Chapter 86

The car slowly drove into the distance. Inside the car, the girl with black hair had an expressionless face. Her movements were slow, and her fair fingertips tightly gripped the zipper of her backpack.

When the “swoosh” sound of the zipper echoed in the quiet car compartment, the assistant responsible for driving subconsciously glanced at the rearview mirror. With a single glance, she noticed the girl’s cold brows and eyes. Xin Nuo’s eyelashes drooped, and a faint killing intent overflowed from the corners of her eyes, instantly darkening the atmosphere.

Assistant: “…”

She immediately sat up straight, her gaze fixed firmly ahead, making sure not to look back.

“Buzz.”

A black divider rose from the center of the front and back seats.

Xin Nuo was very satisfied with the assistant’s expression. If it weren’t for the rule against littering in the car, then the first thing to be thrown out of this car would be this backpack, followed by a certain pearl that was sitting beside her with a smug smile on its face, all thrown out of the window together!

“Xu… Heran…” Xin Nuo said coldly.

Xu Heran blinked her eyes, her voice gentle.

“Hey~”

“I’m here.”

“Do you think you’re a candy, pretending to be cute?” Xin Nuo suddenly turned around, her face turning red as she threw the shoulder bag onto Xu Heran’s face. “Show some restraint!”

Xu Heran leaned back a bit, tearing the shoulder bag off her face, and smiled at Xin Nuo.

The black-haired girl leaned against the window, not turning back, wearing an expression that rejected Xu Heran’s approach.

Someone daringly reached out and pinched Xin Nuo’s ear, a deep chuckle escaping from their lips. Xu Heran leaned closer to Xin Nuo, her lips near her ear as she said, “Hot.”

“Put something serious in your head,” Xin Nuo blushed and pushed her, but Xu Heran caught her wrist. Despite the spacious backseat, the two of them were squeezed together.

“I can be serious,” Xu Heran pressed Xin Nuo’s hand against her leg, leaning into her and whispering, “Don’t believe me? Take a look, my mind is filled with the words ‘Xin Nuo.'”

Xin Nuo: “…Hmph.”

“Deceiver.”

Xin Nuo glanced at the shoulder bag that looked like a grinning mouth in the corner, its decorations resembling a smile directed at her.

“I need to make things clear with you,” Xin Nuo said seriously, “Absolutely no repeating what happened last time. Moderation is key!”

“Alright,” Xu Heran leaned against Xin Nuo’s shoulder, gently nuzzling her neck, and whispered, “It’s all because Nuo Nuo is too wonderful, I can’t control myself.”

Xin Nuo sneered, “And you blame me?”

Xu Heran smiled, taking hold of Xin Nuo’s hand, their fingers intertwining and locking together.

“Nuo Nuo, speaking of which, have you heard an old saying?” Her voice grew even softer.

“As the saying goes, only the ox that works itself to death and no spoiled spot on the pear. I think you should consider me,” Xu Heran said earnestly, “Besides, I want to see how far I can go with this—don’t hit me!”

“Hiss! My bad!”

In the front seat, the assistant listened to the faint sounds from the backseat and shook her head, untroubled.

At night, the car carrying two girls entered an underground parking lot of a hotel in the capital city. After getting out of the car, the assistant asked Xu Heran, “Should I bring you breakfast tomorrow? What time should I pick you up?”

“No need,” Xu Heran said with a smile, “Sister Song Yu’s place isn’t available for us. Nuo Nuo and I will be staying here temporarily.”

“I’ll contact you if there’s anything.”

“Alright, then you two be careful and don’t go out casually. Watch out for reporters.”

Xu Heran made an “OK” gesture, calmly slinging her shoulder bag over her shoulder, despite Xin Nuo’s cold and vigilant gaze.

“Let’s go. I have a card from Sister Rong that can access a private elevator straight to the room,” Xu Heran embraced Xin Nuo, pulling her close and whispered, “We definitely won’t run into anyone else.”

“Heh heh.”

Xin Nuo’s face was darker than the night, “Get rid of that bag.”

“Come on, don’t waste it. It’s all money,” Xu Heran tightly gripped the strap, explaining to Xin Nuo, “We can’t let others benefit from it.”

…Benefiting yourself, aren’t you?

Xin Nuo turned her head away, giving a soft hum.

The elevator ascended, reaching a quiet floor. Each elevator served a single unit. As the doors opened, lights outside the door instantly illuminated. Warm light cast a path toward the depths of the guest rooms.

The door to the guest room was open, revealing the cityscape beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Xin Nuo took off her coat.

She wore a gray sweater and a matching skirt. Small boots adorned her feet, and her black hair cascaded down behind her, exuding a gentle and elegant aura.

“You always know how to come out without luggage,” Xin Nuo whispered, turning her head to glance at Xu Heran who was taking off her coat. Seeing the tall girl hang that terrifying bag on a coat hanger, Xin Nuo breathed a sigh of relief.

“Come here quickly,” Xin Nuo chuckled, “I haven’t seen the night in the capital city like this before.”

“Wait a moment,” Xu Heran said.

Xin Nuo leaned against the sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, her eyes filled with a gentle light, watching Xu Heran walk towards the liquor cabinet, pick up a highball glass, and then turn to fetch some alcohol.

“Don’t pretend to be good at holding alcohol,” Xin Nuo whispered.

“It’s not bad,” Xu Heran took out a bottle of red wine, poured it into a decanter, and smiled, “Let’s set the mood.”

What… mood.

Xin Nuo inexplicably felt a bit nervous. She turned around, pretending to look at the scenery.

The hotel was built tall, and the passing vehicles and roads looked toy-like and miniature. Xin Nuo’s gaze fell to the ground, then couldn’t help but land on the figure reflected in the floor-to-ceiling window.

The mirror couldn’t capture her beautiful eyes, nor the mysterious blue-purple color. But as the person slowly approached the person gazing out the window with unhurried steps, the quiet observer couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat.

Subsequently, her neck was gently touched, moving upwards, cupping her chin.

Xu Heran looked at the girl in the palm of her hand. She sat with her back to her, their black eyes meeting quietly, a smile playing at her lips.

“Xu Heran, why is there only one glass of wine?”

“Because I remember that someone’s alcohol tolerance doesn’t allow for possessing a glass of red wine alone,” Xu Heran said, while using her fingertips to trace the line of Xin Nuo’s jaw and her slender neck.

The closely-knit bones were outlined by her fingertips. Arteries and blood flowed and pulsed in her palm. She stood, Xin Nuo sat, and a certain pearl suddenly created an illusion, an illusion that she could grasp Xin Nuo.

…Completely forgetting the beating she received in the car just now.

Xu Heran curved her lips, taking a sip of the wine under Xin Nuo’s wary gaze. Just when Xin Nuo thought someone might take the opportunity to kiss her, Xu Heran suddenly let go of her, turned around, and sat beside her, looking out the window.

“It’s really beautiful,” Xu Heran leaned back a bit, her gaze fixed on the window, praising.

Xin Nuo’s eyebrows raised slightly. Her gaze followed the corner of Xu Heran’s eye, down to her fingertips, then turned toward the door, where the shoulder bag was sitting untouched.

Unknowingly, she felt a bit glad, but a bit disappointed.

“Do you want to taste it?” Xu Heran asked, looking  outside. She turned her head slightly and raised the red wine glass.

Xin Nuo nodded and extended her hand.

Suddenly, her fingers were held by someone.

“Come here,” Xu Heran said softly, pulling Xin Nuo forward.

The sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling window was low but spacious enough for two Xin Nuo to lie down. She was pulled forward by Xu Heran, and her whole body fell into her embrace.

Xin Nuo’s heart raced again. She tilted her head slightly, meeting Xu Heran’s eagerly expectant gaze, and gently bit her lip.

“Feed me.”

She lay on the sofa, like an obedient cat stretching its supple waist, her round eyes full of trust, gazing affectionately at the woman in front of her.

Xu Heran, seemingly enchanted, lowered her head, her fingers gently tracing the corner of Xin Nuo’s lips. She took a sip of red wine, and amidst Xin Nuo’s ambiguous gaze, she turned the wine glass and pressed it against Xin Nuo’s lips.

A certain person’s eyes grew even deeper with amusement as she chuckled, “Indirect kiss, oh.”

Xin Nuo: “…”

Idiot.

“Hmph.”

The cool wine rushed into her mouth. After the bitter spiciness, a rich aroma spread in her mouth. Xin Nuo slightly furrowed her brows and wiped her lips with her fingertip.

“It’s a bit sweet.”

Xu Heran raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

She didn’t taste any sweetness.

“Yes.” Xin Nuo remained composed and calmly said, lightly licking the corner of her mouth, “It’s sweet.”

Xu Heran’s gaze fell on Xin Nuo’s rosy lips, and she smiled, “Then I’ll give it a try.”

She lowered her head, and her red lips slowly approached—the transparent wine glass.

The deep red liquid flowed into her mouth. Xu Heran savored it slowly, then used her fingertip to sway the remaining half of the wine in the tall glass.

“It seems… a bit sweet?”

What an idiot!

At this point, if Xin Nuo couldn’t tell that Xu Heran was doing this on purpose, she might as well not live this life. She couldn’t help but sneer, raising her hand, her index finger hooking onto Xu Heran’s collar, pulling her towards her.

“Who told you to taste that, foolish pearl…”

The rest of her words dissipated between their tightly pressed lips, Xu Heran smiled, hugging Xin Nuo’s waist.

“Quite proactive, huh? Seems like you’ve missed me a lot, haven’t you?”

Xin Nuo’s posture had unknowingly shifted to a half-kneeling position. Her hands were pressed against Xu Heran’s shoulders. Her complexion was slightly flushed, her tone chilly, her eyes slightly lifted as she glanced at Xu Heran, “You don’t seem as impatient as your words suggest, huh?”

“Nonsense.” Xu Heran leaned closer and kissed Xin Nuo’s lips, “I was dying of impatience.”

She pulled Xin Nuo downward, pressing her onto the sofa. In an instant, the remaining wine in the tall glass splashed all over Xin Nuo’s sweater, sticking to her skin.

The cool wine instantly made her tense. Her lips paused, feeling someone withdraw.

Her chest rose and fell, and she lifted her eyelashes slightly. She saw the girl sitting on both sides of her body, smiling as she tugged at her wet clothes.

“Oops, that was quite careless.”

“And whose fault is that?”

“Blame me. Shall I help you change clothes?”

Xu Heran said with a playful smile, her fingers probing into Xin Nuo’s sweater, all the while asking with a smile, “Sister, what’s under your skirt?”

“Can it hide a Xu Heran?”

Xin Nuo’s face suddenly turned red. She covered her face with her arm, but Xu Heran’s movements were deliberate, her tone growing softer and gentler.

“Can it hide a little pearl?”

“If you don’t speak, that’s an admission, right? Well, let me see.”

Snowy peaks stretched as far as the eye could see, until the undulating summit was blocked by the gray fabric, like a somber sky. But Xu Heran’s eyes were darker than that sky, she was like the hero of a myth who could tear apart the heavens. With a twist, she shattered the darkness, and that hidden tenderness of the snow-covered peak suddenly emerged, shy and timid.

The incredibly dense snow clusters embraced the jewel born in the snow, like a plum in the snow, even lighter in color than the plum. The eyes of the unstoppable hero suddenly brightened, and she held the snow-capped peak in her hands, lowering her head to savor her spoils.

The room’s enchanting voices mingled with the light, shattered by shadows, throwing hints of embarrassment and heartbeats out into the window.

The night spread, the tall buildings reflecting each other’s brilliance while maintaining their distinct separation.

Only humans possessed an eager warmth, pressing their souls together, flesh against flesh, using hazy gazes, burning palms, and a hint of tears in the corners of their eyes to prove that autumn was equally passionate.

But the autumn night felt extraordinarily long.

…

In the morning at a high-level guest room in a famous hotel in the capital city, the sound of a communication app’s voice came through the wall, one wave after another. On the bed, Xu Heran slowly sat up. Before she could rub her eyes, Xin Nuo lightly patted her arm.

“Hurry up.”

“Don’t disturb me,” the girl grumbled, pulling the blanket over her head.

Xu Heran’s sleepiness vanished in an instant. She quickly got out of bed, walked out of the bedroom, and closed the door behind her.

The curtains in the guest room were drawn. Someone in a robe picked up their phone from the pile of clothes on the floor and glanced at the missed call notification.

Xu Heran pressed the call button, heading to the kitchen and casually saying, “Morning.”

“Hehehe…”

A mischievous laughter came from the other end of the phone.

“Xu Pearl, you’re awake, huh? Did you sleep well last night?” Jiang Qiong’s tone was full of excitement. “Even though you only said one word, with my clever little brain and sensitive little ears, I heard the satisfaction in your voice~”

“You’re quite talented.” Xu Heran had just woken up, her voice slightly husky. She poured herself some water, saying, “No wonder you’re a barking dog.”

“Hehehe~”

“As soon as you left yesterday, I felt something was off. Turns out you didn’t come back at night! Your little brother was looking for you, excuses, all just the excuses of a young couple!” Jiang Qiong lay on the bed, speaking in a comfortable tone. “I even picked a relatively late time to call you.”

“Alright, thanks.” Xu Heran said, “Next time, please call even later, thanks.”

Jiang Qiong blinked, “Degenerate!”

Xu Heran fixed herself a glass of water, thinking about what to eat for breakfast. She also asked Jiang Qiong, “What’s up?”

“It’s nothing major, just wanted to let you know that Haya and Lin Weining are coming over today. This way, our bridesmaid group will be complete. Do you want to try on dresses together tonight and grab a meal?” Xu Heran pondered for a moment, “Sure.”

“By the way, how’s the situation with Haya and Ning Ning?” Xu Heran asked.

Jiang Qiong rolled her eyes, “Thank you for remembering this amidst your busy schedule. What else could it be? Of course, it’s a rumor debunking. You don’t know how Sister Cui scolded Haya, it was quite a scene. She told her not to engage in overly intimate actions in public places anymore.”

“Did Haya talk to you about it?” Xu Heran inquired.

“Didn’t you see the group chat?” Jiang Qiong said with a smile, “Haya kept saying that it’s just girls kissing, what’s the big deal? She got a series of lectures from Sister Cui. After all, Ning Ning is still part of the group, and she’s in the process of transitioning, so they need to consider their fans.”

“Don’t just talk about them. Even if your situation gets exposed, fans might not necessarily accept it.”

Speaking of this matter, Xu Heran’s mood suddenly turned a bit low, “Oh.”

“Don’t ‘oh’ me. Just be careful,” Jiang Qiong said earnestly, “Once you and Nuo Nuo reach the level of our TeaTea and YueYue, with these achievements, it won’t be too late to come out of the closet! Look at our Sister Tea, she came out and got married. Although the news was big, the fans took it quite well.”

“Got it.”

Xu Heran placed her cup in the water dispenser, watching the stream of water fall down, and slowly said, “Is this really your idea, or did Sister Cui approach you?”

“Didn’t Sister Yueyin approach you?”

Jiang Qiong scratched her head, “Hehe, you’ve seen through it all. I guess I, Jiang Xiaoqiong, have captured Her Majesty’s heart and gained the favor of Empress Cui, which led to me receiving this secret decree.”

“So, did you secretly tell Sister Cui that Nuo Nuo and I are together?” Xu Heran immediately interrogated Jiang Qiong, “Otherwise, why would she send you to talk to me about this?”

“Look at you, acting like a barking dog! You’ve become a spy of the East Factory!”

Jiang Qiong was taken aback and immediately retorted, “Nonsense! You and Xin Nuo aren’t being discreet at all. Anyone with eyes could see it!”

“Otherwise, how would Sister Cui know about you and Xin Nuo being separate?” Xu Heran slapped the table, “Don’t mince words, speak truthfully to Pearl!”

“Cough.” Jiang Qiong sat up straight, whispering, “Hehe, well, you know, when I was picking out a wedding gift for Sister Tea, I accidentally mentioned what to give you and Xin Nuo when you get married. Sister Cui overheard… hehe.”

Xu Heran said, “Bah! Barking dog!”

“And wasn’t I just trying to give both of you a gift!” Jiang Qiong said, “I was thinking of giving you a green hat!”

“Then I’ll gift you a single-room luxury doghouse painted green!”

“Ha!”

“Hmph!”

The angry barking ended the conversation as they hung up on each other.

Xu Heran sent a message in the group chat.

“Jiang Xiaoqiong said she’s treating us to dinner tonight at Jingyi Tang, the biggest and best restaurant in the capital. No need to bring any drinks, just bring yourselves. Don’t eat lunch, everyone.”

“Sounds good.”

“Thanks, Jiang’er.”

“Sure.”

“Hahaha, that’s great. Jiang Xiaoqiong is so generous!”

“OK.”

“Oh, got it.”

Jiang Qiong: “???”

She immediately went online, searching for the cost of dining alone at Jingyi Tang. In a distant villa complex in the capital, a horrified scream echoed.

“Xu Heran! I’m gonna kill you!”

In the hotel room, Xu Heran curled her lips, glancing at a familiar phrase in the reply and then at a newly changed profile picture. She chuckled softly, picked up her water glass, and turned to walk into the bedroom.

The window in the bedroom was open, and Xin Nuo lazily lay on the bed, a pillow propped under her waist. Hearing footsteps, she lifted her eyes, then quickly lowered them to her phone.

“Drink some water.” Xu Heran sat at the edge of the bed, offering her the glass.

Xin Nuo didn’t refuse, finishing the glass of lukewarm water. In response to Xu Heran’s inquiry, she shook her head. Xu Heran left again, bringing back a cup of hot water and placing it on the cabinet beside Xin Nuo’s bed. It was within easy reach. She then walked into the bathroom.

Once her figure disappeared, Xin Nuo breathed a sigh of relief.

Xu Heran glanced at the slightly damp traces in the bathroom, chuckled, and loudly asked, “Why didn’t you wake me up when you woke up?”

The girl who heard her voice pursed her lips, her ears turning slightly red.

I can’t call you!

Who knows what you have in mind.

A certain little pearl has truly grown smarter now, learning to divert attention and hide those things in her bag, hanging on the wardrobe – that’s true. But a certain someone still keeps them in the pocket of her pants! The cabinets by the floor-to-ceiling windows, bedside cabinets, even the bathroom cabinet… in short, any cabinet, is hiding dangerous goods!

In her heart, this room was henceforth named the dangerous room.

After Xu Heran finished freshening up, she went to the kitchen, cut up some fruit, and ordered breakfast. Returning to the bedroom, she placed the food on the bed-side table. The two of them ate while comfortably lying down and watching TV. The program on TV was the latest episode of 《As You Wish》 where a dog was struggling in the water, looking miserable. Xu Heran burst into laughter, and Xin Nuo smiled.

“She really needs to exercise her body properly.” Xu Heran fed Xin Nuo a bite of apple and then told her about the morning call from Jiang Qiong.

“Why did you bully Jiang’er?” Xin Nuo said softly.

“I didn’t bully her.” Xu Heran whispered.

Xin Nuo opened her phone, and Jiang Qiong’s message appeared, a series of crying emojis punishing Xu Heran.

“You actually agreed!” Xu Heran said, “You even changed your profile picture. What’s with this profile picture of beating up the little pearl? Clearly, someone was hugging me and saying how comfortable it was last night…”

Xu Heran’s mouth was tightly covered.

Xin Nuo blushed, and a mist of tenderness and affection, carried over from the night, appeared in her dark eyes. She said, “Shut up.”

No matter how comfortable it is, it can’t outweigh it time and time again!

Stupid!

Xu Heran laughed, catching Xin Nuo’s wrist and kissing her palm. She whispered, “Jiang’er passed on Sister Cui’s message to us… She wants us to stay low-key until we reach the level of Tea Sister. She won’t stop us from announcing our relationship then.”

Xin Nuo’s fingertips fell onto the soft blanket, gently curling up. She murmured, “Mhm.”

“Nuo Nuo, how long do we have to wait?” Xu Heran sighed softly. “I don’t like waiting.”

“It’s okay, I’ll be with you.” Xin Nuo touched the girl leaning against her and rubbed her face, which had a downcast expression. “It’ll be soon, right? As long as we work hard, we’ll definitely reach that day.”

“Mhm.”

Xu Heran wrapped her arms around Xin Nuo’s waist, even sniffing a little, looking rather pitiful.

“We can only do this, sigh, I’m so sad. Tears of sorrow are about to fall.”

“Well, sis, let’s do this a billion times more. Can you take it as comforting me?”

“Love you~”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu

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