The Eldest Lady always wants to have a double O Relationship with her old enemy - Chapter 27

Shen Jianxi pressed her palm against Tang Yanzhao’s chest.
“You must think carefully, feel it properly. I’ll be waiting for you, Zhao Zhao.”

The warmth at her heart grew stronger. Tang Yanzhao’s eyes rippled, her breathing slightly heavier.

But then, Shen Jianxi suddenly broke into a fit of coughing. She lowered her head against Tang Yanzhao’s legs, one hand clutching her chest. The tearing pain inside made cold sweat instantly break out along her back.

Tang Yanzhao’s heartbeat had just begun to quicken, only to be doused like a bucket of cold water thrown over her. She hurriedly helped Shen Jianxi up.
“Are you feeling unwell?”

Shen Jianxi’s pale face quickly regained some color.
“I just inhaled some cold air and couldn’t catch my breath for a moment.”

But Tang Yanzhao had already heard such an explanation far too many times. She opened her memo again and noted it down once more.

Clear, one line after another. Yet from a scientific perspective, she still couldn’t find a solution.

These problems with Shen Jianxi always surfaced at the moments when Tang Yanzhao’s mind tried to relax, tugging her thoughts back into worry.

“What are you thinking about? The rehearsal’s starting.” Shen Jianxi nudged the absent-minded Tang Yanzhao who was sitting dazedly on the stool.

Tang Yanzhao snapped back to herself with a soft “oh,” and followed Shen Jianxi out of the lounge to the center of the stage.

There were only three days left until the official performance.

The two of them stood in the center, rehearsing the final scene of the play.

Tang Yanzhao’s role as Shangguan Wan’er was to present evidence of Empress Wei’s regicide to Shen Jianxi’s Taiping Princess. Yet because of the earlier decree establishing the “Crown Princess,” Taiping suspected it was a trap set by Wan’er. To preserve the Li family’s dynasty, she allowed Li Longji to execute Wan’er under his banner.

After quelling the turmoil, Taiping discovered Wan’er’s final letter, which read: “I ask the Princess Taiping to continue compiling the National History.”
Only then did she realize Wan’er’s true loyalty. Filled with regret, she held Wan’er’s blood-soaked body as they collapsed together in the palace.

The first tear that fell from Taiping splashed onto Wan’er’s cheek, but could not warm the body that had already grown cold.

Though Shen Jianxi was still immersed in acting, Tang Yanzhao was unprofessionally pulled out of the performance by that tear, her whole awareness drawn into the moment.

With the call of “Next scene,” Tang Yanzhao opened her eyes—
And what she saw was Shen Jianxi’s tear-filled gaze. The catlike eyes, washed by tears, shone brighter than ever, and more captivating.

Seeing her like this, Tang Yanzhao’s body seemed to move on its own. Almost against her will, her hand reached out to brush away the tears with the back of her finger.

Realizing her intent, Shen Jianxi bent down, making it easier for Tang Yanzhao—who sat with her cradled in her arms—to wipe her tears.

A silent, wordless understanding enclosed them in their own small world, untouched by the bustle around them.

Then suddenly, a white veil drifted down from above, covering them both.

On the busy stage, the white fabric created a space that belonged only to the two of them.

Shen Jianxi gazed into Tang Yanzhao’s ink-black eyes, bottomless. Slowly her gaze dropped lower—to the lips stained crimson by stage-prop blood. They glistened like ripe summer fruit at the height of harvest, full and inviting, with the faintest natural pout tugging at the lower lip—an unintentional allure most dangerous of all.

Shen Jianxi clenched her molars, her breath growing uneven. The hand wrapped around Tang Yanzhao’s shoulder tightened unconsciously.

Then, as a classmate behind them adjusted the veil, they accidentally bumped into Shen Jianxi. She fell forward—and her lips landed precisely on the ones she had coveted for so long.

Whether accident or design, it hardly mattered. Shen Jianxi had gotten her way.

Tang Yanzhao’s eyes widened instantly. Her blood raced, her ears filled with ringing. The soft, warm sensation against her lips overwhelmed her brain, stripping her of control. Everything around seemed to slow; her heartbeat echoed in her mind—

Thump, thump, thump…

Shen Jianxi was the first to pull away, burying her face into Tang Yanzhao’s neck.

Because the punishment was simply too painful. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have let it end so quickly.

Her white teeth dug hard into her lip, caught between savoring the taste and resisting the searing pain. The sharp bite quickly broke skin, a faint metallic tang spilling across her tongue.

“So just one touch already hurts this much. Do you think if you two were really together, it could end well?”
Xiao Shi had never stopped trying to persuade her host to give up pursuing Tang Yanzhao.

But with her forehead pressed to Tang Yanzhao’s shoulder, Shen Jianxi exhaled a laugh. Her lips curved in sweet solitude, even the corners of her eyes carrying joy.

She didn’t answer. But her silence was an answer in itself.

After all, she had said many times—she would never give up.

Tang Yanzhao, shaken back to reality, shifted from half-lying across Shen Jianxi’s legs to sitting upright. Shen Jianxi, however, kept her head bowed. Seeing this, Tang Yanzhao quickly reached to steady her shoulder. Her gaze sharpened as she stared at Shen Jianxi’s pale face—her lips now marked with blood.

Feigning nonchalance, Shen Jianxi asked, “What’s wrong?”

Tang Yanzhao’s eyes dropped to her lips.
“Your mouth…”

Shen Jianxi casually wiped it away.
“Probably just got some on me earlier.”

That “earlier”—both of them knew what it referred to, but neither spoke it aloud.

The pain faded as her heartbeat returned to normal. Like a little cat that had stolen cream, Shen Jianxi lingered in the sweetness, in no hurry for what came next.

Meanwhile, the ever-perplexed “blockhead” now had another mystery weighing on her, a knot demanding to be unraveled.

That evening, they went to Tang Yanzhao’s mother’s apartment for dinner, at her invitation.

Tang Xuan had already changed out of her office attire, dressed now in something warm and casual. Her approachable manner left no distance between them. Seeing Shen Jianxi arrive, she greeted her warmly:
“Xi Xi, you’re here.”

Shen Jianxi tilted her head playfully, voice sweet and lively.
“Auntie Tang, sorry to bother you tonight.”

Looking at her almost as if she were her own daughter, Tang Xuan’s fondness overflowed, though she pretended to scold:
“What nonsense. If you’re not family, you’re even better than family.”

Shen Jianxi chuckled.
“That’s true.”

“And Zhao Zhao, really—what are you doing standing out here with Xi Xi? Bring her in already.”

Blamed for nothing, Tang Yanzhao only thought: But it was Auntie Tang herself blocking the door greeting us! Shen Jianxi glanced at her expressionless face and couldn’t help but laugh.

Truly, unbearably cute.

By the time they arrived, dinner was nearly ready. Tang Xuan called Tang Yanzhao into the kitchen to help bring out dishes, while Shen Jianxi was forcibly seated at the table to wait.

Tang Yanzhao’s reticence was deeply ingrained; even with her mother, she rarely spoke unless necessary.

“Xi Xi, would you like juice or soda?”

“I’ll get it myself.”

“Good, make yourself at home. Don’t be shy.”

Smiling brightly, Shen Jianxi replied,
“Okay, thank you, Auntie Tang.”

Opening the soda, bubbles jumped onto her hand. Tang Yanzhao wordlessly grabbed tissues to help her wipe it off.

Tang Xuan saw it all. As a mother, her heart brimmed with quiet joy.
“I used to think, with Zhao Zhao’s introverted nature, she’d never make any friends. But now, seeing her get along so well with you, Xi Xi, I’m truly relieved.”

Shen Jianxi’s cheerful voice replied,
“Zhao Zhao is wonderful. I’m really happy being with her.”

“That’s the best thing I could hope for.” Tang Xuan smiled. “Isn’t the Rongqing school anniversary coming up in three days?”

Shen Jianxi nodded.
“Yes, Auntie Tang.”

“When I first heard Zhao Zhao was performing in a play, I was shocked. She’s not the type for that sort of thing. But knowing you’re with her, I feel reassured. I always worried she’d just bottle everything up and never learn how to express herself.”

Shen Jianxi agreed wholeheartedly, nodding.
“That’s very true.”

“I still remember one time when she was little. She was riding her bike home and stopped at a red light. Suddenly, an old man jumped out in front of her bike and collapsed, clutching his knee and wailing. He was trying to take advantage of her young age.”

Tang Yanzhao lowered her head and ate in silence, ears tinged pink with embarrassment.

Shen Jianxi laughed and asked,
“What did she do?”

“She actually dropped her bike and bag right there, lay down on the ground next to him, and completely ignored his theatrics. No matter how much he wailed, Zhao Zhao didn’t react at all, just closed her eyes and kept lying there.

“Soon, more and more people gathered around. Seeing one man shouting in pain and one child motionless on the ground, they naturally assumed Zhao Zhao was the one in real trouble. People started scolding the old man and demanding he compensate her, some even called for an ambulance.

“The old man obviously couldn’t go to the hospital—he was faking it! When he saw the situation turning against him, he suddenly sprang up and ran off. For his age, that speed was practically a sprint.”

“And Zhao Zhao?”

“She opened her eyes calmly, got up, brushed herself off, picked up her bag and bike, and simply left—leaving the crowd stunned.”

Hearing this, Shen Jianxi burst into laughter.

Oh my god, that’s too adorable. So seriously, earnestly adorable.

As Tang Xuan and Shen Jianxi chatted, they grew closer and closer, practically airing out Tang Yanzhao’s childhood stories like old laundry—without a care that the person herself was sitting right there. If anything, they seemed to hope she was listening.

Shen Jianxi’s bright laughter rang out again and again, while Tang Yanzhao quietly blushed beside her.

“This time, if I have time, I’d really love to see Zhao Zhao’s performance. I want to witness another one of her surprises.”

Shen Jianxi eagerly encouraged,
“Yes, yes, Auntie Tang, you must come! She’s amazing—she acts so well.”

“All right then, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Over the course of dinner, the bond between Tang Xuan and Shen Jianxi visibly deepened.

“Oh, by the way,” Tang Xuan added, “the company’s organizing a New Year trip this year—to Macao. Are you girls going?”

Shen Jianxi turned to Tang Yanzhao.
“Are you going?”

Tang Yanzhao looked up at her mother. Tang Xuan, relaxed, smiled.
“This is the first time the company’s arranged something like this. I think I’ll go.”

“Mom, we…”

Tang Xuan said cheerfully,
“Just go, broaden your horizons a little.”

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