Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 28

Lovers had all found their happy endings.

Gao Zhe and Liu Xingyu lived a life as sweet as honey, and even the situation between Qiao Fei and Jing Xuan had reached a conclusion of sorts. But people in love often forget everything else—when love takes over, even someone like Einstein would turn into a fool.

Warm sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, wrapping around the two figures curled up on the sofa. Qiao Fei nestled quietly in Jing Xuan’s arms like a kitten, savoring the gentle caresses. Jing Xuan’s chin rested lightly against the top of Qiao Fei’s head, long arms holding her just right, occasionally stroking her silky, waterfall-like hair.

The breakfast they had just eaten was still on the dining table, not yet cleared away. Thanks to Qiao Fei’s persistent efforts, Jing Xuan had finally kicked the habit of skipping breakfast, and now—even under Qiao Fei’s comically stern glare—ate until completely full every morning.

The atmosphere was warm and serene, the kind of beautiful moment no one would have the heart to disturb.

But—

—Click—

Lan Qing stood frozen at the door, suitcase in tow, gripping the key tightly in her hand.

The sound of the lock turning drew both Jing Xuan’s and Qiao Fei’s attention. When Jing Xuan saw Lan Qing standing there, she quickly pulled her arm back from around Qiao Fei. Qiao Fei also sat up from Jing Xuan’s embrace, the two of them subtly putting distance between themselves.

Lan Qing stared at them. Every movement, every reaction, didn’t escape her eyes.

“Qing… you—you’re back…?”

“Xuan, you have a guest!”

“Y-Yes…”

The strange tension in the room made Qiao Fei uncomfortable, and she stood up awkwardly.

“Lan Qing, you’re back. I was just visiting. I’ll be leaving now—”

“Fei’er, why leave just because I came home? Stay a little longer. Let’s have a nice chat.”

Before Qiao Fei could respond, Jing Xuan cut in, “Qing, let’s talk inside. Fei’er, just sit for a moment.”

Lan Qing didn’t answer. Jing Xuan lowered her head slightly, avoiding her gaze.

“…Okay.”

Lan Qing carried her suitcase up the stairs first. Jing Xuan gave Qiao Fei a reassuring look, silently telling her not to worry, then followed.
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In the bedroom, Lan Qing threw her suitcase onto the bed. She looked around at the familiar furnishings. Just a month ago, she and the woman she loved had been sharing this cozy space, and she had believed she was the happiest person in the world. How had it all fallen apart so quickly?

That beautiful, tender scene downstairs had pierced her eyes—and her heart.

Was this all… a misunderstanding? No. Impossible.

What kind of “friends” hugged each other that intimately?

Thinking back to how Jing Xuan had lost her composure when she first saw Qiao Fei… Had it already started back then?

Could it be that she, Lan Qing, had been the third wheel all along?

Was Jing Xuan just using her? Could she really be that kind of person?

Were all those words, that love, that warmth… all lies?

God—it hurt. It hurt so much.

________________________________________
When Jing Xuan walked in, she saw Lan Qing standing with her back to her, trying her best to suppress her pain. That silhouette—lonely and desolate—tugged at Jing Xuan’s heart.
“…Qing.”

Lan Qing heard Jing Xuan’s soft voice, her heart still in turmoil. She told herself: pretend it’s just a misunderstanding. Don’t bring it up. If you don’t ask, Jing Xuan will still be yours.

She knew she was lying to herself—but she couldn’t give up. Not yet. Not without a fight.

“Xuan, did you miss me?”

She turned around, the pain wiped off her face, replaced by a playful, teasing smile.

But the more Lan Qing pretended to be fine, the more it broke Jing Xuan’s heart.

She had once promised—sworn—that she would love Lan Qing forever, that she’d never let her cry again.

But now… she had broken that promise.

They said people who broke their vows never met a good end.

Maybe this was her fate.

Someone was bound to get hurt. She just didn’t want it to be Lan Qing… and she especially didn’t want it to be Qiao Fei.

Because she loved Qiao Fei.

“…Qing, I’m sorry.” Jing Xuan pulled Lan Qing into her arms and held her tightly.

“…Sorry? For what?”

That one word—sorry—shattered every illusion Lan Qing had left. She held back the tears that threatened to fall, still trying to pretend, still trying to salvage Jing Xuan’s love.

“…Don’t be like this, Qing. It hurts me to see you like this.”

“…Xuan, just tell me…”

Tears slid down Lan Qing’s flawless cheeks. She gently pushed Jing Xuan away, stood opposite her, and looked straight into her eyes.

“You love her, don’t you? You’ve always loved only her… right?”

“… …”

“Why won’t you answer? Even a lie… even just comforting me with a lie would be better than this.”

“Qing… I’m sorry. I’m… I’m a bastard.”

Lan Qing let out a bitter laugh, eyes no longer looking at Jing Xuan.

After a moment of silence, she looked back at her with seriousness.

“Jing Xuan… Were you ever serious about me? I just want to know—was it real when you said you loved me?”

“…Yes.”

“Then why? Was it something I did wrong? I can change.”

“No, Qing. It’s not you. It’s me. I’m the one who—”

“Then what about you two? I don’t understand.”

“Qing, I wronged you. I’ll accept whatever punishment you give me. But please, don’t make things hard for Fei’er. I’ve let you down… and I’ve let her down too…”

“…Make things hard for Fei’er? Is that the kind of person you think I am?”

Lan Qing’s voice trembled with anger.

“Jing Xuan, I really misjudged you. All that love, all that trust… What a joke.”

Furious, she raised her hand to slap Jing Xuan across her handsome face. Jing Xuan closed her eyes, bracing for it.

But the slap never came.

Lan Qing’s hand stopped midair, trembling. She couldn’t bring herself to hit her.

“…Here’s your house key. I’m returning it.”

—Clack—

When Jing Xuan opened her eyes again, Lan Qing was gone. In her hand was a key.

Downstairs, the door slammed shut.

Lan Qing was gone—dragging her suitcase, and her broken heart, behind her.