By late morning, bright sunlight poured over the city like gold lacquer spread across rooftops. In Ye Yiyi’s room, a beauty in a purple nightdress lay on her side, eyes closed, sleep clinging to her like mist.

Last night, while Tang Coco pretended to watch a movie and chatted with her system, a sudden weight settled on her shoulder like a resting bird. She turned and found Ye Yiyi asleep mid-film, clinging to her arm like a vine, a tremor of unease in her breathing. In cream Korean-style pajamas, from Coco’s angle, Yiyi’s chest was a snow-white valley lit by the screen’s blue glow.

But sleeping half-sitting is bad for the body, a knot pressing on the heart. Tang Coco wrestled the covers like waves and finally pushed Ye Yiyi gently into the quilt, though Yiyi’s grip on her arm held tight as ivy and made every move awkward. Once everything was set, Coco lay on her back, a still board under a soft tide. Yiyi curled on her side, hugging Coco’s arm, the two drifting like twin boats. Peace never lasts—barely had Coco settled when Yiyi began to “move.”

Tang Coco was treated like a doll, tossed by a playful storm—hugging, tugging, rubbing, even little bites, kitten-curious and bold. A night that should’ve been sweet turned to rolling waves, and Coco barely rested. So morning found her sleeping in, heavy as an anchor in quiet waters.

Downstairs, Ye Yiyi packed their luggage, the air rippling with thoughts of blue pools and bright slides. The new water park offered hotel stays, and they planned to play there for days, like swallows chasing summer.

Her cheeks held a blush like peach petals. She packed her own clothes, then folded Tang Coco’s things as well, pairing tops and skirts like cloud and light. When she woke, she’d seen Coco’s “miserable state,” and guilt pricked like fine rain. So she let Coco sleep, and quietly prepared what Coco would need.

“Ding-dong.” The doorbell chimed like a silver bell.

Ye Yiyi walked to the door and opened it, a cool breeze slipping in.

“Yiyi-jie!” The voice sprang up like a sparrow, and there stood Meng Xiaoxiao with two stunning beauties. Meng Xiaoxiao laughed and pounced forward like a puppy finding home.

“Xiaoxiao, I didn’t expect you so fast.” Ye Yiyi smiled, warmth rising like tea steam.

“Hehe, we were excited.” Xiaoxiao spun with bright eyes. “Yiyi-jie, let me introduce—this is my sister, and this is my sister’s wife…”

The line dropped like a stone into a pond, and all three women froze, expressions etched with dark ink.

“Ha, don’t listen to this kid’s nonsense.” Meng Yuting pulled Xiaoxiao behind her like a mother cat. She stepped up and smiled. “I’m Meng Yuting. This is Gu Xin, my best friend.”

“Hello.” Gu Xin spoke politely, her voice clear as a bell.

“Mm, hello.” Ye Yiyi answered, calm as a lake.

“Ha, we’re barging in today.” Meng Yuting’s tone was gentle like evening light. “Xiaoxiao just loves to play.”

“No, not at all. I invited you,” Ye Yiyi said, opening the door wider like a welcoming lantern. “Come in.”

Meng Xiaoxiao stepped in and glanced around, her eyes flicking like fish. She didn’t spot Tang Coco, so she asked, curiosity bouncing like a pebble.

“Eh? Where’s Coco-jie?”

“Uh… she… hasn’t woken up…” Ye Yiyi’s nerves fluttered like moths.

“No way… Coco-jie is that lazy?” Xiaoxiao’s disbelief lifted like a flag. “I’ll go sneak-attack—no, wake her up.”

She dashed upstairs like a gust. Ye Yiyi couldn’t find the words to stop her, thoughts scattering like leaves.

“You two sit first.” Ye Yiyi led Meng Yuting and Gu Xin to the sofa, her voice steady as a hand on the oar.

“Mm, okay.” They sat, the cushions sighing like soft clouds.

“Eh? Not here?” Xiaoxiao’s shout drifted down like a bird call.

“Uh, she’s… in my room.” Ye Yiyi’s words broke apart like rain.

“Wow! Yiyi-jie, don’t tell me you already made a move… wuwu…” Xiaoxiao’s mock-cry twisted like a ribbon.

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Ye Yiyi’s cheeks flushed, a red tide rising.

“My little sister loves to joke.” Meng Yuting caught Ye Yiyi’s hand and eased her onto the sofa, her touch calm as spring water. “It’s okay.”

In her dream, Tang Coco lay on a beach, the sea roaring like a long drum, sun pouring warmth like honey. Comfort cradled her like a hammock—until the earth shuddered and shattered the calm like a sudden quake.

“Tang Coco! Tang Coco! Get up! Wuwu—get up!” Meng Xiaoxiao shook her, voice quivering like a kite string.

Annoyance flared first, hot as noon. Coco cracked her eyes and growled. “Who the hell… What’s wrong with you… ruining my dream…”

“Dream? You’re still dreaming?” Xiaoxiao snorted like a little bull. “You’re probably having a spring dream.”

“Uh… Xiaoxiao, why are you here? What time is it?” Coco’s mind cleared like fog lifting.

“What time? It’s almost ten,” Xiaoxiao said, hands on hips like a tiny general. “Speak! You’re this worn out ‘cause you overindulged last night, right?”

“Nonsense,” Coco shot back, a headache throbbing like drums. “What are you even saying…”

“Then why are you in Yiyi-jie’s room?” Xiaoxiao’s gaze narrowed like a blade.

Silence pooled like ink.

“Can’t explain, can you?” Xiaoxiao’s voice trembled, eyes glassy as dew. “Wuwu—Coco-jie betrayed me. First you slept with another woman. Now you share a room with Yiyi-jie…”

“Hey, hey, don’t twist it,” Coco said, guilt and fatigue tangling like nets. “I just… watched a movie too late last night. Li Muyan left, and Yiyi felt down. I kept her company, that’s all.”

“Really? You two didn’t do anything?” Xiaoxiao peered through her fingers, teardrops shining like beads.

“Heh… I kind of wanted to do something…” Coco sighed, a wry smile thin as moonlight.

“Hm? What did you say?” Xiaoxiao leaned in, ears pricked like a cat.

“Nothing,” Coco coughed, retreating like a tide. “Alright, you broke my dream. I’m getting up. Go out, I need to change.”

“No… I want to stay.” Xiaoxiao clung to the moment like glue.

“Out!” Coco’s glare snapped like a whip.

“Uh… fine.” Xiaoxiao slunk toward the door, shoulders drooping like wilted leaves.

“Wait!” Coco called, voice catching like a hook.

“Mm? Coco-jie’s letting me stay and watch you change?” Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up, sparks hopping like fireflies.

“Dream on.” Coco’s stare flattened that hope like a stone.

“I want to ask—did your sister come?” Coco’s tone steadied, cool as water.

“Of course. She’s downstairs chatting with Yiyi-jie.”

“Okay. Head down. I’ll wash up and be right there.”

“Oh… alright.” Meng Xiaoxiao left Ye Yiyi’s bedroom, footsteps tapping like raindrops down the hall.