Contractual Cohabitation GL - Chapter 2

It was unclear whether it was because she had eaten some fruit beforehand, or if she simply had a small appetite, but after a few bites, Ye Luochen no longer touched the food on her plate, only finishing the matcha latte in her cup. The food here, from ingredients to cooking, was impeccable, and the coffee brewing was especially outstanding. Ye Luochen made a mental note of the restaurant’s location for a future visit.

Jing Xiaonan, however, ate most of the breakfast she had ordered. The devout and appreciative way she enjoyed the food made Ye Luochen have a fleeting thought of picking up her cutlery to taste a few more bites, but she decided against it as it felt inappropriate. She watched Jing Xiaonan with a gentle smile, noticing that the girl was fully engaged, appreciative, and serious in everything she did. This attitude towards life gave Ye Luochen a favorable impression of her, and it was Ye Luochen’s first assessment of Jing Xiaonan.

After eating, Jing Xiaonan was not in a hurry to leave; instead, she told Ye Luochen some interesting stories about the view outside the window. For example, the all-glass building diagonally opposite looked ordinary, but the glass actually had the “Moonlight” movement from the Bergamo Suite engraved on it. A few years ago, a boy once played the violin under the building, following the music score on the glass, kneeling on one knee to propose marriage to a girl.

Listening to her vividly recount these stories, Ye Luochen couldn’t help but recall the picture Jing Xiaonan had posted online. She was a little puzzled, but it didn’t affect their mood. At least, it didn’t affect Jing Xiaonan’s interest in starting the next activity.

Sitting in Jing Xiaonan’s metallic silver Porsche, Ye Luochen watched the trees along the road rapidly receding. She took another look at Jing Xiaonan, who was driving intently. Cheerful piano solos were playing in the car, alleviating the quiet atmosphere punctuated by their occasional one or two exchanges. Ye Luochen had always been quite cautious, but her intuition told her that Jing Xiaonan would definitely not harm her, so she allowed Jing Xiaonan to proceed with the day’s plans without asking or guessing.

After driving for what seemed like a joyride for over an hour, Jing Xiaonan finally turned the car into a place that looked like a farm, turned off the engine, and pulled the handbrake. Once here, her mood visibly brightened, and she got out of the car to open the door for Ye Luochen.

Ye Luochen got out and surveyed the surrounding scenery. Jing Xiaonan seemed to have brought her to a certain place in the suburbs, with a farm, flower fields, cows, and horses. However, she could certainly understand why Jing Xiaonan liked it here.

The Australian sky was naturally very blue, and it was a cloudless day. The late autumn sun was not too hot on her skin; instead, it had a warm, cozy feeling. This place was far from the city, with no noise, no tall buildings, no fast pace; only green grassland and a blue sky. While she was admiring the surroundings, Jing Xiaonan took a backpack out of the trunk, walked a few steps ahead of Ye Luochen, and, turning halfway back, smiled and extended her hand to the woman behind her.

Ye Luochen seemed to think twice before doing anything, and after a moment’s contemplation this time, she cooperated and took her hand. Jing Xiaonan held the other’s delicate, boneless hand, and the smile in her eyes deepened. Today was indeed a good day.

The two walked around the area for a long time, enjoying the scenery and the fresh air, before arriving at a small house nearby. Jing Xiaonan opened the door; it didn’t look like anyone was inside, but it was kept very clean. Jing Xiaonan, familiar with the place, walked to the shoe cabinet to change into slippers. Ye Luochen followed suit, and then didn’t know what to do next. Her eyes followed Jing Xiaonan and she saw the tall figure turn to what seemed like the kitchen, washed her hands, and took out various plates and bowls from the refrigerator and cupboards, placing them on the table.

Ye Luochen saw her movements, and the intention was very clear. She didn’t stop her; instead, she walked to the half-way point between the refrigerator and the dining table, taking the bowls and plates from Jing Xiaonan’s hands one by one to help her set the table. While setting them down, she still complained softly:

“We just finished breakfast…”

Jing Xiaonan heard her speak in this tone for the first time, her eyes instantly widened a little, and she turned to look at her. Ye Luochen pouted slightly, a very natural expression, yet her eyes held a hint of resentment toward the lunch. Jing Xiaonan quickly clutched the plate in her hand to prevent dropping it, suppressing the little shock in her heart. Did she just, did she just act spoiled?

When an aloof and proper woman acts spoiled, even subtly, the effect is absolute.

After the shock, Jing Xiaonan still explained, “It’s noon now, and the sun outside is too strong. Let’s eat something before we go out again.”

There was no more pouting this time. Ye Luochen nodded readily, and she and Jing Xiaonan sat down at the dining table, one on each side.

“Fresh cheese, a salad made with freshly picked fruits, and frozen yogurt. Here is the bread, do you want to toast it?”

Ye Luochen smiled and shook her head, reaching for a spoon to scoop some salad. Jing Xiaonan said, “Let me do it,” took the spoon, and served a large half-bowl of salad in front of Ye Luochen. Seeing her look around, she began to explain:

“This place is a farm. The owner got old later and went to a nursing home, so I bought it. I happened to know an elderly lady who always liked this lifestyle, so I asked her to help me look after it. She lives at the other end of the farm with her friends,” she said, pointing to a red brick house far outside the window. “But she often cleans for me, and whenever I come, she asks me to let her know so she can prepare some food for me.”

Although this resolved one question in Ye Luochen’s mind, this statement also created more confusion. Meanwhile, Jing Xiaonan started mixing fruit and yogurt, and changed the subject.

“What kind of life do you like?”

As expected, the woman who was questioned paused again before answering, “I like a life of freedom, with a balance of tension and relaxation. I hope to have goals and meaning that I work hard for, but also to have many different experiences.”

It was an answer that perfectly suited her temperament. Jing Xiaonan couldn’t help but nod; more importantly, it was something she also appreciated.

“What about you?” Ye Luochen asked in return.

Jing Xiaonan was startled, and didn’t answer immediately. She had experienced dozens of dates like this, and each time she had easily avoided any topics involving their past or future, focusing only on the present. Each time was so easy, simply because she didn’t have the intention of getting to know each other, but this time, she found herself having to deliberately stop herself from bringing up such topics, yet she eventually asked it anyway.

Perhaps she felt that the other person belonged to the same world as her.

Of course, since she had brought up the topic, and Ye Luochen had answered so generously, she couldn’t just brush it off. She thought for a moment: “A life of inner peace. I hope to be successful, but I won’t necessarily focus on success. I hope for companionship, but I can also be without it. I’ll work hard, strive for things, and then just take things as they come.”

To her surprise, Ye Luochen smiled slightly, “Is this the pace of someone renouncing the secular world?”

“Huh? Oh, haha.” Jing Xiaonan laughed. Unlike the polite, reserved smile she had maintained before, this time she laughed wholeheartedly: “I am a meat-eater! If I went to a Buddhist temple, I’d probably turn into a modern female Lu Zhishen!”

Ye Luochen also pursed her lips and shook her head, smiling. The person in front of her was not shallow, nor did she pretend to be profound. Although she hadn’t revealed her complete true self in front of her, she was a real person with flesh and bl00d, which was similar to herself. They were, after all, the same kind of person.

After a lighthearted lunch, Jing Xiaonan took her on a tour of the guest house. The interior of the outwardly plain little house was fully equipped and practical. It was easy to imagine that a short stay here would be comfortable and relaxing. This thought flashed through Ye Luochen’s mind, but was immediately extinguished by her deep gaze. Jing Xiaonan and she were only acquainted for this one day; tomorrow they would both return to their respective original lives, and besides, she…

Lost in her thoughts, her steps still followed Jing Xiaonan. However, when Jing Xiaonan happily turned back to look at her, she unexpectedly noticed her tightly furrowed brow.

Seeing her like this, Jing Xiaonan did not speak to disturb her, nor did she stop walking. So, when Ye Luochen fully recovered her senses, she found them standing in front of the stable, staring wide-eyed at several fine horses.

“Are we… going riding?” Ye Luochen turned to Jing Xiaonan, a hint of hesitation in her voice, and the unease in her eyes made the latter chuckle.

Taking the reins and naturally stroking a fine chestnut-brown horse, Jing Xiaonan’s smile did not fade: “You’ve never ridden before?”

Ye Luochen stood far away from the horses, and a rare look of helplessness showed in her conflicted eyes. Although Jing Xiaonan appreciated this rare, gentle expression on her, she didn’t intentionally make things difficult for her.

“How about riding with me on one horse?” Before Ye Luochen could answer, she pointed to the several well-groomed horses beside her, introducing them one by one: “Jing Su, Jing Ju, Jing Xiao, Jing Hua, Jing Liu.” Then, she half-turned to the horses, raised a finger to the beauty beside her, and said solemnly, “Luochen.”

Ye Luochen was a little surprised when she first started speaking, but when she heard the last part, especially seeing how she introduced herself, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter, her voice clear and melodious. When her laughter rang out, all the Jing family members, including Jing Xiaonan, stared at her with wide eyes and innocent expressions, which were remarkably similar.

After laughing for a while, Ye Luochen returned to her previous demeanor, but her slightly pursed lips still held a faint smile, and her expression was much more relaxed. She walked slowly over, gently stroked the heads of Jing Su, Jing Ju, Jing Xiao, Jing Hua, and Jing Liu one by one, and when she reached Jing Xiaonan’s forehead, she paused and finally gave her a little flick.

This person actually had such an adorable side.

Turning around, Ye Luochen ignored Jing Xiaonan’s ‘frozen’ state and, still wearing a shallow, charming smile, imitated Jing Xiaonan’s earlier gesture to playfully tease Jing Hua, seemingly much less nervous than before.

Jing Xiaonan, still looking baffled and a little silly, turned to Jing Su and whispered, “Wha- What’s wrong…”

Jing Su took two steps forward, tilted its head affectionately towards its young owner, and then, as an answer, accurately snorted a stream of snot right into Jing Xiaonan’s face.

A few seconds of silence.

Following that, the clear, graceful laughter of the elegant woman rang out in the stable again.