Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Chi Jia's sudden yelp startled Chi Lishu on the other end of the phone. "What happened?"
Jing Rui, after pinching Chi Jia hard, pushed her away with a frown, picked up her phone, and started scrolling, ignoring Chi Jia.
"No… nothing." Chi Jia rubbed her thigh, glancing at Jing Rui as she spoke to her mother, knowing she had annoyed Jing Rui, who, just a moment ago, had been so gentle and affectionate, her mood changing instantly because of those three words, "ordinary friend."
Chi Jia chatted with Chi Lishu for a few more minutes, the usual catching up, asking about each other's lives, then hung up.
Jing Rui was still looking at her phone, silent and distant, a stark contrast to her earlier demeanor.
Her silence made Chi Jia nervous.
Chi Jia clutched her phone, staring at Jing Rui, waiting for her to say something, then walked over to her. "Don't be mad."
Jing Rui looked up. "Why would I be mad?"
The sweet atmosphere dissipated.
"You're really not mad?" Chi Jia didn't believe her; women were experts at reading each other's minds, and although she and Jing Rui had a significant age gap, they were both prone to jealousy and mood swings.
Jing Rui didn't answer.
Seeing this, Chi Jia, shamelessly, tried to kiss Jing Rui, but was pushed away. Chi Jia's heart sank; she had really annoyed her vixen this time.
Chi Jia, with her sharp tongue and quick temper, although usually putting on a tough act, couldn't stand being ignored by Jing Rui, her anxiety growing with Jing Rui's silence.
Moreover, Jing Rui, when she was being cold and distant, could be incredibly ruthless, a three-day "no sex" punishment was considered lenient. Just like with the moving in issue, Chi Jia had eventually given in.
"Wifey~" Chi Jia, at a loss, took Jing Rui's hand and whined softly, a tactic that always worked.
Jing Rui was truly angry. Chi Jia had said "ordinary friend" without any hesitation. She pushed Chi Jia away, putting some distance between them. "Don't call me that, we're just ordinary friends."
So it was still about this.
Chi Jia sighed. "Then what am I supposed to say? 'Girlfriend'? My mother would never accept that."
Jing Rui understood Chi Jia's concerns, but it still hurt. Remembering Chi Jia's previous insistence on never coming out, she couldn't help but ask, "Do you even plan to tell your mother about us?"
Their first serious conversation about coming out.
"Of course, I do." Chi Jia's voice was firm. She had thought about this much more than Jing Rui; in fact, she had been prepared to come out ever since she accepted her feelings for Jing Rui.
This decision required more courage than any she had made before.
"But please give me some time, I think my mother will need… more time to accept it than I do." Chi Jia was still worried. Although her mother seemed accepting of her cousin's coming out, it might be different when it came to her own child.
If it turned into a situation like her cousin's, Chi Jia couldn't bear to imagine the pain, both sides were her loved ones.
Jing Rui remembered Chi Jia's drunken confession, her tears and fears, and yet, she had still taken this step.
"Then we'll take it slow."
"Okay." Chi Jia always felt anxious whenever she thought about this issue, and only Jing Rui's words could reassure her. If it weren't for Jing Rui's comfort and support, she didn't think she could do it.
"You're already mine, we have plenty of time." Jing Rui realized she had been making a lot of promises to Chi Jia lately, something she used to disdain. "No matter what, I'll be with you."
I'll be with you. Those words reminded Chi Jia of the past, many people had said those words to her, and then… nothing. Now, hearing them from Jing Rui, she couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive, murmuring, "Stop saying such sweet things to appease me..."
Afraid that the higher the hopes, the greater the disappointment.
Chi Jia's words brought a sudden silence.
Jing Rui understood the underlying meaning; even her most sincere promises seemed to carry no weight. "So you still don't trust me."
"That's not…" Chi Jia tried to explain, but she didn't know how. Perhaps after so many failed relationships, the initial naiveté about love was gone, replaced by caution and doubt.
"Forget it," some things needed time to prove, words weren't enough. Jing Rui changed the subject. "I'll take you to watch the sunrise tomorrow."
"Watch the sunrise?"
"Didn't we miss it last time? You even blamed me for it." Jing Rui recalled their previous trip; she and Chi Jia had been through a lot since last year.
After a night of passion, they had planned to watch the sunrise, but ended up seeing the sunset instead. Chi Jia smiled. "Who else could I blame?"
"Fine, blame me, it's your birthday, I won't argue with you."
Chi Jia didn't argue back, sensing Jing Rui's low spirits. She put down her phone, leaned closer to Jing Rui, and gently caressed her cheek. "Smile for me, I feel like you're mad at me."
"Don't be silly."
Jing Rui's attitude was colder than usual. They hadn't seen each other for several days, and Chi Jia, having taken two days off, just wanted to spend some quality time with Jing Rui.
"Don't ignore me." Chi Jia, rarely acting coquettish, now clung to Jing Rui, calling her "wifey" shamelessly.
Since they got together, the once-stubborn Miss Chi had become increasingly clingy.
"Stop it." Jing Rui glanced at Chi Jia, her resistance crumbling. She held Chi Jia's chin. "Do you think I'm that petty?"
"Sometimes," Chi Jia pretended to think for a moment, "…yes."
"You said 'ordinary friend' so easily earlier," Jing Rui pinched Chi Jia's cheek, holding her accountable, "are you telling people you're single?"
"No! I only said that to hide it from my mother. Besides, with such an amazing wife, who would I be interested in anyone else?" These were Chi Jia's true feelings.
Jing Rui said slowly, "So if someone better than me comes along, you'll leave me, is that what you're saying?"
Chi Jia looked at Jing Rui seriously. "There's no 'if,' I only want you."
Jing Rui looked at Chi Jia's earnest expression. "With your sharp tongue, you must be saying that just to make me happy."
So she was still bothered by that.
Chi Jia was used to Jing Rui's passionate pursuit and seductive teasing, so Jing Rui's current indifference was driving her crazy. "I do trust you… I know I was wrong, please forgive me~"
Jing Rui, seeing the increasingly soft and coquettish Chi Jia before her, finally smiled; at least Miss Chi was improving in the "how to appease your girlfriend" department.
"A simple apology is enough?"
"Then what do you want?"
"There has to be a punishment."
"I'll let you punish me however you want in bed tonight, how about that?" Chi Jia said, winking suggestively, her tone almost pleading.
Jing Rui was amused by Chi Jia's expression. She poked Chi Jia's forehead. "Letting you get into my bed is a reward."
"You wouldn't be able to resist not letting your wife into your bed." No matter how much Jing Rui pushed her away, Chi Jia still clung to her.
Jing Rui, unable to resist Chi Jia, finally gave in, holding her close. "You're becoming more and more shameless."
"Am I?" Chi Jia leaned in and kissed Jing Rui softly on the lips, relieved that she wasn't being pushed away.
Chi Jia had a bad temper, but Jing Rui always knew how to handle her.
"Lie down with me for a while." Jing Rui leaned against Chi Jia, enjoying the warm sun, closing her eyes; it had been a while since she felt this relaxed.
"Tired from last night?" Chi Jia gently stroked Jing Rui's hair, enjoying the feeling of Jing Rui leaning against her, a silent acknowledgment of their dependence on each other.
Jing Rui hugged Chi Jia tighter, murmuring, "What do you think? You were rather… enthusiastic."
"You're one to talk…"
They chatted for a bit, then silence fell between them.
It was warm and comfortable. Chi Jia looked at the sunlight falling on her hand, then at Jing Rui's peaceful face, wishing this moment could last a little longer.
To watch the sunrise the next day, they went to Fengshan Ancient Town that evening. It was peak tourist season, the mountains covered in blooming flowers, a completely different scene from last year.
The next day, before dawn.
"Babe, time to wake up."
Chi Jia, buried under the covers, refused to get up, mumbling, "I'm exhausted…"
Jing Rui let Chi Jia sleep for another five minutes, then dragged her out of bed. Just as Chi Jia was about to start grumbling, Jing Rui kissed her. "If we don't get up now, we'll miss it again. I'll get your clothes."
"Mmm…" Chi Jia's grumbling turned into a soft whine; Jing Rui's tenderness could melt her anger instantly.
After some struggling, they finally made it.
As the sun rose, the morning mist gradually dissipated.
Standing on the mountaintop, surrounded by the fragrance of flowers and birdsong, the mountains bathed in the golden light of dawn, a breathtaking view, Chi Jia took a deep breath of fresh air, her mood as bright as the rising sun.
"So beautiful."
"Beautiful."
Chi Jia glanced at Jing Rui and realized she had been looking at her, and Chi Jia's smile widened.
Last time, they had been in a hurry, just a quick glance at the scenery, but this time, they had plenty of time, spending the entire day exploring the scenic area, taking the cable car down only after sunset.
Catching the last cable car down again.
Just like last time, the same scenery, but viewed with a completely different perspective, a world of difference.
Tired from a long day of walking, Chi Jia leaned her head against Jing Rui's shoulder, remembering last year's trip. After all the twists and turns, she still hadn't escaped the vixen's grasp.
"What are you smiling about?" Jing Rui asked, turning to look at Chi Jia.
"Just… happy."
"With such an amazing wife, you should be happy." Chi Jia and Jing Rui's daily routine consisted mostly of praising each other.
The cable car continued its descent, the only sound the whistling wind, amplifying the silence.
Chi Jia wrapped her arms around Jing Rui's neck, her voice suddenly serious. "It's because you're too good to me…"
So good that she was falling deeper and deeper in love.
Jing Rui, seeing Chi Jia's pouting lips, asked, "Not happy that I'm good to you?"
"That's why I'm afraid you're just trying to make me happy, what if… what if you leave me one day? What am I supposed to do then?" Chi Jia asked, a sudden insecurity gripping her heart, a question she had never considered before.
She had never felt this dependent and possessive of anyone before. She had never worried about what she would do if they left.
Chi Jia, realizing how silly she sounded, quickly buried her face in Jing Rui's neck, her voice muffled. "Just pretend I didn't say anything…"
Jing Rui looked out the window, lost in thought, then after a long silence, she said, "Let's get married."
Chi Jia looked up at her, stunned.
"When you're ready, we'll get married." Jing Rui looked at Chi Jia, her voice firm. "When I say 'marriage,' I'm not just trying to make you happy."
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