Peach-Orange! – Chapter 252 – The Beginning of Tao-Tao’s Abnormal Behavior

Su Tao wanted to ask, but she didn’t dare, afraid of creating unnecessary misunderstandings.

In the past, when Ye Liang was still alive and before she had reconciled with Xiaocheng, Dongfang Yang, Si Chen, and Ye Liang had made a pact to pursue her openly, without resorting to underhanded tactics.

At the time, she had been flattered but mostly felt helpless.

Her personality, coupled with some inexplicably absurd thoughts that had crossed her mind back then, made her unable to refuse their arrangement.

For a long time, Su Tao had believed Dongfang Yang liked her.

That all the help he gave her was, in fact, a roundabout way of pursuing her.

But recently, she had gradually come to sense Dongfang Yang’s feelings. They were more like an older brother’s affection for a younger sister.

Pure and warm.

If someone had romantic or physical attraction toward another person, it would be obvious in their gaze.

Face, figure, legs… these were just superficial. Their tone of voice and attitude would also differ. Having that kind of desire would unconsciously influence a person’s subtle behaviors.

But from Dongfang Yang, Su Tao only sensed one word: purity.

Just like his personality: what you see is what you get.

The way he looked at her carried dotingness, along with admiration.

She had gradually assumed that Dongfang Yang had realized her relationship with Xiaocheng and thus abandoned any romantic pursuit, treating her purely as a younger sister instead.

But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case?

His feelings for her had changed. Was it because her rejection had been obvious? Once she focused entirely on Xiaocheng, she had started seeing Dongfang Yang solely as an older brother.

Realizing she no longer liked him, he had gracefully backed off without pressing further, and instead….

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Fell for Xiaocheng!

Su Tao found it hard to believe. She thought the likelihood of Dongfang Yang seeing Chi Xiaocheng as a younger sister was infinitely higher.

Before, she had never considered this possibility.

But now, once the seed was planted in her mind, it grew uncontrollably.

He always called Xiaocheng a “little idiot” or a “shorty.” But from another perspective, wasn’t that exactly how a tsundere would act when they liked someone?

Pretending to be prickly while actually caring deeply?

He was also extremely attentive to Xiaocheng, giving without expecting anything in return. Back when she had considered giving up on Xiaocheng and cremating her, Dongfang Yang had been even more insistent than her!

Did he want Xiaocheng to come back to life even more than she did?

Su Tao wasn’t entirely sure, vaguely feeling that this line of thinking was wrong.

But she couldn’t help it because the objective evidence was right in front of her: his bank card PIN was Xiaocheng’s birthday.

That was undeniable proof.

Phone passwords, lock screen wallpapers, bank card PINs… if it wasn’t out of affection, why would someone use another person’s birthday for these things?

A sense of crisis slowly crept into Su Tao’s heart.

Until Dongfang Yang called out to her, “Su Tao, what are you spacing out for?”

Su Tao snapped back to reality and forced a smile. “We can’t take this money. Dongfang Yang, you should keep it.”

“That’s not happening. This is specifically for Chi Xiaocheng—”

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Before he could finish, Su Tao stuffed the bank card back into his hand and cut in, “You’ve already helped us so much. If you start giving us money directly, Xiaocheng and I would really… feel too embarrassed.”

She couldn’t find a better way to phrase it.

But Dongfang Yang understood.

Some things changed in nature once money got involved.

Besides, Su Tao had never been interested in other people’s money. It was this very moonlit purity of hers that had attracted him, Si Chen, and the others in the first place.

Right, how could monetary compensation even count as a proper gift?

He had been too hasty, thinking letting Chi Xiaocheng buy whatever she wanted was the simplest solution.

Dongfang Yang reluctantly took the card back. “Fine. But the shops around these two streets are pretty expensive. If there’s anything you want but can’t afford, just tell me directly.”

“Okay!”

Su Tao nodded, relieved.

The next second, Chi Xiaocheng emerged from the changing room and asked curiously, “What were you guys talking about?”

“Nothing much.” Su Tao immediately smiled, hiding the earlier topic. “We were just saying we don’t have to attend the banquet anymore. So, Xiaocheng… do you… want to go shopping with me?”

Chi Xiaocheng blinked, then grinned cutely. “Sure! But if I get tired, Sister Su Tao, you’ll have to carry me.”

With that smile, her little fangs became slightly visible.

Su Tao, familiar with Chi Xiaocheng’s habits, knew that her fangs only showed like this when she was genuinely happy.

Her wariness toward her had truly faded.

Their relationship had improved.

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As for the matter with Dongfang Yang just now… she’d keep it from Xiaocheng.

The possibility that Dongfang Yang might like her terrified her. She really didn’t want Xiaocheng to find out.

That way… would Xiaocheng belong to her alone?

After Dongfang Yang gave a few more reminders, he finally left the room, giving the two sisters some space.

Only then did Su Tao properly take in Chi Xiaocheng’s outfit.

A thick orange down jacket, warm cotton pants, and short boots, paired with a pink scarf.

Two ribbons tied at the back gathered her chestnut hair into slightly braided, smooth twin tails.

Her petite frame, accentuated by the puffy jacket, gave her a chubby, adorable look.

But something seemed missing….

Su Tao’s gaze landed on Chi Xiaocheng’s bangs, and she realized—the orange hair clip she always used to wear was still at home.

Preserved as a “memento.”

That accessory had been like a personal emblem, something Su Tao had bought for her. She had always hoped Chi Xiaocheng would keep wearing it.

Like a mark of ownership.

Proof that she belonged to her.

But that hair clip was tied to bad memories.

The car chase, the leap off the broken bridge, nearly dying there.

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Surviving should have been a joyous thing, but at that time, she had rejected Xiaocheng’s confession.

To Su Tao, the hair clip held beautiful memories.

But for Chi Xiaocheng, those memories might not be so sweet.

Just like the dilemma of whether to restore her memories, the contradiction remained.

But even so, Xiaocheng was still adorable!

Now that their relationship had improved, her calling her “Sister Su Tao” still represented their closeness!

Su Tao shook off her unnecessary thoughts and asked Chi Xiaocheng, “Should we go shopping now?”

“Sure!”

Chi Xiaocheng moved to Su Tao’s side, and Su Tao instantly felt the cold wind around her dissipate.

Her eyes drifted to the slightly open window. The breeze brushed against Chi Xiaocheng, stirring her hair.

Today, the wind blew from the right.

“Let’s go.”

Su Tao held the door open for Chi Xiaocheng. After Xiaocheng stepped out, she quickly moved to her right side.

They walked out of the house and into the courtyard.

Side by side, they moved forward.

The cold wind fluttered Su Tao’s sleek high ponytail.