Chapter 47

Yue Bai cornered her in one side of the kitchen. She snatched the bag of dumplings from Sang Wan’s hand and tossed it onto the counter, her long fingers trembling. Her gaze fixed on Sang Wan, her pupils quivering ceaselessly.

Ever since Yue Bai had walked in and said those words, Sang Wan had simply watched her quietly. Emotions that Yue Bai couldn’t quite decipher swirled in those autumn-water eyes. There wasn’t even much of a reaction.

Had she guessed wrong?

An inexplicable low mood settled over Yue Bai. She let out an awkward laugh and shifted her feet slightly, preparing to force out an explanation.

“Hm?”

Just then, Sang Wan spoke up. Her voice rose in a soft, lingering cadence, so gentle that Yue Bai swallowed her prepared words. As if possessed by a spirit, she asked again, “Does Senior Sister want me to kiss you?”

The question came out blunt and fervent.

Sang Wan let out a soft laugh, the tenderness in her eyes nearly overflowing. “And then?”

The vague response left Yue Bai uncertain of her exact meaning, so she went with her own interpretation.

Forceful. Yue Bai’s throat bobbed.

In the next moment, she strode forward, pinning Sang Wan against the counter. Afraid the table edge might hurt her, Yue Bai placed one hand protectively at Sang Wan’s lower back while bracing the other against her shoulder for support.

Their bodies pressed close with every breath, warm exhalations mingling with the scent of her hair and skin, enveloping Yue Bai completely.

Water glistened at the corners of Yue Bai’s eyes. Their similar heights allowed her to meet Sang Wan’s gaze evenly, scrutinizing the hidden emotions there.

Senior Sister would like it. The sudden thought startled her, and instinct urged her to pull back.

But reason held her in place.

A faint curve at the corner of Sang Wan’s lips seemed to beckon her downward.

Sang Wan’s lips were beautiful, a soft pink even without lipstick, their shape utterly captivating.

Somehow, Yue Bai’s index finger had brushed against those mesmerizing lips—impossibly soft.

“Senior Sister.” Yue Bai leaned in closer, her face nearly touching.

“Hm?” Sang Wan’s response was a single syllable, hoarse and squeezed from deep in her throat.

“Can I kiss you?” Yue Bai traced the shape of her lips, far more exquisite than any she’d ever drawn.

“Hm.” It seemed Sang Wan had taken a liking to that sound.

With permission granted, Yue Bai’s heart pounded like thunder. She inched closer bit by bit, her breathing erratic. The hand tracing Sang Wan’s lips slid to the back of her head, pulling her in with urgent force until their lips met.

Sang Wan yielded to her lead, her own hands falling naturally to her sides.

In the second before Yue Bai’s lips touched hers, Sang Wan closed her eyes in satisfaction.

Little Wooden Head had finally come around.

Being held captive in Yue Bai’s arms gave her an instinctive sense of security.

The moment their soft lips met, Yue Bai’s eyes flew wide open. Threads of sweetness and tenderness left her stunned.

No wonder so many young couples clung to each other under the dormitory lights, lost in kisses.

The sensation was incredible.

Yue Bai savored it dazedly, her gaze fixed on Sang Wan’s face.

Senior Sister likes it. Why else would she keep her eyes closed?

Sensing Yue Bai’s heated stare, Sang Wan lifted the hand at her side and covered those exploring eyes.

With her sight blocked, the sensory experience intensified. Yue Bai drowned in the sea of emotions named “Sang Wan.”

Only when her breath ran short and Sang Wan lightly thumped her chest did Yue Bai reluctantly pull away.

She whined in dissatisfaction, “Senior Sister~”

Sang Wan’s lips glistened with moisture—whose, she wasn’t sure. She wiped it gently with her fingertip, her gaze appraising. “Was that your first?”

“Huh?” Yue Bai hadn’t caught on yet.

“Was that your first kiss?” Sang Wan narrowed her eyes slightly, not missing the subtle shifts in Yue Bai’s expression.

Yet the girl’s face showed only bewilderment and lingering aftertaste.

“Yeah, first time.” Yue Bai nodded instinctively, then looked at Sang Wan with sudden tension. Had her inexperience been that bad? “Se… Senior Sister, I…”

She looked about to cry.

Seeing her like this, how could Sang Wan not read her thoughts? After silently marveling at her natural talent in her mind, she gently pinched the teary-eyed girl before her. “It was great. I’m very satisfied.”

“Really?” Yue Bai’s eyes brimmed with tears.

“Really.” Sang Wan nodded warmly.

Reassured, Yue Bai banished her grievance. She tentatively lifted her head and tugged at Sang Wan’s inner shirt, shaking it lightly. “Senior Sister, I want…”

Sang Wan soothingly stroked Yue Bai’s hair. “Not eating?”

“No.” Food could never compare to Senior Sister.

“Silly.” Sang Wan’s eyes flickered as she planted a quick, feather-light kiss on Yue Bai’s lips—like a dragonfly skimming water—before pulling away just as fast.

“Senior Sister~” Yue Bai licked her lips, even more dissatisfied.

“Be good. Eat first.” The water in the pot had come to a boil, bubbling vigorously. “After dinner… we can kiss more…”

She trailed off, the hint unmistakable.

“Okay.” Yue Bai’s eyes lit up. “Senior Sister, let me help. It’ll be faster.”

Like someone who’d discovered a new world, Yue Bai stood by Sang Wan’s side as they boiled the dumplings, her big, watery eyes drifting repeatedly to Sang Wan’s lips.

And so, before Sang Wan could even clear the dishes after dinner, Yue Bai had her pinned against the dining table.

Her strength surprised Sang Wan, who pushed lightly at her chest—but mostly indulged her. “How are you so clingy?”

Yue Bai pouted, looking like a child who’d done something wrong. “Senior Sister won’t let me kiss?”

Sang Wan sighed. “I will…”

The final syllable melted into the press of lips and teeth.

On the last day of December, Yue Bai hugged the person typing away at the computer from behind. “Senior Sister.”

“What’s up?” Sang Wan’s right hand rested on the back of the one sneaking around her waist, her slender fingers tapping rhythmically.

The pressure was light, yet each tap struck right at Yue Bai’s heart.

“Senior Sister, where are you going for New Year’s?” Yue Bai nuzzled her neck. Her demeanor toward Sang Wan had grown far more familiar lately.

Sang Wan thought for a moment. “Nowhere, I think. You? Heading home?”

Yue Bai shook her head. “Not till winter break.”

“Let’s go out then. New Year’s Eve tonight.” Sang Wan’s voice softened. “Our first New Year’s Eve together.”

“Sure.” Yue Bai lifted her head and turned Sang Wan’s chair until they faced each other. “I heard there’s an event on Pedestrian Street tonight. Wanna go there?”

“Anywhere’s fine.”

At seven that evening, Yue Bai leaned against the bedroom doorframe, watching leisurely as Sang Wan sat at the vanity applying makeup. Joy filled her heart.

Sang Wan’s skin was fair, her base flawless. The simple, light makeup only enhanced her elegant aura.

“Senior Sister looks beautiful today.” Yue Bai said eagerly as Sang Wan finished and rose to approach her.

“Not before?” Sang Wan teased, probing for inconsistencies.

“You were always beautiful.” Yue Bai grinned and took her hand, leading her out.

Sang Wan followed with a smile, her gaze lingering on their clasped hands. The curve of her lips deepened. Ever since that kitchen kiss, their relationship had grown much more intimate.

At the very least, Yue Bai took the initiative now.

“Senior Sister, I ordered milk tea on my mini-program. It should be ready by the time we get there.” Yue Bai wiggled her phone.

Sang Wan murmured her assent softly.

They exited through the north school gate. With it being New Year’s Eve, crowds thronged the paths. Yue Bai ran into several acquaintances just heading to the gate.

“Hey, Little Bai, heading out? Coming back to the dorm?” Xu Nuo, returning from the cafeteria with takeout, teased her.

Yue Bai smiled. “Probably not during New Year’s.”

She split her time between the dorm and Teachers’ Apartment these days, crashing at the dorm only when classes ran late.

Outside the gate, they walked to the subway station.

The train was packed. Yue Bai shielded Sang Wan, gripping a nearby pole to steady them both.

At their stop, the crowd surged outward, pushing them along.

The stifling, crowded air squeezed Yue Bai’s chest painfully. She shot a displeased glance at the people shoving ahead and muttered, “What’s the rush?”

Sang Wan’s expression remained calm. Hearing her, she just tilted her head slightly and pulled her closer.

Once out of the station, Yue Bai felt the crowd thin. She took a deep breath. “So stuffy.”

Sang Wan smiled noncommittally and lifted her chin, gesturing for Yue Bai to look ahead.

Pedestrian Street’s main bridge ahead was flanked by walls of people, heads pressed tight together.

“Scary.” Yue Bai’s cheek twitched.

“This is the main entrance to Pedestrian Street—bound to be crowded. We should’ve exited at B Station Exit, but it’s a bit farther.” Sang Wan explained.

Yue Bai shrugged. “No big deal. Time’s on our side. Senior Sister, hold on tight. Don’t get lost.”

Sang Wan gave her a helpless, fond glare.

Throngs had come to Pedestrian Street for New Year’s Eve. Yue Bai finally squeezed them into the street proper. “I don’t think we’ll last till midnight for the event.”

Sang Wan didn’t reply. She smoothed her wind-tousled hair, tucking stray strands behind her ear. The wind had pinked her refined, lovely cheeks.

“Then we won’t wait.” She said. “Just wander and head back.”

“Mm, good.” Yue Bai agreed.

Stores lined the street, fronts jammed with people. Fortunately, Yue Bai had ordered ahead; by the time they entered Pedestrian Street, the milk tea was ready.

They made their way to the shop, confirmed the pickup code, and took the two cups from the clerk.

“Senior Sister.” Yue Bai called out, handing one of the cups over.

The area around them buzzed with noise as Yue Bai cradled her milk tea, sipping it in small mouthfuls. Her eyes darted about, and seeing that Sang Wan hadn’t noticed her little antics, Yue Bai’s subtle movements grew bolder.

After the third tug on her scarf, Sang Wan finally betrayed a hint of exasperation. She patted Yue Bai’s unruly hand. “Behave yourself.”

“Senior Sister, my cup is so sweet. It feels like they put in too much sugar.” Yue Bai pulled a face.

Sang Wan knew she couldn’t handle overly sweet things.

Coming to a stop, Sang Wan pinched the straw in her milk tea and stirred it twice. Amused, she eyed the girl whose acting skills were comically poor. “So what do we do?”

“I want to taste yours.” Yue Bai declared righteously.

Leaning in to sip from Sang Wan’s straw, Yue Bai feigned a puzzled expression. “As expected, Senior Sister’s milk tea is way tastier.”

“Want to swap?” Sang Wan blinked slowly.

“Yes!” Yue Bai nodded eagerly.

Before handing it over, Sang Wan subtly glanced at the label on her cup: 50% sugar.

Once she had Yue Bai’s milk tea—the one marked 30% sugar—the smile playing at Sang Wan’s lips grew more pronounced.

Her own cup was clearly sweeter than Yue Bai’s.

“Sweet?” Sang Wan asked meaningfully.

“Sweet,” Yue Bai replied with a grin.

“Is that so?” Sang Wan leaned in a little closer. Her scarf dangled in front of her, swaying with the motion. Her gaze lingered on Yue Bai’s lips for several seconds before she turned her head and murmured in a breathy whisper, “But… I think you’re sweeter.”