Unfurling the Past

Xia Chu softly hummed in affirmation, then sighed, whispering, “Also, the reason I was forced to run away from home before was… many things happened.”

Bai Jingjing helped her along, “I overheard at the door just now: neglect, differential treatment, and wanting to marry you off for profit…”

As her older sister’s girlfriend, this was absolutely intolerable.

Previously, she had only been mindful of her girlfriend’s feelings; otherwise, Bai Jingjing would have personally interrogated them, not leaving it to the neighbors.

Indeed, girlfriends were mutual; she was her older sister’s girlfriend, and naturally, her older sister was also her girlfriend.

Nothing amiss there.

“Hmm, but those words are too vague. Specifically, when I was very young…”

After a long silence, she burrowed deeper into the blankets. “I haven’t figured out how to say it yet. I’m sorry.”

Xia Chu was not yet ready to rip open the old wounds in her heart.

“It’s alright,” Bai Jingjing said softly, cradling her head. “Tell me whenever you’re ready; I’ll always be here to listen. For now, just rest well and don’t think about anything.”

“…Okay.”

Xia Chu obediently assented, lifting her head from the blankets, only to suddenly find her vision filled with white.

‘Oh, so you were holding me with your ‘tuan tuan’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to refer to breasts, especially when they are soft and round like a ball or “tuan”)?’

Her older sister’s ears flushed crimson, and her body felt a peculiar sensation.

It was as if a certain ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness) feeling was echoing the previous ‘tuan tuan’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to refer to breasts, especially when they are soft and round like a ball or “tuan”) touch in the elevator.

“Xia Chu-jie (TL Note: An affectionate term for an older sister or a respected female peer), look,” Bai Jingjing whispered, nibbling her ear. “We’ve both climbed up on either side… why don’t we just take a nap?”

This was the best way to clear one’s mind, to think of nothing, and to completely relax.

Jingjing highly recommended it.

Xia Chu swallowed, and her ‘xiao nao hu’ (TL Note: A playful, often euphemistic Chinese slang term referring to a woman’s breasts, literally “little tiger brain”) also swallowed.

This time, she wasn’t tsundere… ah, no, she didn’t refuse.

“Then, let’s try to sleep,” she agreed.

Bai Jingjing also burrowed back into the covers, then embraced her.

Though they hadn’t spent many days together, she and Xia Chu often slept embracing like this.

Tuan tuan against tuan tuan (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to refer to breasts, especially when they are soft and round like a ball or “tuan”), the familiar sensation of pressure was comfortable, yet… excellent elasticity became a barrier to closeness.

This would test their waist strength; they’d have to twist to truly press together.

Xia Chu didn’t ask what to do; Bai Jingjing’s pair of ivory-white jades (TL Note: A poetic and euphemistic Chinese term often used to refer to a woman’s legs, especially when they are fair and slender) were already entwined around her.

So, wouldn’t it be best to just let nature take its course?

To prevent her mind from quickly succumbing to the ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness) feelings, she deliberately thought of other things.

She recalled that day over two weeks ago when Luo Xuan, following her request, had found Bai Jingjing and brought her before her.

How wonderful, truly wonderful.

Over the past two decades, she had stumbled through life, leaving behind only emptiness and scars.

But there was one beautiful experience: having such a close friend.

As the saying goes, “one should not forget the well-digger when drinking water.”

Xia Chu was now drinking Bai Jingjing’s… ah, no, her ‘xiao nao hu’ (TL Note: A playful, often euphemistic Chinese slang term referring to a woman’s breasts, literally “little tiger brain”) was drinking the water from the other’s ‘xiao nao hu’ (TL Note: A playful, often euphemistic Chinese slang term referring to a woman’s breasts, literally “little tiger brain”), and she couldn’t forget the well-digger—their introducer, her close friend Luo Xuan.

Xia Chu silently thanked her friend.

Just as her body was settling into a pleasant state, she suddenly heard Bai Jingjing exclaim:

“Oh, so you’re also a ‘xiao nao hu’ (TL Note: A playful, often euphemistic Chinese slang term referring to a woman’s breasts, literally “little tiger brain”)?”

“Mm, mm?”

Xia Chu didn’t understand what ‘xiao nao hu’ (TL Note: A playful, often euphemistic Chinese slang term referring to a woman’s breasts, literally “little tiger brain”) meant, nor did she notice the word “also.”

She only felt that her girlfriend was incredibly skilled.

****

Alas, half a day and an entire night had already passed.

It had been so long since she last saw Bai Jingjing.

A quick calculation showed it was almost 20 hours.

Luo Xuan, having finished lunch, sat resting by the balcony, silently sighing.

She wondered how the two’s second “romance” was progressing.

Last week, Xia Chu had adamantly declared she would absolutely not ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness) with Bai Jingjing; Luo Xuan wondered if her stance had softened.

Luo Xuan idly picked up a plastic flower from the table, plucking its petals, her cherry lips continuously murmuring:

“Can ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness), cannot ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness), can ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness), cannot ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness)…”

Theoretically, Luo Xuan was quite supportive of her close friend and Bai Jingjing ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness), because then, when Bai Jingjing returned next time, she would very likely seek her out to learn “new techniques.”

But if they really did ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness), Luo Xuan felt… a strange sensation in her heart.

There weren’t many petals on the plastic flower to begin with, and after plucking them one by one, only the last one remained, which coincidentally landed on “can ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness).”

Never mind, never mind.

As the saying goes, “the heavens will rain, the mother will marry, and best friends will ‘se se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness).”

Such was fate; there was no need to dwell on it.

Luo Xuan picked up her phone to check her chat group.

The moment she entered “Lily Garden,” she saw several acquaintances calling out to her.

[Eylla-jie (TL Note: An affectionate term for an older sister or a respected female peer), why haven’t you spoken for so long? You haven’t even logged into the game. Are you really dating?]

[Eylla-jie (TL Note: An affectionate term for an older sister or a respected female peer), was that girlfriend you recruited last time, the so-called “I have a friend,” actually yourself?]

[When I heard, I didn’t believe it, saying how could Eylla-jie (TL Note: An affectionate term for an older sister or a respected female peer) be that kind of person.]

[Eylla-jie (TL Note: An affectionate term for an older sister or a respected female peer), did you find her in our group? Who is it? Call her out so we can see if we know her.]

Luo Xuan’s head throbbed the moment she saw these messages.

[Eylla: Where did you hear that? There’s no such thing.]

[Lemon said so.]

Good heavens, it was that ‘se’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term often used to describe a “lewd” or “lustful” feeling, usually implying a sense of arousal or suggestive naughtiness) loli (TL Note: A Japanese slang term referring to a young girl, often used in anime/manga contexts).

[Eylla: Don’t listen to her nonsense; she’s always like that, just spouting things off.]

Kids are ignorant; they just say things for fun.

[Is, is that so, Eylla-jie (TL Note: An affectionate term for an older sister or a respected female peer)?]

Darn it, it seemed like no one quite believed her.

Luo Xuan pondered for a moment, then typed: [Really, if you don’t believe me, wait for her to say it herself. She’s in this group anyway.]

Hmph, Bai Jingjing would personally prove her innocence.

Speaking of which, how come Bai Jingjing and Xia Chu weren’t online? What could they be doing in the middle of the day?

Luo Xuan opened both their private chats, typing a few messages to each, but received no reply.

How strange.

****

Bai Jingjing panted a few breaths, then prepared to get dressed and rise.

She hadn’t expected it: Xia Chu-jie (TL Note: An affectionate term for an older sister or a respected female peer), despite her gentle nature and lack of such experience, had proven quite… formidable once she embraced her own vulnerability.

At least, in terms of sensation, she was more formidable than Luo Xuan.

Fortunately, her own stamina was good, and her endurance strong, so she could still stand.

“Bai Jingjing,” Xia Chu suddenly opened her eyes. “What are you getting up for?”

‘Well, well, so you hadn’t been lying down either. Truly impressive.’

“I was wondering if I should change the sheets, and it’s already past one in the afternoon,” Bai Jingjing said softly. “I was planning to make you something to eat.”

“Don’t go yet,” Xia Chu gently patted the pillow beside her, gesturing for her to lie back down. “Just give me a little more time.”

Bai Jingjing was slightly startled. “Again?”

While she wasn’t unwilling, if they did, lunch would have to be takeout, as shaky hands weren’t conducive to cooking well.

“No, no, just lie down,” Xia Chu murmured softly. “It’s just… about the past, I’ve thought about how to tell you.”

Bai Jingjing froze for a moment.

‘Ah, this… in just this short while, her heart had opened?’