Uh…

Ruo Xiaoxi wore an utterly speechless expression, her lashes twitching impatiently.

Seeing the look of admiration on Xia Zhibai’s face as she gazed at her, Ruo Xiaoxi felt a strange sense of defeat.

Damn it, she hasn’t been listening to a word I’ve said!

I’ve been dropping hints like crazy. She should’ve gotten it by now, right? Don’t focus so much on my thigh-highs and legs!

Whatever. You’re the one who’ll be crying later, anyway. I don’t really care.

Woman, I advise you not to push your luck.jpg!

“Xiaoxi’s legs are so slender. No wonder this kind of stocking looks so good on you. I feel like they wouldn’t suit me at all… Maybe I really should slim my legs down!”

“Don’t be so insecure. Sister Xia looks lovely even with bare legs and no stockings. If you wore a breezy skirt that showed off your legs in summer, I bet all those dumb boys would dream of being squeezed between your gorgeous pale thighs.”

“You’re definitely just flattering me.” But Xia Zhibai was secretly a little pleased.

“Not at all. Sister’s legs aren’t just legs—they’re the spring waters by the Seine~”

“I really want to taste just how sweet that honeyed little mouth of yours is.” Xia Zhibai cupped Ruo Xiaoxi’s cheeks in her hand and squeezed them together, making her cherry-red lips immediately pout.

Seeing Ruo Xiaoxi’s adorable, flustered stammer, Xia Zhibai couldn’t help smiling.

“Oh, right. Wait here a moment. I’m going to pick something up from that shop.” She’d just remembered.

“Hm? Oh, sure.” Ruo Xiaoxi tilted her head and stayed where she was.

Xia Zhibai went into a small restaurant and came back a little while later, carrying a box wrapped in a little blue cloth. The two of them sat down at a stone table.

“What’s this?” Ruo Xiaoxi asked.

“You could say it’s a little gift for Xiaoxi? Ta-da! I made you something to eat.” Xia Zhibai untied the cloth and spread it flat on the table by its four corners, revealing an oval lunchbox.

She slid the lunchbox over to Ruo Xiaoxi and let her open it herself.

Ruo Xiaoxi gently lifted the lid by both ends. Inside was the omurice Xia Zhibai had made herself. Ruo Xiaoxi hadn’t gotten to try it yesterday, so Xia Zhibai had made another serving for her that morning.

“After I made it, I asked the owner of that shop to keep my lunchbox in their warmer. We’ve known each other for quite a while, so I figured I could bring it out now and let you try some.”

“Oh, after wandering around for so long, I’m actually kind of hungry.” That was a lie. Ruo Xiaoxi found it hard to feel any appetite for this food, and she was already full.

She could enjoy the taste of the food, but it did nothing to satisfy her hunger.

Xia Zhibai watched her expectantly and urged her on. “If you’re hungry, hurry up and eat. I’m not very good at cooking other things, but I’m great at omurice. My mom taught me how to make it—this was the only dish she taught me. I kept practicing and practicing until I gradually got the hang of it.”

Ruo Xiaoxi looked down at the name written on top of the omurice in ketchup: her own.

The final stroke even trailed off into a little heart.

Honestly, it looked more like something to admire than eat. Ruo Xiaoxi couldn’t bring herself to dig in. No matter where she started, she’d ruin the whole thing.

Sister Xia is so thoughtful… Ruo Xiaoxi was genuinely a little surprised.

“Well… let’s eat.”

Ruo Xiaoxi picked up the spoon from the cloth and gently scooped up a bite of omurice. She brought it to her little mouth with one hand, while lightly resting the other beneath her chin. Her movements were elegant and ladylike.

When she pulled the spoon back out of her mouth, it was completely clean.

“Well? Does it taste okay…? I think it’d be even better if I could make you a fresh, piping-hot serving next time.” Xia Zhibai asked nervously.

Ruo Xiaoxi chewed for a moment. Her throat moved gently beneath her fair neck as she swallowed.

“It’s yummy.”

“That’s good. I’m glad you like it.”

“Then you should try some too, Sister Xia.”

“Me? No, no. You eat it. I made it myself, so I’ve already had plenty.”

“Just try a bite. It really is good.” Ruo Xiaoxi held the little spoon up to Xia Zhibai’s lips. Though a little embarrassed, Xia Zhibai still opened her mouth and let Ruo Xiaoxi feed her.

For some reason, the omurice Xia Zhibai had made today really did taste even better than usual.

“Hehe, one more bite.” Ruo Xiaoxi rested one hand against her cheek and fed Xia Zhibai with the little spoon in the other. She made Xia Zhibai’s cheeks turn bright red.

The two lovely girls made for a warm, almost picturesque sight.

“Sister Xia is so cute. You look especially obedient when someone feeds you.” Ruo Xiaoxi smiled teasingly.

“W-What are you talking about?! All right, all right, eat it yourself. I made it for you.”

“Speaking of gifts, I actually prepared one for you too, Sister Xia. It might seem a little cheap, but I hope you’ll accept it.”

“A gift for me?” Xia Zhibai looked a little overwhelmed.

“Mm-hm.” Ruo Xiaoxi opened her bag and took out a small plastic packet. Inside was a little clay figurine, sort of molded to look like Xia Zhibai.

Ruo Xiaoxi had made it while passing the time at home, playing around with clay. Though she’d started it casually, she’d put a lot of care into it and spent two whole days finishing it.

“Um… it didn’t turn out very pretty.” Ruo Xiaoxi held the clay figurine in both hands and offered it to her, feeling embarrassed. She knew that when someone gave you a gift, you should give one in return. It was only natural to return the favor.

It was just that there wasn’t much at home she could give her. After thinking it over, she’d decided that if she couldn’t offer something valuable, she could at least give her a little gift filled with heartfelt care.

Xia Zhibai took the clay figurine from her hands and studied it curiously in her palm. After looking at it for a long while, she hesitantly asked, “Is this me?”

“Ah! You really can’t tell, can you? I can’t make something with the kind of detail you’d see in a collectible figure. This is the best I could do. If you don’t mind… you could put it on your bookshelf as a little decoration…”

Xia Zhibai looked at the figurine’s hair and clothes. Ruo Xiaoxi had carved every detail little by little with a modeling tool. It must have taken a long time, and it made the gift feel all the more precious.

“That’s not what I meant. I was just surprised that Xiaoxi would make a little clay figure like this for me.”

Aw, sweet, innocent Sister Xia. You don’t have to get so touched over this.

Because I’ve actually made clay figurines for other girls too. You’re not the only one. Though if we’re talking about what makes yours different, I did put a little more effort into Sister Xia’s.

But Ruo Xiaoxi didn’t say that. She didn’t tell Xia Zhibai she’d made clay figurines for other girls too.

Of course she didn’t. She’d get smacked if she did, wouldn’t she?

Seeing Xia Zhibai’s careful, pleasantly surprised expression as she received the gift made Ruo Xiaoxi happy too, even if the clay figurine really wasn’t very pretty.

Little Green Tea might be mischievous and love to flirt, but she was the best when it came to treating her big sisters!

“Ruo Xiaoxi, where do you want to go next?”

“Me? With a gorgeous woman like Sister Xia showing me around, I’d have fun anywhere!”

“Oh? A gorgeous woman? Tell me more.”

“Hehe. The first time I saw Sister Xia, I thought you were so beautiful you made my cheeks go red.”

“Hmph, you little minx. You really know how to flatter someone without missing a beat. Keep going. Big Sister likes hearing it.” Xia Zhibai knew perfectly well that Ruo Xiaoxi was buttering her up, but she was still happy.

Still, if she really fell into that honey trap, dating Ruo Xiaoxi would make her cry from frustration. Maybe Ruo Xiaoxi would come back from another girl’s arms, then gently wipe away her tears with a heartbroken look and ask what was wrong.

I’ve already had my sweet time with Sister Xia. I need to figure out how to escape her clutches—hike up my skirt and pretend I don’t know her!

And later, I’ll stand with one toe against the heel of my other foot, lift my skirt with an elegant little curtsy, and cheekily say goodbye, giving her a sly look that’s both innocent and playful as I quietly tell her—

Give it up. I’m a woman you’ll never win over!

Even when making her exit, she had to stay poised and graceful. After all, she was a beautiful, refined little lady.