The Lady I Flirted With Is Here - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: First Meeting

When Lin Xian left for the “Liu Liu” fan meeting, she was mocked by her roommate yet again: “For a famous author known as the ‘Friend of the Lesbians,’ how come you haven’t managed to find yourself a girlfriend yet? What a waste of energy!”

Hearing this, Lin Xian picked up her small brown square bag and made a face at the girl from Northeast China. “Your girl is fully armed this time. I’ve put on makeup I haven’t used in a year and put in daily contact lenses that cost me twenty big bucks. I guarantee…”

The Northeast girl perked up her ears. “You’d better keep your wits about you. Even if you’re dressed up like a peacock, the ladies might not necessarily fancy you. And remember: keep your eyes wide open when picking someone. Whatever you do, don’t just grab the first thing you see because you’re ‘hungry’!”

“I guarantee Liu Liu will be beaming with joy when she sees me! Liu Liu, here I come!” Lin Xian’s voice suddenly turned flamboyant, clearly not taking her roommate’s words to heart. “Hubby! We’re about to meet!”

From far down the hallway, the Northeast girl could still hear that foolish, goofy voice, completely lost in a fan girl’s dream.

She snapped her nail clippers open and started “click-clacking” away at her toenails, muttering, “What a waste. She goes to a massive lesbian gathering and focuses on the wrong thing. The lesbians ignore her, and straight women don’t love her. What’s the point of Lin Xian being ‘out’ or not? She’s almost graduated and still hasn’t found a partner. Idiot!”

Of course, Lin Xian couldn’t hear her. At this moment, her heart was thumping like a trapped deer. The flowers looked beautiful, the trees looked vibrant, and even the ordinary air seemed to carry a sweet fragrance. Everyone she saw looked pleasant. For someone like her—who hadn’t had a partner in ages, didn’t like guys, and looked far too much like a straight girl—the pink bubbles of romance were something she no longer expected.

By turning romantic drive into idol worship, the annual book signings and fan meetings for the author Liu Liu had become her “Grand Feast.”

To this end, she had coordinated her outfit three days in advance, gone to a beauty salon for a deep facial two days prior, and on the day of the meeting, she didn’t even have time for breakfast—she applied her makeup at dawn and ran to the hair salon to get a professional blowout. Her neurotic, abnormal behavior left the Northeast roommate speechless every year. She truly couldn’t understand: how did the usually rough-around-the-edges, tiger-like, and blunt Lin Xian turn into a different species once a year?

It’s hard for different species to empathize with one another.

The meeting was held on the far outer ring of Beijing. Getting from school to the destination required two subway transfers. Lin Xian sat steadily on the subway bench, her gaze calm and expression cool. Her fresh, pretty looks paired with her quiet aura earned her countless stares from straight men.

On the surface, she was as calm as a breeze, but inside, her frustration was a roaring volcano: Straight men, straight men, always straight men! Is my look not obvious enough or is there something wrong with your eyes? Can’t you tell I have zero interest in you! Where are the soft, fragrant girls? My goal isn’t to outshine everyone in a fit of jealousy, but to attract the gentle gazes of a hundred flowers!

No one heard her roar. In the eyes of passersby, she was a beautiful girl in a picture of “quiet years,” surrounded by the hustle and bustle of people eager to watch.

As she got off the train, Lin Xian overheard a pretty girl whispering to her boyfriend: “If you keep staring, your eyeballs are going to pop out. You men just don’t get it—she obviously had plastic surgery…”

Amitabha, let it be. Lin Xian suppressed her anger with a smile and chose to ignore it. She must have been blind just now to keep glancing at that “pretty girl” on the train. She couldn’t help but think of the Northeast girl’s warning: “Don’t just grab anything because you’re hungry.”

Lin Xian adopted this as her “Proverb of the Day” to remind herself not to fall into her old habit of being a “flower-crazy” fan.

After exiting the subway, she took out her phone. The map showed the destination was within two kilometers. Lin Xian checked her WeChat balance.

Within two kilometers? I shall conquer this land on foot!

The midday sun was scorching. In this remote area, there was no one around. She took out a small mirror to check her makeup. Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead. After gently dabbing them away with a tissue, she regretted having been “bare-faced” for so long that she’d forgotten to bring a cushion compact for touch-ups.

Just then, footsteps approached from behind. Lin Xian was so startled she nearly dropped her mirror. Good heavens! Dropping it is a small matter, but losing face is a big one. She couldn’t let anyone catch her admiring herself in a mirror. A flame of startled anger burned in her chest, but she could only swallow her bitterness and hide the mirror away.

Two people bypassed her and walked ahead. It looked like a short-haired, somewhat petite middle schooler was supporting a girl in high heels with exquisite makeup.

Lin Xian stole a glance. From that distance, she couldn’t tell if the “middle schooler” was a boy or a girl, as they were dressed in a neutral style. But that skin was truly white. As for the girl in high heels, she was far too glamorous and beautiful—dazzling, even. Lin Xian couldn’t help but stare for a while longer.

If that middle schooler is a girl, this is too intense. She imagined a whole “girl-on-girl” drama in her head before putting away her mirror and continuing her journey.

Lin Xian never expected that the “middle schooler” was also there to see Liu Liu. The glamorous girl was nowhere to be seen. Lin Xian took an empty seat in the third row, and as soon as she sat down and turned around—wasn’t this a coincidence? Being closer now, she saw the middle schooler’s face clearly, and her breath hitched.

A head of obedient, brown curly hair, a delicate nose bridge in profile, a tiny face the size of a palm, and softly curved lips and chin. The whole face was clean, serene, and comfortable. Lin Xian noticed a few stray curls by the student’s ear. Under the sunlight, their ear and cheek appeared almost translucent. Lin Xian couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.

Damn, what a heart-stealer. A masterpiece! At first glance, they were unremarkable, but looking closer, every detail was exquisite and refined—a piece of high art! For a moment, she wanted to strike up a conversation, but she snuffed out the thought.

Sigh, beautiful things are to be observed from afar, not trifled with. Lin Xian, you know you’re penniless, plain, and look like a “fake straight” girl. To a real lesbian, you look just like a straight girl.

Besides… this is a kid! Is that a crime? And besides… she was supporting that glamorous girl earlier. Is she even single?

“Hey, are you from Beijing? Are you in middle school here?” See? Lin Xian, the slap to your own face comes fast. Her mouth was more honest than her heart. Good lord, it’s been years since I met someone this top-tier. It’s good enough just to be friends. If not, even a small chat is worth it.

The “masterpiece” gave a shy smile. It was a beautiful smile, like a rainbow after a rainstorm.

“No, I’ve already graduated from university.” The voice was cool and low, like warm wine that had been heated on an autumn day.

“Oh, graduated already.” Lin Xian mumbled to herself before it hit her. Holy crap, she’s a graduate!

She looked around and realized she had no companion to share this shocking news with. She had to suppress her startled gaze and steal a few more secret glances at the beauty.

For the first time in her long life as a “single-since-birth” woman, her heart fluttered. She wanted to kiss someone. She wanted to take a little bite of that cheek to see if it was made of tofu.

Of course, the “masterpiece” had no idea about the “dirty” thoughts in Lin Xian’s head. She only stole a quick glance at Lin Xian when she turned away.

The black, short hair with straight bangs reminded her of Chibi Maruko-chan from her childhood. Moreover, the girl’s eyes were truly captivating—large and bright, like the shimmering pebbles she used to fish out of the river as a child.

Shimmering pebbles were the most beautiful existence in her childhood memories.

Her eyes involuntarily drifted back to the girl who had initiated the conversation. Realizing she was distracted, she withdrew her gaze once more.

Liu Liu appeared just in time, saving the two awkward souls.