The Devious, Seductive Older Woman Has Been Plotting to Get Me for a Long Time - Chapter 16

Back at school, things settled into a routine of classes.

With the busiest part of the term over, she had passed her missed exams and was slowly making up the necessary credits. Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.

One day, Xiang Shuxing waited in her advisor’s office to bring up the subject of an internship. After a few moments of consideration, Cheng Yian finally gave in: “Seeing how well you’ve been doing lately, alright. But remember, if you’re living off-campus, safety is your top priority.”

“Thank you, Professor.” Xiang Shuxing smiled. She had nothing else to discuss, so after a polite thank-you, she left the office.

On the way back to the dorm, she opened her chat logs, scrolling through their messages from the past few days. The conversation was sparse, mostly her sending multiple messages, with Chu Yingqiu replying with only one or two.

In person, Chu Yingqiu was meticulously attentive to her every need, yet online, her replies were brief and seemed almost cold.

Xiang Shuxing pondered for a moment, carefully crafted her wording, and sent: “My advisor has approved my off-campus internship.” She closed the chat, intending to stop by the school convenience store, when she spotted a familiar figure in the distance.

Wearing a light blue backpack and looking down at a phone was Chi Jianqing. A while back, Chi Jianqing had suggested they rent an apartment together during their internships. Since they were already roommates and familiar with each other’s habits, Xiang Shuxing had agreed.

As Xiang Shuxing naturally walked over to say hello, a girl suddenly appeared from nowhere and hugged Chi Jianqing’s shoulders intimately. Chi Jianqing stumbled back half a step, but her face was alight with an irrepressible smile.

Chi Jianqing was usually quiet and rarely smiled. Seeing her look so shy and sweet, Xiang Shuxing slowed her pace. She noticed the two of them instinctively and quietly holding hands. Realizing the nature of their relationship, Xiang Shuxing decided not to intrude and headed straight back to the dorm.

By dusk, she was back in the room. Hearing a noise, Xiang Shuxing looked up just as Chi Jianqing walked in. She offered a polite smile, bypassing what she had seen on the road and bringing up the internship. “My advisor approved my off-campus internship.”

Chi Jianqing paused, looking hesitant. “Ah Shu, I’m sorry, but we might not be able to rent that place together after all.”

Xiang Shuxing blinked, listening as she continued: “A friend of mine happens to be interning nearby.”

Xiang Shuxing guessed the “friend” was the girl she’d seen earlier. Remembering their intimacy, she replied, “Oh, I see. That’s fine.”

She certainly couldn’t go and be a third wheel to a couple. Now, she would have to restart her apartment hunt, though she still had a few days before the internship began, which was more than enough time. Staring at her desk, she was lost in thought when her phone screen suddenly lit up. As she expected, it was a message from Chu Yingqiu.

“Do you need me to have anything delivered to you?” She had mentioned renting an apartment with her roommate to Chu Yingqiu.

The woman had frowned in disapproval at the time, but eventually relented after Xiang Shuxing badgered her, asking only that she send the address. Chu Yingqiu must still think she was moving into that shared apartment.

Xiang Shuxing typed out an explanation: “My roommate said we can’t rent together anymore, so I’m looking for a new place.”

She put the phone down, her fingers unconsciously scratching the edge of the table. Chu Yingqiu had initially refused the idea of her renting with a roommate, offering to help her find something more convenient instead.

It was only because Xiang Shuxing insisted that the woman had finally given in. Now that the plan had fallen through, what would Chu Yingqiu think?

Xiang Shuxing sighed silently, refreshing the chat box again and again. But after her explanation, there was no reply. Is she angry? she wondered.

She bit her lip and typed: “It’s fine. I’ll find a suitable place within a few days and let you know.”

Almost the instant she sent it, a message appeared from the other side, brief, and carrying an irresistible tone: “Come to the school gate.”

Now? Xiang Shuxing looked at the darkening sky outside, hesitant. But she was more curious about why Chu Yingqiu would be in Luancheng at this hour. About fifteen minutes later, she appeared at the gate.

A quick sweep of the area revealed a familiar figure. Chu Yingqiu was leaning against her car, her gaze resting calmly on her. She must have gotten out specifically to wait.

A wave of excitement bubbled up, and Xiang Shuxing suppressed the urge to smile. She didn’t want to look too eager, so she walked over at a measured pace. “Why are you here?” she asked, her voice betraying a hint of happiness despite her efforts.

“It’s cold out. Get in the car.” Chu Yingqiu noticed she was only wearing a thin jacket.

Xiang Shuxing nodded. As soon as she slid into the passenger seat, a plush, thin blanket was handed to her. She took it instinctively but felt it unnecessary. “You don’t have to, it’s very warm in the car.”

“Cover up,” Chu Yingqiu commanded.

“Oh.” Xiang Shuxing obeyed. “Why did you suddenly come over?”

“I should be in Luancheng for a while. If you have any problems, you can contact me directly.”

Knowing she was referring to the apartment search, Xiang Shuxing was silent for a moment. “My internship doesn’t start for a few days. I’ll find a place soon, don’t worry about it.”

Chu Yingqiu glanced at her and said nothing, starting the car instead.

“Wait, I haven’t gotten off yet!” Xiang Shuxing was startled as the scenery outside began to blur rapidly behind them. “Where are you taking me?”

“I already found a place when you first mentioned it. We can go take a look now.”

Xiang Shuxing checked the time. “But it’s already eight o’clock. I might miss the dorm curfew.”

“Haven’t you already completed the paperwork?”

That was true. After her departure procedures were finished, she no longer needed to worry about the curfew. Realizing the woman had considered everything, Xiang Shuxing looked at her suspiciously. “Did you plan for me to live there from the very beginning?”

Chu Yingqiu smiled. “That was my plan, but I couldn’t have forced you if you didn’t want to.”

Usually, the woman was cold and stern, but now she was flashing a rare, fleeting smile. Xiang Shuxing’s gaze lingered for several seconds on the slight curve of her lips. She didn’t know what had prompted the smile, but she bowed her head, clutching the blanket.

In the past, she would have assumed the woman was laughing at her and felt indignant. Now, she didn’t find it repulsive. In fact, she seemed to rather like the feeling, the feeling that Chu Yingqiu could smile because of her.

It was a subtle, strange sensation, unlike anything she had felt before.

Xiang Shuxing turned to look out the window, trying to clear her cluttered thoughts. Soon, her fatigue began to catch up to her. As she leaned against the seat, her head tilted to the side. Through a haze of sleep, she felt someone readjust her blanket and gently pat her head.

She longed to open her eyes to see if it was real, but the comfort of the car and the warmth eventually pulled her into a deep sleep.

When she woke up, they had reached their destination. As soon as she stepped out of the car, a cold wind whipped around her. Xiang Shuxing pulled her clothes tighter, her groggy head instantly clearing.

“Over here.” Chu Yingqiu noticed her dazed look and reminded her gently.

“Mmm.” Xiang Shuxing followed, noticing the woman’s hands were tucked deep inside her coat pockets. She impulsively tugged on Chu Yingqiu’s sleeve. “I’m so cold.”

Seeing where her gaze had landed, Chu Yingqiu understood. “Who told you to only wear a thin jacket?”

“I didn’t think you’d be taking me out.” Xiang Shuxing said quietly. The next moment, her left hand was taken and placed into the woman’s pocket.

With both their hands tucked inside, they couldn’t help but touch—hand against hand, skin against skin. She could feel just how freezing her own hands were compared to the unnatural warmth of the other woman’s.

Worried about chilling Chu Yingqiu, she tried to move her hand away, but the pocket was small, and the woman’s hand would naturally drift back to press against hers again.

Xiang Shuxing glanced over. Chu Yingqiu’s expression remained calm, as if she felt nothing at all. She looked down and stopped fidgeting, allowing the backs of their hands to remain pressed together.

As they walked side by side, their hands would occasionally separate with each step, only to touch again a moment later. In that short walk, Xiang Shuxing felt like she was on pins and needles.

She didn’t bother looking at the buildings around her; her entire focus was on their tightly pressed hands.

This is a disaster.