The Second Fall - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Blacklisting An Yu

Matching moles on the end of the collarbone and the shoulder. Such a unique placement; Lan Cixing had never heard of anyone else having them.

Though she had only seen Rong Yushu from the shoulders up recently, the previous string of coincidences, the strange dialogue and reactions just now, and the nearly suggestive attitude—combined with this…

Lan Cixing judged the photo by instinct. She was almost certain the person on the other end was Rong Yushu.

A breath caught in her throat; even recognizing her didn’t help. Lan Cixing had no idea how to face An Yu now, and she could only be thankful that Rong Yushu wasn’t currently in front of her.

She slowly scrolled up. There was indeed a gap of about an hour where An Yu hadn’t sent any messages—roughly the time when Rong Yushu had brought her home and tried to comfort her, only to be accidentally injured by her.

See? The times An Yu and Rong Yushu were offline matched perfectly. It really was the same person.

Lan Cixing quickly scanned through the 99+ messages. An Yu was thinking of her. Most of it was substanceless sweet talk. Emoticons followed one after another, each cuter than the last. But they all conveyed the same message: “I miss you.”

From asking her in the morning what kind of shift she was on that prevented her from playing with her phone, to the lonely screen-spamming in the afternoon. An Yu… or rather, Rong Yushu, missed her.

When she was pushing Rong Yushu out of her territory and refusing to let her near, Rong Yushu was thinking of her. When she was crouching in the corner of the room trembling, Rong Yushu was thinking of her. The moment they separated just now, with Rong Yushu entering the bathroom and her acting as a watchdog at the door, Rong Yushu was still thinking of her.

Once these words were translated into Rong Yushu’s voice, the temperature of the ambiguity spiked, scalding Lan Cixing’s heart. She was wrapped in and drowned by the longing overflowing from the screen.

For a moment, she couldn’t be sure if the person on the other side truly was Rong Yushu. Rong Yushu only “didn’t hate” her. It had been four years since they were last separated by only a thin layer of window paper—four years was enough for Rong Yushu to meet every top Alpha in the capital who desired her, forget her, and have several perfect romances.

Would Rong Yushu miss her like this? Would Rong Yushu… know that this “Blue Sky” was her?

Speaking of which, why was Rong Yushu having an online romance with her sister? Lan Cixing suddenly snapped awake at this thought. Ignoring the lingering romantic tension and the ambiguity of being held and touched by Rong Yushu that afternoon, she grabbed her phone and began typing.

“Rong Yushu? Is it you?”

If An Yu were Rong Yushu, she shouldn’t be able to reply right now. After all, Rong Yushu was showering and couldn’t touch her phone. Lan Cixing was still at the bathroom door; she could hear the splashing of water and the faint, rhythmic sound of scrubbing. This friction stood out against the white noise of the water, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, making it impossible not to visualize…

Lan Cixing shuddered, not daring to keep listening. Returning to the screen, An Yu indeed hadn’t replied. Usually, An Yu replied instantly whenever she was online; back when she said she would “pursue her,” she had promised never to forget to reply.

Lan Cixing was now 100% certain that An Yu was Rong Yushu. Her expression shifted slightly, a blush slowly creeping from her neck to her cheeks. It made her fingers less steady, trembling with every character she typed.

“You aren’t replying now, and every time you were unavailable before matches up. Posting updates instantly, and tricking me into your bedroom. You’ve been hinting at me these past few days, and just now you tried to probe me. You are Rong Yushu.”

Having stated all the evidence, Lan Cixing felt a sense of relief, as if solving a long-puzzling math problem.

“Mommy…”

When not speaking in person, she could type such intimate addresses more freely. Her heart softened. At this moment, she just wanted to see the Rong Yushu who had been thinking of her all day.

“I miss you too.” Typed, then deleted. Deleted, then retyped.

Even when pressing the letters wyxn automatically suggested “I miss you too,” Lan Cixing didn’t send the message. She leaned against the bathroom wall, mocking her own pathetic state. How could she say she missed someone when they were separated by only a wall, yet be unable to speak it? She insisted on escaping, trying to find another topic.

Lan Cixing actually remembered what had startled her awake earlier. Her face paled, her eyes flickering.

“Sister, why are you having an online romance with my sister? Do you know Blue Sky Yeast is her? You… you haven’t liked her all this time, have you? She wasn’t even an adult before…”

This was too strange. Rong Yushu having an online romance with Lan Bairan—just thinking about it made Lan Cixing’s brain feel like it was exploding. Bitterness filled her heart, making her incredibly uncomfortable. How could she talk to Lan Bairan like that… Could it be that Rong Yushu’s target four years ago was actually Lan Bairan?

Jealousy made Lan Cixing’s eyes swell and her nose sting, but she didn’t dare admit it, only saying her sister was still young. Lan Cixing wanted to keep typing, but unexpectedly, a message suddenly popped up from the other side.

Lan Cixing jerked her head up, nearly hitting the bathroom door. She could still hear the pitter-patter of water and the ambiguous friction from inside. She had guessed wrong?!

Lan Cixing hurried to check An Yu’s message.

“I was just cooking, Little Blue Sky. I knew you knew Rong Yushu.”

Lan Cixing felt her heart drop. She had guessed wrong and sent so much. She was doomed.

“What is your relationship to Shushu? Are you really an assistant?”

An Yu kept sending messages, showing no sign of someone who was showering and couldn’t touch a phone. She had probably truly been cooking earlier and was busy. Perhaps… An Yu had seen the first message she sent but didn’t reply, wanting to see what information she would leak?

Truly a trash Alpha!

The next message was a voice note. Lan Cixing turned the volume down to two bars and clicked it carefully. The sound of Rong Yushu’s shower continued behind her.

—Calling her so intimately. Or was “baby” calling me Mommy? —Since you’ve even called me Mommy, should I also call you… my good daughter?

An Yu had specifically deepened her voice today, as if displaying her Alpha identity, giving Lan Cixing a series of extreme “bubble tones.” It elicited a clear look of speechlessness from Lan Cixing.

Voice notes came one after another. Deep to the point of being forced, sounding like the highly-liked “Top Alpha” voiceovers online.

—Also, about the online romance with your sister?

Lan Cixing’s ears felt hot. She had no interest in this style; she preferred Rong Yushu’s natural, lazy voice. Especially since this An Yu had repeatedly bluffed her and sent messages that were impossible to answer. Lan Cixing felt hot and dizzy. She didn’t know how to explain; scrolling up, she saw the flaws she had revealed, and scrolling down, she heard An Yu’s persistent questioning.

Lan Cixing held her breath. Then, she blacklisted An Yu. The world returned to peace.

Behind her, the bathroom door was suddenly pulled open. Steam clung to Lan Cixing’s back. It was heart-pounding heat.

Lan Cixing was still kneeling at the bathroom door. Rong Yushu leaned lazily against the doorframe. One foot pressed against Lan Cixing’s back. Locking her movements, seemingly depriving her of breath as well.

It was as if Rong Yushu were holding a leash, and Lan Cixing were wearing a collar. A collar with a little puppy bone and Rong Yushu’s name embroidered on it—the style Lan Cixing was most familiar with four years ago. If Rong Yushu used force, she could throttle Lan Cixing’s neck, making her faint from lack of oxygen, causing her to fall into Rong Yushu’s arms as prey to be slaughtered.

At this moment, no one had a collar or a leash. Rong Yushu’s foot just pressed against Lan Cixing’s back. Left, right. Twisting slightly.

“Dumb cub,” she scoffed and leaned down.

The voice, the heat, even the elegant white tea fragrance that had been washed into a purer layer—all of it grew rich, enveloping Lan Cixing.

“No online romance, yet so clingy. The moment I look away, you’re chatting with her…” Her tone was as casual as ever. But Lan Cixing inexplicably heard a hint of sourness in the heat.

Could Rong Yushu be jealous? Did she really have no connection to An Yu?

Lan Cixing suddenly straightened her back. Ultimately, An Yu was just a netizen. After being blacklisted, they might never interact again. She most needed to coax Rong Yushu.

“You like her that much?” Rong Yushu said. It was a blatant display of jealousy.

Lan Cixing turned around, maintaining her kneeling posture, but didn’t let Rong Yushu’s foot fall to the floor; she gently cupped it, letting it rest back on her. Her breath made Rong Yushu’s foot itch, making her want to kick. Lan Cixing remained unmoved. She hadn’t said she couldn’t.

Then she looked at Rong Yushu with bright eyes. Wagging her tail like she was claiming a reward. “I just blacklisted her. I’m listening to you, Sister.” Since Rong Yushu didn’t like her interacting with netizens, she wouldn’t.

Rong Yushu looked at her face, which was full of “please praise me,” and the corner of her mouth twitched imperceptibly.

“Sister?” Seeing no reaction, Lan Cixing moved forward slightly. To the point where Rong Yushu could just reach her with a kick. “I’ve been guarding the door the whole time.” She was very good.

Lan Cixing continued to look up at Rong Yushu, her eyes full of moisture and a hint of pink, as if she were the one who had just showered.

“Then why didn’t you come to take responsibility for me?” Rong Yushu curled the corner of her mouth, her eyes shifting with affection. The high-angle perspective added a touch of playful mockery to her fox-like eyes. It was as if she were playfully teasing the loyal dog at her feet.

Lan Cixing had long been a subject under her skirt. Right now, she was showing favor, demonstrating loyalty. She was also inviting her to step down. Otherwise, why this posture? So humble, yet with eyes full of anticipation.

Lan Cixing swallowed, her body tensing as she waited for Rong Yushu’s words, closing her eyes in expectation. She knew what kind of punishment she would receive. She had asked for it. How could it not count as a reward?

In the suspended breath, the faint white tea fragrance still delivered itself to Lan Cixing’s mind. A bead of sweat rolled down. Lan Cixing’s chin was lifted. Following that, her whole person was gently embraced and pulled upright. Or rather, leaned into Rong Yushu’s arms.

Her hand was also caught by Rong Yushu. It wasn’t as intimate as interlaced fingers; Lan Cixing’s wrist was gripped tight, preventing escape.

“I was so lonely just now. You didn’t come to take responsibility, yet you say you listen to me. That’s not being good.” Rong Yushu didn’t want to praise her. Every word was a criticism.

But it made Lan Cixing suddenly realize something; her whole face turned as red as a persimmon, and her hand began to struggle. Rong Yushu wouldn’t let go, leading her hand.

Down.

Rong Yushu had just finished showering. She hadn’t even changed, only wrapping herself in a towel. It barely blocked her view, but served no practical purpose. It was clearly bare there…

Lan Cixing used some strength, and tears began to secrete from the corners of her eyes. They dripped onto Rong Yushu’s towel, some inadvertently falling on her thigh. Lan Cixing didn’t notice; she was just a prey caught by her limbs, desperately trying to escape, not daring to think how she would be devoured after being caught by this fox, Rong Yushu.

She really began to cry—silent sobs paired with her backward movements. It was as if Rong Yushu were the bully, picking on poor little Lan Cixing. But if she truly pressed close, how could Lan Cixing be the one losing out?

Lan Cixing was embarrassed and afraid, yet didn’t dare use full strength against Rong Yushu for fear of hurting her. After several tangles, Rong Yushu actually succeeded.

Hand and lips met.

Lan Cixing’s flush visibly deepened. Redder than a persimmon is a cooked crab; redder than a cooked crab is a boiled tomato. She truly looked as if she were being roasted, steam rising from her whole body. Her eyes were blurred, her lips constantly murmuring; she wanted to speak but couldn’t, only trembling.

Rong Yushu pressed down. Lan Cixing jolted.

Pheromones were released. She had entered her rut again.

Rong Yushu frowned, thinking to herself that this was bad. There was definitely something wrong with Lan Cixing’s gland.

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