Chapter 14: Morning After

“Mmm… ah~”

“Hey? Yaqi, you’re up so early?”

“Yaqi’s up?”

“Hey? Uncle, Auntie, good morning…”

Yaqi yawned, sleepily holding the railing as she slowly came downstairs. Uncle Liu was eating breakfast and waved a greeting. Aunt Zhao saw that Liu Ya still seemed sleepy, put down the dish she was holding, and went to meet her.

“What’s wrong? You look like you didn’t sleep well?”

“Uh…”

Yaqi was at a loss for words, recalling the terrifying scenes from last night.

(‘Sigh, what sleep well? I didn’t sleep at all… Oh my god! Liu Ya’s sleeping position is too outrageous…’)

Last night, Liu Ya soon started snoring softly, her body relaxing. Yaqi finally breathed a sigh of relief, took the chance to turn over and find a good position, her consciousness gradually fading.

But just as she was about to fall asleep, a suffocating feeling suddenly yanked Yaqi’s hazy consciousness back. Before she could figure out what was happening, a pain came from her chest. She opened her eyes painfully and found herself being tightly choked by two arms, and the restless little hand on her was still squeezing hard.

Yaqi quietly called Liu Ya a few times, but there was no response. She patted her arm, still no response. The only reply was her steady, gentle snoring.

Yaqi didn’t want to wake her, so she had no choice but to turn over and lie on her back, loosening the arm around her neck, gently moving the other hand away, and gasping for air.

But before she could catch a few breaths, a leg slammed heavily onto Yaqi’s stomach, hurting so much she almost choked on her own saliva.

All night, Liu Ya coiled around Yaqi like a python. Every time Yaqi freed herself from the grip, it wouldn’t be long before she was entangled again. Maybe because she was used to hugging a plush toy to sleep, Liu Ya was fidgety in her sleep, her little hands and feet rubbing and squeezing everywhere.

(‘Ugh… Every time I was about to fall asleep, I got woken up, just about to fall asleep, and then woken up again…’)

(‘I remember Liu Ya wasn’t like this before? And without pajamas, her body was chilly… And Liu Ya kept rubbing against me… How was I supposed to sleep! Ugh…’)

“Ahaha… It’s… pretty good… It’s just that Liu Ya’s sleeping position is… quite free. Ahaha…”

Seeing Yaqi’s awkward smile and worried expression, Auntie couldn’t help but chuckle. Uncle Liu swallowed his food, wiped his hands, stood up, and came over to Yaqi.

“What’s wrong, Yaqi? Was it too cramped sharing a bed with Liu Ya? Want me to order a new one for you?”

“Oh, no need, no need. It wasn’t cramped. Thank you, Uncle.”

“Don’t be polite, Yaqi. Just say if you need anything! Oh right. Where did she put that big rabbit?”

“Ah. Last night Liu Ya thought there wasn’t enough space, so she put it on the chair.”

“Oh, I see.”

Uncle Liu sighed in relief and smiled with satisfaction.

“Are you really okay? If you’re uncomfortable, just buy one. It’s no big deal!”

“Uncle, I…”

Before Yaqi could finish, Uncle Liu continued:

“And I know Liu Ya’s temper. If she acts up, just tell me. Don’t be shy. Also…”

“Oh, enough!”

Aunt Zhao saw Yaqi standing there awkwardly with a wry smile, so she stepped in and pulled him away.

“Alright, alright. Don’t meddle too much in little girls’ affairs! I can handle it if something comes up, can’t I? And aren’t you late? Go!”

Aunt Zhao pointed at the clock. Uncle Liu glanced at it, then looked at his watch, and immediately realized the problem.

“Oh, right, right… I almost forgot, I have a meeting this morning! Good thing you reminded me!”

With that, Uncle Liu quickly walked to the door, put on his shoes, picked up his bag. Just as he was about to open the door, he remembered something and turned to them:

“Oh right, Sister Zhao. Don’t forget to take Yaqi to school first. I’ve arranged everything, just find her homeroom teacher!”

“Okay, sure.”

“Alright! I’m off! Bye, Yaqi!”

“Okay. Bye, Uncle.”

Uncle Liu rushed out the door, leaving Yaqi and Auntie standing in the living room. They exchanged a smile.

“Really… Uncle is too much!”

“Haha, he means well.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Aunt Zhao looked at Yaqi and smiled slightly. That expression was a bit mischievous, a bit proud.

“What’s up, Auntie?”

“Oh, nothing. Yaqi, let me guess, you didn’t sleep all night?”

“Uh… pretty much…”

“Hehe! I knew it from your face.”

“Sigh… I don’t want to talk about it, Auntie…”

“Haha… Liu Ya has always needed to hug something to sleep since she was little.”

“Just her favorite little… oh no, that rabbit pillow. I often wash it for her, and every time it gets squeezed flat! Almost every six months I have to refill it with cotton.”

“And the plushie is big, so if two people sleep together, it probably won’t fit. So Auntie kind of guessed what happened to you last night, haha!”

“Ugh… Seriously, Auntie, you could have given me a heads up so I could prepare… I got so messed up…”

“Oh, think on the bright side. Liu Ya must have been really happy to see you after so long, so maybe she was… a bit freer? She must have slept well last night, right?”

“Yeah, that’s true. She was snoring really early.”

“See? Liu Ya doesn’t say it, but she’s really happy to see you again, Yaqi!”

Hearing that, Yaqi felt a bit shy, twirling her hair around her fingers.

“Yeah… hehe… really?”

“Haha, of course!”

Seeing Yaqi’s shy look, Auntie’s heart itched, and she couldn’t help but pinch her pink little cheek.

“Oh, come on…”

“Haha, alright. Yaqi, go wash up first. I’ve prepared breakfast. Is Western style okay?”

“No problem!”

“Great, then after we eat, I’ll take you to school first.”

“Huh? What about Liu Ya?”

“It’s not time for her yet. Yaqi, you don’t have textbooks, right? I’ll take you to get them first, then come back for Liu Ya.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Oh, and, Yaqi, you were wearing your middle school uniform yesterday, right?”

“Yeah, I don’t have a uniform, so I thought I’d make do with my old one.”

“Didn’t you have a uniform abroad?”

“I did, but I was afraid it might be different, and it would make me stand out.”

“I see. It’s fine, just wear casual clothes for now. That thing is too hot! I’ve already told the teacher, no problem.”

“Okay, thanks, Auntie.”

“You’re welcome.”

Morning passed quickly. Before long, the morning sunlight slowly crept in through the window of Liu Ya’s bedroom.

Inside the room. On the messy bed, there was a ball made of the quilt. It wiggled slightly, and a head slowly emerged from the edge of the quilt, looked around, then went back in. It turned half a circle, reached out and groped for a long time before finally finding the pillow. Then it scooted over, lying on the pillow, stretching its limbs forcefully, trembling all over, and let out a long sigh.

“Mm! Ah!!! Ha~~~”

“Hah! …! I haven’t slept this well in a long time!”

Liu Ya turned her head to look at the wrinkled sheets beside her, unable to hide her smile. She closed her eyes, rolled over, buried her face in the pillow, took two deep breaths, and exhaled in satisfaction.

“Hah… The smell of Sister Qiqi… so nice!”

(‘Hey, but what time is it now? It shouldn’t be time for school yet. Where did Sister Qiqi go? To the bathroom? When did she get up? I didn’t even notice…’)

(‘Come to think of it, Sister Qiqi is so soft, hugging her feels even better than Xiaoqi! Is this what it feels like to have the real thing…’)

Thinking this, Liu Ya slowly raised her head and looked at lonely Xiaoqi. Xiaoqi’s ears drooped, slumped in the chair, its dark eyes seemingly radiating endless resentment.

“Hey… I’m… I’m sorry, Xiaoqi… I won’t abandon you, okay? Trust me… Mm!”

After saying that, Liu Ya buried her face in Yaqi’s pillow again and nuzzled.

“Hey! Liu Ya, you’re awake?”

“Wow!”

The sudden sound startled Liu Ya, and she bounced back. Turning her head, she saw Aunt Zhao leaning against the door, grinning at her. Yaqi’s face instantly turned bright red.

“Auntie, what are you doing! You scared me… I thought…”

“Thought it was Yaqi coming back?”

“Uh…”

“Haha…”

Auntie laughed and came in. Liu Ya sat up and caught her breath.

She looked up at Aunt Zhao, who had a surprised expression. Liu Ya followed her gaze to herself and suddenly realized something was wrong. She had completely forgotten about the “battle robe” she was wearing.

“Ah!”

Liu Ya quickly pulled the quilt over herself. After a long while, she slowly poked her head out, her face bright red. Auntie covered her mouth and snickered, walked over, sat on the bed, and teased:

“Did you sleep well with Yaqi last night?”

“Auntie… it’s… it’s not what you think!”

“Oh? What do you mean? Auntie doesn’t know anything!”

“Ugh… Auntie~” Liu Ya complained coquettishly.

Liu Ya knew very well that Auntie knew everything, but she just wasn’t saying it. But at this moment, she wished Auntie would say something, even if it was to mock her overestimation of herself, rather than leaving her feeling stuck and uncomfortable.

“Oh, don’t be shy. Auntie was young once too. I’ve seen it all.”

“But…”

“But… Liu Ya, when did you buy this? I don’t think I’ve seen it before.”

“This… it was before… when you were sick and on leave. Old Liu wasn’t home either, so I bought it online…”

“Oh~”

Auntie looked inside through the gap in the quilt with interest. Liu Ya stared blankly for a moment, then realized what was happening and quickly pulled the quilt tighter.

“I… I didn’t have any intentions! I was just scrolling through videos at the time! But… I just got carried away and bought it…”

“When it arrived, I was too embarrassed to return it… so… I kept it…”

“I see. You know, Liu Ya looks really good in it!”

“Oh, stop it, Auntie…”

“What? It’s true! Let Auntie have another look, haha.”

“Hey? No! Auntie… Auntie! Oh, come on…”

Aunt Zhao pretended to tug at the quilt, laughing uncontrollably. Liu Ya was teased until her face was red, and she flopped onto the bed, clutching the quilt tightly like a hermit crab.

“Auntie~!”

Liu Ya’s voice became so shy it seemed like she would cry at any moment. Seeing this, Auntie finally let the poor little one off.

“Hahaha. Alright, alright. No more teasing. Get up quickly! Yaqi has already gone to school. It’s just you left.”

“Huh… eh? Why so early? I thought she went to the bathroom.”

“She just transferred here, so a lot of things haven’t been sorted out. So she went early to take care of things so she won’t miss class.”

“Oh, I see… Wait!”

Liu Ya suddenly realized something, her expression turning panicked. She sat up immediately and turned to look at Auntie.

“Did you take her there?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“This… then… did anyone from school see you on the way?”

“Huh? Now that you mention it… I don’t think I saw any students from your school. It was only around six, so there were hardly any people on the road, let alone students.”

“Oh, that’s good…”

Liu Ya sighed in relief. Aunt Zhao watched her quietly and smiled helplessly.

“What, is Liu Ya planning some sneaky scheme again?”

“No… no… It’s just… if someone saw, it would affect my… I mean, it wouldn’t be good…”

“Hehe. What’s not good? Just openly admit that Yaqi is your good friend, isn’t that enough?”

“Oh, come on…”

Seeing that Liu Ya was getting a little upset, Aunt Zhao stopped teasing. She patted Liu Ya’s head and said:

“Alright, alright! Auntie was just joking. Don’t worry, no one saw.”

“Yeah. That’s good.”

“But, Liu Ya, you need to pay attention to something.”

“Huh? Pay attention to what?”

“Well, the way you do things. How should I put it… Although Auntie told you it’s okay to show your feelings openly, you still need to pay attention to the method, right?”

“Wh… what do you mean?”

Auntie hesitated for a moment, then said:

“Just now, I heard from Yaqi that she hardly slept all night.”

“Oh, really? I slept just fine! She’s quite a handful…”

Liu Ya turned her head away shyly, twirling her hair with her fingers, mumbling discontentedly. Aunt Zhao saw this scene and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hehe. Let’s put it this way! The old saying goes: ‘Haste makes waste,’ right?”

“Don’t go too hard at the beginning. Take it step by step.”

“And Yaqi isn’t some superhero. Xiaoqi was already squeezed flat. Let alone her?”

“You have to consider Yaqi’s feelings too, don’t you think, Liu Ya?”

“…”

After hearing Auntie’s words, Liu Ya fell into thought. The quilt draped over her slowly slipped, revealing the black spaghetti strap underneath.

Seeing that Liu Ya didn’t respond, Auntie smiled slightly and continued:

“But don’t overthink it, Liu Ya! Auntie isn’t blaming you by saying this.”

“I’m just saying that sometimes if you’re too hasty, it can backfire. Liu Ya is smart, so you should understand, right?”

As she spoke, Auntie reached out, grabbed the spaghetti strap, and flicked it. Liu Ya stared at her blankly. Auntie just smiled, then stood up and walked out.

Watching the door slowly close, Liu Ya unconsciously started playing with the strap, wrapping her fingers around it, twisting and turning.

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