Chapter 37: She Slapped Her Little Darling

As she watched Ji Zhenshi’s fist smash down, Li Yunli’s heart skipped a beat.

Xiao Zhen!

She hurried forward, pried open her hand, and checked to see if it was injured.

“Don’t do that!” Li Yunli looked at her with reddened eyes.

Fortunately, there was no injury. These hands of hers were so important—how could Ji Zhenshi treat them like this!

“You like me too, don’t you? Li Yunli, you like me. Otherwise, why would you tell me not to come anymore? You said that only in the future would I understand what kind of person I truly want, but I’ve known for six years now. I’ve secretly made countless wishes. I want to be with you. Tell me, you do like me, right? At least it’s not just because I’m good to you. Isn’t it?” Ji Zhenshi gazed deeply at the person before her, who clearly cared about her so much.

She desperately wanted to say “I love you,” but she held back, afraid that Li Yunli would call her naive.

To someone nearly thirty years old, throwing around words like “love” so casually would seem childish.

In the next instant, a teardrop fell onto their intertwined fingers, as if it had burned a hole straight through Li Yunli’s heart.

Stunned, Li Yunli lifted her gaze and replied against her better judgment, “It’s gratitude. If it hadn’t been for you that night, I might have truly fallen into the abyss.”

It would have been her second abyss, and she had no confidence she could climb out again.

Ji Zhenshi had saved her. The lingering terror and joy of rebirth from that night still haunted her, making it impossible for Li Yunli to say a harsh word to this girl. Instead, she cradled her gently, offering her warmth.

Li Yunli didn’t know when her feelings had changed, but though she no longer suppressed them with self-deception, she still didn’t want to become a burden on Ji Zhenshi’s path forward.

Was she supposed to trade a lifetime of companionship for a few months of love?

“So it’s just gratitude. Fine, if I actually believed that, wouldn’t I seem even more immature?” In a flash, faster than words could form, Ji Zhenshi cupped Li Yunli’s face, their noses almost touching. Suddenly, Ji Zhenshi smiled. “Sister A-Yun, your eyes are telling me that you like me.”

She stated it with absolute certainty, as if she had irrefutable proof.

“Too bad you don’t believe in me.” Ji Zhenshi said regretfully.

Li Yunli didn’t believe that her deep affections could last. She saw Ji Zhenshi as just a child—someone who could do so little when faced with life’s harsh realities, helpless more often than not.

Are you a coward?

Ji Zhenshi wasn’t. She was just recklessly fearless.

Li Yunli wasn’t either. She was simply cautious, weighing every possibility.

The older sister was worried about the little one’s future.

Li Yunli nearly closed her eyes, thinking Ji Zhenshi was about to kiss her. When she opened them again, their lips were just a centimeter apart.

Furious, she shoved Ji Zhenshi away and scribbled on her notebook, “Are you forcing me? This has nothing to do with whether I believe in you or not. I’m certain that once you meet more people, you’ll understand what kind of partner you truly want. Man or woman, anyone but me.”

Anyone but her.

If they had met under different circumstances, Li Yunli might have found a bit more courage.

If her feelings for Ji Zhenshi weren’t so profound, she might have thrown caution to the wind and been together.

No one cared more about Ji Zhenshi’s future than Li Yunli did.

Youthful romances fade into the depths of time, and Ji Zhenshi would step out into the bright sunlight.

“But I only want you!” Ji Zhenshi suddenly gripped the back of Li Yunli’s head and kissed her recklessly, biting down on her lip and savoring the long-coveted taste.

But Li Yunli loved her too.

How could Ji Zhenshi bear to retreat to where they had started?

No matter how many people she met, it would only strengthen her resolve to love Li Yunli.

Finally, she had openly kissed the moonlight she had coveted countless times. Ji Zhenshi was willing to pay any price for it.

Time froze in that second. The deafening roar of her heartbeat echoed in Li Yunli’s ears, over and over, until she thought she might go deaf.

She felt Ji Zhenshi’s invasion with crystal clarity. Moments later, unable to push away the girl’s strong arms, Li Yunli instinctively raised her hand and delivered a resounding slap across Ji Zhenshi’s face.

Thieves always paid a heavy price. Lips stained crimson.

The burning pain hit her belatedly, sweeping over her. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth—whether from Li Yunli biting through her lip or the slap jarring something inside, she couldn’t tell.

“I only want you.” Ji Zhenshi repeated.

Like a child who had been hit but refused to back down, she said stubbornly.

Her voice was light and tinged with sorrow. Looking at Li Yunli’s reddened eyes, Ji Zhenshi’s heart ached even more. She forgot to cry, staring at Li Yunli with eyes bordering on despair.

They couldn’t go back. Everything was ruined.

Ji Zhenshi would pay dearly for those two kisses she had stolen.

“I…” Stunned, Li Yunli stared at her still-numb hand, immediately wanting to check Ji Zhenshi’s face.

She took a single step forward, but Ji Zhenshi flinched back like a startled bird.

The slap had triggered a reaction. She instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.

She wouldn’t dodge. Whatever Li Yunli did next, she deserved it.

“If you don’t want to see me, I won’t come back for a while. But I will come back. Definitely.”

The meeting ended without resolution—marked by the five-finger imprint on Ji Zhenshi’s face and her hasty retreat.

Those final words carried immense weight, leaving Li Yunli stunned for a long time.

She had actually hit Ji Zhenshi? Not only hit her, but bitten her too.

Xiao Zhen, does it hurt?

Li Yunli collapsed weakly onto the sofa, staring incredulously at her own hand.

She had never said a harsh word to her before, yet now she had slapped her so hard. That sound had been so deafening—how much must Xiao Zhen hurt?

Slowly, she hugged her knees to her chest, curling into a ball. Her reddened eyes brimmed with the world’s bitterest ocean, spilling over with a single blink.

But what was she supposed to do?

Be together with Xiao Zhen as recklessly as they had at eighteen?

Throw everything away like moths to a flame, only to part ways forever?

How was Li Yunli supposed to live without Ji Zhenshi in her life?

In a daze, the twenty-eight-year-old Li Yunli was transported back to that night. Her throat felt parched. She opened her mouth to speak, but not a single sound emerged.

Ji Zhenshi’s parents, her own father, the company’s constraints—everyone was an insurmountable mountain. Xiao Zhen was still so young; taking all that on would crush her.

All Li Yunli wanted was for her to play the violin she loved, without distraction.

Loving each other was too hard. Xiao Zhen deserved to shine like the stars.

…

Late at night.

Xia Siyuan entered the complex with some late-night snacks in hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar-looking figure in the garden, but she didn’t think much of it and kept walking.

Sitting there in black clothes late at night was pretty weird.

The closer she got, the more familiar the dark shape on the bench seemed. Her peripheral vision caught sight of those shoes—identical to Ji Zhenshi’s. She remembered Ji Zhenshi had bought them just a few days ago.

Ji Zhenshi?

Glancing at the time—two or three in the morning—what was she doing here playing the ghost? She was home but wouldn’t go up?

Hadn’t Teacher Tang said they didn’t have class today?

Ji Zhenshi hadn’t been in the practice room all day, yet here she was at dawn, sitting on a bench in the complex?

Xia Siyuan pondered for a few seconds, then walked toward her.

Ji Zhenshi sat on the bench in a black hoodie, knees hugged to her chest, curled up tight. The oversized hood shadowed half her face as she stared down at nothing in particular.

Xia Siyuan poked her shoulder tentatively, raising her voice in case she was asleep. “Ji Zhenshi? What’s with the midnight brooding? Sitting out here alone in the dead of night—you’re not scared of danger, but you’re scaring everyone else! Forgot your keys or something?”

Little girls like her were already terrified coming home so late. Ji Zhenshi sitting like this was straight-up spooky.

Hearing the voice, Ji Zhenshi didn’t look up. She instinctively covered her left cheek with her hand, her voice muffled. “I can’t sleep. Just sitting here for a bit. I have my keys— I just don’t feel like going up right now.”

As soon as she walked through the door, she’d remember that boundary-breaking kiss from last night.

Ji Zhenshi never regretted what happened last night, but her chest still ached dully.

Sitting here alone, she accepted the verdict from her own heart without mercy.

Xia Siyuan didn’t overthink it. She playfully patted Ji Zhenshi’s hood and sat beside her. “Hit some trouble? Weren’t you tormented enough by Teacher Tang to barely sleep? And you still can’t sleep… Stargazing out here?”

The night view was beautiful, the stars at their brightest this time of year. But after autumn, the temperature dropped sharply at night. Ji Zhenshi wore only a thin inner layer and her hoodie—definitely not enough; she’d catch a cold.

Her eyes flickered. Remembering that overly detailed text message of instructions, Xia Siyuan unusually showed some kindness. She shrugged off her extra jacket and draped it over Ji Zhenshi’s shoulders, none too gently. “Don’t get sick, Ji Genius. Can’t have you keeling over.”

Ji Zhenshi eyed the unusually “thoughtful” Xia Siyuan suspiciously, then pulled her own jacket tighter. Her tone was flat. “I’m not stargazing.”

I’m looking at the moon.

“Oh, right.” Xia Siyuan set down her snacks and pulled a badge from her pocket. “This is the pass Teacher Tang gave me for you tonight—for the performance venue the day after tomorrow. You left in a rush today, so she didn’t get a chance to give it to you. No one picked up when she called. Teacher Tang looked kinda off. Watch out tomorrow.”

Ji Zhenshi took it. “Mm, thanks. It’s nothing. She’s not mad I didn’t answer— she’ll be back to normal tomorrow.”

Teacher Tang was upset because she’d pried into her story.

But Ji Zhenshi had bigger things on her mind now.

“Huh? Wait, your…” As Ji Zhenshi reached out, part of her profile came into view. Xia Siyuan’s sharp eyes spotted the swollen cheek right away. On her pale skin, the five-finger print was faintly visible.

No way?

Ji Zhenshi had been slapped? This was earth-shattering.

Xia Siyuan’s eyes widened in shock as she gestured at it. “Five— a perfect set of five. Who did it? They’re a pro; even spacing, real skill.”

Ji Zhenshi shot her a cold glare. She was in no mood for banter while brooding. “You’re so annoying.”

“Teacher Tang looks all high-and-mighty serious, but she doesn’t seem like the type to hit someone.” Xia Siyuan propped her chin on her hand.

Maybe that’s why Teacher Tang had looked so stern—was it connected to the slap mark on Ji Zhenshi’s face?

No wonder she was moping downstairs this late.

Anyone would struggle to pretend nothing happened after a beating like that.

“Go away. It wasn’t Teacher Tang. Has nothing to do with her—don’t guess.” Ji Zhenshi slapped Xia Siyuan’s hand away, yanked her hood lower, and shot her an irritated glare.

She just wanted to be alone since she couldn’t sleep.

The place she’d always seen as a safe haven was off-limits now. Ji Zhenshi realized she had so few places left to go. She couldn’t even run back to her parents or vent to anyone.

“True, Teacher Tang doesn’t seem like she’d punish a student physically…” Pausing, Xia Siyuan suddenly had a thought and tested the waters. “Your mom show up?”

Ji Zhenshi’s mom was capable of that.

Her family was ordinary, but her mom was domineering, her dad spineless. Home had never been a refuge for Ji Zhenshi—just another battleground.

Ji Zhenshi kept her head down and didn’t speak. Her tongue probed her left cheek, distorting her features in pain. Worst of all, she couldn’t make a sound.

She couldn’t tell if it was the swollen left side or the bitten tongue tip that hurt more. Either way, she had no words.

“No way it’s Yunli Sis…” Xia Siyuan narrowed her eyes. No wonder Li Yunli had messaged her to take good care of Ji Zhenshi, even suggesting she pick up some anti-swelling meds and an ice pack—just in case.

Xia Siyuan had brushed it off as casual concern at the time and hadn’t bothered detouring to a pharmacy on her late way home.

Li Yunli had known Ji Zhenshi got hit but didn’t tend to her personally. No way Yunli Sis had abused her little darling, right?

God, Yunli Sis was so gentle—could she really hit someone?

Impossible. Xia Siyuan still leaned toward Teacher Tang.

“No wonder she told me to get an ice pack. It’s swollen like this—who knows what it’ll look like tomorrow. Yunli Sis’s family discipline is way too brutal.” Xia Siyuan peered closely at Ji Zhenshi’s stony face and couldn’t help frowning.

She’d really laid into her. Swollen like that, it was ugly and wrecked her looks.

What crime had Ji Zhenshi committed?

“Don’t mention her. Xia Siyuan, please, can you let me be alone for a bit? Go up first. Don’t worry about me, okay?”

The mere mention of Li Yunli’s name soured Ji Zhenshi’s mood entirely. She stood, moved to another bench, lay face-down toward the backrest, and curled her lanky frame up pitifully.

“You’re gonna sleep out here all night? It’s cold and dangerous—how can I ignore you? What if some creep shows up? We live together now; if something happens to you, it’s on me too.” Xia Siyuan broke into a cold sweat, clicking her tongue.

So it really was Li Yunli.

You couldn’t judge by appearances. Yunli Sis seemed so soft and indulgent with Ji Zhenshi—yet she’d found it in her to strike her.

No wonder she had the sunny Ji Genius so depressed. Xia Siyuan would need therapy herself.

The sky had fallen.

Ji Zhenshi didn’t even lift an eyelid, forcing patience into her voice. “I’m not sleeping out here all night. I’m not a masochist. My stomach just hurts. I’m getting some air. I’ll go up soon.”

Her stomach burned like fire, and she kept feeling nauseous.

Maybe because she hadn’t eaten all day.

But she couldn’t eat, and not eating made it worse—a vicious cycle tormenting her.

Xia Siyuan stayed put, glancing at the open but untouched full bottle of beer. “You don’t have stomach issues—why the pain? Drank too much? Want me to grab some meds?”

Weird, no booze smell on her, and she was clear-headed.

Plus, with rehearsal tomorrow, Ji Zhenshi wouldn’t get blackout drunk and mess up. Xia Siyuan knew that much about her.

“No, no stomach meds needed.” Ji Zhenshi replied irritably.

She’d wanted to drink, but with her bitten tongue, even a sip of beer was agony. So she’d opened it and left it.

The bottle had sat from afternoon to one in the morning without chilling even a bit—proof of how long she’d been out here.

Xia Siyuan looked at her back, thought for a moment, then stood and left.