After Work, I Found a Girl

"I just grabbed some documents and stuff." Ye Shuang didn’t mention the specifics of the matter. He paused, then changed the subject with a smile, "The granddaughter of the old man upstairs came back from abroad. She seems really happy."

"Happy…"

"Yeah."

"I’m happy too when I’m with Ye Shuang." Bai Yuyou tugged at his sleeve as she spoke.

Ye Shuang looked at the girl beside him for a few seconds before asking with a smile, "Do you know what happiness is?"

"Being happy."

"Well, that’s not wrong." Ye Shuang replied.

"I’m happy when I’m with Ye Shuang. I like it when you touch me, when we kiss… when you hold me." Bai Yuyou said seriously.

Ye Shuang: "..."

"If someone we know hears this, it’ll be trouble." Ye Shuang said.

"Why?"

"No reason." Ye Shuang lightly tapped her head. "Just remember not to say things like that."

"Then kiss me… and I won’t say it."

Ye Shuang stopped in his tracks, wondering if he’d misheard. He looked at Bai Yuyou again, only to find the girl already standing on her tiptoes.

When did she learn this?

"No."

But Bai Yuyou didn’t budge, clearly determined to get her way. Over time, she’d picked up a few tricks to handle Ye Shuang.

She wasn’t as clueless as she seemed.

After a moment, Ye Shuang finally gave in, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. "Happy now?"

Bai Yuyou opened her eyes, touched her forehead, then tugged at her clothes. "More… touch me, Ye Shuang."

Ye Shuang said, "No."

"Was this Tang Keke’s idea?"

"No…" Bai Yuyou shook her head, then relented. "Fine… touch me when we get home…"

"Not even at home."

Bai Yuyou had definitely been corrupted by Tang Keke. Now, whenever they went out, she’d cling to his arm without hesitation, shamelessly pressing her softness and warmth against him.

The school festival day passed in a blink, filled with wandering, eating, and drinking like a mini vacation.

Near the end of the day, Ye Shuang returned to the infirmary to grab something, only to find a short-haired girl lying motionless on the bed.

"An Shiyu?" The girl lay there quietly, like a sleeping beauty.

He hadn’t seen An Shiyu all day and assumed she’d gone off to work some part-time job or hang out somewhere. He never expected her to be holed up in the infirmary.

And the door had been locked.

A thought crossed his mind, and he quickly walked over, reaching out to check her breathing. After a few seconds, he withdrew his hand and studied her for another moment.

"Tch, feels like some gross stare just licked me all over." A familiar voice suddenly spoke. An Shiyu opened her eyes, staring blankly at Ye Shuang. "What do you want?"

"No, I just—"

"I’m not dead yet, no need to worry." An Shiyu averted her gaze, as if understanding what he’d been doing. She closed her eyes again. "I’m going back to sleep. While this body’s still warm, do whatever you want."

Ye Shuang: "..."

He didn’t say anything else, just quietly pulled the blanket up and tucked her in.

Once done, he picked up what he came for and headed to the door. Before leaving, he glanced back at An Shiyu.

"Contact me if there’s an emergency."

An Shiyu didn’t respond, only rolling over to show her back. She lazily muttered, "So naggy… got it~"

With a soft click of the door closing, An Shiyu slowly rolled onto her back again.

She stared at the ceiling, then tugged the blanket down slightly.

Her shirt was crumpled and wrinkled over her chest.

---

As usual, Ye Shuang let Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke head home together while he stopped by the supermarket for groceries.

When he stepped out of the elevator, he spotted a small figure curled up in front of his apartment door.

Ye Shuang blinked, double-checking the floor number behind him before walking over.

The girl hugging her knees looked about ten years old, with long golden hair. She was hunched over, making her seem even smaller.

Her hair was damp, and she looked a little disheveled.

"Alice?" Ye Shuang immediately recognized her as the girl who’d dined with him and Aunt Xian a few days ago—Bai Yuyou’s half-sister, Alice.

"Mmm." Alice lifted her face, then buried it back into her knees, her voice muffled. "Nowhere to go."

Ye Shuang: "..."

"What happened?" Ye Shuang crouched down to meet her eye level, a gesture meant to ease tension and encourage conversation.

But deep down, he suspected Alice’s situation might be related to why Aunt Xian hadn’t come to the performance.

"We fought."

"I see…" Instead of scolding her or calling her unreasonable, Ye Shuang simply stood up and swiped his keycard to unlock the door.

When he didn’t press further, Alice peeked up again. The next second, she felt a hand pull her up by the arm, steadying her on her feet.

"Meow!" Yi Wan trotted over, immediately catching Alice’s attention.

"Kitty."

"Meow~" The affectionate long-haired orange tabby rubbed against Alice’s ankles, tickling her.

After petting the cat, Alice stood up—only to have a towel draped over her head.

She looked down at it, confused.

"Dry your hair first. It hasn’t rained in Haizhu today. Don’t tell me you came all the way from the harbor district?" Ye Shuang walked to the water dispenser to pour her a cup.

Noticing Alice still hesitating at the doorway, he asked, "Come in. You were bold enough to camp at my door, but now you’re shy?"

Alice glanced inside once more before settling onto the couch.

"Here, some warm water to heat you up."

"Mmm, thanks…" Alice cupped the mug, savoring the warmth.

"You’re much more well-behaved than last time."

"W-what’s that supposed to mean?!"

Ye Shuang chuckled, then pulled out his phone. "I should let Aunt Xian know you’re here. She’d worry otherwise."

"No!" Alice blurted.

Under his questioning look, she shrunk back, mumbling, "Just for a little while… I don’t want them to know I’m here."