Closer

That afternoon, Ye Shuang was at home tapping away at his keyboard. Having decided to write a novel, he was determined to stick with it. However, he still had very few readers, and comments were even scarcer. He wondered if perhaps he simply lacked talent for writing, but he patiently finished updating today's chapter regardless.

"Bai Yuyou should be getting out of school soon," Ye Shuang muttered, checking the time before grabbing his car keys to pick her up.

Arriving at the school gate, he waited briefly before spotting the familiar figure walking out slowly, accompanied by a cheerful female classmate.

"Huh?" The moment he saw the girl's figure, even Ye Shuang was taken aback. Wasn’t that a bit excessive?

That backpack is huge.

Bai Yuyou soon noticed Ye Shuang waiting at the gate. She quickened her pace, running toward him before throwing herself into his arms without a care for the surrounding gazes.

"No more of this at the school gate, alright?" Ye Shuang instinctively wrapped his arms around her soft waist, whispering into her ear.

Bai Yuyou remained silent, but Ye Shuang already knew she wasn’t listening.

"Hello," Ye Shuang greeted, gently patting Bai Yuyou’s head while glancing at the girl behind her.

"H-Hello, I’m Tang Keke, Bai Yuyou’s friend." Tang Keke had a slightly chubby, baby-faced smile that made her look quite adorable.

But Tang Keke was also brimming with curiosity. Bai Yuyou, who had been so quiet and reserved in school, had dashed over and hugged this man without hesitation.

Not to mention, Bai Yuyou had even called them husband and wife… Even if they were adults, they were still years away from the legal marriage age, right?

"I’m Bai Yuyou’s… well…" Ye Shuang hesitated. He couldn’t exactly say he was being financially supported by her—even if it was true—since that wouldn’t reflect well on Bai Yuyou.

"I’m her distant cousin, temporarily staying at her place," he finally said, fabricating an identity.

"Oh, I see!" Tang Keke nodded, though a thought soon crossed her mind.

Wait… does Bai Yuyou have feelings for this "cousin"?

Her gaze shifted to Bai Yuyou, who was now nuzzling her cheek against Ye Shuang’s chest. That’s definitely not normal, right?!

Though, admittedly, this "cousin" was really good-looking…

Tang Keke decided to pretend she hadn’t noticed and asked, "Are you here to take Bai Yuyou home?"

"Yeah, but since you two are friends, why not walk home together?" Ye Shuang suggested with a smile.

He then asked Tang Keke roughly where she lived and found that it wasn’t far from their place—in fact, it was practically on the way.

"Together?" Bai Yuyou turned to Tang Keke.

"Right, how about you two commute to and from school together from now on?" Ye Shuang added warmly. "Would that be alright, Tang Keke?"

Tang Keke’s face flushed at Ye Shuang’s gentle request, and she stammered, "S-Sure!"

Truthfully, she had always wanted someone to walk to school with, especially someone like Bai Yuyou, whom she really liked. The idea of commuting together already made her happy.

Bai Yuyou, however, seemed to realize that if she walked with Tang Keke, Ye Shuang wouldn’t be picking her up anymore.

A flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes.

"It’s fine. Commuting only takes a little time, and isn’t it better to spend it with friends?" Ye Shuang understood her hesitation.

He had his own concerns—Bai Yuyou was too clingy. While dependence wasn’t necessarily bad, in the long run, it wouldn’t help her independence.

Gossiping at school, stopping by dessert shops after class—these were things girls her age should be doing.

After a moment, Bai Yuyou nodded in agreement.

Ye Shuang then turned his attention to Tang Keke, and soon, a faint window appeared before him:

[Character: Tang Keke

A timid girl, a crybaby. Desires to change but lacks the courage. Exceptionally well-endowed. Perhaps you could get to know her better.]

Exceptionally? More like unbelievably.

Peaks and valleys, waves in motion.

Ye Shuang chuckled inwardly, though he naturally had no inappropriate thoughts about a girl so much younger than him. However, his prolonged gaze made Tang Keke’s face grow redder by the second.

Her head practically steamed with embarrassment.

Bai Yuyou noticed Ye Shuang staring at Tang Keke. She glanced at her friend, then down at her own chest.

A few seconds later, she asked, "Ye Shuang… do you like big ones?"

Ye Shuang froze. What kind of question was that?

"Anyway, let’s start today. I’ll drive back first to buy groceries and cook," he said, lightly patting Bai Yuyou’s head before addressing Tang Keke.

"Tang Keke, why not join us for dinner tonight? How about it?"

"N-No, that’s too much trouble!" Tang Keke waved her hands frantically, flustered. "Also, just call me Keke. Or even Coco is fine."

"Then Keke it is. Bai Yuyou hasn’t had many friends, so I’m really happy she met you today," Ye Shuang continued warmly. "Consider it a small favor to me, alright?"

How could Tang Keke refuse after that? She pulled out her phone and quickly got permission from her family—just with the condition that she be back by 8 PM.

"It’s only a little past four now. Why don’t you two go hang out for a bit? I’ll head off to buy groceries," Ye Shuang said.

"O-Okay, then… thanks for having me."

After Ye Shuang drove off, Tang Keke watched the white sports car disappear into the distance before curiously asking Bai Yuyou, "Is your cousin really rich?"

Bai Yuyou tilted her head slightly. She didn’t really understand the concept of wealth, so she just shook her head.

Tang Keke assumed she meant no, but she didn’t mind. She was just excited to spend time after school with a friend, doing things girls their age enjoyed.

But then, Bai Yuyou suddenly tugged at Tang Keke’s sleeve.

"What’s up?"

"Keke?"

"Hmm?" Tang Keke blinked, unsure what Bai Yuyou wanted to say.

"Why did Ye Shuang call you Keke?"

"Ah…" Tang Keke paused before explaining, "Well, my name has three characters. ‘Keke’ sounds less distant, more friendly… Oh, Bai Yuyou, how about I call you Yuyou, and you call me Keke?"

But Bai Yuyou was lost in thought. Ye Shuang always called her by her full name. She wanted to be called Yuyou too—she wanted to feel closer to him.