Chapter 29 part 2: Cohabitation

Ji Pei slept soundly, reluctant to open her eyes the next morning.

Her hand reached for her stomach, touching smooth, soft skin and Jiang Xihan’s hand, slipped in sometime during the night.

“…”

Jiang Xihan’s leg draped over her thigh.

The prim Professor Jiang slept like a koala, clinging tightly.

Was this the Jiang Xihan she knew? So contradictory—split personality, maybe?

In class, one persona; with her, another.

Ji Pei considered it likely.

A philosophy professor with a rich inner world might have developed a second personality.

Her flat stomach was exposed. Though covered, Ji Pei tugged her pajamas down.

Sleeping with an uncovered navel was uncomfortable. Was Jiang Xihan doing it on purpose?

Jiang Xihan slept on her side, head on Ji Pei’s shoulder.

From this angle, Ji Pei could see her long, dark lashes and the tiny tear mole.

She’d never thought a mole could be so captivating.

Lowering her head, her chin brushed Jiang Xihan’s hair, rubbing gently.

Jiang Xihan didn’t wake, her lips parted, showing neat teeth, deeply asleep.

Ji Pei avoided her phone, not wanting to disturb her.

Seeing sunlight through the curtains, she knew they’d slept until noon.

Jiang Xihan hummed unconsciously, her hand on Ji Pei’s chest moving, sliding down her soft skin.

Ji Pei: “…”

How could she flirt in her sleep? Pure talent.

Fine, let her. They were a couple—did a bit of teasing matter?

After a while, Jiang Xihan’s eyes opened, her fingers still on Ji Pei’s waist.

Memory returned—she’d slept at Ji Pei’s.

The person holding her was soft and warm. Jiang Xihan, voice hoarse, asked, “What time is it?”

Seeing her awake, Ji Pei checked her phone.

“Eleven in the morning.”

“Slept that long…”

Jiang Xihan had never slept so late, but it was restful, dreaming of a fluffy white cat.

Her arm was less sore. She pressed Ji Pei’s stomach, sitting up to stretch.

Ji Pei, about to get up, was pushed back down.

Jiang Xihan hugged her, refusing to let go. “Stay a bit.”

Ji Pei’s stomach growled. She nudged Jiang Xihan’s leg. “It’s noon. I’ll buy groceries and cook something nourishing.”

She reordered yesterday’s undelivered items.

Jiang Xihan, sore from the fever, had no energy. Ji Pei let her rest, only needing to eat later.

Delivery arrived quickly, the courier helping carry everything in.

Ji Pei tipped him sixty-six yuan after he left.

Jiang Xihan, recovering, couldn’t eat greasy food. Ji Pei planned light vegetable porridge and stir-fried veggies with meat.

The doctor advised against spicy food, so simple stir-fries it was. Protein was needed after illness.

The kitchen filled with rhythmic chopping sounds, the bedroom door and windows open for air.

Jiang Xihan, limp, sat up, grabbing Ji Pei’s phone from the bedside.

Its case was cute—a Hello Kitty with a red bow.

Jiang Xihan opened her phone, browsing Taobao for a matching couple’s case.

Ji Pei, in a pink pig apron, saw her snapping a photo, possibly searching for it.

Leaning against the door, arms crossed, Ji Pei smiled.

“Where’d you get this phone case?”

Ji Pei squatted on the carpet, unlocked her phone, found the order, and bought one for Jiang Xihan’s model.

“I got you one. Now we’ll have couple’s cases.”

Seeing Jiang Xihan bored, Ji Pei opened her phone to games she’d downloaded.

“Here.”

She launched an old Plants vs. Zombies, handing it over like coaxing a child.

“This level has zombies dropping on ropes, stealing my plants. I died so many times. Help me pass it.”

Jiang Xihan, unfamiliar, looked puzzled but nodded.

The screen dimmed. Ji Pei unlocked it, entering her password—her birthday—in front of Jiang Xihan.

020520

Jiang Xihan knew Ji Pei’s birthday, May 20, vividly memorable.

Ji Pei, grinning, changed it to Jiang Xihan’s birthday.

941105

Jiang Xihan saw and knew instantly.

“Why…”

Ji Pei licked her lips. “We’re a couple. Of course we use each other’s birthdays.”

Eagerly, she grabbed Jiang Xihan’s phone, scanned her face, and changed the password.

“Is your password your birthday too?”

Jiang Xihan’s heart swelled, indescribable, overflowing.

“Yes, my birthday.”

Ji Pei, done, hugged her face, kissing her lips twice, then licking them.

“Afternoon kiss. I’m cooking. Don’t sneak up on me.”

Jiang Xihan laughed. “When did I sneak?”

Ji Pei kissed her again, huffing. “Too many times to count!”

***

Ji Pei left. Jiang Xihan, holding her phone, leaned on the bed, tackling the Plants vs. Zombies level.

As she started, a WeChat notification popped up. Her finger accidentally opened it.

It was Ji Pei’s university class group, lively with many members.

Xie Zhen: [ @Everyone Don’t forget tomorrow’s class reunion! ]

Xie Zhen…

Jiang Xihan’s lips curved. Another message appeared.

Xie Zhen: [ @Ji Pei Don’t forget! ]

Jiang Xihan stared blankly at Xie Zhen’s avatar, clicking it. The oily portrait looked eerily like Ji Pei’s profile.

Recalling Ji Pei’s words—Xie Zhen’s crush, harassment, and stalking—anger and jealousy surged.

***

In the kitchen, Ji Pei, chopping vegetables, nicked her finger.

Blood dripped onto the cutting board. Sighing, she squeezed it out and went to another room for a bandage.

As she searched, the front door opened.

Ye Wenzhu, beaming, carried a bouquet of light-blocking black roses, finding the living room empty.

Assuming Ji Pei was in the bedroom, she headed there.

“Pei Pei! Look! I brought…”

Her voice stopped. Eyes wide, she stammered, “P-Professor Jiang!”

Jiang Xihan, hair loose, leaned on the bed, playing zombies, looking mildly annoyed at the interruption.

“Just one Jiang.”

Ye Wenzhu stared, terrified. “Professor Jiang, why are you…”

Before she finished, Ji Pei, holding a bandage, emerged, confused. “Why’re you here?”

Ye Wenzhu hid behind Ji Pei, dodging Jiang Xihan’s piercing gaze.

“My shop got rare black roses. I wanted to bring them to you, but…”

She signaled Ji Pei, shoving the roses into her hands, fleeing to the living room.

Mouthing silently, “You’re living together?”

Ji Pei paused. “Sort of.”

Ye Wenzhu’s mouth dropped. “That fast?”

Ji Pei, embarrassed, touched her face. “Mind your business.”

Jiang Xihan, still playing, noticed the bandage on Ji Pei’s hand.

Dropping the phone, she lifted the blanket, approaching Ji Pei, ignoring Ye Wenzhu, and grabbed her left index finger.

“What happened?”

“Cut it while chopping.”

Ye Wenzhu, watching the couple, tiptoed to the living room.

***

In the living room, Jiang Xihan leaned on the sofa, playing on Ji Pei’s phone.

Ye Wenzhu sat diagonally across, too scared to use her phone, fiddling with the roses.

Ji Pei, knife in hand, came from the kitchen, seeing Ye Wenzhu still there. “Didn’t you come to deliver flowers?”

Ye Wenzhu nodded. “Yeah.”

“Then why’re you still here?”

Was that human speech?

Ye Wenzhu nearly snapped, but remembering Jiang Xihan and the Ferrari Ji Pei gave her, she shrank back.

“Oh, my brain. Forgot.”

Ji Pei: “Next time, just send the flowers. You don’t need to come.”

Ye Wenzhu: “…”

She glanced at Jiang Xihan, pouting, then smiled, clutching her car keys.

“Fine, I’ll behave.”

Ji Pei: “…”

Why did Ye Wenzhu seem slightly split too?

***

After “evicting” the uninvited guest, Jiang Xihan stared at the lock. “We should change the password, so certain people don’t barge in.”

Ji Pei laughed at “certain people.”

“Okay, we’ll change it to your birthday after lunch.”

One dish left to finish lunch.

Ji Pei’s phone chimed with WeChat. It was the class group again.

Xie Zhen: [ @Everyone Tomorrow, 11 a.m., XX Restaurant. I’ll wait there. ]

Jiang Xihan, with the phone, joined Ji Pei in the kitchen, watching her stir-fry green peppers and potatoes.

“Your class group says tomorrow, 11 a.m., XX Restaurant.”

Ji Pei glanced. “11 a.m.? I’ll drop you at class and go.”

Jiang Xihan asked casually, “Do you often have reunions?”

Ji Pei plated the potatoes, shaking her head. “Just this once. I don’t want to go, but the class leader tagged me. I’m curious what she’s up to.”

***

After lunch, Ji Pei went outside, changing the lock’s password to Jiang Xihan’s birthday.

Clapping her hands, she grinned. “Now you can come in anytime!”

Jiang Xihan tried it, smiling satisfied.

“No giving this to others, not even Ye Wenzhu.”

Ji Pei hugged her from behind, pushing her into the living room, closing the door. “I know.”

Her palm rested on Jiang Xihan’s slightly full stomach. “Full?”

Jiang Xihan held her hand, leaning back, kissing her mouth.

“Full.”

“Since you’re full…”

Ji Pei, shyly smiling, scooped Jiang Xihan up, carrying her to the sofa.

“You ate my food. What’s my reward?”

Jiang Xihan caressed Ji Pei’s soft neck, pulling her down, easily kissing her lips.

Ji Pei had always wanted to take charge—usually pinned under Jiang Xihan, it was embarrassing. Now was her chance.

She eagerly nibbled Jiang Xihan’s lower lip, straddling her thighs, one hand in her warm hair.

Inexperienced, Ji Pei liked biting Jiang Xihan’s full lips, her tongue sweeping her warm gums.

Jiang Xihan tasted of oranges from earlier.

Ji Pei sucked her soft tongue, one hand on her back, slipping under her pajama hem.

Their heavy breathing filled the air. Ji Pei peeked, seeing Jiang Xihan’s eyes open.

“…”

Her face heated. She pulled back, covering Jiang Xihan’s eyes. “No looking.”

Jiang Xihan’s hands climbed her shoulders, chuckling. “Why shy? You saw me naked.”

“It’s different…”

Afraid of more bold words, Ji Pei kept one hand over her eyes, the other rubbing her waist.

Jiang Xihan had a waist dip. Ji Pei found it instantly.

“Ji Pei…”

She arched her neck, forming a graceful curve. Ji Pei’s lips caught it.

Wet kissing sounds echoed. Ji Pei kissed her jaw, teeth grazing, wanting to keep Jiang Xihan’s sweet lips in her mouth.

Jiang Xihan had heard lips were a human organ of pleasure.

Kissing triggered joy, brainwaves syncing between partners.

***

Sticky and sweet, Ji Pei lost track of how long they kissed on the sofa.

Reluctantly, she pulled away, lifting Jiang Xihan to sit in her lap.

Jiang Xihan’s chest heaved, panting, surprised at Ji Pei’s quick learning.

They hadn’t kissed much, yet Ji Pei, who once bit her lip, now left her weak, improving fast.

Jiang Xihan nudged Ji Pei’s stomach with her leg, leaning on her shoulder, hoarse. “Ji Xiao Pei, I’m close.”

Ji Pei’s eyes widened, kissing her earlobe, stammering, “But… I don’t know how… I’m afraid…”

Jiang Xihan bit her slender fingers, wetting them.

“You can learn.”

Ji Pei whispered, “But… I have no experience… I’m scared I’ll mess up…”

Jiang Xihan’s legs wrapped her waist, smiling. “How do you know without trying?”

Her hand slid down to Ji Pei’s waistband. Ji Pei panicked.

“It’s broad daylight! Ji Fan could come back anytime!”

Jiang Xihan paused, seeing Ji Pei’s red face and neck, leaning lazily in her arms. “Tonight then?”

Ji Pei hummed softly, avoiding her eyes.

***

As night approached, Ji Pei drove Jiang Xihan to her villa near the school.

She psyched herself up, nervous yet excited, avoiding Jiang Xihan’s gaze in the car.

Jiang Xihan noticed her tension but stayed silent.

Parking in the garage, Ji Pei scanned the area like a cautious cat.

All clear.

Thinking of what was to come, her heart raced.

Don’t be scared… relax…

It’s just that. What’s to fear?

Opening the door, Ji Pei pulled Jiang Xihan into the living room. Before she could turn on the light, Jiang Xihan kissed her.

Ji Pei fumbled for the switch, restoring light.

Their foreheads met, Jiang Xihan’s hot breath on her jaw.

“Let’s shower first.”

Jiang Xihan kissed her hard, unbuttoning her shirt, smiling. “After.”

Soon, Ji Pei pushed her onto the sofa.

Like a kitten, she nestled into Jiang Xihan’s chest.

Jiang Xihan stroked her soft hair, gazing at her beautiful eyes.

Ji Pei’s peach-blossom eyes shimmered with misty desire.

But then, Jiang Xihan froze.

Two big tears splashed onto her. Ji Pei licked her lips, crying.

“Jiang Xihan… I can’t…”

Ji Pei rarely cried, but now tears flowed uncontrollably as she hugged Jiang Xihan.

“I can’t do it… I’ve never… I’m scared I’ll hurt you…”

Jiang Xihan wiped her tears, kissing her eyes gently. “Don’t be afraid. I’m not. Do what you want.”

“No…”

Ji Pei buried her face in Jiang Xihan’s shoulder, sobbing. “Am I useless? I can’t even do this. Do you think I’m dumb and want to break up? I don’t want to…”

Jiang Xihan chuckled. “Why’re you talking nonsense? Who’s breaking up?”

Her tongue swept Ji Pei’s hot tears, her hand patting her back.

“It’s okay if you can’t. But don’t say ‘break up.’ I hate it.”

Ji Pei wiped her tears on Jiang Xihan’s shoulder, pouting. “But I didn’t prepare… What if you don’t like it and want to… ugh…”

Jiang Xihan glanced at her scabbed hand, understanding Ji Pei’s fear.

Her injuries always seemed tied to Ji Pei, who worried about hurting her.

“Then do it your way.”

Jiang Xihan pressed a finger to Ji Pei’s soft lips, thumb rubbing her lower lip.

“If you’re scared of hurting me, start with your mouth.”