Yin Zhao-an got up from the ground and stretched lazily. Then, she leaned against Tang Yu and imitated a cat by rubbing her face against Tang Yu's neck.

Tang Yu felt as if feathers were brushing against her neck as Yin Zhao-an's soft hair rubbed against her, causing her to feel a tingling sensation.

The atmosphere in the bedroom gradually changed. They were in a private space, and there was no need to worry about being seen, so Yin Zhao-an, who hadn't been fed for a long time, began to grow restless. After her hunger started to get the better of her, Yin Zhao-an turned her head slightly and gently bit Tang Yu's neck, hinting at her desires.

In an instant, warmth spread from Tang Yu's face to her ears, turning her cheeks pink. Shrinking back a little, Tang Yu responded to the advance by weakly burying her face into Yin Zhao-an's neck.

Tang Yu's show of vulnerability greatly encouraged Yin Zhao-an. Unfortunately, before she could even place her hand on Tang Yu's waist, a knock came from the door. The two of them were momentarily stunned, but Tang Yu quickly reacted to the knocking sounds and moved away from Yin Zhao-an. Then, while covering her flushed cheeks with one hand, she hurriedly went to open the door.

Outside the door stood Zhao Yu. The bruise on his face had faded slightly, and he wore a mask that he had acquired from who-knows-where, revealing only his appealing nose and slightly reddened eyes.

"I'll be leaving now, Big Sis Tang. Thank you for taking me in today, and sorry for the trouble I've caused you two," Zhao Yu said. Perhaps due to just waking up, his voice was a little hoarse when he spoke.

Tang Yu furrowed her brow, feeling concerned. "It's no trouble at all. Are you sure it's okay for you to go back now? If you need to, you can stay at my place for a while. I have an empty guest room."

Zhao Yu shook his head. Smiling through his mask, he said, "No, thank you, Big Sis Tang. Although I had an argument with my family…" Zhao Yu paused for a second, his expression subtly darkening. "I...I still need to go back home."

Tang Yu walked Zhao Yu out to the front yard. The sun outside was no longer scorching like it was at noon, but it still made it difficult to open one's eyes.

Zhao Yu walked out of the gate and politely thanked Tang Yu again before heading eastward. His figure, against the sun, cast a long shadow on the cobblestone path. Tang Yu squinted as she watched him go, losing herself in her thoughts momentarily. After a while, she shook her head self-deprecatingly and turned around to face the person leaning against the second-floor windowsill.

The girl on the second floor had her hair down, her upper body leaned on the windowsill, and her elbows keeping her steady. She cupped her exquisitely beautiful face with one hand, and the corners of her eyes curled up joyfully as she smiled at Tang Yu.

Tang Yu looked at the girl for a few seconds before shaking her head with a helpless smile. Then, standing in the courtyard, she asked, "What are you looking at me for?"

Tang Yu's voice was like a clear spring in a secluded valley, pure and pleasant to the ear. Her skin also looked dazzling under the sun. Or, at least, that was how it looked in Yin Zhao-an's eyes.

Yin Zhao-an maintained her posture. Suddenly, a line of poetry flashed through her mind, and she blurted out, "You stand downstairs viewing the scenery; you're beheld by the viewer from upstairs."

"You're wrong; it should be 'You stand on the bridge viewing the sight; You’re beheld by the viewer from height,'" Tang Yu corrected. "But you're right; I am indeed looking at you."[1]

Tang Yu didn't continue the conversation. Instead, she quickly stepped into the house, almost running back upstairs. Yin Zhao-an turned around from the window, and before she could see who was in front of her, she was pulled into an embrace. Then, a pair of slightly cool and soft lips landed on hers. Yin Zhao-an reflexively responded to the embrace and placed a hand on the back of Tang Yu's neck. Then, she reversed their roles, taking the initiative to deepen their kiss.

Summer clothes were usually skimpy and made of thin fabric, so when Tang Yu put her hands around Yin Zhao-an's neck, the hem of her clothes was pulled up, revealing a glimpse of her fair, slender waist.

The slanting sun shone through the wide-open window and onto the embracing couple. As tongues intertwined, the light scent of the same brand of shampoo lingered in the noses of both girls. At some point, Yin Zhao-an placed her hands on Tang Yu's exposed waist and playfully caressed her sides.

Tang Yu was ticklish and instinctively wanted to hide, but she had no strength left at this point, and it took her all just to stay standing.

When Yin Zhao-an felt Tang Yu gradually sliding down through her hands, she propped Tang Yu up with one of her long legs and brought the two of them even closer together.

Yin Zhao-an was like a small fish stranded on the shore for a long time, eagerly taking in any water source she could find. Even though Yin Zhao-an had very little experience in kissing, her skills developed rapidly throughout their physical interaction, and she became skilled to the point that even Tang Yu was surprised. Tang Yu's mind was in a mess, but she still had a little clarity left. After much effort, she separated herself slightly from Yin Zhao-an. Then, they rested their foreheads against each other, their eyes holding only each other.

After taking a moment to catch her breath, Tang Yu raised a question, "How did you become so skilled? Did you practice with someone?"

Yin Zhao-an's breathing was also a bit uneven, and she couldn't help but laugh softly when she heard Tang Yu's question.

Tang Yu was a little annoyed by this response, so she lightly hammered Yin Zhao-an's shoulder with her hand as she asked, "What's so funny? You didn't actually practice, did you?!"

Yin Zhao-an pinched Tang Yu's waist and was satisfied to see her body tremble slightly. Then, she smiled and whispered in Tang Yu's ear, "I did practice, every day in my mind."

…

TL Notes:

[1]You stand on the bridge viewing the sight; You’re beheld by the viewer from height:

This is a segment from a poem titled 《斷章》.

Below is the full poem:

You stand on the bridge viewing the sight;

You’re beheld by the viewer from height.

The moon bedecks your window agleam;

While you adorn to another’s dream.

-By Bian Zhilin.

-Translated by Xu Jingcheng.