Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 23
Tokyo, Japan – Iga Family Estate
“Qing’er! Haha, where did your mind wander off to this time?” Nian Qing teased, walking over as Lan Qing sat staring off into the sky, lost in thought.
Startled, Lan Qing blinked. “Ah… it’s nothing. Did you finish the painting?”
“I did! Take a look—anything you’d like me to fix?”
Lan Qing examined it and smiled warmly. “No need. It’s beautiful! Your painting skills have improved so much, Sister!”
“Of course!” Nian Qing grinned. “Our family has two world-class talents now!”
Just then, Iga Jonin approached with a hearty laugh, wrapping his arms around both girls. “Two? If you ask me, you’re both top three in the world!”
“Dad!” the two called out in unison, leaning into his embrace.
From nearby, a gentle voice chimed in. “Top three? What about me?”
“Aunt Xiu!” Lan Qing exclaimed.
“Mom!” Nian Qing added, rushing to greet her as Hasegawa Xiu walked over with tea and snacks.
The family sat together in the sun-dappled garden, laughter flowing freely.
“Mom, what are the ‘three bests’ in the world?” Lan Qing asked playfully.
Hasegawa Xiu laughed. “Let’s see—world’s best fashion designer, best impressionist painter, and strongest iron-fist martial artist!”
“You forgot the most beautiful and gentle woman in the world—Aunt Xiu!” Lan Qing added with a wink.
“You’re such a sweet talker!” Hasegawa Xiu laughed, reaching to pat her head.
“Mom, you’re playing favorites! Aren’t I sweet too?”
“You’re all my treasures!” she said affectionately. “Jonin, they’re spoiled by you!”
“And how exactly did I spoil them more than you?” Iga Jonin laughed, raising his hands in protest.
“Haha, let me see the painting!” Hasegawa Xiu said.
Nian Qing handed over the canvas. “It’s of Lan Qing.”
Lan Qing bashfully tugged her sister to sit with her as their parents admired the artwork.
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Iga Jonin praised. “Xiu, what do you think?”
“As always, our Nian Qing is the best!” Hasegawa Xiu smiled proudly.
The painting depicted Lan Qing lounging gracefully on a recliner, her hair cascading over her shoulder. One arm rested behind her head, the other hand draped gently over her knees. Her legs were crossed casually, and her eyes held a soft, joyful light. With blooming flowers in the background, the image radiated serenity, elegance, and a trace of untamed charm.
“What a smile… Qing’er, is there something you’re not telling us?” Hasegawa Xiu asked teasingly.
All eyes turned to Lan Qing. Her face flushed as she waved her hands. “Aunt Xiu, what good news could I possibly have?”
Her embarrassment only made her joy more obvious.
“Come on, Lan Qing, are you in love?” Iga Jonin probed with a playful grin. “Is it Nishikawa? Or maybe Takano?”
—Clatter!
“Sister!”
“Nian Qing!”
Startled by their teasing, Nian Qing had accidentally cut her finger while sharpening a brush. The drawing board slipped from her lap, and a drop of bright red bl00d splattered onto Lan Qing’s smiling face in the portrait.
Lan Qing rushed over, her expression full of concern. “Your hand—it’s bleeding a lot!”
“Yan Zuo! Get the first-aid kit!” Hasegawa Xiu called out sharply.
“Yes, Madam!”
Lan Qing gently cradled her sister’s injured hand. “The cut is deep… it must hurt so much!”
Nian Qing, despite the pain, felt her heart soften. “It’s not so bad, really. You’re making such a fuss, sister.”
“How can I not worry? These are the world’s most talented hands!” Lan Qing scolded, biting her lip.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m talented or not. As long as my sister cares about me, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“You’re the best, Sister!” she said with a laugh.
“You’re acting like a child,” Lan Qing muttered fondly, then gently began cleaning and dressing the wound.
“I don’t care about being the best—I care about you.”
“…Really?” Lan Qing glanced at her, a little surprised.
Nian Qing stiffened, realizing her emotions were getting ahead of her. “I mean… of course I care. You’re my sister!”
“I’m so happy to hear you say that.”
“I’ll take her upstairs to rest,” Nian Qing said. “Dad, Aunt Xiu.”
“Go ahead,” Iga Jonin said warmly. “Take care.”
As the housekeeper picked up the fallen painting, Nian Qing took it. The bl00d had stained Lan Qing’s painted smile, transforming the serene portrait into something strangely alluring.
Lan Qing glanced at it and gently smudged the red stain across the floral background. “Well… it’s ruined now.”
“I’ll make you a new one,” Nian Qing offered.
“No, I love it like this. Sister, give it to me as is,” Lan Qing said with a twinkle. “If you ever want to paint again, I’ll happily model for you.”
“You little rascal,” Nian Qing teased, pinching Lan Qing’s cheek as she tugged her upstairs.
Back in Nian Qing’s room, Lan Qing fussed over her again. “Come on now, don’t exaggerate. It’s just a cut.”
“You must be exhausted from painting. Lie down for a while.”
Lan Qing tucked her in, then perched on the sofa’s armrest, smiling at her.
“By the way,” Nian Qing said, raising a brow. “What about Dad’s question earlier? I’m dying to know—who’s the lucky one that captured your heart?”
“Haha, why don’t you guess?” Lan Qing teased.
“Well, Nishikawa is pretty good—handsome, polite, and his family’s bank is thriving. As for Takano, ugh. That man looks like a rat. If his father didn’t have leverage over ours, they wouldn’t dare act arrogant. Dad will deal with them eventually.”
Lan Qing chuckled.
“Actually…” Nian Qing leaned in slightly. “I don’t think it’s either of them. Could it be… her?”
Lan Qing’s face softened. “You guessed right.”
“I knew it. Only she could make you this happy.”
“Sister~” Lan Qing whined softly, her cheeks turning pink.
“Haha, you’re blushing like a teenager! Come on, tell me—how did you two meet? How did it happen?”
“Well… it’s a long story…” Lan Qing smiled as she recounted her first encounter with Jing Xuan—how they met, fought, teased, and slowly fell for one another. Her whole face lit up with happiness.
As she spoke, Nian Qing watched quietly, her smile fading bit by bit, her eyes dimming with each laugh Lan Qing let out.
“You don’t know, Sister… Xuan is such a scoundrel! Always teasing me. But I got my revenge this time!” Lan Qing giggled. “I know she let me win, but I was still so happy! She looked so silly—haha!”
“She must love you very much,” Nian Qing said, forcing a smile.
“She does. And I love her too. This time, I’m going to tell Dad about us.”
“What stage are you at now?”
Lan Qing blinked. “Stage?”
“Don’t pretend. You know what I mean.”
“Sister!” she cried, swatting her playfully.
“Don’t be shy. So…?”
Lan Qing looked down, then whispered, “Sister… I already belong to her.”