She's Crazy, I Love Her - Chapter 21

The courtyard lights were all lit, their glow contrasting against the deep blue twilight sky, casting swaying shadows of the trees.

Qi You walked straight through the courtyard and into the villa. She changed her shoes, let down her hair, and casually twisted it into a comfortable low bun.

Turning back, she glanced at Chi Yue, who still seemed a bit dazed. Her gaze drifted downward, settling on Chi Yue’s silver-gray stilettos.

“We’re staying here tonight,” Qi You said.

Chi Yue met her eyes, then slowly nodded. She finally slipped off her heels, stepped barefoot onto the wooden floor, and bent down to grab a pair of slippers.

Qi You washed her hands at the nearby sink, dried them, and returned to the living room.

The villa’s interior was decorated in shades of deep gray, perfectly blending modern minimalist lines with traditional Chinese aesthetics. Carved furniture, leather sofas, and vintage paintings gave the entire ground floor the feel of a classic film.

Chi Yue’s silhouette flickered through the semi-transparent frosted glass, her slender dark green figure blurred and diffused like a scene framed by a cinematic master’s lens.

As Qi You approached, Chi Yue lowered her head slightly, feeling awkward.

Qi You watched her downcast eyes, reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and asked, “Tired from the drive?”

Chi Yue didn’t flinch. “No,” she said.

After a pause, she looked up. “You drove all the way here. Are you tired?”

Qi You tilted her head, finding a strange satisfaction in Chi Yue’s docile demeanor. Her fingertip slowly traced the delicate curve of Chi Yue’s ear.

“I’m fine,” Qi You replied.

Chi Yue released her grip, turned, and walked around the long coffee table to settle into the sofa.

The housekeeper carried the luggage upstairs and returned to ask if they wanted tea.

Qi You glanced at Chi Yue.

“I’m fine with anything,” Chi Yue said.

“Just water will do,” Qi You instructed.

The housekeeper went to the water purifier at the bar and filled two glasses with pure water.

Chi Yue thanked her.

“You can all go back now,” Qi You said. “Don’t come unless I call.”

Chi Yue’s lips, which had just touched the rim of her glass, abruptly parted.

“Understood,” the housekeeper replied.

The silence made the air feel stifling.

Chi Yue sat stiffly, the water moistening her lips, yet her throat remained parched.

“They…” Chi Yue began, forced to speak by Qi You’s unwavering gaze. After a long pause, she continued, “They don’t live here?”

“They’re resort staff,” Qi You explained. “They stay in the staff dormitories on the grounds.”

“Oh,” Chi Yue said. “I see.”

Qi You gazed at her for a full minute before saying, “It’s still early. You can wander around for a bit. I’ll have dinner sent up at six.”

Chi Yue was thrilled at the prospect of escaping Qi You’s watchful gaze, but she restrained herself from showing too much enthusiasm. “What about you?”

“I’ll just sit here for a while,” Qi You replied.

“Okay,” Chi Yue said.

She stood up from the sofa and wandered aimlessly around the first floor before heading upstairs.

The second floor was divided into two wings, with a central atrium. Through the waist-high glass railing, she could see the entire living room below.

Chi Yue glanced down. Qi You was still sitting on the sofa, leaning back with her head tilted back.

Chi Yue’s eyes flickered briefly before she realized Qi You’s eyes were closed, her face expressionless in the soft lamplight.

Is she tired? Chi Yue wondered, but her feet kept moving backward, pressing against the wall as she sidestepped away.

The right wing of the second floor housed a communal media room. The antique shelves displayed records and discs, which Chi Yue initially assumed were decorative. But when she picked one up, she realized they were real, with matching record players and disc players nearby.

After browsing for a while, Chi Yue pushed open the door to the bedroom.

The bedroom was spacious, impeccably clean, and neatly arranged. The dark gray bedding was plumped and smoothed with hotel-like precision, and an aromatherapy diffuser hummed softly on the nightstand. A small table held four or five fresh, multi-petaled lotus flowers, their petals still glistening with tiny droplets of water.

Dinner that evening was a Southern-style feast: simmered pigeon soup, golden-thread shrimp balls—a feast for the senses. Yet Chi Yue had little appetite, though she dared not stop eating. She forced herself to slowly pick up each grain of rice, one by one.

“If you don’t want to eat, don’t,” Qi You said.

Chi Yue’s fingers trembled slightly as she set down her chopsticks, pressing her lips together in silence.

Qi You stared at her for a few seconds before rising and leaving the room.

Left alone in the dining room, Chi Yue sat motionless. After a while, the housekeeper came in to ask if she should clear the table. Only then did Chi Yue stir, blinking away the thin mist that had gathered in her eyes.

The bedroom door remained ajar. When Chi Yue entered, Qi You was curled up on the sofa, absorbed in her phone.

The sofa in the bedroom was deeper than the one in the living room downstairs. Its matte suede fabric softened the dark color, giving it a cozy, inviting feel.

Hearing her approach, Qi You glanced up, then nodded toward the bathroom. “Go take a shower.”

Chi Yue clenched her hands and whispered, “I didn’t bring any toiletries.”

Qi You replied, “There are some inside.”

The bathroom was indeed fully equipped. Various high-end toiletries, still unopened, were neatly arranged in the cabinet, while clean towels and a bathrobe lay on the vanity.

After drying her hair, Chi Yue emerged in the bathrobe. Qi You was still on the sofa, gripping her phone as if playing a game, occasionally glancing up at her.

“There’s a nightgown in the suitcase. Change into it,” Qi You said.

Chi Yue hesitated, then silently walked to the door and opened Qi You’s suitcase. Finding only a few items inside, she felt awkward about rummaging through it and grabbed the first thing that looked like a nightgown—a camisole dress.

She regretted her choice as soon as she changed in the bathroom.

After a few minutes of awkward fidgeting, she finally removed the bra that felt out of place beneath the thin fabric.

When she returned, Qi You’s gaze deepened.

The champagne-colored nightgown was incredibly soft and lightweight, clinging to her body like a second skin and perfectly accentuating the young woman’s curves.

She let her hair down, the soft, long curls cascading over her shoulders, obscuring her beautiful neck and the gentle rise and fall of her chest—a futile attempt at concealment that only drew more attention.

Qi You lowered her wrist slightly, the phone in her hand, and said, “Come here.”

Chi Yue walked over and stopped in front of Qi You’s legs, her slender, pale fingers nervously clutching a fold of her skirt.

She looked soft and vulnerable, easy to take advantage of.

Qi You leaned back against the sofa, still in her daytime clothes. The shirt had slipped down slightly, revealing a hint of her neck and collarbone.

Looking up at Chi Yue from below, Qi You extended her arm after a moment and said, “Give me a hug.”

Chi Yue’s mind went blank. It took her a while to understand what Qi You meant, and she leaned down hesitantly.

In the next instant, Qi You’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her down forcefully.

Caught off guard, Chi Yue braced her hands against the sofa back, but her body still collapsed into Qi You’s embrace.

Chi Yue’s face flushed crimson as long-suppressed memories surged through her like a tidal wave, tightening her heart.

She bit down hard on her lip, her breathing becoming shallow and restrained. Her shoulders and back tensed, her head hovering just above Qi You’s neck, not quite touching.

She felt like a block of wood.

Chi Yue braced herself, expecting Qi You to make a move, but Qi You did little more than twirl the ends of Chi Yue’s hair that hung down her back.

Neither spoke. The prolonged silence gradually allowed Chi Yue’s senses to return. She began to hear Qi You’s heartbeat, smell the delicate floral scent at the base of her neck, and feel the subtle rise and fall of her chest with each breath.

“Did you change your perfume?” Qi You asked, her voice so close it seemed distorted, as if it were vibrating directly from her throat through her chest, bypassing her lips entirely.

“No…” Chi Yue murmured.

Qi You hummed in acknowledgment, smoothing Chi Yue’s hair with her fingers in a soothing gesture.

Chi Yue gradually lost her strength, her body softening as she leaned against Qi You.

They remained in a quiet embrace for several minutes, the earlier icy tension slowly dissipating, revealing a fleeting warmth that felt almost like an illusion.

After a while, Qi You shifted her position, and Chi Yue quickly straightened up. But Qi You didn’t let her go, keeping her seated in her lap.

Qi You rested her chin on Chi Yue’s shoulder, her cheek brushing lightly against the nape of her neck.

“Play a game for me,” Qi You said, pressing her phone into Chi Yue’s hand.

Chi Yue was slightly dazed. She glanced down at the phone screen, which displayed a brightly colored mobile game interface.

“I… I don’t know how to play,” Chi Yue said. “I’ve never played this before.”

“It’s okay,” Qi You replied. “Just follow my instructions.”

Chi Yue bit her lip and reluctantly began controlling the black-clad avatar, making it run aimlessly through the lush green map.

“Pick the fruit,” Qi You instructed.

Chi Yue made the avatar pick the fruit.

“There are monsters in the bushes,” Qi You warned.

Chi Yue made the avatar fight the monsters.

“Jump into the sea and swim across,” Qi You ordered.

Chi Yue immediately made the avatar leap into the sea.

Qi You turned to study Chi Yue’s profile.

Feeling inexplicably stared at, Chi Yue paused and whispered, “You’re the one who told me to jump.”

Qi You hummed in acknowledgment. After a moment, she said, “Your ears are very red.”

Chi Yue rubbed her ear, an inexplicable itch crawling from the back of her head down to her tailbone like a slithering snake.

Qi You watched for another two seconds before leaning in and gently biting Chi Yue’s bl00d-red earlobe between her teeth, nibbling with slight pressure.

Chi Yue couldn’t bear it. She tilted her head away, trying to escape, but the tug of Qi You’s lips and teeth sent a sharp sting through her.

Qi You released her and said, “Let go. She’s drowning.”

Chi Yue snapped back to reality, quickly releasing her thumb from the phone screen. Freed from her control, the black-clad figure frantically surged upward from the deep indigo sea, its head tilting back as it struggled for air. The suffocating sensation intensified with each tick of its dwindling health bar, almost spilling out from the screen.

Qi You’s arm tightened around Chi Yue’s waist, her hand disappearing beneath the soft, flowing hem of Chi Yue’s nightgown.

Splash!

With a realistic simulation of water breaking, the figure’s head emerged above the surface.

Chi Yue gasped softly.

“Don’t let her die,” Qi You said.

“Okay,” Chi Yue replied, her voice still slightly stuttering, though she couldn’t see Qi You’s expression. “I-I’ll try my best…”

Qi You fell silent, letting Chi Yue guide the figure from the sea to the shore, through forests and towns.

Chi Yue gradually bit her lip, determined not to make a sound.

The figure froze in a corner for a long moment before suddenly standing still, gazing around in confusion.

Qi You relaxed her grip on Chi Yue slightly, leaning back against the sofa.

“Tissues,” Chi Yue reminded her.

Her face and neck flushed crimson. At the reminder, her eyelashes fluttered as she set the phone on the sofa and reached for the tissue box on the table, pulling out two sheets.

Qi You’s hand remained on Chi Yue’s leg, her slender fingers translucent, the index and middle fingers slightly parted.

Chi Yue pressed the tissues into Qi You’s hand, but she didn’t move.

After a two-second pause, Chi Yue relented, grabbing Qi You’s hand and roughly wiping it.

Chi Yue stood up from the sofa, clutching a corner of the tissue. Suppressing the strange sensation in her body, she walked to the trash can near the door and tossed it in.

Turning around, she saw Qi You still in the same position: legs spread wide, one arm draped over the sofa back, the other resting casually at her side, neck tilted back.

Her expansive posture allowed her limbs to stretch fully. With her long arms and legs, combined with her disheveled clothing, she exuded an air of unrestrained freedom.

If only her face weren’t so expressionless…

Qi You turned her head to look at Chi Yue.

The intensity of her gaze made Chi Yue freeze, unable to move forward.

After a few seconds, Qi You said, “Let’s take a bath.”

Chi Yue blinked in surprise.

Seized by sudden enthusiasm, Qi You stood up and declared, “Together.”

The bathroom featured a large bathtub—more like a small pool—lined with matte black, handcrafted tiles. The silver faucet gleamed under the light.

Qi You adjusted the water temperature and turned the faucet on full blast.

Standing at the doorway, Chi Yue murmured, “I’ve already showered.”

Qi You hummed in acknowledgment. “Then watch the water. When it’s about right, get in. I’ll rinse off quickly.”

Chi Yue pressed her lips together. “I don’t want to.”

Only then did Qi You turn her head. “Why not?”

Chi Yue averted her gaze, staring at the rushing water. “Just… I don’t want to.”

Qi You stood up, leaning against the bathtub, and asked, “Why don’t you want to?”

The confrontation was sudden and inexplicable.

“I…” Chi Yue paused, trying to swallow the bitter lump rising in her throat.

She looked at Qi You, opened her mouth to speak, but stopped, desperately suppressing the surging, damp emotions. After a long moment, she repeated, “I… I’ve already washed.”

Qi You tilted her head, her expression utterly flat, yet an invisible, unyielding pressure filled the air, her gaze demanding an answer.

So?

Chi Yue fell silent.

Qi You straightened up and said, “Remember to grab a bottle of wine from the cabinet before you get in. Take the white wine on the bottom shelf.”

Chi Yue lowered her eyes. “Okay.”

Qi You brushed her teeth, washed her face, and rinsed her hair under the shower, loosely tying it back with a hair tie.

Slipping on a bathrobe, she emerged to find Chi Yue already in the water, curled up against the stone wall with her knees drawn up. Her hair was also tied back, her cheek resting sideways on her knee. The water lapped over her pale skin, tiny ripples kissing her shoulders.

Hearing the sound, Chi Yue turned her head to look at Qi You.

Her face was damp, her eyes glistening, her gaze trembling slightly as she forced herself not to flinch.

So, so beautiful.

Qi You was momentarily stunned. She paused before walking over and gently touching Chi Yue’s cheek.

“Such a good girl,” she murmured, her voice low and tender.

The corners of Chi Yue’s lips tightened slightly.

Qi You touched Chi Yue’s lips again.

Withdrawing her hand, Qi You picked up the wine bottle from the counter. The seal was still intact. Without asking why Chi Yue hadn’t opened it, she grabbed a corkscrew, twisted off the stopper, and poured a glass, handing it to Chi Yue first.

Chi Yue reached out, pinched the slender stem of the glass, and took a delicate sip, the wine wetting her lips.

Sitting by the pool’s edge, Qi You leaned against the counter, propping herself up with one hand. “Is it good?” she asked.

Chi Yue wasn’t a wine connoisseur, but white wines often had a sweet taste. This one was no different, tasting almost like a sparkling beverage, which made it quite palatable.

Chi Yue nodded and lowered her head for another sip, her profile soft and tender.

Qi You finally felt a stirring of desire.

She slipped out of her bathrobe and into the water. The pool’s level rose slightly with the added body, the gentle ripples wetting Chi Yue’s chin.

Chi Yue straightened her neck, but her eyes remained fixed downward, her cheeks flushing uncontrollably.

In contrast, Qi You seemed utterly unfamiliar with the concept of shyness.

Qi You gazed openly at Chi Yue and casually asked, “Do you know how to swim?”

Chi Yue shook her head. “No,” she replied.

Qi You pressed, “Would you like to learn?”

Chi Yue blinked but remained silent.

Qi You took a sip of her wine and didn’t press the matter further.

After a moment, she set her glass on the nearby ledge and, without warning, slid gently into the water like a fish.

Though the bath was large, it wasn’t a swimming pool. Her sudden movement stirred the tranquil surface, nearly causing the water to overflow.

Chi Yue quickly grabbed the edge of the ledge to steady herself.

Qi You, however, seemed completely at ease. Her eyes were closed, her body utterly relaxed, and she drifted through the water without flinching, even when she brushed against the tiled walls or Chi Yue’s body.

Chi Yue waited, then waited some more.

“Qi—”

Chi Yue moved her lips, then reached down to touch Qi You’s hand beneath the water.

No response.

Though she knew the chances of anything being wrong were slim, a flicker of panic stirred within her.

Chi Yue gripped Qi You’s hand and shook it firmly.

In the next instant, Qi You’s eyes snapped open, and she stared at Chi Yue from beneath the water, like a cold, ghostly water spirit.

Startled, Chi Yue instinctively tried to shake off Qi You’s hand, but couldn’t break free. Instead, she pulled Qi You out of the water with her.

A massive splash erupted from the bath.

Qi You’s body half-collapsed against Chi Yue’s.

“What’s wrong?” Qi You asked.

Chi Yue pressed herself against the brick wall, gasping for breath, still shaken. “I… I thought something had happened to you…”

Qi You replied, “I can hold my breath for over a minute and a half. That was less than thirty seconds.”

“Then why did you open your eyes?” Chi Yue asked.

“What’s wrong with opening my eyes?” Qi You countered.

Chi Yue swallowed nervously.

“Are you scared?” Qi You pressed.

Chi Yue’s voice was barely a whisper. “I just didn’t expect it.”

Qi You persisted, “Did I look like a female ghost just now?”

Confused by Qi You’s shifting moods and wanting to avoid the topic, Chi Yue shook her head. “No.”

Qi You stared at her intently for two seconds.

“Liar.”

Chi Yue’s gaze darted away, unsure if it was because her lie had been exposed or because they were standing so close, almost touching.

After uttering those two words, Qi You made no further move. Instead, she cupped Chi Yue’s face in her hands and leaned in to press a soft kiss against her lips.

Wet droplets clung to their lips.

As their lips parted, their eyes met.

Chi Yue flinched slightly.

Qi You’s hand gently rubbed Chi Yue’s drawn-up knee before she leaned in again to peck at the corner of her lips.

“Afraid of ghosts?” she asked.

Chi Yue was, of course, afraid of ghosts, especially water ghosts.

After soaking for nearly an hour, Chi Yue was so drained from the female ghost’s torment that she nearly collapsed. As she emerged, she accidentally knocked over a glass. The tall, transparent goblet shattered on the floor.

The two women tiptoed out cautiously.

Chi Yue finally sank onto the soft, wide bed. Whether it was from the prolonged soak or oxygen deprivation, her head felt groggy. Qi You draped a clean towel over her head and began vigorously rubbing it.

Chi Yue weakly pushed her hand away, her voice barely audible. “Are you still going to blow-dry my hair?”

Qi You hummed in agreement. “Otherwise, you’ll get a headache.”

Chi Yue admired her willpower. “I’m not going to blow-dry mine. I’m just going to sleep.”

“No,” Qi You insisted.

Rarely assertive after intimacy, Chi Yue muttered stubbornly, “I’m not going to blow-dry it…”

“Fine,” Qi You conceded.

“But you’re going to bed so early?” Qi You asked.

Chi Yue’s eyes widened. “Early?”

Qi You glanced at her watch. “It’s not even midnight yet.”

Chi Yue’s eyes widened again. “Early?”

Qi You hummed in affirmation.

Chi Yue gaped, then thought for a moment. “Tomorrow… don’t we have to go back tomorrow? We should get some rest.”

Qi You glanced at her. “Who told you we’re going back tomorrow?”

Chi Yue, intimidated by her gaze, shrank back and didn’t insist on returning the next day. Instead, she asked, “Then when are we going back?”

“When I feel like it,” Qi You replied.

With that, Qi You turned and went to the inner room to dry her hair, closing the door behind her, nearly silencing the buzzing sound.

Chi Yue collapsed at the foot of the bed, her gaze fixed on the closed door.

Happy.

Make Qi You happy.

She felt a pang of helplessness.

Just now, and the moment before that, Qi You hadn’t seemed happy at all.

She doubted she could ever make Qi You happy.

Chi Yue closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, Qi You was emerging from the bathroom, holding the surviving wine glass, nearly half-full of warm, amber liquid.

After taking a sip, Qi You set the glass on the table, went to the door, and turned back with a handbag in her hand. Inside the bag were pills—

What kind of pills?

Chi Yue’s mind buzzed, and she sat up abruptly.

Enhancers?

Because she’d been acting like… a dead fish?

No way, right?

But the words rich people, Second-Generation Rich, drugs, minor celebrities, sugar daddies—all jumbled together—felt disturbingly natural.

Qi You glanced at her.

“What… what are you taking?” Chi Yue’s voice was strained.

Qi You didn’t answer, instead walking over with a glass in one hand and pills in the other.

Chi Yue instinctively retreated a step.

“Do you want some?” Qi You asked.

Chi Yue shook her head vigorously.

Qi You stared at her. “What did you think it was?”

“I didn’t think…” Chi Yue stammered.

Qi You snorted coldly and swallowed the pills with a gulp of wine.

Then she lowered the rim of the glass to Chi Yue’s lips, gesturing with her eyes.

Chi Yue cautiously examined the wine—clear and pure—before reaching for the glass.

But Qi You didn’t release her grip. Tilting the glass, she fed Chi Yue the wine herself.

Chi Yue had no choice but to take a sip, then another. The glass remained pressed against her lips, forcing her to tilt her head back to follow the angle. Her moist eyes met Qi You’s.

Qi You looked down at her, like observing a caged animal.

Only a drop of wine remained in the glass. Qi You took it into her mouth and leaned down to feed it to Chi Yue, mouth-to-mouth.

The sudden invasion of lips and tongue made Chi Yue choke slightly on the wine. She coughed, trying to pull away, but Qi You ignored her struggles, her fingers tightening around the back of Chi Yue’s neck.

The low-purity alcohol fermented rapidly in their intense, stimulating embrace. A thin tear escaped the corner of Chi Yue’s eye, her breathing ragged from the brief oxygen deprivation. She pushed against Qi You’s shoulder with one hand while bracing herself against the bed with the other, trying to pull away.

It took a long moment before Qi You finally released her.

Both were panting slightly.

Qi You straightened up to set down the wine glass.

Chi Yue sensed something was off about Qi You.

As Qi You walked back, she couldn’t help but ask again, “What did you eat just now?”

Qi You tugged at her ankle, answering with a question: “What do you think?”

Chi Yue tried to grab the blanket to steady herself, but it was futile. She was pulled to the foot of the bed, her already thin nightgown riding up to her waist.

Qi You knelt on one knee on the bed.

Sweat broke out on Chi Yue’s back, fear and panic rising within her.

Qi You stroked her soft jawline, brushing her hair back from her shoulders and neck. His fingertips lingered at the base of her ear, along her cheek—wherever they touched felt like fire.

Chi Yue’s heart pounded like a drum. She grabbed his wrist, trying to push him away.

Qi You glanced at her. “Vitamins.”

Chi Yue blinked, confused. “Huh?”

“I took vitamins,” Qi You repeated.

Chi Yue blinked again. “…Oh.”

Qi You hooked a slender strap of her nightgown over her shoulder. “Feeling relieved now?”

Chi Yue’s cheeks flushed crimson.

After a moment, she stammered, “Why… why do you take vitamins?”

Qi You replied, “Because I’m a picky eater.”

The words sounded utterly incongruous coming from her mouth, but Chi Yue was too flustered to notice.

She mumbled a distracted response.

Qi You paused, her fingers tracing the corner of Chi Yue’s eye. “Are you shy?” she asked.

Chi Yue pressed her lips together.

Qi You, as if genuinely puzzled, took Chi Yue’s hand and kissed it. “Why are you still shy?”

Chi Yue gently closed her eyes, her voice tinged with pleading. “Don’t look.”

“I’ve already seen, haven’t I?” Qi You said.

Qi You kneaded Chi Yue’s soft lips for a moment before whispering in her ear, “Miss Chi, I like you like last time.”

Chi Yue’s heart skipped a beat.

Last time.

She opened her eyes to find Qi You gazing down at her.

Her gaze was clear, calm, almost fixed.

Chi Yue’s eyelashes trembled violently under that intense scrutiny, leaving her nearly speechless.

Oblivious to her distress, Qi You slowly traced her fingers across Chi Yue’s lips, tongue, and throat.

Overwhelmed by discomfort and shame, tears welled in Chi Yue’s eyes. She shook her head, finally unable to resist reaching out to wrap her arms around Qi You’s neck, pulling her into a tight embrace.

“Don’t… don’t look at me like that.”

Qi You remained still for a long moment before finally reaching out to stroke Chi Yue’s smooth back.

The bedroom featured a massive floor-to-ceiling window facing east, allowing the first rays of dawn to stream in.

Half-asleep, Chi Yue mistook the light for the bedside lamp and burrowed deeper into the covers, her face pressed into the pillow.

Unable to find the remote, Qi You got out of bed and drew the curtains.

The hazy light vanished instantly. Chi Yue relaxed her furrowed brow, but then felt a cool touch on her forehead.

Exhausted both physically and mentally, Chi Yue had no energy for further fuss. She frowned and retreated further under the covers.

When she woke again, the room was still dimly lit.

For a moment, Chi Yue felt disoriented, struggling to remember where she was. The room was empty, the other side of the bed looking long unoccupied.

Her body ached, but her mind told her she had slept for hours.

After lying in bed for another ten minutes, Chi Yue finally threw back the covers and got up.

She took a shower, then hesitated over whether to change back into the green dress she had worn the day before. After a moment’s pause, she decided to stay in her nightgown and draped a bathrobe over her shoulders.

The house was eerily silent, its soundproofing too effective.

Emerging from the bathroom, Chi Yue noticed that the spot where her suitcase had been was now empty. A small box and a handbag lay casually on the nearby table.

The handbag was the same one Qi You had used to carry her medicine yesterday.

Chi Yue walked to the table, hesitated for a few seconds, then reached out to touch the zipper.

Inside the bag were three medicine bottles, each covered in dense English labels. The sight reminded Chi Yue of the last time they were at a restaurant—the moment Qi You left, Zhao Ming had rushed to the bathroom, clutching his throat and vomiting violently. He’d even had to go to the hospital for a stomach lavage that night.

Later, Sun Zhiping had confirmed it was just sleeping pills.

Amidst the dense text, Chi Yue spotted the word “Vitamin.”

She breathed a sigh of relief and put the bottle back.

No sooner had she set it down than the door opened.

Qi You walked in and saw her. “Awake?”

Chi Yue was texting He Hongmei on her phone. She looked up, startled.

Qi You was wearing a dress identical to Chi Yue’s nightgown, only in black. Her hair was pulled up, fully exposing the delicate lines of her shoulders, neck, and chest.

Her figure was impeccable, her aura utterly captivating. Even a simple dress exuded effortless, languid charm—almost alluring.

“Feeling unwell?” Qi You asked again.

Chi Yue averted her gaze, ignoring the ache in her lower back and legs, and shook her head.

Qi You stepped closer, studying Chi Yue’s face.

Chi Yue’s complexion was a little pale, but her features were strikingly refined.

Qi You gently brushed her finger across Chi Yue’s lips. “Are you cold?”

“No—” Chi Yue replied, her voice slightly hoarse.

Qi You glanced at the layered bathrobes she was wearing.

Chi Yue finally understood why she had asked and felt a pang of guilt. Fortunately, Qi You said nothing, simply walked over and pressed the button to open the curtain box.

Blinding sunlight flooded the room, almost painful to the eyes.

Qi You pushed open the balcony door and stepped outside.

Chi Yue replied to two more messages on her phone before getting up from the sofa.

The villa’s atmosphere during the day was completely different from the previous evening.

Rain was rare in Sicheng during this season, and even when it did rain, it was usually a brief downpour followed by clear skies.

Today was another beautiful day. The natural sunlight bathed the courtyard in an elegant glow. Lush, towering trees were strategically planted throughout the grounds, cleverly dividing sightlines. Blue flagstone paved the ground, bordered by gravel paths and a gentle stream. Several water tanks of varying sizes lay beneath the walls, each planted with different varieties of lotus flowers.

At two in the afternoon, the sun cast a perfect shadow the width of the balcony, while the mountain breeze carried a refreshing, earthy scent, and the temperature was just right.

Despite Qi You standing beside her, Chi Yue felt her heart relax at the sight of the pure, expansive landscape.

After a few minutes of quiet contemplation, Chi Yue tilted her head and asked, “President Qi, what are we going to do later?”

“Let’s eat,” Qi You said.

Chi Yue hummed in response, resting her arm on the railing and her chin on the back of her hand.

“What do you want to do?” Qi You asked.

“Isn’t this a resort?” Chi Yue replied. “There should be plenty of activities, right?”

“Hiking, horseback riding, boating, fishing,” Qi You listed casually.

Chi Yue nodded. “That sounds pretty comprehensive.”

Qi You didn’t respond, ending the conversation.

Soon after, someone came downstairs to deliver their meal.

The two went downstairs to eat.

Since last night, Chi Yue’s step count hadn’t increased much, but her energy expenditure had been immense, leading to a voracious appetite.

Qi You, as always, remained unchanged.

Remembering her comment from the previous night about him being a picky eater, Chi Yue couldn’t help but think, He really is.

After the meal, Qi You didn’t mention going out. Chi Yue could only watch as the staff cleared the table, did a quick cleaning, and filed out one by one.

The heavy courtyard gate swung shut, leaving only Qi You and Chi Yue in the vast space.

“Want to watch a movie?” Qi You asked.

Chi Yue could only nod.

They went to the home theater and stood before the display shelves, selecting a DVD.

The walls of the second-floor living room were decorated with smooth, translucent rock panels. Chi Yue tilted her head slightly and could see their reflections within.

“You choose,” Qi You said.

Chi Yue refocused her attention. The shelf held relatively few discs, but they were all classics, films she had heard of even if she hadn’t seen them.

She initially planned to grab one at random, but after a moment’s thought, she decided to be more deliberate. Skipping the horror, crime, thriller, and dark genres, she chose a brightly colored animated film.

Qi You had no objections. She let Chi Yue insert the disc while she went downstairs to fetch wine.

This time, she brought up a bottle of red wine that had been decanted in advance, along with two glasses.

Chi Yue took a small sip. Perhaps because of the quiet, she slowly began to discern the mellow, fruity notes of the aged wine.

The two leaned back on the sofa, barely speaking. The atmosphere was drawn in by the film’s poetic and romantic scenes: waiting, repairing, lighting a fire, reading, strolling, the old man’s rambling, the layered white of the ocean waves—

Midway through the film, Chi Yue turned her head and saw Qi You.

Her face remained expressionless, but in the soft, hazy light, her delicate features radiated a porcelain-like warmth.

Like a flower in the twilight.

Even after everything Qi You had done to her, Chi Yue couldn’t deny that she didn’t dislike her.

This strange realization made her heart feel like it had been soaked in strong liquor—numb, bewildered, and faintly aching.

Perhaps sensing something, Qi You quickly turned to meet Chi Yue’s gaze.

She paused for two seconds.

Qi You leaned down and touched Chi Yue’s lips—a light, lingering kiss.

Chi Yue’s lips were full and slightly plump, soft and yielding, like a springy marshmallow that satisfied the senses. Her dewy eyes, shimmering in the dim light, resembled those of a fawn.

Qi You released her, observing her slightly dazed expression, her eyes glistening even more.

Turning back to the film, Qi You continued watching.

Chi Yue waited until the heat in her cheeks subsided before cautiously shifting her position.

The moment she moved, Qi You turned to look at her again.

Chi Yue whispered, “I was just—”

“Come sit here,” Qi You said.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chi Yue obediently moved to sit on Qi You’s lap.

Qi You’s hand rested on her thigh, while the other slid around her back. The back of her nightgown was cut-out, revealing her delicate butterfly bones fluttering beneath his fingertips.

He lightly traced the bones before moving his hand upward, dislodging the hair tie that held her hair up.

Her soft, voluminous curls cascaded down, enveloping them in the confined space.

The shadows deepened, amplifying their other senses.

Qi You’s nose brushed against Chi Yue’s cheek.

“Kiss me.”

Chi Yue’s hand, braced against the sofa, clenched so tightly her knuckles turned pale.

Summoning her courage, she tilted her head and gently brushed her lips against Qi You’s.

Before she could pull away, Qi You murmured, “Not enough.”

Chi Yue nearly groaned aloud, tormented by embarrassment.

Qi You nuzzled her, urging her on.

Panting softly, Chi Yue reluctantly parted her lips and leaned in.

Qi You’s fingers tangled in her hair as she nipped at her lips, teasing her shy tongue.

The film slowly drew to a close, the passage of time blurred by their passion.

The layers of twilight peeled away, revealing the clear moonlight streaming through.

Black-and-white subtitles scrolled slowly across the screen to the accompaniment of soothing music, until the final frame froze.

The wine glass, abandoned on the table for so long, was finally picked up again. Qi You took a sip, finding it slightly bitter.

She asked Chi Yue, “Want some?”

Chi Yue, sprawled on the sofa, shook her head.

Qi You leaned back against the sofa, turning her head to ask, “Not feeling well?”

Chi Yue shot her a soft glare.

Even though Qi You knew Chi Yue didn’t harbor deep feelings for her, she couldn’t deny that the glare held a captivating, unspoken allure.

She leaned in and exchanged a lingering, wet kiss with Chi Yue.

When they parted, Chi Yue’s eyes narrowed slightly as she rested her head against the sofa back, looking like a drowsy kitten.

After a moment of quiet, Qi You stood up and went to the projector. “Want to watch something else?”

Chi Yue shook her head. “No more,” she said, her voice still husky from their recent intimacy.

“I’ve already seen it,” Chi Yue added.

“Me too,” Qi You replied.

Chi Yue fell silent, gazing at her.

Qi You stepped closer and kissed her lips.