Chapter 238 A Fleeting Warmth
A Fleeting Warmth
The video call had started, and Chi Xiaocheng was chatting warmly with her parents, talking about things that had happened in her life and at school.
After a greeting, Su Tao's mind wandered from the video chat.
She tried to steady her breathing, greedily savoring the warmth in her arms. The hand that held her slender waist felt a little awkward, unsure of itself.
She wanted to get closer, to nuzzle her, but after a few trembling, stiff movements, she didn't dare to continue.
Her gaze remained fixed on the video, a slightly stiff smile on her face. Because they were so close, a few strands of Chi Xiaocheng's hair brushed against her cheek or neck.
It tickled a little.
If she lowered her gaze slightly, she could see Chi Xiaocheng's adorable face, full of collagen and untouched by makeup.
She wanted to reach out and touch it.
But…
She was on video, and she couldn't risk angering Xiaocheng. Otherwise, the goodwill she'd worked so hard to regain would vanish again.
Chi Xiaocheng continued chatting with her parents, her gaze wandering and becoming a little absent. Suddenly, Chi Xiaocheng lightly nudged her with her elbow, pulling her back to reality. "I asked you something. What are you daydreaming about?"
"Huh?" Su Tao snapped back to attention, scratching her head apologetically. "Sorry… I wasn't paying attention. What were Uncle and Aunt saying?"
Chi's mother's face remained kind. "I was just saying, has Xiaocheng been giving you any trouble lately? This girl is always a worry."
Hearing this, Su Tao glanced down a fraction.
Her eyes quickly met Chi Xiaocheng's, which held a hint of threat.
It was as if she was saying, "If you dare say anything bad… hmph~ you're dead!"
Su Tao smiled, speaking naturally to Chi's mother. "Auntie, you're overthinking it. Xiaocheng has been very well-behaved lately. She even leaves a light on in the entryway when I get home late. She hasn't given me any trouble at all."
Chi Xiaocheng seized the opportunity to chime in. "That's right. Besides, little troubles aren't really troubles when you're a younger sister, are they?"
"You, don't think you can do whatever you want just because Xiaotao dotes on you. You're a grown woman, you know? Be careful not to cause Xiaotao any trouble."
"I know!" Chi Xiaocheng signaled to Su Tao to chat for a while longer.
After a good few minutes, she took over the conversation. "Mom, Dad, you don't know, but my brother also came back to Jiuzhou to see me recently. He's just stubborn and says he's not planning on coming home for New Year's this year."
"He's good to me. What brother would bully his own sister?"
"You're asking about me and Senior Sister Su Tao? For New Year's… if I can get out of bed and walk normally by then, and don't need to be in the hospital, I'll probably go back."
This time, Chi Xiaocheng chatted with her parents for nearly an hour.
Having always been alone, she cherished this family connection.
Whether it was her parents or her brother, Chi Song, she could feel a deep sense of love from them.
As for Su Tao, she had become nothing more than a "seat," listening to Chi Xiaocheng's endless chatter, feeling the warmth in her arms, and letting her thoughts wander.
The video call was almost over. Xiaocheng would definitely make her leave again, right?
Even though she had forgiven her, didn't she also say that she felt uncomfortable being with her?
Even if they could slowly rebuild their relationship, how long would it be before she could hold her like this again?
Half a month?
Or a month?
The treatment cycle was long, unless she could immediately awaken her memories, make her remember the past, the pain, and herself.
But I still want to hold Xiaocheng…
Just a little longer, just a little longer.
Could the video call last a little longer?
She prayed in her heart, hoping that Chi's parents would say more, but such prayers were useless. Chi Xiaocheng was weak and needed to sleep early.
After chatting for over half an hour, the two elders were relieved to hear about the two sisters' situation, and the homely conversation would eventually come to an end.
In reality, Chi Xiaocheng had been constantly searching for topics to talk about, forcing herself to talk even when she had nothing to say. The story was told by her, and her parents listened.
Her desire to share wasn't that strong.
It was just… she wanted to stay in this embrace a little longer.
Warm, comfortable, soft, and filled with Tao Tao's scent.
But she couldn't break character. Right now, she couldn't be so openly fond of Tao Tao, so… if this video call lasted a little longer, maybe she could rely on Tao Tao for a little longer.
Both of them were thinking the same thing, but neither of them said it, nor did they know what the other was thinking.
It had been several days since she had worn the relationship status glasses. She wondered what Su Tao's favorability scores were now.
With her aloof behavior these past few days, had her possessiveness score returned to the passing line?
Lost in thought, the long video chat was about to end. Chi's father and mother glanced outside the door from time to time, as if something was happening. Ah Cai, the family's big yellow dog, kept barking nearby.
He wanted to stick his head into the screen, but he didn't dare put his dirty paws on the bed.
After a few final words of concern for her health, the call ended.
Chi Xiaocheng breathed a small sigh.
Her gaze momentarily went blank, then quickly recovered.
Wanting to pull away from this gentle embrace, she gently patted Su Tao's arms, which were wrapped around her waist. "The video's over. You can let go now."
She put on her mediocre acting skills. Even though her voice had lost its previous coldness, it had become flat.
But…
She didn't get a response from Su Tao.
Her body tilted slightly, and Su Tao's originally straight body suddenly leaned forward, her chin resting on Chi Xiaocheng's shoulder, her cheek pressed against her cheek.
Even breaths could be heard, and beneath her long eyelashes were tightly closed eyes.
—She had fallen asleep.
Su Tao's unconscious actions spoke these four words to Chi Xiaocheng.
Chi Xiaocheng's action, which was just about to happily wake her up, suddenly paused.
A long silence followed, and she didn't hear her voice.
Su Tao's heart couldn't help but beat faster, her hands that were wrapped around her started accumulating small sweats.
She was pretending to be asleep.
It was a clumsy method, but one that was a little effective.
How despicable, Su Tao.
Her heart held a trace of self-loathing.
She had to use this method to tie down Xiaocheng, even though her memory-addled self hated her, felt uncomfortable. Yet, she had still stubbornly held her.
She originally just wanted to hold her for a little while, but she was greedily hoping to spend the whole night like this.
But…
Xiaocheng, please don't wake me up, okay?
I still hope to return to the way things used to be, even if you don't call me Tao Tao anymore, even if you say I make you uncomfortable, even if you hate me.
I still want to hold you like I used to.
Her breathing began to become a little rapid.
Then, the girl heard a soft sigh in her ear, "Forget it, just this once."
Chi Xiaocheng's words, were unsure if she was saying it to herself or to Su Tao.
She could vaguely feel the accelerating heartbeat behind her.
But…
This was fine as well.
I also want to be held by you as I sleep.
Chi Xiaocheng raised her head slightly. "The air conditioner's temperature is a little low."
But, she didn't feel cold at all.
She murmured softly, leaning into Su Tao's embrace.
The embrace tightened slightly.
The two girls' hair fell down, gently intertwined.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!