Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 21
Chapter 21
“…You were sitting in such a prominent spot, I’m not blind.” Despite her words, Chi Jia inadvertently revealed that she had been paying attention to Jing Rui.
To consistently notice someone in such a noisy environment, one had to be paying attention.
“Isn’t it my right to come here for a drink and listen to music? I came to support you because I think you sing well.” Jing Rui looked Chi Jia up and down, a glass of wine in her hand, and asked with a smile, “What else did you think it was? That I’m trying to pursue you?”
Jing Rui’s tone when saying “I’m trying to pursue you” was as if it was a huge joke. Chi Jia felt irritated; it was Jing Rui who had asked her out on the cable car.
Chi Jia tilted her head back and smiled. “I wouldn’t rule out the possibility.”
“Miss Chi, you have too much self-esteem. Being interested then doesn’t mean I’m still interested now.” Jing Rui took a sip of her wine, a beautiful smile playing on her lips. “I don’t go back to exes.”
Chi Jia bit her lip. It had only been half a month… she realized she was starting to understand the vixen better. A woman’s intuition about another woman was indeed accurate.
Jing Rui had never actively pursued anyone before Chi Jia, because even without her making a move, there were plenty of people pursuing her.
Not repeating herself was also one of Jing Rui’s principles; she didn’t like wasting time on the same thing repeatedly, whether it was work or relationships.
But with Chi Jia, she had made an exception, repeatedly pursuing her. That “let’s date” was already Jing Rui’s biggest compromise.
Chi Jia couldn’t even muster a sneer this time. Jing Rui always managed to frustrate her.
“Also, me seducing you and you thinking I’m seducing you are two different things.”
Jing Rui’s words were clearly accusing her of being delusional. Chi Jia tried to appear indifferent. “That’s for the best. I was worried you would pester me.”
Chi Jia didn’t sound relieved, instead, she seemed slightly annoyed. She turned and walked away decisively, leaving to drink alone.
Jing Rui’s gaze lingered on Chi Jia’s retreating figure for a long time. She finished her drink and walked out of the bar, feeling frustrated.
In the backseat of the car, Jing Rui rubbed her temples, her mind filled with images of Chi Jia. Was it possible to be so obsessed with someone just because they had slept together twice? And it was a straight woman, the kind she least wanted to get involved with.
Jing Rui opened her eyes, looking at the bright city lights outside the window. The alcohol tonight seemed to make her feel even more suffocated.
Chi Jia sat alone in the bar, had a few drinks, then feeling listless, took a cab home.
While showering, Chi Jia thought of Jing Rui, of them kissing under the showerhead, and of them… doing that in the bathroom. Her thoughts were in disarray, almost scrubbing a layer of skin off.
Constantly thinking of these erotic images, no wonder she had been having those dreams lately.
Lying alone in her double bed, the night was eerily quiet. Chi Jia tossed and turned like she was on a griddle, not staying on one side for more than two seconds.
Interested then, not interested now… Chi Jia kept thinking about these words. Shouldn’t she be happy? Surnamed Jing wouldn’t bother her anymore, and she had distanced herself from women; wasn’t this exactly what she wanted?
Although Jing Rui kept appearing at the bar, unlike Qin Dong, she didn’t pester Chi Jia.
That night, Chi Jia had that dream again.
The dream was exactly like her encounter with Jing Rui at the bar tonight. Except that when she turned to leave, Jing Rui grabbed her hand and kissed her forcefully. And she didn’t resist, so they went to a hotel and spent the night together.
“Tonight is the last time…” she murmured, lying beneath Jing Rui, breathless.
“The last time.”
“Mmm…”
“Babe, does it feel good?”
“Moan for me…”
“What?”
Chi Jia blushed, whispering coquettishly, “Call me babe~"
“Babe, babe…”
The next day, Chi Jia woke up, staring at the ceiling, no one beside her calling her “babe.” She blushed, covering her face; it was her own dream, yet she was so shameless in it.
Getting out of bed, the first thing Chi Jia did was take a shower. Looking at herself in the mirror, she told herself firmly, dreams are the opposite of reality, it must be.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, Chi Jia continued to sing at the bar, and she almost always ran into Jing Rui. However, even if they saw each other, they rarely acknowledged each other.
Chi Jia didn’t understand what Jing Rui was thinking. Perhaps she was truly being delusional. It wasn’t Jing Rui’s bar; Miss Jing could come and go as she pleased.
Chi Jia could choose any other time to come for a drink, but she seemed to have developed a habit of coming on these two days, and incidentally… she could listen to Miss Chi sing.
October arrived, the temperature gradually dropping, the most comfortable time of the year.
The end of the year was approaching, and to secure the top spot in the company’s annual performance ranking, Chi Jia focused entirely on her work. Once she was busy, she had no time for other thoughts.
During her lunch break, Chi Jia hugged a pillow, taking a nap at her desk; she had worked late again last night. Barely five minutes into her nap, she was woken up by a phone call…
“Who is it…” Chi Jia grumbled sleepily, then seeing the caller ID “Vixen,” she instantly woke up.
“Are you free tomorrow?” Jing Rui didn’t waste time on pleasantries; it was about work.
What was bound to come would eventually come.
“Yes, I’ll come over after work tomorrow.” Chi Jia had worked late last night on Jing Rui’s project; the deadline was approaching.
Early autumn, the sky darkened before 6 PM.
Chi Jia squeezed out of the subway station, realizing she hadn’t been to Number Nine for quite some time. Before those “incidents” with Jing Rui, she had enjoyed coming here, because Jing Rui’s cooking was truly delicious.
Later, she felt awkward coming here because of what happened between them.
Jing Rui usually arranged their meetings in the large office above Number Nine. Apart from the company, Jing Rui spent most of her time here.
A knock came at the door. Jing Rui, leaning against the sofa and reviewing documents, said “Come in,” then looked up and saw her assistant leading Chi Jia in. Miss Chi was dressed in her usual casual yet professional attire, youthful and vibrant, her beautiful face incredibly eye-catching.
As a designer, Chi Jia’s ability to secure projects was impeccable, and her appearance was definitely a plus. Everyone preferred working with a beautiful, friendly, and approachable designer.
As soon as Chi Jia’s gaze fell on Jing Rui, she felt a pang of awkwardness. Was it necessary to dress so… provocatively in the office? A low-cut V-neck dress, as if afraid people wouldn’t notice her ample bosom.
Every time she saw Jing Rui’s cleavage, Chi Jia felt increasingly self-conscious about her own “flatness.” She hadn’t considered herself completely flat-chested before, she could at least manage a slight cleavage, but after comparing herself with Jing Rui in the bathroom that night…
Let’s just say, comparison was the thief of joy.
Chi Jia realized she was getting off track.
“Have a seat.” Jing Rui gestured with her chin, casually addressing Chi Jia, then dismissed her assistant.
Chi Jia put down her laptop bag, sat down on the sofa, took out her laptop, and turned it on. But she kept some distance from Jing Rui; after their first time, she subconsciously avoided getting too close.
Jing Rui remained leaning against the back of the sofa, her legs crossed, exuding an air of elegance. She turned to Chi Jia lazily and sighed. “Why are you sitting so far away? I can’t see.”
Her tone and voice made Chi Jia’s heart skip a beat. But Jing Rui was genuinely tired, having been busy with company matters recently.
Chi Jia realized she was sitting too far away, making it seem deliberate. She picked up her laptop and documents, moving closer to Jing Rui. Jing Rui also shifted, and they naturally brushed against each other.
Chi Jia started to agree with Jing Rui’s previous statement; Jing Rui seducing her and her thinking Jing Rui was seducing her were two different things. It was just a normal interaction, yet when they accidentally touched and their eyes met, Chi Jia felt an undeniable sense of intimacy.
Jing Rui’s aura had always been like this, and Chi Jia tried to remain calm.
"Can we start now?" Jing Rui noticed Chi Jia's distraction.
"Oh… Take a look first." Chi Jia handed the documents to Jing Rui and stared at her laptop screen in silence.
Jing Rui’s fragrance was intoxicating. She seemed particularly fond of this perfume, because both times they slept together, she had worn it.
The scent wasn’t strong, but subtle and alluring.
"This part…" Jing Rui’s voice was soft and slightly tired.
Chi Jia stared at her laptop screen, completely lost in thought.
"Are you even listening to me?" Jing Rui turned to Chi Jia.
"I am..." Chi Jia snapped back to reality, her voice betraying her guilt. Turning her head, she met Jing Rui’s gaze. Jing Rui occasionally wore glasses when working. Glasses usually made people look intellectual and elegant, but on the vixen, they just made her look even more… like a vixen.
"I don’t like this layout… and the design here is too weak…" The laptop was closer to Chi Jia, and as Jing Rui pointed at the screen, she naturally leaned closer to Chi Jia. "All of this needs to be changed."
This made Chi Jia even more distracted and uncomfortable. She shifted slightly, putting some distance between them.
Jing Rui noticed the subtle movement. She looked down at Chi Jia's face, a faint blush creeping onto her fair skin.
In front of Jing Rui, Chi Jia was like a naive little girl. Jing Rui, on the other hand, was an expert at reading people. Even if Chi Jia thought she was hiding her emotions perfectly, Jing Rui could see through her with a single glance.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Jing Rui asked knowingly, seeing Chi Jia's unnatural reaction.
"No."
Jing Rui continued to stare at Chi Jia's face. "Your face is so red…"
"..."
After a moment of silence, Chi Jia forced a casual smile. "Just came straight from work, it's a bit warm."
Jing Rui smiled at Chi Jia. "I'll get you a glass of water."
Chi Jia didn't reply, wondering if surnamed Jing dressed like this on purpose. She hadn’t dressed so “seductively” in the office before.
Seriously, who would dress like this for work?
Hmm
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