Chapter 57

On the weekend, near the city center with sycamore trees lining the streets, an internet-famous shop that went live early for streaming—these elements formed the basics of a viral hotspot. For regular customers, the influencer effect turned it into a must-check-in spot, the easiest way to follow trends.

Moreover, the owner was a beauty who often shared her OO romance snippets online. Compared to the standard AO relationships, a female-female OO pairing was even more shippable, visually appealing, and rare as hen’s teeth.

Chi Jia kept her smile as she handled everything in the shop, chatting effortlessly with each table of guests. When she looked up, her sharp eyes spotted Shu Qingyou, and her smile deepened.

“You’re here pretty early.” Chi Jia’s gaze lingered on Shu Qingyou for only a moment before scanning Lin Xu up and down, whose vibe was completely different from last time.

Her looks hadn’t changed, but ever since bumping into Lin Xu last time, Chi Jia’s worries about Shu Qingyou had grown.

A University folks were all about eat-spit-and-forget types, and that phrase fit Shu Qingyou, the veteran victim, perfectly. She was doomed to be devoured clean.

“I was planning to use your little sweetheart as a live billboard to draw in customers,” Chi Jia said lightly as she looped her arm around Shu Qingyou’s. “But now it looks like being too handsome has its downsides. If all the girls swarm her, how am I supposed to do business?”

Lin Xu glanced indifferently at their intimate contact, then like it was a competition, possessively grabbed Shu Qingyou’s other arm, sandwiching her between them and making it hard for her to move.

Shu Qingyou focused first on Lin Xu, thinking she might have tugged her wound, and asked with concern, “Let me take you inside to sit. Jiajia, is your office free?”

Before Chi Jia could nod, Lin Xu bit her lower lip and hugged Shu Qingyou’s arm even tighter. “Boss Chi, your business is booming. We don’t want to trouble you… Rongrong’s at home meowing for Mom to come back.”

Chi Jia had just wondered why she hadn’t seen her goddaughter when Shu Qingyou explained that Shu Rong had caught a chill and was resting at home with her sister watching her.

It deadlocked the conversation, leaving Chi Jia no reason to insist. Without Lin Xu’s hostile remark, Chi Jia—who had been hesitating—would have just come out and told Shu Qingyou straight.

Her expression unchanged, she first expressed regret that Rongrong couldn’t come play, then said openly, “Qingyou, I have some accounts to go over with you. And as you can see, with so many people, we’re short on cups.”

“I’ll be right back. Can you wait alone?” Shu Qingyou squeezed Lin Xu’s finger and handed her the car keys. “If you’re uncomfortable, head back to the car first.”

Lin Xu agreed without thinking. The chatter from the crowd was truly grating on her ears—she hated the noise, especially sensing certain wandering gazes slinking over her body.

What, did she look like easy prey?

But that influencer from earlier reminded her of some packages she’d ordered before.

Among them were spanking toys. Thinking of that, Lin Xu’s mood lifted surprisingly.

Once Lin Xu limped out of sight, Chi Jia spoke gravely. “Listen, can you grow a brain? Once bitten by a snake, afraid of ropes for ten years—and here you are, looping the rope around your own neck.”

Shu Qingyou was baffled. “What do you mean?”

She listened quietly as Chi Jia vividly recounted the story. She roughly knew it was Gu Huaiyuan but said nothing, just lowered her head thoughtfully.

“You’re not even mad, Qingyou?”

Shu Qingyou countered, her hand in her jacket pocket rubbing the fabric. “Being mad won’t put food on the table.”

It shut Chi Jia up. They’d known each other for years, and Shu Qingyou had always been even-tempered. Chi Jia despaired over this stubborn gourd and urged her before leaving: break up sooner rather than later.

Lin Xu wasn’t idle. After skimming the daily reports, her assistant called to update her on key matters, but she zoned out, her fingers tapping the screen on posts detailing various spanking play techniques.

“President Lin, the progress on those four projects… Are you listening?”

Her wandering thoughts snapped back at her assistant’s words. Lin Xu paused, adjusted her earpiece, and replied calmly, “Mm, go on.”

When Shu Qingyou tapped on the car window, Lin Xu cut the call, switched modes instantly, and opened the door for her.

A chilly gust came in with Shu Qingyou. Lin Xu leaned over, pressed her hand to Shu Qingyou’s fingertips. “It’s so cold.”

She then stuffed Shu Qingyou’s hand inside her own clothes against her skin. It felt like an ice cube gliding over flesh, giving her goosebumps all over.

Seeing Shu Qingyou distracted, Lin Xu instinctively thought she was frozen stiff. “Wear gloves when you go out next time.”

“Okay.”

Shu Qingyou let her warm her up. Whether it was Lin Xu’s movements, expressions, or tone, everything flowed naturally without a single slip.

No… She recalled the past couple days when Lin Xu unusually wouldn’t let her undress, acting guilty and avoidant, with that outfit hung in the guest room closet.

She knew Lin Xu valued privacy, but digging deeper, the amnesiac Lin Xu had shamelessly flaunted her underwear to seduce her.

People couldn’t stay the same forever, especially with Lin Xu’s amnesia being temporary.

She stayed silent as Lin Xu’s skin warmth seeped in bit by bit, leaving Shu Qingyou increasingly confused about Lin Xu’s scheme.

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice… For some reason, that phrase popped into Shu Qingyou’s mind.

Her eyelid twitched. She yanked her hand back abruptly—the motion too frantic. Lin Xu frowned, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes as her gaze slowly met Shu Qingyou’s face.

Shu Qingyou’s heart suddenly pounded wildly, like it would burst from her chest. These days, she’d grown used to Lin Xu’s spoiled temper.

An indescribable tension flowed between them. Shu Qingyou’s temples throbbed; she couldn’t speak, her lips inexplicably dry.

Lin Xu seemed to see right through her. She narrowed her eyes, a familiar sensation rising—like the stiff shoulders of subordinates when they messed up.

The timid trembling of waitstaff when they served the wrong dish.

The fear and aftershock from countless people she’d beaten.

All converging on one face.

Who said Shu Qingyou was always aloof and composed? Lin Xu tugged her lips. “Sister Shu’s not cold anymore? Let’s head back then. Your sister’s waiting.”

“Still spacing out? Not feeling well? Need some pheromones?”

Lin Xu’s hand clamped Shu Qingyou’s nape, yanking her closer. Long hair fell over Lin Xu’s arm; she chuckled.

She hadn’t used much force, but Shu Qingyou nearly teared up from the brush of Lin Xu’s knuckles. She sucked in a heavy breath.

“No, I got some this morning. Let’s hurry back—Rongrong, she…”

Mentioning her daughter choked her throat like a fishbone—neither swallowable nor spit-out-able, swollen and aching, her eyes reddening.

Lin Xu stared at her lean, tense jawline unwaveringly. Shu Qingyou’s lips paled, her nose tip reddened from the cold outside. Now? Hard to say—maybe the prelude to tears.

Was she that terrifying? Terrifying enough that Shu Qingyou saw her as a ferocious beast?

Though Lin Xu kept up her fake smile, her fingers on Shu Qingyou’s nape tightened. Shu Qingyou’s lashes trembled, soon glistening with droplets.

“Why are you crying, baby?”

Lin Xu lowered her gaze and kissed her pursed lips. Shu Qingyou went rigid like wood as Lin Xu slipped her tongue in, ravaging her mouth.

Still pretty sweet—if ignoring the falling teardrops. Lin Xu’s other hand pressed Shu Qingyou’s soft waist; she let out a whimper.

Lin Xu’s heart skipped. Reluctantly, she pulled away from the kiss, her ink-black eyes inscrutable as she silently wiped the wetness from Shu Qingyou’s face.

From the prolonged kiss, Shu Qingyou’s cheeks flushed hot.

Lin Xu’s thumb pressed—not too light, not too hard—on Shu Qingyou’s slightly swollen lips. “We’ve kissed so many times, and you’re still not used to it? Your makeup’s all smudged.”

Shu Qingyou hurriedly turned away. The spots Lin Xu had touched shifted from initial shivers to dazed haze, now just belated bewilderment.

The ride home was silent. Usually, Shu Qingyou would help her out; this time too, but more cautious, unable to meet her eyes, neck stiff.

Shu Wan Ning was surprised. “Back so soon? Rongrong just fell asleep.”

Lin Xu helped herself, unabashed in front of Shu Wan Ning, sweetly calling out, “Sister Shu said she couldn’t bear leaving you alone to care for the kid—it’s so tough.”

She even shook Shu Qingyou’s arm.

Shu Qingyou stiffly picked up the thread, her whole body radiating resistance, but she didn’t dare show it in front of her sister.

She didn’t care about face, but didn’t want her sister knowing she was scared—trying to act normal.

“Yeah, just had a coffee. Nothing urgent. Go rest; I’ll call you for dinner.”

She really didn’t want to see her sister and Lin Xu all lovey-dovey. Helpless—truly a love-brained fool. But she wasn’t here to play.

She had to avoid Lin Xu.

Shu Wan Ning said warily, “Sis, don’t cook yet. Come here; I have something.”

Shu Qingyou exhaled in relief, but hadn’t taken a step when Lin Xu gripped her arm tight.

She panted sharply, glimpsing Lin Xu’s bottomless smile. Chest tight, she leaned to Lin Xu’s ear and whispered, “Please…”

The soft plea brushed Lin Xu’s ear. Lin Xu exaggeratedly bear-hugged her. “Okay, go quick and back quick. I’m hungry—I mean, my gland…”

Shu Qingyou froze, a strange sensation stirring in her lower belly.

Free from Lin Xu, her dizzy body eased. Shu Qingyou still worked not to let Shu Wan Ning notice. In the backyard, cold wind howled; she straightened her coat collar, hiding her unease.

Shu Wan Ning spoke bluntly, dying to share her findings. “Sis, straight to it: a few days ago, I cornered Mom’s company’s admin manager. Remember? Li Yi.”

After a moment, Shu Qingyou dredged up the face matching the name from memory, a bad premonition rising. She parted her lips, thin mist from her breath fogging her view.

“What’s her connection to Mom’s company?”

Shu Qingyou’s voice came out unexpectedly hoarse. Luckily, Shu Wan Ning’s eyes shone, oblivious to her sister’s oddities.

“That day, Mom was dealing with a manager from Lin Corporation’s subsidiary. Most of Mom’s company’s business back then came from that subsidiary…”