A L*st at First Sight (Lily Futa) - Chapter 8

Half an hour before getting off work, the internal phone on Yu Qianlin’s desk rang.

“Hello.”

“Ah Yu, come out quickly! We’re going for hotpot!”

Yu Qianlin moved the receiver away, looked at it, rubbed her ear, and turned on speakerphone. “I haven’t gotten off work yet.”

“Aiya, everyone’s already finished. What’s the big deal about leaving a little early, Store Manager Yu?”

Laughter and rustling sounds came from the other side. Yu Qianlin didn’t know what else she might say in front of everyone, so she hung up and went out.

When she reached the lobby, she found everyone had already changed clothes and was waiting. Xiao C had been lying on the massage chair enjoying himself, but when he saw her, he ran over. “Master! Sister Liu is treating us to hotpot!”

Yu Qianlin looked at Liu Yuelan, who was sitting at the front desk. The other woman tilted her head and waved at her. Xiao Li was playing on her phone nearby.

“You guys go first. Send me the location. I’ll change my clothes.”

Liu Yuelan spun around in her chair and looked at Xiao Li. “Li Li, you take everyone there first and order the food. I’ll go with your store manager.” At this point, she glanced at Yu Qianlin, leaned close to Xiao Li’s ear, and whispered something. Xiao Li burst out laughing, gave Yu Qianlin a look, and then led everyone out.

Yu Qianlin ignored Liu Yuelan and went to the changing room to change. She inserted the key into the locker, turned it, then glanced at the changing room door and walked over to lock it.

When she came out again, Liu Yuelan was boredly flipping through magazines at the front desk. Yu Qianlin walked over and knocked on the counter. “Let’s go.”

Liu Yuelan looked up, her eyes lighting up. The woman in front of her was wearing a beige work-style shirt with black high-waisted wide-leg pants. She immediately trotted out from behind the counter, grabbed Yu Qianlin’s arm, and looked her up and down. Noticing the black leather shoes on her feet, she said in surprise, “Wow, this outfit looks so good on you!”

Yu Qianlin pulled her arm away, patted the spot that had been touched, and ignored her as she walked out.

Liu Yuelan grabbed her bag from the seat and quickly followed. She looked at Yu Qianlin’s swinging arm, trying to find a chance to link arms with her, when she was suddenly startled by the sound of a car unlocking.

Seeing Yu Qianlin about to get in the car to drive, she quickened her steps and blocked her. “No need to drive. It’s very close — just cross the road.”

Yu Qianlin frowned and narrowed her eyes, looking around. “There’s a hotpot place around here?”

Liu Yuelan used both hands to shield her forehead from the sun. “Mm. I noticed a new one opened last time I was here. I came by today and saw it hasn’t closed yet, so it probably isn’t too bad.”

Yu Qianlin was rendered speechless by her flawless reasoning. She put her hands in her pockets. “Lead the way.”

“Wait.” Liu Yuelan took a sun umbrella out of her bag and stuffed it into Yu Qianlin’s arms.

Yu Qianlin was forced to take it. “I don’t use umbrellas.”

“Who said it was for you?” Liu Yuelan glared at her with a smile. “It’s for you to hold for me. Open it quickly.”

Yu Qianlin handed the umbrella back to her. “Hold it yourself.”

“Why? I’m leading the way for you, and you hold the umbrella for me. It’s very fair.”

“Give me the address. I’ll go by myself.”

“Hm? If they see you making me arrive at the restaurant alone, I can’t guarantee I won’t say something wild.”

Yu Qianlin tapped the umbrella handle against her palm, glared at her expressionlessly, and received a bright smile in return. In the end, she resigned herself to opening the umbrella and walking to the roadside with her.

It was rush hour, so there were quite a few people on the road. Liu Yuelan’s umbrella was especially small. As they walked, she naturally linked arms with Yu Qianlin. Feeling the other woman’s body stiffen, Liu Yuelan was in a great mood and deliberately pulled her closer. “Come closer. Don’t get hit by a car.”

Yu Qianlin pressed her lips tightly together and didn’t speak. As they walked, she vaguely felt her arm constantly brushing against something soft. While waiting for the red light, she quickly glanced over and realized which part it was. She immediately turned her head back to stare at the traffic light across the street and swallowed silently. The place that had been dormant began to stir again.

“Why are you walking so slowly? They’ve definitely already started eating. Hurry up, Ah Yu.”

Yu Qianlin panted lightly, enduring the discomfort between her legs as she quickened her steps. Liu Yuelan heard her rapid breathing and teased with a smile, “No way, Ah Yu. Are you this weak? If I’d known, I would’ve let you drive.”

“Shut up.” Yu Qianlin gritted her teeth as she looked at the shops on both sides. “How much longer?”

“It’s right ahead — the one with the red sign.”

Yu Qianlin breathed a sigh of relief, sped up, and entered the restaurant with her. She closed the umbrella and used the excuse of asking the waiter for directions to put some distance between them. After finding out where the others were seated, she waved for Liu Yuelan to come over.

Liu Yuelan walked toward her with dissatisfaction. “Are you calling a dog? Don’t I have a name?”

You’re not a dog. You’re a vixen.

Yu Qianlin went upstairs with her back to her, casually organizing and putting away the umbrella. When they reached the private room, she handed the umbrella back to her. Instead, Liu Yuelan directly tossed her bag to her and waved to greet everyone. Yu Qianlin was left holding the bag. She irritably stuffed the umbrella inside and threw the bag onto a chair by the door.

Everyone had left them two adjacent seats. Once they sat down, Xiao Li asked the waiter to bring the tablet so they could see if anything else needed ordering.

After looking at what they had ordered, Liu Yuelan complained that they had no ambition. “It’s rare for me to treat everyone to a meal, and you only ordered this much? I feel so unaccomplished.”

She then directly ordered various meats — fish, shrimp, beef, lamb — and several desserts. After checking the total, she reluctantly handed the tablet to the waiter. “This first. Also bring some ice. The beer should be cold. Other drinks can be room temperature.”

After the waiter left, Yu Qianlin glanced at her. “We still have to work in the afternoon. We can’t drink.”

“None of us are driving. Besides, it’s just beer. In the middle of summer, isn’t hotpot supposed to be paired with ice-cold beer?”

Xiao C raised both hands in agreement. “Sister Liu is right! Long live Sister Liu!”

Everyone burst into laughter. Seeing this, Yu Qianlin stopped trying to stop them.

The meal was very lively. Liu Yuelan didn’t put on any airs. Her storytelling was humorous and witty, and she quickly got along with everyone. She got to know every person in the shop. In contrast, Yu Qianlin seemed like an outsider, quietly eating and occasionally chiming in.

Toward the end of the meal, everyone’s faces were flushed. Liu Yuelan was still enthusiastically telling everyone about the weird people she had encountered in business.

Xiao Li put down her chopsticks to rest for a while after eating her fill. Then she noticed Yu Qianlin using the teapot to refill Liu Yuelan’s cup. Finding it interesting, she began to watch her more closely.

The more she watched, the more little actions she noticed.

While eating, Yu Qianlin paid attention to the dishes Liu Yuelan liked to pick up. When Liu Yuelan was talking to others, she would use the serving chopsticks to put the same food into her bowl.

She also constantly watched the paper towels beside Liu Yuelan’s hand. When they ran low, she would promptly get more from elsewhere to replenish them.

Liu Yuelan’s sleeves were a bit loose, so they easily brushed against the garbage plate while picking up food. After noticing this, Yu Qianlin first moved the plate closer to herself, then, still feeling it wasn’t safe enough, looked around for a trash can and emptied it.

When she had a moment of free time, she rested her chin on one hand and watched the boiling hotpot. Occasionally the corners of her mouth would lift slightly, her expression softening — always exactly when Liu Yuelan reached an interesting part of her story.

Xiao Li smacked her lips. After watching silently for so long, she found it quite fascinating. Just then, Yu Qianlin casually glanced in her direction. Their eyes met, and Yu Qianlin immediately returned to her usual expression. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Xiao Li smiled meaningfully. “I’m full. Just resting for a bit.”

Yu Qianlin didn’t pay it any mind. After sitting for a while longer, she pushed back her chair and went out. When she returned, Liu Yuelan looked at her. “Where did you go? I thought you got lost.”

“Bathroom. Are you done eating? It’s time to get back to work.”

Everyone groaned. Liu Yuelan stood up, picked up her glass, and said, “Alright, one last toast. To the evil capitalists!”

Yu Qianlin: “…..”

Aren’t you one too?

Everyone noisily gathered their things and headed downstairs. Yu Qianlin was the last to leave. Liu Yuelan’s bag was still by the door, but she had already followed everyone out. Yu Qianlin didn’t know if it was left on purpose or forgotten. Resigned, she picked up the bag. When she got downstairs, Liu Yuelan seemed to have eyes in the back of her head and reached out toward her. Yu Qianlin handed over the bag and watched her go to the counter.

Yu Qianlin told everyone to head back first and not block the entrance. She also reminded Xiao Li to be careful on the way, noticing that some people had drunk too much.

She stood at the door watching the shop staff leave in small groups, chatting and laughing. Xiao C was gesturing wildly as he spoke, not watching where he was going. He tripped and nearly fell, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Yu Qianlin shook her head, inwardly sighing at how careless he still was.

Meanwhile, Liu Yuelan repeatedly confirmed with the cashier whether the bill for their private room had really been paid.

The cashier smiled professionally and repeated the same answer. “Yes, miss. It was paid ten minutes ago.”

“Who paid?”

At that moment, a waiter walked over and pointed at Yu Qianlin by the door. “That person paid. Aren’t you together?”

Liu Yuelan was stunned for a second, then lowered her head with a smile. “I see. Thank you.”

It was already time to return to work, so there weren’t many people on the road. Yu Qianlin put her hands in her pockets and boredly kicked the uneven paving stones. Then her shoulder was gently bumped. She took a step to the side with her left foot to steady herself. When she looked up, she saw Liu Yuelan looking at her with a mischievous smile. She frowned and asked, “What?”

Liu Yuelan leaned in close, staring into her eyes. “What do you mean ‘what’? I was the one treating everyone to dinner. Why did you pay?”

Yu Qianlin leaned her body back slightly. Seeing that she had no intention of moving away, and afraid she would fall if she left like this, she poked her shoulder with her index finger and pushed her away. “Consider it rent for the massage chair.” Then she walked forward.

“Ah Yu!”

She took a deep breath and turned back impatiently. Before she could speak, something was thrown into her arms. She caught it and found it was the sun umbrella.

“Why do I still have to hold it?” Yu Qianlin narrowed her eyes at her. “I don’t need you to lead the way anymore.”

Liu Yuelan put her hands behind her back and walked toward her with light steps. “Because I want an excuse to hold your arm.”

By the time Yu Qianlin came back to her senses, the arm holding the umbrella had already been tightly hugged by Liu Yuelan — with both hands. She wasn’t as flustered as she had been on the way there and had barely gotten used to it.

After they had walked for a while, Liu Yuelan suddenly laughed. “Xiao C is so funny.”

Yu Qianlin pulled her thoughts back and looked ahead in confusion. She saw Xiao C making funny faces at everyone, then being lifted up by two tall, strong men. He was thin and small, completely unable to resist.

Yu Qianlin snorted coldly. “Still like a child. Never serious, only knows how to play.”

Liu Yuelan looked at her. “You seem very strict with him.”

“If I weren’t strict, he’d be even worse. Who knows what he’d turn into.”

Liu Yuelan watched as Xiao C was carried along, swinging back and forth while happily asking everyone to lift him higher. “But he’s very happy right now. For an adult to still have so much joy is also a kind of blessing, isn’t it?”

Yu Qianlin looked at the noisy crowd ahead and didn’t speak.

Liu Yuelan tightened her grip on her arm. “I don’t think I’ve seen you smile much. You should learn from your little apprentice in this regard.”

“I’m not as brainless as he is.”

Liu Yuelan smiled. “Actually, happiness is very simple. Like right now — eating good food with friends, making noise together, or just chatting casually. That’s enough to be happy.”

Yu Qianlin neither agreed nor disagreed. Liu Yuelan noticed that although she still had the same expression, her brows and eyes had softened a little. She poked her cheek. “You always keep a straight face. It makes people scared just looking at you. You’re still young — you should smile more.”

Yu Qianlin used her tongue to push against the spot that had been poked. “I’m not young anymore.”

“Hey, I’m a few months older than you. If you’re not young, doesn’t that make me an old auntie?”

Yu Qianlin looked embarrassed. She turned her head and glanced at Liu Yuelan, who was pretending to be dissatisfied. The woman was wearing delicate light makeup, with no wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and smooth, delicate skin. She looked at least ten years younger than her actual age. “I didn’t mean it that way. Don’t twist my words.”

“I don’t care. My old heart has still been hurt by you. You have to compensate me.”

“For example?”

“A comforting kiss?”

“In your dreams.” Yu Qianlin answered without thinking.

Liu Yuelan had already guessed her answer. She stroked her chin and thought for a moment. “Then just smile at me. That’s simple, right?”

It wasn’t simple at all. Sweat started forming on Yu Qianlin’s forehead again. Why was this road so long?

Liu Yuelan persistently pestered her with all kinds of requests. Yu Qianlin wasn’t planning to agree to any of them. Just as she was worrying about how to deal with her, she saw Xiao Li holding her phone and taking photos of them. Her first reaction was to lower the umbrella to block them. Liu Yuelan looked around nervously. “I meant when we’re alone in private! Even if you use the umbrella to block it, we’re still on the street. Ah Yu, are you this bold?”

Yu Qianlin’s temple throbbed a few times. She had no idea what strange request the other woman had made, but she could vaguely guess it wasn’t anything proper. She raised the umbrella again and tried to pull her arm out of Liu Yuelan’s embrace, but failed. Liu Yuelan reacted quickly and hugged her even tighter.

Xiao Li was waiting up ahead. When they got closer, she smiled teasingly, “Sister Lin, your reaction is really fast. I haven’t even started taking photos yet.”

“Taking photos of what?” Liu Yuelan looked confused.

After Xiao Li explained, Liu Yuelan blushed. So earlier… cough. She awkwardly looked away.

“I didn’t know you two were this close. When I turned around and saw you walking together, you looked really good together. I couldn’t help but want to take a couple of shots.”

Liu Yuelan immediately perked up, forgetting her earlier embarrassment. She pulled Yu Qianlin back a bit. “Come on, come on. Help us take a few more.”

Yu Qianlin shoved the umbrella into her hands. “Take them yourself.”

“I’ve taken plenty of myself. I haven’t taken any with you yet!”

As she spoke, Liu Yuelan smiled and struck several poses while sticking close to Yu Qianlin. After Xiao Li took a few shots, she excitedly went over to look and waved for Yu Qianlin to come over.

“I’m not looking.”

“Who said I wanted you to look?” Liu Yuelan said seriously. “I want you to come hold the umbrella. The glare is too strong — I can’t see clearly.”

Yu Qianlin gripped the umbrella handle tightly, gritted her teeth, and took a few steps forward. She tilted the umbrella to shade the two women while she stood outside in the sun. In her ears were the chattering voices of the two women discussing the photos. She felt irritated and was being baked by the blazing sun.

Just destroy me already. Hurry up.

Before long, Liu Yuelan lifted the umbrella and glared at her. “What kind of expressions are those in every photo? You look impatient in all of them, as if I forced you.”

Yu Qianlin was about to say ‘Didn’t you?’, but Liu Yuelan had already turned her head and smiled at Xiao Li. “Send them all to me later. I want the original files.”

Xiao Li made an OK gesture. Seeing Yu Qianlin’s helpless look, she secretly smiled. “Sister Lin has always been like this. Actually, she’s not mean. She’s just used to this expression — it feels more relaxed. It’s just that to people who don’t know her well, it might look a bit scary.”

Liu Yuelan crossed her arms and looked her up and down, then went over and linked arms with her again. “I’ve never been scared of her. She’s just a paper tiger.”

“Are you two still walking or not?” Even though sweat was already pouring down Yu Qianlin’s head, the air pressure around her was low. Xiao Li shrank back, gave Liu Yuelan a meaningful look, and walked ahead first.

Liu Yuelan shook her arm gently and said softly, “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Look how hot you are. Let’s hurry back.”

Once they entered the shop, Yu Qianlin tossed the umbrella to Liu Yuelan and walked straight to the air conditioner, facing the vent to cool down. Liu Yuelan organized the umbrella and walked over. “You sweated so much just now. Don’t blow the air conditioner directly like this — you’ll catch a cold.”

Yu Qianlin pulled the air conditioner grille downward so the wind blew on her lower body. Liu Yuelan put the umbrella away in her bag and helped tidy the damp bangs on her forehead.

Yu Qianlin turned her head to avoid her hand. Seeing that she was still holding her bag, she looked up and asked, “Are you leaving?”

“Mm. I have a meeting about work.”

“Oh.”

Liu Yuelan saw her indifferent look and felt the urge to tease her again. “Ah Yu, I drank alcohol so I can’t drive. Can you give me a ride?”

“You didn’t drink.”

“It was beer. You can’t smell it, but I actually did.”

“You didn’t.”

Liu Yuelan saw how certain she was and knew she couldn’t fool her. After thinking for a moment, she smiled and asked, “You’re so sure… Does that mean you were secretly watching me the whole time during the meal?”

Yu Qianlin rolled her eyes and ignored her.

Liu Yuelan laughed to herself for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, she waved at her. “I should go. Don’t keep blowing the air conditioner like that. Go drink some water and take a shower. Bye.”

“Mm.”

After watching Liu Yuelan’s car disappear from sight, Yu Qianlin unbuttoned the top two buttons of her shirt, shook it to cool down, and walked toward the changing room.

Meanwhile, Liu Yuelan had just gotten home and was about to change clothes to go out when she received the photos from Xiao Li.

She flipped through them one by one. She smiled at the one where Yu Qianlin held the umbrella in front to block them. When she scrolled further, she was stunned. She zoomed in and looked carefully.

This photo wasn’t one she had asked Xiao Li to take later. It was a candid shot Xiao Li had taken before Yu Qianlin noticed.

In the photo, she was hugging Yu Qianlin’s arm with a smile, looking ahead and saying something. Yu Qianlin was looking down at her with a gentle expression. The corners of her lips seemed slightly lifted, no longer pressed into a straight line, and there was a hint of tenderness and affection in her eyes.

Liu Yuelan looked at it for a long time. She slowly zoomed out. The composition of the entire photo was also very artistic. Behind them was the bustling city, above them was the shelter Yu Qianlin held up for the two of them, and in the middle was the two of them… full of tender affection.

Liu Yuelan looked at it over and over. She applied several different filters and saved them all. She set the black-and-white filtered version as the chat background with Yu Qianlin.

Finally, she sent Xiao Li a red envelope with the message: For the professional photographer.