Beautiful Woman, You Have Another Express Delivery! (GL) - Chapter 21

“Qiuyi? Why are you here?” Liu Shuhan said, surprised.

Cheng Qiuyi’s car was not far from the hotel where they were staying, less than a five-minute drive. Cheng Qiuyi kept her word. The car pulled over at the entrance of the residential area. “Spend some quality time with your uncle and auntie.”

“My dad’s arthritis is an old problem. It won’t get better anytime soon. I might…”

“I know. I also have things to deal with these two days, so don’t worry about me,” Cheng Qiuyi said, feigning ease.

“You…”

“Alright, go on up. Text me when you get home safely.” Cheng Qiuyi leaned over and unbuckled Liu Shuhan’s seatbelt.

Liu Shuhan wrapped her arms around Cheng Qiuyi’s neck and kissed her lips. The sudden movement caused their teeth to clash. Both winced in pain, but neither let go.

The space in the car was very narrow. Cheng Qiuyi propped one hand against the car window, trapping Liu Shuhan in the small seat, and took the initiative in the kiss.

The kiss was far from gentle. The tongue slid over the oral cavity, causing a stinging sensation. Bl00d, she wasn’t sure whose, spread across their tongues first. That slight metallic taste broke the last thread of Cheng Qiuyi’s rationality. Her hand reached under Liu Shuhan’s short skirt, stroking her thigh.

Liu Shuhan’s breathing quickened. She pressed down on Cheng Qiuyi’s mischievous hand, pushed Cheng Qiuyi away, and said with a tearful face, “Cheng Qiuyi…”

“Hmm?” Cheng Qiuyi was aroused by Liu Shuhan but then forcibly interrupted. Her tone was a little annoyed.

Liu Shuhan mumbled like a mosquito. “I… I… am wet…”

“What?” Cheng Qiuyi didn’t hear clearly.

“I said I’m wet! This is all your fault! It’s all your fault!” Liu Shuhan pressed her legs together awkwardly, feeling both shy and angry.

Cheng Qiuyi laughed. “You deserved it. Who told you to provoke me?” She leaned close to Liu Shuhan’s head and lightly licked Liu Shuhan’s small earlobe. “It’s okay. I’m the same. Do you want to check?”

“…”

The slightly melancholic atmosphere they had managed to create was completely ruined by Cheng Qiuyi’s joking.

“Shuhan.” Cheng Qiuyi straightened her expression. “This is the first time we’ve been apart since we got together. I’m going to miss you.”

Liu Shuhan couldn’t bear to hear about being separated from Cheng Qiuyi. Her mouth instantly drooped. “Qiuyi, what should I do? I’m already starting to miss you…”

Cheng Qiuyi raised her hand and patted the back of her head. “Alright, alright. If you delay any longer, your parents will be resting. Go on. Call me tonight.” Then, without further explanation, she shooed Liu Shuhan out of the car.

“The wind is strong at night. Go back quickly, don’t catch a cold.” Cheng Qiuyi left that last sentence, raised the car window, and drove away.

Liu Shuhan stood by the roadside for a long time. Only after confirming that Cheng Qiuyi had really left did she turn and enter the residential area.

Cheng Qiuyi didn’t go far. Her car stopped as soon as it turned a corner, out of Liu Shuhan’s sight. Liu Shuhan was indecisive, so Cheng Qiuyi had to make a decision for her.

When Cheng Qiuyi was young, her mother was busy with work, and her father paid little attention to her. The time her parents spent with her combined was surprisingly less than the time she spent with her master. Moreover, her master was more strict than loving. For more than two decades, Cheng Qiuyi had hardly experienced the “bl00d is thicker than water” emotion described in books, and even her concept of family love was vague.

Cheng Qiuyi scoffed at the idea of family love, but she could sense Liu Shuhan’s eagerness to rush back to her father when she learned of his serious illness. That urgency was impossible to fake. If Liu Shuhan were forced to choose between Cheng Qiuyi and her parents, she would feel guilty no matter what she chose, so Cheng Qiuyi had to choose for her.

This was only the beginning. If one day Liu Shuhan truly had to choose between her and her parents, what would she choose? Cheng Qiuyi wasn’t sure. She could only try her best to keep Liu Shuhan firmly in her grasp.

Liu Shuhan’s parents lived in an old residential area. Her home was on the fifth floor, and there was no elevator. Worried about her father’s illness, she climbed several steps at a time, arriving at the door breathless. She didn’t know how her mother managed to help her stout father down such a tall building.

It was not yet nine o’clock. Liu’s father and mother were watching a TV series. The show had reached an exciting climax. Liu’s mother was engrossed. Hearing someone knocking at the door, she reluctantly got up. “Coming! Who is it so late at night?” Her hand was on the doorknob, but her eyes were still glued to the TV.

“Mom…”

The old security door opened slightly, and Liu Shuhan stood at the entrance.

“Oh.” Liu’s mother’s mind was still on the TV. She answered carelessly, then froze when she clearly saw the person. “Shuhan? Aren’t you in C City? Why are you back?”

“Mom, why didn’t you tell me that Dad’s old illness acted up again? How is the situation now?” Liu Shuhan walked into the living room, only to see her father, Liu Sen, happily watching the TV series, laughing so hard his gums were showing. Liu Sen was also surprised and delighted to see his daughter back. “Shuhan? Your mother and I were just thinking about visiting you soon. I didn’t expect you to come back first.”

“Dad, the noodle shop owner said your arthritis acted up again. What happened? Why didn’t you tell me?” Liu Shuhan sat down next to Liu Sen.

“It’s nothing. Don’t listen to the owner making a fuss. I’m almost completely better now.”

Liu’s mother brought over a plate of sliced watermelon and scoffed. “I wonder who was in agonizing pain last month. Now that you’re fine, you know how to act tough in front of your daughter.”

“Comrade Xu Ruyun, you talk too much!”

Liu’s mother’s maiden name was Xu, and her given name was Ruyun. Liu Sen had called her Little Xu since they were dating and hadn’t changed it over the years. When he was truly annoyed, he would call her by her full name, just like now.

Liu Shuhan was completely defeated by these two old people. She was unreliable enough, but her parents were even more unreliable than her. “I can’t believe you two. Is being sick a small matter? You hid it from me for so long!”

Liu Shuhan meticulously questioned Liu Sen about his condition. Only after confirming that he was genuinely fine now did she relax.

“Daughter, when are you planning to find a boyfriend?” Xu Ruyun asked out of the blue.

Liu Shuhan was stunned. “Mom, why are you suddenly asking this?”

“An old colleague of mine, her son is one year older than you. He’s a teacher at a middle school now. That boy was your classmate in high school. I ran into him a few days ago. Wow, what a spirited young man! Tall, good-looking, and polite…”

“Mom, I don’t want to date right now.”

Liu Shuhan knew her mother would bring this up before she came back. It hadn’t been a day or two. Since Liu Shuhan turned twenty, the things her mother mentioned had never changed.

“Dating or not doesn’t matter. You should at least meet him. I already made arrangements!”

Liu Shuhan stood up in annoyance. “I just came to see how Dad’s illness was. Since both of you are fine, I’m leaving now. I have to go to work tomorrow.”

Xu Ruyun pulled her back. “Shuhan, you are not young anymore. Hurry up and find someone to take care of you. Your dad and I can rest assured.”

She winked at Liu Sen, who immediately followed up. “That’s right, Shuhan. Your mother and I are getting older every year. You are almost thirty. Old Zhang’s daughter next door is the same age as you, and she has a three-year-old child!”

Liu Shuhan pretended to open the door and leave. “If you talk about this again, I’m really leaving. I won’t come back for the New Year!”

The two elders finally stopped talking.

At night, Liu Shuhan tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. She called Cheng Qiuyi. It rang only once before the other side picked up. Cheng Qiuyi’s pleasant voice came through the receiver. “How is your uncle’s health?” Her voice was a little hoarse, sounding very tired.

“He should be fine. I’ll take him to the hospital tomorrow for another check-up, just to confirm.”

“Mhm.”

“Qiuyi…” Liu Shuhan wanted to tell Cheng Qiuyi that her mother was forcing her to go on a blind date, but she changed her mind when the words reached her lips. “What should I do? I miss you so much.”

Cheng Qiuyi chuckled on the other end. “I miss you too.”

Cheng Qiuyi’s car hadn’t moved from where it was parked at the intersection. A car drove past, honking its horn. Liu Shuhan keenly caught the sound. “Where are you right now?”

“Of course, I’m in the hotel room. I’ve been driving all day and I’m exhausted.” Cheng Qiuyi held a cigarette with her left hand, stretching it out the window. She tapped her index finger lightly to flick off the burnt ash at the tip, her face expressionless.

“Why is there a car horn sound?”

“I’m on the balcony getting some air.” Cheng Qiuyi took a deep drag from the cigarette. The nicotine circulated in her lungs, then puffed out of her mouth. She didn’t know how many she had smoked. The entire driver’s cabin seemed shrouded in a mist. She didn’t turn on the light. The weak street light penetrated the smoke, casting an unclear light on her face.

“It’s getting late. Go to sleep. I’m going to sleep too.” Cheng Qiuyi hung up first, afraid Liu Shuhan would notice anything unusual.

Liu Shuhan lay on the bed, burying her head in the pillow in disappointment.

Cheng Qiuyi was probably really angry. Her tone sounded so cold. She couldn’t blame her for being angry. Cheng Qiuyi had the courage to face everything with her, but she didn’t even dare to bring her home to meet her parents.

Wait a minute. The honking sound was so close to Cheng Qiuyi. How could it have come from the balcony?

Liu Shuhan quickly put on a jacket and ran out.

Cheng Qiuyi let a cigarette burn down to the filter. She pinched the cigarette end with her thumb and index finger to extinguish it, then tossed it out of the car window. She tapped the cigarette pack lightly, and another cigarette popped out slightly. Cheng Qiuyi tilted her head, bit the cigarette, and took out a lighter to light it. The motion was fluid and natural.

Cheng Qiuyi had quit smoking for many years. Only after picking it up again did she realize that the addiction was lifelong. You think it has left you, but that’s only what you think. Liu Shuhan was like a cigarette addiction to her. No, she was stronger than a cigarette addiction. The cigarette addiction could be suppressed by Cheng Qiuyi, but the craving for Liu Shuhan only grew stronger with time.

Cheng Qiuyi was confident that she could fight all competitors for Liu Shuhan, but she wasn’t confident that she could win against Liu Shuhan’s parents. Cheng Qiuyi had a hundred scenarios in her mind about Liu Shuhan’s parents, and none of them were favorable to her. After all, how many ordinary families could accept that their child was a lesbian?

Liu Shuhan ran to the entrance of the residential area in her slippers. The entire road was deserted. Not a soul was in sight. She walked in the direction Cheng Qiuyi had left. As soon as she turned the corner, Cheng Qiuyi’s black car came into view.

The car was parked directly under a street light. The surface of the car reflected the street light. The interior was pitch black. Only a faint red glow, flickering and dim, and Cheng Qiuyi’s silhouette could be vaguely seen.

Liu Shuhan’s eyes instantly turned red.