Chapter 3: Grow Up

The night scenery flashed by outside the car window.

Colorful neon lights flickered briefly in my eyes.

On the ride home, Sister Yuan sat close to me.

“Sister Yuan, just now, was that to stop them from bothering you?”

“Is that what you think?”

“Sure, that’s part of it.”

“But mostly, I just wanted to kiss you.”

Her tone was casual, as if nothing had happened.

“How can you act so nonchalant?”

“That was my first kiss!”

Like she’d heard a hilarious joke, Sister Yuan burst out laughing.

“Xiao You, you really think that was your first kiss?”

“When you were little, I practically kissed every inch of you.”

“You thought your first kiss was still intact?”

“When?!”

“I don’t remember that at all!”

Sure, my childhood memories are fuzzy.

But if something like that happened, I’d definitely remember.

“I’m just teasing you.”

“But that was my first kiss too.”

“You think you’re the one who lost out?”

“Or were you saving your first kiss for some other girl?”

My hands grew sweaty with nervousness.

Her tone was as gentle as ever.

Yet her words left me unsure how to respond.

Honestly, if my first kiss was with Sister Yuan, I’d be thrilled.

But her assertive way of putting it sparked a rebellious streak in me.

It’s like she’s saying she’s my only option for a girlfriend.

So, against my better judgment, I said something I’d later regret deeply.

“Why act like my first kiss was meant just for you?”

“Maybe I’ll fall for another girl someday.”

My regret started the moment those words left my mouth.

Sister Yuan’s expression turned cold.

Her beautiful face looked like it might freeze over.

But she controlled her emotions.

She suppressed the intense feelings I couldn’t fathom.

Her tone grew more serious, colder than before.

“You’re right.”

“As you wish.”

“You’re grown up now, not that withdrawn, depressed little kid anymore.”

“I decided long ago not to treat you like a child.”

Her words carried a hint of sadness.

But I was too dense to notice.

Instead, I wanted to argue back.

“But what you said at the table clearly treated me like a kid.”

“How so?”

“Those words don’t conflict with seeing you as an adult.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Can’t your sister make it onto your list of potential partners?”

“What list?”

“And by ‘no conflict,’ you mean you still like me that way even if you see me as an adult?”

“Of course, my little boyfriend.”

“Your face is totally about to crack into a smile.”

“I need to build some immunity to your teasing.”

I was a bit annoyed.

I propped my chin on my hand.

I turned to face the window, away from Sister Yuan.

“And you’re still blushing like a kid.”

“Hahaha, Xiao You, no matter how many times I tease you, you’re still so shy.”

“I love that about you.”

What can I do?

I’ve never been in love.

I’ve never even held a girl’s hand.

Well, except for Sister Yuan’s.

If you count her, my close contact with the opposite s*x is kind of absurdly frequent.

Sometimes it’s a bit too intimate.

“You kissed me in front of all those people.”

“Aren’t you worried about weird rumors?”

“What if they really spread that you’re into younger boys?”

“Sister Yuan, you don’t… actually like little boys, do you?”

“Of course not.”

“I’m only into you.”

“Hey!”

“Why do you keep saying stuff like that today?”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

“I’m starting to win you over.”

“If I’m not careful, some other girl might steal you away.”

“That would break my heart.”

“This is proof that I see you as grown up now.”

“Why bother winning over someone who’s already maxed out on affection?”

I realized too late I’d let it slip.

I really do like Sister Yuan.

I like her a lot.

Back then, I barely understood romantic feelings.

I wasn’t sure what kind of “like” this was.

But I was certain I liked her, no matter the type.

“Oh, Xiao You!”

“That’s the happiest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“Come here, let me hug you.”

As she spoke, Sister Yuan forced my head around.

She pressed it against her fair chest.

“Your affection for me?”

“No matter how high, it’s never enough.”

“I’ll always find ways to make you like me more.”

Hearing what sounded like a confession, with that attitude?

You clearly don’t think I’m serious.

Or maybe you don’t believe I really like you.

I don’t even fully understand what romantic “like” feels like myself.

“Let’s get serious.”

“Today was my last time seeing those people.”

“With graduation coming, I’ve already found an internship.”

“I won’t see them again, so let them think what they want.”

“I don’t care about the self-important opinions or baseless guesses of people I don’t value.”

“And those I care about even a little?”

“It doesn’t matter if they saw.”

“Speaking of which, you’re starting school soon, right, Xiao You?”

“You’ve been playing all summer.”

“Have you forgotten everything from junior high?”

Sister Yuan suddenly shifted to my grades.

My junior high grades weren’t amazing, but they were solidly above average.

And that’s in our famously competitive school.

In another school, I’d probably be near the top.

My grades come mostly from natural talent.

I’m not exactly diligent.

You could even call me lazy.

Sister Yuan cares about everything about me.

Except my studies.

It’s not that she doesn’t care.

It’s more like…

Her exact words were:

“If you don’t do well, so what?”

“Worst case, you’re a social deadbeat, and I’ll take care of you.”

[TL Note: “Social deadbeat” → someone who contributes nothing to society, doesn’t have a job, and becomes a burden to others.]

A social deadbeat?

No way.

Dragging Sister Yuan down is the last thing I’d ever want.

Her words actually motivated me the opposite way.

Ever since she said that, I’ve studied harder.

“It’s not my fault.”

“You can’t expect me to start studying high school material early.”

“You’ve never cared much about my grades anyway.”

“I’ve got to check in sometimes.”

“Even if you forgot all your junior high stuff, it’s fine.”

“I said I’d take care of you, and that promise stands forever.”

“I don’t want you to take care of me.”

“I’ll work hard to support myself.”

“I’m not going to be your burden.”

“Oh, Xiao You’s got some backbone!”

“Don’t come crying to me about too much homework later.”

“The high school I’m going to isn’t some elite place.”

“It probably won’t be too intense.”

“There shouldn’t be too much homework.”

“I’m hoping to make more fun, friendly people as friends.”

“That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

I chose the high school Sister Yuan went to—Qiuhua High School.

With her grades back then, she could’ve easily gotten into the best high school in the city or even the province.

But she picked that one.

She told me it’s because it’s close to home.

So she could come back every day to take care of me.

She didn’t trust anyone else to look after me.

Not even Auntie Yun Xi.

I don’t fully buy that reason.

But I can’t think of any other explanation for her choice.

“Only guy friends, okay?”

“If I see you getting close to other girls, I’ll get jealous.”

“What, you’re not worried I’ll be mistaken for being into guys?”

“If that kind of rumor spreads, I might not even have guy friends.”

“Then so be it.”

“You only need me, Xiao You.”

I couldn’t argue back.

So many of Sister Yuan’s ideas are like this.

No logic, impossible to counter.

‘Are you trying to turn me into a momma’s… sister’s boy?’

So, she says she’ll stop treating me like a kid.

Then why is she still holding me like this when we sleep?

Hugging me so tightly I can barely turn over.

“Sister Yuan?”

“Are you asleep?”

“Sister Yuan?”

“What’s up?”

“Can’t sleep?”

“Well… didn’t you say you wouldn’t treat me like a kid anymore?”

“Isn’t it kind of weird to sleep holding me like this?”

“But I can’t sleep without holding you.”

As she said this, she rubbed her unfairly beautiful face against mine.

Like I was her favorite pillow.

Her smooth, slender legs draped over mine.

The sensation was incredible.

Our chests pressed close together.

If I looked down, I could see the peaks under her loose pajamas.

“Alright, stop squirming.”

“At least for now, be my good little pillow.”

“Good night.”

With that, she drifted off to sleep.

Leaving me helplessly feeling the pressure from her entire body.

On the bright side…

At least Sister Yuan’s sleeping habits are good.