Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 75

Lan Qing’s voice snapped Nianqing back to her senses. She shoved Jing Xuan away forcefully and let out a long breath.

“Whew…”

Jing Xuan finally saw who she had been kissing — it was Nianqing. Panic immediately set in.

“Nianqing! I’m so sorry!”

Nianqing ignored her apology, quickly tidying up her makeup. By now, Lan Qing had already brought Qiao Fei through the door.

“Sis, you’re here already! Xuan, what are you standing there for? Go get changed before you catch a cold.”

Qiao Fei glanced at Nianqing, then at Jing Xuan. She hadn’t missed the panic on Nianqing’s face when they entered. Recalling what Nianqing had said earlier that afternoon at court, she began to doubt whether

Nianqing had truly been joking.

“Oh, I came out and saw Nianqing, so we just chatted for a bit. Hehe~”

Liar. Can’t even blush. As if that would make you a good person. And on top of that… Nianqing thought bitterly. Her heart had nearly leapt out of her chest when Lan Qing was about to come in. She couldn’t believe how smoothly Jing Xuan had lied.

Unaware that her image had already crumbled in Nianqing’s heart, Jing Xuan stood awkwardly.

“Were you really just talking?” Qiao Fei asked timidly.

“Yes,” Nianqing said, walking over to them.

“I’ll let you chat, I’m going to get changed,” Jing Xuan muttered, scratching her head.

Once outside the room, she slapped herself hard across the face.

“What the hell is wrong with you? She’s her sister! How could you do that? Two is already bad enough — is that still not enough for you? Ugh! What am I even thinking? It’s over… I’ve totally messed things up with

Nianqing now…”

________________________________________

Inside the room:

“Sis, try this one on. Fei’er, I’ll help you in a bit.”

With Lan Qing’s playful organizing, their small fashion show finally began.

Jing Xuan wore black casual pants and a dark grey shirt that made her fair skin appear even paler. With a glass of rose wine in hand, she looked like a languid prince surveying her court. Xiao Lu stood to the side, adjusting the lighting and sound effects, watching as the three “princesses” changed outfits and showcased dreamlike beauty — the wine intoxicating, the scene even more so.

________________________________________

Meanwhile, Shen Yiling received a call from her cousin and quickly logged into her email to download the video file she had been sent. At first glance, she was startled — then she began editing the video according to Shi Jiawen’s instructions.

Just then, the sound of the front door unlocking echoed through the apartment. Shi Jiawen had returned.

“Yiyi! You here?”

“Yeah, I’m here!”

Shi Jiawen changed her shoes and walked into the room, where she saw Shen Yiling searching online for updates about Jing Xuan’s case.

“Why are you looking her up?”

“Well, you wouldn’t tell me, so I had to find out myself.”

“Ugh, did you finish the thing I asked you to do?”

“Ta-da~ Look!” Shen Yiling minimized the browser and opened the restored video, stepping aside.

The footage had been enhanced to HD clarity. The man who looked like Jing Xuan was now clearly visible. Aside from a vaguely similar profile, there were no other resemblances.

Shi Jiawen watched the video three times, back and forth.

“Damn, girl! How did you pull this off?”

“You know me — I used to be obsessed with selfies, so of course I chased the best video quality.”

“Yeah, otherwise how would you have blackmailed people, right?”

“Jiawen! That was ancient history! If I’d known you’d mock me like this, I wouldn’t have helped.”

“Oh no! Are you mad? Okay, okay, my bad. How should I thank you?”

“Offer me your hand in marriage?”

“Girl, that’s bold! I mean, I’m fine with it, but I’m not sure you are…”

“Ugh, I’m messing with you. What I really want…”

“Huh?”

“I just want you to honestly answer a few questions.”

“Oh, that’s it? Sure, but I have conditions if it—”

“It won’t involve your work secrets.”

“Alright then, ask away.”

Shen Yiling leaned in close.

“How is she doing?”

“Who?”

“Jing Xuan.”

“Didn’t think you cared that much. She’s doing fine.”

“Wasn’t her trial today? What happened?”

“She submitted new evidence, so the charges couldn’t be confirmed. The hearing is on hold — final judgment will be made tomorrow.”

“Do you think she’ll be convicted?”

“She probably would’ve been before, but now, with the new evidence proving her innocence, she should be fine.”

Then Shi Jiawen looked at her seriously.

“Yiyi, the video you processed today is the only copy we have that can clear her name. You must keep it safe. Only you and I can know about it — not a single other person. Got it?”

“Jiawen, do you like her~?”

“What? No!”

“You totally do. Otherwise why would you go to such lengths? I’ve never seen you this obsessed with a case. You’ve lost your appetite, your focus. She was practically convicted, and you still kept digging for evidence. And you say you don’t like her?”

“I did it for our precinct’s reputation, okay? I—”

“Yeah, right.”

“Fine! I like her! So what?” Shi Jiawen suddenly dropped all pretense. “I do like her, alright? So what? So what?!”

Shen Yiling raised her brows, speechless. Shi Jiawen noticed something off.

“Yiyi, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. You admitted it — that’s all I needed. Nothing left to say.” She turned away and walked off, leaving Shi Jiawen staring after her, dazed.

________________________________________

The final hearing proceeded as scheduled. This time, the atmosphere was more intense. Jing Xuan’s team appeared composed and confident, while the prosecution seemed equally full of conviction. It was like two boxers facing off in the ring, waiting for the bell.

Jing Xuan’s side made the first move, submitting the video. Though the footage wasn’t perfect, it was enough to make an impact. Jing Xuan couldn’t help a slight smirk and threw a meaningful glance at Jing

Cheng, seated behind the prosecutor’s bench. Jing Cheng simply smiled, appearing as if he were watching a play unfold.

Then the prosecution played their trump card: they called a surprise witness — Li Miaolan.

Li Miaolan, now heavily pregnant, was helped to the witness stand by two female officers.

“Witness, you claim to have seen Jing Xuan commit the murder. Please describe exactly what you saw at the time.”

Li Miaolan looked at Jing Xuan, then at Jing Cheng, then dropped her head and stayed silent.

“Please answer the question.”

“I… That day, I went with Jing Xuan to visit our foster father. She said she had something to do and left first. I stayed with her… Later, it got dark, and she told me to head home. I left, but as I stepped outside, I felt some contractions… I was near my due date, so I went to the hospital for a check-up. When I came back…

I saw Jing Xuan going into the hospital room. I thought she was picking me up, so I walked to the door… and then I saw… I saw… her kill our foster father! Waaah~”

“You’re lying!!!”

Before Jing Xuan could react, Qiao Fei, Lan Qing, and Nianqing all stood up and shouted in unison. Startled by their reaction, Li Miaolan stared at them in shock.

Jing Xuan, completely unbothered, even let out a chuckle.

“Order! Order in the court!”

“Your Honor,” Jing Xuan stood calmly. “May I ask the witness two questions?”

“You may.”

Jing Xuan locked eyes with Li Miaolan.

“Are you absolutely certain the person you saw was me?”

Faced with that innocent smile and probing gaze, Li Miaolan looked away.

“I… I’m sure.”

Jing Xuan nodded.

“Alright. Then will you swear on the life of your unborn child that it was me — this exact person before you — who killed your foster father? If you’re lying, may your child…”

“Stop!” Li Miaolan cut her off, visibly shaken. “Don’t say that… Please don’t…”

“Your Honor! The defendant is threatening the witness!” the prosecutor interrupted, as the courtroom descended into chaos again.

Jing Xuan kept pressing.

“Yes or no. Just answer yes or no. Right here, right now. Do you dare?”