The Moon Upon My Heart - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Intimacy

As long as I can be with her

The posture was far too ambiguous and intimate. Shen Wangshu felt incredibly awkward, but given the current atmosphere, she didn’t dare speak to Ji Fengyue, fearing the latter might say something even more shocking.

With no other choice, Shen Wangshu adjusted her mindset and dialed her mother, Li Ming. “Hello, Mom. It’s me.”

“Xiao Yue? What’s wrong? Is it that you don’t have enough money? I’ll transfer some to you in a bit. I’m still working overtime here; if there’s anything else, let’s talk tonight.”

Shen Wangshu held the phone in silence. There was a very distinct clamor of voices on the other end, clearly not from Li Ming’s workplace. Yet, her mother seemed completely oblivious to this, casually telling a lie to her daughter that was transparent as glass.

“No need, Mom. I haven’t bought much; I have enough money.” Shen Wangshu could feel Ji Fengyue squeezing her hand as if offering encouragement.

She curled her lips in a complex smile and continued softly, “Ji Fengyue and I were just at the cinema watching a movie.”

“Actually, I’m at her house now. Um, Mom, can I stay at her place for a few days?”

“…Won’t that be a bother to them? That’s not very good.” Realizing she might have been seen, Li Ming’s tone changed noticeably, which only made Shen Wangshu feel more cynical.

However, she remained calm. “Mom, bring me to meet that uncle next time. Before you two get together, you have to let him pass my test first.”

“Don’t worry about me objecting. As long as you’re happy, Mom, I don’t mind.”

“Uh, that…”

Both Shen Wangshu and Ji Fengyue could hear a muffled male voice suddenly appear on the other end. Then, Li Ming changed her tune: “We’ll talk about that later.”

“Ahem, since you and Xiao Ji get along so well, it’s fine to play at her house for a couple of days. But remember, don’t cause her any trouble. Remember to greet her parents; don’t just stay silent with a long face, that’s not good.”

“Also, I’ll contact your father. He should have time to come back at the end of the year. We’ll have a good talk then… Xiao Yue, is that okay?”

“Okay, Mom. I understand. I hope you have a happy date; don’t let me affect you.”

After hanging up, Shen Wangshu looked at her phone screen. A notification for a money transfer suddenly popped up, and she couldn’t help but let out a mocking laugh.

“See? Neither of my parents knows how to express their feelings. One only knows how to compensate me with material things, while the other tries to control everything in my life. Once she realizes it’s useless, she copies the former. They’re actually the same; they’ve never once considered my feelings.”

“But forget it. I grew up long ago, so I won’t be sad about this anymore. At least they still care about me in their own way. It must have been hard for them to keep up the act in front of me for so long.”

Knowing she wasn’t good with words, Ji Fengyue simply tightened her arms, still leaning against Shen Wangshu’s neck, using the close physical action to show her stance and support.

“Thank you. I understand what you mean.” Shen Wangshu closed her eyes and leaned back into her embrace, sighing inwardly with a sense of fondness.

Indeed, it’s truly wonderful that the person I liked in the past was Ji Fengyue.

“Alright, Fengyue, let me go. I’ll get embarrassed if you keep holding me.”

After a while, as if she had gained enough energy from the hug, Shen Wangshu’s expression softened significantly. She turned her head with a smile and stroked Ji Fengyue’s cheek.

“I’m not that fragile. Crying like that just now was embarrassing enough.”

Ji Fengyue knew when to quit while she was ahead. She let go and muttered, “It wasn’t embarrassing. My heart just ached for you.”

“You’re always so concerned about me. Sigh, won’t this make me more and more dependent on you?” Shen Wangshu was genuinely troubled. She was someone who needed an emotional anchor and couldn’t bear to give up her friendship with Ji Fengyue.

But if the relationship became too intimate, it would only affect their normal lives. The only people who could delve so deeply into each other’s lives were lovers who loved each other profoundly.

“Is that a bad thing? I don’t mind. Besides, I’m the one who’s more dependent on you, and I don’t want to change that at all!”

This answer was so righteous and confident that Shen Wangshu could only smile helplessly. “Fine. Then when you do want to change, remember to tell me in advance. I’ll need to prepare myself mentally.”

“Mhm, I will.” Ji Fengyue thought to herself: Even if there’s a change, it will only be in the direction of becoming even more intimate. She would never let Shen Wangshu distance herself—not even by a little bit.

Having talked things out with Ji Fengyue and having a good cry in her arms, the pressure in Shen Wangshu’s heart vanished instantly, and her mood naturally brightened.

She looked at Ji Fengyue with crescent-moon eyes, which made the latter feel a bit bashful. Ji Fengyue rubbed her cheek uncomfortably and went to pour two glasses of warm water.

“Are we eating out tonight or at home? There are no groceries in the house. If we stay in, I’ll go buy some now.”

“No need, let’s go out. Cleaning up at home is too much trouble. After dinner, let’s go for a walk along the river. This time, it’ll be different from before.”

Without needing an explanation, Ji Fengyue knew what was different. The smile on her face grew even wider. “Sure! But I want to hold your hand, just like at the aquarium this morning. Is that okay?”

Shen Wangshu replied with a laugh, “Of course. We’re only fifteen now; it’s the time to enjoy our girlhood. It’s perfectly normal for best friends to hold hands while walking. You don’t need to make a special request.”

The bright smile on Ji Fengyue’s face froze for a split second. She wailed in her heart that Xiao Yue was a “dense block of wood,” but she still cleverly tried to secure more benefits. “But Xiao Yue, didn’t you dislike close physical contact with others? You never used to let me hold your hand before.”

“You’re the exception. Didn’t we used to use hugs at home to relieve work stress all the time?” Shen Wangshu thought for a moment, finding a reasonable excuse for her past shyness.

“Back then, we weren’t kids anymore. If we casually held hands outside, people might easily mistake us for a couple. Even though you didn’t care about others’ opinions, it still wasn’t great.”

“There’s no such concern now, so don’t worry. Hold it whenever you want.”

Ji Fengyue beamed with joy and hugged her again, affectionately nuzzling her beloved’s face. “Thank you, Xiao Yue! I’m so happy!”

Suddenly being hugged by the person she liked and being pressed so close, Shen Wangshu was caught completely off guard. Her heart skipped two beats. She stared blankly at the person so close to her, momentarily dazed.

Ji Fengyue looked so genuinely happy. Her joy was written all over her face—corners of her mouth turned up, eyes curved into crescents. She looked more excited and even cuter than Shen Wangshu had anticipated.

Furthermore, Ji Fengyue was holding her so tight, joyfully nuzzling her face and neck, almost pasting herself onto her. This level of intimacy far exceeded Shen Wangshu’s imagination.

A picture involuntarily popped into her head: it was as if Ji Fengyue had turned into a large dog. If she really had a tail behind her, it would be wagging faster than an electric fan right now.

Shen Wangshu couldn’t help but smile too. She playfully pinched Ji Fengyue’s cheek. “Fengyue, is there a need to be this happy?”

“Yes! I’m really, really happy! Xiao Yue, I missed you so much, really, so so much… I’ve wanted to hug you like this for a long time, but I was afraid you’d be angry, and even more afraid you’d reject me, so I didn’t dare.” Ji Fengyue looked at her beloved piteously. She wasn’t wearing her glasses, so Shen Wangshu could clearly see the vulnerability, sorrow, joy, and anticipation in those beautiful eyes.

Shen Wangshu’s heart felt like it had turned to water. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hidden it from you.”

Ji Fengyue shook her head and held her a bit tighter. “It’s not your fault. It was me who was bad for not noticing your sadness.”

“But Xiao Yue, taking care of you has always been something I’ve done willingly. Can you please stop treating me like an outsider?”

Shen Wangshu was silent for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. “I’m not. I don’t think that way.”

“I just… I couldn’t quite accept it for a moment… but don’t worry, I won’t do it again. Look, if you were an outsider, I wouldn’t let you hold me like this.”

“Mhm! I believe you! I knew Xiao Yue was the best for me!”

“So, can I continue the topic from earlier?”

“Eh?”

Ji Fengyue piteously held Shen Wangshu’s hand, hanging her head as if afraid to look at her, and whispered, “You said we should treat financial relationships seriously just now. So let’s be serious. We can sign a contract, the kind with an official seal to guarantee legal validity.”

Shen Wangshu was momentarily speechless. She had many things to say, for example, two minors cannot sign such a contract for economic disputes, or that there were no relevant laws to guarantee the rights Ji Fengyue wanted.

But in the end, she nodded considerately.

“How do you want me to help? Manage the account for stock trading on your behalf? Do you have requirements for the return rate? What is the principal?”

Ji Fengyue was overjoyed and hugged Shen Wangshu intimately again, but just as she was about to speak, she heard her beloved pour a bucket of cold water over her.

“But I have to state beforehand, Fengyue. I don’t have much energy to focus on the stock market and policy changes right now. You know how high the risk is.”

“So, I think it’s better if I only provide suggestions based on my experience when you’re hesitant. That would be better for both of us.”

“Xiao Yue, you’re such a…” Block of wood!

Ji Fengyue truly sighed. Although the result of Shen Wangshu’s “half-step back” was still pretty good, this constant up-and-down was quite stimulating for her heart.

“Then can I pay you a salary? Don’t refuse me. I know you don’t want it, but I just want to give it.”

“Uh… why? I don’t lack money.”

Ji Fengyue was choked up, only to hear Shen Wangshu’s self-directed analysis: “Oh, you want me to have an independent source of income so I don’t have to rely on my parents’ whims.”

“But I really don’t have many places to spend money. You know my material desires are very low, and my mother knows exactly what the expenses are for a high school student at school…”

Ji Fengyue nearly lost her breath. This block of wood is truly unbearable!

“Xiao Yue, you’ve been reborn at age fifteen. Don’t you want to go out and play?”

Shen Wangshu was stunned. Ji Fengyue once again acted spoiled and piteous. “But I want to go, Xiao Yue. I want you to accompany me.”

“But I know you definitely wouldn’t want me to pay for everything, so I thought of this way to give you money, just so you can go out with me. Can you promise me? Xiao Yue.”

Shen Wangshu deliberated. Seeing her hesitate, Ji Fengyue struck while the iron was hot: “If you really won’t take a salary, then promise me this: if we go out on a date again, I’ll be responsible for all the expenses of the date.”

“Xiao Yue, I don’t want to compromise anymore.”

“Alright, we’ll do as you say. A salary is indeed a bit too formal.”

Shen Wangshu conceded a step, but then asked curiously, “Where do you want to go? Our school is very strict, we have little holiday time, and I can’t go on long trips with you during summer or winter breaks.”

Regardless, her goal was more or less achieved. Ji Fengyue was thrilled, but she decided to tease her beloved, winking with a mischievous smile: “If you know in advance, there won’t be a surprise, right? It’s a secret. There are so many places just the two of us can go!”

The places we can date are simply endless!

Although they had gone to the city aquarium today, they could go to the ocean park in the provincial capital again. There was also Happy Valley, the zoo, museums, art galleries… The expenses were secondary; the main point was that she could now openly and logically ask her out in private! Date! Hooray!

As long as she was with Xiao Yue, everywhere was a date!