Qiao Meina clung to Lin Can's neck, her legs held securely in his arms. When her feet brushed against the tall grass, she lifted them slightly, letting them swing gently after they passed. It was already the third time he had carried her like this, and by now, it felt natural—habitual, even. Sometimes she'd lean close to his left ear and hum Wumeizi Jiang, other times it was Romantic Mobile Phone into his right ear. Her voice was soft, just enough for Lin Can to hear. Being carried by her "little brother" came with these little perks.
As she sang, she suddenly chuckled with a "chii~."
"Can Can, your ears are so red. The left one's even redder than the right. Hehehe~"
"Qiao Meina, I'm warning you—don't tease me. Or else I'll make sure you're hurting and bleeding tonight!"
The moment the words left Lin Can's mouth, he regretted it—because Qiao Meina bit his ear without the slightest hesitation.
"Lin Can! Meina! Hurry up and bring those buckets over here!"
"Coming!"
They reached a small stream deep in the forest. Lin Can held a bucket in one hand and Qiao Meina's hand in the other as they stepped barefoot into the cool, clear water filled with pebbles.
Zhang Chao walked over and tossed some crabs into the bucket. "Meina, you don't know this, but back when we were kids, Can wasn't exactly the most well-behaved. Every summer, he'd sneak off to play in the back hills. See that little pool downstream? I think it was in junior high… One time he went for a swim and nearly drowned. Liu Qin and I just happened to be nearby and heard him screaming for help. We ran over and pulled him out—otherwise, he would've been a goner."
Smack! Qiao Meina slapped Lin Can's hand. "Every year so many people drown, and you still went swimming in the river? What if you died?!"
Liu Qin watched her scold Lin Can, then exchanged a look with Zhang Chao as if to say: Yup, that's a real wife right there.
"It's all in the past now," Lin Can said, wrapping his arm around Qiao Meina's shoulders. "Thank God Chao saved me, or you wouldn't have your Can Can anymore." Then he turned to Zhang Chao, "Oh right, I've been meaning to ask—what were you and your girlfriend doing out in the back hills that day? Weren't you still in high school?"
"I… cough…"
You've got some nerve asking me that. Zhang Chao thought to himself. That day, your sister-in-law and I were about to 'get intimate,' and then you almost drowned. Seriously, I must've owed you in a past life—every time we try to get it on, you magically show up out of nowhere.
You've even traumatized your sister-in-law. Now, whenever we want to do anything—even at home—she'll ask, 'Check if Can Can is nearby?' You're worse than that nosy neighbor Lao Wang!
Liu Qin cleared her throat. "Aiya, let's stop talking about the past. The sun's going down—let's hurry up and catch some fish and shrimp."
Qiao Meina asked, "How do we catch them?"
"I'll show you… Look—like this." Lin Can crouched down, hands feeling under a large rock in the water. "Crabs like to hide under rocks. Gotta lift them gently so the water doesn't get cloudy. Then you can see if there's anything under there. Got it?"
"OK, got it."
"Good. You and sis can catch some over here. Chao and I will head to the bank and check those eel holes—I saw a ton of them. Let's go, Chao!"
Zhang Chao chuckled, "Can, your girlfriend is pretty great. I thought girls from the big city would be all fussy and hate the countryside. But she not only likes it here, she's really good to you."
"She…" Lin Can smiled sincerely, "is amazing."
"Yay~ Can Can, look! I caught a big crab!" Qiao Meina held it up triumphantly, but the next second—"Ah~!" The crab pinched her finger. She yelped in pain and let it go. It scuttled away. She tried to catch it again but slipped on the smooth pebbles and landed on her butt in the stream.
Lin Can ran over, caught the crab, and held it up. "Get up, quick—there might be eels in the water!"
Qiao Meina screamed and sprang to her feet, clutching her backside and leaping into his arms.
Seeing the amused look on his face, she realized he'd tricked her. She pounded him with her fists.
"Ugh, you're the worst—don't scare me like that!"
"Relax. The eels are more scared of you."
"Can, come quick! I found a big one!" Zhang Chao shouted.
"Coming!" Lin Can dashed off again.
Qiao Meina went back to crab hunting.
The dense woods couldn't block out the golden rays of the setting sun, nor dampen the excitement of the four young people.
Before long, they had a good haul. Liu Qin and Qiao Meina sat beneath a lychee tree at the roadside, picking and eating fruit.
Liu Qin said, "Help yourself. These are from our family's tree. There's more up top, but it's hard to reach."
"Can Can, come here!"
"What now?"
"Just come!"
"Alright…"
Lin Can walked over with the bucket.
"Squat down—I want to ride on your shoulders."
"Again? Why do you always want to ride me?"
"Because I can't reach the lychees! Hurry up!"
Qiao Meina pushed him into a squat and draped her smooth thighs over his shoulders.
"Stop wobbling—hold my legs. There's a bunch of lychees up there."
"Here you go, sis." She tossed a bunch down to Liu Qin.
Then she directed Lin Can, "Left a bit… right a bit… yep, perfect."
"Got your aim right?"
Qiao Meina felt something was off with that "aim" comment, so she clamped her thighs tight around his head. Lin Can thought his head was about to explode.
Then she released him.
"Open your mouth."
"Ah~"
She fed him a lychee.
"Tasty?"
"Not bad."
Just then, Zhang Chao came ashore with a bucket of eels. Qiao Meina tossed him a bunch of lychees. "Here, Chao!"
"Thanks!"
"No problem."
"Let's go. We've got a good harvest today—time to cook!"
The four of them trudged back down the mountain, chatting and laughing all the way.
Cicadas buzzed in the summer heat. Lin Can leapt into the air and caught one, shouting into the sky as if trying to capture all the joy of youth in this unforgettable summer.
The sun dipped below the horizon. The moon rose high. The world was cloaked in darkness—except for the warmly lit courtyard surrounded by fences.
Lin Can and Zhang Chao handled the cooking while Qiao Meina and Liu Qin helped prep. Soon, a delicious meal was served. The four of them sat beneath a grapevine trellis, tossing aside the day's fatigue and cares, laughing over drinks and enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Under the night sky, their laughter rang out. Who knows how long they ate? Eventually, it started to rain, signaling the end of their gathering.
Zhang Chao got a little too drunk. Lin Can helped him home. When he came back, he saw Liu Qin and Qiao Meina still outside, tidying up the dishes in the light drizzle.
"It's raining. Leave it for tomorrow. Sis, go look after Chao."
"Alright. You two get some rest."
Liu Qin left.
Lin Can locked the courtyard gate.
"Told you not to clean. Come on—let's go inside."
He pulled Qiao Meina's hand and ran through the rain into the house, shutting the door behind them.
Summer rain made the air muggy and hot. Both of them were drenched and sweaty.
Qiao Meina wrung out her wet hair. "Can Can, you shower first. Boys are faster."
"Alright."
Lin Can took the fastest shower ever, came out in a T-shirt and shorts, and plopped down on the sofa to put on a movie.
Qiao Meina pulled clean underwear, pajamas, and two washcloths from her suitcase, and headed toward the bathroom.
"Wait."
"What?"
"Two cloths? I know one's for your face—I've used it. The other one… oh~ I get it. For your butt, right?"
"You're so clever. (Completely wrong.)"
Qiao Meina would rather die than explain. She'd wait for the day he figured it out himself—now that would be a surprise.
…
A little while later, Qiao Meina called out from the bathroom, "Can Can~"
"What is it?"
"My pajamas and underwear accidentally fell into the bucket while I was washing clothes. Can you grab me a new set from my suitcase?"
"Sure."
Lin Can opened the suitcase and found everything neatly organized—dresses, stockings, bras, panties—most of them lacy, with various clasps and hooks.
He grabbed a set and went to the bathroom door.
"I'm hanging it on the door. Grab it yourself."
"Okay."
Creak—the door opened a sliver as Qiao Meina's hand reached out and took the clothes, then shut it again.
Next second, her voice came through the door with mild frustration: "Leopard-print bra, lacy camisole, and ultra-short pajama skirt?!"
Lin Can replied from the sofa, "You packed it, didn't you? Aren't you planning to wear it?"
"This one was an online impulse buy! It's too short—I don't even wear it at home. I must've grabbed the wrong one before the trip. Get me another set. This one's not right."
"I think it's perfect."
"You—!"
Qiao Meina bit her lip, realizing he'd picked it on purpose.
Whatever. It's bedtime anyway.
Soon, she put on the leopard-print lingerie and the ultra-short lacy camisole skirt.
The skirt barely covered her butt. She reminded herself not to bend over—one wrong move and everything would be visible.
She blow-dried her hair, tied it into a side ponytail resting over her left chest.
Girl… this hairstyle is dangerous. Have you forgotten?
She checked herself in the mirror—looked decent enough, maybe even a little conservative.
She stepped out of the bathroom.
Under the lights, a soft blush crept over her beautiful face. Already tall and leggy, she looked even more seductive in that short skirt. She held the hem and tried to tug it lower, hoping to hide more of her thighs.
Lin Can instinctively crossed his legs and leaned back.
"I still think this outfit is too sexy—not something I should wear in front of you. I'm going to change."
"No need," Lin Can got up and openly admired her. "You've got the figure—show it off. I'm not a stranger."
Qiao Meina looked up at him, and from his gaze, she could tell he genuinely admired her body.
"Can Can, I still think I should change…"
BOOM—
Before she could finish, a loud thunderclap shook the sky.
Qiao Meina shrieked and dove into Lin Can's arms.
Right after, the entire house went dark.
Power outage.
"See? You said you were going to change, and even the heavens objected. Still want to?"
"It's dark anyway. No point in changing."
In the darkness, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other slid under her knees, lifting her up.
"Can Can," she said shyly, "where are you taking me?"
"To bed!"