Hints at GL - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

“What a coincidence,” Zhong Ning muttered, her palms sweating so much they felt damp.

“What are you doing here?” she couldn’t help but ask, even beginning to suspect if Su Yuan had been following her.

“Because the President is a friend of mine,” Su Yuan replied, as if reading her mind, the corners of her lips curling upward. “I did my undergrad at KCL, which is very close to here, so I occasionally come to participate in events.”

“They were recruiting members at the door earlier. Did you join?” she asked Zhong Ning.

“No, I wanted to look around first,” Zhong Ning answered honestly.

“Actually, you should attend their activities more often,” Su Yuan said, her smile fading. Her serious expression caught Zhong Ning off guard. “A one-year Master’s program is very short. If you want to improve your speaking skills, finding a partner (BF) would be much faster.”

She paused, looking at Zhong Ning meaningfully. “Or, find a partner (GF).”

Zhong Ning knew exactly what Su Yuan meant when she emphasized “GF” the second time—she was referring to a same-sex partner.

“I…” She began to consider whether it was necessary to emphasize her sexual orientation to the other woman again. But as that thought crossed her mind, she remembered Su Yuan’s thin lips curling up as she asked, “Is that so? Then why do you keep looking at me?” and the words died in her throat once more.

“Do you like this kind of atmosphere?”

Seeing that she didn’t answer, Su Yuan softly changed the subject.

Zhong Ning’s tense nerves didn’t relax in the slightest. She looked around the room. “It’s not about liking or disliking it; I just feel like it’s a bit like speed dating.”

Hearing her choice of words, Su Yuan couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s quite an apt description. However, this definitely won’t be our formal date.”

As if anyone wants to go on a date with you…

Zhong Ning’s face flushed. How could this woman say such things so smoothly?

“That being said, you look like you rarely go to clubs,” Su Yuan said with a smile, not intending to tease her further.

“Mm…”

The previous taunt was still ringing in her ears, and the blush on Zhong Ning’s cheeks hadn’t faded. Her tone was noticeably unnatural. “Jing Yang—the girl from earlier—she likes clubs more. I’ve only been a few times around Halloween.”

Su Yuan asked, “Was it a school-organized party?”

Zhong Ning was surprised she knew, but then realized it made sense. She started talking about that day. “It was actually quite interesting. I saw everyone spraying blood on their clothes; they were so dedicated… and there were all kinds of cosplay.”

Su Yuan nodded and suddenly smiled. “I saw your photos on Kik. You were in a black dress.”

She actually… seriously looked through my profile.

Zhong Ning was a bit flustered by this realization. “Actually… that day, I thought about it and didn’t dare cover myself in paint, so I just painted my face white…”

Su Yuan looked at her, a smile playing on her lips.

“It was very beautiful,” she praised.

Zhong Ning’s face grew hot. “Thank you.”

In an instant, Zhong Ning began to feel that Su Yuan was actually a good person, and the previous teasing was pushed to the back of her mind. “Did you go that day too?”

Su Yuan shook her head. “When I was younger like you, I liked joining in the festivities, but less so now. On Halloween, I went to the opera house near Charing Cross to see Tosca.”

“Tosca?”

“Mm, but I didn’t like it. I’m more partial to Madama Butterfly…”

“Butterfly?!”

Su Yuan narrowed her eyes. “Why? Are you interested in that too?”

At the mention of something she loved, Zhong Ning’s eyes suddenly sparkled. “I really love the scene of the suicide at the end. Before I came to London, I’d been looking for a chance to see a proper opera.”

Su Yuan looked at her and laughed softly. “I’ll take you next time.”

This time, Su Yuan’s invitation didn’t make Zhong Ning feel uncomfortable. In fact, right now, the other woman’s bright eyes seemed full of sincerity.

The ten minutes passed quickly. Just as the atmosphere between them began to show some warmth, it was time to end. “You…” Zhong Ning looked at that exquisite, smiling face, feeling a sudden pang of reluctance in her heart.

At this moment, the background music was turned up a bit. Su Yuan looked down at her, showing no intention of leaving. After a long while, the corners of her eyes crinkled. “…What did you want to say?”

Su Yuan’s question reminded her of her original plan.

Yes, she should find a chance to tell her about the precognitive dreams. “…” But the moment the distance between them closed, Zhong Ning began to hesitate. This matter concerned the future and she should explain it clearly, but for some reason, her subconscious was afraid Su Yuan would think she was crazy.

“I… actually…”

She built up her courage for a while but still couldn’t speak.

Su Yuan looked at her expression and suddenly whispered in her ear, “Do you know there’s another floor upstairs?”

Zhong Ning froze. Before she could react, Su Yuan took her hand and gave her a deep look. “Follow me.”

The touch of those fingertips was so familiar, as warm and healing as in the dream. “Did she… misunderstand something?” Carrying this vague thought, Zhong Ning followed the slender figure, suddenly feeling a misplaced sense of deja vu, as if a lifetime had passed.

Consequently, she forgot to question how Su Yuan, as someone who grew up here, could so naturally take her hand. “…” She threw all her intended words to the back of her mind.

The upper floor of Temple Bar was different from below. It mostly had wooden tables and chairs, with a bar counter encircling the windows along two walls. There weren’t as many people as downstairs. Su Yuan pulled her to sit at the bar by the window.

They were in a private setting once again. Despite the ambient music, Zhong Ning felt a bit restless. She kept thinking about the time Su Yuan had inexplicably touched her waist. Now, the culprit was sitting right beside her, and there was no one else around…

Su Yuan must have misunderstood something.

Her hesitation wasn’t because she was looking for a chance to be alone with her. Zhong Ning sighed inwardly; the quieter environment made it even harder to speak.

Finally, Zhong Ning found a topic to break the tension. “By the way, Jing Yang said her sister was your colleague.”

Let’s talk about something else first, she thought.

Su Yuan had just picked up her glass. Hearing this, she turned her head with interest. “Is that so?” she asked, arching an eyebrow. “Who is her sister?”

Zhong Ning tapped the table lightly, thinking for a moment. “I think her name is Jing Han. Her English name… her English name is Suet. Yes, that’s it.”

Hearing this name, Su Yuan’s expression turned subtle. “Is that so?” She set down the glass she had just raised and turned her gaze away unnaturally. “…”

Zhong Ning froze, wondering if she had stepped on a landmine. But that didn’t seem right; if she hated Jing Han, how could they still be friends on social media?

Su Yuan gazed out the window at the red-brick and white-walled street. After a long silence, she finally spoke. “Suet… back when I first started as an analyst, she was my mentor. I did data support for her. It was only for two short months before she applied for a transfer to the mainland.” She paused. “Suet is very diligent and smart. She helped me a lot.”

Seeing her expression soften, Zhong Ning took a tentative sip of her drink. “I saw your face change just now and thought maybe there was some history between you…”

“History?” Hearing the word, Su Yuan turned her head and suddenly laughed under her breath.

She picked up her glass again, looking at Zhong Ning for a long time without speaking, though unknown emotions were hidden in the depths of her eyes. “…” After a long time, the corners of Su Yuan’s mouth curved into an unidentifiable smile. “There’s no ‘history’ between us.”

Zhong Ning couldn’t figure out what she meant. Was Su Yuan judging her for being narrow-minded? She tried to change the subject. “But Jing Yang says she’s coming back to London. In just a few days.”

As soon as those words left her mouth, the glass in Su Yuan’s hand visibly wobbled. She seemed to take a deep breath. “Is that so…”

Zhong Ning could clearly see Su Yuan’s brow furrow. Negative emotions seemed to surge up due to the news of Jing Han’s return, but Su Yuan wouldn’t admit it. “…That’s good.” The corners of her mouth curved up, and then she downed two glasses in a row.

No, she definitely wasn’t misinterpreting it. Something must have happened between her and Jing Han… This realization made Zhong Ning feel inexplicably sour. Seeing Su Yuan like that, she couldn’t help but frown and reach out to press down on the other woman’s wrist. “Are you… really okay?”

Su Yuan’s cheeks were slightly flushed from the alcohol. She turned to look at her, and a smile gradually blossomed on her lips.

That gaze was excessively soft, making Zhong Ning’s heart feel hot.

To be honest, she really wanted to ask. A kind of heat in her heart urged her on, making her feel that Su Yuan’s hints were enough for her to speak up.

But then she changed her mind, falling into a deep sense of guilt over “feeling jealous just because of a dream.” After all, asking about someone’s romantic history after only meeting twice was inappropriate.

But Su Yuan clearly didn’t care about her reservations. As her eyes grew more blurred, a thought must have flashed through her heart. She gently set down the glass and actually leaned her body over. “…”

Before Zhong Ning could react, Su Yuan leaned into her neck, gently sniffing her hair. “Are you… did you drink too much? It was only two glasses…” She hadn’t expected this development; her body was a beat too slow.

Before she could finish her sentence, her hair was brushed aside, and Su Yuan gently kissed her on the lips.

The kiss ended quickly. Before Zhong Ning could even clearly see the other woman’s closed eyes, the soft sensation was gone.

Zhong Ning was speechless for a long time. She couldn’t even connect the two facts of “Su Yuan’s mood is off” and “Su Yuan kissed me.”

“…Su Yuan.”

Her face turned bright red, and she couldn’t help but call out the other woman’s Chinese name directly.

But just then, Su Yuan’s phone suddenly rang. “…” She pulled away and looked at Zhong Ning for a while. Only after the phone had been ringing for a long time did she softly apologize.

“Mm…” As she spoke into the phone, she suddenly glanced at Zhong Ning. “I’m almost finished here… I didn’t drive today, no need to pick me up, I’ll take a cab. Okay, see you in a bit.”

Su Yuan hung up, turned back around, and looked straight into her eyes. “I’m sorry, I actually had plans with someone today…”

Zhong Ning didn’t see much apology on her face. Kissing someone then saying you have plans and need to leave—did she think I was going to cling to her? Besides, who gave you permission to kiss me? She turned her head away awkwardly. “No one’s keeping you.”

Su Yuan stared at her for a moment. Zhong Ning’s expression of displeasure seemed to please her immensely. “Then I’m off,” Su Yuan stood up, not forgetting to plant a light kiss on the hair near Zhong Ning’s ear. “I’ll ask you out another day.”