My Wife, So Fierce! - Chapter 32
Her eyes sparkled, brimming with admiration and affection for her.
“Why can’t I look at you, sis?” Shen Baiyi looked visibly disappointed. “You’re so beautiful, I can’t help but want to gaze at you a little longer. Every time I see you, all my exhaustion from the day just melts away.”
“…”
Zheng Yao had no idea her face possessed such magical powers, capable of relieving fatigue.
She forcefully steered the conversation back on track. “Let’s go buy the bicycle.”
“Okay.” Shen Baiyi’s eyes curved into crescents.
She turned her head slightly, studying Zheng Yao’s flushed ears, resisting the urge to pinch them.
Sis really gets embarrassed so easily.
If she actually reached out to touch them, sis would probably get angry, right? What a shame. Those earlobes looked so plump and rosy they’d surely feel wonderful to squeeze.
“Shen Baiyi.” Zheng Yao suddenly turned serious. “Right now! Immediately! Turn your head away. If you look at me one more time, I’ll show you what it means to crash and burn.”
“Fine.”
Shen Baiyi reluctantly turned her head back, but after a moment, her gaze drifted to the car window instead. The reflection of Zheng Yao’s face was still visible there.
Slowly, a smile crept back onto her lips.
–
Shen Baiyi knew nothing about bicycles, and Zheng Yao didn’t have much experience buying one either. In the end, they relied on the shop assistant’s recommendation and settled on a pink-and-white bicycle.
After locking it downstairs, the two carried their haul back home.
Of course, Shen Baiyi was the one shouldering most of the load.
It was a mystery where this girl got her strength from, no matter how much she carried, she never seemed strained.
But Zheng Yao wasn’t like that.
She had never known hardship growing up. Even after her father passed away, her writing income ensured she never wanted for anything.
Pampered and sheltered, she had never developed much physical strength certainly not enough to match Shen Baiyi’s.
Not that Zheng Yao felt ashamed about it.
She wasn’t alive to suffer, after all.
“Sis, go rest,” Shen Baiyi said, storing the groceries in the fridge before gathering ingredients for lunch and heading to the kitchen. “I’ll call you when the food’s ready.”
“Let me help,” Zheng Yao stopped her.
She couldn’t let Shen Baiyi spend her only half-day off slaving away in the kitchen.
“Sis.” Unexpectedly, Shen Baiyi grasped her arm and gave it a gentle shake almost like she was pleading. “I really love cooking. Let me do this, please?”
“…”
Why on earth would anyone enjoy cooking? Zheng Yao didn’t understand, but she respected it.
Leaving the kitchen to Shen Baiyi, Zheng Yao picked up Bubba and settled comfortably on the couch.
Seeing Bubba suddenly reminded her of something else. Dr. Zhuang had been sending her photos and videos of the little black cat these past few days.
That cat was tougher than expected.
Skinny to the bone and riddled with health issues, yet it had somehow pulled through, improving day by day. The last time Zheng Yao visited, its big, dark eyes had followed her around, looking pitifully fragile.
Originally, she had only intended to cover its medical expenses nothing more. But now…
That kitten was as tiny as a mouse. If she abandoned it now, it probably wouldn’t survive more than a few days. Wouldn’t all the money she’d spent on it go to waste?
What a terrible loss.
And Zheng Yao never did business at a loss.
Now that little kitten had already cost her several thousand yuan. If it died in a few days, wouldn’t she lose everything?
“Bubu.” She lifted Bubu by its front paws, holding it up. “Want me to get you a little sister to play with?”
Of course, Bubu didn’t understand and just flailed wildly in the air, kicking Zheng Yao right in the face.
Ungrateful child!
Zheng Yao’s face darkened from the blow, this rebellious child was truly beyond saving!
She had no choice but to put the little troublemaker down.
Fortunately, her frustration was soon overshadowed by the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen. Sniffing the enticing scents, Zheng Yao couldn’t help but swallow hard.
It had been a long time since she’d eaten Shen Baiyi’s home-cooked dishes. She had to admit, she’d missed them.
Especially when ordering takeout, thoughts of Shen Baiyi would always surface.
Of course, she would never admit to Shen Baiyi that she was at the mercy of her culinary skills.
So when Shen Baiyi brought four dishes and a soup to the table, Zheng Yao restrained herself, only giving them a fleeting glance before looking away.
As usual, Shen Baiyi pulled out the chair herself, smiling as she said, “Sister, have a seat.”
Zheng Yao sat down with dignity, allowing Shen Baiyi to eagerly serve her rice.
Shen Baiyi was not only skilled but also efficient, having whipped up four beautifully presented and fragrant dishes in no time.
She had even used her carving skills again, this time crafting adorable little kittens out of carrots, charmingly naive.
They were stuffed with corn and peas.
Somehow, Shen Baiyi had mastered the cooking time perfectly, the outer carrot was tender yet held its shape, only softening when chewed. Paired with the sweet and soft filling inside, the flavor was absolutely divine.
Despite her best efforts to hold back, her hands seemed to have a mind of their own, and before she knew it, most of the carrot kittens had disappeared into her stomach.
Only after letting out a small burp did she suddenly realize she’d eaten way too much.
“…”
She looked up to find Shen Baiyi watching her with amusement.
After a moment of silence, she slowly chewed and swallowed the last bite, then said calmly, “I’ve been trying to gain weight lately.”
Shen Baiyi wouldn’t dream of calling her out. Instead, she nodded with a smile. “Mm, sister is too thin. You should eat more.”
With that, she picked up a piece of braised pork with her chopsticks and placed it in Zheng Yao’s bowl. “Sister, you can’t just eat carrots. This is my favorite braised pork, it’s sweet and tender, really delicious.”
Zheng Yao instinctively frowned.
She had a slight aversion to eating food others had touched.
But Shen Baiyi was staring at her eagerly, and the glistening piece of braised pork in her bowl looked irresistibly tempting.
Zheng Yao shot Shen Baiyi an annoyed glare. “I have my own hands. Eat your own food and stop fussing over me.”
That said, she still ended up eating the braised pork.
As a rational adult, she never let things get too awkward unless she was deliberately acting out.
Ah!
It really was delicious.
Her prickly demeanor instantly softened, and she mellowed out completely.
She couldn’t help but praise, “You’re really good at cooking.”
If she didn’t get into university, she could always open a restaurant business would surely boom.
Hearing the approval in her sister’s voice, Shen Baiyi beamed. “If sister likes it, I’ll cook for you every day during holidays.”
Zheng Yao wanted to deny it, but faced with such a delicious spread, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
She only replied mildly, “Up to you. I don’t mind either way.”
Shen Baiyi’s smile grew even brighter.
She was quick and efficient, clearing the dishes swiftly after the meal, leaving the comfortably lazy Zheng Yao with no chance to help.
Left with no choice, Zheng Yao sprawled on the sofa.
–
After a short post-meal rest, Zheng Yao gathered her energy, ready to teach Shen Baiyi how to ride a bike.
Today happened to be overcast, so she took Shen Baiyi downstairs to the residential area.
At this hour, the streets weren’t crowded.
First, she demonstrated the basics herself, then patted the bike seat. “Hop on and give it a try.”
Shen Baiyi obediently swung her leg over and sat down. The seat hadn’t been adjusted yet, leaving her perched a little too high, her toes barely touching the ground. The moment she settled, she and the bike tilted sideways.
Zheng Yao reacted swiftly, catching her and steadying the bike.
“Get off first,” she said firmly. “Let me adjust the height for you.”
But Shen Baiyi in her arms didn’t move. Zheng Yao’s eyelids twitched, and she pulled back slightly to shake her. “Shen Baiyi?”
“Oh, right!”
Shen Baiyi snapped out of it and quickly dismounted.
Yet the memory of being held in her sister’s embrace lingered, and she couldn’t help but blush secretly.
Her sister was so fragrant and soft.
She loved being held by her.
And soon, she got her fill of hugs.
While practicing, her sister, afraid she might fall, wrapped her arms around Shen Baiyi’s shoulders, pulling her snugly against her chest, ensuring she could pedal steadily.
It was an overwhelming sense of security.
Shen Baiyi’s cheeks flushed pink.
Despite having decent coordination, she now fumbled nervously, frequently tipping into her sister’s embrace.
At first, it was accidental. Later, however, she began leaning deliberately though she hid it well. After being caught trying too hard to please her sister last time, she was extra cautious now.
Zheng Yao didn’t notice a thing.
Feeling Shen Baiyi gradually grow more adept, she tentatively loosened her hold. To her relief, Shen Baiyi wobbled only briefly before steadying the bike.
Her heart settled back into place.
Zheng Yao exhaled softly, brimming with pride.
Shen Baiyi was clever she picked up biking quickly. After watching her ride two smooth laps around the complex, Zheng Yao called her over. “Do you know the traffic rules?”
“Yes,” Shen Baiyi nodded.
Having ridden in her sister’s car countless times and even asking Zhu Xiaofu for details, she had a good grasp of them.
“Good. Then let’s head to school.” Zheng Yao jingled the car keys. “I’ll follow behind you.”
Shen Baiyi tensed slightly. “Right now?”
“Can you ride a bike now?” Zheng Yao countered.
After a pause, Shen Baiyi nodded. “Yes.”
“Confident enough to bike to school and back?”
“Y-yes…?”
Zheng Yao gave an approving nod. “If you’re confident, then go for it.”
She paused, then added with mock solemnity, “No matter what you do, as long as you believe in yourself, you should charge ahead without hesitation. Don’t overthink or hesitate indecision won’t get you far.”
“Okay.” Shen Baiyi nodded earnestly. “I understand, Sister.”
It wasn’t biking that made her nervous.
But since her sister assumed she was afraid, she played along, gently grasping her sister’s hand. “You’ll really follow behind me, right?”
Sister no longer resisted her touch as she had at the beginning, allowing her to hold her hand, her tone even gentle: “Of course, so don’t be afraid.”
After speaking, she even gave a comforting squeeze to her hand.
Fireworks exploded in her mind. Shen Baiyi’s lips curved into a smile, her entire being brimming with joy. She didn’t bother hiding her delight, her eyes crinkling into crescents as she said firmly, “With sister here, I won’t be afraid.”
–
Zheng Yao kept her word, following closely behind Shen Baiyi the entire way.
Fortunately, there weren’t many cars on the road at this hour, and the journey was smooth. But on the way back, Zheng Yao suddenly had an idea. After stowing the bicycle in the trunk, she directly drove Shen Baiyi to the pet hospital.