A Desperate Plea for Freedom

‘Hey? What’s going on? Chen Si Yi covered my mouth?’Two newlinesA pleasant, milky fragrance wafted into my nostrils. I couldn’t tell if it was her shower gel or a scent unique to my ‘sister,’ but her unusual action made my cheeks tingle, and I felt a sudden warmth course through my entire body.Two newlines”This is my cousin, Lin Ruoxi,” Chen Si Yi announced, wiggling her fingers as she feigned an affectionate pinch on my cheek. “She’s a little shy around strangers, so she doesn’t talk much.” This cleverly disguised her true intention of silencing me.Two newlines”Ruoxi, come here. This is Sister Su Xiao Yu, your older brother Lin Yan’s classmate. Say hello to Sister Xiao Yu.”Two newlines’Hey, hey, hey, you’re just spouting nonsense! My mouth is covered; how am I supposed to say hello to Sister Xiao Yu? With ventriloquism? And more importantly, I can’t even do that!’Two newlines’Also, ‘Sister Xiao Yu’ was clearly what *you* called her when you were a sniveling child. Just because you’ve been calling her that for years and can’t change it, don’t force me to adopt such an ’embarrassing’ title!’Two newlines”Oh! So it’s Ruoxi,” Su Xiao Yu exclaimed. “What a lovely name!”Two newlinesHowever, Su Xiao Yu, ever the simple-minded one, didn’t notice anything amiss. Instead, she leaned her face close to mine, continuously making various funny faces as if trying to amuse a child.Two newlines’Alright, that’s enough! You’re treating me like a baby! Even though I’m small, anyone can tell at a glance that I’m an eleven or twelve-year-old girl! Su Xiao Yu, you should count yourself lucky you’re teasing *me* and not some other brat; otherwise, I think they’d most likely spit in your face!’Two newlinesNoticing me continuously winking and squinting at her, Su Xiao Yu merrily remarked, “Hehe, Si Yi, your sister seems to really like me; she keeps winking at me!”Two newlinesHer words might have seemed harmless, but trapped in Chen Si Yi’s embrace, I was in for it.Two newlines”Oh? Is that so?” Chen Si Yi smiled faintly. “My sister just has a very… *expressive* face!”Two newlines’Pfft.’Two newlinesI felt Chen Si Yi’s grip around my waist suddenly tighten severalfold, nearly squeezing out the milk I’d had for breakfast.Two newlines’Oh, my dear Sister Xiao Yu, could you please stop being so adorably dense? Those weren’t cute winks I was giving you; those were clearly desperate pleas for help from my wide eyes, alright?’Two newlinesBecause of Su Xiao Yu’s seemingly innocuous remark, Chen Si Yi’s strategic plan appeared to have shifted.Two newlinesJust then, more and more customers carrying lingerie gathered at the sales counter. After exchanging a few more perfunctory pleasantries with Su Xiao Yu, Chen Si Yi turned and strode towards the front desk.Two newlines’This… this is because she’s afraid of me being alone with Su Xiao Yu in the fitting room, so she’s planning to skip trying on the lingerie and just pay and leave?!’Two newlines’Oh no, don’t! If the bra doesn’t fit and constricts the chest, it’ll be really bad for development… Pfft, what the hell am I thinking? That’s not the point at all, alright?!’Two newlinesUnderstanding Chen Si Yi’s insidious intentions, I immediately cried out in alarm in my mind, ‘This is bad!’ If Chen Si Yi successfully paid and left the store, then my only chance to escape her clutches would be utterly wasted!Two newlinesJust as I was about to make my move, Su Xiao Yu’s voice suddenly called out from behind me, stopping us.Two newlines”Wait, Si Yi,” Su Xiao Yu called out, “Aren’t you two still going to try on lingerie?”Two newlines’Yes, yes, yes, that’s it! Quick, stop that Chen Si Yi, Xiao Yu! Stop her shameless behavior!’Two newlines”Haha, no need,” Chen Si Yi replied, turning around and simultaneously increasing the pressure on my mouth. “Sister Xiao Yu, don’t you have other things to attend to?”Two newlines”I already know this girl Ruoxi’s size. We mainly just wanted to see how it looked on her. We can just try it on when we get home; we won’t trouble you, Sister Xiao Yu.”Two newlines”Oh, oh, so that’s how it is…”Two newlinesHearing Chen Si Yi’s polite refusal, Su Xiao Yu didn’t press the matter. After thoughtfully nodding her head, she bent down and waved at me. “Well then, Little Sister Ruoxi, see you next time, bye-bye~”Two newlines”Mmph mmph mmph, mmph mmph mmph!!”Two newlinesWith my mouth covered, I desperately tried to make a sound, but no matter how I struggled, only muffled, incomprehensible whimpers escaped me.Two newlines’No, I can’t just sit here and wait for death! I have to quickly think of a solution!’Two newlines’For some reason, I’m currently out of school and at home, with only a handful of familiar friends around. My parents are on a business trip abroad, and they certainly won’t be able to return within the next year or so. If I’m taken away like this, right under Su Xiao Yu’s nose, missing this prime opportunity, then who knows when the next chance will come!’Two newlinesAt this thought, I hesitated no longer. I bared my sharp canines, aimed for Chen Si Yi’s finger, and, steeling myself, opened my mouth and bit down…