The Devious, Seductive Older Woman Has Been Plotting to Get Me for a Long Time - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: So Much Wanting to Kiss

The soft morning light spilled through the gap in the curtains, hitting the side of the bed.

It was blinding. Surrounded by an indescribable warmth and comfort, Xiang Shuxing didn’t want to open her eyes. She subconsciously snuggled closer, assuming she was still tucked into the cozy quilt.

Only when her cheek pressed against something soft and warm, clearly the body heat of another person, did she realize something was wrong. A faint, clean scent of lime shower gel wafted into her nose.

Wait…

Xiang Shuxing’s eyes snapped open. The first thing she saw was the elegant face inches from her own. For a few seconds, her brain went blank before the realization dawned: Chu Yingqiu had stayed the night, and they had shared a bed. She had agreed to a boundary of a plush toy, so why were they tangled together? To be precise, she was curled up tightly in Chu Yingqiu’s arms.

Her forehead was pressed against the skin of the woman’s neck, her every breath filled with the other’s scent. Xiang Shuxing was instantly wide awake, feeling the blood rush to her face. Burning hot, she tried to pull back, but her waist was firmly held. A slight movement caused her to brush against a sensitive spot near her waist; she shivered and let out an involuntary gasp.

Chu Yingqiu, a light sleeper, had already woken up when Xiang Shuxing tried to sneak away. Hearing that indistinct sound, she asked calmly: “What’s wrong?”

Before she could answer, she opened her eyes to see the girl’s face burning crimson. The delicate face was flushed, glaring at her with annoyance before quickly averting her gaze.

“Why is your face so red?” Chu Yingqiu asked, clearly teasing. She reached out as if to check her forehead. “Don’t tell me you caught a fever?”

Xiang Shuxing dodged the touch, her voice trembling with embarrassment: “Why are we in such a…intimate position?”

Chu Yingqiu sounded innocent. “That’s a question for yourself.”

Xiang Shuxing looked over. The plush toy that was supposed to be the boundary had been discarded to the side. It was obvious she had crossed the line and stayed in Chu Yingqiu’s space. Chu Yingqiu watched her reactions with interest, purposely adding, “See? I don’t know who it was that insisted on cuddling up to me last night.”

“Stop talking!” Xiang Shuxing’s face went even redder. She didn’t want to hear another word about her embarrassing behavior. Chu Yingqiu looked on with a smile, the girl was like a ruffled kitten, claws out but unable to do any real damage.

Feeling the heat still radiating from her face and recalling how close they had been, even their hair tangled together, Xiang Shuxing scrambled out of bed, got dressed, and fled the room.

Chu Yingqiu watched her hurried, elegant back disappear, laughing helplessly. It was always like this, whenever she felt shy, she’d find an excuse to run.

The incident played like a broken record in her head. Xiang Shuxing forced herself to ignore it, brushed her teeth, and sat at the table with her phone. Breakfast was simple: buns and soy milk Chu Yingqiu had gone downstairs to buy. She kept her head down, controlling her eyes to avoid eye contact. But sitting across from each other made it inevitable.

Knowing the girl had a thin skin, Chu Yingqiu didn’t bring up last night, saying instead: “I haven’t asked yet, why did your roommate suddenly cancel the shared rent?”

Xiang Shuxing chose her words carefully. “It was some personal reason. It’s not convenient to say. Besides, I didn’t lose anything. Didn’t you say from the start you didn’t want me to rent with someone else anyway? It worked out just as you wanted.”

“Glad you realize that.”

Xiang Shuxing poked a bun in her bowl, unhappy. “Why do you love controlling me so much? If I start dating in the future, are you going to watch me 24/7 then, too?”

Chu Yingqiu’s movements paused. Her tone was unreadable. “You have someone you like?”

“I…” Xiang Shuxing was stuck. She had never talked about such things with anyone, not even her mother. If she really had to name someone she had feelings for…a figure flashed through her mind. She felt a flurry of nerves, and as she looked up, she met Chu Yingqiu’s inquisitive gaze.

As she pondered, Chu Yingqiu was silently observing her reaction. Xiang Shuxing had intended to deny it, but a thought suddenly struck: What if I admit it? How would Chu Yingqiu react? Curious and typically bold, she followed the impulse: “What if I said yes?”

Chu Yingqiu looked at her coolly, her gaze lingering for a moment. “Who is it?”

Xiang Shuxing hadn’t expected such a direct question. She stammered, “This…I definitely can’t tell you who.”

“However, she’s a great person. Meticulous, considerate, and she always pays attention to how I’m feeling…”

Listening to the girl list the virtues of her crush felt inexplicably grating. Chu Yingqiu bit her lip, her fingertips tightening inside her sleeves. Xiang Shuxing kept talking, listing every virtue she could think of, only stopping when she realized the woman hadn’t made a sound.

“What’s wrong?” she asked weakly. Chu Yingqiu looked normal, showing no signs of unhappiness, but instinct told her to stop.

“Nothing. I’m finished.” Chu Yingqiu stood up and walked back into her room.

Xiang Shuxing was stunned. Chu Yingqiu had never walked away from her before. Even if she looked calm, she could sense a hint of displeasure. Was it really just because she said she liked someone? She dismissed the thought immediately, that made no sense. Chu Yingqiu was just following her mother’s wishes to watch over her; surely she didn’t care about her love life.

She cleaned up the table and turned to her phone. Fu Jin had sent a message asking about her internship. Xiang Shuxing spent a few minutes explaining everything: the paperwork, the roommate drama, and Chu Yingqiu’s help with the apartment. She waited, but Fu Jin didn’t reply—which was rare. A moment later, a new message popped up:

“I’m so jealous. It makes me want a sister, too.”

Xiang Shuxing chuckled. “Who was the one standing on the front lines with me attacking Chu Yingqiu at the start?”

Fu Jin: “I’m still on your side! I’m just changing my tune because someone has done a 180-degree turn in their attitude toward her!”

Xiang Shuxing: “Cute emojis don’t work, give me the truth.”

Fu Jin: “Even though we haven’t met, from your texts, it’s clear you aren’t as resistant to her as you were. She’s treating you well, so stop denying it and enjoy your sweet life with your sister~”

What nonsense…Xiang Shuxing frowned and sent a few grumpy replies, but they fell into a void. Fu Jin was likely busy again. Sweet life? Xiang Shuxing glanced at the closed bedroom door. I just made her unhappy, didn’t I?

Time crawled by. The closed door made her feel incredibly uneasy, and she couldn’t even focus on her phone. Maybe she was overthinking it, surely Chu Yingqiu wouldn’t hold a grudge over something so small. Xiang Shuxing stood up from the sofa, her mind in a mess. She didn’t even know when Chu Yingqiu’s opinion had become so important to her.

She walked to the door and knocked gently. Chu Yingqiu opened it quickly. “Something up?”

Xiang Shuxing peeked inside; she was back at her computer, likely working. “Aren’t you going to the branch office today?”

“Mmm.”

“Do you have time now?”

Chu Yingqiu looked at her silently, waiting. Xiang Shuxing braced herself. “I’m still missing some things here. Could you accompany me to the supermarket nearby?” She added the honorific, “Please? Big sister?”

She was usually loud and brash, only softening her voice when she needed something. Chu Yingqiu looked at the small cowlick on the top of her head and finally nodded. “Alright.”

They set off. The daylight made the neighborhood look much clearer. Xiang Shuxing circled the complex, feigning an interest in the area, while Chu Yingqiu followed silently. It was obvious they weren’t lacking any necessities; Xiang Shuxing just wanted a chance to talk. Eventually, she stopped by a tree. “What do you usually do?”

“Work,” Chu Yingqiu replied.

“I didn’t mean that,” Xiang Shuxing looked at her calm face. “I mean, do you have any hobbies?”

“Did you drag me out here just to ask this?”

Xiang Shuxing’s lips moved, she looked flustered. The tone was calm as always, not scolding, but it sounded as if she were wasting Chu Yingqiu’s time. “If you’re busy, you can go back.” She looked down, unable to say anything more.

The girl’s head hung low, her small cowlick looking dejected. It was hard not to feel a twinge of guilt. Chu Yingqiu softened her tone. “Didn’t you say we were going to the supermarket? Let’s go.”

“But I don’t even know what you like,” Xiang Shuxing blurted out.

Chu Yingqiu paused. Her feeling these past few days hadn’t been wrong, the girl did care about her. She took Xiang Shuxing’s hand, leading her forward. “Why the sudden interest in buying me things? Did you do something wrong?”

“No!” Xiang Shuxing countered, then looked down. “I was just asking. I ask my friends about their likes, too.”

Chu Yingqiu raised a brow. As they walked, the warmth of the girl’s hand gave a sense of peace, and Xiang Shuxing let herself be led. “Were you happy when you were abroad?” she asked.

The woman was silent for a few seconds. “It was fine.”

She didn’t know how to follow up, so she shifted topics: “Have you been following the Xiang family’s situation while you were away?”

“Of course. I was in touch with Aunt Xiang every month.”

Xiang Shuxing fell silent. Her mother had never mentioned Chu Yingqiu once during those years, making her almost forget she had a ‘sister.’ If Chu Yingqiu really had been in contact with her mother every month, and her mother had never mentioned it…she didn’t dare to finish that thought.

“You look pale. Are you unwell?” Chu Yingqiu asked with concern.

“I’m fine,” she shook her head.

“If you’re not feeling well, go back and rest. Tell me what you need, and I’ll buy it.”

“I’m really fine,” Xiang Shuxing insisted, jumping in place to prove it.

Chu Yingqiu looked helpless. “Alright, I see.”

The supermarket was close. They went to the daily goods section, then Xiang Shuxing dragged her to the clothing aisle.

“Are you buying clothes?” Chu Yingqiu asked.

“For you,” Xiang Shuxing replied.

“Not necessary,” Chu Yingqiu hesitated.

“What if you have to stay over again?” Xiang Shuxing said, refusing to let last night happen again.

Chu Yingqiu smiled. “Do you hope there’s a next time?”

“I didn’t say that.”

They shopped, bickering occasionally. Seeing the faint smile in Chu Yingqiu’s eyes made Xiang Shuxing feel lighthearted. She had achieved half her goal; Chu Yingqiu didn’t seem angry anymore.

After paying, they walked back side-by-side. Just as she felt the mood lift, Chu Yingqiu asked: “Have you ever gone shopping like this with the person you like?”

Xiang Shuxing stiffened. “No.” She thought the woman had moved on. I have to explain. “I was just joking earlier. There is no one I like.”

Chu Yingqiu remained calm, giving a faint “Mmm” that left her unsure if she was believed. Xiang Shuxing felt anxious. She stopped and stood directly in front of her. “Really. Don’t doubt me.”

Chu Yingqiu’s face remained expressionless. Xiang Shuxing didn’t know what to say. Regretting her lie, she spotted a dessert shop. “Let’s check that out.”

Inside, Xiang Shuxing recommended flavors, leaning close. The scent of the woman was intoxicating, and her breathing created a faint, itchy sensation against the air. Chu Yingqiu wasn’t a fan of sweets. “Anything is fine as long as it’s the same as yours.”

“Alright.”

The desserts arrived. Watching the woman eat with a small dimple showing, Xiang Shuxing felt her heart soften. Chu Yingqiu pushed her plate toward her. “Do you like it? Take mine.”

She expected Xiang Shuxing to smile shyly, but the girl refused righteously: “No.”

“Try it, sweets make people feel better.”

Unable to resist the girl’s soft request, Chu Yingqiu took a small bite. The dense cream melted, mixing with the freshness of the fruit—it wasn’t cloying at all.

“How is it?” Xiang Shuxing asked, watching her closely.

“Mmm, not bad.” A standard, neutral assessment.

Xiang Shuxing pouted. She noticed a speck of cream on the corner of the woman’s lip. Chu Yingqiu was always immaculate; she would never tolerate such a thing. As expected, she frowned and reached for a tissue.

“Let me.” Xiang Shuxing leaned in, reaching out with a tissue. Being this close, with that familiar scent enveloping her, she couldn’t help but stare at Chu Yingqiu’s lips. The lips were thin, pressed together, a soft, pale pink.

Chu Yingqiu didn’t move, and the closeness made her awkward. She tilted her head away.

“Don’t move,” Xiang Shuxing scolded gently.

Chu Yingqiu, confused by the delay, urged: “Are you done?”

“Oh, almost.” Xiang Shuxing raised her hand, but as she stared at the woman’s lips from this distance, only one thought filled her mind:

I want to kiss her.