The Lady I Flirted With Is Here - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Ginkgo

The clear sky grew overcast in the afternoon, followed by a sudden burst of wind and rain. As the wind settled, beads of rain condensed and rolled down the transparent floor-to-ceiling windows. Lin Xian finished her meal and looked up at the street outside; a shallow layer of water shimmered on the pavement. Relieved she had brought an umbrella, she looked up and smiled. “Sister, a stroll in the rain—is it romantic?”

Across from her, Fang Daiyu smiled knowingly. “It works.”

As they stepped out of the restaurant, Daiyu thoughtfully tucked the girl’s scarf around her ears. Lin Xian’s eyes sparkled as she looked at her, a silly grin on her face. “Come on, to the little woods—march!”

The ginkgo forest was in the South District, while the restaurant was near the North District gate. Lin Xian held Fang Daiyu’s hand tightly. The cold air made the tip of her nose sting. Friday was peak time for students leaving or heading to class, and the colorful array of umbrellas and raincoats added a splash of brilliance to the campus roads. Lin Xian’s voice carried a sense of novelty: “This is the first time Daiyu has visited the school on a workday.”

She chirped like a little bird, but Fang Daiyu didn’t mind at all. She held the umbrella in one hand and led the talkative girl through the youth-filled campus with the other. A boy on a bicycle sped past, his wheels splashing rainwater; Daiyu instinctively pulled Lin Xian to the side of the road. Unexpectedly, the movement caused the umbrella to knock against the overhead leaves, sending a shower of raindrops rustling down from the branches to cling to the tips of her hair.

Expecting an embarrassing moment, Lin Xian instead pointed at Daiyu’s hair with surprise and excitement. “Wow! It looks like stars have fallen into your hair, Sister. It’s beautiful!”

Fang Daiyu was momentarily stunned. “Really?”

“Of course! The raindrops are sparkling in the light. Aren’t those the stars surrounding Sister Moon?” This whimsical logic left Fang Daiyu speechless. While she was dazed, Lin Xian had already pulled out a tissue to dry the thin layer of water on her hair and pulled the hood of Daiyu’s coat over her head. Seeing Fang Daiyu wrapped up tightly again, Lin Xian clapped her back contentedly. “There, now your ears won’t freeze.”

Then she stood on her tiptoes and whispered into Daiyu’s ear, “Sister, you’re too beautiful. Keep covered up; so many younger students are staring at you, and you haven’t even noticed.”

“Is that so?” Fang Daiyu was focused only on Lin Xian and couldn’t tell if she was being teased or if it was the truth.

Lin Xian blinked. “I never lie.” Just as the words left her mouth, a girl dressed in vintage style walked toward them. Even in the rain, she wore a lace-trimmed velvet puff skirt and a wool coat adorned with pearls. She wore small high-heeled leather boots, and her eyes lit up several degrees upon seeing the pair.

The girl gave a sweet smile and waved as she approached. “Xianxian Senior!”

Lin Xian returned the greeting politely, silently regretting not bringing a mask to hide Fang Daiyu’s face. Lin Xian had been teased for four years for being a “single dog,” and coming out had seemed meaningless without a partner. Now that she was in a relationship, she had considered flaunting Fang Daiyu around campus. But Daiyu usually visited on weekends when the crowds were thin. Over time, as she realized how precious Daiyu was, Lin Xian no longer wanted others to know. To her, Daiyu was a treasure to be held, not a tool for showing off.

Fang Daiyu had been working day and night recently and had impulsively taken today off because of something Lin Xian said last night—only to run right into the Friday crowds. Along the way, Lin Xian had already noticed many meaningful glances from acquaintances. Seizing the opportunity, she finally used the hood to shield Daiyu’s face.

However, she underestimated the depths of campus gossip. The girl smiled, and instead of leaving after the greeting, she acted surprised. “And this is?” As she drew closer and saw Fang Daiyu’s face clearly, her mouth parted in genuine amazement.

Lin Xian thought: Junior, could your acting be any more forced? Put some effort into it!

Fine, since they were caught, she might as well admit it. Lin Xian wasn’t one to be coy, though her voice carried a trace of tension, worried that Daiyu might be displeased.

“My girlfriend,” Lin Xian said, sneaking a peek at Fang Daiyu. This was their official public debut. Daiyu’s expression didn’t change, showing no signs of annoyance. A hint of pride began to surface on Lin Xian’s brow.

It was like a clap of thunder! The gossiping junior’s pupils nearly popped out of her head. She was so excited that her elegant persona crumbled, but she didn’t care. She asked Lin Xian again, disbelieving, “Senior, you said girlfriend? As in the ‘girlfriend’ I’m thinking of?”

“A partner’s girlfriend, in the light of day,” the usually silent Daiyu interjected coolly. The junior felt like she was going to explode. Ahhh! How can Senior Lin Xian’s girlfriend’s voice be so beautiful? She’s exactly my type! Ignoring Lin Xian, the junior suddenly asked a question that was half-joke and half-sincere: “Little sister, do you mind… reconsidering your options?”

Fang Daiyu didn’t quite understand why this strange girl was calling her “little sister”—did she have a problem with her eyesight? She interpreted the “reconsider” as a slight against her. Having her status questioned twice in a row made her slightly displeased, but she suppressed it with a polite explanation. “Thank you, but Xianxian loves me very much.”

Sure enough, the light in the junior’s eyes faded, replaced by a slightly regretful blessing. “I wish you both a long life together.”

“We will,” Fang Daiyu said, putting an arm around Lin Xian’s shoulder and leading her away. Lin Xian sighed inwardly. See? I really should keep her hidden at home.

On the way to the South District, Lin Xian felt a wave of regret as she faced countless awkward greetings. She reminisced to Daiyu about how she wasn’t always this popular. Fang Daiyu felt otherwise; a quiet sense of crisis rose within her. Every time someone walked away after greeting them, their attitude toward Lin Xian being in a relationship was one of regret. Daiyu realized she had far more rivals than she had known.

After passing the main teaching building, they reached the 800-meter-long Ginkgo Avenue. As they rounded the corner, Lin Xian was stunned by the scene. The ground was covered in golden leaves, brightening the autumn gloom. The world was suddenly vibrant. There were few pedestrians, but every student or teacher passing by held a camera, taking photo after photo. Tall, snow-white trunks stood straight, while clusters of golden leaves formed a canopy over both sides of the road. The yellow was so brilliant it was almost blinding, as if deep autumn had been draped in hope and fiery love.

As they stepped onto the fan-shaped yellow leaves, no words were needed. They were instantly swept up in the romance. Not only was Lin Xian in awe of her own school, but even Fang Daiyu praised it: “Your school’s autumn scenery is striking. This trip was worth it.”

Despite the light rain, their bodies felt warmed by the gold. Lin Xian had a sudden whim and asked Fang Daiyu to stand deep within the forest so she could take a photo.

Fang Daiyu usually hated being photographed, but whether it was because the scenery was too beautiful or Lin Xian was being too adorable, she couldn’t resist. She walked in as requested, telling herself it was an expression of love for her hard-working girlfriend.

“Yes, keep your back straight. Turn a bit to the side. Look at me, Daiyu, smile. You’re so beautiful!” Lin Xian crouched behind her phone, focused and intent, her eyes shining with affection.

She only felt satisfied after taking dozens of photos. Then, she coaxed Fang Daiyu into recording a video. In the video, the sound of rain hissed as the lens captured a figure holding an umbrella from behind and the fair wrist of the hand holding hers. Fang Daiyu didn’t know she was being recorded. Lin Xian pretended to ask casually, “Is Daiyu happy today?” Daiyu echoed a soft “Happy,” then whispered a reminder, “Watch where you’re walking, the ground is slippery. Stop filming the scenery.” Lin Xian gave a quiet “Mhm.” She asked the figure again, “Is the ginkgo forest beautiful?” Daiyu: “Mhm.” Suddenly sensing something, Daiyu looked back. In that brief moment, her eyelids lowered then lifted slightly, her clear, bright eyes looking directly into the lens. It was so beautiful it took Lin Xian’s breath away.

She forgot to turn off the camera. Startled, she blurted out, “Why did you turn around so suddenly…” Her voice trembled as she tried to pull her phone back, but the warm fingers she was holding suddenly let go. Fang Daiyu reached out, took the phone, and lifted it. She turned and leaned down to kiss Lin Xian. “If you keep secretly filming your girlfriend, it won’t be this easy next time.”

Fang Daiyu placed the phone back in Lin Xian’s hand. “Next time, film me openly.” Her cool fingertip brushed Lin Xian’s lips. “That’s the interest.”

…

Returning home that night, Lin Xian was still secretly watching the video with glee. Somehow, while Fang Daiyu had the phone held high, it had perfectly captured the scene of them kissing. Lin Xian’s cheeks burned, but she thought it was wonderful, rewatching it over and over. Suddenly, her stomach cramped. Fang Daiyu had just been congratulating herself on her timing, but a trip to the bathroom revealed she had also “succumbed.”

The two of them showered and curled up in bed together. Lin Xian lamented, “Well, this is great. Your ‘little friend’ definitely decided to come and meet my ‘little friend’ at the same time.”

Starting their periods on the same day—only Lin Xian could find humor in the pain, humming about their “fate.” “I guess this is our 100-and-something small thing?”

“The 108th,” Fang Daiyu reminded her. As they lay in bed clutching hot water bags, they had no idea that back at Beitian University, Lin Xian’s relationship had become a piece of explosive news. It was both a cause for celebration and a cause for mourning.

Celebrated because a lesbian friend of four years was finally off the market; congratulated because her partner was a beauty (rumor had it a campus gossip reporter had taken a long-distance photo and planned to put it on the front page of the campus TV entertainment news). Mourned because the “protector” Wen Chao’s four years of waiting had finally come to nothing.

Several posts on the campus BBS were trending. Lin Xian was something of a legend. Even freshmen knew the stories of the seniors. Did you know this was the first school in Beijing to openly support coming out and anti-discrimination? Our senior Lin Xian was the first person to come out publicly, and most importantly, the entire faculty supported her.

Lin Xian didn’t know that a simple, impulsive act four years ago had become a page in the history of the campus LGBT struggle. Many gay and lesbian students in nearby high schools had even studied harder to get into Beitian University because of the rumors of its inclusive environment.

“Charge! Get into Beitian University, and the fair-minded teachers will be yours. Beitian is a paradise for comrades; there is no discrimination, no sadness, and no blood or war—because the first page of history was forged by a warrior!” This was the pinned announcement on the Beitian University LGBT forum.

Regardless of the exaggerated online talk, Lin Xian only ever received subtle looks of encouragement and envy. Before Fang Daiyu, she interpreted those looks as curiosity about her sexuality. After being spotted with her girlfriend, Lin Xian accidentally overheard the “truth” one day: “Senior Lin Xian has notoriously sharp taste. Her girlfriend? She’s a literal fairy. You don’t know, our circle is secretly discussing how to ‘steal’ her!”

Upon hearing this terrifying statement, Lin Xian made an immediate decision: she couldn’t stay near the school anymore. She was going to find a place to rent off-campus.

To hell with campus life. It’s hard to guard against the “thieves” within. Her fellow Beitian lesbians were actually thinking of stealing her girlfriend? In their dreams! From now on, Daiyu would never appear on campus again. Hmph!