Late at night, Ruan Zhixian gave one last kiss to Su Ling, who had already lost consciousness, then rolled off the thoroughly messy bed.
Ah, it’s all Lingling’s fault for crying so adorably—I couldn’t help myself and went for a second round.
What a sin, what a sin.
The girl kept scolding herself as she searched for clean bedsheets and clothes to change into.
She just hadn’t expected that a girl’s body could be this amazing… She could actually—spray that much…
Thinking of Su Ling’s impressive performance just now, Ruan Zhixian couldn’t help but blush, her hands pausing for a moment.
But doesn’t this also mean my skills are pretty good? Hehe, I really have Jiner to thank for this. Next time we meet, I must give her a proper thank you.
Finally gathering all the clean clothes and bed linens, before changing them out, she still needed to wipe Su Ling down one more time.
Lingling’s body, huh…
The blonde girl swallowed quietly.
No, no, absolutely not again tonight. Lingling’s already fainted, didn’t you see… If we keep going, Lingling’s body won’t be able to take it.
Ruan Zhixian shook her head hard, chasing away the little demon in her heart.
She hadn’t expected that the little girl from back then had already grown into such a lovely young woman…
And she’d really, truly become my girlfriend.
Ruan Zhixian held a warm towel and gently wiped down the beloved girl’s beautiful body. Her emerald green eyes gradually softened, focus blurring, as she slipped into her memories.
“Dad, Mom, I’m heading out!”
With a cheerful shout, the short-haired, golden-haired youth shot out of the white Little Western-style House’s front door like a cannonball.
He wore a slightly oversized basketball jersey and athletic shorts, feet clad in freshly cleaned canvas shoes, and flung open his arms under the blazing summer sun.
“Zhixian, don’t play too wild outside, remember to come back for dinner on time—”
A beautiful, golden-haired woman with the features of a Eurasian mixed-blood leaned out the window on the second floor, calling out to the tomboy below.
“I know, I know, Mom! Just relax, will you?”
Not waiting for a response, Ruan Zhixian laughed and sprinted toward the end of the alley, her agile figure bouncing along the stone path, vanishing in an instant.
“Ai, that girl. I don’t know who she takes after—with the first day of summer vacation and already going crazy like this.”
Laila shook her head, pulling her head back inside the window. She wore a silk camisole dress, her long golden hair loosely draped over her shoulder, the ends brushing against her collarbone.
The sunlight outlined her graceful silhouette, making her look youthful and beautiful—nothing at all like the mother of an eight-year-old.
“So what? She’s a kid—being playful is normal, she’s so energetic.”
From the rattan chair by the French window, a handsome man flipped through his book and smiled at Laila.
He was tall and lean, dressed in a simple linen shirt with sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing smooth, strong wrists. His sleek black hair was tied behind his head, swaying gently with his movements.
“It’s only because Shuhe and you spoil her every day that she turned out like this.”
Laila gave the man a coquettish glare.
“What kind of girl dresses like a boy and runs around outside all the time?”
“Come on, being lively is one of Zhixian’s strengths, isn’t it?”
Ruan Shuhe closed his book and set it aside. He then got up and walked behind Laila, reaching out to wrap his arms around her slender waist.
“We already agreed not to interfere too much with her life, remember?”
“Well, that’s what we said…”
A trace of worry flitted across Laila’s pretty face.
“I just worry that kid will get into trouble again out there.”
***
On the Seaside Pier, the sea breeze danced, and the girl’s short golden hair shone brilliantly under the sunlight.
Young Ruan Zhixian bounced out of the Fast Food Restaurant, still holding a bag of steaming, fragrant French fries.
“Hehe, fries from Màidāngdāng are the best!”
The golden-haired girl sat carefully on a bench, treating the paper bag like a treasure on her knees.
She picked out a long, perfectly crispy, golden fry, dipped it thoroughly in ketchup, took a deep breath, and slowly brought the fry to her slightly parted lips—
“Gah—~”
In a flash, a gray shadow swooped down like lightning! Accompanied by a sudden flapping of wings and a piercing cry, the girl felt her hand lighten.
A few meters away, perched on the railing, a fat Seagull held her freshly bought bag of fries in its beak, lifting its head proudly.
“Ahhh! My fries! I just spent my hard-earned pocket money on those!”
“You thief!”
Ruan Zhixian jumped up from the bench, her cheeks puffed up in anger, and charged at the fat Seagull.
“Gu-gah—”
The Seagull flapped its wings and soared away, cawing as if mocking her helpless rage.
“Ahhh, you make me so mad! Just you wait! I’ll make you pay for this!”
Ruan Zhixian stomped her feet in place, her short golden hair puffed up by the sea wind.
Hmph! Let’s see if you dare snatch my fries next time!
After some time, the girl returned to the same pier, this time hugging a bag of fries loaded with a lethal dose of wasabi.
“Why hasn’t that guy shown up to snatch my fries yet? Is it not around here anymore?”
Ruan Zhixian looked around, mumbling to herself.
“Hmph, no matter what, today I’m going to teach that sky pirate a lesson! If you don’t show up, then I’ll come find you myself!”
The short-haired girl spoke fiercely, then walked off the pier with her “weapon” in her arms.
***
At sunset, the forgotten little park in the corner of the community was dyed a warm orange.
The old slide in the park had peeling paint that exposed rusted iron underneath. A similarly battered Teeter-totter sat quietly, one end touching the dandelion-filled grass.
A black-haired girl with a bob haircut sat alone on the old swing.
She wore a somewhat worn but spotlessly clean dress, sitting quietly with hands wrapped around the cold chains, her toes unconsciously tapping the sandy ground.
“Creak—, creak—”
The swing swayed in a lonely, steady rhythm, the sound echoing far in the empty park.
Thank goodness, they haven’t found me here yet…
The girl’s gaze was lowered, long lashes casting a small shadow across her face, immersed in the small world that belonged only to her.
“Ruan Zhixian! You little troublemaker, stop right there!”
Suddenly, a strong-voiced auntie shattered the quiet outside the park.
“Waaah! Auntie Li, stop chasing me! I really know I was wrong!”
Another wailing child’s voice rang out near the black-haired girl’s ears.
“You still dare talk back! Last time you set off fireworks and burned Wangcai’s tail, and this time you fed it wasabi fries—now it won’t stop sneezing! Are you really going to say you didn’t do it on purpose??!”
“Waaah! I just saw Wangcai today and wanted to give it a treat to apologize for last time! I—I really forgot I put wasabi in the fries! Auntie, you have to believe me!”
“If you have anything to say, tell it to your parents!”
A burst of chaos, shouting and running, drew closer and closer. Before the black-haired girl on the swing could react, a golden figure whirled up to her like a whirlwind.
It was a golden-haired youth with hair like a bird’s nest—or no, judging by the voice just now, probably a girl?
The black-haired girl silently sized up the tomboyish, mud-streaked, still-panting golden-haired girl in front of her.
“Please, help me! If Auntie Li catches up, just say I ran out the other exit of the park!”
The golden-haired girl rattled off her plea as fast as a machine gun. Without waiting for a response, she darted behind the swing and slipped into the slide attached to the little castle, hiding herself in a flash.