Sister, Please Have Some Self-Respect, I'm Your Sister-in-Law - Chapter 4

That pot of sour plum soup seemed to mark a subtle turning point.

After that, Lin Yuehe noticed that Song Qingshuang’s gaze toward her had lost some of its initial aloofness, replaced by a hint of warmth.

Finally, she mustered the courage to take the slip of paper with several unfamiliar characters written on it and once again stepped into Song Qingshuang’s study.

“Eldest Sister,” she said, standing before the desk, her voice carrying just the right amount of nervousness as she offered the paper with both hands. “I came across some unfamiliar characters while reading. I marked the pronunciations, but I’m not sure if they’re correct… I wanted to ask for your guidance.”

Song Qingshuang set down the account book in her hand and accepted the slightly rough slip of paper.

Her gaze fell upon the neat yet somewhat childish charcoal script. Her eyebrow twitched slightly.

These characters were indeed rather obscure for a beginner.

“This character is pronounced ‘cuóé,’ and it describes a mountain’s towering, majestic form,” she said. Noticing Lin Yuehe’s attentive expression, she extended a slender finger and traced the stroke order on the empty desk. “The mountain radical goes on top, and the rest is written like this…”

Lin Yuehe leaned closer, bending down to follow the fingertip dancing in the air.

She was so close she could smell Song Qingshuang’s familiar, crisp, cool scent, mixed with the aroma of ink, making her feel slightly dizzy.

Song Qingshuang didn’t seem to notice her closeness, patiently continuing her explanation:

“…When these two characters are used together, they often describe the rugged beauty of mountains and rivers. Where did you see them in the book?”

“Huh?” Lin Yuehe snapped back to attention, her cheeks flushing. Flustered, she pointed to a line in the book. “R-right here…”

Her finger accidentally brushed against the back of Song Qingshuang’s hand, which rested on the page.

They were so close she could see the faint blue veins on the back of Song Qingshuang’s hand and the soft, fine hairs shimmering in the sunlight.

Song Qingshuang paused her explanation.

As if startled, Lin Yuehe jerked her hand back, her heart pounding like a drum. Even her ears burned.

“I-I’m sorry, Eldest Sister! I didn’t mean to…” she stammered, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the floor.

Song Qingshuang watched Lin Yuehe’s ears flush crimson and her eyes dart about in a panic. She paused for a moment.

Those eyes were too clear, revealing her clumsy, hidden desire to be close.

She didn’t call her out on it. Instead, she shifted her gaze back to the note, her voice calm and even, as if the brief pause had never happened.

“It’s fine,” she said, her fingertip gently tapping another character. “This word is pronounced ‘yīn yūn,’ and it describes the misty, swirling appearance of smoke or clouds…”

Lin Yuehe quietly exhaled in relief, but she dared not move closer again. She held her breath, listening intently, memorizing the pronunciation and meaning of each character.

Sunlight streamed through the window, flowing silently between them.

One taught with patience, the other “focused” on learning.

Only Lin Yuehe knew how much of her mind was truly on the obscure characters, and how much was lost in the rare, quiet solitude they shared.

After explaining every character, Song Qingshuang set down the paper and looked at Lin Yuehe. “Have you memorized them all?”

“Yes! Thank you, Eldest Sister!” Lin Yuehe nodded vigorously, as if she had completed a vital assignment, her eyes sparkling.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime,” Song Qingshuang said, lowering her gaze to pick up the account book again, resuming her usual businesslike demeanor.

This habitual closing remark, which she uttered without thinking, sounded to Lin Yuehe like the sweetest permission.

Her eyes curved into a bright smile. “Okay! Then I won’t disturb you any longer, Eldest Sister!”

Clutching the Brief Records of Customs Beyond the Ridges, Lin Yuehe hurried out of the study, her steps light and quick.

Only after she had walked a considerable distance did she dare take a deep breath. The suffocating feeling of holding her breath for so long to avoid disturbing the quiet stillness now transformed into a sweet, liberating rush of air filling her lungs.

She looked down at the paper, at the characters Song Qingshuang had traced with her finger to show the stroke order.

Towering, misty.

So beautiful. Just like her current mood, like towering mountains rising and falling, like swirling mists enveloping everything, overflowing with the shadow of one person.

*****

That night, the moon hung high in the sky, its light dimming the stars.

Lin Yuehe lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

The brief moment of closeness in the study that afternoon, the crisp, cool fragrance, Song Qingshuang’s downcast gaze as she explained the text, and her own traitorous heartbeat… these scenes replayed endlessly in her mind.

As she stared blankly at the canopy above, a soft knock came from the inner room.

“Ally, are you asleep?” Song Zhiyuan’s voice was hushed, yet it carried a hint of excitement.

Lin Yuehe immediately woke up, threw on a robe, and gently pushed open the door.

In the moonlight, Song Zhiyuan stood in dark casual clothes, her eyes sparkling as if she had uncovered some extraordinary secret.

“What is it? It’s the middle of the night. Aren’t you afraid someone will see us and misunderstand?” Lin Yuehe whispered, her voice tinged with annoyance at being disturbed from her reverie.

Song Zhiyuan waved dismissively, leaned halfway through the window frame, and said mysteriously, “Misunderstand what? We already live under the same roof. Besides, we’re just allies. I came to tell you good news: I think I’ve made progress!”

“Progress?” Lin Yuehe didn’t immediately understand.

“You know… that thing!” Song Zhiyuan winked and made a knowing gesture. “I might have found my ‘Dong Xian’!”

Lin Yuehe finally understood: Song Zhiyuan’s “Operation Find Love” was making progress.

She perked up, asking curiously, “Who is it? How did you meet? Are they reliable?”

A faint, suspicious blush crept across Song Zhiyuan’s face, thankfully obscured by the dim moonlight.

“It’s… it’s Physician Su, the new doctor at Huichun Hall in town,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a shy whisper. “A few days ago, I pretended to be unwell to see him. He’s… he’s so gentle and kind, and his medical skills are excellent. He speaks so softly. But the thing is… when he took my pulse, I… I felt…”

His voice trailed off to barely a whisper, but the gleam in his eyes said everything.

Lin Yuehe couldn’t help but smile at his lovesick teenage demeanor, yet she also felt a pang of sympathy. In this oppressive era, finding someone who stirred your heart was already a miracle, let alone in their circumstances.

“He sounds like a decent person,” Lin Yuehe nodded, offering a measured assessment. “But appearances can be deceiving. You should get to know him better; test the waters carefully. Don’t rush into anything. If things go wrong… the consequences could be devastating.”

“I know, I know!” Song Zhiyuan nodded repeatedly, then looked expectantly at Lin Yuehe. “So… what about you, ally? I’ve noticed you’ve been visiting my Eldest Sister’s study a lot lately. How’s it going?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Lin Yuehe’s cheeks flushed, though thankfully the darkness hid her embarrassment.

“I… what progress could I possibly make?” she stammered. “I’m just asking her for help with my studies. Eldest Sister is… very kind and patient.”

“Oh… just studying, huh?” Song Zhiyuan drawled, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “But why does it seem like someone’s been studying a little too diligently? And every time you come back, you’re positively glowing.”

“What nonsense are you spouting!” Lin Yuehe glared at him, her cheeks burning, and made to slam the door.

“No, no, no!” Song Zhiyuan quickly blocked the door, his smile apologetic. “Alright, alright, I was wrong! Seriously though, my Eldest Sister might seem cold, but she has the softest heart. If you… if you really care about her, take it slow. Be sincere and earn her trust, and you might have a chance.

His words sounded genuinely sincere this time.

Lin Yuehe’s heart warmed, knowing he truly cared about her well-being.

She murmured a soft “Mm.”

The two continued to exchange hushed words. Song Zhiyuan mostly indulged in fantasies about his future with Physician Su, his words were brimming with unrealistic hopes and excitement.

Lin Yuehe listened attentively, occasionally reminding him to be cautious.

A cool night breeze swept through, bringing a hint of chill.

Having said his piece, Song Zhiyuan, his heart full, prepared to return to his study.

“Oh, right!” He turned back before leaving, lowering his voice. “In a few days, my mother will be going to the temple outside the city to burn incense. She’ll likely take Eldest Sister with her. This is a perfect opportunity for you to… well, find a way to ‘accidentally’ run into her or get some alone time?”

Lin Yuehe’s heart skipped a beat. She nodded.

After closing the door, Lin Yuehe lay back down on her bed.

Song Zhiyuan’s interruption had scattered her earlier romantic thoughts, but the longing in her heart had only intensified.

Temple incense burning, huh?

She turned over, gazing at the moonlight streaming through the window crack, and began to think seriously.

Perhaps she could use this opportunity to prepare something for Song Qingshuang?

A gift that wouldn’t seem too forward, yet would express her feelings?

The idea reignited her excitement, banishing all sleepiness.

They say unrequited love is a battlefield in one’s heart. How true…

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