Chen Zhaoyue’s home was nestled in the Wealthy District near the center of Haishi. The moment one entered, they’d be greeted by a meticulously manicured lawn. The house itself was elegantly designed, exuding both beauty and refined taste. In the backyard, a sea of flowers bloomed in profusion.
Lin Yiren, holding Lin Xingyao in her arms, followed Miss Chen into a specially prepared room, where a warm, inviting bed was set up.
Lin Yiren shifted Xingyao, who was still playing with her hair, so their heads rested together, eyes roaming around the room.
The room had every piece of furniture one could need and was far more spacious than her own. The overall tone was pink. Women’s perception of color was stronger—though she’d never given it much thought before, now the pink seemed to give her a gentle sense of warmth. It was the perfect choice for Xingyao’s room.
“Am I sleeping here too?” Yiren asked.
Chen Zhaoyue plopped down on the soft bed, bouncing a few times as her slightly wavy long hair swayed with her movements. Hearing Lin Yiren’s question, she lay back and looked up at her, saying, “Of course. At Xingyao’s age, she definitely needs her parents to stay with her.”
Bending down, Lin Yiren shooed Chen Zhaoyue away and gently set Xingyao onto the bed. Even after being moved away from her mother’s chest, the child still clung to her hair. Lin Yiren carefully disentangled it and straightened up, stretching her arms.
After becoming a woman, her physical strength had decreased a lot. Just carrying Xingyao here made her arms ache.
Moreover… she secretly adjusted her shoulder strap; Xingyao tended to wriggle around at her chest. She was still not used to her ample new size. Not only did the unfamiliar weight keep drawing her attention, but whenever the sensitive tip was touched, she couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious.
Today, Lin Yiren was still wearing her old black sweatshirt and casual pants, thoroughly covering herself up.
Chen Zhaoyue, seeing her looking a bit awkward, assumed it was because of the unfamiliar environment and reassured her, “Just treat this like your own home. You’re staying here anyway.”
The sudden voice startled Lin Yiren, who’d been lost in thought, thinking she’d been found out. Her hand on her shoulder traced through her hair to the delicate back of her neck, then tapped her own cheek. “Hmm… Looks like it’s time to teach Xingyao how to walk.”
“I’m sure she’ll learn soon enough,” Chen Zhaoyue said, reaching out to gently pinch Lin Xingyao’s chubby cheeks, causing the little girl to wave her hands excitedly. With a “slap!” she hit Chen Zhaoyue on the face. “Walk…lu…” she babbled, imitating Yiren’s words as she patted Miss Chen’s face again.
“Pfft.” Lin Yiren covered her mouth, laughing.
Chen Zhaoyue glared at her, only to be dazzled by that sweet, laughing face.
Turning away, she nudged Xingyao and teased Lin Yiren, “Since when do guys laugh so delicately?”
Lin Yiren dropped her hand behind her back, feeling a little uneasy.
***
Dinner was carrot stir-fried with pork, braised hairtail fish, and fresh sautéed greens. For the child, an extra dish of minced pork tofu was added to boost her protein.
Lin Yiren was the chef for the evening.
Chen Zhaoyue enthusiastically offered to help, but after revealing her complete lack of cooking experience, Lin Yiren promptly shooed her out.
Lin Yiren rolled up her sleeves, determined to reclaim a bit of her lost masculine pride through her cooking. She’d been passive these past few days; now was the time to assert herself in the kitchen.
Just as she was about to start, a pair of hands grabbed her hoodie’s hood, then smoothed down along her waist, gathering up her hair.
The sudden touch on her waist made her flinch and lean forward against the counter. She turned to demand, “What are you doing?”
“You can’t cook with your hair loose,” Chen Zhaoyue said, taking out a hair tie and pulling her hair into a ponytail.
A faint lily fragrance drifted over from behind. Though they weren’t fully pressed together, Lin Yiren felt as if she could sense the softness emanating from Miss Chen.
A rush of heat surged through her limbs. She hadn’t been in this body for long, and now, it almost felt as if she could sense something that wasn’t even there anymore. But the truth was, only warmth pooled in her lower belly, and her chest felt a little tight.
Lin Xingyao watched the two women she called “Mom” getting close, her body leaning forward as she called out, “Mama.”
Chen Zhaoyue finished tying up Lin Yiren’s hair and said, “All done.” Then she turned to play with Xingyao.
Only then did Lin Yiren’s stiff body begin to relax. Flushed, she straightened out the wrinkles in her hoodie and, catching her breath, turned her attention to the vegetables on the counter.
Time to get cooking. She began slicing carrots, the light reflecting off her hand with a cold, pale sheen.
Chen Zhaoyue was teaching Xingyao to talk.
“Carrot.”
“Cawrot.”
“Greens.”
“Gwee… gweens.”
“Lin Xingyao.”
“Lin…”
Miss Chen nodded in satisfaction, giving herself top marks for her teaching skills.
She glanced back at the figure in the kitchen. Wisps of steam drifted up from in front of Lin Yiren, only to be drawn away by the range hood, which rumbled as if sending out the heat from the kitchen.
Chen Zhaoyue felt a wave of warmth.
Outside the villa, the night breeze set the flowers and grass swaying gracefully. Warm yellow light spilled from the villa’s windows, attracting a few small insects that flitted and buzzed. In this tranquil atmosphere, the three finished their dinner.
***
“Let’s leave the dishes for tomorrow. It’s so late already,” Chen Zhaoyue said as she emerged from her bath, dressed in pajamas that did little to hide her curves and left a patch of fair ankle exposed.
Lin Yiren, her head lowered, watched over the sleeping Xingyao, deliberately avoiding the beautiful sight before her and declining Chen Zhaoyue’s suggestion that the three of them sleep together. She retreated to the bedroom.
Gently laying Xingyao down, she tucked in the corners of the little quilt, then slipped into the bathroom.
She peeled off her casual pants and sweatshirt. The feel of the air on her sensitive skin made Lin Yiren shiver. Unfastening the clasp, she slid her bra from her smooth shoulders; her chest was “freed” with a soft bounce. The girl in the mirror let out a sigh, fogging up the glass.
She finished washing in a hurry, then turned over and lay on her side next to Xingyao. Her long hair was uncomfortable beneath her, so she swept it behind her back. Turning off the bedside lamp, the girl and the child nestled together and drifted off to sleep in the darkness.