Chapter 51

On the first day of becoming a couple, You Changqing moved into the Shen family’s residence. It was Friday, and the Jadeite Public Auction was opening tomorrow, so they planned to attend together.

When You Zongzheng heard the news, he was deeply upset. His daughter had been snatched away by a big-tailed wolf—how could he bear it?

After dinner, the two of them walked hand in hand in the back garden to aid digestion, accompanied by the two mischievous little ones, General and Overlord, who always appeared and disappeared unpredictably.

The back garden was beautifully arranged, featuring small bridges over flowing water, pavilions by lotus ponds, and tranquil pathways that led to a fragrant expanse of roses at the end.

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing first checked on the medicinal herbs she had planted. The previous batch had already been harvested, and the current ones were almost ready for picking.

Looking at the lush greenery before her, You Changqing was amazed. “Have these herbs only been planted for a month? How are they growing so vigorously already?”

“Lihuan, you’re incredible. Just by looking at these herbs, I can tell they’re of excellent quality. Not only can you treat people, but you also grow herbs so well. Is there anything you don’t know how to do?”

“There are plenty of things I don’t know,” Shen Lihuan replied with a mischievous smile, wrapping an arm around her waist. “But as long as I understand you, that’s enough.”

You Changqing wrapped her arms around Shen Lihuan’s neck and playfully said, “Since you want to understand me, you should stay close to me. I’m tired. I don’t want to walk anymore. Carry me.”

Shen Lihuan, exuding peak girlfriend power, effortlessly lifted her in a princess carry. “As you command, my Queen.”

Giggling, You Changqing clung to her neck, kicking her legs in delight. She wasn’t the least bit well-behaved in Lihuan’s arms—pinching her cheeks from time to time, occasionally blowing warm breaths against her ear, acting like a little troublemaker.

Shen Lihuan carried her over the small bridge, through the pavilion, along the path, and finally reached the secluded rose garden.

“So beautiful!”

You Changqing sighed in admiration. Girls could never resist the allure of beautiful flowers, and even with her usually cool temperament, she couldn’t help but love this sight.

“As beautiful as this rose garden is, it’s not even a tenth as lovely as you in my eyes.”

Shen Lihuan set her down, plucked a delicate, dewy rose, and tucked it behind You Changqing’s ear, studying her carefully. “Changqing, you’re truly more beautiful than any flower. No wonder, from the first moment I saw you, you fit perfectly into my aesthetic.”

She must have fallen for Changqing at first sight back then. Though she had initially been captivated by her face, beauty alone was never enough to stir her heart. In this vast world full of beautiful people, no one else had ever moved her—until Changqing.

“If you fell for me at first sight, why did you take so long to realize it? You made me wait forever.”

You Changqing looked at her with a hint of grievance.

Shen Lihuan lifted her hand to her lips and kissed it gently. “That was my fault. I was as dense as a block of wood. If I had known I’d love you this much now, I would’ve confessed the moment I met you and shamelessly stuck to you, never leaving your side.”

“At least you’ve come to your senses.” You Changqing playfully rolled her eyes at her. But she couldn’t deny that Shen Lihuan’s sweet words melted away all the bitterness in her heart.

“And you? When did you fall in love with me?”

Shen Lihuan leaned in, whispering flirtatiously in her ear, her smile enchanting—like a seductive demon stealing souls.

You Changqing was briefly dazed by the temptation, then threw herself into Shen Lihuan’s warm embrace. “A long, long time ago. From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I was drawn to you.”

She would never forget how, when she first saw her on television, calm and composed, she had already fallen.

“Changqing, I swear I will never let you down in this lifetime. You worked so hard to chase me before, but now it’s my turn. I will follow you like a sunflower follows the sun, seeing only you in a crowd of thousands.”

Shen Lihuan kissed the top of her head, her eyes misty.

Now that she thought about it, Changqing had always treated her differently. She was distant and aloof with others, yet blushed shyly and acted playfully around her. She disliked physical contact with strangers, yet whenever Shen Lihuan held her hand, she obediently followed. And once they became closer, Changqing even became infatuated with her abs—she still remembered how, in the haunted house, Changqing had constantly tried to sneak a touch…

The ways Changqing treated her differently were endless. How had she been so oblivious before?

She had made Changqing wait for so long.

With reddened eyes, You Changqing gazed at her with absolute trust. “I believe you. Lihuan, we’ll be together for a lifetime.”

Overcome with emotion, Shen Lihuan kissed her softly.

Nearby, General and Overlord covered their eyes with their paws, as if embarrassed. “Shame, shame! Our master is kissing the pretty lady!”

Shen Lihuan caught their reaction from the corner of her eye and, amused, gave them a playful glare. The two little ones scampered away at lightning speed.

After lingering together for a long time, they finally left the garden path. General and Overlord had disappeared again, but Shen Lihuan wasn’t worried. Those two had friends everywhere; they’d never suffer, no matter where they ran off to. She simply took You Changqing’s hand and returned to the living room.

Just as they entered, Gu Qinglan was hanging up the phone. Seeing them, she waved them over. “Lihuan, Changqing, come sit down. I have something to ask you, Lihuan.”

Shen Lihuan exchanged a glance with You Changqing and walked over to take a seat. “Mom, what is it?”

“Did you know that Gu Qingrong is dead?”

When Gu Qinglan first heard the news, she thought she had misheard. People always say that misfortune lingers for a thousand years—she had assumed someone like Gu Qingrong would live a long, wretched life. Who would have thought she wouldn’t even make it to forty?

She had no reaction to this. Gu Qingrong had tried to kill her entire family—she was already being kind by not clapping her hands in celebration of her death. Naturally, she wouldn’t feel sad. She was only worried that Gu Qingrong’s death might implicate her daughter.

“I know.”

Shen Lihuan picked up a piece of pastry and fed it to You Changqing, nodding firmly.

“Does her death have anything to do with you?”

“Mom, how did Gu Qingrong die? She cut up her own face and bled to death. Why would she do that? Wasn’t it because her face was covered with those human-faced tumors?”

Shen Lihuan smirked playfully. “Even if I say it has nothing to do with me, Luo Jiangyue and the others will still pin the blame on me for her death.”

“Why? What does her death have to do with you? How can they just accuse you like that?”

You Changqing swallowed her pastry and quickly asked.

“Gu Qingrong once tried to harm our family—she nearly sent the three of us to meet God. But thankfully, heaven protected us, and we survived. It’s not like I was taking revenge on her.”

Shen Lihuan had no intention of hiding anything from You Changqing, so she naturally told her the truth.

“So I drugged her, and those human-faced tumors grew on her face. Two days ago, she couldn’t bear looking at her own horrifying face anymore, so she cut off all the tumors. Then she bled out and died.”

“It’s just a shame that all the evil things she did were never exposed.”

“What? How could Gu Qingrong be so vicious? I always felt there was something off about her when I saw her before—she never seemed as gentle and pure as she pretended to be. I was right about her.”

You Changqing furrowed her brows tightly, clearly furious. The thought that Gu Qingrong had nearly killed Lihuan made her hate her even more.

“Don’t be mad, baby. She’s already dead—she can’t threaten our family anymore.”

Shen Lihuan hugged You Changqing’s shoulders and comforted her softly. You Changqing stroked her face. “I just feel sorry for you.”

Shen Lihuan rubbed against her soft palm. “It’s all in the past. Back then, my parents shielded me and I only suffered minor injuries, but they were bedridden for almost two months. And Uncle Li, our driver, died in that car accident, leaving behind his parents, wife, and children who miss him every day.”

“Gu Qingrong harmed others out of selfishness—she deserved to die.”

Shen Lihuan gave her final judgment on Gu Qingrong’s death.

Gu Qinglan patted her daughter’s shoulder. “I understand. No matter what, Gu Qingrong caused someone’s death. A life for a life—it’s only fair.”

After chatting with Gu Qinglan for a while longer, Shen Lihuan and You Changqing went upstairs. They finished the homework assigned by their teachers first, then curled up on the couch together to watch a drama.

The thirty-minute episode ended quickly, with several commercials playing in between.

When Qin Aochen appeared in one of the ads, looking high-spirited, both Shen Lihuan and You Changqing frowned. That guy was still lingering in the entertainment industry—so annoying.

Shen Lihuan picked up the remote and changed the channel to an interview program. The host was humorous and engaging, and the guest was eager to share juicy details, making the show lively and entertaining.

You Changqing watched with great interest, but Shen Lihuan felt neglected. She wrapped her arms around You Changqing’s waist, pulling her into her embrace, then lowered her head to kiss her chin and neck.

You Changqing felt ticklish from her kisses and couldn’t help but laugh.

She giggled while curling into Shen Lihuan’s arms. Seeing her smile so beautifully, Shen Lihuan’s eyes flickered with mischief. She licked her lips seductively and reached out to tickle You Changqing.

You Changqing burst into laughter, tears welling up in her eyes as she begged, “Stop tickling me! I’m too ticklish!”

Shen Lihuan finally let her go, but she didn’t stop there. First, she kissed You Changqing’s neck, then took her delicate earlobe into her mouth, her voice sultry. “Why aren’t you watching the show anymore? Is it not interesting?”

Her sensitive earlobe being teased made You Changqing let out a soft moan, her voice so sweet and alluring that it made her blush in embarrassment. Fearing that she might make more sounds, she quickly covered her mouth with her hands.

“Changqing, don’t cover it. I want to hear your moans.”

Hearing Shen Lihuan’s words, You Changqing hesitated for a moment before lowering her hands. The next second, her lips were captured by Shen Lihuan, whose slick tongue slipped into her mouth and entwined with hers in a passionate dance.

You Changqing once again experienced that intoxicating sensation, her toes curling uncontrollably.

After a long while, when You Changqing was nearly out of breath, Shen Lihuan finally let her go. Watching You Changqing panting desperately for air, she raised an eyebrow smugly.

“Feels good? Let’s see if you dare ignore me for a show next time.”

You Changqing’s heart trembled. She quickly covered her mouth and shook her head, her eyes still glistening with the tears of pleasure. “I won’t, I won’t.”

Now she understood—Shen Lihuan was not only possessive but also childish. Just because she got distracted by a show, Lihuan got jealous.

But honestly, she liked this jealous Lihuan too.