Chapter 60: Counting My Abs

“It was Sister A-Yun who came over herself to let me kiss her. It wasn’t me taking the initiative.” Across the railing, Ji Zhenshi flashed her a bright smile.

She acted as if nothing had happened earlier—as if Li Ying had never shown up and Li Yunli could just stay happy forever.

Li Yunli stared at her, silently letting out a breath of relief.

She had been scared half to death.

Seeing no sign of anger from Li Yunli, Ji Zhenshi leaned over and pecked her on the lips again. “I just realized Sister A-Yun looks so fierce when she’s mad, huh?”

It was better to be gentle, considerate, and understanding.

That familiar feeling returned. While Li Yunli was momentarily distracted, Ji Zhenshi stole two more kisses.

Li Yunli grabbed her collar. The tension in her eased under Ji Zhenshi’s playful coaxing. She regarded the woman taking liberties with her body with calm composure.

This person had no intention of jumping at all. She was just teasing her.

Grabbing hold of her, Li Yunli pulled her back over the railing and lightly patted her cheek. “So, will our Xiao Zhen stop making me mad from now on?”

It seemed like a hint. Both Ji Zhenshi and Li Yunli simultaneously recalled that unprecedented slap—the one that had tormented Ji Zhenshi for days, forcing her to wear a mask whenever she met anyone.

From someone who had never given her a cold face or yelled at her, it had come out of nowhere: a resounding slap.

She would never forget the scene from that day for the rest of her life.

Ji Zhenshi’s face flushed red. She buried her head in the crook of Li Yunli’s neck and whined coquettishly, “Even if I make you mad, you can’t hit me. That would be domestic violence now, and domestic violence isn’t encouraged.”

Li Yunli looked down at the coquettish woman in her arms with lowered eyes. Who could imagine that just moments ago, she had tackled an adult man to the ground and pinned him so he couldn’t move? And now here she was, all soft and needy.

“I’ve never hit you when you’ve been good,” Li Yunli said, her heart stirring as she let her carry on.

She cherished her too much to even scold her, let alone lay a hand on her.

“I don’t want to talk about that anymore!” Ji Zhenshi wrapped her arms around Li Yunli’s neck. Her pride made her reluctant to bring up her own painful memory.

It was too embarrassing!

Even more embarrassing than the “little cabbage no one wants” incident!

Li Yunli was helpless against her. In public, Ji Zhenshi showed no shame at all. Indulgently, Li Yunli said, “Fine, we won’t talk about it then. It’s my fault for bringing up our Xiao Zhen’s sad memory. I won’t mention it again, and I definitely won’t tell anyone that our Xiao Zhen got hit.”

“…”

“You’re doing this on purpose! You hit me and now you’re saying stuff like that!” Ji Zhenshi completely lost her composure, her face flushing with anger as she glared at Li Yunli.

It was too much! Li Yunli’s deadpan expression made it all the more humiliating.

Especially since no one knew she’d been bitten for forcing a kiss on her.

Li Yunli spread her hands. “So what would make Good Child happy?”

Ji Zhenshi darted behind Li Yunli and nimbly jumped onto her back. “Carry me down to find my phone, and I’ll forgive you.”

As if afraid Li Yunli might refuse, Ji Zhenshi shamelessly resorted to emotional blackmail. “That’s my only phone, you know? It has so many important things on it. What if it falls and gets lost? My tablet’s already broken. Then you won’t be able to reach me. If you can’t reach me, you’ll worry. And if you worry, you’ll cry, which would be so embarrassing.”

Li Yunli staggered, nearly dropping Ji Zhenshi. She had no choice but to grab the railing to steady herself.

She had no idea what had broken the tablet…

Ji Zhenshi was always so eager when it came to mischief, full of bad ideas.

This naughty one on her back had pushed beyond Li Yunli’s usual limits of indulgence. But after everything that had just happened, Li Yunli found herself even more doting. She tightened her arms and actually carried her toward the bridge.

Ji Zhenshi was much heavier than her, and carrying her was strenuous for Li Yunli.

Yet Ji Zhenshi kept blowing softly in her ear. “Am I heavy? Over a hundred pounds—should I go on a diet?”

“I’m not that heavy, right? All this muscle is from deliberate workouts. Does Sister A-Yun like my abs? Four of them. I worked so hard to get even this much.”

“You’re not fragile at all—so fierce and strong. You’re a top-notch, independent woman of today. You’re amazing.”

“Yeah, yeah, go around that way. It’s flatter over there.”

Li Yunli suspected Ji Zhenshi was gaslighting her. She shot a cool glance at the mischief-maker and ignored her.

As they fooled around, the heavy emotions weighing on Li Yunli’s heart began to lift.

If only Xiao Zhen could always be by her side…

Li Yunli realized she was growing more and more dependent on Ji Zhenshi. She always brought positive emotions, and with her around, it felt like they could face anything.

Ji Zhenshi grew dissatisfied with just blowing air. She took Li Yunli’s earlobe in her mouth and murmured huskily, “Can I kiss you? If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes.”

“…”

Before Li Yunli could react, warm wetness enveloped her sensitive earlobe. Li Yunli shuddered all over, coming to an abrupt halt. Her breathing quickened as she let go, setting Ji Zhenshi down.

She had already started kissing and still asked permission.

Ji Zhenshi’s nibbling turned into a bite when Li Yunli put her down. “Mmm~”

Ji Zhenshi refused to let go, humming in protest.

The initial hot, tingling sensation on her earlobe shifted to a dull ache. Li Yunli glared at her reproachfully. “I’m starting to dislike you, Xiao Zhen.”

Her ear burned as if scorched. Li Yunli didn’t even dare touch it.

Ji Zhenshi kissing was one thing, but biting? Naughty!

Hearing that she was disliked, Ji Zhenshi bristled instantly. “You dislike me? Sister A-Yun, you dislike me?”

Full of energy, Ji Zhenshi leaped onto Li Yunli again, pinching her flushed earlobe. “Do you really dislike me?”

Li Yunli had no choice but to wrap her arms tightly around Ji Zhenshi. They faced each other in an embrace.

Ji Zhenshi clamped her legs around Li Yunli’s waist, nearly toppling her.

Steadying her breathing, Li Yunli held the woman in her arms and tried to end the horseplay. “Alright, enough fooling around. Let’s find the phone before someone else picks it up.”

The ground below was overgrown artificial turf, thick and unmanaged. At first glance, the phone was impossible to spot where it had landed.

Li Yunli bent down and searched for a while without success. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure crouched by the bank, idly twirling a foxtail grass in her hand.

Her long arms dipped in and out of the water aimlessly. Someone so tall looked like a huddled ball when squatting. Why did it evoke such a strange sense of grievance?

Why wasn’t Ji Zhenshi anxious at all?

“Xiao Zhen, what are you doing? Aren’t you looking for the phone?” Li Yunli walked over.

Ji Zhenshi didn’t turn around, still playing with the foxtail grass.

After a moment of silence, Li Yunli belatedly realized Ji Zhenshi was upset—sulking alone because she’d said she disliked her.

Li Yunli found it amusing and wanted to tease her, but fearing it might be hard to coax her out of a real tantrum, she held back her laughter and soothed her. “I would never dislike Xiao Zhen. You’re my one and only Good Child. Don’t be mad, okay?”

“I didn’t mean to bite you. You pushed me away on instinct,” Ji Zhenshi glanced at Li Yunli and mumbled sullenly.

She was thoroughly depressed but couldn’t bear the misunderstanding.

It was just that she hadn’t gotten enough kisses, and Li Yunli had pushed at the perfect moment.

“Alright, I don’t blame you. I was the one who spoke poorly.” Li Yunli stood behind Ji Zhenshi. When Ji Zhenshi turned, her face was level with Li Yunli’s waist, forcing her to tilt her head up.

Their eyes met. Li Yunli smiled indulgently. “I was wrong just now. Let me apologize to Xiao Zhen, okay?”

“No need. You didn’t do anything wrong, so what are you apologizing for?” Ji Zhenshi buried herself in Li Yunli’s embrace, nuzzling the curve of her waist with her nose—a bit clingy.

Li Yunli felt ticklish from her touch and tried to step back, but Ji Zhenshi hooked her arm and pulled her close. They ended up locked in place like that.

Looking down at the fluffy head in her arms, Li Yunli lifted her jacket to cover Ji Zhenshi’s face and stroked her chin idly, like petting a cat.

Ji Zhenshi’s legs went numb from squatting, but Li Yunli didn’t budge. After a standoff, Ji Zhenshi finally couldn’t take it and stood up.

Her face was flushed under the jacket, and she glanced at Li Yunli sheepishly before muttering, “Ahem, back to business. Let’s find the phone.”

Li Yunli hadn’t pushed her away, letting her cling like that in public for so long. Ji Zhenshi’s miscalculation meant she had to walk over despite her numb legs making her gait awkward.

Face mattered most. She couldn’t lose it.

Li Yunli watched Ji Zhenshi’s awkward cuteness with amusement.

Fortunately, they found the phone quickly. Aside from a few dings on the edges, it was fine and still worked.

Li Yunli reached out and led Ji Zhenshi back.

The winter night was bitterly cold.

The room’s heater was on full blast, creating a cozy temperature perfect for sleep.

Ji Zhenshi had been asleep at first, but the dull ache in her arm from Li Yunli’s embrace kept her from drifting off deeply. In the end, she woke fully.

She silently opened her eyes, gazing at Li Yunli so close by.

Li Yunli was using her arm as a pillow, her pale face turned toward her. They shared one pillow, though really only Ji Zhenshi was using it.

Ji Zhenshi flexed her fingers and tugged experimentally. Her hand wouldn’t budge.

Li Yunli seemed to be dreaming, her breathing steady. Stray hairs partially veiled her features, her countenance hazy in the dimness.

Sister A-Yun was truly beautiful—a plain-faced woman with no makeup.

And the one in her arms now was the woman from countless dreams over six years. Ji Zhenshi suppressed her racing heart and lightly kissed Li Yunli’s forehead. “Good night. Sweet dreams.”

The featherlight kiss didn’t wake Li Yunli. Ji Zhenshi paused, but sleep evaded her now. Her arm had probably gone numb from being compressed too long.

Ji Zhenshi felt something odd. Her left hand seemed injured, yet not quite—only noticeable when she flexed it.

With effort, she withdrew her hand and sat up, shaking out her arm.

Feeling her clothing shift, Ji Zhenshi looked down to see Li Yunli sitting up too, sleepy-eyed. “Did I wake you?”

Even though Li Yunli was awake, Ji Zhenshi spoke softly.

To avoid notice of anything unusual, she paused in supporting her hand and pretended nonchalance, scooting back into Li Yunli’s embrace.

Li Yunli blinked sleepily at her, thought her adorable, and patted her head. “No, I just woke up suddenly.”

Without her warm source, Li Yunli had jolted awake.

They weren’t used to sleeping together often, but when they did share a bed, they adapted quickly to each other. They’d fallen asleep face-to-face and stayed that way.

Perhaps because of Li Ying earlier that day, both had slept poorly—waking at the slightest sound.

In silent understanding, neither asked questions. Li Yunli pulled the covers tighter and leaned against the headboard, her expression distant.

Sudden awakenings left her mind foggy; it took time to shake it off.

Ji Zhenshi murmured an acknowledgment. After turning on the bedside lamp, she drew Li Yunli into her arms, letting her rest on her shoulder. They sat in silence for a while, both assuming the quiet would persist.

Then Ji Zhenshi spoke up. “Sister A-Yun, remember how we said we’d travel after I graduated? It’s been so long now. How about we go skiing over New Year’s?”

She’d suddenly remembered their promise to travel together.

After graduation, she’d been too busy, followed by months of cold war. The plan had never happened.

“Do you know how to ski?” Li Yunli closed her eyes briefly. With no sleep left, she settled comfortably in Ji Zhenshi’s arms. In the quiet midnight bedroom, she could almost feel each other’s breaths.

If only they could always be like this—leaning on one another in the dead of night, sharing warmth amid the silence.

It was a happiness hard to attain.

Ji Zhenshi replied matter-of-factly, “That’s why we go to learn. There’s no snow here in winter. We can head north.”

Children who hadn’t seen snow got excited just thinking about it.

Ji Zhenshi had only seen snow a handful of times, and Li Yunli had probably never experienced a blizzard firsthand.

She hadn’t even left the city for college.

Ji Zhenshi and Li Yunli were deeply tied to this city because of each other, unable to let go of their attachment.

“Alright, let’s do it.” Li Yunli rested her hand on Ji Zhenshi’s waist. Hearing no yelp of pain, she quietly exhaled in relief. Good, no real injury.

The day had been so hectic; bumps and scrapes were inevitable.

But Ji Zhenshi grabbed her hand, boldly lifting her own shirt. “Are we at the point where you can touch me so openly now? What do you think? Like it?”

“You’ll catch a cold!” Li Yunli hurriedly tried to pull the shirt back down.

Not even two sentences in, and she was being naughty again. Full of energy in the middle of the night.

Ji Zhenshi snuggled closer into Li Yunli’s chest and lifted her shirt even more proactively, whining softly, “Count them, sis.”

She’d trained so long for this moment.

Li Yunli’s ear softened at that “sis.” Before she could act, Ji Zhenshi swiftly stripped off her sleep shirt.

The garment was tossed mercilessly to the foot of the bed. Her fair skin gleamed boldly in the lamplight, dazzling even in the low glow.

Guiding Li Yunli’s hand, Ji Zhenshi counted proudly. “One… two… three… four.”

Her lips breathed out each number seductively. Ji Zhenshi clearly relished the touch, their hair intertwining like their inseparable selves.

The thrill between lovers unfolded in this instant.

Ji Zhenshi was always so vibrant—like warm sunshine or a spring breeze. Being near her made one forget their troubles, swept along in her rhythm.

She longed to stay forever with someone like this, cherishing every moment of loving Ji Zhenshi.

Li Yunli teasingly hooked Ji Zhenshi’s chin, then pulled the blanket up tight over them both, covering the pale-skinned troublemaker completely.

Feigning disinterest, she said, “I prefer six-pack abs. Keep training, Xiao Zhen.”

“Huh? You don’t like four?” Ji Zhenshi’s pride and joy failed to elicit the expected reaction. Annoyed, she patted her stomach in disbelief.

In summer, she’d worn crop tops to rehearsals just because she liked them. But her peers always envied her figure, saying abs on a woman were incredibly sexy.

Why wasn’t Li Yunli satisfied?

Six-pack? That would take forever.

Li Yunli turned to look at her, eyes shimmering with gentle affection.

“No way. Sister A-Yun must be holding back out of propriety. No way,” Ji Zhenshi muttered to herself, trying to convince her denial.

Li Yunli laughed, impassively rubbing Ji Zhenshi’s soft belly. “Me, holding back? Good Child, you’re the one who blushes during kisses.”

It looked like Ji Zhenshi had the upper hand, but in truth, she was so innocent. It was Li Yunli who led the pace, indulging her every whim.

Not Ji Zhenshi dominating—it was Li Yunli’s doting allowance.