Ji Zhenshi shoved her hands into her pockets and strolled unhurriedly into the familiar alley.
Her left eyelid and right eyelid were both twitching like mad. Ji Zhenshi rubbed her eyes none too gently, overcome by an ominous premonition.
Didn’t a twitching left eyelid mean incoming fortune?
So what did it mean when both eyelids twitched together?
Li Yunli didn’t put any stock in superstitions like that. When Ji Zhenshi had mentioned it that morning, Li Yunli had simply comforted her, saying it was just from lack of rest lately.
But was that really it? Ji Zhenshi couldn’t shake the feeling that something major was about to happen.
“Cousin, hey, over here!” Yang Cheng waved enthusiastically, quickly drawing Ji Zhenshi’s attention.
Ji Zhenshi looked up and saw a dark blur hurtling toward her. She dodged to the side on instinct.
Only then did she get a proper look at her assailant. “Yang Cheng, don’t you have any idea how much you weigh? You’d send me flying, and then neither of us would be standing to talk today.”
The girl who had come charging over was the daughter of Ji Zhenshi’s maternal uncle. At seventeen years old and just shy of five foot three, she had an adorably round face and looked every bit the good girl.
They didn’t interact much in person, but they occasionally liked and commented on each other’s posts in Moments.
Yang Cheng hooked her arm affectionately around Ji Zhenshi’s. “I’ve been waiting here for you forever.”
Ji Zhenshi felt a chill run down her spine at the girl’s enthusiastic contact. Getting physically close to anyone but Li Yunli left her with an inexplicable sense of guilt—as if Li Yunli wasn’t there but somehow still watching her every move.
With careful politeness, Ji Zhenshi withdrew her arm and cleared her throat. “Why were you waiting for me?”
She knew full well that her mother, Yang Ying, had lured her back home under the pretense of a family meal now that everyone had time over the weekend. In truth, it was all about her and Li Yunli.
Ji Zhenshi had already steeled herself mentally for that conversation. What surprised her was seeing Yang Cheng there. If her cousin was present, it meant her uncle and aunt were too.
It felt just like walking into a Hongmen Banquet.
“It’s definitely about you and Yunli Sis. They’ve been sitting in the room chatting all morning—super serious vibe, really tense atmosphere. That’s why I came out.” As she mentioned Ji Zhenshi and Li Yunli, a strange glint of envy flickered in Yang Cheng’s eyes.
She slapped Ji Zhenshi’s shoulder excitedly, her words tumbling out faster. “Cousin, I’m telling you, I’m so jealous! You’re so brave. That Moments post? Not just me—my parents saw it too. Yunli Sis is gorgeous, you two are perfect together. I’m dying to ship you!”
Yang Cheng knew why Li Yunli had come to the Ji family in the first place. She never could have imagined the story taking this kind of turn. She was green with envy.
“Oh? Jealous of me?” Ji Zhenshi narrowed her eyes and gave the excited girl a once-over. Her lazy posture shifted into one of crossed arms and judgmental scrutiny.
Yang Cheng blinked in confusion.
She nodded vigorously, practically bouncing. “Seriously jealous—not just that you have a girlfriend, but that you were brave enough to tell your family outright. No hiding, no sneaking around.”
“I’m telling you, my parents, your aunt and uncle—they’re all so conservative. Their reactions were exactly what I expected: they can’t accept this kind of relationship. They don’t get it, and they think it’s shameful.”
Yang Cheng didn’t hold back as she vented about Yang Ying right to Ji Zhenshi’s face.
Ji Zhenshi might not realize it yet, but what awaited her was downright chilling just to think about.
“Oh.” Ji Zhenshi’s response was lukewarm; she didn’t take it to heart.
She’d already witnessed just how conservative her mother could be.
After taking a couple of steps, Ji Zhenshi suddenly remembered something and whipped around. “Yang Cheng, why are you so worked up about this? It’s my business, but you’re more excited than the one actually involved. Why?”
Yang Cheng jumped at the abrupt about-face, shooting her a guilty glance before fidgeting. “Because… I’m the same way. But I’m too scared to tell my parents. The way they reacted to you and Yunli Sis together? It terrified me. I’ve been with my girlfriend for months now, but it’s all underground—like we’re thieves. In front of them, we just pretend to be best friends.”
In a way, Ji Zhenshi had blazed the trail for this family. Maybe someday, girls like her and Yang Cheng could stand on those shoulders and win acceptance more easily.
That was why Yang Cheng was so thrilled. When she’d seen Ji Zhenshi’s Moments post, it had felt like spotting her own personal savior.
Ji Zhenshi was the pioneer, testing the waters for her.
It was just as Ji Zhenshi had expected, so she wasn’t all that surprised. Instead, she zeroed in on one key detail. “Hold on—you’re only seventeen, right? You’ve got the College Entrance Exam next year. You’re underage and already dating? That’s puppy love.”
Back when she was seventeen, Ji Zhenshi had trailed after Li Yunli like a lovesick puppy, thrilled just to sneak a hand-hold.
And here Yang Cheng was at the same age, already in a full relationship? Clearly, her successor had outdone her already.
Yang Cheng fell silent, tugging at her shirt hem in self-defense. “We’re serious about it. She’s in my class—I confessed to her. I really like her. Even if it’s early, we’ll work hard to get into the same university together.”
Young love was so pure like that—promising to attend the same school, to stay together forever and ever.
But making it last required enduring all sorts of trials. They thought it would be simple, fueled by passion alone. Yet here she and Li Yunli were, facing wave after wave of pressure.
Nothing was as straightforward as it seemed.
Still, Ji Zhenshi was upholding the promise she’d made to Li Yunli all those years ago. She would shoulder every burden and never back down.
Ji Zhenshi glanced at the still-effervescent Yang Cheng and ultimately held back from dousing her enthusiasm. “For now, studies come first.”
Even as the words left her mouth, Ji Zhenshi felt a pang of embarrassment.
What right did she have to lecture Yang Cheng about prioritizing school? She’d started crushing on Li Yunli when she was even younger than that—six whole years of it. Who was she to tell her cousin to focus?
“We know. Besides, we’re both in the top class. She’s got great grades—she’s even class president. We’ll study hard for sure.” Yang Cheng nodded, then hurried to remind her, “Don’t tell my parents, okay? You’re the only one I’ve told. Keep my secret?”
She was afraid of getting punished and figured it was safer to watch and wait.
With Ji Zhenshi leading the charge, the light she carved out might eventually shine on Yang Cheng too.
Ji Zhenshi had no interest in spreading her cousin’s secret; her mind was on the confrontation ahead. She answered distractedly, “Sure, I’ll keep it secret. But this path is really tough—not as simple as you think. I suggest waiting until you’re more independent before discussing it with your uncle and aunt.”
The road was hard.
But she was determined to walk it.
Yang Cheng grinned and slapped her shoulder encouragingly. “That’s why you have to hang in there, Cousin! Stand your ground, argue your case, and convince the older generation. The world needs to make room for the outliers.”
It clicked for Ji Zhenshi all at once. “Ah, so that’s your little scheme. Using me to charge ahead?”
She shot Yang Cheng a look that was equal parts exasperated and amused.
No wonder the girl had been waiting so eagerly. She was hoping Ji Zhenshi would set the precedent, paving an easier path for her own footsteps later.
Yang Cheng laughed sheepishly. “You go for it—I’ll support you in spirit! I ship you and Yunli Sis hard. You’re made for each other. It’s perfect.”
Ji Zhenshi let out a huff of laughter. “Fine. I’ll set the precedent for you.”
Truth be told, Ji Zhenshi hadn’t anticipated a scene quite like this before pushing open the door. Her parents and her aunt and uncle were all seated in the Main Hall, arrayed two by two on either side. It really did look like a triple tribunal.
What left Ji Zhenshi doubting her own eyes was the trio of ancestral portraits right in the center of the room. From left to right: Grandpa, Maternal Grandpa, and Maternal Grandma. The black-and-white images stared straight at the doorway, as if specially arranged in anticipation of her arrival.
“Holy shit,” Ji Zhenshi muttered, completely stunned. In an instant, her heart plummeted like it was filled with cold lead, her face draining to a sickly pallor.
Being stared down by these three out of nowhere was as eerie as it got.
It bordered on terrifying.
Her feet froze at the threshold. In shock, Ji Zhenshi stared at the ringleader of this absurd opening act: her own mother.
Yang Ying sat ramrod straight, meeting her gaze with unyielding determination in her eyes.
Ji Zhenshi truly hadn’t expected this. More accurately, she’d underestimated her mother’s resolve—and her ruthlessness.
If she couldn’t intimidate her own daughter directly, she’d resort to pressuring a mute girl who couldn’t even speak up for herself. At least on this matter, both Yang Ying and Ji Zhenshi were showing unprecedented determination.
Her casual demeanor vanished in a heartbeat. She even pulled her hands from her pockets and stood tall and straight in the doorway.
Ji Zhenshi forced herself to look calm, managing a wry smile. “What big crime warrants summoning all three of them?”
Even Yang Cheng, trailing right behind her, was startled by the spectacle. Under the weight of her parents’ glares, she shot Ji Zhenshi a sympathetic you’re-on-your-own look before slinking guiltily to her parents’ side.
She took in the room’s layout and couldn’t help but gasp inwardly.
This was a genuine triple tribunal. They’d drive Ji Zhenshi insane for sure.
These elders—what was the point? Was it really worth it?
Hang in there, Cousin! Yang Cheng cheered silently.
“Ji Zhenshi, you see your Maternal Grandpa, Maternal Grandma, and Grandpa there—don’t you know to kneel first? Or do you think the perverse things you’ve done make you too ashamed to face them?” Yang Ying had been waiting a long time. She cut straight to the chase, demanding that Ji Zhenshi kneel.
She’d been backed into a corner herself. Earlier, she’d gone to Li Ying in hopes he’d force Li Yunli to break things off.
But Li Ying had said he wouldn’t interfere—and that he couldn’t anyway.
He might not be able to control Li Yunli, but Yang Ying could control her own daughter.
Ji Zhenshi had half-expected kneeling before her grandparents to be the proper thing to do. But Yang Ying’s follow-up twisted it into an act of confession and remorse.
She didn’t budge an inch. Instead, she turned her head slightly. “Uncle. Aunt.”
“I don’t think I’ve done anything perverse.”
The last part was aimed squarely at Yang Ying. She stood unashamed.
Some women just happened to love other women—it was as normal as preferring oranges over apples.
Yang Ying laughed in furious disbelief and thrust out her phone, forcing Ji Zhenshi to see the Moments post she’d made visible to everyone. “Have you lost your mind? Isn’t this perverse? Do you know what the neighbors are saying?”
Ji Zhenshi hadn’t just posted a photo of their intertwined rings; she’d also shared that candid shot of her sneaking a kiss on Li Yunli while presenting the ring. No wonder Yang Ying was livid.
“It’s perfectly normal. I just like oranges. Why should I care what they say? That’s your social circle, not mine. Most of the people my age around me aren’t gay, but they understand and respect it. The truth is, their gossip won’t change my orientation. No matter what they say, I’m happy. I live joyfully—that’s the whole point of being here.” Ji Zhenshi doubled down on her rebellion.
Happiness and joy weren’t the default; that’s why you had to stick with the person who brought them.
No point reasoning anyway, so Ji Zhenshi went full nihilist. “Who knows, I might drop dead any day. How can I not seize happiness while I can? I don’t want to have come here for nothing.”
Yang Ying flung her phone aside and raised her voice. “What people your age are like you? Are you saying we’re all old fossils who don’t understand you young people? What about Chengcheng? She’s your age. How’s she different? Huh? Tell me!”
As Yang Ying’s accusations rang out, Ji Zhenshi’s gaze drifted leisurely toward Yang Cheng.
Talk about perfect timing.
Yang Ying knew exactly how to pick her examples—right on target.
Suddenly put on the spot, Yang Cheng panicked, her eyes darting everywhere. She tried desperately to help Ji Zhenshi out. “Auntie, it’s just different upbringings. We all choose our own happiness…”
Before she could finish, the woman seated beside her pinched her thigh hard. “You hush your mouth, girl.”
With that, the aunt turned to Ji Zhenshi with earnest concern. “Zhenshi, listen to your auntie. Apologize to your mom, delete that Moments post, and say you were drunk and posted nonsense. Look at this mess—putting it out there for everyone to see. Your mom’s just thinking of you. You’re a violinist; what happens if word gets out? And besides, anyone but Li Yunli. Have you forgotten why she even came to our family?”
You couldn’t pick Li Yunli—she’d been Ji Zhenshi’s sister-in-law for six years. What kind of impropriety was that?
To everyone, even without the official papers, Li Yunli had been as good as the Ji family’s daughter-in-law. For Ji Zhenshi to go after her like this? Utter chaos.
There were so many women in the world, and Ji Zhenshi had to fixate on Li Yunli.
Ji Zhenshi remained unflappable, though her eyelashes trembled faintly. “It’s only ever going to be Li Yunli for me. Playing violin doesn’t stop me from being with whoever I want. I’ve set my heart on her alone—no one else after. At sixteen, I wouldn’t have dared say that. But at twenty-three, I’m absolutely certain: without her, I couldn’t go on living. I’m a total lovebrain, and since she believes in me so much, I have to take responsibility.”
“Ji Zhenshi, watch your tone. Is being a lovebrain something to brag about? You’re as stubborn as your brother. Aren’t you young people online always railing against lovebrains these days?” Ji Yuancheng frantically signaled at his daughter with his eyes, urging her not to push so hard. She’d only suffer for it in the end.
Anyone with a shred of sense would know to play nice in a setup like this. But Ji Zhenshi was bullheaded, dead set on clashing head-on. Mother and daughter, both refusing to yield an inch.
It was a battle of wills, and the Ji family had produced nothing but stubborn stock.
