Weakness Trap - Chapter 8

Yu Qingluan dared not let her thoughts wander, yet that single glance had shaken her more deeply than anything else.

Yu Lingxue was not one to easily reveal her emotions.
She usually carried a gentle, soft smile her petal like lips curved like a crescent, pursed like a kitten’s, making anyone who saw her feel she was approachable.
Even when agitated, she would only raise her voice slightly; if stepped on, she wouldn’t make a sound, refusing to let herself appear too discomposed.

Even Yu Qingluan had only heard Yu Lingxue’s soft gasps once or twice during their intimate moments.
They were so faint and delicate that Yu Qingluan thought she was hearing the whisper of falling snow or the flutter of goose feathers.
Sometimes, she’d feel Yu Lingxue’s hand pinch her waist or her teeth nibble at her shoulder sensations as light as mosquito bites.

Yu Lingxue’s reactions were always this subtle. Only someone as meticulous, gentle, and unhurried as Yu Qingluan, a girl from the Jiangnan region, could perceive them.
They shared a similar essence both like the misty drizzle beneath willow trees, tinged with the hue of a pale sky, blurring the Chu Yun River into a haze of gray.

Occasionally, Yu Qingluan could sense a hidden turmoil within Yu Lingxue, something that tormented her unbearably, yet she endured it silently, never letting it erupt.
Perhaps today, Yu Qingluan had merely glimpsed the fire beneath that restraint.

Yu Qingluan still lingered at the hospital entrance.
She had practically chased the ambulance here spending her hard-saved pocket money on a taxi, tailing the vehicle closely.
Now, after hours at the hospital, she still couldn’t decide whether to approach the front desk.

Logically, she knew Yu Lingxue’s name and had a student’s appearance; the front desk would likely tell her Yu Lingxue’s room number.
Yu Qingluan sighed, her breath forming puffs of white vapor in the air, chilling her heart as much as the night.
Her hand gripped her phone, her back ramrod straight, her gaze unfocused as she stared at the lights across the river everything a blur.

Her phone rang.
Recognizing the caller, Yu Qingluan was startled but answered quickly.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Hadn’t she said she wouldn’t be back tonight?

“Did the school catch fire? Are you okay? You’re not staying away because you’re hurt, are you?”
Yu Shuhua knew her daughter’s temperament well calling her sensible and worry-free was just superficial.
What Yu Shuhua feared most was Yu Qingluan bearing burdens alone in silence.
Often, she wished Yu Qingluan would just cry it out with her.

“Mom, did Granny Liang tell you again?” Yu Qingluan’s knuckles relaxed, no longer white with tension.
She loosened her grip slightly, regaining a sense of being grounded in the world.

“Oh, you silly girl, still trying to hide things from your mom?” Yu Shuhua was so anxious she nearly dropped her spatula, wishing she could fly to Yu Qingluan’s side on it.

“Don’t worry, Mom. It was the dorm next to mine that burned, not mine. Not even a thread of mine was harmed.” Yu Qingluan let out a light laugh.
In her relief at being unharmed, she’d forgotten to reassure her mother, only mentioning she wouldn’t be home that night.

“That’s good. As long as you’re safe.” Yu Shuhua picked up the spatula she’d dropped.
“What are you up to? You’re not keeping watch over a classmate, are you?”

Truly, a mother’s intuition. Yu Qingluan chuckled, how could she ever hide anything from Yu Shuhua? “Yeah, how did you know, Mom?”

Yu Shuhua tapped the spatula against the wok. “Do you think I don’t know you? Make sure to check in on her properly. If she’s injured, buy her some fruit we can afford that much. After all, she even gave me that ointment.”

Yu Qingluan bit her tongue. Had she even mentioned she was waiting for Yu Lingxue?

“Alright, alright, I know. I understand basic social etiquette,” Yu Qingluan quickly ended the call.

She was afraid that if she said too much, Yu Shuhua would somehow sniff out the unusual nature of her relationship with Yu Lingxue.

Although same-sex relationships had been officially recognized with special registration in the country, essentially legalizing them, Yu Shuhua belonged to the older generation. With a hot-tempered and frail grandmother in the family, Yu Qingluan didn’t dare take the risk.

Setting down her phone, Yu Qingluan’s posture slackened, her shoulders slumping slightly.

Surprisingly, her mother’s routine reminder had genuinely encouraged her, dispelling her hesitation.

What was she agonizing over? What was she afraid of?

The most important person to her was hospitalized and hadn’t responded to her messages.

Even if she were met with cold indifference, she had to go and find out the reason.

She should just march straight into the hospital and ask the front desk for Yu Lingxue’s room number.

Yu Qingluan pinched herself one last time and walked into the hospital.

The nurse at the front desk didn’t give her any trouble. Within two minutes, Yu Qingluan was standing outside Yu Lingxue’s room.

It still felt surreal. Just as she was about to take a deep breath to calm herself, the door opened.

It was someone she didn’t recognize, dressed in a nurse’s uniform.

Listening to her own pounding heartbeat, Yu Qingluan slowly turned her gaze.

A woman with fiery red hair and an equally vibrant red dress flashed into her vision, almost abruptly.

The woman was truly untamed, her lipstick a metallic shade of deep burgundy with an aurora like iridescence, her eyeshadow a blend of black and shimmering blue. Her wavy hair was perfectly styled, the curls so intense they seemed capable of ensnaring anyone.

Yet, what she was doing with her crimson manicured nails was anything but ordinary.

She was holding an apple, meticulously peeling it with extreme care.

Only then did Yu Qingluan notice Yu Lingxue lying on the hospital bed, hooked up to an IV.

Beside her was an empty fruit plate, suggesting the unfamiliar woman was peeling the apple for her.

Yu Qingluan felt as if she were sinking into a suffocating vortex.

The moment she laid eyes on the red-haired woman, an overwhelming tension seized her.

Her instincts made her tense up, clutching her own body and curling into a defensive posture.

This was an enemy. A thousand times more terrifying than Su Lian, and ten thousand times more dangerous than all of Yu Lingxue’s confessed admirers combined.

Yu Qingluan coiled up like a little wolf, her aura baring fangs at the red-haired woman, though outwardly, she only bit her lip.

“Xue’er, is this someone you know?” The red-haired woman seemed to sense something and leaned closer.

She was far too close to Yu Lingxue.

Their posture was already intimate. Who would casually sit on a patient’s bed? The red haired woman’s behavior was downright brazen.

And Yu Lingxue didn’t seem to mind at all. Someone with even a slight case of cleanliness OCD could tolerate this woman’s proximity, her fruit-peeling, and even such close contact, Yu Qingluan could see the red-haired woman’s breath brushing against Yu Lingxue’s face, lifting the strands of hair near her ears.

Yu Qingluan’s mind was in turmoil. A sharp pang pierced through her breathing, throwing her thoughts into disarray.

“Yes, she’s my friend,” Yu Lingxue replied, subtly shifting away.

“Wenying, step outside for a moment. I’d like to talk to my friend,” she said, glancing at Yan Wenying, her tone not as firm as her gaze.

Softly, almost pleadingly.

Yan Wenying reached out and brushed her fingers across Yu Lingxue’s cheek. “As you wish, my Queen.”

Then, with a toss of her waist-length red hair, she strode out of the hospital room in her studded boots.

Yu Qingluan’s gaze unconsciously followed her until their eyes met.

Yan Wenying gave her a smile.

Yu Qingluan saw it as a challenge.

and also realized that the lipstick Yu Lingxue had applied that morning likely came from this unfamiliar woman.

The door closed.

Only two people remained in the hospital room.

Yu Qingluan took a deep breath, nearly choking on the lingering scent of Yan Wenying’s perfume.

Frowning, she walked over to Yu Lingxue and stubbornly sat in the spot Yan Wenying had just vacated.

“Aren’t you disgusted?” Yu Lingxue scoffed softly, reaching out to caress Yu Qingluan’s face.

But then she seemed to remember something and withdrew her hand.

“Lingxue,” Yu Qingluan stopped her, catching her hand and holding it firmly.

“Why so many needle marks again?” Yu Qingluan carefully examined the back of Yu Lingxue’s hand, then brushed aside her wispy bangs to check her forehead.

Yu Lingxue had poor health and terribly thin veins, making every IV drip or blood draw a nightmare.

Both she and the nurses found it torturous. Just hearing about it pained Yu Qingluan.

“There’s no helping it. Don’t worry, I didn’t cry.” Yu Lingxue pulled her hand back as if to hide it, rubbing it briefly before tucking it under the blanket.

“But I did.” Yu Qingluan held her breath, and tears welled in her eyes.

“Ah.” Yu Lingxue had no defense against this. She reached out and pulled Yu Qingluan into her hospital bed.

“Don’t cry.” She used the hand still bearing the IV needle to wipe the tears from Yu Qingluan’s eyes.

“Be good, I’m fine.” She comforted Yu Qingluan as if soothing a child.

Originally, Yu Qingluan’s tears were just an emotional reaction to Yan Wenying, but now she genuinely felt like crying.

Shame, grievance, affection.

She took Yu Lingxue’s hand and carefully cradled it against her chest. “You’re so cold.”

“I’m not, the room is quite warm.” Yu Lingxue simply turned and embraced Yu Qingluan.

She was also cautious not to disturb her fractured hand.

“And you didn’t even let me know you were safe.” Yu Qingluan’s words made her cry again.

She buried her face in Yu Lingxue’s embrace, sobbing quietly.

“I’m sorry.” Yu Lingxue patted her back.

“I didn’t have time to check my phone.” Yu Lingxue sighed.

With that troublesome person watching her every move, she had little freedom.

Actually, Yu Qingluan shouldn’t have come to see her.

She had thought Yu Qingluan wouldn’t come.

But,

Her little bird truly loved her so much.

A secret delight stirred in Yu Lingxue’s heart, and she held Yu Qingluan tighter.

“And you charged into the fire alone.” The more Yu Qingluan spoke, the more distraught she became. “Do you even care about yourself at all?”

How did she know about that?

Yu Lingxue fell silent for a moment.

“I, knew I would be fine.” After a few breaths, Yu Lingxue finally spoke.

Her voice lacked the warmth it had held moments before.

“Still, still, you shouldn’t have.” Yu Qingluan held Yu Lingxue so tightly.

Yu Lingxue lowered her gaze.

She had known long ago that she would love Yu Qingluan deeply.

So very deeply.

They were so alike, yet Yu Qingluan possessed a determination and freedom she lacked. They were two sides of the same moon, shadow and light.

When Yu Qingluan suddenly kissed her, in that moment, Yu Lingxue felt love.

Yu Qingluan truly, deeply loved her too.

Yu lingxue quietly wrapped her arms around Yu Qingluan’s neck, just as they had done intimately many times before.

Unobtrusively, she pressed herself against Yu Qingluan, feeling her breath through their connected lips.

Only Yu Qingluan could sense the faint trembling in her.

When Yu Qingluan ended the kiss, her mind was still hazy with warmth.

“Lingxue.” Her eyes still glistened with tears as she looked at Yu lingxue, as if beholding the person who had suffered the greatest injustice in the world, her heartache unmistakable.

“Good girl, my little bird.” Yu lingxue kissed her again, accepting her unrestrained affection this time.

They kissed for a long while.

Leaning against each other, they felt content without saying a word.

Yu lingxue seemed to have finally revived from the fire, a faint flush of vitality coloring her cheeks.

Yu Qingluan, too, had shaken off the palpitations and fears of the past hours, finding her anchor once more.

“So why did you go back into the fire?” Yu Qingluan nestled against Yu lingxue’s shoulder.

She could catch the delicate fragrance of Yu lingxue’s skin a floral scent, gentle like the spring breeze and drizzle of Jiangnan, though today it carried a faint trace of smoky dust.

It was different from the smell of cooking fumes. Yu Qingluan wanted to wipe it away, to erase it, and began earnestly rubbing the corner of Yu lingxue’s clothes.

“I remembered that the little pet they were raising was still inside the building.” Aside from her teacher Li Ran, Yu lingxue had never kept secrets from Yu Qingluan.

And Yu Qingluan responded to her trust. “You’re amazing. To notice so much in such a moment.”

There was no mockery for overestimating herself, no sarcasm for going to unnecessary lengths. No belittling of her convictions under the guise of concern.

This was her Yu Qingluan. Her dearest little bird.

Yu lingxue truly smiled. “Don’t you think I’m foolish?”

Yu Qingluan fell silent for a moment, thinking quite seriously.

Eventually, she shook her head. “I’d hope you could protect yourself better. But if you hadn’t gone to save it, that wouldn’t be like you.”

For Yu Qingluan, it was the same.

Hearing that Yu lingxue had risked her life to save another, the last trace of displeasure in Yu Qingluan’s heart dissipated.

This was her dearest Yu lingxue. Always kind, always helping others.

“Next time, take better care of yourself.” Yu Qingluan gently ruffled Yu lingxue’s hair. That was her only request.

“I will.” Yu lingxue’s heart softened inevitably.

The world was cruel, and she was cruel too.

But Yu Qingluan was good.

“That person earlier.” Yu Qingluan held Yu lingxue’s hand, childishly and persistently blowing on the small wounds.

“Just someone unimportant.” Yu lingxue did not mention the word “fiancee.”

“Mm.” Yu Qingluan believed her.

“It’s very late. You should stay at my place. I’ll have someone take you back.” Only when it was truly late did Yu lingxue see her guest out.

Yu Qingluan had thought she could stay longer and was momentarily taken aback.

“The hospital room isn’t convenient. Too many people.” Yu lingxue gently wiped the fine sweat from Yu Qingluan’s temple with her fingertip.

“Mm, alright. I’ll come see you tomorrow evening.” Reluctantly, Yu Qingluan left.

Yan Wenying entered the hospital room.

“Dating a girlfriend behind my back?” She smiled, though her smile held little warmth.

Yu lingxue rarely let her expression fade, leaving only coldness for Yan Wenying. “Wenying, this has nothing to do with you.”

“How does it have nothing to do with me? Are you denying your relationship with her, or are you denying your relationship with me? My fiancee, no matter how displeased you are, you still have to return to Hong Kong.”

Yan Wenying’s fingernail pressed against Yu Lingxue’s chin.

Yu Lingxue closed her eyes.

“I’ll wait for you to come back.” Yan Wenying chuckled softly.

Truthfully, anyone from the Yu family would do.

She just had a particular fondness for Yu Lingxue.

How utterly adorable would it be to see the expression change on someone so revered as a goddess someone who truly believed herself to be an all powerful, compassionate deity?

Just like that stubborn, obstinate little wolf from earlier.

Oh, how pitiful.

That little wolf cub probably had no idea that the girlfriend he so desperately longed for already had a fiancee, did he?

What kind of expression would he wear once he found out?

Today’s Qingluan is a crying little wolf cub.