Chapter 22: Do I Have to Feed You Water Too?

Li Yunli followed her into the changing room. She drew the curtain closed, and Ji Zhenshi turned her back to Li Yunli, lifting her long hair. “Sister A-Yun, help me unzip this.”

Only then did Li Yunli notice with surprise that the zipper was purely decorative. Instead of pulling it, she tilted Ji Zhenshi’s chin up.

“You tricked me again, Ji Zhenshi. You just wanted to make me serve you, didn’t you?”

Ji Zhenshi was forced to turn around. She licked her canine tooth and gave an embarrassed smile. “Sister A-Yun saw right through me. I just wanted you to help. Didn’t you say this was my reward for lighting that little fire?”

Her tone sounded apologetic, but that sly glint in her eyes betrayed not a shred of remorse.

Li Yunli hooked a finger under Ji Zhenshi’s nose, utterly defeated. She shot her a warning look. “Don’t push your luck, Ji Zhenshi.”

She was turning into a real little trickster, constantly scheming even against Li Yunli, over and over.

Ji Zhenshi spun back around and grabbed Li Yunli’s hand, tickling her palm. “It’s my reward. What’s wrong with pushing my luck a bit? You aren’t regretting it, are you?”

Li Yunli was ticklish and yanked her hand back at once. She gave that naughty paw a light smack, grumbling, “Turn around.”

As if she had any room for regrets. Ji Zhenshi, that little rascal, was full of more devious ideas by the day.

“Tell me, did you see me online?” Ji Zhenshi asked boldly.

“No time to surf the web, but I did watch the videos you shared with me.”

Heaven only knew how proud and joyful Li Yunli’s face had been while watching those clips, her eyes brimming with tender affection for the girl who burned so brightly with youth on screen.

The little girl she had raised was stepping up, taking center stage on a bigger world platform.

That deep satisfaction was hers alone, tucked away in the quiet corners of Li Yunli’s heart.

“Am I cool or what?” Ji Zhenshi blinked extravagantly, tossing her hair with a blatant plea for praise.

She was always fishing for compliments from Li Yunli, clumsily craving her attention like she needed to prove her existence.

The ends of her hair brushed Li Yunli’s cheek, making her blink involuntarily.

“Yeah, Xiao Zhen is super cool.”

Poised against the blazing sun, boundless glory ahead.

Li Yunli yanked the zipper down in one go and patted Ji Zhenshi’s shoulder. “Change yourself. I’ll wait outside.”

“Wait for me. I’ll be quick.” Ji Zhenshi crossed her arms, and in a blink, her shirt was off over her head, the motion smooth and effortless to an alarming degree.

Li Yunli clicked her tongue in amazement. She hadn’t even made it out the door before Ji Zhenshi spun around and blocked her path. “Don’t look! I’ll flash you!”

It forced Li Yunli to stay, and the two ended up staring at each other.

Ji Zhenshi had an astonishingly perfect figure. In that split second, Li Yunli had caught the shift in her muscles as she stripped, real toned muscle paired with the unique veins on her left hand. Holding the shirt like that, she radiated raw sex appeal.

Li Yunli’s gaze lingered involuntarily on those four defined abs. She remembered that drunken night when she’d wiped her down, and this girl had deliberately refused to put on clothes. No matter how Li Yunli tried to avert her eyes, she’d stared far too long at those striking abs.

They were the kind that took deliberate, dedicated training—hard lines under her palm, yet soft and warm with life.

It felt like Ji Zhenshi had truly grown up. Li Yunli sensed it more tangibly now, in every way that mattered.

“Sister A-Yun, I really don’t need milk anymore.” Ji Zhenshi’s voice turned husky and teasing.

Who knew if it was on purpose, but as she spoke, she arched her chest, deliberately deepening her cleavage.

Ji Zhenshi showed no trace of shyness, proudly displaying her body without a care.

Especially since it was Li Yunli in front of her—like a peacock fanning its tail feathers.

“…”

Li Yunli narrowed her eyes and met that smug, unflappable face. “It’s just a B-cup. Besides, ‘you are what you eat’ has no scientific basis. I made you drink milk to nourish you. What are you thinking about all day?”

A big sister was still a big sister. That flicker of desire in her eyes vanished in an instant, her calm gaze giving Ji Zhenshi none of the reaction she craved.

Because she’d already watched it all many times over, after Ji Zhenshi had fallen asleep.

The blow landed hard. The next second, Ji Zhenshi wilted like an eggplant hit by frost. She tugged at her lips, slipped on the shirt, and muttered as her strut failed, “Xia Siyuan says my figure is great. She even encouraged me to wear crop tops, said it’d draw more fans to her videos. Lots of people would drool over my body.”

After all, abs on a woman usually required intentional effort to achieve.

With Ji Zhenshi’s aura and those details bursting with sex appeal, it really would attract eyes.

At those words, Li Yunli’s gentle smile froze. She paused for a few seconds. “No crop tops. And no changing clothes in front of others.”

Li Yunli almost never used “no” with Ji Zhenshi, so the command carried real weight.

“Why? I’m not going naked. I’m wearing a sports bra underneath that’s perfectly decent.”

Ji Zhenshi lowered her eyes to button up, missing the darkening, inscrutable expression on Li Yunli’s face after hearing her words.

Her tone was casual, as always. During competitions or performances, changing wasn’t always convenient, so she’d swap outfits in front of others out of necessity. Sports bras were her go-to, especially since she and Xia Siyuan felt like ironclad bros—teasing each other while being the best stage partners.

Li Yunli ground her teeth silently. “Wear what you want, but too many crop tops means your belly’s exposed too long. What if you catch a chill and get sick?”

And Xia Siyuan had seen Ji Zhenshi’s body—encouraged her to flaunt it publicly. Something unfamiliar twisted in Li Yunli’s chest. Subconsciously, she didn’t want others appreciating Ji Zhenshi’s form.

But Xiao Zhen’s dreams meant she had to be seen by more people.

Her little girl had her own ambitions, heading for grander stages.

“No way. Xia Siyuan wears them all the time, no issues. At our age, we’ve got fire in our veins. If it looks good, that’s enough. We can’t worry about down the road.” Ji Zhenshi finished buttoning and spread her arms. “How’s this?”

The tailored shirt restrained Ji Zhenshi’s sexiness, clashing with her vibe—plus, she was pulling a deliberately goofy face.

Li Yunli eyed her for two seconds. “Do you like crop tops? I don’t think I’ve seen you in one. If you do, we can buy some. No need to deny yourself if that’s your style.”

Li Yunli’s mind was still stuck on those crop tops.

Ji Zhenshi fiddled with the necklace that had been around her neck, replying offhandedly, “Eh, it’s fine. Not a must-have. Mainly, I don’t like tight styles. Feels like I can’t breathe.”

Ji Zhenshi’s thoughts lingered on her failed strut.

She’d trained in secret for so long, hoping Li Yunli would react like Xia Siyuan—unable to resist touching, prodding, or drooling. No such luck. She felt annoyed.

So Li Yunli wasn’t tempted by a hot body. She wasn’t into that.

Nearing thirty, her interests weren’t like a twenty-something girl’s.

“Fine then. Casual works. This shirt fits you perfectly. Like it?” Li Yunli looked her over, thinking it suited just right.

“Yeah, it’s good.” Ji Zhenshi nodded.

“This one it is. Let’s browse more.” Li Yunli gestured for her to change back, then lifted the curtain and stepped out.

Ji Zhenshi couldn’t stop her. She deflated onto the chair.

Undoing the shirt buttons, Ji Zhenshi poked her abs and tilted her head in confusion. “Not what I expected.”

All that hard work on her killer figure, and it flopped with Li Yunli. Ji Zhenshi sighed.

Li Yunli had no worldly desires.

Yeah, that had to be it. Ji Zhenshi convinced herself the problem wasn’t her.

Clutching the small fortune pouch, she whispered to it, “Are you only thinking about the coffee shop?”

“What would it take to catch your eye?”

“Hmm? Nothing tempts you? Have you entered some kind of nirvana?”

Treating the pouch like Li Yunli, Ji Zhenshi jabbed questions at it. Clearly, her failed seduction had hit her hard.

Finally, she squeezed the pouch tight in her palm and poked it indignantly, murmuring, “Li Yunli, do you only ever see me as a little sister?”

But I’ve never seen you as just a sister.

A heart that craves possession won’t settle for sibling shadows forever.

Li Yunli, I will always have improper thoughts about you.

Lifting the curtain, Ji Zhenshi felt a twinge of guilt. She quietly released the pouch and handed over the clothes. Li Yunli held two pairs of black trousers and some shirts. “Want to check other stores?”

“Let’s buy these first. I also got you a new set of pajamas at my place—no need to try them. I sized up from your usual, so they should fit.” Li Yunli pulled out her phone to scan and pay.

Why size up?

Because someone had just been showing off her figure. Li Yunli might’ve said it wasn’t impressive, but she’d noticed last time she changed her pajamas—this girl had unknowingly developed a stunning, curvaceous build. Time for a larger size.

Her custom set must’ve been snug. Ji Zhenshi had worn it multiple times without complaint. Could she really sleep comfortably in ill-fitting PJs?

“Oh.” Ji Zhenshi happily grabbed the bagged clothes from the counter and trotted after Li Yunli.

Humming a tune leisurely, she slung the bag over her shoulder and bumped her forehead against Li Yunli’s. Her voice dragged out playfully. “Sister A-Yun…”

“Sister A-Yun…”

“Li Yunli…”

If her imagined scene could come true, Ji Zhenshi would surely have horns sprouting from her head by now. She loved coquettishly rubbing her forehead on Li Yunli’s shoulder.

Feigning innocence, almost convincing in her cuteness.

Li Yunli glanced sideways. “Hm?”

“Let’s catch a movie? There’s this super popular one out. We’ve bought one or two outfits already—shopping more is boring. Movies are great. We can just sit.” Ji Zhenshi stuck out her tongue mischievously, her guilt obvious from using Li Yunli’s full name at the end.

Truth be told, Ji Zhenshi’s little scheme was to spend some quiet time glued to Li Yunli, indulging in spoiled affection.

Watching a movie together, eating together—it’d feel like a date.

Not like now, with Li Yunli leading and Ji Zhenshi lugging bags behind, following her every whim. Try on clothes? She tried. Time to go? They paid and left with bags.

Frankly, it felt like a mom shopping with her kid—no hint of the vibe she’d imagined.

“I want to see a movie, Sister A-Yun. A horror one—it’s awesome.” Ji Zhenshi emphasized, pleading with Li Yunli.

Horror, so if Li Yunli got scared, she’d happily share her embrace.

Plus, weren’t those heels tiring her out?

They weren’t that high, but Ji Zhenshi worried about blisters later. Even small foot wounds were a hassle.

Li Yunli’s eyes crinkled with amusement. She checked the time and signed to her, “Mm… probably not today. Movie then dinner means you’d get back to school late. Packing up would drag even later, messing with your sleep. So let’s skip it. Rest if you’re tired.”

She handed Ji Zhenshi a water cup and reached to take some bags.

She’d always wanted to carry some for her, but Ji Zhenshi insisted on handling it all, refusing her help.

Ji Zhenshi stubbornly declined and leaned in to bite the straw on Li Yunli’s water cup. She plopped onto a chair, whining, “So cruel, so heartless, so disloyal.”

Li Yunli refused to indulge her. She simply let go of the cup. “Fine, I’m heartless. Drink it yourself.”

How old was she? Did she still need to be fed water?

Xiao Zhen was regressing by the day.

Legs splayed wide, Ji Zhenshi drank while tilting her head to glare up at Li Yunli.

Li Yunli stood beside her and patted her head. “Good girl.”

“Tch. Always telling me to be good, but no real rewards. I always compromise. Xiao Ning and them say you’re soft-hearted, gentle, easy to talk to? Totally biased. What illusion have you given them?” Ji Zhenshi side-eyed Li Yunli beside her. From her angle, she caught Li Yunli’s slim waist cinched by a thin brown leather belt, curving upward into tantalizing lines. A slight bend, and that alluring cleavage would be on full display.

Hmm…

Hers were just average, really. Li Yunli was a C-cup.

Stealthily admiring Li Yunli’s figure didn’t last two seconds before Ji Zhenshi felt guilty. She cleared her throat and looked away.

“So much resentment, Xiao Zhen? If you want a reward… once you’re done with your busy period, how about a graduation trip? Or not exactly graduation—whenever you’re free, we’ll go. I’ll take you to the Violin Museum, all sorts of places.” After signing, Li Yunli pulled a tissue from her bag and gently wiped the sweat from Ji Zhenshi’s forehead.

She hadn’t realized Ji Zhenshi harbored so many complaints.

Wasn’t she gentle? Wasn’t she accommodating?

Or maybe that sweet-talking “Sis” from that night only saw her as gentle?

At the thought, Li Yunli wiped a bit harder, reddening Ji Zhenshi’s delicate skin.

Ji Zhenshi perked up instantly, ignoring Li Yunli’s obvious displeasure. She grabbed her wrist. “For real? We can really travel? After I’m done, you and me go together. You and me.”

She stressed “you and me.” She only wanted Li Yunli.

A whole day together, seeing sights—that surprise was beyond Ji Zhenshi’s wildest dreams.

“Mm, you and me.” Li Yunli nodded. Seeing the sulky rascal smile was satisfaction enough. She sneakily pinched the soft cheek, collecting a bit of interest. That straw-biting face had been too pinchable earlier; Li Yunli had quietly indulged her whim.

“If you want, you can invite your friends or important people.” Li Yunli signed slowly, hesitating a touch.

That sister she’d called out to in her sleep—the one Ji Zhenshi never forgot.

How gentle must she be to outshine even Li Yunli’s voiceless self, in a girl who hated arguing.