From v3c59.2: Scattering Seeds part 2: Winning at Life (Patreon)
Content
But tonight, Meiling obviously just wanted Xiulan to sleep, and be rested, so she clambered into her own bed, embracing both her children and her husband and making noises of comfort.It looked warm, and it looked comfortable. Xiulan smiled at the scene, and made to leave herself. Back to her own bed, alone for the last night.Xiulan hesitated.She glanced back at Jin and Meiling, and chewed her lip.She… she didn’t want to be alone tonight, either. Not out of lust, not out of some base feeling… But because she wanted to feel the warmth of home, for just a bit longer.At first, hesitantly, and then, with more determination, as she grabbed the covers of Jin and Meiling’s bed, pulled them up… and then slipped in behind Meiling. The married couple froze as she hugged Meiling from behind.There was a bit of embarrassment; Xiulan waited for Meiling’s teasing, about how she finally really got Xiulan in their bed. She was stiff, and a bit awkward.But instead, there was nothing. Meiling’s hand came up to grab Xiulan’s own, the slight tremor in it dying immediately at her friend's touch.It was not the touch of a lover, or filled with any sort of lust.It was calming and soothing. The pillar she had relied on, when her heart was so disturbed.Xiulan took a deep breath, the scent of medicinal herbs filing her nostrils, clean and fresh. Then, she looked up to Jin. her sworn brother smiled at her. It was the same expression she had seen on Bowu’s face, when he spoke with Xianghua; his own hand touched hers.
Yes, Meiling is still smug about this.