Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 61

Jing Cheng patted Jing Xuan on the shoulder, giving her a meaningful look before leading his people to their seats.

After a brief welcome banquet, the event shifted into a business-style cocktail party attended by prominent figures from both the political and business worlds. Qiao Fei didn’t like such occasions. She found a quiet corner and sipped red wine moodily.

Jing Xuan took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and walked over to her. “Fei’er, I had a bad attitude earlier. I’m sorry. I’ll explain everything about Qing in a bit. But right now, can you tell me—why are you here? And why are you with Junye?”

Qiao Fei raised her eyes. “Jingx Xuan, are you trying to say I betrayed you?”

“That’s not what I meant!” Jing Xuan leaned in slightly and lowered her voice. “Do you even realize how dangerous this place is right now?”

“I’m not a child, Jing Xuan! I can make my own decisions!”

“Really? Then what exactly are those decisions?”

“That you’ve been lying to me all along, haven’t you?”

“Fei’er, what are you talking about? Why would I lie to you? There must be some misunderstanding.”

Jing Xuan struggled to keep her emotions in check. She took a deep breath. “Okay, Fei’er, this isn’t the place for this conversation. Let’s go somewhere private—”

As she set down her glass and reached for Qiao Fei’s hand, Qiao Fei brushed it away and stood up, locking eyes with her.

“Let’s talk right here. Why do we need to go elsewhere? Feeling guilty?”

Her cheeks were flushed, perhaps from anger, perhaps from the alcohol. Even in anger, Qiao Fei was heartbreakingly beautiful. Jing Xuan didn’t have the heart to get angry, but this was really not the place for a confrontation, and she was on the verge of losing her patience.

“What do I have to feel guilty about? Fine, you want to talk here? Then you go first—how did I lie to you?”

“You said you went back to Singapore to handle business. I believed you. You said you’d handle that woman. I believed you. You said things were over between you and Lan Qing. I believed that too. But what did you actually do? I don’t understand your business affairs.

That woman is about to give birth, and you’re still pretending to be the ideal husband! And Lan Qing? You haven’t contacted me in so long because you’ve been with her the whole time!”

“Fei’er! You know I—how can you say that?”

“You know you’re a flirt and I still fell in love with you, right? Don’t forget how we started. It was you—”

Qiao Fei choked on her words. Painful memories surfaced, and she couldn’t go on. Tears rolled down her flushed cheeks.

Seeing her cry, Jing Xuan didn’t want to argue anymore. She was exhausted from everything happening lately. All she wanted was to hold Qiao Fei and share in her pain—and that’s exactly what she did.

“Baby, I’m sorry! It’s all my fault. Everything you said is right. But I swear, I never lied to you…”

“Hmph!”

Qiao Fei struggled in her arms and then shoved Jing Xuan away.

“Fine. I’ll believe you one last time. But you have to choose—right here, right now. Me or Lan Qing? If you really love me, then make a choice and come back with me! Say it—me, or her?”

Jing Xuan was at her wit’s end. “Fei’er, stop it! Let’s go somewhere else and I’ll explain everything!”

“Say it!”

When Jing Xuan remained silent, Qiao Fei let out a bitter laugh. “Can’t decide, huh? Do you think I’ll keep believing everything you say? You’re the great Miss Jing, always surrounded by women. You don’t need me! You want to know why I came here today? I came to break up with you! I’m with Junye now! The day you took me was the biggest humiliation of my life! You lying, two-faced woman!”

Her voice had risen without her realizing, and the last sentence was practically a shout. The banquet hall suddenly fell silent. Everyone froze and turned their eyes toward them.

Time seemed to stand still.

Jing Xuan’s expression stiffened. She stared at Qiao Fei, the last words echoing in her head: humiliation… liar… disgusting woman…

The alcohol had clouded Qiao Fei’s judgment. In her impulsiveness, she said things that cut deep—and revealed Jing Xuan’s secret. But the moment the words left her mouth, she realized what she had done.

“Oh my God… what did I just do?” Her tears flowed even harder. She reached for Jing Xuan’s hand, but Jing Xuan subtly pulled away.

Lan Qing, who had been chatting with Gao Zhe and Junye, rushed over with them when she realized something had gone wrong. But it was already too late. Whispers had spread through the crowd—pointing, murmuring, some shocked, some disdainful.

“Fei’er, you’re drunk. You’re talking nonsense,” Lan Qing said gently, wrapping her arms around Qiao Fei and letting her rest her head on her shoulder. She signaled subtly—trying to tell her that she’d just caused a major disaster—then looked at Jing Xuan with deep concern.

Though Qiao Fei still disliked Lan Qing, she didn’t resist. Her mind had all but shut down.

“I… I really am drunk… I…”

Lan Qing did her best to contain the situation, but the damage had already been done.

Jing Xuan looked at the two women she loved most. A self-mocking smile curled on her lips. It was still a beautiful smile, but anyone watching could see the pain behind it.

“Fei’er, were those words from your heart?”

“Xuan, I…”

Qiao Fei wanted to take it back, the words right on the tip of her tongue—but in front of so many people, she just couldn’t bring herself to admit she loved a woman. She didn’t have the courage.

“I see. I wish you both happiness…”

Jing Xuan turned and walked out of the hall. Behind her, Qiao Fei broke down sobbing, collapsing into Lan Qing’s arms.

“That’s not what I meant… it’s not like that… how did it come to this… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

“Miss Qiao is drunk. Take her to a guest room to rest,” Lan Qing ordered while chasing after Jing Xuan.

Jing Cheng’s hawk-like eyes had been on the scene the entire time. Xiaofeng, standing behind him, was deeply worried for Jing Xuan but dared not act rashly. However, he noticed a security guard at the entrance nod subtly toward Jing Cheng before slipping away.

“Is he going to act now? Please, young master… don’t let anything happen to you…” Xiaofeng prayed silently. Unable to rest easy, he gave instructions to a bodyguard and began moving toward the entrance.

“Where is he going?” Jing Cheng asked sharply.

“He said he needed to use the restroom. He’ll be right back.”

“I see.” A sly glint flashed through Jing Cheng’s eyes as he turned back to mingle with the international elite.