After Flirting with the God-Tier Beautiful Tycoon - Chapter 49

Shen Xiaojiang’s bedroom bathroom was very small, and the vanity was equally tiny.

However, it was tidy and orderly, much like her character. On the counter sat a transparent acrylic organizer, holding various small items in their proper places.

As Shen Xiaojiang leaned over to wash her face, Chen Yi approached her, covering a yawn with her hand.

“Oh? What’s this?” Chen Yi looked at the items in the organizer with a look of innocent curiosity.

Hearing her, Shen Xiaojiang straightened up, wiped the excess water from her face with a dry towel, and turned to look at the woman who was a captivating mix of soft and seductive.

“Oh, those are clips.”

With that, Shen Xiaojiang pulled a black rectangular fabric clip from the box. “Here, want to try one?”

Chen Yi took it readily, a faint smile on her lips. “I didn’t expect this to be a hair clip.”

“Hmm?” Shen Xiaojiang was about to pull her hand back, but instead, she reached out and lightly brushed the corner of Chen Yi’s eye still moist from her yawn. Her voice held a doting laugh. “What did you think it was?”

Chen Yi looked up at her, lifting her chin slightly, a flash of nonchalance in her eyes. “I thought it was a Band-Aid.”

“A Band-Aid?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Shen Xiaojiang withdrew her hand and began squeezing toothpaste onto her brush, grinning. “What’s wrong with your eyes, Auntie?”

Chen Yi gave a small “Hmph,” then raised her hand to clip the accessory into her hair.

“How does it look?” She turned around to show Shen Xiaojiang.

Shen Xiaojiang turned and met Chen Yi’s beautiful phoenix eyes. The older woman was blinking softly, a smile playing on her lips.

How did it feel? For a moment, Shen Xiaojiang lost her ability to speak.

Chen Yi’s forehead was smooth and full, her skin fair and clear. Beneath her strikingly sharp features, her smile was as innocent and harmless as an infant’s. This contrast felt perfectly natural.

“Beautiful,” Shen Xiaojiang said dly.

“Really?” Chen Yi leaned closer to Shen Xiaojiang’s face, narrowing her eyes slightly, her warm breath ghosting over the younger girl’s skin.

Shen Xiaojiang blinked instinctively and nodded vigorously. “Really.”

“Then… give it to me?” Chen Yi’s face was so close, yet her breath was light.

She was clearly smiling, clearly within reach, yet she made Shen Xiaojiang feel an odd sense of unreality. Like a cloud in the sky or a feather on a low wall. It felt as though if the window were opened just a bit wider, she might be blown away.

“Don’t leave,” Shen Xiaojiang blurted out.

Chen Yi’s eyes flickered for a moment. Perhaps she heard it, perhaps she didn’t.

Shen Xiaojiang snapped back to reality and quickly corrected herself: “No, I mean, I can give it to you. I have plenty more. Anything you like, you can take.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she handed the prepped toothbrush to Chen Yi. “Hurry up. Later, I’ll take you to get those ‘unfreaking believable’ steamed buns.”

Chen Yi took the brush and gave a low, quiet “Okay.”

Shen Xiaojiang watched her from the side, as if silently guarding her, afraid she really might fly away.

“Hmm?” White foam gathered on Chen Yi’s lips.

Shen Xiaojiang laughed softly. “It’s so unfair. How can a beauty look so good even while brushing her teeth?”

With a smile in her eyes, Chen Yi raised her arm and gave Shen Xiaojiang a playful, light thump. Shen Xiaojiang didn’t dodge, letting Chen Yi hit her.

Chen Yi spat out the foam and glanced at her. “You…”

“Am I sweet?”

Shen Xiaojiang’s sudden question caught Chen Yi off guard.

“What?” Chen Yi wiped her face and looked at her in confusion.

Shen Xiaojiang blinked, her smile radiating the warmth of a spring day. “Didn’t I promise you that I’d only be sweet for you?”

“So, was I sweet just now?”

Chen Yi looked down at Shen Xiaojiang’s long fingers resting on the marble countertop and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Sweet.”

“How sweet?” Shen Xiaojiang leaned in close enough for a kiss.

“What are you doing?” Chen Yi had heard her, but she wanted to hear her say it again. And again. She loved hearing Shen Xiaojiang’s voice, it made her feel safe and relaxed, as if everything in the world was worth it.

Shen Xiaojiang closed the distance until their foreheads were pressed together.

“Auntie, just how sweet do you think I am?”

Chen Yi slid into Shen Xiaojiang’s embrace, her cheek resting against the side of the younger girl’s neck. Looking at their reflection in the mirror, she whispered with a smile, “So sweet. So sweet my heart is melting.”

A moment later, Shen Xiaojiang heard her parents chattering outside the door.

The topic was mundane: her dad hadn’t put enough water in the porridge so it was more like rice, and a few eggs had cracked while boiling.

They were trivial things, discussed without any real heat. For a few minutes, Chen Yi listened quietly to these small, warm fragments of life. The bright sunlight poured in through the window, making her smile glow.

“What is it, Auntie?” Shen Xiaojiang gently wrapped her arms around Chen Yi’s waist from behind, her breath tickling Chen Yi’s ear.

Chen Yi shrank back shyly, leaning fully into the embrace behind her.

“Shen Xiaojiang, I want to wear your clothes today,” Chen Yi said softly.

Shen Xiaojiang held her close, resting her chin on Chen Yi’s shoulder. “Why? My clothes are all old.”

“Old is better,” Chen Yi said mysteriously.

Shen Xiaojiang didn’t know what she was planning. “Why?”

Chen Yi turned her head to look at her. “Want to know?”

Shen Xiaojiang nodded.

“Come closer,” Chen Yi beckoned with a finger. “Put your ear here.”

Shen Xiaojiang obeyed.

“Because…” Chen Yi lowered her voice, her warm breath grazing Shen Xiaojiang’s ear, “Old clothes have your scent on them. I want to keep your scent on my body.”

Only Chen Yi could say something so suggestive in such an innocent tone.

A tingling sensation spread from Shen Xiaojiang’s ear, sending tiny electric shocks through her limbs. Her face and neck flushed pink. Embarrassed, she let go of Chen Yi and walked toward the wardrobe.

Behind her, she heard the woman break into a fit of giggles.

“Shen Xiaojiang, you are far too cute.” Chen Yi’s eyes were full of shimmering light.

Dazed, Shen Xiaojiang turned back, walked quickly to Chen Yi, and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Auntie, I…” Shen Xiaojiang paused, then tightened her grip. “I really like you.”

The person in her arms froze for a second.

After a long moment, Chen Yi reached out and hugged her back. “I like you very much, too.”

In the end, Chen Yi wore a blue-green plaid shirt and light blue jeans. It was the first time she had dressed like this since leaving school. It felt good to have that long-lost youthful vibe.

Since the waist was a bit loose, Shen Xiaojiang rummaged through her things to find a belt.

“Auntie, come here. Let me help you put it on.”

Chen Yi walked over and obediently lifted the hem of the shirt, revealing a waist that was snowy white and slender. Shen Xiaojiang’s gaze instinctively fell upon it flat, soft, and carrying a warm fragrance.

“Shen Xiaojiang, how are you going to tie the belt if you’re just daydreaming?” Chen Yi teased.

“Oh.” Shen Xiaojiang looked away, then looked back, her eyes lingering briefly on that fair skin before finally focusing on the belt.

No!

Just as she was about to look away again, Chen Yi let go of the shirt and cupped Shen Xiaojiang’s face in her hands. Her voice was soft but held a hint of command: “Look at me.”

Shen Xiaojiang held the belt around Chen Yi’s waist, while Chen Yi held Shen Xiaojiang’s face. It was a strange position to be in.

In that moment, there was only the two of them.

“Shen Xiaojiang, can you look only at me?”

Shen Xiaojiang’s hands trembled slightly. Her heart was in chaos. “Of… of course.”

“I’m being serious.”

“I am too.” Shen Xiaojiang gazed into Chen Yi’s eyes and playfully tugged the belt. “If only I could use this belt to keep you tied to my side forever.”

After a simple breakfast at home, the two headed out. Shen Xiaojiang hopped on her beloved electric scooter and navigated the backstreets with Chen Yi to reach that “unfreaking believable” bun shop.

It was actually called Old Zhou’s Dessert Shop, a local staple for over a decade.

“Boss, two custard buns,” Shen Xiaojiang said, scanning the QR code to pay.

Chen Yi stood quietly by her side. With Shen Xiaojiang, even waiting in a long line felt like happiness. As long as they were together, everything was a joy.

“Here, Auntie, try one,” Shen Xiaojiang said, taking a bite. “Hot, hot, hot! But so good!”

Chen Yi believed her. The bun was wrapped in brown paper, looking vintage and full of small-town charm. She carefully opened the paper and took a bite. The bread was fluffy, and the filling was fragrant.

“How is it?” Shen Xiaojiang watched her expectantly.

Chen Yi chewed a few times and smiled with her eyes narrowed. “It really is unfreaking believable!”

A look of satisfaction crossed Shen Xiaojiang’s face. “Oh, wait!”

Chen Yi looked at her curiously. Shen Xiaojiang scanned the code again. “Boss, two almond milks, please!”

A moment later, Shen Xiaojiang held two white paper cups. “Here. This almond milk is even better than the custard buns. I’ve been drinking it since I was a kid.”

Chen Yi took the cup. “Milk with almonds?”

Shen Xiaojiang didn’t know the exact recipe. “Just try it.”

Chen Yi took a sip. The slight bitterness of the almonds was softened by the sweet milk. It was delicious, and she took several more sips. Knowing Shen Xiaojiang was waiting for her verdict, Chen Yi immediately gave a thumbs-up.

Shen Xiaojiang smiled sweetly. Being with Chen Yi like this was wonderful. She wished time would stop right here.

“Is that… a qipao shop?”

Shen Xiaojiang followed Chen Yi’s finger.

“It is.” She swallowed the last of her almond milk and asked gently, “Want to go in and look?”

Chen Yi raised her eyes, a strong, fervent light flickering in her narrow gaze. She didn’t need to say a word; Shen Xiaojiang already knew.

Shen Xiaojiang locked the scooter and reached out to take Chen Yi’s hand to lead her toward the shop. Suddenly, she felt it might be inappropriate, she hadn’t asked for permission.

“Sorry, I…”

However, she didn’t notice that Chen Yi was even more eager to hold hands than she was. The moment Shen Xiaojiang hesitated and loosened her grip, Chen Yi let go as well.

Shen Xiaojiang thought Chen Yi didn’t like it. Chen Yi thought Shen Xiaojiang didn’t want to be seen by acquaintances.

“Let’s go,” Chen Yi said.

Shen Xiaojiang scratched her head and gave a low “Oh.” Then, she reached out and pinched the sleeve of Chen Yi’s shirt. Chen Yi felt it but said nothing, letting her hold on. In a way, it was still like holding hands.

The shop was decorated in a traditional Chinese style. Upon entering, they saw a long, wide workbench and customers getting measured for custom dresses.

“Business is pretty good,” Shen Xiaojiang whispered in Chen Yi’s ear. Chen Yi smiled but said nothing.

Finally, they reached the display window. This was the qipao that had caught Chen Yi’s eye from the street. It was dark green satin with silver thread embroidery understated, elegant, and full of character.

Shen Xiaojiang knew nothing about qipaos and just followed Chen Yi around. There were no extra employees; only a woman also dressed in a qipao was busy running around. She was both the owner and the worker.

When she finally finished her task, the owner walked over with a measuring tape, a gentle smile on her face. “This is Suzhou embroidery.”

Chen Yi touched the rose-gold collar button, then withdrew her hand with a graceful smile. “Exquisite quality.”

Shen Xiaojiang looked between Chen Yi and the owner, staying quiet. Chen Yi had a perfect figure curvy where she should be, slender where she should be. She was a walking clothes hanger.

“This isn’t a custom order. You can try it on,” the owner said, moving to take it off the mannequin.

Chen Yi waved her hand, giving it a lingering glance. Shen Xiaojiang could tell she was conflicted. From the way she touched the button, she clearly liked it. So why wasn’t she trying it on?

The owner smiled and tactfully walked away.

Shen Xiaojiang leaned in and whispered, “Auntie, what’s wrong? You won’t know if it looks good unless you try it.”

“The dress is beautiful,” Chen Yi’s voice was as clear as a warm spring.

“Then why not try it?”

Chen Yi looked at her and smiled, but didn’t speak.

“Oh, Auntie, just tell me, please?” Shen Xiaojiang blinked rapidly, looking incredibly adorable.

Chen Yi lightly tapped Shen Xiaojiang’s forehead, still smiling silently.

Shen Xiaojiang was even more confused. Finally, she grabbed Chen Yi’s wrist and walked straight toward the fitting room. Pulling back the curtain, she pushed Chen Yi inside and said to the surprised owner, “Hello, could you bring that dark green qipao over for us? Thank you.”