Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Chi Jia, her arm still around Jing Rui's neck, looked at her intently. After a long moment, she asked softly, a playful smile on her face, "Why do you suddenly want to get married after meeting me?"
The evening breeze was cool and pleasant.
Jing Rui gently stroked Chi Jia's hair, her fingers brushing against her soft, smooth cheek, her voice as soft and languid as Chi Jia's, filled with contentment and happiness. "Because this is good, I want it to stay like this, always."
Chi Jia understood that feeling.
Neither of them had ever prioritized love above all else. Their relationship, seemingly impulsive, had actually been a rational decision. Love wasn't always easy, and after seeing the reality, still choosing to be together, that kind of love was stronger, less likely to fall apart.
Marriage was just a ceremony; what truly mattered was the commitment and determination behind it.
After wandering in the world of relationships for so long, Chi Jia felt like she had finally found the right person, and even more fortunately, that person had told her "I love you."
The cable car had already reached the halfway point.
"You always say I have a bad temper, will you be able to tolerate it after we're married?" Chi Jia asked, nestled in Jing Rui's arms.
Jing Rui smiled. "Maybe it'll improve after we get married?"
Chi Jia, feigning annoyance, retorted, "Surnamed Jing, so you do think I have a bad temper!"
"What do you mean 'bad temper'…?" Jing Rui whispered, kissing Chi Jia's rosy lips softly, lingering. "I adore you."
"We'll definitely fight every day after we get married."
"You said 'hitting is affection, cursing is love.'"
Chi Jia smiled happily, her hand gently caressing Jing Rui's face, their noses touching. Lost in the moment, she murmured, "I love you."
"Mmm…" Jing Rui kissed Chi Jia again, reluctant to let go of this rare moment of sweetness. She held Chi Jia close. "Say it again."
Chi Jia, reverting to her usual bluntness, retorted, "Are you deaf?"
Jing Rui, exasperated, pinched and playfully rubbed Chi Jia's cheeks, her touch gradually softening, then leaned in and kissed her softly.
Chi Jia closed her eyes, enjoying the gentle warmth.
If happiness had a temperature, it would be Jing Rui's, a perfect warmth.
They kissed until the cable car reached the bottom, Jing Rui finally releasing Chi Jia's slightly swollen lips, enjoying the sight of Chi Jia's flushed face and racing heart.
The attendant opened the door.
"Jing Rui." Before getting out, Chi Jia suddenly called her name, her voice serious.
"What?"
"I love you." Chi Jia said, then with a playful smile, she stepped out of the cable car.
Jing Rui followed, instinctively taking Chi Jia's hand, a habit now, holding her hand whenever they were out together, her eyes subconsciously searching for Chi Jia whenever she was out of sight, even for a second.
Chi Jia turned around, and they smiled at each other, their faces radiating happiness.
Time seemed to fly by even faster now.
Seasons changed in the blink of an eye, and Chi Jia no longer had a favorite or least favorite season; there was beauty to be found in each of them.
She used to hate winter, but now, the cold was just another excuse to cuddle with Jing Rui.
In two months, it would be their second anniversary. Two years had passed so quickly.
This was their longest relationship, for both Jing Rui and Chi Jia, they had broken their own records, thanks to each other.
Arguments and disagreements were still a regular occurrence between them. Chi Jia thought it was mostly because Jing Rui was petty, easily jealous.
Just like last year, when Chi Jia was singing at the bar, and Qin Dong happened to be there, Jing Rui, seeing this, had insisted that Chi Jia stop performing at the bar altogether.
Chi Jia naturally refused; it was her only hobby, and they had argued about it all night, going to bed without even touching each other.
But their fight didn't last long.
The next day, after work, Chi Jia bought flowers, intending to appease her wife, but when she opened the door, they both presented each other with red roses, a silent apology.
From that incident onwards, Chi Jia understood that no matter how much they argued, they still cared deeply about each other, which was a good thing.
Chi Jia admitted she could also be unreasonable sometimes, Jing Rui had many admirers, and with her numerous social engagements, it was inevitable that some women would try to flirt with her.
Sometimes, when Chi Jia knew she was being unreasonable but didn't know how to apologize, she would simply kiss Jing Rui until Jing Rui gave in. And if that didn't work, she would start undressing, not Jing Rui, but herself…
Although shameless, it was effective. She didn't even have to take off everything before Jing Rui would pull her into bed, and after a passionate night together, all their little disagreements would vanish.
Being physically compatible was also an advantage in a relationship, and just as Chi Jia had expected, their sex life… was very harmonious.
Winter arrived again, bringing with it the first snowflakes of the year.
Stepping out of the office building, Chi Jia rubbed her hands together, exhaling into the cold air. Hearing a car horn, she hurried towards the car, bundled up in her thick down jacket, and got into the passenger seat.
A gust of cold air entered the car.
"Freezing."
"Here."
Chi Jia took the hot cocoa from Jing Rui, the warmth spreading through her cold hands. She glanced at Jing Rui, who, as usual, prioritized fashion over warmth. "Aren't you cold, dressed like that?"
"I'm either indoors or in the car, why would I be cold?" Jing Rui didn't start the car immediately. Seeing Chi Jia's red cheeks, she cupped Chi Jia's face in her hands, warming them. "Too lazy to drive yourself, relying on me to be your chauffeur."
"How many times have you actually picked me up?" Chi Jia muttered. "As if you do it every day."
Chi Jia had been promoted to supervisor last year, and Jing Rui had given her a sports car as a gift. But Chi Jia didn't dare to drive it to work; as a supervisor, her annual income wasn't that high, driving a million-yuan car would be more ostentatious than the general manager, she would be drowning in gossip.
Although, technically speaking, she was indeed a "kept woman." But Chi Jia still wanted her own career, especially after meeting Jing Rui's parents last year.
Although the Jing family hadn't objected to their relationship, they weren't exactly supportive either, the gap between them too wide.
On their first anniversary, Jing Rui had proposed, more romantically than Chi Jia had imagined; her vixen truly was a master of romance.
Chi Jia had been so moved that she almost said yes, but she had hesitated, saying she wanted to work hard for two more years, to become more successful before getting married. The main reason, however, was that she hadn't come out yet, and she wanted to resolve that issue before marrying Jing Rui.
Jing Rui had agreed; as long as their hearts were together, everything else could wait.
"If you don't like that car, I'll get you another one." Jing Rui, understanding Chi Jia's concerns, gently rubbed her face.
Chi Jia held Jing Rui's hand against her cheek. "Weren't you busy tonight? Why did you come to pick me up?"
"I finished early, it's no trouble."
"I meant you should go home and rest after work."
"Aren't you also working overtime?"
"Then you've been very good today. Here's your reward, wifey." Chi Jia leaned in and kissed Jing Rui sweetly.
The kiss lingered, then deepened as Chi Jia closed her eyes, lost in the moment.
Jing Rui eagerly responded.
Although they had been together for almost two years, their passion hadn't faded, still very much in love. Jing Rui was a master of romance, and Chi Jia, influenced by her, had also become quite the vixen.
As they parted, Jing Rui kissed Chi Jia again, a soft peck on the lips. "We're not even home yet, and you're already seducing me."
"One kiss and you can't control yourself?" Chi Jia teased. "Guess women in their prime truly are different."
"I'm perfectly normal." Jing Rui lifted Chi Jia's chin, her voice playful. "Unlike you, always wanting more even before your prime. Lucky for you, I'm skilled enough to satisfy you."
"You're just flattering yourself." Jing Rui's teasing made Chi Jia's heart flutter; she knew Jing Rui was doing this on purpose. "Let's just go home."
"What's the rush?"
Chi Jia replied matter-of-factly, "I'm rushing home to ravish you, satisfied?"
After their usual playful banter, Jing Rui started the car.
Back home, the apartment was filled with the little details of their shared life, mundane yet comforting.
"Who said I wanted to shower with you…" Chi Jia's earlier words came back to bite her as Jing Rui kissed her senseless in the bathroom, her clothes discarded on the floor, her voice breathless. "Mmm… insatiable… old vixen…"
"Don't call me 'old,' do you hear me?" Jing Rui playfully slapped Chi Jia's butt. Women were sensitive about their age, and Chi Jia, several years younger, was still so young.
Chi Jia undressed Jing Rui, and as they embraced, their naked bodies pressed together, she deliberately teased Jing Rui. "Old vixen, old lady, old Jing…"
"Say that again!" Jing Rui gave her another playful slap.
Chi Jia, knowing when to stop, called out sweetly, "Wifey~", then eagerly captured Jing Rui's lips with a kiss, their bodies intertwined, the kiss deepening with desire.
"Mmm…" Jing Rui turned on the shower, the hot water cascading down their bodies, their kiss deepening, their skin burning hot.
They knew exactly how to pleasure each other.
Besides the bed, the bathroom was Chi Jia's favorite place, especially when they first moved in together, rarely showering alone.
Lying in the bathtub with Jing Rui in her arms, Chi Jia finally understood why she had designed such a large bathtub.
After their playful foreplay in the bathroom, they moved to the bed, Chi Jia's soft moans filling the room as she responded to Jing Rui's touch.
After almost two years, their passion hadn't faded.
Exhausted, they lay in each other's arms.
Chi Jia's arm, draped over Jing Rui's waist, her hand gently caressing Jing Rui's skin, after a moment of quiet intimacy, she said, her voice slightly hoarse, "I think it's time."
"Hmm?"
"To tell my mother about us." Chi Jia had tried to subtly bring up the topic with Chi Lishu before, but she still couldn't gauge her mother's reaction.
"Are you ready?"
"I have to tell her eventually." Chi Jia wanted to get this weight off her chest. It wasn't because Jing Rui was pressuring her, she just didn't want to hide anymore. "I'll tell her when I go home for the New Year."
"I'll go with you."
"No." Chi Jia immediately refused; she didn't want Jing Rui to be subjected to her mother's disapproval, or for Jing Rui to see her being reprimanded by her mother. Besides, bringing her girlfriend home so suddenly would only shock her mother even more.
Jing Rui's tone was firm. "I have to be there with you."
"Don't worry, my mother isn't that unreasonable." Chi Jia tried to sound confident, but honestly, she wasn't sure.
Chi Jia went home two days before New Year's Eve, despite Jing Rui's insistence on accompanying her.
"You're back."
"Yes."
"Go rest for a bit, dinner will be ready soon."
The same old routine, but this time, Chi Jia's smile was tinged with anxiety. She had thought she was prepared, but facing Chi Lishu, she still felt nervous and apprehensive.
Chi Jia went to the kitchen. "Mom, I'll help you."
Chi Lishu, seeing Chi Jia skillfully chopping vegetables, couldn't help but comment, "Wow, you know how to cook now?"
"I know the basics, I'll let you try my cooking later." Having often helped Jing Rui in the kitchen, she had naturally picked up a few things.
Chi Lishu's face lit up with a smile. "What a surprise!"
At the dinner table, Chi Jia picked at her food, her mind elsewhere, starting to speak a couple of times, then changing the subject.
"You look healthier this year." Chi Lishu said, putting some food on Chi Jia's plate.
Where Chi Jia came from, "healthier" often meant "gained weight."
"I did gain a little weight." Chi Jia thought, thanks to Jing Rui's cooking.
"You look just right now, you were too thin before."
"Mom." Chi Jia tried again.
Chi Lishu looked up, silence falling over the dinner table.
Chi Jia, after a moment of hesitation, said, "The ribs are delicious."
"Then have some more."
They continued eating.
"Jiajia, if you meet someone suitable, you should start dating." Chi Lishu brought up the familiar topic. Chi Jia was twenty-five now, her career progressing well, it was time to think about relationships.
Seizing the opportunity, Chi Jia replied, "Mom… I've met someone."
Her heart pounded in her chest.
"Really? When did this happen?" Chi Lishu was so surprised that she stopped eating.
"Actually, we've been together for almost two years."
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
Chi Jia rarely discussed her relationships with her mother. She hadn't even told her about all her previous breakups, let alone her current girlfriend.
"How did you meet? What does he do? How old is he?" Chi Lishu bombarded her with questions.
"They own their own company. They were my client before, and we gradually became closer… They're thirty." Chi Jia answered each question carefully, not mentioning the specifics of Jing Rui's company, afraid of shocking her mother, and even rounding down Jing Rui's age; she was actually thirty-two.
"Sounds like a good catch. Five years older isn't a big deal, older men tend to be more caring."
Chi Jia smiled wryly. Her mother clearly assumed it was a man.
"Yes, they're very good to me, and they're an amazing cook." Chi Jia continued, still feeling anxious.
"A good cook? That's wonderful!" Chi Lishu was delighted. She had always had a soft spot for people who could cook, always telling Chi Jia, who was clumsy in the kitchen, to find someone who could cook.
"Do you have a picture?"
"Huh?"
"Let me see."
Chi Jia's heart pounded even faster; she was afraid her mother wouldn't be smiling after seeing the picture…
Comments
Post a Comment