Chapter 82 (1/2): The Su Family in the South

Since it was my first time visiting the Su family to meet the elders, I definitely needed to dress up a bit.

Otherwise, people would say I was disrespectful—coming to see the elders but looking as casual as if I were at home.

A banquet is a relatively formal occasion.

It wasn’t even noon yet, and Su Liumeng was already helping me with my makeup and dressing.

Most of the girls attending the banquet wore elegant and noble gowns.

The styles of the gowns tended to be quite revealing—either exposing a large expanse of the back or showcasing a tempting décolletage.

I definitely couldn’t wear something like that now.

After thinking it over, I chose something relatively casual instead—loose and comfortable fabric, more suitable for going out.

Su Liumeng was now finishing up the last step of styling my hair.

For safety reasons, even though the hair accessories were somewhat traditional in style, she avoided using sharp hairpins or ornamental hair sticks.

Instead, she took out a wooden piece from her pocket to secure the hairstyle.

As the months progressed, I had basically said goodbye to my favorite height-increasing shoes.

Now, whenever I went out, I wore flat shoes for easier movement.

My eye level instantly dropped back to reality, forcing me to accept the harsh truth: it was already 2043, and some people still weren’t even 1.6 meters tall.

After changing in my room, I came out to see the dresses others had sent over for Su Liumeng.

She threw aside all the dresses that were a bit too revealing—the ones exposing the northern and southern hemispheres of the chest or the ones that barely covered the backside—and seriously said, “None of these suits your image. They definitely won’t look good on you. I don’t recommend wearing them out.”

Su Liumeng’s eyes curved slightly in a smile.

How could she not know what this girl was thinking?

She said indulgently, “That’s right. I’m not suited to going out. From now on, I’ll only show myself to you at home.”

Caught in the act, my face inexplicably flushed a little.

I cleared my throat and replied, “At least you know who you belong to…”

Su Liumeng changed into a sleeveless dress, showing just a bit of shoulder.

I wasn’t quite at that sensitive stage yet.

I circled around her, admiring the appearance that lifted my spirits—my strict choice—then suddenly stopped my small steps.

I reached out my hand toward the top of her head and gestured forward along the height of my own head.

“Su Liumeng, have you gotten a little taller recently?”

Her expression changed slightly at those words.

She grabbed me and tried to walk forward, “Really? That’s not true… You must still be half asleep and seeing things.”

I kept muttering, “I remember you used to be 1.60 meters. Now it seems like you’ve grown a bit taller.”

“You’re just mistaken.”

Seeing how adamant she was, I didn’t press her and reluctantly accepted her view without measuring her height myself.

Standing in the courtyard waiting for the helicopter, I couldn’t help but sneak a glance at the girl beside me.

Since she returned, I always felt her temperament had changed a little.

That change wasn’t something I could immediately define.

Personally, my type had always been the cute kind.

I didn’t like tall girls much.

Only petite, soft, and delicate girls could perfectly match my type.

So, had Su Liumeng really grown taller?

That was the very serious question.

If she kept growing taller, would I still like her as much?

Thinking of this, my heart suddenly sank.

It wasn’t until I saw Su Liumeng’s still-adorable profile that I quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

It was okay—growing just a little taller wasn’t a big deal.

As long as she remained this cute, an extra centimeter or two meant nothing.

Thinking this, I despised my own shallowness a bit.

Was I really just a face-value kind of person?

…Am I only attracted to Su Liumeng because of her face?

Up to this point, this was something I still couldn’t deny.

Even if I was touched by her personality, it was definitely because I was already drawn in by her face.

Reality was harsh.

They say love at first sight, but if there wasn’t a face that made your heart skip, how could there be further interaction and connection?

Let alone falling in love with someone’s character and soul.

At this moment, my slight unease was sensed by Su Liumeng.

I was enveloped in a shadow as she embraced me.

Smelling her scent, my heartbeat calmed again.

Slowly, I closed my eyes, leaning my head and body fully on her.

“Don’t overthink it,” Su Liumeng gently stroked my back.

Her every word and action seemed more mature now, and her voice gave me a sense of calm that only an older sister could provide.

Hearing this, I suddenly lifted my head and grabbed Su Liumeng’s face.

With her gradually helpless eyes, I squished her cheeks into a wrinkled little ball, humming softly as I teased, “Su Liumeng, why did you tell others that I’m your little sister?”

Su Liumeng’s tone froze for a moment.

“You didn’t refute it last time, so I just assumed you’d like it.”

“Uh.” I still didn’t say what I didn’t mean.

“Of course I want to… Who doesn’t want to be spoiled? But, I want more… I want to be on top…”

My words stammered out, as if even speaking such a bold topic drained all my courage.

Seeing the slight flush on the girl’s face, Su Liumeng couldn’t help but laugh.

“You silly little head, what are you thinking all day? When two people like each other and are together, what matters is enjoying life.

Who’s on top or bottom—does that really matter?”

I didn’t dare argue.

That was my last shred of male dignity.

Thinking of how I had changed, where was any trace of a boy left in me?

The words hanging on my lips suddenly lost all momentum and couldn’t come out.

“Fine, little sister it is,” I seemed a bit resigned and didn’t pinch Su Liumeng’s face anymore.

It was true.

No matter how tough my personality got, I felt a little deflated because I sensed I was losing something unknowingly in making this decision.

Looking at my downcast expression, Su Liumeng probably wondered what strange thoughts were going through my head.

As everyone knows, human brains don’t always operate on the same frequency.

After a moment of quiet, I gathered my emotions and puffed up my cheeks, suddenly remembering a topic I saw online.

Leaning toward Su Liumeng’s ear, I quietly lowered my voice and asked, “Little Mengmeng, when was the first time you…?”

Girls usually enter puberty earlier, and curiosity naturally arises during that phase.

Su Liumeng blinked at me with an innocent expression.

“If I said I never watched, would you believe me?”

I snorted lightly—obviously not believing her.

During the month Su Liumeng was away, I once missed her so much I couldn’t sleep.

I snuck into her room, hoping that her scent would help me rest better.

Who knew I accidentally knocked over a cabinet and a whole bunch of things fell out, making me blush and my heart race.

Standing in the courtyard waiting wasn’t exactly a simple matter.

Su Liumeng pulled me into the small pavilion in the courtyard and let me rest my head on her lap.

Her voice, tinged with laughter, sounded like she was teasing me a bit.

“What’s wrong? Has our little heart grown up? Want to chat about girls’ private topics?”

Hearing her teasing tone, I clenched my fists secretly.

Damn, bullying me for being inexperienced, huh?

Grinding my teeth, I sat up and glared at her with a pout.

Then I heard what she said next.

“If I had to be honest, I really haven’t watched those little videos about men and women.

I emphasize the difference because I’ve been doing some other research lately.

Little heart, do you want to discuss it with me?”

Su Liumeng wasn’t lying.

Before adulthood, she never had free time.

Countless high-intensity training sessions made her prefer simpler, more direct ways to relieve stress.

Only after meeting Si Xinyan did she start advanced research in some special areas.

I stared into Su Liumeng’s eyes and saw no trace of deceit.

Then she continued, “Even if I watch or listen, I have my girlfriends, and I always hear them babbling about their boyfriends.”

Her answer was very genuine.

Upon hearing this, I blinked my big eyes innocently and suddenly remembered something: poor performance really would get a girl’s boyfriend scolded by her friends.

This was my first relationship and my first time being an adult, so it was a bit fresh to hear.

Then I went back to the previous topic with a timid question.

“Then, why do you have so many strange things in your room?”

Su Liumeng’s originally carefree expression suddenly stiffened, as if she never expected me to go through her things.

“This…”

“This.”

Faced with my growing curiosity, Su Liumeng flipped me over.

Suddenly she found it hard to face my pure and innocent gaze, as if continuing this topic would taint some pure little flower.

“Little heart, do you understand?

When a person is under a lot of pressure and has liked someone for a long time without result, they’ll do some… um…”