Chapter 68: Morning Surprises

Lin Mo watched their panicked retreating figures and shook her head with a wry smile.

She lay back down, carefully placed the photo back into the notebook, closed it, and tucked it into the drawer.

This time, she closed her eyes and listened to the rhythmic sound of the waves. Surprisingly, sleepiness soon washed over her.

A faint smile still lingered at the corners of her mouth.

****

The sky was just beginning to lighten, a pale fish-belly white spreading across the horizon.

Lin Shishi had woken up earlier than usual.

At home, she would normally sleep in late.

But today, a strange, fulfilling sense of happiness had opened her eyes ahead of time.

Her body was still a little sore — especially her hips and thighs.

Still, for the young girl, the sweetness far outweighed the discomfort.

She turned onto her side and looked at Song Qinghuan, who was still fast asleep beside her.

Morning light filtered through the gap in the curtains, sprinkling across Song Qinghuan’s peaceful sleeping face.

A few strands of long black hair lay scattered across the pillow and against her cheek, making her skin look even fairer and more delicate.

Asleep, she seemed less assertive and aggressive than when awake, taking on a pure, soft quality—breathtakingly beautiful.

Lin Shishi watched her, her face flushing again, her heart melting into a puddle.

She carefully leaned in, and as softly as possible, planted a kiss on the corner of Song Qinghuan’s mouth.

Then, enduring the ache in her body, she quietly climbed out of bed.

Her feet were still a little weak as they touched the carpet.

The girl walked over to the full-length mirror, slipped off her nightgown, and examined her body.

The reflection showed clear evidence of last night’s passion scattered across her skin.

She muttered under her breath, “Bad dog… making me look like this… Mom’s definitely going to tease me today…”

She didn’t dare wear any of her short skirts or sleeveless tops.

After rummaging through the wardrobe, Lin Shishi picked out a long-sleeved shirt with soft fabric—it barely covered the marks on her arms and upper body.

For the bottom, she chose an off-white cotton mid-length skirt that hid most of the marks on her legs.

On her feet, she wore a pair of clean white socks and canvas flat shoes.

Dressed, she sat at the vanity and carefully applied a very light layer of makeup.

Just a thin foundation to make her face look less tired, a bit of mascara, and some lip balm.

Finally, she looked at the girl in the mirror—light makeup, looking exceptionally gentle and demure—and could hardly connect her with the little pet who had been teased until she cried and begged for mercy last night.

The girl gently opened the door and tiptoed downstairs, careful not to wake her mother or Song Qinghuan upstairs.

She reached the first-floor kitchen and began to bustle about.

First, she washed some rice and started a pot of plain congee in a small clay pot.

Then, she took out a few eggs from the fridge.

Her movements were practiced and gentle, like a proper little housewife.

The congee simmered slowly on the stove, filling the air with the fragrance of rice.

Lin Shishi checked the time—still early.

She thought for a moment, then took a small woven bamboo basket from behind the door, looped it over her arm, and slipped out again.

The small town in the early morning was just waking up.

The air was fresh and damp, carrying the scent of the sea.

Few pedestrians were on the streets—just a few elderly early risers exercising and breakfast stall owners preparing for business.

Lin Shishi carried her basket and walked briskly toward the nearby market.

She first went to her usual breakfast stall.

The stall owner, a woman in her fifties, was busily frying dough sticks and steaming buns, steam rising all around.

“Good morning, Auntie!” Lin Shishi greeted sweetly.

“Oh, Shishi, you’re back!” The auntie looked up, her eyes lighting up. “Up so early today? What would you like?”

“Auntie, give me ten meat buns and five fried dough sticks,” Lin Shishi said.

“My, buying so much? Can you finish it all by yourself, little girl?” The auntie teased with a laugh.

Lin Shishi blushed and said softly, “Not just me… We have a guest at home. Mom’s legs aren’t good, so I’m buying extra.”

“A guest? Oh, the tall, pretty girl who came back with you yesterday?” The auntie clearly had a good memory. As she quickly packed the items, she added, “She looks like a nice girl. Standing next to you, you two really suit each other!”

Lin Shishi’s face grew even redder. She quickly lowered her head, mumbled a vague “Mm,” and hurriedly paid.

The auntie wrapped the hot buns and dough sticks in oil paper and placed them in the basket. Grinning, she handed her a freshly fried, golden-brown, crispy sesame ball: “This is for you—just out of the fryer! Eat it while it’s hot!”

“Thank you, Auntie!” Lin Shishi took it, warmth filling her heart.

Basket filled with breakfast, she went to the vegetable stall next door and bought a bunch of fresh bok choy and a few cloves of garlic.

Back home, the congee was almost done—the grains had blossomed, thick and soft.

She put the buns and dough sticks in a steamer to keep warm and started preparing the vegetables.

She washed them and cut them into sections.

She heated oil in a wok, added the crushed garlic to sizzle, then tossed in the vegetables and stir-fried quickly. A pinch of salt and a little oyster sauce, and a plate of bright green, glossy stir-fried greens was ready.

Then, she took out a small jar of sour pickled beans her mother had made and put some in a dish.

Simple breakfast, but full of the taste of home.

With everything done, the timing was perfect.

Lin Shishi washed her hands, dabbed the sweat from her forehead, looked at the breakfast laid out on the table, and smiled with satisfaction.

Then, taking a deep breath, she tiptoed upstairs again and returned to the room.

Song Qinghuan was still sleeping, her position barely changed.

Lin Shishi walked to the bedside. According to the rule Song Qinghuan had set—if Lin Shishi woke first, she must kneel by the bed and kiss her owner awake—she gently knelt on the carpet.

In the morning light, she looked up at Song Qinghuan’s peaceful sleeping face, her heartbeat quickening involuntarily.

She leaned in, held her breath, and pressed her lips tenderly, with infinite love, onto Song Qinghuan’s.

At first, it was just a light touch, like a butterfly skimming water.

But then, she felt the person beneath her stir.

Song Qinghuan had actually woken up long ago—or rather, she had woken at Lin Shishi’s first stolen kiss on the corner of her mouth.

She had simply kept her eyes closed, enjoying this sweet morning ambush, waiting for her “little pet” to provide further “wake-up service.”

When Lin Shishi’s lips pressed against hers again, Song Qinghuan suddenly let out a “Ha!” of laughter, snapped her eyes open, and reached out to pull the kneeling Lin Shishi onto the bed. With a nimble flip, she pinned the girl beneath her.

“Mmph! You were pretending to sleep!” Lin Shishi startled, giving her a light punch.

“Who was pretending? I was just enjoying my little darling’s morning kiss.” Song Qinghuan grinned like a cat that had gotten the cream and lowered her head to kiss her again.

Lin Shishi quickly covered Song Qinghuan’s mouth with her hand, blushing as she protested softly, “No! I’ve already done my makeup! And… you haven’t brushed your teeth yet!”

Song Qinghuan didn’t care. She grabbed Lin Shishi’s hand, pinned it above her head, and kissed her without further ado.

Not until Lin Shishi was gasping for breath did Song Qinghuan reluctantly let go, smacking her lips deliberately.

“Hmph… annoying… bad breath…”

Lin Shishi turned her head, pouting as she complained softly, but a smile lingered at the corners of her eyes.

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