Online Love, Based on the Real Object - Chapter 26

Qi Ning didn’t think much of it; she was simply surprised that their relationship was even better than it appeared on the surface. She reached out and knocked on the door.

Hearing the sound, Shu Mingyao turned her head. Her arms were still wrapped around the other woman in a hug, and she looked perfectly composed.

 

“Sister Shu, where are the scissors?”

 

“The scissors…” Shu Mingyao released Ji Zhijing, still trying to remember where they were, but the person beside her answered first: “In the second cabinet under the TV.”

 

Qi Ning gave a quick acknowledgement and went out to find them.

 

A minute later, the two of them emerged from the kitchen one after the other.

 

Under Shu Mingyao’s direction, Ji Zhijing stood on the sofa to hang up ribbons and letter balloons. Qi Ning looked up, watching her move.

 

“Xiao Ji, you’re so tall! Are you 175cm?”

 

“Exactly 175.”

 

Tall girls are usually around 170cm; 175cm was relatively rare.

 

“Were you an athlete?”

 

“I played basketball in high school.”

 

“Impressive!” Qi Ning, a self-proclaimed “klutz” when it came to sports, gave her a thumbs up. “With your height, you’d need a partner at least 185cm just to hold their own against you.”

 

Ji Zhijing smiled but said nothing. Instead, it was Shu Mingyao who shot a “death glare” toward Qi Ning.

 

Qi Ning: “????” Wait, did I say something wrong?

 

The living room was soon decorated, and the rest of the place didn’t need much work. Other friends began to arrive one by one, many of whom Qi Ning already knew.

 

Ji Zhijing’s cooking received unanimous praise. Many of the older women were curious about this newcomer and teased her about setting her up on dates. To all of this, Ji Zhijing simply smiled and let it pass.

 

“Isn’t A-Bin still single? What do you think of Xiao Ji? Let’s play matchmaker for you two today.”

 

At the dining table, someone made this half-joking comment, and everyone’s gaze shifted to Ji Zhijing and A-Bin.

 

A-Bin wasn’t shy about it. He picked up the thread and joked, “Sure! I just don’t know if the lady here would even look at me. I’ve been single for ages, and my mom is nagging me.”

 

The spotlight fell back on Ji Zhijing. A hint of embarrassment flashed across her face as she waved her hand in refusal. Surprisingly, the group grew even rowdier, acting as if they intended to finalize the “marriage” right then and there.

 

Qi Ning watched with great interest from the sidelines. In past gatherings, the single “dogs” were always the ones being forcibly matched. It used to be her; now, finally, there was fresh blood to take the heat.

 

Shu Mingyao, who had remained silent, glanced at everyone. Her gaze settled on A-Bin, and she gave a faint, chilling smile. “I’m single too. Why not consider me?”

 

As soon as she said this, the air instantly froze.

 

Even A-Bin, usually a smooth talker, could only say sheepishly, “Sister, you’re killing me. I don’t have the kind of luck it takes to be worthy of you.”

 

Being “Brother-in-law” to this group was not an easy job.

 

“Hahaha, look at the single dog backing down!” Others jumped in to smooth things over, and the topic was finally dropped.

 

They had some wine during dinner, and the drinking continued afterward. To keep things from getting dull, a few of them gathered to play card games and board games.

 

Ji Zhijing dutifully began to clean up the mess. Qi Ning knew that if she sat down to play, she wouldn’t be able to leave until dawn. Since she had to work tomorrow, she chose to help Ji Zhijing tidy up instead.

 

As Qi Ning washed dishes and Ji Zhijing wiped the stove, the atmosphere was quiet. Remembering the scene in the kitchen from earlier that evening, Qi Ning spoke up casually.

 

“Xiao Ji, you and Sister Shu have a really good relationship.” Hearing Ji Zhijing call her “President Shu” every time, Qi Ning had genuinely thought it was a simple employer-employee relationship.

 

Ji Zhijing’s hand paused for a moment. She replied, “It’s alright.”

 

As they chatted, Shu Mingyao, who was supposed to be playing games outside, suddenly appeared. She stared at the two of them for quite a while. Qi Ning asked, “Sister Shu, why are you here? Do you need something?”

 

Shu Mingyao glanced at Qi Ning. “Nothing.” Then she said to Ji Zhijing, “Zhijing, pour me a glass of lemon tea.”

 

She left after saying this, her tone sounding almost like a command.

 

Ji Zhijing immediately put down her cloth, rinsed her hands carefully, took a glass from the cupboard, and brought the tea out to her.

 

Looking at them, Qi Ning felt they didn’t act like friends; rather, it was more like Shu Mingyao’s dynamic with a suitor—where everyone showed her absolute obedience and was willing to bow at her feet.

 

Ji Zhijing returned quickly. Once they finished cleaning, she poured a glass of lemon tea for Qi Ning as well, and they walked out of the kitchen side by side.

 

In a corner of the living room, a mahjong game had already started. Shu Mingyao wasn’t playing the board games; she was watching from the side. Seeing the two come out, she beckoned to them. “Perfect. The three of us can play Fight the Landlord.”

 

The board game crowd was noisy, and the sound of mahjong tiles shuffling was irritating. They decided to sit out on the balcony to play cards and enjoy the night view.

 

Shu Mingyao’s penthouse had an incredible view of both the city lights and the river. Plus, being the only unit on the floor, they could be as loud as they wanted.

 

The balcony was beautiful and quiet, but it had one drawback: mosquitoes.

 

Slap! Qi Ning hit her own leg. A mosquito met its end, but the slap was hard enough to sting.

 

Ji Zhijing, who was shuffling the cards, stopped and asked with concern, “Are there mosquitoes?”

 

“Yeah,” Qi Ning said grumpily. “I’ve already been bitten a few times.”

 

“There’s repellent in the bedroom. I’ll go get it.” With that, she stood up and went inside.

 

Only Qi Ning and Shu Mingyao remained on the balcony.

 

Shu Mingyao took note of Ji Zhijing’s attitude but said nothing. Qi Ning didn’t notice.

 

Now that they were alone, Qi Ning glanced into the house to make sure no one was looking, then whispered mysteriously, “Sister Shu.”

 

Shu Mingyao’s tone went up an octave. “Hmm?”

 

“Is your… little lover not here today?”

 

“She’s here.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Looking around, there were only three men besides A-Bin. Those three wouldn’t have the guts to pursue Shu Mingyao in a hundred years. It couldn’t be one of them.

 

Shu Mingyao looked up at Qi Ning without saying a word. Qi Ning was baffled.

 

Just then, Ji Zhijing returned, handed the repellent to Qi Ning, and sat down beside Shu Mingyao.

 

Qi Ning was busy spraying herself and momentarily pushed the topic aside. Once she was finished, Shu Mingyao spoke.

 

“A-Ning, didn’t you want to know who my lover is?”

 

“Ah.” Qi Ning nodded blankly.

 

Shu Mingyao raised her hand, rested it on top of Ji Zhijing’s head, and ruffled her hair. She smiled at Qi Ning with the air of someone declaring ownership.

 

“She is my little lover.”

 

“???????????”

 

Qi Ning was stunned. She looked at Ji Zhijing, who didn’t deny it.

 

She had thought she was seeing things that other night, but it turned out to be true!!?

 

Finally, she understood why Shu Mingyao’s attitude had felt off today. It was jealousy?!

 

“No… you… you two…” Qi Ning was completely lost for words. She opened her mouth, paused, and finally said, “I’m a bit shocked.”

 

Shu Mingyao shrugged with an air of indifference. “It’s normal to be shocked. You’ll get used to it. Who knows, maybe I’ll have a different one next time.”

 

The moment she said that, Qi Ning reflexively checked Ji Zhijing’s reaction. She found that the “stony-faced” woman didn’t react at all—she didn’t even knit her brows.

 

It seemed this really was a purely financial relationship.

 

Still, this ‘lover’ is a bit neglectful, Qi Ning thought. Her sugar mama just said that; shouldn’t she act spoiled or try to please her? Then again, looking at Ji Zhijing’s stoic personality, she didn’t seem like the type to act cute.

 

With the reveal of the “lover,” a new topic was born. Qi Ning played a card and began to tease Ji Zhijing: “Xiao Ji, let me tell you, our Sister Shu is all bark and no bite. If you act a bit more spoiled with her, she might just buy you a car.”

 

Ji Zhijing said nothing. Mostly, she didn’t know how to respond, so she could only offer a dry smile.

 

Shu Mingyao arched an eyebrow and turned to her, following Qi Ning’s lead: “Act spoiled today, and I’ll buy you a car tomorrow.”

 

“…” Ji Zhijing simply looked Shu Mingyao in the eye. Forget acting spoiled—she couldn’t even manage a single word.

 

After a long silence, Shu Mingyao gave a dissatisfied “Tch.” “You are so boring.”

 

The atmosphere turned awkward for a moment.

 

Qi Ning hurried to play peacemaker, laughing, “That’s just Xiao Ji’s charm. Even if she’s ‘boring,’ don’t you still like her?”

 

Shu Mingyao played a card and replied casually, “I’m just bored myself.”

 

Ji Zhijing’s eyes deepened. She pursed her lips and continued the game.

 

Shu Mingyao changed the subject: “I heard you’re looking for office space lately. What, planning to be your own boss?”

 

“Not really.” Qi Ning paused. She had originally wanted to ask Shu Mingyao about the office space, but she was too embarrassed to bother such a busy person—and she was worried she couldn’t afford the rent. Now that the offer had been made, she wasn’t going to let it slip.

 

“It’s for my best friend. Her company wants to relocate. Sister Shu, do you have any leads?”

 

Shu Mingyao glanced at her and played a card. “Is there anything your Sister Shu doesn’t have? Tell me, what are you looking for?”

 

Qi Ning’s face lit up. It looked like the office situation was settled.

 

By nine o’clock, Qi Ning was getting sleepy. She let out a huge yawn. Shu Mingyao glanced up and said, “Tired? Why not stay the night? The guest rooms are ready. You can mess around as much as you want tonight.”

 

“No, no.” Qi Ning waved her off. “I’m heading back. I have work tomorrow. You guys enjoy!”

 

Shu Mingyao tried to persuade her a few more times, but seeing she couldn’t make her stay, she gave up and went downstairs to see her out.

 

In the elevator, Qi Ning watched the numbers on the panel change floor by floor.

 

The car was silent, and Qi Ning felt conflicted.

 

When they were upstairs with the crowd, she hadn’t felt much, but now that things were quiet, a lot of thoughts rushed into her head.

 

One, of course, was about Yun Yu.

 

The other was the relationship between Shu Mingyao and Ji Zhijing. She never would have guessed that Shu Mingyao’s “lover” would be a woman.

 

It felt as though the orderly, conventional world she knew was slowly changing—starting with herself.

 

“Do you have something to say to me?” Shu Mingyao saw Qi Ning’s face twisted in thought through the elevator mirror. she could roughly guess what was on her mind.

 

“No…” Qi Ning said instinctively. Then, feeling like something was stuck in her throat, she opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.

 

Qi Ning’s car was in the surface parking lot. Shu Mingyao walked her out, and they stopped by the car.

 

Shu Mingyao stood in the night air, hands in her pockets, looking as self-assured as ever.

 

Qi Ning didn’t open her car door immediately. They stood there for a few dozen seconds until she finally couldn’t hold it in anymore. She turned to face Shu Mingyao: “Sister Shu.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Qi Ning thought for a moment, choosing her words carefully. “I was really surprised tonight.”

 

“Why a woman?”

 

“Why can’t it be a woman?” Shu Mingyao countered.

 

Qi Ning: “…” She couldn’t find an answer to that.

 

She was right. Why couldn’t it be a woman? As long as Shu Mingyao liked her, gender didn’t matter.

 

After a tense moment, Shu Mingyao let out a slow breath. Staring at the concrete ground, she said, “I’m actually quite surprised myself.”

 

She then turned to Qi Ning. “Do you think that because I’ve been married, I should be ‘straight’?”

 

Qi Ning nodded.

 

Shu Mingyao laughed. “Who knows if anyone is truly ‘straight’? I just feel that having someone by my side is nice, regardless of whether they are a man or a woman.”

 

Qi Ning was stunned. For Shu Mingyao to say those words with such a gentle smile, it seemed she really did like Ji Zhijing.

 

Thinking of her own tangled mess with Yun Yu… Sigh.

 

“It seems… Sister Shu has finally succumbed to her heart,” Qi Ning teased with her usual familiar smile.

 

When she said this, however, Shu Mingyao looked shocked, as if Qi Ning had said something impossible.

 

Quickly, Shu Mingyao said:

 

“You’ve misunderstood. I’m not at that stage with her.”

 

“I just took in a little lover to keep me company, that’s all.”

 

Qi Ning: “…”

 

Give me back my sentimental moment!!!