Quenching My Thirst - Chapter 3

You Ling’s gaze finally settled on her blind date’s face.

Long, wavy hair, ice-blue peach blossom eyes, and that familiar, aloof aura that kept others at a distance.

It was the woman she had bumped into at school yesterday.

You Ling instantly tightened her grip on her skirt. She parted her lips, but only two words came out.

“Elder Sister.”

Her brain felt like it had short-circuited, making it difficult to think.

She couldn’t understand how the beautiful woman she’d met yesterday could suddenly be her blind date today.

Earlier that day, during a break from her nursing duties, You Ling had spent the entire day searching her phone for information about Bai Yiqing.

She learned that Bai Yiqing was aloof, ruthless in her dealings, and had an extreme aversion to germs.

By all accounts, she should have been a difficult person to get along with.

So how could such a person be the gentle Elder Sister she’d met yesterday?

Bai Yiqing looked at You Ling’s outfit today, her slender white fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop.

Her tone was cool, yet her words were a gentle compliment: “You look very beautiful today.”

The tips of You Ling’s ears warmed slightly, and she loosened her grip on the hem of her skirt. She changed the term she’d blurted out earlier and replied softly, “Miss Bai, you look very beautiful today as well.”

This wasn’t flattery; it was a genuine compliment from You Ling. Unlike her simple and capable shirt-and-skirt ensemble from yesterday, Bai Yiqing seemed to have dressed up seriously, perhaps for the blind date.

Her jet-black hair curled like seaweed, cascading down her back, with a few strands falling forward to partially cover her bare, snow-white shoulders. The black one-shoulder dress made her already fair and smooth skin appear even more refined. The hem fell just above her knees, revealing long, straight legs.

Bai Yiqing’s makeup was subtle, with nude-toned eye shadow that naturally blushed at the outer corners. Even with her cool demeanor, her peach-blossom eyes seemed to hold a hint of lingering affection. Her snow-white skin and crimson lips made her shine brighter than the moon-shaped diamond earrings hanging from her ears.

Before her, You Ling felt a pang of inferiority. Bai Yiqing seemed like a cold, crescent moon hanging in the sky, while she was just an insignificant speck of dust.

Thinking of Bai Yiqing’s obsessive cleanliness, she felt a lump in her throat.

Most people struggled to get close to her; yesterday, I’d accidentally bumped into her. I can only imagine how disgusted she must have felt at the time.

“Miss Bai, I’m truly sorry for accidentally bumping into you yesterday. If…”

Before she could finish her apology, the woman interrupted her.

She shook her wrist, revealing the black hair tie around it. “I’ve already accepted your apology. Please, sit down first.”

Realizing her tone sounded like she was speaking to a subordinate, she softened slightly.

“And call me Bai Yiqing.”

“Or Elder Sister, if you prefer.”

Compared to the now extremely reserved You Ling before her, Bai Yiqing still preferred the young woman who had smiled shyly yesterday.

I don’t bite, so why are you so nervous?

Following her words, You Ling sat down opposite her.

Her gaze involuntarily fell on Bai Yiqing’s wrist resting on the table. The woman’s slender, pale wrist was adorned with a pilled black hair tie, a stark contrast to her noble status.

She couldn’t tell exactly how thin she was. The hair tie that fit perfectly on her own wrist looked even a little loose on You Ling’s.

You Ling’s eyelashes fluttered as she averted her gaze, lowering her head to stare at the small patch of tabletop in front of her.

The private room fell silent once more.

Bai Yiqing leaned back in her chair, quietly observing You Ling.

Such a well-behaved young girl, she thought. She has such an alluring appearance, yet her personality is surprisingly gentle and obedient. Her private life is clean, and her social circle is simple.

Calling me “Elder Sister” would sound lovely on her.

I like people who are pure.

Though she does seem a bit timid.

I wonder how the You Family raised her.

She had originally intended to ask You Ling for her opinion of her, but then she noticed the young woman’s hand pressed against her stomach.

Her fine eyebrows furrowed, and she suddenly asked, “Didn’t you have lunch?”

You Ling froze, looking up at Bai Yiqing, unsure how to answer.

She hadn’t just skipped lunch; she hadn’t eaten anything all day.

Seeing her half-day struggle to utter a word, Bai Yiqing pressed her temples.

No wonder the tall girl looked so frail, her body so slender it seemed almost paper-thin.

Stomach pain was most likely caused by irregular eating habits.

She reached for the bag hanging on the wall, rummaged through it, and pulled out the stomach medicine. She pressed the call button, and a waiter quickly appeared to ask for her order.

“You can bring the food now,” Bai Yiqing instructed. “Keep a few of the signature dishes we ordered, but replace the rest with mild, easily digestible options.”

“And bring a glass of warm water.”

Soon, the warm water arrived in the private room.

Along with the stomach medicine she’d just found, Bai Yiqing placed it in front of You Ling. She tapped the table and said, “Take this first. The food will be served shortly.”

You Ling took the medicine from her hand, her fingertips accidentally brushing against Bai Yiqing’s.

The fleeting touch of her skin sent a blush deeper beneath the black hair covering her cheeks.

After taking the medicine, the burning sensation in her stomach gradually subsided.

The dishes began to arrive one after another.

The private dining restaurant’s dishes were exquisitely plated, their vibrant colors and enticing aromas making them irresistible.

You Ling, who loved spicy food, her gaze fixed on several fiery red dishes.

Seemingly noticing her thoughts, Bai Yiqing had the waiter place the mild dishes in front of You Ling.

“You have a stomachache,” she said. “You need to eat something bland.”

You Ling looked up at the woman speaking to her, but seeing Bai Yiqing’s cold expression and unyielding demeanor, she lowered her head again.

You Ling stirred the deer antler and chicken shredded congee in front of her with a spoon, a slight puzzlement in her heart.

Isn’t the air conditioning on in here? Why is Bai Yiqing’s face still flushed with heat?

She didn’t voice her question, instead keeping her head down and slowly eating, occasionally lifting her head to pick up a bite of a dish.

Noticing that Bai Yiqing seemed to enjoy the steamed fish, You Ling instinctively used the serving chopsticks to take a piece of fish, carefully remove all the bones, and place it in the woman’s bowl.

Meeting Bai Yiqing’s gaze, she offered a soft, obedient smile.

“Elder Sister, do you want some shrimp? If you do, I can peel them for you.”

Knowing that Bai Yiqing was the beautiful woman she’d met yesterday, You Ling’s initial resistance instantly vanished.

Even though she knew the woman likely looked down on her, she still wanted to do everything she could to care for her.

After all, a woman like Bai Yiqing truly deserved to be cherished and pampered.

Bai Yiqing looked at the pile of snow-white fish meat in her bowl, then at You Ling.

The young woman’s beautiful, foxy eyes were still open, awaiting her answer.

I’ve never seen such a well-behaved little fox.

A faint smile played at the corner of her lips, and the woman nodded slightly.

With permission granted, You Ling put on disposable gloves and focused on peeling shrimp.

After placing the peeled shrimp on a small plate and presenting it to Bai Yiqing, she finally returned to her own meal.

You Ling was never a picky eater; she’d eat anything and was easy to care for.

Yet she could tell the dishes at the private restaurant were exceptionally delicious. The warm porridge and light dishes settled in her stomach, easing the last twinges of pain.

Just as she was about to take another bite, Bai Yiqing’s cold voice cut through the air.

“Stop eating.”

The young woman’s hand froze mid-air as she reached for another dish. She awkwardly set down her chopsticks.

Under the table, her fingers twisted together as she watched Bai Yiqing wiping her lips. She murmured an apology, “I’m sorry, Miss Bai. I ate too much.”

Bai Yiqing glanced at her, unsure whether to laugh or cry. “Sorry for what? It’s just a meal. I wouldn’t let you go hungry.”

“But your stomach was hurting earlier. Don’t eat too much now. You can buy something later if you’re hungry.”

Realizing she had misunderstood, You Ling felt a pang of guilt.

Her lips parted to apologize again, but Bai Yiqing pressed her index finger against her own rosy lips.

“Don’t say sorry again.”

“Does your stomach still hurt after eating?”

You Ling swallowed her apology and shook her head. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Bai Yiqing nodded, her gaze unwavering. “Then what are you thinking right now?”

“Do you have feelings for me?”

You Ling hadn’t expected her to be so direct. Startled, she stammered, “Miss Bai, I… I’m not good enough for you.”

This wasn’t an excuse.

You Ling genuinely felt she wasn’t worthy of Bai Yiqing.

With Bai Yiqing’s status, she could have married someone far better than an ordinary, unremarkable person like You Ling.

Bai Yiqing lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting a small shadow beneath her eyes.

Under the light, the woman’s bone structure appeared even more striking.

“So, is it that you don’t think you’re good enough for me, or that you’re not interested in me?” Bai Yiqing asked, her fingers curling slightly.

You Ling bit her lip. After a moment, she replied earnestly, “Miss Bai, I’m not good enough for you.”

“So, you are interested in me?”

At this, a faint smile finally graced Bai Yiqing’s cool, elegant face, and the private room seemed to brighten.

Her voice, tinged with amusement, reached You Ling’s ears.

“You Ling, I quite like you. Would you like to try this with me?”

You Ling’s mind went blank, her ear tips turning crimson.

Her brain froze, and she blurted out, “Try what?”

Bai Yiqing rose to her feet, leaning forward slightly. She pressed her palm against the young woman’s head, smoothing down her unruly hair.

“Marriage.”

The unique, cool fragrance of the woman wafted to her nose, and the sensation of her head being gently pressed down seemed to linger.

You Ling began to suspect that everything that had just happened was a fantasy born from her own covetousness of Bai Yiqing’s beauty.

Miss Bai, a high-and-mighty, severely germaphobic woman, had actually initiated physical contact with her and was willing to marry her.

It all sounded like a daydream.

Her eyes glazed over with disbelief. When she noticed the young woman’s gaze fixed on her, she felt an even stronger urge to flee.

The young woman stammered, “Miss Bai, I’m not favored at home, I have no shares, no money, I’m not pretty, and I’m not ambitious. Did you… did you make a mistake?”

Bai Yiqing frowned at her cascade of self-deprecating words.

She countered, “I’m strong-willed, older, and a germaphobe. Would you find me repulsive?”

You Ling immediately retorted, “No, Miss Bai, you’re not old at all, and your personality is wonderful.”

Bai Yiqing’s crossed leg swayed slightly, and the furrow between her brows smoothed out.

“You’re very beautiful, with a gentle disposition. Lack of money doesn’t matter; the Bai Family has plenty. But after marriage, you’ll need to strive to improve yourself.”

“Let me ask again: Do you want to marry me?”

No, she didn’t want to marry. She wanted to improve herself.

Using “817” for Elder Sister’s name didn’t feel out of place at all.

Support