Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 22
Jing Xuan took a deep breath and calmly pieced together the events of the previous night. How could he have ended up with Qiao Fei? Why didn’t she remember anything? Then it hit her—that woman and the strange scent… That had to be it.
She sighed. Qiao Fei probably wouldn’t forgive her. Though she said she didn’t care, she was still a woman with pride—someone who wouldn’t let her dignity be trampled or mocked.
Fei’er, leave it to me. I won’t let you carry this burden alone.
Lifting her face to the gentle sunlight, Jing Xuan smiled, radiant and full of determination.
That was the sight Qiao Fei walked in on—Jing Xuan, bathed in sunlight, exuding effortless charm. Her heart skipped, but she quickly composed herself, set down the small rice cooker she was carrying, and busied herself with the table.
“Hey, come help out,” she said, eyes down, straightening the utensils. “There’s a side dish in the kitchen. Go get it.”
Still avoiding eye contact, Qiao Fei kept her head low. Jing Xuan walked over, watching her with a soft smile.
“Alright. Where’s the kitchen?”
Even the sunlight seemed to shine brighter when she was around, as if it too was caught in her aura.
She’s avoiding me. Haha, look at her ears—bright red. What’s she flustered about?
Jing Xuan suddenly remembered the morning she rescued her—how she had pretended to be asleep, trying so hard to hide her embarrassment.
She took two slow steps forward, closing the distance between them.
Right behind her now. So cute.
Qiao Fei could feel her presence—her warmth, her breath brushing her neck.
What is she doing?! My heart—ugh! It’s racing like crazy! Qiao Fei, you idiot, getting all nervous just because she’s standing close. Stupid! Stupid pig!
Then came Jing Xuan’s voice, low and teasing: “Smells amazing… Hmm~”
Qiao Fei froze. Her face burned red. Furious and embarrassed, she spun around—too quickly—and crashed her forehead into Jing Xuan’s nose.
“Ah—!”
Jing Xuan recoiled, clutching her nose in pain.
“You deserved it, you pervert!” Qiao Fei shouted.
“Ow, hey! Be reasonable! You bumped into me, and now you’re scolding me? It really hurts!”
Jing Xuan’s voice, slightly nasal now, sounded so funny that Qiao Fei couldn’t help but giggle.
“I did apologize! And besides, why are you so fragrant?”
Her face turned even redder at her own words. Jing Xuan blinked in disbelief, “Wait—what? I was talking about the porridge you made!”
“You—you—hmph! How was I supposed to know that?! You should’ve made yourself clearer!”
Trying to save face, Qiao Fei turned her back on her, still clearly flustered.
“The kitchen’s just down the hall. Turn right, and there’s a plate of cucumbers by the first stove. That’s the one. Go!”
And with that, Princess Qiao marched off to wash her hands, her embarrassment written all over her.
Jing Xuan, still rubbing her sore nose, obediently went to fetch the side dish. By the time she returned, Qiao Fei had set the table and served the porridge.
They sat down. Jing Xuan picked up a piece of pickled cucumber and popped it into her mouth.
Crisp, sweet, and perfectly seasoned. Delicious!
She had already stolen a taste earlier and now enjoyed it even more. Qiao Fei watched her, amused.
This guy, acting like a piece of cucumber is some gourmet delicacy… Has she eaten too many lavish meals and developed a taste for simple food instead?
She glanced at Jing Xuan’s reddened nose and watery eyes, feeling a pang of guilt. Finally, she put down her chopsticks and laughed—without even trying to hold it in.
“Hey! Fei’er, be kind! Don’t laugh at my suffering!”
“How can I be worse than you? You—you… forget it!”
Qiao Fei resumed eating, burying her face in her bowl.
Damn it. She clearly doesn’t care, but why… why am I still hoping for something from her?
Then Qiao Fei’s voice gently broke the moment. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about who you really are.”
“…What?” Jing Xuan’s chopsticks froze midair.
Jing Xuan feigned ignorance, though her heart pounded. Careless… But thank God it’s Fei’er. If it had been anyone else…
“You’re a woman. Does Sister Lan Qing know?”
“Uh—no, not yet…”
Jing Xuan avoided her eyes, clearly flustered.
“You love her?” Qiao Fei asked softly. “I’ll keep your secret, but promise me one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Forget what happened between us. Never bring it up again.”
“I… I’ll try—”
“What did you say?!”
“I promise! Okay?” Jing Xuan said quickly.
“Good. Then… are we still friends?”
“Of course!”
“You don’t hate me? You’re not disgusted by me?”
“Nope!”
“You accept that I’m a woman?”
“Yep!”
“You don’t think I’m a freak?”
“No!”
“Then… be my girlfriend!”
“Yep!”
“…Wait—WHAT?!”
Qiao Fei looked at Jing Xuan, stunned. “What did you just say? Girlfriend?! No way!”
“But you agreed just now!”
“You tricked me! I didn’t hear you clearly!”
“I don’t care. I meant every word. From now on, I’m officially chasing you.”
Before Jing Xuan could finish, Qiao Fei cut her off, “Lame. Eat your food and get out afterward!”
“I’ll catch you, Fei’er!”
“Eat! Less talking!”
Jing Xuan grinned as she continued eating the porridge, finding it more delicious than she ever imagined.
Fei’er, I will take responsibility for you. But… Qing… I’m sorry…
That fleeting image of Lan Qing crossed her mind. Jing Xuan closed her eyes and quietly tucked that part of her heart away.