Chapter 26: Kiss

The tomatoes in the pan ended up burning.

Ji Pei, back to Jiang Xihan, had her chin held, forced to turn her head.

As Jiang Xihan’s soft, warm lips neared, Ji Pei instinctively pursed hers.

“Why so scared? Think I’ll eat you?”

Jiang Xihan stared playfully at Ji Pei’s tightly shut eyes, teasing, “Is this your first kiss?”

Ji Pei set down the pan, turned off the heat, and leaned against the counter, hands bracing her sides.

Seeing this, Jiang Xihan’s slender arms wrapped around Ji Pei’s waist, seizing the chance to press closer, gently capturing the lips she’d dreamed of.

“Mmm…”

Ji Pei’s face flushed red, her earlobes glowing like they’d bleed.

One hand gripped the counter, the other pushed lightly at Jiang Xihan’s shoulder, but the gesture was soft, almost inviting.

Ji Pei squeezed her eyes shut, lips sealed.

She didn’t know how to kiss, and with nerves numbing her body, she forgot how to breathe, let alone open her mouth to reciprocate.

Jiang Xihan, eyes open, took in Ji Pei’s shy, trembling form.

She removed her skewed glasses, setting them on the counter.

Her lips enveloped Ji Pei’s, her soft tongue tracing the sealed seam, searching for a weak point.

Jiang Xihan’s tongue met Ji Pei’s firm teeth. Her right hand pressed Ji Pei’s head, pulling her closer.

Ji Pei’s face was crimson, her breathing imperceptible to Jiang Xihan.

Just a kiss, and she’s this nervous, holding her breath. Would she pass out next?

Kissing Ji Pei’s lips, Jiang Xihan coaxed, “Breathe through your nose.”

Ji Pei’s eyes cracked open slightly. Seeing Jiang Xihan’s intense gaze, she shut them again.

“…”

She took two breaths, easing up, only to see Jiang Xihan’s eyes gleam with predatory intent.

Ji Pei, anxious and scared, felt Jiang Xihan might pounce and bite her any second.

Their lips parted for two seconds. Ji Pei touched the hot pan handle, flinching, and Jiang Xihan stole her breath again.

Her tongue couldn’t breach Ji Pei’s clenched teeth. Searching left and right, Jiang Xihan finally pinched Ji Pei’s waist.

“Open your mouth.”

Ji Pei let out a soft moan, slowly parting her lips at Jiang Xihan’s command. In an instant, a soft tongue surged in, shattering her last defense.

“Wuu…”

Ji Pei clutched Jiang Xihan’s shoulders, her tongue entangled, feeling like she’d be devoured.

She forgot to take control, letting Jiang Xihan do as she pleased.

Truth be told, Jiang Xihan’s kissing skills weren’t stellar either. The day before meeting Ji Pei, she’d crammed kissing theories.

How to make your partner feel pleasure.

How to kiss until their legs go weak.

Jiang Xihan memorized it all, but in the heat of the moment, she was at a loss.

Luckily, Ji Pei’s eyes were closed, missing her awkwardness.

Glistening saliva dripped from Ji Pei’s unclosed lips. She wiped it, but Jiang Xihan grabbed her fingers, interlocking them.

They kissed in the kitchen for over half an hour. Ji Pei’s lips went numb, barely feeling their existence.

Jiang Xihan wasn’t much better—her lips swollen, burning with lingering heat.

Their greed led to both grabbing ice from the fridge to soothe their mouths.

Ji Pei sat at the far end of the sofa, keeping distance, terrified Jiang Xihan would pounce again.

Her legs felt weak, feet tingling, standing nearly impossible.

Fingers trembling, Ji Pei held a towel-wrapped ice pack, stealing glances at Jiang Xihan, lounging lazily on the sofa.

Jiang Xihan looked unruffled, pressing an ice pack to her lips, her gaze fixed on Ji Pei.

Ji Pei’s face, neck, and collarbone were faintly pink. She grabbed another ice pack for her ears, withdrawing her eyes.

“Why sit so far?”

Ji Pei’s tongue ached, her lips stinging. Licking them nearly knocked her out.

“You went too far.”

Her eyes shimmered with moisture, glaring at Jiang Xihan, pointing at her blood-red lips, accusing.

“You practically ate me. Liar, you said just one kiss.”

Jiang Xihan’s words had tricked her into “just one kiss,” but it lasted over half an hour, nearly burning the ribs in the pot.

Now her lips were swollen, too sore to eat hot food.

Jiang Xihan stood, looming over Ji Pei.

Instinctively, Ji Pei grabbed a rabbit pillow, shielding herself.

Pointless, but it served a decorative purpose.

“Don’t come closer.”

She was scared, her tongue sore and numb, even swallowing hard.

Ji Pei felt their kissing was off. In dramas, couples kissed passionately, sweating, legs weak.

One word: thrilling.

Today, her first kiss stolen by Jiang Xihan, all she felt was nerves, excitement, and aching lips and tongue.

Was it the wrong technique?

Ji Pei hadn’t expected such intensity on their first meeting. She hadn’t studied kissing guides.

Beyond lips on lips, she didn’t expect Jiang Xihan’s bold tongue kiss, so forceful.

Thinking this, Ji Pei glared fiercely.

Noticing her resentful look, Jiang Xihan closed in, cornering Ji Pei with nowhere to go.

“Let me see your mouth.”

Her voice softened. Sitting beside Ji Pei, she grabbed her hand, hooking a leg around Ji Pei’s ankle to stop her from fleeing.

Ji Pei wasn’t petite, nearly 1.8 meters in shoes, but Jiang Xihan pinned her against the sofa, inescapable.

“What’re you doing?”

Jiang Xihan held her chin. “Your lips might be cut.”

Ji Pei opened her mouth, believing it.

“Cut?”

Jiang Xihan’s eyes narrowed, hooking Ji Pei’s neck for another kiss.

“Jiang Xihan…”

Ji Pei was pressed onto the soft sofa, the rabbit pillow yanked away.

So obstructive.

Their bodies intertwined closely. Through her sweater, Ji Pei felt Jiang Xihan’s warm body.

Her first time so close to a woman, lips and tongues meeting, fluids mingling.

Ji Pei tasted a sweet, metallic tang, realizing she’d bitten Jiang Xihan’s lip in her struggle.

“Hiss…”

Jiang Xihan licked the blood bead, hands braced by Ji Pei’s head, lips vivid like a bewitching spirit.

“You bit me?”

Ji Pei, like a guilty child, clutched the sofa cover.

“I… didn’t mean to…”

Sneaking a glance, she saw Jiang Xihan wasn’t mad, her lips curving, eyes smiling faintly.

“You kissed so hard. I said stop, but you kept tricking me.”

Jiang Xihan straddled Ji Pei’s thighs, leaning in. “You cut my lip. It hurts. How will you make it up?”

Ji Pei tried to escape. “I’ll get a bandage.”

Jiang Xihan pinned her waist, tossing her back. “Get back here!”

Ji Pei lay on the sofa, one leg dangling, pillow over her face, seemingly drained.

“Jiang Xihan, you liar… jerk!”

Jiang Xihan grabbed the pillow, ready to toss it, but Ji Pei resisted fiercely.

“I’ll never trust you again!”

Her resistance ended with being pinned again. Brain oxygen-starved, Ji Pei stared at the ceiling, eyes drifting to Jiang Xihan’s lips.

She had bitten them. The wound was darker, looking painful.

Ji Pei pursed her lips, propping herself up, kissing Jiang Xihan’s lips, gently rubbing the cut.

Jiang Xihan froze, surprised by Ji Pei’s sudden initiative.

Then, a warm tongue softly licked her bloodied lip.

The slightly rough tongue, like a kitten’s, licked gently. Jiang Xihan’s last nerve nearly snapped.

Ji Pei apologized softly, “Sorry, still hurt?”

The cut stung and itched, worsened by Ji Pei’s licking, but Jiang Xihan oddly felt thrilled to her scalp.

“Lick more, and it won’t hurt.”

Ji Pei hummed, her tongue sore. After a bit, she was too tired.

“No more. It’s not bleeding.”

Jiang Xihan, exhausted, wanted to rest on Ji Pei, but the doorbell rang.

Who was back?

Ji Pei’s pupils shrank. She pushed Jiang Xihan, glancing at the door.

“Get up, someone’s here.”

The doorbell kept ringing. Seeing Jiang Xihan still staring, Ji Pei pushed again.

Jiang Xihan, seeing Ji Pei’s intent to answer, held her waist, shaking her head. “You know how you look? You dare answer?”

Ji Pei touched her burning cheeks, confused. “What… do I look like?”

Jiang Xihan rubbed her earlobe. “Very tempting.”

“…”

What a deadly description.

Ji Pei grabbed her phone, checking the door camera. As expected, Ji Fan and Ye Wenzhu.

Hadn’t she ditched them? How’d they find her?

She’d changed the villa’s lock code when Jiang Xihan moved in.

Ji Pei sighed in relief. Good thing, or Ji Fan and Ye Wenzhu would’ve walked in on them tangled on the sofa, ruining their image.

Outside, Ji Fan and Ye Wenzhu were baffled.

Ji Fan remembered the code was their mom’s birthday, but it kept failing, and no one answered the bell.

“No way, is no one home?”

Ye Wenzhu pointed at tire tracks. “No one? They’re back, probably doing something not kid-friendly, too caught up to open the door. We’d ruin their moment.”

Ji Fan, shocked, “No way, first meeting and already in bed?”

Ye Wenzhu didn’t hesitate. “Very likely. Your sister’s traditional, but Jiang Xihan? She’s no saint. Probably already devoured Ji Pei.”

“…”

Their conversation reached Ji Pei and Jiang Xihan clearly through the camera.

Ji Pei glanced at Jiang Xihan, quickly shutting off her phone, fearing more outrageous words.

Jiang Xihan showed no reaction, even nodding seriously. “She’s not wrong.”

Ji Pei was stunned.

Jiang Xihan, hearing such slander, wasn’t mad but nodded with a smile.

Was her temper that good, or was it for show?

The two outside left. Ji Pei, while Jiang Xihan wasn’t looking, slipped out from under her.

She bolted to the bathroom, locking it, checking the mirror.

Seeing her flushed, amorous face, she covered it, whimpering like a small animal, too embarrassed to look.

She’d forgotten her phone.

What now?

Ji Pei washed her face with cold water, sat on the toilet, hands on chin, lost in thought for ten minutes.

The water dried. Standing before the mirror, her face calmer, she splashed more water.

Taking a deep breath, mentally prepared, she opened the door.

Jiang Xihan sat on the sofa, leisurely watching Ji Pei approach, water beads on her face, patting the spot beside her.

“Come here.”

Ji Pei, ignoring her, headed to the kitchen.

This open kitchen was dangerous—no door. Someone like Jiang Xihan, always sneaking touches, needed to be kept out, or she’d never feel safe.

The corn rib soup was done. Ji Pei washed the pan, cutting two tomatoes.

She kept glancing at Jiang Xihan, ensuring she stayed on the sofa.

Ji Pei checked the sofa thrice while chopping. Jiang Xihan, catching her glances, smiled silently.

She wanted to act, but given the situation, she thought gradual steps were better than rushing.

Today, she’d been too eager, nearly scaring Ji Pei off.

While making tomato scrambled eggs, Jiang Xihan stayed in the living room, not even getting water or using the bathroom.

Ji Pei, like a cat spying on its owner, peeked from the doorway.

Jiang Xihan pretended not to notice, watching an old foreign film on TV.

Hearing the TV, Ji Pei relaxed, pouring the ribs into a bowl, serving two bowls of rice.

Her dinner was just enough for two—she hated waste and leftovers, always precise with portions.

“Dinner’s ready.”

The steaming, fragrant rib soup hit the table. Ji Pei fetched the rice.

Jiang Xihan, in soft cotton slippers and light loungewear, looked gentler.

Ji Pei, bringing the rice, noticed something odd about Jiang Xihan.

Scanning from her tousled hair to her pink-blue slippers, she realized—Jiang Xihan wasn’t wearing glasses.

“Where’re your glasses?”

Jiang Xihan took the rice. “I’m not nearsighted.”

Ji Pei, holding tomato eggs, was stunned. “Not nearsighted? Why wear glasses? Doesn’t it hurt your nose?”

Jiang Xihan set down the rice, looking at Ji Pei. “I look too young without them. Less intimidating.”

Ji Pei: “…”

Studying Jiang Xihan’s face, she couldn’t argue.

Her skin was taut, nose high, no fine lines at her eyes—she didn’t look thirty-something.

Catching Ji Pei’s stare, Jiang Xihan smiled. “Am I pretty?”

Caught red-handed, Ji Pei’s face heated. “Jifeng’s choice—how could you not be?”

Tomorrow was Wednesday; Jiang Xihan had a second-period class.

Ji Pei had memorized her schedule.

“You’ve got a class tomorrow morning. I’ll drive you.”

“Tomorrow… I do.”

Jiang Xihan leaned close, nose brushing Ji Pei’s ambiguously, smiling. “How about I save you a seat in class?”

Ji Pei hadn’t expected, post-graduation, to attend her girlfriend’s class, or worse, be called on.

Knowing Jiang Xihan, she’d likely make Ji Pei answer questions.

Ji Pei’s lifelong fear was teachers. Just standing there, silent, they intimidated her.

Who’d have thought she’d date a professor she’d fear in dreams?

“If I sit in, don’t call on me to answer.”

Jiang Xihan hadn’t realized Ji Pei’s shyness was about this, not hiding their relationship.

Relieved, she patted Ji Pei’s head.

“Fine, I won’t call you. Just sit where I can see you.”

Ji Pei touched her head. “Don’t pat me—I won’t grow taller.”

Jiang Xihan chuckled, unable to resist stroking her soft, black hair, reluctant to pull away.

“Grown woman worrying about height? Fine, I’ll stop.”

***

Night fell. Ji Pei leaned into Jiang Xihan’s arms, checking her watch—past seven.

“After seven.”

Climbing out, she rubbed her eyes, voice hoarse.

“I should head home.”

Just starting their relationship, staying together felt improper.

Plus, Jiang Xihan’s touchy nature made cohabitation unsafe.

Ji Pei expected Jiang Xihan to stop her, but she only smiled.

“Okay, drive safe. No need to wake early tomorrow.”

Ji Pei: “?”

Not what she imagined.

At the entrance, slipping on her coat and shoes, Jiang Xihan called out.

“Wait.”

She hooked Ji Pei’s neck, lips pressing her slightly raised throat, kissing and sucking, making soft, ambiguous sounds.

Ji Pei leaned back, body instinctively pressing closer.

Minutes felt like hours.

Jiang Xihan’s lips left Ji Pei’s throat, smiling ambiguously. “Stamping you.”

Ji Pei: “…”

***

Home by eight, Ji Pei saw the hickey in the rearview mirror, secretly pleased.

Jiang Xihan seemed old-fashioned but was so playful—don’t judge a book by its cover.

Ji Pei tugged her turtleneck up, hiding the mark.

Ji Fan was young; she couldn’t corrupt her sister.

Sneaking in, Ji Pei saw Ji Fan and Ye Wenzhu on the living room sofa, faces grim.

Hearing her, they turned, expressions unfriendly.

Pretending not to notice, Ji Pei yawned, casually shedding her coat and changing shoes.

Passing them, Ye Wenzhu stopped her.

“Hey, where’d you sneak off to all afternoon? Ditching me and Fanfan on the road?”

Ji Pei tugged her collar. “I’ve got a girlfriend. Of course I’m with her.”

Ye Wenzhu, jealous and angry, clenched her fists. “Hmph, choosing love over friends. Even Fanfan’s upset.”

Ji Pei cut in, “That’s because I’m dating the professor who failed her.”

Ji Fan’s face fell.

Seeing Ye Wenzhu’s lecture coming, Ji Pei preempted it, pulling a wooden box from her bag.

“Here, your gift.”

Ye Wenzhu huffed, feigning disinterest, but took it.

Inside was a Ferrari key with a cute gold panda.

Her eyes widened, hands trembling. “Peipei, how many roses would I sell for this?”

Ji Pei, noting her nickname change, knew she was appeased.

“Meant for your birthday, but now you get it early. You’ll get something else then.”

Ye Wenzhu jumped, kissing Ji Pei’s cheek.

“Be my girlfriend? I’ll be the side chick.”

Ji Pei wiped her face, disgusted. “Only Jiang Xihan can kiss me. Kiss your car.”

Ye Wenzhu: “No problem!”

Ji Pei wiped harder with a tissue. “I’m taking Jiang Xihan to school tomorrow. Pick up your car—don’t bug me.”

Ye Wenzhu: “No problem!”

***

The next day, Ji Pei arrived with a breakfast thermos.

Jiang Xihan, in the car, saw the breakfast, opening it.

“Hungry? Eat now, we’ll be at school soon.”

Jiang Xihan touched her flat stomach, closing it. “Not hungry yet. I’ll eat there.”

Ji Pei worried about driving into school, fearing security.

Since Jiang Xihan stopped driving, her parking spot became Ji Pei’s.

Parking, Ji Pei planned to go to Jiang Xihan’s office, but Ye Wenzhu called.

She’d hit a snag picking up the car and needed help.

On speaker, both heard Ye Wenzhu’s voice.

Ji Pei, holding her phone, looked pleadingly at Jiang Xihan. “Mind if I check? I’ll be back before class.”

Jiang Xihan nodded, agreeing.

***

In the office, Zhang Yun munched on a steamed bun with chili sauce, seeing Jiang Xihan breeze in with a fancy lunchbox.

Curious, she pulled her chair closer.

“Odd. The great Professor Jiang, who never eats out, brought food today.”

Jiang Xihan smiled faintly. “My girlfriend made it.”

Zhang Yun’s bun lost its appeal.

She bit it fiercely. “Hmph, buns and chili sauce are the best. You don’t get good food.”

Jiang Xihan ignored her, opening the strawberry bear lunchbox, eating slowly.

Zhang Yun peeked, envious.

Heart-shaped fried eggs, golden pumpkin millet porridge, crispy pancakes, and a vegetable platter.

She finished her bun in two bites, washing it down with water.

Just because she’s got a girlfriend, she’s showing off?

***

Class passed quickly. When the bell rang, Jiang Xihan hadn’t seen Ji Pei.

She went to the classroom with Bai Yin, scanning the students, but not her.

Starting class, she was distracted.

Even Bai Yin noticed, thinking Jiang Xihan was overtired.

Ten minutes in, the back door creaked. Ji Pei slipped in, sitting closest.

Made it.

Ji Pei exhaled, meeting Jiang Xihan’s eyes from the podium.

She puckered her lips, nearly blowing a kiss, but stopped—classrooms were sacred.

To others, Ji Pei was late, bookless, and careless—worthy of a fifty-point deduction in Jiang Xihan’s class.

Nearby students smirked, expecting Jiang Xihan to call her out, but she stayed put.

The girl beside Ji Pei, shocked, whispered, “Are you Jiang’s relative?”

***

To avoid trouble, Ji Pei nodded.

At lunch, Ji Pei joined Jiang Xihan.

Bai Yin trailed, marveling at their closeness.

Who’d have thought Ji Pei was so responsible? Jiang Xihan could walk, yet Ji Pei drove her to class. What a girl.

Jiang Xihan and Ji Pei’s shoulders brushed.

“What did the person beside you say in class?”

Ji Pei’s eyes widened, whispering, “Professor Jiang, you’re too petty.”

Seeing her seriousness, Ji Pei laughed. “She saw me late, no book, bad attitude, asked if I’m connected.”

Poking Jiang Xihan’s hand, Ji Pei said, “Better now, my great Professor Jiang?”

The cafeteria was crowded. Bai Yin got lost in the throng.

Ji Pei, seizing the chaos, held Jiang Xihan’s hand, finding a quiet spot.

“Sit here. I’ll get food.”

Ten minutes later, Ji Pei returned with two trays, buying six dishes since Jiang Xihan said to choose.

“So crowded. I rarely got takeout in college. Now I miss school food, but it’s far.”

Jiang Xihan smiled, picking a sweet-and-sour rib from Ji Pei’s tray.

Ji Pei, thinking she craved it, pushed her tray closer.

“This counter’s auntie was generous with portions.”

Jiang Xihan’s lips curved, finding Ji Pei’s ribs tastier.

“I’ve wanted yours for a while.”

Days ago, she saw Ye Wenzhu casually take ribs from Ji Pei’s plate, itching to do the same.

Back then, she had no claim, only watching.

Ji Pei blinked. “What?”

Jiang Xihan took another rib. “I saw Ye Wenzhu take your food.”

Ji Pei hadn’t realized Jiang Xihan remembered her meals with Ye Wenzhu.

“We were dormmates, close. We’d get different dishes and share.”

Jiang Xihan nibbled a rib, saying softly, “Oh.”

Sensing jealousy, Ji Pei, when no one was looking, quickly touched Jiang Xihan’s smooth hand, light as a cat’s paw.

“That was before. I’m taken now. I’ll only eat with you.”

Jiang Xihan glanced at the touched spot, humming softly.

“No next time.”