Chapter 43: Sleep together?

Lin Yiren pushed open the door and brought Xing Yao back to her long-lost little home.

She opened up Xing Yao’s suitcase, ready to help organize her daughter’s belongings.

That ever-present Blue Ragdoll Cat Plush immediately caught her eye. She was quite curious, so she picked it up and gave it a shake, asking, “Xing Yao, do you really like this plush?”

“It’s from Mommy.” Lin Xingyao rolled back and forth on the familiar bed.

“Where did you buy this? It’s already a bit frayed at the seams.” Lin Yiren rubbed the loose threads, feeling that the plush’s quality was a bit lacking.

“That’s my childhood plush,” Chen Zhaoyue said quietly.

Lin Yiren’s heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly placed the plush back on the table with both hands and pretended to pat the little cat’s head, “The material feels so good, and the shape is lovely, too.”

She truly hadn’t expected Chen Zhaoyue to have such a childlike side.

“Hmph,” Chen Zhaoyue ignored her belated flattery, relaxed, and flopped down beside Xing Yao, pulling her daughter into her arms and pressing their soft cheeks together.

Although she felt as if she’d just been given an invisible eye-roll, Lin Yiren still thought Chen Zhaoyue was adorable at this moment.

Hugging her daughter, her fair cheeks sank down like tufts of cloud.

Lin Yiren’s attention was caught; her hands moved absentmindedly, nearly putting Xing Yao’s Cup together with her socks.

When she snapped back to herself, she quickly separated them, turned around, and warmth crept up her cheeks.

***

Chen Zhaoyue hugged the little one in her arms and felt incredibly comfortable. Xing Yao, however, objected, pushing her face away, and said, “It’s hot.”

The usual imperious Miss Chen could only back off, watching her daughter reach out to grab at the particles dancing in the sunlight, her bright eyes blinking lively.

Xing Yao’s eyes were clear and bright, much like Lin Yiren’s, yet the corners of her eyes turned slightly upward, inheriting the radiant charm of Chen Zhaoyue’s peach blossom eyes.

After waving her hands for a while and losing interest, the little one’s shiny black eyes darted back and forth between her two mothers. Suddenly, something came to mind.

She turned to Chen Zhaoyue, holding her little face and asking, “Why don’t Mommy and Mami sleep together?”

Her soft voice drifted through the room, but it landed heavily in the hearts of the two young women present.

Lin Yiren unconsciously slowed her breathing. Her back was frozen in place, not daring to move, her delicate ears pricked up, waiting for Chen Zhaoyue’s response.

Chen Zhaoyue, too, was stunned for a moment by the question. Her gaze slid toward the girl with her back to her, who was standing like a sculpture, even her hanging hair perfectly still—her face was probably already flushed pink.

A sense of anticipation suddenly welled up in Chen Zhaoyue’s heart, and the corners of her lips lifted with delight.

Chen Zhaoyue pretended to think for a while and led Xing Yao on, “Why do you suddenly ask?”

“Xiao Xue’s moms always sleep with her at night.” Lin Xingyao pouted, yet she could only choose between Mommy and Mami.

“So, do you want us to sleep together, too?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Chen Zhaoyue looked at the bright-eyed little dumpling, her brows and eyes filled with a smile. She then asked the still-back-turned girl, “Yiren, will you agree to Xing Yao’s request?”

Her clear voice, like pearls and jade, rang out in Lin Yiren’s heart, echoing again and again.

Lin Yiren turned around. She had intended to suppress the turbulent emotions in her heart, but her cheeks felt roasted, and the heat made her dizzy.

Xing Yao’s eyes brimmed with expectation.

Chen Zhaoyue, meanwhile, had an expression that left the decision entirely up to her.

It did seem unfair that Xing Yao always had to sleep with only one of them. If they both lay on either side of her, it wasn’t as if they’d be right next to each other. Some emotion within Lin Yiren claimed the high ground, guiding her thoughts.

“Then, how about we all sleep together?” Lin Yiren felt like her voice was coming from afar, completely beyond her control.

Chen Zhaoyue raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t expected Lin Yiren to be so decisive this time—she’d thought she would have to coax her a bit more.

“Yay!” Lin Xingyao cheered, hugging Lin Yiren and nuzzling her.

Seeing her daughter so happy, Lin Yiren felt a bit guilty—in the end, her daughter just wanted to sleep with both moms, yet the focus of her own attention was…

***

After dinner, Lin Xingyao was especially eager even during her bath. As soon as her hair was dried, she couldn’t wait to dash straight to Miss Chen’s room.

“Mommy, hurry up and wash!”

She ran off so fast that all Lin Yiren saw was her daughter leaping onto the bed.

So excited, huh? Lin Yiren was amused and, heeding her words, took her clothes into the bathroom.

Lin Yiren tilted her small face up, letting the water wash over her body, pooling at her slender, delicate feet.

Alone in the privacy of the bathroom, Lin Yiren’s emotions scattered in every direction.

She was both shy and nervous—soon, she’d be spending the night in Chen Zhaoyue’s boudoir, and sharing a bed with Miss Chen herself.

“Hoo.” She exhaled a breath of hot air, telling herself silently, “I’m just here to keep Xing Yao company.”

She turned off the water, roughly blow-dried her hair, put on her clothes, and walked out of the bathroom.

***

Inside Chen Zhaoyue’s room, Xing Yao was already on the bed, reading a Picture Book.

Chen Zhaoyue had also finished her bath and, dressed in a white nightgown, was reclining on the bed looking at her phone.

At the sound of knocking, Chen Zhaoyue looked up at the door, a smile spreading across her face—she’d been waiting.

“The door’s not locked,” she said.

Turning the handle, Lin Yiren entered a bit nervously. She wore a short-sleeved top and shorts, her freshly washed skin still tinged pink.

There was a faint Lily Scent in Miss Chen’s room. Lin Yiren unconsciously softened her breathing, but as she took a few steps closer and saw Chen Zhaoyue on the bed, her breath caught again, the rosy color blooming across her skin.

Chen Zhaoyue’s nightgown was light and airy, riding up to her knees as she lay on the bed, her dazzling white skin making it hard for Lin Yiren to look directly at her.

She hurriedly lowered her head, rushed to sit by the bed, and tried to speak to the little dumpling.

But Xing Yao, still absorbed in her Picture Book, only greeted her briefly.

Wasn’t she excited just a while ago?

Just then, Chen Zhaoyue got off the bed, circled around, and came over to her side.

As Miss Chen’s presence drew closer, Lin Yiren’s heart pounded in her chest.

W-What’s she going to do?

Chen Zhaoyue finally stopped in front of her, raised her slender wrist, and reached for Lin Yiren’s face, then—

Grabbed a few strands of her long hair, running her fingers over them, and said, “You ran over here without even drying your hair.”

Lin Yiren had been tense all over, but hearing that, she relaxed, her mouth slightly open, eyes showing a trace of confusion.

“What are you waiting for? Come here.” Chen Zhaoyue plugged in the hairdryer and beckoned the girl over.

Lin Yiren obediently scooted over.

Chen Zhaoyue sat behind her. The gentle sound of her breathing reached Lin Yiren’s ears. She didn’t look back, but her skin was keenly aware, picking up on every movement from behind.

The hum of the hairdryer started up. A slender, fair hand carefully worked through her hair, the warm breeze making her locks sway, only for that hand to gather them back, making sure every strand was cared for.

A sense of peace gradually soaked into Lin Yiren’s heart. She remembered the time Chen Zhaoyue helped with her hair in the Practice Room—this felt similar, but the setting now was more private, and the bond between them felt even… closer.

Chen Zhaoyue is really so gentle, Lin Yiren thought, blushing.

Once her hair was dry, Lin Yiren felt much more relaxed, soothed by Chen Zhaoyue’s gentle touch.