Self-Perception - Chapter 9

The photographer held the camera and spoke to Gu Wansheng, who was standing under the light board, “Miss Gu, look over here. Three, two, one.”

As the “one” sound faded, the prop crew sprinkled rose petals down, landing on Gu Wansheng’s shoulders, followed by a continuous “click, click, click” of the shutter.

“Great, Teacher Gu, please hold the perfume bottle next to your face.”

Wen Jinyan stood to the side, watching the woman under the spotlight display a perfectly executed smile. Rose petals were blown up by the fan and then slowly settled on her hair. The red dress, bright lips, and downward tilting eyes carried a hint of seduction and allure. She was enchanting and dangerous, yet people would still bow to her and surrender.

Even the people off-set were stunned. Someone let out a low “Wow,” and sounds of admiration rose and fell.

Wherever she stood, that place was the focus, the center.

This was the first time Wen Jinyan’s gaze had been so focused on Gu Wansheng. Unlike the brief few seconds back at the bar, this time, she couldn’t look away.

Meng Qiu noticed Wen Jinyan’s eyes were glued to Gu Wansheng and approached her discreetly. “It’s okay, Sister Jinyan, Sister Gu is yours.”

No matter how many people say ‘wow,’ she doesn’t belong to anyone else.

Wen Jinyan lowered her lashes, casting a shadow beneath her eyes, and let out a soft “Mm.”

Ah, ah, ah, so sweet, so sweet. I declare that I am now the love bodyguard for Sister Gu and Sister Jinyan.

Meng Qiu was secretly thrilled. On the other side, Gu Wansheng changed a few more poses, and the photographer was filled with constant praise.

“OK, thank you for your hard work, Teacher Gu.”

Gu Wansheng smiled appropriately, “It was no trouble.”

Meng Qiu stepped forward and draped a thin cardigan over Gu Wansheng. Gu Wansheng covered the cardigan with her hands and gathered it closer to her shoulders.

“Bored?” Gu Wansheng was already two centimeters taller than Wen Jinyan, and now wearing high heels, she had to slightly look down to speak.

That scent enveloped her again, reminding Wen Jinyan of the woman’s captivating smiles and glances during the shoot.

She suddenly avoided Gu Wansheng’s gaze, her eyes half-downcast. Then, feeling that her evasive movement had been too dramatic, she slowly lifted her eyelids.

“Do your feet hurt?” Her tone was very soft, like a gentle breeze, lazily murmuring close to the ear.

Hearing Wen Jinyan’s question, Gu Wansheng looked down. Her heels were already red. She wiggled them, and a pang of pain struck her.

So, she wasn’t avoiding her gaze out of shyness. A warm feeling flowed through her heart.

Gu Wansheng’s voice was light, like a hook, “They hurt.”

Meng Qiu was shocked: Sister Gu, is this… pouting!!!

“Teacher Gu, please take a look at the finished photos.”

A staff member held the tablet horizontally in front of Gu Wansheng and scrolled.

Wen Jinyan subtly leaned closer, shoulder touching shoulder.

Gu Wansheng noticed her consideration and smiled. She placed her hand on Wen Jinyan’s slender yet strong shoulder for support, bending her other leg to rest it.

“Very good. Thank you for making me look so beautiful.”

“Teacher Gu, you jest. It’s because you are beautiful.”

The staff member turned away, and Meng Qiu followed her.

Gu Wansheng stood in the shadow, her initially leaning motion slowly becoming one where half her body was virtually resting against Wen Jinyan. She felt the person next to her tense up and immediately relax. The scent of cool pine was clean and comforting.

A force landed on her shoulder, and a hand gently patted her through the thin cardigan. “Don’t tense up.”

Then she added, “You can lean on me.”

She even noticed that Gu Wansheng was only using three-tenths of her weight to lean. Gu Wansheng curved her lips in a smile where Wen Jinyan couldn’t see and increased her force, leaning more heavily on the shoulder.

Just as Wen Jinyan was about to speak, Meng Qiu returned.

“Sister Gu…” Seeing Sister Gu nestled close to Wen Jinyan’s embrace, their gestures intimate, she hesitated before speaking, “Did I interrupt you…?”

Gu Wansheng felt frustrated but kept her voice gentle, “No. Are there slippers in the car?”

“Yes,” Meng Qiu thought for a moment and replied. Remembering what Gu Wansheng had asked before, she added, “Sister Gu, the shoot is over. The brand said you could leave, but they still want to invite you to dinner.”

“Mm, please turn them down for me and also buy some ointment. I’ll wait for you in the car.”

Gu Wansheng leaned on Wen Jinyan, and Wen Jinyan, afraid she might fall, loosely wrapped her arm around Gu Wansheng.

“Okay,” Meng Qiu was quick-witted this time. With Wen Jinyan present, Sister Gu was taken care of. She jogged away.

Wen Jinyan supported her as they walked. Gu Wansheng’s pace was clearly slowed down. Wen Jinyan was close enough to easily hear the woman’s low, uneven breathing.

“Can you still walk?” Wen Jinyan’s gaze went to her ankle, which seemed redder.

“If I say I can’t walk, are you going to carry me?” Gu Wansheng joked.

Wen Jinyan looked at the woman’s clothes the off the shoulder dress and the high slit and refused, “No.”

Gu Wansheng’s smile was about to drop, but Wen Jinyan continued seriously, “I didn’t bring any extra clothes. If I carried you, you might have a wardrobe malfunction.”

The woman’s suppressed smile immediately resurfaced, even widening.

They walked to the parking lot. Gu Wansheng bent down and sat inside the car, and Wen Jinyan followed. Before her backside could touch the soft seat, her collar was tugged, and Gu Wansheng cupped the back of her head. A soft, light kiss fell upon her lips, like gentle rain. A hand covered her side neck, the thumb gently rubbing her skin.

Wen Jinyan’s breath was ragged from the kiss. She held Gu Wansheng’s wrist and used the support point to sit steadily.

“You…” Wen Jinyan opened her mouth, and Gu Wansheng took the opportunity to slide in, enticing and provoking, kissing Wen Jinyan until she was defenseless.

“I just wanted to kiss you,” Gu Wansheng rested her forehead against Wen Jinyan’s, drawing a breath.

The passenger door opened, and Wen Jinyan leaned back one step and sat properly.

“Sister Gu, I’m back…” Meng Qiu carried the bag of ointment, looking at the two people in the back seat.

Why did the atmosphere feel a bit strange? Meng Qiu’s gaze shifted between the two of them, finally landing on their lips.

Sister Gu’s lipstick was faded quite a bit, and Sister Jinyan’s lips were much redder than before.

Wait a moment.

Meng Qiu’s focus sharpened.

The lipstick on their lips was the same!!!

Did she just ruin Sister Gu’s chance again!!!

“What are you looking at? Give me the medicine,” Gu Wansheng spoke, seeing the assistant’s scrutinizing gaze.

Wen Jinyan pursed her lips and turned her head to look out the window.

“Oh, oh, okay,” Meng Qiu handed her the item and called the driver.

On the way back, Wen Jinyan saw Gu Wansheng occasionally licking her lips from the window view and fell into thought.

When they got home, Gu Wansheng had just sat on the sofa, ready to apply the ointment, when Wen Jinyan sat on her lap and actively leaned in for a kiss.

Her kiss, compared to the first time’s clumsiness, was more skillful. She no longer fixated on nibbling but slowly ground her lips, licking them gently.

Gu Wansheng was slightly surprised and let her take the lead. However, after a long while, Wen Jinyan was still only moving around the lips, with no intention of going deeper.

Gu Wansheng felt a tickle in her heart. She gently pushed Wen Jinyan away. Wen Jinyan couldn’t hide her slightly furrowed brow. Gu Wansheng saw this expression and explained,

“Not like that. Let me teach you.”

In the next second, Gu Wansheng gently embraced her philtrum, finely grinding it. Before long, she pried open her teeth and went deep.

“Study carefully.”

The voice finally landed on her neck and shoulder.

“Why did you initiate the kiss just now?” Gu Wansheng twirled her hair around her fingers, watching Wen Jinyan tidy her collar.

“Because I felt like you wanted me to kiss you,” Wen Jinyan buttoned the top button, covering the mark above her collarbone, then looked up at her seriously.

“How did you figure that out?” Gu Wansheng patiently teased, looking at her with an air of complete composure.

“Because in the car, you were mostly pursing your lips. Each time was not long, only one or two seconds, but the frequency was very high.”

She observed that closely, even remembering the time; she was paying such attention to me.

Gu Wansheng couldn’t suppress the smile on her lips. Just as she was about to move closer, Wen Jinyan tilted her head, and the kiss landed on the corner of her mouth.

“I’m hungry,” Wen Jinyan said softly.

“Alright, I’ll go cook.” Gu Wansheng got up and opened the refrigerator, finding that there weren’t many ingredients left.

Ordering ingredients now, plus the cooking time, would take too long.

She closed the refrigerator.

“No ingredients left, but there are noodles. Choose between takeout and noodles.”

This was the third time Gu Wansheng had asked her to make a choice.

“Either is fine.”

“Noodles are quick. If you’re not in a hurry or too hungry, we can choose takeout.”

Gu Wansheng threw the choice back to Wen Jinyan.

“Noodles then,” Wen Jinyan compromised.

“Good,” Gu Wansheng took her hand. “Come help me wash two bowls.”

Wen Jinyan was used to it. She came to the kitchen and naturally took out two bowls. After cleaning them, she hesitated for a few seconds and asked, “Do you need me to season it? My technique is pretty good.”

“I would be delighted,” Gu Wansheng lit the gas and turned her head to look at the woman.

The woman was wearing half-rimmed glasses. A few strands of hair fell naturally over the side of her face. Her features were well-defined, and her nose was high, making her entire demeanor look sharp and cold. Yet, what she was doing seemed warm and meticulous.

Gu Wansheng reached out and tucked the hair strands on her cheek behind her ear. The woman clearly paused for half a second, then continued with her task as if nothing had happened.

“You’re mixed-race,” Gu Wansheng’s finger gently brushed her earlobe. She withdrew her hand, her tone certain.

“Mm. My grandfather is French,” Wen Jinyan did not evade the topic. After seasoning the food, she turned on the faucet to wash her hands.

“What about your uncle and aunt?” The sound of boiling water in the pot came through. Gu Wansheng lifted the lid, and without waiting for Wen Jinyan’s reply, she asked, “Is a medium sized portion okay?”

“Yes,” Wen Jinyan dried her hands, her eyes unnaturally downcast, and slowly uttered a few words, “I have two mothers. My mother is mixed race, and my mommy is Chinese.”

“I’m sorry,” Gu Wansheng apologized for her inappropriate comment earlier, then added,

“Then you must take after your mother.”

Upon hearing this, a coldness flickered in Wen Jinyan’s eyes. Gu Wansheng was cooking the noodles and didn’t see her expression.

“No, I don’t take after her,” Wen Jinyan said with a lack of warmth and slowly left the kitchen.

Gu Wansheng felt that Wen Jinyan’s words carried a subtle difference, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

Wen Jinyan quickly walked to the bathroom and locked the door. She turned the faucet to medium flow, cupping her hands and splashing the running water on her face.

“Sigh, she looks so much like her mother’s eyes, just the color is different.”

“Nonsense, she’s her mother’s child, how could she not?”