Laughter vibrated in Mu Shanyi’s chest. She caught Miao Zhu’s hand and deftly changed the subject. “Go take a shower first? Ye Yi prepared dinner.”
Miao Zhu jumped off the sofa and dashed to the master bedroom to shower, then took her changed clothes to the laundry room.
The washing machine screen prompted low detergent. Miao Zhu looked around but couldn’t find where the refill was stored.
“In the left cabinet.” Mu Shanyi leaned against the door and reminded her.
“Oh.” Miao Zhu opened the left cabinet.
Her hair wasn’t fully dry; she’d used Mu Shanyi’s hair clip. She wore the standard loungewear Mu Shanyi had prepared for her.
She distinguished between detergent and softener, took out the detergent from the cabinet, and added it to the washing machine dispenser. Her movements were slow, afraid it would spill if she rushed. Once done, she twisted the cap tight and put it back.
The washing machine started in gentle mode. Miao Zhu took quick steps to the door. “Let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
Mu Shanyi didn’t respond.
Miao Zhu: “Sister A-Heng?”
Mu Shanyi took her hand. “Mm, let’s go eat.”
Grace greeted them enthusiastically. Ye Yi arranged dishes on the table. “A-Heng told me the flight time. I figured you’d arrive right about now. Longlong, come sit. The food’s all ready.”
“It smells so good. Thanks, Ye Yi. You’ve worked hard.”
Miao Zhu rubbed Grace’s fluffy head, then went to find Princess. Princess was rolling on its back on the sofa. Miao Zhu unceremoniously buried her face in its belly for a deep sniff, then scooped it up and carried it to the table, chattering, “We’ll share a dining chair today too~”
…There were four dining chairs around the table.
“Princess can sit by itself. You’ll get distracted holding it while eating.” Mu Shanyi petted the little cat’s head. “Play with them after dinner.”
“…Fine.” Miao Zhu knew she was in the wrong. Mu Shanyi was right; last time Princess jumped into her lap, she barely ate.
After dinner and playing with the cat and dog, Miao Zhu and Mu Shanyi went downstairs. She hung up the laundry and checked the time—it was only eight.
It wasn’t late yet. Miao Zhu hadn’t practiced much in Southern France these days, so she asked Mu Shanyi, “If I practice cello now, will the neighbors complain about the noise?”
Mu Shanyi said, “Probably not. I added soundproofing.”
Facing the lit-up Cloud Tower, Miao Zhu played her cello. Just in case, she still attached the mute to the bridge.
Mu Shanyi stood behind her for a while, then came over, bent down, kissed her cheek, and said, “I’m going to shower.”
Miao Zhu watched Mu Shanyi’s figure disappear behind the door in the glass ahead. She withdrew her gaze, which then landed on the sofa.
Mu Shanyi had cleaned the sofa; the shawl was gone.
Restless, she barely managed half an hour of practice before Miao Zhu resignedly put away the cello.
She opened her suitcase and pulled out a lace camisole mini skirt.
Mu Shanyi brushed her long hair behind her ear and brushed her teeth in front of the mirror. She glanced at her left hand—the teeth marks were still there.
In her peripheral vision, the door cracked open slightly, paused for several seconds, then the person outside steeled themselves and pushed it fully open.
Cough! Mu Shanyi choked on toothpaste foam.
Miao Zhu: “…”
Before leaving France, Miao Zhu had spent a few hours shopping for souvenirs. Passing a sleepwear brand store, she’d been captivated by this nightgown through the window.
But now she changed her mind. This high skin-exposure nightgown probably wasn’t Mu Shanyi’s style.
The sleepwear Mu Shanyi prepared for her was proof enough.
How embarrassing.
Miao Zhu fled to the bed at top speed and buried herself under the covers.
In just a few minutes, Mu Shanyi came looking for her and peeled back the blanket with a smile. “Why run?”
Miao Zhu was like a cooked shrimp, only willing to poke her head out—and with her eyes closed, hands over her ears.
“Are you seducing me?” Mu Shanyi hugged her through the blanket and kissed her hand over her ear.
Miao Zhu covered her ears even tighter.
“You don’t need to do this to attract me.” Mu Shanyi’s hand slipped under the covers. The nightgown had pitifully little fabric, sheer and thin, softened by Miao Zhu’s body heat—like a second skin, delicate as a breath could break it.
Mu Shanyi leaned down to kiss Miao Zhu’s lips, her palm gliding slowly over the nightgown.
“…So you like me dressed like this too, right?”
“Mm~” Mu Shanyi hummed through her nose.
This time, their rhythm was slow, savoring each other more meticulously.
Miao Zhu lay on her side, her back nestled in Mu Shanyi’s embrace. Mu Shanyi used her leg to part hers.
It was impossible not to drown in this sustained, gentle caress. Miao Zhu dazedly flashed back to the bar in the Southern France town, dim lights and shadows where the bartender skillfully mixed a drink, stirring occasionally—the whole process effortless.
Now, she was the drink being mixed in Mu Shanyi’s hands.
Mu Shanyi was equally confident, refining meticulously, step by step, adjusting the perfect ratios.
She cared about the drink’s mood too, murmuring in its ear now and then—
“I missed you.”
“Longlong, I missed you so much.”
Even though she was already by her side, in her arms, doing the most intimate things.
Mu Shanyi nibbled Miao Zhu’s earlobe, repeating her longing into her ear over and over.
This belated expression coaxed out a rich aroma from the drink named Miao Zhu, its taste shifting from mellow to intense. At the perfect moment, Mu Shanyi lit a flame—”whoosh”—and it blazed fiercely over the liquid.
Past midnight, one hand finally emerged from the thin blanket to gently turn off the ambient light.
Miao Zhu was exhausted, her brain long since shut down, eyes barely able to stay open. But she effortfully traced Mu Shanyi inch by inch.
Pausing and resuming, feeling the softness and smoothness of her skin.
“Want more?”
“…Having Lu Zheng with me was to protect me.” Too sleepy, Miao Zhu’s words were muddled.
“Mm.”
Miao Zhu didn’t feel any scars on Mu Shanyi. She withdrew her hand, buried her face in Mu Shanyi’s neck, her voice fading. “Have you ever been hurt?”
“No.” Mu Shanyi kissed her forehead. “Sleep if you’re tired.”
So it must have been a childish mistake back then. The one hurt in the kidnapping wasn’t Mu Shanyi.
She needed to care more for Mu Shanyi from now on…
Sleepiness crashed over her like a giant wave. Miao Zhu sank into Mu Shanyi’s embrace and finally fell asleep peacefully.
