Chapter 30: The Thirtieth Rose

“Sister, don’t…”

Compensation… Fu Chaoying’s throat bobbed slightly as she looked at her, her eyes glistening like spring water, as if silently inviting her.

Ye Jiayuan smiled faintly. Her thumb brushed over Fu Chaoying’s lower lip, then she lifted her head and lightly touched the tip of her nose to Fu Chaoying’s, her breath spilling warmly and ambiguously across Fu Chaoying’s face.

“Mm?”

Their breathing mingled. Fu Chaoying clung to her shoulders and gently rubbed the tip of her nose against hers. “How do you want me to make it up to you, Sister?”

The last syllable was drawn out, soft and coquettish, with a faintly suggestive edge.

Fu Chaoying looked into her eyes. Even now, with Ye Jiayuan holding her and speaking to her in such an intimate way, doing such intimate things, her gaze remained calm and deep, always retaining a thread of reason and clarity.

Fu Chaoying thought: maybe it still wasn’t intimate enough. With that in mind, she took the initiative and leaned forward lightly, wanting to kiss the lips right in front of her. But just then, Ye Jiayuan tilted her head to the right, dodging the kiss like a game of hide-and-seek.

Caught off guard, Fu Chaoying ended up kissing her cheek instead. The soft contact vanished in an instant, and a small pang of disappointment rose in her chest.

Fu Chaoying wrapped her arms around her neck and leaned closer. “Sister?”

Her voice carried a little of the disappointment and grievance she couldn’t quite bring herself to say out loud.

Ye Jiayuan turned back, but still didn’t answer directly. Instead, she only brushed her fingers lightly over Fu Chaoying’s skin, teasing her in an almost absent-minded way.

And yet, for some reason, despite seeming to mean nothing in particular, Ye Jiayuan’s touch only became more seductive.

Fu Chaoying still couldn’t suppress the slight quickening of her breath. Almost unconsciously, she tightened her arms around Ye Jiayuan’s neck and rubbed her cheek against hers like a kitten. “Sister…”

Only then did Ye Jiayuan lean toward her lips again. The darkness in her eyes deepened as she murmured in a low voice, coaxing, “Mm? What do you want?”

Fu Chaoying no longer took the initiative to kiss her. Instead, she only lightly stroked the skin at the back of her neck; it was fine and soft.

Feeling the smooth line beneath her palm, and the faintly raised curve of the cervical vertebrae, Fu Chaoying could only feel her heartbeat racing faster and faster.

Then she lifted her chin slightly, her breath warm and fragrant, and said softly, “I want Sister to… kiss…”

Before Fu Chaoying could finish, her lips were suddenly sealed.

In that instant, the air seemed to thin, as if all the sound in the world had vanished, leaving only their hurried breathing.

Fu Chaoying’s slightly quick breathing turned into soft gasps, while the hands around her tightened further, as if Ye Jiayuan wanted to knead her into her very bones and blood.

A tingling numbness from the tip of her tongue spread through her entire body. Fu Chaoying tightened her hold around Ye Jiayuan’s neck even more, unable to stop herself from wanting to press closer, wanting to go deeper.

At that moment, Ye Jiayuan gave the tip of her tongue a heavy suck, then didn’t stay confined to that small area but began exploring elsewhere.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help letting out a soft moan. “Mm…”

Even as she made a sound, she wanted to hold her tighter, only to feel Ye Jiayuan’s fingers suddenly stop, as if deliberately teasing her.

The tongue that had just been sucked numb was also gently released.

Fu Chaoying suddenly came back to herself and realized she may have been too forward.

She looked up blankly at Ye Jiayuan. When their eyes met, she saw that a trace of something else had indeed entered Ye Jiayuan’s gaze, though not very clearly.

Fu Chaoying was just about to explain when she choked on her words as Ye Jiayuan lowered her eyes to straighten the hem of her sleepwear.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help feeling annoyed with herself. Had she been too impatient…

Someone as steady and self-possessed as Ye Jiayuan certainly wouldn’t, with their relationship not even a month old, do everything intimate with her all at once…

Fu Chaoying let go of her neck and simply stayed quietly in her arms, listening to each other’s heartbeats.

Ye Jiayuan held her in silence; her gaze inadvertently brushed over the slight rise beneath the thin sleepwear, faintly visible through the fabric. Her breathing unconsciously quickened by two beats, and she looked away awkwardly before asking in a low voice, “Where are you sleeping tonight?”

There was a faint rasp in Ye Jiayuan’s voice, tugging at the heartstrings for no reason at all.

Fu Chaoying reminded herself: be restrained.

So she let her legs drop to the floor, wanting to get off her lap, only to be pinned by Ye Jiayuan’s hands. Then another low murmur sounded by her ear, almost like a lure: “You still haven’t answered me.”

Fu Chaoying looked up at her. “I… I’ll sleep in my room.”

The words had barely fallen before Ye Jiayuan let go. For no reason at all, Fu Chaoying felt a little disappointed.

But since she had already said it, Fu Chaoying slipped out of her warm, fragrant embrace and didn’t dare look into her eyes again.

“Then I’m going,” Fu Chaoying said, turning and leaving at once, her steps a little unsteady.

As she turned away, Ye Jiayuan noticed the red marks on her neck left by her earlier, and a faint depth flashed through her eyes.

Fu Chaoying was almost at the door when she heard hurried footsteps behind her, coming closer and closer. Then her wrist was caught, and she was once again pulled unceremoniously into an embrace.

“Goodnight kiss.” Ye Jiayuan held her from behind, her chin resting on Fu Chaoying’s shoulder; her tone carried a trace of hidden fondness.

The soft warmth pressed against her back was far too obvious. Fu Chaoying’s heart lurched, and her mind went blank.

She took a deep breath, working hard to steady her racing pulse, then turned to face her, tilting her head slightly and waiting obediently for a kiss.

Instead, Ye Jiayuan lowered her head and kissed her neck again.

Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat sped up once more, leaving her body soft all over. But this time, the kiss was light and itchy, like the brush of feathers.

Her breathing turned ragged again. Unable to help herself, she arched her chest slightly and lifted a hand, fingers slipping into Ye Jiayuan’s hair, wanting her to kiss lower.

Yet Ye Jiayuan suddenly let her go, looked into her eyes, then lowered her head and lightly kissed her lips; it was as fleeting as a dragonfly skimming the water.

Fu Chaoying steadied her breathing in her arms, and Ye Jiayuan’s slightly hurried breaths also reached her ears.

Fu Chaoying looked up at her, only to see that her eyes were clear, almost to the point of concealing any haze.

Sister was always cool and restrained.

Fu Chaoying slipped out of her arms, then said softly, “Goodnight, Sister.”

“Goodnight.”

Fu Chaoying returned to her bedroom, but her mind kept replaying everything from before like a movie.

Ye Jiayuan’s cool exterior and her fiery kisses… for a moment, Fu Chaoying felt confused.

Then, struck by inspiration, Fu Chaoying lowered her eyes to her sleepwear, only to realize at once that something beneath the thin fabric was clearly visible.

Embarrassment burst through her mind, heating her cheeks.

Had Ye Jiayuan seen that, which was why she suddenly stopped? Was she more conservative and didn’t want things to progress so quickly?

Fu Chaoying recalled their usual intimacy. Ye Jiayuan always seemed rational, keeping just the right distance from her while also being appropriately intimate, and only in very rare situations could her possessiveness be stirred.

Like today; they had not had a chance to be alone all day, and only at night had she pulled her onto her lap.

Fu Chaoying took another shower in the bathroom, but it didn’t clear her thoughts; if anything, they only grew more intense.

*

The night passed peacefully, but Fu Chaoying still jolted awake in her sleep.

In the lonely darkness of night, Ye Jiayuan suddenly flashed through her mind, along with intimate scenes of the two of them…

Fu Chaoying felt her cheeks heat up again. She closed her eyes and, after a long while of forcing herself back to sleep, finally drifted into deep slumber.

The next morning, as expected, Fu Chaoying was woken by her aunt.

Fu Anyun sat on the sofa outside her and Fu Chaohua’s bedroom, sipping tea as she lazily said, “You two sisters really should learn from your Jiayuan-jie. Look how self-disciplined she is.”

“Then look at you two; not sleeping at night, not waking up during the day. If this goes on, what are you going to do about your health?”

Fu Chaoying glanced at the time in a daze; it was only 7:30…

She resigned herself to getting up and washing up, and when she saw the dark red mark in the mirror, she froze for a moment.

Last night’s scenes suddenly came flooding back, looping through her mind like a film, impossible to shake.

Fu Chaoying unconsciously reached up to touch her lips and neck, as if she could still feel Ye Jiayuan’s lips and teeth, and that heart-stoppingly hot temperature.

But her aunt’s lecturing voice came again from outside, interrupting her thoughts.

Fu Chaoying immediately took concealer from her travel bag and carefully covered the mark.

After tidying herself up, Fu Chaoying took a deep breath and worked hard to make herself look calm, then pushed the door open.

Following her aunt downstairs, she saw at once that Ye Jiayuan was already in the courtyard drinking tea with Aunt Chu, her posture natural, as if nothing had happened last night.

Seeing Ye Jiayuan there only made Fu Chaoying feel even more unnatural.

Ye Jiayuan noticed her arrival and let her gaze rest on Fu Chaoying for a moment. Seeing that there was already no trace left on her neck, she calmly withdrew her eyes and said in a low voice, “I’ll head back to Hong Kong after lunch.”

Fu Chaoying’s heart gave a sudden jolt, but before she could speak, her aunt blurted out, “Why are you leaving so soon?”

Chu Yiyun gave a displeased snort, irritation in her tone. “I’m the one who asked too much and annoyed her. She wants to go back and have some peace and quiet.”

Fu Anyun quickly smoothed things over with a smile. “Oh, a mother asking about her child’s partner is perfectly reasonable. Xiao Yuan should share a little; your mother will feel more at ease too.”

Fu Chaoying sat down beside Fu Chaohua and quietly glanced toward Ye Jiayuan, only to see her expression darken slightly. “When the time comes, I’ll naturally bring her to see you.”

Chu Yiyun glared in anger, but there was nothing she could do, so she could only complain, “Do as you please. I’m never worrying about you again.”

“That works too.” Ye Jiayuan’s tone was light and indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with her.

Chu Yiyun had to take several deep breaths before she finally calmed down, then waved a hand and complained to Fu Anyun, “Tell me, can her personality even get her a partner?”

“She doesn’t speak and it’s fine; the moment she opens her mouth, she can anger someone to death.”

Fu Anyun hurriedly patted her. “Oh, Xiao Yuan is so capable, and so pretty too. So many girls like that type.”

“And you still say that about your Xiao Yuan; look at our Xiao Hua. She’s studied so much she’s gone silly. It’s been so many years and she still hasn’t had even a hint of a romantic prospect.”

The topic naturally turned to Fu Chaohua. Fu Chaoying and Ye Jiayuan met eyes in the air, then casually looked away again.

After a few more casual words, Fu Anyun laughed and said, “It would be nice if Xiao Yuan didn’t have a partner; then I’d really want to marry our Xiao Hua over here.”

Fu Chaoying kept her face calm as she took a sip of tea, but Fu Chaohua lightly nudged her arm.

In a voice only the two of them could hear, Fu Chaohua explained, “My mom was joking.”

Fu Chaoying smiled and changed the subject. “Sis, have you got anything going on?”

Fu Chaohua let out a soft sigh. “Not yet.”

Fu Chaoying suddenly thought of someone, tilted her head to glance at Fu Chaohua, then withdrew her gaze unobtrusively.

From the corner of her eye, she saw that Ye Jiayuan seemed to be thinking about something.

After breakfast together, Ye Jiayuan said her goodbyes again and went to the study.

Fu Chaoying watched her back, only to see her suddenly look over her shoulder. “Xiao Ying, come to my study to talk about something.”

“What is it that has to be said right now? Xiao Ying still needs to play cards with us.” Chu Yiyun was already annoyed just hearing her speak and simply attacked indiscriminately.

Fu Chaoying’s expression didn’t change. Smiling, she said, “I happened to ask Jiayuan-jie about something yesterday, but I haven’t finished asking yet. I’ll be right back; I promise I won’t delay the card game.”

Only then did Chu Yiyun soften. “All right. If she’s rude to you, just come tell me; Auntie will back you up!”

Fu Chaoying laughed softly. “Aunt Chu is the best.”

Fu Chaoying followed a few steps behind Ye Jiayuan, staying close on her heels.

She watched as Ye Jiayuan reached out and opened the study door, and suddenly remembered the day Ye Jiayuan had also called her here to ask whether she wanted to be her girlfriend.

Going back further, it had been after she broke up with Ye Yian. They hadn’t been familiar then; she had asked Ye Jiayuan to be her strategic consultant, and Ye Jiayuan had declined.

Other images suddenly surfaced in her mind. Fu Chaoying gently closed the door, turning around awkwardly, only to see Ye Jiayuan seated at the desk.

Fu Chaoying stood where she was and looked at her, only to see her hook a finger toward her—

“Come here.”

The motion was completely natural. Ye Jiayuan’s expression remained calm and cool, as if she had truly called her over just to talk about company matters.

Fu Chaoying blinked and obediently walked over. Her gaze skimmed over Ye Jiayuan’s long legs; several scenes flashed through her mind and her cheeks grew a little hot, but she didn’t sit down, only standing beside her. “Sister?”

Before the words had even faded, Fu Chaoying was suddenly scooped around the waist and placed on her lap. The movement was crisp and decisive, as if it had been practiced countless times.

The posture was all too familiar; only the setting had changed, and some nameless longing rose from the bottom of Fu Chaoying’s heart.

Her throat bobbed. She naturally wrapped her arms around Ye Jiayuan’s neck, but didn’t take the initiative to go further.

Ye Jiayuan only looked at her, her eyes seeming to hold some deep darkness, as if she wanted to swallow her whole.

Fu Chaoying felt as if she was about to be drawn in by her, when she heard Ye Jiayuan cough lightly. “I forgot to lock the door.”

Lock the door…

Feigning confusion, Fu Chaoying blinked. “Why lock the door?”

Yet Ye Jiayuan suddenly leaned closer, pressing the tip of her nose against hers, her breath warm and orchid-sweet, carrying a teasing allure.

Ye Jiayuan’s actions already explained everything. Fu Chaoying’s breathing quickened slightly, her body trembling faintly; then she slipped down from her lap. “Then I’ll go lock it.”

Fu Chaoying locked the study door, then drew the curtains shut so tightly that they blocked out all light. The room was instantly swallowed by dimness, leaving only each other’s shallow breathing.

Downstairs, they could still faintly hear Chu Yiyun and Fu Anyun talking; lively and familiar.

Yet the ambiguous atmosphere in the study kept thickening.

Fu Chaoying took a deep breath and worked hard to calm her racing heartbeat, then turned and slowly walked toward Ye Jiayuan. But instead of sitting on her lap, she sat on… her desk.

Ye Jiayuan’s gaze swept over her fair neck without comment. She rose slowly, bracing both hands on either side of Fu Chaoying, trapping her within a narrow space, and abruptly leaned close.

Fu Chaoying’s eyes brushed over her thin lips. Her throat moved, and she reflexively lifted a hand to loop it around Ye Jiayuan’s neck.

“So you like this position.” Ye Jiayuan said in a low voice, her tone carrying a trace of barely noticeable hoarseness.

As she spoke, Ye Jiayuan’s hands slid to Fu Chaoying’s collarbone. With a probing touch, she lightly stroked and teased her sensitive nerves.

Fu Chaoying’s breathing grew even more rapid, and her body couldn’t help trembling, but she pretended not to understand, only looking at her with watery eyes—innocent yet alluring. “What? I just wanted to hug Sister. Sister doesn’t like it?”

Her voice carried a slight, unnatural tremor; it was impossible to ignore.

She heard the person in front of her seem to laugh faintly, and the hand at her lowest point suddenly stopped.

Fu Chaoying’s anticipation failed her again, only to feel Ye Jiayuan’s palm suddenly exert force; her whole body was lifted by Ye Jiayuan, suspended in the air, then set onto Ye Jiayuan’s lap.

Facing each other while seated, their bodies pressed tightly together; somewhere between them, a faint itch suddenly spread.

Fu Chaoying leaned toward her a little. “Sister…”

The last syllable rose at the end, carrying a few notes of coyness and desire, like a silent invitation.

“Mm?” Ye Jiayuan made no further move, as if she had truly only fulfilled Fu Chaoying’s wish—to hold her, nothing more.

For a long while, Ye Jiayuan remained cool and composed, like a god untouched by the mortal world.

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together. She didn’t lean closer again, only said, “Sister is leaving so early…”

Ye Jiayuan nodded slightly. “My flight is at three.”

Fu Chaoying leaned in and hugged her, burying her face in the crook of her neck. “All right, then let me hold you a little longer.”

Softness pressed against softness, and the more improper thoughts in Fu Chaoying’s heart gradually faded; all she wanted now was to hold her a little longer.

But the hands around her waist grew less obedient, lightly pinching her now and then, then slipping under the hem of her sleepwear to stroke her skin gently.

Fu Chaoying wriggled in her arms, which made the place between them brush against her.

A certain natural reaction was stirred as well. Fu Chaoying froze in panic, her body tightening, when she heard Ye Jiayuan ask in her ear, “What is it? Uncomfortable?”

Her wet, warm breath swirled by her ear. Fu Chaoying couldn’t help trembling, and then she suddenly felt Ye Jiayuan take her earlobe into her mouth and suck lightly, sending a numbing rush of pleasure through her.

Another wave of heat swept across her ear, while the tip of Ye Jiayuan’s tongue gently teased her earlobe. Numbness and itchiness rose together; Fu Chaoying couldn’t suppress a soft moan. “Mm…”

Then Ye Jiayuan’s low laugh reached her ear. “So sensitive.”

Being exposed like that made Fu Chaoying a little shy at once, but she soon felt Ye Jiayuan’s lips and tongue move from her earlobe all the way to the right, taking up the battle at her lips.

The moment their tongues touched, Fu Chaoying suddenly felt a rush of satisfaction, yet at the same time, a hollow emptiness rose from deep inside her; she wanted more.

Once one line was crossed, it was only natural to want a little more.

Ye Jiayuan kissed her again and again, sometimes light, sometimes heavy; Fu Chaoying couldn’t stop herself from breathing out softly.

Before long, Ye Jiayuan let go of her lips and slowly moved downward, to her jaw and neck.

Fu Chaoying’s mind suddenly cleared. She lightly pushed at Ye Jiayuan’s shoulder. “Sister, don’t…”

Ye Jiayuan did stop, lifting her head to gaze deeply at her, her voice carrying a trace of inquiry. “Don’t what? You don’t like me kissing you?”

“Don’t… leave marks.” Fu Chaoying thought of the red mark she had painstakingly covered up that morning and spoke softly.

Ye Jiayuan paused slightly, then said in a husky voice, “All right.”

But she made no further move, only holding Fu Chaoying quietly.

The atmosphere instantly grew a little still. Fu Chaoying leaned closer and lightly kissed her cheek. “Sister…”

It sounded like she was coaxing her.

Ye Jiayuan’s gaze swept past the shadow beneath Fu Chaoying’s collarbone. Her throat moved, and she allowed Fu Chaoying to kiss her lips, her expression still clear and lucid.

The kiss was still clumsy.

A trace of doubt flashed through Ye Jiayuan’s mind, but then Fu Chaoying pried apart her lips and teeth.

Fu Chaoying kissed her deeply and imitated her, though with a touch of youthful awkwardness.

Ye Jiayuan gradually responded to her kiss, and the air grew sticky and scorching once more.

Just as Fu Chaoying slowly moved upward and couldn’t help reaching for something, her fingertips stiffened slightly after a few seconds.

Their kiss also came to an abrupt stop. Only then did Fu Chaoying realize what she had just grasped.

She stared at Ye Jiayuan, only to see an almost imperceptible darkness staining the corner of her eyes.

Fu Chaoying curved her lips and didn’t let go; instead, she gently pinched it.

Ye Jiayuan’s breathing was visibly even more rapid.

Fu Chaoying was just about to say something when several urgent female voices came from downstairs—

“Xiao Ying, are you done talking? Come down and play cards; we’re short one!”

It was Chu Yiyun calling her.

TL Note:

Xiao Ying / Xiao Hua / Xiao Yuan (小盈 / 小华 / 小沅) use the Chinese ‘small-’ nickname prefix, an affectionate way to address someone younger.