Chapter 20: Call me “dear”

Mo Yuan angrily tossed her phone onto the cushion beside her.

She raised her right hand.

She glanced at the wristband showing two red dots, some distance apart.

“Drive. Chengxi Road.”

The young woman in the driver’s seat didn’t hesitate.

She started the car immediately.

She knew exactly who the icy voice from the back seat belonged to.

Her young miss was reserved with anyone outside family.

She never made things difficult for others.

She didn’t rely on people.

She preferred handling things herself, especially anything involving the young master.

Working for Miss Mo was a cushy job.

She considered herself lucky.

When her miss gave an order, it was her duty to carry it out perfectly.

The other was clearly furious.

In moments like this, silence and obedience were the smartest choices.

The woman’s driving was skilled.

The car moved smoothly and quickly along the road.

They reached the destination in no time.

At the bus stop ahead, a lone boy was half-asleep.

He sat on a wooden bench, leaning right against the sign.

Mo Yuan’s face was grim.

She hurried over.

She caught the boy’s frail frame just as he was about to collapse.

She picked up the backpack that had slipped from his hand to the ground.

She gently lifted him into her arms.

Seeing Lu You’s closed eyes and smelling faint alcohol on his breath, her heart ached.

Her anger flared even more.

Her mind raced with pros and cons of keeping him locked by her side forever.

Then she heard him murmur her name—“Sister Yuan.”

Her anger vanished instantly.

She sighed helplessly.

“If only you’d be a bit more obedient.”

Back home, she carried Lu You to bed.

She lay beside him.

Her hand reached for his school uniform’s zipper.

She’d undressed him countless times.

She’d touched his skin just as often.

But undressing him while he was passed out?

This was a first.

After pulling off his shirt, his upper body was bare.

A long-buried thought surged in her mind like a wave.

No, not yet.

It’s not time.

It’d only be fun if Xiao You was awake.

She shook her head, pushing the thought away.

She pulled his thin frame into her arms.

Her nose pressed to his chest, breathing in his warmth.

Her hand slid down her own body.

You like this—it’s hard for me to stay calm too.

I need to let off a little steam.

Ten minutes later, she got up from the bed.

She wiped the sheets with tissue.

She planted a deep kiss on his forehead.

In a white room smelling of antiseptic, kids my age sat in a circle on the floor.

Outside the window, doctors in white coats watched us.

They discussed something among themselves.

Where… is this?

Who are they?

“You okay?”

“You spacing out?”

Someone tapped my shoulder from behind.

I turned to look.

It was a girl.

I couldn’t make out her face.

So close, yet so blurry.

Who are you?

I reached out to touch her.

Just as my hand neared her face, I jolted awake.

“Mor… morning, Sister Yuan?”

My hand rested on her flawless face.

Her expression was unmistakable.

She wasn’t just upset—she was furious.

“Remember what happened yesterday?”

“Think carefully, Xiao You.”

“Your punishment depends on it.”

Yesterday?

I think I passed out.

I vaguely recall drinking a small glass of beer.

My head got fuzzy, and I can’t remember what happened after.

“I think… I went to eat skewers with Zheng.”

“And another guy from our class.”

“He was heartbroken, so we went to cheer him up.”

“Another guy?”

“Boy or girl?”

Her tone grew colder.

The spark in her eyes dimmed, like an anime character losing their shine.

“A guy, a guy!”

“Don’t get worked up.”

My quick answer brought color back to her eyes.

They filled with her usual doting affection.

“Sigh, when did you stop being obedient?”

“You used to follow me, calling ‘Sister Yuan’ so sweetly.”

“Why do you keep upsetting me now?”

“I should’ve tied you up back then.”

“So you couldn’t run off out of my sight.”

“Sorry, sorry, I messed up.”

“I was just curious.”

“I’ve never drunk before.”

“So you tried it.”

“Was it good?”

“Want another sip?”

“No way, no way.”

“Honestly, it felt awful.”

“My head hurts.”

“I’m never drinking again.”

“Um, Sister Yuan, did you take my clothes off?”

I suddenly noticed I was shirtless.

Just boxers below.

I’m a guy, so being bare-chested isn’t a big deal.

But with a gorgeous girl like Sister Yuan staring, it’s hard not to feel self-conscious.

I’m scrawny, with barely any muscle.

Staying indoors so much, my skin’s as pale as a girl’s.

I don’t look malnourished, but I’m far from healthy.

“Of course I did.”

“If another girl touched your clothes, I’d cut her hands off.”

“Do you have to be so intense?”

“Are you that violent?”

“What else?”

“You’re mine, Xiao You.”

“Only mine.”

“No one else’s scent can touch you.”

As she spoke, her hand slid over me.

Her cool touch spread through my body.

She leaned in, pressing her face to my neck.

“For your mistake this time…”

Life blooms like a flower, far away or by the road…

My ringtone cut her off.

I grabbed my phone and answered.

– “Yo, Young Master Lu, you okay?”

– “We got worried last night and went looking, but you were gone.”

– “Your phone was off.”

– “You alright?”

– “I’m fine, thanks for checking, Zheng.”

– “I…”

Sister Yuan leaned in suddenly.

Her soft lips pressed against mine.

A mischievous grin spread across her face.

Her hands started roaming over me.

– “Young Master Lu? You good?”

– “I’m fine, I’m fine.”

– “Uh… my water got knocked over by a cat.”

– “Gotta clean it up.”

Not too lame an excuse, I hope.

Zheng didn’t catch on, right?

– “Alright, clean up then.”

– “I’m hanging up.”

– “Yeah, hang up, I…”

She kissed me again.

One hand held my head.

The other hung up the call.

Her sweet tongue pressed against my lips.

It teased, trying to pry them open.

After a few tries, she gave up.

She pulled back, pouting.

“What was that, Sister Yuan?”

“Someone could’ve noticed.”

“Your little kitty got naughty.”

“Meow~”

She curled her hands into paws, wrists bent, in front of her.

Her mature, stunning face clashed adorably with the gesture.

Too cute.

I slapped my cheeks to snap out of it.

“If I had to pick an animal for you, it’d be a tiger or wolf.”

“Not some cute kitten.”

“If I hadn’t held back, you’d have slipped your tongue in.”

“If you keep denying me, Xiao You…”

“Aren’t you afraid one day I’ll lose control?”

“Pin you down and have my way?”

“Do you hear yourself?”

“This isn’t the Sister Yuan I know!”

“I’m underage!”

“For your mistake this time…”

“Your punishment is to be my boyfriend for a day.”

“No calling me Sister Yuan today.”

“Call me… darling.”

“That’s a bit much.”

“I don’t know if I can say it.”

“Just say yes or no, Xiao You.”

“Refuse, and I bite now.”

I felt her teeth graze my neck.

The memory of her last bite still haunted me.

“Alright, alright, I’ll do it.”

“Dar… darling.”

I fought my burning embarrassment to force the words out.

She saw my flushed face.

She pulled my head into her chest.

She stroked my hair, chuckling.

“You’re still so shy, like before.”

“Your blushing face is just as cute.”

“Get used to it, my little boyfriend~”

“Stop teasing me, Sis—darling.”

“Let’s get up.”

“I’m hungry.”

“Sure.”

“But as my boyfriend, shouldn’t you give me a good-morning kiss?”

What?

I thought just calling you “darling” was enough.

You’re pushing it.

Before I could voice my complaint, she leaned in.

Her petal-soft lips met mine again.

A sweet sensation lingered.

After a long moment, she pulled away.

“So reluctant to kiss me?”

“I had to take the lead again.”

“Do you hate me, Xiao You?”

“No way, I don’t hate you.”

“I’m just… embarrassed.”

“Fine, I’ll take the lead.”

“We can sleep more, or I’ll make breakfast.”

*TL Note: The term “darling” (亲爱的) reflects a playful yet intimate form of address in Chinese, often used between close partners or in teasing romantic contexts, highlighting Mo Yuan’s possessive yet affectionate dynamic with Lu You.