She's Crazy, I Love Her - Chapter 26

Chi Yue followed the hotel staff to the 52nd floor, where an indoor swimming pool stretched out before them.

The pool was vast but nearly deserted. Apart from a lone lifeguard sitting quietly in the distance, only Qi You was present.

After the staff left, Chi Yue approached the pool.

Qi You likely saw her but didn’t immediately acknowledge her, continuing to swim freestyle through the water.

Chi Yue watched for a while before realizing that Qi You wasn’t wearing a swimsuit but rather something resembling lingerie. Her hair, pulled back with a hair tie, was uncovered by a swim cap.

After a few more laps, Qi You finally stopped, emerged from the water, and turned to face Chi Yue.

Transparent droplets of water dripped from her jawline.

Chi Yue’s throat felt slightly dry. She cleared her throat and said, “President Qi.”

Qi You waded to the edge of the pool. “Just arrived?”

Chi Yue nodded. “The traffic into the city was heavy. I’m a bit late.”

Qi You didn’t reply, her gaze lingering on Chi Yue’s outfit: a simple white T-shirt paired with a floral midi skirt. The lightweight fabric draped loosely to her calves, and soft socks hugged her slender ankles.

The ensemble was remarkably plain, almost austere—more like a student from an ivory tower than a celebrity.

Qi You asked, “Want to come down and play for a bit? The shallow end isn’t deep.”

Chi Yue, a natural landlubber, harbored an innate fear of swimming, especially since Qi You was the only one in the water. She shook her head. “I can’t swim. I’ll just watch you from the shore.”

Qi You nodded but stopped swimming, turning toward the ladder. “Hand me a towel, please.”

Emerging from the water, Qi You felt her body suddenly heavy. She frowned slightly as she accepted the towel Chi Yue handed her, draping it casually over her shoulders.

“Have you eaten?” Qi You asked, heading toward the dressing room. The spacious suite included a makeup area.

Chi Yue followed behind, answering honestly, “I had lunch.”

It was already past nine at night. The drive from Hengdian had taken nearly five hours, and with packing and unpacking at both ends, the schedule had been tight.

“Then we’ll eat together later,” Qi You said.

“Okay,” Chi Yue replied.

Qi You rinsed off quickly in the shower. When she came out, she had removed her bra, wearing only a black tank top and long pants.

Judging by her appearance, it was clear that her swim had been a spontaneous idea, with no preparation whatsoever.

Qi You genuinely didn’t care. She pulled a cardboard bag from the drawer beneath the vanity and tossed her wet and dry clothes into it without a second thought.

“Come back to my room with me first,” she said.

Chi Yue murmured an acknowledgment, took the bag, and followed her out.

The private elevator for the upper floors was quiet, occupied only by the two of them.

Chi Yue watched Qi You’s reflection in the polished mirror. Qi You’s hair, only partially dried, hung in disheveled strands, barely dry enough to stop dripping. Her face was bare, yet her body radiated a cold, ethereal beauty—soft br3asts, slender shoulders, a narrow waist, and long, graceful limbs.

Her silence conveyed a profound weariness, making her seem distant, brooding, and unapproachable.

Qi You turned to look at Chi Yue.

Whether from fear or panic, Chi Yue’s heart pounded wildly, and she quickly averted her gaze.

Qi You stared at her. When the elevator doors opened, she didn’t immediately step out but instead reached for Chi Yue’s hand.

Chi Yue stiffened for a few seconds before slowly relaxing.

After swiping her keycard to unlock the room, Qi You pulled Chi Yue inside. A bright yellow suitcase, delivered by hotel staff, stood in the entryway, crowding the small space.

Chi Yue set her handbag on the cabinet. Suddenly, Qi You asked, “Are you angry?”

Chi Yue, who was about to bend down to take off her shoes, froze.

Angry? Angry about what?

Angry about the month-long silence? Or angry that Qi You could arbitrarily interrupt her time, plunging her into this situation where she was summoned and dismissed at will?

Chi Yue pursed her lips, ultimately only managing a confused, “Huh?”

Qi You’s other hand settled on her waist, pinning Chi Yue against the door. The space compressed further, the air between them damp and cold.

Forced to meet Qi You’s gaze, Chi Yue found herself trapped.

“You don’t want to?” Qi You pressed.

Chi Yue averted her eyes and whispered, “I do.”

Qi You tilted her head, studying her.

Chi Yue had no choice but to meet her gaze again, repeating, “I do.” Her voice trembled slightly.

Satisfied, Qi You stroked Chi Yue’s cheek and leaned in to kiss her lips.

Chi Yue obediently closed her eyes. Qi You’s arm circled her slender waist, her palm pressing firmly against Chi Yue’s back.

Qi You’s kiss wasn’t aggressive, but her arms held Chi Yue tightly, their bodies pressed together, overlapping, crushing against each other like intertwined roots, leaving no space between them. Chi Yue felt Qi You’s softness and coldness seep through the thin fabric, spreading through her body until it reached her heart, making her tremble uncontrollably.

How strange, she thought. So cold, yet so soft.

And yet, despite being so soft, she feels like coldness seeps from her very bones.

“Chi Yue…”

Her name was murmured indistinctly. Before she could respond, Qi You’s soft tongue captured hers, probing her mouth like a wet, supple water snake.

Just like the dream I had.

Chi Yue’s tongue ached from the intensity of the kiss. She wrapped her arms around Qi You’s neck, her hands tangling in her hair. Her fingertips hooked strands, unsure whether to pull away or lean in closer.

It wasn’t until she heard her own ragged breathing that she realized how breathless she had become.

They clung to each other, catching their breath in the doorway.

After a few minutes, Qi You finally released her and stepped into the bedroom.

Chi Yue pushed her suitcase into the living room. Exhausted from the afternoon’s car ride and now even more dazed, her body felt limp and heavy.

An unopened bottle of water sat on the table. Chi Yue twisted it open and drank half of it in one gulp.

“Should we order room service or go to the restaurant?” Qi You suddenly asked from behind.

Chi Yue turned to see Qi You standing in the bedroom doorway, as if about to change clothes.

“Either is fine,” Chi Yue replied.

Qi You continued to stare at her.

Chi Yue quickly corrected herself. “Then let’s go to the restaurant. No, wait, let’s just order room service. Is that okay?”

Qi You kept staring.

Chi Yue’s tone finally became firm. “Room service.”

Qi You nodded. “The menu’s on the table by the door. Order whatever you like.”

Chi Yue went to the table and picked up the menu, which featured both Chinese and English translations and vivid photos. She buried herself in it, flipping through every page from beginning to end, her brow furrowed as if solving a math problem.

After a while, she peeked into the bedroom. “President Qi, can we order the two-person set menu?”

Qi You emerged from the walk-in closet, having changed into a nightgown. Her damp hair, left loose, was casually swept behind her ears.

“Mm-hmm.”

Chi Yue sighed in relief and turned to make the call.

Qi You didn’t bother sorting the laundry, tossing all the dirty clothes into the laundry room before heading to the living room.

Chi Yue said, “I’ve already ordered dinner. It should be here in twenty minutes.”

Qi You gave an indifferent hum, her face showing no anticipation for the meal.

Chi Yue suddenly remembered Qi You’s picky eating habits and realized the two-person meal might be too much. It included appetizers, hot dishes, local snacks, soup, a main course, and dessert. Qi You would be lucky to pick out two items she liked, let alone finish everything.

Still, Chi Yue had just finished swimming, so she might eat more after exercising.

But why was Qi You here?

Chi Yue asked, “President Qi, are you here on a business trip?”

“Meeting,” Qi You replied tersely.

The curt response left Chi Yue with nothing to say.

Qi You glanced at her and added, “I came with Madam Zheng. I’m mainly here to accompany her to the meeting downstairs.”

Chi Yue paused, then stood up in surprise. “Madam Zheng—your mother—is here too?!”

Qi You looked up at her.

Chi Yue’s eyes widened. “But if she comes looking for you and sees me, what will she think?”

Qi You asked, “What if she sees you?”

“I…” Chi Yue froze, at a loss for words.

After a long pause, she sat back down.

Regaining her composure, she realized that two young women sharing a hotel room, if they were close, wasn’t a big deal at all. It was her own guilt that had made her see shadows where none existed.

As she sat, her hand naturally rested on the sofa, within easy reach of Qi You. Qi You took her hand, gently squeezing her soft palm, and asked, “You still haven’t answered. What would happen if she saw you?”

Chi Yue pursed her lips and whispered, “Nothing. I just overreacted…”

Qi You let out a soft chuckle.

Dinner was soon served, the dishes exquisitely prepared and artfully arranged. Yet, as always, Qi You stopped eating early.

While Chi Yue enjoyed her foie gras and beef floss baked rice, she watched Qi You take her medication: a white tablet, a clear one, two capsules, and a bottle of oral liquid.

“Taking all this,” Chi Yue couldn’t help but ask, “why aren’t you eating properly?”

Qi You replied, “Eating too much puts a strain on my stomach. It makes me uncomfortable.”

Emotional anorexia.

She throws up.

Chi Yue, only half understanding, frowned and continued, “Are you sick? Have you seen a doctor?”

Qi You nodded.

“What did the doctor say?” Chi Yue asked.

Qi You glanced at the medicine bottle in front of her.

Chi Yue let out a soft “Ah,” a slightly incredulous expression crossing her face.

Qi You didn’t elaborate. The doctor would never advise her to live solely on these nutritional supplements. While they might be acceptable in the short term, the long-term side effects were too severe—but Qi You’s lifespan was already limited to the short term.

After dinner, the staff came to clean up. This time, Chi Yue was unusually obedient, lingering in the living room for a while before going to the bathroom to shower.

When she emerged, the bedroom was softly lit. The curtains were open, offering an unobstructed view of the sprawling metropolis from the seventy-fourth floor.

Qi You was leaning against the headboard, holding Chi Yue’s script.

Sensing Chi Yue’s presence, she looked up. “Come here.”

Chi Yue walked to the bedside, but then froze, unsure of what to do.

Qi You straightened her legs.

Chi Yue slipped off her slippers and climbed onto the bed, kneeling face-to-face on Qi You’s lap.

She was wearing her own pajamas, a stark contrast to Qi You’s style: a soft, cotton set with a delicate pink-and-white checkered top and shorts. As she spread her legs, the shorts naturally rode up.

Qi You merely brushed her lips against Chi Yue’s soft mouth before pulling her into a hug and continuing to read the script.

Qi You was only staying for two days, so she had requested just two days off for Chi Yue. Chi Yue hadn’t brought much with her; one of the largest items in her suitcase was that thick script.

Chi Yue lay against Qi You’s chest, propping herself up on the bed with her hands, slowly inhaling the woman’s scent. After a long moment, she finally relaxed a little, tilted her head back, and whispered, “Is the plot really that childish?”

Qi You ignored her, her hand resting on Chi Yue’s back.

Chi Yue fell silent, letting Qi You focus on the script while she remained in that position, watching her.

After a while, Qi You finally looked up, lifting Chi Yue’s chin with her hand. “You’re poking my chest.”

Chi Yue froze, straightened up, and stammered, “Oh, oh, I’m sorry…”

Qi You closed the script and stared at her.

Peach-blushed cheeks, crimson lips, and soft knees.

Even her collarbones were flushed red.

Qi You’s hand remained on Chi Yue’s chin, pinching it gently as she leaned in to kiss her again.

Chi Yue parted her lips, her breath coming in warm, sweet gasps.

Qi You’s hand gradually slid down, hooking under the hem of Chi Yue’s pink nightgown—loose, soft, and revealing the delicate, pale skin beneath.

With a gentle lift, it slipped off, revealing her.