After Transmigrating, I Became The Heroine’s First Love! - Chapter 12

The Little Fox didn’t reply, instead glaring fiercely at her. If Pei Xiangwan’s groping hands dare touch me again, I’ll chop them off!

Chen Zui was stunned by the scene before him. Not only was he invisible, but Shiyuan, usually as cold as ice, had suddenly turned as soft as dough. How many girls has Pei Xiangwan groped like this? Damn it, she’s trying to steal the little cabbage I’ve been nurturing right in front of me!

His expression twisted into a snarl as he roared, “Am I dead? I’m still right here, you know!” He jabbed his index finger at Pei Xiangwan’s hand. “Get your damn hands off her! Let go! Let go!”

“Xiao Zui, have you forgotten where we are?” Chen You’s voice was as gentle as an autumn breeze, stirring ripples in his heart.

“Aunt Chen!”

Chen Zui slumped like a wilted cabbage, his shoulders drooping as he mumbled weakly, “Mom…”

Chen You gently tapped his head. “You and your antics.” She prepared to distribute the water bottles she’d bought, only to realize there was one extra person. She’d only bought three bottles, but it didn’t matter; she could go without.

Pei Xiangwan spoke up, “Aunt Chen, one bottle is enough. Jiang Jiang and I can share. You need to drink too, right?”

Chen You hesitated, but Pei Xiangwan quickly added, “Really, Aunt Chen, we often share the same bottle. We’re very close.”

Jiang Shiyuan glanced up at the shameless liar, her expression betraying the truth: they had never shared a bottle before.

Chen Zui crossed her arms, unconvinced. “Tsk,” she muttered, but when she noticed Chen You’s gaze, she swallowed her words.

“Oh, right! You mentioned someone was coming to pick you up earlier. Look at my forgetful brain!” Chen You said apologetically, handing the water to Pei Xiangwan.

Pei Xiangwan accepted the bottle, worried that Chen You might blame herself. As she twisted off the cap, she reassured her, “It’s nothing, Aunt Chen. It’s just been a hectic day. I’m always like this—I put my phone on the chair just now and then realized it was gone. I thought I’d lost it!”

With that, she lowered her gaze to Jiang Shiyuan and gently pressed the bottle to her lips.

Jiang Shiyuan frowned. She wasn’t thirsty at all, but with so many eyes watching her and not wanting Chen Zui’s mother to feel guilty, she reluctantly took a small sip and turned her head away.

Seeing Jiang Shiyuan didn’t want any more, Pei Xiangwan raised the bottle to her own lips and drank. A ticklish sensation in her abdomen forced her to pull away. Her full lips glistened, radiating an unspoken allure. She asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Shiyuan mechanically shook her head, showing no other signs of distress beyond stiffness and a blush. Pei Xiangwan didn’t think much of it.

“Auntie, how are you getting home? Why don’t we all go together? It’s so hard to get a taxi in this rain,” Pei Xiangwan said, taking Jiang Shiyuan’s hand. It was no longer as icy as before, but still cold.

Chen You smiled kindly. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose, dear Xiang Wan. Never mind, you’ve already done so much for me today. A’Zui and I will just wait a bit longer—we’ll eventually find a taxi.”

“The rain’s too heavy, Auntie. Please don’t be so polite,” Pei Xiangwan insisted, then whispered to Jiang Shiyuan, “Jiang Jiang, is that okay with you?”

After Jiang Shiyuan nodded in agreement, Pei Xiangwan spoke to Chen You again, who finally agreed.

Chen You looked up at the much taller Pei Xiangwan. “Then we’ll trouble you both.”

“Oh, Auntie, it’s no trouble at all!” Pei Xiangwan’s umbrella was beyond repair, so she decided they could share Jiang Shiyuan’s.

“Jiang Jiang, let me take it,” Pei Xiangwan said, taking the umbrella and opening it.

Walking behind them, Chen Zui was deep in thought. From the very beginning, she’d found Jiang Shiyuan strange, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on why. Pei Xiangwan was even more perplexing.

She refused to believe a scumbag could suddenly change their ways. If it hadn’t been for the chance encounter where Jiang Shiyuan helped Chen You, she would never have crossed paths with such a person in her entire life.

Chen Zui gritted his teeth in anger. Jiang Shiyuan wasn’t just his best friend; she was also his role model, his goal to strive for. He couldn’t bear to see such an exceptional person being destroyed.

He playfully nudged Jiang Shiyuan’s shoulder. When she turned, he whispered, “Shiyuan, what’s… Hey, did she really save your life?”

Chen Zui was used to Jiang Shiyuan’s habit of keeping her distance. He knew she disliked excessive physical contact.

The corners of Jiang Shiyuan’s lips curved slightly upward, like a vibrant red camellia blooming in the rain-soaked night—beautiful yet fragile. Without careful nurturing, she would wither prematurely during her brief flowering season.

“Perhaps she did,” Jiang Shiyuan replied softly.

The wind violently shoved the rain, tilting it sideways. Before they could even step outside, their faces were already drenched. Pei Xiangwan realized her hand was empty and turned to see Chen Zui talking to Jiang Shiyuan.

It didn’t take a genius to guess Chen Zui was scolding her. But that didn’t bother Pei Xiangwan.

What mattered was that the Little Fox was shivering from the cold. Pei Xiangwan walked back, draped her arm around Jiang Shiyuan’s shoulders, and rubbed her shoulder with her warm palm.

“Let’s go. Jiang Jiang, get in the car first. I’ll drive. Give me the keys. Stay close to me.”

After getting into the car, Pei Xiangwan turned up the heat, fastened her seatbelt, and glanced at Jiang Shiyuan in the passenger seat.

Why is this little fox being so well-behaved? Does she have a fever? Thinking this, she reached out and gently placed her palm against Jiang Shiyuan’s soft cheek, then touched her forehead.

“Thank goodness.”

Jiang Shiyuan shot her a deliberately aloof glance before turning her gaze to the rain-streaked window. Everything outside was blurred, making it hard to tell where they were or where they were going.

“You two are really close,” Chen You remarked, breaking the silence.

Pei Xiangwan smiled happily, ready to reply, but Chen Zui cut in first. “That’s not true, Mom! I’m Shiyuan’s best friend. We’re inseparable at school!” She emphasized the last sentence, as if addressing Pei Xiangwan directly.

Chen You thought for a moment. Her daughter did often mention a very capable friend. “So you’re Shiyuan! A’Zui always talks about how amazing you are. You’re so pretty and vibrant.”

Jiang Shiyuan turned to look back and gave a polite nod. “Hello, Aunt Chen.”

Raindrops pounded the car roof like pebbles, creating a muffled drumming. After saying goodbye to Chen You and her daughter, the noise seemed to intensify. Beside her, Jiang Shiyuan had unknowingly drifted off to sleep.

“Jiang Jiang… Jiang Jiang… Jiang Jiang…”

A gentle voice, like an autumn breeze, drifted into Jiang Shiyuan’s ears, waking her. She slowly opened her eyes, and the car’s interior light illuminated the familiar face before her, causing her heart to race.

“Wanwan…” Jiang Shiyuan’s voice was still a little hoarse, but it retained its soft, marshmallow-like quality.

“What is it?” Pei Xiangwan asked gently. Jiang Shiyuan opened her arms, as if asking for a hug. Who could resist such cuteness? Certainly not Pei Xiangwan, who couldn’t resist her adorable, fragrant daughter.

Leaning forward, Pei Xiangwan reached over to unbuckle Jiang Shiyuan’s seatbelt, then wrapped her arms around Jiang Shiyuan’s waist. A unique fragrance wafted up—a blend of tea and jasmine, surprisingly pleasant.

Jiang Shiyuan buried her face in Pei Xiangwan’s neck, finding warmth that made her feel drowsy, her eyelids heavy.

“Let’s go home and sleep, okay? No more hugging. Let’s go home first, Jiang Jiang,” Pei Xiangwan said. The Little Fox was truly exhausted, acting uncharacteristically docile.

If only I’d asked Qiao Yanxin to come, Pei Xiangwan thought. The Little Fox is so tired. What if she gets sick?

“Mmm…” Jiang Shiyuan murmured in response, then fell silent, making no further movement.

Pei Xiangwan had no choice but to release Jiang Shiyuan, gently pushing her back against the seat. This earned her a pout, Jiang Shiyuan’s lips pursing in displeasure.

“Pouting won’t work,” Pei Xiangwan coaxed patiently. “Let’s get out of the car and go back to your room to sleep.” Her fingers itched to pinch Jiang Shiyuan’s cheek, but the Little Fox refused to be touched, bristling at the attempt.

Inside the garage, the outside world seemed to fade away, as if the rain had stopped. Pei Xiangwan stepped out of the car and opened the door for Jiang Shiyuan.

“Come on, Jiang Jiang.”

Jiang Shiyuan climbed out, the corners of her eyes now tinged with a faint blush. Her beautiful eyes stared blankly at Pei Xiangwan.

The intensity of Jiang Shiyuan’s gaze made Pei Xiangwan self-conscious. She poked Jiang Shiyuan’s cheek with a finger. “What are you looking at? Hurry back to sleep—you’re tired, aren’t you?” Not content with just a poke, she pinched the cheek again.

“I’m looking at you…” Jiang Shiyuan’s gaze flickered to the area over Pei Xiangwan’s heart before quickly shifting away.

If she could dig it out, she really wanted to see what was inside, but Pei Xiangwan would be in pain.

Yet she couldn’t fathom what the person before her was truly thinking. The dark teal butterfly still rested on the back of her hand, perhaps holding a way to keep Pei Xiangwan by her side forever.