Chapter 304: Fu Yujun & Guan Han [1]

Spring 2020.

Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao were getting married, and guests were invited to the Han residence to witness the ceremony. Guan Han was fortunate enough to be among the invited.

The night before, she had been peacefully dy!ng—no, peacefully falling asleep while watching Qin-Tang CP fan edits on a certain famous bullet-comment website.

Ever since Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao started dating, Guan Han, the invisible assistant, had gradually gained a sense of presence. This was mainly reflected in how Qin Yinong would frequently dismiss her, causing her to miss out on a lot of "food" (ship content).

Back in the days of the True Colors film crew, Miss Tang's bold and unconventional moves were endless—one trick after another. The slow-burning yet rapidly progressing romance between the two was all witnessed by Guan Han. There was once a divine love story right before her eyes, but she hadn't savored it enough. If heaven gave her another chance, she would wish for this love to last for thousands upon thousands of years.

The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains. Guan Han's strict biological clock jolted her awake immediately. Squinting, she fumbled for the glasses on the bedside table and put them on. Beside the glasses lay a white invitation card with gold foil lettering.

Guan Han opened the invitation and carefully read through it word by word before getting up to wash and get ready.

Her straight hair fell to her shoulders, framing a fair and delicate face. The silver-rimmed glasses concealed her inherently gentle eyes, adding a sharp and stern aura. She then put on a full set of professional attire: tailored suit pants, a well-fitted blazer, and a crisp white shirt buttoned meticulously all the way to the last button. An air of restraint and discipline surrounded her.

If she were willing to smile, even just a slight lift of the corner of her lips, she would perfectly embody the "gentle villain" archetype. But she didn't smile—only maintaining a cold and serious demeanor, keeping strangers at a distance within a three-meter radius.

Once dressed, Guan Han glanced at her wristwatch.

The watch was a very business-like mechanical timepiece, its cold dial gleaming with a metallic sheen, much like its owner. This particular watch was a gift from Qin Yinong one year when she was filming abroad and had her assistants go shopping with her. Qin Yinong had initially preferred a delicate and elegant women's watch, but Guan Han chose this one instead. Qin Yinong didn't say anything and simply paid for it without hesitation.

Setting aside her CP shipping, Qin Yinong was an excellent boss—good-tempered, sincere with people, and generous. Without that, Guan Han wouldn't have been able to afford the down payment on her current studio apartment.

The small apartment wasn't spacious, but it was cozy enough. The wallpaper was a dreamy powder blue, and the bedroom was decorated in soft pink, with a unicorn plush toy at the foot of the bed. A wind chime hung by the window desk, producing pleasant tinkling sounds whenever the window was open.

Guan Han didn't define herself by any particular image—she lived her life as she pleased. Who said that the shrewd and capable Assistant Guan couldn't come home and adore Hello Kitty?

She occasionally cooked, though her culinary skills weren't exceptional. She also played video games, even if her skills were truly awful. And, like now, she wouldn't hesitate to kick the person sleeping soundly with their back turned to her on the sofa.

"What time is it already? Why are you still in bed?"

Guan He—Guan Han's younger sister—was jolted awake by the kick, sitting up in a panic and looking around frantically. "Is there a fire? Is there a fire?"

Guan Han crossed her arms and looked down at her coldly.

Under her sister's gaze, Guan He grew increasingly self-conscious, rubbed her nose with her thumb, and sat up straight.

"Sis, you're up already?"

"Otherwise?" Guan Han lifted her chin, urging her to wash up and head to class. Her younger sister studied at the nearby university district. Having stayed out too late the night before and found the dormitory locked, she had come to crash at her sister's place for the night.

There was no sharing the bed—Guan Han had never slept with anyone else since she could remember. Even with her own mother, she didn't know if it was innate or something else, but while other kids craved hugs and kisses from their parents, she disliked any physical contact. The only exception for family was allowing them to link arms with her; if it were a stranger, she'd have already thrown a move.

So Guan He had to sleep on the sofa. In her younger, more naive days, she had once tried to climb into her sister's bed, only to be kicked off so fiercely that she never dared attempt it again.

Her sister wasn't a sister—she was the Devil.

The studio apartment wasn't connected to a natural gas pipeline. The devil sister was preparing breakfast, having taken off her blazer and unbuttoned the top two buttons of her white shirt, revealing a pair of elegant collarbones. The cuffs of her sleeves were rolled up, exposing a glimpse of fair arms, softening her usual stern demeanor with a touch of gentleness.

After washing up, Guan He circled around from behind Guan Han and sat across the dining table. Just as she picked up a sandwich, she sniffed the air deeply and asked, "Did you put on perfume?"

Without looking up, Guan Han replied, "Is it strange that I wear perfume?"

Guan He said, "Yeah, it is. You never used to wear perfume. You said that as martial artists, we shouldn't let others catch our scent."

Guan Han's brow lifted almost imperceptibly.

Had she really used that excuse to fool Guan He? How old had she been back then?

Guan He, crossing her legs, remarked, "Honestly, what era is this? Besides, we're aboveboard—it's not like we're into assassination tactics. You can totally wear perfume. What brand are you using? Recommend it to me."

Guan Han lifted her gaze and stared at her coldly.

Guan He immediately uncrossed her legs and mimed zipping her lips shut.

After breakfast, Guan Han and Guan He left together. She dropped her sister off at the school gate before heading to the Han residence.

The Han residence had been decorated for the past couple of days. Colorful ribbons adorned the stone lions at the entrance, and through the wide-open gate, one could see lanterns and festive decorations everywhere, a sea of vibrant red as far as the eye could see.

Guan Han stood at the entrance for a moment, took a photo facing the main gate, and handed the invitation to the young attendants standing guard.

The two attendants, both around ten years old, were exceptionally handsome and impeccably poised. One of them took the invitation, verified Guan Han's identity, and led her inside. From there, the view became clearer—the trees in the front yard were draped with red silk ribbons, fluttering in the wind.

It was early March, and the breeze still carried a hint of chill, but the fiery red filling the courtyard and trees evoked nothing but warmth.

Guan Han was both a guest and an assistant to Qin Yinong. While the wedding guests were scheduled to arrive in the afternoon, her early appearance didn't seem out of place. She met up with Qin Yinong, who had risen early to get there, and helped inventory the dowry stored in vermilion lacquer boxes adorned with gold.

Qin Yinong was clearly nervous. Her face was free of makeup, and what little she might have worn had been smudged by sweat. She repeatedly went over the wedding procedures with the master of ceremonies while Guan Han handed her tissues and water nearby.

Ningning darted back and forth between the front and back yards, relaying messages from Tang Ruoyao to Qin Yinong and vice versa.

Even though a phone could have handled it all, the little one ran back and forth tirelessly, sweating profusely but beaming with joy.

Truly, the three of you—a family through and through.

Guan Han was considered half a guest on Qin Yinong's side. Before the wedding, she couldn't see the bride, no matter how restless she felt. She had to stay firmly in the front courtyard, not taking a single step inside.

Around nine o'clock, a travel-worn figure hurriedly entered the Han residence.

Wrapped in a knee-length trench coat and wearing a gray baseball cap, she moved swiftly. Qin Yinong, who had been going over the ceremony details with the host, paused and put on a smile—one that Guan Han would describe as exceptionally warm, the kind reserved for the bride's family.

The newcomer took off her cap, revealing her beautiful hair and a face that blended the delicate softness of the Jiangnan water towns with an air of grace and confidence.

It was none other than Tang Ruoyao's family representative—Fu Yujun.

Fu Yujun had been filming in the northwest until the early hours of the morning and had rushed over on an overnight flight. Her face showed traces of fatigue and pallor. She nodded to Qin Yinong, "President Qin," then slowly turned her gaze to Guan Han, saying nothing but giving a slight nod.

Guan Han returned the nod.

Qin Yinong said, "She's in the backyard. I'll have someone take you there."

Qin Yinong glanced around, seemingly looking for someone available, but everyone was bustling about, busy as bees.

Fu Yujun suggested, "How about having Assistant Guan lead the way?"

Qin Yinong agreed, "Alright then, Guan Han."

Guan Han lowered her eyes. "Yes."

As Qin Yinong's personal assistant, Guan Han had visited the Han residence at least eight, if not ten times, and knew the place like the back of her hand. Silently, she thanked Fu Yujun, thinking she might even sneak a peek at the bride.

The hired live band was playing noisily in the front courtyard. As Guan Han led Fu Yujun through the arched gateway into the inner areas, the clamor gradually faded. Guan Han could hear the steady footsteps behind her, echoing on the bluestone-paved path.

Fu Yujun was wearing a pair of heeled leather boots.

"Assistant Guan arrived quite early." Fu Yujun's voice matched her demeanor—warm, pleasant, and lingering, like soft music playing through headphones during a quiet stroll down a country lane on a leisurely holiday. It was easy to listen to.

"Just arrived not long ago."

"Are you working today as well? That must be quite tiring."

"I'm a guest, just helping out on the side."

"I'm also a guest, but I'm here to accompany the bride. We're somewhat similar."

Guan Han thought to herself: 'Similar in what way? We're worlds apart.'

Noticing Guan Han unconsciously quickening her pace, Fu Yujun tactfully fell silent and followed quietly.

Before they reached the backyard, a whirlwind of a person came rushing toward them. Recognizing the face, Guan Han stepped aside. The newcomer pounced on Fu Yujun like a hungry tiger, sending her stumbling back four or five steps.

Wen Shuxian exclaimed, "My dear old Fu, you're finally here!" She grabbed Fu Yujun's hand. "Come on, let's go check out the front courtyard. It sounds incredibly lively."

Fu Yujun hurriedly said, "I just came from the front courtyard."

"Let's go see it again." Wen Shuxian insisted, dragging her away without another word.

Pulled along by Wen Shuxian, Fu Yujun could only watch as Guan Han's figure grew increasingly distant.

The next time they met would be at the wedding ceremony in the afternoon.

......

The bridal procession stretched for miles, with fireworks greeting the bridal sedan.

The bride stepped over the saddle and crossed the fire basin.

When the newlyweds whispered to each other, Wen Shuxian teased them, filling the entire venue with laughter.

While everyone's attention was focused on the newlyweds, Fu Yujun noticed Guan Han's expressionless face. Her gaze drifted downward, only to see the other woman's hands unconsciously clenched into fists. Looking more closely, she saw that Guan Han's eyes were unusually bright, clearly brimming with barely contained excitement.

Actions speak louder than words.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Fu Yujun's lips as she turned her attention back to the newlyweds.

Tang Ruoyao was her best friend from university and, without a doubt, the closest companion of her entire student life. It was likely she would remain Fu Yujun's dearest friend for life. Unlike Wen Shuxian, who wore her emotions on her sleeve, Fu Yujun kept her feelings more guarded. Yet, the sorrow of parting weighed no less heavily on her heart.

After the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds bowed three times to express their gratitude to the guests.

Old Man Jiang announced, "Escort the couple to the bridal chamber—"

Wen Shuxian was crying uncontrollably, so much so that she could barely stand. Fu Yujun and Cui Jiaran each took one of her arms to support her, and Fu Yujun sighed inwardly.

From that point on, her spirits remained low. After returning from the backyard, she sat with her two roommates among the guests. Wen Shuxian, her eyes red and swollen, nibbled on pastries while wiping away tears. Cui Jiaran refilled her cup with water, and Fu Yujun rested her chin on her hand, unconsciously observing the people around her.

It was a habit she had cultivated over time.

The wedding guest list was modest, with only three tables filled by invitation. One table was reserved for Han Yuping's guests, another for Qin Yinong's friends, and the last for their own group—her roommates, their teacher, and the friends Tang Ruoyao had made in the entertainment industry later on.

Gradually, her attention settled on Guan Han, who was dressed simply in a white shirt. But the moment her gaze lingered for just two seconds, Guan Han alertly turned to look back at her.

Fu Yujun offered a friendly smile.

Guan Han's expression remained neutral as she averted her eyes.

Earlier, during the bouquet toss, Fu Yujun had impulsively grabbed Guan Han's wrist and pulled her into the center of the crowd. Guan Han hadn't forgotten the incident and was temporarily disinclined to make eye contact.

Fu Yujun frowned slightly.

Even though Guan Han showed no outward signs, an inexplicable intuition told her that the other woman was upset.

Cui Jiaran, noticing how Fu Yujun had been holding her neck in the same position for a while, followed her gaze and asked, "What are you looking at?"

The question struck Fu Yujun like a sudden clap of thunder. Usually composed, she was startled, her heart racing unexpectedly.

Cui Jiaran: "..."

Quickly regaining her composure, Fu Yujun lowered her eyes to hide her sudden unease and took a sip of the now-cooled water on the table. "Nothing. Did you need something?"

Cui Jiaran nodded and said, "Xiaowen was asking what time your flight is tomorrow and if we should go to the airport together."

Fu Yujun shared her flight details and departure time—it turned out they could travel together conveniently.

......

The newlyweds arrived fashionably late, dressed in vibrant red wedding attire, walking side by side as they toasted each table. The evening was filled with lively celebrations. After the other guests had departed, the three roommates from Room 405 stayed behind in the bridal suite to chat with Tang Ruoyao. It wasn't until Qin Yinong returned from seeing off the last of the guests that they finally retired to the prepared guest rooms.

Wen Shuxian and Cui Jiaran shared a room, while Fu Yujun had one to herself.

Fu Yujun had a secret she had never shared with her roommates.

She was gay.

Even before she fully understood her own s3xuality, she had never been attracted to anyone. Yet, she could sense that she was different from most people.

Back in high school, when she lived in the dormitory, she always changed her clothes in private. Whenever her roommates dressed too casually, she would instinctively avert her eyes, feeling uncomfortable.

Back then, there was a pair of girls in the class who were dating, but close relationships between girls didn't attract much attention—at most, they were seen as best friends. However, Fu Yujun's observational skills were extraordinary. She keenly sensed that the atmosphere between the two was different, though her limited life experience at the time wasn't enough to pinpoint exactly how.

It wasn't until one day when she was assigned to the same cleaning duty as the two girls. Fu Yujun was responsible for taking out the trash, and when she left the classroom, the other two hadn't yet gone. She called out a quick goodbye and headed off.

On her way, she remembered she'd left a book in her desk drawer and decided to go back for it, hoping the two classmates were still there.

The sky was dimming, with vast stretches of crimson clouds stretching across the horizon like wisps of cotton, casting a rosy glow on half of Fu Yujun's face. It was a Friday, and the first-year high school students didn't have evening self-study that day. The students had left school early, like birds freed from a cage, and the hallway was empty.

Instinctively, Fu Yujun lightened her footsteps, making almost no sound as she walked. The door to Class 1, Grade 10 was slightly ajar. Fu Yujun frowned, thinking, 'Who was the last one to leave and didn't lock the door?'

Just as she was about to push the door open and retrieve her book, she heard a strange sound.

"Mm..."

It was the sound of restrained, breathless passion.

Fu Yujun peeked through the crack in the door. The two classmates had been cautious, drawing all the curtains. But the school's curtains were translucent, and the brilliant glow of the sunset filtered through the thin fabric, illuminating the two figures.

The taller girl held the slightly shorter one on her lap, while the other clung tightly to her neck. They were kissing, creating the ambiguous sounds Fu Yujun had heard from outside the door.

They were completely absorbed in the kiss, entwined so closely they seemed to merge into one. The taller girl had one hand wrapped around the other's waist while the other hand wandered restlessly.

Fu Yujun's pupils contracted sharply.

She covered her mouth, slowly stepped back without making a sound, and silently descended the stairs.

She had seen same-s3x relationships in literature and films, but this was the first time she had encountered one so close to her. From then on, whenever she saw the two exchanging knowing glances in class, her mind would drift back to that evening, to the tightly entwined silhouettes.

She realized that her own feelings of unease and peculiarity now had an explanation. Instead of panicking, she quietly examined her heart and faced herself honestly.

Fu Yujun was also preparing for art school entrance exams. Among the art students aiming for film academies, their looks and temperament stood out significantly, if not supremely, among their high school peers.

In her second year of high school, not long after she had come to terms with her own s3xual orientation, someone confessed their feelings to her—a girl. Fu Yujun asked her, "Why?" The girl, with her sharply winged eyeliner that made her look like a scheming enchantress, smiled and said, "I just felt you were one of us."

She wasn't from their school. Fu Yujun had met her during an external class. She was an art student, skilled in painting, with beautiful hands. Fu Yujun turned her down, but the girl persisted. On Fu Yujun's eighteenth birthday, she received a gift from her—a sketchbook filled with drawings, all of them portraits of Fu Yujun.

Fu Yujun admitted she was somewhat moved by the gesture. So, when the girl wiped cream on her face and leaned in to kiss it away, she didn't pull back.

But the good times didn't last. The girl failed her college entrance exam and didn't get into the art academy in the capital, while Fu Yujun successfully crossed that narrow bridge and became a student at a drama academy.

Fu Yujun considered herself a person with a strong sense of morality and responsibility. Upon hearing about the other's failure, she immediately offered to wait for her in the capital for a year, or suggested they could attend different universities and live in separate cities for four years before reuniting in the same city afterward.

But the other girl went abroad instead. It turned out she had already prepared a backup plan—her family was well-off, so when one path closed, she chose to study overseas.

On the day of the confession, the girl cried pitifully, her tears streaking her face like pear blossoms in the rain. Fu Yujun remained expressionless, picked up a glass of red wine the waiter had just served, and poured it over the girl's head. The wine ruined her meticulously applied makeup, and her soaked hair clung to her face and neck, leaving her looking utterly disheveled.

Then Fu Yujun turned and walked away without looking back, blocking all means of communication. The name that should have been carved deeper into her heart only left a shallow scratch, fading away with time until it vanished without a trace.

Until Guan Han appeared.

Even now, Fu Yujun couldn't figure out whether she liked her or not. Guan Han was terrible at gaming, seemed aloof and indifferent, and rarely bothered with anyone. Combined with her extreme habit of saying one thing while meaning another, she might actually be an adorable person bursting with inner thoughts? But... she could also genuinely be a tyrannosaurus rex.

Still, whenever Fu Yujun thought of her, her mood instinctively lifted—especially when she couldn't help but laugh at the gray dot on the map marking Guan Han's character lying dead in the game.

Fu Yujun had passed the age of youthful impulsiveness where liking someone meant acting on it immediately. Her past romantic experiences hadn't taught her how to pursue someone either. Until she was sure of her own feelings, she wouldn't make a move. Besides, having graduated just two years ago, she was fully focused on building her career—where would she find the time or energy for a relationship? Poverty-stricken couples face endless sorrows, only a solid financial foundation can support a stable relationship.

Fu Yujun took a shower, slipped into a snow-white bathrobe, shuffled into her slippers, and took out her travel-sized skincare products from her suitcase, meticulously applying them layer by layer.

Next door, Wen Shuxian and Cui Jiaran were screaming and playing, their voices drifting into Fu Yujun's room, making her smile involuntarily.

Having glanced at Guan Han a few extra times that evening and even brushed against her skin through her shirt fabric, Fu Yujun felt the little seed in her heart beginning to stir restlessly. She deftly opened the PUBG game, scrolling through her friends list to see if Guan Han was online.

At this stage, her relationship with Guan Han was limited to being gaming buddies—they had almost no interaction offline. Guan Han didn't seem interested in more, and Fu Yujun didn't have the time for it either. One positive development was that, thanks to Fu Yujun's persistent efforts to carry her in games, Guan Han now actively sought her out for duo matches whenever she saw Fu Yujun online.

Guan Han wasn't online, but Wen Shuxian was. After urging Cui Jiaran to log in, the three of them teamed up for a trio match in PUBG.

As for Tang Ruoyao—a night of spring romance was worth a fortune in gold, and no one would be tactless enough to disturb her.

......

Guan Han, who sometimes helped Qin Yinong fend off drinks, wasn't exactly a bottomless pit when it came to alcohol, but she held her liquor better than most. She had drunk quite a bit that night, but she was still sober enough to unlock her door with her key and walk in a straight line.

She tossed her coat onto the sofa. Her apartment had one bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Guan Han walked the few steps to the kitchen, poured herself a glass of water, and chugged it down in one go. Sitting on a stool in the dining area, she felt the burning sensation in her stomach gradually subside.

Guan Han took a shower, washing away the lingering scent of alcohol from her body. She dried herself with a towel, changed into a soft pink cotton pajama set, and then threw herself face-down onto the soft bed in her bedroom.

She lay motionless for two minutes before her middle finger twitched slightly—once, then again, like a coma patient in a TV drama slowly waking up. With great effort, she turned herself over like a salted fish, only to flop back down and lie still again. She hadn't spent much physical energy today, but the screaming marmots in her brain made her feel a little oxygen-deprived, so she was mentally exhausted.

Five minutes later, Guan Han sat cross-legged on her bed, practicing breathing exercises—a family tradition. It wasn't as exaggerated as the internal energy cultivation in novels, but it helped clear the mind, sharpen focus, and restore energy.

Before bed, she would play a few rounds of games to unwind. After her breathing exercises, Guan Han, as usual, logged into PUBG on her phone and habitually checked her friend list, sending a private message.

GuanGuanMaoFa sent a private message to PrettyGirlWildTemper: [Free?]

She had given the "GuanGuanMaoFa" account to Qin Yinong, so this was a new account she created using her WeChat.

Fu Yujun replied instantly: [Two minutes.]

As soon as she sent the message, she was ambushed by an enemy who sprayed her with bullets, causing her character to lose a significant amount of health. Fu Yujun quickly maneuvered her character behind cover.

Guan Han glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand and started timing.

Exactly two minutes later, Fu Yujun replied: [Ready, should I invite you?]

Guan Han was pulled into Room 405, where Wen, Cui, and Fu were all present. Tang Ruoyao wasn't there. Guan Han adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose, her gaze profound—another invisible sugar rush, she thought.

This time, Guan Han performed exceptionally well, and when they finally won the game, the team consisted of three people: Wen Shuxian, Fu Yujun, and herself.

[Thanks.] she typed two words and prepared to log off.

[You're welcome.] Fu Yujun replied.

Just as Guan Han was about to exit the game, she noticed Fu Yujun had sent her a WeChat message: [[Game Share: Big Chicken Dinner Tonight]]

Guan Han also checked her in-game tasks, shared it back, and received the game reward.

As with every previous interaction, this exchange should have ended here.

But then, something unexpected happened.

Before bed, Guan Han opened a video streaming site and skillfully searched for the keyword: Qin-Tang.

Her screen was flooded with fan-made videos of the couple. Guan Han scrolled down one by one, clicking on any title that caught her interest. Finally, she found one that was exceptionally well-edited. Unconsciously, she smiled and clicked the "Favorite" button below the video, only to be prompted to log in.

Guan Han usually used her tablet to watch videos, finding her phone screen too small. She couldn't even remember the last time she had logged in on her phone, so her session had likely expired.

Too lazy to switch to her tablet, she clicked "Share to WeChat," planning to save it tomorrow when she had time. It would also make it easier for her to rewatch directly from WeChat. Yawning repeatedly, the lingering effects of the wine hitting her, she squinted and selected her own account, confirming the send.

She continued to the next video and shared it again.

After sending them, Guan Han suddenly recalled the name that had appeared at the top of the list earlier. Her mind buzzed, and all traces of drowsiness vanished.

She closed her eyes, almost unable to bear the thought, and opened her WeChat.

On the other end, Fu Yujun was just about to fall asleep, as she had to catch a flight the next day. She closed her eyes, her breathing evening out, but just as she was drifting off, her phone on the nightstand vibrated with a buzz.

Guan Han: [[Qin Tang] The Truth Is True - Qin Yinong x Tang Ruoyao]

Guan Han: [[Qin Tang][High H] Super Psycho Love]

Fu Yujun: "???"

Author's Note:　　

Lao (Old) Fu: Who knew Guan Xiao Han was like this?

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