Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 18

“Really?” Liu Xinyu still seemed doubtful. She turned to Jing Xuan with suspicion. “You… you?”

Lan Qing, noticing Jing Xuan’s awkwardness, quickly hugged her arm. “She’s the real deal!”

Smart and quick-witted, Lan Qing’s deliberately vague wording not only resolved the situation but also cleverly allowed Liu Xinyu to misinterpret Jing Xuan’s gender. Thankfully, in Chinese, “he” and “she” are pronounced the same — Lan Qing wasn’t lying. Jing Xuan was indeed a woman.

The three shifted the topic and soon fell into light-hearted chatter. When Gao Zhe returned, she saw them laughing together, especially Liu Xinyu, who looked genuinely happy. That sight alone was enough to stir a sense of warmth in Gao Zhe’s chest — as if, for her smile, she could give away the world.

“What are you all laughing about?” she asked.

“Haha, nothing much. Just making fun of you!”

“What??? Why? Qingqing, can’t you control your Jing Xuan? She keeps exposing my secrets!” Gao Zhe whined dramatically, pretending to wipe invisible tears.

Looking at her exaggerated expression, Jing Xuan couldn’t take it anymore — the urge to expose her fake act was too strong. She lunged forward, grabbed Gao Zhe’s cheeks with both hands, and gave them a sharp tug.

“Ahhh! Gently! Gently! I was wrong! Really wrong! Ajing, have mercy! Help!”

As the two playfully bickered, Lan Qing gently led Liu Xinyu to the dance floor.

“Sister Lan Qing, are they always like that?”

Lan Qing lovingly patted Liu Xinyu’s hair. “Yes, they’ve been like this since they were kids. How old are you now, Xinyu? What’s your major?”

“I’m a sophomore in finance. Sister Lan Qing, you’re so tall! How tall are you?”

“It’s no secret. I’m 1.74 meters.”

“Ah~ No wonder! What do you do for work, Sister Lan Qing?”

“Take a guess.”

“Are you a model? You’re so tall, with a great figure, and so beautiful!”

“Haha, smart girl. I started as a model, but now I’m a fashion designer.”

“Wow, Sister Lan Qing, you’re amazing! Brother Jing Xuan is so lucky!”

“Xinyu, you have such a sweet mouth. Do you dance?”

“Ah, not really… I’m not good at it.”

“That’s okay, I’ll teach you. Come on!”

Lan Qing pulled Liu Xinyu into the crowd. Xinyu still felt a bit embarrassed. Watching the others move freely to the music, she could only sway slightly. In contrast, Lan Qing danced boldly, her movements fluid and seductive under the shifting lights. In no time, she became the center of attention.

People naturally gathered around her, drawn in by her magnetic presence, following her lead as if she were the queen of the dance floor.

Liu Xinyu was in awe. Lan Qing was stunning — not just beautiful like Qiao Fei, but exuding a sultry charm that captivated everyone. Lan Qing danced as if possessed, fully immersed in the moment. She had spent many lonely nights pouring her heart out on dance floors like this.

Missing them, Jing Xuan and Gao Zhe headed to the dance floor. The moment Jing Xuan saw Lan Qing’s passionate dancing, she was struck. She was breathtaking, but her gaze held pain. She knew — this was how she coped with her sadness. The company’s private plane would pick her up the day after tomorrow, and this time, returning might not be easy.

“Lan Qing… if your father finds out… will he accept me?”

Lan Qing opened her eyes mid-dance and saw Jing Xuan watching her with eyes full of tenderness and sorrow.

Xuan, do you understand my pain? Are we really the only ones who can understand each other in this world?

Lan Qing danced toward her, her fingers brushing over her chest before wrapping her arms around her shoulders. Her hips swayed with the music, lips trembling slightly as her emotions surged. It became a slow, intense close dance.

Jing Xuan didn’t move — she simply gazed into her eyes, into her heart.

Suddenly, Lan Qing stopped dancing. She leaned into her, buried her face in her neck, and burst into tears.

“Xuan… I can’t bear to leave you… I just can’t…”

Jing Xuan held her tightly, gently stroking her back. Ignoring the crowd, she whispered,

“Qing, what are you saying? I’m right here… I’ll always be here.”

“No… you’re not… not really…”

“Qing, did I do something wrong? Tell me. I’ll change — anything for you. Please, don’t be like this. Trust me, okay?”

Lan Qing said nothing.

Suddenly, Jing Xuan let go of her, jumped onto the DJ booth, turned off the music, and picked up the microphone.

“Hi everyone, sorry for the interruption. I’m Jing Xuan, the owner of this restaurant. I just need a moment to make a promise to my fiancée. I hope you’ll all bear witness.”

She turned to the crowd, locking eyes with Lan Qing.

“I, Jing Xuan, swear before everyone here: I will love and remain loyal to Miss Iga Lan Qing for the rest of my life — until death, I will not change!”

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Whistles and congratulations rang out everywhere.

Jing Xuan hadn’t just called her girlfriend. She had publicly called her fiancée.

Lan Qing stood stunned. What have I done? Was it the alcohol?

She hadn’t been this unrestrained in so long. Had she gone too far? Hurt Jing Xuan’s heart?

Jing Xuan jumped down and wrapped her arms around her once more.

“Xuan, I’m sorry! I think I’m drunk… I don’t even know what I said. Are you angry? Please don’t be! I won’t drink again!”

Her panic made her words jumbled and uncertain.

“Qing, I’m serious. Don’t blame yourself. I should’ve made this promise to you long ago. Don’t think about anything else, okay?”

“Xuan…?”

“Silly girl. Let’s go home. You need to rest.”

“Mmm…” Lan Qing followed Jing Xuan off the floor quietly, leaning on her like she always had.

Nearby, Gao Zhe and Liu Xinyu were also deeply moved.

“Teacher Gao… they’re going to be so happy,” Liu Xinyu whispered with a sniffle.

“Yeah. And Xinyu, just call me Zhe from now on.”

“Ah!”

That was a little too intimate. Liu Xinyu’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

“Then I’ll just call you ‘scoundrel’! Tall scoundrel!”

Gao Zhe was speechless. This girl…

“Alright, up to you. Let’s go.”

“Hey, don’t we need to say goodbye to Brother Jing Xuan and Sister Lan Qing?”

“No need. They might want some privacy right now.” She gave a playful wink and led her away.

As they walked out of Huatian, a flicker of concern passed through Gao Zhe’s eyes.

Ajing… you must be careful with what I told you.