“Begging you.”
Wen Xin’s eyes flickered. She stared at Shi Qianyu in confusion, never expecting her to use such a word.
This wasn’t the first time Shi Qianyu had spoken to her like this, but those previous instances had been nothing more than playful banter—routine jokes tossed out casually, which Wen Xin would brush off just as lightly. Neither of them took it seriously.
But this time was different. Wen Xin looked up tentatively, peering into her eyes, only to feel a sharp pang from that intense gaze.
She had never seen Shi Qianyu so earnest before; it was unprecedented. Wen Xin’s heart skipped a beat, and she parted her lips instinctively. “Why?”
“Director Shi.” She didn’t understand why Shi Qianyu was pleading with her so humbly. What was so special about someone like her to make Shi Qianyu persist like this? “I… I don’t deserve this from you.”
She wanted to refuse, but before she could speak, Shi Qianyu cut her off. “Don’t deserve it? You’re not me—why are you deciding that for me?”
“Wen Xin, you’re not me, so don’t try to put yourself in my shoes. Don’t overthink it.” Her tone was deadly serious as she continued, “Wen Xin, you should understand…”
“Whether it’s a gain or a loss, that’s for me to decide.”
It was an explanation, laced with a helpless sigh.
Wen Xin fell into bewilderment and silence. Unbidden, her thoughts drifted back to Shi Qianyu’s earlier proposal.
Lover.
If it was just as lovers…
They were both adults, and Wen Xin had her own desires. She had to admit that the night at the bar had left an indelible mark. Shi Qianyu was right—their bodies fit together perfectly. If both were willing, becoming lovers wasn’t out of the question. It was merely an extension of that one-night stand.
It felt more like a transaction: no need for true feelings, no messy attachments. When the need arose, they could entwine; when it didn’t, they could part ways cleanly. It was freer than any other kind of relationship.
Wen Xin wasn’t a child. She couldn’t fool herself. Her years of hardship had taught her that everyone and every relationship eventually led to separation—be it family, friends, or lovers. She was tired of the pain and didn’t want to endure it again.
But if it was just lovers? If it was purely physical desire without emotions? Then perhaps, when the day of parting came again, it wouldn’t hurt so much.
Shi Qianyu was still waiting for her answer. Her fingertips felt cool—cooler than usual. She didn’t pull away, stubbornly holding Wen Xin’s hand, her palm pressed firmly against the back of it.
Outside the window, sunlight poured in brightly, accompanied by the incessant chirping of cicadas. Beyond the room, people came and went, their footsteps echoing. But inside, between the two of them, an inescapable silence hung in the air. Wen Xin glanced at Shi Qianyu again and inexplicably felt pity for the woman before her. She had everything, could have anything she wanted, yet she had hit a wall here, of all places.
Wen Xin suddenly felt like sighing. She even wanted to ask on Shi Qianyu’s behalf—what was there to hesitate about? Shi Qianyu was such a catch, chasing after her to be her lover. Why hold back?
If… she could at least offer Shi Qianyu some emotional support, that wouldn’t be so bad.
In that moment, Wen Xin felt as though she’d figured it out.
“Okay.”
Her voice was soft. Agreeing meant discarding their past dynamic and forging a new one. Though unease lingered, Wen Xin nodded slowly all the same.
Shi Qianyu’s eyes lit up in an instant. Her fingertips trembled slightly—something Wen Xin might not have noticed, but she felt it keenly. She was eager to pull the woman before her into an embrace, but she knew the time wasn’t right yet. Not unless Wen Xin gave her a clear confirmation—
“Director Shi, I accept.”
Shi Qianyu’s lips curved. “Really?”
“I don’t believe it.” She released Wen Xin’s hand, exhaling tensely in a moment she hoped went unnoticed. She walked back to her desk, picked up a pen, and scribbled something on a sheet of paper.
Then she returned, placing both the paper and pen in Wen Xin’s hands. “Let’s sign a contract. One copy each.”
Wen Xin hesitated. “Do we really have to sign it?”
“Of course.” Shi Qianyu seemed to slip back into her usual demeanor, her fine brows furrowing attractively. “What if Sister changes her mind one day? Only a signature will put my mind at ease.”
“I won’t…”
Shi Qianyu smiled, her gaze burning with intensity. “You’d better not.”
With that, she leaned in close again, her voice a soft coax. “Come on, sign it.”
Wen Xin could never resist when she spoke like that. She’d already agreed, so signing a contract was no big deal. She nodded lightly and finally wrote her name beside Shi Qianyu’s.
【Wen Xin.】
Shi Qianyu carefully folded her copy and slipped it into the pocket over her chest, patting it gently.
Just then, a knock echoed from the door.
Wen Xin jumped, startled. They hadn’t done anything untoward, yet she felt a pang of guilt. She quickly stuffed the contract into her pocket and said her goodbyes. “Director Shi, you get back to work. I’m heading out.”
She fled in a hurry, brushing past Fei Yuan at the door.
Shi Qianyu: “…”
Fei Yuan: “…?”
He was surprised to see Wen Xin there—and even more so by how flustered she looked; it was rare for her. He instinctively glanced at the beautiful, even-tempered director before him, tempted to ask.
But the words died on his tongue. Director Shi seemed in a foul mood today, her gaze unusually icy when it landed on him. Moments later, though, her expression cleared like overcast skies turning to sunshine. She smiled as warmly as ever. “What’s up?”
Fei Yuan stepped forward tentatively. “There’s a document that needs your signature.”
“Mm, hand it over.” Shi Qianyu returned to her desk and sat down, signing it efficiently. As she handed it back, she seemed to recall something. “Right, there’s an expo in H City this week. When is it again?”
“Yes.” Fei Yuan nodded. “This weekend.”
“Oh.” Shi Qianyu smiled and passed the file back. “Last trip was Xiao Liu’s team. This time, it’s your group’s turn.”
“Why don’t you go? I’ll arrange the others later.” She studied Fei Yuan’s face. “Sorry for taking up your weekend. I’ll let Assistant Wang know to book you the best hotel nearby.”
H City was far from their city—round trips alone ate up a ton of time—and the local food was worlds apart from what they were used to. It was one of the places everyone in the office dreaded going to, especially on a weekend.
Fei Yuan sensed he’d unknowingly irked Shi Qianyu these past couple of days. He didn’t dare object and could only nod stiffly.
“…Okay. Thanks, Director Shi.”
~~~
Time quickly slipped to evening.
Because of the morning’s events, Wen Xin had been distracted all day, her mind filled with thoughts of Shi Qianyu.
It wasn’t regret—just pondering what Shi Qianyu saw in her. Wen Xin lacked confidence in herself but had plenty in Shi Qianyu. With her conditions, she could easily find someone better.
Yet she’d chosen Wen Xin.
After clocking out, Wen Xin headed home. As she passed Shi Qianyu’s office, she glanced inside out of habit and saw it empty.
She wasn’t there. She hadn’t waited.
Wen Xin had never had a lover before, but she knew what that entailed. She’d assumed Shi Qianyu would wait for her after work, pester her affectionately like before, get intimate, make wild love. Now she realized she’d been overthinking it. Shi Qianyu was carrying on as usual; it was she who’d lost her composure.
Maybe… Shi Qianyu didn’t need her as a lover that much after all.
For some reason, that thought left Wen Xin feeling down. Being “needed” seemed to matter a great deal to her. She needed companionship and wanted to be needed. Signing that lover contract was the wildest decision of her life. She’d thought it would shake up her unchanging routine—at least she’d have someone to fill the loneliness.
“Sigh.” She let out a breath, suddenly feeling ashamed. The days ahead were long; no need to be this needy already.
Wen Xin took the subway home and soon reached her destination.
She stepped out of the elevator, fished out her keys, and prepared to unlock the door. But as she looked up, she spotted someone standing in front of it—Shi Qianyu.
Surprise hit her, and the low mood vanished before she even registered it. “Director Shi, what are you doing here?”
“Here for dinner together.” Shi Qianyu smiled and lifted the bag in her hand to show her. “I had some errands this afternoon and got back late, so I didn’t return to the office. I just grabbed some food to go and came straight here to wait for you.”
“Have you been waiting long?” Not knowing when she’d arrived, Wen Xin worried she might be tired. She quickly unlocked the door and ushered her inside. “Come in and sit down. Take a rest.”
“Not too long.” Shi Qianyu changed into slippers, set the bag on the table, and turned to wash her hands.
Wen Xin mirrored her motion as well. Then she stepped into the kitchen, intending to brew some tea for Shi Qianyu and prepare a bit of fruit. To her surprise, the other woman followed right after her and told her there was no need.
“I bought some fruit. I got drinks too,” Shi Qianyu said. She gently opened the lunchbox in her hand and forked up a piece of the precut fruit, holding it to Wen Xin’s lips. “Want to try it?”
“Good.” Wen Xin wasn’t often fed like this by anyone, so she felt a bit nervous. She nodded and carefully bit into the strawberry on the fork. The flesh was very sweet, and the juice burst out the moment it touched her teeth, staining her lips.
Without a second thought, Shi Qianyu raised her hand. The pad of her thumb brushed against the corner of Wen Xin’s mouth, rubbing gently.
A moment later, she parted her lips slowly—as if it had been premeditated, or perhaps just a sudden impulse—and asked softly, “Want to?”
The night had wrapped the lingering glow of the sunset across the room. Everything seemed dim and secluded now, save for the blatant clarity of the desire burning in her eyes. Wen Xin was startled by her. The question felt a little untimely.
But then she reconsidered. A lover wasn’t a true love; there was no need for all those tender endearments. Sex didn’t require endless sweet nothings as foreplay. As long as one side wanted it, the other should simply go along. Timeliness hardly mattered.
Wen Xin took a deep breath. Suddenly, her heart began to race, heat surging through her face and body in waves. Even the strawberry in her mouth seemed to grow scorching, leaving her limbs weak and limp.
Under Shi Qianyu’s gaze, she chewed and swallowed the strawberry. When she spoke again, her voice was even a little hoarse. “Now…?”
Shi Qianyu nodded at once, a smile tinting her eyes. She called out her name, her tone soft and syrupy sweet. “Wen Xin, I want you.”
“…Okay.” And so, with a shy kiss to the pad of her thumb, Wen Xin finally bared her own soft tongue tip alongside it, right there in front of her.
“Good.”
