Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 4

Qiao Fei glanced at Jing Xuan’s flustered retreat and couldn’t stay angry. A smile tugged at her lips as she watched “her” flee the room. She picked up the casual clothes left for her and made her way to the bathroom.
After her bath, Qiao Fei emerged like a lotus rising from clear water—radiant and fresh-faced, her natural beauty even more striking without makeup. Dressed in the casual outfit, her refined figure and graceful poise were accentuated, giving her a vibrant, youthful charm. She studied herself in the mirror and tilted her head, thinking, “This outfit fits perfectly… but why does he have women’s clothes? His wife’s? No, he doesn’t seem like a married man. A girlfriend? That doesn’t feel right either…” Eventually, she settled on a more comforting theory: “Maybe he has a sister. That would make sense.” Still, an odd twinge of melancholy crept in. Why do I feel disappointed at the idea that this might belong to someone important to him?
Downstairs, Jing Xuan’s eyes widened as he saw Qiao Fei. Gone was the fragile girl from the night before—before her now stood a poised, breathtaking beauty. Jing found herself speechless, simply staring. Qiao Fei, flattered but shy, blushed and muttered, “Pervert. What are you staring at? Haven’t you ever seen a pretty girl before?”
Jing Xuan nearly tripped over her own tongue. “You… You’re better now. Come eat!”
Internally, Jing Xuan berated herself. “Why are you stammering like this? Pull yourself together!” She turned and quickly walked away. Qiao Fei watched her back, amused. “What a guy,” she thought, then followed.
Although Jing Xuan owned a high-end nightclub and had considerable wealth, her home was a refined split-level apartment—not overly large, but tastefully designed with a clean and elegant aesthetic. Qiao Fei admired the cozy layout, the soft lighting, the dual balconies that opened to cityscapes on one side and the river on the other. The early morning glow flooded the space with golden sunlight, the sound of distant river whistles blending gently into the tranquil air. Everything felt warm, peaceful—like a dream.
Jing Xuan’s smile was just like the morning sun: gentle, unguarded, comforting. For a fleeting moment, Qiao Fei felt as though she had woken up in a dream where her lover had already prepared breakfast and was waiting for her with a quiet smile. The word “lover” stirred something painful in her chest. Just as quickly as the warmth bloomed, it faded. Love? She scoffed inwardly. I don’t believe in it anymore.
Jing Xuan stood and pulled out a chair for her with a gentleman’s grace. The breakfast spread was delicate and thoughtfully arranged—golden eggs, crisp bacon, warm whole-wheat toast, various condiments, and a vibrant vegetable salad. Three drinks sat side by side: milk, orange juice, and water. It looked like something carefully crafted to comfort someone.
Qiao Fei stared, touched. “What… What is all this?”
“It’s breakfast,” Jing Xuan said with a harmless smile. “Go on, try it.”
She hesitated, then cut into the egg. Her eyes widened at the taste. “You made this?”
“Guaranteed.”
“I can’t believe it.”
Jing Xuan gave a lopsided smile. “Why not?”
Of course he would know how to cook, Qiao Fei realized. Someone who grew up without a family would’ve had to learn to take care of themselves. Then she noticed—there was only one plate of food. “Aren’t you eating?”
“I’m not in the habit of eating breakfast.”
Something twisted in her chest again. Skipping breakfast is bad for your health… They sat in silence for a moment—she eating slowly, Jing’s watching quietly.
Jing Xuan found herself captivated. There was something about this girl—each moment with her felt new. Her presence was calming yet exciting, like she carried her own quiet world. Qiao Fei, too, was troubled. Why am I paying so much attention to this man? Why does his smile make my heart flutter? This is crazy…
They didn’t yet realize that something unspoken had already begun between them.
After the meal, Qiao Fei stood and said softly, “Mr. Jing, thank you for everything—saving me, taking me in… and the breakfast. I’ve bothered you enough. I should go. I’ll come by to thank you properly another day. I… I’ll be leaving now.”
She didn’t dare linger. She was afraid she’d become too attached to her kindness, to the smile that made her forget everything painful. Afraid she’d fall again into the illusions of love.
Jing Xuan opened her mouth to speak, but said nothing. She simply nodded and murmured, “Just call me Ajing. That’s what my friends call me. And honestly, what I did wasn’t anything special—anyone with a conscience would’ve done the same.” Then Jing grabbed her coat. “Since you want to leave, I’ll take you where you need to go.”
Qiao Fei’s heart twisted. Did I hurt him? She bit her lip, followed her silently, and got in the car.
The ride was quiet. Neither spoke. The car steadily made its way to Qiao Fei’s apartment—a modest place she’d rented near C University where she was a student in the Finance Department. At 21, she was already well-known across campus as a brilliant and beautiful young woman, admired for her intelligence and her grace. Her family, humble middle-school teachers from a small town, had raised her with strong values and a love of literature. She worked part-time to support herself and lived frugally.
Jing Xuan’s apartment was across the city, and it took a while to drive. When they arrived, Qiao Fei told her the alley ahead was too narrow for the car. It was just a five-minute walk. Jing Xuan pulled over. Just as Qiao Fei reached for the door, Jing stopped her.
“Wait.” Jing Xuan scribbled something on a small notepad, tore it off, and handed it to her. “This is my number, address, and where I work. If anything happens—anything at all—come find me.”
Qiao Fei looked at her. Jing Xuan’s eyes were honest, sincere. She saw her own reflection. She calmed herself and took the note. “Thank you. I’ll be going now. Goodbye.”
She stepped out and started walking toward the alley. But behind her, Jing Xuan suddenly called out, “Wait! I don’t even know your name.”
She turned, smiled radiantly, and said, “Qiao Fei.”