The Premeditated Seductress Childhood Friend - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: A Little Kiss Won’t Hurt

Just a few words were enough to send one’s imagination running wild.

Consequently, during the latter half of evening self-study, Song Yixi couldn’t stop wondering how Xu Qingyu intended to “compensate” her. The more she thought about it, the more restless she became—and a little… impatient.

After self-study ended, Song Yixi and Yu Wei returned to their dormitory to pack some light luggage before moving into the apartment. The air conditioning and water heater were already installed; the first thing they did upon entering was blast the AC.

Basking in the cool breeze, Yu Wei flopped onto the bare bed frame and urged Song Yixi, “Go shower first. I want to enjoy the AC for a bit.”

With only one bathroom, they had to take turns.

Mindful of her “appointment” with Xu Qingyu, Song Yixi didn’t dawdle. She grabbed her clothes and headed in. After showering, she intentionally changed into a fresh set of black loungewear that accentuated her tall, long-legged frame.

When Yu Wei came in to shower, she caught Song Yixi primping in front of the mirror, meticulously fixing her freshly blow-dried hair.

Yu Wei blinked. “What are you doing? Going out?”

“No,” Song Yixi replied, feeling a wave of guilt. “I… I still have to make the bed. I’m just worried about getting dust on my pajamas. You go ahead and shower; I’m going back to my room to tidy up.”

She grabbed her laundry and made a hasty retreat.

By the time she finished laundry, it was 10:00 PM. Song Yixi waited in her room, listening to the sound of water outside, feeling like her heart was on fire. She wanted to go, yet she feared looking desperate or lacking poise—she didn’t want Xu Qingyu to look down on her. Though, in truth, she suspected Xu Qingyu had never truly looked at her “that way” to begin with.

Song Yixi pulled a mirror out of her suitcase. Keeping a wary ear out for movement outside, she began applying skincare products. She was usually too lazy for a bedtime routine, but since she had stayed up late frequently during the break, she was worried about the state of her skin.

After dawdling through her preparations, Yu Wei finally finished her shower and returned to her room.

Song Yixi waited a while longer. Seeing no message from Xu Qingyu on her phone, she couldn’t hold back anymore and quietly slipped out. She didn’t dare turn on the living room lights or change her shoes; like a thief in the night, she crept over and rang Xu Qingyu’s doorbell.

A second later, a message arrived from Xu Qingyu: [Birthday.]

She truly wouldn’t type a single extra word if she could help it.

Song Yixi gripped the door handle, hesitating for two minutes before finally entering the code: 1101.

Xu Qingyu’s birthday.

With a beep, the lock disengaged. The lights were on inside. Xu Qingyu was sitting on the sofa and spotted the hunched, suspicious-looking Song Yixi immediately.

As their eyes met, Song Yixi instantly straightened her back.

“I’m just here for the key.”

Xu Qingyu tilted her chin slightly, indicating that the key was on the shoe cabinet. Song Yixi could take it and leave.

However, a pair of brand-new, creamy-yellow slippers had been placed in the entryway—clearly prepared for Song Yixi. It was her favorite color, and the style was identical to the ones she wore at home.

Without saying a word, Xu Qingyu had laid out the choice: take the key and go, or put on the slippers meant for her and come inside.

Song Yixi swallowed hard and grabbed the key. Under Xu Qingyu’s steady gaze, she stuffed the key into her pocket and changed into the slippers.

Xu Qingyu brushed the lingering herbal powder from her palms and said nonchalantly, “Close the door.”

Song Yixi suddenly gripped the fabric of her trousers. She didn’t move, standing in a stalemate with Xu Qingyu.

Seeing this, Xu Qingyu’s tone softened. “What’s wrong?”

Song Yixi said resentfully, “I’m not a child anymore. Stop talking to me in that lecturing tone.”

Xu Qingyu raised an eyebrow slightly, an imperceptible darkness flickering in her eyes. She wordlessly adjusted her tone. “Mm. The AC is on. Close the door, okay?”

Only then did Song Yixi reluctantly close the door.

She walked from the entryway into the living room with slow, deliberate steps, still harboring a bit of pique. “Why did you ask me to come over?”

She was asking what she already knew.

Xu Qingyu kept her gaze lowered, packing various medicinal herbs laid out on the coffee table one by one. “Didn’t I tell you? To compensate you.”

“Who knows what you meant by that?”

Song Yixi watched her skilled movements. Xu Qingyu’s long fingers were elegantly defined; even the way she tied the twine was aesthetically pleasing. Since she was a child, Song Yixi had loved staying by her side, watching her categorize herbs and tie them into bundles. She had watched it for over a decade and still hadn’t grown tired of it.

Sensing Song Yixi’s gaze, Xu Qingyu’s finger hooked the string. As she pulled it into a knot, it felt as though she had hooked Song Yixi’s very soul.

Song Yixi didn’t stop her approach, drawing closer bit by bit.

Without looking up, Xu Qingyu said, “Sit down first.”

The tips of Song Yixi’s toes brushed the sofa. After a moment’s hesitation, she sat down to Xu Qingyu’s right, leaving enough space between them for another person to fit.

“Hurry up and say it. I have an 8:00 AM class tomorrow; I need to go back and sleep.”

“Come with me in my car. I have an 8:00 AM too.”

Xu Qingyu was unhurried. If Song Yixi didn’t press for details, she wouldn’t get to the point.

Song Yixi had never possessed her patience. “I’m not going with you. I’m going to sleep.”

She stood up to leave.

Her hanging wrist was suddenly caught by Xu Qingyu. Her body froze, and her gaze flew to Xu Qingyu.

Xu Qingyu looked at her with a soft, swirling gaze—like a vortex trying to pull Song Yixi in. “Do you want to kiss?”

Song Yixi’s mind went instantly blank. “Wh-what?”

Xu Qingyu gave her wrist a gentle tug, pulling her back down to the seat. “You went to the playground with your friend to watch people kissing—doesn’t that mean you want to? I said I could compensate you. If you want to kiss, we can try it out.”

The thing Song Yixi wouldn’t even dare to dream of came out of Xu Qingyu’s mouth with such ease. It sounded as casual as eating or drinking.

“You…” “I…” “Wait… how can you just say things like that?”

After several moments of stuttering, Song Yixi’s logic was screaming at her, yet she couldn’t bring herself to utter a single word of refusal.

“Is it not allowed?”

Xu Qingyu leaned in slowly. Her fingers, scented with Chinese herbs, brushed over Song Yixi’s lips like a feather, lightly tickling her heart.

“We’re both girls; a little kiss won’t hurt, right? Besides, don’t you want to experience it? You wouldn’t want to kiss someone in the future and have them realize you’re a clueless rookie.”

She provoked her with every word. “If you don’t tell and I don’t tell, no one will ever know.”

Song Yixi’s breathing turned ragged. The scent of Xu Qingyu swirled around her nose—the clean, herbal fragrance seemed to have been tainted by something else, making her heart race and her ears burn.

Xu Qingyu rested a hand on her shoulder. Her lips were so close their breaths mingled. Song Yixi lowered her eyelids, tacitly consenting to the kiss, but Xu Qingyu stopped just in time. She quirked the corner of her mouth and pulled away.

“You can take your time to think about it. Whenever you want to kiss, just let me know.”

In an instant, Song Yixi’s heart felt like it skipped a beat. She felt a flicker of relief that she hadn’t succumbed to the spell, but more than that, she felt a hollow void. It was as if something was missing.

Xu Qingyu reached out and gently touched her bright red earlobe.

“You were right. The fact that you haven’t been in a relationship has a lot to do with me. As your ‘sister,’ I should teach you.”

Xu Qingyu’s breath fell against Song Yixi’s ear. “Don’t worry. I’ll take full responsibility for this.”