Applying medicine should have been a straightforward, serious task, but thanks to Shi Qianyu’s teasing, it had inexplicably taken on an air of intimacy.
Perhaps Shi Qianyu wasn’t even trying that hard to tempt her. It was Wen Xin who couldn’t settle her mind. The ointment on her fingertip felt cool at first, only melting gradually against the warm skin. She held her breath as she finished one spot, then moved on to the next.
Before she could continue, however, Shi Qianyu suddenly caught her fingertip and drew her hand back.
Wen Xin looked up to meet her gaze, puzzled by her intention.
“Why not rub it in?” Shi Qianyu said. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, the pale irises reflecting Wen Xin’s figure. “That way it’ll absorb better.”
“Oh…” Wen Xin nodded. Whatever she said, went. She immediately followed Shi Qianyu’s request.
So obedient. So adorably obedient.
Shi Qianyu knew she was shy and couldn’t bear to tease her too much. She finally fell silent, which came as a relief to Wen Xin. At last, she could focus.
After a while, she finished applying the ointment and straightened up.
Shi Qianyu waited a moment for it to dry, then lowered her eyes to adjust her clothes. Afterward, she looked at Wen Xin’s face with a beaming smile. “Thanks for the hard work. Sister, you really helped me out.”
“One good turn deserves another, so leave the cooking to me~”
After all that circling around, they were right back where they started.
Wen Xin had been about to say something more, but Shi Qianyu didn’t give her the chance. She took her hand and led her back to the living room, settling her on the sofa. “Watch some TV. I’ll be done here in a bit.”
” Coffee okay?” she asked.
Wen Xin nodded and said it was fine.
Shi Qianyu smiled, patted her head, and headed to the kitchen. After some rummaging, she brought out a steaming cup of coffee.
She knew Wen Xin liked things sweet, so she’d already added sugar and cream. She’d even prepared fruit and desserts, setting it all on the coffee table for her to pick from.
Then she returned to the kitchen to focus on dinner.
Wen Xin watched her busy figure for a moment before picking up the remote and turning on the TV. Her own rental was too tiny; the living room was crammed with essentials, leaving no room for entertainment gadgets.
It had been years since Wen Xin last watched TV. She rarely visited others’ homes, either. Out of practice, she fiddled with the remote for a bit before figuring out how to change channels and select shows.
Meanwhile, Shi Qianyu had started washing vegetables. The steady rush of water was pleasant to the ear. Wen Xin clicked through the options but couldn’t find a movie that caught her eye after a long search.
In the end, she gave up and picked a highly rated one at random. Her eyes stayed on the screen, but her ears were elsewhere, always attuned to Shi Qianyu’s movements.
She heard the faucet turn off, followed by the rhythmic chop of knife on cutting board. Then came the clatter of bowls and plates on the counter, the ting of a spoon against a bowl. Wen Xin guessed she was probably seasoning things.
To avoid seeming too fixated on the kitchen, Wen Xin kept her gaze fixed on the TV. But every sound from Shi Qianyu painted a vivid picture in her mind, unfolding slowly.
The feeling was familiar. It reminded Wen Xin of her childhood. Back then, her parents were always busy. When she got home from school, they hadn’t returned from work yet. Luckily, the school was close, so little Wen Xin walked home leisurely, enjoying the sights along the way.
Once there, she’d drop her bag and dive into homework, concentrating fully until her parents came home. Then her ears would perk up, eavesdropping on their conversation.
She’d listen to the kitchen sounds too—Mom washing veggies, Dad cooking, the bubble of soup, the sizzle of stir-fried greens. It was wonderful. She looked forward to every family dinner, and that feeling made her happy and secure.
It was the same now.
Shi Qianyu added ingredients to the pot and gave them a quick stir-fry. The savory aroma of food soon wafted out, filling her nose.
Even though Wen Xin knew exactly what was on the menu, she couldn’t help anticipating it. Her stomach, which hadn’t been hungry before, began to rumble.
A moment later, she couldn’t sit still any longer. She stood and walked to the kitchen.
Standing in the doorway, she peered inside and asked softly, “Anything I can bring out?”
“Not yet.” Shi Qianyu glanced back over her shoulder, her lips curving up. “What brings you here all of a sudden?”
“The movie I picked was boring. Not worth watching.” Wen Xin’s eyes darted away as she made up an excuse. “So I turned off the TV and came to check on things.”
“I see.” Shi Qianyu nodded. She saw right through the lie but didn’t call her out. Instead, she said, “I thought Sister missed me.”
She’d handed Wen Xin the perfect excuse.
Wen Xin paused at that, her cheeks warming again. But this time, surprisingly, she didn’t deny it. She wasn’t even sure why she’d come over.
Shi Qianyu smiled. This time, she didn’t shoo her away. “Want to come in?”
Wen Xin murmured her assent.
~~~
The meat had just gone into the pot and needed time to simmer. Shi Qianyu used the interval to prep other ingredients, then handed Wen Xin a couple of potatoes.
“Mind peeling these for me?”
“Sure.” Wen Xin took them and stood beside her, helping out.
It had rained all day yesterday. Though the weather had cleared, it was still cool. A gentle breeze slipped through the screen window, feeling refreshing.
Weekends were a break for them and the kids too. The kitchen window overlooked the downstairs playground. Wen Xin heard laughter from afar and glanced down instinctively.
She spotted some children on the swings and said in surprise to Shi Qianyu, “There’s a swing set down there.”
“Yeah.” Shi Qianyu followed her gaze. A moment later, she suggested, “Want to swing for a bit after dinner?”
“Huh?” Wen Xin caught on and shook her head quickly. “No, no.”
“All the kids are playing. I won’t intrude.”
“You’re a kid too.” Shi Qianyu grinned and popped a pretty cherry tomato into Wen Xin’s mouth.
The tomato was sweet and juicy. Wen Xin didn’t know where that came from and reflexively protested, “I’m not a kid anymore. I’m over twenty…”
“But you’re four years younger than me.” Shi Qianyu brushed it off, sticking to her point. “In my eyes, you’re still my little sister.”
Wen Xin thought Shi Qianyu’s age was Schrödinger’s—shifting with the situation. So were her nicknames: “Sister” one moment, “little sister” the next.
Wen Xin’s mind wasn’t as nimble. Whatever she said, fine. She didn’t argue. The tomato was delicious. After swallowing, she prompted Shi Qianyu, “These tomatoes are sweet, A-Yu. Try one.”
They were right there on the plate beside her, but Shi Qianyu didn’t move. “Really?”
Wen Xin nodded. “Really.”
Shi Qianyu beamed and started wheedling. “Then feed me one, Sister~”
~~~
“…”
Wen Xin knew those four extra years of hers had just been conveniently rounded down.
~~~
Shi Qianyu was an excellent cook, and Wen Xin savored the meal with unusual satisfaction.
Afterward, they cleared the dishes and, as planned, headed downstairs for a stroll.
The swing kids hadn’t left yet; they were swinging in a boisterous group. Wen Xin shook her head at Shi Qianyu, too embarrassed to join.
“No worries.” Shi Qianyu smiled, saying she had a plan. The “swing team” was led by a short-haired girl standing with hands on hips, chatting with her friends. Shi Qianyu walked over, said a few words, and slipped something from her pocket into the girl’s hand.
The girl glanced at it—puzzled at first, then delighted. She nodded eagerly and rallied her crew to free up a swing.
Shi Qianyu returned to Wen Xin, took her hand, and guided her to sit on it. “All yours now.”
Wen Xin was amazed. “What did you do, A-Yu?”
“I gave her a few packs of limited-edition cards. They’re all the rage with kids lately. I’ve got a niece about their age, so I brought some I bought for her. Got lucky.” Shi Qianyu gave the swing a push. Gentle at first, then stronger. Soon, Wen Xin’s feet left the ground.
Little niece. Wen Xin had never heard Shi Qianyu mention one before.
Come to think of it, she’d never heard much about Shi Qianyu’s family at all—her parents, her friends, her home life, her upbringing…
~~~
Of course, lovers shouldn’t meddle too much in each other’s lives. Whether Shi Qianyu knew or not hardly mattered—in fact, Wen Xin could guess without being told that her family must be extraordinarily happy.
The swing beneath her soared higher and higher, lifting Wen Xin as if she were perched on a cloud. Even the surrounding scenery began to blur. She stopped overthinking and simply savored the moment, immersed in a comfort she’d long forgotten. It had been ages since she’d traded the dull grind of adulthood for the pure joy of childhood.
Until a pleasant ringtone yanked her back to reality.
“Hello?” Shi Qianyu stepped a few paces away from the chatter behind them and picked up the call.
Wen Xin couldn’t make out every word, but she vaguely caught that it was work-related. Soon the call ended, and Shi Qianyu walked back.
Wen Xin had already brought the swing to a stop. She turned in her seat to face her. “What’s up?”
“There’s something urgent at the company. I need to head back,” Shi Qianyu said.
People in their positions never had fixed days off. Afraid she’d push herself too hard, Wen Xin asked right away, “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No need—it’s nothing major.” Shi Qianyu smiled, then suddenly leaned in and wrapped her arms around the woman before her.
The embrace was far too intimate, especially with children playing nearby. Blushing, Wen Xin moved to stand. “Then I’ll head home first.”
“No.” Shi Qianyu shot down the idea at once, reluctant to let her go. “Sister, wait for me at home, okay?”
“I’ll be back before you know it,” she added. “I promise.”
“No.” Wen Xin hesitated all the same. She was only Shi Qianyu’s lover, after all—their bond wasn’t as deep as family. And yet Shi Qianyu trusted her enough to leave her alone in her home. “I…”
Shi Qianyu didn’t let her finish. She pressed a fingertip to Wen Xin’s lips, silencing her.
“It’s my one day off, and I can’t even spend a little extra time with you? You’re really in that much of a rush to leave?” Her tone turned petulant, laced with more coquetry than complaint. Perhaps their closeness drew eyes, for a few passersby glanced their way.
Mortified, Wen Xin ducked her head even lower.
Seizing on her vulnerability, Shi Qianyu teased, “Fine, if you insist on going, I won’t stand in your way.”
“But first, give me a kiss. Call it a goodbye.”
“?”
In broad daylight like this? How could she?
Wen Xin could never quite predict her whims. She met Shi Qianyu’s gaze on instinct, nearly swayed by the earnest intensity in her eyes.
It left her unable to refuse. She nodded at once. “O-okay…”
Shi Qianyu’s lips curved in smug victory. “Kidding. You’re off the hook.”
Wen Xin rode the elevator with Shi Qianyu down to the underground garage.
Just before climbing into the car, Shi Qianyu handed her the house keys.
Still uneasy, Wen Xin asked, “Don’t you have a spare?”
Shi Qianyu shook her head. “Nope.”
“But won’t you be home?” She smiled, eyes dropping as she fastened her seatbelt. “Just remember to let me in.”
Wen Xin nodded. “Got it.”
Shi Qianyu stared at her for a few seconds before saying abruptly, “Hey, come here a sec. There’s something right here that’s bugging me.”
Wen Xin leaned in without thinking. “What—”
Before she could finish, Shi Qianyu planted a soft kiss on her cheek.
It took Wen Xin a beat to process, and she clapped a hand to her face in mortified shock.
For such a grown woman, Shi Qianyu sure had a way of saying one thing and doing another. In the end, she’d claimed the kiss she’d been denied earlier after all.
