Chapter 44: Rose No. 44 — Sobbing

In an instant, Fu Chaoying was drawn into Ye Jiayuan’s arms and soothed. The faint hope in her heart seemed about to come to nothing when she heard Ye Jiayuan murmur softly by her ear:

“I like you.”

There was a rare tenderness in Ye Jiayuan’s usually cool, detached voice.

The howling sea wind outside the window seemed to vanish; even the ragged, uneven breaths they hadn’t fully caught yet inside the car seemed to disappear. Because of those three simple words, Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat suddenly drowned out everything else.

“Xiaoguai.” Ye Jiayuan pressed the tip of her nose lightly against hers.

Fu Chaoying seemed to catch a certain scent that hinted at what had happened earlier, and only then did she come back to herself, realizing what kind of atmosphere they were in.

She shouldn’t have asked that question at such a hormone-charged moment.

But the other person was Ye Jiayuan; it was Ye Jiayuan, who always stayed clear-headed.

Fu Chaoying’s heart was beating faster than ever, and a tear suddenly slid from the corner of her eye.

She didn’t know whether it had disappeared into her hair, but Ye Jiayuan lowered her head and kissed the corner of her eye.

“Why are you crying?” Ye Jiayuan asked, full of concern, as she reached up to touch that spot again. “Are you uncomfortable?”

Fu Chaoying shook her head, only burying her neck in Ye Jiayuan’s embrace and pressing her body closer.

Ye Jiayuan paused for a moment, then lowered her head to kiss her shoulder.

Fu Chaoying felt every bit of the kiss; it was gentle and unhurried, and it even carried a trace of caution.

Fu Chaoying parted her lips but said nothing.

No one knew how much time had passed before Ye Jiayuan lightly kissed her forehead and asked, “Go home?”

Fu Chaoying gave a soft hum of agreement; then she heard a rustle of movement as Ye Jiayuan helped her get dressed.

Fu Chaoying was just about to get up and sit in the back with her when Ye Jiayuan pressed a hand to her shoulder. “The back is spacious. Rest well.”

Ye Jiayuan took the front seat, and warm yellow light immediately filled the car.

Fu Chaoying lay in the back and looked toward her profile. That face was still cool and beautiful, yet somehow mysterious.

The unease in Fu Chaoying’s heart still hadn’t settled. She sat up instead, lowered the window, and let the salty sea breeze wash over her.

“Won’t you be cold?” Ye Jiayuan asked softly.

“No.” Fu Chaoying answered casually, then asked, “Sister, do you want some music?”

Ye Jiayuan tapped a few times, and a rock song immediately came from the speakers: “Love-ing.”

Fu Chaoying looked back at her profile, and the corners of her lips finally lifted.

She remembered that this band had once collaborated with a coffee brand and released a lot of lyric coffee cups. Once, she’d happened to buy one with the lyrics from this song on it and sent a photo to Ye Jiayuan.

She had never expected Ye Jiayuan to really listen to this song.

The tune was lively, and Fu Chaoying’s eyes and brows curved a little more.

At a familiar intersection, Fu Chaoying finally remembered something important. “My luggage is still at the hotel.”

“There are clothes at home.” Ye Jiayuan replied flatly.

Fu Chaoying blinked and teased her, “I don’t want to wear black, white, and gray shirts and suits.”

They happened to be waiting at a red light. Ye Jiayuan turned to look at her and smiled helplessly. “I bought you clothes; they’re pretty close to your usual style.”

Fu Chaoying’s heart gave a sudden flutter. She asked, “You went to buy them yourself?”

Ye Jiayuan shook her head. “I asked Liu Xin to help me pick them out.”

As expected... whenever Ye Jiayuan had private matters, she went to her for help.

Something flickered in Fu Chaoying’s eyes, but she quickly hid it.

The moment they got home, Fu Chaoying went to get her charger and charge her phone.

“Are you sleepy?” Ye Jiayuan followed slowly behind her as she opened the bedroom door.

“My phone’s out of battery.” Fu Chaoying had just opened the door when she instinctively stopped, then looked around. She didn’t see the familiar bright oil painting.

Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat seemed to skip for a beat, but then Ye Jiayuan suddenly took her hand, and a low voice reached her ear. “I moved to the master bedroom upstairs.”

Fu Chaoying let out a barely noticeable breath of relief and let Ye Jiayuan lead her upstairs.

“Has work been stressful lately?” Ye Jiayuan lightly rubbed the back of her hand and asked softly.

Perhaps because Ye Jiayuan had sensed her mood, Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together. “A little trouble. It doesn’t seem like a big problem for now.”

Ye Jiayuan nodded slightly and squeezed her hand. “If you need help with anything, just say so.”

Fu Chaoying shook her head slightly, then remembered something. “I want to get back half of Grandma’s works from the South Art Museum. I’ll try talking to them first... ”

Ye Jiayuan led her into the master bedroom and said calmly, “They won’t dare anymore.”

Fu Chaoying looked up sharply. “Huh?”

“I’ve already warned them.”

Ye Jiayuan took her into the walk-in closet.

Fu Chaoying immediately saw the dopamine-colored casual clothes and the soft, intellectual-style workwear.

There were clothes for all four seasons, and some of them were even brands she often wore.

Fu Chaoying walked over, then turned back in surprise and looked at her, only to run straight into those deep eyes.

Ye Jiayuan’s expression was cool and composed, yet there seemed to be a hint of a smile hidden in her gaze. “Do you like them?”

Fu Chaoying lifted a hand and pointed at a few pieces. “I like these.”

Ye Jiayuan nodded. “Then I’ll buy more.”

Fu Chaoying opened her mouth and asked softly, “Then... can Sister come shopping with me?”

Ye Jiayuan thought for a moment. “When? I’ll have Liu Xin check my schedule.”

“Next time, then.” Fu Chaoying turned to look for her charger.

Ye Jiayuan watched her back fixedly, a trace of confusion flashing through her eyes.

After charging her phone, Fu Chaoying sat by the window and looked at the night view, only to suddenly feel Ye Jiayuan wrap her arms around her from behind.

“Are you angry?” Ye Jiayuan asked.

Fu Chaoying gently held the hand at her waist and smiled. “No.”

“There’s a summit tomorrow. I don’t have to stay for the whole thing; at the latest, I can keep you company shopping in the evening.”

Fu Chaoying turned around to look at her. “There are a lot of clothes at home; we don’t need to buy more for now.”

The home she meant was naturally the one she had in Nanyan.

Ye Jiayuan was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Fu Chaoying wrapped her arms around her waist and rested her chin on Ye Jiayuan’s shoulder, staring at their reflections in the window.

Then Ye Jiayuan lightly stroked the top of her head, and she heard her call softly, “Xiaoguai.”

Fu Chaoying turned to look at her, but her nose brushed against Ye Jiayuan’s neck. “Mm?”

Ye Jiayuan reached up to caress her cheek and said softly, “I’ve already started shifting my work focus.”

Fu Chaoying’s lips curved slightly as she hooked a finger around hers. “I’ll wait for Sister.”

She had always been waiting for her, and moving closer to her.

Ye Jiayuan kissed the corner of her lips lightly, then asked, “Do you want to watch a movie?”

Fu Chaoying was still thinking when she heard raindrops striking the window. “It’s raining.”

Ye Jiayuan gave a soft hum.

Fu Chaoying got up from her arms. “Then I’ll go shower first.”

Ye Jiayuan watched her leave, her gaze darkening slightly. Then she saw Fu Chaoying suddenly turn back.

“Sister, can you blow-dry my hair later?”

“Mm.” Ye Jiayuan nodded gently, the faint gloom in her brows and eyes disappearing completely.

Fu Chaoying went into the bathroom and turned on the hot water, trying to clear her mind.

Outside the window, the clouds and wind still raged; in the warm rain, Fu Chaoying suddenly let out a laugh.

Growing up together over the years, she had come to trust Ye Jiayuan first and foremost.

She trusted her completely.

Fu Chaoying coaxed herself back into calm; when she came out of the bathroom wrapped in a bath towel and hair cap, Ye Jiayuan was sitting by the bed reading.

Hearing the movement, Ye Jiayuan put down the book, stood up, and walked slowly over to her, taking her hand and leading her to the sofa by the window.

Fu Chaoying obediently sat on her lap, facing her and wrapping her arms around her while Ye Jiayuan dried her hair.

Listening to the storm outside, with the warm air above her head and Ye Jiayuan’s soft, fragrant embrace, Fu Chaoying suddenly felt happy.

Ever since her dearest relatives had passed away, the threshold for happiness had gradually become very low.

The corners of Fu Chaoying’s lips lifted. Pretending to be spoiled, she asked, “Did Sister prepare snacks?”

Ye Jiayuan’s hand in her hair paused slightly. “I had someone send them over. What do you want to eat?”

Ye Jiayuan picked up her phone and made a call.

Fu Chaoying smiled in her arms. “Beef jerky, chips, fish tofu... ”

She listed one item after another without restraint, and Ye Jiayuan repeated the list back to her.

“Anything to drink?”

Fu Chaoying thought for a moment, then smiled. “I want soda.”

When the call was finally over, Ye Jiayuan continued drying her hair.

Fu Chaoying held her waist tightly and stared blankly at the raindrops on the window as her hair dried little by little.

Ye Jiayuan patted her shoulder. “I’m going to shower.”

Fu Chaoying went downstairs at a leisurely pace, sat cross-legged on the sofa to choose a film, then leaned to one side to play on her phone.

Ye Jiayuan was still showering.

Fu Chaoying suddenly remembered the things in her suitcase, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

She didn’t wait long before the doorbell rang.

Fu Chaoying opened the door and saw an unfamiliar woman delivering snacks.

Fu Chaoying thanked her politely and carried the snacks inside.

Just after finishing a few packs of fish tofu, she heard Ye Jiayuan’s footsteps.

“Sister has a lot of beautiful assistants.” Fu Chaoying didn’t turn around to look at her, only said in a flat voice.

Amusement flashed across Ye Jiayuan’s brows and eyes. “Jealous?”

Fu Chaoying looked back at her. “She doesn’t seem like the type you like.”

Ye Jiayuan sat down beside her and said indifferently, “I don’t have a preferred type.”

Fu Chaoying leaned closer. “Then what about me?”

“You’re an exception.” Ye Jiayuan pulled her into her arms. “Let’s watch the movie.”

The topic ended abruptly. Fu Chaoying stared at her eyes for a while before finally looking away.

The movie began to play on the screen.

Fu Chaoying ate snacks on her own, occasionally letting her gaze drift to Ye Jiayuan. On the third time she looked over, she met Ye Jiayuan’s eyes.

“Am I prettier than the movie?” Ye Jiayuan hooked a finger under her chin.

Fu Chaoying nodded as if possessed, but before she could react, Ye Jiayuan was already kissing her deeply. The hand at her waist gradually slid upward, and Fu Chaoying let out a soft, shaky breath.

“Xiaoguai.” Ye Jiayuan pressed her nose against hers; her voice was full of sex appeal, and the corners of her eyes had already begun to redden with the familiar thin flush Fu Chaoying knew so well.

Fu Chaoying’s brows and eyes curved. She leaned back a little. “You used up today’s quota.”

Ye Jiayuan laughed helplessly. “Then don’t keep sneaking looks at me.”

“If Sister hadn’t looked at me, how would you know I was looking at you?” Fu Chaoying countered with a light laugh, only for Ye Jiayuan to admit it generously:

“You caught me this time.”

This time... Fu Chaoying blinked, a trace of confusion flashing through her eyes.

Did that mean Ye Jiayuan had secretly looked at her before, too, just without being discovered?

Fu Chaoying’s heart gave another sudden flutter.

The movie she had chosen was a comedy. But Ye Jiayuan had always been unsmiling; even when she came across a very funny joke, she was still the only one laughing.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help it; she turned around and reached up to tug lightly at her lips, asking softly, “Is it not funny?”

Ye Jiayuan let her pull a smile from her, then said flatly, “It’s okay.”

Fu Chaoying looked at the expression Ye Jiayuan was forced into, helpless but amused, and immediately found it funny.

She couldn’t hold back a snort of laughter, but then Ye Jiayuan leaned over and kissed her.

Her tongue was hooked; Fu Chaoying inhaled sharply and pushed at her shoulder, pretending to be spoiled. “You’ve used up today’s kissing quota too!”

Ye Jiayuan let go of her in resignation. “Watch the movie.”

The two of them watched for a while longer before Fu Chaoying began to yawn repeatedly.

Ye Jiayuan reached out and turned off the television, then scooped her up around the waist.

Her body lifted into the air all at once; Fu Chaoying instinctively hooked her arms around Ye Jiayuan’s neck, but then met her eyes and went slightly dazed.

Ye Jiayuan withdrew her gaze, carried her upstairs, and laid her down on the bed. Then she moved to the other side and climbed in beside her.

Fu Chaoying stared at her without blinking until she lay down at her side.

Fu Chaoying almost reflexively curled into her arms, and Ye Jiayuan instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist.

So close they seemed inseparable, as if some switch had been flipped; their breathing grew rapid at the same time.

Those uneven, quick breaths were especially clear in the dark night.

Fu Chaoying’s throat moved, but then she heard Ye Jiayuan say, “Good night.”

Before the words even faded, Fu Chaoying lifted her head slightly; her lips brushed her chin as she asked softly, “Sister, do you want a goodnight... ”

Before she could finish the last word, Ye Jiayuan’s lips had already covered hers.

Ye Jiayuan seemed to be the worm in her heart.

The air gradually turned sticky. Ye Jiayuan lifted a hand, gently stroking her thigh; the touch was smooth and soft. Fu Chaoying lifted her leg and lightly rubbed against her.

Everything was understood without words.

But Ye Jiayuan made no further move, and Fu Chaoying laughed softly. “Good night, Sister.”

Ye Jiayuan inhaled sharply and leaned close to her ear, lightly taking her earlobe into her mouth. “Xiaoguai... ”

Fu Chaoying liked the sound of her voice at times like this; it felt as though Ye Jiayuan was holding back some desire. Even as her body trembled lightly, Fu Chaoying still pretended not to understand. “What’s wrong, Sister?”

Ye Jiayuan lightly touched and pinched her once more. “Sleeping like this; won’t you sleep badly?”

Fu Chaoying shivered again and countered, “What about Sister? Do you want to... go take a shower?”

Ye Jiayuan let her go, then sat up.

Fu Chaoying’s eyes flashed with a trace of confusion, but then she saw her turn on the light and come back to lift her into her arms.

Fu Chaoying was caught off guard and ended up sitting on her lap, hearing her hoarsely ask, “Together?”

Her throat moving slightly, Fu Chaoying nodded gently; then Ye Jiayuan stood with her and walked into the bathroom.

There was a bathtub there.

Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat was so fast it no longer felt like her own.

While they waited for the tub to fill, Ye Jiayuan set her on the counter, and gentle, dense kisses immediately fell.

Fu Chaoying tilted backward uncontrollably, only to be pulled down by her. The moment Ye Jiayuan kissed her, she trembled helplessly. At some point, her leg had been lifted and placed on Ye Jiayuan’s shoulder.

Fu Chaoying’s gaze drifted away; her cheeks grew hot, and strange sounds kept spilling from her throat.

Everything spilled over, and neither Fu Chaoying nor Ye Jiayuan paid any mind to the bathtub.

Fu Chaoying suddenly looked down at the crouching Ye Jiayuan and felt something collapse in her heart.

Ye Jiayuan was making a gesture that looked almost like surrender toward her.

With one heavy suck, Fu Chaoying let out a sound. “Mm... Sister, be gentler.”

After the storm passed, Fu Chaoying trembled nonstop, a few sobs leaking from her throat, only to see Ye Jiayuan lean toward her lips.

Fu Chaoying met her somewhat dazed eyes, then was covered by her lips once more.

Next, a liquid was transferred into her mouth; the instant it entered, Fu Chaoying knew exactly what it was.

Ye Jiayuan rubbed her nose against hers and asked in a hoarse voice, “Xiaoguai... do you like it?”

The sound of water spilling from the bathtub reached her ears. Fu Chaoying bit her lip, not wanting to answer that question, but Ye Jiayuan lowered her head and kissed her sensitive tip.

Another sob escaped Fu Chaoying’s throat, and then she was lifted again.

Settled inside the bathtub, Ye Jiayuan picked up a soft cushion nearby to support her knees.

The water churned in wave after wave. Fu Chaoying’s throat was nearly hoarse, yet she couldn’t stop trembling and sobbing.

No one knew how much time passed before Fu Chaoying clutched Ye Jiayuan’s shoulder and was carried up out of the tub.

She had no strength to stand steadily, so she could only cling to Ye Jiayuan’s shoulder while Ye Jiayuan carefully wiped away the water droplets.

The aftereffects still hadn’t faded. Back on the bed, Fu Chaoying buried herself against Ye Jiayuan’s ear and panted hard.

When they returned to bed, Ye Jiayuan kissed her over and over without complaint, soothing her. Fu Chaoying still carried a hint of tears in her voice as she punched Ye Jiayuan’s shoulder. “Sister’s bad... ”

Ye Jiayuan gently stroked her back and answered hoarsely, “Mm, I’m bad; Xiaoguai is good.”

Fu Chaoying had no temper left. She let Ye Jiayuan smooth over the numb tingling still lingering inside her.

Her breathing gradually steadied; a thought stirred in Fu Chaoying, and she listened to Ye Jiayuan’s heartbeat.

Ye Jiayuan’s heartbeat was steady and strong. Fu Chaoying listened absorbedly, then suddenly lifted a hand and poked her lightly. “Do you have me in here, Sister?”

Ye Jiayuan supported the back of her neck and rubbed gently. “Mm.”

“Good night.” Ye Jiayuan stroked the top of her head.

The corners of Fu Chaoying’s lips curved. Pretending to be puzzled, she asked, “Who’s saying good night?”

A rustle of movement followed. Fu Chaoying felt a light kiss on her forehead and heard her say warmly, “Good night, wife.”

Fu Chaoying closed her eyes with a smile, letting sleep gather. Yet every time she was just about to drift off, some thought would jolt her awake, over and over again.

Fu Chaoying didn’t know when she fell asleep; she only remembered that the person beside her was breathing evenly.

A sudden peal of thunder sounded outside. Fu Chaoying was startled awake by it, and when she opened her eyes, she abruptly realized the person beside her was gone.

The bedroom was quiet, and there was no light in the bathroom either. Fu Chaoying’s heart sank at once.

She got out of bed without putting on shoes, quietly opened the door, and suddenly heard Ye Jiayuan’s cool voice—

“No way. Snap out of it.”

The tone was calm, yet it seemed to carry something else beneath it.

Fu Chaoying had just pushed the door open when she heard, “Awake?”

They met eyes without warning; Fu Chaoying’s heart tightened, but her gaze immediately fell to Ye Jiayuan’s right hand holding her phone.

Ye Jiayuan must have hung up the moment she noticed the door opening.

Fu Chaoying’s eyes lowered slightly, but then she heard quick footsteps, and the next moment she was scooped up around the waist.

“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?” Ye Jiayuan’s voice was gentle beyond belief.

Fu Chaoying looked up at her. “Who were you on the phone with?”

Ye Jiayuan said lightly, “Someone I used to sponsor; a small issue.”

A photograph suddenly flashed through Fu Chaoying’s mind, and she also remembered that Ye Jiayuan had gone on a business trip to Guangnan some time ago, saying she was there to handle something with the charity association.

But how would someone she had sponsored have her contact information?

Ye Jiayuan put her back on the bed and kissed her forehead. “Sleep. Good night.”

Ye Jiayuan lay down beside her, but seeing that Fu Chaoying didn’t make the first move to lean over, a complicated look flashed through her eyes.

Fu Chaoying tried to fall asleep again, but before long, Ye Jiayuan drew her into her arms in her half-dreaming state.

Fu Chaoying woke instantly, but she didn’t push her away. Her heart simply felt as if it were hanging in midair; she didn’t know whether it would land, or when.

No one knew when she finally fell asleep. The next morning, Fu Chaoying woke from a nightmare, and when she opened her eyes, she saw one of the people from that nightmare.

Yet the look Ye Jiayuan gave her was full of tenderness.

Fu Chaoying turned her face away and asked softly, “What time is it?”

Ye Jiayuan reached out to stroke her hair. “Only seven. Sleep a little more.”

Fu Chaoying really did close her eyes again, but then remembered, “Doesn’t Sister have to get up and go to the summit?”

“Mm.” Ye Jiayuan nodded slightly and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Sleep a little more.”

But Fu Chaoying didn’t close her eyes again; she simply got up with her.

Noticing the puzzled look Ye Jiayuan gave her, Fu Chaoying offered a faint smile. “I can’t sleep anymore.”

The nightmare flashed through her mind again, and Fu Chaoying could no longer sleep peacefully.

The two of them washed up side by side. Ye Jiayuan looked at her thoughtfully. “Didn’t sleep well last night?”

Fu Chaoying smiled innocently. “I was woken by thunder yesterday and found you weren’t in bed.”

Ye Jiayuan let out a nearly imperceptible sigh. “I went out to take a call.”

Fu Chaoying smiled lightly as if it were no big deal. “I know.”

After washing up, Fu Chaoying stared at her without blinking as she changed clothes, then quietly walked up to her.

Ye Jiayuan had just slipped off her pajamas when Fu Chaoying wrapped her arms around her waist. With a helpless look, Ye Jiayuan lifted a hand and lightly flicked her nose. “I’m afraid we won’t have enough time.”

Before she could finish, Fu Chaoying opened her mouth and took hold of her, sucking gently. Ye Jiayuan’s smile climbed quietly to her brows. “Breakfast is downstairs.”

Fu Chaoying shook her head and lightly kneaded her. “But I like this.”

Perhaps because of the look in her eyes, Ye Jiayuan made a sound that didn’t seem to belong to her.

Fu Chaoying gave her a soft push and breathed against her ear, “Do you like it, Sister...?”

“Mm...” Ye Jiayuan felt her warm, wet tongue and couldn’t help letting out a low moan.

Fu Chaoying lightly grazed her with her teeth, then asked muffledly, “What about this...?”

“Like it too...”

Before Ye Jiayuan could finish speaking, she already vaguely felt the heat starting to spread.

Reason returned in time; she gently pushed Fu Chaoying’s shoulder. “We’re almost out of time.”

Fu Chaoying pressed down slowly on her shoulder, took her clavicle into her mouth, and sucked and rubbed, stopping and starting in a slow rhythm, alternating light and heavy.

The moment she touched the wetness there, Fu Chaoying suddenly lifted her eyes and looked at Ye Jiayuan’s slightly dazed expression, then asked softly, “Have you done this with someone else before, Sister?”

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Can’t make it hurt at all! Don’t worry!