Chapter 31 part 1: Exploration

Ye Wenzhu stood aside, watching the intimate scene, sneaking glances at Xie Zhen’s expression when she wasn’t paying attention.

The more she observed, the more puzzled she became.

Xie Zhen’s face showed shock, anger, and jealousy, but why the fear and trembling?

Normally, rivals meeting would spark fiery tension, but Xie Zhen’s demeanor was off—she seemed terrified of Jiang Xihan, as if something was suppressing her.

Ye Wenzhu’s mind went blank until she found a fitting analogy.

Like a zombie facing Priest Qianhe.

Ji Pei, back to her classmates, held Jiang Xihan’s hand, fingers interlocking, her radiant smile fading as she turned.

“Let me introduce my girlfriend, Jiang Xihan.”

“Jiang Xihan…”

“That philosophy professor from our school?”

“The one from the rich family with a company…”

“But how’s it a woman…”

“Didn’t rumors back then say Ji Pei wasn’t into guys?”

A few classmates huddled, whispering, marveling at Ji Pei’s luck while casting envious glances.

Hearing the last comment, Ji Pei’s gaze briefly swept over Xie Zhen’s face.

Those school rumors were spread by Xie Zhen, who shamelessly twisted them to claim Ji Pei was dating her.

Her orientation wasn’t a secret Ji Pei was ashamed of, but she couldn’t stomach Xie Zhen’s silent slander.

“Professor Jiang.”

“Hello, Professor Jiang.”

“Good evening, Professor Jiang.”

Jiang Xihan nodded slightly, lips curving. “I’m here to pick up Ji Pei.”

She held Ji Pei’s left hand, the matching red bean bracelet on her right wrist peeking out, striking against her pale skin.

Xie Zhen watched Ji Pei leave with Jiang Xihan, her hands clenching at her sides.

Ye Wenzhu yawned, pretending to take a call.

“Hello? What? I forgot to turn off the gas?”

“Oh, okay, I’ll head back now.”

Ye Wenzhu had her fill of drama, relishing Xie Zhen’s jealous, helpless expression—her heart soared like a hot air balloon, thrilled and satisfied.

“Something came up at home. I’ll skip karaoke. See you next time.”

She hung up, waved her car keys, slung her bag, and left.

Next time, or better yet, never again.

The black Rolls-Royce sped off. Xie Zhen stood frozen, watching the car disappear, her thoughts unreadable, a flicker of something else in her eyes.

***

In the Rolls-Royce’s backseat, Jiang Xihan held Ji Pei, gently pressing her against the seat, kissing her lips.

The car’s private, cramped space and raised partition hid what happened behind.

Ji Pei parted her lips naturally, letting Jiang Xihan’s soft, warm tongue explore, her arms around her neck, legs wrapping her waist.

“…”

This position felt off.

Ji Pei, realizing she was supposed to be the dominant one, opened her eyes, flipped their positions, and pinned Jiang Xihan beneath her.

Caught off guard by Ji Pei’s sudden assertiveness, Jiang Xihan’s lips were hit by something hard before she could react.

“Hiss…”

Jiang Xihan winced, eyes shut, brows furrowed.

Ji Pei, reckless in the dark, misjudged and hit Jiang Xihan’s lower lip with her teeth.

Jiang Xihan licked her lip, hot and numb with pain.

In their time together, they’d kissed countless times.

She and Ji Pei started kissing the moment they opened their eyes, lost in primal connection, mindless.

Realizing she’d hurt Jiang Xihan again, Ji Pei froze, then, like a kitten, licked her lower lip.

“Sorry…”

“Jiang Xihan, I hurt you again.”

In the dark, Jiang Xihan saw Ji Pei’s wide, innocent eyes, unable to speak.

Ji Pei was a master at acting cute, even when she messed up…

No, it wasn’t her fault—she didn’t see clearly in the dark and hit her lip.

Jiang Xihan pinched her brow, then hooked Ji Pei’s tongue with her own.

“It’s fine.”

Ji Pei’s hand rested on Jiang Xihan’s lower back, clumsily mimicking techniques, stroking several times.

Jiang Xihan cupped Ji Pei’s face, kissing her forehead, nose, lips, and chin. In the tight space, their intimacy bloomed.

Ji Pei’s kisses trailed down Jiang Xihan’s chin, leaving red marks on her neck.

Jiang Xihan’s skin, pale and delicate, reddened easily under pressure.

Her lips sucked on the soft skin, Jiang Xihan’s face flushing, hoarse sounds escaping her throat.

Ji Pei’s kisses were chaotic, unskilled, yet their disorder drove Jiang Xihan wild.

Jiang Xihan’s fingers slid into Ji Pei’s hair, gripping gently.

“Hmm… not bad.”

She kept encouraging Ji Pei, thinking this time might work…

!

Suddenly, Jiang Xihan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

The street buzzed with people and honking cars. The Rolls-Royce idled at a traffic light.

A hand, veins bulging, grabbed Ji Pei’s hair, yanking her back.

“Let go…”

Jiang Xihan’s eyes shimmered with tears, looking like she might cry—Ji Pei had never seen her like this.

“Didn’t you say it was okay…”

Ji Pei licked her wet lips, eyes sparkling, lost in the memory.

She recalled the soft, sweet strawberry gummy candies from childhood, melting in her mouth.

But before it could melt, Jiang Xihan tugged her hair.

A slight sting hit. Ji Pei pouted, glaring pitifully at Jiang Xihan.

“Jiang Xihan, you hurt me.”

Feeling guilty, Jiang Xihan’s fingers wove through Ji Pei’s hair, massaging gently.

“Still hurt?”

Ji Pei touched her hair, feeling Jiang Xihan’s fingers. “You were too rough.”

Jiang Xihan smiled helplessly. “Rough? Who’s the rough one?”

Ji Pei went mute, guiltily fixing Jiang Xihan’s clothes, draping her coat over her.

Seeing Ji Pei turn away, Jiang Xihan grabbed her neck, forcing her to face her, tone firm.

“Open your mouth.”

Ji Pei parted her lips slowly. Jiang Xihan said, “Wider.”

Her fingers traced Ji Pei’s lips, gliding over her neat teeth, lingering on the sharp canines.

“You’re right. Those canines need grinding.”

Ji Pei’s wild side seemed untamed—she loved nibbling Jiang Xihan’s nose, lips, chin, and fingers, enjoying the grind.

But she often forgot Jiang Xihan was fragile, needing protection, not this treatment.

When caught up, Ji Pei lost control. Even in pain, Jiang Xihan never complained, soothing her with kisses.

Ji Pei felt lucky but uneasy.

Jiang Xihan was too indulgent.

“You looked like a hungry, unweaned kitten, sucking whatever’s near your mouth.”

Ji Pei’s face burned at the vivid metaphor, feeling her brain short-circuit.

Jiang Xihan ruffled her hair, watching her pale skin turn peach-pink.

So young, unable to hide emotions—everything showed on her face, transparent.

Pure, cute, and quick to blush.

Seeing her pitiful, delectable look, Jiang Xihan wanted to devour her.

“I heard Xie Zhen call you ‘Auntie’?”

Ji Pei, snuggling in her arms, rubbed her chin with her head, recalling something important.

“You’re relatives?”

Xie Zhen, Ji Pei’s age, seemed too mature in college, like an older sister caring for her—but with ulterior motives.

Jiang Xihan kissed her head. “We share the same blood. She’s my sister’s illegitimate daughter.”

“…”

Ji Pei heard another bombshell, understanding why soap operas thrived in wealthy families.

“Illegitimate? I thought your sister had only one child.”

Ji Pei’s gossip came from Liu Yanfen’s tea sessions with other rich women.

They said Jiang Xihan’s sister was seduced as a teen, returned pregnant, couldn’t abort, and raised the child in the countryside.

The child’s father died suddenly, though everyone knew how.

Jiang Xianyun, in her twenties, married a wealthy man, had a second child, who died of sudden illness after her accident.

Ji Pei shared this, watching Jiang Xihan’s expression.

“You’re right. That’s how it was.”

Ji Pei’s eyes widened—she hadn’t expected the rumors to be true, confirmed by Jiang Xihan.

“So…”

Ji Pei paused, unsure what to say.

Jiang Xihan, expressionless, said, “After my sister’s accident, Xie Zhen was brought back. No one in the family likes her.”

“But she’s my sister’s daughter. I promised to treat her well, ensure her needs are met.”

Jiang Xihan’s eyes narrowed, rubbing Ji Pei’s hand gently.

“So she’s your niece…”

Ji Pei’s mind was a mess. Recalling Xie Zhen’s words today sent a chill down her spine.

“I think she hasn’t given up on me.”

Ji Pei nuzzled Jiang Xihan’s chin, distressed. “What do we do? She said weird stuff today, wanting to be friends. I refused.”

“Being loved is nice, but if it’s a burden, there’s no need to keep it.”

Ji Pei, thinking Jiang Xihan meant getting rid of Xie Zhen, sat up.

“Don’t do anything rash. She’s your niece. A warning’s enough.”

Ji Pei grabbed her wrist. “I probably won’t see her again. Let time fade it. Everyone meets a few rotten people—like worms in apples.”

***

Back home, Ji Pei saw Ye Wenzhu’s safe-arrival message and wanted to share today’s events.

She’d left quickly, and Xie Zhen lingered around her all day, staring, making smiling or breathing a burden.

Jiang Xihan’s arm could get wet, so she eagerly invited Ji Pei for a couples’ bath.

Ji Pei said, “Is that okay?” but moved faster than her brain.

She prepared fresh rose petals, added rose oil to the tub, pushed Jiang Xihan to the bathroom, and stripped her in seconds.

Jiang Xihan sat in the tub, arm propped up, watching Ji Pei scatter petals and bring cut fruit, bustling nonstop.

“Enough with the fruit. Get in.”

At Jiang Xihan’s urging, Ji Pei set the strawberries and grapes aside, undressed, and stepped in, only to be kissed before sitting.

Their legs tangled underwater, Ji Pei’s wet hair mixing with Jiang Xihan’s, indistinguishable, adorned with red rose petals.

Jiang Xihan considered suggesting trying something in the water but thought better of it.

Ji Pei had no experience, a blank slate needing careful guidance.

Attempting something advanced could crush her confidence.

She bit a red strawberry, pressing it to Ji Pei’s chest, feeding her the tip.

Ji Pei bit the strawberry, its sweet-tart juice dripping from her chin into the water.

She leaned back to take it, but Jiang Xihan held it firm.

Knowing she was being teased, Ji Pei bit off the tip, pushed Jiang Xihan to the tub’s edge, and hugged her.

Strawberry juice smeared their faces. Jiang Xihan swallowed the fragments, while Ji Pei licked the juice off with her lips and tongue.

Ji Pei’s leg pressed between Jiang Xihan’s, trapping her in her arms.

Similar in build—slim waists, long legs—yet Ji Pei’s hold gave Jiang Xihan a surprising sense of pressure.

Was it her youth and recklessness?

Jiang Xihan had seen passionate love in her youth, dismissing it with disdain.

Now, pinned by a girl seven or eight years younger, she relished this strange pressure.

She’d been alone too long.

“Professor Jiang, what’re you thinking?”

Ji Pei bit another strawberry, kissing Jiang Xihan.

“All about me? Thinking about doing it in the water… hmm?”

Jiang Xihan rubbed rose-scented body wash into foam, caressing Ji Pei’s smooth back.

“You’re not wrong. My mind’s full of how to f*ck you, but water’s unsafe. Infection’s not worth it.”

Ji Pei recalled warnings about water activities causing infections—swelling was minor, but gynecological issues were worse.

She shivered.

The tub’s water grew murky. Ji Pei pressed a button to drain and refill it, then had Jiang Xihan lean forward, gently scrubbing her back.

“Professor Jiang, your skin’s so fair—no spots, no moles.”

Ji Pei’s palm glided over her back, lingering at her waist, rinsing off the foam with clear water.

A soft, warm kiss landed on her back. Ji Pei smiled, massaging her shoulders.

“Teaching all morning must’ve been exhausting. Let me pamper you.”

Jiang Xihan, eyes closed, relaxed. “Nice massage. Very comfortable.”

Rubbing her shoulders, Ji Pei recalled massaging with Ye Wenzhu. “Ye Wenzhu massaged me like this. Learned and applied it today…”