Chapter 79: The Sheltered Eldest Young Lady

Completely caught off guard by being held like that, Pei Shijin froze in place.

She waited for Lu Yixue to let go, but Lu Yixue showed no intention of releasing her.

“Achoo.” Pei Shijin sneezed.

Lu Yixue quickly let go, having been so focused on herself that she’d forgotten the situation. “Hurry and wipe yourself down. Don’t catch a cold.”

“Mm.” Pei Shijin rubbed her nose, grateful for the perfectly timed sneeze.

She firmly closed the bathroom door and turned back, only for Little Mingzhu’s first words to be, “Mommy, your face is so red.”

Pei Shijin subconsciously touched her face, which felt slightly hot. She composed herself and said, “The water was a bit hot.”

“Children and adults perceive things differently. You’ll understand when you learn biology later.”

“Ohh.” Little Mingzhu was thoroughly bamboozled.

After Little Mingzhu dried off and changed into clean clothes, Pei Shijin sent her out first. “There’s ginger cola.”

“Wow~ Mingzhu wants a big cup!” Little Mingzhu immediately gave up the chance to scrub Mommy’s back and happily scampered out.

Pei Shijin turned the water cooler and slowly exhaled a long breath.

She couldn’t handle it. She really couldn’t handle it.

Leaning against the cool wall, she used the cold water to soothe her restless heart.

Pei Shijin couldn’t help thinking that it would be great if her Susceptible Period came now—she could legitimately enjoy a balanced diet of meat and veggies.

Why did humans have to be restrained by reason?

What did Lu Yixue like about her? She didn’t have any special qualities; the only thing she could offer was “being good to her.”

But that kind of goodness was everywhere—except maybe no one else was as pure about it as she was.

No, she wasn’t pure either, or else she wouldn’t have these dark thoughts now.

She could never be like a saint, giving without expecting anything in return. She wanted to kiss, to hug, to mark, to fuck, but more than that, she wanted Lu Yixue to live well and see her smile through the long years ahead…

Her mind was a mess. The cool water might not be cool enough to stop her overheating brain. After estimating about ten minutes had passed, Pei Shijin had to stop.

Time to go out.

As soon as she opened the bathroom door, she saw Lu Yixue standing there with her hand raised, as if about to knock.

The timing was spot on. Pei Shijin smiled inwardly.

“Why did you take so long?” Lu Yixue asked.

Pei Shijin stepped out and closed the door. “It felt nice, so I lost track of time.”

“It smells so good. Is that the hotpot base?” She changed the subject.

“Yeah, one spicy, one tomato, one sour soup.” Lu Yixue walked beside Pei Shijin as they headed to the dining room together.

Little Mingzhu was at the table, chowing down intently. Ginger milk pudding was truly a great invention!

Seeing Pei Shijin come out, she proudly held up her spoon to feed her. “Mommy, try this. It’s so yummy~”

“Thanks, it’s delicious.” Pei Shijin mumbled her thanks while chewing.

“No need to thank me!”

While the two were being all sticky-sweet, Lu Yixue had already started adding meat to the pot.

The fresh meat hit the boiling water and changed color instantly. Lu Yixue patiently counted before fishing out the perfectly blanched pieces.

By the time Pei Shijin sat down, Lu Yixue had already placed some cooked beef in her bowl.

Pei Shijin still wasn’t quite used to Lu Yixue serving her like this. She felt like she wasn’t cut out for being pampered; it only left her flustered.

“Thanks.” Pei Shijin could only express her gratitude.

Lu Yixue smiled happily, feeling no hardship at all—just pride. “You’re welcome. Do you like it?”

“It’s very good.”

Little Mingzhu was a huge fan too, her cheeks stuffed full as she cheered for Mommy while munching.

After cooking for a bit, Pei Shijin wanted to take over, but Lu Yixue dumped in a bunch of tougher meats. “Let’s eat what we just cooked first. These won’t get tough.”

“Okay.” Pei Shijin kept her head down, avoiding Lu Yixue’s gaze. Those amber eyes were too bright.

“Ginger tea.” A cup was placed by her hand. Lu Yixue said, “It’s been in the thermos, still hot—just the right temperature to drink.”

Pei Shijin: “Thanks.”

Every time Lu Yixue served her meat, she said thanks. She had no idea how many times she’d repeated it today.

She gulped down more than half the cup. The hot water and ginger’s spiciness warmed her entire body.

It was hot. Sitting by the pot for so long made sweat bead on Pei Shijin’s forehead.

She went to adjust the AC, only to find it already on—blowing warm air at 28 degrees.

Pei Shijin was amused. She’d thought it was just from the hotpot.

That one sneeze must have really scared Lu Yixue.

She switched it to 26 degrees cooling and returned to the table.

“What happened?” Lu Yixue asked.

“I’m hot,” Pei Shijin tapped her forehead, “all sweaty.”

Lu Yixue was hot too, but considering Pei Shijin’s health, she endured. “Sweating is good for you. It prevents colds.”

“Don’t worry, I’m a doctor. I didn’t get that wet in the rain anyway. I won’t get sick.” Pei Shijin was confident, and the matter was dropped.

After lunch, Pei Shijin returned to her place. Lu Yixue tried to keep her but failed, so she went about her own tasks.

When Little Mingzhu woke from her nap, she asked Lu Yixue to get her suitcase.

That’s when Lu Yixue learned Pei Shijin was heading back to Yancheng tomorrow.

Her first thought was that Pei Shijin was avoiding her again, but on second thought, that didn’t make sense—avoiding her would mean going somewhere else.

Most likely, Pei Shijin’s teacher had summoned her. But why not tell her? She was taking Little Mingzhu but not her?

Lu Yixue mulled it over, her heart feeling blocked like a stone in her chest.

She decided to ask Pei Shijin directly: [You’re going back to Yancheng tomorrow?]

After a while, Pei Shijin replied: [Mm.]

Followed quickly by: [Are you coming with me?]

There was still plenty of time before tomorrow. Even if she hadn’t asked, Pei Shijin probably would have. Lu Yixue had been too hasty. Finally, she coaxed herself into a good mood.

[Yes. What time? I’ll buy the tickets.] Lu Yixue said.

[Ten o’clock. Thanks.] When Pei Shijin typed “thanks,” she felt like she barely recognized the word anymore.

These two characters represented both distance and happiness. Pei Shijin quite liked them.

After Lu Yixue bought the tickets and sent a screenshot, Pei Shijin didn’t reply instantly. After three or four minutes, Lu Yixue couldn’t resist: [What are you busy with?]

Ten minutes later, Pei Shijin responded: [Some stuff to mail to Yancheng. Just handed it to the courier.]

That stuff was the snacks Lu Yixue had bought for her.

Lu Yixue didn’t press further. She wanted to keep chatting but couldn’t think of a topic.

It hit her suddenly: they had no shared hobbies. Their jobs were both in medicine, so that was a slight overlap.

More precisely, Pei Shijin didn’t seem to have any strong interests besides cooking.

She’d have to dig some up before they could cultivate common ones.

[What do you want for dinner?] After pondering forever, Lu Yixue had to ask that.

[There’s still a lot left from lunch. Let’s finish that.] Pei Shijin replied.

Lu Yixue grabbed her phone and went to Little Mingzhu, sending Pei Shijin a voice message: [Mommy, Mingzhu wants your mochi buns, pork floss rolls, and soy milk cake~]

Luring her over to cook together was a great way to bond.

[Okay. Do you have the ingredients?] Pei Shijin asked.

[Yes, just come over.]

[What do you want?] Pei Shijin typed as she headed out—a thank-you gift, sort of.

She’d make extra, so Lu Yixue could eat them on bad days later.

Lu Yixue had no idea what Pei Shijin was thinking and was thrilled. [I want green bean cake.]

Their deepest bond definitely involved green bean cake, and she really did love Pei Shijin’s version.

Maybe it was fate—she alone preferred Pei Shijin’s flavor.

Seeing those three words, Pei Shijin’s fingers hovered over the keyboard as countless thoughts flooded her mind.

In the end, she replied: [Okay.]

Lu Yixue stared at the screen, finding the words utterly pleasing.

She admired them for a bit before heading to the kitchen to check ingredients, ensuring there was enough before waiting contentedly for Pei Shijin.

Instead of going straight to Lu Yixue’s, Pei Shijin detoured to the supermarket for a bottle of fermented glutinous rice wine.

She spotted sugarcane on the way and bought two stalks.

When Little Mingzhu ran to open the door at the bell, the first thing she saw was the upright sugarcane. She craned her neck up. “It’s so tall! Will Mingzhu grow that high someday?”

Pei Shijin looked at the over-two-meter stalks and fell silent. “Probably not.”

“Aww.” Little Mingzhu was disappointed. “Mommy, I’ll help you carry it.”

Pei Shijin laid the sugarcane horizontal and handed it to her.

Little Mingzhu wobbled left and right, then plopped down on her butt, whining pitifully, “Mommy, it’s not listening!”

Lu Yixue walked over and burst out laughing at the scene. “Then chew the sugarcane extra hard later to teach it a lesson.”

“Hm?” Little Mingzhu, who’d never had sugarcane, sounded puzzled.

Lu Yixue took it from her, but raising it hit the ceiling, so she lowered it. “Sugarcane—one source of sugar. Peel it and chew for sweetness, but don’t swallow.”

“Why not?” The curious little one touched it; it felt slick.

Pei Shijin explained, “It’s too fibrous. It could scratch your throat, and our stomachs can’t digest the fibers—it might hurt your tummy.”

Little Mingzhu blinked blankly, only remembering that swallowing would hurt. “Mingzhu definitely won’t swallow!”

“It’s like chewing gum—you just enjoy the sweetness.” Pei Shijin said.

“What’s chewing gum?” Little Mingzhu grew curious again. She knew so little! Could kindergarten add more classes?

Pei Shijin halted en route to the kitchen, nearly forgetting that five-cent bubble gum didn’t appear on wealthy family menus.

“This is bubble gum. Chew it and blow bubbles.” Pei Shijin pulled two pieces from her pocket—she’d spotted them at checkout and bought them.

She unwrapped one, popped it in her mouth, chewed, and blew a small bubble. “If you’re good, you can blow one as big as your face.”

“Wow!” Little Mingzhu was amazed. “Mingzhu wants some too—to blow a face-sized bubble!”

Pei Shijin bent down to give her the last piece and ruffled her hair. “Absolutely do not swallow it.”

“Mm-hmm.” Little Mingzhu nodded solemnly, full of determination—bubbles were all she could think about now.

Pei Shijin straightened up to find Lu Yixue staring at her eagerly, her face screaming “What about mine?”

She’d almost forgotten—this Miss hadn’t had bubble gum either.