Make Her Heart Flutter - Chapter 35

Chi Shuang: “…” I suspect you’re acting up.

Though she thought so, she still had to ask. She sat down beside Jiang Qi: “Any flavors you’d like?”

Jiang Qi glanced down at the paper and shook her head: “It’s fine.”

Chi Shuang understood her meaning and nodded: “Alright, then I’ll make more sweet zongzi.”

Jiang Qi’s gaze followed her as she stood up, then she made an effort to soften her expression into a smile: “Thank you.”

Seeing this slightly distant smile, Chi Shuang’s hand paused while taking notes, then she casually replied: “You’re welcome.”

Jiang Ran sat backward on the chair, resting her chin on her arms propped against the backrest.

Chi Shuang walked over to her and stuck a piece of paper with tape onto Jiang Ran’s face.

Jiang Ran could tell she was a bit angry, so she peeled off the paper and gave Chi Shuang an ingratiating smile, lowering her voice: “Hey, I just thought you two seemed to be arguing, so I was giving you a chance to talk!”

“We’re not arguing, no need.” With that, Chi Shuang turned and went upstairs: “Go back early, get some sleep, we’re waking up at five tomorrow morning.”

“Ah???” Jiang Ran wailed miserably: “Why so early!!!”

“If we’re late, we won’t be able to buy meat, and then you’ll just have to eat sweet zongzi obediently,” Chi Shuang threatened.

Two lines of tears streamed down Jiang Ran’s face: “Don’t do this!” Chi Shuang ignored her, leaving only a noble and aloof silhouette.”

Wuwu~ Sister Chi, you’ve changed…

Jiang Qi watched her retreating figure and remembered her apology plan for the evening. She turned to Jiang Ran and said, “I’m going upstairs first. When you leave later, remember to lock the door for me, thanks.”

Stepping onto the stairs, Jiang Qi thought of something and turned back: “Oh, and remember to wash the dishes, thanks.”

Jiang Ran: Wuwu~ Why am I always the one who suffers!

Upstairs.

Jiang Qi looked at the closed door across from her, raised her hand to take a deep breath, then lowered it again.

She couldn’t help but recall the scene from that afternoon. That afternoon, right here, their lips and tongues had intertwined.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but feel sad.

But an apology still had to be made. She steadied herself, took a deep breath, and raised her hand to knock.

“Click!”

The door opened from the inside.

Chi Shuang opened the door, casting a large shadow over her. Jiang Qi looked up at Chi Shuang, her eyes filled with surprise. A faint, almost imperceptible joy stirred in her heart.

“I…”

“I…”

“You go first,” Chi Shuang looked up at Jiang Qi, her eyes holding a gentleness she herself hadn’t noticed.

“I’m sorry. About this afternoon.”

“This afternoon?” Chi Shuang hadn’t expected her to apologize for what happened in the afternoon and was momentarily stunned.

Seeing Chi Shuang’s expression, Jiang Qi thought she wasn’t forgiven and immediately felt a bit flustered.

Chi Shuang blinked, coming back to her senses, and noticed Jiang Qi pursing her lips, looking very nervous. She suddenly found the other quite adorable, like a fluffy big dog.

“Actually, I’m at fault too. I started it, otherwise something like that wouldn’t have happened,” Chi Shuang took the blame upon herself.

“My fault. I knew the program team had a female beta more suitable to bring you the suppressant, yet I insisted on delivering it myself. My mistake.”

“No, my fault. I could’ve managed to apply it myself in front of the mirror, but I still came out to ask for your help. My mistake.”

“No, my fault.”

“My fault.”

Both of them stared resolutely, determined to take the blame upon themselves.

“Alright, my fault, okay?” Jiang Ran stood on the last step of the stairs and interjected.

“?”

“?”

Both of them turned to look at Jiang Ran: “What are you doing here?”

Jiang Ran was intimidated by their gazes and took a step back, nearly missing her footing. After steadying herself, she replied weakly, “That door is locked from the inside, I can’t open it.”

“What did you hear?” Chi Shuang flashed an angelic smile and strode toward Jiang Ran with her long legs.

Jiang Ran pouted. Waaah! So scary!!!

“I just came up and heard you two taking responsibility for each other,” Jiang Ran said, clutching the handrail and trembling.

“Don’t be scared. I’m just coming over to go downstairs with you to lock the door,” Chi Shuang said with a smile, her dimples looking sweet and soft.

“I-I-I… I’ll go first then. You can lock the door yourself~” Jiang Ran shouted as she ran off, disappearing in a flash.

During the short journey back to the neighboring room, one question lingered in Jiang Ran’s mind: How had she ever become a fan of Chi Shuang?

Was it because she was gentle?

Gentle?

Wuwuwu, she would never trust that gentle face again. Mom, I’m scared!

Chi Shuang stood there, blinking in confusion, and turned to look at Jiang Qi. “What’s wrong with Ranran?”

Jiang Qi found her adorable and couldn’t resist ruffling her hair before stepping past her to go downstairs. “I’ll lock the door.”

Chi Shuang stood there dazed, the emotions from their afternoon kiss surging back. She touched her lips, as if the refreshing scent of jasmine oolong tea still lingered on them.

When Jiang Qi came back upstairs and saw Chi Shuang still standing there, she patted her shoulder. “Snap out of it!”

Chi Shuang shot her a coquettish glance, full of charm.

Jiang Qi was momentarily stunned. Chi Shuang pinched her cheek. “Why are you spacing out too?”

“Your face is a little red,” Jiang Qi said blankly, then reached out to gently stroke her cheek.

Chi Shuang’s gaze drifted past Jiang Qi to the bathroom mirror behind her.

Her eyesight wasn’t that sharp, but she could clearly see that her face was flushed.

Rosy, like a little apple, Jiang Qi thought.

Chi Shuang felt her face grow warm under the stare and turned away, muttering, “What are you looking at? Haven’t you seen me before?”

Jiang Qi pressed her lips together and suddenly smiled. “I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful.”

This person… Chi Shuang’s breath hitched. What should she do? It felt like she was being flirted with!

“Xiao Shuang.” The smile was fleeting as Jiang Qi suddenly called her name seriously.

“What?” The two were so close now that they could hear each other’s heartbeats, their breaths intertwining.

“I…” Jiang Qi’s voice was a little hoarse. “I don’t understand romance, and I’m not good at telling jokes. I’m pretty boring, too.”

Chi Shuang blinked. Why bring this up now?

The atmosphere grew thick and ambiguous.

“I have a lot of flaws, and I know that. You might not like someone like me. But I feel like I have to say it.”

Chi Shuang’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be what she thought it was?

“I like you, Chi Shuang.”

“I really like you.”

“I’ve liked you since the first time I saw you.”

“When I see you, I can’t look away. When I see you, my heart suddenly softens.” As she spoke, Jiang Qi’s expression unconsciously softened, tender enough to melt.

“I don’t know how to say sweet nothings. Even now, when I’m confessing, my words feel lacking. All I can do is repeat over and over that I like you.”

Chi Shuang swallowed hard. Did he not know how to speak sweet nothings? If this didn’t count, what did?

Suddenly, Jiang Qi, who had remained still all this time, took her hand and placed it over his chest. His eyes shimmered with a misty glow as he said, “It’s beating… for you.”