The Romance Extras Turned Out to Be a Yuri Story - Chapter 55

Her face was flushed.

Lin Luoluo didn’t know how to answer. She put down her phone, patted her cheek, and then calmly replied with a “Yes.”

Sang Jing was watching her. Seeing Lin Luoluo’s face burning red, she sidled closer with a sneaky look and asked, “Did you change the profile picture?” Lin Luoluo hummed in affirmation and put down her phone.

In the front seat, Mao Yutong was fast asleep. The driver was at the foot of the mountain and starting the ascent. It was a very long, winding mountain road, full of sharp turns, and they had to watch for oncoming traffic. Sang Jing let out a few surprised gasps.

The driver in the front laughed and said, “This section of the road is difficult, but I’ve been driving for over ten years, so don’t worry.” No sooner had he finished speaking than the tire scraped something, skidded, and burst. Mao Yutong woke up with a start.

The car blew a tire halfway up the mountain, leaving them stranded nowhere near a village or a town. The driver had no choice but to contact the people at the temple on the mountain. Soon, someone drove down to transfer them to the mountain first before calling for a tow truck.

The terrain was rugged, and Sang Jing’s leg was inconvenient. After a bumpy journey, they finally reached the mountain. Just as they entered the temple gate, it started to rain. The delay had been significant, and Lin Luoluo missed the mealtime.

The lay Buddhist at the temple arranged a temporary lodging for them. Lin Luoluo stood by the temple gate, watching the rain, and had to message Zhang Qiu to go eat, as the vegetarian meal could no longer be delivered.

[What’s wrong?] Zhang Qiu messaged back: [It’s not important for me to eat; did something happen to you on the mountain?]

[The car blew a tire.] Lin Luoluo replied with a frustrated face.

[No one was injured, right?]

[No, we just missed the mealtime and blocked the road up the mountain.]

[That’s good. Get some food to fill your stomachs first. Is someone going to pick you up to come down the mountain?]

[Yes, my brother said he would come to pick us up after he finishes his work this afternoon.]

[Okay.]

Zhang Qiu was relieved and ordered takeout with her teacher. The two of them ate in the office while discussing the afternoon’s court hearing.

Pei Qin was a lawyer specializing in economic cases. Zhang Qiu’s background was professional in this area, and Pei Qin would occasionally consult her on certain issues before making a consideration.

The meal quickly grew cold while they talked. Zhang Qiu went to the pantry to pour a cup of hot water and looked at the intensity of the rain outside.

The rain came suddenly. The weather forecast had just pushed an alert for a heavy downpour, and the rain immediately started, making the midday sky look as if night was approaching.

Pei Qin also came over to pour a cup of coffee. The law firm was very quiet at noon; few people remained in the office during the lunch break. Pei Qin held a cup of coffee and stood beside Zhang Qiu, asking, “What are you looking at?”

“I’m worried that the rainy weather will make travel difficult,” Zhang Qiu said, looking at the raindrops on the glass window.

“Then let’s leave early.”

Zhang Qiu nodded.

After finishing the water, Zhang Qiu took the case files and hurried with Pei Qin toward the courthouse.

Fortunately, they left early and avoided traffic congestion. They arrived at the courthouse just in time.

Today was the first hearing. They would first organize the testimonies from both sides and present evidence. The atmosphere was not as tense as Zhang Qiu had expected, not so much like swords being drawn. The opposing company had also hired a well-known lawyer in the industry. They ran into him at the courthouse entrance, and the opposing lawyer even held the door open for them.

During the recess, the opposing lawyer even invited Pei Qin out to eat, but Pei Qin declined, citing that she was busy with work.

On the way back, Pei Qin spoke, and Zhang Qiu thought for a moment before asking, “Teacher, are you very familiar with the opposing lawyer?”

Pei Qin nodded.

“There are only a handful of people who handle economic cases back and forth, so we often run into each other at the courthouse.”

She patiently instructed Zhang Qiu: “I generally decline dinner invitations from anyone after a court hearing because the other party might not be inviting you to eat but rather trying to trick you into revealing information. People tend to let their guard down in such situations.”

Zhang Qiu nodded.

“You also don’t need to be wary of them or hold goodwill toward them because of the opposing counsel’s arguments during the trial. The arguments are often made to protect the client’s interests and do not represent our stance as lawyers.”

“My stance is the client’s stance.” Zhang Qiu accepted the instruction.

The car drove back to the firm. There was still a little time before closing hours. Zhang Qiu took out her phone to check for messages. She had set her phone to silent during the hearing. It was still raining on the way, and Zhang Qiu was a bit worried about Lin Luoluo.

Lin Luoluo had sent a few pictures and several messages.

[I asked the abbot for a talisman for you.]

[Image.]

[I got the best possible lot (divination) oh~]

[The abbot said my romantic luck is strong and gave me a red string bracelet. I asked for an extra one to give to you.]

[Image]

[We probably can’t come down the mountain today. The rain is too heavy, and driving would be dangerous.]

Zhang Qiu replied to each message.

[I saw it.]

[The lot is very good.]

[Strong romantic luck?]

[If it’s dangerous, stay for a night. Do you have a place to stay?]

Lin Luoluo hadn’t replied; perhaps she hadn’t seen the messages. It had been over an hour since she sent them to Zhang Qiu. Zhang Qiu clicked on the pictures again and looked at them one by one, her lips curving up involuntarily. The nearby desk was tapped: “Lawyer Pei is looking for you.”

Zhang Qiu stood up, put down her phone, and went to find her teacher. Before entering, Zhang Qiu knocked on the door and only went in when she heard “Come in.”

“You’re here.” Pei Qin put down the pen she was using to write the case file and gestured for Zhang Qiu to sit.

“Teacher, you were looking for me.”

Pei Qin nodded and said, “A reality show reached out to our firm. They want to make a program about a law firm, and Lu Feng thinks you are suitable. He wants to recommend you for the show. What do you think about that?”

Zhang Qiu was surprised.

“Teacher, may I ask what kind of show it is?”

“It’s a legal education program. The production crew will film the daily work of our firm to showcase the legal profession. You will undergo assessments along with other intern lawyers. If you succeed, you will receive an offer from one of the ‘Big Four’ firms.”

Zhang Qiu was stunned. She knew that being able to intern with a lawyer like Pei Qin was already a favor based on the connection with her younger brother (Pei Qin’s junior). Zhang Qiu didn’t have a legal background, so it was generally difficult to find a suitable internship. Now, a job opportunity at one of the ‘Big Four’ firms was right in front of her. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t tempted.

Zhang Qiu pursed her lips and said, “Teacher, I want to ask why such a valuable opportunity would be given to me? There should be many people outside who are more suitable than I am.”

Pei Qin replied, “The production crew chose you after reviewing your resume and discussing it with Lu Feng. They probably feel you have a compelling story—a ‘selling point.'”

Pei Qin was honest: “You don’t have a law background, and your foundation is inherently weak, but you dared to switch professions to pursue your dream. This is likely the narrative hook the show wants. You are technically weaker than other interns with legal backgrounds, but I have a lot of confidence in you.”

“Teacher, do you think I should go on the show?” Zhang Qiu asked for Pei Qin’s opinion.

Pei Qin naturally hoped she wouldn’t. She felt that Zhang Qiu was still a young sapling; she possessed the rigor and patience of a legal professional, and excessive exposure might ruin her original motivation for this career. However, this was also a huge opportunity. Compared to the risk of overexposure, Zhang Qiu might never again have the chance to engage with a Big Four firm, as they almost exclusively scout top law students from elite universities.

Pei Qin didn’t answer with a yes or a no. Instead, she smiled and said, “No matter what you choose, and whether or not you get selected by a Big Four firm after the show, my door will always be open for you.”

This was the warmest thing Pei Qin had said to Zhang Qiu since becoming her mentor.

Zhang Qiu’s expression grew serious: “Teacher, I will give it careful consideration.”

The day’s rain had made the night damp and wet.

Lin Luoluo hadn’t brought a charger, thinking they would go up in the morning and come straight back down after the vegetarian meal. Unexpectedly, they were trapped on the mountain. After searching for a long time, she finally found a place to charge her phone in the lay Buddhist’s room.

The air on the mountain was incredibly fresh. As night fell, the rain gradually lessened, dampening the leaves. Under the lamplight, glistening streaks of water flashed as the wind blew through.

Lin Luoluo followed the lay Buddhist to the kitchen to help tend the fire. After the meal was prepared, she received three big, fluffy white steamed buns and a plate of plain congee and small side dishes.

They had eaten late, so the lay Buddhist had specially cooked for them again.

There were other volunteers in the meditation room where Lin Luoluo was staying. Since Sang Jing couldn’t move easily, Mao Yutong had taken her to the front courtyard corridor to sketch. After putting down the food, Lin Luoluo went to look for them.

Sang Jing, bored, was listening to the rain under the eaves. A splash-ink landscape painting, drawn in pencil, was already taking shape in Mao Yutong’s sketchbook.

Hearing footsteps, Sang Jing turned, giving a sleepy yawn. “Didn’t you go to help?”

“The food’s ready, I came to call you.”

Sang Jing nodded and called out to ‘Little Mao’ twice. Mao Yutong was still absorbed in her drawing, so Sang Jing shook her head helplessly, wheeled her chair closer, and shouted. This startled Mao Yutong, who almost dropped her pencil.

She rubbed her brow, put away her tools on Sang Jing’s lap, and pushed her back to eat.

Lin Luoluo arrived first and had just sat down when the lay Buddhist brought her phone over. “I saw the battery was full, so I rushed it to you.”

Lin Luoluo thanked her, grabbed a steaming hot, plump white bun, took a small bite, and turned on her phone. Seeing Zhang Qiu’s reply, the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but turn up. She carried the bun outside to call Zhang Qiu.

She must be off work now.

Zhang Qiu was sitting on the subway, looking at the documents her teacher had sent. The subway signal was poor; her phone rang briefly a couple of times and then went silent.

Zhang Qiu picked up her phone, glanced at it, and then at the upcoming station. She quickly messaged Lin Luoluo: [On the subway, signal is bad. Will be out of the station in a few minutes, wait for my call.]

Lin Luoluo was no longer in a hurry. She went inside and quickly drank the plain congee, eating it with the homemade salted vegetables from the courtyard. She finished her meal while listening to the fresh mountain rain outside the window.

After they finished, Mao Yutong tidied up to return the dishes to the kitchen. Lin Luoluo stood up to stretch her muscles, and then Zhang Qiu’s call came through.

“Have you eaten?”

“Just finished. They steamed big white buns here, and I even went to help tend the fire! The master’s little pickles are especially fresh and tasty!”

Zhang Qiu chuckled lightly: “Was it fun?”

Lin Luoluo grumbled, “I went to help, not to play.”

“Did you eat, Sister?”

“Not yet. I just got off the subway and am about to buy some fried rice on the street.”

“You worked so hard today, shouldn’t you eat something better, Sister?”

Zhang Qiu laughed. “Hard work? Nothing compared to your hard work helping tend the fire—that’s physical labor. I’ve been sitting all day.”

Lin Luoluo knew Zhang Qiu was teasing her. She wrinkled her nose and whined playfully, “If you tease me again, I won’t give you the talisman I asked for you.”

“Alright, I was wrong. I shouldn’t tease you,” Zhang Qiu apologized gracefully.

Lin Luoluo heard her ordering fried rice on her end: “One fried rice, extra vegetables.”

“Sure thing, just a moment!”

“Sister, aren’t you going to add an egg?”

“It’s not good to eat too much late at night.”

“Oh.” Lin Luoluo could hear the wind clearly on Zhang Qiu’s side.

“Has the rain stopped there?”

“Yes.”

“It’s still raining on the mountain. I don’t know if we can go back tomorrow.” Lin Luoluo sounded a little disappointed. If she couldn’t return, she couldn’t give Zhang Qiu the talisman she requested and the red string she got at the Marriage Temple.

Sang Jing had told her that she looked it up, and the Marriage Temple on the mountain was especially effective; anyone tied by its red string would stay together until their hair turned white.

She wanted to grow old with her sister.

With white hair, turning into a pair of wrinkled old grandmothers.

“If you can’t come back tomorrow, I’ll come find you on the mountain.”

Zhang Qiu laughed softly: “I miss you.”

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