◎Lovers.◎
Chen Yi ordered takeout. She was craving Dry Pot Rabbit. Xu Yan had no objections; on matters like this, she always went along with whatever Chen Yi wanted. Chen Yi thoughtfully added a note, asking the seller not to make it too spicy and to add a bit of vinegar.
The shop was a fair distance from her place, and the app estimated delivery in about fifty minutes.
“Want to watch a movie?” Chen Yi asked.
“Sure,” Xu Yan replied.
“Anything good out lately?” Chen Yi muttered to herself, pondering. “I haven’t heard about any must-sees.”
“What about this one?” Xu Yan pointed to a movie in the app’s recommendation spot on the screen.
December was just around the corner—winter had arrived before they knew it—and the streaming app was already ramping up the Christmas vibe.
Love Actually. Home Alone. Carol…
A lineup of holiday classics had been queued up for viewers early.
“Which one?” Chen Yi gripped the remote, navigating.
“Want me to?” Xu Yan took the remote and selected a famous romantic film. Before hitting play, she turned to Chen Yi. “You up for this? Seen it before?”
Chen Yi nodded.
She turned the question back on Xu Yan. “What about you, wife?”
Xu Yan replied, “I’ve heard of it. Shall we watch this one?”
Decision made, the movie’s opening scenes flickered to life on the big screen. Chen Yi loved curling up on the sofa for her viewing sessions. She reached back for a pillow but found herself pulled straight into Xu Yan’s arms instead. A light blanket draped over their legs, the room lights were off, and only the screen’s glow remained.
Xu Yan seemed absorbed in the film, her hand idly toying with Chen Yi’s ear.
Chen Yi had grown used to this little quirk of Xu Yan’s, but now, with the quiet room empty around them and the movie’s music and dialogue filling the air, her attention was once again captivated.
She fixed her gaze on the screen, but her thoughts drifted to Xu Yan.
The warmth of those fingertips, the gentle kneading pressure, the steady rhythm of her breathing, the subtle scent hanging quietly in the air.
It all spread through her.
It was a great movie—Chen Yi remembered watching it intently before and loving it. But now, being here with Xu Yan, she had no interest in following the plot. She sneaked a sidelong glance up at her.
Xu Yan didn’t turn, but she sensed it anyway. “What’s up?”
Chen Yi’s heart warmed, a little love sprite inside her waving its sparkling wand with a bling. She turned into a clingy puppy, wriggling closer until she couldn’t hold back and pressed a quick kiss to Xu Yan’s jaw.
Then she heard Xu Yan sigh.
Chen Yi panicked a little. “Did I interrupt your movie?”
Xu Yan shook her head. “I haven’t been watching anyway.”
“I was just thinking… should we wait until after dinner?” Xu Yan turned to her, her fingertip softly tracing Chen Yi’s jaw. “Or… now?”
She leaned down and claimed her lips.
Love flowed between them.
Thanks to Teacher Xu’s previous “lessons,” Chen Yi had made great strides in kissing. She was no longer the wide-eyed novice clueless about rhythm. She’d learned Xu Yan’s style: venture in first, then draw the other into the dance with her.
It truly was a dance.
Partners moving to the same melody—too fast wouldn’t do, too slow wouldn’t either. You had to stay attuned to the other’s responses every moment, luring them into the depths of the rhythm together.
As the dance stretched on, the blanket slipped to the floor.
On the coffee table sat the roses Chen Yi had bought that day, arranged in a crystal vase.
The movie was barely past the opening, but their own story had raced into the middle—and beyond.
The cotton candy Chen Yi had craved for so long finally made an appearance during this impromptu late dinner.
“So sweet.”
She wasn’t much of a sweets person and had never obsessed over cotton candy before. Even the charred, grilled kind that everyone raved about held no special appeal for her. But today, she discovered there really was such a thing as heavenly delight on earth. It smelled sweet up close, felt impossibly soft against her lips. Bite too hard, and the whole fluffy mass quivered.
Xu Yan loved watching her savor it.
At first, she’d watch patiently, stroking Chen Yi’s long hair.
Gradually, though, she could no longer stay so composed.
November had brought the cold; stray cats prowled the complex below, letting out occasional drawn-out meows now and then.
Sometimes Chen Yi would pause mid-indulgence, glancing around uncertainly. “Does it hurt?”
The kitten’s cries sounded like sobbing.
Xu Yan shook her head.
They listened together to the cat’s plaintive mews. What had been a plump cloud of cotton candy was now slick from Chen Yi’s attentions. A bit embarrassed, Chen Yi worried she looked too rapt. Xu Yan indulged her with a kiss and guided her toward other treats.
Chen Yi snapped to attention.
“Wait—I haven’t washed my hands.”
Little kids had to wash up properly before dinner.
It was a habit ingrained from childhood by the whole family.
She should get up now, but the cat clung to her, its tail-like grip around her waist holding her fast.
So Chen Yi scooped up the cat and headed to the bathroom.
The kitty insisted on bathing solo this time. Chen Yi agreed and stationed herself outside, diligently following the kindergarten-taught five-step handwashing method from her childhood.
Afterward, she inspected her fingertips to ensure they were smooth and safe.
Only then did self-reproach hit her.
This wasn’t right!
They hadn’t gotten gloves yet!
Dinner probably couldn’t continue cooking at this rate.
“Sister.” Chen Yi knocked on the bathroom door. “You okay in there?”
She heard rushing water and a faint muffled sound.
Xu Yan’s voice floated out, a bit unsteady. “I’m fine.”
“Want me to grab you one of my pajama sets?”
“Mm.”
“There’s fresh towels too.”
Xu Yan ignored that.
Chen Yi didn’t mind and bustled off. In her head, she figured with things like this, Xu Yan would probably crash at her place tonight. They’d just share the bed innocently—no more than cuddles and kisses. A shame, maybe, but even that was enough to satisfy her.
She moved the roses to the bedroom nightstand and switched on a little lamp to set a romantic mood.
Once that was done, it hit her.
The movie wasn’t finished, dinner wasn’t either—they probably wouldn’t turn in so early.
Still, preparing ahead never hurt.
“Chen Yi.” Xu Yan called her name.
Chen Yi perked up with an eager “Yeah!” and hurried over with a towel and pajamas in hand.
The bathroom door cracked open, and Xu Yan’s hand emerged.
Chen Yi passed over the items.
“Everything’s clean,” she said. “The clothes I’ve worn and washed before. Towel is brand new.”
After visiting Xu Yan’s place, Chen Yi had noticed she seemed a bit germaphobic—or maybe OCD-ish.
“No worries.”
“Oh, and grab my bag for me,” Xu Yan added.
Chen Yi obliged without question.
She figured Xu Yan would take ages, but right after, the door swung open.
Her hair was lightly damp, a few stray droplets clinging to the strands. The beige towel wrapped around her body.
It was the first time Chen Yi had seen a sight like this.
She froze in place.
Utterly dumbfounded.
Xu Yan brushed back her hair nonchalantly. “Mind if I change in the bedroom?”
Chen Yi finally stirred, leading the way.
Politeness dictated she leave the room while Xu Yan changed. She turned to go, but her clothes were tugged back.
“Where are you running off to?” Xu Yan chuckled lightly. “No more lessons?”
Chen Yi turned stiffly, and a dazzling vista greeted her eyes.
The towel fell away.
Xu Yan wore something exquisite.
Pearls and black silk ribbons adorned her beautifully.
Chen Yi could scarcely believe it.
“When did you…”
“Brought it camping yesterday—didn’t get a chance to use it.” Xu Yan said honestly. “Does it look good?”
Chen Yi thought that if she had to pick a way to go…
It would probably be dying from Xu Yan’s teasing.
She recalled the bag Xu Yan had asked for.
“Wife, you carried it in your bag all day?”
“Yep.” Xu Yan’s allure was blatant as she spoke, casual as ever— and that nonchalance only stoked the fire. “Even during the meeting.”
“And others.”
She reached into a hidden pocket at her chest, pulling out a small square packet.
Chen Yi was losing it.
“Xu Yan!?”
Xu Yan loved seeing her like this.
She used to be indifferent to such things, uninterested. But now it was different. This was exactly what she wanted: Chen Yi utterly losing her reason for her.
Without losing reason, how could love truly ignite?
Most of all, she was certain: no matter what she did, Chen Yi would accept her. Cool restraint or wild seduction—it didn’t matter, as long as it was for Chen Yi.
“Call me Teacher Xu,” she said with a smile. “Class is in session, young lady.”
In games, Chen Yi played alts pretending to be newbies. But now, she really was one. Xu Yan adored that about her, always guiding her—even in the most intimate spots.
Chen Yi hesitated still.
“Is this okay?”
Xu Yan’s eyes shimmered with a flush at the corners.
“Or… what did you think I was doing in the bathroom?”
The world hushed for a moment.
Then a different melody began to play.
The roses by the bed stood quietly in their crystal vase.
The little flower bud that had been tightly furled in the seller’s hand just moments ago had now drunk its fill of water. It bloomed lush and dewy, vibrant with desire.
The playful puppy was endlessly curious about everything in the world. When it spotted the rose, it would stretch out its tiny paws and paw at it eagerly. At first, the puppy was careful—the rose’s petals merely quivered. Later, though, the puppy grew mischievous. The rose began to shake wildly in its vase, sending all the fresh droplets on its petals raining down.
The puppy knew instinctively that this was the sweetest nectar of all.
If there was one thing the puppy did best, it was using its tongue to lavish licks on the person it adored.
If Xu Yan still had enough sanity left to keep an observation diary on the puppy’s antics, she would have written down that very line.
The vegetables were only halfway stir-fried when the phone rang, followed by the doorbell.
It was the delivery.
Neither of them wanted to leave the table, so they played deaf.
Chen Yi clapped a hand over Xu Yan’s mouth to keep her quiet. That was the plan, at least—but Chen Yi knew full well she was the one who drew the loudest sounds from Xu Yan. Even with someone right outside the door, Xu Yan still teased her on purpose. To punish her daring big sister, Chen Yi pulled her hand away and made Xu Yan cover her own mouth.
Chen Yi’s hands had more important work to do.
The rose rested safely off to one side, blooming even more beautifully amid the wild, unstoppable crescendo of their pleasure.
The television droned on with the movie’s soundtrack.
A song called “Lovers,” surging with passion yet fiercely restrained.
Just like them.
