Chapter 30 part 2: Encouragement

On the bed, Ji Pei sat between Jiang Xihan’s legs, her legs around Ji Pei’s waist, left hand holding Jiang Xihan’s right.

Their ivory skin, paired with matching red bean bracelets, added a sensual touch.

With a gentle press, Jiang Xihan’s wrist yielded to the sheets.

Ji Pei adjusted the bead on her wrist, slender fingers weaving through Jiang Xihan’s.

Interlocked fingers made the red ropes stand out vividly.

Ji Pei found the perfect angle, snapping a photo, but before she could speak, Jiang Xihan bit her lips.

They playfully tangled for half an hour.

When Ji Pei sat up, her bathrobe slipped off her shoulders, pooling at her waist.

She shed it under the covers, feigning modesty, but succumbed to Jiang Xihan’s sweet temptation, changing into pajamas in front of her.

Jiang Xihan, propped on one hand, eyed Ji Pei’s toned waist and long, fair legs.

Her legs were stunning, perfectly proportioned, no excess fat.

Her back’s butterfly bones seemed ready to fly, her round hips finer than Roman sculptures.

Nuwa must have crafted Ji Pei herself.

Jiang Xihan, increasingly pleased, clamped her legs under the covers, wincing at a slight sting, realizing her timing was off.

Ji Pei, turning, caught Jiang Xihan’s ravenous gaze.

“…”

Jiang Xihan, noticing her surprise, patted the bed. “Sleep. No teasing tonight.”

Before bed, Ji Pei posted the interlocked hands photo to Moments.

Just a simple image, no caption.

***

The next day, her Moments exploded.

Woken by her alarm, Ji Pei saw tons of private messages.

Even Liu Yanfen, who rarely replied, was shocked.

Comrade Yanfen: [Darling, you’re dating?]

Comrade Yanfen: [Girl, guy, or neither?]

Comrade Yanfen: [Which hand’s yours?]

Comrade Yanfen: [How’s she (he)?]

Comrade Yanfen: [Voice message]

Ji Pei rubbed her eyes, stunned by the flood of messages.

She replied to Liu Yanfen first.

Ji Pei: [Dating, girl, left hand, gorgeous]

After, she set her phone down, rubbing her eyes.

Jiang Xihan, awake, flipped over, pinning Ji Pei down.

“Morning.”

Ji Pei kissed her chin and got up to brush her teeth.

Their toothbrushes and cups were couple’s style.

Ceramic, designed by Ji Pei, Hermès-customized.

One pink, one yellow, with cat portraits, yolk sticking out its tongue on the back.

No child left out—fair parenting.

After a sandwich breakfast, Ji Pei changed in the closet, Jiang Xihan watching quietly.

“Eleven this morning, right?”

Ji Pei opened a wardrobe of fall and winter coats in various colors.

Seeing Jiang Xihan’s interest, she held a black one to her. “Darling, try this. You look amazing in black.”

Ji Pei grabbed a white one. Jiang Xihan asked, “Same style?”

“Yeah, I couldn’t pick a color, so I bought both.”

Ji Pei draped the black coat over her, grinning. “With glasses, you’re so chic—seductive, my dream girl.”

Jiang Xihan pinched her cheek, biting her lip bead.

“Your dream girl.”

Couple’s cups, bracelets, clothes, shoes—everything matched.

Jiang Xihan glanced at her phone case.

Just that left.

***

Before leaving, Jiang Xihan adjusted Ji Pei’s white coat collar, instructing her.

“Have fun, but be home by nine-thirty. I’ll worry.”

Ji Pei touched her hand. “Got it. Don’t lift heavy things at school or eat cold food.”

Ye Wenzhu arrived to pick Ji Pei up, leaning on her new car, turning away, too embarrassed to watch their affectionate farewell.

So mushy! Why so mushy? Torturing a single dog!

Late at night, scrolling tearjerker videos, she saw Ji Pei’s Moments post, so mad she did a carp flip, tossing in bed.

Ye Wenzhu glanced at their bracelets, touched her car, and kissed the keys.

“I’ve got you, my little Wenzhu.”

Seeing Ji Pei’s reluctance, Jiang Xihan scraped her nose.

“I’ll remember. Don’t eat or drink randomly outside, avoid unattended water, stay safe.”

Ji Pei’s hands rested on her shoulders, nodding, then shyly said, “Darling, can you pick me up tonight?”

“There’ll be lots of people. After my Moments post, classmates asked who you are.”

She shook Jiang Xihan’s wrist, voice soft.

Jiang Xihan understood, her smile deepening.

“Okay, call me when it’s over. I’ll pick you up.”

***

In the car, Ye Wenzhu rubbed goosebumps, processing the scene.

These women kissed for three minutes in front of her.

She timed it—exactly three minutes.

Ye Wenzhu questioned, “You’re that in love already?”

Ji Pei, messaging Jiang Xihan, showed her two cute couple avatars.

“Which one’s better?”

Ye Wenzhu glared. “Neither!”

Ji Pei’s avatar was her cat, Xuemeiniang. She cropped a photo of Coal Ball, sending it to Jiang Xihan.

Ji Pei: [Change it! It matches mine]

After sending, she realized Jiang Xihan’s contact was still “Demon Jiang.”

“…”

Blushing, she changed it to “Wife.”

Wife: [Changed]

Wife: [Stay safe]

Ji Pei’s heart bubbled, wanting to kiss Jiang Xihan through the screen.

Ye Wenzhu, seeing her lovesick state, gasped.

She’d imagined Ji Pei in love as rational, unaffected.

But this lovesick, show-off maniac in the passenger seat—who was she?

Ye Wenzhu inhaled. “Pei Pei, you can’t be a lovesick fool.”

Ji Pei, thrilled, raised her left hand, staring at the red bean.

“What? How’d you know I wore a couple’s bracelet with my wife today?”

***

Near eleven, they arrived at the reserved restaurant.

Following the group chat’s room number, Ye Wenzhu and Ji Pei found it.

The waiter opened the door. Ji Pei walked in calmly, shoulder-to-shoulder with Ye Wenzhu.

In the center, a tall figure stood.

Xie Zhen.

In a black coat, long hair loose, red lips vibrant, peach-blossom eyes upturned, smiling uncontrollably.

“Ji Pei, we’ve… been waiting.”

Ye Wenzhu rolled her eyes. Who’s this act for?

Ji Pei, sensing it, patted her, signaling restraint.

Ran Feifei, opposite Ji Pei, pushed a limited-edition Hermès bag toward the table’s center after Ji Pei sat.

Ji Pei traveled light, bringing only her phone, no bag.

Others were seated, familiar faces Ji Pei couldn’t name.

Lin Yueqin smiled. “Last night, guess what I saw on Moments?”

Another chimed, “Ji Pei announced her relationship. Those not on her friend list wouldn’t know.”

Xie Zhen’s lips parted, sipping red wine, eyes on Ji Pei across the table.

Ji Pei nodded, smiling. “Yup.”

Xie Zhen set her glass down, hands clenching into fists.

“Why didn’t you bring your partner? We want to meet them!”

Ji Pei smiled. “She’s working. Besides, this is our class reunion.”

Dishes arrived. Ji Pei ate well but felt an intermittent gaze on her.

Like the greedy stare through dorm curtains years ago.

But Ji Pei wasn’t that scared girl anymore.

She met Xie Zhen’s gaze, smiling faintly.

Xie Zhen’s throat tightened, looking away, eating.

Some classmates were friendly, chatting and laughing.

Ji Pei ate a fried lotus root, listening to Ran Feifei brag about her boyfriend.

“My boyfriend’s in oil, filthy rich. This bag? He got it for me. Two million.”

Others gasped. “That big? Oil business? What’s his name?”

Ran Feifei named him. Ji Pei nearly laughed.

She’d noticed Ran Feifei watching her.

“What’s funny?”

Ji Pei took a charcoal-grilled beef rib, smiling.

“For my birthday, my mom gave me a crocodile Hermès bag—only fifteen worldwide. Guess mine’s fake.”

“And that oil tycoon Liu you mentioned? Married young, two kids, moved to Switzerland eight years ago, now in stocks.”

Ran Feifei paled. “How do you know? Got proof?”

Ji Pei ate beef, sipped tomato juice.

“He’s my uncle.”

She wiped her mouth, eyes mocking.

“When did my uncle get a confidante like you? Should I call my aunt to check?”

Silence fell.

Ran Feifei’s face turned red, head down, silent.

After a while, Xie Zhen spoke.

“Since we’re almost done, let’s plan the afternoon.”

***

Outside, Ye Wenzhu linked arms with Ji Pei, grinning.

“You’re the best! I had so much fun watching!”

Ji Pei shushed her. “Quiet.”

The afternoon activities bored Ji Pei. Sitting on park grass, she texted Jiang Xihan.

Ji Pei: [Not fun. Shouldn’t have come]

Wife: [Want me to pick you up?]

Ji Pei: [Later. Having fun with Wenzhu]

Wife: [Okay, I’ll come later]

Ji Pei sent a kiss emoji, smiling happily.

A shadow fell. Seeing who it was, her smile faded.

Ji Pei looked down at her phone, uninterested in talking.

“Texting your girlfriend?”

Xie Zhen sat beside her, peach-blossom eyes full of regret, inching closer, met with silent rejection.

“I was wrong back then. It’s been so long, but I’m still uneasy, wanting to apologize.”

Her smile was strained, sad. “But you blocked and deleted me. I could only reach you through the group. Sorry for bothering you.”

Ji Pei, unfazed, said, “So you know it’s a bother.”

“I can’t let you go. I just want to see if you’re happy, content with one glance.”

“You’d make me happier by staying away.”

Ji Pei set her phone down, voice soft. “Before I saw your true face, we were best friends.”

“Ji Pei, five years. I’ve thought of you every moment.”

Xie Zhen’s gaze lingered on Ji Pei’s lips and nose, eyes full of affection.

“We ate, fetched water, attended classes together, inseparable. I’ve changed, repented. After five years, can we be friends?”

Ji Pei smirked. “You really just want friendship?”

“Ji Pei, I…”

Ji Pei’s eyes met hers, spitting out words.

“Xie Zhen, you’re disgusting.”

Xie Zhen froze, then stood, apologizing.

“Sorry, my fault.”

***

After dinner, Xie Zhen suggested two hours of karaoke to end the day.

Several agreed, but Ji Pei smiled. “Sorry, guys, it’s late. I’m out.”

Classmates teased. “Why not? It’s been forever! Don’t be a buzzkill!”

“It’s not three a.m. Late what?”

Ji Pei pointed at her watch, smiling. “Almost nine. My girlfriend wants me home by nine-thirty.”

Xie Zhen’s smile stiffened, lips twitching to seem natural.

“Such a whipped girlfriend!”

“Didn’t expect that, Ji Pei!”

“Who’s the goddess who tamed you?”

Amid the teasing, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up.

Ji Pei didn’t recognize the plate, but her heart skipped. The car stopped before her.

The passenger door opened, then the back, revealing Jiang Xihan’s striking profile.

The chatter stopped, all eyes on the cool woman approaching Ji Pei.

Xie Zhen, at the back, saw Jiang Xihan, stepping back, fists clenched in her sleeves, breathless.

Jiang Xihan glanced at her through the crowd.

“…”

“A-Auntie…”

That look sent shivers from her genes. Xie Zhen’s voice trembled, head down, breathing fast.

No…

Why Jiang Xihan…

She caused her mother’s vegetative state, stole her greatest treasure.

She took Ji Pei…

How could it be Jiang Xihan…

Like a commanding lioness, Jiang Xihan marked her territory, leaving her scent on Ji Pei.

She scanned the classmates coolly, then looked away.

“You’re here.”

Ji Pei’s voice was soft, a sweetness Xie Zhen had never heard.

From the back, watching their love, Xie Zhen’s smile turned grim.

Jiang Xihan took Ji Pei’s hand, feeling its chill, blowing warm air on it, holding it close.

“Had fun today?”