Chen Zhaoyue unplugged the hair dryer and touched Lin Yiren’s hair. It was dry and smooth, carrying a refreshing scent.
It felt warm, and she could not bring herself to let go.
Lin Yiren felt like a cat being stroked. A bit embarrassed, she moved over one space.
The plush sensation in her hand disappeared, and Chen Zhaoyue puffed out her cheeks.
“Let’s go take a look outside. I suddenly feel like the island in the rain is quite nice,” Lin Yiren said, scratching her head as she stood up under Chen Zhaoyue’s gaze, completely forgetting that she had been utterly disgusted by the scenery outside the window not long ago.
Chen Zhaoyue smiled and walked to the balcony to pull open the curtains. The rain had let up a bit, but the sky was still dark. The streetlamps on the island were lit, illuminating the drifting rain.
Lin Yiren leaned out from beside her, scanned the exterior, and pushed open the balcony door to walk out.
The sound of waves, rain, and wind immediately surrounded her.
Lin Yiren looked toward the shore and saw those swaying trees again. But now that her irritability had vanished, the sight of the wind, rain, and waves crashing against the shore actually made her feel a sense of… refreshment.
She took a few more steps forward, gripped the damp railing, and tilted her head back to breathe in the humid air, her features brightening beautifully.
“Ha~”
“Is it that comfortable?” A voice came from behind. Chen Zhaoyue leaned in close to her neck to speak.
Lin Yiren shrunk her neck. Chen Zhaoyue always liked to stand behind her. She reached out and pulled the other woman to the front. They leaned against the railing together to watch the rain, their hair blowing in the wind.
“Look at the waves over there. The sound of them hitting the rocks is terrifying. But looking at it from this far away feels a bit —” Lin Yiren weighed her words before finally spitting out two.
“Exciting.”
“I couldn’t tell you had a dream of being a sailor.” Chen Zhaoyue’s eyes curved as she leaned over. “Then, are we setting sail, Boat Captain?”
The sound of her breathing hit Lin Yiren’s ear, and her small ears turned pink.
“That’s not what I meant.” Lin Yiren pushed her shoulder away. She pointed to the empty shore, stammering, “It’s just, well, the feeling of ease when it’s just you and nature.”
“What do you mean ‘just you’?” Chen Zhaoyue deliberately nitpicked, pressing her hand against her waist. “Don’t you have me?”
The sensation on her waist made Lin Yiren’s breath hitch. Chen Zhaoyue was definitely teasing her!
The young girl turned to leave, but Chen Zhaoyue quickly pulled her back, coaxing her in a soft voice, “Don’t go, don’t go. I know what you mean — let’s sit together for a bit.”
Chen Zhaoyue pulled the two rattan chairs on the balcony together and made a “please” gesture toward her, like a polite Beautician.
Lin Yiren really had no resistance against the Eldest Miss acting like this. Her delicate face was full of helplessness, but her body obediently sat down.
Chen Zhaoyue sat down right next to her.
“It’s fine to let the wind blow for a while, but if it blows for too long, our faces will go numb,” Lin Yiren muttered, spreading her hand out to feel the wind through her fingers.
“Then I’ll block it for you.” A pair of slender hands fanned out in front of Lin Yiren’s eyes.
The wind was blocked, and so was her vision. Lin Yiren could only see the distinct knuckles and rounded, clean fingertips.
The feeling of being cared for warmed her heart. Lin Yiren also reached out her hand in front of Chen Zhaoyue. “I’ll help block it for you, too.”
The wind whistled.
“Pfft, this is a bit silly.” Chen Zhaoyue could not help but burst into a smile first.
“It seems so…” Lin Yiren withdrew her hand, the corners of her lips curving upward.
The wind and rain partitioned the world into pieces. Sitting in their own space, even their behavior became childish.
***
Chen Zhaoyue suddenly slapped her head and picked up the pink-and-white shell Smartphone from the table. “You haven’t even seen those photos from the beach yet.”
At her reminder, Lin Yiren remembered. She had been in a bad mood at the time and had completely forgotten about it.
The glowing Screen was held up before her eyes.
Lin Yiren’s eyes widened, and her nose suddenly felt a sting. She quickly took a deep breath to control her emotions.
In the photo, they were holding Xing Yao in the middle, draped in warm light. The photographer Miss had told them to look at the lens. Xing Yao’s clear eyes were looking seriously at the camera, but her two mamas did not seem very cooperative; their gentle gazes were both fixed on Xing Yao.
They really looked like a family. Lin Yiren’s heart pounded. She stole a glance at the person beside her. Chen Zhaoyue was also looking at the photo, a smile on her lips, her profile quiet and beautiful.
‘I want us to be a family.’ Lin Yiren could hardly control her rapid breathing. Should she… right now… confess to Chen Zhaoyue?
The blood in her body seemed to rush to the top of her head, and her temples throbbed. ‘Confess’ — the word brought an irrepressible impulse. Her lips moved, and a voice like a strand of silk drifted out.
“Zhao —”
*Ding-dong.* A notification suddenly popped up at the top of the Screen.
Lin Yiren’s body trembled, and she clamped her lips shut, locking away the words that had not yet been spoken.
“It seems to be my Mama.” Chen Zhaoyue leaned back against the chair, clicked in to take a look, and began typing with both hands.
That was close. Lin Yiren’s chest rose and fell. Her previous longing had made her overlook many problems.
Moreover, what if her interpretation of Chen Zhaoyue’s feelings was wrong? Once spoken, it could not be taken back.
She let out a long sigh in her heart.
***
“My Mama actually remembered to message me while she was drunk,” Chen Zhaoyue said with a laugh after replying. “It seems you and Xing Yao are very important to her.”
“Maybe she’s just concerned about you,” Lin Yiren replied, staring at her pants as she slowly recovered from her emotions.
Chen Zhaoyue thought she was shy and said, “She doesn’t often think of me when she’s having fun.”
Her tone was full of helplessness.
“Is… Aunt so energetic?” Lin Yiren was intrigued by this, inevitably thinking of the Huang Susu she had seen at the Hospital.
That fashionable, smiling woman had shown great tolerance toward their situation — she even seemed a bit happy?
Lin Yiren thought of that “daughter-in-law” comment, and her face began to heat up.
“Her? My Dad says she hasn’t changed at all at forty-some years old compared to when she was twenty.” Chen Zhaoyue’s gaze drifted as she reminisced. “When I was in elementary school, there were a few kids in my class who liked to bully people. They wanted to bully me, so we got into a fight. Their parents were afraid of affecting their business with our family, so they invited my Mama and Dad over, probably wanting to shake hands and make up. My Mama took me there. Guess what happened next?”
“She didn’t… get into a fight, did she?” Based on her impression of Huang Susu, Lin Yiren felt this bold direction seemed… reasonable?
“Pretty much. She brought two bodyguards dressed like they were in the mob. I don’t really remember the scene, but anyway, those kids apologized to me, and I never saw their parents at any business banquets after that.” Chen Zhaoyue chuckled behind her hand, as if recounting a funny childhood story.
“How about it? Pretty fierce, right? If my Mama lived in ancient times, she’d probably be a heroine.” Chen Zhaoyue spread her hands, her tone teasing.
However, Lin Yiren could hear a trace of hidden admiration in her voice.
She gazed at those bright eyes.
Chen Zhaoyue must have been influenced by Aunt Huang in some ways. For example, that hidden power beneath her elegant exterior, and… her willful nature?