Chapter 38: The Study

Chapter 38, Rose No. 38: The Study.

Fu Chaoying’s voice brushed past Ye Jiayuan’s ear, the last note carrying a faint, almost imperceptible lure.

It was like fireworks had gone off inside Ye Jiayuan’s head.

Her mouth was already occupied. Ye Jiayuan lifted a hand to support the back of Fu Chaoying’s neck, her fingertips slowly stroking the delicate skin there as she deepened the kiss.

Their lips and tongues tangled in an instant, stirring wet, intimate sounds. Fu Chaoying went soft beneath the kiss and could only cling helplessly to Ye Jiayuan’s shoulders.

Her tongue was sucked until it went numb, and her whole body seemed to grow hotter and hotter. Ye Jiayuan lightly pinched her through the fabric.

Ye Jiayuan no longer needed her guidance. Fu Chaoying reached for her own hand, wanting to ease the pressure, but was gently squeezed instead.

Fu Chaoying let out a low moan before she could stop herself; two seconds later, Ye Jiayuan let her go.

Both places were released at once.

Fu Chaoying slowly opened her eyes and saw a thread of silver still connecting their lips.

Ye Jiayuan looked at her misty eyes, her gaze lowering slightly before she gave Fu Chaoying’s lip a light lick.

“There’ll be plenty of time.” Ye Jiayuan still wore that cool, self-contained expression, and her voice was just as calm; it was as if the one who’d been stirred up just now had not been her at all.

Fu Chaoying’s throat bobbed. Her heartbeat sped up uncontrollably. She buried her face in the crook of Ye Jiayuan’s neck to catch her breath, and her voice turned soft and clingy with it. “Then sister has to remember to miss me...”

A complicated look flashed through Ye Jiayuan’s eyes, and for a moment she said nothing.

Fu Chaoying didn’t get a response. She tugged lightly at Ye Jiayuan’s sleeve. “Sister?”

There was a hint of grievance in her voice.

Ye Jiayuan gave a faint, inexplicable smile and hummed in answer.

“Only a few days.” She added, “In three days, it’ll be the weekend again.”

Fu Chaoying refused to let it go; she kept tugging at her sleeve. “But there are still three days when I won’t be able to see you. Sister won’t be able to hold me, kiss me, or... sleep with me.”

At the words “sleep with me,” Fu Chaoying’s voice grew smaller and smaller, shy yet unmistakably expectant.

Ye Jiayuan couldn’t help but press the tip of her nose lightly against hers. “Now you know how to be shy?”

Fu Chaoying’s cheeks warmed slightly. She pressed her lips together, only for Ye Jiayuan to press against them again. “Hmm?”

There was something sensual in Ye Jiayuan’s voice, along with a trace of indulgence.

Fu Chaoying was teased until her heart itched; she gave Ye Jiayuan’s lips a small lick, then opened her eyes wide to look at her. “What part of me does sister like?”

“Any part is fine. You’re cute no matter what.”

Realizing she had neatly sidestepped the word “like,” Fu Chaoying felt a flicker of disappointment in her heart.

When she thought of how Ye Jiayuan never said she liked her, perhaps it was because she still hadn’t liked her enough. That answer felt more like flirting.

Sometimes surname and love could be kept separate.

Fu Chaoying’s heart suddenly ached, but then Ye Jiayuan lightly pinched her nose. “Are you not satisfied with that answer?”

It was as if she had seen through her thoughts, yet deliberately refused to say so.

Fu Chaoying shook her head but said nothing.

Ye Jiayuan probably didn’t know what she was thinking; she only assumed Fu Chaoying was reluctant to part.

She gently took Fu Chaoying’s hand, threading their fingers together. “The earliest I can get back to Nanyan is Friday night.”

“Okay; then let’s go out now.” Fu Chaoying nodded lightly and got off her lap, turning toward the balcony.

But she was suddenly caught by the wrist and, in the blink of an eye, pulled back into her arms.

Fu Chaoying was caught off guard and fell back into her lap. She took a deep breath, trying hard to steady her racing heartbeat, then lifted her eyes to look at her. “What is it, sister?”

But she crashed straight into Ye Jiayuan’s deep gaze, and then heard her say, “I... sometimes have a hard time noticing your mood.”

“If there’s anything I’m not doing well, you can tell me.”

Fu Chaoying’s heart seemed to be wrapped in warm mist, filled with a warmth and reassurance she couldn’t quite describe.

Almost instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Ye Jiayuan’s waist and tucked herself into her embrace, then asked softly, “What kind of girls did sister used to like?”

Ye Jiayuan inclined her head slightly. After a long silence, she spoke. “I can’t really say; it’s more about feeling.”

Fu Chaoying asked again, “Was it love at first sight, or falling for someone over time?”

There was a slight test in her tone. Ye Jiayuan understood instantly and replied, “Probably falling for someone over time.”

Ye Jiayuan really had liked someone before. But her familiar pattern of feeling was falling slowly, which was exactly their current state: “cultivating feelings.”

Fu Chaoying wasn’t quite jealous; the corners of her mouth lifted with a bit of amusement as she teased, “No wonder sister was such a top student.”

When the topic came to this, Ye Jiayuan shifted away from it. “You and... her never had that?”

Fu Chaoying heard the hesitation in her question and felt a stir in her heart. She suddenly remembered asking this when they first became intimate.

Fu Chaoying was silent for a while. Images flashed quickly through her mind. After making up her mind, she took two deep breaths before speaking. “She was frigid.”

Ye Jiayuan froze slightly, then tightened the arm around Fu Chaoying’s waist.

When she didn’t get a response, Fu Chaoying slowly lifted her head, only for Ye Jiayuan to press a kiss to her forehead.

It carried comfort and pity.

A smile rose at the corners of Fu Chaoying’s lips. She was just about to say something when Ye Jiayuan once again sealed her lips.

This time, there was a clear, domineering claim.

Fu Chaoying pushed lightly at her shoulder and actually managed to force her back a little. But Ye Jiayuan still pressed against her lips and spoke in a rough voice, “Wait for me to come back to Nanyan.”

Ye Jiayuan’s breathing was uneven; even her eyes had darkened with a possessive edge.

Fu Chaoying met her gaze and her heart jolted violently. She gave a soft hum in response.

Ye Jiayuan’s fingertips brushed over her pink lips, gently wiping away the moisture.

Her touch was soft and slow, lightly tugging at Fu Chaoying’s strings of feeling.

The moment her fingers left, Fu Chaoying shot to her feet as if electrocuted.

“I... I’ll go out first.”

Ye Jiayuan hummed lightly, watching her back as she headed for the balcony.

Before long, a few faint voices came from outside the door, but Ye Jiayuan was still sitting on the bed, one hand lightly touching the corner of her mouth, unable to gather her thoughts for a long while.

Some complicated emotions were blooming in her eyes.

Fu Chaohua finally finished her makeup and came out. Fu Chaoying went to knock on Ye Jiayuan’s door. “Sister Jiayuan, we can set off now.”

Ye Jiayuan soon came out pulling her suitcase, her gaze naturally lingering on Fu Chaoying’s face as she gave her a slight nod.

Fu Chaoying met her eyes, and her heart skipped half a beat; then she heard her remind her, “Let’s go.”

Fu Chaoying turned to follow her, naturally walking up to Fu Chaohua, but kept sneaking glances at her from the corner of her eye.

When they reached the underground garage, the driver and assistant were already waiting. Ye Jiayuan walked straight over.

Fu Chaoying hurriedly waved goodbye. “Sister Jiayuan, have a safe trip!”

Fu Chaohua and Chu Yiyun also spoke up one after another.

Ye Jiayuan stood by the car and nodded at them slightly. “Goodbye.”

Fu Chaoying watched her get in, watched her figure disappear before her eyes, and her heart suddenly felt hollow.

Since it was a long-distance relationship, separation was inevitable.

Fu Chaoying steadied herself and naturally walked to the passenger seat, getting into the car with Chu Yiyun and Fu Chaohua.

Fu Chaohua noticed that she seemed a little off, then steered the conversation onto herself.

Fu Chaoying was able to relax at last and closed her eyes to rest.

Their appointment with Dong Muyu was nearby, so the driver sent them there first.

After the two of them got out of the car, Fu Chaoying’s gaze drifted toward the blue sky outside the window.

Fortunately, it was a good-weather day; otherwise, her heart would probably keep hanging on Ye Jiayuan, who was about to fly away.

Fu Chaoying had to admit that she couldn’t bear to part with her; she really couldn’t.

Perhaps it was because the overly intimate time after their long separation had magnified that reluctance and longing.

The vibration of her phone in the small bag interrupted Fu Chaoying’s thoughts. When she unlocked the screen, she saw a single message quietly lying in WeChat: 【I’ll miss you.】

Fu Chaoying’s lips curved into an uncontrollable smile, and she couldn’t smooth it away for a long time.

Fu Chaoying was in a very good mood when she arrived at the art museum for the exhibition. She looked through one piece after another, recognized many familiar painters, and her smile only grew wider.

That good mood lasted the whole time.

The cooperation negotiation also went very smoothly.

At lunch, the other side kept praising them, saying that many people in Hong Kong now liked Chinese painting; that national-style art had become a trend, and they looked forward to more Chinese painting exhibitions at the Hong Kong art museum.

But some procedures still had to be followed, so the two sides agreed to sign the contract next week.

After dinner, Fu Chaoying went to the designated spot to meet up with Fu Chaohua, Dong Muyu, and Chu Yiyun.

Fu Chaoying’s good mood was crushed at once when she saw the sneaky sweetness between Dong Muyu and Fu Chaohua, and she quickly drank two mouthfuls of Hong Kong-style milk tea to ease it.

After adjusting herself, she helped out with Chu Yiyun and egged the two of them on to have dinner alone.

Fu Chaoying had dinner with Chu Yiyun. Looking at that face that was somewhat similar to Ye Jiayuan’s, she could only laugh helplessly.

The next morning, the group returned to Nanyan together.

The moment Fu Chaoying returned to her hometown, work came crashing in, and she finally managed to put Ye Jiayuan “behind her head.”

They continued following their previous pattern of interaction, not disturbing each other’s work and only occasionally sending messages when they were free.

The cooperation between Fu Chaoying and Dong Muyu’s side progressed steadily, and she gradually became busy.

Although the schedule wasn’t especially tight, Fu Chaoying was very demanding of herself and often worked overtime. By the time she realized it, it was already deep into the night.

Ye Jiayuan had naturally already gone to sleep, leaving only one line in the chat box: 【Good night; rest early.】

Fu Chaoying sent her a sticker in reply. Her brain was exhausted, and as soon as she lay down on the bed, she fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, it was finally Friday.

Fu Chaoying still hadn’t received Ye Jiayuan’s flight information, so she didn’t know whether she would come today.

But Fu Chaoying was still in a very good mood as she bought herself a sweet frappuccino.

There was a lyric printed on it: your mood is like riding a jet.[1]

Fu Chaoying took a picture and sent it to Ye Jiayuan. 【Good morning, sister~】

Ye Jiayuan replied very quickly on the other end: 【Is that a lyric from “Love-ing”?】

Fu Chaoying blinked, then sent her a voice message: “Has sister heard it too?”

Ye Jiayuan: 【I just searched it.】

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together. She knew it.

Less than two seconds later, another message came through: 【Is it good?】

Fu Chaoying tapped on the screen: 【It’s okay; it mainly conveys the sweetness of being in love.】

There was no reply for a long time. Fu Chaoying took a few sips and began working.

She also didn’t take the initiative to ask whether Ye Jiayuan was coming tonight; she had to be reserved.

That was the conclusion she reached after reviewing things once she returned to Nanyan.

Ye Jiayuan was naturally cool and composed, whereas she...

Fu Chaoying thought of certain scenes and quickly shook her head. She used cold hands to press against her face to bring down the rising heat.

During lunch break, her friend Shen Guannan sent her a message asking to hang out that evening.

Fu Chaoying hesitated for a moment before replying: 【I might not have time tonight.】

Shen Guannan assumed she was working overtime and didn’t ask further.

Fu Chaoying worked and got off work as usual. The road home was a little congested, but it didn’t affect her mood at all.

For some reason, she felt oddly cheerful.

Fu Chaoying parked the car and walked briskly into the house, but she did not see Ye Jiayuan’s figure.

She also didn’t see Aunt Wu.

Fu Chaoying’s thoughts shifted. She went upstairs and straight into the bedroom, then knocked on the door of the second bedroom, then checked the study and balcony as well; only after looking around did she confirm that Ye Jiayuan really had not come back.

Maybe it was still too early.

Fu Chaoying ate dinner at home and declined Aunt Wu’s invitation to go out for a walk. She simply lay on the sofa in the living room, casually watching a variety show.

Aunt Wu looked surprised. “Xiaoying isn’t working overtime tonight and isn’t going out to play?”

Fu Chaoying gave her a light smile. “Keeping you company.”

Then she pulled Aunt Wu down to sit with her and handed over the remote. “Let’s watch the drama you’ve been following lately.”

Aunt Wu switched to CCTV-8. “You probably won’t like this.”

Fu Chaoying laughed softly. “Then we’ll watch this one.”

What they watched didn’t matter; to her, anything was the same.

After all, her mind wasn’t on it.

But the person she was waiting for still hadn’t come, and Fu Chaoying finally sent a message asking: 【What time will sister get to Nanyan?】

It took a long time for the other side to reply: 【Sorry, there was a problem here; I’m still handling it.】

Fu Chaoying fixed her gaze on the two words “sorry,” pressed her lips together, and replied: 【Okay, sister, go ahead and handle it.】

By nine o’clock, Fu Chaoying went upstairs to shower and get ready for bed.

Before sleeping, she wanted to make a video call to Ye Jiayuan, but she was also afraid of disturbing her work.

Fu Chaoying stared at their chat history and couldn’t help feeling annoyed with herself; her sense of boundaries seemed too strong. For example, just now she could have asked: 【What kind of problem is it, sister? Is it serious?】

Ye Jiayuan hadn’t said anything, and she hadn’t asked out of tact.

Even though they had done the most intimate things in Hong Kong, it still felt like a dream.

Fu Chaoying was lost for a moment, then made up her mind and began asking: 【Is sister working overtime?】

There was no reply.

Fu Chaoying let out a barely audible sigh, then turned off the reading light.

Lying on the bed with her eyes closed, her thoughts churned restlessly.

After a while, the phone rang; it was the exclusive ringtone she had set for Ye Jiayuan.

Fu Chaoying flipped the phone over and saw Ye Jiayuan’s video call coming in. Her fingertip tapped lightly, and she answered at once.

“Xiaoying.”

Ye Jiayuan was on the screen with a hotel background behind her; she was wearing long-sleeved sleepwear, but the top two buttons weren’t fastened, revealing a large expanse of fair skin.

“Sister.” Fu Chaoying averted her eyes without a trace and turned on the light. “What’s wrong?”

With the room lit, Ye Jiayuan finally saw her face clearly, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly. “I just finished work; I thought you had something to ask me.”

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together and asked back, “Do I have to have something to find sister?”

There was a clear hint of grievance in her tone.

Ye Jiayuan shook her head, then paused before speaking. “That was just an excuse.”

Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat quickened with her voice. “Hmm?”

“I called because...” Ye Jiayuan dragged out the last word, enough to pique Fu Chaoying’s curiosity.

Fu Chaoying was getting impatient and immediately asked, “Because what?”

Ye Jiayuan looked at her somewhat anxious smiling face and laughed. “Because I missed you.”

There was tenderness in her tone.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t suppress the smile on her lips. “Sister is so good.”

A flicker of amusement passed through Ye Jiayuan’s eyes as she looked at her, then said, “My little good girl is the good one.”

The endearment was very intimate, yet her expression remained as usual.

Fu Chaoying blinked lightly, then heard her say, “Waiting obediently for sister.”

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together and tried to defend herself. “I wasn’t waiting obediently for you; I went home after relaxing with a friend.”

“Which friend?”

Fu Chaoying began making things up on the spot. “It was Sister Guannan.”

She deliberately stressed the word “sister.”

Ye Jiayuan looked at her with a half-smile and spoke softly again. “You have so many sisters.”

Fu Chaoying nodded slightly. “Who told our sister not to be here? I had no choice but to go play with other sisters.”

Ye Jiayuan’s expression stayed calm. “What did you do?”

Fu Chaoying kept making things up: spa, shopping, all kinds of things.

Ye Jiayuan hummed, then quietly changed the subject. “Then what about tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow...” Fu Chaoying thought about it, then smiled. “Which sister should I go play with...”

“Little Hua sister, Muyu sister, or Guannan sister...?” Fu Chaoying blinked. “Sister Guannan should be free, and she’s single with no ambiguous object; she’s quite suitable.”

Fu Chaoying was still making things up very seriously when she finally heard Ye Jiayuan say in a low voice, “Fu Chaoying.”

“Yes!” Fu Chaoying answered obediently. “What is it, Sister Jiayuan?”

Ye Jiayuan gave a helpless laugh. “I’ll arrive in Nanyan tomorrow afternoon.”

“Oh.” Fu Chaoying gave a soft response. “Then I’ll come home after lunch~”

Ye Jiayuan’s gaze lingered deeply on her neck. “Mm; see you tomorrow.”

Fu Chaoying noticed her gaze and unconsciously drew her neck in.

She suddenly remembered that sentence, “Wait for me to come back to Nanyan,” and the look in her eyes when she’d said it.

Fu Chaoying’s heart pounded like a drum; she quickly said good night and hung up.

She had the vague feeling that she would pay a price for her provocation.

Thinking of the first night, of Ye Jiayuan losing control and pinning her down.

Fu Chaoying felt a faint urge to retreat, yet she also couldn’t help but look forward to it.

And besides... she still hadn’t fully counterattacked yet.

A lot of images flashed through Fu Chaoying’s mind, and this time she truly couldn’t sleep, so she got up and studied with renewed determination.

Studying and studying until she’d worked herself up.

Fu Chaoying let out a soft sigh and thought of an unopened toy, then shook her head.

By the time it ended with trembling, it was already two in the morning.

After Fu Chaoying showered and came out, she sank into deep sleep.

She slept so heavily it was almost as if the world had gone dark. When Fu Chaoying woke again, she vaguely saw someone sitting by the window.

Fu Chaoying jumped in fright and opened her eyes at once, only to find it was Ye Jiayuan.

The familiar faint orchid fragrance rushed into her nose, and Fu Chaoying hurriedly spoke. “Sister...”

Her voice was still a little hoarse from just waking up.

Ye Jiayuan lifted her eyes to look over, her gaze deep.

Fu Chaoying met her eyes and immediately got up, blurting out, “Sister, sit first; I’m going to wash up.”

Ye Jiayuan watched her panicked retreat with a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

Fu Chaoying’s heart was pounding wildly, her fingertips trembling slightly as she held the toothbrush.

Only then did she react—how had Ye Jiayuan arrived so early in the morning? Was it because she had provoked her last night?

Before long, a cool voice came from behind her. “It’s already eleven and you’re just getting up; weren’t you going out to play?”

Fu Chaoying met her eyes in the mirror and immediately looked away, saying offhandedly, “I slept too late yesterday; I might as well just stay home and wait obediently for sister.”

Hearing the latter half of her sentence, Ye Jiayuan shook her head helplessly. Last night she had not said that.

Fu Chaoying was suddenly pulled into an embrace from behind, and then Ye Jiayuan kissed the side of her neck gently. At the same time, softness was wrapped and lightly kneaded, making Fu Chaoying tremble faintly.

The longing from the days apart spilled out at this moment, and Fu Chaoying tilted her head to let her kiss her.

The ticklish sensation struck straight at her heart; Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat suddenly sped up, and she let out a helpless, soft cry. “Sister...”

Ye Jiayuan hummed in response, then withdrew. “Eat first.”

A thought flashed through Fu Chaoying’s mind; for a moment, she couldn’t tell whether Ye Jiayuan was worried she’d be hungry or whether she was playing hard to get.

Fu Chaoying quickly finished washing up and applying skincare, then turned and went downstairs to eat.

She buried her head in her noodles while Aunt Wu chatted happily with Ye Jiayuan.

In the middle of eating, Fu Chaoying asked as if casually, “When did Sister Jiayuan get here?”

Ye Jiayuan’s expression was indifferent. “Ten-thirty.”

Aunt Wu also said casually, “I was just about to go upstairs and call you; Xiaoyuan came, so I had her call you instead.”

Fu Chaoying smiled faintly as she heard Aunt Wu say to Ye Jiayuan, “She’s listened to your words the most since she was little.”

Ye Jiayuan nodded slightly and glanced at her quietly. “Is that so?”

Fu Chaoying shrank her neck again, then finished her noodle soup with a satisfied sigh.

“What are Sister Jiayuan’s plans for the afternoon?”

“Nothing for now.”

Aunt Wu laughed. “You young people should go out and have some fun.”

“Xiaoying should know a lot of fun places.” As she spoke, Ye Jiayuan slowly shifted her gaze to Fu Chaoying’s face.

Fu Chaoying paused slightly, then heard Aunt Wu say, “Xiaoying’s busy with work and is always working overtime. How would she have time to go out and play?”

Fu Chaoying could only smile helplessly. “Haha, I really have been busy these past few days.”

Ye Jiayuan hummed lightly.

Fu Chaoying quickly said, “Then does Sister Jiayuan want to go watch a movie?”

Ye Jiayuan shook her head.

Fu Chaoying was slightly stunned, then heard her say, “Let me see your new work.”

She meant staying at home.

Fu Chaoying obediently agreed; after finishing her meal, she led Ye Jiayuan upstairs to the studio.

Only when they reached the studio door did Fu Chaoying suddenly remember. “Sister, where’s your suitcase?”

Ye Jiayuan said lightly, “My mom knows I’m back.”

So she wouldn’t be staying here tonight.

Fu Chaoying froze slightly, then gently tugged at her sleeve. She couldn’t help rising onto her toes to kiss her. “Sister, I was wrong.”

Ye Jiayuan lifted a hand to pinch her waist, as if punishing her. “Now you know you were wrong.”

Fu Chaoying wrapped her arms around her neck, lifted a leg, and hung onto her as she rubbed against her neck coquettishly. “Sister... I didn’t know you weren’t sleeping here tonight.”

Ye Jiayuan supported her but didn’t move; she only looked at her and asked softly, “Then where do you want to go now?”

They were at the studio door; with nowhere to advance or retreat, Fu Chaoying blinked, then smiled and lightly squeezed her waist. “Wherever sister wants to go.”

The consequence of giving the choice to Ye Jiayuan was that Fu Chaoying was swiftly carried into the study.

Wait, the study...?

When Fu Chaoying realized where they were, she blinked and asked softly with a trace of confusion, “Sister, are you still working overtime?”

But then she saw Ye Jiayuan lock the door behind them, and Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat skipped immediately.

After that, Ye Jiayuan set her down gently on the desk.

Ye Jiayuan braced both hands on either side of her, trapping her in a narrow space, then leaned close to her lips and breathed softly, “I remember you like this position.”

There was nothing but sensuality and seduction in that cool voice.

And that predatory gaze looked as if it wanted to swallow her whole.

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Fu Chaoying: Sister herself likes it, doesn’t she [pat head]