When Spring Burns - Chapter 46.2

The next day, Sheng Tingmian and her troupe friends ordered a large cake and celebrated Auntie’s birthday at the theater. In front of everyone, she presented the pearl necklace. Amidst envious and congratulatory remarks, Sheng Xiaoyun proudly put on the strand of Australian white pearls.

She couldn’t stop smiling, the pearls suited her perfectly.

After work, Sheng Tingmian hurriedly whisked Auntie home to change clothes.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they returned to the community, He Jianxue was already waiting downstairs. Sheng Tingmian released Auntie’s arm and walked over to her. “Sis, why are you here so early today?”

“I just arrived a short while ago.” He Jianxue’s gaze shifted past Sheng Tingmian to Sheng Xiaoyun behind her. “Happy birthday, Xiaoyun.”

Sheng Xiaoyun, pleasantly surprised, accepted the gift from her, saying, “You didn’t have to be so formal, just your presence is enough.”

Sheng Tingmian came back and linked arms with her aunt again, telling He Jianxue, “Sis, wait here for us for a bit. We’ll change and come right down.”

He Jianxue replied, “Okay.”

After changing, the two came downstairs, got into He Jianxue’s car, and went out for dinner.

They didn’t return until ten at night, having thoroughly enjoyed the meal. In the car, Sheng Tingmian chattered incessantly with her aunt about it.

When they reached the community, Sheng Xiaoyun invited He Jianxue upstairs for some tea.

Noticing that Sheng Tingmian clearly wasn’t ready to part with her aunt yet, He Jianxue agreed.

As soon as they entered the apartment, a phone call came in that Sheng Xiaoyun had to take. Meanwhile, Sheng Tingmian poured a freshly brewed cup of tea for He Jianxue. “Sis, have some tea.”

He Jianxue took it and finally took a good look around their home, which she hadn’t paid much attention to on her last visit.

Though not large, it was cozy and tidy, Sheng Tingmian’s room included. Even with some clutter, it wasn’t particularly messy.

A desk stood by the bedside, holding a laptop, books on opera, and parts of headdresses. Vintage Kunqu opera posters adorned the walls.

Two fans, one folding, one round, rested on a chair against the wall. It was just an ordinary young girl’s room.

Sheng Tingmian, however, noticed He Jianxue examining her room and suddenly felt it was incredibly messy. Blushing with embarrassment, she pushed her out. “Sis, don’t look.”

What was so interesting about her room?

“Can’t I even take a peek?” He Jianxue teased.

Sheng Tingmian insisted, “No, no, it’s too messy.”

Just as she finished speaking, a loud rumble echoed outside the window, followed by a flash of lightning. Moments later, a downpour ensued.

Realizing what was happening, Sheng Tingmian rushed to the balcony to bring in the laundry and closed the living room windows.

Sheng Xiaoyun hung up the phone and came back from the rooftop. “Why is it raining so heavily? Mian, I’ve got good news, your Dragon Boat Festival performance was selected as one of the top ten programs.”

“Really?” Sheng Tingmian couldn’t believe it.

“Really. The dean just called to tell me. Mian, you’ll need to attend the awards ceremony to receive the trophy.”

Overjoyed, Sheng Tingmian glanced back and forth between Sheng Xiaoyun and He Jianxue.

He Jianxue smiled and said, “Double happiness have come together.”

Sheng Tingmian nodded vigorously, “Yes, double happiness!”

Despite their joy, Sheng Xiaoyun looked at the heavy rain outside and grew worried. “The rain is so heavy, how will you get back?”

Sheng Tingmian pulled out her phone. “Let me check the weather forecast. Maybe it’ll stop soon.”

After a moment, she looked at her aunt and sister with concern. “The forecast says it’s going to keep raining heavily until early morning.”

Sheng Xiaoyun turned to He Jianxue and boldly suggested, “Miss He, if you don’t mind, why not stay here tonight?”

Worried that this might put her sister in an awkward position, Sheng Tingmian quickly interjected, “Auntie, my sister might not be used to staying here.”

Her sister had been raised in luxury, how could she possibly be accustomed to their small home? The conditions were nowhere near as good as those at the He family’s residence.

Sheng Xiaoyun immediately understood her meaning and was about to speak when, unexpectedly, He Jianxue said, “Then I’ll trouble you for tonight.”

Both Sheng Tingmian and Sheng Xiaoyun were taken aback. The former bit her lip and stayed silent, while the latter breathed a sigh of relief and said she would go prepare hot water.

After Sheng Xiaoyun left, Sheng Tingmian returned to her room to gather some clothes. “Sister, would you like to wear my clothes?”

He Jianxue followed her into the room and watched as she bent over, rummaging through her belongings. “I probably won’t fit into your clothes.”

Sheng Tingmian paused. “Oh, right. You’re taller than me.”

“What should we do then?” Sheng Tingmian asked, turning to look at her.

He Jianxue smiled faintly. “I have some in the car. I’ll go get them.”

While He Jianxue went downstairs to fetch her clothes, Sheng Tingmian quickly tidied the bed and straightened the cluttered items in the room.

Later that evening, after washing up, Sheng Tingmian emerged wearing a spaghetti strap nightgown. As soon as she entered the room, she saw her sister already sitting by her bed.

He Jianxue’s elegant demeanor seemed out of place against the small bed. Sheng Tingmian felt a pang of guilt but was also immensely honored that her sister would lower herself to stay here.

“Sister, I’m here. Auntie has already gone to sleep.” Sheng Tingmian took off her shoes and climbed onto the bed from the footboard. To make as much space as possible for her sister, she pressed herself against the corner of the wall.

It should be big enough for two people, right? Auntie can sleep here too.

He Jianxue glanced at her, noticing how she was almost merging with the wall, and a faint smile touched her lips. “You don’t have to squeeze in so tightly.”

Sheng Tingmian reassured her warmly, “It’s fine.”

He Jianxue replied, “Otherwise, your aunt will think I’m bullying you.”

Sheng Tingmian: “…”

At a loss for words, Sheng Tingmian slowly shifted a little away from the wall. “I’m just worried you won’t sleep well.”

She’s probably never slept on such a small bed before.

The more she thought about it, the guiltier she felt. It was her birthday, yet her sister had to endure such poor sleeping conditions.

Lost in her thoughts, the covers were suddenly lifted, and a familiar figure lay down beside her.

Catching a faint scent of camellia, Sheng Tingmian immediately propped herself up on one elbow, reached over her sister’s waist, and earnestly felt the edge of the bed.

As soon as she touched it, she grew anxious. “Sister, you’re sleeping right on the edge! Move in a little.”

He Jianxue watched as Sheng Tingmian’s hand moved restlessly over her waist. “If I move any further, you’ll be squeezed.”

“How could that be?” Sheng Tingmian felt there was plenty of space and insisted, unwilling to let it go. “Please, just move in a little.”

“Alright, let’s leave it at that,” He Jianxue said, resting her head on the rabbit-embroidered pillow and preparing to close her eyes.

But Sheng Tingmian refused to give up. “Sister, how about I sleep on the floor? You can have the bed.”

As she spoke, Sheng Tingmian was about to throw off the covers and get out of bed, but before she could make another move, her wrist was caught by someone. A force pulled her back.

Sheng Tingmian lost her balance and tumbled onto He Jianxue’s chest.

“Sister?”

“I said it’s not necessary. If you sleep on the floor, your aunt will think I’m bullying you.”

He Jianxue stared intently at her face. “Do you want your sister to bear such a reputation?”

“But…” Sheng Tingmian’s mind was fixated on the words “reputation” and “bullying,” feeling it was a bit too serious. For a moment, she didn’t notice how ambiguous her current position was.

“But I can’t let you have a restless night. Sister, you still have to work tomorrow.”

Sheng Tingmian lowered her gaze, her eyes softly resting on He Jianxue’s chin. Suddenly, an idea struck her. “How about we both sleep closer to the middle? That way, neither of us has to worry, though it might be a bit uncomfortable for you, sister.”

He Jianxue found it hard to grasp what she meant by “both sleeping in the middle.”

“How would that work?”

Sheng Tingmian first asked her to move inward a little, then lay down herself, pressing close to He Jianxue and nestling into her arms. “Sister, is this okay?”

“…” He Jianxue was taken aback by the sudden closeness. “Can you turn over?”

Sheng Tingmian smiled, her eyes curving. “Yes, don’t worry, sister.”

He Jianxue inhaled the faint fragrance emanating from her, her gaze falling on the collarbone and the hint of cleavage in her line of sight. The soft curve of her waist rested in her palm, separated only by a thin layer of fabric. Her eyes darkened. “Let’s do it this way, then.”

With the lights off, the room plunged into darkness, leaving only the small nightlight glowing in the corner.

Outside the window, the wind howled and rain lashed, while a tranquil atmosphere spread through the room.

Sheng Tingmian felt warm. This position reminded her of the first time she had held her sister to sleep.

Back then, her sister had just lost her younger sister and was so grief-stricken she couldn’t sleep through the night.

Sheng Tingmian’s heart ached for her. Later, by chance, she had climbed into bed to comfort her to sleep.

Sheng Tingmian pressed her cheek against He Jianxue’s collarbone, hugged her tightly for a moment, then loosened her grip slightly.

Wait, she seemed to hear her sister’s heartbeat.

Thump after thump, a bit loud and a bit fast.

“Sister…” She pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth, lifted her head, and called out softly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Your heartbeat… is a bit fast.”

At these words, He Jianxue held her breath, closed her eyes deeply, but the youthful scent at the tip of her nose continued to tempt her consciousness relentlessly.

In the He family, although her younger sister sometimes slept close to her, it was never as intimate as today. The moment Sheng Tingmian pressed against her, her chest had pressed against hers as well.

If she just tightened her hand on Sheng Tingmian’s waist, she could pull her even closer, kiss her lips, and slip that thin spaghetti strap dress down to her waist…

This is your sister.

In the darkness, as if reminding herself of something, He Jianxue pressed her red lips together, restraining her trembling breath caused by the proximity. Before desire could overwhelm her, she steadied and deepened her breathing, slowing her racing heart.

“Is that so?” she asked hoarsely, then added, “Maybe you misheard.”

Sheng Tingmian had no idea how alluring she was tonight. Her mind was solely focused on her sister’s rapid heartbeat, worried that there might be some hidden ailment.

Since her sister said she had misheard, Sheng Tingmian mostly believed her. She pressed her ear against her sister’s chest again, but with the rain outside, she couldn’t hear clearly, it seemed like a normal heartbeat after all. “Maybe I really misheard, sis.”

“Mhm.”

Sheng Tingmian still felt something was a little off, but she couldn’t pinpoint what. “Sis, is this position uncomfortable for you to sleep in?”

“No.”

“Goodnight then, sis?”

“Goodnight.”

Reassured by the confirmation, Sheng Tingmian relaxed. Thinking about The Jade Hairpin making it into the top ten programs, her dreams grew even sweeter.

Soon, the steady rhythm of breathing filled the room.

He Jianxue opened her eyes and, by the soft glow of the nightlight, took in Sheng Tingmian’s sleeping face.

Her nose was delicate and straight, her lips red, and her skin fair. Even in sleep, she exuded a serene and peaceful aura. The roots of her hair at her forehead followed their natural growth pattern, like a masterpiece of nature, forming a wild yet exquisitely beautiful hairline.

Perhaps finding her position uncomfortable, she gradually loosened her grip in her sleep and lay flat on her back. Her satin-like black hair was always tucked in front of her chest, as if it were a habitual gesture.

He Jianxue’s gaze drifted slowly from her delicate, jade-like face downward, catching a glimpse of her gently rising and falling chest. A fleeting memory surfaced in her mind, a scene from their hot spring trip in Thailand.

It seemed she knew the size and shape of her younger sister’s breasts, like little white rabbits.

After a while, Sheng Tingmian turned to face the wall. Perhaps still mindful of the small bed, she reached back, found He Jianxue’s hand, and pulled her closer to the inside. Finally, she draped He Jianxue’s arm over her own waist.

Murmuring in her dream, she said, “Sis, move in a little. Don’t fall off.”