Beauty Snake - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Ji Yunfei… Don’t Go… I Like You…

“Xie Yin? Are you alright?” Feeling the scorching heat of the woman’s body, Ji Yunfei couldn’t help but worry.

“Dizzy… Ji Yunfei… you feel so cool…”

“Let me hold you…”

The person in her arms buried her head deep into the crook of Ji Yunfei’s neck, as if trying to merge into one with her.

“Lie down first, I’ll be right back.” Seeing Xie Yin in this state, Ji Yunfei’s voice unconsciously softened.

This was the first time Xie Yin had been so physically proactive. While feeling flustered, Ji Yunfei thought to herself: She really is delirious from the fever. Usually, Xie Yin’s mouth ran wild with flirtatious nonsense, but she was mostly just teasing for fun; in actual practice, both of them were quite well-behaved.

But she had to admit, Xie Yin was actually a very cute person…

Ji Yunfei almost started daydreaming. Realizing she shouldn’t be overthinking right now, she pulled her thoughts back and turned on the lights. Seeing Xie Yin’s face flushed red from the fever on the sofa, Ji Yunfei sped up, rushing to get a thermometer and cooling patches.

“Xie Yin? Lift your arm… I need to take your temperature…” Ji Yunfei gently poked the woman on the sofa.

With her eyes tightly shut, Xie Yin heard her and reluctantly lifted an arm. Ji Yunfei quickly supported it and tucked the thermometer into her armpit.

“38.5°C… just the right level for fever reducers…” Ji Yunfei felt a slight relief; at least it wasn’t dangerously high.

“Come, drink the medicine…” She gently propped the woman up, her voice sounding a bit like she was coaxing a child.

Luckily, Xie Yin was a good patient. Without a word, she cooperatively swallowed the medicine and then flopped straight back down. Likely due to exhaustion, her breathing soon stabilized as she fell into a deep sleep.

Ji Yunfei looked at the person on the sofa, a smile in her eyes that she hadn’t even noticed. She softly picked up a blanket and covered Xie Yin. Having finished, she intended to leave, but just as she turned to go, her hand was suddenly grabbed by the person on the sofa.

“Ji Yun… fei… don’t go…”

“I like you…”

“…”

Ji Yunfei began to doubt her ears. Did she just hear something monumental?

“I didn’t mishear that, did I?”

“She called my name, right?”

“She said… she likes me?”

“What is there about me to like…”

“She must be so feverish she’s lost her mind…”

Even though she knew words spoken in a feverish haze shouldn’t be taken too seriously, the sudden acceleration of her heartbeat betrayed Ji Yunfei’s hidden emotions.

Although she had been deliberately suppressing these thoughts, in reality… she probably liked Xie Yin a little bit too, right? With someone like Xie Yin… surely no one could claim to be completely indifferent?

Ji Yunfei wasn’t sure. She couldn’t tell if she had feelings for Xie Yin the person, or if she had developed feelings because Xie Yin looked so much like the Beauty Snake—applying a filter to her from the very beginning.

If it was the second case… then wasn’t she just liking a Beauty Snake wearing Xie Yin’s skin? That was not only absurd, but irresponsible and unfair to everyone involved.

Fortunately, Xie Yin had said it while unconscious. Ji Yunfei didn’t have to answer, and she could convince herself not to believe it.

So, until she could clearly question her own heart, she would play dumb.

Making up her mind, Ji Yunfei found herself a small blanket and stayed by Xie Yin’s side. At first, she had the energy to scroll through Xiaolvshu, but gradually, her eyelids began to fight a losing battle, and she soon fell asleep as well.

The deep night wrapped the world tightly, leaving only the warm yellow lamp in the room to cast a soft glow on the two sleeping women.

In the small living room, the brown-haired woman sat leaning against the sofa, her body tilted slightly forward as if afraid of disturbing the dreams of the person beside her. Her chestnut-colored hair was draped loosely over her shoulders. In her deep sleep, her head drooped slightly, and a few stray strands of hair slid down her cheek.

On the sofa, the black-haired woman slept soundly, a faint blush on her cheeks. Her eyelashes cast delicate shadows on her eyelids, fluttering slightly with her breath…

Let time freeze at this moment.

“Mmm—”

The chirping of birds outside woke Ji Yunfei. She rubbed her eyes and instinctively looked at Xie Yin on the sofa.

The woman was still sleeping soundly. The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, scattering spots of light across her face. She was so beautiful it was excessive, causing Ji Yunfei to forget to look away for a moment.

Ji Yunfei shook her head to clear her mind and stood up, stretching her stiff body. Having spent the night leaning against the sofa, her muscles were inevitably sore.

She pressed the back of her hand against Xie Yin’s forehead—the fever was gone. The heavy stone in Ji Yunfei’s heart finally dropped. She pulled the blanket up a bit higher for Xie Yin and closed the curtains tighter to keep the brightening light from disturbing her.

Moving as stealthily as a thief, Ji Yunfei slipped back to her own apartment. After a quick wash, she went out to buy breakfast. Considering Xie Yin had just recovered from a fever, she chose a light vegetable congee.

Beep beep beep— Click.

“You’re awake? Just in time, I bought congee. Want some?”

As soon as Ji Yunfei entered, she saw Xie Yin sitting on the sofa with sleepy eyes. She waved the container of congee, signaling for her to get up and eat.

Upon seeing Ji Yunfei return, Xie Yin’s eyes brightened. She nodded repeatedly and took the steaming congee.

“Um—about last night… sorry for the trouble…” After finishing the congee, Xie Yin forced out a sentence, keeping her head down, not daring to look Ji Yunfei in the eye.

“You know… you look a lot like I did back then, right? Hahahaha.” Seeing Xie Yin’s embarrassed state, Ji Yunfei felt mischievous—and wanted to test her.

“Do you remember… what happened yesterday?” Ji Yunfei arched an eyebrow, looking at her slyly.

“Huh? My head was foggy all day yesterday. Aside from sending you that message, I can’t remember a thing…” Xie Yin blinked innocently, seemingly having no memory at all.

Ji Yunfei sighed inwardly, unsure if she was happy or sad—the feeling was indescribable.

“Let me tell you a secret… dear CEO Xie… last night you were crying and shouting, grabbing my hand and refusing to let go… telling me to stay and keep you company…” Ji Yunfei smirked, leaving the rest unsaid.

She watched as Xie Yin’s face instantly turned bright red. Her gaze darted around, and she stammered for a long time without being able to say a single word.

“The tables have turned! Now it’s your turn to be embarrassed, Xie Yin!”

“Hahahahahahahahaha—”

The little person inside Ji Yunfei’s mind stood tall and laughed toward the sky, feeling incredibly smug.

Perhaps because her brain was clouded by the thrill of getting even, Ji Yunfei failed to notice the look of absolute determination behind Xie Yin’s shifty eyes…

How could she not know? She had said those things to Ji Yunfei on purpose. That old monk had gifted her such a perfect opportunity to act weak and seduce… why wouldn’t she take it?

Seeing Ji Yunfei like this, Xie Yin knew she had already won half the battle. This wooden head… was finally about to realize things. It just needed one more little push.

“There’s a jewelry exchange next month in City S. You’re coming with me.” Xie Yin returned to her usual professional demeanor and spoke calmly to Ji Yunfei.

“Me? Just the two of us? Is that… appropriate?” Ji Yunfei pointed at herself, her face full of disbelief.

“What’s inappropriate about it? The big client from last time will be there, and she’s been wanting to meet you.”

“Alright… you’re the boss, I’m the fish on the chopping block. At your command.” Xie Yin’s reasoning was flawless. Although she felt a bit awkward, Ji Yunfei had to raise her hands in surrender.

“It’s a good opportunity for outside learning and networking. Make the most of it.”

Ji Yunfei watched as Xie Yin stood up while speaking, and then felt a weight on her head. It was Xie Yin… stroking her hair.

Now it was Ji Yunfei’s turn for her face to burn. This Xie Yin… She said those suggestive things last night, and now she was petting her head like a owner soothing a pet…

What exactly was going on?!

Perhaps because of what happened yesterday, Ji Yunfei simply stopped suppressing her feelings. She had to admit… she actually quite enjoyed this.

Before leaving City C for City S, Xie Yin dragged Ji Yunfei to that famous Fuding Meat Slice stall. She claimed it was so delicious she’d crave it if she didn’t have it for a day, so Ji Yunfei had to try it.

Although it was late, the small stall was surrounded by quite a few people—mostly regulars greeting each other warmly. The owner’s hands never stopped, quickly pinching small pieces from a large mass of meat paste and skillfully tossing them into the boiling pot. Steam rose up, carrying a fresh, savory aroma.

The two ordered and found a random spot to sit. Soon, the steaming meat slices were served. The evenly sliced meat was submerged in a bright red broth, their edges slightly curled, sprinkled with chopped green onions. Just looking at it was enough to work up an appetite.

“A CEO-selected special must be a masterpiece,” Ji Yunfei teased with a smile.

“Naturally. Eat it while it’s hot.” With that, Xie Yin began tasting it herself, her eyes sparkling.

So… cute…

Ji Yunfei found herself staring blankly again, her gaze exceptionally tender…

BANG—

A loud noise came from the distance, startling Ji Yunfei back to her senses. At that moment, a burly man pushed through the panicked crowd and walked straight toward their table.

“You the one called Ji Yunfei?”

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