She brushed against her reddened lips, her voice carrying the sticky warmth of steam.
“I can’t bear to share you with anyone else anymore… I’m too possessive for that.”
She reached out, hooked a finger under Jiang Lai’s chin, and lifted it slightly, their noses nearly touching.
Chi Yingyu’s eyes curved instantly at the corners, like crescent moons dipped in honey. Jiang Lai’s throat bobbed as she stared at the eyes so close to her—the undisguised dependence within them.
She rubbed the delicate skin of Chi Yingyu’s wrist, her voice low and earnest.
“There won’t be anyone like that. Even if there were, I’d only push them away.”
She grabbed Chi Yingyu’s wrist, her fingertips gently stroking the skin there.
No sooner had she spoken than Chi Yingyu leaned in and kissed her. This kiss was softer than the last, the tip of her tongue lightly tracing Jiang Lai’s lip seam, nuzzling like a spoiled child. It carried the dampness of warm water and the sweetness of flower petals—so gentle it was intoxicating.
Jiang Lai took the opportunity to wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. The warm water streamed down their intertwined bodies, melting their temperatures together until even their breathing turned scorching hot.
After kissing for a long while, Chi Yingyu pulled back slightly, pressing her forehead against Jiang Lai’s. Her chest rose and fell, her breath a little rushed.
“Jiang Jiang…”
She said this as she gently touched Jiang Lai’s cheek, her fingertips grazing the reddened ear.
“You’re so good…”
“No, I’m not… I’m not good at all.”
If she were truly good, she wouldn’t have let the feelings between two people become a three-person situation. Right now, she couldn’t be called a good person at all—just a two-timer. It was only because Chi Yingyu and Shen Ruxue were too forgiving.
To be spoiled by these two women… she really was the most blessed existence in the world.
And then there was Xu Ruobing. But given the current situation, could she bring that up?
Jiang Lai thought it over and decided against it.
If she said it now, was she worried she hadn’t been tormented enough just moments ago?
But why did Chi Yingyu keep touching her face? Her cheeks were already flushed from the bath; now Jiang Lai felt even hotter under the caress. She couldn’t help but turn her head, but Chi Yingyu gently held it in place.
“Don’t dodge.”
Chi Yingyu’s voice carried a hint of laughter.
“I haven’t had my fill of looking at you yet.”
She looked down at Jiang Lai’s lips, which were slightly swollen from her kiss, like ripe cherries. She couldn’t resist leaning in again and giving them a gentle bite.
Jiang Lai let out a muffled groan and lightly pushed at her shoulder.
“Stop messing around. We’re in the shower—what’s the point if you make a mess again?”
Even as she said that, her push was so light it didn’t actually mean to move her away.
Chi Yingyu chuckled softly, knowing she was being contradictory.
She scooped up a flower petal floating on the water’s surface and gently pressed it against Jiang Lai’s collarbone, watching as the petal slowly slid down her skin. The amusement in her eyes deepened.
“If it gets dirty, we’ll just change the water. It’s fine.”
Jiang Lai looked at her childlike behavior, sighed helplessly, but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
She reached out and gently tousled Chi Yingyu’s hair, her fingertips brushing through the water droplets among the strands.
“You, always so mischievous.”
“I’m only mischievous with you.”
Chi Yingyu looked up at her, eyes sparkling like they held stars.
“I can’t be bothered with anyone else.”
“Then I’m really happy~”
Chi Yingyu’s fingertips lingered on Jiang Lai’s earlobe, the coolness of the warm water brushing against the flushed skin, making Jiang Lai’s throat bob again.
She gazed into Chi Yingyu’s shining eyes; the stars within seemed to fall into her own heart, and even the misty steam in the bathroom turned soft and sweet.
When they finished washing, Jiang Lai dried Chi Yingyu’s body first and let her change clothes and come out.
Chi Yingyu emerged from the bathroom and saw the ring placed on the counter. It sparkled, very bright.
She picked up the ring and slipped it onto her ring finger.
She took a nice photo of the ring on her hand and posted it on Moments.
Showing off was secondary; first and foremost, she wanted her older sister to see the ring that Jiang Lai had carefully chosen for her.
After posting that Moments update, Chi Yingyu turned off her phone and didn’t look at it again.
She even glanced at the ring on her ring finger and took it off, because she wanted Jiang Lai to put it on for her when she came out.
Chi Yingyu gently placed the ring back on the table, but the smile on her lips didn’t fade.
Then she just leaned against the wall, didn’t get into bed, and quietly stared at the blurry figure reflected behind the frosted glass of the bathroom door. The tips of her ears were still faintly red from the warm water.
Not long after, the bathroom door slid open.
Jiang Lai stepped out in her bathrobe, water droplets from the ends of her hair trailing down her neck and into her collar, carrying a faint mist.
She looked up and saw Chi Yingyu leaning against the doorframe. She paused, then gave a helpless smile.
“Why aren’t you drying your hair? Why are you just standing here…”
Chi Yingyu didn’t move. Instead, she reached out a hand, her voice soft and clinging.
“Because I’m waiting for you to put the ring on me.”
Jiang Lai’s heart melted at the sight of the faint pink flush on her fingertips.
She picked up the ring, carefully avoiding the diamond’s sharp edges, and gently slid it onto Chi Yingyu’s ring finger.
The ring fit perfectly, snug against the base of the finger. When it turned, fine shards of light danced across the diamond’s surface.
The moment the ring slid on, Chi Yingyu’s fingers trembled slightly.
She stared at the thin band of light for a long time, then suddenly wrapped her arms around Jiang Lai’s waist, burying her face in the crook of her neck, still damp with steam.
Warm, soft breaths brushed against Jiang Lai’s skin. She could clearly feel the rise and fall of Chi Yingyu’s chest, and her own heartbeat slowed half a beat.
“Jiang Jiang…”
Chi Yingyu’s voice was muffled against her neck, thick with a sticky nasal tone.
“I love you so, so much.”
Jiang Lai reached up and ruffled her hair, her thumb brushing away the moisture at the tips, her smile seeping into her voice.
“I love you too. Alright, wait a moment—I’ll blow-dry your hair for you.”
“Okay…”
The hum of the hairdryer started, warm air mixed with Jiang Lai’s fingers sweeping through the strands.
Jiang Lai was very gentle, careful not to tug or hurt Chi Yingyu. Occasionally, she would stop, separate any tangled strands, and then continue drying slowly.
Chi Yingyu closed her eyes, able to smell the sweet fragrance drifting from Jiang Lai’s hair, mixed with the warmth of the hot air. It was truly blissful.
But the two of them had no idea what an uproar Chi Yingyu’s Moments post had caused.
Just by looking at it, Shen Ruxue and Xu Ruobing knew they wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.
Chi Yingyu rarely posted about her personal life on Moments, yet now she had posted a photo of a ring on her ring finger, with the caption “Proposal…”
Even if Shen Ruxue and Xu Ruobing were slow, they knew exactly who had put that ring on.
Shen Ruxue’s reaction was relatively calm. She was more worried that her younger sister might be jealous and put pressure on Jiang Lai.
But the one feeling the worst right now was Xu Ruobing, who had made the suggestion yesterday.
She regretted it.
How could they act so fast!
If she had known Jiang Lai would follow her advice so obediently, Xu Ruobing would never have suggested it yesterday.
Now, looking at that ring on the ring finger, she felt nothing but a bitter ache in her chest.