Сhapter 4: If Yоu Wаnt to Tоuch, Tоuсh Sоmеwhеrе Elsе
Shеng Shurаn’s puрils tremblеd in shock, hеr hаnd still clutсhing Chi Неn’s сollаr, frоzen nеаr his nесk.
Rеmеmbеring what shе had just sаid оn the phone, shе reаlized Сhi Неn must hаve misunderstоod. She quiсklу ехplаined:
“Whаt I said on thе рhоnе wаs abоut an eleсtriс саr! I wаnt to buy a sесоnd-hand еleсtric cаr—sрасious, pоwеrful, long-lasting bаttery, аnd thе nеwеr the bеttеr!”
Chi Hen clearly wаsn’t listening саrеfullу. Нe grаbbed Sheng Shuran’s hаnd, pullеd it down, strаightenеd his clothes, and tossed the hoodie by the sofa to her.
“I meant the clothes. Try them on and see if they’re too big.”
“Clothes? For me?” Sheng Shuran realized she had misunderstood, and embarrassment washed over her.
Chi Hen asked calmly, “Aren’t you going to shower?”
“Shower, shower, shower…” Sheng Shuran grabbed the clothes and hid in the bathroom.
After closing the door, she buried her face deeply in the clothes in her hands.
What on earth was she thinking?!
This was the pure little brother who had followed her around since childhood!!
How could she, as his older sister… defile him?!
Sheng Shuran lingered in the bathroom for a long time.
After showering, she realized Chi Hen had only given her a top.
She put it on and checked—thankfully, the hem still covered the top of her thighs.
Just as he had said, it was quite big…
When Sheng Shuran came out of the bathroom, Chi Hen glanced at her. Under the hem of the shirt, her legs were long and fair, and his eyes darkened imperceptibly.
“Sheng Shuran…”
“Hmm?”
“You take the bedroom. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
The apartment Sheng Shuran had rented for Chi Hen had only one bedroom and a living room, with no extra rooms.
Looking at Chi Hen’s injuries, Sheng Shuran couldn’t bear it and said, “I should sleep on the sofa…”
Chi Hen lay down on the sofa, his peach blossom eyes pure and innocent as he looked at Sheng Shuran:
“Then let’s squeeze in together?”
Sheng Shuran was speechless. She had no choice but to enter the bedroom, lie on Chi Hen’s bed, cover herself with his blanket, and breathe in his clean, refreshing scent.
It felt familiar.
In the night…
The room plunged into darkness, the torn qipao, the nibbled Adam’s apple, the entangled gasps…
A familiar voice, carrying the cool clarity of youth yet tinged with the huskiness of desire: “It’s me, Chi Hen, sister.”
“Chi Hen, ah… Chi Hen… ah…”
Chi Hen?
Chi?
Hen?
“Ah!”
Sheng Shuran jolted awake again.
The bedroom door opened, and the dim yellow light from the living room spilled in, illuminating her startled figure.
“What’s wrong?” Chi Hen stood at the doorway, his back to the light, hiding all emotions in the darkness.
Sheng Shuran looked at Chi Hen standing before her—the same Chi Hen who had followed her around since he was ten, calling her “sister.”
A wave of shame washed over her.
Sheng Shuran steadied her breathing and said:
“It’s nothing.”
“Did you have a dream?”
“Yes.”
“What did you dream about?”
“Nothing.”
The person at the doorway paused for a long moment before speaking slowly:
“Did you dream about me?”
“No!” Sheng Shuran denied firmly, then immediately realized something was off.
How did Chi Hen guess?
Did she talk in her sleep while dreaming?!
Remembering the moans in her dream, her face flushed crimson. She cautiously tested the waters:
“Did I… say anything just now while I was asleep?” She unconsciously clutched the blanket, as if clutching her own heart.Chi Hen did not answer immediately. Time ticked by, second by second, crawling slower than an ant, each moment more agonizing than the last.
Finally, he said:
“No.”
Sheng Shuran’s tense nerves finally relaxed.
For the rest of the night, Sheng Shuran slept lightly, afraid she might dream of things she shouldn’t and, lost in the dream, say words she shouldn’t.
The next day.
Sheng Shuran drove Chi Hen back to school.
“Thinking of changing cars?” Chi Hen remembered what she had mentioned the night before.
“Mhm. Switching to an electric car, saves on gas.”
“Why buy a used one?”
“Are you being polite? Because my wallet is empty.”
The money Sheng Shuran earned from the orchestra went toward renting an apartment for Chi Hen, renting one for herself, and from what was left, she set aside half for Chi Hen’s living expenses.
“You can just give me two hundred a month, that’s enough for me.”
“How much did the Fu family give you for living expenses before?”
“A hundred thousand.”
“That’s almost ten thousand a month then.”
“Per month.”
Sheng Shuran: “…”
“Then is two hundred enough for food?”
“I can work part-time.”
“Work part-time?” Sheng Shuran laughed incredulously. Given Chi Hen’s reclusive and unruly young master temperament, she was afraid he’d flip the table and walk out on the first day.
“I get along well with my dormmates now. I can move back and cancel the apartment lease.”
“Really?” Sheng Shuran couldn’t hide her joy—not because she could save money, but because she was happy Chi Hen could get along well with others.
“Mhm. I’ve been living in the dorm since before you returned to the country.”
“That’s great.” Sheng Shuran freed one hand and ruffled his head like petting a puppy.
“Sheng Shuran.” Chi Hen grabbed her hand and said with “righteous indignation,” “I’m not a kid anymore.”
“I’ve taken care of you for so many years. What’s wrong with letting your older sister ruffle your head a little?”
“Then pick somewhere else.”
“Where?” Sheng Shuran happened to stop at a red light and asked absentmindedly.
Chi Hen still hadn’t let go of her hand, guiding it downward.
Finally pressing it against the fabric of his jeans.
“Beep——!!”