The Lost Lamb's Trap - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Stars

Under the table, Lin Ke hooked her leg, the tip of her shoe moving back and forth, each time scraping a sensitive spot. It was an itchy, numb, helpless feeling. This kind of interaction only happens between people with an inappropriate relationship, a secret little thrill.

Her leg felt like it was being crawled on by a million ants. With every scrape from Lin Ke’s shoe, the ants seemed to swarm and bite her. She couldn’t sit still, but she couldn’t say anything either. Lin Ke must have noticed her embarrassment. The tip of her shoe pressed harder against her leg. Duan Jiayang leaned forward, her hands pressed against the table.

Lin Ke acted as if nothing was happening, saying to Duan Litian, “I’ve been busy looking for a place to live these past few days. I’ve pretty much settled everything today.”

Duan Litian’s gaze shifted down. A tablecloth. With a little force, it could be lifted to reveal the ugly, passionate scene underneath. He only glanced at it twice before looking back at Lin Ke.

He pulled his chair back, this time not sitting next to Duan Jiayang. He sat at the head of the table, his legs stretched out under it. The scene under the table was awkward. Duan Litian’s legs were just a hair’s breadth away from touching them. Duan Jiayang nervously tried to move her leg, but Lin Ke’s pressure on her increased. The tablecloth shook twice, and she immediately stopped moving.

Duan Litian said with a cold face, “So, these past few days, you’ve been busy looking for a place to live? I thought you were busy seeing friends. You’re too formal.”

Lin Ke said, “I haven’t really seen any friends. I haven’t kept in touch with them much since I went abroad.”

Duan Litian didn’t ask her where she was staying. He calmly spread jam on his bread. “Mhm, I suppose so. It’s not convenient for you to live here now. You young people have your own ideas; you should live independently.”

“Jiayang, do you want to move out?” Lin Ke asked. Lin Ke’s heel hooked her calf and moved upward, brushing against the white fringe on her shorts and the soft flesh on the side of her leg.

Jiayang…

Jiayang didn’t want to talk, nor did she want to live with her.

Duan Litian said flatly, “She doesn’t have the ability to live on her own yet.”

Duan Jiayang let out a sigh of relief, but a part of her felt uncomfortable. She could tell he was calling her useless.

Lin Ke didn’t say much, quietly finishing her meal. Duan Jiayang’s entire leg was numb and swollen from being scraped. She wanted to clench her fist and punch it, but she just looked at Lin Ke’s calm demeanor. Duan Jiayang lowered her head and saw the black stiletto heel between her pale legs. Her face visibly flushed with heat. As Lin Ke pulled her leg back, she considered clamping down hard on her leg to embarrass her, but her skin was too sensitive. Lin Ke’s leg pulled back quickly anyway. Everything happened fast, but the sensation lingered.

Lin Ke got up and went upstairs to retrieve the suitcase she came with. The butler went up to help her. Soon, the suitcase was at the door, and the butler put it in the trunk of the car.

Duan Litian didn’t say a word the whole time. He probably knew, but for the sake of appearances, he didn’t mention it. Duan Jiayang ate her breakfast, hiding her emotions. When the suitcase was in the trunk, it was time to say goodbye. Duan Litian spoke in a low voice to the maid, asking her to relay a message: he hoped Lin Ke would come back for a meal sometime. What he really meant was: Lin Ke, you can leave now.

The maid went back and forth twice. Duan Litian suddenly turned to look at Duan Jiayang, his expression overly serious. He gritted his teeth and said, “What did you do now? Why won’t Lin Ke leave, saying she’s waiting for you? How can you… how can you…” He couldn’t find the right words, so he said it bluntly: “Would you die if you didn’t flirt with her?”

Duan Jiayang’s hand trembled, almost spilling her soup. She calmed down and put the spoon in her mouth. She looked outside. From a distance, a car was blocking the entrance, with the unspoken threat that it wouldn’t leave until the person inside came out. The car window was halfway down, and a pair of red lips was slightly curled in a smile.

This reminded Duan Jiayang of the goosebump-inducing words the butler had said: “Miss Lin has started smiling.” But her smile made Duan Jiayang’s scalp tingle. The car door on the passenger side wasn’t closed properly. Lin Ke didn’t say anything. Her gaze ignored Duan Litian and looked directly at Duan Jiayang, silently inviting her to get in the car.

Either she’d see her off, or she’d stick to her like glue.

Duan Jiayang’s fingers holding the spoon trembled with anger. She took the initiative to say to her dad, “…Dad, I’ll go see her off.”

And so, she made her dad’s fingers start to tremble with anger, too.

After getting into Lin Ke’s car, Duan Jiayang saw her own leg, still red from being scraped. She remembered she should have changed into pants and started to regret everything. She shouldn’t have been seduced into making a deal with her. It would have been better if she had stayed at her house, where they didn’t speak to each other and just did their own thing. She was regretting it as much as she did when she went to pick Lin Ke up.

“Just focus on driving,” Lin Ke said from the back seat. She held a tablet in one hand and a stylus in the other, occasionally drawing a line.

Duan Jiayang hummed in response and continued to drive. She set the navigation and started driving. There were a lot of people driving to work in the morning. The navigation estimated they would arrive in half an hour, but Duan Jiayang took forty minutes.

Lin Ke suddenly asked from the back seat, “Do you have one on your waist, too?”

“What?” Duan Jiayang didn’t understand.

She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

After another red light, the navigation started up again, this time guiding the car to the entrance of a residential community.

Lin Ke got out first. The trunk opened, and a few seconds later, Duan Jiayang got out and took out her suitcase to carry it upstairs. It was a high-end community with nice landscaping. The apartment inside was already cleaned and decorated nicely. Lin Ke had good taste. The room was spotless. The balcony was visible from the entrance, and many flowers were growing there. A faint scent of jasmine filled the air. Two hundred square meters, more than enough for one person.

There was a crease on the cover of a book on the sofa. The pages inside were also loosely creased. Duan Jiayang shuffled in her slippers, lingering at the entrance without going any further.

“There’s a library downstairs. I borrowed the book.”

Duan Jiayang had thought she had been staying there for a few days and had the time to read. Lin Ke opened the balcony window. A hot breeze poured in, flipping the pages of the book on the sofa. A red bookmark was stuck in the middle. Duan Jiayang couldn’t make out the title, but she saw the design on the bookmark: a lamb.

Duan Jiayang took a step forward, and the breeze felt hot on her face. Lin Ke turned her head and asked, “Here or on the sofa?” Her tone was suggestive, as if she were asking if she wanted to have s3x.

…

The two looked at each other in silence. Lin Ke sat on the sofa and crooked her finger at Duan Jiayang. Perhaps it was her demeanor and posture, but they had such a strong sense of intrusion and possession. It was like a master calling a dog. “Come here.”

Duan Jiayang walked over to her. Despite her unwillingness and defiance, she was now squeezed into Lin Ke’s embrace. Lin Ke held her waist and said she was such a good girl. Duan Jiayang clenched her fingers. “Don’t treat me like a dog.”

Lin Ke’s fingers fell on her arm, her fingertips tracing the jasmine pattern. She parted her lips and said, “Woof.”

Duan Jiayang’s throat felt dry. Her long, pale legs were pressed together. Lin Ke’s fingers moved in a circle, her eyes looking at Duan Jiayang’s waist. After a moment, her fingers pressed on her waist, pushing up her tank top to reveal a white jasmine flower. The jasmine here was whole, unlike the one on her arm, which had been picked at. The blooming jasmine climbed up her waist. Lin Ke held the jasmine and inhaled its fragrance.

As intimate as a dog.

“Stop touching me,” Duan Jiayang said, brushing her hand away.

She shook her head. “Just curious to see.”

Duan Jiayang, held in Lin Ke’s embrace, was completely stiff, like a porcupine.

“Okay, I won’t touch you randomly.” Just as Duan Jiayang was about to snap, Lin Ke hooked a strand of her hair with her finger, holding her in her arms, her voice gentle.

She used to do these little things often, too. In the sunlit classroom, she would always hook a strand of Duan Jiayang’s hair illuminated by the light from the window. Duan Jiayang would always pretend not to notice. You don’t say anything, I don’t say anything, and nothing ever happened.

Duan Jiayang bit her lip. Lin Ke looked at her cheeks, knowing she was holding back. She rested her head on Duan Jiayang’s shoulder, looking at her face, then at the clock on the wall, and counted in her mind how long Duan Jiayang would hold out.

She said she would just hug her, but her arms were squeezing so tightly that Duan Jiayang felt like she was about to be embedded in her bones. She was deathly afraid of her and couldn’t help but want to hide. Her bones ached. Lin Ke’s breath fell on her neck. It felt heavy.

Duan Jiayang endured for a long time. Her patience was greater than before. Lin Ke said, “Jiayang, see how well I listen to you? Don’t you feel a little sad to see me go?”

Duan Jiayang’s body went stiff as she considered the question. Since there was no rule on when the hug would end, Lin Ke didn’t let go. Duan Jiayang had no idea how long it lasted. Then Lin Ke’s phone rang. At first, Lin Ke didn’t answer and let the call go to voicemail. A moment later, it rang again, over and over.

Duan Jiayang said, “Your mom’s calling.”

Lin Ke said, “How do you know?”

It had always been like this. Lin Ke’s mom liked to call to ask what Lin Ke was doing. If Lin Ke didn’t answer, the calls would keep coming until her phone died and her mom had to go find her.

Lin Ke said, “You still remember.” Her phone rang seven or eight times. Duan Jiayang thought that if she answered the phone, she would immediately get up. Lin Ke probably guessed she would do that. She kept her head on Duan Jiayang’s shoulder, letting the calls come in, refusing to answer. Duan Jiayang nudged her with her arm, signaling for her to answer, but Lin Ke held her with both arms and said softly, “I’m busy.”

After too many calls, the annoyance turned into apathy, and the ringing became background music. Then Duan Jiayang’s phone chimed. It was a text message. The first few words of the message flashed on the screen.

Lan Yao: [Are you home tonight? Want to go out for dinner? I’ll be there this afternoon…]

Lin Ke finished the sentence for her. “You’re busy, too.”

Duan Jiayang reached for her phone. “No, I’m not.”

Lin Ke was focused on her phone, and Duan Jiayang got up from her arms. Lin Ke didn’t hold on to her. She looked annoyed. Her fingers went rigid, then clenched into a fist. “One last hug. I won’t do this again.” She said in a low voice.

Duan Jiayang didn’t understand. Lin Ke wrapped her arms around her again. “Let’s put an end to this. After this, it won’t be like this again. I’m serious.”

Her voice was very low. Duan Jiayang’s movements to get up stopped. Duan Jiayang frowned slightly. It was so strange. The words made Duan Jiayang feel a little sad. She didn’t want her to say things like that.

Lin Ke asked, “Is Lan Yao as obedient as I am?”

Duan Jiayang deliberately said, “We’re dating.”

Lin Ke said, “Oh.” Her arms tightened a little, as if she were angry. She suddenly smiled at her. “You’re dating someone and still let me hug you?”

Duan Jiayang couldn’t answer. She pushed her away. Lin Ke didn’t hold on, and Duan Jiayang slipped away. Duan Jiayang haphazardly put her shoes on. She walked in front, and Lin Ke followed, seeing her off.

When Duan Jiayang went out, she tried to close the door. “Because I’m a slut.”

Lin Ke heard her, put her hand out to stop the door, nodded, and smiled. As the door closed, she hummed, “Me too.”

…

It was noon when she came out. The summer heat was at its peak. Duan Jiayang drove away immediately. She didn’t want to stay long, worried she might run into Lin Ke’s mom. Lin Ke hadn’t answered her calls, so her mom would probably come looking for her. It would be awkward to run into her here.

Duan Jiayang drove to meet He Xiao. She had arranged to meet her at a dim sum restaurant on the street in front of the pet hospital.

He Xiao arrived earlier and sat by the window. She had taken off her usual white lab coat and was wearing a white dress with a green floral pattern. “I’ve been busy with surgeries these past few days and haven’t had a chance to check my messages. Why haven’t you been coming out to see me? Did you get into a fight with your dad?” He Xiao had been asking her to hang out, but she always said she was busy.

Duan Jiayang flipped through the menu, about to order a set meal. She didn’t know how to explain her feelings. She looked dejected. “Let’s just order some food.”

Duan Jiayang was distracted. She felt hungry but couldn’t eat much. After they finished eating, they walked around a nearby jewelry store.

“Didn’t you sleep well last night?” He Xiao asked, looking at her.

Duan Jiayang nodded. She had no energy. Her mind was constantly on Lin Ke. What if she had stayed at Lin Ke’s place for just a minute longer? Would they have crossed a line? How had she lost control?

“Did you make a mistake at work again?” He Xiao asked.

Duan Jiayang shook her head. He Xiao had a small dimple when she smiled, and it was always easy to be with her. He Xiao thought for a moment. “Then, it can’t be that Lin Ke is back, right?”

A thorn was stuck in Duan Jiayang’s throat. She asked in surprise, “Why would you say that?”

He Xiao said, “Only two things can make you so lost. One is work, and the other is Lin Ke. You’re always helpless when it comes to these two things.”

That made a lot of sense. Lin Ke and work were the two trickiest things in Duan Jiayang’s life. She knew nothing about work, and she was helpless when it came to Lin Ke. She simply didn’t know what to do.

They walked from Jinhua Street to Linbei Avenue. Further ahead was the industrial zone. Machines were working on both sides. The yellow fences couldn’t stop the dust from flying everywhere. A water truck passed by and got their clothes and skirts dirty.

Duan Jiayang continued the previous topic, saying perfunctorily, “It’s just about work. My dad called me useless again.”

“Why is your dad like that? He’s not a good person either!” He Xiao said angrily. “It’s not that you can’t do it, it’s that no one taught you. Your dad just spends all his time carousing. He never teaches you anything hands-on. I think you’re working really hard. You just lack experience…”

He Xiao continued to complain as they walked down the street. Duan Jiayang felt much better listening to her. When they got to the car, she took out the car key, got in, and buckled her seatbelt. Duan Jiayang asked He Xiao to get in so she could drive her back to the pet hospital. He Xiao looked at her watch. “No need. Si Yu said she’d be passing by here this morning, so she’s giving me a ride. Aren’t you going to the company?”

Duan Jiayang’s fingers rubbed the steering wheel. She let out a soft “oh.” She felt a little uncomfortable. Just hearing Gu Siyu’s name made her prickly. She didn’t hate her, but Gu Siyu and He Xiao had been good friends since middle school and always told each other everything. Gu Siyu met He Xiao in her fourth year of college. The two became very good friends. He Xiao often went out with her, which made Duan Jiayang feel like Gu Siyu was intruding on their friendship. She couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.

There was a red light ahead. Duan Jiayang drove slowly. She waited ten seconds, and after the light changed, a motorcycle zipped past her, going incredibly fast. By the time she reacted, all she saw was He Xiao wearing a pink helmet on the back of the motorcycle, getting farther and farther away.

“…Isn’t a sports car more comfortable than a motorcycle?” Duan Jiayang muttered to herself. Suddenly, Duan Jiayang understood why. She was the same way, wasn’t she? She would rather choose the bumpy ride on the motorcycle.

It seemed that Lin Ke’s twistedness was unique to her. If Lin Ke wasn’t twisted with her anymore, she… wouldn’t be important to her. I really am a slut.

Duan Jiayang deliberately drove around until dusk before going home. Duan Litian hadn’t gone out. He was sitting on the sofa, reading a book, waiting for her. The wrinkles on his pants were gone. Duan Jiayang casually greeted him as she went inside and bent down to change her shoes.

Duan Litian asked, “Did you stay at Lin Ke’s place all day?”

Duan Jiayang said, “I was with He Xiao all day.”

Duan Litian didn’t mention the morning. He looked up and said, “I never intended for her to live here anyway. She has no right to. When we cut ties, we cut them cleanly. Even if she hadn’t left on her own, I would have told her to move out.”

“What?” Duan Jiayang looked at him, holding her shoe. A heavy blow landed in her chest. She was a little confused.

“If not today, then tomorrow. What’s with that expression?” Duan Litian was sharp and immediately saw through her. The July sun was strong. Even in the evening, the heat was visibly rising in waves. Duan Jiayang’s face was hot, and her breathing was quick.

“No, then why did you let her stay the night before?”

Duan Litian said, “I never intended for her to stay here. I was just afraid of people talking. Now that she’s stayed for one night, I’ve done all I can. Don’t you understand this kind of common sense? Do I have to spell it out for you? She’s back in the country and came here. If I didn’t even host her for one night, what would people say about me?”

So?

“Then why did you make me go pick her up? You could have just told her to go to a hotel!”

“And you went just because I told you to. Why don’t you ask yourself what’s wrong with you?” Duan Litian said. “If you didn’t want to go, if you were too lazy to go, I wouldn’t have done all this to keep an eye on you.”

Duan Litian gave Duan Jiayang a look. It was clear that he had let Lin Ke stay to show others that he wasn’t a cold-blooded person and had done his duty to them. “Use your brain, Duan Jiayang,” he said. “Her mom and I have no relationship, so I have even less with her. Why would I still let her stay here? I’ve been trying to avoid them. The only reason I would be nostalgic is because Lin Ke is talented, and talent is rare in this society.”

He’s a psychopath! What kind of logic is that?

Duan Jiayang hadn’t understood it at first. She thought her dad was plotting something and was worried about her family fortune being stolen.

“What did you do now?” Duan Litian asked with a frown. “What stupid thing did you do?”

Hearing this made Duan Jiayang feel hurt. What did he mean by “stupid thing”? She lowered her head and forcefully shoved her foot into her shoe. Lin Ke was so smart that she must have seen through her dad’s plan. Lin Ke must have known that Duan Litian would make her leave. She must have deliberately said she would listen to her, setting up a trap step by step, making her believe it, and making her willingly go to her and let her hug her.

They broke down the barrier between them on the first day they met, making their relationship twisted and confusingly ambiguous.

“Nothing!” Duan Jiayang said, her voice strained.

“Then why are you yelling about nothing?” Duan Litian yelled at her. “Huh? Duan Jiayang! How can you be so stupid, so dense? Use your brain! What were you doing under the table today? What were you thinking?”

Duan Jiayang refused to admit it. “Nothing. We didn’t do anything.” She added, “We just chatted for a while. Lin Ke herself said there will be no more ties between us. We’ve ended it.”

After she said this, she heard a cold laugh. Duan Litian shook his head, forcefully flipping the pages of his book. “You believe that?”

Duan Jiayang didn’t listen to the rest. She went upstairs, her steps pretending to be light. But as soon as the door closed, it was a different story. Duan Jiayang clenched her fists and repeatedly punched her bed. You’re so stupid, Duan Jiayang! How can you be so brainless?

She was being put down by her dad and fooled by Lin Ke. She didn’t even want to live anymore. She threw herself onto the bed, feeling miserable. She couldn’t help but think about the past.

At that time, they went to school to get their college application guides. They were so early that no one else had arrived. It was just her and Lin Ke in the classroom. They sat in the third row by the window, one by the wall, the other by the aisle. It was the middle of summer. The sunlight outside fell on Lin Ke’s forehead. Duan Jiayang used a tissue to wipe the sweat from her face. The bright light made everything appear blurry and unreal. Lin Ke sat sideways, blocking her against the wall.

Lin Ke said, “Xiao Yang, are you calling me a psychopath or a pervert?”

Duan Jiayang gritted her teeth, unable to utter a single word. She felt humiliated and ashamed.

Lin Ke said seriously, “Psychopaths can be treated and controlled with medication. Being a pervert is better, you can do whatever you want.”

Then she leaned in, as if to share a secret, and whispered, “Jiayang, I’ve decided to be a pervert.”