Fell In Love With My Older Sister’s Friend - Chapter 40

Perhaps it was because she hadn’t seen the vibrant and real Lin Qingyue for so long, Xu Luzhi was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at the beauty before her, frozen in place.

Unlike the subtly enigmatic demeanor just moments ago, after removing her veil, Lin Qingyue was wearing nothing but a tube top and a short skirt, besides the sheer outer garment. Her figure was so striking that it barely covered the essentials, with the rest displayed openly like milk, inviting one to pounce and lick it clean.

“Jiejie…” After a long pause, Xu Luzhi softly called out, her round eyes filled with disbelief.

“What is it?” Lin Qingyue smiled casually, found a chair in front of her and sat down. The guzheng rested before her, seemingly out of place with her attire, yet inexplicably harmonious.

Xu Luzhi swallowed, her small face turning bright red. After not seeing her for so long, did they start with… taking off clothes right away?

Finally, she managed to utter a few difficult words: “Jiejie, why are you… wearing so little?”

Although it wasn’t exactly scanty such sexy styles were common on the streets at a traditional music hall, the beauties playing the zither usually wore Hanfu or Qipao, all demurely covered. Only Lin Qingyue, whose attire was hidden by the sheer outer layer, turned out to be wearing something so bold underneath.

“It’s too hot, I don’t want to wear more,” Lin Qingyue said lightly.

Xu Luzhi felt a little helpless. Why did Jiejie always feel hot? Yet her body temperature was always so low; she couldn’t figure out the reason.

Looking down at her own simple dress, the young girl became shy, and after much hesitation, she managed to say, “But even so, you shouldn’t… take off your clothes right when we meet.”

Take off clothes.

Although she liked it very much, it felt too passionate, and Zhizhi would get embarrassed too.

Lin Qingyue glanced at the blush on Xu Luzhi’s face and had a sudden realization. She raised her hand and pinched Xu Luzhi’s cheek, feeling the heat in her palm, and spoke with an ambiguous tone: “In front of you, what can’t be done?”

Faced with Lin Qingyue’s outstretched hand, Xu Luzhi subconsciously wanted to dodge but couldn’t escape. Her tender cheek was held in her grasp, being kneaded as if she were some kind of dough. Not to mention watching Lin Qingyue lean over, her breath fragrant like orchids.

The words she spoke were flirtatious, her voice carrying a little hook, her peach blossom eyes sparkling, seemingly designed to lure her in.

In a daze, Xu Luzhi felt like a fish caught by Jiang Taigong no bait needed, just a wave from Jiejie on the shore, and she would be foolishly caught.

She lowered her head, afraid to look at Lin Qingyue.

The skin exposed on the other person was dazzlingly white, soft like silk. Xu Luzhi’s heart was racing so fast it felt like it would explode; if she looked any longer, something momentous might happen.

In fact, she could no longer suppress a rising sense of heat on her back, so she had to drink a cup of bitter tea to suppress this heat.

The hot tea in her stomach cleared her head a little, but she was still so shy she wanted to find a place to hide.

Really, after not seeing her for so long, Jiejie didn’t even prepare the mood; she came on so strong right away, what was she supposed to do?

Although she complained inwardly, Xu Luzhi felt sweet inside, even possessing a sense of undefinable pride.

As expected of her favorite Lin Qingyue, she could so easily captivate her to the point of being completely smitten, and this intimacy was only for her.

At least for now, only for Zhizhi!

Xu Luzhi didn’t know how to respond for a moment. After calming down, she looked up at Lin Qingyue and asked softly, “Jiejie, are you going to play the guzheng dressed like this?”

Lin Qingyue gave a frivolous smile, “What, is there a rule that one must bathe and burn incense to play the guzheng?”

Wearing Hanfu would certainly be nice, but the ancients didn’t wear flowing robes and wide sleeves every day, or they’d die of heat in the summer, right?

She could still play the guzheng dressed like this.

The twenty-four year-old Lin Qingyue had a light, almost disdainful expression, yet she exuded an indescribable aura of spirit and energy.

Her core nature was proud and aloof; she never cared about others’ opinions, only doing what she wanted to do.

Xu Luzhi chuckled, gazing at Lin Qingyue in adoration, her heart rate momentarily reaching its peak.

Her Jiejie was just this flamboyant and carefree, like a desired cup of poisoned wine that intoxicates one completely.

As if to prove her point, Lin Qingyue suddenly smiled, set up the guzheng, placed her slender fingers on the strings, poised to play, and tilted her head back casually, “Boss Zhi, what piece would you like to request?”

“Ah?” Xu Luzhi was so lost in the charm of Lin Qingyue’s words that she forgot she was the one who requested her to play the guzheng, and was momentarily stunned speechless.

She tentatively asked, “Perhaps you should rest for a bit?”

Jiejie had been playing downstairs for so long; she must be very tired. A little rest would be good.

“Oh.” Lin Qingyue turned her head, her tone cold mixed with a hint of grievance, “What? Didn’t Boss Zhi request me just now? Are you going back on your word now?”

It was like the demeanor of an imperial concubine who had been neglected for a long time, suddenly summoned by the Emperor awkward yet yearning.

Xu Luzhi could not stand Lin Qingyue’s delicate manner. In her daze, she felt Lin Qingyue was like the courtesan of a high class brothel, one who sold her art but not her body, and she herself was like a rich patron who entered the establishment just to watch the show, inadvertently neglecting the beauty, provoking the beauty to look alluring and lean half-heartedly, causing pity.

Xu Luzhi’s heart stirred. She was naturally playful, and at this moment, a mischievous thought arose. She quickly got into character.

She pulled a folding fan from the bookshelf, snapped it open with a swish, covering half her face, leaned back boldly in her chair, raised a hand, and drawled, “Tsk, this master doesn’t know any songs. You just play whatever you like.”

Xu Luzhi added, “If you play well, there will be a reward.”

The girl’s voice was clear and crisp, like a mountain stream untouched by pollution. Although she tried her best to imitate the rough masculine voice from TV shows, it remained sweet and lovely. The vulgar words contrasted with her tender voice, making one laugh.

Lin Qingyue suppressed a smile, stayed in character, lowered her head, and coldly hummed, “I didn’t expect Boss Zhi to look so refined and gentle, yet be so uncultured.”

She kept her head down, revealing her long, fair swan-like neck, which contrasted sharply with her dark hair exceptionally beautiful.

Xu Luzhi fanned herself and chuckled lightly, “I knew them originally, but upon seeing such a beauty as you, I forgot everything.”

Lin Qingyue covered her mouth, “Boss Zhi flatters me. Then I will casually play a piece for you.”

Saying that, her fingertips moved lightly, and the guzheng emitted its first, clear note.

Xu Luzhi leaned back in her chair, took a sip of tea, ate a piece of pastry, the smoke from her lit cigarette curled up lazily. Behind the screen, the beautiful woman with snow-white skin and flower-like features plucked the strings for her.

Xu Luzhi suddenly understood the joy of being an emperor to be able to so leisurely watch a beauty try to please her was truly too delightful! After admiring a beauty’s performance, one could even take her back to the inner chambers to appreciate her slowly. It was simply… hehehe.

Xu Luzhi realized her thoughts were taking a detour and lightly tapped her head in annoyance, pouting.

It wasn’t entirely her fault, though; it was all because Jiejie was too seductive.

Dressed so scantily and being so provocative, it was hard not to overthink!

Lin Qingyue seemed completely unconcerned by the atmosphere, adjusting the strings and beginning to play a piece with dedication once she entered the state of performance.

Xu Luzhi listened intently but couldn’t recognize the song, nor did she particularly care. She only knew that any piece Jiejie played was beautiful.

It wasn’t that it sounded good because she was biased; it was genuinely excellent in both technique and emotion. The moment the zither’s sound struck, it was soul stirring.

It was strange. Lin Qingyue was dressed so modernly, even on the avant-garde side for modern standards, making her presence before the ancient instrument seem a bit incongruous. Yet, the moment her fingers actually began to play, it felt entirely natural.

Under Lin Qingyue’s delicate hands, the guzheng was no longer a lofty instrument of mountain streams and flowing water, but a rendering of common, everyday life the first fishing boat setting sail at dawn, the last bowl of egg fried rice cooked at night. All the myriad flavors of the world, summoned with a casual touch, seemed vividly present.

Lin Qingyue played the guzheng, head bowed, both seriously and casually these two states appearing on her simultaneously without being at all surprising.

She was like a storyteller, gently narrating the smallest fraction of thousands of years of history, something usually easy to overlook, yet profoundly moving when flowing through the music.

The flirtatious thoughts in Xu Luzhi’s mind gradually dissipated. She just propped her chin on her hand, immersed in Lin Qingyue’s music and in the very manner in which Lin Qingyue plucked the strings.

In a trance, she thought again of that time she heard Lin Qingyue singing a wordless melody outside the washroom a tune that made her fall instantly in love and never forget.

It was the same now.

Watching Lin Qingyue play the guzheng in person was like gazing at a painting, except it was a 3D, living painting with its own background music. She sat there motionless, yet it felt as if she had traveled through a thousand years.

As the last few lingering notes faded, Lin Qingyue finished the piece, gently stroked the surface of the zither, and looked up.

The young girl sitting opposite was staring blankly, still seemingly lost in the music.

Lin Qingyue’s gaze was deep and quiet as she called out, “Boss Zhi.”

“Ah.” Xu Luzhi awoke as if from a dream, her voice slightly husky, “Jiejie.”

“How are you addressing me?” Lin Qingyue shook her head.

Xu Luzhi suddenly remembered they were still playing roles and quickly corrected herself: “This… beautiful Miss Lin, your playing is quite good.”

Lin Qingyue smiled radiantly, “I wonder what reward Boss Zhi has for me?”

Xu Luzhi acted grandly, “A reward of coming up here to sit and drink tea.”

Lin Qingyue did as bid and walked up. Watching her graceful figure, Xu Luzhi felt a surge of nervousness, afraid that with another movement, she might shed another piece of clothing.

Fortunately, she didn’t. Lin Qingyue sat down steadily on the chair below Xu Luzhi’s seat and leaned back lazily, “I don’t like tea.”

“Then how about a piece of pastry?” Xu Luzhi asked.

Suddenly, the distance between them closed significantly, close enough to clearly smell her sweet fragrance. Inhaling too much made one dizzy, making her want to collapse onto Jiejie and never get up.

Lin Qingyue nodded, “That works too.”

She reached out her hand; her five slender fingers happened to have tortoise-shell plectrums glued to the tips, making it inconvenient to pick things up.

Lin Qingyue’s peach blossom eyes flickered, and she tilted her head, “I can’t reach it, Boss Zhi.”

Xu Luzhi was quite adept and immediately picked up a small, exquisite pastry and held it to her lips, “I’ll feed you then.”

“That would be troublesome for Boss Zhi,” Lin Qingyue murmured, her red lips moving slightly as she delicately took hold of one corner of the pastry. Xu Luzhi stared at her plump, pomegranate-red lips, momentarily forgetting to pull her hand back.

It wasn’t until Lin Qingyue stretched her neck, her lips brushing against Xu Luzhi’s fingertips, giving an almost-kiss, that Xu Luzhi jerked her hand back as if scalded. Her small face instantly turned crimson from Lin Qingyue’s cat like action.

Lin Qingyue chuckled knowingly, “Is Boss Zhi this easily shy?”

“No way,” Xu Luzhi mumbled, touching her cheek with the back of her hand it was indeed hot enough to cook an egg.

Xu Luzhi felt annoyed. What was wrong? She was so bold before, but now she was so uncooperative, blushing at the slightest thing.

Perhaps it was because she had explained her feelings to Xu Luwei, no longer needing to hide and deceive herself that her affection was just vague fondness.

Seventeen-year-old Xu Zhizhi was beginning to face her liking head-on, and the object was such a teasing and delicate Jiejie.

It was certainly worth being shy about.

To conceal the turmoil in her heart, Xu Luzhi also ate a biscuit. She swallowed it whole, not even tasting if it was sweet or salty.

However, inadvertently, she also touched her fingertips with her own lips the place just touched by Lin Qingyue’s lips.

She did it discreetly, but a small dimple involuntarily appeared on her cheek. The joy from that indirect kiss couldn’t be hidden.

But she still had to hide it better she couldn’t let Jiejie notice.

Otherwise, given Lin Qingyue’s personality, she would surely be scared away.

She needed to seize the right opportunity. That way, when she turned eighteen, even if her feelings were discovered, with such a deep bond established, Lin Qingyue wouldn’t be able to easily cast her aside.

Xu Luzhi made up her mind, took a deep breath, and casually took Lin Qingyue’s hand, playing with it gently.

She kept reminding herself internally: it’s just ordinary, straight girl physical contact it means nothing.

But she couldn’t help but recall the material she crammed online. She remembered every word: for a ji zai (lesbian/sapphic), hands are equivalent to sexual organs. So, her holding Lin Qingyue’s hand…

Once she started thinking along those lines, she couldn’t delve deeper, or it would become uncontrollable.

Xu Luzhi could only strive to control herself, treating Lin Qingyue’s hand like a child would, gently stroking the smooth tortoise-shell plectrums, feeling their cool temperature.

She dared not look at anything else, fearing she would spontaneously generate more inappropriate thoughts.

Xu Luzhi lamented internally. It wasn’t a lack of self-control it was simply that Lin Qingyue was too overwhelmingly beautiful!

Those peach blossom eyes gazed at her lazily. With her eyes cast down, it made one irresistibly want to lean in and kiss her.

She hadn’t realized it herself, but while Lin Qingyue was indeed excessively beautiful, the bigger reason was how much she missed her.

Upon seeing her suddenly, the affection suppressed for so long had nowhere to go, condensing into an intense, thick emotion that could only be expressed through the most direct physical actions.

But she couldn’t or rather, hugging and holding were fine, but expressing any romantic sentiment was forbidden; she had to restrain and suppress it.

Xu Luzhi felt she was about to burst from holding it in, and this situation would last for almost another year.

When would she finally be able to hold Lin Qingyue openly, kiss her neck again and again, and leave red marks!

Xu Luzhi belatedly realized she couldn’t bear it anymore, but there was no outlet for her feelings. In the end, she could only say aggrievedly, “Beautiful Miss Lin, this master is sleepy.”

She feigned composure, “Let me borrow your lap to rest my head on.”