Chapter 61: The Gift

Long in bathroom—out one after another.
Qi Yu ahead—Jiang Ya behind—fixing hair—touching face temperature—afraid others notice—guilty shy.
Three at table chatting—casual greet—sit eat.
Small round rental table—five crowded. Qi Yu sat by Tang—casual. “Bathroom that long? Almost came—food cold.”
Pause. “Long?”
“Over ten minutes—you tell me.”
Kissed that long?
Felt like five minutes.
Normal face—chopsticks—glanced Jiang Ya.
Hair up—forehead profile—blush faded—lips still swollen—red trace—bathroom kiss memory.
……
More restrained Jiang Ya—more mischief—more lip bite—more “invade”—more fear sound—more tease—until both panting stop.
Obvious stare—Jiang Ya noticed.
Could not stop—could not look back boldly—bathroom scenes—her own sounds—twenty years propriety shattered—not angry—more shy—ears near bleeding.
Tang collected their eye language.
Only insider—Tang suffering—no one to share—must keep secret.
Belly full gossip—worse than bitter pill—cannot speak.
Jiang Ya getting soup—elbow Qi Yu—whisper. “Hey—you… how long? What stage?”
Glance Tang Li Wen Xuan—low. “What stage?”
“Tsk.” Real dumb or playing dumb—must spell out.
“Deep exchange.” Emphasized first two words.
Pause—weird look—“Why care?”
“Can’t ask? Fine don’t say.”
“……” Speechless—honest. “Not yet.”
“Not yet???” Heard wrong.
Thought shy—no experience. Over a month—hot period—Tang would be veteran by now.
“What problem—so long…” Hates iron not steel—asked early month—thought slow burn—end of month still none—old age pure love students?
Thought—one reason.
“You… neither know how?”
White eye.
Since the probing touch was rejected days ago—did not push—freedom for Jiang Ya—sex icing—not solo demand—both ready—step by step. And… Tang hit mark.
Not blunt like Tang—privacy hard. Jiang Ya back—ignored gossip—chat Jiang Ya.
Two minutes—phone vibrate crazy pocket.
Picked up—Tang teasing eyes—tight—videos—all Tang.
Titles blush enough.
Domestic—JP—anime—Western…
“What watching?” Jiang Ya curious peek.
Instant switch—put down—calm. “Messages.”
“Me.” Tang self-exposed—both looked.
Glare warning—failed—smile at Jiang Ya. “Deep academic discussion—study materials sent.”
“If interested—research together.”
Teasing eyes—Jiang Ya did not get—serious agreed—even asked Tang earnestly.
Sandwich—dazed Jiang Ya—red face Tang—mute—stop her asking?
Tang table topic—scanned titles—direct naked—unopened—fantasy faces became Jiang Ya—mind messy—meal distracted.
After rest—Tang Li Wen volunteered dishes—clumsy—soap vs dish soap—nearly break bowl—Qi Yu taught.
Three kitchen noise—Jiang Ya Xuan cake fridge—portions. Jiang Ya ordered—fancy box—carved perfect—Xuan photo frenzy.
Qi Yu did not want splurge—since eighteen birthdays not special—home yearly—Jiang Ya enough.
Jiang Ya insisted ritual—“First year together—first birthday—memorable.”
Qi Yu smiled—“First then second—your birthday—we travel.”
“Every year—either birthday—new place—circle world—footprints—okay?”
“Okay.”
Jiang Ya smiled.
Eyes then like now.
Lights off living room—Qi Yu center—Jiang Ya opposite—candles done.
Looked up—candle in brown pupils—fireworks—dazed.
Tang saw mood—pat Qi Yu—“Blow candles.”
Both looked down—Qi Yu rare shy—Jiang Ya hand cover smile—gentle.
Li Wen beside Jiang Ya—smile between them—meaningful. Tang afraid exposure—signal Qi Yu. Only Xuan—cake in eyes.
“I’ll wish.” Straight—hands clasped—eyes closed.
Open—met Jiang Ya—lowered smile.
Xuan saw exchange—strange flash—gone—“What wish? Extra—get rich—I share.”
“Only you want unrealistic.”
“Loved ones and those I love—around me—all well.”
Li Wen—“Said out loud—won’t come true—wish again.”
“No need.” Knife—first slice Jiang Ya—smile—“Not wish—fact.”
“Already realized.”
Hope this time—longer… longer…
Knew life not always calm.
“Tsk tsk.” Tang squint pair—not public—secret show.
“No great wealth—satisfied—money okay—no trouble—company—enough.”
“Company”—word by word at Jiang Ya—hope she gets hint.
Jiang Ya bad at teasing—in front of others—lowered eyes—shy—dark hid blush.
Late—leave—Li Wen drinks earliest.
Xuan doorway wait Tang—Jiang Ya clearing with Qi Yu—“Teacher Jiang not going back?”
Both stiff.
Jiang Ya quick—soft—“Fifth floor—elevator—no rush—you go.”
“Oh.”
Turn—Tang shoulder—pushed out—hug tight—“Yeah go—I send you home—go go.”
Slammed door—dragged Xuan elevator.
Xuan taller half head—neck hooked—tilted—“Sis let go—I walk.”
“No—I’m tired—you support me.”
“Ah—”
“Ah what—fine don’t.”
Hand away—cold walk alone.
……
Three count—Xuan followed—poke shoulder—“I’ll support… don’t mad…”
“Dare refuse me again?”
Shake head—big golden retriever.
Tang laughed—arm linked—proud hum.
……
Jiang Ya stayed Qi Yu apartment.
Qi Yu washed—bedroom Jiang Ya sitting bed side—blank. “Really staying tonight?”
“Zaizai alone—okay?”
Looked back—followed her— “Mm—told it behave when I’m out.”
“Fine—checked monitor—sofa sleeping.”
“And… promised—stay with you tonight.”
Stood before—hand hair—warm smile. “Thank you—happy birthday.”
Looked up—thought—lowered shy—“Actually—another gift…”
“Gift?” Surprise—“Gave already—still wearing.”
Necklace—dim light—diamond sparkle.
“Not that.” Stood—arms waist—in arms shoulder—soft—“Thought long—today best day.”
“What gift?” Soft voice—heart trembled.
Most beautiful words: “I want to give myself to you.”
“Everything… no reservation.”
“Not only heart—body… all—I give you—okay?”