Chapter 32: Sis, I’m Gonna Cry

Li Yunli pushed open the bedroom window and sat on the edge of the bed, holding Ji Zhenshi’s clothes as she gazed at the white picture frame on the bedside table.

The photo inside was somewhat unfamiliar to her, so she leaned in for a closer look.

The Ji Zhenshi in that picture was much more innocent than she was now, dressed in a baggy school uniform and casually holding a book as she sat at her desk. A sneaky smile lit up her face.

Li Yunli sat beside her, head bowed in concentration as she scribbled away, oblivious to the camera. Ji Zhenshi grinned right at the lens—clearly a candid shot.

Time had left its marks on the photo. Li Yunli thought back for a long while before vaguely recalling the moment.

“A-yun Sis, let’s take a picture?”

“If you don’t say no, I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Yeah, A-yun Sis is so pretty—I wanna keep this photo forever.”

All that lingered in her memory was Ji Zhenshi’s voice. Truth be told, it could only be Ji Zhenshi’s voice. She was mute and couldn’t leave behind any sounds of her own.

That clear, upbeat tone painted the pages of their youth.

Back then, Li Yunli had been helping Ji Zhenshi organize her notes. The girl had just started high school and wasn’t used to the sudden influx of new subjects. She stayed up late every night doing homework, but her exam scores were still lackluster.

Li Yunli couldn’t bear to watch anymore, so she’d sorted through the notes to fill in the gaps. And what did that rascal do? Play games on her phone with a grin, sneaking photos of Li Yunli all the while.

Her fingertips slowly traced the youthful face in the picture. The softness in Li Yunli’s eyes deepened as a tender smile curved her lips.

Xiao Zhen must have been so smug—having someone to organize her notes for her.

Li Yunli stared at it for quite a while before gently setting the frame back in place. She sniffed the shirt in her hands and let out a helpless sigh.

Stinky Xiao Zhen. These clothes had probably been tossed aside for days.

She gathered up all the dirty laundry from the room into her arms and tidied the cluttered mess. She didn’t dare touch the computer or notebooks. Silently, Li Yunli began cleaning Ji Zhenshi’s room.

In no time at all, the space looked brand new. She placed a carefully selected aromatherapy diffuser on the bedside table, set a vase of fresh sunflowers in the room, neatly folded the rumpled bedsheets, and stacked the books that had been flung carelessly onto the bed. Then she turned to tackle the living room.

Dusk was falling by the time Ji Zhenshi pushed open the door. She stared at the spotless room—cleaner even than when they’d first moved in. “Whoa? Did I get the wrong place? Is this still the apartment I left this morning?”

Ji Zhenshi knew full well there was no such thing as a magical snail girl in the world, and their place couldn’t possibly clean itself. She backed up a couple of steps to double-check the door before cautiously stepping inside.

Deep down, she already had a pretty good idea who was responsible.

Only one woman in the world would be this thoughtful, always willing to handle all the little chores without complaint.

“My God, Ji Zhenshi, you hired a cleaning service? Way to go—you’ve finally learned to solve problems with technology!” Xia Siyuan, right on her heels, widened her eyes in the exact same shocked expression.

Was this really the pigsty they’d left that morning?

Ji Zhenshi shot her a sidelong glance, her tone dripping with disdain. “Why not say the snail girl swung by? Cleaning services don’t have keys—how would they get in? It has to be A-yun Sis. I mailed her a copy of the key a while back.”

As the two exchanged bewildered looks, Li Yunli poked her head out from the kitchen. A warm smile lit her face as she signed fluidly. “You’re back? You must be exhausted today. There’s just one last dish finishing up—go wash your hands and come eat.”

Ah… so it was the Li Yunli edition of the snail girl.

“Yunli Sis.” Xia Siyuan couldn’t read sign language, so she offered a quick, polite greeting and hovered awkwardly by the door, not wanting to intrude on their space.

She shuffled her feet and nudged the sign-language expert forward.

Every time she came face-to-face with Li Yunli, Xia Siyuan’s urge to learn sign language spiked. But the impulse always faded once the moment passed—she never seemed to find the time. Besides, Ji Zhenshi communicated with Li Yunli effortlessly, so there was no real need for her to bother.

“A-yun Sis? I knew it was you. Were you already here when you texted me today?” The person she’d been daydreaming about appeared right in front of her. Ji Zhenshi didn’t even kick off her shoes before hurrying over to Li Yunli.

“Mm. I knew you were busy, so I came to check on you, and tidied up someone’s little dog kennel while I was at it—I was worried you’d have trouble sleeping.” Li Yunli pointed to the two rows of clothes drying on the balcony and teased. “Does Xiao Zhen even have any clean clothes left to change into?”

How busy must Ji Zhenshi be to not even have time to do laundry?

Li Yunli might have been poking fun, but the heartache in her eyes was all too real.

She always claimed everything was going great, but only Ji Zhenshi truly knew how “great” it was. After being strung along for so long, Ji Zhenshi’s trust level with Li Yunli had plummeted into the negatives.

“You cleaned my room?” Ji Zhenshi trailed after Li Yunli into the kitchen like a shadow, immediately glomming onto her. She dipped her head to nuzzle Li Yunli’s shoulder, mumbling sheepishly, “Not many outfits left.”

She’d planned to do laundry that night, but talk about perfect timing.

Li Yunli gripped the spatula, her eyes fixed on the pot, though her peripheral vision caught Ji Zhenshi’s ingratiating grin. “Still smiling? You said you’d take care of yourself. No matter how busy you get, you can’t live off instant noodles every day.”

Ji Zhenshi wilted under the gentle scolding and ducked her head to keep rubbing against Li Yunli’s shoulder. “A-yun Sis, I gave you the key so you could drop by—not to wait on me hand and foot. Don’t wear yourself out washing my clothes and cooking.”

After a pause, she added cautiously, “Besides, we don’t eat instant every single day. Sometimes we hit up a restaurant…”

Li Yunli glanced sideways at the coquettish girl, a doting expression softening her features unbidden. “I only did it because I had time today, and the place wasn’t that messy. If I have free moments in the future, you can come by the coffee shop. I’ll just make extra.”

The apartment was a bit of a trek from the coffee shop, but not so far that it took hours by cab. Ji Zhenshi could get there in no time.

Even if she was desperate to perform on bigger stages with her violin, she couldn’t push herself this hard. The body was the revolution’s greatest asset—didn’t Ji Zhenshi know that?

“You’re too good to me, A-yun Sis.” Ji Zhenshi wrapped her arms around Li Yunli’s neck from behind, hanging her full weight on her as she greedily breathed in that soothing, spring-like scent.

After days of enduring Tang Xien’s icy demeanor and walking on eggshells, Ji Zhenshi melted back into Li Yunli’s gentle embrace. It was like a child battered by the real world finally crawling back into her mother’s arms.

Sis, I’m gonna cry.

Clinging to Li Yunli, Ji Zhenshi nearly teared up. She buried her nose in her hair, her voice softening to a whisper. “You’re the best, A-yun Sis. I’m so touched… wuu. If only I could shrink you down and carry you in my pocket. Sigh.”

Tang Xien’s words always carried a chill, with zero warmth—especially after that first meeting where she’d put Ji Zhenshi firmly in her place. Every lesson left Ji Zhenshi with a mix of awe and distance. Compared to that, all she wanted was to melt into Li Yunli’s warm hold.

Sensing something off in Ji Zhenshi’s mood, Li Yunli turned around. “What’s wrong? Not used to this lifestyle yet? It’s normal coming straight out of school— you’ll adjust in time.”

A close look revealed the telltale shadows under Ji Zhenshi’s eyes. Li Yunli’s heart ached as she pressed her lips together, at a loss for words.

Ji Zhenshi was born for this rollercoaster life, full of highs and lows.

But it still hurt Li Yunli to see her like this.

With a sigh, Ji Zhenshi pouted in full grievance mode. “I’m not used to it. It’s exhausting. I just got back from an out-of-town competition with Teacher Tang the day before yesterday. It’s nothing like I imagined. I’ve learned tons from her and cut a lot of corners, but the pressure is crushing me—this little flower of the nation is wilting.”

“What little flower? You’re a sunflower ready to sprout seeds by now.” Li Yunli chuckled.

“Hey, sunflowers are romantic!” Ji Zhenshi shot back, indignant.

Li Yunli was the practical type, while Ji Zhenshi leaned idealistic. She loved romance and surprises.

Like petting a cat, Li Yunli hooked a finger under Ji Zhenshi’s chin and gazed at her with a bright smile.

“My hand’s gone numb.” Ji Zhenshi adored Li Yunli’s touch and curved her lips in secret delight.

Having been toughened by Tang Xien’s training, all of Ji Zhenshi’s recent frustrations came pouring out like a dam bursting—straight onto Li Yunli.

She shook out her hand and reached forward with exaggerated pitifulness. “A-yun Sis, emergency charge needed. Hug?”

“Mm, come here.” Li Yunli’s brows furrowed in concern as she pulled her into an embrace.

Poor little Xiao Zhen, worn down by life. She knew it was just a phase—that she’d adapt—but Li Yunli couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d suffered some monumental injustice.

“Super fast charge.” Ji Zhenshi rested her chin on Li Yunli’s shoulder.

They clung tightly to each other, the girl’s soft, fragrant presence instantly easing Ji Zhenshi’s unrelenting fatigue.

With her sweet, soft sister in her arms, Ji Zhenshi had zero intention of letting go.

Amid the wisps of cooking smoke, the two stood locked in their embrace. In the cramped kitchen, their hearts drew impossibly close as Li Yunli slowly patched the leaks in her own fragile heart.

“A-yun Sis brand super fast charge—if only I could plug in like this every day.” Ji Zhenshi said it half-jokingly.

Li Yunli’s delicately flushed earlobe was right there, stirring Ji Zhenshi’s heart. She sneaked closer and brushed her lips over it—just like last time. But this time, she felt the cool touch of an earring.

Li Yunli didn’t care for dangling earrings; she stuck to simple studs that perfectly suited her vibe. Today’s was a tiny crescent moon.

I only like the moon.

Hidden from Li Yunli’s view, Ji Zhenshi’s eyes brimmed with deep affection.

“In your dreams,” Li Yunli mouthed.

“Then I’ll dream big. A-yun Sis, you don’t know this about me, but I’m a pro at wishful thinking. Weird—suddenly I don’t feel so beat. Turns out hugs really are magic.” Ji Zhenshi licked her lips, savoring that stolen graze.

Just a fleeting touch, but it ignited a scorching blaze deep inside her.

Did that even count as a kiss? Ji Zhenshi felt her greed growing, an endless craving for every bit of Li Yunli.

A-yun Sis, I’m really scared I won’t be able to keep my feelings hidden much longer.

Li Yunli nearly burst out laughing at her deadpan delivery. She raised her hand and signed back, “That magical, huh? Xiao Zhen’s getting slicker by the day.”

A foreign warmth lingered at her ear, but Li Yunli brushed it off as an accidental brush from their hug.

“Totally. Haven’t you seen that public account post? Hugs solve sixty percent of human troubles, release seventy percent of stress, and deliver sixty seconds of pure bliss.” Ji Zhenshi spoke with utter seriousness, holding up six fingers for emphasis.

Provided it was two people in love, anyway.

Too bad it was one-sided on her end. Only she could feel that healing joy.

Li Yunli clearly wasn’t buying it. She arched a brow. “Do I look that gullible?”

You look like you’d be easy to tackle right here.

Ji Zhenshi shrugged, propping one hand on the stove as she leaned back a touch. Her recent all-nighters had left her with a bit of a cold—her voice came out husky. “Some science is just that wild. No real reason to doubt it. Maybe it’s been too long since I had your coffee, A-yun Sis. Without fuel, even the mightiest locomotive loses steam.”

Must be missing the coffee shop. Wonder how her little nook there was holding up.

Ji Zhenshi wouldn’t admit it out loud, but she yearned to crawl back into bed with Li Yunli—who wouldn’t crave something so sweet and soft?

“Such a smooth talker.” Li Yunli plated the final dish and, before heading out, asked about her recent goings-on. “Didn’t your company pair you with that senior you admire? How’s that going?”

At the mention of Tang Xien, Ji Zhenshi grimaced. “It’s alright, I guess. She’s an amazing teacher—looks great too, total imperial sister vibe. Just way too aloof. Being around her is kinda stressful.”

Tang Xien had a mercurial temper, too. Sometimes she’d chat gently like a friend, then turn razor-sharp out of nowhere. Her default was icy distance, and the rare moments of warmth left Ji Zhenshi with chills down her spine.

Tang Xien’s stare could rival an X-ray.

Li Yunli led the way with the dish in hand. It had been a casual question, but Ji Zhenshi’s words made her pause mid-step, an odd flicker crossing her face.

A pretty imperial sister?

The teacher Ji Zhenshi admired. The one she spent every day with.

Li Yunli’s eyes dimmed faintly. She set down the bowl and pulled out a chair.

“Sit down and eat before your back stiffens up.” Ji Zhenshi naturally untied Li Yunli’s apron from behind, then called out to Xia Siyuan, who sat ramrod straight on the sofa.

The girl who normally snatched every spare minute to binge dramas was actually perched obediently today, hands primly folded on her knees in perfect good-girl mode.

True to her “hear no evil” policy, Xia Siyuan gave an embarrassed smile. Spotting Ji Zhenshi jogged her memory of the scene she’d glimpsed through the glass. The glass wall between kitchen and living room doubled as a shelf these days, blurring the view a bit.

But Xia Siyuan’s eyes were sharp—she’d caught that hug clear as day and been floored.

Honestly, she figured Ji Zhenshi might actually have a shot.

Li Yunli doted on her like crazy. No blood ties, yet here she was playing dutiful wife and doting mom. The affection she placed at the tip of her heart was plain as day.

These two were classic cases of the people involved being blind while outsiders saw it all.

Xia Siyuan smiled politely at Li Yunli. “You’ve gone to so much trouble, Yunli Sis—cleaning and cooking. Even I get to benefit.”

She had to admit, the sight of Li Yunli emerging from the kitchen in her apron had screamed “wife material.” Pure gentle, virtuous girlfriend energy.

Xia Siyuan sneaked a glance at Ji Zhenshi. Lucky punk—eating so well.

No wonder she was sister-obsessed. Who could resist that kind of tender care?

“You are benefiting. So, no thanks?” Ji Zhenshi arched a brow, casually draping an arm over the chair back as she crossed her legs with cocky flair.

Xia Siyuan rolled her eyes and stealthily kicked her under the table, then flashed Li Yunli her sweetest, most obedient smile. “Thanks, Yunli Sis. I hereby declare you my one and only sis from this day forward.”

She noticed Li Yunli hadn’t set foot in her room, but all the clothes she’d and Ji Zhenshi had strewn around the living room? Spotless and washed. Trash cleared out perfectly.

It left her feeling sheepish—Li Yunli had seen their slovenly side and still tidied up. She was seriously touched.

Another day of pure envy for Ji Zhenshi.

Ji Zhenshi yelped inwardly from the kick and started to glance down at her poor foot, but Li Yunli—seated right beside her—subtly nudged her crossed leg down.

“You’re welcome. You’re both so busy during the day—if you came home to empty stomachs, that’d be a waste. If I’m free in the future, I can swing by anytime. No need to stand on ceremony. Xiao Zhen and you live together, so you should look out for each other anyway.”

“Mm…” Ji Zhenshi swallowed her grunt of pain, shot Xia Siyuan a glare, and stepped in as translator. “A-yun Sis says no need to be polite. We two should look out for each other like roommates do.”

She put extra emphasis on “look out for each other.”

Look out her foot—Xia Siyuan’s kick had nearly cracked a bone.