“The food should be ready, right?” When Pei Zhiyun asked this, her expression had returned to normal, but the flush on her cheeks and ears had not yet faded.
Wen Ying followed her gaze and reached out to take the spatula. She tossed the vegetables a few times and replied, “Yes, it’s done. Just a bit of MSG and it’ll be perfect.”
As she spoke, she reached around Pei Zhiyun to grab the seasoning, sprinkled a little into the pan, and finished the dish. Pei Zhiyun helped carry the food into the main room.
Wen Ying had a habit of cleaning the wok before eating, so she took it out, scrubbed it thoroughly with dish soap, and put it back. The family sat at the dining table for lunch. Wen Ying and Little Doubao ate happily, but Pei Zhiyun found it an ordeal. She barely touched her rice, though she finished two full glasses of water.
After forcing herself to finish, Pei Zhiyun went outside and splashed her face with cold water, hoping to suppress the fire burning inside her, but it was useless.
The staff following them were all Betas and couldn’t sense pheromones, but Wen Ying was an Alpha. No matter how little Wen Ying understood this world, she was still biologically sensitive to them. If this continued, she would find out sooner or later.
In the kitchen, Wen Ying finished washing the dishes and rinsing the cutting board. Drying her hands as she stepped outside, she looked up and saw Pei Zhiyun crouching by the water basin, splashing her face over and over again.
Pei Zhiyun stood up, shaking her hands to let the water drip from her fingertips. She stood there dazed for a moment, her mind clearing slightly as she prepared to head inside to rest. She hadn’t expected to see Wen Ying standing at the kitchen door, staring at her.
Pei Zhiyun instinctively clenched her hands, averted her gaze, and walked past her into the house without a word. Wen Ying adjusted her shirt and followed her in.
After running around all morning and playing with the crab, Little Doubao was exhausted. She had already kicked off her shoes and crawled to the far side of the bed, falling fast asleep. Seeing her daughter asleep, Pei Zhiyun leaned over the bed, supporting herself with one hand on the edge, and pulled a thin blanket over the girl’s waist to prevent her from catching a cold.
As she stood up, Wen Ying walked in. The two were suddenly face-to-face, their gazes colliding.
At the sight of Wen Ying’s eyes, Pei Zhiyun’s heart skipped a beat. Her pheromones reacted to her emotions, leaking out in a refined rose scent that began to fill the small room. The fragrance grew so thick that even Pei Zhiyun thought it was excessive. There was no way Wen Ying hadn’t noticed.
Yet, Pei Zhiyun could only act as if nothing were happening. Gritting her teeth against the agitation, she turned away and pretended to tidy up their clothes.
“Do you want to change into pajamas?” Wen Ying asked softly.
“Whatever,” Pei Zhiyun replied, not looking at her. Her voice was so faint she barely heard it herself, the end of the word carrying a slight tremor.
“Let’s change then.” Wen Ying turned and shut the bedroom door, locking the cameraman outside. She then found a piece of cloth, walked over to the stationary camera in the room, and covered it.
There was only one camera in the room. After confirming the lens was completely obscured, she turned and approached Pei Zhiyun.
Pei Zhiyun was leaning against the bed frame, her brow furrowed in discomfort. Suddenly, she felt a warm grip on her arm, followed by a firm pull that dragged her into an embrace.
Pei Zhiyun’s eyes widened. She raised her hands to push against Wen Ying’s shoulders, her chin resting on the other woman’s shoulder. They held each other tightly.
Wen Ying lowered her head, her left hand securing Pei Zhiyun’s slender waist while her right hand brushed aside the long hair at the nape of her neck to reveal the gland. As Wen Ying’s teeth grazed the skin, Pei Zhiyun’s body jolted. She began to tremble uncontrollably, a deep crimson spreading from her earlobes across her neck. She tilted her head and bit her lower lip, hiding her desire against Wen Ying’s chest.
Wen Ying tightened her hold and bit down deeper. The duration of a temporary mark depends on its depth; Wen Ying made sure this one would last her through the night.
As she marked Pei Zhiyun, Wen Ying’s eyes slowly opened. This was the second time she had marked her.
The first time had been on their wedding night.
That night, Wen Ying had consumed a lot of wine while hosting guests. When she finally took her bride from the hands of the maidservants, Pei Zhiyun was dazed with intoxication. Wen Ying carried her to the bed and called for warm water. She gently washed away the makeup, removed the jade hairpins and ornaments, and hung the red bridal robes on the rack.
She dismissed the servants and lowered the red silk curtains. The room was silent save for the flickering candlelight. Wen Ying sat by the bed watching her sleep for a long time—until the moon was high and a midnight breeze stirred.
Wen Ying hadn’t planned to do anything. But as she stood up to undress for bed, the woman on the bed woke up in a haze, tugging at her clothes as a sudden, sweet fragrance filled the air.
Wen Ying rushed back and touched her forehead. It was burning hot. Combined with the scent, she realized her bride had entered her “Spring Fever” (heat).
In that world, there were no suppressants. Most youths were betrothed by the government or matchmakers immediately after their secondary differentiation. Aside from the formal wedding rites, a temporary mark was a binding contract. Since they were already married, it was only natural for her spouse to provide it.
Realizing the situation, Wen Ying helped her up, parted her black hair, and bit her gland. It was her first time marking someone. Perhaps she did it incorrectly, but within moments, her own body began to heat up. Her consciousness blurred, and before she knew it, she had her bride pinned beneath her, kissing her.
Up close, the woman’s beauty was breathtaking lips red, teeth white, skin like snow, and brows like distant mountains. Wen Ying lost herself again, biting into those ruby lips as the other woman let out a soft moan, her slender arms draping over Wen Ying’s shoulders. The red curtains fell, and the night became a dream.
A woman does not experience Spring Fever during pregnancy, so Wen Ying had never touched her again. Until now.
Wen Ying pulled herself out of the memory, her eyes clearing. She released the gland and smoothed Pei Zhiyun’s hair back into place. The stifling heat in Pei Zhiyun’s body vanished instantly, and the pheromones stopped leaking. She gently pushed Wen Ying away and stepped back, accidentally bumping into the bed frame.
Pei Zhiyun lowered her head, taking deep breaths and covering her face with her hands. After a moment, once her breathing leveled out, she brushed her hair back.
Seeing the redness on her ears fade, Wen Ying started to ask, “Are you—”
Mph—
Pei Zhiyun was quick, covering Wen Ying’s mouth with one hand while pointing to the microphone on her chest with the other. Although the camera was covered, the mic was still live.
After Wen Ying’s unexpected comments during their last interview, Pei Zhiyun had taken the time to explain that she must watch her words because the microphones record everything. Wen Ying, who had only been concerned for her, nodded to show she understood. Only then did Pei Zhiyun let go.
The two quickly changed into their pajamas. Wen Ying uncovered the camera, and they lay down beside Little Doubao for a peaceful nap.
When they finally woke up, it was after 3:00 PM. Little Doubao had woken up at 2:30. Not wanting to disturb her mothers, she had crawled off the bed, put on her shoes, and went to the courtyard to play with her crab.
After a while, she asked the cameraman, “Uncle, can I go to the stream outside?”
The cameraman shook his head. “No, it’s dangerous there. If you go alone, your mothers will be very worried. Do you want them to worry?”
Little Doubao thought about it. “No.”
“Then you can’t go. It’s too dangerous.”
“Okay,” she sighed, returning to her crab.
Perhaps due to her heat, Pei Zhiyun slept exceptionally deeply. When Wen Ying got up at 3:00 to give Little Doubao a banana, Pei Zhiyun didn’t even stir. By 4:00, she was still asleep. Realizing that if she slept any longer, she wouldn’t sleep tonight, Wen Ying whispered to Little Doubao, “Go wake Mommy up, okay? Tell her it’s time to get up.”
“Will she be mad at me?” the girl asked.
Wen Ying shook her head. “No. I’ll go with you.”
They walked back into the room. Pei Zhiyun was still out. Little Doubao, just tall enough to reach the bed, rested her arms on the edge. “Mommy, time to get up! The sun is burning your bottom!”
Pei Zhiyun remained still. Little Doubao raised her voice. “Mommy! Wake up! No more sleeping!”
This time, Pei Zhiyun heard her. She rolled over and woke up, her long hair spilling over the pillow. Even without makeup, her face was stunning clear, cold, and gentle.
“Mommy, you slept for so long.” Little Doubao tilted her head against the bed.
Pei Zhiyun sat up, her hair a mess. She brushed it back and asked, “How long was I out?”
Little Doubao didn’t know the exact time, so she looked at Wen Ying. “Mama, how long did Mommy sleep? Was it a long, long time?”
Wen Ying nodded to the child before looking at Pei Zhiyun. “It’s past 4:00. You’ve been asleep for hours.”
“Past 4:00?” Pei Zhiyun was genuinely shocked. She threw off the blanket. “Cover the lens, I need to change.”
Wen Ying covered the camera again and took Little Doubao outside, closing the door behind them. A moment later, Pei Zhiyun emerged wearing a black baseball cap.
Her makeup artist stepped forward. “Zhiyun, do you want some makeup?”
“No need.” Pei Zhiyun adjusted her hat, pulling the brim low. “The hat is fine.”
Little Doubao immediately clung to her. “Mommy, can we go to the stream now? The cameraman uncle said there are shrimp in there. Let’s catch some for Little Crab!”
The staff whispered to Pei Zhiyun, “When Little Doubao woke up, she came out alone. She asked if she could go, but we told her no.”
She woke up alone? A wave of delayed fear washed over Pei Zhiyun. She frowned at the girl, wanting to scold her, but suppressed it. “Why do you want to go so badly?”
“I want to catch fish and shrimp! I’ve never played in a stream. Mama, take me, please! Just this once!”
At that age, children are naturally curious. Pei Zhiyun knew if they didn’t take her, she might try to sneak off on her own. She sighed. “Alright, we’ll go. But you must stay with Mommy or Mama. You cannot run off alone, or we’ll never take you again.”
“Okay! Roger that!” Little Doubao promised loudly.
Pei Zhiyun pulled out three pairs of flip-flops from her suitcase and changed into black clothing—in case they got wet. Once ready, the three headed out with a basin and the crab.
The southern summer heat was intense. Even at 4:00 PM, the sun was scorching. As soon as Pei Zhiyun stepped out, the heat hit her like a wall, causing her to instinctively retreat toward the house.
Are these two immune to the sun? she wondered, seeing Wen Ying and Little Doubao walking ahead.
Wen Ying noticed Pei Zhiyun shrinking back from the sun. “Wait, Doubao.” She ran back to the house, grabbed two umbrellas the staff had provided, and opened one for Pei Zhiyun. “The staff prepared these.”
“Thanks,” Pei Zhiyun said, taking it. Wen Ying held the other over herself and Little Doubao.
The stream was shallow about mid-calf deep and crystal clear, revealing pebbles and aquatic plants. They discovered Li Dai’s family was already there, looking like they had been playing for a while; their clothes were already soaked.
“Oh, you’re here too?” Li Dai greeted them from her stool under a tree.
“Yes,” Pei Zhiyun smiled. “Little Doubao insisted.”
Li Dai explained that her wife, Zhang Yiwan, was from the north and hadn’t seen many streams or mountains, so she had been eager to play since lunch. In the water, Zhang Yiwan and her daughter, Li Yan, were currently splashing each other.
“Mama, I want to go in too!” Little Doubao pulled at Wen Ying’s arm.
“Okay.” Wen Ying knelt to roll up the girl’s pants, intending to keep her at the edge. Pei Zhiyun watched from the sidelines under her umbrella.
As the water touched her feet, Little Doubao squealed with delight. Wen Ying carefully led her a bit deeper. Nearby, Zhang Yiwan spotted a small fish. “I’m going to catch it, and Mama will make you fried fish tonight!” she told Li Yan.
They all watched as Zhang Yiwan lunged for the fish, sending spray everywhere. When she opened her hands, there was nothing but water. “I missed!”
Li Dai laughed. “The smaller the fish, the harder they are to catch.”
While they talked, Wen Ying found a way to let Little Doubao go deeper without getting too wet. She put the girl inside the plastic basin and floated her on the water like a little boat. Wen Ying pushed the basin along, her own black jeans soaked up to her thighs.
After an hour of playing, everyone was exhausted. During the walk back, Little Doubao had managed to fall into the water once, leaving her drenched. Wen Ying wasn’t much better; her shirt and pants were soaked, and wet strands of hair clung to her face.
Back at the house, Pei Zhiyun prepared to give the girl a warm bath, but Wen Ying stopped her. “I’m already wet. I’ll wash her. You just find us some clean clothes.”
Pei Zhiyun agreed and went to get their things. She then went to the kitchen and boiled a pot of ginger soup to prevent them from catching a cold. Twenty minutes later, Little Doubao emerged clean and dry, her cheeks rosy from the warm water.
“Doubao, come drink some ginger soup,” Pei Zhiyun called.
“Okay!” The girl ran over and took her mother’s hand.
A-choo!
Behind them, Wen Ying let out a sneeze, covering her nose. Pei Zhiyun’s expression immediately darkened as she looked up.