My Straight Girlfriend with Skin Hunger Syndrome - Chapter 67
Chapter 67
When they first arrived at Yi Shanshan’s place, everyone was a bit stiff and shy.
Watching Ying Yuan confidently open the keypad lock, step inside, and fetch slippers for them, Xiaohan and Mao Mao stared blankly before finally snapping out of their daze and moving.
With Yi Shanshan absent, Ying Yuan took on the role of host.
She introduced Mao Mao and Xiaohan to the layout of the apartment, turned on the central air conditioning, and led them to the sofa, offering them water.
Mao Mao and Xiaohan sat primly on the plush sofa, carefully observing their surroundings. Their voices were noticeably quieter than they had been in the dormitory.
“Does Shanshan live here full-time?”
“She also stays in the dorm,” Ying Yuan replied. “Sometimes, when activities run late, it’s more convenient to stay here.”
“Is it rented?”
“No, she bought it… so she could decorate it however she likes.”
“Do you come here often?”
“Occasionally.”
“But you didn’t even enter a passcode just now. It unlocked with your fingerprint…”
Only then did Ying Yuan realize how all the details had painted a picture of undue intimacy between her and Yi Shanshan.
She felt a mix of embarrassment and a warm, giddy pleasure.
Ying Yuan raised her water glass and took two large gulps before continuing, “Actually, I haven’t known about this place for long either. I only found out when Shanshan got sick and I came to visit her.”
Mao Mao: “Shanshan got sick???”
Ying Yuan: “It wasn’t anything serious. She just caught a cold after getting caught in the rain during a recording session.”
Xiaohan: “You two got caught in the rain together???”
Ying Yuan: “…We came out of the studio too late… and didn’t have an umbrella.”
Mao Mao: “Whoa, some really strange images are starting to pop into my head.”
As if she were the only one whose mind was conjuring such images.
Ying Yuan’s mind was already flooded with them—not fantasies, but vivid memories.
Memories held far more detail than fantasies—the dampness of the rain that day, the colorful reflections in the puddles, the slight bump of their bodies touching, Yi Shanshan’s radiant smile against her rain-soaked face.
Ying Yuan blinked, then took another two sips of water.
She avoided answering Mao Mao and Xiaohan’s probing questions and urged them, “Hurry up and study. Ask me if anything’s unclear.”
“Okay, okay.”
Thankfully, the two hadn’t forgotten the purpose of their visit. With such ideal study conditions right here, it would be rude not to make the most of them.
The two of them immediately pulled out their books, murmured in agreement, and sat up straight to begin studying.
Ying Yuan let out a sigh of relief, turned, and went into the kitchen to check the refrigerator.
With the weather warming up, Yi Shanshan had crammed nearly all the groceries into the fridge. But eating ice-cold food right after getting home wouldn’t be good for their health.
Ying Yuan picked out some of Yi Shanshan’s favorite drinks and fruits, placing them aside to warm up a bit.
As she was doing this, her phone rang—a video call from Yi Shanshan.
Ying Yuan answered, and Yi Shanshan’s smiling face appeared on the screen. She was wearing makeup today, her long, wavy hair framing her face like an exquisite doll.
“Let me see…” Yi Shanshan said, then confirmed in the next moment, “You’re already here! That’s great!”
“Mm-hmm,” Ying Yuan replied softly, maintaining a polite tone. “Thank you for your help.”
“What help?” Yi Shanshan’s eyes curved into crescent moons. “The real trouble starts now. Yuan-dear, what do you want to eat?”
Ying Yuan froze for a moment.
That nickname was so strange. Although Yi Shanshan had always called her by whatever odd names she felt like, “Yuan-dear” was something no one had ever called her before.
So cute, Ying Yuan thought, like calling your little pet.
How could she possibly be this adorable…? Ying Yuan glanced down at her own expressionless, uninteresting face on the phone screen and pursed her lips in resignation.
“I’ve already eaten dinner,” Ying Yuan replied.
Yi Shanshan countered, “That was dinner! It’s been four or five hours. This is supper—you’re staying up to study, right? Supper is essential.”
She has a point, Ying Yuan thought. “I’ll ask Mao Mao and Xiaohan.”
Before she could turn away, Yi Shanshan called out, “Hey, hey, hey…” Yi Shanshan lowered her voice and leaned closer to the camera, so only half her face filled the screen. Her suddenly magnified features were breathtakingly beautiful, making Ying Yuan’s heart tremble.
“I’m asking what you want to eat. I’ll buy yours first. My car might not pass by everyone’s places, so I need to prioritize yours before deciding whether to get anything for the others.”
Ying Yuan froze again.
Yi Shanshan was openly admitting her selfish motives, yet those motives were entirely fueled by favoritism toward Ying Yuan. Out of everyone here, I care about you the most. I like you the best. I want to satisfy you first.
Ying Yuan’s heart pounded wildly. She didn’t know how to respond to such blatant favoritism. She was afraid that if she seemed too pleased, she’d appear conceited, but if she acted too aloof, she might hurt Yi Shanshan’s feelings.
After turning the idea over in her mind several times, Ying Yuan finally decided to simply say what she truly felt.
Honest expression was itself a form of proactive intimacy.
“I don’t have any particular cravings. Just get whatever’s convenient for you. If it’s out of your way, don’t bother. You must be exhausted after working all day. Come home and rest properly. If you get hungry, I’ll make noodles for you.”
“Mmm…” Yi Shanshan hummed, her nose wrinkling into an adorable pout. “Yuan-dear, you’re so sweet! I’ve never had your cooking before~”
“Any time you want,” Ying Yuan replied.
“Okay, okay, okay!” Yi Shanshan nodded eagerly. “I can’t wait to see you! I’m so excited.”
Ying Yuan’s cheeks flushed slightly as she gazed at Yi Shanshan’s large eyes on the screen. “Mm-hmm.”
“Mm-hmm~?” Yi Shanshan teased playfully, her voice dripping with mock innocence. “Does that mean you’re just as eager to see me?”
Before Ying Yuan could answer, Yi Shanshan added, “What are you going to do when you see me? Hehe~”
Ying Yuan didn’t even need to answer; Yi Shanshan was already giggling at her own fantasies.
Ying Yuan’s ears had turned crimson, though fortunately the camera didn’t capture it clearly.
Mao Mao called from outside, “Ying Yuan, are you on the phone with Shanshan?”
As if she had a guilty conscience, Ying Yuan quickly said to Yi Shanshan, “I’ll see you later.”
Yi Shanshan replied sweetly, “Okay~”
After ending the video call, Ying Yuan took a few seconds to compose herself before walking out of the kitchen to respond to Mao Mao, “Yeah, Shanshan was just asking if we’d arrived yet.”
She didn’t mention the late-night snack, having secretly sacrificed her roommates’ treat for Yi Shanshan’s convenience.
Feeling a mix of shame and a secret, thrilling sense of complicity, she spent the rest of the time waiting for Yi Shanshan to return.
For Mao Mao and Xiaohan, studying was paramount, but not for Ying Yuan.
Studying tonight might earn Ying Yuan an extra two points on a test, but not studying wouldn’t jeopardize her national scholarship.
So Ying Yuan sat there, her gaze fixed on the textbook, but her thoughts drifted to the imminent reunion with Yi Shanshan.
Even though they had just video-called, she couldn’t help but wonder what Yi Shanshan would look like the moment they met again after their brief separation.
The image of Yi Shanshan waving from the car window had been replayed countless times in her mind.
Ying Yuan felt that each meeting with Yi Shanshan was like the rebirth of the most beautiful scene in her memories.
She glanced at her wrist, checking the time again.
Yi Shanshan finally returned. Though she could have opened the door herself, she insisted on knocking.
After knocking, she waited outside, anticipating Ying Yuan’s swift approach to shatter the final barrier between them.
Ying Yuan was indeed the fastest. Mao Mao and Xiaohan barely had time to glance up before she reached the door.
Pressing down on the handle, she swung the door open to reveal Yi Shanshan’s radiant smile.
No high-quality video technology, no torrent of texts or voice messages, could ever replace this moment.
This face-to-face encounter, with Yi Shanshan filling all her senses. Feeling her breath, her warmth, her presence so close that a new spark could ignite between them in the next instant.
Ying Yuan took a long, deep breath, her chest rising and falling. “Shanshan,” she whispered.
Yi Shanshan, a person of fierce passion, was like a scorching sun, pouring out ten parts of her energy when she only had nine.
“Ying Yuan!” she called out loudly, then, ignoring everyone else in the room, threw her arms around Ying Yuan in a fierce embrace.
Her arms wrapped around Ying Yuan’s neck, her body pressed tightly against Ying Yuan’s chest. Tilting her head back, she smiled up at Ying Yuan, her eyes curving into crescents that whispered:
I’ve missed you so much. I’ve longed to see you.
Ying Yuan felt as though she were holding an entire world of happiness in her arms.
She knew it was inappropriate, yet she couldn’t bring herself to pull away. She gazed at Yi Shanshan, basking in her joy, letting it fill her own heart.
Mao Mao and Xiaohan eventually approached them, standing awkwardly in the entryway, watching the embrace. As soon as Yi Shanshan’s gaze drifted their way, they squeezed in greetings.
“Hey~”
“Shanshan, long time no see!”
“Loooong! Time! No! See!” Yi Shanshan responded enthusiastically, still half-draped in Ying Yuan’s arms, completely unfazed by the position as she spoke to the others. “It really has been ages! I’ve missed you all so much!”
Mao Mao grew animated. “Ahhh, Shanshan, you’re still as beautiful as ever!”
Yi Shanshan released Ying Yuan and rushed over to hug Mao Mao and Xiaohan one by one. “Waaah, you two are gorgeous too! Mao Mao, you’ve lost weight! Xiaohan, you’ve gotten so fair!”
Ying Yuan: “……”
Oh, so she’s like this with everyone.
After a prolonged round of greetings at the door, the ritual was finally complete.
The three women walked inside arm-in-arm, chattering incessantly, peppering each other with questions and exclamations.
The books on the coffee table were completely forgotten.
Yi Shanshan tossed her backpack aside and collapsed onto the sofa.
Ying Yuan brought Yi Shanshan water at the perfect temperature, poured it into her special cup, inserted a straw, and placed it within easy reach.
Yi Shanshan took the cup, cradling it with both hands, and sipped slowly as she chatted happily with Mao Mao and Xiaohan.
Ying Yuan washed some fruit and placed it in front of them.
Yi Shanshan popped a blueberry into her mouth, wrinkled her nose, and said to Ying Yuan, “Baby, you’re so thoughtful~”
Ying Yuan: “……”
Mao Mao and Xiaohan: “!”
Mao Mao: “She called her baby!!! I want to be called baby too!!!”
Xiaohan: “As if you haven’t been called that before. Shanshan calls you ‘baby’ once, and you strut around for half a month.”
Mao Mao: “Then she should call me ‘baby’ more often! Let me bask in the glory for months! Shanshan~ Shanshan~”
Mao Mao clung to Yi Shanshan’s arm, pouting sweetly. Yi Shanshan looked at her and simply smiled.
Ying Yuan spoke up: “Don’t forget we have an exam tomorrow.”
Mao Mao: “……”
Xiaohan: “……”
Yi Shanshan burst into laughter: “Hahahahahahahahahaha……”
Yi Shanshan: “I’ve ordered us all late-night snacks! The delivery should be here soon. You can’t study on an empty stomach, right? Don’t worry, don’t worry~”
Mao Mao: “Awooo!!!”
Xiaohan: “Yeah!!!”
The two girls perked up again. Yi Shanshan tugged at her shirt collar and unbuttoned another button. “Yuan-dear, can you handle the food when it arrives? I’m going to take a shower.”
Ying Yuan: “Okay.”
Yi Shanshan went into the bedroom, grabbed a change of clothes, and had one foot inside the bathroom before backing out.
“Ying Yuan, come here for a moment,” she called out.
Ying Yuan got up and walked over. Mao Mao and Xiaohan’s eyes followed her back until she rounded the corner and disappeared completely.
When Ying Yuan reached her, Yi Shanshan leaned against the bathroom doorframe, looking relaxed yet radiating a subtle anticipation.
“What is it?” Ying Yuan asked.
Yi Shanshan didn’t answer, only saying, “Come closer~”
It was a whisper.
Yi Shanshan had more and more whispers to share with Ying Yuan. No matter the occasion, no matter who else was around.
Ying Yuan sensed a certain atmosphere—an indefinable, ambiguous aura, much like the excessive intimacy that had crept into their countless conversations. If Yi Shanshan wanted to say something, Ying Yuan couldn’t resist. And when Ying Yuan couldn’t resist, she was also anticipating something.
No one would betray the other’s expectations.
Things would unfold in a way that brought happiness to both of them.
Ying Yuan obediently leaned closer.
So close that only a sliver of space separated them—a mere fingertip’s distance.
Their voices lowered in perfect unison. Ying Yuan lowered her gaze to meet Yi Shanshan’s eyes, her lashes fluttering like delicate wings as she asked again, “Hm?”
Yi Shanshan reached out and clutched the fabric at Ying Yuan’s waist, her hands crumpling the material into intricate folds.
Having secured her like this, Yi Shanshan finally looked up to ask, a teasing smile playing on her lips, “Ying Yuan~ were you jealous just now~?”
The air temperature seemed to spike instantly, just like that stifling afternoon in the car, where the air hung heavy and even their breaths felt hot.
Ying Yuan’s mind was in a tangled mess. Was it really so casual to throw around the word “jealousy”? What even counted as… justifiable jealousy?
Her brow furrowed slightly, but she didn’t reply.
Yi Shanshan explained, “Just now, Mao Mao wanted me to call her ‘baby’ too. When I came in, I hugged not just you, but someone else as well.”
Ying Yuan: “……”
Was this supposed to make me jealous?
She wasn’t particularly upset; just momentarily disoriented, or perhaps momentarily lucid.
Lucidly reminding herself that her relationship with Yi Shanshan was just that of friends—intimate friends at best.
But could friends really be jealous of each other?
And by asking this, did Yi Shanshan want her to admit it or deny it?
“What do you think?” Ying Yuan countered, meeting Yi Shanshan’s gaze. “Do you want me to be jealous?”
Yi Shanshan froze, her thoughts and her usual confidence in teasing others suddenly grinding to a halt.
Being turned around like this, having the blame for these emotions pinned on her. As if everything had been her doing, her own one-sided desire to see this very situation unfold.
Is that right? Yi Shanshan asked herself.
Then, she answered honestly:
Yes.
Yes, it was exactly what she wanted.
She wanted Ying Yuan to come to her, say these trivial things, do these pointless things, tolerate her whims, and fulfill her desires.
Ying Yuan’s closeness had become the leverage for Yi Shanshan’s growing audacity. Standing there, Ying Yuan was like a sweet candy—Yi Shanshan couldn’t even bathe in peace without savoring a taste.
“Of course I do,” Yi Shanshan replied, snapping out of her reverie and raising an eyebrow. “I just wanted to make you jealous! If you’re not jealous, it’s like you don’t care about me at all.”
Since Yi Shanshan wanted it, Ying Yuan could now openly do it.
“Alright,” she said. “I’m jealous.”
Yi Shanshan immediately retorted, “Then what do you do when you’re jealous?”
Ying Yuan: “Hmm?”
Yi Shanshan grabbed Ying Yuan’s clothes and tugged her closer. Their bodies were already pressed together. Somehow, another button on Yi Shanshan’s shirt had come undone, and with the friction of their movements, the collar slipped crookedly, revealing snow-white skin and her beautiful collarbone.
“Don’t you know what to do when you’re jealous?” Yi Shanshan tilted her head back, gazing up at Ying Yuan with eyes lined in black, making her look like a sly little fox with elongated eyes.
“Don’t you have any… excessive thoughts?
“To get revenge? To punish me? To demand that I only ever do these things for you?
“At the very least, Ying Yuan, you could just hug me right now~”