Chapter 71 p2
Li Wan thought for a moment, recalling the online discussions. She wasn’t very familiar with these things, but since realizing her own feelings, she had been browsing websites and forums discussing same-sex relationships.
Naturally, such discussions inevitably touched upon intimacy, and being adults, safety and hygiene were paramount, a reminder couldn’t hurt.
“You know, condoms?”
Qin Qianrou’s gaze fell on Shen Yiqiu’s hand holding the glass and froze.
“Ahem, no need to be embarrassed, just a friendly reminder, enjoy your weekend, but… be mindful.”
Qin Qianrou looked away, took a deep breath, and sternly said, “Li Wan.”
Li Wan, quicker than a rabbit, sensing the danger, quickly said, “Okay, okay, I also need to work on getting my own condoms. That’s all, have a wonderful weekend, bye!”
Shen Yiqiu, seeing that she had hung up, asked, “What did Sister Li Wan say?”
“Nothing, she just wished us a happy weekend.”
Shen Yiqiu was used to Li Wan’s boisterous personality and her occasional randomness and didn’t suspect anything, simply thinking that Sister Li Wan’s weekends must be quite boring.
“Jiejie, what are our plans for this weekend?”
Qin Qianrou hadn’t actually considered this, what was there to plan for a weekend? Weren’t weekends just… weekends?
Shen Yiqiu, seeing her actually thinking about it, couldn’t help but smile and lean closer.
Her girlfriend was like a magnet, drawing her in, no matter the distance.
“This weekend is different, you have a girlfriend now.”
Qin Qianrou’s heart softened, looking at Shen Yiqiu, saying such things with her soft, sweet voice.
She reached out and gently ruffled Shen Yiqiu’s hair, her hand then sliding down to her soft earlobe.
Seeing her own reflection in Shen Yiqiu’s eyes, Qin Qianrou’s heart skipped a beat. “Indeed, it’s different, you also have a girlfriend now.”
Shen Yiqiu beamed, not giving Qin Qianrou any time to react, and quickly pecked her on the lips.
“Jiejie, you’re the best.”
Qin Qianrou had never known being in a relationship felt like this. Although this “girlfriend” status had only been established a few hours ago, she felt it was the right decision.
The doorbell rang, and just as Shen Yiqiu was about to answer it, Qin Qianrou stopped her.
“I’ll get it.”
Shen Yiqiu paused, nodded, and turned around.
During dinner, they discussed going shopping and watching a movie together tomorrow.
However, after dinner, even the background noise from the TV couldn’t dispel the slight awkwardness in the air. Qin Qianrou still had some work to do, so she suggested Shen Yiqiu take a shower first. But when Shen Yiqiu emerged from the bathroom in her pajamas, they both realized they would be sharing a bed tonight.
This seemed like a first, and their relationship was different now.
It wasn’t like they were living in the dark ages, whether it was between men and women, or women and women, intimacy was… intimacy. However, for them now, it seemed a little too soon.
“Jiejie, should I sleep on the sofa tonight?” Shen Yiqiu’s voice was slightly muffled by the towel around her neck, her hair half-dry, but she was still sweating slightly.
Qin Qianrou pursed her lips, glancing at the layout of the room, then at Shen Yiqiu.
Fresh from the shower, she looked even more innocent and pure, her rosy cheeks and delicate skin exuding a youthful vibrancy that no amount of money could replicate.
Qin Qianrou, staring, mesmerized, suddenly recalled Li Wan’s words.
“Jiejie?” Shen Yiqiu, seeing her silence, didn’t know if she agreed or not.
Qin Qianrou composed herself and, looking at her intently, asked, “Do you like sleeping on the sofa?”
Shen Yiqiu frantically shook her head, answering honestly, “Who would choose the sofa when there’s a bed?”
“Then why did you suggest it?”
“I thought you might feel awkward.”
“Why would I feel awkward?”
Shen Yiqiu wiped her flushed cheeks with the towel, the friction making her skin even redder.
“Just… nothing.” Shen Yiqiu realized Jiejie was teasing her.
Then, she saw the faint smile in Qin Qianrou’s eyes.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, she walked over to her desk, the fresh scent of Qin Qianrou’s shower gel, the same one she used at home, lingering in the air.
“Since we’re together now, there’s nothing to be awkward about. Sleeping together isn’t a big deal, you don’t have to worry.”
Shen Yiqiu’s heart was filled with tenderness. “I understand, Jiejie.”
“I still have some work to do, you go to bed first.”
Shen Yiqiu had rushed straight to the airport after class, then hurried to the hotel, not wasting a single moment. From extreme anxiety to overwhelming joy, her emotions had been on a rollercoaster ride, and only after a hot shower did the exhaustion finally set in.
She couldn’t help but yawn, gave Qin Qianrou a quick kiss, then, not wanting to disturb her work and her rest, returned to her own room.
Bothering Jiejie now would only be hindering her work and disrupting her rest, Shen Yiqiu knew her priorities.
**
Thinking of Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu enjoying their romantic weekend together, Li Wan felt a pang of loneliness. It was the weekend, the time most office workers looked forward to, yet she couldn’t bring herself to feel any joy.
The restructuring at the station was underway, and everyone was on edge. The usually relaxed and cheerful atmosphere in their team had vanished, even those colleagues who usually rushed home to their families were now voluntarily working overtime, which gave Li Wan an excuse to stay at the office as well.
“Editor Li, the team leader wants to see you.”
Li Wan smoothed her hair and went to Lin Shuangzhi’s office.
“Team Leader, you wanted to see me?”
Lin Shuangzhi was frowning, reviewing a document. Hearing Li Wan’s voice, she simply glanced up.
“Mm, come in and have a seat.”
Li Wan sensed something was off with Lin Shuangzhi’s mood today. Although she was usually busy, and sometimes her mood would sour after a difficult meeting, it wasn’t like today, a mix of dejection, frustration, and even a hint of anger.
“What’s wrong?” Li Wan asked tentatively after sitting down.
Lin Shuangzhi didn’t answer immediately, her gaze fixed on the report, not reading further.
After a moment, she handed the document to Li Wan.
“Take a look at this first.”
Li Wan’s heart sank as she took the document.
After reading it, her mood soured as well.
“Is this from the station directors?”
Lin Shuangzhi didn’t answer, but her gaze confirmed it.
Li Wan scoffed and handed the document back.
“What is this? Assigning someone who’s always been in charge of advertising to oversee our special projects team? Are our programs going to become advertising compilations now?”
“I’ve already expressed my objections at the meeting, the reason being that Director Yu is unfamiliar with our team’s work and has no relevant experience.”
“What did Deputy Director Ding say?”
Lin Shuangzhi sighed, “He said it’s normal for those outside a field to manage those within it, and with experience, they’ll naturally become familiar with it.”
Li Wan’s anger flared upon hearing this, but before she could explode, Lin Shuangzhi continued, “Deputy Director Ding also said, with our full cooperation, Director Yu’s adjustment period will be significantly shortened.”
Li Wan took a deep breath, stood up, walked to the door, closed it, then lowered the blinds on the window before returning to her seat.
“So it’s settled then?”
Lin Shuangzhi frowned. “Not officially confirmed yet, but it’s almost certain.”
Li Wan picked up a stack of documents from the corner of the desk and threw them back down forcefully. “No, absolutely not! We can’t let Director Yu interfere with our team!”
Sensing Li Wan’s anger, Lin Shuangzhi, who had been feeling frustrated all day, felt a sense of relief.
After a whole day of meetings, dealing with the endless probing and political maneuvering, only Li Wan’s presence felt real.
She walked over to Li Wan, gently placed her hand on hers, which was still clutching the document, and sighed, “Don’t be angry, if Deputy Director Ding insists, then I’ll report it to the city government.”
Lin Shuangzhi’s sudden approach flustered Li Wan, her anger dissipating slightly. It had been a while since they had been this close, and she couldn’t help but yearn for more.
“Wouldn’t going over their heads cause trouble for you? Should I… ask my father to intervene?”
Lin Shuangzhi smiled and took her hand, her gesture more reassuring than intimate. “Deputy Mayor Li always keeps his professional and personal life separate, and besides, his responsibilities aren’t related to the news department, don’t make things difficult for him.” Then, her gaze deepened, her tone firm. “If I can’t even protect our team, how can I be your team leader?”
Lin Shuangzhi’s strength and resolve had a powerful effect on Li Wan, especially with her hand being held like this, and she couldn’t help but whisper, her heart overflowing, “Team Leader…”
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