“It’s fine. You don’t have to keep apologizing to me. This happens all the time when walking in high heels—it’s not the first time, and it’ll get better soon. Luckily, Xiao Zhen doesn’t like high heels. Otherwise, with your energetic personality, you’d suffer quite a bit.” Li Yunli noticed her secretly blowing on her ankle and reached out to affectionately pinch her plump cheek.
“But high heels look so pretty. Maybe one day I can wear them with Sister A-Yun.” Ji Zhenshi licked her lips.
Getting her face pinched by Li Yunli felt secretly thrilling again.
Li Yunli nodded and slowly crouched down, intending to apply the Band-Aid she carried with her to her ankle so it wouldn’t hurt with every step.
“Let me do it. Your skirt might ride up.” Ji Zhenshi took the Band-Aid, lifted Li Yunli’s foot onto her knee again, and gently applied them to both ankles.
Satisfied with her handiwork, Ji Zhenshi stood up and turned her back to Li Yunli. “Let me carry you on my back, Sister A-Yun. There’s still quite a way to go ahead, and high heels make it hard to walk.”
Ji Zhenshi’s heart ached for Li Yunli, and she didn’t really want her to walk anymore.
She glanced around. The street was full of people coming and going, all college students in their early twenties.
They were all dating—hadn’t they seen this before?
Ji Zhenshi was even a little excited about carrying Li Yunli on her back.
Li Yunli stared at the shoulders in front of her, a few inches higher than her own, and subtly pressed her lips together. “No need.”
There were too many people, and she felt embarrassed. The fact that it was Ji Zhenshi carrying her made her even more shy.
She vividly remembered those four defined abs and the way Ji Zhenshi had clung to her waist that night, burying her face in her chest and biting her. Just thinking about it made Li Yunli’s face inexplicably heat up.
Was she actually craving a kid’s body like that?
It was absurd. Even Li Yunli felt embarrassed about it herself.
Ji Zhenshi glanced back and noticed Li Yunli’s skirt. Her mind turned. “Alright then. Carrying you on my back in a skirt wouldn’t be very ladylike.”
“Mm.” Li Yunli tightened her grip on her bag strap. As she took her first step, Ji Zhenshi suddenly slipped her arm through her waist. In the next second, she was swept up into a princess carry.
Li Yunli let out a silent gasp of surprise and instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around Ji Zhenshi’s neck, incredulous that Ji Zhenshi would princess-carry her in public like this.
“You’re not heavy, Sister A-Yun.” Ji Zhenshi smiled, as if she could read Li Yunli’s mind and what sign language she wanted to use. She answered preemptively.
A little over a hundred pounds was no challenge at all for Ji Zhenshi.
Li Yunli’s face secretly flushed. Unable to stop Ji Zhenshi, she bashfully buried it in the crook of her neck.
Sure, college couples hugged and cuddled all the time. But because her relationship with Ji Zhenshi wasn’t that simple, Li Yunli felt a strong surge of shame.
The heartbeat in her chest amplified in her ears. Li Yunli stole a glance at Ji Zhenshi, unsure if it was hers or Ji Zhenshi’s anymore.
The girl’s features were strikingly beautiful, her eyes and brows exuding a clear elegance, her jawline growing more sensual the longer she looked. Her face didn’t seem to have much flesh on it, but Li Yunli knew from experience how good it felt to the touch.
She’d secretly pinched it several times already.
Li Yunli pressed a hand to her chest. The hot breath near her ear grew more intense. While she was lost in thought, Ji Zhenshi had already set her down and casually wiped the sweat from her face. “We’re here. There are a lot of people over there, and I know Sister A-Yun has thin skin, so I put you down here.”
Ji Zhenshi could be unreasonably clingy sometimes, but she was always considerate of her feelings at heart.
“Why say it out loud?” Li Yunli’s gentle smile faded slightly, replaced by a hint of shyness.
Should she thank Ji Zhenshi for being so thoughtful?
Ji Zhenshi spread her hands. “I just wanted to see Sister A-Yun get mad.”
She boldly admitted to teasing and troubling Li Yunli, knowing her good temper and always testing her limits.
“…”
Steadying her breathing, the blush on Li Yunli’s cheeks faded a bit. She glared at Ji Zhenshi, but it held no threat. “You’re really asking for a spanking.”
“Don’t! I know Sister A-Yun could never go through with it.” With that, Ji Zhenshi bolted, not giving Li Yunli time for any “family discipline.”
After all, she was the type who stayed silent even after being bitten all night.
In truth, Li Yunli’s attempts at family discipline had never been very successful. Most of the time, she lacked any intimidation. More often, Ji Zhenshi took advantage of her muteness to argue cleverly.
“Should I be stricter?” Li Yunli wondered as she followed Ji Zhenshi’s footsteps at a leisurely pace. She watched as Ji Zhenshi ran straight into the crowd at the center of the vast sports field.
Today featured a send-off event organized by the students themselves, and the field was now alive with performances.
Singing, dancing—the sounds came from all directions.
It was already lively in the daytime, filled with laughter and cheers echoing in her ears. Remarkably, there was even a black piano set up in the center of the field, surrounded by a packed crowd.
Ji Zhenshi had dashed right into the throng around the piano. Li Yunli even spotted Xia Siyuan, along with a few of Ji Zhenshi’s closer friends.
Ji Zhenshi chatted briefly with the guy sitting at the piano, then he stood up, and she sat right down.
Was she going to play the piano?
Li Yunli had never seen Ji Zhenshi play piano or heard her mention knowing how.
She slowly made her way into the crowd. Xia Siyuan, sharp-eyed as ever, spotted her and waved enthusiastically. “Yunli Sis, come stand here—the view’s much better.”
Li Yunli was led to the front row, at an angle where she could almost lock eyes with Ji Zhenshi just by looking up. Xia Siyuan stood behind her, using her body as a barrier to separate her from the onlookers behind.
It felt like it was specially prepared just for her.
“Who knows what stunt Ji Zhenshi is pulling this time. Isn’t piano supposed to be my domain?” Xia Siyuan muttered, tilting her head. Could this be why Ji Zhenshi had dragged her to learn piano every day after lunch for the past two months instead of napping?
Just to show off today? That didn’t seem like Ji Zhenshi.
Someone who stayed unfazed even after going a little viral online wouldn’t crave the spotlight like this, right?
Listening to Xia Siyuan’s grumbles, Li Yunli turned and wrote on her notebook, “Maybe Xiao Zhen wants to try the piano?”
Showing off on purpose wasn’t something Ji Zhenshi would do, anyway.
Xia Siyuan glanced at the notebook and gave a wry smile. “That’s not what I meant, Yunli Sis. You misunderstood.”
These two really were head over heels—neither could stand hearing a bad word about the other.
Li Yunli smiled faintly and turned back to watch Ji Zhenshi.
Her plain right hand casually tapped out a few notes on the black and white keys. Then Ji Zhenshi slowly placed her prized left hand on the keys as well. “If I could have a few minutes of everyone’s time, there’s a piece I’d like to share. I hope you all enjoy it.”
Even if you don’t, it’s fine. I’m only playing it for Li Yunli. She’s always my most loyal audience.
The crowd, packed three layers deep with over a hundred people, perked up at Ji Zhenshi’s words. Even those who didn’t know her got excited and cheered to set the mood.
Surrounded by it all, Ji Zhenshi flashed a wild smile that vanished in an instant.
The movements from her memory flowed seamlessly. Light, cheerful music poured from her fingertips. Ji Zhenshi remained utterly composed. Whether violin or piano, she always exuded that confidence.
It wasn’t breathtakingly brilliant, but her presence drew the listeners in, making it feel like wherever she was, that was the stage.
Soon, people recognized the melody—it was familiar.
The piece was “Take My Hand.”
From the moment of her birth, God had orchestrated a redemption named Li Yunli.
I admire the rose’s beauty and fear not its thorns, so may I briefly possess one?
Li Yunli, I would defy all for the chance to take your hand.
I love you. The heartbeat of my sixteen-year-old self has spread to twenty-two, blooming everywhere, my feelings unknown to all.
The girl dubbed a violin prodigy had practiced a piano piece for her secret crush and was now confessing her six-year-old affection to the crowd.
Li Yunli, I like you. I’ve liked you since I was sixteen.
It’s not a child’s whim or fleeting fancy. It’s me scheming to become better just to stay by your side.
I’m despicable, fantasizing about the place beside you.
I’m against convention, loving you regardless.
Perhaps no one understood Ji Zhenshi’s little secrets, but as long as she knew—they might never be spoken aloud, but today her crush finally saw the light of day. That was enough.
God above, can’t you see she’s my unwavering first choice?
“Li Yunli, I believe everything has its cause and effect. You came into my life, planted the seed, and my love for you is the fruit. I don’t care about karma. I just want to love you. I once said I envied Ji Tingjun—not a joke, but real jealousy. He couldn’t even have you, yet he occupied your name for six whole years. I envy his right to claim you openly. I’m despicable, not the obedient little sister you think. I’ve always harbored improper thoughts about you.”
“Is there any chance you’d love me? Maybe?”
Amid a million possibilities, she sought that one sliver. In her peripheral vision, it was all Li Yunli. Ji Zhenshi laid her heart bare in her mind.
That summer at sixteen, we squeezed onto a single bed listening to cicadas. My heartbeat soared even louder than their song.
Today at twenty-two, before this crowd, I confess the feelings I’ve buried so long.
The piece ended amid rising cheers. Ji Zhenshi stood and gave a slight bow. She immediately went to Li Yunli’s side and whispered, “Did it sound good?”
She wondered how her teacher Xia Siyuan had done.
The cheers might have some bandwagon effect, but the crowd’s reaction seemed positive enough. No embarrassment there.
“It sounded great—a real surprise. Xiao Zhen can play piano?” Li Yunli gave her a thumbs-up.
Praised, Ji Zhenshi scratched her head bashfully. Her ears turned red traitorously. “It’s alright. I wouldn’t say I can play— I only know this one piece.”
“Not bad. Looks like our crash course paid off and got Yunli Sis’s seal of approval. My work as a teacher is done.” Xia Siyuan chimed in from the side.
Validation from a pro.
Pretty good. A beginner who only knew one piece dared to play it in front of so many people. Not to mention Ji Zhenshi’s rock-solid nerves—people envied that too. No stage was too big for her to handle without fidgeting.
But…
Xia Siyuan propped her chin, her gaze on Ji Zhenshi deepening meaningfully.
Ji Zhenshi only cared if one person thought it was good. Her real audience today was just one person, right?
She’d played it solely for Li Yunli—practiced so long just to surprise her today?
Others might not know, but Xia Siyuan did. She knew why Ji Zhenshi chose this piece: its Chinese name was “Take My Hand.”
Once the pieces clicked—like those bite marks—everything became obvious. Xia Siyuan was sharp; she figured it out easily.
Ji Zhenshi, playing with fire like this?
A month ago, Li Yunli was still technically her sister-in-law. Now that even the nominal tie to her brother was gone, she’d gone all out?
A violin genius slaving over a piano piece to confess amid the crowd—an open declaration.
Ji Zhenshi was a hopeless romantic lunatic.
“Yunli Sis, do you like this piece? What do you think of it?” Having pieced it together, Xia Siyuan’s smile took on a knowing edge. She deliberately asked again, then raised a brow at Ji Zhenshi.
Ji Zhenshi narrowed her eyes. One look, and they both knew what the other was thinking. She silently reached behind Xia Siyuan and pinched her soft flesh, smiling through gritted teeth. “Xia Siyuan, I advise you to watch your mouth.”
That mischievous grin from Xia Siyuan sent a chill down Ji Zhenshi’s spine.
What had she figured out now?
Xia Siyuan winced in pain—Ji Zhenshi wasn’t holding back. Her face paled, but she forced a grin. “Relax, why so jumpy? I’m just asking what Yunli Sis thinks of the piece.”
Then, lips unmoving, she mouthed to Ji Zhenshi alone, “You’re playing it just for Yunli Sis anyway. Her feedback matters, right?”
After all, to a pro like her, it lacked technique—just smoothly played without mistakes. More importantly, those little intentions of Ji Zhenshi’s.
She really had a bad case of lovesickness.
“Hm? I thought it was pretty good. Just surprised—I had no idea Xiao Zhen could play piano. First time seeing her do it, and I’m no expert, so I can’t judge technically. But it felt nice to listen to.” Li Yunli, puzzled by their cryptic exchange, still gave a sincere review of Ji Zhenshi’s performance.
She felt that even though she’d watched this kid grow up, Ji Zhenshi still had plenty of surprises she didn’t know about.
“Sister A-Yun says I played well.” Ji Zhenshi turned to Xia Siyuan.
Xia Siyuan didn’t know sign language, so Ji Zhenshi subtly translated for Li Yunli’s sake, sparing her embarrassment.
“Tch, Yunli Sis would think anything you do is great.” Xia Siyuan gritted her teeth, her ploy foiled. She spat out the words and slapped Ji Zhenshi’s hand away hard before escaping her grasp.
Ji Zhenshi didn’t pull punches! It’d probably bruise.
Rubbing her waist and limping to Li Yunli’s side, Xia Siyuan felt a mix of sympathy and amusement for Ji Zhenshi.
Li Yunli didn’t seem to have caught on to the subtlety.
The lovebird’s heartfelt gesture overlooked—what was Ji Zhenshi going to do?
“She learns fast anyway—especially with you as my teacher.” Ji Zhenshi arched a brow.
Xia Siyuan rolled her eyes and turned to Li Yunli. “Yunli Sis, we’re grabbing a group meal later. Want to come? It might be our last chance to get everyone together like this.”
Li Yunli had turned down every invitation so far.
“No thanks, you all have fun. Just head back early. You’re graduated now, but don’t go too wild.” As expected, Li Yunli waved it off, her face soft with gentle warmth. Then she signed to Ji Zhenshi, “Xiao Zhen, give me the key to the company dorm you split with your roommates. I’ll go clean it up for you. You’ll probably be out late tonight, and coming back to a mess won’t let you rest well. I don’t have much this afternoon—I can tidy it for you.”
Ji Zhenshi had already moved her stuff to the company dorm ahead of time and likely wouldn’t return to campus tonight. Li Yunli figured their last group meal would involve drinks.
Ji Zhenshi wouldn’t visit the coffee shop after drinking, so Li Yunli thought she could clean up in advance to help her rest better.
Remembering how Ji Zhenshi turned into a weepy mess when drunk, Li Yunli worried she’d overdo it tonight.
