Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 98

Jing Xuan carefully picked up the bomb nestled in Qiao Fei’s arms and helped her to her feet. Just then, an almost inaudible click sounded. Jing Xuan had served in the Marine Corps—she knew that sound all too well. It was the activation of a trigger.

Following the sound, Jing Xuan crouched down to investigate and, just as she feared, found four explosives strapped to the underside of the chair where Qiao Fei had been sitting. That cunning old fox Jing Cheng had prepared a third trap! As Qiao Fei stood, a nearly invisible nylon thread connected to her body had pulled the pin on the explosive.

In the blink of an eye, Jing Xuan kicked the chair away with all her strength and grabbed Qiao Fei, spinning and running toward the exit. Just seconds later, a powerful explosion ripped through the warehouse in the western suburbs. The shockwave damaged the micro-drones transmitting live footage, and the screen suddenly cut to black. No one knew what was happening inside.

“Fei’er!” Qiao Fei’s mother screamed and threw herself at the screen, sobbing, only to be held back tightly by her husband. “Xuan…” Lan Qing whispered, rushing to the door and sprinting outside.

Smoke choked the air as flames still licked through the wreckage. Ignoring the harsh fumes, Lan Qing ran into the inferno, shouting Jing Xuan and Qiao Fei’s names. But all she heard in return was the crackling of burning debris.

Lan Qing collapsed to her knees, her hands digging helplessly into the dirt, tears streaming down her face. Behind her, Shi Jiawen and Qiao Fei’s parents were struck speechless by the apocalyptic scene. Even the always-resolute Qiao father suddenly looked old and frail.

Silence fell, broken only by the steady crackle of fire. Shi Jiawen stepped forward to help Lan Qing up. “Miss Lan Qing, we need to leave immediately—there might be a second explosion.” But Lan Qing shook him off, her voice filled with anguish. “If Xuan is dead, how can I keep living?”

Shi Jiawen gestured for his men to escort the group away—this place was far too dangerous to linger.

Suddenly, there was movement among the ruins. Shi Jiawen narrowed his eyes, alert. A large slab shifted, this time enough for others to notice.

“Quick, help them!” he shouted. Several SWAT officers rushed forward and lifted the slab—surprisingly light. It was just a sheet of metal, coated in dust that had made it resemble a stone slab.

Beneath it, Jing Xuan and Qiao Fei were tightly embracing. It turned out they had used the metal door as a shield, and their combined effort to push it had alerted the others.

Seeing the two safe, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Lan Qing ran into Jing Xuan’s arms without hesitation, holding her tightly as tears streamed silently down her face. Jing Xuan hugged her just as tightly.

“Little fool,” she whispered, her voice choked, “I’m sorry I made you worry. I’m so sorry…”

Lan Qing shook her head against Jing Xuan’s shoulder and muttered, “Xuan… don’t ever leave me again. If anything had happened to you, I would’ve followed you.” Jing Xuan kissed her forehead, eyes brimming with tears. “Silly girl…”

“Fei’er!” Qiao Fei’s parents rushed over, sobbing with joy as they embraced their daughter.

“Dad, Mom! What are you doing here?” Qiao Fei exclaimed in surprise.

How had they arrived just in time? That was thanks to Gao Zhe. Ever since Qiao Fei’s disappearance, Liu Xinyu had watched her wilt like a once-vibrant flower. She’d wanted to help, but didn’t know how—until

Qiao Fei vanished together with Lin Hao. Liu Xinyu had wanted to call the police, but Gao Zhe stopped her and came up with a plan: inform Qiao Fei’s parents. Only by letting them witness their daughter’s devotion firsthand would they realize true love couldn’t be forced apart. And thus, everything that followed unfolded.

While talking with her parents, Qiao Fei kept glancing longingly at Jing Xuan. Her mother noticed and nudged her husband.

“Fei’er,” she said gently, “your father and I… we’re no longer against you being with Jing Xuan.”

“Really? Thank you, Mom and Dad!” Qiao Fei beamed with joy.

But just then, Qiao’s father caught sight of Jing Xuan kissing Lan Qing’s forehead, and his expression turned uneasy.

“But Fei’er… who is this Miss Lan Qing? What’s her relationship with Jing Xuan?”

Qiao Fei was briefly stunned, then turned and saw the same affectionate scene. “Uh… Lan Qing is my friend. She’s Jing Xuan’s… sister!”

Thank goodness it was only a kiss on the forehead—if it had been on the lips, she wouldn’t have known how to explain it. Qiao Fei sheepishly stuck out her tongue.

Life gradually returned to normal. Jing Cheng was sentenced to life in prison.

His grand revenge plan had been meticulously designed, but he hadn’t anticipated the betrayal of the Nishikawa’s father and son, who handed him over to the authorities. No matter how much one calculates, they can never predict the human heart. Now, Jing Cheng tasted the bitterness of betrayal himself.

In prison, Jing Cheng sat with his eyes closed, resting. Suddenly sensing movement, he opened his eagle-sharp eyes and saw someone standing in front of him.

Sitting up with a wry smile, he asked, “Are you satisfied now?”

The figure shook their head. “Not until you’re dead.”

“So… you came to finish it?”

“I came to see you off.”

“Heh.” Jing Cheng sneered, knowing he had no chance of turning things around. “Then make it quick.”

Jing Xuan glanced around the small cell, picked up a toothbrush from the cup, snapped off the head, and handed the sharpened handle to him.

“Go in peace. Apologize to my parents for me. On holidays, I’ll still honor your memory.”

The next day, the news reported Jing Cheng’s suicide in prison. The headlines screamed of his countless crimes, devoting an entire front page to the downfall of a monster.

On a plane, Jing Xuan folded the newspaper and looked out the window. She and Jing Cheng had once shared blood ties, but the feud of murder and betrayal was finally over. A peaceful life could now begin.

Lan Qing reunited with her father in Japan, and Huatian reopened for business. Jing Xuan accompanied Qiao Fei back to her hometown, a serene southern town nestled between mountains and rivers.

Qiao Fei’s parents no longer resisted Jing Xuan. When they heard the two were coming, they were even more excited than during the New Year. Jing Xuan brought many gifts and, with her sweet nature and charming looks, quickly won their hearts.

Qiao’s mother personally cooked a feast—thanks to Qiao Fei’s intel, every dish was something Jing Xuan loved. For the occasion, Qiao’s father invited all their friends and relatives. The house bustled with laughter and praise, everyone saying how well-matched the couple looked.

Jing Xuan, like some rare national treasure, was poked and prodded by the curious elders, her face red with embarrassment as she smiled through it. Occasionally, she cast helpless glances toward Qiao Fei, whose adorable distress only endeared her further to the aunts.

After dinner, the four took a walk. Neighbors greeted them warmly, congratulating the parents—seemed the wedding was just around the corner now that the groom had arrived.

Qiao Fei had never been so happy. She skipped ahead like a child receiving a long-awaited gift. When an electric scooter sped past, Jing Xuan quickly pulled her into her arms, and they both ended up leaning against a stone bridge railing.

In her arms, Qiao Fei giggled. “Xuan, is this real? It all feels like a dream!”

Jing Xuan gently adjusted her coat and playfully flicked her nose. “Of course it’s real. And there’s more to come!”

With a magician’s flair, she took Qiao Fei’s left hand and slipped a diamond ring onto her finger.

“Miss Qiao Fei, will you marry me?”

“Hmph!” Qiao Fei pouted and twirled the ring. “This proposal’s not romantic at all!”

Then she smiled brightly. “But I say yes.”

She leaned in and kissed her. The handsome “man” and beautiful woman embraced on the bridge under the setting sun—a scene as beautiful as a painting.