Chapter 18
As it turned out, local news stories had a long shelf life.
The next day, Lin Qianqian endured another round of disturbing crime reports, her anxiety growing.
Her designated subway buddy had called in sick.
With both workstations beside her empty, Lin Qianqian considered taking a taxi home.
But what if the driver was dangerous?
She ran a hand through her hair, her fear escalating.
Half an hour before closing time, she saw a familiar figure enter the office with Xu Sui.
Lu Yin?
Lin Qianqian craned her neck to see, but the closed door blocked her view.
“Isn’t that the teacher from the art institution? She’s so pretty.”
“I demand she quit her job and join our company. I’m tired of looking at pictures of beautiful women online.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s here to talk to the boss about the promotional video. We edited a few versions, but they haven’t been approved yet.”
“Couldn’t they just discuss it over the phone? Why come all the way here, especially so close to closing time?”
“Who knows?”
…
Lin Qianqian listened to their chatter, wondering why Lu Yin had come all this way.
But if Lu Yin happened to be leaving around the same time, she could ask for a ride. She wasn’t sure if Lu Yin was going back to the institution.
Maybe Lu Yin could drop her off on the way?
She stared at the clock, remembering her missed opportunity to take pictures of Lu Yin at the studio.
The camera belonged to the company, and using her phone would have been too obvious.
With one minute left, her colleagues had packed their bags and were heading towards the main lobby to clock out.
Only Lin Qianqian remained at her workstation, the office door still closed.
“Leaving together, Qianqian?” a colleague asked.
“No, I’m waiting for someone,” Lin Qianqian replied.
Five minutes passed. Lu Yin still hadn’t emerged.
Lin Qianqian clocked out and packed her things.
As she pressed the elevator button, she heard voices approaching.
She recognized Lu Yin’s polite but distant tone and slowed her pace, dragging her feet.
The conversation shifted from work to casual chatter. Lin Qianqian frowned, annoyed.
Xu Sui approached her. “Qianqian? Still here? Do you need a ride home? It’s not safe to be out alone so late.”
“No, thanks! I’ll be fine!” Lin Qianqian waved her hand dismissively, noticing Lu Yin exchange a glance with Xu Sui before walking away without a word.
She wanted to call out to Lu Yin, but Xu Sui’s presence held her back.
Xu Sui sighed. “That news story has everyone on edge. I hope they catch him soon.”
Lin Qianqian nodded, quickening her pace, her eyes fixed on Lu Yin’s retreating figure.
Why is she walking so fast?
Lin Qianqian glanced at her phone, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, typing nothing.
“Boss, I have something urgent to attend to. I have to go,” she said apologetically.
Xu Sui urged her to leave. “Is it urgent? I can give you a ride.”
“It’s fine! I’ll go now!” Lin Qianqian hurried out of the building, scanning the street for Lu Yin.
She spotted Lu Yin emerging from a nearby restaurant, carrying a takeout bag.
“Sister!” Lin Qianqian’s face lit up. “That place has great jianbing! Which one did you get? And what kind of soup? Black rice or millet?”
Lu Yin glanced at her. “I just picked something. I didn’t really look.”
“Are you going home?” Lin Qianqian asked. “Can I… I’m really scared…”
She followed Lu Yin to the car, watching her open the passenger door. “Get in.”
As Lin Qianqian stepped into the car, she realized she wouldn’t be having dinner. Lu Yin had already bought takeout.
“Can I get a jianbing too? You just bought one, so you know they’re quick.”
She might as well buy one here and eat the same thing as Lu Yin.
Lu Yin held up the takeout bag. “Eat this.”
“Huh?” Lin Qianqian took the bag. “Aren’t you eating?”
“There are two servings,” Lu Yin said, getting into the driver’s seat.
Lin Qianqian smiled to herself. Lu Yin still cared.
If Lu Yin was eating, she would eat too!
That night, Lin Qianqian used the same excuse to crawl into Lu Yin’s bed.
Besides the robber, she couldn’t think of another reason to stay, another excuse to avoid moving out.
She was just stalling, one day at a time.
To allay Lu Yin’s suspicions, she even browsed apartment listings on her phone, pretending to be actively searching.
“That apartment has poor ventilation. It’ll get stuffy and smelly in the summer heat.”
To her surprise, Lu Yin actually offered a serious critique of the listing on her phone.
“And it’s in a remote location, a kilometer from the subway station. That’s a ten-minute walk.”
Lin Qianqian removed the listing from her favorites. “Apartments near the subway station are ridiculously expensive. Yours is already pricey.”
“You can ask the security guards or the residents in the complex directly. You’ll avoid agency fees and get a better price,” Lu Yin adjusted her sleeping position. “Those online platforms take a huge cut.”
Lin Qianqian wanted to snap, “I don’t want to move out!”
But she deflated. “I’ll keep looking.”
“Mm,” Lu Yin replied.
Annoyed, Lin Qianqian tossed and turned, accidentally pulling the blanket off Lu Yin.
She covered Lu Yin again, tucking the edges around her.
Seeing no reaction, Lin Qianqian propped herself up on her elbow and looked at Lu Yin.
Lu Yin felt her warm breath against her cheek and frowned, a headache forming.
“Lie down,” she said abruptly, startling Lin Qianqian, who quickly lay back down.
“Can I take my pajamas off?” Lin Qianqian asked, unbuttoning her top. “I can’t sleep with clothes on.”
Lu Yin shrugged. “Whatever.”
“But you told me to put them on last night,” Lin Qianqian said, tossing her pajama top onto Lu Yin.
Lu Yin got out of bed, placed the top on a chair, and turned around to see Lin Qianqian in just her bra. Her expression darkened.
“What are you looking at?” Lin Qianqian’s hand hovered over the clasp of her bra, then she covered herself with the duvet. “Luckily, I haven’t taken this off yet.”
“I’ll sleep in the other room,” Lu Yin said, turning to leave.
“No! Sister…” Lin Qianqian scrambled to the edge of the bed, grabbing Lu Yin’s hand. “I’m scared to sleep alone… I’ll have nightmares.”
Lu Yin didn’t reply.
She was the one who had nightmares.
“I’m a very quiet sleeper, I promise!” Lin Qianqian tugged at her arm, trying to pull her closer.
Lu Yin glanced back, her gaze falling on Lin Qianqian’s bare shoulders. Her head throbbed.
“I’m going to get some water.”
Lin Qianqian released her grip, watching Lu Yin leave the room.
She unclasped her bra. She never wore one unless necessary. They were too uncomfortable.
She got out of bed, a shiver running through her as the cool air touched her skin. She put her pajama top back on, buttoning it haphazardly, and followed Lu Yin to the living room.
“I want some water too. Wasn’t the jianbing a little salty?” Lin Qianqian stood beside her, holding a glass.
Lu Yin poured two glasses of warm water and sat down on the sofa, saying nothing.
Lin Qianqian sat opposite her, noticing Lu Yin’s gaze flicker towards her exposed collarbone.
What if I seduced her…? The thought popped into her head, and she immediately acted on it.
She scratched her neck, casually pulling her pajama top off her shoulder.
Lu Yin finished her water in one gulp and stood up, returning to her room.
“Sister!” Lin Qianqian followed, leaving a slipper behind, then hopping back to retrieve it.
She knocked on the door. “Why are you locking me out? We agreed to sleep together!”
After a moment, Lu Yin opened the door.
“Lin Qian, behave yourself.”
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