Wen Wanyuan’s swimsuit was incredibly sexy. The scant fabric barely covered the essentials, and her creamy skin gleamed even whiter under the bright lights of the changing room. She had no visible abs on her waist and stomach, but they felt wonderful to the touch. Her overall figure was perfectly proportioned. Before stepping out, Wen Wanyuan gave herself a once-over in the mirror and felt extremely pleased.
“Jiuwei, I’ve changed. Are you ready?” Wen Wanyuan knocked on Ning Jiuwei’s changing room door, her gaze flicking toward another door that was still firmly shut.
Ning Jiuwei had just slipped into her swimsuit—a conservative one-piece that covered most of her body. It was in no way comparable to Wen Wanyuan’s provocative style.
“Why are you dressed like that?” The swimsuits had been bought together, so Ning Jiuwei looked at Wen Wanyuan in surprise as she eyed her up and down.
Wen Wanyuan placed one hand on her hip, confidently displaying her curves. “Well? Did I stun my Sister Ning?”
“You certainly did.” Ning Jiuwei chuckled softly, her eyes lingering on Wen Wanyuan’s waist as her smile deepened.
She didn’t need to say it aloud—Wen Wanyuan could read the implication in her gaze. Flushing with a mix of embarrassment and anger, Wen Wanyuan reached out to pinch Ning Jiuwei’s waist. “I refuse to believe you don’t have any flab there!”
The tight one-piece swimsuit outlined her figure perfectly, revealing whether there was any excess fat at a glance. But Ning Jiuwei was quick; she seized Wen Wanyuan’s hand before it could make contact. “My figure isn’t as voluptuous as Miss Wen’s.”
“You’d have to touch to find out.” Wen Wanyuan raised her other hand, lunging toward Ning Jiuwei’s side. Her movement was swift—most people wouldn’t stand a chance against it. Yet Ning Jiuwei seemed to anticipate her every thought. The instant Wen Wanyuan moved, Ning Jiuwei captured that hand too.
Now both of Wen Wanyuan’s hands were pinned by Ning Jiuwei, leaving her unable to reach her waist.
Ning Jiuwei wore a composed smile, completely in control. The more Wen Wanyuan struggled, the firmer her grip became.
Su Jinglan emerged from her changing room a step behind, only to catch sight of the intimate scene. She couldn’t help frowning, her expression darkening.
Ning Jiuwei spotted her from the corner of her eye and promptly let go.
Wen Wanyuan reined in her playful mood, adopting a mature demeanor as she faced the approaching Su Jinglan. With a teasing lilt, she said, “I never imagined President Su would choose something so modest. It’s not like you at all.”
“What style should I have gone for?” Like Ning Jiuwei, Su Jinglan wore a one-piece swimsuit that covered her from chest to thighs. Even so, it was clear her figure was excellent—the form-fitting fabric accentuated a waist so slender it could be spanned by a single hand.
“Spending the night at someone else’s place so late… What do you think, President Su? Surely not the traditional, conservative type?” Wen Wanyuan still remembered that morning phone call. She didn’t need Ning Jiuwei to spell it out; she knew Su Jinglan had climbed into her bed.
When it came to emotions, Ning Jiuwei had always been the passive one.
Su Jinglan merely smiled, brushing past the unspoken implications.
There weren’t many people swimming that evening—just a handful visible at a glance. Wen Wanyuan did some warm-up stretches by the poolside while tossing a challenge at Su Jinglan.
“President Su, dare to race me? Let’s see who can do two laps first.” Wen Wanyuan had been swimming since elementary school and could easily take third place in her school’s competitions.
Su Jinglan, her smile brimming with amusement, turned to Ning Jiuwei for her thoughts. “Does Designer Ning approve?”
Why ask me, whether she agrees or not? It was just like asking a girlfriend’s permission.
Ning Jiuwei remained perfectly calm. “President Su can decide for herself.”
“If President Su doesn’t dare, just say so. No need to look for an out from my Ah Mu here.” Like a nimble dragon, Wen Wanyuan dove gracefully into the pool.
The splash scattered droplets along the edge. Su Jinglan stepped over to Ning Jiuwei’s side, finally getting a chance to speak to her up close. “Does Designer Ning swim with Miss Wen often?”
Ning Jiuwei shook her head. “Occasionally.”
Su Jinglan had other intentions. She grasped Ning Jiuwei’s wrist, her intense gaze laced with jealousy. “Is Wen Wanyuan’s figure that impressive? Enough to make Designer Ning hold both her hands?”
Only now did she bring up what had happened outside the changing rooms.
Ning Jiuwei’s suppressed heartbeat quickened, her breath growing heated. Facing Su Jinglan in that one-piece swimsuit, she averted her eyes to the clear blue water.
Human physiological responses were closely tied to the mind. To Ning Jiuwei, Wen Wanyuan’s sexy outfit was just that of a woman dressed a bit more revealingly—nothing unusual by the pool. But Su Jinglan? She couldn’t even spare her a second glance without a restless heat stirring from within.
“Ah Mu, get in here.” Having swum a few meters, Wen Wanyuan glanced back at the poolside. Seeing Su Jinglan pestering Ning Jiuwei again had her puffing up like an angry pufferfish.
In a lowered voice, Ning Jiuwei answered Su Jinglan’s question. “Very good.”
With that perfunctory reply, she walked forward a few steps and jumped into the water.
“Very good?” Su Jinglan drew a deep breath. Then, to Wen Wanyuan—who was frolicking in the water like a colorful koi—she called out, “Miss Wen, let’s race.”
Wen Wanyuan was fretting that she wouldn’t get a chance to show off properly in front of Ning Jiuwei. She swam to the edge of the pool and climbed ashore. “President Su, you’ve played a clever game—waiting until I’ve warmed up before challenging me.” She stood shoulder to shoulder with Su Jinglan, gazing at Ning Jiuwei in the water. “We can race if you like, but only if President Su promises me one thing.”
“Does it have to do with Ning Jiuwei?”
“Yes.” Wen Wanyuan smiled at Ning Jiuwei even as she directed harsh words at Su Jinglan. “If President Su loses to me, then stay away from her from now on. You’re her boss at the company, but after hours, you’ll be strangers.”
Her words were deadly serious. From her earnest attitude, Su Jinglan could sense Wen Wanyuan’s outright dislike.
“If I win, then Miss Wen promises me one thing in return.”
Confident of victory, Wen Wanyuan replied, “Fine. What does President Su want from me?”
“I’ll tell you after you’ve lost, Miss Wen.” Su Jinglan’s tone was cool and detached, her aura commanding. To keep things fair, she swam a short distance first, robbing Wen Wanyuan of any excuse to cry foul.
The two lined up at the same mark along the pool’s edge, while Ning Jiuwei climbed out to serve as referee.
“Designer Ning won’t show favoritism to Miss Wen, will she?” Before they began, Su Jinglan glanced back at Ning Jiuwei.
Unaware of the secret deal between them, Ning Jiuwei offered a mild, open smile. “Rest assured, President Su. I won’t favor anyone.”
Wen Wanyuan lifted her chin with supreme confidence. “Ah Mu knows my abilities. I have no need to cheat.”
The referee counted down from three. With a simultaneous splash, both dove into the water and powered toward the far wall.
Ripples radiated outward from the churning waves. Su Jinglan cast aside her earlier lackluster showing, her arms slicing through the water with powerful strokes, sleek and swift as a mermaid returned to the sea.
Wen Wanyuan matched her stride for stride, battling for the lead. She breathed to her right—just in time to glimpse Su Jinglan beside her.
They stayed neck and neck for a moment before Su Jinglan began to pull ahead. Wen Wanyuan dug deep, her legs kicking furiously as she chased.
She could afford to lose any other day. Not today.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Wen Wanyuan finally caught up, both women slapping the wall and flipping in perfect unison.
Watching them duel so fiercely, Ning Jiuwei felt her adrenaline surge. Her breaths came faster, unbidden, her heart pounding like thunder right in her ears.
“I won.” Propped against the pool wall, Su Jinglan tilted her head up toward Ning Jiuwei with a smile. She pulled off her goggles, revealing deep, tender eyes aglow with brilliant light as she gazed up at the woman looming over her.
Wen Wanyuan didn’t reach her side until after those words had left Su Jinglan’s lips.
Her oxygen-starved lungs burned like fire; Wen Wanyuan gulped down air, her whole body trembling.
Half from exhaustion, half from fury.
She was too enraged to speak.
“Again.” Refusing to concede, Wen Wanyuan demanded a rematch once she’d caught her breath. “Best of three.”
Before Su Jinglan could agree, Ning Jiuwei cut in to spare her childhood friend more humiliation. “Wanyuan, we’re here to work out, not compete.”
Heeding Ning Jiuwei, Su Jinglan bit back her retort and extended a hand instead. “Designer Ning, lend me a hand up.”
She looked utterly drained, legs too weak to climb out on her own—enough to stir anyone’s pity. After a brief hesitation, Ning Jiuwei took her hand.
She hadn’t felt it in the water, but the moment she emerged, Su Jinglan’s legs gave way. She stumbled forward, collapsing straight into Ning Jiuwei’s arms.
Wen Wanyuan seethed with rage, but fresh off her loss, she had no room to protest.
Ning Jiuwei steadied her with both hands at Su Jinglan’s waist. Water dripped from their sodden swimsuits, but all Su Jinglan registered was the wild thump of her heartbeat, kindling a blaze of desire where their bodies pressed close.
“Jiuwei.” Su Jinglan wrapped her arms around Ning Jiuwei without a shred of restraint, leaning into her for support. “How did I do?”
She longed to hear praise from the woman she adored.
“President Su swam wonderfully.”
“I’m even better at other things. Would Teacher Ning like to find out?”
“…” A shiver raced up Ning Jiuwei’s chest. She bit her lip and turned her down. “No need.”
Wen Wanyuan dunked herself underwater, bobbing to the surface like a rootless piece of duckweed and letting the current carry her wherever. Out of sight, out of mind.
Seizing the excuse to swim, Ning Jiuwei slipped free of Su Jinglan’s scorching, suffocating embrace.
The cool water gradually restored her composure. Ning Jiuwei swam several laps before pulling up to the edge.
Wen Wanyuan had left the pool at some point and was now resting on a bench with Su Jinglan. Ning Jiuwei propped her chin on her hands and peered up at them.
They were too far away to hear, so she focused intently, reading their lips.
Su Jinglan curved her mouth into a distant smile aimed straight at her, tuning out Wen Wanyuan entirely.
“I’m going to change.” Wen Wanyuan rose from the bench, turning her back on the pool. “President Su, pick something else. I can’t tell you anything about Jiuwei. Name any other request, and I’ll agree.”
“I only want to know one thing.” Taking advantage of Ning Jiuwei’s averted gaze, Su Jinglan looked up at Wen Wanyuan and said, “I’ll find another time to speak with Miss Wen.”
Even seated, she radiated an air of lofty authority that brooked no defiance. Wen Wanyuan clenched her fists and turned to leave.
Ning Jiuwei, fresh from the swimming pool, strolled toward Su Jinglan. Su Jinglan offered a gentle smile and, once Ning Jiuwei drew near, rose to her feet. “Miss Wen went off to change. Should we linger a bit longer, or head back?”
“Let’s head back.” Tonight’s workout had been plenty; Ning Jiuwei felt utterly refreshed, certain she’d drop off to sleep the instant she hit the bed.
On the way out of the gym, Wen Wanyuan wore a grave, preoccupied expression—nothing like her overt attempts to block Su Jinglan on the way in.
Back home, after a quick shower, Su Jinglan emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a bathrobe. Ning Jiuwei’s bedroom had become entirely hers now. Tablet in hand, she lay down beside Ning Jiuwei and propped herself half-upright against the headboard.
“Designer Ning, heading to bed?” Noticing Ning Jiuwei lie flat, Su Jinglan set her tablet aside.
Ning Jiuwei murmured a soft “Mm.” Su Jinglan began untying her own sash, clearly intending to shrug off the bathrobe and sleep in the nude.
“President Su.” Ning Jiuwei quickly grabbed her hand mid-motion. Smiling, Su Jinglan clasped her hand and guided it to help slip off the bathrobe. “Jiuwei, open your eyes and see what’s underneath.”
Ning Jiuwei: “…”
This kind of seduction was downright murderous.
“There’s still something on underneath.”
Doubting it, Ning Jiuwei cracked her eyes open hesitantly. Sure enough, Su Jinglan wore a wine-red spaghetti-strap nightgown beneath—sexier, somehow, than naked skin.
~~~
