Chapter 35: The Rose That Woke Her With a Kiss

Fu Chaoying immediately began straightening her clothes and smoothing her expression.

Ye Jiayuan rose instead and walked to the entryway, pausing in front of the mirror to carefully fix her collar and make sure the tooth mark on her collarbone was hidden.

Then she opened the door.

As expected, standing outside was her mother, Chu Yiyun.

Neither Ye Jiayuan nor Ye Yian was married yet, so any large transfer of assets naturally escaped Chu Yiyun’s notice.

Of course, there were a hundred ways to keep something hidden; it was just that buying property in Hong Kong was such a big matter that Ye Jiayuan hadn’t deliberately concealed it.

She just hadn’t expected Chu Yiyun to storm over without warning.

“Mom.” Ye Jiayuan’s expression stayed perfectly calm, as if she hadn’t been surprised by the visit at all. She casually took the suitcase from her.

Chu Yiyun immediately stepped into the entryway, looking left and right. Her gaze swept over the house like radar, only to finally land on a familiar face on the living room sofa—Fu Chaoying.

“Aunt Chu? You’re here to visit Hong Kong too!” Fu Chaoying stood up at once to greet her. To make it seem more natural that she was staying home, she deliberately put extra weight on her right leg.

Chu Yiyun noticed her odd way of walking and quickly asked with concern, “Xiaoying, did you hurt your leg? Hurry and sit down and rest.”

Fu Chaoying smiled faintly and stayed where she was, waiting for her. “I bumped my knee yesterday by accident.”

Chu Yiyun asked after her a few more times, but her eyes kept scanning the living room and balcony, as if she were looking for something.

Fu Chaoying saw it all and secretly found it amusing, guessing that this surprise visit was naturally meant to investigate just who exactly the “beauty hidden in a golden house” was.

On her own initiative, Fu Chaoying suggested, “Aunt Chu, would you like me to show you around Sister Jiayuan’s place?”

Ye Jiayuan glanced at her without saying anything, a complicated emotion flashing briefly through her eyes.

Chu Yiyun quickly brought her to sit on the sofa and asked casually, “No rush. Are you the only two at home?”

Fu Chaoying nodded, pretending not to understand the implication. She answered normally, “My sister went to see Dong-shijie’s launch event.”

Chu Yiyun’s eyes lit up. “Xiaohua and Muyu…”

Fu Chaoying shot Ye Jiayuan a playful look, then smiled at Chu Yiyun with curved eyes. “My sister didn’t tell me the details, but I feel like they get along pretty well.”

Chu Yiyun let out a nearly imperceptible sigh, then glanced at Ye Jiayuan as if only in passing. “I wonder when I’ll get to see our Xiaoyuan’s partner.”

Ye Jiayuan, sitting in the single armchair with a file in hand, only lifted her eyes slightly at that. “There’ll be a chance.”

Even as she said that, her peripheral vision was already drifting toward Fu Chaoying.

Chu Yiyun shook her head at Fu Chaoying, sounding helpless. “Look at her. Always the same line.”

Fu Chaoying smiled politely and picked up the remote instead. “Aunt Chu, is there any Hong Kong drama you’d like to watch? There are a lot of interesting new shows lately.”

Chu Yiyun loved Hong Kong dramas most of all, but some of them didn’t air in the mainland, and even when they were brought over, there was usually a delay.

Now she was very interested.

Ye Jiayuan naturally didn’t say much. She only occasionally flipped through the newspaper, the faint rustle of paper breaking the silence.

Fu Chaoying chatted with Chu Yiyun from time to time, listening to her say that her sisters had all been busy lately, that her daughters were swamped with work, and that it was boring being alone in Nanyan; so she might as well come find her and Fu Chaohua to spend some time together and, by the way, check in on Ye Jiayuan.

The “by the way” part was probably the real point.

Fu Chaoying saw through it but didn’t say so. She only laughed and said it was livelier with more people around, then asked if Chu Yiyun wanted anything to eat so they could go out together at noon.

Chu Yiyun was delighted by Fu Chaoying’s coaxing and kept sighing that it would be wonderful if Xiaoying were her own daughter.

Fu Chaoying exchanged a tacit glance with Ye Jiayuan, then looked away in silent understanding.

They stayed home the whole morning. Ye Jiayuan arranged the restaurant for them; it was an old, well-established place Chu Yiyun loved.

Chu Yiyun liked lively places and kept asking whether Xiaohua wanted to join them at noon.

Fu Chaoying called her cousin. The other party politely declined, saying she had already agreed to have lunch with Dong Muyu and would meet up with them in the afternoon.

The three of them had lunch together, with Fu Chaoying and Ye Jiayuan seated on either side of Chu Yiyun; there wasn’t even a chance for any secret physical contact.

Only in the elevator was there a little space.

Fu Chaoying liked to secretly scratch Ye Jiayuan’s palm in the elevator, making the stealth of it feel even more delicious.

Still, in her heart, she regretted it: Aunt Chu was in her retirement mode now and wouldn’t be going back anytime soon; just when would she be able to completely devour Ye Jiayuan…

Fu Chaoying grumbled inwardly and could only secretly play on her phone during the break after the meal, sending Ye Jiayuan a WeChat message: 【How are we arranging tonight…】

Ye Jiayuan probably had her phone on silent and didn’t check it in time.

Fu Chaoying subtly stretched a leg across the table, but unfortunately her legs were too short and couldn’t reach the other person at all…

She cleared her throat, only to suddenly feel her calf brushed lightly—it was Ye Jiayuan, picking up the signal. Although she was chatting normally on the surface, her foot was anything but obedient.

Ye Jiayuan’s ankle lightly hooked around Fu Chaoying’s calf, dragging into a tentative rub; a certain tingling, electric sensation spread through her heart.

Fu Chaoying turned her head to glance at her and gave her a look; only then did the other woman rein herself in a little.

Fu Chaoying immediately pulled her leg back and sat properly, no longer daring to move around.

Only then did she think, with some emotion: Sister really is Sister… Ye Jiayuan seemed to have had her Ren and Du meridians opened overnight.

Chu Yiyun and Fu Chaoying discussed where to go play in the afternoon; this topic didn’t require Ye Jiayuan to be involved.

The weather was good today, but the sunlight was really harsh. Fu Chaoying suggested staying indoors.

She looked up nearby indoor amusement parks, but then Chu Yiyun asked, “Why don’t we go see a movie?”

Quite a few films still hadn’t been released in the mainland, and Fu Chaoying had been thinking the same thing. Ye Jiayuan naturally had no objection.

Fu Chaoying found a high-end cinema and then called Fu Chaohua. The other party said she would bring Dong Muyu over too.

Chu Yiyun was overjoyed and kept saying that she had just wanted to see Muyu.

Ye Jiayuan booked the entire theater.

Fu Chaohua and Dong Muyu hadn’t arrived yet, so the three of them went directly into the medium-sized private screening room.

Chu Yiyun picked a romance film, saying it was just right for the young people to watch and would get their hormones going.

Fu Chaoying blinked and glanced at Ye Jiayuan unobtrusively, only to see her lower her head and look at her phone.

The phone in the private screening room vibrated once; guessing that Ye Jiayuan had replied to her, Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat suddenly quickened.

When she opened it, she saw the other party’s reply: 【If x is even, then y is not.】

What was the point of exchanging code words now… Fu Chaoying paused slightly, then watched Ye Jiayuan stand up and say calmly, “I’m going to order some snacks. What do you want to eat?”

Fu Chaoying immediately picked up the thread. “Sister Jiayuan, what’s on the menu?”

Ye Jiayuan didn’t even look at her. “Come see for yourself.”

Cold, and very reassuring.

Fu Chaoying looked helplessly at Chu Yiyun. “Then Aunt Chu, should I go take a look too?”

Chu Yiyun nodded. “Remember to order milk tea.”

Fu Chaoying knew she was devoted to Hong Kong-style milk tea, and the corners of her lips curved deeply. “Got it.”

Fu Chaoying hurried out, but the moment she stepped out of the private room, she was wrapped in the familiar fragrance of magnolia.

Without a word, Fu Chaoying gently pulled the door shut, only to be immediately tugged by Ye Jiayuan into the empty room next door.

Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably; the instant the door closed, her lips were blocked impatiently.

The tip of Ye Jiayuan’s tongue was hot and invasive, her breathing equally heated and hurried, but her expression still carried that same cool, abstinent look.

Fu Chaoying loved this extreme contrast in her so much that she unconsciously looped her arms around her neck and returned the kiss.

In the dim room with no one around, the wet sounds of entwined lips and teeth, along with their rapid breathing, seemed to become a kind of aphrodisiac, driving the temperature higher and higher.

Feeling her fingertips setting fires everywhere, Fu Chaoying let out an involuntary soft moan, then gently pushed at her shoulder.

Ye Jiayuan still had enough sense left and immediately released her lips. But under the dim lighting, she clearly saw the silver thread stretching between their mouths, and her gaze grew slightly darker.

Fu Chaoying caught her look and curved her lips, then stuck out her moist pink tongue to lightly lick Ye Jiayuan’s lips.

In that instant, Ye Jiayuan’s fingertips rubbing the skin around her waist became even more forceful. A sly glint flashed through Fu Chaoying’s eyes, and she said hoarsely, “Aunt Chu is still waiting for us.”

The end of her sentence carried a touch of coaxing, and a trace of grievance.

Ye Jiayuan sighed helplessly. “You were the one who started getting handsy with me.”

Fu Chaoying’s fingers lightly teased the back of her neck as she looked into her eyes and laughed softly. “No I didn’t… it was obviously Sister who kissed me first.”

Ye Jiayuan gently pulled away the hand looped around her neck, increasing the distance between them a little.

Fu Chaoying leaned against the door and panted softly, steadying her heartbeat. Then she took out her phone and used it as a mirror, checking whether anything looked off.

Two minutes later, the two of them came out as if they had gone into the wrong private room.

A passing server gave them a knowing look before withdrawing her gaze.

Fu Chaoying noticed it, and her heartbeat sped up for a beat; then she felt Ye Jiayuan lightly take her hand, as if silently reassuring her.

They went to the counter to order some snacks, and happened to run into Fu Chaohua and Dong Muyu.

Fu Chaoying smiled and asked, “Did the launch event go smoothly this morning, Shijie?”

Dong Muyu nodded with a smile. “No problems. It was all thanks to Ms. Ye’s support.”

Ye Jiayuan gave a slight nod and said lightly, “Congratulations.”

The group returned to the private room together.

Chu Yiyun pulled Fu Chaohua and Dong Muyu into conversation, paying especially close attention to Dong Muyu; she asked how her grandmother was doing lately, and then asked about her love life.

While the others weren’t paying attention, Fu Chaoying quietly hooked a finger around Ye Jiayuan’s and played with it, only to receive a warning look from her.

Fu Chaoying pouted and reluctantly withdrew her hand, grumbling to herself: She won’t even let me play with her hand.

Then she suddenly came back to herself: Ye Jiayuan still hadn’t told her how the night was going to be arranged.

But it didn’t matter; Fu Chaoying was already planning in her head how to get her revenge that night.

As soon as the film began showing an eighteen-plus scene, Fu Chaoying hurriedly turned her head and joined Chu Yiyun’s conversation group.

Ye Jiayuan noticed her movement, and a trace of amusement passed through her eyes before she helplessly shook her head.

When the movie ended, Chu Yiyun was in high spirits and wanted to watch another one.

Ye Jiayuan listened quietly to their chat the whole time, occasionally taking out her phone to reply to a few work messages.

By mealtime, Chu Yiyun finally suggested they go eat.

Under Chu Yiyun’s enthusiastic invitation, Dong Muyu stayed as well.

The five of them split into two cars; Fu Chaohua, as usual, got into Dong Muyu’s car.

Chu Yiyun and Fu Chaoying sat in the back seat of Ye Jiayuan’s car, unable to resist gossiping. “Xiaodong and Xiaohua really do seem pretty suitable, huh.”

Fu Chaoying laughed softly. “So you saw something?”

Chu Yiyun analyzed it very rationally. “They knew each other in university; that counts as a reunion after a long separation. It doesn’t look simple at all.”

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help laughing. “Aunt Chu, you even know about reunion after a long separation?”

Chu Yiyun nodded proudly. “Of course. I’ve read plenty of novels.”

Fu Chaoying clung to her arm and acted spoiled. “Then Aunt Chu, you must be very experienced at chasing people. Can you teach my sister?”

Chu Yiyun lightly patted her hand. “I can teach you too. Do you want to learn?”

Fu Chaoying glanced at Ye Jiayuan’s profile unobtrusively and smiled. “Sure, Aunt Chu. Teach me.”

Chu Yiyun was cheerful as she began analyzing it. “The key to pursuing someone is to make them think they’re in control. Don’t show your interest too early; start as friends, slowly wear down their defenses, and then begin to ‘fish’…”

Fu Chaoying held back her laughter with great effort and only nodded repeatedly. “Aunt Chu, that makes a lot of sense. So the main thing is to make the other person ‘unable to resist, even if they’re surrounded by heaters’?”

“Ah, yes!” Chu Yiyun praised her repeatedly. “You learn pretty quickly.”

Fu Chaoying was laughing to herself inwardly when she heard Ye Jiayuan cough lightly. Then she turned around and said flatly, “Mom, don’t teach Xiaoying bad habits.”

Chu Yiyun gave her a sidelong glance. “I think it’s you who needs to learn. Always acting like you have no sex drive; aren’t you afraid your partner will run off?”

Fu Chaoying caught the key words and silently retorted in her heart: You’re probably seeing it wrong. Your daughter is definitely not sexless.

Her mind immediately began playing certain indecent scenes, and her throat moved slightly.

Ye Jiayuan instantly withdrew her gaze and silently resumed replying to work messages.

The driver kept her eyes on the road and her breath steady, but still stole a glance at the back seat.

After dinner, Dong Muyu finally took her leave.

Fu Chaoying, her sister, and Ye Jiayuan, mother and daughter, wandered aimlessly through the lively streets of Hong Kong.

Chu Yiyun really did start teaching Fu Chaohua how to pursue someone; Fu Chaohua listened in amazement. “Really? Really? Can that work?”

Fu Chaoying’s eyes curved as she chimed in lazily from the side, “Aunt Chu is someone with experience, and also a veteran novel reader and seasoned drama critic.”

Fu Chaohua kept asking, “And then? After the other person starts responding, then what?”

Chu Yiyun started teaching her that whole set of “make them chase after you by holding back,” adding Fu Chaoying’s summary of “making the other person unable to resist, even if they’re surrounded by heaters.”

Fu Chaoying listened with great interest, only to have Ye Jiayuan lightly pinch the soft flesh at her waist beside her.

Fu Chaoying jumped in surprise. Just before she cried out, she reacted in time; then she tilted her head to look at Ye Jiayuan, only to see her silently mouthing: Don’t listen to her.

Fu Chaoying blinked and pretended not to understand, continuing to join Chu Yiyun and Fu Chaohua’s experience-sharing session.

Ye Jiayuan helplessly shook her head, but a barely noticeable smile curved the corners of her lips.

The sea breeze by Hong Kong’s waterfront was very comfortable, though it still carried a faint fishy scent; so the group headed back.

The driver followed not far behind in the car.

Once they had walked enough, they all got into the car and went home.

Fortunately, Ye Jiayuan’s car hadn’t been fitted with airline-style seats, so three people could fit in the back.

Chu Yiyun was sandwiched between the two Fu sisters, enthusiastically talking about the Hong Kong drama she had watched that morning.

The lights in the car were a little dim, and after walking so much just now, Fu Chaoying’s sleepiness slowly crept up on her. She gently closed her eyes.

Chu Yiyun noticed and gestured to Fu Chaohua. “Xiaoying’s fallen asleep.”

At the foot of their apartment building, Fu Chaoying was softly patted awake by Chu Yiyun. “Xiaoying, go home and sleep.”

Fu Chaoying opened her eyes groggily and immediately saw Ye Jiayuan looking over at her, her gaze calm and gentle.

Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat suddenly sped up. She forced herself to look away, gave Chu Yiyun beside her a slightly apologetic smile, then turned and pushed open the car door to get out.

Fu Chaohua, worried she was too sleepy, came over to support her arm.

Ye Jiayuan glanced at the pair walking closely together, and her gaze darkened slightly.

After they got home, Ye Jiayuan helped Chu Yiyun bring her suitcase up to the second-floor suite, only to hear her ask in confusion, “Why don’t you live upstairs? Can that little room of yours even fit two people?”

Ye Jiayuan answered vaguely, “It’s more convenient downstairs.”

Back in the bedroom, Fu Chaoying showered. Looking at the love marks on her body that still hadn’t completely faded, she only grew more awake the more she washed.

Her mind flashed with all kinds of sensual images like a TV drama, and then she remembered Chu Yiyun’s words about “making the other person unable to resist, even if they’re surrounded by heaters.”

The corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve.

After drying her hair and changing into pajamas, she sprayed on a little light rose perfume before finally hearing Chu Yiyun and Fu Chaohua talking outside the door.

Fu Chaoying walked out of the bedroom and immediately saw Ye Jiayuan making flower tea.

She sat down beside Chu Yiyun without a sound and joined their conversation, but her peripheral vision stayed fixed on Ye Jiayuan’s movements.

The way Ye Jiayuan brewed tea was elegant and unhurried, with every detail controlled perfectly. Fu Chaoying’s attention gradually settled on her hands.

Those hands were fair and delicate; the fingers were straight and slender, the joints distinct, and they looked very strong.

In truth, they really were very strong… Fu Chaoying suddenly remembered those unbearable scenes from the night before, and her throat went slightly dry.

But then she unexpectedly met Ye Jiayuan’s gaze. Startled, Fu Chaoying immediately pulled her eyes away and looked at the television as if nothing had happened.

Ye Jiayuan’s eyes lingered for a second on her pink lips, and a barely perceptible curve appeared in her expression.

By ten o’clock, Chu Yiyun was tired and got up to go upstairs.

The others naturally dispersed as well.

Just before Fu Chaoying closed her bedroom door, her eyes met Ye Jiayuan’s.

She suddenly remembered that she still hadn’t replied to her about tonight’s arrangement.

The moment the door shut, another thought flashed through Fu Chaoying’s mind.

Then she lay down on the bed and played with her phone. Remembering what Aunt Chu had said about novels, she immediately searched on the Little Orange Book app, and from there concluded that the most popular site for reading yuri novels right now was

Fu Chaoying opened the app store, downloaded it, and registered an account at once. Then, after entering the yuri novel channel, she was practically dazzled by the choices.

She picked one at random to read, but before she could finish the first chapter, a message notification from Ye Jiayuan popped up——

【If x is even, then y is not.】

Fu Chaoying smiled faintly and replied: 【I’m going to sleep~】

【Sleep together.】

Fu Chaoying paused slightly, but didn’t hear a knock at the door.

She quietly opened it, only to see a figure slip in with lightning speed.

Ye Jiayuan locked the door behind her, took Fu Chaoying’s hand, and walked straight to the bed, asking softly, “Is that okay?”

She meant “sleep together.”

Fu Chaoying lightly scratched her palm, feeling the dry warmth there, and couldn’t help teasing her. “Sister already came in; why are you still asking if it’s okay?”

Ye Jiayuan sat by the bed and gathered her into her arms.

Fu Chaoying lifted her right hand to wrap halfway around the back of her neck while her left hand lightly tapped her shoulder. “Sister seems to really like this position.”

It had been the same in the bathtub last night as well.

She had been held by Ye Jiayuan while sitting on her lap.

Ye Jiayuan’s throat moved slightly, and she gave a soft hum.

Under her cool nasal tone, there was a trace of barely noticeable hoarseness.

Fu Chaoying pretended not to notice and got up from her, saying, “Time to sleep. Good night.”

She moved to the other side, lay down, and turned off the lamp on her side.

The light on Ye Jiayuan’s side also went out.

The bedroom instantly fell into wordless silence. Fu Chaoying could clearly hear the other woman’s steady, shallow breathing by her ear, then slowly closed her eyes and tried hard to drift off.

But she was unexpectedly pulled into an embrace.

Fu Chaoying struggled a little and asked with mild reproach, “What are you doing!”

Though it sounded like a complaint, there was clearly a hint of expectation in her tone too.

Ye Jiayuan tightened her arm around her waist, lightly rubbing over her smooth, delicate skin as she said softly, “Holding you to sleep.”

Fu Chaoying thought of this morning and deliberately said in a slightly mocking tone, “How can Sister sleep here with me… what if someone finds out?”

Ye Jiayuan didn’t answer. She only leaned closer to her neck and sniffed lightly. “You smell nice.”

After speaking, she still didn’t pull away; she just stayed quietly pressed against Fu Chaoying’s neck.

A fine, warm breath swept over Fu Chaoying’s neck, making it unbearably itchy. She inhaled sharply and said, “Mm…”

She had only meant to give a simple “mm,” but who knew that when it came out, it would turn into a soft, lilting sound with a faint hint of flirtation.

Fu Chaoying silently regretted it, but then Ye Jiayuan suddenly kissed her neck.

The kiss was light, seeming to carry no color at all, just the gentle touch of lips and tongue against her skin. But less than two seconds later, it stopped. “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”

Her tone even carried a trace of apology.

Fu Chaoying gave a soft huff. “…Then hold back.”

“Okay.” Ye Jiayuan really withdrew, and her hands stopped moving too, as if she had simply come over to sleep with her.

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together, feeling her steady breathing, and forced herself to relax, gradually drifting into sleep.

But at some unknown hour, she was slowly awakened by the tiny, prickling itch on her neck.

Fu Chaoying opened her eyes groggily, feeling the warm breath on her neck and the intermittent touches there; her mind suddenly cleared—Ye Jiayuan was kissing her neck, gently.

Her lips were soft, her tongue warm and damp, maddeningly ticklish.

Fu Chaoying unconsciously wrapped her arms around her neck and called her in a soft, spoiled voice, “Sister?”

“Morning.” Ye Jiayuan gave a quiet greeting, then leaned in to her lips and asked in a low voice, “Did you sleep well?”

The lower she kept her voice, the stronger the flirtatious air became. Fu Chaoying’s throat moved slightly.

“…What time is it?” As she spoke, the itch deep inside made her tone rise at the end.

Ye Jiayuan pressed the tip of her nose against hers and said softly, “Four.”

Fu Chaoying lightly rubbed her neck, her voice low and lazy. “Then let’s sleep a little longer.”

“What time.” Ye Jiayuan gently brushed her nose against hers again; her voice was slightly hoarse.

The corners of Fu Chaoying’s lips curved faintly, a trace of mischief flashing through her eyes. “Eight.”

Ye Jiayuan was silent for a moment, then let go of her and said calmly, “Then I’ll go back to my bedroom first.”

Before she had even finished speaking, Ye Jiayuan lifted the thin blanket and prepared to get up.

The warmth beside her suddenly vanished, and Fu Chaoying seemed to feel an emptiness in her heart as well.

Moved by impulse, she almost unconsciously reached out and lightly grabbed the edge of Ye Jiayuan’s clothes.

“Hm?” Ye Jiayuan asked in confusion.

Fu Chaoying said softly, “Sister, don’t go…”

Ye Jiayuan laughed helplessly. “I’m afraid I’ll oversleep.”

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together, then simply sat up and hugged her from behind, twisting slightly as she acted spoiled.

Ye Jiayuan placed her hand over Fu Chaoying’s crossed hands, her voice carrying a trace of helpless indulgence. “Then I’ll leave at five.”

Fu Chaoying rested against her shoulder and obediently nodded. “Okay.”

Ye Jiayuan lay back down again.

This time Fu Chaoying took the initiative to burrow into her arms, and called her softly, “Sister…”

Ye Jiayuan was still marveling at her initiative when she was just about to raise a hand to wrap around her; but Fu Chaoying in her arms had already quietly lifted the hem of her shirt.

Then, a wave of impossible-to-ignore itch spread across Ye Jiayuan’s waist.

————————

I’ll carry the banner for Sis 1 (not really) (just kidding, she’s the caretaker [rainbow fart]

[heart][heart]

TL Note:

If x is even, then y is not (奇变偶不变) is the opening of a Chinese math mnemonic, used here as a playful private code phrase.

unable to resist, even if they’re surrounded by heaters (浴霸不能) is a pun on 欲罢不能, meaning unable to stop or hold back.

Little Orange Book (小橘书) refers to the real-world Xiaohongshu/RedNote, a Chinese social app

carry the banner (扛大旗) = openly support or ship a person/couple online.

rainbow fart (彩虹屁) = exaggerated, over-the-top praise.

opened up her Ren and Du meridians overnight (任督二脉) = a wuxia/TCM metaphor meaning she suddenly became much more capable or “unlocked.”