Shen Cishu’s home was tucked away in a quiet corner of this bustling Urban Metropolis, far from the noisy main roads.
Before Su Li even got out of the car, Shen Cishu had already opened the front passenger door and kindly held it open for her.
She even thoughtfully cupped her hand to shield Su Li’s head, preventing it from bumping as she stepped out.
In front of them stood a row of apartments with simple yet tasteful exteriors.
Taking the Elevator to the top floor, at the end of a tranquil corridor, was Shen Cishu’s residence.
Pushing open the solid wooden door with its natural wood texture, the first thing to greet the eye was a subtle, off-white Entrance Hall wall.
Above it hung an exquisitely framed Calligraphy Work, flowing cursive script painting ancient poetry with ink whose fragrance seemed to drift through the air.
On the entrance cabinet rested several recently read Magazines.
The Living Room was spacious and bright, laid entirely with warm wooden flooring.
Moonlight filtered softly through layers of pale blue sheer curtains and off-white drapes, casting gentle shadows onto a low, minimalist wooden Tatami Tea Table.
The tea table itself was covered with books— in fact, books were scattered everywhere in Shen Cishu’s home.
Su Li glanced around the layout, guessing that Shen Cishu must have been a Literature Girl during her school days.
In a time when Cell Phones flooded every corner, being able to settle down and read, even this many books, was truly admirable.
“Take off your clothes first. I’ll wash them for you.”
Shen Cishu’s gaze rested on Su Li, who stood silently behind her, expressionless, only taking in the surroundings of the house.
Inside, Su Li felt a nervous flutter in her chest.
She had this strange feeling, as if her Mother had returned.
Seeing Su Li still motionless, Shen Cishu realized she hadn’t brought any change of clothes.
Quickly, she entered the bedroom and pulled out a Long Dress from the Wardrobe.
As she took out the dress, her hand trembled slightly.
It was Mother’s dress.
When Mother was still alive, she often changed into a similar dress when visiting Shen Cishu’s home.
Su Li accepted the Long Dress and noticed Shen Cishu’s averted gaze.
“Thank you.”
Her tone was gentle and grateful as she slipped off her Shoes.
She caught Shen Cishu’s eyes lingering on her for a moment, a vacant look flashing across her face.
And Su Li understood why.
Shen Cishu’s and Bai Huizi’s Mother had both liked wearing shoes with built-in height lifts when alive.
Their Father preferred taller women, so their Mother always wore shoes with internal lifts or high heels to win his favor.
Su Li guessed her recent behavior might have reminded Shen Cishu of when their Mother had visited her back then, stirring memories.
Shen Cishu shook her head and instinctively looked away before quietly leaning back on the Sofa, breathing heavily.
Yet her gaze kept flicking toward Su Li’s direction.
Only after Su Li went inside to change did a wave of sadness wash over her.
She… was just too much like Mother…
Although Shen Cishu’s Mother’s height was somewhat embellished, Su Li felt that her Mother’s character probably wasn’t a facade— otherwise, Bai Huizi wouldn’t have developed so well.
To avoid Shen Cishu discovering the padded bra she wore, Su Li went inside to change.
After taking pictures of Shen Cishu’s room and sending them to Bai Huizi, Su Li soon received a transfer of twenty thousand yuan.
This sum earned her more than simply providing services as an Emotional Therapist.
Of course, what she was doing now was part of that therapy— the subject being Shen Cishu.
After leaving the room, Shen Cishu sat on the Sofa, looking at a book, though her attention was clearly elsewhere.
She wanted to take Su Li’s clothes, but Su Li shook her head.
“I’ll wash them.”
Her voice remained gentle, without complaint or frustration at Shen Cishu’s delay.
“They got dirty because of me. It’s only right I wash them.”
There was stubbornness in Shen Cishu’s tone as she continued, “You rest here for a bit. I have plenty of good books at home— you can browse as you like.”
Without waiting for Su Li’s refusal, she took the clothes and headed toward the Bathroom.
After closing the door, she leaned against it, heart pounding and cheeks slowly flushing.
Seeing someone so much like Mother still left her head dizzy— as if it were all an illusion, a dream she had just woken from.
Shen Cishu picked up Su Li’s clothes but didn’t immediately start washing.
Instead, she buried her face in the fabric, taking a deep, fierce sniff— especially near the armpits.
She greedily inhaled the scent wafting from the clothes, her cheeks growing even more intoxicated.
Her entire body felt drunk, her legs trembling slightly.
Only after a long while did she reluctantly let go of the garment.
What saddened her was that she didn’t have any clothes from this brand at home.
If she did, she could have secretly swapped the clothes and enjoyed breathing in that scent at her leisure.
As she prepared to put the dirty clothes into a water-filled basin, her hand froze mid-motion.
Staring at the garment in her hand, her heart raced and breathing quickened.
No sound came from the room behind her.
A thought slowly sprouted in her mind.
Since the clothes needed washing anyway…
She wanted to wear them.
Swallowing hard, the desire and thought grew stronger.
She slowly removed her own clothes, sat down on the Bathroom stool, closed her eyes, and gently pressed the fabric against her pale skin.
Finally, she covered her mouth with one hand to stifle any strange noises.
Su Li sat on the Sofa, watching toward the Bathroom.
The washing took longer than she had expected.
She could see a shadow leaning against the Bathroom door, occasionally colliding softly with it.
Her expression remained calm as she looked at the twenty thousand yuan that had just arrived on her Cell Phone, wondering if the expensive clothes she had bought were too costly.