The Devious, Seductive Older Woman Has Been Plotting to Get Me for a Long Time - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Unconscious Intimacy

It wasn’t the first time she had felt this way, but every instance, without exception, was triggered by the woman before her.

Xiang Shuxing averted her gaze, using a tissue to gently wipe the remaining cream from Chu Yingqiu’s lip. Throughout the process, she could feel Chu Yingqiu’s eyes fixed on her face, watching, seemingly harboring some unreadable emotion.

“Done,” Xiang Shuxing said, still avoiding eye contact, and thus missed the dark flicker of something obscure in the woman’s eyes.

On the way back, the atmosphere was less lighthearted than when they had come; they weren’t holding hands or even walking side-by-side. Xiang Shuxing walked ahead, lost in thought as she recalled the strange surge of emotion she’d felt earlier.

She had experienced this before. The flushed cheeks, the heart hammering against her ribs, every time Chu Yingqiu leaned in close. She had always made excuses to ignore it. But this time, the thought of wanting to kiss those lips had actually crossed her mind.

It’s too dangerous.

Xiang Shuxing walked absently, her pace slow, her back radiating a sense of sulkiness. Chu Yingqiu followed, her gaze flickering to the girl’s profile every so often. After giving her enough space and quiet, she caught up and resumed walking beside her. “I thought you said eating sweets would make you feel better?” the woman’s calm voice sounded in her ear.

Xiang Shuxing blinked and looked over, seeing only Chu Yingqiu’s serene expression. She knew what lay beneath the question, Chu Yingqiu had noticed her low spirits and was checking on her. Xiang Shuxing pulled at the corners of her mouth in a forced, strained smile. “I’m fine.”

Chu Yingqiu stared at her, choosing not to poke holes in her facade. After a long moment, she looked away. “Do you remember the bet you lost?”

Mentioning this naturally brought to mind the intimacy of sharing a bed. Xiang Shuxing’s expression stiffened. “Yeah.” Because she had crossed the boundary first, she had lost the bet and now owed Chu Yingqiu a favor. She hoped it wouldn’t be something embarrassing.

Suddenly, her hand was caught in a warm, soft palm. Xiang Shuxing looked up to see Chu Yingqiu’s gaze, as gentle as still water. “Come with me somewhere.”

She didn’t refuse, letting Chu Yingqiu lead her through the bustling streets and narrow alleys. The crowds were so dense she was forced to press tightly against the woman, but the hand holding hers was warm and steady, providing a sense of security.

Eventually, they reached their destination: a skating rink. The facility was well-equipped, and though not crowded, a few people were skating along the edges. Having studied in Luancheng for years, she was surprised such a place existed.

Xiang Shuxing looked at Chu Yingqiu, hesitant. “Why bring me here?”

Chu Yingqiu didn’t answer, only asking: “Want to try?”

“I…” Xiang Shuxing watched the graceful figures gliding across the ice and spoke the truth: “I don’t know how.” As a child, she had longed for such activities, but her poor health had led her mother to forbid anything strenuous. Those childhood fantasies had remained buried.

Now, she felt no curiosity, only fear. Even with safety measures in place, the thought of falling on the ice was painful. She lowered her eyes, retreating: “Do you want to skate? I can watch you from the side.”

Chu Yingqiu saw her hesitation and said softly: “I can teach you. Won’t you really try?” As she spoke, she reached out her hand.

Xiang Shuxing stared at the hand before her: fair, slender, with neatly trimmed, healthy nails and distinct knuckles—it possessed a unique beauty. She had just experienced the warmth of this hand earlier, and she knew the genuine sense of peace it could bring her.

Perhaps bringing her here was the favor Chu Yingqiu wanted her to fulfill. Thinking this, Xiang Shuxing bit her lip and placed her hand into the woman’s palm.

“Then you have to teach me well.”

Chu Yingqiu smiled. “Of course.”

Being on the ice was completely different from watching. Gliding felt easy when others did it, but the moment Xiang Shuxing stepped on, her skates felt uncontrollable; she couldn’t even stand, let alone slide. Looking pale, she clung to the edge, trembling.

Compared to her, Chu Yingqiu was incredibly graceful. With a few light kicks, she glided to her side. “Come, hold onto me.”

Xiang Shuxing offered one hand, while the other remained locked onto the rink wall, refusing to let go. The woman’s voice was light and patient, guiding her through the fundamentals. Under this reassurance, most of her tension faded, and she finally gathered the courage to step away. Chu Yingqiu watched her nervous movements, smiling in silence.

The pressure in Xiang Shuxing’s palm grew stronger, showing just how tightly she was holding on. Only at times like this did she actively seek to hold Chu Yingqiu’s hand. The person who usually tried to keep her distance was now treating her like a life raft, glancing back every few steps as if afraid Chu Yingqiu would suddenly let go.

Chu Yingqiu guided her to look ahead. “Look forward, don’t keep looking at me.”

“You must not let go suddenly,” Xiang Shuxing insisted.

For the umpteenth time, Chu Yingqiu gave a helpless laugh. “Do you really distrust me that much?”

“No…” Xiang Shuxing shook her head. She knew Chu Yingqiu was reliable and would never tease her during a moment like this. It wasn’t a lack of trust; it was a search for reassurance. She couldn’t quite describe the feeling, but Chu Yingqiu seemed to read her thoughts just from her expression, leaning closer.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let go.” The woman’s gentle voice was like a soft breeze, smoothing away all her anxiety and agitation.

Xiang Shuxing nodded. She stopped focusing on her feet and tried to look forward, recalling the steps the woman had taught her. She tried pushing off, and with the woman’s guidance, her tense nerves relaxed. She shifted her weight, relying less on the wall.

The first few attempts were successful, and the rest followed naturally. She grew bolder and, at one point, even let go of the edge. She didn’t fall.

Her racing heart began to steady. As she followed the woman’s rhythm, sliding forward, she realized her hand had completely left the edge; she no longer needed to lean on it. Seeing that she had grasped the essentials, Chu Yingqiu praised her gently: “You’re doing very well.”

Xiang Shuxing froze at the sudden praise. In truth, she hadn’t progressed that quickly. She had nearly tripped several times, saved only by Chu Yingqiu’s firm grip. Even with her clumsy attempts, she was receiving the woman’s unreserved praise.

She lowered her eyes, a silent ripple spreading through her heart at those simple words. She hadn’t received many compliments growing up; most people saw her as unruly and lacking ambition. She’d heard their whispers behind her mother’s back.

She’d been hurt at first, tried to change, and eventually just let it be. She never expected to hear such praise from Chu Yingqiu, a person who seemed too cold and stern to hand out compliments easily.

Looking back, since they reunited, Chu Yingqiu had never let other people’s opinions color her view of her. She had always treated her with meticulous care.

“What are you thinking about?” The woman’s voice brought her back to the present. Xiang Shuxing realized she had been standing still for a while.

“Nothing. Let’s keep going.” She smiled at her.

Time slipped away, and as the sky darkened, they left the rink.

“Going back now?”

“No hurry. There’s one more place.”

Xiang Shuxing nodded. She had no objections; in fact, she wanted to spend more time with her. Chu Yingqiu would be returning to the office tomorrow, and she would be busy with her internship; they might not see each other for a while. Thinking of this, she squeezed the woman’s hand.

Chu Yingqiu sensed it but said nothing. They walked shoulder-to-shoulder, bypassing the bustling streets and turning into a small alleyway. The first shop they encountered was a handmade accessory store. It was quiet, almost empty.

Before Xiang Shuxing could ask, Chu Yingqiu led her inside, heading straight for a rack of snow globes as if she had a destination in mind. There were many types, but she pointed at one specifically. “Do you like it?”

Xiang Shuxing looked. Inside the tiny glass sphere, a snowy scene was built; white particles drifted down—dreamy and beautiful. It felt like someone had given her something similar before, but she frowned, unable to remember clearly. Chu Yingqiu watched her, and when she saw no joy on the girl’s face, her finger quietly pulled back.

Xiang Shuxing didn’t notice this, her eyes fixed on the globe, desperately trying to recall. “Why are you giving me this, suddenly?” She had never mentioned snow globes to Chu Yingqiu, and weren’t these things meant for children?

“I just wanted to.”

The answer was simple, but inexplicably, her heart warmed with joy. No matter what the object was, the fact that Chu Yingqiu wanted to give it to her was enough.

“If it’s from you, then I like it very much.” Xiang Shuxing smiled, speaking her absolute truth without reservation. The woman was clearly pleased, a faint smile surfacing in her eyes. “Good.”

On the way back, Xiang Shuxing cradled the globe, peering at it from every angle. “I really feel like someone gave me one before.”

Fearing she might drop it, Chu Yingqiu reminded her: “Watch your step.”

Xiang Shuxing gave a soft “Oh,” tucked the globe away, and took Chu Yingqiu’s hand again. The woman permitted her closeness. Before long, they reached the rental apartment. Chu Yingqiu stood outside, not intending to enter. Realizing what that meant, Xiang Shuxing paused for a few seconds.

“Are you leaving?”

Chu Yingqiu smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. “You want me to stay again tonight?”

“Not at all.” Xiang Shuxing’s reflex was immediate. She froze, secretly regretting the denial for being so quick and cold.

“I do have to go,” Chu Yingqiu said, checking the time. “Good luck with your internship.”

Xiang Shuxing’s lips parted. After a moment of hesitation, she whispered: “Come closer.”

“Hmm?” Chu Yingqiu didn’t understand her intent, but she leaned in anyway.

Without warning, the girl suddenly wrapped her arms around her, not a light, fleeting touch, but a tight, desperate embrace.