Chapter 246
Chapter 246
After closing the bedroom door, Zhong Ning suddenly had a mischievous thought. She tugged Xie Shiqing’s hand down and asked with interest, “Did you remember the way to the bathroom?”
Xie Shiqing nodded. “I remembered.”
“Really?” Zhong Ning folded her arms and stepped back two paces. “Go to the bathroom yourself.”
Xie Shiqing held a faint smile. Her lightless pupils seemed unable to reflect anything at all. She made no comment about the deliberate difficulty, nor did she show any sign of being troubled.
Her eyes could not see a single thing. Many visually impaired patients could still perceive vague outlines of light and shadow, but hers were truly pitch-black, empty of everything.
With a soft “Alright,” Xie Shiqing stepped forward, her strides small. She wore no shoes. Zhong Ning thought her feet were beautiful, suited to being left bare; even the image of them sinking into the carpet looked pleasing.
The villa had been carpeted everywhere precisely for her to walk on.
Clear, crisp chimes rang out one after another at equal intervals, matching her steady pace.
Around the chair, around the small table, around the partition—each of Xie Shiqing’s steps was firm. Heel first, then toes pressing down. Her calves were slender, their lines smooth and flowing.
Zhong Ning knew how they felt to the touch—fine and delicate, like the most exquisite porcelain doll.
All the way to the bathroom door, she stopped. Not once had she bumped into an obstacle.
“Perfect.”
Zhong Ning stepped closer, placing her hand over Xie Shiqing’s on the doorknob. She twisted, pressed down, and opened the door.
“Well done. I’m very pleased.”
She was never stingy with praise. A bright, cheerful smile was always on her face—so much so that at a glance, anyone would surely take her for an approachable, warm-hearted angel.
But Xie Shiqing had lost her sight. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise. She did not have to be deceived by that face, did not have to truly believe Zhong Ning was some sunny, harmless sort of person.
She listened only to voices, and from the voice alone, she could hear the self-centeredness beneath the words.
Zhong Ning was indeed praising her, yet the praise was not truly for her—it was for Zhong Ning herself.
Because Xie Shiqing had met Zhong Ning’s expectations.
And so Zhong Ning was pleased.
Xie Shiqing’s heart sank slightly as she quietly considered her options.
Zhong Ning liked obedient people. Therefore, she had to be compliant, or she would have no chance to remain. Yet she could not be too compliant either. A toy with no novelty was easily discarded once the amusement faded.
The balance between those extremes required careful control.
She absolutely could not make a mistake.
“What are you thinking about?”
The voice came from her side. The woman’s tone sounded purely curious, devoid of any extra meaning. “You seem a bit lost in thought.”
Keeping her heartbeat steady, Xie Shiqing replied, “I was wondering… when I bathe, will Master bathe with me?”
Zhong Ning began untying the fastening of her clothes, her voice light and playful. “Little darling wants to bathe with me?”
“I want to stay close to Master a little longer.”
“No.” Zhong Ning tossed the removed clothing into the laundry basket, her voice carrying a lazy hint of laughter.
She lightly patted Xie Shiqing’s left cheek twice. “You can try asking me a few more times.”
“But whether I agree or not depends entirely on my mood.”
Zhong Ning gave her shoulder a small squeeze. “Go into the bathtub.”
Xie Shiqing stepped into the bathtub. The hot water rose past her chest, and the curling steam dampened her face.
“Plenty of people must have told you that you’re beautiful.”
Her neck was clasped by a wet palm. She tilted her head back in cooperation. “There were some.”
Warm breath drifted close to her lips. “Have you ever kissed anyone?”
“No.”
With a soft laugh, Zhong Ning lowered her head and bit her lower lip.
She herself had never kissed anyone either. Strangely, she felt no aversion to doing this with Xie Shiqing. More than once, her gaze had lingered on those rosy, lustrous lips—the rounded curve of the lip bead, the full shape, like a ripened peach.
Biting them felt a little like jelly—springy, soft, tender, and smooth. The taste that met her tongue was faintly sweet, reminiscent of lychee.
Only after a moment did she recall that the toothpaste at home was lychee-flavored.
Xie Shiqing closed her eyes. Her teeth parted slightly, her posture one of complete compliance.
There were many, many kisses, yet none that could be fully expressed.
Outside the window, the sky was as dim as if smothered by haze. Not a single star could be seen. Only the rustle of wind through leaves, the noisy rush of the fountain, the faint chirring of insects filled the night.
The full moon of the fifteenth day of the lunar month hung round and yolk-like, tinged with red. Its glow alone pierced the heavy clouds, casting a shadow upon the curtains.
A rich fragrance of pomelo blossoms suddenly burst from her body, like a landslide, like a tidal wave—carrying an aggression utterly unlike the scent itself, fierce and overwhelming, baring its claws as it flooded the entire space in an instant.
Xie Shiqing’s breathing grew ragged at once.
“Y-your pheromones…”
Her heartbeat quickened, thudding against her chest. A flush rapidly spread across her once-pale skin.
Two pheromone scents intermingled, like fried rice that could not exist without eggs—eggs and rice paired together, perfectly matched, made for each other.
To Zhong Ning, this was a sensation both unfamiliar and deeply pleasing, astonishing beyond words. Like someone tasting chilled watermelon juice for the first time in the sweltering heat of summer—exquisite, almost dizzying, as though floating through the sky.
It was an abundance of joy, immeasurable and overflowing, though not to be spoken of, haha.
So this was what a kiss felt like—so wondrous.
Only after a long while did Zhong Ning pull herself free from that sweet snare. Frowning, she stared at the breathless Xie Shiqing, perplexed, as though glimpsing a black aberration amidst a flock of white sheep.
Absentmindedly, she touched her own lips. “So this is pheromones.”
The bath was not yet finished, yet she had already lost patience for continuing the ritual of body wash.
Grabbing Xie Shiqing by the arm, she pulled her upright and draped the woman’s arms over her shoulders. Xie Shiqing responded readily, tightening her embrace and pressing close.