Chapter 62 Fingers Interlocked

“Why don’t we skip our nap after lunch and go to the hospital to keep her company?”

Shen Xiyan rolled his eyes. “And get scolded by Aunt again?”

“There’s no way around it~~ Who told her she’s Aunt?” Lin Ci said with a teasing tone.

Because of her upbringing, Lin Ci was always reserved, rarely wearing her emotions so plainly on her face like Qin Sheng did.

Only those close to her knew that when Lin Ci was in a good mood, her voice would become soft and sweet, every sentence ending with a gentle lilt, as if she were teasing your ears with the tip of her tongue—ticklish and delightful.

Like now.

Shen Xiyan emphasized helplessly, “Aunt is my aunt~~”

“Pretty much the same…”

Lin Ci sincerely thought so.

Putting aside the years of addressing her as Aunt, if she married into the family, then Aunt would of course be her Aunt.

Actually, living so close was kind of nice.

If they got married, they wouldn’t have to worry about that eternal question of which family to visit for New Year’s.

Even if they argued and one stormed off to her parents’ house, Shen Xiyan wouldn’t have to make much effort—just climb through the window next door.

Girlfriend.

Then their lives would overlap again, knowing all the messy stuff from childhood to now, with nothing hidden, and no weird ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends.

There were plenty of Exemplars from Past in the old neighborhood…

They married all lovey-dovey, but before the Seven-Year Itch even passed, they’d start resenting each other, arguing and throwing things every night.

Lin Ci wouldn’t be like that!

She and Shen Xiyan had known each other for ten years!

What Qin Sheng could do, she could too—just more reserved.

“Forget it, Qin Sheng will go anyway…”

Lin Ci froze, giving him a strange look. “Why is it still Qin Sheng?”

“She just messaged me. Said she’s at the hospital keeping Aunt company.”

“Wait… She just got scolded by you, and she’s already back?”

Swallowing hard.

“What’s she thinking?!”

Shen Xiyan shrugged.

Lin Ci just couldn’t understand.

If she was the one being scolded, she’d definitely be mad, at least ignore Shen Xiyan for a year!

Then, considering they were neighbors who saw each other every day, having a bad relationship would be awkward and put Wenwen in the middle.

She might cut back a bit, but no matter what, she’d at least spend an hour.

Qin Sheng though… counting round trip, is there an hour?

Could she be any more hopeless?

Could she have principles like her?!

***

After drying her hair, Shen Xiyan helped apply ointment, muttering, “You could totally do this yourself.”

“I tried… It hurts when I do it! But when you do it, it doesn’t! It feels good.”

It felt like a tire rolling over her face.

Shen Xiyan gently pinched her calf. “You’re just lazy!”

Lin Ci’s calves were smooth and slender, especially the skin on her calf—soft as the finest silk. The touch stirred an indescribable warmth and delight in his heart.

Lin Ci scrunched her delicate nose and pouted, “No, I’m not~~”

This feeling of being cared for was addictive.

Suddenly, she understood Qin Sheng. She probably wanted to twist her ankle again just to have Shen Xiyan with her twenty-four-seven.

But then she worried about the pain, and didn’t want to trouble him.

Such a conflicted feeling.

Wanting him to worry for her, yet afraid of his concern.

“Yeah yeah, that’s because I’m lazy~~”

“Exactly!”

After showering, Lin Ci’s feet were warm and cozy, and Shen Xiyan quickly re-applied the ointment.

While packing up, Lin Ci dramatically said, “So Qin Sheng’s really clinging to you now?”

“…More or less.”

“You really need to find a girlfriend, or she’ll never give up.”

“We already got exposed last time. Who else am I supposed to find on short notice? I can’t exactly go to Wenwen, right? Then Qin Sheng wouldn’t even need to expose me—she’d just call me Aunt sweetly, and I’d be strung up and beaten…”

“Me! I’m so brave!”

Lin Ci felt she’d been pretty blunt.

Surely Shen Xiyan would react!

Her heart pounded nervously as she looked at him, waiting for a response.

He did react.

He stopped rubbing her feet and looked up at her puzzled: “Wasn’t it Qin Sheng who exposed us last time?”

If Qin Sheng really saw Lin Ci as an enemy, it wouldn’t have dragged on this long.

Their Duanwei levels still had some gap.

Girls mature early, and Qin Sheng was ripe—like a Peach, dripping juice at the slightest pinch.

“We didn’t have confidence last time, but this time we can prepare in advance! We’ll deny it to the end!”

“Forget it… Qin Sheng’s not that easy to fool…”

“No worries, we’re friends! It’s only natural I help you.” Lin Ci perked up. “How do we know it won’t work if we don’t try? Come on, practice with me.”

Shen Xiyan was confused. “Practice what?”

“Hmm…” Lin Ci thought seriously. “At least we should be able to hold hands casually, right?”

Shen Xiyan’s expression was complicated. “Hold hands? Qin Sheng went straight to kissing.”

“Who kisses right away in front of people?” Lin Ci suddenly got it. “If we overdo it, we’ll just make her laugh!”

Shen Xiyan stared blankly, then suddenly understood.

It’s the ‘too much of a good thing’ principle, clear as day!

“Come on! Let me hold your Big Pig Hoof…” Lin Ci forced calm and reached out.

Shen Xiyan didn’t seem very willing. His fist clenched tight, but she slipped her fingers between his, prying them open one by one.

Whether intentional or not, her fingertips brushed the center of his palm, tickling him. Reflexively, his palm closed around her tiny hand.

Skin touched skin—slightly slippery, with a warm and wonderful feeling.

Lin Ci stayed still. Shen Xiyan did too.

They froze like that.

Lin Ci’s heartbeat quickened. Her rosy cheeks blushed naturally. When he held her hand, it felt like he was filling her completely with joy and happiness.

“How… how is it?”

“Very soft.”

Lin Ci squeezed harder.

“And now?”

“Still soft.”

She hid one finger, hooking it inside his palm.

“…And now?”

“Very ticklish.”

Lin Ci was ticklish too, heart tingling, feeling like she’d melt in his fiery palm.

Totally different from holding hands as a kid.

“Xiyan!”

Lin Ci’s face was so red it might steam. Even though she was the one helping, her voice carried a little girl’s plea, “Can we try interlacing our fingers? Please?”

So happy.

“…Isn’t that a bit much?”

Shen Xiyan thought Lin Ci was about to burst from embarrassment. Expecting her to show off affection in front of Qin Sheng?

Might as well be sending herself to the slaughter…

If Song Wan was willing to sacrifice herself, that would be a good option—just as thick-skinned as him!

“Yes! Yes! Better safe than sorry!”

Seeing Shen Xiyan silent, Lin Ci thought he might refuse, so she stared at him wordlessly.

Suddenly, he hummed in agreement.

Lin Ci breathed a sigh of relief, pressing one hand tightly to her thigh, and with the other, slipped her hand back into Shen Xiyan’s palm.

“Okay, I’m starting now.”

“Mm.”

He slightly parted his fingers.

Lin Ci closed her eyes tightly, inserting her fingers one by one, fumbling and probing until perfectly fit.

The moment their fingers interlaced, she distinctly heard her own heartbeat.

Thump-thump.

Thump-thump.

Holding hands depends on the partner. To experience the deepest happiness, two conditions must be met: one, the other must be the opposite sex; two, someone you truly like.

Only when your heart truly races can that happiness overflow and overflow…

Lin Ci gently squeezed harder, pressing their palms tightly together, both feeling the sticky warmth of sweat.

The shy girl’s face flamed as she shyly said, “If we do this casually in front of Qin Sheng, over time, she won’t be able to doubt it, right?”

“Not necessarily. That’s Qin Sheng!”

Shen Xiyan sighed and checked the time on his phone. “This isn’t something we can solve with a few words. Let’s leave it for later. It’s late, I’m heading back. You should rest early too—class tomorrow.”

“Wait!”

Seeing Shen Xiyan about to leave, Lin Ci unwilling to lose the lingering touch, pressed her lips tightly, then pointed at her own mouth, voice soft and tender, asking, “What’s that wound on your lip from?”