Let's Do Some Questions - Chapter 39

The small boat was clearly stable, but Chu Fengqiu felt it swaying violently.

Song Man lay in her arms, her sweet scent mixed with the warmth of her breath, enveloping her tightly.

Chu Fengqiu’s fingertips lightly brushed her own lips. The lingering sensation of being touched there brought a tingling heat and a heart-fluttering tremor that made her feel a little panicked.

Chu Fengqiu’s throat felt dry as she gazed at the girl breathing evenly in her arms.

The warmth seeped through the thin layers of clothing, reaching her heart.

It was a tingling, slightly itchy feeling that made her want to escape yet also unable to resist, dominating her senses. Beyond this, she couldn’t think of anything else.

Chu Fengqiu’s fingertips trembled unconsciously, hovering over Song Man’s face, like a butterfly wanting to kiss a flower but timidly not daring to land.

Her fingertips finally descended, tracing the side of Song Man’s face, through her dark hair, and brushing her earlobe.

Chu Fengqiu unconsciously rubbed Song Man’s soft ear, only realizing what she had done moments later.

“Song Man.”

Chu Fengqiu softly called Song Man’s name. Song Man didn’t react, remaining in the same position in Chu Fengqiu’s arms, her chest rising and falling rhythmically.

Chu Fengqiu called Song Man’s name again, each time softer than the last.

The world fell silent, even the cicadas stopped chirping. The reflection on the water was rippled by the wind, leaving behind a soft sigh.

Chu Fengqiu didn’t want to disturb Song Man, so she stayed in that position, staring blankly at the person in her arms.

At this moment, she suddenly thought of Lingnan, and the words Lingnan had spoken. A hint of confusion appeared on her face. She raised a hand to rub her lips, her eyes deep in thought.

What does it feel like to like someone? Chu Fengqiu had never considered this question.

She could empathize with the love stories in books, TV shows, or movies, but in reality, it felt as though there was a wall between her and others.

And now… Chu Fengqiu extended the tip of her tongue, tentatively licking her own lips, as if she could kiss the trace Song Man had left behind just moments ago.

It tasted a little sweet, Chu Fengqiu thought.

That was a bit silly, Chu Fengqiu thought again.

Still in that position, she took out her phone from her pocket and took a picture of Song Man.

Because Song Man was buried in her arms, her face wasn’t visible, but even so, a smile touched the corner of Chu Fengqiu’s lips.

Her hand rested on Song Man’s back as she watched the night deepen.

Afraid that Grandma and Grandpa would be worried at home, Chu Fengqiu finally shifted her body and helped Song Man sit up.

Song Man mumbled a few times in dissatisfaction, her slurred words sounding like both complaint and coquetry.

“Song Man, we’re going home.”

Chu Fengqiu whispered into Song Man’s ear.

Song Man’s eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes, but her expression was still dazed, clearly not fully awake.

She seemed to understand Chu Fengqiu’s words vaguely, staring blankly ahead.

“Hold onto these sides, don’t move, okay?”

Chu Fengqiu placed Song Man’s hands on either side of the boat, then stroked Song Man’s hair, like coaxing a child.

“Sleepy.”

Song Man said, frowning.

She felt a bit uncomfortable and really wanted to lie down and sleep right away.

“Good girl, sleep when we get home.”

“Home…”

Song Man murmured, nodding.

Even after the boat docked, Song Man remained motionless, still holding onto the sides of the boat.

“Song Man, we can go now.”

Chu Fengqiu got off the boat first, then leaned down to take Song Man’s hand.

Song Man’s movements were clumsy. As she got off, the boat swayed, causing her to stumble on the shore.

“Why is the ground moving?”

Song Man stood still, calmly analyzing.

“Is it an earthquake?”

Song Man tilted her head, looking at Chu Fengqiu, her expression a little nervous.

Her face was flushed, probably due to the alcohol, and a faint mist seemed to float in her eyes, making her look like a soft, sweet pastry, ready to be bitten into for a mouthful of sweetness.

“There’s no earthquake.”

“Yes, there is.”

Song Man argued.

“Okay, there’s an earthquake.”

“If there’s an earthquake, why aren’t you running?”

Song Man looked at Chu Fengqiu with a bewildered expression, as if questioning the intelligence of the person in front of her.

Uncle Chu and Aunt Chu were waiting nearby for the two girls and burst out laughing when they heard Song Man’s words.

“Run quickly!”

Song Man urged.

“Then why aren’t you running?”

Chu Fengqiu countered.

When asked, Song Man stood still, looking a bit troubled.

“I have to wait for my sister here. If I run, she won’t be able to find me.”

After saying that, Song Man fell silent again.

“No, no, I’m not waiting for her. She won’t look for me. She won’t look for me.”

As Song Man spoke, her voice carried a hint of grievance.

“I’ll look for you. I’ll protect you.”

Chu Fengqiu held Song Man’s hand and gently coaxed her.

Uncle Chu and Aunt Chu exchanged glances, their faces showing the same surprise.

“Really? You’re not lying to me.”

“I’m not lying to you. Let’s go home.”

Chu Fengqiu held Song Man’s hand. Song Man nodded and followed Chu Fengqiu into the house.

“Was that the wine Sister Ling gave you?”

Aunt Chu asked, seeing Song Man leaning against Chu Fengqiu, looking sleepy, as she walked beside them.

“Yes, she drank too much. It’s gone to her head a bit.”

“Should I make some soup to sober her up?”

“No need, Grandma. It’s fruit wine, she’ll be fine after sleeping it off.”

“Alright then. If you need anything, just call us from the room.”

“Okay.”

Aunt Chu and Uncle Chu left, closing the door to Chu Fengqiu’s room.

“Looks like this is Guaiguai’s good friend. I’ve never seen her like this before.”

Aunt Chu whispered to her husband, smiling.

“Yes, it’s good for her to have friends. That girl looks well-behaved too. Come on, let’s go to bed.”

The sounds from outside gradually faded, and the footsteps grew distant.

Chu Fengqiu looked at Song Man, who had collapsed onto the bed, and helped her take off her shoes.

Just as she was about to adjust Song Man’s position, Song Man stirred on the bed.

“Hot.”

Song Man tugged at her clothes, the flush on her face very obvious under the lamp.

There was no fan in Chu Fengqiu’s room because Sulan Town wasn’t too stuffy at night. With the window open, cool air would blow in, and occasionally using a palm-leaf fan was enough to sleep without being woken by the heat.

Hearing Song Man repeatedly complain about being hot, Chu Fengqiu quickly grabbed the palm-leaf fan from the table and began fanning Song Man.

The cool breeze eased Song Man’s discomfort, but she still felt uneasy. She reached behind her back to undo her clasp, but couldn’t manage it after several attempts.

Chu Fengqiu was confused when she saw Song Man’s hands behind her back, twisting around occasionally.

“Why can’t I undo it?”

Song Man whined again, sounding wronged.

“Undo what?”

Song Man rolled over on the bed like a pancake and lay sprawled in front of Chu Fengqiu.

“Can’t undo it.”

Song Man drew out her words, putting her hands behind her back.

“Help me undo it.”

Song Man said with her eyes closed, her voice weak.

Chu Fengqiu immediately understood what Song Man meant, and her fanning hand paused.

She put the fan down and rolled up Song Man’s shirt.

Under the lamplight, Song Man’s back, like the rest of her skin, was dazzlingly white.

Black straps held the softness in place, leaving connecting ties at the back.

Chu Fengqiu reached out and grasped the straps. Her fingers trembled unconsciously, sliding across Song Man’s back.

As the restraint was undone, Song Man let out a sigh of relief.

This is what relaxation feels like, Song Man thought groggily. It was so comfortable.

But having something hanging on her body was still uncomfortable, and the clothes she was wearing weren’t suitable for sleeping. Song Man’s hand fumbled by the side of the bed, instinctively trying to find her pajamas, but she couldn’t find them.

Anyway, she was in her own room, so it didn’t matter if she couldn’t find them, Song Man thought in her half-asleep state.

Chu Fengqiu saw Song Man’s movements and quickly looked away.

This… this… she wasn’t mentally prepared for this.

“I… I’ll get you pajamas.”

Chu Fengqiu immediately stood up, intending to find Song Man’s pajamas in her suitcase, but the suitcase was locked, and she didn’t know the password.

Chu Fengqiu felt awkward turning back, but the scene she had just witnessed played involuntarily in her mind.

Just a fleeting glance, yet she had caught a glimpse of the landscape, both peaks and plains.

That feeling from before surged back. Chu Fengqiu dug her nails into her palms, restraining the fluttering in her heart. She pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth, her nails digging into her flesh, using the pain to control the strange reactions her body was having.

Chu Fengqiu tried Song Man’s birthday, hoping to open the suitcase’s combination lock, but failed.

She couldn’t just let her sleep like that. Chu Fengqiu walked to her wardrobe and found one of her old shirts inside. It was a pure cotton short-sleeved shirt, loose-fitting, which should work as pajamas.

Chu Fengqiu turned around, gasped, and immediately turned back.

She had to remember to tell Song Man next time never to get drunk outside, and definitely not to stay over if she did. Otherwise, it was truly too dangerous.

Song Man, feeling completely comfortable and satisfied, was sleeping sprawled out on the bed, even rubbing against the quilt.

Chu Fengqiu looked at the little strawberries on Song Man’s underwear, picked up the shirt, and walked over.

The temperature would drop at night. If Song Man slept like this all night, she would definitely wake up with a stuffy nose and a cold the next day.

Chu Fengqiu lifted Song Man’s arm and helped her put the shirt on.

Song Man, being asleep, naturally didn’t like being handled and moved around however she pleased.

Her arm was pressed against softness. Chu Fengqiu’s gaze darkened, desperately restraining the urge to touch or squeeze. Her fingers unconsciously clenched into fists, and she took a deep breath.

That thought was too dark, too intrusive. Chu Fengqiu exhaled again. After finally managing to get Song Man dressed, she herself was sweating a little.

There was no installed bathroom at home. Chu Fengqiu had once asked Grandma if they should make the house more comfortable and convenient, but Grandma said there was no need, they were used to things as they were. So, bathing still involved heating water on the stove and using a bucket.

Chu Fengqiu quietly opened the door, drew water from the well in the courtyard, and wiped her body with a towel, repeating the process several times until the heat subsided before stopping.

She gazed at the crescent moon in the sky, her heart slowly sinking.

She wasn’t stupid; she could distinguish between friendship and liking someone.

She knew that friendship also had possessiveness, a desire to always be with that person, but when it came to friendship, no matter how good the friend, one shouldn’t have thoughts of hugging and kissing, nor should one have other intentions because of a friend’s actions.

Even if that action was just an unconscious brush that wasn’t even a kiss.

She returned to the room, changed into her pajamas, and lay down beside Song Man.

She looked at Song Man’s sleeping face, then closed her eyes, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart.

Chu Fengqiu had always thought that some important decisions required a long time to make. Now she realized that sometimes, it only took an instant.

The moment Song Man fell into her arms, Chu Fengqiu heard a sigh in her heart.

I really like this person, her heart seemed to say.