Rose Lock - Chapter 49

On her birthday, the Fenghai Ballroom was closed, and almost everyone was happy to come and celebrate Hua Manyi’s birthday.

The birthday decorations included colored lights, colorful ribbons, Roman candles passed down from the West, and various red wines were served. Ah Qiang at the bar had recently learned a trick of stacking wine glasses, piling the stemmed glasses into a cone shape, and pouring red wine from the top, creating a tiered little waterfall, with the red liquid slowly flowing in all directions.

Li Zhen verbally scolded him for wasting it, but actually turned around and praised him.

In the center of the ballroom was a half-height cake with eighteen candles lit. Under everyone’s wishes, Hua Manyi blew out the candles. The surroundings erupted in excitement. Fang Yu, Bai Jing, and Xue Wenyan, a few lead singers, pulled Hua Manyi onto the stage to sing and dance. Even if they sang wrong, no one criticized or scolded them. The audience only consisted of people from Fenghai, and Mother Gong, who was sitting in the center, smoking a cigarette and tolerating their wild antics. They were having a blast.

But sometimes things are not destined to go smoothly.

Mother Gong had to leave temporarily due to an urgent matter. Hua Manyi planned to go upstairs to change because her clothes had gotten cake on them. Right after she finished changing and before she came down, Xiaoxiao said that Mother Gong had something urgent to deal with and told them to continue having fun first. If she could rush back, she would return to Fenghai in the evening.

Hua Manyi leaned against the railing on the second floor, looking down at the entrance of the ballroom, just in time to catch a glimpse of Mother Gong’s departing figure. Xiaoxiao handed her a small plate of cake. She took a bite and suddenly felt that it wasn’t so sweet anymore.

“Sister Manyi, are you unhappy?” Xiaoxiao accompanied her downstairs.

“No, I’m very happy. Meeting all of you is the greatest good fortune in my life,” Hua Manyi stroked her head.

Xiaoxiao curved her eyes. As she and Hua Manyi arrived at the ballroom, they saw a crowd of people suddenly surge in through the entrance. Each person was carrying equipment they didn’t understand.

“What’s going on? Who are you?” Xiaoxiao stepped forward to stop them.

Hearing the commotion, Fang Yu quickly walked over and pulled Xiaoxiao’s hand down. “Xiaoxiao, this is the film crew Mother Gong invited. Don’t cause trouble. Master Zhang, please come in.”

With that, Fang Yu invited the people in. The people from Fenghai chattered and looked at each other.

This ‘film’ was a Western novelty that had only been introduced in the last two years. It was like shadow play but so much more realistic than shadow play that it was unbelievable. Many people and objects seemed to genuinely appear before their eyes, causing surprise and admiration.

As soon as Master Zhang entered, he had people set up the equipment. They hung a new gray cloth in front of the original ballroom curtain. Near the entrance in the audience area, Master Zhang set up a machine that looked like a reel. A beam of light shone out from the machine onto the curtain, and the movie title, The Million Pound Bank Note, immediately appeared on the curtain. There was another machine emitting sound, but the people sitting in the ballroom watching the movie thought it was the figures on the screen talking.

“Sister Manyi, this man looks like he’s about to come out and hit me,” Xiaoxiao sat at the same table as Hua Manyi, looking at the flickering figures on the screen, scared enough to quickly grab Hua Manyi’s arm.

Hua Manyi laughed at her. “There are so many people here. If he really tried to hit you, would everyone let you be bullied?”

“That’s true…” Xiaoxiao scratched her head. “But then again, Mother Gong is so generous! She directly invited a film crew over. I heard you have to buy tickets to see a movie at the cinema, and those tickets are expensive, 15 yuan a piece!”

Xiaoxiao made the “15” gesture, her expression exaggerated.

Hua Manyi signaled her to be quiet. “Alright, alright, just watch the movie quietly.”

Two hours passed, and the movie ended. Master Zhang and his people left. Many people were still lingering, gathering in twos and threes to discuss the Western novelty.

Fang Yu searched through the crowd for a long time before finding Hua Manyi. “Manyi, you’re here. I was wondering why I didn’t see you. Come, this is your gift.”

Hua Manyi happily accepted it. “Thank you, Sister Fang.”

“Sister Manyi, mine too!” Xiaoxiao pulled out a small box from behind her back, a little shy. Hua Manyi curved her lips and accepted it as well.

The rest of the people gave their gifts and offered their congratulations. Suddenly, someone asked, “Sister Manyi, what did Mother Gong give you as a gift? Can you let everyone see?”

As soon as the question was asked, the entire room fell silent. After all, Mother Gong had even invited the film crew for everyone to watch, so wouldn’t her gift to Sister Manyi be even more valuable?

“Yes, yes, Sister Manyi, don’t hide it. Hurry up and let us take a look,” someone egged her on.

“I can’t take it out even if I wanted to. Mother Gong hasn’t given it yet. Maybe this movie is the gift,” Hua Manyi deflected the question cleverly. Everyone finally stopped asking.

“Sister Manyi, it’s getting late. I’ll help you carry these gifts back to your room,” Xiaoxiao said.

“Okay.”

…

Around ten o’clock at night, the birthday celebration ended with Hua Manyi getting drunk.

Fang Yu directed people to clean up. “Ah Qiang, deal with the leftover wine. Rest early after you’re done. And Xiaoxiao, Manyi is drunk. Go to the kitchen and bring her a hangover soup…”

Xiaoxiao was supporting Hua Manyi up the stairs. Hearing Fang Yu’s words, she answered, “Got it, Sister Fang.”

But when she went to the back kitchen, the hangover soup was gone, so she had to find the ingredients and cook it herself.

Almost everyone in the ballroom had returned to their rooms to rest. Most of the lights were turned off, leaving only one or two side lamps on. Ah Qiang was the last to leave. Before closing the door, a Ford car stopped at the entrance. He recognized it as Mother Gong’s car and quickly opened the main door, asking, “Mother Gong, you’re back?”

Gong Yan got out of the car, hummed in acknowledgement, holding something in her hand. She turned her head and told Old Fu to drive back. “Is everyone asleep?”

Ah Qiang replied, “Yes, they played all day and were tired, so they went back to their rooms to sleep.”

“Nothing happened?” Gong Yan had a faint smell of smoke on her, which Ah Qiang was used to.

“No.”

“Thank you for your hard work.” Gong Yan walked in and went upstairs.

Ah Qiang closed the door. “It’s no trouble. Should I go back to my room to rest now, Mother Gong?”

“Mhm.”

Walking up the second-floor corridor, the end of the corridor was completely dark. Gong Yan was about to knock on Hua Manyi’s door when she found it was ajar. She simply pushed the door open and entered. “Hua Manyi.”

The person was lying drunk on the bed, half her body about to fall off. Gong Yan frowned and went over to help her sit up. Only then did she place the gift on the bedside table. “This is for you. Happy Birthday, Hua Manyi.”

The drunk Hua Manyi still had no reaction. Gong Yan waited for a few seconds, no longer expecting any response from her, and turned to leave. Who knew that the next moment, her wrist was grabbed.

“Mmm… Don’t go.” Hua Manyi’s cheeks were flushed, clearly looking quite drunk. She slightly opened her eyes, struggling to focus for a few seconds. Unable to make out anything clearly, her lips parted slightly. “Mother Gong?”

Gong Yan turned back. Hua Manyi was wearing a dress she had never worn before, likely the first time she was wearing it since buying it. Her long, black waterfall-like hair was tied up in a high bun, adorned with a beautiful silver-white fan-shaped hair accessory, making her look captivating and beautiful.

Gong Yan’s gaze was obscure and unfathomable. She hummed in response.

“I want to take a shower, I feel uncomfortable.” Hua Manyi mumbled, completely lacking her usual stubborn and unyielding spirit, and her ability to annoy people.

As the words fell, Gong Yan raised an eyebrow, extinguished her cigarette, and then walked over, supporting the woman from under her armpits. “Get up.”

Hua Manyi inhaled the familiar scent and slowly sat up with the woman’s strength. Being so close, Hua Manyi could see Mother Gong’s thin red lips, which were sexy and cold, as soon as she opened her eyes.

Hua Manyi slowly moved her gaze upwards to Mother Gong’s languid face, her voice slurred and soft. “Where are we… going?”

Gong Yan replied in a displeased tone, “Didn’t you say you wanted to take a shower? I’m taking you to take a shower.”

The alcohol was probably kicking in, and it took Hua Manyi a while to catch up to her words. “Ooh, I want a bath… Mother Gong, someone took apart my bathtub. I can’t take a bath anymore.”

Seeing the woman become increasingly wronged, Gong Yan was stunned, then developed a headache. “Get up, I’ll take you to take a bath.”

Hearing this, Hua Manyi finally relaxed her brows, obediently let her help her up, and walked toward the door.

Gong Yan directly took the woman to her own room, went to the bathroom to run the hot water, and then returned to the sofa in the room, picked her up, took off her clothes, and placed her in the bathtub.

“Hua Manyi, hurry up and wash.” Gong Yan glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost midnight.

“Mother Gong, I actually always wanted to say something to you…” Hua Manyi’s voice came from behind, and she held onto Gong Yan’s wrist, refusing to let go.

“Manyi, you’re drunk.” Gong Yan didn’t turn around to look at her body. Although she had seen plenty when taking off her clothes, she didn’t have a habit of watching people’s bodies while they were bathing.

After saying this, Gong Yan couldn’t help but frown again. What did she want to say? “What do you want to say?”

Hua Manyi’s face was flushed, her beautiful peach blossom eyes clearly still holding intoxication. She rose up from the warm water, one leg crossed over the edge of the bathtub, and tempted, “You’ll know if you look over…”

After saying that, Hua Manyi hiccuped and smiled coquettishly at the woman’s profile.

Gong Yan turned her head in response, but only saw a flash of white lunging towards her. She instinctively wrapped her arms around Hua Manyi’s waist and retreated several steps, crashing against the bathroom door.

The high-quality cheongsam on her body got wet, becoming heavy. The sheer white shawl tilted to one side.

“What are you doing?!” A hint of anger flashed in Gong Yan’s eyes, but she still supported Hua Manyi’s delicate, swaying body.

“Shh…” Hua Manyi wrapped her arms around Gong Yan’s neck and giggled. “Mother Gong, I know you like women. I saw you kiss a songstress… hic… didn’t I?”

Gong Yan’s face instantly darkened.

Hua Manyi was completely unaware, continuing to talk to her, her tone becoming sorrowful. “There was a time when you were very sad. Was it because she died? She was your confidante, your beloved. You must have been very sad…”

“Hua Manyi, who gave you the right to gossip about these matters? Remember your place.”

The coldness in the woman’s languid voice reached her ears. Hua Manyi gave a bleak smile. The alcohol emboldened her. She leaned closer, while her other hand grabbed Gong Yan’s wrist, pulling it slowly to cup her chest.

“Mother Gong, I’ve actually always admired you…” The drunk Hua Manyi rarely smiled shyly, daringly pressing against the corner of Gong Yan’s mouth. “It’s past twelve o’clock, Mother Gong. I’m an adult today. Stop treating me like a little girl who knows nothing.”

“Hua Manyi, you’re crazy…” Gong Yan was shaken by that sentence. Her eyes were deep, her breathing quickened. The hand around the slender waist originally wanted to push her away, but the person on her tightened her grip with both hands.

A faint smell of alcohol wafted over. Gong Yan thought she was probably crazy too. She cupped the back of Hua Manyi’s head and kissed her deeper.

The cheongsam on her body was completely soaked as they tumbled into the bathtub. Hua Manyi found it obstructive. She pushed Gong Yan’s hand away, sat on her, and personally unbuttoned it one by one, while whispering, “Mother Gong… I’m uncomfortable…”

Only when kisses landed one by one on her body was she satisfied enough to hum. Half-drunk and half-awake, Hua Manyi looked at the ceiling above her. The light emitted a faint glow. Below her was the softness of the sofa. Her ankle was clasped by a hand and held against the backrest of the sofa. When the passion was intense, she couldn’t bear it and hugged the head on her lower abdomen. Her plump, round toes curled up, feeling uncomfortable yet extremely happy.

“Mother Gong… I can’t take it anymore…” Especially when she heard the sounds of water and swallowing echoing in the room, it made her ears burn red with shame.

…

Xiaoxiao came up with the finally-cooked hangover soup, but when she stepped into the room, she found the person wasn’t there. “Sister Manyi?”

She called out twice, couldn’t find anyone, walked out of the room, and scratched her head. Passing by Mother Gong’s room, she thought she saw the light on inside. She tentatively called out, “Mother Gong? Is Sister Manyi in your room?”

Just a white wall separated them. Hua Manyi’s shoulders trembled. A piece of white jade hung from the woman’s waist. The long, slender fingers brought about swelling, and the distance narrowed until it reached a deeper level. Hua Manyi had never felt so happy being drunk. Fireworks exploded in her mind, as if she had reached heaven. Her whole body was tense, but the woman in front of her suddenly stopped moving.

“She’s with me, Xiaoxiao, go downstairs.” Gong Yan turned her head towards the door and responded coldly.

Hua Manyi closed her eyes, slightly annoyed. “Mother Gong… Mmm—”

Before she could finish her sentence, it was swallowed back by herself. The familiar warmth pressed against her. Her hands barely rested on Gong Yan’s shoulders, intimately connected.

In the dead of night, the sound of water began to resonate again, accompanied by the warm temperature flowing over her skin. Hua Manyi suddenly changed her previous enjoying posture, letting out low cries from her throat, weakly trying to push the woman’s hand away. “Go away, don’t touch…”

“You don’t like it?” Gong Yan didn’t let go, whispering in her ear.

Hua Manyi tried hard to concentrate, but as soon as she spoke, the smell of alcohol wafted up. She rested her chin on Gong Yan’s shoulder, her voice filled with grievance and self-blame. “Am I being very wanton like this…”

Gong Yan stared intently at her frail, snow-white back for several seconds, then stroked Hua Manyi’s shoulder, pushing her slightly against the wall. Her red lips were pressed together with a hint of desire, moving from Hua Manyi’s chest downwards…

“No.”

A biting sensation came, and a different kind of breathing reflected meticulously and clearly in her mind from a certain area. Hua Manyi covered her mouth with both hands, almost unable to stand. The carpet was clean, and never had she felt the carpet so soft, so soft that she was about to lose her footing. The sound of water was gone, but she clearly realized where it had all disappeared.

“Mother Gong…” Hua Manyi had to support herself on the desk, her palm pressing on a document. She clenched and wrinkled it. Her long, feather-like eyelashes trembled incessantly, even hanging with tiny mist droplets.

If this was a dream, she wished she would never wake up.

Hua Manyi lay panting on the bed, next to the woman who was just as naked as her. In the light, her nose bridge was straight and her eyes were deep, with an indescribable charm. Her gaze was gentle, like a whirlpool sucking her in, making her intoxicated.

The woman pulled the quilt up, covering them. Her hand was around Hua Manyi’s waist, holding her closely, intimately. Hua Manyi pressed her face into the crook of her neck. Their legs were intertwined beneath the quilt, and she slept soundly, content.

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