Chapter 56: Kiss in the water

Water vapor billowed, rising and swirling around her as Su Cheng stood at the heart of this hazy shroud, her gaze fixed on the wall.

Her pristine, unblemished body fully embraced the warm water cascading over her.

The warm current seemed imbued with a soothing magic; as it washed over her skin, it meticulously drew away the heavy scent of alcohol that had lingered in her pores from the night before.

A sensation of complete renewal washed over her, prompting a comfortable groan to involuntarily escape Su Cheng’s lips.

“Little Orange, how much longer are you going to wash?”

Yin Xuelian, bored, lay draped over the edge of the bathtub, her pale brown eyes fixed intently on Su Cheng beneath the showerhead, a subtle longing flickering within their depths.

She had been soaking in the tub for quite some time, solely awaiting Su Cheng’s arrival.

“I’ve been watching you wash for ages. Are you feeling shy?”

Su Cheng stammered, “N-not at all. I just want to get thoroughly clean; otherwise, I’ll reek of alcohol.”

Yin Xuelian mumbled, her cherry lips pouting slightly. “But you’ve been washing for over ten minutes. You should be done by now, right? You’ve even used shower gel.”

Her fervent gaze lingered on Su Cheng’s snow-white back, which resembled a pristine, translucent jade.

“J-just two more minutes.”

“I’ll give you two portions of scallions (TL Note: A playful pun on the similar-sounding Chinese words for ‘two minutes’ and ‘two portions of scallions’) to get rid of the fishy smell.”

Su Cheng rolled her eyes at Yin Xuelian. “I’m not a fish. Sister Lian, you’re a pig.”

“Haha, hurry up and come over! Bathe with your sister.”

Yin Xuelian waved at Su Cheng, her gesture reminiscent of an courtesan at the entrance of a brothel, a tantalizing curve gracing her lips.

“No…”

Su Cheng’s hushed words were shattered by the sound of the water, and she quickly turned her head away, knowing Yin Xuelian was currently naked in the water, poised to launch an ‘attack’ at any moment.

In her previous life, Su Cheng had never witnessed such a scene; even if she had harbored lustful thoughts, she lacked the courage to act on them.

After all, she had only ever been a ‘scum’ in relationships, never reaching the point of intimate physical interaction.

If it couldn’t lead to the halls of marriage, she would never go that far.

Lost in her own thoughts, the distracted Su Cheng remained oblivious to the subtle pitter-patter of Yin Xuelian’s footsteps behind her.

“Gotcha~”

“Ah! You big bad Sister Lian, where are you grabbing?!”

“Emmm, flat,” Yin Xuelian’s palm shifted, causing Su Cheng to immediately cover her mouth, her eyes slightly closed. “It’s fine, small is also cute, and there’s still room for development in the future.”

Su Cheng’s cheeks flushed crimson, burning as if a hot iron skillet had been pressed against them, due not only to Yin Xuelian’s mischievous hand but also to the soft warmth pressed against her back.

It was a size she dared not even imagine.

“Let go of me, stop kneading!”

Yin Xuelian’s face was alight with a mischievous grin, her gentle voice whispering into Su Cheng’s ear and sliding into her heart: “I’ll tell you, kneading helps with development.”

“Only… only a ghost would believe you! Let go of me!” Su Cheng, overwhelmed by shyness, struggled, but dared not make her movements too large, especially with her feet slipping on the wet floor.

“Just bathe obediently with me.”

“Can I not bathe?”

“What do you think?” Yin Xuelian’s tone was full of playfulness and teasing, one arm already wrapped around Su Cheng’s waist.

This gesture already conveyed to Su Cheng that if she didn’t agree, she would be carried into the bathtub regardless.

“Fine, w-wait! Not again!”

Su Cheng felt her body float upward, and in the blink of an eye, she was once again cradled horizontally in Yin Xuelian’s arms.

“Hehe, bath time~” Yin Xuelian’s eyes sparkled with laughter, overjoyed. “Little darling, have you ever experienced being tossed into the water?”

Su Cheng blinked her bewildered eyes, just beginning to grasp the situation; the belated surprise had barely registered in her gaze before she was submerged in the bathtub the very next second.

“Sister Lian… *gurgle gurgle*…” Su Cheng frantically grabbed the edge of the bathtub, her head popping out, eyes half-closed. “Cough cough, Sister Lian is truly getting naughtier and naughtier.”

Watching Su Cheng cough up water, looking as though she was about to ‘break’ from all the teasing, Yin Xuelian couldn’t stop laughing.

‘If they were to live together in the future, life with Su Cheng would undoubtedly be incredibly interesting.’

Yin Xuelian sat smilingly into the bathtub, then, with a playful ‘hoist,’ lifted Su Cheng and placed her on her own thighs, positioning her so that Su Cheng’s back was against her.

“Haha, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Just enjoy your bath.”

“I hope Sister Lian can keep her word.”

Yin Xuelian smiled sweetly, lifting her long hair that cascaded down her back, eager to get a clear view of Su Cheng’s pure, mutton-fat jade-like white back.

The back was so immaculately white that not a single blemish could be found, stirring Yin Xuelian’s imagination.

‘It would be a shame not to try cupping on it.’

However, when a strange, deep red mark appeared on Su Cheng’s neck, Yin Xuelian couldn’t help but frown.

It looked as if something had bitten her.

“Little Orange, what happened to your neck? Why is it red here?” Yin Xuelian pointed at the peculiar spot on Su Cheng’s neck.

Su Cheng reached up to touch it, finding no answer herself.

“Maybe a mosquito bit me, or perhaps I scratched it like this myself.”

Yin Xuelian stared at the mark on Su Cheng’s neck with a hint of skepticism, a different answer forming in her mind.

‘However, Su Cheng surely didn’t know the truth. If Lin Shiyue had been responsible, she must have ambushed Su Cheng while they were drinking last night.’

‘Pointing the finger at Lin Shiyue, it all made sense.’

‘Who knew you, Lin Shiyue, had a habit of biting people? Are you a dog?’

Unwilling to look at the strange discoloration, she simply covered it with her hair.

Her free hand was never idle, tightening its embrace around Su Cheng’s delicate form.

The warmth of their skin pressed together intertwined, making it impossible to distinguish between their body temperatures and the water’s heat.

This time, Su Cheng obediently sat in Yin Xuelian’s embrace, gently closing her eyes and savoring the fleeting beauty of the moment.

“Wow… so comfortable…”

A pervasive warmth seeped into every corner of her body, and the exquisite sensation made Su Cheng’s face glow with happiness.

And to think, a stunning beauty like Yin Xuelian was serving as her cushion, her soft, springy thighs feeling as comfortable as an inflatable seat.

‘This was a scene she would have never dared to imagine in her previous life.’

A faint blush crept onto Yin Xuelian’s face.

Su Cheng, seemingly unperturbed by being held in her lap, appeared to be thoroughly enjoying herself, yet Yin Xuelian found herself regretting it slightly.

Though she was also enjoying the moment, she had to suppress the surging impulses within her.

And the desire to devour her entirely.

All of it had to be buried deep within her heart.

The scent of oranges wafted to her nose, mingling with the fresh aroma of shampoo, plucking at Yin Xuelian’s heartstrings and denying her even a moment of peace.

Her arms tightened around Su Cheng, pulling her closer.

Sensing the unusual intensity, Su Cheng turned her head to see Yin Xuelian, who looked as if she had been drinking, slightly flushed.

“Sister Lian, why are you holding me so tightly? I’m not going to run away.”

Yin Xuelian snapped back to reality, pulling her thoughts away from her desires, and slightly loosened her grip on Su Cheng.

“I’m just afraid you’ll run off, you know? If you run, what will I do?” Yin Xuelian blinked, staring at Su Cheng, forcing a small smile.

Su Cheng sighed helplessly. “Where can I even run off to like this? My clothes are all being washed. I have nothing to wear, and I certainly wouldn’t dare to run naked.”

“That’s true.” Yin Xuelian chuckled foolishly.

Su Cheng rolled her eyes at her, then redirected her gaze forward.

‘This must be Yin Xuelian’s scheme.’

Suddenly, Yin Xuelian’s heavy breathing reached her ears, leaving Su Cheng puzzled.

“Little Orange.”

“Yes?”

“Do you like bathing?” Yin Xuelian asked softly, subtly inhaling the scent of her hair.

“It’s not bad.” Su Cheng answered softly, still unaware of Yin Xuelian’s true intentions.

Yin Xuelian then asked, “Will you still bathe with your sister in the future?”

Su Cheng didn’t answer immediately, instead mentally rehearsing several possible responses before giving her reply.

“We’ll see if the opportunity arises.”

Yin Xuelian seemed to have anticipated her response, a barely perceptible sigh escaping her lips.

“But I really like bathing with Little Orange.”

Su Cheng: “???”

Yin Xuelian tightened her embrace around Su Cheng once more, gently closing her eyes and resting her chin softly on Su Cheng’s shoulder, drawing closer to that faint, elusive fragrance.

“Little Orange, you haven’t forgotten what you told me, have you?”

Su Cheng, bewildered, asked, “What words?”

“See? You’ve forgotten your own words,” Yin Xuelian chuckled softly, her gentle tone once again entering Su Cheng’s ear. “You said you’d let me live happily and joyfully. Have you forgotten that?”

“Ah? I… I think I really did forget.” Su Cheng chuckled awkwardly.

Yin Xuelian playfully pinched the soft flesh at Su Cheng’s waist as if in punishment. “Little silly, you deserve a penalty.”

“Ow, that hurts! Sister, please be gentle.”

“I’ll punish you by making you stay by my side forever.”

“Huh?”

Yin Xuelian’s domineering words startled Su Cheng to her core, making her clear, cerulean eyes widen like ping-pong balls.

“Because… if you’re with me, I can live happily and joyfully…”

Yin Xuelian’s voice, as gentle as a clear breeze, carried the purest emotions from her heart.

Though Su Cheng didn’t look at Yin Xuelian’s face, she could still feel her gaze—so ardent and yearning.

“Little Orange, do you like your sister?”

Su Cheng didn’t answer immediately, her mind momentarily freezing at Yin Xuelian’s question.

“Sister really likes Little Orange, you know.”

Yin Xuelian spoke bluntly.

Regardless of Su Cheng’s thoughts, the emotions welling up within her heart had already merged with the water, enveloping Su Cheng’s body.

“Sister… what kind of ‘like’ are you talking about?”

Yin Xuelian’s teasing laughter echoed, as she playfully uttered two words: “Guess.”

‘Guess what I’m guessing you’re guessing, or not guessing?’ Su Cheng dearly wanted to say that.

But she knew Yin Xuelian wouldn’t say such a thing without a reason.

“I can’t guess. Sister Lian, your question is beyond the curriculum.”

“Haha, why are you so silly?” Yin Xuelian pinched Su Cheng’s skin again, this time on her thigh. “Can we be considered good besties now?”

“Huh? Aren’t we good sisters? Is there a difference with good besties?” Su Cheng scratched her head, wondering why Yin Xuelian was still speaking in riddles.

‘Is this how a top student confesses their feelings?’

‘Can’t she just be direct?’

“Of course there is!” Yin Xuelian suddenly lifted Su Cheng’s body off her thighs and spun her 180 degrees. “Good besties, you see, do some rather unusual things…”

A meaningful smile bloomed on Yin Xuelian’s face, her rosy lips parting slightly.

Su Cheng felt bewildered, yet a flicker of understanding dawned on her.

Her hands instinctively flew to guard her chest, fearing a sudden sneak attack from Yin Xuelian—no, this was a full-frontal assault now.

“Sister Lian… can we stop with the riddles? My college entrance exam scores were quite average.”

Yin Xuelian’s lips curved upward, seemingly mocking Su Cheng’s clumsy acting, just as she had in her previous life.

“Little Orange, it’s not good to pretend to be silly.”

“I… I’m not.”

That hint of mockery suddenly morphed into a wicked grin.

Su Cheng was startled, immediately wanting to escape Yin Xuelian’s embrace, her hands pushing forcefully against her shoulders.

Unexpectedly, Yin Xuelian suddenly loosened her arms around her.

Su Cheng lost control of her upper body’s center of gravity, and her body tilted backward, gradually approaching the water’s surface.

“I’m done for… *gurgle gurgle*…”

“Hehe, silly Orange.”

Yin Xuelian smirked, then submerged half of her body into the water.

Her arms steadily scooped up Su Cheng’s delicate form underwater.

Her gaze, like a radar, quickly locked onto Su Cheng’s tightly pursed lips.

Underwater, her vision was blurred, yet Su Cheng could still discern Yin Xuelian’s approaching pretty face, the sense of oppression growing stronger with every inch closer.

Su Cheng’s eyes widened as she tried to escape Yin Xuelian’s hold, but underwater, she had no wings to flee.

She couldn’t swim, nor could she comprehend Yin Xuelian’s intentions.

“Mmm! Hmph… Mmm… Mmm-mmm-mmm (Sister Lian)…”

Su Cheng’s eyes rounded.

‘She had never imagined Yin Xuelian would directly block her mouth underwater.’

Yet, the sweet, fragrant oxygen delivered from the other’s mouth was so captivating, so yearned for.

Yin Xuelian held Su Cheng tightly, firmly locking her body in place, and transferred all the air from her mouth to Su Cheng, allowing her to greedily, domineeringly take it.

The exquisite sensation made Yin Xuelian’s heart and mind tremble fiercely.

“Oh, you touch my heart.”