The Foolish Wife Turned Scheming After Her Recovery - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Can I Do That with You?

Yu Yao pulled Lu Zhili over to sit on a bench on the open-air viewing deck. The two leaned back, quietly gazing at the night view of Yanjing. The wind brushed against their faces, but instead of feeling cold, they felt a liberating sense of freedom.

Yu Yao really liked this place. She liked driving up the mountain in the middle of the night. This was her private healing sanctuary. But today, she had shared it with Lu Zhili.

In truth, she was someone with a strong sense of territoriality—probably because, growing up, she never had a room of her own, never had a space she could truly call safe. That lack shaped the person she became.

She didn’t even know why she brought Lu Zhili here. Maybe it was because Lu Zhili didn’t feel like a threat… or maybe it was something else. Who knew?

While Yu Yao’s thoughts drifted farther and farther, Lu Zhili turned her head to look at her, eyes full of undisguised affection and tenderness.

She leaned in slightly, propping herself on the bench with both hands, getting closer until she could smell the faint sea-salt scent of Yu Yao’s perfume. Then she lowered her voice and softly asked,
“Yu Yao, can you stop calling me Miss Lu?”

No one calls a friend Miss So-and-So—it wasn’t intimate at all.

Yu Yao was startled and quickly snapped back to reality. She instinctively turned her head toward Lu Zhili, and in doing so, her lips brushed against something soft and warm.

Lu Zhili: “!”

Yu Yao’s eyes widened as she quickly pulled away, but Lu Zhili’s face lit up in a mix of bashfulness and excitement as she leaned in even closer.

Yu Yao tried to pretend nothing had happened, even though her lips were tingling with a jolt that made her feel incredibly uneasy. She tried to act normal as she replied, “Sure. Do you have a nickname? I can call you that. I’m two years older than you anyway, so it’s fine to use your nickname, right?”

“Anything’s fine, but—” Lu Zhili said, her ears burning red as she leaned in again. She pointed to the corner of her lips where Yu Yao had accidentally brushed her.
“I think your lipstick smudged here. It’s a little sticky… but it smells really nice.”

Her bold and straightforward words made Yu Yao freeze in place, which gave Lu Zhili the perfect chance to get even closer. She reached out and took Yu Yao’s fingers in hers, guiding them to the smudged corner of her lips as she smiled sweetly and pouted, “Can you wipe it off for me? I can’t see it myself.”

Yu Yao’s breath hitched. Lu Zhili’s gentle grip on her fingers, though not overly intimate, made her fingertips feel feverish and begin to tremble slightly out of her control.

The skin her fingers touched was soft and smooth, with just a bit of stickiness that made Yu Yao want to press harder—want to leave her mark on that flawless skin.

“Mmm, it smells so good. Like cherry.”

The next second, Yu Yao’s eyes flew open in shock.

Lu Zhili’s soft, red little tongue had darted out and licked her fingertip like a teasing little snake. A jolt of electricity shot through Yu Yao’s entire body, goosebumps instantly rising on her arms. She instinctively yanked her hand back, hiding it behind her while the other hand furiously rubbed at her index finger—like she could scrub away that tingling feeling from the depths of her soul.

“Huh?” Lu Zhili looked at her in confusion, not understanding why Yu Yao was reacting so dramatically. She only licked her—she didn’t bite the princess or anything!

“You—You shouldn’t do things like that with other people…” Yu Yao didn’t know how to explain to an eight-year-old that what she just did bordered on a sexual gesture. All she could do was vaguely warn her that those actions were a bit too intimate.

“Why would I do it with anyone else?” Lu Zhili blinked, her amber eyes full of innocent confusion.
“I’ll only do it with you.”

Yu Yao: “…fine.”

How was that any different from inviting her to bed?

Yu Yao took a deep breath and tried to compose herself.
“Anyway, some people don’t like overly intimate gestures like that—like licking fingers and stuff. Just… don’t do it again, okay?”

Lu Zhili nodded, half understanding, and then asked, “Do you like it? Can I do it with you?”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll apologize. But please don’t ignore me…” Lu Zhili gazed at Yu Yao with pitiful, watery eyes that made it hard to stay mad.

Looking into those eyes, Yu Yao couldn’t bring herself to say the words “I don’t like it.” In fact, deep down, she didn’t really mind Lu Zhili’s touch…

Instead of answering, she changed the subject, “Let’s not talk about that. Do you have a nickname? I’ll just call you by that from now on.”

Lu Zhili was quickly distracted, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
“My mom calls me Lili. Can you call me Lili too?”

“Lili?” Yu Yao nodded.
“Sure. Do you want to give me a nickname too?”

She had completely been pulled into Lu Zhili’s rhythm, seriously considering what Lu Zhili should call her.

Her parents had never given her a nickname. People just always called her “Yu Yao.” Some colleagues at work might call her “Sister Yu,” but that obviously didn’t suit Lu Zhili.

Lu Zhili smiled, her fox-like eyes curving with joy.
“Can I call you A-Yao? A-Yao, A-Yao, A-Yao—it sounds so nice, hahaha!”

Yu Yao couldn’t help but smile, swept up by her joy.
“Okay. No one’s ever called me that before. If it’s not awkward for you, I’m fine with it.”

Lu Zhili leaned in with wide eyes full of wonder.
“Really?! I’m the only one who’s ever called you that?”

“Mhm.”

“Hahaha! That’s great, that’s so great! Then from now on, I’m the only one who can call you that, okay? Okay? Okay?” Lu Zhili clung to Yu Yao’s arm, shaking it like she always did when asking her mom for something—her mom never said no to this trick.

“Okay, okay, okay. I promise you’re the only one.”

Yu Yao really couldn’t resist this sugar-sweet kind of affection—especially coming from such a stunning face. It made it impossible to say no.

“Yay!” Lu Zhili raised her hands in triumph like she’d just won a huge victory.

Yu Yao leaned back, watching her side profile. At that moment, all the negative emotions in her heart completely vanished. She didn’t know if it was the credit of the view—or the person in front of her.

Lu Zhili’s biological clock was incredibly punctual. Even though she was sitting on a somewhat uncomfortable bench, sleepiness hit her like clockwork.

Yu Yao checked the time—it was getting late. She pulled the dozing Lu Zhili to her feet, ready to leave.

Lu Zhili clung to her like a sticky little mochi. Even though she was taller than Yu Yao, she was now limp and whiny, dragging herself along.
“A-Yao… I’m soooo sleepy…”

“Okay, okay, let’s get in the car. I’ll drive you home.” Yu Yao glanced at the time. Somehow, the two of them had spent nearly an hour on the viewing deck—even though it felt like they hadn’t done anything, the time had flown by.

Just then, Lu Zhili’s phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a WeChat message from her mom, asking when she’d be back—it was getting late.

Lu Zhili slowly typed a reply and then got into the car with Yu Yao.

It was around 11 PM. The road ahead was empty except for the streetlamps. Yu Yao, worried she might fall asleep at the wheel, put on some music. Meanwhile, Lu Zhili had already drifted off.

She didn’t know how long she had been sleeping—just that the car had stopped, and she vaguely heard Yu Yao close the door. She blinked awake, thinking they’d arrived home, only to see an empty asphalt road and a lonely streetlight.

Where was Yu Yao?

Her mind instantly cleared. She sat up, unbuckled her seatbelt, and was just about to get out when she saw Yu Yao walking back from the front of the car.

Moments later, Yu Yao got back in and gave Lu Zhili an apologetic look.
“The car stalled and won’t start. I’ve already called roadside assistance, but it’ll be a few hours. If you’re in a hurry, maybe call home and have someone come pick you up?”

“What about you?” Lu Zhili asked.

Yu Yao grabbed a tissue and wiped her hands.
“I’ll wait here. Can’t leave the car in case anything happens.”

“Then I’ll wait with you. I’m not going home.” Lu Zhili settled back into her seat.

Yu Yao felt a headache coming on. Lu Zhili had a special status—how could her family let her stay out overnight?
“Better call your mom and explain the situation. The rescue team’s going to take a while. You said you were sleepy, right? You can rest better at home.”

Lu Zhili pouted unhappily and didn’t answer. Instead, she pulled out her phone and called her mom, Fu Shuang.

The call connected quickly.
“Hi Mom, A-Yao’s car broke down. I’m going to stay with her while we wait for repairs. Don’t wait up—go to sleep.”

Fu Shuang replied, “Lili, can you send me your location?”

Lu Zhili obediently shared it. After a pause, Fu Shuang said, “Lili, give the phone to Miss Yu. I want to say a few words to her.”

Yu Yao looked at the phone being handed to her, a bit confused.
“Hello? Auntie, this is Yu Yao.”

“Miss Yu,” Fu Shuang said gently, “I checked your location just now. If you walk about ten minutes downhill, there’s a hotel. Why don’t you and Lili stay there for the night? I’ll have someone come take care of your car. It’s not safe for two girls to wait on the mountain at this hour—what do you think?”

It was a very reasonable solution. Yu Yao was exhausted from the long day, so she thought it over and agreed.

Lu Zhili took the phone back. After Fu Shuang gave her a few more reminders, the call ended.

Ten minutes later, they reached a hotel. It was clean, the environment decent. The receptionist was still up late watching a drama. When she saw two stunningly beautiful girls walk in, she thought she was hallucinating.

She spat out her sunflower seed husk and wiped her hands with a tissue before giving them a professional smile.
“Good evening! Do you need a room?”

“Two of your best rooms, please. Here’s my ID.” Yu Yao handed over her ID.

The receptionist checked the system, then gave an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, we only have one king-size room left. No doubles either.”

In other words—Yu Yao and Lu Zhili would have to share a bed.