Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 12
Before long, the clock struck midnight. The night had crept in quietly, unnoticed amidst the swirl of excitement and celebration. From her place on the second-floor balcony, Jing Xuan leaned casually against the wrought-iron railing, her arms folded as she gazed down into the expansive and brilliantly illuminated main hall of Huatian Club.
Below, the opulent interior shimmered under the soft glow of chandeliers. Anna stood center-stage, her commanding vocals soaring through the hall as she delivered a passionate, high-energy performance. The applause, cheers, and occasional whistles from the audience echoed like waves in the vast room, a clear testament to her magnetic presence and the crowd’s appreciation.
Jing Xuan allowed herself a soft, contented smile. There was a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes, the kind that only came after months of hard work began to show visible results. It was a moment of quiet triumph. Huatian’s rise had surpassed all expectations. From the brink of anonymity, it had now become one of the most sought-after venues in the city—an artistic and commercial success.
This night, filled with music, laughter, and the hum of celebration, marked a personal milestone. Her gamble, her first strategic step into the eastern market, had proven to be solid and stable. There was still a long way to go, but tonight, she permitted herself a brief moment of pride.
Just then, a sweet, familiar tune rang from the phone in her pocket—her personalized ringtone. She answered without looking, her tone softening the moment she heard the familiar voice on the other end.
“Xuan, my darling!” Lan Qing’s voice chimed through, sweet as honey and unmistakably playful. “Hehehe~ Where are you?”
Jing Xuan chuckled quietly, glancing at her watch. “I’m still at Huatian. It’s getting late—why are you still awake?”
“I miss you!” Lan Qing’s voice pouted with mock grievance. “Are you not coming home tonight?”
“I’ve been swamped lately. But I promise, once this period is over, I’ll make it up to you, alright?”
“No! I want you to compensate me right now!”
“Now?” Jing Xuan laughed in disbelief. “Alright, what do you want? Should I come back early tonight? Consider it an advance payment?”
“No!” Lan Qing insisted, her voice teasing but determined.
“Why not?”
There was a short pause before Lan Qing’s voice softened. “Alright, alright. What time will you be back tonight? I want a midnight snack! Let’s have the fish ball skewers from Chuan Fu Ju—the casserole ones!”
“You’re impossible…” Jing Xuan grinned despite herself. “Fine. I’ll leave in ten minutes. Should be there in about an hour.”
“Yay! I’ll wait for you then! Drive carefully, okay? Love you! Bye~”
The call ended, and Jing Xuan let out a long sigh, her forehead now faintly damp. A glance at her watch revealed it was already 11:23. If she were to get those fish ball skewers from Chuan Fu Ju and make it back in time, she’d have to move fast—and pray the shop was still open. Without hesitation, she turned and gave Will, her assistant, a few quick instructions before hurrying off.
Back in her apartment, Lan Qing put down the phone, grinning with delight. It had been a fantastic day for her as well. The fashion show she’d worked so hard on had gone off without a hitch, attracting both attention and a slew of new orders. Her designs had been praised by critics and buyers alike. Next month, the company planned to hold a high-profile brand launch, dedicated entirely to her work—a dream come true. She was on the verge of becoming a recognized name in the fashion world.
More importantly, she and Jing Xuan had been officially dating for a week now. Jing Xuan, for all her aloofness and occasional emotional clumsiness, had a charm that Lan Qing found irresistible. Yet, despite the intimacy they shared emotionally, there had been no significant physical progress between them. Jing Xuan would tense up or freeze whenever Lan Qing tried to take a step further. It left Lan Qing wondering—was her girlfriend shy, or… was there something deeper at play?
She shook her head, determination shining in her eyes. “No more hesitation tonight,” she murmured to herself. “I’ve done my part. Tonight, I’ll take the lead.” With a mischievous glint, she got up to prepare the room—dim lights, soft music, and a few romantic touches.
Meanwhile, Jing Xuan’s silver Aston Martin One-77 raced along the mostly empty midnight streets. The wind whistled past the windows, and next to her on the passenger seat sat the freshly packed casserole of fish ball skewers, steam still escaping from the gaps in the container lid.
As she slowed at a red light, the traffic light cast a crimson glow over the dashboard. She looked around and realized something—it was that street. The same street where she had first rescued Qiao Fei.
Her eyes shifted to the dark alley across the intersection, and in that moment, memories flooded her. The trembling figure of Qiao Fei, the fear in her eyes, the unspoken connection that had sparked so briefly…
Jing Xuan sighed. That woman was like light—radiant, unreachable. And what was she? Something in between. A shadow. Neither fully a man nor fully a woman. Just… herself. And someone like that, she thought bitterly, didn’t deserve to stand beside someone like Qiao Fei.
A horn blared behind her, snapping her from her thoughts. She shook her head, refocused, and drove the rest of the way home in silence.
When she reached the apartment, she exited the elevator carrying the food bag from Chuan Fu Ju. Before she could even unlock the door, it swung open—Lan Qing stood there, barefoot, grinning like a little fox who had just caught its prey. She took the bag from Jing Xuan, then handed her a pair of slippers.
“You’re just in time,” Lan Qing said sweetly, “Come in. I’ve been waiting.”
Jing Xuan chuckled awkwardly, already sensing something different in the air. “Try them while they’re hot. They’ll taste bad if they cool down.”
But Lan Qing didn’t respond with words. Instead, she stepped closer, slid her arms around Jing Xuan’s neck, and pressed a lingering kiss on her cheek.
“I just love looking at you,” she whispered.
“Okay, okay!” Jing Xuan said, her ears turning pink. “Let’s go inside. It’s cold.”
Once inside, Jing Xuan showered and changed into casual loungewear before joining Lan Qing on the couch. The aroma of the casserole fish balls filled the air. Lan Qing was already devouring them happily.
“How are they?” Jing Xuan asked.
“Delicious! Here, try one—ah~” Lan Qing held up a fish ball with her fork. Jing Xuan leaned in, but her lips accidentally brushed Lan Qing’s fingertips. The contact was electric.
Both froze.
Lan Qing’s face flushed crimson. Jing Xuan could barely breathe, suddenly very aware of Lan Qing’s neckline, her skin, the scent of her hair.
The room felt hotter now. The tension between them thickened, slowly transforming from comfortable to charged with unspoken desire.
Jing Xuan’s gaze lingered on Lan Qing, who bit her lip, her breath shallow.
Then Jing Xuan leaned in.
She began by gently kissing Lan Qing’s forehead, then her brows, then her nose, and finally, her soft lips. The kiss was tender and deepened slowly, naturally. Her hands found Lan Qing’s waist, drawing her closer, while her other hand ran through her lover’s hair. Lan Qing responded, wrapping her arms around Jing Xuan’s neck, her body arching toward the warmth, the security, the passion.
They sank into the sofa, entwined, the kiss intensifying. Lan Qing’s hands roamed under Jing Xuan’s shirt, marveling at the toned muscles she found. Her long-term martial training had given Jing Xuan a body that was strong and defined, despite her otherwise slender frame.
Kisses trailed down Lan Qing’s neck, across her collarbone. She moaned softly, her body quivering beneath Jing Xuan’s touch. When her top was gently removed, she gasped, embarrassed but unwilling to stop.
Jing Xuan paused to admire her, but Lan Qing blushed fiercely and pulled her close, whispering, “Let’s go to the bedroom… the living room is too embarrassing…”
Jing Xuan teased, “You’re shy now? What about when you were seducing me just minutes ago?”
“You! That’s not fair!” Lan Qing protested, her voice high and breathless. “You’re the shameless one!”
Jing Xuan laughed quietly, captured by her partner’s adorable indignation. Then she silenced her with another deep kiss before scooping her up in her arms and carrying her into the bedroom. The night, full of passion and promise, had only just begun.