Chapter 16

In this cramped space, the air was thick with damp steam, and every breath she took was filled with the scent of gardenias.

Luo Qingmeng didn’t have time to wonder if gardenias were even in bloom this season.

Qiu Shuxue’s lips pressed against hers again, rolling and teasing. She kissed with desperate urgency, as if trying to steal away enough passion for several people at once. Luo Qingmeng drifted between intoxication and clarity—lost in the moment, she shoved at Qiu Shuxue fiercely; when sober, she savored the sensations the other woman brought.

Qiu Shuxue loved kissing her so much. She was going to get bitten to death.

It always made her think.

How long had it been since Qiu Shuxue last kissed her?

Kissing turned out to be utter torture, like having one foot inside the door and one foot outside.

Someone outside said, “Why’s the light on in the bathroom? Who’s in there? It’s not good to use Shuxue’s bathroom without asking.”

“Oh, some wine just got spilled and dirtied Qiu Shuxue’s clothes. She said she’d go clean up.”

“Wasn’t that a couture piece? Such a shame to ruin it—it’s super expensive, and Shuxue saved it specially for today.”

“I wiped it clean.” Someone emerged from the next room over. “That was so careless of me. Where’s Shuxue? I’m really sorry—I should apologize to her. I hope she’s not mad.”

“Just cover her dry-cleaning bill.” Another girl laughed.

“You’re joking. Shuxue doesn’t need the money for one couture dress anyway. Speaking of which, her family has so many books. I thought translators hated reading the most—I’ve heard Xiao Liu and the others say just looking at books makes them want to puke…”

That expensive gown they were talking about was clutched in Luo Qingmeng’s hand inside the door. Her lips parted as she gasped for breath, while Qiu Shuxue’s mouth stayed pressed to her chest.

Luo Qingmeng had slyly applied floral essential oil before coming, determined to be the boldest, to outshine everyone. She had wanted the scent to seep into her very skin. Now her skin was thoroughly moisturized, fragrant beyond words, and yes, she had indeed lured her prey.

Qiu Shuxue kissed her for a long time. Luo Qingmeng’s back pressed against the glass door. She tried to push Qiu Shuxue away but couldn’t. The back-and-forth was agonizing. Helplessly, her hand rested on Qiu Shuxue’s head, letting the other woman devour her as her whole body swayed unsteadily.

Someone approached from outside. Luo Qingmeng shoved at Qiu Shuxue and whispered frantically in a strangled voice, “Ch-change… someone’s coming.”

Qiu Shuxue sealed her lips again, muffling her words. Their kiss deepened, and the knocking seemed to echo right inside Luo Qingmeng’s skull.

“Shuxue, are you in there?” the person outside asked.

Luo Qingmeng recognized the voice—it belonged to that girl from Li An’s place who had always looked down on her. Anger flared in her. She twisted her fingers into Qiu Shuxue’s arm. How could Qiu Shuxue even be friends with this woman?

Qiu Shuxue ignored the voice outside. Wincing from the pain, she pressed close to Luo Qingmeng’s ear and whispered, “Change? Change what?”

Without thinking, Luo Qingmeng cursed her. “Pervert.”

Someone inside heard the noises. Yin Sisi knocked twice more, puzzled, and called out from outside, “Shuxue?”

Luo Qingmeng cursed inwardly.

Why knock when someone’s taking a shower? And Qiu Shuxue—why keep licking when someone’s knocking? She patted Qiu Shuxue’s cheek lightly. Qiu Shuxue took a deep breath and called out to the outside, “I’m washing clothes. You guys go ahead and have fun.”

“Okay.” Yin Sisi glanced back dubiously. She had a strong hunch that Shuxue wasn’t alone inside—that Shuxue was fooling around with someone. Lowering her voice, she asked Li An, “Brother Li, where are the other guys?”

“Shunzai went home—his wife kept nagging him. Xiao Cai’s still here.”

“Oh, then you…”

Li An’s voice sounded bitter. “Sigh, my wife… Forget it. Just bad luck this year…”

Luo Qingmeng let out a muffled grunt. She wanted to curse at Li An, but Qiu Shuxue’s lips had trailed lower. This woman got even more excited hearing Li An’s voice than hers.

This went on and on. Luo Qingmeng’s hands scrambled to grab hold of something, rubbing back and forth in Qiu Shuxue’s hair several times. Finally, she draped the clothes she had yanked down over Qiu Shuxue’s head. Instantly, the smell of alcohol filled the air—the rich, heady aroma of red wine overwhelming her.

Qiu Shuxue paused for a moment to catch her breath. Then she kissed even more fiercely, catching Luo Qingmeng completely off guard. Luo Qingmeng’s struggles melted away, leaving her to gasp with parted lips.

At last, Qiu Shuxue slowly lifted her head. Luo Qingmeng avoided her gaze, turning her head weakly aside. Qiu Shuxue leaned forward, resting her head on Luo Qingmeng’s shoulder. The woman had finally kissed herself out.

Someone outside said, “I need to use the bathroom.”

Qiu Shuxue’s place had separate shower room and toilet. The door opened and closed outside, but no one actually came in. Still, the constant coming and going was incredibly annoying—and here they were, stealing kisses in this irritating spot.

“Brother Li, come on, keep telling us about your ex-wife. How’d you find out she was cheating?”

Li An’s voice came through. “That’s just it… the more ‘honest’ they act, the more they’re hiding.”

Luo Qingmeng’s lips parted. She wanted to speak, to say, I’m the bad one here, the one who messed with your mistress—but Qiu Shuxue, rested now, claimed her lips again. This time, Luo Qingmeng didn’t resist. She gave in to her desire, responding as she wrapped her arms around Qiu Shuxue’s waist.

The clothes clutched in Luo Qingmeng’s hand dropped to the floor. Water pooled there, soaking and dirtying them immediately. Qiu Shuxue whispered low, “I won’t dirty your clothes. Sister’s clothes smell so good.”

“Don’t… don’t talk.”

“Okay. I’ll kiss you.”

That wasn’t what Luo Qingmeng meant, but she truly had no strength left—her body couldn’t hold out. She placed her hands on Qiu Shuxue’s shoulders. If Qiu Shuxue wanted to kiss her, let her. If she couldn’t fight back, then just kiss.

Qiu Shuxue pushed her into the shower. Luo Qingmeng understood perfectly—she wanted to do it under the water. Luo Qingmeng shoved back. “I’ve already showered. I don’t want to wash again.”

“Okay.”

Qiu Shuxue planted a kiss on her cheek and said, “I’ve showered too.”

Her body leaned against the shower glass door. Her legs lifted uncontrollably, until one hooked around Qiu Shuxue’s waist.

People came and went outside, the shower light still blazing, but no one imagined Qiu Shuxue was in here having an affair with Li An’s wife.

How strange, so strange. Her lips were numb from kissing. Why wasn’t she screaming?

Not until the outside had gone completely quiet did Qiu Shuxue pull her into the adjoining room. She had wanted to carry Luo Qingmeng over, but Luo Qingmeng was much more voluptuous than she was.

Even with all their caution and restraint, Luo Qingmeng’s clothes still got damp in spots. Beneath, she was flawless, wearing every single piece Luo Qingmeng had bought that day.

Luo Qingmeng straddled her legs, wanting to lord it over her, to make her envious and jealous.

But then Qiu Shuxue’s fingers slipped along the edge.

And she… trembled lightly.

Now, she had to question herself.

What on earth had Luo Qingmeng been doing back then? Why obsess over making her lingerie so beautiful? What good did it do to make her inner self so sensual? Now this shameless little homewrecker got to appreciate her allure.

You thought she was cheap? Now Qiu Shuxue pinched and squeezed her, and she felt pleasure. That made her even cheaper.

Luo Qingmeng gasped, her eyes red. Qiu Shuxue lay back and asked, “Do you want to cry?”

“I’m not going to cry.” Luo Qingmeng bit her lip, her red eyes brimming with tears.

“Did I pinch too hard…? Why don’t you lie down instead.” Qiu Shuxue worried she had hurt her.

Luo Qingmeng pressed her lips together tightly. She refused to admit she was crying, refused to switch positions. Stubbornly, she said, “I want it like this…”

“Mm, this way I can see you better.” Qiu Shuxue reached for the curtain beside them and pulled it open a crack. Cold white moonlight spilled in, mingling with the sudden burst of passion to form a chaotic pool of light.

The window across the way had its lights on too. Luo Qingmeng stared in disbelief, her damp lashes framing tears that gleamed clear and bright in the moonlight.

Qiu Shuxue coaxed her. “No one can see… Only me looking at you.” She gripped Luo Qingmeng’s waist. “Sister, then you’ll have to hold yourself up.”

Her eyes lifted slightly in encouragement, surrendering herself. “Come on, bully me.”

Who was bullying whom? Luo Qingmeng had always been the one suffering. She wanted to sob, to vent her rage.

Luo Qingmeng reached out to slap her face but lacked the nerve. Her fingers hovered near Qiu Shuxue’s cheek, unable to strike. Qiu Shuxue caught her hand.

Luo Qingmeng obediently gripped her own knees, struggling to hold back. Her nose tip flushed red, her eyes blinking wetter with each moment. She choked on sobs, biting her lip as she cried softly, “I… this is my first time. And I wasn’t… into girls before. I’m not very good at…”

Qiu Shuxue paused, then smiled. “Good.”

This was perfect. So beautiful. So sweet.

A sister who would cry was the best.