Chapter 38: As a punishment, you have to go on a date with me, okay?

Lin Qingya felt Bai Wanting’s soft touch and that intoxicating body scent from behind, her mind going utterly blank.

Her whole body melted, like a pliant doll, instinctively leaning back into Bai Wanting’s embrace.

Ah… little Bai-jie…

How is little Bai-jie here…

Being held like this by little Bai-jie… so happy…

Am I dreaming…?

Lin Qingya drowned in Bai Wanting’s tender haven, basking in that familiar, soothing fragrance, lost for ages.

The surrounding clamor, the ancient city’s glittering lights—all faded to hazy backdrop.

Her world held only this warm, fragrant embrace behind her.

It took forever—long enough for Lin Qingya to nearly dissolve in it—before she murmured back in a daze: “Happy May Day, little Bai-jie…”

Her voice was faint, laced with the warm, foggy softness of waking from a dream.

“How… how’d you end up in Gan City too? Didn’t you say… you had psych consults to handle?”

Bai Wanting chuckled lightly, not answering right away; instead, she released her hold, gently turning Lin Qingya to face her.

The next instant, she spread her arms again, pulling the still-dazed Lin Qingya into a tight frontal hug.

Now chest-to-chest, Lin Qingya’s cheek pressed straight to Bai Wanting’s bosom, that soul-beguiling rich scent assaulting her nostrils more fiercely, short-circuiting her brain entirely.

So fragrant… so soft…

Can’t… think… anything…

“Mm…”

Lin Qingya let out a kittenish whimper, nuzzling deeper into Bai Wanting’s cleavage.

Bai Wanting stroked her back feather-light, her tone brimming with boundless tenderness and indulgence, whispering at her ear: “Because sister just couldn’t bear letting little Ya head out alone, so I rushed through work to come find you…”

“Work’s got nothing on my little Ya~”

The words sent a tingling shiver racing through Lin Qingya’s limbs.

She can’t bear parting from me…

Little Bai-jie can’t bear it!

She reached out too, hugging Bai Wanting’s slim waist tight, burying her face deeper, greedily soaking in that exclusive warmth and security.

Lin Qingya’s pupils turned pink heart-shapes; she’d surrendered utterly to this bespoke adoration, beyond escape.

Master’s so gentle… so fragrant, so soft, so beautiful, love Master so much…

A craving from her soul’s depths slipped out unconsciously: “Master♡…”

“Hm?” Bai Wanting’s tone lilted up, edged with teasing mischief. “What’d little Ya just say? Sister didn’t catch it.”

Eh?

Lin Qingya snapped to!

Oh god! What did I just say?!

I actually… I actually said that out loud!

Waaah!

Lin Qingya clamped her arms tighter around Bai Wanting, face plunging deeper, wishing for a hole to swallow her.

She panicked: “N-nothing! I said… I miss little Bai-jie too…”

Haha, when really, it’d been less than half a day apart.

Lin Qingya kept her head down, hiding fully in Bai Wanting’s chest, praying she hadn’t heard that shameful slip.

Bai Wanting gazed at her shy, steaming little bundle, amusement deepening in her eyes.

How could her baby be this cute?

Bai Wanting spared her further teasing, simply savoring the rare intimacy.

The two clung tight under the bustling gate for a good while, passersby flowing around them.

At last, Bai Wanting reluctantly pulled back, reaching to pinch Lin Qingya’s scorching cheek—hot from shyness and thrill.

“Then, to punish little Ya for not spotting sister sooner, you’ll keep me company strolling the night market, okay?”

“Y-yes! Yes!” Lin Qingya nodded frantically, face still red.

Wow! Can I get more punishments like this?!

Nya nya, please punish me forever, Master…

Eh, bridge bean bag.

Strolling the night market with little Bai-jie…

This is basically a date! Just the two of us!

Our own little world in such a pretty ancient city market!

Wuu, happiness hit too fast!

Lin Qingya’s heart fluttered wild; mustering courage, she looped her arm through Bai Wanting’s, pressing her full body flush—deliberately rubbing her budding chest against Bai Wanting’s arm, feeling the returned softness and heat.

The bold move done, she held her breath, sneaking a peek at Bai Wanting’s reaction.

Bai Wanting paused a beat, then turned, smiling indulgently, eyes full of spoiling affection.

Lin Qingya’s chest flooded with sugary bliss.

Little Bai-jie doesn’t mind this at all!

Arm-in-arm like a real couple, they wandered the glowing night market.

Gan City’s Nevernight spot lived up to the hype: antique streets lined with lanterns galore, snack stalls and craft shops dazzling the eyes.

“Little Ya, want that?” Bai Wanting pointed to a sugar painting stall nearby.

“Yes!”

“And this? Smells divine.” Bai Wanting nodded to a skewer vendor, where the meats stretched half a meter long.

“That too!”

So Bai Wanting bought her a cat-shaped sugar painting, plus a massive grilled skewer.

Lin Qingya trailed like a spoiled princess, blissed out beside Bai Wanting, hands laden with treats, mouth stuffed full.

Pfft, feels like Bai Wanting’s feeding her pet…

The cute kitty sugar painting? Lin Qingya couldn’t bear to bite it, just held and admired forever.

The cumin-and-chili-dusted mega-skewer? Bai Wanting patiently speared off chunks for easier munching.

They wandered ages, finally claiming a roadside bench.

Bai Wanting held a fresh tray of takoyaki, skewering one, blowing gently, then offering it to Lin Qingya’s lips.

“Here, my little Ya, ah~”

“Ahm~”

Lin Qingya parted obediently, taking the sauce-smeared, bonito-flaked ball—kissed by little Bai-jie’s sweet breath—eyes bliss-squinting.

She nestled her head light on Bai Wanting’s shoulder, soaking in softness and scent, floating on air.

“Tasty?” Bai Wanting asked.

“Mm mm! So tasty!”

Lin Qingya nodded hard, mimicking: skewered one, blew careful, held to Bai Wanting’s lips.

“Sister too~ Ah~”

Bai Wanting smiled and ate; they beamed at each other, air thick with syrupy sweetness— to onlookers, straight-up honeymooners.

Lin Qingya sighed inwardly, overwhelmed.

What little surprise? This was her best gift of the year!

They lingered on the bench ages, Lin Qingya fully unleashed—clinging, coquettish: pat my head, hug me now.

She even eyed a courage boost for a kiss, lips pouting—but reined it in.

Mm… can’t get greedy.

Gotta be a poised, elegant girl—to make little Bai-jie like her more.

Bai Wanting played the doting role to the hilt, reveling in her drippy darling, slipping in flirty lines that left Lin Qingya flushed and reeling.

Off the bench, hand-in-hand, they meandered on.

Feeling the palm’s warmth, Lin Qingya’s thoughts tangled.

Vibe’s perfect, little Bai-jie’s mood seems great…

And… she really wants a kiss from little Bai-jie.

Should she… seize the moment, confess?

Spill her heart whole…

Tell her she likes her, has for years and years…

Nearly ten, come to think…

Ten years of unwavering, unchanged affection—just quiet loving…

So terrified of rejection.

But if rejected? What then?

If little Bai-jie sees her only as a sister, would even friendship shatter?

Lin Qingya’s brows knotted tight, confession courage ping-ponging in her chest.

Then—a discordant racket cut through the market din, faint from ahead.

Mixed cries and garbled, amplified howls.

“What’s up ahead?” Lin Qingya tiptoed, peering curious.

The crowd ahead jammed sudden, forming a thick ring—like spectating something.

“Let’s check it out.” Bai Wanting took her hand, weaving toward the throng.

They squeezed to the inner circle at last, spotting the uproar’s core.

On the cleared patch amid the press, a grimy middle-aged man—forties or fifties—knelt on both knees.

He clutched a bullhorn, aimed skyward, sobbing raw, bellowing hoarse: “Heavens unjust! Give me back my son! Justice for me!”

His voice cracked with despair, every syllable drenched in boundless grief and rage.

Before him sat a black-and-white photo of a young boy.

The boy smiled shy, no older than thirteen or fourteen—just into junior high.

Beside the photo, two cardboard signs propped up, red paint screaming gut-wrenching slogans.

Left: [Give me back my son! Punish the school bullying killers!]

Right: [Blood debt blood paid! Beg everyone—seek justice for my poor boy!]

Kind souls nearby offered water, tissues; some tried lifting him from the cold ground, murmuring comforts.

But nothing stemmed the man’s breakdown.

He just knelt, looping those desperate roars over and over…