Chapter 20

As Luo Qingmeng was about to get off work, Qiu Shuxue came over. This time, she had no books to pick up; she just waited quietly outside without going in to disturb her. Chen Xin caught sight of her and immediately let out a tsk.

People came in all varieties, good and bad, and Luo Qingmeng really hated how Chen Xin teased her in that bouncy, nonstop way. She hadn’t acted like this back when Luo Qingmeng was dating Li An.

Qiu Shuxue’s gaze made Luo Qingmeng’s ears heat up. Several times, she touched her poor ears under the pretense of smoothing her hair, trying to cool them down. She had swapped her late shift with another coworker last time, so she could get off early today. She took off her apron and pulled her handbag from under the cash register. Just as she was about to leave, the store manager called.

The store manager said, “Don’t head back yet. I have something to tell you.”

It was time to clock out, and someone was waiting outside. Luo Qingmeng had finished her essential duties and had no interest in staying longer to “help” the store manager with extra tasks. She replied, “What’s it about? I’m leaving the bookstore now. If it’s not urgent, you can tell Xiao Tang and the others.”

“This isn’t something I can tell them. Here’s the deal: you know about the new mall that opened at Star Continent Plaza, right? Headquarters wants to set up a branch there, and they’re looking for a store manager and a library manager right now. Are you interested? I can recommend you to give it a shot. You can manage it for a week or two, and if it doesn’t suit you, I’ll transfer you back.”

Luo Qingmeng was stunned when she heard this—such a good opportunity! She immediately said she was up for it.

“So, should I wait for you at the bookstore?” She could just grab a bite at a nearby shop. The fourth floor was the food court, and Xiao Tang had said the spicy fish was pretty good.

“I’m too lazy to come over. How about this: give me a video call later, and I’ll walk you through the process first. Tomorrow, I’ll swing by when I have time to talk it over. Once it’s confirmed, we can have a meal with the headquarters folks sometime to get acquainted.”

“Okay, okay, okay! Thank you, boss!” Luo Qingmeng was a bit excited. “Thank you so much, boss!”

“No problem. You go ahead with your stuff. I’m off to check the kids’ homework.”

If her education had been better, Luo Qingmeng might have even offered to help the boss with her kids. After hanging up, she felt like she’d been struck by a shooting star. She put away her phone, grabbed her bag, and headed out. Her eyes brimmed with laughter, so bright that it dazzled Qiu Shuxue for a moment. Luo Qingmeng said, “I was just on a call.”

“With the store manager.” She laughed again as she said it, since nothing was set in stone yet, and she didn’t know how the interview would go.

She didn’t want to get her hopes up and share it with anyone else.

“The store manager called you right after you got off work?” Qiu Shuxue watched her smile, her own mood swinging from great to lousy.

“Yeah.” Luo Qingmeng held her paper bag and stuffed her phone into her coat pocket. “Where should we eat?”

Qiu Shuxue asked, “Do you have a place in mind?”

This was the biggest mall around, so there was no need to go elsewhere. Even though the options here were mostly chain restaurants, she said, “How about that fish and frog place upstairs?”

Luo Qingmeng headed upstairs as she spoke.

Qiu Shuxue followed behind her, looking a touch unhappy. The two of them entered the restaurant and sat across from each other. Luo Qingmeng looked at the menu and asked what she wanted to eat.

Qiu Shuxue said, “Order whatever you want. We can try a bit of everything.”

Luo Qingmeng cooked at home and rarely dined out. She was used to being frugal, and even if she was spending the little third’s money, she felt they shouldn’t waste food.

Qiu Shuxue kept watching her. The server brought over some appetizers—peanuts and wakame salad—and told them to scan the stand-up card on the table. They said checking in on Dianping could get them an extra plate of century egg tofu.

Luo Qingmeng asked, “Can we just get the century egg tofu to go?”

The server said yes.

Qiu Shuxue asked her, “Did you do this with Li An too?”

Luo Qingmeng shot Qiu Shuxue a sideways glance, thinking she was implying she was cheap. She said, “I’m planning to order the double combo. The century egg tofu here has great reviews, and it’s a huge portion. We’ll never finish it with the fish and frog combo, so this way we won’t waste any.”

Qiu Shuxue explained, “I was just curious. If you’d been this good at managing money with him before, I’d be a little jealous.”

A furrow formed between Luo Qingmeng’s brows. She’d gone out to eat with Li An only a handful of times; mostly, she cooked for him. She didn’t know what she’d been thinking back then, imagining that cooking together and sharing a space was romantic. Now, it just seemed stupid and oblivious.

Luo Qingmeng didn’t answer the question, as it would only highlight how lovestruck she’d been. She placed her handbag on the table and pushed it over.

“Here, your birthday gift.”

Qiu Shuxue wanted to look at it.

Luo Qingmeng felt embarrassed. “Can’t you open it when you get home?”

“Yeah, sure.” Qiu Shuxue set it next to her own bag. Just then, two college students passed by their table. One nudged the other’s arm and said, “Hermès.”

Luo Qingmeng glanced over too. It was a different bag from the one she’d carried last time, but something still felt off. Qiu Shuxue seemed incredibly wealthy, never short on cash. Did white-collar salaries pay that well? Or was she financing it?

The server brought the food. Qiu Shuxue picked up her chopsticks, but Luo Qingmeng said, “Wait until it’s hot and the aroma comes out. It doesn’t taste as good cold.” She used the serving chopsticks to flip some onto her side, then onto Qiu Shuxue’s, and poured her some juice. She also told her to put on the disposable bib so she wouldn’t stain her clothes.

“Yeah, okay.”

The flavors hit just right, and they ate. Qiu Shuxue occasionally chatted with her, and Luo Qingmeng responded, but their differing statuses made the conversation a bit awkward.

As Luo Qingmeng ate, she kept thinking that she wouldn’t dine out with her again.

After the meal, Luo Qingmeng handed the packed century egg tofu to Qiu Shuxue. Qiu Shuxue asked, “For me?”

Luo Qingmeng hummed in affirmation and watched her, carrying a Hermès bag in one hand and the century egg tofu in the other.

They wandered around upstairs for a bit. Qiu Shuxue’s birthday had been a few days ago, but she still dutifully accompanied her shopping. Luo Qingmeng just didn’t like walking side by side with her—not because of the taboo feelings buried in her heart, but due to their outward class differences.

Qiu Shuxue wore nothing but luxury brands; one bag alone cost her several years’ salary. It felt like a class divide weighing on her, stretching a long chasm even in their shadows. She wouldn’t even befriend someone like that—it made her irritable, stirring an intangible sense of inferiority.

It was already April now, and turtling into her collar to hide her cheeks felt too hot. Qiu Shuxue said, “Want to catch a movie?”

Luo Qingmeng shook her head. “I have something to do.”

“Oh, what?”

Luo Qingmeng said, “Work. It’s important. I need to video call the store manager.”

Qiu Shuxue let out an “oh,” her tone flat—flat to the point of being cold. “How important can it be that you’re videoing the store manager after work? Isn’t that taking up too much of your time? It feels like exploitation.”

Qiu Shuxue didn’t know the full story or how crucial this was for Luo Qingmeng. To her, though, it was a breakthrough in what everyone called a dead-end job with no room for promotion. She had a real shot at moving up now. Luo Qingmeng said earnestly, “It’s just really important. I’m heading home. I don’t want to be out too late.”

It wasn’t even that late—the bookstore hadn’t closed yet.

Qiu Shuxue carried the book and rode down the escalator with her, her tone tinged with sourness. “Sister, it feels a bit lacking in ceremony, like you’re super busy and in a rush.”

Luo Qingmeng didn’t take the bait. “You’re just too greedy. You’ve already had four days of birthday celebrations.”

They’d slept together on her actual birthday, spent the next two days playing tirelessly, and today she’d even made up for the gift. Still, it wasn’t enough; she wanted more—like a childish, greedy kid.

Qiu Shuxue said, “But you said you’re not the kind of gift that comes with a red ribbon.”

That was too weird.

Luo Qingmeng wondered if it was because they’d fooled around for days and nights that she’d wised up; everything Qiu Shuxue said struck her as odd. She tugged at her coat and brushed her hair, draping the strands over her shoulder to cover her cheeks.

“So…”

“Don’t ‘so’ me! You sound like a creep when you talk!”

Luo Qingmeng didn’t want to discuss it. She had a feeling Qiu Shuxue wanted to tie her up with that red ribbon, binding her hands and feet, leaving her helplessly lying there for Qiu Shuxue to admire. What would she do then—struggle? She probably couldn’t break free, and who knew, maybe a compliment would make her…

But she couldn’t say she was a gift either. That would make Qiu Shuxue think she belonged to her, stripping away her independence and letting her toy with her at will.

Qiu Shuxue drawled, “It’s only been half a birthday.”

Luo Qingmeng clenched her fists. She hated it—she wanted to punch her little sister. Unfortunately, she’d never been in a fight; she’d just end up bawling like a baby if they argued.

She schooled her face into a stern expression and kept walking.

That was why she said she shouldn’t have gone out to eat with the little third. She was the former main wife; Qiu Shuxue owed her. She should hold her head high.

She couldn’t quite explain it, but by the time they reached the first-floor exit, Luo Qingmeng felt extremely uncomfortable. She knew Qiu Shuxue was deliberately playing the pity card, acting all “poor me” to guilt her into sympathy. She should have brushed it off with some cold sarcasm, but guilt welled up in her heart anyway. She stopped, shoved her hands in her pockets, and glared fiercely at Qiu Shuxue. “What else do you want?”

Qiu Shuxue, holding the gift she’d given her, glanced toward the “Old Phoenix Auspicious” on the first floor. Luo Qingmeng frowned. She didn’t have that kind of money; she really couldn’t be too nice to her.

Qiu Shuxue kept eyeing the jewelry stores on the ground floor. After a long moment, her gaze shifted upward. “There’s nothing worth buying down here on the first floor,” she said. “Let’s head to the second.”

Luo Qingmeng followed her back upstairs, where she bought a little chick plushie sucking on a pacifier and wearing a tiny hat. She squinted at it, and Qiu Shuxue slipped it into the paper bag. A smile finally broke across her face. “What’s up?”

“Do you have some kind of mommy complex?” Luo Qingmeng asked seriously.

Qiu Shuxue gazed back at her. From the very first time they’d met, she hadn’t found Luo Qingmeng ugly—in fact, quite the opposite. She thought she was stunningly beautiful in a clean, wholesome way, radiating warmth. Her hair was never piled up too high, her voice never too loud, her outfits never in bold colors. She always wore that bookstore apron.

Sometimes her lips would quirk up out of nowhere, as if she were smiling at some private joke.

Snapping back to the moment, Qiu Shuxue said, “Maybe. I used to envy everyone else’s families so much. I always wanted a mom to hug me, kiss me. But I don’t really like the idea of ‘mother’—my mom was ice-cold.”

“You should read that book I gave you more often,” Luo Qingmeng said. “It might help ease those feelings.”

“Really?” Qiu Shuxue paused, then added, “More than mommy issues, though, I’d love to know if it can cure my married-woman fetish. I really like housewives.”

“…”

Luo Qingmeng was at a loss for words, but what floored her even more was her own big mouth—she actually pressed on. “So why do you like married women? Does it make you some kind of pervert?”

Mommy issues she could sort of get, but other people’s wives? That made no sense. Was it some twisted kink? That sounded way worse. Qiu Shuxue pursed her lips, looking for a second like she might spill it, but then she held back. She let out an ambiguous little laugh that sent a chill crawling over Luo Qingmeng’s scalp.

They kept chatting as they walked, eventually reaching the parking garage. Qiu Shuxue pulled out her car keys.

Luo Qingmeng headed for the back door, but Qiu Shuxue popped open the driver’s side and called her over. “Sit up front. Put the century egg tofu on the center console—that way it won’t stain the seats.”

Luo Qingmeng climbed into the passenger seat. As she buckled her seatbelt, a question popped into her head. “What make is your car, anyway?”

Luo Qingmeng didn’t know much about cars. Li An had one that ran about two hundred grand, and he’d brag about it nonstop around her. Back then, she’d thought that was a fortune. One time in the back seat, she’d felt so stifled she had to say something. Li An had shot back that she’d get used to a nice ride like that after a few trips.

Thinking back on it now…

Had Li An thought she was being tacky?

“It’s just some ordinary brand,” Qiu Shuxue said. “Off-brand stuff.”

“Oh.” Luo Qingmeng recognized a few makes, but not this one. “This off-brand’s pretty nice, though, isn’t it?”

Qiu Shuxue muttered something in reply, but Luo Qingmeng didn’t catch it—her phone had started buzzing. She ducked her head immediately to check the store manager’s messages. She couldn’t afford to drop the ball.

The messages were all voice clips, so she popped in her earbuds.

She typed replies the whole drive back.

By the time they pulled into the residential complex, she’d glimpsed someone who looked like Li An near the back entrance. But Qiu Shuxue swung into the garage, and she couldn’t get a good look—nothing certain.

She was curious about what had become of Li An, wondering if he’d been humiliated at work. After all, she planned to hit him up for money soon. Luo Qingmeng opened her mouth to ask just as Qiu Shuxue parked, unbuckled her own belt, and pinned Luo Qingmeng’s hand mid-reach for hers.

“What are you doing?” Luo Qingmeng eyed her warily.

“Kiss…” Qiu Shuxue leaned in close.

“I—” Luo Qingmeng’s protest cut off as Qiu Shuxue nipped at her lips. She shoved halfheartedly at her. “I don’t want to kiss…”

“I do.” Qiu Shuxue went for it again.

Luo Qingmeng hammered her shoulder. “I’ve got work! Keep this up and I’ll really get mad.”

Qiu Shuxue pulled back, considering. “You’re right—this isn’t cool.” She parted their lips. “I’ll head up to your place and wait, then. Sorry, sis. I was such a brat today.”

Luo Qingmeng huffed. Qiu Shuxue let go and helped unbuckle her seatbelt. Luo Qingmeng hit the voice record button for the store manager. “I’m almost home.”

They stepped out of the car, and Luo Qingmeng kept tapping away at her replies as she walked. From behind, Qiu Shuxue reached past her to hit the elevator button, then rode up and selected the 12th floor.

At her door, Luo Qingmeng punched in the code, but something felt off all of a sudden. She couldn’t put her finger on it, so she shot a glance at Qiu Shuxue waiting patiently beside her.

Qiu Shuxue stood with her arms crossed, looking thoughtful. “We forgot the century egg tofu, maybe?”

Luo Qingmeng remembered now—yeah, that was it. She nodded, though it still didn’t feel quite right. But before she could dwell on it, Qiu Shuxue took her hand, nudged the door open, and crowded in after her. “I’ll answer that question you were dying to know about earlier. Why I like married women.”

Luo Qingmeng’s curiosity won out over any resistance. She flicked on the lights and led the way from the entryway into the living room, all ears for the explanation. But the second Qiu Shuxue finished, she regretted it bitterly.

Standing right behind her, Qiu Shuxue laid it out in the most earnest, objective, downright philosophical tone: infancy was a time of nursing and protection, total dependence on the mother for milk. But past three, five, ten years old, you had to grow up and stand on your own. A married woman, though? She could step into that maternal role, letting grown adults suckle from her at will. She offered mature fulfillment for an adult’s need to depend, while her gentle warmth satisfied the everyday ache for affection, intimacy, and being loved.

“…”

Luo Qingmeng went rigid, her ears burning hot. She’d wanted an explanation, not… this. Qiu Shuxue really was a pervert.

Why the hell had she let her inside?

“Right, sis?” Qiu Shuxue dipped her head, plucked out Luo Qingmeng’s earbuds, and murmured right by her ear. “Married women are there to be suckled from.”

“Isn’t that just the truth?”