"Qin Yu, do you have time later?"
Ningguang's voice pulled Qin Yu back from her thoughts, but she replied with a hint of nonchalance.
"If you have time, I do too."
After all, it was her day to serve as Ningguang's secretary.
If Ningguang was free, Qin Yu would be free as well; conversely, if Ningguang was swamped, Qin Yu would have to work herself to the bone.
Most days fell somewhere in between.
Her nonchalance stemmed from a shift in her feelings.
Lately, for some reason, her heart had been racing whenever she was around Ningguang and the others.
It wasn't that her heart hadn't raced before, but the restlessness and tingling sensation deep inside felt far more intense than usual.
Could it be because we've been...
No, no, no! Definitely not! How could it be? That would be like admitting, 'I just really like women like that!' Qin Yu shook her head vigorously.
"True, and I don't have any specific plans either. So I was thinking, perhaps we could go out and have some fun together, like we used to. I recently discovered an interesting place, and I was wondering if you'd be interested?"
Go out together?
Qin Yu was a little surprised but found nothing wrong with the idea. It had been a while since she'd last hung out with Ningguang.
"Sure, that sounds good," she said.
Ningguang smiled faintly. "Aren't you going to ask where we're going?"
"You'd never tell me anyway."
"Mm, you're right." Ningguang reached out and playfully twirled a strand of Qin Yu's hair.
I knew it.
Evaluation: D
"It's not exactly a surprise, just a little mystery to keep things interesting," Ningguang explained.
Besides, if Qin Yu knew the destination beforehand, it might take some convincing to get her to agree. It was simply easier to keep it a secret for now.
Of course, Ningguang would never voice such calculations aloud.
More importantly, she was genuinely looking forward to Qin Yu's reaction.
"With this, we'll have fulfilled one of our promises," Ningguang murmured, her lips parting slightly.
"Huh?"
Ningguang teased, "Forgot already? You used to complain to me: 'You almost never come find me on your own. When we go out, it's usually when work is temporarily finished.'"
Evaluation: C-
Qin Yu's face flushed crimson.
Remembering things clearly was one thing, but did she really have to remember that clearly?
"Why do you remember that so clearly?" Qin Yu mumbled.
"Because your complaining face back then is still vivid in my mind."
Qin Yu felt a surge of annoyance. She even remembers my expression? she thought. Though it had been a genuine, heartfelt complaint, having it brought up again now made her ears burn with embarrassment.
To express her displeasure, she seized Ningguang's hand and gently bit her index finger.
Evaluation: C+
Ningguang's expression remained unchanged, a faint smile still playing on her lips. She curved her fingertip downward, pressing gently until it touched a softer, warmer place, stirring Qin Yu's inner turmoil anew.
Evaluation: B
Sensing the slight pressure around her fingertip, Ningguang's eyes shimmered with shifting light. She moved her other fingers to caress Qin Yu's face, the increasing clamor of Qin Yu's heartbeat and indescribable agitation causing Qin Yu to avert her gaze.
Evaluation: A-
Ah, enough. Qin Yu thought, unable to tolerate this strange, tormenting feeling any longer. She opened her mouth, then pulled out her handkerchief and wordlessly wiped Ningguang's index finger.
Ningguang's cheeks flushed slightly. "You don't need to worry so much," she murmured. "I've already said it—I'm yours."
Evaluation: A+
"I know," Qin Yu replied, her voice low.
And I don't intend to let anyone else have you.
You're mine.
"But I'm not worried about anything. Don't jump to conclusions."
"Is that so?"
Qin Yu whispered, "Yes."
"Then I'll get straight to the point. I want..."
Before Ningguang could finish speaking, Qin Yu pressed a kiss to her fingertips.
Evaluation: S
"You don't want to," Qin Yu declared, making the decision for her.
Ningguang paused, then smiled. "Indeed, I suddenly find myself no longer interested in that."
That's more like it.
She took Qin Yu's hands in hers. Qin Yu assumed she was about to do something, but Ningguang did nothing, simply gazing at her intently. After a moment of locking eyes, Qin Yu couldn't help but lower her head.
Ningguang closed her eyes contentedly.
She relished the fervor of passionate love, the intimacy of skin against skin, and the allure of taking things further with Qin Yu. Yet she also cherished these quiet moments of serenity.
Ningguang basked in the serenity, while Qin Yu felt restless and uneasy.
What is this restless stirring in my chest? It doesn't feel like... what I'd experience before or during... that.
Forget it. I'm giving up on thinking about it, Qin Yu decided.
Better to just enjoy this time.
After a while, Ningguang kept her promise and led Qin Yu to their destination:
A bathhouse.
Unexpected, yet perfectly logical.
Qin Yu was initially surprised, but after a moment's reflection, it wasn't so strange that Ningguang would choose such a place.
I thought it would be something more interesting, Qin Yu thought, feeling slightly disappointed.
"Disappointed?" Ningguang asked.
"Just wondering why a bathhouse," Qin Yu replied.
"Because I favor this place. If I want a soak, this is one of my top five choices. I wanted to share a place I love with you. But if you're dissatisfied..."
What a sly way of putting it.
"I'm not dissatisfied," Qin Yu replied. "But you're not planning anything weird, are you?"
"What exactly do you mean by 'weird'?" Ningguang asked with a smile.
"Don't play dumb with me," Qin Yu retorted, annoyed.
Ningguang chuckled. "I've reserved the entire bathhouse. It'll just be the two of us. No need to worry. Come on."
So we're soaking together after all.
But wouldn't that mean...? Qin Yu's cheeks flushed slightly, though they had already seen everything—both the parts they should have and the parts they shouldn't have. At this point, there was no point in dwelling on it.
Inside the bathhouse:
Qin Yu scooped up hot water with her hand, then released it, watching it flow back into the pool. The heat seeping into her skin seemed to ease the day's fatigue.
"How is it?" Ningguang asked, standing close beside her.
"My body feels much lighter," Qin Yu replied.
Ningguang smiled contentedly. "It was worth bringing you here. We've both been working so hard lately; it's time for us to relax properly. That's one of the reasons I brought you here."
"I see," Qin Yu murmured, feeling Ningguang's care.
There it is again... that strange sensation.
Qin Yu couldn't help but glance at Ningguang beside her, meeting her gaze.
She reached out, her fingertips tracing Ningguang's cheek down to her chest, where they began circling.
Ningguang pressed Qin Yu's hand against her chest, leaning closer. "You can touch deeper."
Evaluation: SS-
Qin Yu's face, already flushed from the hot water, grew even more vibrant at Ningguang's whispered words. She pouted. "I wasn't thinking about that."
"But you could do it anytime."
Evaluation: SS+
Qin Yu turned her face away. "Don't make me sound like I'm obsessed with... with that."
"I'm simply reminding you of your full power. I enjoy your touch, but... I want you to do more."
Ningguang leaned closer, her lips brushing Qin Yu's forehead.
The corner of her eye.
Her cheek.
Finally, the corner of her lips. Qin Yu felt Ningguang's gentle breath, her mind growing fuzzy, the clamor in her heart growing louder. This kind of "touch" completely seized her heartstrings.
Ningguang gently stroked Qin Yu's hair, murmuring, "Like this."
"Ah..."
Does Ningguang want me to do this too? Qin Yu wondered, mimicking Ningguang's gesture.
"Mm, exactly like that. You have the right to do more to me, and I hope you will," Ningguang said, naturally pulling Qin Yu into a gentle embrace.
The warmth radiating from their skin made Qin Yu feel deeply relaxed, yet also a little surprised.
Ningguang isn't the one being affectionate this time, even though she's usually the one making childish requests to be pampered.
"Qin Yu, I want to ask you..."
"Hm?"
Ningguang hesitated for an uncharacteristic moment before continuing, "We've spent quite some time together since that last... incident. I wonder if you've fallen in love with me."
Ningguang wants a romantic relationship now, and she hopes Qin Yu will fall in love with her too.
Qin Yu certainly liked Ningguang, but as she'd admitted before, she wasn't sure if her feelings were romantic.
That was then, but what about now?
Saying "no" was impossible; Qin Yu's heart vehemently rejected that answer.
Saying "yes" felt just as confusing. She still couldn't grasp her own feelings or understand this strange emotional turmoil.
The saying goes, "Those in the midst of it are blinded, while bystanders see clearly," but she couldn't exactly tear open her heart for others to analyze.
"I... I don't know," Qin Yu finally stammered.
Ningguang looked surprised. "You don't know?"
"Mhm."
To avoid Ningguang mistaking this for mere flattery, Qin Yu stammered, "I'm not just saying that to flatter you. Lately, my feelings toward you have been... weird. I really can't figure out what's going on."
"I see."
Perhaps she's falling in love, or perhaps it's just the beginning, Ningguang mused. Regardless, she felt deeply satisfied.
"Then there's no need to dwell on it."
"Huh? But you've been thinking about this a lot, haven't you?" Qin Yu asked, puzzled.
Ningguang smiled faintly. "I just wanted to ask you suddenly. Since you don't know, let's not jump to conclusions. It's too early to declare a verdict. Besides, I prefer action over words."
"If you've fallen in love with me, your actions will naturally change. I'm confident I can discern that difference."
"And as I said before, we can't just give or take, nor can we simply wait. I despise tedious waiting."
Ningguang gently pushed Qin Yu to the edge of the bath and leaned in close, her lips nearly touching.
"So, I'll let you see my love for you first."
Evaluation: SSS-
Qin Yu gasped softly. "Thinking about it again?" she murmured.
"Mm-hmm. Is that okay?"
"...Okay."
Evaluation: SSS
Evaluation: SSS+
Qin Yu's heart swayed like ripples on the water's surface. The tender touches, the soft voice, the lingering gaze—everything about Ningguang captivated her, far more intensely than before. It resonated deeply with the strange, burgeoning emotion within her heart.
Could it be because they've been spending more time together lately?
Or perhaps...
...perhaps that was indeed the case.
She was in love.
Though her affections were divided among more than one person.