Chapter 40.1

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Scared of shocking President Chi?

This might be the funniest joke Ji Yun had heard all year.

Ji Yun laughed heartlessly. “Hahaha.”

Qiao Ziman put down the towel in her hand, holding the phone between her chin and shoulder as she slipped on her nightgown.

“What are you laughing at? I’m being serious.”

“Nothing,” Ji Yun said, though her thoughts were screaming: My silly little sister.

“So, are you two officially together now?”

Qiao Ziman paused, her hands busy drying her hair, before responding hesitantly, “Not exactly… for now.”

Ji Yun: “…” Seriously, what is wrong with you two?

“So, you’re just playing around with this ambiguous relationship? If you both like each other, just be direct! Don’t tell me you’re still unsure about President Chi’s feelings for you.” Knowing her foolish sister, she might actually say something like that.

“How could that be? Of course Chi Yin likes me. She’s never said it outright, but I’m not stupid. I can feel her heart.”

There was a loud clatter on the other end of the phone.

Qiao Ziman blinked. “What are you doing?”

Ji Yun: “Putting the knife down.”

Just a fraction of a second more, and I would’ve stormed over with it in hand.

Qiao Ziman: “…”

Ji Yun sighed. “So, tell me, what do you want?”

Qiao Ziman opened the bathroom door, peeked out to check for any movement from Chi Yin’s room, and then quickly dashed into her own. She shut the door behind her, throwing herself onto the soft mattress, her face flushing as she whispered, “I owe her a proper confession.”

Ji Yun: “…”

Qiao Ziman explained seriously, “Last time, when I called her my girlfriend, it was too casual, and there was a bit of deception involved at that stage. I want to be with her for the long haul, so I need to do it properly.”

“Because,” Qiao Ziman added, touching her chest, “my girl deserves to be treated seriously.”

“Ahhhhh!” Ji Yun let out a groundhog-like scream.

That line was so sweet it made her heart melt. She rolled around on her bed in excitement. Her silly sister had changed so much. Not only had she stopped being stubborn, but she’d become romantic too. Was this what it looked like when a delicate flower fell in love?

Ji Yun asked, “So, how are you planning to confess?”

Qiao Ziman jumped off the bed, ran to her desk, and pulled out a brand-new notebook. On the first page, she carefully wrote four big words with a black marker.

——Love Notes.

Then she flipped to the next page.

Carefully, she listed three points, marking each with a star to emphasize its importance.

1. Yinyin looks especially beautiful in lingerie. I must buy her more!!!
2. Yinyin loves strawberries, strawberry pie, and the pickled cucumbers from Auntie’s house; she can’t eat spicy food, dislikes greasy dishes and ginger; she enjoys iced coffee but too much makes her stomach hurt and causes coldness in her womb; she can’t drink alcohol, and even a little makes her drunk—when drunk, she becomes clingy and likes to act cute; Yinyin was very lonely as a child, so from now on, I have to accompany her and take her to every amusement park. (Only allowed to act cute with me.)
3. In a relationship, I need to maintain boundaries, keep a distance from strangers, and never make Yinyin angry, disappointed, or worse, cry. (As Shi Qiansui said.)

She hadn’t thought of more yet. After all, it was her first time being in a relationship—she’d figure it out as she went along.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Ji Yun called out after hearing no sound from Qiao Ziman’s end for a while. “What are you up to?”

“Taking notes.”

“What did you write?” Ji Yun asked, intrigued.

Qiao Ziman read out the second and third points on her list.

“What the heck!”

Ji Yun slapped her own forehead. Who said my friend was slow-witted? This is practically genius!

Qiao Ziman tapped her chin lightly with her pen, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “After all, I’m her teacher, and a delicate flower like her wouldn’t know how to initiate things. I have to take the lead.”

Ji Yun: “…?”

Take the lead in getting yourself into bed? Take the lead in being pinned down?

Ha. Still as stubborn as ever, refusing to face reality. Ji Yun couldn’t help but wonder how many days Qiao Qiao would be unable to get out of bed when the time came.

“Hey, let me send you something,” Ji Yun said suddenly, ready to add fuel to the fire.

“What kind of thing?”

Ji Yun answered mysteriously, “You’ll see soon.”

The two discussed several ways Qiao Ziman could confess—like at a movie theater, a concert, on a Ferris wheel at an amusement park, or during a candlelit dinner at sunrise by the beach. One thing was certain: there had to be a bouquet of flowers for that ceremonial touch.

After hanging up, Qiao Ziman carefully tucked the paper airplane bookmark that Chi Yin had given her into her notebook. Then, she cozied up in bed and started looking up romantic ideas online.

***

Bzzz bzzz bzzz.

Qiao Ziman’s phone buzzed continuously as messages from Ji Yun started pouring in.

[Video: Beauty emerging from a hot spring]
[Video: Intimate exchange between sexy sisters]
[Video: Bedroom fun between women]
[Video: Punishing the disobedient female student]
[Video: A luxurious visual feast of a lesbian spa oil massage]
[Video: Elegant high-heeled noblewoman’s…]

Qiao Ziman: “???”

On the other side of the screen, Ji Yun snuggled into her blanket, an eerie grin spreading across her face. She hoped that soon enough, Qiao Ziman wouldn’t be able to resist throwing herself into Chi Yin’s bed. After all, being stuck in the middle of these two every day during their “play” had worn her out.

Nope, this wasn’t enough. Ji Yun decided to send the videos to President Chi as well. Sitting up in the dark, her eyes glinting mischievously, she quickly typed away.

[President Chi, do you need any… resources?]

Bzzz.

Chi Yin: [No need, I’ve got plenty.]

Good heavens, this old fox. How are they both so good at holding back?!

Her poor sister was in trouble.

Ji Yun pitied Qiao Qiao for about a second—just that long. Then, she pulled the covers over her head and flopped onto the bed, her body shaking with silent laughter.

*

Meanwhile, in the bedroom…

Qiao Ziman buried her head under the covers, her eyes glued to the screen, staring at the suggestive titles. After a long hesitation, she finally reached out a finger and clicked on one of the videos.

Suddenly, two naked women appeared on the screen, locked in a tight embrace, kissing passionately. Their breathing grew more heated and intense with every passing second.

Qiao Ziman’s face turned crimson. She let out a startled gasp and immediately turned off the screen.

A few seconds passed. Her heart raced. She reached for her Bluetooth earbuds on the bedside table, hesitating for only a moment before putting them in. Covering her eyes with her hand, she reopened the video. The gaps between her fingers slowly widened, as if opening a door to a whole new world.

The screen flickered in the dim light as the sounds of breathy whispers and sultry exchanges filled her ears. Qiao Ziman was completely absorbed, her entire face glowing red.

Until—

The blanket was suddenly yanked off her, and Chi Yin’s calm yet sharp voice followed right after.

“Qiao Ziman, what are you doing?”