Bullying The Sister-In-Law - Chapter 2.1

The room was lit only by an eggshell lamp, a warm yellow glow spreading an ambiguous atmosphere.

Liu Chengxu lay on her side, her eyes half-closed.

Su Zhiluo’s bare back line was exceptionally clear in the dim light, and the pink strap underneath her clothes was faintly visible. She pinched the hem of her clothes and pulled it down, covering her sensual waist and lower back.

Sister-in-law, both innocent and seductive.

The bedroom was so narrow you couldn’t turn around; the dilapidated old house with peeling walls could barely fit two beds. Liu Chengxu’s wooden bed was pressed against the wall, and they had to keep their legs touching to make room.

Liu Chengxu accidentally touched Su Zhiluo when she raised her hand slightly, her fingertip brushing against Su Zhiluo’s bare thigh.

Su Zhiluo’s skin tickled, and she trembled slightly with sensitivity. She turned back to look at Liu Chengxu, who immediately pulled back her leg. “What’s wrong?”

“Hmm…” Liu Chengxu stared at her. “Sister-in-law, you are so beautiful.”

Her voice was still husky from sleep. Liu Chengxu rubbed her eyes. Su Zhiluo found her appearance endearing and smiled.

Su Zhiluo gathered her long hair, tied a lazy, low ponytail with a black hair tie, then wrapped it around her index finger, creating a fluffy, slightly messy style. A few wisps of hair hung by her cheek, making her look languid yet sophisticated.

“Don’t go out today,” Su Zhiluo said, organizing the tips of her hair with her fingertip. “Aren’t you returning to school this afternoon? I’ll take a leave of absence to drop you off.”

“No need, I’ll go to the factory to find you.” Liu Chengxu tugged at her clothes. “Sister-in-law, can I come back on Saturdays and Sundays after this?”

Su Zhiluo didn’t have overtime on Saturdays and Sundays, but the two places were far apart, and the subway ride was long and tiring. Su Zhiluo didn’t agree immediately, showing some hesitation. Liu Chengxu knew what she was thinking and replied, “I’m not afraid of being tired, I’m young.”

“If you don’t have class then, call me, and I’ll arrange something and cook you something good,” Su Zhiluo said.

“Okay, thank you, sister-in-law.”

“Rest well at home, don’t let the heat get to you.”

Liu Chengxu sat up, cross-legged on the bed. “I’m going to school this afternoon.”

Her tone was a little sour, sounding quite pitiful. Although they were in the same city, this was Liu Chengxu’s first time away from home, and it would be for several months. Su Zhiluo also felt unaccustomed to being home alone, always feeling a sense of emptiness.

“Did you miss me?” Liu Chengxu asked.

Just as Su Zhiluo was about to speak, the phone on the coffee table suddenly vibrated. She glanced at the caller ID, quickly grabbed her phone, and walked towards the balcony.

Liu Chengxu got off the bed and followed her. Her sister-in-law’s voice softened. She looked down and said “Mm” again before hanging up the phone. She looked at Liu Chengxu. “I’m going to work now. I’ll transfer your living expenses to WeChat. Go back to sleep for a bit.”

Su Zhiluo grabbed her bag, walked to the entrance, changed her shoes, and went downstairs. Liu Chengxu didn’t return to the bedroom but stood on the balcony, looking down.

Liu Chengxu thought this world was fascinating. When she was little, she hadn’t met many lesbians; people would change their expressions when the subject was brought up, as if they had seen something strange. Now, lesbians were everywhere, and each one was bold in pursuing love.

After the white SUV drove away, Liu Chengxu suddenly felt that this cramped house had become empty. She turned over, and the mattress creaked, as if mocking her loneliness at that moment. The thought of her sister-in-law and Yang Jie together made her feel depressed.

In the morning, Liu Chengxu boiled an egg for herself and chewed it mechanically. Then she took apart and washed the bed sheets, and also washed her sister-in-law’s autumn clothes. Afterward, she hung everything on the balcony.

The next-door neighbor greeted her, “Back to do housework for your sister-in-law?”

Liu Chengxu said, “Mmm.”

Her sister-in-law was very busy with work and didn’t have time for these things.

The neighbor continued, “Your sister-in-law is also great. Before you came, she used to stock goods herself and set up a street stall in the mall. She was even planning to open a store. Otherwise, she would have a storefront now and be a small business owner.”

Liu Chengxu said, “I will be good to my sister-in-law.”

“Then your sister-in-law’s support for you won’t be in vain,” Aunt Zhang said before leaving for her stall.

Su Zhiluo used to be very ambitious on her own, daring to try anything. Since Liu Chengxu came, the tuition for half a year alone was 12,000, not to mention various miscellaneous fees later on. Su Zhiluo had to put her own plans on hold, go to the factory, and find a stable, relatively high-paying job to ensure their life together. It didn’t matter if it was hard; the most important thing was not to let her studies fall behind.

At noon, Liu Chengxu called Su Zhiluo. She waited at the factory gate. When Su Zhiluo came out, she saw Liu Chengxu holding a lunch box.

Su Zhiluo was surprised: “You cooked for me?”

Liu Chengxu nodded. “Mmm, I won’t be able to cook once I go to school.”

Su Zhiluo’s mood was indescribable; she didn’t know whether to feel sorrowful or touched.

Liu Chengxu never used to cook. Su Zhiluo forced her to learn. When she was learning, Liu Chengxu hated her fiercely, wanting to escape this broken house every single second.

Su Zhiluo just let her cry and complain. She had to work every day and couldn’t cook for Liu Chengxu on holidays. If Liu Chengxu learned, she wouldn’t go hungry. When she lived alone, she would also be able to take care of herself.

Su Zhiluo wanted to take her out to buy things, but Liu Chengxu knew her sister-in-law worked hard and couldn’t take a nap, so she would lack energy in the afternoon and might be scolded by the team leader.

Liu Chengxu quietly asked, “Sister-in-law, can I hug you? I’ll miss you when I go to school.”

Su Zhiluo nodded. She took the initiative to walk over and hug her, patting her shoulder. “Call me if anything happens at school. It’s time for the season change; don’t catch a cold… Did you pack your seasonal clothes?”

“I did.”

Liu Chengxu looked like she was about to cry. She lowered her head, leaned on Su Zhiluo’s shoulder, inhaled the scent of her hair, and slowly wrapped her arms around Su Zhiluo’s waist, her palm resting on that slender softness.

Su Zhiluo’s voice was soft. “Tell me even if you’re short on money at school. Don’t be too frugal; you’re already in university.”

“I know.” Liu Chengxu closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of her sister-in-law’s body. She quickly said, sensibly, “Sister-in-law, go get some sleep. Don’t work too hard.”

“Be careful.”

Su Zhiluo walked back and happened to meet Yang Jie. Yang Jie was shaking a bottle of mineral water in her hand. Liu Chengxu stood not far away, watching Yang Jie put the water into Su Zhiluo’s hand. It was only after the two figures vanished from sight that Liu Chengxu realized she had crumpled the hem of her clothes.

After returning to school, Liu Chengxu called her sister-in-law every night like clockwork for a video chat. Her gaze always scanned the background behind Su Zhiluo, confirming she was at home and that no one else had visited their house.

Liu Chengxu had originally planned to go home on Saturdays and Sundays. But when Meng Zhengyue messaged her, asking if she wanted to take a part-time job, she gritted her teeth and chose to go out with Meng Zhengyue and the others.

Classes finished on Friday afternoons. They went out to work part-time on Friday and continued until 8 PM on Saturday and Sunday. They worked for a month, and the autumn chill set in, with cold winds blowing occasionally.

When she returned, it was always dark. As soon as she reached the dormitory building, Liu Chengxu immediately called her sister-in-law. The moment the call connected, she frowned and looked up. “Sister-in-law?”

Su Zhiluo turned to look at her. “Where have you been?”

Soon, Su Zhiluo found out she had been working part-time. She sighed and walked toward Liu Chengxu, holding a bag. She said, “I bought you some clothes, a thick jacket. Try it on.”

Liu Chengxu looked like she was about to cry, deeply touched.

Su Zhiluo wanted to laugh at her, but her tone was gentle. “You said you’d come back on Saturday and Sunday. I even bought groceries, and you didn’t come back.”

Liu Chengxu lowered her head and took the thick jacket. Su Zhiluo had bought her a baseball jacket, a soft sweater, some snacks, and milk powder. When she was in high school, Su Zhiluo would make her drink a cup of milk every morning, afraid she wasn’t getting enough nutrition.

“Thank you, sister-in-law.”

“Tell me if you need money.”

“I don’t need money.”

The baseball jacket fit perfectly, accentuating Liu Chengxu’s straight shoulders and making her look tall and slender. Su Zhiluo couldn’t help but look at her a few more times; she indeed looked good in it, exuding the unique vitality of a university student. Liu Chengxu also liked the jacket. “Sister-in-law, you have great taste.”

“Then I’ll leave now.” Su Zhiluo tugged at her hem. “Wear more layers.”

“Sister-in-law, why don’t you sleep in my dorm? I’ll sleep on the floor.”

“No need.”

Su Zhiluo saw that she was reluctant to part and said, “I’ll walk with you. You can walk me to the school gate, and I’ll take the subway back myself.”

Liu Chengxu, suppressing her sadness, walked her sister-in-law.

Su Zhiluo said, “Come back for a meal. I’ll cook and wait for you this Saturday.”

“Okay.”

The night wind was biting. Su Zhiluo put her hands deep into her trench coat pockets. Liu Chengxu walked half a step beside her, listening to her sister-in-law ask about her recent coursework. Su Zhiluo’s words were filled with curiosity and longing for university life. In just over twenty minutes, the school gate was right in front of them.

“I’ll stop here. Go back and rest early.” Su Zhiluo stopped her. “I’m going.”

She pinched her cheek again. “Look at you, you’ve tanned like a black dog.”

Buses passed by the entrance. She waited for a few minutes, then turned back, went to the dorm, and put on the sweater. Inside the sweater, she found three hundred yuan. She couldn’t bear to take the clothes off, even when she went to sleep.

Liu Chengxu went back for a visit in December, accompanied by two workers. She had bought Su Zhiluo a washing machine. The workers carried the washing machine upstairs, and Su Zhiluo stood at the door in disbelief.

The neighbors next door came to watch. Su Zhiluo finally reacted, looking at Liu Chengxu who was walking in front. Liu Chengxu smiled, her expression somewhat proud.

Without needing to say anything, Su Zhiluo understood. Liu Chengxu didn’t come back on Saturdays and Sundays to work part-time because she wanted to buy this before winter arrived.

It was a Little Swan washing machine, not too big for two people, and it cost 800 yuan.

The aunt next door said, “This is the first electrical appliance your family has added, huh?”

Su Zhiluo smiled and went back to the living room to get a broom to tidy up the balcony. She moved the flower pots to the opposite side. With the washing machine in place, there was only a small space left on the balcony for standing.

The originally small, broken house became even more cramped. The workers connected the washing machine, which was a struggle because they said the community’s facilities were old and installation was difficult.

Liu Chengxu told her sister-in-law, “Your hands won’t be frozen in winter anymore.”

“My hands have never been frozen,” Su Zhiluo said. She had seen hands damaged by frostbite; they weren’t pretty. She looked at her own hands, curled into fists, hiding the thin calluses on her palms.

“They were red from the cold,” Liu Chengxu said, grasping her hand. Su Zhiluo pulled her hand back, not letting her touch it. Liu Chengxu unnecessarily pinched her waist twice.

The workers left, and dinner was served. She had specially bought a free-range chicken from the market; it was very fragrant. Su Zhiluo gave her the chicken leg and made her finish the soup. Liu Chengxu only ate lunch at home before rushing off.

Su Zhiluo was alone at home, fiddling with the new washing machine. She put two items of clothing inside and watched the drum clumsily tumble, the machine emitting a muffled buzzing sound that made the floor tremble slightly. She squatted in front of the washing machine, a smile unconsciously spreading across her lips.

The dishes on the table hadn’t been washed yet. Su Zhiluo went to clean up and then saw a phone box on the table. She paused for a moment, then opened it to find a new phone. She checked the brand and searched for it on her current phone—it cost 3,500 yuan.

Su Zhiluo’s phone was still the 800-yuan one. Back when she was financially independent, smart phones had just come out, and the one she bought was considered good. Later, it became slower and slower, but she figured it was fine for making calls and reading novels.

Su Zhiluo put the old phone on the table, removed the plastic wrap from the box, and used the tools and manual inside to install her SIM card.

She called Liu Chengxu, but no one answered.

Su Zhiluo sat on the chair and played with it. The new phone was very smooth for everything. She downloaded Weibo, the novel apps she usually used, and a popular game.

Su Zhiluo played with it all afternoon like she had a new toy. She had considered asking Liu Chengxu to return it, but when she actually used the phone, she couldn’t bear to let it go, whether it was because of Liu Chengxu’s gesture or because the phone was new.

Liu Chengxu had worked for several months, not saving a single penny, spending it all on her. It was very thoughtful.

When Liu Chengxu returned from work, she had just entered the alley when she saw Su Zhiluo standing at the alley entrance with a flashlight.

Su Zhiluo had clearly been standing there for a while, lightly stomping her feet. She handed the flashlight to Liu Chengxu, then turned on the new phone’s rear light, waving it. Their two elongated shadows swayed gently on the ground, as if they were secretly holding hands.

When they got home, Su Zhiluo brought out the cut cantaloupe, and they ate it on the balcony.

In the dark, the cool light illuminated the back of Su Zhiluo’s neck. A few strands of hair, casually tied up, escaped and clung to her moist skin. The old phone’s Bluetooth indicator light was blinking, and the file transfer progress bar was slowly crawling. As soon as the first photo came through, she set both their photos as the chat background.

Liu Chengxu initially just stared silently until a subtle fragrance drifted into her nostrils—the scent clearly came from Su Zhiluo’s neck.

In the chat background, her sister Liu Jinhuan was intimately pinching Su Zhiluo’s face, trying to kiss her, while Su Zhiluo was half-heartedly blocking her with her hand, her ear tips turning red.

A strange, indescribable feeling weighed her down. She looked away, then fixed her gaze back on her sister’s photo. The old phone’s picture quality was blurry, but this blurriness made it resemble a memoir of a deceased wife, the beautiful, irreplaceable moonlight being hazy.