Next Year, I'll Be Just Like You

The Yue'er placed the dishes on the table one by one.

She kept her head down, didn't look at anyone, arranged everything, and then turned and left.

Lin Qingyao and Bai Ruoli exchanged a glance, but neither of them spoke.

Even if Shen Jingchuan was stupid, he understood by now. He stood up.

You guys eat first, don't wait for me.

Before he finished speaking, he had already followed her out. Yue'er was his personal maid, and she always slept in his outer room.

Shen Jingchuan wasn't heartless; he just always felt that Yue'er was still young and there was no rush. He wanted to wait two years before making a decision.

She's not even eighteen yet.

But now, he felt that there were some things he had to make clear today.

Once inside, on the small bed in the outer room, Yue'er lay facing inwards.

His shoulder was twitching.

Shen Jingchuan walked over, sat down on the edge of the bed, reached out, and turned her around.

The Yue'er kept her eyes closed, her eyelids lowered, refusing to look at him. Tears streamed down her cheeks and into her hair, but she didn't wipe them away.

Shen Jingchuan felt a pang of sadness watching her. He raised his hand and gently wiped away her tears with his fingertips.

Then, help her up from the bed and sit up.

"Yue'er, look at me."

The Yue'er closed its eyes even tighter, pursed its lips, and didn't say a word.

Shen Jingchuan sighed, his voice becoming deeper.

"You silly girl, you're always so straightforward, you say whatever comes to mind."

"What's wrong with you today? Who are you angry with?"

Yue'er bit her lip, holding back for a long time.

"I'm not angry at myself. I'm just angry at myself."

Shen Jingchuan looked at her.

I think you're angry with me.

Yue'er suddenly opened her eyes, stared at him, and tears welled up again.

"Yes, I'm angry with you! If I'm not angry with you, who else can I be angry with!"

As she spoke, she began to sob again.

Shen Jingchuan didn't flinch, he stared at her.

"Then tell me, why are you angry with me?"

"Is it because Ju'er... became my woman that you're unhappy?"

Upon hearing this, Yue'er cried even harder and shook her head vigorously.

"I didn't!"

"It's her good fortune to become the young master's woman; I'm overjoyed for her!"

How could I be angry with her...?

Shen Jingchuan was puzzled.

"So what exactly are you angry about?"

Yue'er wiped her face, raised her head, and looked at him with teary eyes.

I'm angry with you for lying to me.

Didn't you say I was young?

"But Ju'er, she's only a year older than me!"

"What, don't you think she's too young?"

"You... don't like me at all...?"

The last half of the sentence was spoken so softly that it was almost inaudible.

Shen Jingchuan was stunned.

He looked at the girl in front of him, who was crying her eyes out, and felt a pang of sympathy.

He reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Alright, I understand. I'll wait until you're eighteen."

Yue'er's crying stopped abruptly. She raised her head and stared blankly at him.

"What... what did you say?"

Shen Jingchuan looked into her eyes and repeated himself, word by word.

I said, I'll wait until you're eighteen.

"When that time comes, I will make you my woman."

Yue'er was stunned, tears still in her eyes, half believing and half doubting.

"You... you're not kidding me, are you?"

"Young master, if you don't want me, that's fine, I won't force you."

"But you, don't lie to me..."

Shen Jingchuan reached out, pinched her cheek, and gently shook it.

"Silly girl, when did I ever say I didn't like you?"

As he spoke, he leaned down and kissed her on the lips.

"Now you can rest assured?"

Yue'er's face flushed bright red instantly.

That was her first kiss.

She stared blankly, inhaling the familiar scent emanating from the young master, her heart pounding.

After hesitating for a moment, she mustered her courage, reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck, and awkwardly returned his kiss.

The two remained awkwardly pressed together for a long time before finally separating.

The Yue'er stopped crying, her tears turned into a smile, and she hugged him tightly, refusing to let go.

She buried her face in his shoulder, her voice muffled but unusually earnest.

"Young Master, in this life, I belong to you, and in death, I will be yours."

"From now on, wherever you go, I'll follow."

Even if there are mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead, I will not let go.

I don't want anything else, I just want to stay by your side for the rest of my life.

Shen Jingchuan listened, then tightened his grip on her arm.

He looked at the little girl in his arms and nodded heavily.

Shen Jingchuan was both amused and exasperated by her hug.

He reached out and gently pulled her up from his arms, taking her hand in his.

"Alright, get up. Let's go eat."

Yue'er wiped her face, responded, and obediently stood up.

But as soon as she stood up, she seemed to remember something, stopped in her tracks, and became hesitant.

"I... I think I'll pass."

Seeing her awkward expression, Shen Jingchuan understood perfectly. He chuckled and gently flicked her forehead.

"Alright, everyone knows what you're thinking."

The Yue'er, its light pierced, steeled its resolve and gritted its teeth.

"Hmph, so what if you know! I'm not afraid at all."

Even if you beat me to death, Madam, I won't change my mind!

Shen Jingchuan was both amused and annoyed, so he raised his hand and gently patted her head.

"What nonsense are you talking about? When did Madam ever say she was going to beat you to death?"

Is she really that fierce?

Yue'er stopped talking, moved closer, wrapped her arms around his arm, and pressed her whole body against him.

It felt soft and warm against my arm, and then it rubbed against me.

Shen Jingchuan froze, almost losing his balance, when she rubbed against him like that.

He quickly pulled his arm away and coughed lightly.

Walk properly.

"Young lady, be careful."

He turned around, but inwardly he just sighed.

Oh no, another one.

He secretly groaned; this was truly the hardest thing to bear—the favor of a beautiful woman.

Yue'er followed behind him, stuck out her tongue, and left the room.

Returning to the stone table, she sat down in her place, her head bowed low, and remained silent.

Her face was still red, and she was being very shy.

She picked up the bowl of porridge, took a small sip, and didn't dare to look up.

Lin Qingyao, standing to the side, couldn't help but smile as she watched her.

She glanced at Yue'er, said nothing, and continued eating with her head down.

Ju'er sat to the side, but kept secretly observing Yue'er.

She and Yue'er grew up together.

The two women had served Lin Qingyao for so many years, and were as close as sisters.

Today, she finally has a home. I thought Yue'er would be happy for her.

Unexpectedly, Yue'er reacted this way.

She watched, puzzled, unable to figure it out.

The meal is finished.

As the sun rose higher, Shen Jingchuan sat with Lin Qingyao and Bai Ruoli under the shade of a tree, drinking tea and chatting idly.

The atmosphere had eased considerably compared to before. Ju'er seized an opportunity, quietly got up, and went around to Yue'er's side.

She tugged at Yue'er's sleeve, moved aside, and spoke softly.

"Xiao Yue'er."

"What's wrong with you today? You're crying so hard."

Today is... the happiest day of my life. Aren't you happy for me?

The Yue'er raised its head, glanced at her, and then reached out and slapped Ju'er's plump, pert buttocks.

"Hmph, you dare to say that!"

"You secretly became the young master's woman, and you didn't even tell me about such a big thing!"

Ju'er rubbed her bottom, looking at her with a wronged expression. Yue'er snorted, then couldn't help but smile.

"What do I have to be angry about? The young master just told me."

As she spoke, her voice lowered, and her cheeks flushed.

"When I turn eighteen next year..."

"I'm just like you."

She was too embarrassed to say anything more, so she bit her lip and turned her face away.