Started as a comics editor

Chapter 246 The Trip of Three (2)
"Kaoru, did you do this on purpose?"

Nearly half an hour later.

The two sisters finally returned to the hotel.

Tang Yao changed into a light blue bathrobe, her wet hair draped over her shoulders, looking like a lotus emerging from the water, very beautiful.

The attitude wasn't very good...

She turned to look at her younger sister, who was also wearing a yukata. She looked fierce, but her flushed cheeks softened her imposing manner.

Tang Xun looked at her sister, who stood gracefully before her with her small, delicate, snow-white feet exposed.

No words were spoken.

She really liked her sister's current outfit. It wasn't that Tang Yao didn't look good in her clothes normally; in fact, many of them looked better than the yukata she was wearing now. But it's probably because things are rare and therefore more valuable.

It's rare to see my sister's appearance change so drastically.

Even for Tang Xun, Tang Yao's own sister, this was a rare and precious thing.

The straight-cut design of the yukata accentuated Tang Yao's shapely figure, and her pretty face with a rosy blush gave her a particularly clean and pure... yet mature feeling. Especially when the sleeves slipped down, revealing a section of her fair arm, the strong contrast between her skin and the color of the kimono was truly dazzling.

Tang Xun couldn't help but reach out and touch the bathrobe on her sister's body.

"I'm asking you something."

Tang Yao reached out and pinched her younger sister's flushed cheeks from the hot spring, gritting her teeth: "You only hugged me once, what do you mean by letting go and then hugging me again? Is it fun to bump into me and get my hair wet?"

"I'll help you dry it."

Is this something that needs to be dried?

"..."

Tang Xun stopped talking, but helped her sister straighten her bathrobe and then looked her over again.

Tang Yao: “…”

She looked at the pretty girl in front of her, dressed in a plain-colored bathrobe, and felt somewhat helpless.

I really can't bring myself to use excessive force.

Taking advantage of his hesitation, Tang Xun broke free from her pinching attack on his face, took a step back, and continued to examine her sister. Then she suddenly whispered, "So beautiful..."

"..."

Tang Yao glared at her younger sister: "What? Changing the subject, huh?"

just.

Tang Xun wasn't afraid at all and easily won over her sister, pulling her to sit on the bed and using a towel to dry her hair.

The room is a traditional Japanese-style room, and the lady has already made up the two single beds.

soon.

The two sisters then sat facing each other on one of the beds.

Tang Xun took a towel, raised her fair arm, and carefully dried her sister's hair, her gaze focused almost reverently, as if she were handling a delicate piece of porcelain.

The hotel was quiet, with only the distant sound of wind chimes and the sisters' soft breathing.

Tang Yao smelled the faint scent of hot spring sulfur mixed with the gardenia shampoo provided by the hotel on Tang Xun's body, which inexplicably made her feel at ease.

"All right."

But soon.

Tang Yao and her sister exchanged a glance, noticing the focus and caution in her eyes. Feeling a little embarrassed, she reached out and took the towel from her sister's hand, helping her dry her hair: "It's your turn, I'll dry it for you."

Your hair isn't dry yet.

"It's okay, I like this feeling."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Tang Xun stopped struggling and simply reached out her small hand to wrap around her sister's slender waist.

Tang Yao didn't think anything was wrong, after all, the two of them had just hugged in the hot spring, so this was nothing compared to that.

soon.

Tang Yao put down the towel, picked up a comb, and began to comb her half-dry hair. The rustling sound of the comb teeth brushing against her hair was particularly clear in the quiet room.

Since it was just a little playful accident that she accidentally got some of her hair wet, Tang Xun wasn't greatly affected; a quick wipe with a towel and it was almost dry.

As she combed her hair, Tang Xun's actions became increasingly excessive.

At first, she only wrapped her arms around Tang Yao's waist, but as time went by, she slowly leaned closer to her, and finally she nestled in Tang Yao's arms like a kitten, burying her head in Tang Yao's neck, as if she had lost all her strength and was extremely relaxed.

"Kaoru."

Tang Yao noticed this and, feeling somewhat helpless, called out to her.

"Sister is so beautiful... She looks good without a yukata, and she looks good with a yukata, she looks beautiful anytime."

Tang Xun's voice rang out, but it was unclear, muffled, with a coquettish nasal tone. Her arms around Tang Yao's waist tightened a little, the fabric of her bathrobe making a soft rustling sound as she moved. Her soft face gently rubbed against her sister's fair neck, and she murmured dreamily, "I don't want to give my sister to someone else."

Tang Yao was slightly taken aback, and finally understood what Tang Xun meant by "really beautiful," her face as rosy as a peach blossom.

"Don't give it to others, don't give it to others, get up."

After a while.

Tang Yao then realized what was happening and shook her younger sister sheepishly.

Tang Xun, however, did not react; her breathing remained even.

...fell asleep.

How relaxed is that?

Tang Yao realized this and was both amused and exasperated.

She slowly put down the comb, then tilted her head to look at her sleeping sister in her arms. Tang Xun's sleeping face was peaceful, her breathing even and long, and her warm breath brushed against her neck like a feather gently sweeping across.

"Really are…"

Tang Yao unconsciously twirled her sister's loose hair with her fingertips, gently shook her head, and then carefully supported her sister's neck, trying to lay her flat. However, she was held tightly as she moved. Tang Xun frowned in her sleep and unconsciously buried herself deeper into her arms.

"Kaoru?"

Tang Xun did not respond.

Only the hem of the yukata was lifted by the movement, revealing the girl's fair calves. Tang Yao noticed that her sister's toes were still tinged with a light pink from soaking in the hot spring for a long time, and her ten round toes were slightly curled up, like a little animal afraid of the cold.

Tang Yao could only hold her and lie down, a gesture that finally made her relax.

Tang Xun slowly loosened her grip.

Tang Yao was able to sit up, smooth her long hair, and then looked down at her younger sister's sleeping face.

Tang Xun's long eyelashes cast a small shadow under the light, her nose was slightly red, and her breathing was even and peaceful.

Tang Yao was silent for a moment, then gently pulled the blanket over Xun and tucked her in... Then she leaned down and gently kissed Xun's smooth forehead.

"Don't worry, your sister won't leave."

Aside from playing around with Li Xue.

This was the first time she had expressed her feelings so directly in this world.

then.

She stood up with a slight blush on her face, quietly dimmed the indoor lights, hesitated for a moment, then walked to the courtyard and gently opened the door.

The bright moonlight shone on the ground.

It seemed to have gilded everything in the world with a certain radiance.

In the quiet night, the cicadas chirped incessantly, and a gentle breeze blew.

Tang Yao looked at the hot spring pool in the distance, where mist was still rising. She recalled what had just happened, and the moment she ran over in her swimsuit and then regretted it. Then she looked up at the full moon above the dome and slowly raised her fair hand.

As she moved, the sleeves of her yukata slid down to her elbows, revealing her fair arms with a faint pink hue.

Tang Yao gazed at her slender fingers in the moonlight, and thinking of her sister's words of reliance, she suddenly smiled softly.

Was I really a time traveler?
Her memories of her past life are becoming increasingly blurry. Apart from those related to her works, she sometimes can't even remember who she was in her past life unless she specifically thinks about it.

Sometimes she even wondered if she hadn't actually 'time-traveled,' but had simply received a memory from a parallel universe—she was always Tang Yao, always had been.

Here she has her younger sister who depends on her, Li Xue who takes care of her gently, and her life, emotions, and ties.

However, she only had doubts... she was still somewhat unsure, after all, some habits had indeed changed.

She became more easily shy, more easily conflicted, and even stood up both Xun and Lixue at the same time... Ultimately, it was that hidden unease that was at play. She dared not face Xun and Lixue directly because she was afraid that her impure soul would taint them; she even dared not fully accept herself because, subconsciously, she still regarded herself as an 'outsider'.

But in the hot spring, the moment her younger sister hugged her tightly.

She realized that it really wasn't a big deal.

Just now, the younger sister praised her, saying, "I don't want to give my older sister to someone else."

And so, some invisible shackles quietly shattered.

She suddenly realized that perhaps there was no such thing as defilement at all.

She, Xun, and Li Xue were all the same...

She possesses all of Tang Yao's memories, emotions, and instincts. She is softened by Xun's coquettishness, sometimes wants to rely on Li Xue, and is moved by their joys and sorrows—she is Tang Yao, without a doubt.

Those distant memories are nothing more than an extra gift bestowed by fate.

Even if it isn't.

...Let's also consider it a gift from fate.

A gentle night breeze swept through the courtyard, and the steam from the hot spring swirled into a hazy mist under the moonlight.

Tang Yao stood to the side and suddenly chuckled, "This is fine too."

The bright moonlight shone on her fair and beautiful face.

Tang Yao let out a long sigh, having made up her mind. She slowly lowered her hand, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the bathrobe, feeling the soft touch of the fabric.

She seemed to remember something, looked down at her light blue yukata, at her slender waist, hesitated for a moment, and then, as if possessed, reached out and gently lifted her proud breasts, feeling their weight... before immediately lowering her hand with a slightly flushed face.

But she quickly realized what was happening and couldn't help but burst into laughter, her body shaking with mirth.

It’s still very strange.

But this sense of realism gave her a strange sense of peace.

under the moonlight.

Afraid of waking Xun, Tang Yao tried her best to suppress her laughter. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and her voice still carried the lingering laughter: "I'm such an idiot, and besides, this is too..."

The night breeze swept by, scattering her unfinished words.

Tang Yao forced herself to stop laughing, then suddenly noticed a camellia in the courtyard. The moonlight gilded the petals with silver edges, and it swayed gently in the wind.

Just like her feelings right now.

All the past anxieties and worries seemed to have drifted away with the night breeze, replaced by an unprecedented sense of ease, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from behind, like the soft rustling of a wooden floor being gently stepped on.

Then, a very light knock sounded, like a night breeze brushing against the door.

Tang Yao snapped out of her daze, realized something, and tiptoed to the entrance hall. She pushed open the door, and the warm yellow light of the corridor poured down.

really.

in the corridor.

Li Xue stood in the halo of light, still wearing that beige long dress with a full skirt. The skirt swayed gently in the night breeze, and the light gave her a soft golden edge, even her hair was tinged with a warm glow.

The moment she looked up and her gaze fell on Tang Yao, she was clearly stunned.

After all, Tang Yao had just finished her bath not long ago. The light blue of her bathrobe made her skin look as white as snow, and her not-quite-dry hair still had moisture in it. She looked like a lady who had stepped out of a traditional Chinese ink painting.

It was truly touching.

"Shh..."

Before Li Xue could speak.

Tang Yao then put her index finger to her lips as a shushing gesture, then turned and went back into the house to get the key, her movements as light as a cat's.

Close the door again.

The corridor lights cast long shadows of the two people.

Li Xue finally got a good look at Tang Yao in her yukata... Just like Tang Xun, she couldn't help but touch Tang Yao's yukata.

Good evening, Miss Li.

the other side.

Tang Yao greeted them... then noticed Li Xue's gaze. She thought for a moment, then, holding the sleeve of her yukata, she twirled halfway around, generously showing Li Xue her yukata, and asked with a bright smile, "Does it look good?"

Her complexion was as clear and radiant as jade, like a crescent moon with a halo around it. Suddenly, she revealed a smile that shone brightly, making her breathtakingly beautiful...

Li Xue: "..."

At this moment, Li Xue experienced for the first time what it meant to be 'speechless with beauty'.

……

five minutes later.

Li Xue's room.

The warm yellow light made the tatami mats look especially cozy, and Tang Yao stretched out on the bed.

"Kaoru seems a little tired, she's going to sleep now."

Tang Yao's voice was languid as she looked at the ceiling: "I was just thinking about how not to wake my sister when you arrived. You're a lifesaver, Miss Li."

Li Xue knelt to the side, her eyes unconsciously following Tang Yao's every move.

She always felt that Tang Yao was a little different; she seemed unusually relaxed tonight…

"Um……"

Li Xue responded, then looked at the exceptionally clean and beautiful Tang Yao and said softly, "The bathrobe is very beautiful, very beautiful."

Speaking of this, she couldn't help but recall the scene in the corridor just now.

Some ecstasy.

"Then why don't you give it a try? What if you're more suited to it? Wait, didn't you go to the hot spring?" Upon hearing this, Tang Yao immediately got up and sat on the bed, displaying her feminine grace to the fullest.

She looked at the older woman in front of her and suddenly realized something was wrong.

to be frank.

She also really wanted to see Li Xue in a yukata; the voluptuous and mature older sister... she felt it would look very good.

But she didn't expect that Li Xue was still wearing the clothes she wore during the day.

Upon hearing this, Li Xue snapped out of her daze and then blushed slightly: "I...I didn't have time yet, I was just reading a comic book."

Tang Yao was slightly taken aback: "Reading comics?"

"Hmm, didn't you send out the draft of Chainsaw Man that you prepared? The Serai arc is about to end."

Li Xue smoothed a strand of hair at her temple, a slight blush rising on her delicate face, and began to lie through her teeth: "I just went to check the reviews."

"Chainsaw Man."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yao's languid aura vanished instantly: "So, what's the review?"

"very good."

Li Xue nodded gently: "Many readers say this is the most exciting part of the comic so far... it's just..."

"So, a lot of people call teachers third-rate, right?"

Tang Yao felt somewhat helpless; that live stream had indeed brought some trouble.

This is still considered good, after all, the Serai arc is currently... normal.

The deafening "Yay!" hadn't even come out yet.

The sequel has not yet been released.

And the ending, which is practically a food show... hasn't come out yet.

Drawing these chapters would be troublesome.

She only unloaded her burdens on Xun and Li Xue, but not on everyone else...

By the time……

Forget it.

we'll talk about it then.

Moreover, while this work is a bit eccentric, it is undeniably excellent.

Also.

When it ends.

If Left 4 Dead production goes well...

and many more.

Why are you thinking about work again?

Tang Yao quickly stopped her thoughts and gently shook her head: "Ms. Li, let's not talk about work..."

"Ah."

Li Xue felt somewhat guilty.

"Aren't you going to soak in the hot spring?"

To stop thinking about it, Tang Yao turned to look at the courtyard and changed the subject, saying, "Actually, it feels pretty good."

"Hmm... I'm planning to take a bath. I'm quite curious about it, but..."

As Li Xue finished speaking, she looked towards the courtyard and said shyly, "I was engrossed in reading comics just now, and it's very dark outside, I..."

"???"

Tang Yao followed Li Xue's gaze to the courtyard, then turned to look at the beautiful and charming older sister in front of her, her beautiful eyes widening slightly: "You don't want me to go to the bar with you too, do you? I just finished going to the bar not long ago!"

No.

Xun is afraid of the dark.

Li Xue is afraid of the dark too!?
Li Xue asked earnestly, "Is that alright?"

"..."

……

After half an hour.

After rinsing herself off, Li Xue stood by the hot spring pool.

As night deepened, the stone lanterns in the courtyard continued to emit a soft light.

finally.

Tang Yao agreed, even though it was really strange that she would have to soak in the water again...

But you can't just say you don't believe Li Xue is afraid of the dark, can you?
My younger sister believed it, but Li Xue didn't...

She couldn't do such a thing.

Besides... it really doesn't seem like a big deal. There's something she's wanted to do for a long time.

So in the end, I agreed.

"We're going to soak again tomorrow, so let's all three of us soak together during the day. Otherwise, it would be too weird for me to soak twice by myself..."

However, agreeing is one thing.

Tang Yao couldn't help but complain softly, and then stopped tying up her long hair, since it was still wet... She simply took off her bathrobe and put it into the box next to her where clothes were kept. After testing the water temperature with her toes, she slowly stepped into the hot spring.

I entered the warm water again.

This time, Tang Yao was used to it. She exhaled softly, her black hair spreading out in the water like a piece of soft silk.

She turned to look at Li Xue.

Li Xue was staring blankly at her.

"What's wrong?" Tang Yao asked, tilting her head with a slight blush on her face.

"It's nothing..." Li Xue's voice was a few decibels lower than usual, and the tips of her ears were slightly red.

Tang Yao said helplessly, "Then what are you doing? You're not going to leave me soaking in the tub all by myself, are you?"

Li Xue pursed her glossy red lips and looked at Tang Yao... Tang Yao tonight was really different, as if she had shed some kind of invisible restraint.

My whole being brightened up.

Really...

of course.

That's not why she was stunned.

"Hey……"

Tang Yao's voice woke Li Xue up again.

"Feel sorry."

Li Xue came to her senses and slowly untied her bathrobe.

Her tall, well-proportioned, and full-figured body was revealed, possessing the unique physical beauty of an Eastern woman, as well as mature and enviable curves, seemingly radiating attraction at all times.

Tang Yao pretended to look away, but couldn't help glancing over out of the corner of her eye.

Li Xue felt a little shy. After putting away her clothes, she suddenly stopped moving.

Tang Yao realized what was happening, moved to the edge of the pool, and reached out her hand to Li Xue.

Li Xue was slightly taken aback, then placed her fair hand on Tang Yao's palm and helped her slowly walk into the hot spring.

wow——

The water surface rippled.

The two stood in the hot spring, their snow-white feet, like ice lotus blossoms, facing each other. The rising steam slightly obscured their delicate bodies, but their smooth, fair skin could still be seen through the hazy mist.

Li Xue looked at the girl in front of her with delicate, fair skin that shimmered like milk cream, and was about to speak.

"Li Xue".

But Tang Yao spoke first, placing her hand directly on her snowy shoulder, and said, "Tell me now, where exactly have you gained weight?"

"……Um?"

Li Xue was suddenly stunned.

"You often say you've gained weight, and when I say I don't believe you, you insist on proving me right away!"

Tang Yao pressed down on her shoulders, gritted her teeth, and said fiercely, "Now you have a chance to prove it! Prove it to me now! I've wanted to do this for a long time!"

"..."

Li Xuerou's beautiful face immediately flushed red.

That's not what she usually says... wait, it seems like that's her purpose.

But here's the thing.

Something doesn't seem right.

I seem to be more shy...

"Say!"

Tang Yao was still urging him on.

Li Xue said shyly, "Let's soak for a while first..."

"no!"

Tang Yao immediately refused: "If you won't agree, then I'll verify it myself! You don't need to compare yourself to others! Just compare yourself to me!"

"Eh……?"

"and many more……"

"Hahaha, don't tickle me... Yao..."

"I got my revenge..."

"Well……"

soon.

The two then found themselves in a situation of mutual revenge.

As night deepened, steam rose from the hot spring pool.

The soft light from the stone lanterns cast shimmering shadows on the water, making the figures of the two people appear hazy and dreamlike.

at last.

Tang Yao was tired.

She wrapped her arms around Li Xue's waist, rested her forehead on her shoulder, and breathed slightly. Water droplets slid down her hair and dripped onto Li Xue's fair skin: "You're clearly not fat at all!"

"I...I just said it casually..." Li Xue was being held by her, and she explained softly, the blush on the tips of her ears still lingering.

Tang Yao continued, "Will you tell me again later?"

Li Xue did not answer.

The hot spring water rippled gently, as if time itself had slowed down.

As night deepened, the occasional chirping of insects in the courtyard added to the tranquility of the night.

Li Xue looked down at Tang Yao's wet hair and couldn't help but ask softly, "Tang Yao... you seem a little different tonight."

The changes are not very noticeable.

If you're not familiar with Tang Yao, you probably wouldn't be able to tell.

They even thought it was normal.

But Tang Xun and Li Xue are the people in this world who know Tang Yao best.

"Ok?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just feels different. Why?"

"Maybe it's because..."

Tang Yao was silent for a moment after hearing this, knowing what Li Xue was referring to. She slowly raised her head, looked at Li Xue's beautiful face, and subconsciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. At the same time, she replied, "I've discovered something."

Li Xue asked curiously, "What is it?"

Tang Yao straightened her back slightly, and whispered tremblingly, "I'm a girl."

"..."

It sounds like a pointless statement.

Li Xue's body stiffened slightly as she looked at Tang Yao. After a long while, she lowered her eyes and replied, "I know..."

"No one complained?"

Tang Yao was taken aback for a moment, then smiled gently: "It's good that you understand. Anyway, it's not a very important thing. You just need to know that I fully understand this point. I am Xun's older sister, and also your best friend."

"Um... I know, but I don't mind."

Li Xue looked at the two people's fair and long legs that were faintly visible beneath the water's surface.

"mind?"

Tang Yao always felt that the two of them were not talking about the same thing.

But a night breeze blew by, and it got a little chilly...

So she quickly sat down with Li Xue in her arms, letting the warm spring water wash over her shoulders.

And quickly.

I forgot about it.

(End of this chapter)