The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting warm patches of light across the room.
Lin Yi woke first. Looking at Xiao Wu, still asleep in his arms, he saw a faint flush from the previous night's passion lingering on her peaceful face. The corners of her lips were slightly upturned in a look of contentment and ease. His heart softened, and he couldn't resist lowering his head to press a gentle kiss to her smooth forehead.
The delicate touch roused Xiao Wu. Her long lashes fluttered a few times before she slowly opened her eyes.
Meeting Lin Yi's deep, smiling eyes so close to hers, she froze for a moment. Then the heady, heart-racing memories of last night flooded back, and she let out a soft "Ah!" Her whole face, down to her neck, quickly flushed a vivid red, like a ripe peach.
Shyly, she buried her face in Lin Yi's chest, not daring to look at him, while her little hands instinctively clenched his shirt.
"Awake?" Lin Yi chuckled. His voice was husky and resonant in the morning, and he drew her even closer with his arm.
"Mm..." Xiao Wu's muffled voice came from his chest, thick with sleep and shyness.
They lingered together in bed for a while longer before getting up to wash and dress.
These subtle changes might have escaped outsiders, but they were hard to hide from Zhu Zhuqing, who shared the same courtyard and had a keen, perceptive eye.
When Lin Yi and Xiao Wu came out of the bedroom together and sat down for breakfast in the living room, Zhu Zhuqing set out the light porridge and other dishes she had prepared, just as she always did.
Her movements were still meticulous, and her cool expression gave nothing away. But as she handed Xiao Wu a bowl and chopsticks, her gaze inadvertently swept over Xiao Wu's unusually radiant complexion and the spring in her eyes, then over the unconcealed tenderness and possessiveness in Lin Yi's gaze whenever he looked at her.
Zhu Zhuqing's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the tray, then quickly relaxed as she regained her composure.
She said nothing, silently standing by.
The atmosphere at breakfast was subtly tender and intimate. Lin Yi occasionally served Xiao Wu some food, and Xiao Wu accepted it with a blush and a quiet word.
Each small gesture was like a fine needle silently pricking Zhu Zhuqing's heart.
That morning, Lin Yi went to the academy to take care of some matters. Xiao Wu stayed in the courtyard, sitting on the swing and gently rocking, in high spirits. She even found herself humming a tuneless little song, her whole being glowing with happiness.
After tidying up the kitchen, Zhu Zhuqing came out. She watched Xiao Wu for a moment in silence, then finally walked over.
Hearing footsteps, Xiao Wu stopped the swing and looked up. When she saw Zhu Zhuqing, a smile still lingered on her face. "Zhuqing, is something wrong?"
Zhu Zhuqing stopped in front of her and looked straight at her with cool eyes. Her voice was calm, but carried a sharpness that cut right to the heart of the matter. "Xiao Wu, if I remember correctly, back at Shrek, you and Tang San were very close. He risked his life to protect you many times. Everyone thought you were a couple, and neither of you denied it."
Her words fell like a stone suddenly dropped into a still lake, and Xiao Wu's smile instantly froze.
Xiao Wu's eyes flickered, and for a moment she looked flustered. But the fluster quickly gave way to something more resolute.
She rose from the swing and looked at Zhu Zhuqing, her tone tinged with displeasure at the insinuation and the earnestness of a declaration. "Zhuqing, what do you mean by that?"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't back down. She simply looked at her calmly, waiting for an answer.
Xiao Wu took a deep breath and straightened her back. She was shorter than Zhu Zhuqing, but at that moment her presence was no less imposing. "Tang San is my brother! My most important, closest brother!
"He protects me, and I rely on him, but that's only because we're siblings! It's never been what you all thought!"
Her voice was clear and firm, with the resolve to cut away every trace of ambiguity from the past. "I was young before, and maybe I blurred some boundaries and let people get the wrong idea.
"But now I'm sure of how I feel about Third Brother. It's only familial affection, not love!"
She looked at Zhu Zhuqing with an open gaze, even a hint of defiance in her eyes. "The person I like now is Lin Yi.
"I chose to be with him of my own accord. It has nothing to do with anyone else!"
Zhu Zhuqing listened in silence. Her expression remained unchanged, but an extremely complicated emotion flickered through her cool eyes, too quickly for anyone to catch.
Was it understanding? Mockery? Or... a trace of disappointment she couldn't even name herself?
She was silent for a long time before finally speaking, her voice still flat. "I understand."
With that, she said nothing more and turned to leave the courtyard. Xiao Wu remained where she stood, unsettled by the sudden questioning, but feeling even more relieved and resolute after finally declaring her feelings aloud.
She clenched her fists and told herself again: That's right. She liked Lin Yi, and Tang San was only her brother! From now on, no one could use that to question her relationship with Lin Yi!
As for Zhu Zhuqing, she returned to her quiet side room, closed the door, and leaned against the cold panel, slowly shutting her eyes.
At last, a faint, indescribable trace of jealousy showed on her cool face...
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