Love Contract with the Queen Actress - Chapter 41

Just over half an hour earlier.

Shen Qiang crossed her arms and watched Su Yuchen with great interest, until the latter grew so embarrassed that she lowered her head.

“Mom, don’t scare her,” Shen Wu said with a hint of displeasure, sitting down beside Su Yuchen and blocking her mother’s gaze.

They had just seen off the other family, and with the commotion settled, the room suddenly felt much more spacious.

Michelle took a sip of strong liquor, picked up her square glass, and stood to leave, clearly not intending to involve herself in their family matters.

Though Michelle owned vineyards and equestrian estates in eastern France, her wealth still paled in comparison to the Shen family’s.

But Michelle had never cared about such things. She never involved herself in the Shen family’s business dealings, nor did she meddle in their personal affairs. She loved only Shen Qiang and was a woman of passion.

As she passed by Shen Qiang, Michelle let her hand glide over her lover’s shoulder, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “Baby, My Little Pony is nearing her due date.”

At the reminder, Shen Qiang tilted her head to return the kiss and patted Michelle’s hand. “I know. I won’t miss the birth.”

“Okay. I’ll head upstairs first. Don’t stay up too late.”

“Don’t worry, we won’t. I just want to ask them about some wedding details, then we can all rest.”

“Alright.”

Michelle kissed Shen Qiang’s cheek once more, her fingers lingering on her shoulder, before she disappeared up the stairs, her favorite glass of ice-cold liquor in hand.

The display of affection was so tender that Su Yuchen couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

Shen Qiang chuckled and waved her hand. “Sweetheart, we old folks are only home for a few days. Don’t be shy, we’ll be out of your hair soon.”

She always spoke like this, making it impossible for others to respond.

Su Yuchen would never dare to show any disrespect toward Shen Wu’s mother, so she simply smiled politely.

Beyond that, she didn’t dare say a word.

Shen Wu sprawled lazily on the sofa, her long hair cascading over the backrest. “Alright, Mom, I told you, don’t scare her.”

Shen Qiang rolled her eyes, as if lamenting how daughters grow up and drift away. “You’re not even married yet, and you’re already shielding her?”

Shen Wu smirked.

“Isn’t it just a matter of time?”

Su Yuchen ducked her head, cheeks burning.

“True, preparations should start soon.”

“But we should ask Yuchen for her opinion!”

“What kind of wedding do you like, Yuchen?” Shen Qiang clasped her hands together in excitement. “Back in my day, we didn’t have weddings. I’d love to have one now, why don’t we do it together? I bet you’d look absolutely stunning in a wedding dress.”

The topic had taken such a sudden leap that even Shen Wu nearly couldn’t keep up.

“Ahem.” She cleared her throat, glancing sideways at the increasingly flustered Su Yuchen. “Mom, could you not pile on the pressure? A joint wedding? Let’s keep things normal, okay? Don’t scare her off again.”

Look at her, she’s practically burying her face in her hands.

“What’s wrong with me? What’s not normal?”

Shen Qiang dropped her hands and shot Shen Wu a sidelong glance. “Can’t I daydream a little? What, are you two planning to skip the wedding? Or is it trendy in the entertainment industry to keep marriages secret now?”

“…”

There are far too many secret marriages in the entertainment industry, and Shen Qiang was well aware of it. She deliberately said, “Let me tell you, I won’t stand for it. Yuchen is such a wonderful child, sweet, well-behaved, adorable, and incredibly talented. What, she’s not good enough for you?”

Shen Wu: “…”

“Did I say she wasn’t good enough for me?”

“Mom, seriously, I haven’t even said a word yet. Could you please not stir up trouble for me?”

Shen Wu grabbed a throw pillow and buried her face in it.

“Anyway, I won’t be staying long, I still have to go back and help deliver the foal. If you don’t want to listen to me, I won’t bother talking to you either.”

Shen Qiang rolled her eyes unceremoniously, but when she turned to Su Yuchen, her expression instantly softened into one of maternal warmth, her voice gentler: “From now on, I think Yuchen should be the one to communicate with me. Come here, sweetie, let’s exchange WeChat and chat privately later.”

As she spoke, Shen Qiang had already pulled out her phone and opened the WeChat interface.

It had to be said that Shen Qiang and Shen Wu were truly mother and daughter, their phone cases were equally extravagant and flashy, adorned with sparkling embellishments along the edges, tiny gemstones, and exaggerated metallic tassels that made the entire phone dazzle and catch the eye.

Su Yuchen pressed her lips together, noticing the identical quirky preferences of the Shen mother-daughter duo. It felt like discovering a little secret, and she tucked this fleeting insight away in her heart.

Warmth spread through her chest, and her smile grew even gentler, like the soft glow of sunlight, her two small dimples radiating warmth and approachability.

“Of course, Auntie.”

Su Yuchen’s voice was soft as she took out her own phone. Her phone case was plain and simple, one she had used for many years. Though worn, it was sturdy and practical, its color faded to a muted green that lent it an understated elegance weathered by time.

With a “beep,” the two scanned each other’s QR codes and exchanged WeChat contacts.

Shen Qiang tapped her screen, clutching her chest in genuine admiration: “My sweet, your profile picture is so adorable, a little bunny nibbling on a carrot.”

Then she shot a glance sideways: “Unlike some people, whose profile pictures are just plain weird, either a mass of black fog or some tattered childhood toy.”

“That’s a virtual pet!” Shen Wu abruptly sat up straight, correcting her mother with utmost seriousness.

The pillow covering her face tumbled to the side.

“Oh really? That time you came back from summer camp, covered in mud and clutching that child’s toy, who knows if you fought some kid for it as a trophy, you wouldn’t let anyone touch it. And then you told us you were in love.”

Shen Qiang covered her mouth with her hand, laughing so hard she trembled: “It was absolutely hilarious. You have no idea, you were so filthy, like a little mud monkey. At first glance, I couldn’t even tell where this wild creature had crawled out from. Then you called me ‘Mom,’ and I nearly jumped out of my skin, thinking some goblin had come to life.”

The two of them burst into laughter.

“…”

Shen Wu’s face darkened to the shade of a burnt pot. Having her embarrassing childhood stories exposed in front of the person she liked was unbearable for someone as self-obsessed and convinced of her own perfection as Shen Wu.

“Ahem.”

Shen Wu pretended to cough, raising a fist to her lips in an attempt to remind her mother of her “conscience.”

But clearly, Ms. Shen Qiang had absolutely no such awareness: “Hahahaha! Yuchen baby, you’ve never seen what she was like as a child. You know how she acts all high and mighty now? Back then, when others were 1.6 meters tall, she was only 1.3 meters. From a distance, she looked like a little squash, so short I wondered if she could even breathe the fresh air up there. Maybe that’s why she became so grumpy.”

“Hahahaha!”

Shen Qiang’s hearty laughter echoed through the living room, while Shen Wu’s face darkened to an unreadable degree.

Su Yuchen grew a little curious: “So, what was Shen Wu like as a child?”

She wasn’t trying to dig up Shen Wu’s past, she was genuinely curious about what the person who made her heart flutter had been like in her younger days.

Su Yuchen’s curiosity earned a displeased look from Shen Wu.

“Don’t ask. You’re not allowed to ask.”

“…”

Su Yuchen, seemingly accustomed to obeying Shen Wu, was about to drop the subject when Shen Qiang quickly waved her hand to interrupt.

“What do you mean, ‘not allowed’?” Shen Qiang rolled her eyes dramatically at her daughter, then swiftly pulled out a thick photo album from the drawer under the coffee table as if performing a magic trick. “Your childhood is part of who you are. Why are you giving Yuchen that look? Who do you think you’re intimidating? Listen, Yuchen, don’t be afraid. If she dares to bully you, I’ll deal with her. I’ve got plenty of ways to handle her.”

“…”

The photo album was clearly prepared in advance, otherwise, why would an album usually kept on the high shelves in the study be stashed in the coffee table drawer?

This was undoubtedly Ms. Shen Qiang’s doing.

Shen Wu was speechless. By the time she thought to stop it, it was already too late.

A thought lingered in her mind: Who’s bullying whom here?

Before she could even finish that thought, she watched helplessly as Ms. Shen Qiang flipped open the album.

“Look, doesn’t she look like a little winter melon?”

In the photo, Shen Wu’s round face bore the contours of her current features, but with far more cuteness. A tiny Shen Wu stood proudly in the center of the frame, triumphantly holding up a large winter melon, likely the result of some deceptive coaxing from Ms. Shen Qiang to make the little girl treat it like a treasure.

“Oh, oh, and this one!” Shen Qiang’s brightly polished fingernails moved to another photo. “This was from her first year in kindergarten. She was picky with her food and secretly dumped her lunch into her apron to bring it home. But the apron leaked, and she was too scared to say anything, so she just hugged it all the way back. By the time she got home, the soup had spilled all over her clothes.”

Most mothers would have immediately changed their child’s clothes, given them a bath, and soothed them in such a situation. But Ms. Shen Qiang’s first instinct was to take a photo, her mental state was decades ahead of other moms at the time.

“Sweetie, look at this one too. The bedsheet was white, right? So why is there a yellow ‘map’ stain on it? Of course, it’s the masterpiece of a certain someone!”

“Hahahaha, and this one-”

Just as those brightly polished nails were about to move to the next photo, the thick hardcover album slammed shut with a thud.

Shen Qiang’s shoulder-length hair fluttered from the gust, and the album’s cover nearly smacked her in the nose.

Shen Wu: “Mom! Enough!”

“Isn’t Michelle waiting for you upstairs? Shouldn’t you be going to bed by now?”

Shen Wu pressed both hands firmly on the album’s cover, her eyes brimming with irritation.

Interrupted, Shen Qiang raised an eyebrow at her daughter.

“Hmm?” The voice carried an overwhelming pressure in an instant.

Indeed, she exuded grace when smiling and authority when not.

Shen Wu narrowed her eyes, her hand still resting on the album cover.

Not yielding an inch.

“My Little Pony is about to give birth. Perhaps you should return to Monet Manor tomorrow, Michelle must be getting impatient.”

“Hmm…”

Shen Qiang smiled, her hand also pressing on the edge of the album.

“You’ve grown up, you little rascal.”

Shen Wu narrowed her long lashes, both hands still firmly planted on the album on the table, refusing to back down in the slightest.

“Yes, I’m 27 now. Not so little anymore.”

The mother and daughter held their positions over the album for a full five seconds, so long that Su Yuchen was already considering whether to step in and mediate.

Then, Shen Qiang released her grip and raised her hands to her ears in a gesture of surrender, as if complying with a police inspection.

“OK, OK, take it easy.”

“I’m too old to meddle in all this. You two can hash out the wedding details yourselves. Just let me know when and how you plan to get married, and I’ll show up when the time comes.”

“Got it, Mom,” Shen Wu said smoothly, tucking the album away behind her with a smile. “You should head back soon. We’ll be starting the next round of filming for the variety show, and no one will be around to keep you company. You’d just be bored.”

“Hmm, true enough.”

She stood up and stretched. “Alright, I should get some rest too. At my age, staying up late isn’t an option. You two should go to bed as well.”

“Oh, by the way, I already told Old Jin not to prepare a guest room. Why don’t you two just share Shen Wu’s bedroom? It’s not like you’re strangers.”

“…”

Shen Wu had no objections, but Su Yuchen visibly froze for a moment.

“Ah, Auntie, that’s… not really appropriate, is it?”

Though they had shared a wild night, followed by countless kisses, hugs, and playful moments, just rolling around in the flowerbed today had been enough to set her heart racing, that didn’t mean they could casually share a room under a parent’s nose before marriage.

“Um, I can just sleep on the couch if needed.”

Su Yuchen hurriedly stood up as the elder rose.

But Shen Qiang pressed her back down. “Such a well-behaved child. I knew you were a good one. There’s no way we’d let you sleep on the sofa when you’re our guest. Just relax and sleep in Shen Wu’s room.”

“You’re such an honest kid. Shen Wu, don’t you dare bully her.”

Shen Wu couldn’t help but grit her teeth slightly and let out a long sigh.

“Who’s bullying who here?”

Who was the one who pinned the other against the wall without mercy? Who was the one who tormented her all night? Who was the one who!

But she couldn’t say any of that out loud. After all, no one else needed to know how domineering Su Yuchen was in bed, how terrifyingly strong she was, how she had mercilessly driven Shen Wu to the brink of madness, leaving her utterly spent.

Especially not Big Mouth, Big Strong Lady Shen Qiang. If she found out, she’d embellish the details with exaggerated flair, translate it into multiple languages, and ensure every neighbor within a three-kilometer radius knew just how harmonious her daughter and daughter-in-law were, emphasizing just how formidable an Eastern woman could be when unleashed.

So, Shen Wu could only muster a brief protest before abruptly cutting herself off.

Shen Qiang, however, simply took it as her daughter talking back and immediately fired back with a retort.

“What, if it’s not you bullying Yuchen, then is it Yuchen bullying you?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve been the victim all along, and we’ve all misunderstood? Ridiculous.”

“…”

Mother and daughter were cut from the same cloth, their barbs mirroring each other, which only seemed to fuel their anger further.

Shen Wu felt a heavy knot of resentment in her chest, truly wishing she could pack Shen Qiang onto a helicopter right now and send her straight back to the French estate.

Finally, she gritted her teeth and donned a mask of feigned politeness: “Madam Shen Qiang, why don’t you tell us about your happy life then?”

“Between you and Michelle, who bullies whom?”

“…”

This was an incredibly bold provocation. Shen Qiang appeared domineering and flamboyant, fearless and dramatic in everything she did, but Michelle was actually the dominant younger partner in their relationship.

Yet, this left Shen Qiang with no way to answer.

The atmosphere suddenly froze, and no one spoke for a moment.

“…”

These two rarely saw each other, and whenever they did, they would inevitably clash several times.

That’s why Shen Qiang avoided returning to the country, and Shen Wu seldom went abroad to accompany her, both to prevent these explosive confrontations.

The silence in the air had long exceeded tolerable levels.

Su Yuchen glanced between them, about to speak, when she looked up and noticed Michelle leaning against the second-floor railing.

Michelle held a glass of brandy, gently swirling it so the ice didn’t clink against the sides, making no sound.

It was unclear how long she had been standing there, but only when she saw Su Yuchen’s surprised expression did she raise a finger to her lips.

Her mouth formed the word: “Shhh.”

Then she shook her head lightly.

Su Yuchen quickly nodded and lowered her head, not daring to look again.

Perhaps Michelle was still somewhat uneasy about leaving Shen Qiang and Shen Wu, two firecrackers, alone together, worried they might set off a spectacular explosion.

Sure enough, the thoroughly provoked Shen Qiang arched an eyebrow and retaliated on the spot: “Elders’ affairs are none of your concern. Focus on yourself. Speaking of which, that young lady from the Fu family, Fu Mozheng, was it? mentioned she’s seen your silk nightgown and even knew the price. How did that happen?”

“…”

The older ginger was spicier.

This time, it was Shen Wu’s turn to be speechless, her lips twitching as a dark cloud seemed to hover over her head.

Meanwhile, Su Yuchen’s gaze shifted over, her bright eyes filled with curiosity and confusion.

Who wouldn’t be puzzled? After all, it was a nightgown.

And a rather intimate one at that.

Shen Qiang, smiling, twisted the knife: “The outer robe cost fifty thousand, the inner camisole thirty-five thousand. How did she know the details so precisely?”

“…”

Shen Qiang’s smile resembled Shen Wu’s, seductive eyes and a teasing curl of the lips, but her words showed no mercy.

Turning to Su Yuchen, her smile deepened: “Yuchen baby, you seem like such an honest child. Don’t let her provoke you, alright?”

With that, she covered her lips with a delicate laugh and swayed gracefully toward the staircase.

After ascending the first step, she suddenly turned back and winked at Su Yuchen. “Goodnight, honest child.”

Then, with a sway of her hips, she leisurely made her way upstairs.

The Honest Child · Su Yuchen had thought it was finally over. Michelle, who had been watching the drama from the second floor, had already left, and nothing else should happen tonight.

Just as she let out a sigh of relief, she suddenly looked up.

“Wait, your mom just winked at me.”

“…”

Shen Wu’s expression darkened instantly. She raised an eyebrow. “What wink?”

Then, dissatisfied, she added, “Don’t pay attention to her. The older she gets, the more she loves fooling around.”

“No, no,” Su Yuchen’s eyes were blank, one hand raised as she mechanically waved it. “Your mom was standing on the second step of the stairs just now.”

“…”

Shen Wu frowned slightly. “…What’s the problem with that?”

“There’s a problem… a big problem.”

Su Yuchen’s face was stiff, her body seemingly frozen. “Didn’t we just kiss on that exact spot?”

“Yeah.”

Shen Wu crossed her arms. “So what?”

“So… so…” Su Yuchen stammered for a long time before finally blurting out, “So they all saw it just now!”

All the relatives and friends, young and old, the whole room full of people, they all saw it!

And they must have heard her call Shen Wu “Baby Sister” too!

No wonder Fu Mozheng had been so aggressively competitive earlier.

“Save me!”

“I want to move to another planet!”

…

Shen Wu’s bedroom.

Warm, ambient lighting greeted them as they entered, along with a massive pink Hello Kitty screen right by the door.

Shen Wu walked past it expressionlessly, ignoring it completely.

The entire bedroom was decorated in a girly, princess-like style, a clear testament to how overjoyed Shen Qiang had been after having her daughter. She had envisioned a little princess, a sweet and warm bundle of joy clinging to her, and thus arranged this pink lace-canopied, Melody-themed castle of a room.

Even though Shen Wu didn’t live here often anymore, the room was kept spotless and meticulously organized, proof that her true feelings were the opposite of her sharp tongue.

But contrary to Madam Shen Qiang’s expectations, it was obvious that Shen Wu strongly disliked the decor. The moment she brought Su Yuchen inside, her expression turned awkward.

“I once suggested redecorating, but Madam Shen Qiang didn’t agree.”

Even though Su Yuchen hadn’t asked anything, merely admiring the room’s furnishings with her beautiful almond eyes, Shen Wu suddenly spoke up.

Su Yuchen paused, her shoulders trembling slightly before she chuckled softly.

Shen Wu’s face darkened further. “Alright, stop looking. This isn’t my style. You know I don’t stay here often.”

She stepped in front of Su Yuchen, as if trying to block her view with her slender frame.

But Su Yuchen wrapped her arms around Shen Wu’s waist.

“Baby Sister, is there only one bed in your room?”

Completely unfazed by the rapid shifts in Shen Wu’s expression, Su Yuchen tightened her embrace, her face slightly flushed. “And I think this room is really cute, just like Baby Sister.”

“…”

Shen Wu didn’t even react at first. “Calling me cute?”

“Wait, what decent person has two beds in their bedroom? This isn’t a hotel standard room.”

“Hmm…” Su Yuchen pursed her lips, thought for a moment, then let go of her hands. “Um… sorry about that. I just suddenly remembered this is Sister Baobao’s room. I grew up here as a child, surrounded by memories no one else has seen. I got a little too excited and couldn’t control myself…”

Once she overcame the psychological barrier, Su Yuchen found herself using this form of address with increasing ease, as if it came more naturally with each use.

Moreover, she genuinely wanted to get closer to Shen Wu, close enough to touch, and once touching, to take things even further.

“It’s not intentional, I just… can’t help myself. I know we don’t have that kind of relationship yet and probably shouldn’t be this intimate…”

Before she could finish speaking, her slender waist was encircled by Shen Wu’s embrace.

“Talking like that, how silly. You silly little kitten.”

Shen Wu smiled, her lips curving softly like the gentle spring waters.

“Sweetheart, we’ve already met each other’s parents. How could this be anything but a proper relationship?”

“No, it’s not that,” Su Yuchen murmured, melting into the warm, fragrant embrace, her hand unconsciously resting on Shen Wu’s shoulder. “Big Sister Sweetheart, ours is a proper relationship.”

“Of course it is. It’s as proper as it gets,” Shen Wu said, tilting her head to nuzzle against the back of Su Yuchen’s hand on her shoulder.

“It’s just that Fu Nan might come looking for you tomorrow. We should probably define our relationship soon.”

Her soft, wavy hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, carrying the faint scent of irises. The strands brushed lightly against the delicate skin of Su Yuchen’s hand, tickling slightly, sending a tingling warmth through her heart.

It was like an accidental spark of electricity: intoxicating, dizzying.

“Mmm, okay.”

Su Yuchen gazed deeply into Shen Wu’s eyes. “So, we’re really about to become… legally recognized wives?”

The way she repeated the word “wives” made it sound adorably sweet.

“Almost. So, Sister Yuchen, when are you going to tie the knot with me?”

“Hmm…” Su Yuchen instinctively leaned closer. “Whatever Big Sister Sweetheart says.”

“So obedient.” Shen Wu lifted a finger, playfully tapping Su Yuchen’s chin before scratching it teasingly, as if petting a kitten. “Then I’ll visit your mother soon.”

“…”

Su Yuchen suddenly thought of that old, shabby house. Would it be too demeaning for Shen Wu to sit inside?

It would be like stuffing a radiant, dazzling rose into a small, tattered cardboard box, utterly out of place.

Seeing her hesitate for a long time without agreeing or refusing, Shen Wu tilted her head slightly.

“Little Sister Yuchen, are you not welcoming me to your home?”

“No! That’s not it,” Su Yuchen lowered her eyes slightly. “I do welcome you, it’s just… my home is too small, and… my uncle and the others often visit, saying strange and rude things. I think it might not be very appropriate. Maybe… maybe it’s better not to?”

Shen Wu studied Su Yuchen’s delicate features up close. Her eyes and brows were exquisitely beautiful, almond-shaped eyes, long brows, a high yet gentle nose bridge paired with delicate nostrils. Though her nose was tall, it carried no sharpness, perfectly balanced with her soft pink lips and refined proportions.

Her face wasn’t just striking, it was endlessly captivating.

Su Yuchen, having been stared at for so long, grew a little flustered. It wasn’t out of shyness, after all, they’d already been through everything, but more out of guilt for turning Shen Wu down.

“Wh-what’s wrong?”

“Of course something’s wrong!”

Shen Wu raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction. “What if I said I insist on going to your home?”

Thinking of those unbearable relatives, Su Yuchen gritted her teeth and shook her head. “No, please. If we’re meeting parents, maybe I can bring my mom out, and we can meet in a private room at a restaurant. It’d be more formal.”

“Um… Big Sister Sweetheart, let’s not talk about this anymore, okay?”

Su Yuchen whispered coaxingly, his rosy lips drawing closer and closer, as if he truly wanted to taste just how sweet and alluring those delicate crimson lips could be.

After all, he had waited so long, and today in the flower garden, he hadn’t gotten nearly enough kisses.

“…”

Just as their lips were about to meet, a slender, pale hand rose, and jade-like fingertips pressed against those rosy lips.

“No, not okay.”

Shen Wu tapped Su Yuchen’s lips lightly, pressing against them as she pushed his approaching face away.

“Baby, you rejected me.”

“…”

When it came to marriage, meeting each other’s families was necessary, and visiting the other’s home was a reasonable and essential courtesy. Su Yuchen not allowing Shen Wu to visit his home was, in fact, somewhat impolite.

But though Shen Wu seemed angry, she wasn’t truly upset.

Her peach-blossom eyes shimmered, their soft gaze lingering on Su Yuchen’s face before sliding away to look elsewhere.

“Since you rejected me, I should reject you once too. Isn’t that fair?”

“…”

Su Yuchen knew Shen Wu was teasing him, but the warm, fragrant presence in his arms suddenly vanished, leaving his heart and hands feeling empty.

“Oh, well… yeah, that’s fair.”

At this insincere reply, Shen Wu couldn’t help but laugh.

She gently tapped Su Yuchen’s forehead with her fair fingertips, tilting his smooth brow slightly backward.

“Alright, baby, I won’t tease you anymore. The night is still long, and I still have to show you my treasure.”

“What treasure?” Su Yuchen’s eyes followed Shen Wu’s movements.

But Shen Wu walked to the door and flicked off the light switch with a click.

“Hehe, little bunny, are you scared?”

Only the dim glow of a nightlight illuminated the room.

Su Yuchen watched as Shen Wu struck a playful, clawing pose at him. “Don’t you believe Big Bad Wolf will gobble you up?”

“…”

Su Yuchen’s gaze never left Shen Wu. He tilted his head, thought for a moment, and then answered the previous question belatedly, “Yeah, I’m scared!”

“…”

Shen Wu: “…”

After a brief pause, Shen Wu dropped her exaggerated act and scoffed. “No fun.”

She sauntered back lazily and flicked on the bedside lamp. “You didn’t even put any effort into being scared. Couldn’t you at least humor the Big Bad Wolf? You’re ruining my sense of accomplishment, little bunny.”

Since when did the Big Bad Wolf need emotional validation from the little bunny?

Unless, of course, the little bunny was actually another Big Bad Wolf in disguise.

At that moment, Su Yuchen smiled faintly as Shen Wu pulled him to sit on the edge of the bed. “What treasure are we looking at?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not about to show you a glow-in-the-dark watch.”

As she spoke, Shen Wu turned and placed a gift box on her lap.

“Take a look at this.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “Open it.”

Su Yuchen’s slender, pale fingers traced the edges before obediently lifting the lid of the box.

To his surprise, inside the box lay a sheet of white raffia paper, atop which rested a plastic-cased electronic pet with yellowed edges, the very same one featured in Shen Wu’s new profile picture.

Su Yuchen blinked. “This is your treasure?”

“What’s wrong? Can’t someone treasure something this retro?”

Shen Wu let out a soft “hmph,” but it wasn’t disdain or mockery, there was just the faintest hint of a coquettish lilt in her voice.

“This is my first-generation daughter, named ‘One-Seven-Eight Long Legs’.”

“……”

Perhaps it was because she was too short as a child, whatever she lacked, she named her “daughter” after it. Hence, this utterly shameless name.

Su Yuchen couldn’t hold back, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

Shen Wu caught it immediately and let out another “hmph,” this time with genuine annoyance.

“What? My daughter has long legs, can’t I name her that?”

As she spoke, Shen Wu pressed the power button of the digital pet.

The pixelated black dots on the screen had just barely formed a startup image before flickering out completely, leaving only a dim, bordered background.

“Eh?” For the first time, Shen Wu showed a very childlike expression, frowning with disappointment.

It was as if a child had lost her favorite toy or, more fittingly, as if the little girl inside Shen Wu had emerged, revealing the kind of sadness a child of that age ought to have.

“I have one at home too,” Su Yuchen said, extending a finger to lightly trace the edge of the plastic shell. “But I don’t remember where I put it.”

“Oh? And you still won’t let me go to your place? I’m definitely going, you hear me? You hear me?”

Shen Wu raised an eyebrow, then immediately reached out to tickle Su Yuchen’s waist.

Su Yuchen was extremely ticklish, curling into a ball, her legs drawing up.

“Ah, Baby Sis, stop it, hahaha! stop teasing me…”

“Say it… will you let me come over or not? Will you or won’t you?”

The two of them laughed and tussled, their voices nearly piercing through the door, spreading their joy outward.

Meanwhile, outside the door.

A glass cup was pressed against the white door. Panning out from the cup, the scene revealed Shen Qiang with her ear glued to the base of the glass.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Beside her, Michelle whispered for what felt like the hundredth time.

Afraid of being caught, she mostly mouthed the words, her exaggerated facial expressions making her look almost comical.

Shen Qiang brushed Michelle’s hand off her shoulder.

With a puzzled look, she muttered, “Huh? They’re not fighting?”

Michelle sighed dramatically, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Then she immediately dropped her hand and mouthed with exaggerated urgency, “Let’s go, let’s go back, stop meddling in other people’s business!”

“That sweet girl is too soft-hearted. How can she still be laughing after all this? No, I need to find a way to teach that little rascal a lesson, or she’ll keep bullying that gentle soul.”

“If we want them to live in harmony, we have to help the other one toughen up a bit.”

“Ugh, you foreigners just don’t get it!”

Shen Qiang shoved the glass into Michelle’s arms, then tiptoed away like a thief in her own home, stopping a dozen meters away.

Then, deliberately stomping her feet, she marched back to the door.

Knock knock knock.

The sound of rapping echoed.

“Kids, what are you up to in there?”

The two of them, who had nearly tumbled onto the bed, bolted upright in perfect sync at the sudden interruption.

Their long hair tousled, they exchanged a glance.

Shen Wu shouted toward the door, “What do you want?”

Shen Qiang knocked again, putting on airs.

Amid the rhythmic knock knock knock, she announced in a loud, theatrical voice, “Little ones, care to come out for some fruit? Fresh fruit, packed with vitamins, great for your skin!”

“No need!” Shen Wu casually smoothed down the unruly strands of hair sticking up on her head. “Who eats fruit this late at night?”

“Oh? Not having fruit? Going to bed already?”

Shen Qiang raised her voice again: “So, have you explained to Yuchen why that child Fu Mozheng knew the style and price of your silk pajamas?”

“If you’ve explained it clearly, then good. Since it’s all cleared up, have a good sleep. Sweet dreams to you both!”

“Lucky!”

A single word, “lucky,” carried a double meaning.

The sound of footsteps faded away outside the door, and no one questioned why there were two sets of footsteps at the doorway.

Su Yuchen’s gaze slowly settled on Shen Wu’s face. “Oh right, I haven’t asked you yet, why did Fu Mozheng know about your pajama style?”

…

Shen Wu was pressed down onto the soft, fluffy chaise lounge by Su Yuchen.

The mattress had excellent bounce, gently rocking both their bodies as Su Yuchen’s strong arms encircled Shen Wu’s waist.

The well-behaved child from the elders’ mouths had already proven with actions, she was anything but well-behaved, a little troublemaker.

Pinned beneath Su Yuchen, Shen Wu was enveloped in a warm, sweet fragrance. The soft touch sent a shiver of tingling sensations coursing through her, her skin breaking out in visible goosebumps.

“And also, why did Fu Mozheng say she was the one who dumped you first?”

“…”

Having been bullied all day, Shen Wu was clearly in no mood to tolerate any more. At this moment, with Su Yuchen biting her lip, her brows lightly furrowed.

“Didn’t I already say she was lying?”

As she spoke, Shen Wu’s hand pinched Su Yuchen’s ticklish spot again.

Her thumb and forefinger lightly lifted, her fingertips twisting slightly to pinch the thin skin around that slender waist.

Su Yuchen had a very low body fat percentage, with no excess flesh on her waist. This gentle pinch didn’t really grab anything, but it made Su Yuchen curl up slightly.

She was ticklish, and Shen Wu was no stranger to teasing her this way.

So, the moment Shen Wu’s hand reached out, Su Yuchen was already on the verge of laughter.

Before she could open her mouth to warn Shen Wu to stop, Shen Wu flipped their positions, taking the dominant role and pinning Su Yuchen beneath her.

Her fair, slender fingers moved to the thin ribbon tied around Su Yuchen’s swan-like neck. With a flick of her fingertip, she undid the decorative tie.

A vast expanse of fair collarbones dazzled the eyes. In Shen Wu’s peach-blossom eyes, her bright pupils reflected the pink blush spreading across Su Yuchen’s delicate cheeks.

She parted her lips slightly: “Miss Yuchen, since you’re already at my place… how about fulfilling some obligations while you’re here?”

Su Yuchen didn’t want to play dumb about what “obligations” meant, but even if she understood, she couldn’t actually go through with it. After all, they’d only met each other’s families, they hadn’t actually reached the point of marriage yet.

“Maybe… tomorrow?”

Since they hadn’t reached that stage yet, how could they do this?

“We… haven’t yet,” Su Yuchen paused, “I need to take responsibility for you…”

Shen Wu lay atop that soft, lovely body, lightly tapping Su Yuchen’s beautiful lips with her finger.

“Such a young age, yet always so stubborn. Who would’ve thought you’d be such a little prude.”

As she spoke, the corner of her lips suddenly curved up, her peach-blossom eyes gleaming mischievously: “Baby, how about you call me something first.”

Su Yuchen really couldn’t stand Shen Wu igniting sparks all over her body. She could only speak with difficulty, her voice tinged with a rasp: “What should I call you?”

The moment she spoke, she realized how hoarse her voice sounded.

Shen Wu’s fingertips teased the watery-red lips as she chuckled lightly: “What else could it be, you little prude? It’s not like I’m forcing you to call me ‘wife,’ is it?”

“…”

She wasn’t, but she soon would be.

With what little rationality she had left, Su Yuchen struggled to speak: “Baby sister…”

“Baby sister” again, such a sweet, honeyed “baby sister.”

“You’re seducing me so sweetly like this, how could I possibly refuse?”

Shen Wu straddled her, straightening her upper body.

With a flick of her hands behind her, she tossed her wavy long hair into a glossy arc.

The delicate skin of her slender neck was fair and smooth, the tendons beneath the thin skin stretching with the motion.

Her peach-blossom eyes shimmered, the allure in her gaze nearly drowning the one who met it.

Then, those slender, pale fingertips trailed down her own cheek, slid past her swan-like neck, crossed the line of her collarbone, and finally came to rest on the topmost button of her pajamas.

“Guess, is it because the air conditioning’s broken that baby sister feels a little hot?”

Shen Wu’s voice dripped with a certain suggestive tone.

Su Yuchen’s throat moved uncontrollably as she swallowed, the tendons in her neck now visibly outlined.

Her clear, lucid eyes, usually so pure, were now tainted with worldly desire, reflecting every movement of the one who haunted her dreams.

One button, two buttons… Shen Wu’s fingertips undid the buttons of her pajamas, descending until they reached the last one, just above the hidden allure.

She paused, tilting her head with a teasing lilt, her voice low and husky, thick with ambiguity: “Baby?”

The faint traces of beauty were just beginning to reveal themselves.

Su Yuchen had seen it all before, that night, she hadn’t just seen it, she had taken control of it. The memories burned with scalding heat, unbearably intoxicating.

But all of that could still be restrained, sealed away by the barrier of rationality, yet this single word, “baby,” was enough to shatter Su Yuchen’s defenses completely.

Reason turned to dust in that instant. Su Yuchen reached out and tore open the little strawberry-patterned pajamas, sending the tiny white buttons flying like a rain of iris-scented petals scattering across the sky…