Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 33

Lan Qing and Yan Junye helped Old Master Yan back to the lounge chair in front of the villa. Sitting one on each side of him, they kept him company. The old man chuckled as he held Lan Qing’s hand.

“Qing girl, you’re such a sweet one! Do you have a boyfriend yet? Come on, tell Grandpa. Hahaha.”

Lan Qing gently squeezed his hand and shook her head with a smile. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Yan Junye jumped in ahead of her.

“Grandpa!”

“What now?”

“Grandpa, Lan Qing is our guest. How can you ask such personal questions?”

Old Master Yan turned slightly in his seat and leaned back to look at Yan Junye with narrowed eyes.

“You rascal, did you get into trouble out there? You’ve been acting strange ever since Qing girl moved in. What’s wrong with me asking about her boyfriend? Why are you so worked up? Qing girl, Grandpa’s not

allowed to ask?”

Lan Qing quickly played peacemaker. “No, Grandpa. Of course you can ask. Hahaha…”

“You see that?” the old man laughed. “She’s not complaining—why are you?”

Yan Junye was at a loss for words. She was only trying to prevent her grandfather from accidentally touching on a sensitive subject.

She gave Lan Qing a pitiful look, silently pleading: Dear Qing’er, please say something nice to Grandpa for me… I’m really being wronged here!

But the old man’s next words left the two of them completely speechless.

“That kid Ajing, who knows where she’s run off to? She hasn’t visited this old man in ages. Ah—Junye! Call Ajing. Since Lan Qing is here, it’s the perfect time for all of you to get together again. That’s settled then!

Go! Call her!”

Yan Junye had no choice—she couldn’t disobey her elder. With a reluctant expression, she called Jing Xuan, and included Gao Zhe too. Just like that, the four childhood friends were reunited at the Yan estate.

That evening, the Yan household was especially lively. Jing Xuan and Gao Zhe brought gifts, coaxing laughter out of Old Master Yan until his eyes were mere slits from smiling. But at the dinner table, only the old man seemed truly happy. The four young people sitting below him were all weighed down with their own thoughts, clashing starkly with the otherwise festive atmosphere.

Lan Qing was quietly heartbroken. From time to time, she glanced up at Jing Xuan, as if searching for some confirmation.

Gao Zhe, still brooding from their fight earlier that day, ignored Jing Xuan completely.

Yan Junye, knowing about Jing Xuan and Lan Qing’s breakup, felt deeply for her friend. Recent rumors only added to her unease, and she stared at Jing Xuan with clear expectation—Say something already.

Jing Xuan kept her head down, picking at her food, more like counting rice grains than eating. She could feel Lan Qing’s gaze, sharp and searing, piercing into her chest.

One by one, scenes from the past flashed through her mind like a movie reel:

Lan Qing waving goodbye from afar…

The stunning transformation when they reunited…

The fearless confession…

The tender moments of love and beauty…

And finally, the hopeful yet heartbroken goodbye…

Lan Qing’s beauty, her smile, her tears…

Why? Why did I treat her this way? Do I really not love her anymore?

But if I didn’t… then why do all those memories feel so vivid? Why does the pain feel so real?

________________________________________

“Apologies, sir! Our master is not receiving guests today.”

“Sir, please don’t force your way in, or we’ll take action.”

“Sir—!”

“Out of my way!”

The commotion outside drew everyone’s attention. The noise grew louder until Jing Cheng, flanked like royalty, entered the dining room with his entourage. His men, well-trained, had already pushed the Yan family’s security to the perimeter.

“Master, Young Master, apologies—we couldn’t stop them…”

Old Master Yan waved the guards aside and tossed his napkin onto the expensive dining table. Leaning back, he looked at Jing Cheng with a sardonic smile.

“Well, well! And here I was wondering who it could be. Turns out it’s Mr. Jing, gracing my home with such a grand entrance! What brings you here today? We happen to be having a small gathering. Care to join us for a drink?”

As he spoke, the Yan family guards silently positioned themselves, hands on their weapons, encircling the uninvited guests.

Jing Cheng’s eyes, sharp as a falcon’s, swept over the young people at the table, finally locking onto Jing Xuan. He walked over slowly, his aides pulling out a chair for him. His gaze never left Jing Xuan, and she returned it without flinching. Oddly, she felt a strange sense of familiarity with this man who radiated such cold menace.

Jing Cheng, lost in thought as he stared at Jing Xuan, mused silently: Those eyes… too similar…

“Ahem… Mr. Jing, to what do we owe the honor of your visit?” Old Master Yan interrupted pointedly.

Jing Cheng collected himself and turned to the old man. “Ah, I must apologize for the intrusion. Rumor has it that you’ve retired from your affairs, but I simply don’t trust the smaller gangs out there. I wanted to propose a business deal.”

“If it’s business, you can go through the proper channels. No need to come personally,” the old man chuckled. “The rumors are true—I’m old, and my mind’s not what it used to be. Everything is now handled by

Junye. If you want to talk business, talk to her. Still, since you’re here, go ahead and tell us what kind of deal this is. We’ll see if we’re interested.”

“Then I’ll be frank. I want to ship a batch of goods to Southeast Asia, and I hope to borrow your security team.”

“As long as the price is right, no problem. You know the rules of the trade, Mr. Jing.”

“Of course. But some local groups hope to leverage your name to open up connections.”

“These days aren’t like the past, where territories were taken by force. I can only help make introductions. Whether they’ll give me face or not depends on how much effort you’re willing to put in.”

“Haha, that’s fair!” Jing Cheng laughed. “Since this is a gathering, and these fine young talents are all here, may I have the honor of an introduction?”

Before the old man could respond, Yan Junye stepped in. “No need to trouble Grandpa. I’ll do the honors.”

She began pointing them out one by one:

“This is Professor Gao Zhe, a renowned management lecturer at C University.

This is Miss Iga Lan Qing, a famed fashion designer and the second daughter of the Iga family of Japan—daughter of Iga Jonin himself.

And this…”

She hesitated slightly when she got to Jing Xuan, then subtly gestured for her to remain silent.

“…This is Mr. Huang Jing Xuan, acting CEO of Huatian International, and the son of prominent Singaporean entrepreneur Mr. Huang Zhixiong. They’re all my dear friends—Mr. Huang is even my business partner. Huatian and the Yan Group have long worked together. Grandpa has even taken Jing Xuan in as his god-grandchild.”

Old Master Yan nodded in satisfaction.

Jing Cheng no longer lingered. He raised the glass of wine that had been poured earlier, smiling faintly.

“Oh, such outstanding young talents indeed. I’m honored to meet you all. Apologies for interrupting your dinner—this glass is my self-punishment. Now that our business is discussed, I shall take my leave. Please, enjoy your meal!”

“Junye, see Mr. Jing out.”

“Yes, Grandpa.”

Outside the estate, as she watched Jing Cheng’s car drive off, Yan Junye smirked coldly.

“Young Master, Jing Cheng is too arrogant.”

“Hah. Let’s see how long he can keep it up.”

In the car, Jing Cheng stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Investigate that Huang Jing Xuan. Fast.”

“Yes, sir.”