PSW - Chapter 102
Chapter 102
Yu Yinan and Chu Yi had a deep discussion about the “cousin” and the “childhood sweetheart.”
One dared to ask, the other dared to answer; one dared to answer, the other dared to listen. The two of them managed to brainstorm quite a few “surprises” that were feasible in the current apocalypse.
“Remember to keep my cousin’s matter a secret,” Chu Yi said, returning to her room to retrieve a tablet. “This is for you. All the data is inside. Look in the file manager-I’ve sorted it into categories. Find the folder called ‘Study Materials,’ click on it, and then you can choose any learning program you like.”
“Does it need to be charged?” Yu Yinan took the tablet with both hands, surprised to be handling such a digital device in the apocalypse.
“It still has some battery, but you’d better charge it.” As she spoke, Chu Yi found a pair of wired headphones and a charging set, handing them all to Yu Yinan. As Yu Yinan took them, Chu Yi grabbed her hand, her expression serious and stern. “This… you can only watch this by yourself, alone, understand? You must wear the headphones! Absolutely, under no circumstances, let your partner find this or discover you watching it.” Perhaps due to some innate fear that came with being a mental-type ability user, Chu Yi didn’t even dare to say Zheng Yi’s name at that moment.
“Yu Yinan, I’m saying, if-if you get caught, you absolutely cannot rat me out! And you must protect my data. Return it to me safely and completely!”
Chu Yi’s solemnity made Yu Yinan a little uneasy. She looked at the tablet, pursed her lips, and asked hesitantly, “They’re just study materials… Are they that scandalous?” Yu Yinan didn’t want to hide anything from Zheng Yi.
“Yes, they are for your eyes only. If you don’t agree, then give it back.”
“…Alright.” Yu Yinan struggled for a moment before finally relenting. She agreed seriously, “I’ll watch it in secret, and if I’m discovered, I will never rat you out! I’ll be sure to return it in perfect condition in a week.”
“Good, then pay the contribution points.” Chu Yi went back to her room and found a portable machine used for transferring contribution points. She placed her own ID card on it, then had Yu Yinan place hers on it and enter the amount. “Right, about the charging… you two don’t seem to have any intention of paying for electricity. If you suddenly start, remember to come up with an excuse to cover for it.”
“…I-I understand.” Yu Yinan clutched her ID card nervously. Even though she hadn’t even started hiding things or making excuses to Zheng Yi, just the thought of it filled her with an inexplicable sense of guilt. If Zheng Yi really did find out and asked her directly, Yu Yinan felt it would be very difficult for her to lie.
…Perhaps, she just had to make sure not to give Chu Yi away? If Zheng Yi asked what it was, could she just say she rented it from a stall?
After completing the transaction, Yu Yinan didn’t linger. She had already spent too much time at Chu Yi’s place. Just as she was about to leave, Chu Yi called out to her and handed her a black plastic bag. “Put it in here.”
“Thank you.” The two of them looked like they were conducting some shady deal, furtively placing the tablet and its accessories into the black plastic bag. Then, Yu Yinan waved to Chu Yi, who saw her all the way to the door before they parted ways.
“Study materials…” Yu Yinan looked at the heavy plastic bag in her hand and the closed door behind her. She finally let out a long, slow breath, composed herself, and headed back to the room they had rented.
Inside, Chu Yi leaned against the door, her mind replaying the various suggestions Yu Yinan had offered… Courage and sincerity?
It had been so many years… Maybe it was time to give it a try? Perhaps after she finished her current work, she could try dropping some hints, testing the waters?
Other than Yu Yinan, Chu Yi really had no one better to consult. Anyone she knew well would realize the moment she opened her mouth that she didn’t have a cousin or any other friends, and the term “childhood sweetheart” was far too specific. She would likely be completely exposed before she even had a chance to ask for advice.
“The New Year, huh…”
Yu Yinan walked back carefully, holding the bag. Downstairs, she submitted a seven-day electricity usage application and paid the fee before heading home. As she opened the door, she instinctively hid the bag behind her back, only to find that Zheng Yi wasn’t in the living room, or even in the apartment at all.
Hmm, did she go out for a walk? Before, Yu Yinan would have been very disappointed, but now, she was actually relieved.
She thought for a moment, not daring to charge the tablet in the living room or bedroom. Instead, she went into the apartment’s original bathroom, stood by the outlet, closed the door, and then quickly took out the tablet to charge it and turn it on.
Just what kind of study materials were so important to Chu Yi? And why couldn’t Zheng Yi know about them? Could it be some kind of secret guide to romance?
Yu Yinan was extremely curious. As soon as the tablet turned on, she plugged in the headphones and put them on. She quickly swiped the screen, found the file manager, and tapped through the folders until she found the one Chu Yi had mentioned: “Study Materials.”
The tablet had a large amount of storage, seemingly 512GB. Yu Yinan looked at the categories within the “Study Materials” folder.
“Tender and Beautiful,” “Costumes and Props,” “Rough Props,” “Bondage, Restraint, and Discipline,” “Group”…
Yu Yinan’s expression gradually stiffened. She stared at the categories in silence, a dawning realization of what kind of “study materials” these were.
No wonder… No wonder Chu Yi didn’t want Zheng Yi to know. No wonder she made her promise not to give her away… This kind of thing, this sort of matter…
Yu Yinan’s fingers trembled, and the temperature in the entire bathroom rose involuntarily. She took a deep breath, her gaze lingering on the folders. Finally, with a trembling hand, she tapped on “Tender and Beautiful,” and, her body rigid, clicked on the first video to play it and begin her studies.
Every so often, Yu Yinan had to pause, close her eyes, and regulate her breathing and emotions, trying hard to remain calm. Otherwise, the rapidly rising temperature… if she didn’t control it, she might end up damaging Chu Yi’s tablet.
Could it really be like this? She had thought, she had assumed that two girls… would only kiss, hug, and sleep in each other’s arms…
Once she entered a serious study mode, she became focused and calm. As long as she didn’t associate it with Zheng Yi, everything was controllable.
This study session continued for over an hour. Yu Yinan had never been so sharp and sensitive. The moment she heard the faint sound of footsteps outside the door, she immediately unplugged the charger. She put away the headphones, turned off the tablet, and swiftly stuffed everything back into the black bag, then hid it all in the cabinet under the sink.
She continuously calmed her emotions, then walked out of the bathroom quickly and nonchalantly, meeting the eyes of Zheng Yi, who had just come in.
“I’ve already spoken with Chu Yi. She’ll pass the message on to Yun Lingjian and the others. As for the meteor fragment, Chu Yi doesn’t know much either, but she’ll let me know when she has news.” Before Zheng Yi could ask, Yu Yinan quickly and rapidly explained the situation. She lowered her head, her heart pounding. For the first time ever, Yu Yinan didn’t dare to meet Zheng Yi’s gaze.
[What happened to Yu Yinan while she was out?] Even Zero One could tell something was off about her.
“Mm,” Zheng Yi acknowledged. She walked closer to Yu Yinan, only for the woman to take a step back as if startled, her eyes evasive and guilty. “Jiejie, are you sick?”
“Your face is so red.”
“…It’s-it’s nothing.” Although Yu Yinan hadn’t initially planned to hide the matter of the study materials from Zheng Yi, after she learned that these “study materials” were not those kind of “study materials,” the meaning was completely different! How could she tell Zheng Yi about this? How could she let Zheng Yi know! If Zheng Yi knew she was watching those things…
Yu Yinan truly didn’t dare to imagine Zheng Yi’s reaction.
Although, despite everything, Yu Yinan rationally understood that sex wasn’t something shameful or taboo-it was normal, a normal need and desire-but! Understanding and accepting it rationally was completely different from being caught in the act by Zheng Yi emotionally.
“Jiejie, look at me.” Zheng Yi raised a hand, gently tilting Yu Yinan’s chin up to make her look. “Really, is nothing wrong?”
“…” Yu Yinan looked at her but said nothing. When Zheng Yi asked a second time like this, all the excuses she could have made were impossible for her to voice. But, but… Yu Yinan’s face grew even redder, the blush spreading to the rims of her eyes. A mist formed in her gaze, and she opened her mouth as if to speak, yet still couldn’t say a word. “I-I’m learning some new things… It’s a field I never understood, never knew about, and never even thought about before.”
“Is that so.” Zheng Yi observed her. Yu Yinan clearly wasn’t lying. However, the answer was obviously hiding something. Zheng Yi chuckled softly but didn’t press further. Secrets~ She would allow Yu Yinan to have her own secrets and privacy. After all… in the relationships of this world, both parties needed to have their own personal space. “I went and earned thirty contribution points, then bought two bowls of plain congee.” As she spoke, Zheng Yi lowered her hand and walked to the dining table. She took two steaming bowls of congee from her personal space and placed them on the table, then took out two packets of spicy pickled radish from her backpack.
“Jiejie, come and eat.”
“…Okay.” Yu Yinan sat down at the table somewhat awkwardly. She picked up a spoon and looked at her bowl of congee, then hesitantly stole a glance at Zheng Yi, just in time to meet her clear, dark eyes. Her face grew even redder. She quickly lowered her head, scooped up a large mouthful of congee, and ate it without even blowing on it.
Fortunately, she was a fire ability user and wasn’t afraid of being burned. Otherwise, she would have had to open her mouth in a very undignified manner, unsure whether to spit the congee out or swallow it.
“The school here has opened,” Zheng Yi said. “I might go there and be a temporary teacher for a few days.”
“Eh? Will you get contribution points?”
“Of course. It’s paid daily, 30 contribution points a day,” Zheng Yi said. She could teach any subject; she knew everything. The knowledge she had learned in this world was firmly etched in her mind; she had always had a photographic memory. “Grandma Xu is also teaching there.”
For some reason, Yu Yinan thought of the small fishing village, of the image of Zheng Yi crouching down to give a little girl candy. “Zheng Yi, do you… like children?”
“Like them? I wouldn’t say I like them.” Zheng Yi smiled, as if amused by the question. “I just want to experience what it’s like to teach.”
“I see…”
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