Chapter 8

The last afterglow of the setting sun had once been carried away in her eyes, which served as vessels. The evening clouds had once shimmered alongside her. She had shone amidst nature’s beauty, as if a memento the sun left for the night.

Now, Yun Huizhi held her, as if embracing the heart-pounding thrill from watching the sunset on the terrace, embracing the last ray of sunlight in the human world.

The moment she closed her eyes, Yun Huizhi almost kissed her eyes.

She was thankful she still had reason left not to kiss a place that shouldn’t be kissed. Otherwise, she would fall into a sorry state.

As their lips and tongues exchanged, Chu Ruoyou’s aura surrounded her, making her easily drop her defensive weapons and throw herself into this brief, reasonless intimacy.

She received a cold, restrained floral fragrance. The dusk was like a night-blooming cereus. After the afterglow instantly dissipated, the person in her arms was more like a symbol of the night.

The warmth to the point of sacredness and light was gone, replaced by coolness, clarity, allure, and temptation.

As for the floral fragrance, the flower surely hadn’t grown casually by a corner amidst the town’s landscape. It had matured under meticulous artificial and technological cultivation, emitting an elegant, noble scent in its most perfect form.

It was distant, impossible to pick.

Yet it was also within reach; she could kiss and touch it however she liked.

But Yun Huizhi understood that she could only have her way with the flesh.

Beyond that, it not only had nothing to do with her, but she couldn’t even see it, hidden as it was behind a thick fog.

The requested one minute had probably long passed. In the heat of the moment, no one noticed the time.

Details reveal character. After being lightly bitten, Yun Huizhi’s mind cleared, and she couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

For example, Chu Ruoyou was very cunning. When kissing, she wasn’t proactive. She hooked you with her eyes first, then fully accepted, making you unable to resist.

Afraid you might get bored, she would occasionally give you feedback, respond a few times, and actively push the battlefield back to you, making your mind go completely blank.

But just when you were immersed, forgetting yourself, she would suddenly bite your tongue or lip, then let out a short, light laugh, before pulling you back into tenderness.

Letting you know clearly that this was a game, and she was enjoying it somewhat.

Yun Huizhi thought to herself, she had underestimated her. This was what they meant by underestimating the enemy.

Her ex-husband might have been lacking in that area, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t kiss. At this age, Chu Ruoyou couldn’t possibly still be naive and inexperienced.

Who knew who the real expert in this field was.

At a tacitly understood moment, just when Yun Huizhi felt both thrilled and aggrieved from being toyed with, the two stopped simultaneously.

Yun Huizhi didn’t bother to sort out her own emotions. She anxiously sought Chu Ruoyou’s gaze, only to see her eyes already lowered, silent and still.

This was a self-protective posture, refusing observation and exploration. Her current thoughts and feelings were not meant for others to know.

So Yun Huizhi didn’t press. She casually pulled a tissue from the table and carefully, gently wiped the traces from around Chu Ruoyou’s lips.

Chu Ruoyou didn’t resist this action. She didn’t move at all, only lifted her eyes and looked at her faintly.

Yun Huizhi smiled at her, a smile open and clean.

Chu Ruoyou was momentarily stunned.

She heard Yun Huizhi mumble a complaint: “Biting me.”

“A reminder that your time was up. You kissed until my mouth went numb.”

Chu Ruoyou handled it calmly, not forgetting to criticize.

“Little puppy,” Yun Huizhi continued to grumble about the bad woman.

Chu Ruoyou narrowed her eyes but didn’t flare up. She said politely, “My apologies. Sorry.”

“I thought you’d be fair and let me bite you back.”

“In your dreams.”

Fox. Tyrant.

This was Yun Huizhi’s further understanding of this Client.

Chu Ruoyou reapplied her lipstick and went out with her.

In the minute and a half it took to get outside, Yun Huizhi had wilted somewhat, not as lively as before.

Chu Ruoyou sensed she had something on her mind, but didn’t want to bother. Who could control what others were thinking?

She admired the surrounding night scenery on her own. The inn had many plants. Although they brought some mosquitoes, they were also pleasing to the eye and calming to the mind.

Walking along the small path at night, the fragrance of plants was calming.

The more Yun Huizhi thought, the more uneasy she became. Their previous physical contacts were all means of flirtation, aimed at satisfying the most vulgar bodily desires.

What about that kiss just now?

Was it still to satisfy a physical need?

As she agonized, she inevitably felt guilty. But Chu Ruoyou’s relaxed state suddenly made things clear.

Chu Ruoyou hadn’t considered what happened just now an issue at all. It was clear that, for her, a standalone kiss was no different from the full set of interactions.

That was true. Hugs and kisses could all bring happiness. They were simply greedy for that happiness.

Whether it was lingering passion or a spur-of-the-moment whim, it was all consensual. There was nothing to feel guilty about.

Once she thought this way, she felt much better. She perked up again and actively volunteered: “The lighting here is nice. Do you want to stand under the veranda? I’ll take a photo of you. It’ll definitely look ethereal.”

Chu Ruoyou wondered about her mood swings. She glanced at the spot and immediately vetoed it: “Don’t try to fool me. I’m afraid I’ll look like a ghost.”

“How could that be? Trust me.”

Yun Huizhi was brimming with confidence. She strongly insisted Chu Ruoyou stand there, then guided her into a simple, natural pose.

Then she crouched down and, with extreme professionalism, found an angle and took the shot.

Click, click, click—several photos, fast and steady.

Chu Ruoyou walked towards her. “How did the photos turn out?”

Yun Huizhi quickly put away her phone, refusing to let her see it. She said sheepishly: “It does look a bit like a ghost.”

So angry Chu Ruoyou raised her hand as if to swat her, but she dodged nimbly. “Spare me. I didn’t bring my equipment. I’ll take good ones for you tomorrow.”

She hadn’t expected much from her anyway. Chu Ruoyou didn’t dwell on it and calmly stepped out of the courtyard.

The sky had long since darkened completely. Because the town’s lighting was restrained and orderly, not overly indulgent, the pure, flawless moonlight was easy to admire.

On the mountain ridges, on the ancient pagodas, on the blue tiles, on the treetops, on the old walls, on the long street…

The texture was clear, as if it could be touched, torn off a strip to drape over oneself as a windbreak, or popped into one’s mouth like cotton candy.

Yun Huizhi watched Chu Ruoyou standing in front of the courtyard gate, bathing in the moonlight. She was admiring the moon, very intently.

The two walked towards the restaurant they had agreed on, each walking separately, one in front, one behind, temporarily silent.

Couples on the road, or even friends, girls always liked to walk holding hands, side by side.

But it was different with her and Chu Ruoyou. They could do the most intimate things, but they simply couldn’t hold hands.

Holding hands would be so strange. Their feelings weren’t that close, and they didn’t need each other that much.

At this hour, many people were still eating dinner, tables set right by the roadside. But they were lucky; just as they arrived, a table freed up.

Chu Ruoyou didn’t plan to eat much. This late, she could even skip eating altogether.

But she knew Yun Huizhi was hungry, so she accompanied her and ordered three dishes after asking Yun Huizhi.

After ordering, Yun Huizhi saw her leaning back in her chair, showing a relaxed posture, and felt gratified.

“Want to drink? We can have a little.”

Chu Ruoyou asked: “Is there a bar in town?”

Speaking of going out, Yun Huizhi got excited: “There’s one. It’s small, but business is good. Young people who come here all go. It’s kind of a landmark. Should we go for a drink after eating?”

“Oh. No.”

Chu Ruoyou said reservedly: “I don’t like drinking.”

Yun Huizhi’s smile faltered. “If you don’t like it, why ask?”

“I wanted to ask. Can’t I even ask?”

Chu Ruoyou was first firm, then after the last sentence, a smile touched her lips.

Good-tempered as she was, seeing her smile made Yun Huizhi smile too. She said sweetly: “Of course you can. I’ll listen to you. I’ll accompany you wherever you want, and we won’t go wherever you don’t want to go.”

Such a good little ingratiator.

An intensely pleasant feeling of satisfaction rose in Chu Ruoyou, but she suppressed it.

Even if Yun Huizhi was truly well-behaved, her current behavior only proved she was just a good tour guide.

Doing the job diligently for money.

The night breeze was cool, the voices around them soft and gentle, filled with laughter and joy.

While eating, Yun Huizhi asked her: “Do you want to go into the mountains tomorrow?”

“We haven’t finished exploring the town yet. Let’s go the day after.”

“Okay, I’ll buy the tickets in advance.”

“Reimburse the ticket cost from me,” Chu Ruoyou only reminded her of this.

Yun Huizhi naturally agreed: “Alright.”

Chu Ruoyou only ate a few bites of vegetables and two chopsticks’ worth of fish before finishing her dinner.

Yun Huizhi’s appetite wasn’t big, but she never skipped a meal. Compared to her, though, it seemed like she was a big eater.

Chu Ruoyou noticed: “Eating with me must be very unappetizing.”

“You don’t think I’m a glutton, do you?”

Yun Huizhi asked.

Chu Ruoyou laughed out loud: “You’ve only eaten a little. As thin as you are, you don’t even qualify to be a glutton.”

A pretty, delicate girl worried about being seen as a glutton, asking so seriously. Chu Ruoyou admitted she found it cute.

After dinner, the two didn’t linger outside and went straight back to the inn, strolling in the courtyard.

Yun Huizhi, afraid of mosquito bites, wanted to go up after just a short walk. Chu Ruoyou agreed.

Their evening time was spent plainly: one hugging a tablet to watch a drama, the other lying on the sofa playing games.

Chu Ruoyou washed up and got into bed. Yun Huizhi obediently picked up her pajamas and went into the bathroom.

Then Chu Ruoyou received a message from “Zz.” She opened it to find a photo.

Under the moonlight and lamplight, between the veranda and courtyard, tree shadows danced. She stood there, cool and clear.

Her facial features were captured very clearly, carrying a contentment she hadn’t even been aware of at the time. She held a faint smile, quietly gazing at the camera.

Her skirt hem fluttered slightly, graceful and alluring.

Leaning against the vanity, Yun Huizhi admired the photo for a long time after sending it.

Her photography skills were good. Indeed, it looked very ethereal.

The reason she’d hidden it back then was that it had turned out too beautiful. Afraid of fangirling openly in front of Chu Ruoyou, she’d quickly dismissed it.

She looked forward to Chu Ruoyou’s reply. Chu Ruoyou’s WeChat profile picture was a small cat, gray and chubby.

Yun Huizhi had been scratched by a cat as a child and was afraid of them. Seeing this cat made her feel Chu Ruoyou was a classic femme fatale.

Chu Ruoyou replied.

But didn’t comment on the photo at all.

Chu Ruoyou sent her a transfer of eight hundred yuan.

Chu Ruoyou added: “Remember to buy the tickets. Tell me how much they are.”

Chu Ruoyou didn’t care if the photo she took was good. Chu Ruoyou just needed a travel companion and a bed partner.

Yun Huizhi was quiet for a moment.

She looked up, gazing at herself in the mirror, and smiled.

…

Because Chu Ruoyou had forced her to drink too much water, Yun Huizhi woke up at three in the morning to use the bathroom.

Back in bed, she felt thirsty again, so she could only drink more water.

She woke Chu Ruoyou up.

Chu Ruoyou wanted a drink too.

After both drank and lay down, some nerve must have been struck. They squeezed together again, hugging and kissing.

After kissing on the mouth, they kissed downwards towards the chest. The fire was almost starting when they fell unconscious again.

Waking in the morning, remembering this episode, Yun Huizhi wished desperately it had been a dream.

But Chu Ruoyou just had to remind her: “Drink less water before bed in the future. It affects my sleep quality.”

“…”