Chapter 315: Fu Yujun & Guan Han [12]

Guan Han leaned against the door, tilting her head back in confusion as she stared at the lamp in the center of the ceiling.

She walked to the edge of the bed and threw herself onto it, sprawling out in a starfish position, her cheek pressed against the mattress as she breathed heavily. It felt as if a stone were weighing down her chest, suffocating her and leaving her with no energy for anything.

She didn't want to shower, didn't want to move—she just wanted to close her eyes and lie there limply.

Midway, her phone rang. She fumbled for it, lifting her eyelids to glance at the screen. It was Fu Yujun.

She stared blankly at the name as the ringtone continued to play, until it abruptly cut off—it had timed out without being answered.

Slowly, Guan Han buried her face back into the pillow and lay still.

On the other end of the line, Fu Yujun frowned slightly.

Guan Han was on vacation—why wasn't she answering her call so late at night?

[What are you doing?] she switched to a text message.

[I've already eaten and showered. Want to play a game?]

[Shared link: [Qin-Tang] The Rest of My Life—Qin Yinong x Tang Ruoyao. Have you seen this video?]

Her phone vibrated repeatedly. Guan Han lifted her eyes from the pillow, weakly swiped the screen open, and typed a reply: [I'm sleeping.]

Fu Yujun replied instantly: [This early?]

Guan Han: [Yeah, a bit tired.]

Guan Han stared at the message, half hoping Fu Yujun would ask why she was tired, and half wishing she wouldn't say more, just to let her have some quiet time alone.

Fu Yujun: [Then get some rest.]

The other person really was letting her have her quiet, but a vague sense of disappointment washed over Guan Han, mingled with a hint of resentment. She had said she was tired, yet Fu Yujun hadn't even shown a bit of concern.

Fu Yujun: [Tell me why you're tired when you wake up?]

The emotional rollercoaster Guan Han experienced was so intense that, without even realizing it, she had already ridden it out. By the time she came to her senses, the corners of her lips had curled upward.

All those inexplicable emotions vanished in an instant, leaving only the name displayed in the chat box. She wanted to reply but didn't know what to say.

Fu Yujun held her phone, watching the words "typing..." appear repeatedly at the top of the screen. After what felt like forever, Guan Han still hadn't managed to type anything.

Fu Yujun: [Do you have a cat or a dog at home?]

Finally, Guan Han replied without hesitation: [No, why do you ask?]

Fu Yujun thought to herself: 'I thought your cat was stepping on the keyboard.'

[No reason, just asking.] Fu Yujun lay on her bed, propping her cheeks with both hands, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the glowing phone screen resting on her pillow.

At the top of the screen, "typing..." appeared again.

Three minutes later.

Guan Han: [Mhm.]

Fu Yujun: "???" That's it? Was that worth agonizing over for three minutes?

Fu Yujun dialed a voice call. Guan Han, utterly bewildered, answered: "Hello?"

Fu Yujun: "Is that really you?"

Guan Han: "Can't you tell?"

Fu Yujun let go of the hand propping her cheek and flopped back onto the bed, whining, "I miss you."

Guan Han's lips twitched, almost forming the words "me too," but she quickly pressed them together.

"What are you doing?" Fu Yujun, accustomed to her silence, smoothly moved to the next topic and preempted her usual response: "Besides sleeping."

"Lying down."

Fu Yujun: "..." I've been outplayed.

Afterwards, they exchanged details about what they had for dinner. Fu Yujun noticed that Guan Han seemed rather low-spirited, pausing for a long time before each response—clearly preoccupied with something she would never share.

Fu Yujun felt a bit disheartened. Although she had been carefully closing the distance between them, Guan Han still didn't see her as someone to confide in. She could get physically closer, but emotionally, she couldn't advance any further.

If only she could read minds, she would have discovered that the very thing distracting Guan Han was Fu Yujun herself.

Moods are contagious. After an awkward chat, Fu Yujun made an excuse about needing to watch TV with her parents and ended the call.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Uncle Huang and his son, Huang Yunfei, came to the Guan family for a meal. Guan's parents hadn't held out much hope from the start, and seeing that Guan Han showed no interest in Huang Yunfei, they didn't push the match.

On the fourth day, Auntie Liu arrived with her daughter. It had to be said that Guan's father had put in some effort—Auntie Liu's daughter, Xiao Guiyun, was an associate professor in the Chinese department, around the same age as Guan Han, just two years older. She was intellectual, elegant, and articulate, and most importantly, she was attracted to women.

Guan Han didn't approve of her parents' sneaky matchmaking attempts, but she didn't want to run away from home during the New Year either. It was only for a couple of days—she could endure it and show her parents her determination not to marry or date.

At nine in the morning, Guan's mother urged Guan Han to change out of her usual formal attire. She wore a lake-blue silk blouse that revealed her delicate collarbone and white trousers. Even with her expressionless face, the outfit added a touch of softness to her appearance.

At half past nine, the doorbell rang.

Guan's father and mother had timed it perfectly, staying out on the balcony pretending not to hear anything, while Guan He closed her eyes, stretched out her legs, and played dead on the sofa.

Guan Han: "..."

She went to the entryway to open the door. Standing there was a middle-aged woman with permed hair, and beside her, a woman with delicate features wearing a beige trench coat, arm in arm with the stylish older woman, a gentle smile on her lips.

Guan Han said politely, "Hello, Auntie." She nodded toward the woman beside her.

The middle-aged woman—Auntie Liu Qing—said, "You must be Xiaohan? Long time no see. This is my daughter, Xiao Guiyun. You can call her Sister Xiao or Guiyun."

Guan Han gave a perfunctory smile and nodded again, avoiding either form of address.

"Please come in." she said, stepping aside and offering the prepared slippers.

At some point, Guan's parents had emerged from the balcony. Guan's mother warmly took Liu Qing's hand and instructed Guan Han to entertain her peer, Xiao Guiyun, in her room so the young people could chat.

Guan Han showed no emotion.

From an angle where the parents couldn't see, Xiao Guiyun's eyes held a hint of apology as she said gently, "Sorry for the trouble."

Guan Han replied flatly, "No trouble."

Her room was furnished in a conventional style—white walls, simple and bright decor, a large desk with a laptop, a family photo frame, and a few fashion magazines.

Guan Han got straight to the point: "You were forced into this blind date too, right?"

Xiao Guiyun's gaze fell on the family photo. In it, Guan Han looked about ten years younger—youthful and unripe, like a fruit just budding on a branch, with a charm distinct from her present self.

Xiao Guiyun withdrew her gaze, looked at her, and smiled faintly. "I'm here for a blind date, but I wasn't forced."

Guan Han raised an eyebrow.

Xiao Guiyun said directly, "I have feelings for you and would like to get to know you."

"Have you seen me before?"

"I've seen a photo."

"So it's just about looks?"

"Yes." Xiao Guiyun's expression was sincere. "But I'd rather call it love at first sight."

Guan Han said nothing.

She was terrible at handling emotions, especially when someone confessed so abruptly. She couldn't just punch her—her mother was still outside.

Xiao Guiyun spoke earnestly, "I know with your circumstances, there must be reasons you've never been in a relationship. Please give me a chance to understand you."

Guan Han was silent for a few seconds before asking, "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why should I give you a chance to understand me?"

"Because..." Xiao Guiyun had never encountered someone so blunt before, and her tone softened. "I like you?"

"Whether you like me or not has nothing to do with me. I have no obligation to let you understand me."

"..." Xiao Guiyun said, "How about we start as ordinary friends and get to know each other slowly? Maybe one day you'll..."

Guan Han interrupted her, "I'm very busy."

Xiao Guiyun replied, "That's fine. I'm not busy. I can accommodate you."

Guan Han let out a soft sigh. She felt the woman in front of her might not understand human language and reiterated, "You and I are two unrelated people. I don't want any connection—not in the past, present, or future. Do you understand?"

Xiao Guiyun thought for a moment, tilting her head, "What if I say I don't like you anymore? Would that work?"

Guan Han: "???"

Xiao Guiyun smiled, "At the very least, we're not completely unrelated, are we? Your mother and my mother are good friends. So, um, can we consider ourselves half-friends? Let me introduce myself—I'm Xiao Guiyun."

She extended her right hand.

Guan Han paused for two seconds before shaking it.

Xiao Guiyun pointed at the family photo and asked, "When was this taken?"

Guan Han's upbringing made it impossible for her to refuse to answer, "...Before I graduated from university."

Xiao Guiyun leaned one hand on the desk, carefully examining the background of the photo, "Oh? Did you graduate from CUC [Communication University of China]?"

"Yes."

"I used to visit your campus a lot during my undergrad years. Maybe we've met before. Hey, is it true that your school..."

......

After seeing Liu Qing and Xiao Guiyun off, Guan Han turned around to find three pairs of bright eyes fixed intently on her.

Guan Han had been forced to answer too many of Xiao Guiyun's questions today. The problem was, none of them were offensive, and out of respect for her mother's friendship with Liu Qing, Guan Han had no choice but to respond.

Now, she didn't want to say another word and headed straight to her room.

Meanwhile, Guan's mother received a reply from Liu Qing:

[My daughter really likes your daughter. I hope our two families can become in-laws soon, strengthening our bond.]

Guan's mother replied with a smiling emoji.

The elderly couple felt half of the weight lifted from their hearts, eagerly waiting for the two to get together next year and bring their daughter-in-law home.

......

Fu Yujun hadn't received a message from Guan Han all day. From morning till night, it was as if she had vanished from the face of the earth.

Fu Yujun couldn't resist poking her: [What are you doing?]

Guan Han replied nearly half an hour later: [Lying down.]

Fu Yujun complained: [Why have you been lying down so much lately?] This wasn't the little Guan Han she knew.

Guan Han didn't know why, but she just couldn't muster any energy. Xiao Guiyun had drained what little vitality she had left, and now she felt even more exhausted. Yet when Fu Yujun was around, no matter how much she bothered her, Guan Han always felt spirited and never noticed any fatigue.

It seemed that ever since Fu Yujun went back home, Guan Han had been in this half-dead state.

Anything unrelated to Fu Yujun felt utterly uninteresting to her.

Why wasn't Fu Yujun stirring up some trouble at home? Even arranging PR work would be better than lying around all day.

A notification sound came from her phone—Fu Yujun was sending her a video call invitation.

Guan Han bolted upright like a carp leaping out of water, dashed to the bathroom in ten seconds, smoothed her hair, straightened her collar, then sprinted back and answered the call. Her heart was pounding wildly.

Fu Yujun seemed to be sitting on the living room sofa, with a bold and vigorous calligraphy piece hanging on the wall behind her. She wore a white turtleneck sweater that covered her fair, delicate neck. Perhaps the room was heated, as her cheeks were flushed with a healthy glow, her eyes slightly curved and exceptionally bright.

Fu Yujun smiled at her.

Suddenly, Guan Han was overwhelmed by an intensely unfamiliar feeling.

An emptiness was filled, then overflowed, spilling everywhere. Scalding bl0od rushed recklessly through her veins, surging to every limb, heat rising to her face. Her heart beat uncontrollably fast.

Fu Yujun slowly widened her eyes.

Guan Han... was blushing.

Her fair skin made it very noticeable.

It wasn't a sudden flush, but a gradual reddening that could be seen with the naked eye—starting from her earlobes and spreading across her pale cheeks.

Fu Yujun couldn't believe this New Year's surprise and asked in her typical Guan Han-like manner, "Are you hot?"

Guan Han turned to look at the radiator in the room, inadvertently fully exposing her flushed ears. Fu Yujun quickly took a screenshot, then heard the woman reply in a muffled voice, several times slower than usual, "Probably... yeah."

Under Fu Yujun's gaze, Guan Han felt like she was burning up.

Fu Yujun had already forgotten why she had video-called her and was now delightedly admiring Guan Han's lobster-red face.

Guan Han had no idea what to say either. Unconsciously, she made a sound to distract herself from just blushing: "Mm..."

Fu Yujun asked softly, "What?"

Guan Han whispered, "Should we hang up?"

Fu Yujun pouted, "I haven't seen you in so long. Can't I look at you for a while?"

"You..." Guan Han's mind was a tangled mess. Instinctively, she asked, "Why do you want to look at me?"

"Because..." Fu Yujun drew out the word, teasingly.

Guan Han was usually patient, but now she felt restless inside.

Fu Yujun's tone carried a hint of seriousness as she murmured softly, "What answer do you want to hear?"

"I... I..." Guan Han couldn't think clearly or understand anything. Her brows furrowed deeply, her fingers clutching the hem of her clothes. The gaze she directed through the screen even held a trace of helplessness. "I don't know."

A dull ache spread through Fu Yujun's chest. Immediately, she said gently, "It's okay. It's fine if you don't know. I'm just bored at home and wanted you to chat with me for a while."

"Is that it?"

"Mm." Fu Yujun changed the subject. "I'm returning to Beijing tomorrow. Will you come pick me up?"

Mentioning work brought Guan Han back to her normal state of mind. "Didn't we give you two weeks off?"

Fu Yujun said with a straight face, "My parents are going on a trip tomorrow. I'll be home alone with no one to cook for me, so I might as well go back early."

Guan Han replied, "Oh, I see."

Fu Yujun smiled. "So? Will you come pick me up?"

Guan Han thought for a moment and said, "I'm free tomorrow. I should be able to come."

Fu Yujun pouted. "Even if you weren't free, couldn't you still come pick me up? What's more important, your business or me?"

"You're more important. But the fact is, I am free tomorrow. Even if I had something, I'd cancel it for you." After being "trained" by Fu Yujun for over a year, Guan Han had become adept at sweet talk.

"All talk," Fu Yujun teased, feigning dissatisfaction with a light hum. "If you really had something, I wonder if you'd actually cancel it."

That evening, at the dinner table, Guan Han overheard her father and mother discussing their plans to go out for a meal the next day. She thought to herself, 'Fu Yujun really called it.' Pausing for a moment, she said, "I won't be joining you. You three go ahead."

Guan's mother asked, "Do you have other plans?"

Guan Han replied calmly, "My artist is coming back. I'm going to pick her up from the airport."

Guan's mother muttered under her breath, "Doesn't she have a driver? Couldn't she just take a taxi? Why does she always need you to pick her up? And it's still the holiday season."

Her mother's casual remark made Guan Han pause briefly, a fleeting thought crossing her mind too quickly to grasp.

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Fu Yujun, who had been away from the capital for only six days, arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport.

Standing by the conveyor belt, watching the luggage roll out one by one, she took a deep breath of the airport air. Even the details she usually disliked now felt familiar and endearing, because the person she loved was waiting for her at the exit.

Ignoring the curious glances from others, Fu Yujun let go of her suitcase from two or three meters away and rushed forward in quick strides, throwing herself into Guan Han's arms. The force of the impact was so strong that even Guan Han, who had a steady stance, took a step back to regain her balance.

The suitcase's casters continued rolling forward from the momentum. With one arm wrapped around Fu Yujun's waist, Guan Han stepped aside and grabbed the suitcase's handle.

"I missed you so much." Fu Yujun murmured, burying her face in the woman's neck, openly expressing her feelings.

Guan Han had heard this phrase from her at least a hundred, if not a thousand times, but her heart still raced as if hearing it for the first time, pulsating with excitement and joy.

Fu Yujun held onto Guan Han tightly, as she always did, expecting her to grow impatient and pull away. Instead, she felt the arm around her waist tighten.

Guan Han was holding her back, resting her chin on Fu Yujun's shoulder, her warm breath brushing against Fu Yujun's ear.

"Guan Han?"

"Hmm?" The woman's voice carried an unconscious huskiness.

Her nose brushed against the back of Fu Yujun's ear as she breathed softly, her eyelids slightly lowered as if entranced. As if guided by some unseen force, she leaned in closer, her lips drawing nearer, her breath growing increasingly heated.

The wrist and the area behind the ear are rich with bl0od vessels, places where one can clearly feel the pulse. People often apply perfume there to let the scent diffuse. For the same reason, these are also among the most sensitive areas.

Unlike Guan Han, who was oblivious and might misinterpret int!macy as mere ear-blowing, Fu Yujun knew exactly what Guan Han intended to do and how she would react. She knew she would absolutely, without a doubt, lose control and press Guan Han into a kiss.

But this was an airport, not an office, and certainly not home.

She had no fondness for public displays of affection.

"Guan Han!" So she called out to wake the other.

Guan Han opened her dazed eyes, unconsciously licked her dry lips, and as if waking from a dream, released the other person. Then, with a look of alarm, she widened her eyes and took three or four steps back.

Fu Yujun: "..."

Just moments ago, she had wanted to take liberties with her, and now she was avoiding her like some kind of monster. There was really no need for such a reaction.

Fu Yujun narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing?"

Guan Han stammered, "N-nothing."

Fu Yujun frowned. "If it's nothing, why are you stuttering?"

Guan Han steadied herself and said, "Nothing."

Fu Yujun linked arms with her, displeased. "Let's go home. Where's the car parked?"

With one hand pulling the suitcase and the other holding onto Fu Yujun, Guan Han took a few deep breaths and calmly asked, "Have you eaten?"

"No, I'm starving to death!" Fu Yujun said angrily.

Ignoring her angry words, Guan Han patiently asked, "Shall I take you to eat? What would you like?"

"You."

"Stop joking."

"I'm not joking. I just want to eat you." Fu Yujun tilted her head to look at her, her eyes like those of a young wolf—full of aggression and possessiveness. Her gaze was dark and intense as she said, "Will you let me?"

Guan Han was wearing a trench coat. She simply pushed up her sleeve, revealing a fair, jade-like wrist, and held it out to Fu Yujun's mouth.

"What are you doing?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to eat? Go ahead." Guan Han gestured with her lips. "Here, have a bite."

"..."

Fu Yujun was so angry she felt dizzy. She kicked the buffer strip on the ground hard. The strip was extremely sturdy, and such a kick was sure to cause intense pain.

Seeing that Fu Yujun was indeed on the verge of tears from the pain, Guan Han pulled her arm and drew her into an embrace, scolding lightly, "What are you doing?" Even if she was angry, she shouldn't take it out on herself.

Fu Yujun's chest heaved rapidly, tears welling in her eyes—half from pain, half from frustration at Guan Han's bizarre logic.

Guan Han pried open her mouth, forcibly shoved her own wrist inside, and clamped Fu Yujun's jaw shut. Two rows of teeth sank deep into her flesh. Without even flinching, she asked, "Feeling better now?"

Fu Yujun loosened her bite slightly. "Are you trying to comfort me?"

Guan Han nodded.

Fu Yujun looked at her, gently gnawing on her wrist without causing any pain, then pulled her head back, completely releasing her hand, and smiled, her eyes curving. "I'm fine now."

Guan Han pulled down her sleeve and led her toward the parking area.

Fu Yujun quietly slipped her fingers into the gaps between Guan Han's—one finger, then two...

Trying to distract her, she asked, "Have you ever let anyone else bite your hand?"

"No."

"Am I the only one?"

"You're the only one." The unusual sensation between their fingers was impossible to ignore. Guan Han glanced down at their intertwined hands, her expression unreadable.

"You haven't told me what you want to eat."

"What do you want to eat?"

A third finger, then a fourth...

"Hot pot," Fu Yujun said, as her fingers slowly pressed against the smooth back of Guan Han's hand.

Guan Han's steps faltered almost imperceptibly.

"Okay."

The distance they walked hand in hand wasn't long. Soon, the car came into view. Guan Han walked to the car, released her hand, put the suitcase in the trunk, and got into the car with Fu Yujun, who was waiting beside it.

The atmosphere between the two of them felt different from before. Though the space wasn't particularly cramped, the sound of each other's breathing seemed unusually vivid and intense. The air was dry, as if a single spark could ignite the stars.

Guan Han turned on the car stereo, and the soft, melodious strains of Yue Opera flowed out. Fu Yujun tapped her hand to the rhythm, humming along with the lilting tune.

Unconsciously, Fu Yujun had altered the habits of Guan Han's daily life.

Guan Han sat rigidly upright, her back forming a perfect ninety-degree angle with the car seat.

Fu Yujun glanced at her, puzzled, and asked, "Aren't you uncomfortable sitting like that?" The car's driver seat was low, and one needed to relax their back against the seat for a comfortable drive.

Guan Han, like a machine, followed instructions step by step, slowly relaxing her body.

Both of her gloved hands were damp with sweat, sticky and uncomfortable.

Fu Yujun reached over to the central console, adjusted the air conditioning knob, and lowered the car's heating temperature slightly.

"Are you feeling hot?" she asked, resting her chin on one hand, blinking leisurely.

"A little," Guan Han replied, her grip on the steering wheel tightening, her voice strained. A drop of sweat trickled down her temple.

Fu Yujun's fingertip brushed against her forehead, and Guan Han flinched, turning her head away.

"It'll... be fine in a moment. Don't move—I need to drive."

Fu Yujun withdrew her hand, watching as Guan Han continued to sweat profusely even at 20 degrees, her face growing increasingly flushed, especially her ears, which contrasted sharply with her fair neck. The corner of Fu Yujun's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

Guan Han's reflexes and emotional responses were polar opposites: her body was extremely agile, but when it came to matters of emotion, she was unbearably slow. In other words, she had a delayed reaction.

Guan Han parked the car in the mall's underground garage. Without air conditioning, she slowed her pace to let the heat in her face subside a bit. Suddenly, Fu Yujun turned her head, stopped walking, and pressed both hands against Guan Han's cheeks.

"Feeling better now?"

Fu Yujun had taken off her coat in the car, and 20 degrees wasn't enough to keep her warm, so her palms and fingers were cool.

"Better," Guan Han whispered.

"You're not running a fever, are you?" Fu Yujun teased her deliberately.

Guan Han answered seriously, "No dizziness or other discomfort. I don't think so." She took a mask from her bag and put it on, saying, "This should be fine, so I don't pass anything to you."

Fu Yujun, who had shot herself in the foot with her own words, fell silent. "..."

She strode ahead, swinging her arms.

Guan Han quickly caught up.

They had parked on the first underground level, and the elevator had been stopped on the second underground level for a while, likely because someone was coming up. Guan Han checked Fu Yujun's mask and, as the elevator doors opened, skillfully pulled her into her embrace. Fu Yujun buried half her face in Guan Han's neck, the disguise flawless.

They had reserved a private room for hotpot. Guan Han had already eaten at home and wasn't very hungry, so after cooking a few slices of meat, she focused on attending to Fu Yujun.

Practice makes perfect—with just a glance from Fu Yujun, Guan Han knew exactly what she wanted and how much. In the end, they ordered too much and couldn't finish it, so Guan Han took care of the leftovers—this was also why she hadn't eaten much initially.

If Guan Han had ever been in a relationship, whether with someone of the same or opposite s3x, she would have realized that what she was doing now was no different from being in one.

Fu Yujun had ordered a spicy butter hotpot. Her hometown favored sweet flavors, and she wasn't great with spicy food, but she loved challenging herself. Now, sitting to the side, she slightly parted her lips, breathing lightly and fanning herself with her hand.

Her lips were thin, and when stimulated, they turned a strikingly vivid crimson that took a long time to fade.

Guan Han's gaze inadvertently fell on her lips, lingering deeply for two seconds before she calmly looked away.

Perhaps sensing that the atmosphere was just to Fu Yujun's liking, she remained silent, allowing the amb!guity in the room to spread freely.

Guan Han also lowered her gaze without a word, her thoughts known only to herself.

After finishing the last piece of lettuce, Guan Han called the waiter to settle the bill. Tilting her head slightly, her voice a little hoarse, she asked Fu Yujun, "Do you want to go anywhere else?"

Fu Yujun shook her head. "Let's go home. I'm tired."

Guan Han took a breath, unsure whether to feel relieved or tense, and said softly, "Okay, I'll take you back."

When they opened the door to Fu Yujun's home, Guan Han went straight to the shoe cabinet to get slippers. Two pairs of slippers were placed side by side—one red, one blue. Guan Han froze for a moment before averting her gaze.

Fu Yujun slipped into the blue pair.

Guan Han followed behind, pushing her suitcase back into the room.

"I smell like hot pot," Fu Yujun sniffed herself, her tone tinged with distaste. She opened the wardrobe to look for her pajamas and said, "I'm going to take a shower first. Do you want to shower too? There's a guest room next door."

"No need."

"Then I'll go ahead. Don't sneak away."

"When have I ever sneaked away?"

Fu Yujun chuckled. "Good, don't run. Stay here with me."

Guan Han placed her suitcase in the corner. The sound of the shower from the bathroom inexplicably unsettled her. Though no particular images came to mind, the sound alone made her restless and unable to sit still.

Guan Han retreated to the living room, distancing herself from the distracting noise.

About twenty minutes later, Fu Yujun called from the bedroom, "Guan Han."

Guan Han stood up but paused abruptly. For a moment, she felt like she was acting more like an assistant than a manager, and the thought left her with mixed emotions. After a brief hesitation, her feet still carried her honestly toward the bedroom.

Even with heating in the north, it wasn't warm enough to wear just a tank top in winter. Fu Yujun had put on a robe, covering everything that needed to be covered. Guan Han confirmed this with a sidelong glance before looking directly at her. "Going to sleep now?"

"Yes," Fu Yujun yawned, lifting the corner of the blanket and slipping into bed, lying down comfortably.

Guan Han sat on the edge of the bed and reached out a hand.

Fu Yujun pressed her back tightly against the mattress and quickly said, "No need. I can fall asleep without you patting my back."

Guan Han pursed her lips slightly and redirected her hand.

Fu Yujun added, "Not my arm either. Just watch over me."

Guan Han withdrew her hand.

"Sleep well."

"Goodnight." Fu Yujun said, her tone light and cheerful.

"Goodnight." Guan Han replied, her voice noticeably lower than usual.

Guan Han sat by the bedside for a full hour without changing her position. It felt as though she had been lost in thought, yet her mind seemed blank. Her gaze drifted to Fu Yujun's face—the other woman was already fast asleep, her cheeks tinged with a soft pink, her breathing slow and steady. Her lips were slightly parted, soft and alluringly red, tempting to taste.

The warm breath near her nose grew closer and closer until it mingled with her own.

By the time Guan Han came to her senses, she was already leaning halfway over the bed, one hand braced against the headboard.

Her slender fingers, resting near the pillow, tensed slightly. Her expression wavered as a fierce internal struggle raged between her lingering rationality and her burning desire.

After a long moment, she closed her eyes, her long lashes fluttering down like cicada wings, and gently pressed her lips to the woman's.

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