Chapter 21: The most feared thing

“Darling, what’s the plan for today?”

I swallowed a bite of steamed bun.

I looked at Sister Yuan smiling across the table.

“What did you just call me?”

“Forgetting already?”

“I need to make sure you remember, Xiao You.”

“Sorry, dar—darling.”

“Ugh, I can’t get used to this!”

“Sorry, Sister Yuan, I’m a lousy boyfriend!”

I clutched my head, scratching in frustration.

“You’ll have to get used to it.”

“Or when you’re my real boyfriend—or husband—are you still gonna call me Sister Yuan?”

“That wouldn’t be bad, though.”

“What if I like another girl?”

“Won’t all this getting used to be for nothing?”

“I won’t let another girl steal you.”

“I don’t recommend you try.”

“You don’t want to know what I’d do.”

Her smile turned dark and chilling.

I realized I asked the wrong question.

I forgot she’s half yandere.

“So, darling, what do you want to do today?”

“Just stay home, watch TV, chat.”

“You don’t like going out, right?”

“You really know me.”

“Staying home it is.”

“Whatever makes you happy.”

I hate going out.

I don’t like being seen.

Sprawling on my bed, lazing around—that’s my vibe.

Sister Yuan doesn’t like crowded places either.

She avoids sharing space with strangers.

She says she loves being somewhere it’s just her and me.

“I’m gonna change.”

“You can sneak a peek, Xiao You.”

“Want to use that privilege?”

“I’m not looking!”

“Darling, go change already.”

Phew, caught myself in time.

But calling her that is so embarrassing!

She shuffled into her room in slippers.

I cleared the dishes and washed them in the kitchen.

As I dried my hands, her door opened.

“What do you think?”

“Like my outfit?”

She wore a white backless sweater.

Her bare legs were impossibly alluring.

The sides of her curves peeked out subtly.

Her smile was full of seductive charm.

“Why’d you wear that?”

“At least put on pants!”

She walked over and grabbed my hand.

She pushed me onto the sofa.

“What are you saying, Xiao You?”

“Who wears pants with a backless sweater?”

“I’m your girlfriend today.”

“I need to dress like a girl your age.”

“So you don’t call me ‘Sister Yuan’ again.”

“You just did, didn’t you?”

I did.

Too busy complaining, I slipped up.

“If you mess up again, I’ll have to change the punishment.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“Now get off me.”

She ignored me.

Instead, she pressed her whole body against mine.

She kissed me quickly.

Taking advantage of my talking, her soft tongue slipped into my mouth.

Her tongue danced wildly inside.

It gave me no chance to breathe.

It tangled with mine, swapping saliva.

After two or three minutes, she finally pulled back.

A glistening thread stretched between our lips.

It connected her mouth to mine.

“Finally got my way.”

“We’re a couple, so this is normal, right?”

“My first French kiss.”

“Once I got my tongue in your mouth, I didn’t want to stop.”

I gasped for air.

I shifted up to sit on the sofa.

She sat beside me, hugging my arm.

“Let’s watch a movie.”

“What do you want, Xiao You?”

“I’m good with anything.”

“You pick.”

Her arm felt soft and elastic, like cotton.

It threw my already flushed mind into chaos.

“Hmm… this one.”

She chose a highly rated classic animated movie.

It was about a fifteen-year-old boy and a twenty-seven-year-old woman falling in love.

On a rainy day, the leads met in a pavilion like a hidden paradise.

Their subtle expressions and actions hinted at their hearts drawing closer.

I watched the flickering screen.

I tried to calm the inappropriate flutters in my chest.

I needed a topic.

Watching the movie wasn’t enough to distract me from the softness against my arm.

“Sister Yuan, they’re twelve years apart.”

“Do you think they’ll end up together?”

“No problem.”

“Even a twenty-two-year gap doesn’t matter.”

“As long as there’s love, they’ll make it.”

She turned to me.

She pinched my cheek.

Her tone shifted to mature and rational.

“Think I’d say that, Xiao You?”

I almost nodded, then thought better and shook my head.

“That’s not like you.”

“It’s a nice, happy, perfect ending.”

“But when you’re serious, you’re overly rational.”

“You plan for the worst.”

“You’d think that answer is childish.”

“You wouldn’t say it.”

“Wow, Xiao You really knows me.”

“You’re right.”

“They’ll face bigger obstacles than a twelve-year age gap.”

“That’s what decides if they’ll stay together.”

“Love might overcome age, but not always the grind of reality.”

“Like us, Xiao You.”

“We’re only five years apart.”

“But the challenges we’ll face might not be smaller or fewer than theirs.”

“It’s okay, though.”

“No matter the problem or obstacle, I’ll handle it.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to be with you.”

“If anyone stands in our way, I’ll make them fall.”

“They’ll regret crossing us.”

She says such bold, heart-stirring things so casually.

When it comes to winning me over, she’s not just dedicated—she’s a master.

“So, does my effort to be with you make you like me more?”

“I… I definitely like you, Sister Yuan.”

“Like, want-to-make-my-boyfriend-card-permanent like?”

Her face turned playful again.

Her lips curved slightly.

She cut me off before I could answer.

“Look at you, so serious.”

“You don’t have to answer questions like that until you confess to me.”

“I hate the idea of other girls taking you.”

“But I’m not scared.”

“I’ll always find a way to take you back.”

“You’re never scared of anything, are you?”

“I’ve never seen you afraid.”

“I am.”

“I’m scared of you hating me.”

“That’s my only fear, my biggest fear.”

I put my hand on her head, mimicking her gentle tone.

“No way.”

“No matter what happens, I’ll never hate you.”

As her temporary boyfriend, this should be fine, right?

“You’re flirting back now.”

“You’ve made me so into you.”

“If you try to leave, I won’t let you.”

“Even if I didn’t say that, you wouldn’t let me go.”

“And I wouldn’t leave you anyway.”

“Hehe, good to know you get it.”

She grabbed the hand on her head.

She placed it on her chest.

Her other hand ruffled my hair.

“Even if you confess, I’m still your girlfriend and your sister.”

“Don’t get too cheeky, Xiao You.”

“Because the sister role is better for controlling and disciplining me?”

“Hey, when did you get so clever?”

“By the way, how many times did you say ‘Sister Yuan’?”

“You messed up a ton, didn’t you?”

“Punishment: no clothes when you sleep tonight.”

“What kind of punishment is that?”

“Aren’t you worried I’ll catch a cold?”

“I’ll hold you tight.”

“You won’t get sick.”

“And if you do, I’ll take care of you.”

“A bare Xiao You pillow?”

“After last night, I can’t get enough.”

*TL Note: The term “boyfriend card” (男友体验卡) is a playful Chinese internet slang referring to a temporary or trial romantic role, reflecting Mo Yuan’s teasing dynamic with Lu You as she pushes for a deeper connection while keeping the interaction lighthearted.