Wasn’t it just a chat about university choices?
Tomorrow was the deadline for submitting applications, and she still had no idea where to go. If she didn’t get this figured out now, she figured she’d spend the whole night dreaming that she was a total idiot.
As Ye Zhibai rose from the edge of the bed, she tucked the figurine between Guang Yu’s paws.
“Hold your plastic little person while you sleep, you scummy cat.”
“Look at how worked up you got just from me borrowing it for a peek. I’m not gonna steal your toy, you cheapskate!”
Ye Zhibai, the cheapest of them all, had no self-awareness on that front. She was a master at using her own flaws to criticize others—a true sage.
Yun’er had of course spotted the figurine too.
She wanted to ask if her big sister was into these kinds of toys. If so, they could bulk-buy a bunch.
But before she could get the words out, Ye Zhibai had already stepped forward.
She pushed open the small door by the floor-to-ceiling window that led to the courtyard. Her bare feet slipped into cool slippers, which then gently descended onto the stone steps built from the garden’s odd rocks.
The night air, laced with floral scents, brought a distinctive freshness into her lungs, nurturing her spirit.
The courtyard had undergone a clear makeover since the last few days.
This was all thanks to Lin Zihan.
Ye Zhibai had originally invited her to join the Maid Corps just to give her some easy pocket money and improve her life.
But in reality, Lin Zihan had put in work worthy of her paycheck.
Guang Yu couldn’t pull up green onions as fast as Zihan could plant them. The flower bed had expanded from a tiny patch to a full third of the courtyard, filled with seasonal blooms—exclusive to the Maid Corps.
The crisscrossing dirt paths beside the flower beds had been personally dug out and smoothed by Zihan with a shovel, bit by bit. Every time Ye Zhibai woke up, she could see Zihan bustling about in the yard, more diligent than any busy little bee.
The whole yard had evolved from a mere courtyard into a proper garden!
After taking in a whiff of the flowers, Ye Zhibai turned slowly, her silver hair bathed in the bright moonlight, and called out to Yun’er to come talk over here.
“Yun’er, let’s chat in the courtyard. The cat’s asleep.”
“Mm…? Sure!”
Who cared if the cat was asleep or not? To Yun’er, her big sister was as gentle as water.
She was even… kind enough to worry about waking a cat from its peaceful slumber!
In truth, Ye Zhibai just wasn’t thrilled that Guang Yu was sleeping so soundly.
I’m sleepy too! But I’ve still got to agonize over university, while you—uncultured, no school, top-tier at sleeping in.
Humans and gods didn’t share joys and sorrows, so the best choice was out of sight, out of mind.
Once Yun’er followed her into the little courtyard, Ye Zhibai bent down to brush the dust off the stone steps. But seeing how they’d already been cleaned to a sparkling shine, she pulled her hand back halfway.
Better not smudge those shiny steps with any dirt.
After silently thanking Zihan for her hard work in her heart, Ye Zhibai plopped right down onto the stone steps.
Sitting at that height put her feet right on the courtyard ground.
Sparse little weeds poked out from the cracks beside the steps. A breeze made them sway and brush her ankles, bringing a faint itch.
To dodge those naughty weeds, Ye Zhibai scooted over a bit—and bumped into the world’s softest perfection.
It was Yun’er’s embrace as she turned sideways. More precisely, it was Yun’er’s C-cup chest.
Long, silky black hair that still held a hint of damp warmth swept over Ye Zhibai’s shoulder, itching more insistently in her heart than the grass did.
Filling her nose, alongside the flowers, was Yun’er’s natural scent and the fresh aroma of her shower gel and shampoo.
Yun’er had come straight from her bath, still wrapped in a big towel instead of changing into pajamas. The towel hugged her slender, artistic waist—neither too tight nor too loose. Her long, bare legs, as pristine as snow, stretched out ahead uncovered.
Yun’er was playfully using her toes to poke at a weed right in front of her. Lingering water droplets trailed down the perfect curves of her legs to the soil below, without a sound.
As she stretched with that motion, a vast expanse of flawless, beautiful back came into Ye Zhibai’s view.
It all seemed to constantly remind her of Yun’er’s peerless feminine charm and beauty.
Ye Zhibai quietly tilted her head away and swallowed discreetly, without being noticed.
I… I think she’s seducing me, but I have no proof.
After deliberately cooling her emotions, Ye Zhibai spoke calmly as the breeze picked up again.
“Are you cold? Go change into pajamas first—don’t catch a chill.”
“It’s summer—no problem~ Letting the natural wind dry your hair is supposed to be healthier.”
Summer gives you license to be reckless?
Ye Zhibai, armed with a year’s worth of medical knowledge from her past life, felt a surge of indignation and frowned as she advised her.
“It’s got nothing to do with the season… You’ve still got water droplets on you. The wind’ll make you catch a cold easy.”
“Aw… Big Sis is getting so knowledgeable… Mm, you’re right, but… compared to changing clothes, this is way warmer! Heave-ho!”
“!”
Splat!
Yun’er didn’t bother hiding the coquettish smile on her face. She simply spread her arms to the left and hugged Ye Zhibai tight!
Ye Zhibai couldn’t react in time and got enveloped in the full embrace, perfectly feeling the jelly-like compression and rebound.
Rubbing her cheek against Ye Zhibai’s face, Yun’er was delighted, her heart blooming with joy.
“Ehehe… Is Big Sis warm now? Don’t worry, I’m super healthy—barely caught a cold growing up. And hugging you like this… no way I’d get sick! Isn’t this warmer than changing clothes?”
“You… Sigh, whatever.”
Resisting was pointless. Dodging would just make Yun’er think she was being rejected, awakening her masochistic side and making it worse. So the best strategy was to indulge her babying.
Ye Zhibai was practically compiling a handbook on handling Yun’er by now!
And… deep down, she quite enjoyed this peaceful moment.
Unknowingly, her hand had gently stroked the back of Yun’er’s head. Yun’er, in turn, rested her little head on Ye Zhibai’s shoulder.
Glancing casually into Yun’er’s eyes, Ye Zhibai saw tiny glimmers flickering there—the reflections of sparse fireflies dancing over the flower beds.
A sight too beautiful to take in fully.
Whether it was the fireflies or Yun’er’s eyes that were so beautiful, Ye Zhibai couldn’t quite say anymore.
“This is the one thing I have to thank that Lin Zihan for—your courtyard really needed sprucing up like this ages ago.”
“Then in the future, cut back on picking on her, show some care, get along harmoniously. Wouldn’t that be nice?”
“Oh oh, no way—that’s mixing apples and oranges. Gotta scold her when needed, or she won’t learn.”
“…”
Yun’er was as kind-hearted as she was beautiful.
Well, the scenery was lovely and so was the company, but Ye Zhibai wasn’t out here just to admire the view.
Better cut to the chase. With the light breeze tonight, Yun’er wrapped only in a towel did risk catching a chill.
The nearby cicadas’ chirps gave her an opening. Ye Zhibai gazed ahead at the flower beds glowing with unique charm under the moonlight and parted her lips softly.
“Yun’er, tomorrow’s the deadline for applications.”
“Mm, the cutoff.”
“Any thoughts on university? You seem like you’ve already decided where to go, right?”
“Pfft… Big Sis, what a sly way to put it~ You’ve already decided too, haven’t you~ Ah… I get it, you’re helping me make up my mind for sure?”
No, I’m not!
I really don’t know where to go!
Who’s helping you decide— I need you to help me decide!
Yun’er didn’t answer right away.
Instead, a flicker of anticipation and gratitude passed through her eyes. Her hands, which had been resting on her legs, looped around Ye Zhibai’s neck to her other shoulder, matching her mood.
“Thanks… Big Sis, Yun’er is really happy.”
“…”
Happy my foot!
Tell me first—where do you think I should go to school!
Ye Zhibai could have just asked outright, but that would confirm her as the idiot. So pride made her suffer in silence.
Even the cicadas seemed to pause for a moment, as if echoing the dumbness in her heart.
Only then did Yun’er slowly release her, a faint smile on her face. She playfully lifted her left leg a little, hooking her slipper with her toes so it dangled and swayed in midair.
Yun’er was extra playful tonight.
Which just went to show how satisfied she was with her choice.
Staring at the dangling slipper on her toes, Yun’er curved her lips into a lovely smile.
“Relax, Big Sis. I won’t regret this decision, and I won’t let you down.”
“You’re sure?”
“Mm, very sure.”
“No regrets?”
“Mm, absolutely not.”
So where exactly did you decide…!
“Qihai University right here in Qihai City. Not going to Capital University. This might be the smartest, clearest-headed choice I’ve made in years—hands down.”
Huh?
Did I just… hear Yun’er’s decision?!
Qihai University?
No Capital University?!
She wasn’t dissatisfied, though… In her past life, Ye Zhibai had gone to Qihai University. It was top-tier regionally—couldn’t claim national elite status, but number one or two in the province.
But it was miles behind Capital University!
Forget her—what a waste of Yun’er’s grades to go there!
Ye Zhibai’s brows furrowed slightly as she pressed on.
“Can I hear the reason, Yun’er? I know you don’t care much about filling out your college applications, but… this is your future life, the environment where you’ll be studying for the next four years. If there are better options, why settle for second best?”
Out of genuine concern, Ye Zhibai’s words came out far more direct than usual.
The determination in Yun’er’s eyes did not waver in the slightest.
“Um… a reason, huh? There’s nothing all that special about it. I just think that if I want to spend the best possible campus life with my sister, it’ll definitely be more convenient to study right here at home. Think about it, sister—if we go to Qihai No.1 Middle School, we won’t have to live in dorms or rent apartments. We can head home anytime we want. Isn’t that super convenient?”
“Convenience isn’t a reason.” Ye Zhibai was starting to feel a real sense of urgency. She didn’t want Yun’er to pass up the Capital just for something like this. “University… I’ve looked it up online. It’s about pursuing a life that’s different from what came before, about seeing a bigger world in a larger city, broadening your horizons. Yun’er… you were born in Qihai City. It’s about time you went out and saw more of it for college. Even if it’s not for your future prospects… you should still go out there, experience it, take a look around.”
“But…”
“No buts.”
“……”
It was rare to feel such firmness from her sister.
After a moment of slight surprise, Yun’er broke into an even more captivating smile.
Stop smiling first… Can’t you take your own future seriously?
Ye Zhibai had spent her previous life holed up at home and school, never even properly exploring Qihai City where she’d lived her whole time. That gave her plenty of standing on this matter.
Even if you have money, even if you were born into success, you still need to live a vibrant life!
Ye Zhibai was surprised at herself for thinking this way. She’d never realized before that she could worry about someone else like this.
It’s precisely because you’re my little sister and I’m your big sister that I’m telling you this.
Meeting Ye Zhibai’s worried gaze, Yun’er looked up at the sky after a long moment.
She said only one thing, softly.
“See a bigger world, huh… Yeah, sister’s right. But you know, Yun’er wants to give those exact words right back to you.”
“Sister, before this… have you ever really taken a good look at our Qihai City?”
“You’ve always been cooped up at home, always lying in the hospital, never walking the streets of the city with me… You haven’t even fully explored the city where we were born and lived together for eighteen years.”
“How could Yun’er bear to take you to see some so-called ‘bigger world’ before we’ve even done that?”
Ah.
Another gentle breeze blew through.
It wasn’t cool.
Just a touch of warmth.
