Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Gazing into each other’s eyes, less than ten centimeters apart, just as Ning Qian’s heart was pounding, Wen Jin, her eyes half-closed, closed the distance between them and kissed Ning Qian’s lips.
Their lips touched, Wen Jin kissing her.
Ning Qian’s eyes widened. This was the first time she had felt Wen Jin’s breath so close. Wen Jin had always been like a moon in the sky, admired from afar, but unreachable.
Ning Qian had always been so cautious around Wen Jin, so cautious that even when Wen Jin kissed her, she didn’t dare to respond, her mind racing with doubts. What if Wen Jin was just drunk? What if she mistook her for someone else? What if she was just joking?
Or was she dreaming?
Wen Jin pulled away; it was just a light, fleeting kiss, yet it changed everything between them.
Ning Qian’s heart was racing as if she had just run a marathon. Still on top of Wen Jin, she looked at her intently. “You’re drunk.”
“Ning Qian…”
As Wen Jin softly called her name, her voice incredibly gentle, Ning Qian couldn’t resist any longer. She leaned down and kissed Wen Jin. What if, Wen Jin also liked her?
Even if Wen Jin pushed her away, she could always blame it on the alcohol. Ning Qian gently brushed her lips against Wen Jin’s, prepared for the worst. But to her surprise, after their lips met again, Wen Jin only hesitated for a moment before wrapping her arms around Ning Qian, returning the kiss passionately.
Wen Jin didn’t reject her, she was responding.
Ning Qian’s mind went blank, her hands moving from the sheets to Wen Jin’s waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss.
So Wen Jin also liked her.
Come to think of it, Wen Jin had seemed to be getting closer to her ever since she returned. She had just been too timid to consider the possibility. Ning Qian continued kissing Wen Jin, regretting not being brave enough to confess earlier, wasting so much time.
Just as she had imagined countless times, Wen Jin’s touch was gentle as she cupped Ning Qian’s face during the kiss, a tenderness mixed with an uncontainable desire. Wen Jin’s passion made it clear to Ning Qian that tonight wouldn’t end with just a kiss.
As the night deepened, their passion intensified.
“Can I…?”
“Mmm…”
Their clothes lay scattered on the floor. On the bed, their bodies intertwined, a night of passion.
The next morning, Ning Qian woke up with a smile, and the first thing she saw was the face of the woman she loved, a sight sweeter than any dream.
Ning Qian smiled, leaning closer to Wen Jin, her gaze lingering on her face, unable to get enough. She gently kissed her, a kiss that deepened and lingered. This beautiful scene, something she had only dreamt of, had finally come true.
Wen Jin opened her eyes and saw Ning Qian smiling at her, kissing the corner of her lips, clinging to her like a child. Looking at Ning Qian’s sweet, contented smile, Wen Jin’s heart sank. How was she going to explain last night to Ning Qian…
“I love you.” These were Ning Qian’s first words to Wen Jin, sweet and tender. She had said it countless times last night in bed, but she wanted to say it again while Wen Jin was sober, she could say it every day. Holding Wen Jin close, she continued, “You know, I’ve liked you since my sophomore year. Back then, I wished you also liked me…”
Before she could finish.
“Qianqian,” Wen Jin pushed Ning Qian away slightly, her brow furrowed, as if she had a thousand words to say, but couldn’t utter them.
Sensing something was wrong, Ning Qian asked nervously, “Huh?”
“I’m sorry.” Wen Jin’s first words were an apology.
“What’s wrong…” Ning Qian’s heart sank, like a rollercoaster plummeting downwards. But she firmly believed Wen Jin felt something for her, otherwise, how could they have… last night?
Wen Jin didn’t know where to begin. She regretted last night, especially when Ning Qian held her, repeatedly whispering “I love you,” recounting her years of unrequited love. Wen Jin felt a pang of guilt; she hadn’t known Ning Qian felt so strongly for her.
She had thought it was just a drunken impulse.
But it was too late for regrets now; what shouldn’t have happened between them had already happened.
“I understand, you might… not be able to accept being with a woman right away. We can take it slow, I can wait, I can wait…” Ning Qian’s voice was pleading and desperate, her desperation stemming from how much she cared. “I wasn’t drunk last night, I truly like you. Give me a chance, okay? Trust me, I’ll love you well, I’ll only be good to you for the rest of my life…”
Her words were almost incoherent.
The more Ning Qian spoke, the more ashamed Wen Jin felt. Ning Qian’s eyes were red, yet she was still trying to smile. Seeing her like this, Wen Jin felt a lump in her throat, but all she could say was, “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want to hear that…” Ning Qian’s heart sank, and what Wen Jin said next almost broke her.
“I’m married.”
Silence filled the room.
“You’re married? You don’t have to lie to…” Ning Qian couldn’t finish her sentence; Wen Jin would never joke about something like this.
“I got married last year.”
“You’re married, then what was last night…?” Ning Qian’s voice trembled. She looked at the woman she had longed for, for years, and if this was what despair felt like, then she was experiencing it now, everything feeling meaningless. “Wen Jin, I didn’t expect you to be this kind of person!”
Ning Qian wanted to call her disgusting, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
Perhaps, starting today, she could finally let go of Wen Jin.
Ning Qian left.
Wen Jin sat on the bed, her knees drawn to her chest, her mind in turmoil.
That afternoon, Chi Jia sat at her desk, staring blankly at the box of chocolate bars.
“Have one after sex…” Jing Rui’s voice and expression as she said those words echoed in Chi Jia’s mind, and she realized she was “reminiscing” about pointless things again.
After their last unpleasant encounter, Jing Rui hadn’t contacted her, and Chi Jia wouldn’t contact her first, not in a million years. She figured it was just as well, cutting ties with Miss Jing completely, going back to her routine, mundane life. Although it was boring, at least it was less complicated.
Jing Rui’s appearance was just a small interlude in her life.
Although Chi Jia kept telling herself this, she hadn’t truly let go. If she had, why would she subconsciously look for Jing Rui every time she went to the bar to sing?
“Chi Jia, what are you daydreaming about? The meeting’s starting!”
Chi Jia looked up and realized the design department was empty, only she remained, lost in thought. She hurriedly grabbed her laptop and rushed to the meeting room. During the monthly summary meeting, Chi Jia was reprimanded by the manager; the design department had received three complaint letters this month, two of which were about her.
She hadn’t been herself lately, and Chi Jia knew why. But forgetting certain things and certain people was just a matter of time, she hoped that time would pass quickly.
After work, feeling down, she went for a drink.
Chi Jia was going to N Bar more and more frequently, her visits usually inversely proportional to her mood. When she was in a good mood, she would have a few drinks to celebrate; when she was in a bad mood, she would drink one glass after another.
It wasn’t the weekend, so the bar wasn’t crowded. Jing Rui was sitting at her usual spot. It had been a while since she last came here, finding some time to relax today.
“Do you often come here?” A beautiful woman asked, resting her chin on her hand, looking at Jing Rui.
“Yes.” Jing Rui replied casually. She never lacked company when she didn’t want to drink alone.
“I thought you would go to a lesbian bar, wouldn’t that be more suitable?”
“There’s a girl here who sings quite well.” Stepping into the bar, Jing Rui thought of Chi Jia. She figured she should find a different place to relax, a change of scenery.
Her entanglement with Chi Jia should end here.
When it came to relationships, Jing Rui never wanted to invest too much effort. She had never considered relationships to be that important; they were just a form of entertainment, a dispensable part of her life. There were examples all around her, like Ning Qian, who took love so seriously, how tiring it must be.
Just then, it was Chi Jia’s turn to take the stage. Jing Rui said to the woman beside her, “That’s her.”
“You came here specifically to listen to her sing? Do you like her?”
Jing Rui sipped her wine. “Did I say that?”
The woman said jokingly, “Can I say I’m a little jealous now?”
Jing Rui looked at the woman, but her mind was on the stubborn Miss Chi, who, even if she felt jealous, would never admit it. The woman beside her was from the same circles; she was more mature, more communicative, and more experienced than Chi Jia, they could easily be together. But Jing Rui wasn’t interested.
“Are you feeling down? You can talk to me.” The woman tried to get closer to Jing Rui. A beautiful and wealthy woman like Miss Jing was a rare find; she had to seize this opportunity.
“Are you interested in me?” Jing Rui turned to the woman and asked with a smile. She was always direct; the quickest she had ever gotten together with someone was within ten minutes. Miss Jing’s efficiency wasn’t limited to work, it extended to her relationships as well. As far as she could remember, when she asked this question, no one except Chi Jia had ever given her a negative answer.
“I fell in love with you at first sight, do you believe me? I can’t believe it myself, I’ve never fallen for anyone at first sight before.”
Jing Rui smiled at the woman’s passionate declaration; too many people had said “love at first sight” to her. She couldn’t help but turn her gaze to Chi Jia, who was singing on stage. She had inspired so many “love at first sight” moments, why was this particular person so blind and stubborn?
Chi Jia habitually glanced at the audience, her eyes meeting Jing Rui’s…
Casada?!!?
ReplyDeleteCaramba essa dai é realmente uma nojenta infiel🧐