Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Chi Jia didn’t expect to hear those words from Jing Rui, making her feel like her mind was filled with nothing but dirty thoughts. Jing Rui’s words made her wonder, could she… be genuinely interested in her?
They looked at each other, both harboring secret thoughts.
“Get up.” Jing Rui pulled Chi Jia’s arm, helping her up.
“Are you being unreasonable?”
“I’m tired, don’t make me repeat myself.” In Jing Rui’s eyes, the stubborn Miss Chi was the unreasonable one. Although she had tricked Chi Jia, she had indeed had a low-grade fever that morning and still wasn’t feeling well.
“I didn’t ask you to take care of me…” Hearing Jing Rui say she was tired, Chi Jia subconsciously softened her tone, muttering under her breath. Having been fed ginger tea and having Jing Rui make porridge for her so late at night, she felt a little guilty.
Dealing with Chi Jia’s mood swings was giving Jing Rui a headache. Her voice was laced with fatigue. “Can we stop this back and forth?”
Chi Jia hesitated for a moment, then asked, “…Wear your nightgown?”
Finally giving in, Jing Rui nodded. “I’ll get it for you.”
Chi Jia didn’t say she was leaving tonight, because she wanted to stay, she wanted Jing Rui to continue caring for and comforting her. Chi Jia laughed at herself; was she that desperate for affection, unable to handle such a small matter on her own? But she liked Jing Rui’s attentiveness.
What she wanted and what she thought she shouldn’t want were two different things. Chi Jia always felt this conflict when it came to Jing Rui.
Late at night, after showering, Chi Jia lay in bed, wearing Jing Rui’s nightgown. Sharing a room, sharing a bed, kissing, having sex with Jing Rui, it was all gradually becoming normal.
She had vowed not to get entangled, and yet, here they were.
The other side of the bed dipped slightly as Jing Rui pulled back the covers and lay down next to Chi Jia. “Still in pain?”
“It’s better now.” Chi Jia said, her back facing Jing Rui.
It was rare for them to have such a peaceful, ordinary conversation. Jing Rui pressed against Chi Jia’s back, wrapping her arms around her, her hand moving to Chi Jia’s abdomen. “Let me rub it for you.”
Chi Jia felt enveloped by Jing Rui’s warmth and fragrance.
“Feeling better?” Jing Rui asked, her breath warm against Chi Jia’s ear as she massaged her abdomen.
Chi Jia closed her eyes, not replying. Her heart was racing, just like when she was a student, being confessed to by her crush.
Jing Rui held Chi Jia even closer, a smile playing on her lips, their bodies warming each other.
Their usual dynamic had shifted tonight; no sex, but still intimate and affectionate.
Chi Jia realized that cuddling felt more intimate than sex, as if they had crossed a line. They were no longer just casual sex partners, but something more. They were both emotionally involved now. There was no need for Jing Rui to be so caring, she could have waited until her period was over to meet; and Chi Jia was also starting to acknowledge her feelings for Jing Rui, because compared to the physical pleasure, she was more drawn to the emotional comfort of their embrace.
Suddenly, Chi Jia’s mind raced, filled with unease.
“Jing Rui…” Chi Jia started to speak, so many things she wanted to say, yet she didn’t know where to begin.
“Still hurting?” Jing Rui turned Chi Jia around, her fingers brushing Chi Jia’s hair away from her face, her gaze lingering on Chi Jia’s features. “Maybe a distraction will help.”
“Hmm?”
Jing Rui gently pushed Chi Jia down onto the pillow and leaned in, kissing her softly.
Chi Jia’s eyes were still open as Jing Rui’s lips met hers, one hand gently rubbing her abdomen. She could feel the intensity in Jing Rui’s kiss, and for the first time, she felt distracted during their kiss.
“Feeling better now?” Jing Rui asked, releasing Chi Jia’s lips.
Chi Jia stared at Jing Rui’s face for a long time before asking, “Don’t tell me you’re being serious about this?”
Jing Rui also looked at Chi Jia for a long moment, her hand gently caressing Chi Jia’s smooth cheek, finally admitting, “If I said yes, would you be my girlfriend?”
Chi Jia didn’t reply.
Having been through so many failed relationships, Chi Jia had vowed to be more careful next time, but unexpectedly, she had fallen for Jing Rui, a woman, which was even more difficult for her to accept.
Chi Jia’s silence made Jing Rui’s smile fade. It seemed they weren’t meant to have this conversation; it was too realistic. Their current ambiguous state was just fine.
Jing Rui cupped Chi Jia’s face in her hands and kissed her again, this time more forcefully.
Chi Jia was breathless from the kiss. She pushed Jing Rui away. “Don’t… I’m sleepy.”
The intimate atmosphere instantly cooled.
Chi Jia turned her back to Jing Rui. This time, Jing Rui didn’t pull her into an embrace.
Jing Rui lay on her back, feeling exhausted. See, this was the consequence of getting involved with a straight woman. Life was already tiring enough, now she had added more emotional baggage.
The next day, Jing Rui still drove Chi Jia to work.
It had snowed heavily last night, covering the world in a blanket of white.
The car stopped in front of the office building. It was still early, 8:30 AM.
Chi Jia hadn’t slept well last night, her mind racing, so she woke up early. She quietly got out of bed, not wanting to wake Jing Rui, but when she finished washing up and getting dressed, Jing Rui was already waiting for her in the living room.
Chi Jia sat in the passenger seat, hesitating to get out of the car.
“I won’t come out.” After a moment of silence, Chi Jia suddenly turned to Jing Rui, her words seemingly out of nowhere.
It sounded heartless, sleeping with a woman, being intimate and entangled, yet refusing to come out. It almost sounded like “I’m just playing with you…”
But wasn’t that the nature of their relationship? It was just a fling, which was why Chi Jia felt comfortable indulging with Jing Rui. But could she still be so carefree when feelings were involved?
Chi Jia’s emphasis on “not coming out” stemmed from her own guilt, her guilt over genuinely liking the vixen.
Her resistance to coming out stemmed from the trauma of her cousin’s coming out. It had caused chaos in their family, her parents threatening suicide, ultimately leading to them disowning her cousin. Her own parents had divorced early, and she had been raised by her mother alone. She knew how difficult it had been for her mother, and she didn’t want to put her through the same thing.
How much did you have to love someone to be willing to pay such a high price?
So, no matter how entangled she was with Jing Rui, Chi Jia constantly reminded herself that it was just a fling, not serious.
Chi Jia admitted she was deceiving herself, using this excuse while slowly developing feelings for Jing Rui. Otherwise, upon hearing that Jing Rui was sick, she wouldn’t have rushed over with medicine on a cold, snowy night, neglecting her work. What kind of relationship did they even have?
And Jing Rui’s attentiveness last night had made Chi Jia feel like they were actually in a relationship. That was why she asked Jing Rui if she was “serious,” because she couldn’t accept a serious relationship from someone she was just casually sleeping with.
Hearing Chi Jia’s sudden declaration of “not coming out,” Jing Rui turned to her, her expression neutral. “So?”
Chi Jia forced a casual smile. “So don’t get serious about this, I won’t take responsibility.”
Outside the car window, the snow started falling again, heavier this time.
“Aren’t you overthinking this? We’re talking about dating, not marriage.” Jing Rui smiled nonchalantly at Chi Jia, emphasizing, “I’m always considerate to women I’ve slept with.”
Jing Rui’s indifferent attitude made Chi Jia think she should be happy; this way, there wouldn’t be any hurt feelings. But for Miss Jing, a seasoned player, to be serious about her? It was more likely that she, Chi Jia, was the one taking it seriously.
Even so, hearing Jing Rui’s last sentence, about being considerate to all the women she had slept with… Chi Jia felt a pang of jealousy, the warmth and affection from last night dissipating.
But whether Jing Rui was being sincere or not, playing around or serious, it didn’t matter to her.
It was a dead end anyway.
Chi Jia forced a smile at Jing Rui, replying in an equally nonchalant tone, “That’s good. I was worried you might actually fall for me.”
As Chi Jia was about to get out of the car, Jing Rui called out to her, “Chi Jia, are you afraid I’ll fall for you, or are you afraid you’ll fall for me?”
The pointed question hit Chi Jia where it hurt. Borrowing Jing Rui’s earlier words, she retorted with a dismissive smile, “Aren’t you also overthinking this?”
Jing Rui was speechless.
The car door opened, letting in a gust of cold wind, then slammed shut.
Jing Rui closed her eyes, leaning back against the seat, and sighed. Chi Jia’s meaning was clear: “It’s just a fling, don’t take it seriously,” which accurately described their situation…
But Jing Rui felt a pang of sadness. Chi Jia was right; she had started to take it seriously. She could sense Chi Jia was also getting serious. Last night, when Chi Jia braved the snow to come and take care of her, seeing her cold, pale face, Jing Rui had felt a surge of guilt and heartache. That was why she had indulged Chi Jia’s bad temper all night, trying her best to comfort her.
Jing Rui had even thought that Chi Jia would agree when she suggested they date, but…
They were attracted to each other, yet both pretending to be indifferent.
Liking someone didn’t mean choosing to be with them. Jing Rui understood Chi Jia’s concerns. Chi Jia’s face flashed through her mind. She kept saying she wouldn’t pursue straight women, yet here she was, entangled with a stubborn, headstrong girl.
“Why are you drinking so much?” Ning Qian saw Jing Rui drinking alone with a gloomy expression, looking like she had just been dumped. But Ning Qian quickly dismissed the thought; it was always Miss Jing doing the dumping.
Jing Rui looked up, sighing. “Someone broke my heart.”
Ning Qian chuckled. “You, a ‘love scammer’? Who could break your heart?”
“Just kidding.” Jing Rui poured Ning Qian a drink. “Let’s drink.”
“Instead of looking for your little designer, you’re here drinking with me?” Ning Qian had run into Jing Rui flirting with Chi Jia several times, and she had also seen them kissing passionately at the bar that night. How could she not suspect something was going on between them?
“She’s straight.”
“Straight? And kissing you like that? Honestly, I couldn’t bear to watch.” Ning Qian teased, “Even if she’s straight, as long as you’re proactive enough, you can bend any woman to your will.”
“And she’s stubborn… let’s not talk about her, let’s drink.”
Ning Qian was skeptical. “I still think you like her.”
Jing Rui didn’t reply. She thought she shouldn’t have gotten involved with Chi Jia in the first place, causing herself unnecessary trouble.
Before they had finished their second drink, Ning Qian took out her ringing phone, a silly grin spreading across her face as she looked at the screen. Jing Rui knew it was her long-time crush.
“My sweetie is calling, I’ll be right back.”
Five minutes later, Ning Qian returned, beaming. “She asked me to join her for drinks.”
“Seems like things are progressing well between you two.”
“I think so too.” Ning Qian couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m afraid I have to abandon you tonight?”
“Go ahead, chasing your wife is more important.” Jing Rui knew that Ning Qian had had a crush on Wen Jin since university. After all these years, she was still pursuing her; Jing Rui admired her persistence.
After touching up her makeup, Ning Qian hurried off.
When Ning Qian arrived, Wen Jin was also drinking. What was going on lately? Everyone around her seemed to be drowning their sorrows in alcohol.
“Sorry for asking you out last minute again.”
“I’m happy to be invited, I don’t have many friends here anyway.” Ning Qian said, noticing the drunken haze in Wen Jin’s eyes. She took Wen Jin’s glass. “Let’s just chat, no more drinking. It’s bad for your health.”
“With such a good personality, how could you not have friends?” Wen Jin, her head slightly spinning, looked at Ning Qian intently, studying her features.
Ning Qian’s heart pounded in her chest, she didn’t dare to meet Wen Jin’s gaze for too long, her mind racing. If such a perfect woman could be her girlfriend, she would probably wake up smiling every morning.
Wen Jin continued, “Many women must be pursuing you, right?”
Ning Qian’s heart skipped a beat; she rarely discussed her sexual orientation with Wen Jin. Hearing Wen Jin’s question, she quickly explained, “No! No one’s pursuing me! I’ve always been single!”
Wen Jin smiled. “You’re still as straightforward as ever, you haven’t changed a bit.”
Ning Qian looked at Wen Jin, wanting to say, I still like you as much as before, I haven’t changed a bit either.
“Have another drink with me, just one.”
Despite her words, Wen Jin was already quite drunk.
Ning Qian could never refuse Wen Jin’s requests, not then, not now, always staying by Wen Jin’s side as a friend, wondering when their relationship would progress.
“We’re here. Don’t drink so much next time.” Late at night, Ning Qian took Wen Jin home; this wasn’t the first time.
“Qianqian, stay with me a little longer.”
Ning Qian had just helped Wen Jin onto the bed when Wen Jin suddenly pulled her down, and she landed on top of Wen Jin. Looking down at the woman beneath her, Ning Qian’s heart almost leaped out of her chest.
Lying face to face on the bed, Wen Jin’s breath warm against Ning Qian’s cheek, Ning Qian’s heart was racing even faster than Wen Jin’s. She wanted to kiss her so badly…
Ning Qian clutched the sheets, incredibly nervous, unwilling to move away from Wen Jin, yet afraid to kiss her. If she did, they might not even be friends tomorrow.
Ning Qian was always timid in front of Wen Jin.
But the next moment.
Ning Qian never imagined that Wen Jin would take the initiative and kiss her, on the lips…
Congratulations Nian Qian 😭
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