Chapter 56: Bursting with Energy

After saying that, Tan Qingya felt it was unlikely. Zhou Jianghao had been quiet the whole way home, no different from usual. She didn’t look drunk at all.

“Feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”

To be safe, she asked once more.

She scrutinized Zhou Jianghao’s face closely. The girl had a slight flush, but her expression was so calm that it was impossible to tell if she was drunk.

“No.” Zhou Jianghao nodded obediently, then turned to hug Tan Qingya tightly, inhaling her familiar scent as she tilted her head up. “I want to kiss you. Can I?”

Tan Qingya froze, finally certain now. Zhou Jianghao was definitely drunk. A smile bloomed on her face. “You don’t need to ask for something like that.”

“I don’t?”

Zhou Jianghao’s expression was adorably dazed. Tan Qingya leaned down and kissed her. “Of course not.”

Earlier at Haidilao, she’d held back with great difficulty, constantly thinking about kissing Zhou Jianghao. Now that they were home with no one else around, they could finally kiss without restraint. One hand around Zhou Jianghao’s waist, their tongues entwining endlessly, she guided her toward the bedroom.

Lately, her health had been poor—coughing as soon as she lay down, leaving no energy for anything else. By the time she’d felt a bit better, Zhou Jianghao had worried about her catching a chill and flat-out refused. So after finally getting a taste, they’d gone nearly two weeks without. Now that she had her chance, Tan Qingya wasn’t about to let it end quickly.

Her clothes soon fell to the floor.

Tan Qingya had figured she’d be the one sweeping through like a gust of wind, caressing every curve and hollow of the landscape. But this time, things took an unexpected turn.

She’d thought she was the eager one, but Zhou Jianghao was just as impatient—at least, her hands moved faster.

The girl must have kneaded dough a lot as a kid, or maybe she’d absorbed too much theory lately. Tan Qingya almost worried the dough might get overworked.

After all, it had existed for over twenty years without ever imagining it’d be shaped into so many forms.

Even drunk, Zhou Jianghao wasn’t getting any concessions. Recalling the girl’s puppyish antics last time, Tan Qingya got into the spirit. She leaned down to pluck at the cute porcelain she adored.

The little snake slithered around the cute porcelain.

…

Tan Qingya chuckled softly and held back.

After all, the flower she most wanted to pluck wasn’t this one.

So she patiently searched on, finding the most delicate bloom and claiming it without hesitation.

The flower stem trembled, the downpour intensifying.

Only then did the little snake relent on that tender blossom.

Unfortunately, the little snake’s mercy didn’t earn it gentle treatment in return.

Just as the little snake tried to summon another, the flower stem struck first, without warning.

Impossible to ignore.

…

…

It was the dead of winter, yet the air grew sweltering.

The heated rain poured on until late into the night.

The next day, both of them overslept for once.

When Tan Qingya woke, she was still wrapped tightly in Zhou Jianghao’s embrace.

The girl seemed so unassuming during the day, but at night, her true nature showed—always clinging tight in sleep, like a koala.

It was rare to see Zhou Jianghao wake up later than her, so Tan Qingya curiously studied her. Zhou Jianghao’s skin was incredibly soft. She’d put on a little weight lately, courtesy of Tan Qingya’s care—at least her shoulders weren’t as bony as before.

She reached out to pinch, unable to hold back a soft sigh. Warm jade in her arms was too blissful. No wonder ancient emperors skipped morning court for their concubines.

Who could resist?

Just holding her like this made her not want to get up.

As she mused, the person in her arms stirred. Tan Qingya’s lips curved as she leaned down to kiss her. “Awake?”

Before the words fully left her mouth, the hand on her waist slid lower. Her rear pinched, Tan Qingya narrowed her eyes, a bit wary now. She shrank back quickly.

“Not during the day…”

Her words were cut off as lips pressed against hers.

Zhou Jianghao just leaned in for a simple press. Seeing no further moves, Tan Qingya relaxed slightly and took hold of her hand.

The girl might blush easily, but her skills were impressive.

If Tan Qingya didn’t stop her now, they’d never leave the room today.

…

At first, she could keep up with Zhou Jianghao. But soon, exhaustion overtook her—she couldn’t move another inch. Yet the girl remained full of energy, tireless, pressing on with vigor.

Suddenly recalling Zhou Jianghao’s words from last night as she held out her hand, Tan Qingya sat up, ready to settle the score.

“Who taught you those words?”

“Hm?” Hungover and groggy, Zhou Jianghao blinked in confusion. “What words?”

Tan Qingya’s eyes narrowed.

So the girl forgot everything after sleeping?

Lips pursed, she pressed a finger to Zhou Jianghao’s lips, watching the soft red flesh yield under her touch. Unable to resist, she pressed harder, slipping the finger between the parted lips.

Mimicking last night’s motions as Zhou Jianghao’s finger had delved into the delicate flower, she played along for a good while before withdrawing. Holding it up before Zhou Jianghao’s eyes, her face stern, she prompted:

“You said yesterday, ‘Is big sis made of water?'”

Last night, she’d been too drained, fingers and body aching, pinned under an energetic girl—no chance to retaliate.

Now clear-headed, embarrassment fueled her annoyance. She pinched Zhou Jianghao’s cheeks, watching her pout, then leaned in until their foreheads touched.

“Where’d you learn that?”

Remembering how intently she’d watched the dancing yesterday, her tone grew more dangerous.

“And do you usually love watching others dance?”

Though tipsy last night, she hadn’t blacked out. Zhou Jianghao’s face flushed deeply. “No.”

A pause, then she mumbled in self-defense, “I was just really curious.”

“What’s so curious about that?” Tan Qingya sighed. It was just dancing—she could do it too. “You’ve just experienced too little. I’ll take you to see more later, and it’ll lose its novelty.”

But they weren’t on the same wavelength. Zhou Jianghao’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.

“But there was so much water.”

“Is that really normal? Does big sis always produce that much?”

“Want to… um, want to try it now?”

By the end, Zhou Jianghao’s face mixed eager anticipation with shy embarrassment.

Tan Qingya: “…”

Watching Zhou Jianghao bustle in the kitchen, Tan Qingya—freshly calmed from her embarrassed fury—pondered thoughtfully. Was Zhou Jianghao actually playing the fool to catch the tiger?

She always seemed so shy and cute, but in truth, she was sly.

Hiding to watch little videos in secret, her technique in bed growing ever more skilled—Tan Qingya could barely keep up.

Worst of all, she talked dirty in bed!

She’d just tried to tease her with words!

And damn it, it had worked.

Infuriating.

All signs pointed to the Zhou Jianghao in her eyes not being the real one.

Was the real her the cute, easily embarrassed girl? Or the one even more lustful than herself? Unknown.

Ah, so curious.

Her urge to investigate peaked. Recalling her pursuit plan, paused due to illness, her eyes gleamed.

Their wedding was set for next spring—warmer weather, perfect for pretty wedding dresses.

That gave her plenty of time to let Zhou Jianghao experience full courtship before the wedding. Plenty of time to uncover what kind of girl she truly was.

“Second Miss.”

“Second Miss?!”

“Hm?” Auntie Chen’s voice rose. Tan Qingya finally snapped back, looking at her. “What?”

Auntie Chen glanced toward Zhou Jianghao in the kitchen, concern etched on her face. “You’re really letting Miss Zhou make breakfast alone?”

Tan Qingya usually wouldn’t dream of letting her lift a finger. Today, it was like the sun rising in the west.

“Would it be fake?” Tan Qingya gave a cold laugh. “She’s bursting with energy. What’s wrong with making breakfast?”

She hadn’t been wrong from the start.

Zhou Jianghao was Little Beauty 2.0.

Take Little Beauty out for walks daily, or it’d wreck the house from pent-up energy. Same with this girl—if not kept busy, her mind filled with nothing else.

Auntie Chen eyed the kitchen, then Tan Qingya, sensing something off. A sudden chill hit her. “Did you two fight?”

The thought made her panic. “Miss Zhou’s young and straightforward—no turns in her thinking. Why get mad at her?”

“No.” Tan Qingya laughed helplessly. If she didn’t explain, Old Madam’s call would arrive any second.

She rose and headed to the kitchen, adding, “We’re on great terms.”

Inside, Zhou Jianghao was topping noodles with a fried egg. Tan Qingya blinked, her mood shifting from storm clouds to sunshine. “A heart-shaped breakfast?”

“It doesn’t look great.” Zhou Jianghao murmured.

She sensed Tan Qingya was upset but couldn’t figure why, so she’d zoned out. The egg was a bit burnt, probably not the best taste.

“I’ll eat this one. Have Auntie Chen make you a fresh breakfast.”

“It smells delicious. I never care about looks, just flavor.” Tan Qingya picked up the plate, balancing both as she headed out. “I’m starving. Come eat.”

The fried egg was a bit scorched and didn’t taste great, but Tan Qingya swallowed it down without a change in expression. She looked up at Zhou Jianghao. “Any plans for today?”

Zhou Jianghao hesitated. “I want to move my stuff over from the apartment I’m renting. Is that okay?”

She had been thinking about this for a while now. With the holiday giving her some free time, it was the perfect chance to bring everything over and truly make this place her home.

“Of course.” Tan Qingya curved her lips in a smile, temporarily setting aside the matter of Zhou Jianghao’s boundless energy. “As your suitor, I have to keep pace with you—be your pack mule and help with the move.”

“Huh?” Zhou Jianghao froze.

Tan Qingya as her pack mule?

She stared at Tan Qingya’s face, realizing that her imagination must be too limited. She simply couldn’t picture the elegant woman toiling away as a beast of burden, hauling boxes for her.

Moving house was no easy task, after all.

Tan Qingya glanced at the time. “Shall we head out right after breakfast?”

She seemed genuinely enthusiastic about it.

Zhou Jianghao couldn’t help but confirm. “You’re really going to help me move? It might be tiring, and the place isn’t very clean.”

She hadn’t been staying there lately, so it was probably full of dust and grime.

Tan Qingya nodded with elegant poise. “Of course.”