Chapter 21

Before getting off work, Liu Yuelan messaged Little Li asking where Yu Qianlin was and whether she had returned to the shop.

: No, Sister Lin said she finished work and went straight home.

: [OK]

Liu Yuelan put away her phone and drove straight to Yu Qianlin’s apartment building to wait for her. She had no idea she would end up waiting until dark. Streetlights on both sides of the neighborhood road lit up, and the number of pedestrians gradually decreased. She yawned and continued staring at the rear-view mirror, thankful that there were snacks in the car to help her endure the hunger.

Finally, Yu Qianlin’s figure appeared in sight. She was still wearing her uniform pants, jacket dangling from her hand as she walked home. Liu Yuelan waited until she got closer before opening the car door and stepping out with a smile. “You’re finally back. I—”

Before she could finish, she saw Yu Qianlin turn around and walk back the way she came. Liu Yuelan laughed in exasperation and quickly followed. “Hey, no running. Stop right there.”

As soon as she spoke, Yu Qianlin quickened her pace and even started jogging. Just as she turned a corner, her neck was suddenly grabbed firmly from behind. Her uninjured arm was twisted behind her back without mercy, causing her actual pain.

She reached back with her other hand to touch the arm locked around her neck, but because of her injury her strength was weak and useless. The person behind her continued applying force. Yu Qianlin cried out in pain.

“Still going to run? Hm?”

Liu Yuelan panted lightly, her breath hitting Yu Qianlin’s neck and making her uncomfortably dodge. In a low voice she said, “Let go of me.”

“Promise me you won’t run first, otherwise I’ll…”

She threatened. Yu Qianlin couldn’t stand the position and could only nod. “I won’t run. Let go.”

Liu Yuelan released her hand, then wrapped her arms around her neck and smoothly turned to face her, smiling charmingly.

Yu Qianlin moved her aching arm. Looking at her like this, it was hard to connect her with the fierce and agile woman from earlier.

“Look at you, why run? You can’t outrun me anyway.” Liu Yuelan scratched her chin, only to have her hand slapped away by Yu Qianlin with a frown.

Liu Yuelan wasn’t annoyed. She smiled brightly at her. Yu Qianlin rolled her shoulders again and suddenly noticed the person in front of her was the wrong height. She looked down.

“Where are your shoes? Walking barefoot — what if you hurt yourself?” Yu Qianlin scolded worriedly.

Liu Yuelan complained, “It’s all because of you. The moment you saw me you ran. How was I supposed to catch up wearing high heels?” After speaking, she frowned, her expression pained, and leaned into her arms. “Ah, my foot really stepped on something. It hurts so much.”

Yu Qianlin anxiously helped her to a nearby bench and sat her down. She squatted, lifted one of her feet, and examined it. “Which foot hurts?”

Liu Yuelan’s ankle felt itchy, as if being tickled. “Mm… both hurt. Maybe I stepped on a pebble and it bruised me.”

Yu Qianlin placed both of her feet on her lap and carefully checked for a while without finding any wounds. Only then did she relax. She used her hands to brush off the small pebbles and dust.

Liu Yuelan’s body grew hot. Her feet itched badly but she didn’t want to pull away. [unauthorized copy]Her face slowly turned red.

After finishing, Yu Qianlin squatted with her back to her. “Get on.”

Liu Yuelan patted her shoulder considerately. “You’re still injured. I can walk by myself.”

Yu Qianlin turned her head irritably. “You know that, yet you still used so much force!”

“That’s why I specifically twisted your other arm.” Liu Yuelan folded her hands and leaned on her back, smiling at her.

Yu Qianlin kept a straight face and unhappily shrugged her shoulders, trying to make her get off. “Fine, one arm is enough to carry you. Hurry up.”

Liu Yuelan smiled happily and obediently wrapped her arms around her neck, climbing onto her back.

Yu Qianlin hooked one arm under her knee bend, steadily stood up, and carried her. Halfway, she saw the discarded high heels, bent down, hooked them with her fingers, and carried them forward.

Liu Yuelan lay against the side of her neck, the corners of her mouth sweetly upturned, hugging her neck tightly.

They passed Liu Yuelan’s car. Seeing Yu Qianlin still walking forward, Liu Yuelan anxiously patted the person beneath her. “My bag is still in the car.”

Her tone carried a soft, coquettish whine she herself didn’t notice. Yu Qianlin tilted her head, her ear itching, turned around, and walked back toward her car.

As they walked, Yu Qianlin’s steps slowed. In the end, she opened the driver’s door and put her inside. Just ​read the original at bailiantales.com​as Liu Yuelan was about to speak, Yu Qianlin squatted down, gently lifted her foot, and put her shoes on for her.

Liu Yuelan looked at the top of her head, reached out and touched it. Her heart melted completely.

After the shoes were on, while Liu Yuelan was still moved, Yu Qianlin suddenly hugged her knees and stuffed her into the car. At the same time, she said quickly, “You should go back first. We can talk about anything later.” Then she slammed the door shut and ran away fast.

The action was smooth and practiced. By the time Liu Yuelan reacted, the person had already run far away. She felt both angry and amused. She picked up her phone to message her, then remembered she had been blocked. She lowered the car window, stuck her head out, and shouted at the fleeing figure, “Ah Yu, take me off your blacklist!”

Then she saw the person about to step onto the stairs stumble. She covered her mouth and laughed secretly. Only after seeing her take out her phone and look down to operate it did she pull her head back.

She typed in the chat box and sent it.

: I’ll give you one night [kiss]

Yu Qianlin did not reply.

Early the next morning, Liu Yuelan started harassing Yu Qianlin again.

: I’m coming to the shop to find you this morning.

: I’m not there.

: ? Really? I have an informant, you know.

There was no reply for a long time. Liu Yuelan got up, washed, and sent another message when she went out.

: Say something.

: What do you want?

: What do you think?

Liu Yuelan arrived at the office without receiving any reply. She sighed. She was practically being tortured to madness by her.

: How much longer do you need before you dare to see me?

: You can’t make me wait forever, right? Who’s going to compensate me with a girlfriend then?

: I’ll give you one and a half more days. It’s 8 o’clock now. Come to the café tomorrow night at 8 o’clock to see me. Otherwise, I’ll block your apartment door directly.

She then sent the location and, regardless of whether Yu Qianlin replied, started working.

Finally, the appointed time arrived. Liu Yuelan dressed up carefully and waited in the café early. She kept glancing at her watch — 10 minutes, 5 minutes. Her fingers tapped faster and faster on the table. Her heart was extremely anxious. Her eyes stayed fixed on the entrance as she ground her back teeth.

The moment the watch hand pointed to 8, she immediately stood up and prepared to leave with her bag. At that moment, a woman wearing a duckbill cap and a black baseball jacket pushed the door open. After the waiter guided and asked her, she scanned the shop, said something to the waiter, and walked toward Liu Yuelan’s table.

Liu Yuelan sat back down leisurely with her arms crossed, watching the person walk over with her head lowered, sit down in front of her, and stuff both hands into her jacket pockets, covering herself tightly.

Liu Yuelan waved for the waiter. “What would you like to drink? Order whatever.”

Yu Qianlin shook her head to indicate she didn’t need anything.

“A glass of warm water then.”

Before long, the waiter placed the cup in front of Yu Qianlin and left.

Yu Qianlin took a sip of water, held the cup with both hands, and rubbed her thumb over the surface, using it to ease her nervousness as her heart beat rapidly.

“Can you take off the cap?”

Yu Qianlin’s hand paused. She pressed the brim even lower and uncomfortably shifted her posture.

“Either take off the cap or say something to me. You choose one.”

Yu Qianlin actually thought about it. In the end, she took off the cap and placed it on the table.

Liu Yuelan saw her appearance clearly. Her bangs had grown longer and somewhat covered her eyes. She used her hand to brush them to the side. Her eyes [unauthorized copy]blinked, making Liu Yuelan really want to touch her head.

“Have you thought about what I said last time?”

Yu Qianlin took another sip of water. After a long pause she said, “We’re not suitable.”

“Where are we not suitable? I like you, you like me, we’re both single. What else is the problem?”

Yu Qianlin was about to speak when Liu Yuelan cut her off first. “Don’t say you don’t like me. I don’t believe it.”

Yu Qianlin’s words were choked back. She rubbed her hair and powerlessly slumped. “You already know… I… I’m not normal.”

Liu Yuelan tightly held her hand. “Don’t say that. You’re very good.” Her tone was firm as she looked at Yu Qianlin. “You have an independent personality, you’re kind, gentle, you have your own career, and you work hard at life. That’s already better than many people.”

Yu Qianlin’s hand moved but didn’t pull away. She looked at the green plant beside the table and said softly, “You know that’s not what I mean.”

Liu Yuelan shook her hand and said seriously, “But what I like is the you right now. It’s precisely your past that shaped the you of today. Those experiences are also part of your life. As for your body, I already told you last time that I don’t mind — because it’s you.”

Yu Qianlin withdrew her hand and pouted. “Easy for you to say.”

Liu Yuelan smiled helplessly. “You’re not still hung up on this matter, are you?”

Yu Qianlin didn’t speak, which meant yes by default.

Liu Yuelan sighed. “It’s very common for lesbians to use toys in bed. Now it’s just that the fake one has become real. Why do you think I can’t accept it?”

Yu Qianlin looked at her in slight surprise, then lowered her head again. “Won’t you feel that… I’m not a girl?”

“What you consider your own gender is more important. What I like is simply you as a person. It’s very simple.”

Yu Qianlin gathered her courage to meet her eyes. She saw full sincerity in her gaze, but deep in her heart she still felt a little uncertain.

She had already prepared herself to spend the rest of her life alone. Now someone suddenly told her they were willing to accept her as she was — and it was the person she had hidden in her heart. It all felt like a dream. But if the dream woke up, she would definitely be in even more pain than before.

Liu Yuelan saw her about to lower her head again. She scratched her palm lightly with her finger. “If you still don’t believe me, why don’t we just try it?”

“Ah,” Yu Qianlin stared in shock. “How do we try?”

Liu Yuelan winked at her. “Just let me see it.”

After understanding what she meant, Yu Qianlin’s face instantly turned red. She withdrew her hand and said nervously, “No.”

“Tch,” Liu Yuelan stood up impatiently. “No way. If I don’t prove it to you, who knows how long I’ll have to stay single. This matter isn’t up to you to refuse.” With that, she had already stood up with her bag, picked up Yu Qianlin’s cap, grabbed her hand, and forcibly dragged her out.

Her strength was great. Before Yu Qianlin could react, she had already been pulled out the door. She pressed down on Liu Yuelan’s hand. “Let’s not do this!”

“Then do you agree to be with me?”

When Liu Yuelan asked and saw Yu Qianlin remain silent again, she decisively stuffed her into the car, started it, and drove toward her home. When they arrived, Liu Yuelan pushed her out of the elevator and told her to lead the way.

Yu Qianlin slowed her pace as she walked toward her apartment door. When she was about to open it, she suggested again, “How about we—”

“No. Hurry up.” There was absolutely no room for negotiation in Liu Yuelan’s tone.

Yu Qianlin had no choice but to take out her keys and open the door. She went in first to change shoes and said as she walked inside, “Just come in directly. No need to change shoes.”

She took a clean cup, filled it with water, and placed it on the coffee table. She stood stiffly in the middle of the living room, watching Liu Yuelan look around the room.

The living room had a simple black-and-white style, exactly as Liu Yuelan had expected. There weren’t many things — just a sofa, coffee table, and shelving unit. There wasn’t even a TV, so even though the space wasn’t large, it still felt quite spacious. In the empty areas, various types of car models could be seen everywhere.

“Is this the house you bought?”

“It’s second-hand. I got used to living here and didn’t change. I rented out the new apartment I bought a few years ago.”

Liu Yuelan nodded, sat on the sofa, placed her bag aside, and took a sip from the cup.

Yu Qianlin stood in front of the coffee table. Even ​stolen content​though it was her own home, she felt at a loss. She had never brought anyone back before and didn’t know what to do.

She suddenly remembered she had bought some fruit a few days ago. She quickly went to the kitchen to check and only found two bananas, one apple, and a few tangerines.

She picked up the items and looked at them, unsure how to bring them out properly. She had to wash the apple first. While hesitating whether to peel it, Liu Yuelan walked in. “No need to busy yourself. I’m not hungry.”

Yu Qianlin kept her head down, wiped the water droplets off the apple’s surface with her hand, and put it back on the nearby plate. She was just picking the tangerines one by one from the plastic bag when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind and a soft, warm body pressed against her back. Her movements stopped. Her heart beat faster. Her whole body stiffened in place.

Liu Yuelan rested her chin on her shoulder and held her in this position for a while. After the person relaxed a little, she kissed the side of her neck. The body that had just softened became as stiff as steel again.

Liu Yuelan chuckled softly. The vibration from her chest transmitted to Yu Qianlin, making her face flush red.

The next words she heard made her mouth dry and left her speechless.

“Ah Yu, isn’t it time to get to the main topic?”

Liu Yuelan took the tangerines that Yu Qianlin had been holding for a long time one by one from behind her, held her hand, and led her toward the bedroom. After closing the door, she created some distance and looked at her with a smile, her eyes full of encouragement.

Yu Qianlin licked her lips. Her words came out stuttered and incoherent. “I… I… forget it… don’t…”

“Agreeing to be with me, or agreeing to be with me after I prove it to you — choose one, Ah Yu. The choice is always in your hands.”

Yu Qianlin would rather not have this choice. She swallowed and stood in place with her hands pinching the ​Read on BaiLianTales​hem of her clothes. For a long time she didn’t move.

Liu Yuelan patiently walked up to her, cupped her face with both hands. “Ah Yu, be brave. Trust me, and trust yourself, okay?”

Yu Qianlin raised her eyes to meet hers. Her hand unconsciously gripped her wrist. Her thumb stroked it a few times. She took a deep breath and said nervously, “If… if you can’t accept it, don’t show it. Just leave directly. I’ll understand what you mean.”

Liu Yuelan nodded with heartache.

Yu Qianlin removed her hand, retreated a few steps with her back to the door. Liu Yuelan’s gaze followed her hand down to her crotch. In the quiet room, the sound of a zipper could be heard. Liu Yuelan suddenly became nervous too. Her eyes didn’t blink as she stared at the movement of her hands.

The zipper was pulled all the way down. The button was undone. Although blocked by her top, Liu Yuelan could still vaguely see the white underwear inside. Her heart pounded wildly.

Yu Qianlin placed both hands on the edge of her underwear, paused for a few seconds, then raised her hands to cover her face. “But doing this myself feels so weird.”

Liu Yuelan listened to the rare shame and grievance in her tone and felt an inexplicable surge of maternal love. She walked over, rubbed her head, and said gently, “Can I do it?”

Yu Qianlin spread her fingers, glanced at her, then closed them again and nodded lightly.

Liu Yuelan half-squatted down. Just as she reached out, Yu Qianlin instinctively stepped back a few paces. Liu Yuelan stretched her arm straight. “Bang.” Yu Qianlin hit the door and had nowhere to hide.

With a mix of anticipation and curiosity, Liu Yuelan pinched the edge of her underwear and pulled it down.