Princess Syndrome - Chapter 94
Chapter 94: School Uniforms
Ji Zhiyi wasn't truly angry. It was just that seeing Su Lingyue trying so hard to appease her was a rare sight, so she indulged her emotions. With her departure imminent, and Su Lingyue not bringing it up, she didn't want to mention it either. They went home as usual. Xiao Mafan, having not seen them for a while, dashed to the door, then, startled by their presence, puffed up its fur and darted away. Su Lingyue called out, "Meow~"
Xiao Mafan peeked around cautiously.
Su Lingyue called again, "Xiao Mafan, come here."
The cat finally crept forward, sniffing Su Lingyue's scent, then nuzzled against Ji Zhiyi's feet, doing the same. Finally, satisfied, it flopped onto the floor, rolling around and purring at them with its belly exposed.
Su Lingyue scooped the cat up, holding it close as it rubbed against her.
Ji Zhiyi watched their interaction for a moment before asking, "What should we have for dinner?"
Su Lingyue turned, "What's left in the fridge?"
Ji Zhiyi replied, "Probably not much."
They had been away for three days, so the fridge would have been cleaned by the housekeeper. As expected, when she opened it, there weren't many vegetables. Su Lingyue, still holding the cat, peered inside. "Let's have fried noodles."
Simple and convenient.
Ji Zhiyi nodded. "Okay."
Su Lingyue said, "I'll make it."
Ji Zhiyi looked at her. "You'll make it?"
Su Lingyue replied, "You can teach me."
Ji Zhiyi held her gaze. Su Lingyue continued, "So I don't starve to death when you're not home. I should learn to cook."
Ji Zhiyi chuckled, her voice softening. "Alright."
Su Lingyue put the cat down. Xiao Mafan rubbed against their ankles. Ji Zhiyi picked it up, leaning against the counter as she watched Su Lingyue. It wasn't that Su Lingyue couldn't cook at all; she could manage a few simple dishes. It was just—just that she wanted Ji Zhiyi there with her.
She turned her head. Ji Zhiyi stood behind her, holding the cat.
Su Lingyue returned her attention to the task at hand, about to add the noodles to the boiling water, when a hand reached out and an apron was tied around her waist. Ji Zhiyi stood behind her, head bowed as she tied the knot. Su Lingyue glanced sideways, catching Ji Zhiyi's calm expression in the bright kitchen light. Her features were clear, her skin fair, making her lips appear slightly red. Ji Zhiyi said, "Done."
She patted Su Lingyue's shoulder.
Su Lingyue looked down at the tied apron. "I asked Zhang Xian to help me look for a place nearby. I..."
"No need," Ji Zhiyi interrupted. "Just stay here."
Su Lingyue lowered her head, watching the boiling water bubble. "Then what do I say if anyone asks?" Her tone held a hint of anticipation.
Ji Zhiyi paused for two seconds. "Taking care of the cat."
Su Lingyue shot her a playful glare.
Ji Zhiyi hugged her from behind, whispering, "Wait for me to come back."
Su Lingyue mumbled, "I know."
Ji Zhiyi asked, "What?"
Su Lingyue, slightly embarrassed, raised her voice, "I know, I know!"
Ji Zhiyi smiled at her.
Su Lingyue said, "Sit down, it'll be ready soon."
It wasn't her specialty, but the dish looked presentable. She had probably seen Ji Zhiyi make it a few times and followed the steps. However, the fried egg was a little overcooked, the edges slightly burnt. Su Lingyue said, "It doesn't look great, but it tastes good."
Ji Zhiyi nodded, picking up the egg and taking a bite. The taste was indeed decent. Then she took a bite of the noodles.
She wanted to say something.
But she didn't.
Su Lingyue noticed her expression and asked, "What is it?"
Ji Zhiyi replied, "Nothing."
Su Lingyue looked at her. "Is it bad?"
Ji Zhiyi said, "No, it's very good."
Su Lingyue gave her a disbelieving look. She took a bite of the noodles herself and immediately spat it out. Too salty.
Had she added too much salt? She seemed to have added it twice while chatting with Ji Zhiyi.
Su Lingyue declared, "It's your fault."
Ji Zhiyi asked, exasperated, "My fault? How?"
Su Lingyue said, "You distracted me."
Ji Zhiyi replied, "I didn't even say anything."
Su Lingyue said, "Even without talking, you distract me. Just you standing there distracts me."
Ji Zhiyi was exasperated, but also pleased.
Su Lingyue conceded, "Let's order takeout."
For their last dinner together, they ate takeout while watching a movie and drinking milk tea. Ji Zhiyi had ordered the milk tea, which surprised Su Lingyue. She hadn't expected Ji Zhiyi to even like milk tea, let alone order it from a shop near their old school, which meant a half-hour delivery time. The movie was an old one, and Su Lingyue vaguely recognized it. She commented, "Haven't you seen this before?"
Ji Zhiyi countered, "Have you?"
"Yes," Su Lingyue replied. "In my senior year, the school organized a movie screening. It was this one."
She added, "It's been so many years, I've almost forgotten the plot."
Ji Zhiyi looked at her and smiled.
It had been many years.
But she remembered every scene vividly.
Because in the years that followed, she had rewatched it countless times.
Su Lingyue was so engrossed in the movie that she didn't even notice when the takeout arrived. Ji Zhiyi brought it in. Su Lingyue's eyes widened. "You ordered this?"
Ji Zhiyi nodded.
Su Lingyue found it unbelievable.
And amusing.
She remarked, "I feel like I'm back in school watching a movie." It was a novel experience.
Ji Zhiyi suggested, "Then let's be students for a day."
Su Lingyue's playful spirit was ignited. "Okay!"
She put down the milk tea and takeout. "Do you have a school uniform?" Then she dismissed the thought. "Of course you don't."
Ji Zhiyi surprised her. "I do."
Su Lingyue was astonished. "Huh?"
Ji Zhiyi explained, "I still have a few in the closet. Want to wear them?"
Su Lingyue was incredulous. "Why do you still have school uniforms?"
Ji Zhiyi simply said, "From before."
Su Lingyue thought that was impressive. Her old uniform… it was probably still at her old house. She could probably find it if she looked hard enough. So, it wasn't strange that Ji Zhiyi still had hers. She followed Ji Zhiyi into the walk-in closet, where she actually pulled out two sets of uniforms. The styles of No.1 High School and No. 2 High School were similar, but the colors were different. Su Lingyue put hers on and looked in the mirror. "Is this weird?"
Ji Zhiyi stared for a long moment before answering, "Not weird."
Su Lingyue urged, "Go change quickly."
The uniform was loose-fitting. Su Lingyue remembered how, back in school, they'd buy uniforms two sizes too big for comfort and convenience. She hadn't expected Ji Zhiyi to do the same. Now, with her hair tied up in a high ponytail, she studied herself in the mirror for a while. Ji Zhiyi emerged from the closet. The loose uniform hid her figure, but her beautiful face, slender neck, and exposed forearms hinted at her graceful form.
Su Lingyue observed her for a long moment.
Ji Zhiyi asked, "What is it?"
Su Lingyue said, "You don't look like a high school student."
She added, "You look like a university student."
A mature university student, no longer carrying the vestiges of adolescence. Ji Zhiyi commented, "You still look like you did in high school."
Su Lingyue took it as a compliment. "I look young!"
Ji Zhiyi pursed her lips.
Just as she was about to say something, Su Lingyue stared at her for a few seconds and asked, "Why did you keep your uniform?"
Was it to occasionally reminisce about the person she wrote love letters to? The thought sparked a sudden realization. "Do you still have your graduation photo?"
Ji Zhiyi instinctively replied, "Yes."
Just as she suspected!
Su Lingyue suddenly felt uncomfortable in the uniform. Her tone turned sharp. "Can I see it?"
Ji Zhiyi frowned, but still led her to the study. The bookshelves were filled with books, some of which Su Lingyue had organized. She watched as Ji Zhiyi searched among a row of older books.
She asked, "Which one?"
Ji Zhiyi replied, "Found it."
She pulled out a textbook and handed it to Su Lingyue. Su Lingyue opened it to the first page, where the graduation photo was tucked. She immediately scanned the faces. They were all young, but she still found Ji Zhiyi at a glance.
She looked quite different back then.
Now her features were sharper. Back then, her smile was youthful. Su Lingyue, initially filled with jealousy, now felt her heart soften at the sight of the old photo. "You were so cute back then."
Ji Zhiyi lowered her head. Su Lingyue, about to put the photo back, noticed something else as she closed the book. She opened it again. Another photo.
She exclaimed, "How..." then stopped, astonished. It was her graduation photo!
Su Lingyue asked, "Why do you have our school's graduation photo?"
Ji Zhiyi began, "I..."
Su Lingyue placed the two photos side by side, glancing at the title of the book. "Liu Yan? Wasn't she our class monitor?"
Ji Zhiyi confirmed, "Yes, it was hers. I traded textbooks with her before graduation."
Under the guise of exchanging study materials, she had frequently visited No. 2 High School. She had also asked Liu Yan for an extra copy of the graduation photo. Su Lingyue nodded. "She must have slipped the photo inside." Then, a sudden thought struck her. "Don't tell me you had a crush on Liu Yan?"
Ji Zhiyi responded, exasperated, "What are you thinking?"
Su Lingyue breathed a sigh of relief, tucking the textbook back onto the shelf. "Let's go."
Ji Zhiyi followed behind her. Suddenly, she called out, "Lingyue."
Su Lingyue turned around as she walked, looking back at her. Ji Zhiyi warned, "Watch your step."
She had almost tripped over a chair.
Su Lingyue turned back and walked over to the sofa, sitting down next to Ji Zhiyi. They continued watching the movie while drinking their milk tea. Everything was perfect, except for the school uniform, which now felt awkward. But she was the one who had suggested it. Changing now would seem too affected.
Besides, it was just a love letter written to someone else, what was the big deal? She hadn't heard Ji Zhiyi mention a word about it, so she'd probably forgotten all about it. Su Lingyue consoled herself, her mind wandering as the movie played, her thoughts colliding with the world unfolding on screen. Soon, the movie ended. As the credits rolled, Su Lingyue realized that Ji Zhiyi had turned off all the lights in the living room for added effect. Now, with the ending theme playing, the room was pitch black. She finished the last of her milk tea and tossed the cup into the trash can. As she stood up to turn on the lights, she heard Ji Zhiyi call, "Lingyue."
Su Lingyue turned.
The end credits reached their conclusion, the screen turning bright white, illuminating Su Lingyue's face. Her eyes were bright and expressive, her eyelashes long and curled, her nose perfectly sculpted, exuding a delicate beauty. Ji Zhiyi extended her hand. "Pull me up."
They had been sitting on the sofa but had somehow ended up on the carpet, leaning against the sofa. Seeing Ji Zhiyi's outstretched hand, Su Lingyue grabbed it without thinking, ready to help her up. Instead, Ji Zhiyi pulled her forward with a sudden tug. Su Lingyue stumbled, catching herself on Ji Zhiyi's shoulder.
She looked at Ji Zhiyi. "You!"
Ji Zhiyi gave her a quick, light kiss.
And smiled at her.
Su Lingyue thought this smile was brighter than usual. Her heart skipped a beat. She settled into Ji Zhiyi's lap, cupping her face and kissing her lips.
Ji Zhiyi's arms tightened around her. Su Lingyue pulled back slightly. "Want to take a shower?" It was an invitation.
Ji Zhiyi readily agreed. "Okay."
Su Lingyue said, "I'll turn on the light."
Ji Zhiyi stopped her. "No need."
She stood up, taking Su Lingyue's hand, and led her towards the bathroom. The living room remained dim, only the final frame of the end credits visible. Ji Zhiyi turned her head, as if she had just lured the Su Lingyue from their school days back home.
They didn't turn on the light in the bathroom either.
Su Lingyue understood the unspoken agreement. They stood in the shower, facing each other, their breaths mingling. Ji Zhiyi lowered her head, one hand resting on Su Lingyue's waist, lifting the hem of her shirt. Su Lingyue questioned, "What are you doing?"
Ji Zhiyi simply said, "Taking off your clothes."
"No!" Su Lingyue declared playfully. "No taking off clothes."
She pulled Ji Zhiyi closer, her back pressing against the shower control. Su Lingyue turned on the water, the spray cascading down. Concerned that Ji Zhiyi would be hit by the initial cold burst, she pulled her closer, their bodies moving like dancers in the small space, advancing and retreating.
Soon, the water warmed.
The hot water poured over them both. Ji Zhiyi questioned, "How can we shower with our clothes on?"
Su Lingyue responded, "Just like this." She held Ji Zhiyi close, letting the water flow over her hand as she slipped it inside her shirt, tracing the lines of her skin. The clothing minimized the space between her hand and Ji Zhiyi's skin, allowing Su Lingyue to caress her freely. She declared boldly, "You can't take yours off either." She leaned close to Ji Zhiyi's ear, nibbling on her earlobe. "I want to do it with our clothes on."
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