Chapter 69

After the terrifying ordeal at the arcade, Lin Li behaved himself for several days.

He tried visiting Tong Yao's house twice more in his true identity, bringing fruit, playing chess with Tong's father, and trying to find topics to talk about.

But Tong Ma's attitude remained a polite yet distant barrier, and that clear sense of boundary made Lin Li feel like an outsider who could never fit in.

"Auntie still doesn't seem to like me very much," Lin Li said to Tong Yao with some frustration.

Tong Yao glanced at him and said in a flat tone, "It's frozen solid."

Lin Li ground her back teeth, steeling her resolve: "It seems..."

"We still need Lin Lili to step in!"

So, one weekend afternoon, "Lin Lili" once again knocked on Tong Yao's door, carrying an exquisite box of pastries.

Tong's mother opened the door, and her face lit up with a smile when she saw "Lili": "Oh, Lili! Come in quickly! You've been here just a few days ago, and you've brought so many things. You're being too formal!"

Lin Lili smiled sweetly: "Auntie, this is just a small token of my appreciation. Please have a taste."

To Lin Li's (and Tong Yao's, who were on tenterhooks) relief, it seemed that Song Tian really hadn't revealed that earth-shattering secret.

Tong's mother remained as affectionate as ever towards "Lin Lili," and even seemed to like her more after the comparison with "Lin Li" last time.

"Lili" chatted with Tong's mother, talking about everything from skincare tips to TV drama plots, making Tong's mother beam with joy.

Tong Yao sat to the side, watching the guy with the wig, the fake voice, and the cheerful conversation with her mother. She felt a mix of emotions and could only try to hide her absurdity by drinking water constantly.

As dusk approached, "Lin Lili" got up to say goodbye. But Aunt Tong grabbed her hand and warmly urged her to stay: "Lili, it's so late, I'm worried about you going home alone! Why don't you stay tonight and squeeze in with Yaoyao? You two sisters can have a good chat!"

These words struck Lin Li and Tong Yao like a thunderbolt.

Lin Li was overjoyed inside, almost wanting to shout "Long live Auntie!", but on the surface he had to maintain the composure of "Lin Lili". He pinched his throat and pretended to hesitate: "This...this isn't very appropriate, is it? Wouldn't it be too intrusive..."

"What's the big deal!" Tong's mother made the decision. "It's settled then! Yao Yao, go find Lili a clean set of pajamas!"

Tong Yao: "..."

Looking at "Lin Lili" who was looking down, her shoulders trembling slightly, and who was clearly smirking, she felt a surge of anger rising to her head.

From an angle where Tong Ma couldn't see, she reached out and precisely found the softest part of Lin Li's outer thigh, pinched it hard, and twisted it clockwise!

"Hiss—" Lin Lili gasped, almost bursting out of her women's clothes on the spot from the pain, tears welling up in her eyes.

He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, despite the pain: "Thank you... thank you, Auntie..."

Unaware of anything amiss, Tong's mother happily went to prepare toiletries.

Thus, the situation became:

Tong's mother was very satisfied, feeling that she had kept her thoughtful and lovely "god-daughter".

Lin Li was overjoyed, feeling that this was an epic strategic victory.

Tong Yao was so angry she wanted to grind her teeth. Looking at her "boyfriend" who was about to climb into her bed as her "best friend," she felt that her future was bleak.

That evening, in Tong Yao's room.

As soon as the door closed, Tong Yao immediately crossed her arms and looked coldly at "Lin Lili," who was curiously examining her bookshelf.

"Lin Li! You'd better stop now!"

Lin Li turned around, ripped off her wig, revealing her true face, her expression one of barely suppressed smugness and a sly grin:

"What's wrong? Isn't it normal for 'sisters' to sleep side by side and have intimate conversations?"

"Normal my foot!" Tong Yao grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "You're going to sleep on the floor!"

"No way~" Lin Li caught the pillow and started to act spoiled again, leaning closer, "The bed is so big, how about giving me half? I promise I'll behave!"

“Your guarantee is worthless!” Tong Yao retorted without backing down.

"Then I'll tell Auntie that you won't let me sleep with you..."

"You dare!"

In the end, under Tong Yao's threats of force and her ultimate warning of "I'll expose you immediately," Lin Li reluctantly took his bedding and made a makeshift bed on the floor next to Tong Yao's bed.

He lay on the floor, looking at the glow-in-the-dark stars that Tong Yao had pasted on the ceiling, and smelling her faint fragrance in the air. Although he couldn't share a bed with her as he had wished, he was still in a very good mood.

"Tong Yao," he turned to the side, looking at the figure on the bed with her back to him, and whispered, "would you say I've... successfully infiltrated the 'enemy'?"

Tong Yao didn't turn around, but simply pulled the blanket up higher, and a muffled sound came from behind her:

"Shut up! Go to sleep!"

But in the darkness, without even realizing it herself, a helpless smile curved her lips.

_

In the following days, Lin Li continued with his routine.

First, she went to the house as Lin Li, trying to make her presence known despite Tong Ma's lukewarm attitude. In the afternoon, she made an excuse to slip away, changed into Lin Lili's identity and attire, and reappeared to enjoy Tong Ma's warm hospitality.

That day, he and Tong Yao, under the alias "Lin Lili," had dinner at home. Tong's father was still at work, and Tong's mother, checking the time, said to "Lili" with a slightly apologetic tone:

"Lili, Auntie has to go to the night shift tonight and can't stay with you. If you want to stay and play with Yaoyao for a while, you can. Remember to ask Yaoyao to see you downstairs when you leave."

After saying that, Tong's mother picked up her bag and opened the door.

The sound of the security door slamming shut echoed clearly in the suddenly quiet living room.

Almost simultaneously, Tong Yao raised her foot and lightly kicked Lin Li's calf, who was sitting at the other end of the sofa: "My mom is gone, you should go home."

Lin Li seized the opportunity to grab her slender ankle, preventing her from pulling back.

He raised his head, and the obedient smile of "Lin Lili" on his face gradually faded, replaced by a deeper focus that belonged to Lin Li herself.

He stroked the skin of her ankle, his gaze fixed intently on her.

“Tong Yao,” his voice returned to its natural tone, deep and earnest, “This year, I’m 18, and you’re 18 too.”

He paused, his eyes carrying a mixture of cautious probing and undeniable solemnity.

"So... can we officially and openly be together now?"

Tong Yao was taken aback at first, then realized that he meant to establish a romantic relationship. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she was about to speak when she keenly caught a glimpse of knowing mischief in Lin Li's eyes.

He realized her misunderstanding just now!

Lin Li's lips curled into a roguish grin. Instead of loosening his grip on her ankle, he leaned closer, his tone playfully teasing:

"Huh? What do you think... I want to do, Tong Yao?"

When he saw through her thoughts, Tong Yao's face flushed red. She was both ashamed and angry. She forcefully pulled her foot back and stood up abruptly: "You... what nonsense are you talking about! This is my house! Get out of here!"

Her heart was pounding like a drum, and she turned around to hide in her room.

Lin Li wasn't about to let her escape. With a long stride, she easily caught up with her and blocked the door with her arm before she could close it.

"Hey! Lin Li! Get out!" Tong Yao shouted angrily from inside, pushing the door hard.

"No!" Lin Li protested from outside, using her size advantage to slowly squeeze open the door.

The two were locked in a silent struggle through the crack in the door. In the midst of their shoving, someone tripped, and Tong Yao cried out in surprise, falling backward. Lin Li swiftly reached out and caught her, gently pulling her into his arms.

He was enveloped in her warm, soft, and fragrant scent; her refreshing aroma instantly enveloped him.

Their bodies were pressed close together, and they could feel each other's rapid heartbeats and rising body temperatures.

Tong Yao struggled to push him away, but when she looked up, she met Lin Li's deep gaze.

Lin Li gazed at the girl in his arms, whose cheeks were flushed and eyes were moist, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

He freed one hand and yanked off the wig that was getting in the way, tossing it to the ground to reveal his neat buzz cut.

The moment the wig was removed, it was as if the last layer of disguise and constraint was also shed. He was no longer her "best friend," he was simply Lin Li.

He lowered his head and slowly approached her soft lips, which were slightly parted in surprise.

The air seemed to freeze, and all the sounds around them vanished. Tong Yao watched his face draw closer, his straight nose, his focused gaze, and forgot to struggle. She felt weak all over, and her heart was about to leap out of her chest.

She could feel his warm breath on her face, carrying an irresistible force and... a barely perceptible tremor.

Just a second before their lips were about to touch, she instinctively closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling violently like butterfly wings.

Lin Li paused for a moment, recalling what Tong Yao had said in their first year of high school: "Don't touch her without her permission."

"Is it okay?" Lin Li asked, slamming on the brakes.

The next second, Tong Yao impatiently stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around Lin Li's neck, and kissed him.

This response was like the most fervent encouragement, which made Lin Li tremble all over. He then kissed her even more deeply, with an almost devout sense of possessiveness.

It wasn't a half-hearted attempt, but an awkward yet eager exploration, as if he wanted to convey to her all the love he had accumulated over the years, the frustrations of his pursuit, and the overflowing happiness of this moment through this kiss.

The living room was so quiet that only their rapid breathing and the soft, intimate sounds of water filled the air. The setting sun cast a warm, golden glow through the window, bathing the two lovers in a loving embrace.

His burning palms pressed tightly against her thin back, and even through the fabric, he could feel her slight trembling.

Her arms tightened unconsciously around his neck, her fingertips digging into his short stubble, responding to the kiss with a hesitant yet firm gesture.

Tong Yao gently nudged his shoulder only when her lungs were almost empty.

Lin Li reluctantly let go, but his forehead was still pressed against hers, their noses touching, their breaths mingling hotly.

He saw the misty light in her eyes, her slightly swollen lips, and in those clear eyes, he saw his own equally confused and infatuated appearance clearly reflected.

He suddenly chuckled softly, a pleasurable vibration emanating from his chest, tinged with an unbelievable ecstasy, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Tong Yao... so you're... agreeing to me, right?"

Tong Yao's cheeks were flushed, her breath was still ragged, and her long eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings.

She didn't answer directly, but buried her burning cheeks deeper into the crook of his neck and gave a soft, quick "Mmm" in an almost inaudible voice.