Every family needs at least one carefree rascal.
Guang Yu was that one.
Little Zhibai was clearly facing a major crisis (or not), yet this little fox was lying on the floor, clutching her tail and rolling back and forth!
You think you’re a pinwheel or something?!
With no help from the scummy fox, Ye Zhibai could only pin her hopes on her own powers of communication, unreliable as they might be.
Yun’er’s soft chest was fully pressed against the matching spot on Ye Zhibai’s body.
Her slightly rapid, stirring breaths carried an unnatural rhythm that sounded especially sweet and alluring in this not-too-big, not-too-small space. Every so often, her warm exhalations brushed Ye Zhibai’s ear tips—those particularly sensitive nerves.
For all that Yun’er had thrown herself fully on top, Ye Zhibai felt no weight or discomfort at all.
That was because Yun’er couldn’t bear to put her full weight on her big sister, so she was propping herself up on her elbows—one on either side of Ye Zhibai’s head—bracing against the floor.
This move was called a plank. If she dipped down a couple times, it’d turn into push-ups.
Good grief… Yun’er’s core strength was still ridiculously overpowered. Weren’t you tired?!
Ye Zhibai had every reason to suspect that Yun’er’s panting came not just from her emotions, but from the physical strain as well.
Anyway, for the sake of our health, she had to offer some advice first.
“Yun’er… get off me first… Yun’er?”
“……”
Ye Zhibai’s earnest plea cut off abruptly.
Something was wrong.
Based on past experience, Yun’er was never this hesitant in bed. She’d lift a finger without a word and they’d be lost in passion!
But today… aside from the initial pounce, Yun’er hadn’t made a single move.
What stopped Ye Zhibai from pressing further was Yun’er’s next action.
She braced herself on all fours and scooted her body back a bit, aligning her head with Ye Zhibai’s shoulder.
Then, slowly…
Her black hair spilled out like ink across the floor and Ye Zhibai’s arm—that was because Yun’er was gradually burying her face in the crook of Ye Zhibai’s elbow.
She kept nuzzling back and forth between Ye Zhibai’s arms, saying nothing, until she’d shifted her head to Ye Zhibai’s chest, right where she could press her ear to the heartbeat.
No words, but Ye Zhibai could hear faint, choked sobs.
That low, aggrieved whimper didn’t just drift through the air scented with the girls’ lovely fragrance.
It struck straight at Ye Zhibai’s heart.
It left a bad taste in her mouth.
Who knew when… Ye Zhibai had developed a soft spot in her own heart?
She reached up and lifted Yun’er’s arms from the floor, letting her settle fully onto her body. It was a natural motion.
Her delicate palm came to rest on Yun’er’s head, stroking gently. That felt right too.
Yun’er stayed silent, so Ye Zhibai ventured a guess.
“Yun’er…? What’s wrong? Is it because Mama’s coming back soon… and it’s stirring up old memories?”
“Wuu…”
Yun’er nuzzled even harder.
Her head shook rapidly, the motion tugging at her clothes and rubbing uncomfortably over a certain spot on Ye Zhibai’s chest. Ye Zhibai furrowed her brow slightly and let out a light, cool hum that sounded oddly off.
Once things settled, Ye Zhibai carefully reconsidered her guess.
Such a strong reaction to my words…
Did that mean I was right?
Come on… She might talk tough, but at a time like this, Yun’er was just a kid eagerly awaiting Mama’s return.
Yun’er kept her face buried in Ye Zhibai’s chest before finally speaking up, after some effort.
“No way… Even if that woman comes home, she’ll just set traps for me—like water balloons on the doorframe or oil on the floor. She can come back or not, I don’t care… She’s just a nuisance. I don’t… I don’t care at all…”
Blasphemy!
Calling her own mom “that woman” was seriously irreverent!
And speaking of which, had Yun’er just casually spilled more of their mom’s crimes?
Hold on—so that intense reaction was her shaking her head?!
Fine… Ye Zhibai made a mental note to check for oil on the floor before entering from now on.
But if it wasn’t that, then what could have Yun’er so down in the dumps?
Ye Zhibai racked her brain but came up empty.
“Big Sis… Want to hear me vent a little?”
“If you want to talk, go ahead.”
Did she even have the option to refuse?
Yun’er had her pinned tight. If she said no, she’d probably get hit with a Mount Tai meteor smash!
Besides, Ye Zhibai genuinely wanted to hear Yun’er’s thoughts. She didn’t want her staying in this gloomy state.
Perfect timing.
As Ye Zhibai lay there and slowly tilted her head down…
She met the eyes of Yun’er, who had lifted her head from her prone position. Those sky-blue irises shimmered.
Tears welled up, making her look utterly pitiable.
Her tough little sister resembled a tiny hamster right then, huddled up and yearning to whine to the one person she trusted in the world.
Ah… sorry.
You haven’t even vented yet, and I’ve already been healed?
No need to keep up the plank anymore, and Yun’er wasn’t pressing down on Ye Zhibai either.
She rolled to the side, lying next to Ye Zhibai.
With arms and legs working together, she wrapped around Ye Zhibai face-to-face, hugging her tight like an octopus.
The ultimate grapple—nothing less.
I mean… there’s a sofa right there. Did they have to chat lying in the entryway?!
Their position wasn’t much different from Guang Yu rolling around over there. The posture didn’t matter anymore; Ye Zhibai’s full attention was on the tears glistening in Yun’er’s eyes.
Yeah, as family, she was willing to hear her out.
True woes were meant to be shared with family, after all.
“You know, Big Sis… On the way home, I felt so scared the whole time… And now, the more I think about it, the more afraid I get.”
“Afraid…? What of?”
Ye Zhibai couldn’t imagine what could scare Yun’er, who feared neither heaven nor earth—not even that caterpillar in the yard last time.
Before speaking, Yun’er clamped her legs together like scissors, pulling even tighter.
Ye Zhibai felt her body heat everywhere, Yun’er’s form pressing into every nook and cranny.
This was Yun’er seeking comfort.
Though it did a number on Little Zhibai’s waist.
“Back at the hospital… Big Sis heard what Su Yuqiu said, right?
Her big sister died five years ago.”
“Yeah…” Ye Zhibai expressed her regret with a nod. “Yes, Aunt Tang told you too, didn’t she? It seems… it’s true. What a tragedy for their family.”
“Yeah… a total tragedy.”
“Yun’er, are you saying…?”
“Su Yuqiu… she hasn’t had a big sister ever since.”
“……”
The villa’s lights were plenty bright.
But when Yun’er said “Little Qiu no longer has a big sister,” her voice trembling…
The sparkle of tears in her eyes made Ye Zhibai want to squint, like staring straight at the sun.
Or maybe… she just couldn’t bear to look directly?
Yun’er had pointed out the root of her fear, yet as if worried her sister wouldn’t get it, she kept going.
“I know you’re right here with me, Big Sis. I know I won’t end up like her. But I still feel so scared… I get that feeling now. I used to take it for granted that you were always with me, like it was the most natural happiness in the world. But those two years you were in the hospital… I had nightmares every night. Every morning when I woke up… I was terrified you’d left me forever.”
“I’d go crazy, yelling at the Maid Corps to get a car ready and rush to the hospital. When I got there and saw you, I’d grab your cold hand and try to warm it up… I’d talk to you nonstop, about everything. I knew you’d be fine, that you’d wake up someday.”
“And just like I thought… you did wake up, Big Sis. You’re not bouncing around full of energy yet, but you’re getting more spirited every day. It feels like a dream—I’m so happy every single day.”
By this point, the excitement in Yun’er’s eyes dimmed a little.
Guilt and fear overflowed from her.
“But these past few days, I’ve slipped back into old habits… Taking your company for granted, like this happy life was just there for the taking. Then today at the hospital… I… I heard it myself. Su Yuqiu’s sister just up and left her alone in a single year… Big Sis… Big Sis, you wouldn’t suddenly abandon Yun’er one day too, would you…? I don’t want you going back to the hospital. I want us to stay forever in the yard with this flower field… Always saying good morning to each other, always… always together…”
Even the most eloquent person gets tongue-tied by emotions.
But Yun’er didn’t need more words; Ye Zhibai understood everything.
Her tears had turned to streaks down her pretty cheek, dripping wastefully onto the floor.
Ye Zhibai gazed at Yun’er… her heart buzzing, a sour ache rising in her chest.
Silly girl.
Didn’t you know there’s a saying for worrying over nothing?
No.
Perhaps such thoughts only arose because of those years… those days.
It wasn’t just me who braved the thin mist of a late-summer morning and the chilly frost of early winter to climb the hospital steps with heavy footfalls.
Such deep ice doesn’t form overnight.
Ye Zhibai reached out a finger, trying to wipe away the teardrop at the corner of her eye.
But no sooner had her finger brushed that dewy skin than a fresh trail of tears came rolling down.
“Just now… didn’t I already tell you?”
Ye Zhibai knew that beyond the solemn hospital building lay the glittering lights of the city.
And above the city’s glow stretched the vast, endless starry sky.
So, little sister… look up.
Don’t just stare at those white walls. Lift your gaze and behold the starry sky overhead.
Gaze upon the stars, feel the gentle breezes of the four seasons, and then turn your head back around.
You’ll see me right there.
“I already told you—I’m right here. Even if you chase me away, I won’t leave. The Flower Field I’ve finally gotten in order can grow summer flowers in summer and winter flowers in winter. I have no intention of letting it go to waste so easily, you know…?”
“Sister…”
“Mm?”
“Sister… wuu… Sister!!”
Oof!!
Don’t squeeze any tighter—I’m already starting to feel suffocated!!
“Yun… Yun’er, calm down. You have to stay calm.”
“No way… What if I let go and you run off? I have to hold on…”
Fine, hold on if you must, but at least do it properly!
Keep squeezing with that much force, and you really might lose your dear sister for good!
Ugh… but there’s an even bigger problem.
Hug all you want.
But why are you so sneakily, without a word, starting to unbutton my shirt?!
