’d initially thought Shu Chi was just casually calling the dog, but surprisingly, it happily trotted off after her.

The door closed, and Ding Ya collapsed back onto the bed.

She was just thinking about sleeping a while longer when, barely ten-odd minutes later, Ding Shuqing called again.

“Get up, now!”

Extremely annoyed, Ding Ya snapped, “What is it, Brother?! You’re so loud and annoying.”

Ding Shuqing said, “Mom’s coming by high-speed rail!!!”

Ding Ya bolted upright. “What?!”

Ding Shuqing explained, “I just got home, and your sister-in-law told me.”

His voice was filled with utter despair. “But don’t worry, she’s probably not coming specifically to see you. It just so happens her dance class has a competition this afternoon with a bunch of kids participating.”

Ding Ya still felt a chill of horror.

After hanging up, she scrambled out of bed. She’d planned to wash the damp bedsheets and duvet cover from last night but found they were already in the dryer.

Shu Chi had done it all for her, even swept the trash. It seemed Shu Chi had been up for quite a while by the time Ding Ya opened her eyes.

What was this, a Field Snail Wife?

Ding Ya laughed, but thinking about Yang Jie’s impending arrival made her head spin again.

Ding Ya herself would be fine. It was Shu Chi.

Completely at ease in her work life, but in this area, she seemed a bit too honest and simple.

If she actually told Yang Jie that her girlfriend was Shu Chi, Shu Chi might just explode on the spot.

It was too sudden. Better to delay it.

Shu Chi walked through the supermarket with the dog, feeling cheerful. She didn’t buy instant noodles. She planned to make some proper hand-pulled noodles herself tonight.

For lunch, they could just eat something simple. There was still cake in the fridge from last night. She’d had a bite this morning to taste something sweet.

It was so strange. Having tasted Ding Ya, she actually found the cake unremarkable.

On a Sunday, this supermarket was especially crowded; even the self-checkout had a line.

Shu Chi had just taken out her phone when she saw a message from Ding Ya:

“My mom might be coming this afternoon. Get ready.”

Shu Chi’s hand trembled. Her instinct was to reply: Then I’ll leave first.

As if possessing precognition, Ding Ya’s next message said, “Don’t you dare think about leaving. Toughen up your nerves. Even if you’re pretending not to be in a relationship right now, consider it acting practice.”

Shu Chi: …