Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 89
Extra: Ning Qian and Wen Jin (7)
She said she likes you. The words echoed in Ning Qian's mind.
Being loved by the person you loved, it felt… surreal.
Ning Qian watched Wen Jin walk towards the bedroom, remembering how she had fallen for her at first sight, a love that had lasted for years. If Wen Jin truly liked her, how could she ever leave?
So, had this day finally arrived? The day Wen Jin also liked her. If it wasn't love, why would Wen Jin still be so persistent after a year? This persistence, Ning Qian no longer believed, stemmed solely from guilt and gratitude.
Lost in thought, Ning Qian followed Wen Jin to the bedroom.
Wen Jin was making the bed. Ning Qian leaned against the doorframe, watching her. Could she finally look at her openly, no longer hiding her feelings?
Hiding her love, pretending to be indifferent, it had been exhausting.
But now, Ning Qian felt… a sense of relief.
"The sheets and blankets are clean, do you want to take a shower now?" Wen Jin asked, looking up at Ning Qian, her voice tentative, afraid of being rejected again.
Ning Qian nodded.
Wen Jin's face lit up. "You didn't bring any clothes, did you? I'll get you some…"
Ning Qian had left the taxi in a hurry, only grabbing her handbag, her luggage already on its way back to S City with her assistant.
Wen Jin went to the closet to look for pajamas, Ning Qian quietly watching her. Tonight, Ning Qian kept getting distracted, her gaze lingering on Wen Jin, this unexpected happiness overwhelming.
"Will this do?"
"Yes." Ning Qian agreed readily, whatever Wen Jin said, she would agree, completely captivated by Wen Jin's gentleness, her beauty flawless.
Wen Jin handed Ning Qian the nightgown, then hesitated, her hand still touching Ning Qian's. She looked into Ning Qian's eyes and took a step closer, her arm tentatively wrapping around Ning Qian's waist, a gentle touch, afraid of startling her.
Ning Qian didn't move away, letting Wen Jin hold her, the warmth of the embrace almost making her forget how to breathe. She had waited so long for this moment.
Ning Qian didn't resist, and Wen Jin leaned closer, her eyes closing as her heart pounded, her arms tightening around Ning Qian. She wasn't good with words, but this embrace held all her unspoken feelings.
Wen Jin gently stroked Ning Qian's hair, her embrace deepening, thinking of Ning Qian's unwavering love and silent companionship, her forgiveness and patience, Wen Jin's heart ached. She wanted to make up for all the pain Ning Qian had endured, but was Ning Qian willing to give her a chance?
Enjoying the comforting embrace, the familiar scent, Ning Qian leaned her head against Wen Jin's shoulder, finally reciprocating the embrace, a contented smile playing on her lips.
Their silent embrace spoke volumes.
Wen Jin was indeed often quiet and reserved, like now, holding her without saying a word, and Ning Qian longed to hear those sweet nothings, those three little words. Although she was now certain of Wen Jin's feelings, she still wanted to hear them spoken aloud.
But all Wen Jin said was, "Go take a shower, don't catch a cold."
Ning Qian sighed, exasperated yet happy.
Two rooms, two beds tonight. But they were both destined for a sleepless night, their minds filled with each other.
Wen Jin turned on her side, looking at the empty pillow beside her, remembering that morning, when Ning Qian's smile had been so bright, so carefree, and yet, it was also that morning that she had crushed Ning Qian's heart. She had hurt Ning Qian so deeply, yet Ning Qian, despite the pain, had still waited for her. Wen Jin knew her love for Ning Qian would never compare to Ning Qian's love for her, but she wanted to try, to make Ning Qian happy, with everything she had.
Ning Qian's heart had been broken, but even in the depths of despair, she couldn't escape Wen Jin.
It wasn't until late at night that Ning Qian finally drifted off to sleep, more soundly than in her own hotel room, the faint fragrance on the blanket reminding her of Wen Jin. She had a beautiful dream, a dream of Wen Jin holding her close, their bodies intertwined, sleeping peacefully together.
Such a dream, once a distant fantasy, now within reach.
"Director Ning, have you arrived in S City yet?"
"Director Ning, when are you coming back?"
"Director Ning, we're waiting for you to start the meeting."
"Director Ning…"
"Yes, yes, I know, I'll be back at the company as soon as possible, book me a flight for this morning, that's all…" Ning Qian mumbled sleepily into the phone, the incessant ringing having pulled her from a deep slumber. She would have slept in if it weren't for the calls.
When Ning Qian came out of the bedroom, Wen Jin was already up, making breakfast in the kitchen.
It was a beautiful sunny morning.
Ning Qian walked towards the kitchen, her footsteps light. Wen Jin, her hair casually tied up, wearing a nightgown and a cardigan, a relaxed, domestic look, her long, fair legs visible from behind, didn't notice her approach.
For a moment, Ning Qian wanted to hug Wen Jin from behind, a sweet, romantic impulse, and she knew Wen Jin wouldn't refuse.
But Ning Qian had always been cautious around Wen Jin, even a small gesture of intimacy requiring a great deal of courage…
"Morning~" Wen Jin, having just finished frying some eggs, turned around with a smile. "I was just about to call you after breakfast."
Seeing Wen Jin, Ning Qian's courage faltered, and she quickly dismissed the thought, simply replying, "Morning."
"Go wash up, breakfast will be ready soon. I've washed and dried your clothes, they're on the rack."
"Thank you."
"You need to stop thanking me for everything."
Ning Qian smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll try."
Just a few simple words with her in the morning were enough to make Ning Qian's heart soar, and she smiled as she brushed her teeth, a giddy happiness.
"The weather is nice today, where do you want to go?"
"I have to go back to S City this morning."
"Leaving this morning?" Wen Jin's voice held a hint of disappointment. "I thought you would stay for a few more days."
Ning Qian smiled. "I was supposed to leave last night, so they're expecting me back at the office…"
"I'm sorry," Wen Jin said, realizing she had forgotten to ask about Ning Qian's schedule. "I didn't even ask if you were free."
"You should also stop apologizing for everything." Ning Qian retorted, using Wen Jin's own words against her, thinking, compared to you, missing a flight wasn't a big deal.
"What time is your flight?"
Just then, Ning Qian's assistant sent her the flight details. "10 AM."
"I'll take you to the airport after breakfast."
"No need to trouble you…"
Wen Jin gave her a look.
Ning Qian understood. "Okay."
Having only just spent a day together, they were parting ways again. Both reluctant, yet both reserved, their unspoken affection hidden beneath a cheerful facade.
At the airport.
"I should get going…" Ning Qian unbuckled her seatbelt, turning to look at Wen Jin, wondering if there was something else she should say, but the words wouldn't come.
"Okay." Wen Jin replied, then as Ning Qian reached for the door handle, she took Ning Qian's hand, holding it tight.
Ning Qian stopped and looked at Wen Jin.
"If you're tired, I'll take the initiative from now on…" Wen Jin said, her gaze fixed on Ning Qian's hand in hers.
Ning Qian's heart melted.
Before Ning Qian left this time, Wen Jin was determined to be honest with her, not wanting to waste any more time.
She leaned closer to Ning Qian, her left hand gently cupping Ning Qian's face, then softly kissed the corner of her mouth…
She was being kissed by Wen Jin. Ning Qian's eyes widened in surprise, then fluttered closed, she didn't know when they had closed.
Wen Jin's lips lingered on Ning Qian's, a soft, lingering kiss, filled with unspoken affection.
"Let me love you…" Wen Jin whispered, her hand gently caressing Ning Qian's cheek.
Hearing those words, tears welled up in Ning Qian's eyes, flowing uncontrollably.
Wen Jin gently wiped away Ning Qian's tears, her own eyes glistening, and whispered, "…Don't cry."
Ning Qian took Wen Jin's hand, her own hand still wet with tears, and kissed Wen Jin's lips, so soft, a touch she had longed for, yet hadn't dared to hope for.
Wen Jin responded to the kiss, her arm wrapping around Ning Qian, pulling her closer.
Ning Qian's eyes closed, tears mixing with the sweetness of their kiss, a bittersweet taste.
As the tears dried, only the sweet taste of Wen Jin's lips remained.
After the kiss, Ning Qian leaned her forehead against Wen Jin's, still lost in the moment, and as if reading her mind, Wen Jin kissed her again, a soft, lingering kiss, then whispered, "Call me when you arrive."
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