Chapter 19: A Forbidden Taste

She touched Meng Zhenyue’s lips.

Soft, just as she had imagined.

Almost instinctively, she wanted to taste Meng Zhenyue’s lips, was it the flavor of apple? Would she savor it all carefully? If not, it would be a pleasant surprise, prompting her to taste even more attentively.

As she tentatively extended her tongue, a suppressed murmur suddenly escaped from between their lips.

Yun Zhixue jumped back like a startled rabbit, falling onto the floor with her back against the sofa. She clutched the open book tightly against her chest. The lingering sensation on her lips made her heartbeat thunder, and she unconsciously flicked her tongue lightly.

Meng Zhenyue, still drowsy, placed her palm on Yun Zhixue’s trembling back and tapped gently, “Baby…” Her husky voice, wrapped in sleepiness, was exceptionally clear in the dark.

Yun Zhixue felt a tightness in her throat. She could hear herself swallowing.

“Why aren’t you turning on the light?”

“Afraid… afraid of waking you.” The pages of the book crumpled slightly in her hands.

“Oh… can you even see while holding the book?”

For the first time stepping into forbidden territory, Yun Zhixue’s voice wavered, her knuckles white from gripping the book so tightly, the pages faintly rustling. Meng Zhenyue’s fingers rested on her shoulder, pinching gently twice: “Come on, help Mom a bit.”

Yun Zhixue hurriedly reached out to support her. Meng Zhenyue lazily propped herself up, her palm supporting her chin, eyelids half-lowered, breathing deep and steady.

She finally opened her eyes, her voice still heavy with lingering sleep: “What’s up?” The tail of her tone rose slightly, “Doing something naughty, feeling guilty?”

“…Mom asked me to complete a task, I…” Yun Zhixue glanced at her lips, “I didn’t do it very well.”

Meng Zhenyue: “What task? I’ll help you.”

Yun Zhixue stared at her, wanting to say, I want to kiss you. Meng Zhenyue twirled her finger in Yun Zhixue’s hand, a ticklish sensation spreading through her body. Yun Zhixue shivered, “…It’s a secret.”

Meng Zhenyue didn’t press her and instead encouraged, “Don’t be afraid, take your time, you can do it.”

Yun Zhixue’s blood pulsed even more intensely under her skin. She swallowed and said, “I’ll pour you a glass of orange juice, with ice, okay?”

The small fridge had been empty before Meng Zhenyue arrived, now filled with food she had bought for Yun Zhixue. She twisted open the juice bottle; Meng Zhenyue leaned quietly, “Too much sugar.”

“Yes, yes.”

The lips were sweet, a shame she hadn’t tasted them fully.

“Pour me a glass of water too.”

Yun Zhixue carefully poured, almost spilling the juice. She avoided looking at her, afraid her mind would wander. She imagined kissing her lips, back and forth, until breathless, perhaps a return kiss, perhaps rubbing against her chest.

Meng Zhenyue took the water, her fingers brushing Yun Zhixue’s hand, warm and slightly damp like a summer rain.

Yun Zhixue watched her neck line shift slightly as she drank, noticing a small mole rising with each swallow.

Compelled, Yun Zhixue gently rubbed her thumb over the corner of her lips.

Meng Zhenyue paused, surprised by the careful touch, but soon accepted it, this little one had grown familiar.

Yun Zhixue lowered her gaze, pretending indifference.

Meng Zhenyue said, “Good girl. No wonder I dream of you even in my sleep.”

“Hm?” Yun Zhixue’s eyes brightened slightly, “What did you dream?”

Meng Zhenyue drank calmly, voice moist: “Hm… probably that you kissed me.”

Yun Zhixue jolted, her spine prickling.

Not a dream.

Back then, half-awake and half-asleep, Meng Zhenyue had thought about it and almost laughed—the little one had kissed her lips.

Yun Zhixue tried to control the grip in her palm, steadying her breathing.

Meng Zhenyue lamented, “Did I scare you? I shouldn’t have told you.”

She added, “…Don’t worry, I won’t kiss you.”

Yun Zhixue’s lips twitched stiffly.

Meng Zhenyue touched the back of her neck, stood up, and Yun Zhixue held the cup, the sensation lingering and burning. She stared at the rippling water and pressed her lips to the damp rim.

“What’s wrong?” Meng Zhenyue noticed her discomfort, hands on her knees, propping her head, “Feeling unhappy?”

Yun Zhixue shook her head at first, then stopped, “At home, you shouldn’t get too close with my mother.”

Meng Zhenyue finally understood: “Ah? Me and your mom?” Shouldn’t it be… me and you?

“Yes, you and her.” Yun Zhixue’s cheeks flared, brows furrowed, gripping her fingers tightly, “Being intimate with her affects my studying.”

Meng Zhenyue’s expression turned serious, taking the issue to heart. Thinking it through, her own closeness with Yun Zhixue had been minimal, just a brief touch, and for Yun Zhixue, it was probably inappropriate for her age.

The college entrance exam was the priority.

“Okay.”

Yun Zhixue was surprised she agreed so easily.

“But you promise me too-”

“Hm?” Yun Zhixue’s words rushed, “I won’t get too close to anyone else either.”

Meng Zhenyue smiled: “No, I mean focus on your exams. Just a few more days. Do well, then I’ll take you out.”

Meng Zhenyue’s reasoning was simple. This child had been through a lot; a little outing would lift her spirits.

Yun Zhixue’s eyes lit up.

“Okay!”

Meng Zhenyue tidied the computer, checked her saved tracks.

“Why didn’t you eat your snacks?” She sounded stern again: “Don’t let your mind wander, take care of your body, study well. Just these few days.”

Yun Zhixue nodded firmly, sitting close to work on homework, though she secretly wished she could lean over and taste Meng Zhenyue.

That night, Meng Zhenyue didn’t leave. The studio was far; the villa was empty. She decided to stay. Meng Zhenyue remembered a sleep dress was here: “Baby, is that sleep dress in the wardrobe?”

Yun Zhixue tilted her pen aside: “No, I’ll get you a new one.”

“The other one?”

“In the blanket.”

“I’ve worn it, washed it.”

“Okay.”

Yun Zhixue fetched a loose long T-shirt, then reconsidered. The scent of Mom would linger, giving her comfort when she hugged it later. She switched to a long dress.

Meng Zhenyue carried the clothes to the bathroom. Yun Zhixue resumed homework but secretly pulled out the purple lace sleep dress, folded it carefully, and hid it under the blanket.

The water stopped, Meng Zhenyue changed into a plain long dress. Wet hair draped over her shoulders, the thin fabric semi-transparent with water, subtly revealing her skin. She leaned against the sofa scrolling her phone, a glimpse of fair calf exposed beneath the skirt.

“You should wash up too, rest early.”

Yun Zhixue got her clothes and went to the bathroom, slightly happy. She thought: Will she still kiss me tonight?

Meng Zhenyue stood up.

The little girl’s avoidance was obvious. Meng Zhenyue scanned the room, wardrobe empty. She lifted the mattress. The sleep dress was crumpled in the bedding, the fabric wrinkled. Most noticeably, the chest area bore clear marks from teeth.

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