She’s Being Naughty - Chapter 4

Over the weekend, a crowd of relatives descended upon the Xu household.

The second uncle’s family, the third aunt’s family, and several close cousins filled the space. The living room was packed, the sound of children running and playing, the chatter of adults, and the music from a variety show on the TV blended into a cacophony that made Xu Zhaoyi’s head ache.

She hadn’t intended to come downstairs, but her father had called her room specifically that morning. In a stern tone, he told her it was a family gathering and that, regardless of her feelings, she had to show the elders some respect.

So now, she sat huddled in the corner of the sofa, clutching a throw pillow and staring expressionlessly at the television.

Even though she wasn’t actually listening.

Jiang Yao was dressed in a pale beige skirt suit today, her hair loosely pinned back. With a perfectly practiced smile, she wove through the crowd carrying a fruit platter. She handed a slice of watermelon to one person and a grape to another, her movements as natural as if she had been the mistress of this house for many years.

“Xiao Yao is getting prettier and prettier.” The third aunt took a grape, scanning her with a beaming smile. “No wonder Jiancheng treasures you so much.”

Jiang Yao gave a small smile. “Auntie, don’t tease me.”

“I’m not teasing, I mean it.” The third aunt patted her hand, raising her voice slightly. “The fate between you two was written in the stars. Jiancheng was a widower for so many years and never looked for anyone, we thought he’d be alone for the rest of his life. Who knew he’d meet you? It hasn’t even been that long and the wedding is already over.”

As she spoke, her gaze flickered toward the corner of the sofa.

Xu Zhaoyi pretended not to see and kept her head down, fiddling with her phone.

“By the way, Zhaoyi,” the second uncle spoke up, his voice booming loud enough for the entire room to hear. “Why are you sitting so far away? Come over and say hello to Grand-Aunt, she came specifically to see you.”

Hearing her name, Xu Zhaoyi gripped her phone tighter.

She took a deep breath, put the phone down, stood up, and walked over slowly.

Grand-Aunt was a relative from Xu Jiancheng’s late mother’s side. Xu Zhaoyi had seen her a few times as a child. The old lady sat in a wheelchair, her hair white but her spirit bright. Seeing her approach, the woman reached out to take her hand.

“Zhaozhao has grown so much.” The old lady smiled, her hands trembling slightly. “Last time I saw you, you were only this tall.”

She gestured to a height around her waist.

Xu Zhaoyi’s lips twitched into a faint attempt at a smile. “Mm.”

The atmosphere turned a bit cold.

Grand Aunt turned to look at Jiang Yao. “And this is Jiancheng’s new wife?”

“Hello, Grand Aunt.” Jiang Yao leaned down, greeting her with a gentle grace. “I am Jiang Yao.”

The old lady looked her up and down before nodding. “Mm, you’re striking and quite clever.” She then turned back to Xu Zhaoyi. “Zhaozhao, this is your new mother. Why haven’t you called her that yet?”

As soon as these words were uttered, the other relatives chimed in one after another.

“That’s right, Zhaoyi, it’s time to change how you address her, isn’t it?”

“You’re living under the same roof; calling her ‘Auntie’ is too distant.”

“Look at how well Xiao Yao treats you. I heard your dad say she even made you hangover soup the other day.”

“Exactly! What’s wrong with calling her ‘Mom’?”

A circle of people spoke one after another, all eyes landing squarely on her.

Xu Zhaoyi stood there, her hands clenched at her sides, her nails digging deep into her palms.

She looked up at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao was looking back at her, her expression still wearing that same gentle mask. Her eyes betrayed no specific emotion, she was simply watching her.

As if she were waiting.

Waiting for her to speak.

Xu Zhaoyi pressed her lips thin, her chin lifting slightly.

“I won’t.”

The two words dropped into the air, as cold as shards of ice.

The living room fell instantly silent.

Grand Aunt’s smile froze, the second uncle knit his brows, and the third aunt opened her mouth to say something before being pulled back by the person next to her.

Xu Jiancheng’s face darkened instantly. “Zhaoyi!”

“What?” Xu Zhaoyi turned to him, her voice calm. “Did I say something wrong? My mother died ten years ago. Exactly what kind of ‘mother’ is she to me?”

“You…” Xu Jiancheng was so angry he stood up, ready to scold her, but Jiang Yao lightly pressed her hand onto his arm.

“Jiancheng, don’t be like that,” she said softly. “If the child isn’t willing, don’t force her.”

She looked at Xu Zhaoyi, her gaze tinged with a hint of apology, as if she were the one bailing her out. “Zhaozhao is still young, it’s normal that she can’t bring herself to say it. There’s no rush. We have plenty of time.”

Xu Zhaoyi stared at her.

This woman was playing the “good person” again.

She was clearly the one sitting there waiting to be called “Mom,” yet now she was putting on this “I don’t care” act.

Hypocrite.

“Xiao Yao is so sensible.” The third aunt spoke again, her tone full of admiration. “The child is immature; you’ll have to be patient with her.”

“As I should be.” Jiang Yao smiled and picked up the fruit platter again. “There should be some snacks in the kitchen; I’ll go see if they’re ready.”

She turned and left, leaving Xu Zhaoyi standing there alone to bear the disapproving glares of a room full of relatives.

Xu Jiancheng shot her a harsh glare before turning to head to the balcony for a smoke.

Xu Zhaoyi stood in place, a lump of frustration stuck in her chest, unable to move up or down.

Dinner was arranged at the long dining table.

The long rosewood table could seat over a dozen people and was currently covered in dishes. In the center was a large pot of seafood soup, surrounded by various home style dishes and a few exquisite stir-fries that were clearly Jiang Yao’s handiwork.

Jiang Yao sat directly across from Xu Zhaoyi, separated by the table, the rising steam, and a dozen other people.

During the meal, the relatives didn’t bring up the “naming” issue again, moving on to other topics, the stock market, housing prices, the children’s schooling, and who had bought a new house.

Xu Zhaoyi kept her head down and ate, her chopsticks poking at her rice. She had no appetite.

Just then, something suddenly brushed against her ankle.

It was icy, hard, and had a slightly sharp edge to it.

Her entire body froze.

She looked down.

The light under the table was dim; she could only see a blur of shadows. But she could feel it, it was the tip of a high-heeled shoe.

Sharp, thin, it pressed lightly against the skin of her ankle.

Then, the toe of the shoe moved seemingly accidental, yet feeling like a provocation.

From the ankle, it slowly slid upward.

It slid to her calf.

Xu Zhaoyi’s hand shook, and her chopsticks clattered onto the table.

“What’s wrong, Zhaozhao?” a relative asked.

Xu Zhaoyi looked up abruptly, her face a bit pale. “No… it’s nothing.”

She picked up her chopsticks again, but her hand was trembling.

Under the table, that shoe was still moving.

Unleashed and deliberate, it traced the line of her calf, inching upward bit by bit.

It wasn’t forceful or aggressive, it was a ghost of a touch, like a feather brushing against her, causing a frantic itch in her heart.

“Does Zhaoyi feel unwell?” The third aunt looked at her. “Why is your face so red?”

“No, I’m fine.” Xu Zhaoyi took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “It’s just a bit hot.”

As she spoke, she instinctively tried to pull back, wanting to avoid that restless foot.

But the foot seemed to know she was trying to hide, it pressed down lightly on the bridge of her foot.

The icy tip of the shoe pressed into her warm skin.

Xu Zhaoyi’s breath hitched.

She lifted her eyes and shot a sharp glare directly across the table.

Jiang Yao was currently speaking with the grand aunt sitting next to her, her expression as natural as could be. Her upper body was perfectly upright, one hand using chopsticks to pick up food while the other rested lightly on the edge of the table.

There was absolutely no outward sign of what her foot was doing beneath the table.

But Zhaoyi knew. She knew it was Jiang Yao.

Xu Zhaoyi stared at her, trying to find even a single crack in that mask.

However, Jiang Yao simply turned her head, offered her a small smile, and asked softly, “Zhaozhao, are you hot? Should I go turn down the air conditioning a bit?”

Her tone was so natural, so full of concern, as if she truly only cared about whether her stepdaughter was overheated.

Xu Zhaoyi gritted her teeth.

“No need.”

As she spoke, she jerked her leg away with force.

The tip of the shoe let go.

But a second later, it pursued her again, lightly hooking around her ankle.

This time it wasn’t a press, it was a hook, followed by the heel gently rubbing against the inner side of her calf.

Xu Zhaoyi trembled all over.

“Oh my!”

Sitting next to her, the second uncle’s daughter, a young girl just starting junior high, suddenly cried out.

“Sister Zhaoyi, what’s wrong? You keep shaking.”

Everyone’s gaze shifted back to her.

Xu Zhaoyi felt a rush of blood surge to her face.

She stood up abruptly, the legs of her chair screeching harshly against the floor.

“I’m full.”

Leaving behind those two words, she turned and walked away.

She strode out of the dining room, crossed the living room, and practically fled upstairs.

She slammed the door shut and leaned her back against the wood, gasping for air. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would leap out of her chest.

She looked down at her feet.

Beneath her light colored loungewear pants, that icy, sharp sensation seemed to linger on the skin of her calf. The path where the shoe’s tip had traced felt like it was still burning.

Crazy.

That woman is insane.

She stood there for a long time before slowly walking over to sit on the edge of the bed.

Outside the window, the sky had darkened, and the garden lights were flickering on one by one. From the dining room downstairs, she could still faintly hear the relatives laughing, interspersed with Jiang Yao’s gentle voice saying, “Everyone, please eat more.”

Xu Zhaoyi stared out the window, dazed, for a long while.

Until there was a soft knock on her door.

She didn’t answer.

The person outside waited a few seconds before pushing the door open.

It was Jiang Yao.

She held a tray in her hands, carrying a bowl of soup and a small plate of fruit.

“I saw you didn’t eat much at dinner.” She placed the tray on the nightstand and sat down beside her. “Have some soup; I reheated it for you.”

Xu Zhaoyi didn’t look at her, nor did she speak.

Jiang Yao didn’t seem to mind. She picked up the bowl, scooped a spoonful of soup, and brought it to the girl’s lips.

“Come on, open up.”

Xu Zhaoyi snapped her head around, her eyes glaring. “What exactly do you want?”

“What do you mean ‘what do I want’?” Jiang Yao blinked, her expression innocent.

“Under the table!” Xu Zhaoyi lowered her voice, every word hissed through her teeth. “Just now, under the table, you…”

“Oh, that.” Jiang Yao smiled, placing the spoon back in the bowl. “I touched you by accident. Sorry, did I scare you?”

She said it so casually, so dismissively, as if it really had been nothing more than an unintentional brush.

But Xu Zhaoyi knew better.

That rubbing, that entangling, that ambiguous flirting, how could that possibly be unintentional?

“You did it on purpose.” She stared into Jiang Yao’s eyes. “You did it on purpose.”

Jiang Yao looked at her for several seconds, and then she suddenly laughed.

It wasn’t a gentle laugh, nor was it the laugh of someone pretending to be innocent.

It was a laugh that suggested… she found this very interesting.

“Zhaozhao,” she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a low whisper. “How can you be so cute?”

Her breath brushed against Xu Zhaoyi’s cheek, carrying the sweet aroma of the red wine served at dinner.

“You’re the one who provoked me first,” Jiang Yao’s voice grew even softer. “The funeral wreath, the burnt fried eggs, the nightgown… one thing after another.”

“But you see, I didn’t hold a grudge.”

“I only touched you lightly, and you were scared into this state.”

As she spoke, she reached out and gently touched Xu Zhaoyi’s earlobe.

Her fingertips were icy cold, sending another shiver through Xu Zhaoyi’s body.

“So cute,” Jiang Yao chuckled, then stood up. “Drink the soup while it’s hot. I’ll come up to collect the bowl later.”

She walked away.

When she reached the door, she looked back one last time. In the dim light, her eyes were startlingly bright.

“By the way, Zhaozhao,” she said softly. “Don’t run away so fast next time. The more you act like this…”

She paused, the curve of her lips deepening.

“…the more fun I think it is.”

The door was gently pulled shut.

Xu Zhaoyi sat on the bed, staring at the spot where the woman had just been sitting.

A slight indentation remained on the sheets.

The air still held the faint scent of her perfume.

And then there was that sentence.

“The more fun I think it is.”

Xu Zhaoyi grabbed her pillow and slammed it down onto the bed.

The pillow made a dull thud and just lay there, like an opponent she had knocked down who refused to react.

She stared at the pillow for a while before collapsing onto the bed in defeat.

Moonlight filtered through the window screen, spilling onto the floor in a wash of silver.

The noise downstairs gradually faded as the relatives left one by one, the sound of engines starting, voices saying goodbye, car doors closing.

Then, everything went quiet.

Xu Zhaoyi lay in the dark with her eyes open.

Her mind repeatedly replayed the scene at the dining table.

The sensation of the high-heeled shoe tracing her calf.

Icy, sharp, elusive.

And Jiang Yao’s words.

“Scared? Zhaozhao is so cute.”

When she said that, her eyes must have been crinkled and the corners of her mouth must have been turned up, like a cat toying with a mouse.

Xu Zhaoyi closed her eyes.

The wind blew in gently from the window, carrying the scent of night blooming jasmine.

It was very sweet.

So sweet it was sickening.