Weakness Trap - Chapter 20

“What would you like to eat? My housekeeper didn’t prepare anything. Or could I invite myself over to your place for another meal?”

Yu Lingxue truly let the matter drop just like that.

She didn’t know how to ask Yu Qingluan.

Whether Yu Qingluan had been joking, or genuinely didn’t want to acknowledge her.

Whether she intended to keep pretending they were strangers in public, or was simply annoyed by Yan Wenying and didn’t want to bother arguing, opting instead to act unfamiliar.

Ultimately, Yu Lingxue didn’t dwell on it too much.

After all, during their meeting, Yu Qingluan’s reactions had seemed normal.

Yu Lingxue quietly reached a conclusion in her heart.

It was probably because Yan Wenying was too bothersome, and her little bird was afraid of being disturbed, which was why she had said those things.

“My mom probably hasn’t prepared anything either,” Yu Qingluan replied, embracing Yu Lingxue in return.

She didn’t bring up the unpleasant topic again.

It was just a minor issue.

As long as Yu Lingxue didn’t refer to that person as her fiancee,

she would pretend not to know.

Call her selfish or in denial if you must.

She just wanted to be with Yu Lingxue, What was wrong with that?

“I’ve been staying in the dormitory lately. Midterms are over, and the coursework has gotten more challenging. I need to review,” Yu Qingluan said, leaning against Yu Lingxue’s shoulder.

Yu Lingxue brushed aside the hair near her ear and looked down into her eyes, her expression full of contentment.

“I’ve been a bit busy too. Don’t be upset with me, It should ease up in a while.”

Yu Lingxue tapped Yu Qingluan’s forehead with her fingertip.

Then traced down the bridge of her nose, stopping at the plump curve of her lips.

She gently poked the soft, pink pearl.

Yu Qingluan quietly parted her lips and caught the fingertip between her teeth.

“Oh, you’re so naughty,” Yu Lingxue chuckled but didn’t pull her hand away.

She let Yu Qingluan keep her finger in her mouth.

“I missed you so much,” Yu Qingluan murmured, releasing her finger only when it reached the base. She took a tissue and carefully wiped Yu Lingxue’s finger clean.

A faint rose fragrance bloomed in her mouth.

Yu Qingluan had accidentally tasted a bit of Yu Lingxue’s hand cream.

Yu Lingxue cupped her chin, drew closer, and answered her with a kiss.

She wanted to mix the rose-scented balm with her little bird and swallow it together.

The car drove for a long time.

So long that their lips grew slightly numb. Yu Qingluan exhaled softly and lifted the curtain, allowing a sliver of dim moonlight to seep in as decoration. They still hadn’t reached their destination.

“Where are we going?” Yu Qingluan glanced at the unfamiliar scenery outside.

“To a restaurant. Aren’t you afraid I might sell you off?” Yu Lingxue reached out and gently stroked Yu Qingluan’s cheek.

Such a distant restaurant.

“Would you?” Yu Qingluan curved her eyes into a smile.

“Of course not,” Yu Lingxue replied softly, leaning closer.

As long as nothing else interfered,

she would stay with her little bird forever.

After dinner, Yu Qingluan followed Yu Lingxue back to her apartment.

As soon as the door opened, Yu Qingluan coughed from the rush of cold air that greeted her.

Yu Lingxue patted her back.

“Oops, I forgot to turn on the heater.”

She excused herself and went to switch on the heating.

Meanwhile, Yu Qingluan rubbed her neck, reddened by the sudden chill, and felt puzzled.

This was definitely Yu Lingxue’s home.

They had frolicked here last time. Afterward, she had even made medicine and steamed egg custard for Yu Lingxue.

So why was there dust on the shoe rack, and why had the heater been forgotten?

Yu Lingxue had a weak constitution and was sensitive to cold. She had countless housekeepers, nannies, and attendants.

How could she possibly forget to turn on the heater?

Where had Yu Qingluan been staying recently?

Yu Qingluan waved her hand, trying to disperse the dusty scent.

The dust was too light and airy a single breath could send it flying to some unknown corner.

But her doubts, unlike the dust, took root deep in her heart.

Yu Qingluan ultimately didn’t ask.

She had more important matters on her mind.

Their contract was about to expire.

Yu Lingxue hadn’t brought it up.

Hadn’t contacted her either.

Though the unease had been soothed by the rose fragrance during their meeting, Yu Qingluan still didn’t quite dare to speak up.

She quietly opened her bag and glanced inside.

The agreement signed last year still lay obediently within.

She had hidden it for a year.

In her old, worn out home.

Moving it from beneath the bed to the glass topped desk.

Making sure Yu Shuhua wouldn’t casually come across it.

The agreement was now crumpled beyond recognition.

Now it was time for a new one.

After they had each finished showering, Yu Qingluan suddenly embraced Yu Lingxue from behind while she was brushing her teeth.

“Hmm?” Yu Lingxue sped up her brushing.

“In such a hurry?” She spat out the water, then used the back of the toothbrush to poke a dimple in Yu Qingluan’s cheek.

She was smiling.

After all, it had been a long time since they last saw each other. It was only natural for her little bird to be a bit impatient.

She also felt somewhat sorry for Yu Qingluan.

“Hmm.” Yu Qingluan couldn’t bring herself to say “no.”

She found herself being clumsily stripped of her bathrobe by Yu Lingxue.

Clumsily laid down in the bathroom, under the warm light, tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

Then clumsily kissed until her whole body trembled.

When it was over, Yu Qingluan finally embraced Yu Lingxue again.

Holding her back, not letting her leave.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” Yu Lingxue stayed.

Though her fingers were unusually sticky, she didn’t leave Yu Qingluan’s side.

Using the cleaner parts of her hands to stroke Yu Qingluan, holding her close.

“Hmm? Good little bird, my sweet bird. Are you angry?” Yu Lingxue pinched the little bird’s face.

Making her look up.

What an adorable expression.

Eyes and lips both restrained to the extreme.

Only the tears were an uncontrollable release.

“No.” Yu Qingluan was nearly crying from her own anxiety.

“Then what is it? Unhappy? Too tired?” Yu Lingxue adopted a serious attitude, sitting down in front of Yu Qingluan.

Her shirt was still half open, a button missing from the chest area, Yu Qingluan’s handiwork from earlier.

The shirt’s base color was warm toned. Her skin pale with a cool undertone.

Like the person herself: warm on the surface, cold within.

Only she had ever felt the warmth inside her.

Just a fleeting image could make Yu Qingluan lose herself in thought. She didn’t know how to bring it up.

“You’re not thinking of breaking up with me, are you?” A trace of worry surfaced in Yu Lingxue’s eyes.

She was joking, of course.

But the moment she said it, she was genuinely afraid Yu Qingluan might say “yes.”

They had nearly turned their relationship into a long distance one.

It would be normal for Yu Qingluan to be dissatisfied, right?

But,

Yu Lingxue felt she had no other choice.

Not everyone’s family was so warm, so simple.

Not everyone’s worries were limited to studies and grades.

Perhaps she had called off the engagement too early.

And Yan Wenying happened to be a madman.

But these were her choices. She was just dealing with them as best she could.

Besides, if she hadn’t called off the engagement, how could she and her little bird be together openly?

“No!” Yu Qingluan suddenly lifted her head, a single tear unexpectedly sliding down.

“Then, then don’t cry. I don’t want to break up with you either, don’t be like this.” Yu Lingxue found it hard to breathe under the glint of tears.

She saw genuine pain and sorrow but still didn’t know the reason.

Yu Lingxue cupped Yu Qingluan’s face, looking into her eyes.

For the first time, she felt Yu Qingluan was so distant from her.

“No.” Yu Qingluan clutched the hem of Yu Lingxue’s shirt.

Swishanother button was torn off.

“Then.” Yu Lingxue, ignoring her own disheveled state, reached for Yu Qingluan’s hand.

Yu Qingluan let out a choked sob, stood up, and began rummaging through her bag.

She pulled out a crumpled agreement.

“It’s about to expire,” Yu Qingluan said, turning her face away as she handed over the document.

“You never mentioned it Should we renew?” Yu Qingluan’s hands trembled.

Yu Lingxue took the agreement.

She had almost forgotten about this contract.

Back then, she had drafted it fearing Yu Qingluan might refuse.

Who would have thought.

So this was why her little bird was crying in fear.

Yu Lingxue set the agreement aside and embraced her overthinking little bird.

She had known it all along.

Her little bird loved her so much.

How could she ever think of breaking up?

“Little bird.” Yu Lingxue couldn’t help but laugh as she spoke the nickname.

Yu Qingluan trembled again.

“Do you want to renew?” She couldn’t resist teasing her.

Yu Lingxue circled her arms around Yu Qingluan’s waist, her lips brushing against her ear.

“Yes.” Yu Qingluan managed to force out the word.

“Do you do you want to continue with me?” Yu Qingluan was being brave. She was even asking Yu Lingxue for an answer.

“Of course. I was just asking you because I was afraid you’d break up with me.” With that, Yu Lingxue actually led Yu Qingluan to the study, intending to draft a new agreement.

Yu Qingluan sat obediently to the side, like a restless little wolf after crying.

Quiet and reserved, her drooping ears looked utterly adorable.

“Let’s change the terms of the agreement too.” Yu Lingxue had no recollection of what she had written the previous year.

“We should give each other a gift once a week.” Yu Lingxue wrote whatever came to mind, treating it as a game.

Tears glistened in Yu Qingluan’s eyes, the droplets shimmering brightly under the warm study light. She leaned in close, stretching her neck like a swan, watching Yu Lingxue write.

Yu Lingxue had beautiful handwriting but only when she wasn’t writing prescriptions.

“And we should meet every three days.” No matter how she thought about it, Yu Lingxue knew she couldn’t manage that.

She was too busy.

Today, she had only managed to free up an afternoon because Li Ran’s patient had suddenly recovered and canceled their appointment, allowing him to watch Yu Jian Xi for her so she could have this date with Yu Qingluan.

“Hmm.” Yu Qingluan sensed something amiss and shot her a suspicious glance.

Yu Lingxue couldn’t hold back her laughter and continued writing, “And we should play together.”

“Play.” She burst into laughter.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Yu Qingluan poked her in the waist.

By now, Yu Qingluan had caught on.

Yu Lingxue was just teasing her.

How could she say such things?

“Nothing, darling, you’re just too adorable.” Yu Lingxue tossed the pen aside, pulled Yu Qingluan onto her lap, and hugged her tightly.

Yu Qingluan gave her a light shove.

“We don’t need an agreement.” Finally done laughing, Yu Lingxue tore up the draft.

“But.” Yu Qingluan felt a sudden pang of anxiety.

It was as if their relationship was bound by that single sheet of paper.

But who writes an agreement to date their girlfriend?

Yu Lingxue was thinking the same thing.

“Don’t you think it’s better without one?” That was what she said, though.

“Hmm.” Yu Qingluan didn’t argue.

She thought Yu Lingxue wasn’t writing a new agreement because she intended to treat her as a real girlfriend from now on.

But after the agreement was torn up, until the end of the semester.

They never saw each other again.

Something’s gone wrong, folks I need to rethink and replan how to v…

What do you all think about the idea of just dropping the contract plotline? Honestly, if not for what happens later, the “not renewing the contract” moment would basically be the ultimate confession pretty sweet, right?