Chapter 56

“There are a few candied hawthorns I made earlier tonight in the fridge. You can try them.” Sang Wan gently stroked Yue Bai’s hair and lifted her down from her perch.

Yue Bai’s lips curved into a smile as she tugged Sang Wan toward the sofa, pushing her down onto it before pressing her whole body against her. She nestled into Sang Wan’s chest, greedily inhaling her scent.

“What’s wrong?” Sang Wan assumed He Shichun had said something upsetting. She quickly cupped Yue Bai’s face, their gazes locking in the air between them. “Did He Shichun say something to you?”

“No.” Yue Bai pursed her thin lips. Her pale fingers tapped Sang Wan’s nose bridge, then trailed slowly downward as she let out a soft chuckle. “He Shichun said she has that video of you from the other day and wanted me to go with her. I thought about it and figured she was bluffing. Senior Sister Wen and the others rushed over right then, didn’t they? There’s no way she pulled it off, so I just ignored her.”

Sang Wan bumped her forehead affectionately against Yue Bai’s. “Very smart.”

Yue Bai ducked her head shyly and gave an embarrassed smile. Then something occurred to her. “Senior Sister, you didn’t wait too long for me tonight, did you?”

“No. I’d only been waiting a bit when Wen Mo messaged me about Student Council business. I rushed over and forgot to text you. That was my mistake.” Sang Wan’s expression remained calm and gentle.

Yue Bai slid off her and picked up the phone from the table, tapping the screen. A missed call notification popped up. “Senior Sister, you even called me. I just didn’t pick up.”

Sang Wan suddenly remembered dialing Yue Bai’s number in a panic after learning she might have been taken by He Shichun.

“Yeah, we were both busy and forgot.” Smiling, Sang Wan stood and walked to the fridge. She opened the constant-temperature compartment, selected a nicely shaped candied hawthorn skewer, and handed it to Yue Bai, who had followed her. Changing the subject, she said, “Try it.”

Yue Bai eyed the plump strawberries glistening on the skewer and grinned mischievously. “Senior Sister, this isn’t candied hawthorn at all. It should be called candied strawberry.”

Sang Wan laughed and tapped Yue Bai’s cheek. “Yes, yes, candied strawberry. You eat first. I’m going to take a shower.”

“Okay.” Yue Bai peeled off the outer layer of rice paper and took a bite.

The sweet-and-sour flavor burst in her mouth. Delicious. Yue Bai’s eyes narrowed in contentment.

When Sang Wan emerged from the bathroom, she found Yue Bai curled up asleep against the wall just outside the door, still clutching her clean clothes as she waited her turn to bathe. Sang Wan shifted aside to make room. “All done?”

“Mmm, it was delicious.” Yue Bai’s eyes curved into happy crescents.

“There’s more in the fridge, but don’t eat too many tonight.” Sang Wan grabbed the hairdryer hanging on the wall.

Her black pajamas were fastened as usual, with only the bottom three buttons done up. The top two hung loose, exposing her delicate collarbones—and just a tantalizing hint of pale skin below.

Yue Bai always wanted to say something whenever she saw it, but then she remembered that Senior Sister only dressed this way at home. Outside, she was always perfectly proper. So the words died on her tongue.

As long as Senior Sister likes it.

But this time, Yue Bai had a different idea. After hanging her pajamas on the hook in the bathroom, she strode right back out to Sang Wan.

Under Sang Wan’s gaze—which shifted from puzzled to exasperated—Yue Bai solemnly reached out and buttoned up those two loose buttons. Then she tugged the collar straight and smooth.

“The weather’s getting cooler. Wear your clothes properly so you don’t catch a chill.” Yue Bai’s face was full of concern.

Sang Wan: “…”

“Little Bai.” Sang Wan caught hold of her as she turned toward the bathroom, her voice a little muffled. “Haven’t you noticed there’s something special about this pajama set?”

Yue Bai felt the fabric thoughtfully. “The material’s nice. I’ll buy you a few more like it sometime.”

“But what does that have to do with the buttons?” Yue Bai added, puzzled.

Sang Wan: “…Nothing. Go take your shower.”

Lately, Yue Bai had been so forward that Sang Wan had wondered if she’d picked up some new trick. Apparently not. Watching the bathroom door click shut, Sang Wan tugged at the hem of her pajamas.

“That’s not right.” Didn’t Little Bai have any other ideas about her?

Oh well. One step at a time. Sang Wan switched on the hairdryer.

Hiding in the bathroom, Yue Bai heard the low hum of the hairdryer start up. She slowly sank to the floor. Her fingertips still burned from brushing Sang Wan’s skin earlier—the smooth, silky texture had nearly made her reach out for more.

She slapped her flushed cheeks and shook her head hard, banishing the stray thoughts.

Yue Bai took a quick shower, hand-washing her undergarments and tossing her outer clothes into the washing machine.

She hurried into the bedroom in three strides instead of two.

Sang Wan was applying a face mask. She glanced at Yue Bai’s reflection in the table mirror and tilted her head slightly. “All done?”

“All done.” Yue Bai had slathered on her basic skincare and climbed into bed. The covers enveloped her body, leaving only her small head poking out. Her round eyes seemed glued to Sang Wan.

Sang Wan’s neck was long and pale, her slender fingers splayed on the table. The face mask obscured her features. Somehow, Senior Sister had undone the top button of her black pajamas again, revealing a hazy glimpse of smooth skin.

Senior Sister is so beautiful. The thought bubbled up in Yue Bai’s mind.

That earlier tactile memory surged back. Yue Bai’s gaze grew heated. She swallowed hard and forced her eyes away.

Once the mask was done, Sang Wan applied her basic moisturizer. She pulled a tissue to dry her hands, then lifted the edge of the covers and carefully slipped half her body underneath.

“I’m still a bit cool to the touch. Don’t hug me yet,” Sang Wan said softly.

“It’s fine. I’ll warm you up, Senior Sister.” Yue Bai scooted closer without hesitation.

They were both in thin autumn-weight pajamas that did little to insulate. Yue Bai could clearly feel the slight chill of Sang Wan’s body. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around her, sharing her own warmth.

Sang Wan’s eyes darkened a shade. She grasped Yue Bai’s arm and turned to face her directly.

Warm breath mingled with cool skin, both washing over Yue Bai.

Up close, Yue Bai could better appreciate the flawless smoothness of Sang Wan’s face. In her distraction, she spotted a tiny mole tucked at the corner of her jaw.

Small and subtle—easy to miss if you weren’t looking closely.

Yue Bai reached out and brushed it lightly. How had she never noticed it before, even when sitting in Sang Wan’s lap and tilting her head up?

After a moment’s thought, she realized Sang Wan must cover it with makeup on purpose.

Yue Bai leaned in and pressed a kiss to the little mole.

“Senior Sister, good night,” she whispered.

“Good night.” Sang Wan reached up and turned off the light.

In the darkness, Yue Bai hugged her even tighter.

Sang Wan lay awake, eyes open, quietly admiring Yue Bai’s sleeping face in the dimness.

Her stunning features held a rare hint of conflict.

He Shichun’s parting words still echoed in her ears.

“Sooner or later, she’ll see your true colors… and leave you…”

Sang Wan’s arm tightened around her. No. Little Bai wouldn’t leave her.

What happened back then had nothing to do with her. She was a victim too.

She closed her eyes.

The next morning, Yue Bai was roused by her alarm. Eyes still shut, she groped around based on vague memories from before sleep, hunting for her phone.

She hit the volume button to silence it and rolled over to keep sleeping.

Five minutes later, the alarm blared again.

Yue Bai ignored it, letting it ring.

“Little one, time to get up.” Sang Wan turned off the alarm with a sigh. She’d been prepping breakfast in the living room when the incessant beeping drew her back. The girl in bed hadn’t budged.

“Why do I have class this early?” Yue Bai grumbled as Sang Wan hauled her upright to sit on the edge of the bed.

Sang Wan brought over the clothes Yue Bai was supposed to wear that day. Seeing her bleary, unrested state, she couldn’t help laughing. She sorted the hoodie right-side out and handed it over. “Still not moving? Want Senior Sister to dress you?”

“Mmm… sure.” Yue Bai nodded drowsily and lifted her arms in invitation.

Sang Wan’s smile faltered for a split second, then widened. She knelt halfway onto the bed and, using Yue Bai’s raised arms, slipped off her pajama top.

Expanses of pale skin emerged, but Yue Bai was still half-asleep.

Sang Wan held the hoodie without putting it on right away. She stared at Yue Bai’s body, her eyes shadowed with an indecipherable emotion.

“Cold~” Yue Bai mumbled.

Sang Wan snapped back to herself. She squeezed her eyes shut, then slid her long fingers around Yue Bai’s back. The cool tips brushed her skin, making Yue Bai squirm unconsciously.

Sang Wan’s throat bobbed as she pulled the hoodie over her head.

“Put your own pants on, okay?” She held out a pair of black straight-leg jeans.

“Okay.” Yue Bai was waking up a bit. She took the pants, stood right there in front of Sang Wan, and changed out of her pajama bottoms without a care.

Her long, straight legs were bared to the air. Standing on the bed, she towered half a head over Sang Wan.

Once dressed, Yue Bai plopped on the bed’s edge, grabbed the socks Sang Wan offered, slipped on her slippers, and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

Sang Wan’s deep gaze lingered on her. Her fist clenched loosely at her side.

“Senior Sister, this bread is great. Where’d you get it?” Yue Bai munched happily on her breakfast.

“From the bakery on Pedestrian Street,” Sang Wan replied casually.

“Oh.” Yue Bai took another bite. “I’m packed with classes today. You?”

“I’ve got one free in the late afternoon.”

“Got it. Senior Sister, you coming to check attendance today?” Yue Bai pressed on.

“Alright.” Sang Wan smiled. “Hurry up and eat, or you’ll be late.”

“Ah!” Yue Bai glanced at the time and quickened her chewing.

Sang Wan amusingly pursed her lips.

After finishing breakfast, Sang Wan dropped Yue Bai off at the Art Building.

“See you tonight, Senior Sister.”

“See you tonight.”

Yue Bai checked her class schedule. This lesson was on the third floor. Huffing and puffing, she climbed the stairs and ran into her roommates on the second floor. They were coming around from the other staircase.

Xu Nuo spotted her and immediately slung an arm around her neck. “Well, well, Little Bai. You’re really tight with Senior Sister now, aren’t you? She brought you here this morning too, right?”

They had seen it happen more and more often, so Xu Nuo and the others had grown used to it. Still, they couldn’t resist teasing her now and then.

Chen Han squeezed between the two of them. “You two young ladies, hurry up! This is Old Boss’s class. If you’re late, she’ll dock your participation points.”

“Old Boss” was the teacher who instructed their sketching class. She usually wore a smiling expression, but she deducted points for tardiness more ruthlessly than anyone.

“Wah, wah, don’t jinx me! Those participation points are the only thing keeping my grade alive!” Xu Nuo wailed in mock despair as she bolted up to the third floor.

“This girl.” Zhao Yu pointed at the figure a floor above them.

The remaining three picked up their pace too, slipping into the classroom just before the bell rang.