Flirting Under Favor (GL) - Chapter 31

The next day, a strange tacit understanding seemed to form between the two of them: they both implicitly agreed not to mention the out-of-control kiss from the night before.

Mu Fan stood in front of the bathroom mirror for a long time, recalling last night’s events, filled with regret. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply, not knowing what to do. She wasn’t a saint. She wanted to stay away from Wang Lin, but like a long-time smoker, quitting wasn’t as simple as just deciding to stop. She had finally succumbed. Fortunately, tomorrow was Monday, and Wang Lin would be leaving. That gave her five days to collect her thoughts and make a decision.

Wang Lin was still lying in bed. When the kiss ended last night, Wang Lin really wanted to confess to Mu Fan immediately, but at that moment, her heart was pounding like a drum, and she couldn’t string together a single coherent sentence. Mu Fan had said softly, “Let’s sleep,” and she had obediently gone to sleep, a very deep and sweet sleep.

Since they had kissed, Wang Lin was absolutely certain that Mu Fan harbored feelings for her. Recalling every little detail of their time together, Wang Lin smiled like an idiot under the covers. But with the sweetness came melancholy. They had kissed, yet Mu Fan acted as if nothing had happened, not mentioning the night before at all. Since Mu Fan didn’t bring it up, Wang Lin didn’t know how to start the conversation either.

It’s driving me crazy.

Mu Fan spent the entire morning on calls, asking about work matters. Wang Lin didn’t understand and could only play on her phone nearby, feeling bored and unhappy. She finally managed to endure until noon. Mu Fan suggested they go out for barbecue. Wang Lin wasn’t particularly craving anything, so she went along with Mu Fan to a popular internet-famous barbecue restaurant.

Wang Lin rolled up her sleeves, preparing to put the meat on the grill, but Mu Fan stopped her.

“Don’t move.”

Wang Lin was bewildered and asked, “What’s wrong? I know how to grill meat.”

Mu Fan said: “I’ll do the grilling.”

Wang Lin thought it wouldn’t make a difference who grilled. Was Mu Fan looking down on her, thinking she couldn’t even grill meat? But Mu Fan’s next words stopped her thoughts.

“Rounding up, this counts as something I made.”

Wang Lin froze for two seconds, then realized what she meant, her heart swelling with sweetness.

My god, this woman is flirting with me again.

“Okay!” So Wang Lin watched Mu Fan flip and arrange the meat on the grill without any psychological burden, only having to wait to eat.

The meat sizzled on the grill, dripping oil.

“When are you going back?” Mu Fan asked.

“Tonight, maybe eight or nine. Ugh, I have class at eight tomorrow. Ugh, I don’t want to go to class.”

Mu Fan didn’t follow up by asking what she wanted to do instead of class. She didn’t need to guess; if Wang Lin said she wanted to stay with her, it would be awkward.

“Go back early. I might be out working for a long time this afternoon. The collaborator invited me to a dinner gathering tonight, so I might not be back until after ten.”

Wang Lin, who had just been charmed by Mu Fan, instantly deflated after hearing her words, plummeting from heaven into the abyss. So, we have to part ways right after this barbecue.

Wang Lin, rarely one to use vulgar language, cursed out loud, hitting the table with both hands in anger: “What kind of dog collaborator is that, calling people out to eat on a weekend?”

Mu Fan sympathized: “Sigh, clients are like that.” She remained focused on tending the meat, placing the cooked pieces on Wang Lin’s plate. “Hurry and eat.”

Wang Lin was in no mood to eat barbecue. She was so heartbroken she was on the verge of tears.

“Come back next week. Time passes quickly. It’s not like you’re never coming back. We can call, and you can come play games with me tonight.” Knowing Wang Lin was emotional and easily cried, Mu Fan was genuinely worried she would burst into tears, which would make her heart soften again, so she quickly tried to soothe her.

“What a garbage company, it should just go bankrupt!” Wang Lin’s anger hadn’t completely subsided, but her sadness had eased quite a bit. Mu Fan was right. It wasn’t like they were parting forever. She should be more mature.

Mu Fan urged: “Eat now or the meat will get cold. I worked hard to grill this.”

“What time are you leaving this afternoon?”

“Two-thirty.”

Wang Lin checked the time, meaning that after they finished the barbecue, it would be time to leave.

“Ah, I’m unhappy.” She hung her head, feeling that the barbecue in her mouth was tasteless. But she suddenly remembered last night, Mu Fan’s story, and how she had promised not to bother her anymore. Although Mu Fan said she didn’t mind, it didn’t mean Wang Lin could disregard Mu Fan’s feelings. Mu Fan must also be very unhappy about having to work in the afternoon and attend a social dinner in the evening. She shouldn’t bother her and make her unhappy, forcing her to come and comfort herself. Mu Fan is the one who should be comforted! Thinking this, Wang Lin felt immense guilt, and her eyes, looking at Mu Fan, were filled with tenderness and pity. She forced a smile, “But eating the barbecue you grilled makes me feel less sad.”

Mu Fan saw the sudden change in her expression and let out a sigh of relief.

Wang Lin continued: “Then I’ll head back after we eat. You focus on your work, don’t worry about me. Remember to drink less at the dinner, absolutely, absolutely don’t get drunk. Ugh, I really want to leave a bodyguard for you. You’re alone and so beautiful—it’s so dangerous. Hmm, I’ll give Si Qing to you!”

Mu Fan was moved by the torrent of words, but her guilt returned, and hearing that Wang Lin wanted to leave Si Qing, she quickly said: “No need, no need. I have colleagues here. Don’t worry.”

Wang Lin hesitated for a moment and believed her.

“That’s good then.” Wang Lin looked at the overflowing meat in her bowl, her mood recovering significantly. She truly enjoyed this kind of special treatment. “Are you trying to feed me into a pig? You eat too.”

“Pigs are cute.”

/

Leaving the barbecue restaurant, Wang Lin put on a brave face, managing not to cry. She asked Mu Fan for a hug, then got into the car, ready to head straight back to S City.

“I’ll come back next week then.”

“Mhm. Goodbye!”

“You must miss me! Goodbye.” Wang Lin suddenly remembered something important. “Oh, that’s right!” She leaned closer, paused, and said, “If those debt collectors come again, and you need money, find me.” Before Mu Fan could say anything, she continued, “Consider it a loan. Remember that.”

Mu Fan didn’t say anything, only nodded. Wang Lin didn’t know if she was just placating her or genuinely willing, but knowing Mu Fan’s personality, she didn’t press the issue. There will be plenty of time in the future.

Mu Fan watched the car drive away, unaware that Wang Lin finally burst into tears once she was inside the car. If she had known, her guilt would have increased by an unknown amount.

After Wang Lin left, Mu Fan returned to the hotel, her thoughts a mess. She collapsed onto the bed, kicked off her shoes, and covered herself with the quilt.

The afternoon wasn’t busy, and there was no so-called dinner engagement tonight. Even her “busy” look this morning was just her creating unnecessary work. Her employees probably cursed her hundreds of times.

Wang Lin was like an addictive poison. Mu Fan didn’t dare to get any closer. It felt like one more step would lead to eternal damnation.

Mu Fan slept heavily until very late, dreaming many dreams and sweating profusely. When she woke up, she checked her phone. QQ was flooded with messages from Wang Lin. She said she had safely arrived in S City, what she had for dinner, and reminded Mu Fan again to drink less alcohol and beware of bad people.

Her head was still heavy. She didn’t reply to Wang Lin’s messages. She got up and took a shower with cool water, which cleared her head significantly. She didn’t feel hungry and decided not to order food. Returning to bed, she sent Wang Lin a “Good night,” then turned off her phone and covered herself with the quilt again.

That night, she had a dream. She dreamt of the house they used to live in. Her mother and father were both there. Her father left for work and didn’t come back. Her mother also went out for some unknown reason and didn’t come back either. She was left alone. The house was dark. The scene shifted, and she dreamt of her high school dorm room. Her roommates had gone home, maybe for a holiday. She was left alone. The dorm room was also dark.

Finally, she was about to wake up. Between sleeping and waking, she had a sliver of consciousness. She wanted to know where she was—at her old home or in her high school dorm? But her consciousness told her it was neither; it was a dream. If it was neither, then where was she? She didn’t know her whereabouts. She struggled to open her eyes, but her eyelids were so heavy; she couldn’t open them no matter what.

Where am I?

Where am I?

She struggled and finally opened her eyes. The sky was faintly bright. She made out her surroundings.

Oh, I’m here.