Chapter 41: The Ice Queen’s Fierce Love
“We just went out a few days ago. Why are we going out again?” Tao Ning asked, puzzled.
She was surrounded by stylists, being dressed and primped, a scene reminiscent of her eighteenth birthday party at Rose Manor.
She had been trapped in a chair since that afternoon, makeup artists and hair stylists fussing over her, although Guan Qiuyi hadn’t escaped their attention either, also subjected to their ministrations.
Jin Yue, however, had her own ideas, expertly applying her own makeup, earning a thumbs-up and a “You’re going to be a famous beauty blogger!” from Lü Xinxi.
Guan Qiuyi, sitting on a nearby sofa, her chin resting on her hand, watched them, a smile playing on her lips.
She had deliberately dressed and styled herself early, wanting to fully appreciate the scene unfolding before her. Tao Ning, in the elegant evening gown, looked stunning.
“I want you to come with me,” Guan Qiuyi said simply.
Tao Ning, hearing this, immediately stopped protesting, offering her face to the makeup artists, her eyes closed, her responses to their questions a calm, agreeable, “Whatever you think is best.”
The styling team was Guan Qiuyi’s personal team, familiar with her preferences and style, but this was their first time working with Tao Ning, requiring a bit of adjustment.
Having witnessed Guan Qiuyi’s attentiveness to Tao Ning’s opinions, they had initially been eager to showcase their skills, to impress their employer. But Tao Ning, it seemed, had no preferences.
Unable to extract any specific requests from Tao Ning, they had turned to Guan Qiuyi.
Asking for Tao Ning’s opinion was a futile exercise, and Guan Qiuyi, having witnessed Tao Ning’s transformation into a large, placid, and utterly indifferent being, understood.
The staff at the Guan residence considered Tao Ning to be low-maintenance, even lazy. Guan Qiuyi, however, knew she was simply conserving her energy, her true power hidden beneath a deceptively casual exterior.
The staff, however, simply thought Guan Qiuyi was blinded by love, unable to see Tao Ning’s lack of ambition.
Guan Qiuyi didn’t bother explaining. She had seen Tao Ning’s true nature, her strength and resilience, and she didn’t need anyone else’s approval.
Hearing the stylists’ questions, she immediately stood up and walked over, observing Tao Ning’s appearance, then offering a few suggestions.
The stylists, receiving instructions from their boss, quickly made the adjustments.
The head stylist, sensing Guan Qiuyi’s attentiveness, and her own curiosity, ventured a comment. “You understand Miss Tao so well. These changes… she looks even more beautiful now.” She glanced at Guan Qiuyi, hoping for a reaction.
As expected, Guan Qiuyi’s eyes softened as she looked at Tao Ning’s reflection, her hands resting on her shoulders, a satisfied smile on her face.
Tao Ning, seemingly oblivious, simply patted Guan Qiuyi’s hands.
The head stylist: “…”
The two of them, their reflections intertwined in the brightly lit mirror, a visually stunning pair, suddenly evoked a strange sense of unease in her.
It was like watching a bird in a gilded cage, the captor admiring its beauty, the oblivious bird, unaware of its confinement, happily exploring its surroundings, chirping cheerfully at its observer.
Tao Ning, tilting her head back, wanted to kiss Guan Qiuyi, but the presence of the stylists, and the lipstick on her lips, made her hesitate.
Noticing a figure standing nearby, their gaze fixed on them, Tao Ning’s eyes met theirs in the mirror.
The head stylist, startled by the intensity of her gaze, instinctively stepped back.
Out of Tao Ning’s line of sight, she thought, That girl… she’s not as innocent as she appears.
She had met many powerful people, and while Guan Qiuyi wasn’t the most influential person she had encountered, Tao Ning’s gaze reminded her of someone else, someone higher up.
Calm, tolerant, even friendly, yet with an underlying distance, a subtle warning to keep one’s distance.
Tao Ning had always disliked crowds, finding them to be a source of unwanted attention and inevitable drama.
She attended the party as Guan Qiuyi’s accessory, maintaining a polite smile, allowing herself to be introduced, greeting each guest with a pleasant, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Guan Qiuyi, knowing her discomfort, quickly released her, allowing her to escape the throng.
Sometimes, Tao Ning found Guan Qiuyi’s behavior amusing. Her possessiveness, her sudden bursts of affection, quickly followed by a retreat into her usual reserved demeanor, the shift almost comical.
Tao Ning wasn’t sure if others noticed it, but she found it endearing, though she refrained from teasing her too much, not wanting to upset her.
“I’ll be over there,” she said, pointing to a quieter corner. “Let me know if you need anything.”
Guan Qiuyi, her wine glass in hand, followed her gaze, then nodded. “Go ahead.”
Tao Ning nodded politely to a nearby woman. “Excuse me.”
“Oh… of course, Miss Tao,” the woman replied, still staring at her, her mind reeling from the realization that this was the Tao heiress, the one who had disappeared for eight years.
Tao Ning! she thought. The real Tao Ning! I need to talk to her!
But Guan Qiuyi was also here, another important connection, and after a moment of hesitation, she decided to stay, continuing her conversation with Guan Qiuyi.
Soon, however, more people noticed Guan Qiuyi, and she was once again surrounded by a circle of admirers, their conversations a mix of polite greetings and veiled business propositions.
The center of attention had shifted from Tao Ning to Guan Qiuyi, even the host of the party approaching to exchange pleasantries.
Tao Ning, watching Guan Qiuyi navigate the crowd with effortless grace, a side of her she had never seen before, her eyes filled with a quiet admiration.
Someone sat down beside her on the large sofa, and Tao Ning, turning to see who had dared to interrupt her solitude, found herself facing a young woman in a striking red dress.
The woman, her gaze assessing, seemed pleased with what she saw, and she smiled at Tao Ning, offering her hand.
“Why are you sitting here all alone? Who are you here with?” she asked, swirling the wine in her glass, the aroma filling the air. “I’m Wu… And you are?”
Tao Ning mentally scanned the list of prominent families in Tong City, but the surname “Wu” didn’t ring any bells.
Ms. Wu, having arrived recently, had spotted Tao Ning earlier, her interest piqued by a single glance at her profile.
Seeing her up close, she was even more intrigued. Her initial annoyance at being seemingly ignored quickly dissipated.
This party was, after all, a networking opportunity, and the sight of such a beautiful girl, seemingly abandoned in a corner, suggested a potential advantage. Perhaps she was someone’s discarded lover, a fallen sparrow.
Thinking this, she had approached, hoping to capitalize on the situation.
Lowering her voice, she said, “This is boring. Come with me. I’ll show you something… more interesting.”
Tao Ning, glancing at the woman’s outstretched hand, ignoring it, a hint of amusement in her eyes, replied, “I’m with Ms. Guan.”
Ms. Wu’s smile faltered, her tone betraying her annoyance, though her expression remained polite.
“Ms. Guan has many associates. Why do you all insist on being ‘with’ her?”
She was tired of hearing Guan Qiuyi being described as a virtuous, untouchable figure. It made everyone else seem less refined.
Tao Ning, her smile widening, replied, “Because of people like you.”
Ms. Wu’s amusement vanished. “What did you say? Don’t you…” dare.
Before she could finish, Guan Qiuyi appeared, her gaze fixed on Ms. Wu.
She stood behind Tao Ning, her voice cool. “What are you discussing?”
Although phrased as a question, it was clearly directed at Ms. Wu, the unspoken threat hanging in the air.
Ms. Wu, realizing Tao Ning hadn’t been lying, her earlier confidence crumbling, quickly stood up, stammering, “I… I was looking for the restroom. I… I couldn’t find it. So I asked this… young lady for directions.”
Her gaze flickered towards Tao Ning, hoping the “kept lover” wouldn’t reveal the truth, not wanting to cause trouble for either of them.
But Tao Ning, to her surprise, was smiling, her hand covering her mouth, as if suppressing laughter.
Guan Qiuyi, however, didn’t even bother asking Tao Ning for confirmation. Her voice hardened. “Why would you ask her for directions? Why not ask a waiter?”
She recognized Ms. Wu, which only added to her displeasure. “Are you… blind?”
Ms. Wu, stammering, “I… I just… I’m sorry, Ms. Guan. I didn’t mean to… disturb you,” quickly retreated, her wine glass clutched in her hand.
Finally escaping, her heart still pounding, she realized her back was damp with sweat, her legs slightly shaky.
Before she could even complain to her friend about the near-disaster, her friend said, “Are you crazy? That was Tao Ning, the Tao heiress! How could you even think of approaching her?”
Ms. Wu, stunned, exclaimed, “What? She’s Tao Ning? Why didn’t she say anything?”
Guan Qiuyi, watching Tao Ning, her expression a mixture of exasperation and amusement, as if to say, I can’t take my eyes off you for a second, or you’ll be abducted, turned to her, her voice soft. “Why didn’t you just tell her off?”
Tao Ning, stifling her laughter, knowing Guan Qiuyi’s possessiveness was a sign of affection, a positive development, said, “I was about to. But then you arrived.”
Guan Qiuyi, her anger dissipating, allowed Tao Ning to lead her to a seat. After a moment of silence, she asked, “Were you bored?”
“Not really,” Tao Ning replied. She had been enjoying the spectacle of Guan Qiuyi effortlessly navigating the social scene, her heart filled with admiration. My Qiuyi is so capable, she thought.
Guan Qiuyi, her earlier annoyance forgotten, took Tao Ning’s hand. “I’m bored. Let’s go get some fresh air.”
And so, they escaped the crowd, stepping out onto a small balcony.
A wide river flowed before them, the city lights twinkling in the distance, illuminated boats gliding across the water.
The moon hung high in the sky, a perfect backdrop to the bustling city.
Below them, the streets were a ribbon of light, cars carrying their passengers towards their destinations.
The cool night air, a welcome contrast to the stuffy banquet hall, was refreshing.
Guan Qiuyi, leaning against Tao Ning, her wine glass in hand, said, her voice slightly complaining, “I’m not bringing you to these things anymore.”
Tao Ning, sensing she was slightly tipsy, wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Not bringing me? Are you planning to keep me locked up at home? A gilded cage, perhaps? You’ll keep the key, of course, letting me out only when you return.”
“And I’ll be waiting for you, patiently, obediently, hoping for a crumb of affection.”
“…” Guan Qiuyi, turning to look at her, said, “I would never do that.”
Then, she paused, realizing her actions over the past month, confining Tao Ning to the residence, weren’t that different from what Tao Ning had just described, the only difference being that Guan Qiuyi herself had also been confined, by choice.
Wait a minute, she thought. Keeping her here, while I’m also here… isn’t that… monitoring her?
Meeting Tao Ning’s amused gaze, her eyes flickering, she repeated softly, “I wouldn’t do that.”
Tao Ning wanted to say, It’s okay. I wouldn’t mind. As long as the cage is comfortable. Love bought with a salary, a willing exchange.
If Guan Qiuyi had actually tried to chain her up, Tao Ning would have raised her hands in surrender, a willing captive.
That was why Guan Qiuyi’s attempts at being possessive, had always failed. Tao Ning was too cooperative, her willingness disarming any potential conflict.
Instead, she simply said, “I know you wouldn’t.”
Some things couldn’t be rushed. Eight years of separation couldn’t be erased with a simple “I’m back.” Tao Ning was patient. She had time.
Her understanding, however, only intensified Guan Qiuyi’s guilt, and she turned, pressing a light kiss to Tao Ning’s lips.
Tao Ning, her hand gently cupping the back of Guan Qiuyi’s neck, deepening the kiss, her touch possessive, knowing Guan Qiuyi, even if she wanted to escape, couldn’t.
They kissed, hidden in the shadows of the balcony, the taste of wine lingering on their lips, a wine glass, accidentally knocked over, shattering on the floor, the sound lost in the night.
The broken glass didn’t interrupt them, and Guan Qiuyi, her hands now on Tao Ning’s shoulders, her back against the railing, her body pressed against Tao Ning’s, had forgotten when she had climbed onto the railing, her only focus the warmth of Tao Ning’s lips.
They kissed, their embrace tightening, the night air, the scent of flowers, mingled with the aroma of wine.
Finally, parting, their foreheads touching, their breaths mingling, Tao Ning, her voice hoarse, asked, “Should we go back inside?”
Guan Qiuyi, a soft moan escaping her lips, her eyes closed, smiled. “Not yet. I have a business deal to finalize. They’re waiting for me. They’ll be looking for me soon.”
Tao Ning, playfully biting her lip, elicited a soft chuckle from Guan Qiuyi.
“You’ve become… bold,” Tao Ning murmured, her voice husky.
Guan Qiuyi, her voice barely above a whisper, replied, “I learned from the best.”
Tao Ning, refusing to accept responsibility for corrupting the innocent Guan Qiuyi, accused her of slander, wanting to bite her cheek in retaliation.
But Guan Qiuyi’s face was carefully made up, a professional mask for her upcoming meeting, and Tao Ning couldn’t risk ruining her image.
Frustrated, she settled for a whispered threat. “I’ll… deal with you later.”
Guan Qiuyi shivered slightly, a strange mix of anticipation.
After a few minutes, Tao Ning, reapplying Guan Qiuyi’s lipstick, carefully concealing the slight swelling, finally let her go.
She then reapplied her own lipstick, checking her reflection, smoothing out her slightly wrinkled dress, and left the balcony.
Unbeknownst to them, a familiar figure in a red dress arrived at the balcony a few moments later, staring at the shattered glass on the floor, her eyes wide with shock.
She had been feeling overwhelmed and had stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air, only to hear the crash of breaking glass, her curiosity piqued. She had assumed it was a clandestine lovers’ quarrel.
Then she had seen Guan Qiuyi, her arms wrapped around a woman in a green dress, their lips locked in a passionate kiss, Guan Qiuyi’s usually cool gaze filled with a warmth that transformed even the Guanyin mole into a symbol of desire, the object of her affection none other than Tao Ning, the Tao heiress.
Their intimacy was undeniable, a practiced ease, confirming Tao Ning’s earlier claim. She was indeed “with” Ms. Guan.
The years of Tao Ning’s absence had erased her from public memory, her preferences, her character, a mystery, her sexual orientation unknown.
You could have just told me who you were, Ms. Wu thought, her earlier resentment now replaced by a strange sense of betrayal. A simple, “I’m Tao Ning, and you’re not worthy of my attention,” would have been less humiliating.
Who taught her to play this game? she wondered, her heart still pounding from the shock.
I’ve been terrified all night!
What do you do when you accidentally hit on the Tao heiress, then witness her kissing Guan Qiuyi?
Her friend, upon receiving her frantic message, had replied simply, Nothing.
But who are these untouchable people? she had asked.
Her question remained unanswered. She wouldn’t dare reveal their names.
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