Chapter 103: Moving?

That night, Lin Ci tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

Just thinking about how shamelessly she and Shen Xiyan had been licking each other (just about as harmlessly as possible), and that kiss from noon, made her feel overwhelmed.

Her whole body burned with heat. She thought she might have a fever, but after checking—

It was normal for basal body temperature to rise during ovulation.

Her Aunt Flo had just come and gone, alright? This was the safe period. Shen Xiyan wouldn’t get her pregnant even if he didn’t use his little umbrella!

Clearly, Baidu couldn’t be trusted.

Then, clever Lin Ci thought she’d found a “shortcut.”

Wenwen was like a little piglet—once asleep, very hard to wake up. Shen Xiyan was about the same.

So if she just pushed herself to stay up a little later, wouldn’t she get to kiss him every day?

Oh no, oh no! Now she’d definitely get pregnant…

***

Finally falling asleep, she dreamed of when they were kids.

The three of them were playing hide-and-seek. Two of them hid inside the wardrobe, with light seeping through the cracks, revealing their silhouettes and their big eyes sparkling with light.

“Xiyan…”

“Shh! Wenwen’s outside.”

“I saw on TV yesterday that kissing can make babies.”

“That’s a lie.”

“No, I really saw it.”

Shen Xiyan scratched his head, unsure how to respond.

“Then, shall we try?”

“Ah?”

mua~~

A kiss without any hint of passion.

The wardrobe door was opened, and light poured in.

Wenwen stood with her hands on her hips, laughing loudly: “Haha, I found you guys!”

“Wahhh, Sister Lin Ci, don’t eat my brother’s mouth…”

She woke up.

The sunlight was a bit harsh… like a cat rubbing against the blankets.

How could she have forgotten?

Her first kiss was long gone, even before Qin Sheng’s~~

The girl beamed with excitement at her own discovery.

Hearing the noise, her mother peeked in and frowned at the wriggling “maggot” on the bed.

“Awake but not getting up?”

“I’m coming, I’m coming…”

Lin Ci happily hugged her blanket, rolling around, then “ouch,” she fell off the bed.

Her butt hit hard, it really hurt.

She hobbled out, and her father asked with concern, “What happened to your leg?”

Her mother looked annoyed, “She fell off the bed, so clumsy…”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine…”

Her parents’ company didn’t start until nine; normally there was no rush.

One was cooking in the kitchen, the other watching TV on the sofa.

This was their family’s quiet morning.

What about Xiyan next door?

He was probably dragging Wenwen out of bed.

Thinking of that scene, Lin Ci’s face softened into a warm smile.

“Why are you grinning so silly instead of brushing your teeth?”

“Hehe… I’m going now!”

She squeezed a small blob of toothpaste onto her brush, standing by the balcony as the slanting sunlight shone through the window.

Her mouth full of bubbles, her big eyes stared toward the community gate.

Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she leaned over to peek down, catching sight of someone carrying breakfast inside.

She hurried back to the sink, rinsing her mouth clean with a gurgle.

Then she cupped warm water, rubbed her face, and used facial cleanser to wash off the night’s oiliness… Her dark circles looked terrible—was it because of the dream last night?

Soon, a “knock knock knock” came at the door.

Her father reluctantly got up. “So early… who is it?”

“Xiyan!”

Lin Ci ran over: “I’ll open it! I’ll open it! You said yesterday you wanted youtiao.”

When the door opened, Shen Xiyan was momentarily stunned by Lin Ci’s appearance.

“Didn’t sleep well last night? You look so listless. Are you sick?” Shen Xiyan frowned, reaching out to press the back of his hand against her forehead.

Hmm… warm.

Lin Ci’s pretty face flushed slightly. “… I just had a dream and didn’t sleep very deeply.”

Seeing Shen Xiyan frown made Lin Ci very happy—especially happy.

The greatest kindness between people is not just feeling sympathy when you’re suffering, but sharing the pain so much you feel it too, even more than you do.

“No wonder.”

“Your dark circles really are bad.”

“Do I even have to say? I look like a little panda…”

Lin Ci naturally had pale skin, so even a small pimple showed up clearly, let alone dark circles.

Shen Xiyan clicked his tongue. “Your looks definitely dropped a grade.”

Lin Ci was taken aback—didn’t expect such a “harsh” comment. She pouted, “Then let me borrow my mom’s foundation later to cover it up…”

“Hey, just kidding.”

Shen Xiyan stopped her. “Better to use less makeup. You’re naturally beautiful; don’t let makeup ruin that… If it were Wenwen, I’d call her ugly one second and get bitten the next…”

Lin Ci’s joyful expression feigned disdain. “I just have a better temper!”

“Sure, sure…”

That was good—every girl should be unique.

Girls who act like “green teas” but look like “internet celebrities” get criticized because they’re all cut from the same mold, making people aesthetically tired.

“Which one is mine?”

“Here…”

“So many?”

Shen Xiyan said matter-of-factly, “Your parents are home. Would they only buy for you?”

“They cook for themselves, so I don’t worry about them.”

… Then, do you want some?

Was Lin Ci really that “filial”?

“Of course! I’ll transfer you the money later.”

“Forget it, it’s just a few yuan.”

Lin Ci gave him a glare. “A few yuan isn’t nothing! If you don’t save now, how will you ever marry? Just think of it as saving for your wife.”

Suddenly she blurted nonsense.

“Huh?”

“J-just think of it as borrowing it…” Lin Ci’s cheeks flushed.

Shen Xiyan sighed in relief.

“Meeting in fifteen minutes then?”

“Yes sir!!”

Shen Xiyan wanted to say more, but Lin Ci had already shut the door.

“Mom, make less breakfast, Xiyan’s also bringing you some.”

Her mother sneaked a break and smirked. “Same age, Xiyan can get up early to buy breakfast, but you just open your mouth at home.”

“What else should a girl do but open her mouth?” her father took her side.

Lin Ci nodded vigorously, “Exactly, exactly!”

Besides, opening her mouth now was nothing—maybe later Xiyan would actually demand she open it.

Like holding her head and saying, “Lin Ci! Open your mouth!”

What else could she do?

Just obediently open her mouth.

Ahh—

That’s why, whether it’s “stretching out a hand,” or “opening your mouth,” or “puffing your chest” and “sucking in your belly,” these were perfectly normal things for girls.

“By the way, sweetheart, do you want to move?” her father suddenly asked.

“Move where?”

“You probably won’t believe it, but the company is piloting an old-employee benefit—there’s a discount on buying a house this year.”

“I was lucky enough to get drawn. I checked it out—it’s move-in ready without spending extra, just a bit far… Moving means you might have to change schools.”

What do you call a windfall from heaven?

This was it—falling into your lap with nowhere to throw it away.

The boss was even worried their place wouldn’t sell quickly and said he could buy it at a high price himself, like he was waiting for them to move… No, more like begging them to move.

Ridiculous!

“No.”

Lin Ci didn’t hesitate.

“Really?”

Her father was reluctant. “I’m torn too. We’re used to living here, but it is a bit old and worn down. If you ever bring a boyfriend home, he might complain.”

“You’re so annoying! If you want to move, go ahead. I’m not moving. Absolutely not!”

“Alright, alright, just asking. School district housing only goes up in value anyway.”

Lin Ci wasn’t sure about anything else, but her boyfriend definitely wouldn’t complain.

Complain about what?

He was right next door, wasn’t he?