Chapter 28: Brilliant as the Stars

Ji Zhenshi sat cross-legged on the sofa, clutching a hairdryer in her hands. When Li Yunli emerged, she sneaked a careful glance at her before quickly averting her eyes. Stiffly, she said, “Sister A-Yun, your hair is still wet. Dry it before you sleep, or you’ll catch a cold.”

Ji Zhenshi was waiting for Li Yunli.

The scene from earlier had been far too tantalizing, leaving both Li Yunli and Ji Zhenshi feeling awkward. Even their eye contact was fleeting, barely lasting a moment.

Li Yunli paused for a second before a gentle, reassuring smile returned to her face. “I know. Thanks, Xiao Zhen.”

They tacitly avoided mentioning what had happened. Once Li Yunli sat down, Ji Zhenshi stood up awkwardly, taking a step back. “Then I’ll head in to sleep. I just called to report the water heater—someone should come fix it tomorrow. If they can’t, we should just replace it. It’s a serious safety hazard otherwise.”

At that moment, she seemed utterly serious, as if she hadn’t been the one to sneak a kiss on Li Yunli’s earlobe. She was earnest, but with a hint of panic.

Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her clothes. Even the girl teased as a genius grew nervous around Li Yunli, looking like a guilty child who had done something wrong and was bracing for punishment.

“It’s fine. It’s an old issue—happens every rainy day,” Li Yunli explained, not dwelling on it.

Truthfully, Ji Zhenshi’s absence made her feel more at ease.

Li Yunli only appeared fragile; in reality, she didn’t need to rely on anyone for everything.

“We should replace it even more then. Don’t always worry about saving money. I’m about to start working and earn some cash—won’t that ease your burden a lot?” Ji Zhenshi wanted to leave, but the sight of Li Yunli fresh from her bath rooted her feet to the spot like nails. She stood there dumbly at a distance.

Sister A-Yun is so beautiful.

Li Yunli smiled softly without responding and switched on the hairdryer instead.

Was the little rascal about to say something like “I’ll support you” or “I want you to be free”?

But Li Yunli had never thought that way. She never expected Ji Zhenshi to repay her once she grew up. Everything was something she welcomed wholeheartedly.

After standing there a while, Ji Zhenshi mustered her courage and moved to Li Yunli’s side. She took the hairdryer from her hands, their fingertips brushing lightly like an electric spark.

“What you said earlier—that I was great—didn’t mean great at warming the bed, right?” Ji Zhenshi’s voice whispered near her ear, clear even amid the hairdryer’s hum. It shattered the tension between them.

It was probably a random topic that popped into her head. Ji Zhenshi always hated pure silence around Li Yunli.

Li Yunli countered, “What else could I have been praising?”

“No idea, but probably not that.” As her fingers wove through the soft strands of hair, Ji Zhenshi kept stealing glances at Li Yunli’s pure, elegant profile.

“You just need to know I was praising you.” Li Yunli had no intention of spelling it out.

“Oh.”

Once the hairdryer stopped, Li Yunli turned and tugged at the hem of the other woman’s shirt, slowly signing with her hands, “Are wet clothes comfortable?”

Hadn’t this girl thought to change after waiting outside so long?

Didn’t she feel the dampness?

“I didn’t even notice until you said something. It’s fine—it’s summer; it’ll dry in no time.” Ji Zhenshi grinned carelessly, leaning closer along with Li Yunli’s tug on her shirt.

Sister A-Yun really smells amazing—so fragrant and soft.

Ji Zhenshi winked mischievously. “I’m not just great at warming the bed; my body’s even better. No need to worry, Sister A-Yun.”

Li Yunli’s hand shifted from her shirt to pinching her arm, a faint anger simmering. “Go change.”

But Ji Zhenshi was utterly lost in this gentle paradise, oblivious that Li Yunli wasn’t comforting her but about to pinch harder.

A woman’s anger often masqueraded as gentleness, hard to detect.

“It’s already dry. Let’s go to sleep—I’m so tired.” Ji Zhenshi reached to pull Li Yunli up, but the sharpening pain was no joke. She looked down to see the woman’s nails digging into her skin.

Li Yunli was pinching her!

“Ow!” Ji Zhenshi bristled instantly, yelping, “It hurts, it hurts! I’ll change, I’ll change!”

She scrambled to grab a short-sleeved shirt and change into it, not daring to make more trouble.

Only after tidying up the living room did Li Yunli slowly push open the bedroom door. Ji Zhenshi lay properly in her designated spot for once, her back turned to Li Yunli.

Li Yunli slipped quietly under the covers. Ji Zhenshi didn’t cling to her like before. Li Yunli gazed at her back with complex emotions before closing her eyes.

They slept back-to-back that night, and Ji Zhenshi stayed surprisingly well-behaved the whole time.

That was when Li Yunli realized this girl could actually sleep properly.

So why had she always been so clingy and restless before?

Good night, Xiao Zhen.

Li Yunli thought silently to herself.

…

Summer nights were always short, and days flew by.

In the end, Ji Zhenshi signed the contract with Zheng Siqi. She didn’t tell her parents but shared every detail with Li Yunli.

As thanks, Li Yunli made several lavish dinners for her. With moving out of the dorms approaching, Ji Zhenshi was less excited about entering society than about who the company would assign as her mentor.

She truly wanted someone to guide her properly.

Amid this anticipation, her college life drew to a perfect close. On graduation photo day, many classmates had already left for overseas studies, so not everyone was present.

After the group photo, Ji Zhenshi only took pictures with her close friends.

—Sister A-Yun, will you come for graduation photos?

—Of course, Xiao Zhen. I wouldn’t miss your big moment.

True to her word, after Ji Zhenshi finished photos with her friends in her bachelor’s gown, she finally spotted that graceful figure under the locust tree.

Sister A-Yun was dressed more formally than usual today—a crisp white blouse paired with a black maxi skirt. Even from the back, it was unmistakably her.

Ji Zhenshi wanted to capture the moment. Pretending to photograph her friends, she actually aimed the camera at Li Yunli.

“Whoa!” Xia Siyuan stood at the fountain’s edge, trying to find Ji Zhenshi’s angle with the camera. But the lens kept tilting crookedly until it pointed somewhere she couldn’t reach even on tiptoes.

Off-balance, her foot slipped, and Xia Siyuan splashed right into the fountain.

“Ji Zhenshi! I’m done with you! You better sleep with one eye open tonight.”

Her threat came from utter exasperation. Xia Siyuan had never seen such blatant favoritism—a total loyal dog for Li Yunli.

Whenever Li Yunli appeared, Ji Zhenshi’s heart was entirely hers, ignoring everyone else.

“Hey! Don’t move.” Ji Zhenshi hurriedly grabbed Xia Siyuan’s collar and hauled her up.

Xia Siyuan was dragged out, drenched and miserable. After catching her breath, she glared at the culprit. “Ji Genius, can you at least try to be professional? Let me see the shots.”

Ji Zhenshi looked guilty, hugging the camera tight. She couldn’t let them see the sneaky shots of that woman inside.

“The water’s shallow. Don’t be dramatic—it’ll dry soon,” Ji Zhenshi said.

Xia Siyuan put her hands on her hips, smiling through gritted teeth. “You’re ruthless. Are all so-called geniuses this heartless?”

“What do you mean ruthless? You fell in yourself, and I was miles away. Don’t pin this on me.” Ji Zhenshi defended herself indignantly but backed away upon seeing Xia Siyuan’s unhappy face.

A bad feeling crept over her…

“Ji Zhenshi! I’ll strangle you!” Before Ji Zhenshi could flee, Xia Siyuan tackled her.

Ji Zhenshi couldn’t dodge and was pinned down hard.

So much for keeping some dignity in front of Li Yunli…

Li Yunli had arrived early and hadn’t interrupted Ji Zhenshi’s final farewell with her friends. She stood at a distance, holding flowers and watching Ji Zhenshi goof around on the grass.

Even in her gown, the little rascal didn’t look the least bit serious. She and Xia Siyuan were pinching and wrestling like playful rivals. They’d both signed with the same company, so no sadness in parting—just joyful bickering.

The weather favored them today, blazing sun after days of gloomy storm clouds.

Happy graduation, Xiao Zhen.

Li Yunli, radiantly beautiful from afar, silently wished Ji Zhenshi a bright future.

She smiled calmly, then secretly snapped a photo of Ji Zhenshi with her phone, her own smile deepening contagiously.

She was so happy—so carefree, laughing uproariously even from a simple chat with friends. She tossed her cap with abandon, freeing that signature cascade of blonde hair. Under the sunlight, it almost dazzled.

From Li Yunli’s view, her simple outfit accentuated her fresh, clean pallor—not sickly, but vibrant and pure. Camera around her neck, lens trained on her friends, her eyes crinkled with laughter, sparkling with enviable light, utterly infectious.

“Yunli Sis is here,” Xia Siyuan said, tiring from the playfight and sitting on the grass. She patted Ji Zhenshi’s shoulder and pointed to the figure in the tree’s shade.

This girl was acting weird today—not rushing over at the sight of Li Yunli.

Ji Zhenshi raised an eyebrow, lowering her camera. “I know.”

“You’re not going over…” Before Xia Siyuan finished, Ji Zhenshi bolted toward Li Yunli like a shot.

“…”

Of course she was going.

Wait, the angle Li Yunli was standing at…

Ji Zhenshi really prioritized her crush over friends!

Joy spread across the girl’s face as she neared. Li Yunli smiled warmly, handing over the flowers while signing quickly, “Xiao Zhen, happy graduation.”

A bouquet of sunflowers dotted with baby’s breath, presented by Li Yunli’s hands—it almost seemed to carry a floral scent.

Sunflowers don’t smell like flowers.

“Thanks, Sister A-Yun.” Ji Zhenshi collided happily with the sunflowers and found Li Yunli’s handwritten card amid them.

【May Xiao Zhen love endlessly, brilliant as the stars, blooming along the way.】

“Yeah, no need to thank me. You’re an adult starting today.” Li Yunli’s long hair swayed, tiny beads of sweat dotting her nose from standing in the heat. The air between them felt charged.

Ignoring herself, Li Yunli pulled out a tissue—as she had countless times before—and wiped Ji Zhenshi’s sweat.

Ji Zhenshi obediently leaned in. “You say I’m an adult now, but you still treat me like a kid. From today on, Sister A-Yun, you need to change how you see me.”

Ji Zhenshi desperately wanted to be seen as grown-up.

First, to chase her dreams closer. Second, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Li Yunli—something she’d always longed for.

Li Yunli considered it, then smiled in agreement. “Yes, yes. I’ll change my view.”

She had no idea why Ji Zhenshi was so eager to grow up.

Was being an adult that fun?

Ji Zhenshi nodded, staring at the card for a long moment before sighing earnestly, “Sister A-Yun, your handwriting is so beautiful. I’ll treasure this card.”

Li Yunli wrote in kaishu style—each stroke deliberate, full of aesthetic grace.

She’d always known Li Yunli was a true academic star. Without that incident, her life would have been even brighter.

Li Yunli let her be. “This isn’t even that good. Keep it if you want to treasure it—you like it, that’s what matters.”

“Yeah.” Ji Zhenshi pocketed the card and raised the camera from her chest, flashing a sly grin at Li Yunli.

Before Li Yunli could react, Ji Zhenshi hooked an arm around her neck. “Perfect weather, perfect moment—let’s commemorate it, Sister A-Yun.”

The camera captured them. Li Yunli had been pulled into another surprise selfie, her expression still a soft smile—but only she knew her inner panic.

“Xiao Zhen!” Li Yunli shot her a displeased glare.

Another sneak attack. Was Ji Zhenshi addicted to candids?

She smoothed her slightly tousled hair, wanting to leave their best selves in the photo for the day.

After all, they might not see each other as often later.

Ji Zhenshi would go further, while she stayed put, watching her shine like stars.

More importantly, Li Yunli didn’t want to miss any of Ji Zhenshi’s milestones.

“It’s beautiful—no need to worry about looking bad.” Ji Zhenshi glanced at the photo casually, her mind already elsewhere. She took Li Yunli’s hand. “Sister A-Yun, let me take you somewhere.”

A little surprise she’d planned just for her.

Ji Zhenshi pulled Li Yunli along, running fast. She knew exactly where they were headed, racing with the wind like they were fleeing reality together.

Li Yunli, run away with me?

No—stay as you are, in the place you love.

Everything else forgotten, Ji Zhenshi charged ahead, eager to unveil the surprise she’d secretly planned for so long.

“Sister A-Yun, I knew you’d come today for sure.”

Li Yunli was always so reliably gentle. Sometimes Ji Zhenshi feared taking it for granted—what if she started expecting it?

No, Li Yunli didn’t have to do any of this.

“Yeah.” Li Yunli responded silently, watching the mysterious smile on Ji Zhenshi’s face—like a child about to share a treasured secret.

A kid who couldn’t hide her thoughts at all.

Li Yunli smiled inwardly at Ji Zhenshi’s transparent little schemes.

On the track, Ji Zhenshi tugged Li Yunli forward. Running too fast, Li Yunli—wearing the high heels Ji Zhenshi had gifted her—couldn’t keep up with her sneakers.

High heels were torturous for running. Li Yunli endured silently for a bit, but eventually tapped Ji Zhenshi’s shoulder and signed, “Xiao Zhen, high heels make it hard for me to walk.”

Ji Zhenshi, sweating profusely, stopped and saw Li Yunli’s furrowed brow. The hidden pain had cracked her gentle facade.

Realizing too late the heels’ inconvenience, Ji Zhenshi slapped her forehead. “Ah… sorry, I got too excited and forgot you were wearing heels. You okay?”

“Yeah. Are you in a rush? Go ahead if you need to.” Li Yunli waved it off, leaning on Ji Zhenshi’s arm, her lips pressed tight against the ache.

High heels were beautiful torture—not made for vigorous activity.

“No rush. I just felt like running—today’s too thrilling.” Ji Zhenshi grinned sheepishly, annoyed at herself for the oversight and making Li Yunli suffer.

“Let me check if it’s blistered.” Kneeling on one knee, Ji Zhenshi lifted Li Yunli’s foot, slipping off the heel onto her lap.

Li Yunli must have been wearing these heels for the first time. Her fair ankle was already rubbed raw, bloodied from a few more pained steps.

It tore at Ji Zhenshi’s heart. Frowning deeply, she blew on it gently. “Sister A-Yun, I’m so sorry. I was too hasty and didn’t think about how inconvenient this would be for you.”

She’d let it get this bad without saying anything sooner.