Peach-Orange! – Chapter 290 – How About Calling Me Tao-Tao From Now On?

Even though the person in her arms was soft and lovely, and her mind was hazy with affection, Su Tao immediately caught the key word in Chi Xiaocheng’s words.

—Tao-Tao.

A nickname only the version of her that had once loved her would use.

In an instant, Su Tao sobered up and stared straight into Chi Xiaocheng’s eyes, searching for any unusual emotion.

But with her intermediate-level acting skills, how could Chi Xiaocheng possibly slip up in front of Su Tao?

Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled without hesitation and replied, “What else would I call you? Of course, it’s Tao— huh?”

Mid-sentence, Chi Xiaocheng’s slender index and middle fingers suddenly pressed against her pink lips, her eyes reflecting confusion. “That’s weird… I think I just called you… Tao-Tao?

“That’s not right. I’ve never called Sister Su Tao that before. How strange.”

As if trying to recall something, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, her expression the very picture of genuine self-doubt.

Instantly, Su Tao’s excitement plummeted.

Xiaocheng hadn’t regained her memories.

Judging by this, she must have subconsciously used that familiar, habitual nickname.

A little disappointed, but soon, another wave of joy surged in her heart.

Seeing the little one frown in discomfort as she struggled to figure it out, Su Tao gently patted her head and chuckled. “Alright, if you don’t know why, don’t overthink it. But I actually really like that nickname. How about… from now on, you call me Tao-Tao?”

“Call you Tao-Tao?” Chi Xiaocheng was inwardly surprised that Su Tao was actively discouraging her from recalling the past, but her expression remained unchanged.

Reаⅾ oո КаtRеαԁiոɡCαfе

First, she called out softly and sweetly, “Tao-Tao?”

But the moment the word left her lips, she shuddered. “This… no, forget it. It feels way too mushy. I’ll just stick to calling you Sister Su Tao like before.”

“Okay.”

Su Tao didn’t push her, and the regret on her face was quickly masked by her ultra-low-tier acting skills.

She knew that rushing things wouldn’t work and might even backfire.

Today’s slip-up with “Tao-Tao” had already proven that deep in Xiaocheng’s subconscious, alongside the pain she had caused, the beautiful memories still existed.

Just like the intimacy of snuggling in her arms now… wasn’t that proof of their past love?

The scene had stirred up old emotions.

For now, Su Tao would rather comfort Chi Xiaocheng and wait for news from the doctors than risk another accidental fallout.

Suppressing her secret delight, she patted Chi Xiaocheng’s little head and whispered, “Still want to stay in my arms? A lot of people are watching, you know.”

Chi Xiaocheng had woken up earlier than Su Tao.

Of course, she knew they were being watched.

But that didn’t stop her from “belatedly” putting on a shy expression. With a soft “Eep!”, she immediately buried herself back into Su Tao’s embrace, perfectly acting out the image of a dazed, timid, and easily flustered little loli.

‘Wait, no—’

Rеαԁ оո KаtReαⅾiոɡСαfе

‘I, Chi Xiaocheng, am naturally a dazed, timid, and utterly defenseless little loli.’

Pressing her face into Su Tao’s ample chest, Chi Xiaocheng took a moment to calm down before finally emerging.

She pulled up the hood of her down jacket, covering her head and hiding her expression.

Su Tao smiled faintly, helped Chi Xiaocheng up, then glanced down at her slightly fidgety hands.

Her eyes sparkled with an idea.

Without hesitation, she took one of those small hands in hers.

Warm, soft, delicate, and comfortable.

In the past, she wouldn’t have dared to hold hands like this, constantly worrying whether Chi Xiaocheng would get angry, or whether it would even help recover her memories.

After repeated setbacks, she had lost confidence.

But now, that confidence seemed to be returning.

If she cared for her, liked her, cherished her, and wanted to hold her tight… then she should just do it.

No matter the emotion, no one would reject kindness that came their way.

Holding Chi Xiaocheng’s hand, she stood up. Wei Feng, who had been their makeshift assistant for hours, eagerly scurried over.

Not just him. The art student who had finished her sketch and been resting nearby also approached.

She handed over a framed drawing, depicting Su Tao and Chi Xiaocheng snuggled together.

Rеаd оո КαtRеadіngСаfе

Meticulously colored, with detailed shading on the grass and surroundings, it was undoubtedly a high-quality piece.

The art student smiled warmly at Su Tao, handed her the drawing, and before Su Tao could even ask—

She pressed a finger to her lips, adjusted the brim of her beret, slung her sketchboard over her shoulder, and walked away without a word.

Meanwhile, Wei Feng hoisted his backpack and chuckled. “That’s a really nice drawing. If you got a professional to do it, this’d cost at least three to five hundred, huh?”

Su Tao temporarily passed the drawing to Chi Xiaocheng, then picked up the 700 yuan the art student had left behind.

She pulled out two bills and offered them to Wei Feng. “Brother Wei… thanks for your help.”

Looking at the money, Wei Feng waved it off. “I helped out ‘cause I had nothing better to do. What’s our relationship? We almost lived and died together. You think I need 200?”

Su Tao smiled lightly. “Just take it. Otherwise, I’ll feel bad.”

“Nah, seriously, no need. My university’s famous for working like unpaid cattle, so I’m used to it. If you give me money, doesn’t that change the nature of our bond?”

In Wei Feng’s heart, Su Tao was still his white moonlight!

Sure, she had someone she liked, and sure, that someone was her girlfriend, but a girlfriend was better than a boyfriend, right?

As long as no other man had tainted her, she remained his pure white moonlight.

Chi Xiaocheng was her girlfriend? Didn’t that mean if he won over Su Tao, then this petite loli here would naturally also be his?

But as Wei Feng chatted with Su Tao, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

Rеαԁ оn КαtRеαⅾiոɡСаfe

Especially on his neck. The cold wind felt almost like a knife grazing his skin.

He glanced around but found nothing unusual.

Of course, he didn’t notice the little loli hiding under her hood, eyeing him suspiciously.

‘Since when did Tao-Tao have a male friend like this?’

‘And what’s this “almost lived and died together” business?’

Not sure, but current amnesiac Xiaocheng knows nothing~

After some back-and-forth, Wei Feng finally accepted the 200 yuan.

Not because he was tempted by the money, but because his sixth sense warned him that not taking it and cutting ties with his white moonlight might lead to something terrifying in the future.

After saying their goodbyes, Su Tao quietly asked Chi Xiaocheng, “Hungry? Want to grab lunch?”

Chi Xiaocheng’s smile didn’t waver. “Not really. Maybe we should go to the hospital first? Otherwise, we’d have to wait for digestion before the checkup in the afternoon.”

“Sure, we’ll eat after the checkup.”

Though it was earlier than planned, Su Tao agreed.

At the same time, she secretly sent a message to a contact named “Si Chen” on WeChat:

“Si Chen, Xiaocheng and I are heading to the hospital. Can you ask Dr. Lin to come earlier for the consultation?”