“By the way, Xiao Xi, my parents aren’t home again tonight. Would you… like to stay over at my place?”
Though it sounded like an ordinary invitation, Lin Xue’er’s cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke, her demeanor somewhat restrained—as if her words carried implications beyond their surface meaning.
“Hmm? Sure!”
At first, Xia Mengxi didn’t notice anything unusual about Lin Xue’er’s behavior. She was simply delighted at not having to figure out alternative arrangements for the night.
But as Lin Xue’er fell silent after making the offer, Xia Mengxi sensed something amiss and turned her gaze toward her companion.
“Xue’er, why’d you suddenly stop talking?”
“Ah, I… I was just thinking about something…”
What could possibly preoccupy someone like Lin Xue’er so much that she’d get lost in thought while walking?
Though prying into others’ affairs might be impolite, Xia Mengxi’s curiosity got the better of her, and she tentatively tried to coax some information out of Lin Xue’er.
To her surprise, Lin Xue’er didn’t evade the question but answered candidly.
“I was thinking about tonight… about you staying over…”
“?”
What the ? Staying over? Wasn’t that completely normal?
Aside from that Monday a few days ago when she’d stayed at Lin Xue’er’s place, she’d actually slept beside Lin Xue’er for months during her captivity. Why overthink it now?
Wait… come to think of it, they were now in a romantic relationship. So, couple + nighttime + two girls alone together =… Oh damn!!
Because Lin Xue’er had always been so proper-and because nothing had happened when she’d invited her over on Monday-Xia Mengxi hadn’t even considered that possibility.
Now, Xia Mengxi’s cheeks also began to flush.
Holy crap! No wonder Lin Xue’er had been spacing out and blushing—she was actually planning to do… do… that tonight!
“Xue… Xue’er, you… you pervert!”
Chastised, Lin Xue’er looked at Xia Mengxi with visible apprehension and asked, “Xiao… Xiao Xi, don’t you want to…?”
“I…”
If she were still a boy, she might have agreed without hesitation. But she wasn’t one now!
Besides, how exactly were two girls supposed to do that anyway?
Seeing Xia Mengxi’s hesitation, Lin Xue’er leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “It’s okay, Xiao Xi… I’ve read up on how girls do it together. Just leave it to me…”
Holy sh*t (a type of plant)! Lin Xue’er! What kind of scandalous talk is this?! Who knew such a proper person could become so indecent after getting into a relationship!
But… but, the pleasures between girls… She’d never experienced them as a boy, but maybe they weren’t so different? Fine… fine, she was curious about taking that step into adulthood.
“Then… then, we can try it tonight…”
“Really? I love you so much, Xiao Xi!”
Dammit, she’d gotten carried away in the heat of the moment! Lust leads to trouble-she should have refused!
But since she’d already agreed, they’d only try it once. She absolutely wouldn’t let her hormones override her reason again.
Since both of them were preoccupied with thoughts about spending the night together, neither was fully focused on shopping. As a result, they ended up watching a movie and having dinner at the mall before preparing to head home.
“Ah…! Wait a second, Xiaoxi, can you stay here for a bit? I need to buy something.”
“Huh? What do you need to buy?”
Lin Xue’er opened her mouth to answer but, realizing they were still in public, lowered her head and whispered a few words into Xia Mengxi’s ear.
Since both of them were preoccupied with thoughts about spending the night together, neither was particularly focused on shopping. As a result, they ended up watching a movie and having dinner at the mall before preparing to head home.
“Ah…! Wait a minute, Xiaoxi. Can you stay here for a bit? I want to buy something.”
“Huh? What is it?”
Lin Xue’er opened her mouth to answer but then, realizing they were still in a public space, lowered her head and whispered a few words into Xia Mengxi’s ear.
Upon hearing this, Xia Mengxi immed
turned
red as
steam engine, her voice trembling slightly.
“Th-there’s no need for that, Xue’er… It’s just like regular underwear anyway…”
“They say… it helps set the mood better…”
“Uh, alright then.”
Unable to withstand the look Lin Xue’er was giving her, Xia Mengxi nodded and moved to a corner to avoid blocking the mall entrance.
Just a few minutes after Lin Xue’er left, Xia Mengxi suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder. Assuming it was Lin Xue’er returning, she turned around instinctively.
“Back so soon, Xue…? Oh, good evening, Li…”
“Good evening, Mengxi.”
The person standing behind Xia Mengxi wasn’t Lin Xue’er-it was her second romantic target, Li Siqi.
This town really was small. Even on a date, she could run into someone she knew.
“Mengxi, why are you standing here alone? Waiting for someone?”
“Yeah…”
“Who did you come out with? That girl you kissed the other day?”
“Yes…”
Li Siqi didn’t seem bothered by Xia Mengxi’s terse replies, but her tone noticeably shifted when Lin Xue’er was mentioned.
“I see… How enviable. To have someone as wonderful as you liking her…”
“…….”
Honestly, Xia Mengxi really didn’t want to interact with Li Siqi right now. With Lin Xue’er away shopping and due back any minute, she was worried Lin Xue’er might “blacken” if she saw them together.
But at the same time, she didn’t want to completely brush Li Siqi off. After all, she believed she’d soon start formally pursuing her, and if she lowered Li Siqi’s affection points beforehand, the whole plan would become much harder.
After weighing her options, she settled on a somewhat greedy but effective approach.
“Why envy others? Li, if you want to be liked by someone like me, then go out and find it. Happiness isn’t something you pray for—it’s something you fight for.”
Without giving Li Siqi time to react, she quickly bid farewell.
“Sorry, Li, but I have to go.”
“Wai-!”
Anticipating that Li Siqi might try to grab her or stop her, Xia Mengxi immediately melted into the crowd the moment she turned away, leaving Li Siqi clutching at empty air.
“‘Happiness isn’t something you pray for—it’s something you fight for’… Heh. Interesting.”
Li Siqi lifted her gaze toward the direction Xia Mengxi had disappeared, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips.
Xia Mengxi followed the crowd into the mall and glanced around, relieved to see Li Siqi hadn’t chased after her. She had genuinely feared Li Siqi might pester her, leading to some clichéd misunderstanding scenario.
Though the incident was over, when Xia Mengxi saw Lin Xue’er approaching the entrance, she still told her about running into Li Siqi.
There was no special reason-only that honesty is the most invincible weapon in a relationship. By laying everything out openly, there would be no hidden issues to cause trouble later. Especially with someone like Lin Xue’er, who had a tendency to turn dark.