Chapter 13
Xu Sui didn’t stay long, needing to oversee other aspects of the shoot.
Once they were alone in the studio, Lin Qianqian finally relaxed.
“Sister! Look at the camera!” Lin Qianqian focused the camera on Lu Yin, zooming in on her impassive face. She didn’t take the picture, placing the camera on the tripod instead.
She pulled up a chair and took a sip of water from the bottle on the windowsill.
“I was supposed to leave at seven, but I came along for the shoot. I didn’t realize it would be your institution,” Lin Qianqian said, looking at Lu Yin. “I’ve never been here before. Otherwise, I would have recognized it.”
Lu Yin simply nodded in acknowledgment.
The silence lasted only ten seconds, but to Lin Qianqian, it felt like an eternity.
Lu Yin was wearing a short brown trench coat, the sleeves rolled up, revealing her slender wrists.
Lin Qianqian’s gaze lingered on her hands, the long, elegant fingers stained with paint.
She remembered a time when she had annoyed Lu Yin and, as a prank, painted herself like a tiger, roaring at Lu Yin. Lu Yin had burst out laughing, poking her forehead and calling her a little kitten, reminding her that paint could be harmful to her skin.
After that, she noticed a small label on all of Lu Yin’s new paintboxes—
Non-toxic, safe for skin.
“What are we having for dinner?” Lin Qianqian asked. “Why aren’t you talking?”
She took another sip of water and noticed Lu Yin staring at the bottle.
“The boss gave it to me,” she explained, feeling slightly self-conscious.
“Are you stressed because classes are starting?” she asked.
“Classes start in a few days. There won’t be any outsiders then,” Lu Yin finally spoke. “That’s why the filming had to be done today.”
Lin Qianqian wanted to ask, “Am I an outsider?” but thought it was too direct. Instead, she asked, “Can I come here again in a few days?”
“Whenever you want,” Lu Yin replied.
Pleased with the answer, Lin Qianqian’s mood brightened. “Can we have cold noodles again tonight?”
“I might be late. I have to stay for evening duty after the shoot.”
“How long will that take?” Lin Qianqian tried to hide her eagerness. “I don’t know the way back. You have to take me.”
“After the evening class ends, around ten,” Lu Yin told her. “We can leave once everything is locked up.”
Lin Qianqian glanced at the time. Nine o’clock.
She returned the camera, declining a ride back in the company van, making an excuse and waving goodbye to her colleagues.
Turning back, she saw Lu Yin locking up the empty studios.
The building was divided into two sections: the offices and break rooms, which were equipped with single beds and used as temporary dorms, and the studios.
“Let’s go,” Lu Yin said, her hands in her pockets. “It’s still early. We’ll come back when the class ends.”
Lin Qianqian followed obediently.
It was late summer, and the evening air was cool against her bare arms.
She shivered, the chill lingering even after they entered the office.
Lin Qianqian sat at Lu Yin’s desk, noticing the familiar jacket. She picked it up, looking at Lu Yin with a hopeful expression. Seeing Lu Yin nod, she put it on contentedly.
“Are you cold?” Lu Yin asked, handing her a cup of hot water.
“Whose mug is this?” Lin Qianqian asked.
“Mine,” Lu Yin replied.
“…Oh,” Lin Qianqian held the mug with both hands, taking small sips.
Lin Qianqian calculated the time. Class ended at ten. By the time they checked everything and locked up, it would be almost eleven.
It would be too late to cook then. She didn’t want to bother Lu Yin, who was already busy.
“We can’t have cold noodles tonight, can we?” she asked.
“It would be a bit late,” Lu Yin agreed, then added, “But judging by your sleep schedule, you’ll be awake long enough to cook, won’t you?”
“I’m worried about you being tired,” Lin Qianqian said defensively. “How about something else? Like barbecue? And some beer?”
Lu Yin was reviewing student artwork on her computer. She frowned at Lin Qianqian’s suggestion. “Too smelly.”
“But barbecue stalls are the only thing open late,” Lin Qianqian said, her mind racing. “I still have a few packs of instant noodles. Different flavors.”
“Can you be quiet for a moment?” Lu Yin said impatiently, her focus on the artwork. “You won’t starve, no matter how late it is.”
She scrolled through dozens of paintings, her expression indicating dissatisfaction.
“None of them are as good as yours,” Lin Qianqian offered more flattery.
“These are submissions from prospective students,” Lu Yin’s calm tone delivered a harsh truth. “If I weren’t better than them, I’d be out of a job.”
“You’re so mean to me tonight…” Lin Qianqian whined. Lu Yin finally looked at her. “Are you finished with your water?”
“No, but I don’t want any more,” Lin Qianqian handed her the mug. “This water is as cold as your heart.”
Lu Yin, clearly missing the metaphor, took a sip from the mug. “It’s hot.”
Lin Qianqian leaned back in the chair, crossing her arms and feigning indifference, tired of her unrequited affection.
Lu Yin took another sip. “It’s definitely hot.”
Lin Qianqian’s sulking clearly wasn’t working.
A notification popped up on the computer. Lu Yin opened it. It was a message from the work chat group, tagging her.
Lu Yin scanned it quickly. “Wait here. I’ll be back soon.”
“You’re just leaving me here alone?” Lin Qianqian protested.
“Then come with me,” Lu Yin said casually, tilting her head in invitation.
“No, thanks,” Lin Qianqian sat up straight, offering Lu Yin only a haughty背影silhouette.
She didn’t want to disturb Lu Yin’s work and didn’t relish the awkwardness of sitting among strangers.
She would rather stay here and kill time.
“Can I use your computer?” she asked.
“Sure. What for?”
“Minesweeper,” Lin Qianqian replied sullenly.
She didn’t just want to play Minesweeper. She wanted to sweep through Lu Yin’s mind and figure out what she was thinking.
Did she still have feelings for her? Did she want to be with her again?
And had she brought her back willingly?
If so, she would never leave.
She would cling to Lu Yin forever.
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