Control (Futa) - Chapter 12

12. Thank You

At the banquet, Ji Xun and Tang Mingling appeared together. The sight of them walking arm-in-arm surprised quite a few people, who wondered when these two had become so close.

When acquaintances came forward to greet them, they noticed Ji Xun’s right hand around Tang Mingling’s waist and immediately understood.

Ji Xun’s $\text{sexuality}$ was never a secret, though she lived abroad for many years and never made a fuss about it. But this circle of wealthy individuals all moved within the same social sphere, so they knew she was attracted to women. Seeing her closeness to Tang Mingling now, they guessed the nature of their relationship.

“Back when you were studying, you barely exchanged a few words a day. Now you’re attending a charity banquet together. When did you get in touch? You kept it so quiet.”

According to Tang Mingling’s plan, accompanying Ji Xun to the banquet and letting people see they were connected was enough. There was no need to be so intimate from the start. But that bastard Ji Xun, who had promised not to stay up too late last night, considered “too late” to be until morning.

She had been so tired that she fell asleep in the middle, but every time she woke up, she could feel the other woman’s warmth, and she was woken up by her in the morning.

The consequence was a sore waist and weak legs. Not wanting anyone to notice her abnormality, she could only follow Ji Xun’s lead and socialize.

The person in front of them was their former classmate. Tang Mingling thought that after tonight, everyone would know that her relationship with Ji Xun was now “very good.”

“We’ve known each other for so long. Is it abnormal for us to be in contact?” Ji Xun smiled.

The exhausted Tang Mingling had little desire to speak, leaving Ji Xun to exchange pleasantries with the other person. The situation was the same when others came over. Her quietness led people to believe that the two were genuinely involved, which was why the usually dominant Tang Mingling was so unusual tonight.

Finally, Tang Mingling grew tired of standing and said she wanted to rest on a nearby sofa. Only then did Ji Xun lead her away.

Finally seated, Tang Mingling sighed in relief as she leaned back in the chair. She never thought attending a banquet and conversing with people could be such a grueling task, all thanks to Ji Xun’s lack of restraint. Moreover, the ambiguous looks in those people’s eyes made Tang Mingling slightly uncomfortable.

Every time she met Ji Xun, it was just stripping and $\text{having}$ $\text{sex}$. There were no feelings involved. Her transaction with Ji Xun was only to enjoy the envious glances, but not this kind of ambiguous situation.

“You used to look down on everyone. Now you even bother to socialize with them?” Tang Mingling wanted to interrupt her own overthinking and took the initiative to speak.

“Perhaps I can use this relationship someday. Maintaining it is just a matter of a few words.” Ji Xun responded calmly, her finger lightly caressing Tang Mingling’s exposed waist.

She had many banquet invitations. In the past, she had always declined, citing a busy work schedule, and had her secretary send gifts and apologies. Today’s banquet was one she accepted to attend only after making the deal with Tang Mingling.

Firstly, it was to fulfill their agreement. Secondly, she heard that Tang Mingling wanted to start a charity foundation, and it just so happened that Shi Yanliang was bringing his wife.

However, she almost went back on her word this morning, wanting only to $\text{mess}$ $\text{around}$ with Tang Mingling in the room all day.

The dress Tang Mingling was wearing was chosen by her, perfectly showcasing the other woman’s figure. Ji Xun herself was in a custom-made high-end suit. Their complementary colors made them look like a couple standing together. But all Ji Xun wanted now was to tear off the dress Tang Mingling was wearing.

She wasn’t such a $\text{lustful}$ person. She had always maintained single, exclusive partners while abroad. She broke up with her last partner due to her return to the country and various other considerations.

Ji Xun initially thought she would have to continue wearing a mask and acting the part after returning to China. After all, the domestic situation was different from abroad, and she had to consider the Ji family’s reputation. Who would have thought that Tang Mingling would cross her path that day? This allowed her to retrieve the $\text{desire}$ she had held in her heart since her youth.

When Xu Junshan arrived, he saw Ji Xun feeding Tang Mingling cake. He raised an eyebrow in surprise and quickly walked toward them.

“Ji Xun, Miss Tang.” Xu Junshan greeted them, standing two steps away from Ji Xun.

Tang Mingling, still annoyed at Ji Xun for being too ostentatious after being forced to eat cake, habitually curved her lips as an unfamiliar person approached. “Mr. Xu.” Knowing that Xu Junshan was very familiar with Ji Xun, and that they might have something to discuss, she took the initiative to say, “I’m going to touch up my makeup. You two catch up.”

As soon as she left, Xu Junshan immediately sat down and said to Ji Xun, “I never expected you to feed someone, Miss Ji.”

“Miss Ji is at the Tang family house,” Ji Xun replied coldly, placing the spoon on the table. “Why are you looking for me instead of fighting your family’s $\text{illegitimate}$ $\text{son}$ for the inheritance?”

“What can that $\text{useless}$ $\text{thing}$ possibly contend for?” Xu Junshan scoffed sarcastically. “Are you really interested in Tang Mingling? I never noticed it when you were studying. How did you get involved with her so quietly?”

“We’re just friends,” Ji Xun took a sip of wine. “How did Tang Mingling meet her ex-husband back then?”

“I heard they met at an art exhibition,” Xu Junshan wasn’t entirely sure. “I saw him once when Tang Mingling got married, but that man… I don’t know what Tang Mingling saw in him.” In short, he was not worthy.

Although he was also an avid spectator of gossip, he didn’t want to see the excellent Ji Xun become the subject of discussion. Seeing that she seemed somewhat serious, he couldn’t help but remind her: “Tang Mingling’s personality changed a lot after the divorce. If you really like women, there are better options.”

“When did you become so talkative?” Ji Xun’s tone softened slightly as she saw Tang Mingling’s figure appear from behind the door. “No matter what, she’s a Tang family member. They are very protective of their own. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?”

When Tang Mingling returned, she found Xu Junshan’s expression strange, but she wasn’t close to him and didn’t want to pry. Just as she was about to return to her original seat, Ji Xun stood up first and took her hand. “Mrs. Shi is here. I’ll take you to meet her.”

Tang Mingling was led away before she could even react. Xu Junshan now understood that Ji Xun seemed to be serious.

Mrs. Shi had a good personal relationship with Ji Xun. They had met through their teacher while studying, and Mrs. Shi greatly admired Ji Xun at the time. Seeing her approach now, her eyes lit up. “Alisa, long time no see.” She turned to the woman next to her. “And this is?”

“Alisa, it has been a while.” Ji Xun’s attitude toward her was much warmer than it was toward Xu Junshan, and her address was more affectionate. “This is Tang Mingling, a friend of mine. She has admired you for a long time and wants to learn from you how to run a charity foundation.”

Mrs. Shi looked at their tightly clasped hands and nodded thoughtfully. “Miss Tang, hello.”

Tang Mingling hadn’t expected to meet Mrs. Shi so quickly. She glanced at Ji Xun before greeting the other woman. “Miss Yun, hello. I have admired the charity foundation you operate for a long time. I’m delighted to meet you.” Tang Mingling chose to address her by her last name, Yun, instead of as Mrs. Shi.

Tang Mingling wasn’t just being polite; she sincerely respected Yun Xiang. The foundation in her hands had nothing to do with her husband. She operated it independently, and its scale had expanded rapidly. Tang Mingling had once visited one of the foundation’s projects. The source and use of every penny were clear and clean.

Hearing her call her by her given name, Yun Xiang smiled. “I thought tonight would be the same as usual, but I didn’t expect you to come and bring another friend. It looks like it won’t be too boring. Mingling… May I call you that?”

“Of course,” Tang Mingling said. She didn’t have the gloomy demeanor of recent years at this moment. Her successful “fan girl” performance made her seem like her extroverted student self, before she had experienced setbacks.

Ji Xun was momentarily stunned. But in those short two seconds, the other two had already linked arms, each holding a glass of wine, and were heading aside to talk in detail.

Seeing Tang Mingling’s happy look, a smile that Ji Xun had never noticed before appeared in her eyes.

“Mrs. Shi is truly a good person.” Tang Mingling had drunk a few extra glasses tonight because she was happy. She left the banquet with Ji Xun. Once they got into the car, she suddenly became more talkative. Half-drunk, she leaned on Ji Xun. “And her management approach is very smart, preventing the misuse of funds. I learned a lot.”

Ji Xun quietly listened to her rambling, distractedly stroking the skin on her waist. “Alisa graduated first in her master’s class. My teacher always said that all he needed in his life was to have taught two students.”

“Two students?” Tang Mingling stopped. “One is Mrs. Shi… and the other is you?” She looked up at Ji Xun. Although the other woman was merely stating her teacher’s words, Tang Mingling sensed a hint of displeasure.

“I’m really grateful to you, Ji Xun, for arranging this meeting with Mrs. Shi today, and for allowing me to chat with her.”

“Oh? Then how do you plan to thank me?” Ji Xun’s palm slipped under the skirt, caressing her flat abdomen. Her silky skin trembled slightly.

The car conveniently pulled up to Ji Xun’s external residence. After pulling into the garage and parking, Ji Xun asked the driver to leave the key and go.

Tang Mingling understood her hint. She raised her hand, pressing her thumb against the other woman’s lips, and leaned in to whisper in her ear.