Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 32
Scene: Jing Xuan’s Side
“We… we’re friends! Just like you guys. Hehe…”
“Friends? More like lovers, just like us!”
“Shuangji, you—?!”
“You don’t have to hide it. You can’t fool me!”
“……”
“What about Lan Qing?”
“Qing…? We’ve broken up.”
“You did all this… for her? For Qiao Fei?”
“Yes, I—”
Before Jing Xuan could finish her sentence, Gao Zhe’s fist came crashing down on her face. Caught off guard, Jing Xuan stumbled backward and slammed into the glass door with a loud bang.
________________________________________
Meanwhile, on Qiao Fei’s Side
“We… Xinyu, we’re together now.”
“What?! You and Jing Xuan? Fei’er, do you even know she already has a girlfriend? I’ve seen her before—a stunning woman! How could you…?”
“I… I know.”
“Then why—?”
“Xinyu, I love her. I’ve truly fallen in love with her.”
“But Jing Xuan and Lan Qing—?”
“They’ve broken up. Lan Qing caught us together…”
“What?!” — BANG! —
Liu Xinyu and Qiao Fei jumped at the loud noise, glanced at each other, and rushed to the balcony.
________________________________________
On the balcony, Gao Zhe grabbed Jing Xuan by the collar and shoved her hard against the door.
“You’ve really done Lan Qing dirty! Bastard! Scumbag! What did Lan Qing ever do to deserve this from you?!”
“What on earth are you two doing?!” Liu Xinyu’s voice rang out in shock as she rushed in. Gao Zhe let go.
“It’s nothing.” Jing Xuan waved it off as Qiao Fei walked over, gently touching the swollen bruise on Jing Xuan’s cheek. Gao Zhe had hit hard—her face was turning blue and visibly swollen.
“Xuan, are you okay?”
Jing Xuan took Qiao Fei’s hand in hers, warmed by the concern in her eyes. “I’m fine. Don’t worry. You and Xinyu go inside first—Shuangji and I need to talk.”
Though still worried, Qiao Fei trusted her. She nodded obediently and led Liu Xinyu away. As she left, Liu Xinyu glared at Gao Zhe and shouted:
“If you dare hit her again, I won’t let it slide! I swear—!”
“Alright, Xinyu, let’s go,” Qiao Fei coaxed.
Gao Zhe watched Xinyu storm off, clearly frustrated. What the hell is going on…
Now only Jing Xuan and Gao Zhe remained on the balcony. Gao Zhe ignored her, lighting a cigarette and leaning against the railing. Jing Xuan adjusted her rumpled collar and silently joined her.
After a moment of heavy silence, Jing Xuan finally broke it.
“Shuangji, give me one.”
Gao Zhe handed her a cigarette and lit it for her.
“Didn’t expect you to smoke too, huh,” she muttered.
Jing Xuan took a drag and slowly exhaled. “It’s been a while… Honestly, I hate it.”
“Hate it and you still smoke?”
“Just trying to ease the stress.”
“Pfft…”
“Shuangji, I know you’re angry. But I didn’t mean for it to happen. Breaking up with Qing… I didn’t want it either. It hurts, too.”
Gao Zhe stared at her. She’d never seen Jing Xuan look so weak, so lost.
“Shuangji, I love Fei’er. So—”
“Stop right there!” Gao Zhe cut her off, turning to her with a serious gaze. “Ajing, do you love Lan Qing? Have you ever loved her?”
“I did. I really did.”
“Then are you breaking up with her now because you don’t love her anymore?”
“No… it’s because I did something I can’t take back. Something that hurt her.”
“Let me guess—it’s related to Qiao Fei, right?”
Jing Xuan nodded after another exhale.
“And what about Qiao Fei? Do you love her?”
“Yes. From the moment I first saw her, I couldn’t forget her.”
“According to you, you still love Lan Qing, but now you’ve fallen for Qiao Fei too. Wow, your heart sure is fickle!”
“Shuangji, it’s not what you think. I—”
“Oh? Then explain it to me.”
“Shuangji, what happened between Fei’er and me… I really do like her—a lot. But Fei’er is pure, innocent. She shouldn’t have been touched, and yet… I was the one who took that innocence. So, I feel I have a responsibility toward her.”
“Responsibility? Ajing, what era do you think this is? People still ‘take responsibility’? Didn’t you and Lan Qing have that kind of relationship too? Why don’t you feel responsible for her? Just because she was willing, it’s okay to walk away?”
“Shuangji, Fei’er is different from us. Lan Qing doesn’t need me to live a good life. But Fei’er… if she’s hurt, she has no one. I can’t let anything happen to her. That’s why… I had to let Qing go.”
“You fool! Do you have any idea how much Lan Qing loves you? Breaking up over this is cruel. You’re not only hurting Lan Qing—you’re hurting Qiao Fei too! Think about it! You’re hurting both of them!”
Furious, Gao Zhe stubbed out her cigarette and stormed back inside.
Jing Xuan stood alone, staring into the distance, haunted by the image of Lan Qing’s hopeless eyes… her devastated face…
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The Yan Family Residence
“You’re back, Miss.”
“Mhm, Aunt Mei. Where’s Miss Lan?”
“She’s in the garden, talking with the old master. Do you want to join them?”
“Yes, I’ll take the refreshments over.”
“Oh, no, no need. I can do that.”
“Let me, Aunt Mei. You go rest.”
“Well… alright then. Thank you, Miss. I’ll be going now.”
“Go ahead.”
Yan Junye carried the refreshments toward the garden. On the lawn in the distance, Lan Qing was slowly walking arm in arm with Grandpa Yan, his laughter echoing in the air. A soft smile curved Junye’s lips.
On the grass, Lan Qing carefully supported Grandpa Yan.
“Qing’er, I’m getting old and useless, haha!”
“Not at all! You’re in great shape, Grandpa. We’ve been walking a while—are you tired?”
“Haha, now that you mention it, I do feel a bit. Getting old, indeed!”
“Let’s go back and rest, Grandpa.”
“Alright, alright. Ah, Qing’er, you’re such a sweet girl! So much better than our Junye! That one never bothers with her poor old grandpa—always off somewhere.”
“Haha, don’t blame Junye, Grandpa. She’s busy managing the company. Isn’t it nice having me around instead?”
“Haha, it sure is! Wonderful! Qing’er, my dear!”
“Yes, Grandpa?”
“Thank you for spending time with this old man these past few days.”
“Don’t say that, Grandpa. I really enjoy being with you.”
“Hahaha, good girl. But, even though I’m old, my eyes are still sharp. Qing’er… you haven’t been happy lately, have you?”
“No, Grandpa, I’m fine.”
“Sigh~ Lying to an old man is a crime, you know! Is something bothering you? If it’s not too much, talk to me. I might not have all the answers, but I’ve lived a long life. I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve had rice!
Hahaha!”
“Grandpa, I—”
“Grandpa! Lan Qing!”
Junye’s voice interrupted her.
“Junye!”
“Hmph! Gone all day and the first thing you do when you show up is ruin my mood!”
“Grandpa, come on! What did I even do this time?”
“You! Qing’er was just about to tell me a story and you butted in, you rascal!”
“Oh? Then it’s my fault! Haha. Lan Qing, what story were you about to tell Grandpa? Can I hear it too?”
“It’s nothing really, haha.”
“Exactly! Qing’er was telling me a story—why do you have to listen too? So annoying!”
“Grandpa~”
“No use acting cute! Come, Qing’er, let’s go talk over there. Leave her alone!”
“Grandpa~”
Lan Qing watched the playful banter between the two with a soft smile. This adorable old man… would Junye ever be able to handle him?