Bullying The Sister-In-Law - Chapter 13.2

This movie had been quite popular since its trailer. Liu Chengxu often searched for the plot on her computer when she was at home.

Su Zhiluo handed the tickets to Liu Chengxu. “Do you want to buy some chips to take with us?”

When she was little, Liu Chengxu was often taken to the cinema by her sister, followed by a barbecue. After her sister left, she never went again.

“Don’t worry about the money,” Su Zhiluo said. “Didn’t you say you’re feeling better? Have a proper birthday.”

Liu Chengxu nodded.

Su Zhiluo added, “Do you want to invite your friends to share the cake?”

Her friends had previously asked her how she wanted to celebrate, suggesting they order a cake and celebrate together. At the time, she said she was waiting for Su Zhiluo.

Fortunately, she had waited for Su Zhiluo.

Liu Chengxu said, “No need to rush. We’ll celebrate a bit early. They all have part-time jobs.”

“Alright,” Su Zhiluo said, holding the cake.

Liu Chengxu said, “We’ll eat it after the movie.” She took the cake. “I’ll put this in the dorm, and we’ll eat it tonight.”

Su Zhiluo waited for her downstairs. Liu Chengxu ran quickly, placing the cake on the dorm table. After a moment’s thought, she cut two slices.

Su Zhiluo said, “We haven’t lit the candles yet. Why did you cut it?”

“It’s okay. I can’t wait right now. I want to eat it so badly.” Liu Chengxu gave one slice to Su Zhiluo, and the two of them ate as they walked.

It was very sweet, sweet all the way to her heart.

The cinema was located in the plaza near the school. Liu Chengxu quickly messaged her friends, saying that her sister-in-law was here today, so she would be back late.

After that, she didn’t check her messages, following behind Su Zhiluo.

At the small plaza, Su Zhiluo asked her, “Do you want a flower?”

There were university students setting up stalls on the first floor. Liu Chengxu looked at them, wanting one, but her hands were in her pockets, and she said, “No need.”

If she asked for a flower, it might cross a line. She added, “I’ll buy cheaper ones and put them at home later.”

Su Zhiluo said OKAY, exchanging the flowers for popcorn.

Liu Chengxu couldn’t focus on the movie at all. She couldn’t help but look at her sister-in-law’s profile, again and again, and was afraid of being discovered, so she glanced sneakily, like a thief.

She used to really want to watch this movie.

Perhaps her sister-in-law noticed, perhaps not. Liu Chengxu thought, let this be her birthday wish. She didn’t ask for eternity, just hoped that these brief moments would make the days ahead a little easier for her.

After the movie ended, they didn’t discuss the plot like the others but sat on a bench outside. Su Zhiluo took a box out of her pocket and gave it to her, saying it was her birthday gift.

Su Zhiluo said, “I still feel like something is missing. Did you not make a wish? Should we buy another cake?”

Liu Chengxu clasped her hands together and began to make a wish toward the box.

They walked around until dusk.

The two of them took the bus, holding onto the same hanging strap. The carriage swayed, and Liu Chengxu really wanted to reach out and hold her steady.

Liu Chengxu subtly pulled Su Zhiluo’s sleeve. Su Zhiluo bumped into her arms.

Su Zhiluo worked to steady herself and asked her, “What did you wish for?”

Liu Chengxu controlled her breathing, looking straight ahead. “…Nothing much. I just wanted to go home.”

Liu Chengxu hadn’t been back for a while. As this wish came out, it felt as though she had a home but couldn’t return to it.

She looked at the bus window glass. Her sister-in-law seemed to be leaning into her embrace. She restrained her heartbeat, lest the booming sound startled her.

The bus passed their stop, and neither of them got off. They rode to the area near the subway station, where they could go straight home.

Back home, they opened the door and smelled chicken soup.

It was clearly prepared by Su Zhiluo for her.

Su Zhiluo went to the kitchen to bring out the chicken soup. Liu Chengxu saw her use the electric rice cooker they got during the New Year. Liu Chengxu remembered it had a timer function.

Liu Chengxu turned sideways and wiped away her tears.

Su Zhiluo took a bowl and served the soup for Liu Chengxu. The two of them only drank the soup and ate the chicken. Liu Chengxu smiled and said, “Thank you, Sis-in-law.”

Su Zhiluo chuckled softly.

When she showered in the evening, Liu Chengxu opened the cabinet and saw the sweater she had bought for Su Zhiluo hanging inside.

The two of them slept in their respective places.

Liu Chengxu lay on the bed and, as usual, talked to her sister-in-law about how she wanted to earn lots and lots of money. She kept talking about these things, not just to find a topic, but to also show that she and Su Zhiluo still had a shared future, which her sister-in-law could respond to.

She talked until Su Zhiluo fell silent, having fallen asleep.

Liu Chengxu pressed her arm against her eyes.

So sad, she couldn’t sleep.

Liu Chengxu quietly turned onto her side and watched Su Zhiluo silently, taking in all her features.

Many times, Liu Chengxu thought too highly of herself, blindly believing that Pandora’s box of love was nothing special. She dared to look at it unrestrainedly, ignoring its superficial temptation.

She initially just wanted to look at Su Zhiluo, to satisfy her eyes. By the time she came back to her senses, her finger was already on Su Zhiluo’s nose.

All sorts of grievances welled up. She had been pretending for two months, like a person recovering from a serious illness who had regained a healthy body. But at this moment, she fell apart, and the sickness once again threatened her life.

Despite having just turned one year older, moving from being an adult to being more of an adult, she still loved Su Zhiluo without self-control. Her finger landed on Su Zhiluo’s lips, her fingertip tracing them lightly.

She wished she hadn’t come to find Su Zhiluo in the first place. Then, she wouldn’t have fallen in love with her, and Su Zhiluo wouldn’t be caught in a dilemma because of her.

Liu Chengxu knew this was wrong. She should control herself.

But if love could be controlled, could it still be called love?

The essence of love is precisely its unpredictability. It makes people knowingly do things they shouldn’t, repeatedly chewing themselves up, feeling the pain, and yet still reaching out to touch.

Just hold on, Liu Chengxu.

Su Zhiluo was asleep. Her long, thin eyelashes covered her eyes. Liu Chengxu gently leaned in, pressing her lips against hers.

She didn’t linger as she had before. A shallow touch, then she pulled away, carefully climbing back into bed.

Su Zhiluo’s eyelashes fluttered, and her lips instantly dried up. If Liu Chengxu had waited just a moment longer, she would have sensed that Su Zhiluo was holding her breath, fully awake.

Su Zhiluo couldn’t accurately describe her state at that moment. It was like the splitting headache after a hangover; there was no comfort in her entire body. Her tear ducts seemed blocked, her eye sockets dry and tight. Yet, she dared not make a sound, allowing Liu Chengxu to get out of bed again and kiss her a second time.

Yes, Liu Chengxu came again after the first time. This time, she licked her lips, her tongue grazing Su Zhiluo’s thin lips.

Su Zhiluo was even more afraid of being discovered than Liu Chengxu and couldn’t move. Liu Chengxu’s tongue was very soft, leaving a moist trace on her sensitive lip line.

Liu Chengxu wasn’t satisfied with just one kiss. She wanted to keep looking at her sister-in-law, and then she wanted to kiss a third time.

She turned her head, taking in the sight of Su Zhiluo’s moist, red lips: It’s okay, it’s okay. This is enough to let me endure another few months.

Her sister-in-law didn’t love her, but it didn’t matter. She could continue to pretend and wouldn’t let her sister-in-law feel awkward.

This was enough to make her happy for a long time. As long as Su Zhiluo was willing to live with her, she asked for nothing else.