Chapter 111: Pink
Only silence remained in the room. Sitting on the bed, the only sound was the splashing of water coming from the bathroom. The blonde girl sat there, unable to calm her racing heart. Just listening to the water, she couldn’t help but conjure up strange images.
Although they had lived together for a while now, and were familiar with each other, being in the same room, with the bathroom so close, she felt inexplicably anxious.
Why was this happening? She was a girl! Why would she feel this way?
Could it be that she was actually gay?
Well, she’d never claimed to be straight either…
Yu Linna felt incredibly frustrated, fidgeting on the bed. Having been a girl for almost twenty years, she was more than familiar with the female body and shouldn’t be experiencing these feelings. Even if she wanted to get aroused, she lacked the necessary equipment.
But why, at this moment, did she feel this anxiety?
Meanwhile, Ye Zhiyun was showering, the warm water flowing over every inch of her body, warming her to the core. Her dark eyes held a slight haze from the steam. Thinking about Yu Linna being right outside, the girl she had seen countless times, her heart couldn’t settle down.
She hadn’t felt this way before, but recently, she increasingly felt her heart behaving strangely. She had developed an odd feeling towards Yu Linna, a feeling she couldn’t quite define as good, but definitely not bad.
It was just a strange, unsettling feeling she couldn’t understand.
Having such feelings for another girl was truly bizarre.
After washing, she put on her underwear and then slipped into the nightgown she had brought. It was a pinkish-purple, patterned dress, exuding an aristocratic air. With the heating on in the villa, it wasn’t too cold to walk around in it.
“You… you’re done…”
As the door opened, Yu Linna’s face flushed as she saw Ye Zhiyun, fresh from the shower, her hair still damp. She coughed awkwardly, lowering her head, speechless.
Wow, Ye Zhiyun looked so alluring, especially with her long legs and slender waist. It was almost too much to look at.
Yu Linna suppressed her inner voice, pretending to be nonchalant. She wasn’t sure if it was the lingering remnants of her male consciousness or simply jealousy between females.
Ye Zhiyun nodded, picked up the hairdryer, and plopped down next to Yu Linna, proceeding to dry her hair as if the other girl wasn’t there. The whirring of the hairdryer intensified, and Yu Linna’s heart beat in sync. Sitting so close, she could smell the pleasant fragrance of Ye Zhiyun’s hair.
“Your hair smells really nice… Ah, sorry, forget I said that…”
She covered her mouth, flustered, lowering her head. Damn it, why did she blurt out what she was thinking? How embarrassing.
Ye Zhiyun turned slightly, looking at the blonde head bowed low, seemingly lost in thought. Then she switched off the hairdryer and handed it to Yu Linna.
“Dry my hair.”
Faced with the girl’s bewildered expression, she reiterated her request.
Yu Linna was stunned.
“You don’t want to?”
“No, no, of course I will.”
Her hands trembled as she took the hairdryer and picked up Ye Zhiyun’s raven locks, her face slightly flushed. Fortunately, having been a girl for over a decade, drying hair wasn’t a difficult task. Besides, girls were naturally more intimate with each other than boys, so helping another girl dry her hair wasn’t a big deal.
Turning on the hairdryer, Yu Linna calmed her racing heart and started drying Ye Zhiyun’s hair. Ye Zhiyun’s hair was well-maintained and felt soft to the touch. Unlike Yu Linna’s naturally straight hair, Ye Zhiyun’s was slightly wavy and therefore required regular care. The dark locks exuded a jasmine fragrance that filled Yu Linna’s nose, and the smoothness was remarkable. It felt incredibly comfortable in her hands.
Neither of them spoke, both remaining silent, yet their actions were remarkably harmonious. Yu Linna, in particular, remained composed throughout the process, her movements practiced and skilled.
“Zhiyun…”
“Hmm?”
“Nothing, just wanted to call your name…”
“Oh. Nana.”
“What?”
“Nothing, just wanted to call your name.”
Their conversation was awkward, yet it felt strangely heartwarming.
They had started as rivals, although that was a one-sided definition from Ye Zhiyun. From the beginning, they hadn’t gotten along. But now, no one would think their relationship was strained.
Whenever they were together, everyone naturally assumed they were good friends.
In truth, Yu Linna had become quite reliant on Ye Zhiyun. Although she hadn’t given her heart completely, Ye Zhiyun held a significant place in her affections.
“Zhiyun, you’re not going out for a while, right? I heard Wenqian say that you always decline work around this time of year to prepare for the New Year.”
Holding Ye Zhiyun’s hair in one hand and the hairdryer in the other, sitting behind her, her voice was calm, but her expression betrayed her inner turmoil.
Ye Zhiyun’s usually aloof expression softened. In the presence of this girl, she couldn’t maintain her usual detachment.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay home with you.”
She hadn’t realized her tone could be so gentle.
They weren’t facing each other, but they could both sense the harmony between them.
Their lives didn’t need to be complicated; simple was best. Even without actively pursuing fame or fortune, they could still be happy. They didn’t need material possessions or recognition; all they wanted was simple joy.
Yu Linna hadn’t understood what simple joy meant before, but now, slowly, she seemed to be grasping it.
Once her hair was dry, Ye Zhiyun left as if she had never been there. Yu Linna, however, spent the entire night replaying Ye Zhiyun’s words in her mind, unable to sleep.
The next morning, urged by Dai Wenqian, everyone woke up early and had breakfast. Shortly after, Dai Wenqian’s driver arrived, calling for them to get in the car and head home. Yu Linna, with noticeable dark circles under her eyes and constant yawning, clearly hadn’t slept well.
“Linna, what’s wrong? Didn’t you sleep last night?”
“No, I just couldn’t fall asleep…”
“You had insomnia? That’s unlike you. What were you doing…”
Ignoring Fang Jiangning, Yu Linna shouldered her bag and followed the others to the car. She chose a window seat, intending to catch up on sleep. Seeing this, Ye Zhiyun’s indifferent expression softened into a smile as she sat next to Yu Linna, their shoulders touching.
“Have they always been this close?”
Tang Yumeng, noticing how close they were sitting, smiled.
“Well… they get along pretty well now.”
Fang Jiangning could only offer a wry smile. If only they knew how much the two had bickered when they first met.
During the drive, Yu Linna fell asleep, her head resting on Ye Zhiyun’s shoulder, completely oblivious. Fang Jiangning, upon seeing this, opened her mouth to say something, but Ye Zhiyun silenced her with a look, her eyes conveying a hint of reproach, as if asking why she would disturb her sleep.
Fang Jiangning obediently sat down next to Tang Yumeng, neither of them wanting to cause any further disruption.
Even for girls, their relationship seemed unusually close.
Tang Yumeng scratched her head, thinking to herself.
The drive back to the city took only an hour. Tang Yumeng said she could get home herself once they reached the city, not wanting to trouble anyone. Dai Wenqian insisted on getting her phone number and WeChat contact information, fearing that if she left without them, she wouldn’t be able to contact her again.
Since Yu Linna and Ye Zhiyun were living together, Dai Wenqian asked the driver to drop them off together.
After getting out of the car, Tang Yumeng stretched, gazing at the city. The towering buildings and bustling streets were a welcome sight. One night in the woods was enough; she didn’t want to repeat the experience.
It was getting late, time to head home. She had originally planned to spend the day out with friends, but unexpected events had led her to meet these juniors.
Tang Yumeng hailed a taxi, wondering how she would spend the upcoming New Year. Celebrating in the country would be nice, but she also wanted to travel, particularly to America, to visit a friend who was supposedly landing many acting roles. She felt a pang of envy. Compared to her friend, her own career was lagging far behind.
Getting out of the taxi, Tang Yumeng whistled. She lived alone in a city apartment. Given her acting career and studies, it was more convenient to live independently. She had lost her earphones during the trip to the woods and needed to buy a new pair.
A craving for nicotine hit her. Sighing, Tang Yumeng found her cigarettes, lit one, and exhaled. The familiar taste calmed her mind.
Buzz, buzz.
Her phone vibrated. Annoyed, Tang Yumeng pulled it out and, seeing the caller ID, knew what to expect. Reluctantly, she answered.
“Dad…”
“Yumeng, I told you, you can avoid me for a while, but not forever. You think I’ll agree to you working in that filthy industry? I don’t care. You have to come back. You can’t be an actress.”
She exhaled a puff of smoke, gazing at the sky, a look of uncertainty in her eyes.
So, it was still a no-go?
“I’m grown up now; I have my own ideas. This is my dream, the path I’ve chosen. Dad, please don’t interfere with my decisions. I said I would become a star, and I’ll keep my word.”
Ending the call, she took a final drag and extinguished her cigarette.
Chapter 112: Journey
After the villa trip, she returned to her daily routine, continuing her peaceful, uneventful life. For her, these calm and comfortable days were quite pleasant, free from worries about living expenses or where her next meal would come from.
Come to think of it, she had been living with Ye Zhiyun for a while now, and this period had been remarkably carefree, the most tranquil time in her life so far. She had no worries, no need to think about her next meal or the rent.
However, she was acutely aware of her debt to Ye Zhiyun, a kindness she could never repay. That eighty million wasn’t a small sum; Yu Linna couldn’t possibly earn enough to repay it in her lifetime.
A debt of gratitude, unrepayable even in the next life.
Was it truly right to continue relying on her like this?
She often pondered this question.
But there was another matter weighing heavily on her mind: her conversation with Tang Yumeng.
That day, Tang Yumeng had shared a lot with her, shifting her entire perspective. She realized she wasn’t the only one chasing a dream, that others also struggled for their aspirations. What struck her most was Tang Yumeng’s unwavering determination in the face of the cutthroat entertainment industry, a notoriously challenging environment.
Tang Yumeng had said that for her dream, she could keep going, no matter how difficult the path.
Even if it was dark, even if it was cruel, nothing could deter her. For that sincere dream, she would press on, forging her own path toward her goal.
Yu Linna had never known that someone with a dream could be so resolute, choosing to confront hardship head-on.
Among the people she knew, only Nangong Ying had faced such harsh realities and achieved success. But Nangong Ying’s success… to put it bluntly, it had come at Yu Linna’s expense.
Tang Yumeng was the only person she knew thriving in the entertainment industry while staying true to herself.
“Dreams, huh…” she murmured, gazing out the window.
Once, she too had dreams. But after Nangong Ying’s betrayal, she had lost her footing, her heart no longer in the pursuit of her aspirations.
Now, thanks to Tang Yumeng’s unexpected appearance, her dormant heart showed signs of reawakening. She began to wonder if she could pick up the pieces and continue, perhaps experiencing a different, more fulfilling life.
But did she really have that option?
Leaning back in her chair, she looked out the window, her beautiful eyes clouded with uncertainty. All day, she had been pondering where her path lay.
Yu Linna was originally an ordinary person, but Nangong Ying’s influence had sparked her desire to chase her own dreams, initially wanting to follow in Nangong Ying’s footsteps. But she had also given up on those dreams because of Nangong Ying, dismissing them as wishful thinking.
But was her heart truly devoid of desire? Impossible.
She had always dreamt of fame, wealth, and a comfortable life. While she wasn’t rich yet, she at least had a comfortable life, free from basic needs. There didn’t seem to be much to complain about, yet her heart yearned for more.
Being protected was nice, comfortable even, but it wasn’t the life she desired.
She wanted to stand on her own, using her own abilities to shine.
A week into winter break, life had settled into a comfortable rhythm, everything progressing smoothly. Ye Zhiyun had no work commitments recently and seemed much more relaxed as the New Year approached. She had been spending her days at home with Yu Linna, not going anywhere. She was enjoying this peaceful existence.
Today, as she was watching a drama on her computer, a phone call disrupted her tranquility.
“Hello, Zhiyun?”
“Dad, what’s up?”
“Yes, I have a bit of a problem I need your help with. The company is short-staffed; could you come and lend a hand?”
“You know me, Dad. I don’t take on any work before the New Year, no matter how much money is offered.”
“And you also know that I wouldn’t normally ask you to help at the company unless it was a serious issue that your brother and I couldn’t handle ourselves.”
“…Fine. When do you need me?”
“Preferably today.”
“That urgent?”
“This concerns a potential long-term partnership with a Chinese-American company, a rather important one. I need your negotiation skills, my dear daughter.”
“Dad, you really know how to pick your moments…”
She had already decided not to take on any work before the New Year, planning to spend time with Yu Linna, but her father’s call demanded her attention. Once she left, she didn’t know when she would return. Since her father made it sound so important, it would likely take a considerable amount of time.
And with the New Year approaching, the timing couldn’t be worse.
If this project took long enough, she might even miss the New Year celebrations.
Meaning she could forget about enjoying the holiday.
Sighing, Ye Zhiyun started packing, changing her clothes, tying up her hair, and switching into work mode. The aloof and imposing Ye Zhiyun was back.
“Zhiyun, what are you doing? Going somewhere?”
“Yes, my dad called me back. It’s quite urgent and might take a while.”
“When will you be back?”
“…I’ll be back soon.”
Although she said so, Yu Linna could sense a distinct lack of conviction in her voice.
In truth, Ye Zhiyun herself didn’t know when she would return. If it was serious enough to alarm her father and require her involvement, it couldn’t be a trivial matter. Ye Zhiyun was capable, but she wasn’t as accomplished as her father. His call meant he definitely needed her assistance.
She couldn’t, and wouldn’t, refuse.
Grabbing her bag, Ye Zhiyun buttoned her coat and went to the entrance to put on her shoes.
“Zhiyun, let me know when you’re coming back. I’ll cook for you.” Yu Linna said from the doorway.
Her expression was full of reluctance, her eyes pleading, but she understood Ye Zhiyun’s responsibilities. Once Ye Zhiyun decided to leave, there was no stopping her. All she could do was see her off.
Ye Zhiyun lowered her head, quietly putting on her shoes. She didn’t want to leave either; she wanted to continue enjoying this peaceful life. The past few months living with Yu Linna had been the happiest time in years, even more so than her three years of dating Li Muqing. Having Yu Linna by her side brought her genuine joy.
She sometimes thought that with someone like Yu Linna in her life, her days would never be dull.
But… she couldn’t stay. She had responsibilities.
“I’ll be back as soon as possible, don’t worry. I’ll spend the New Year with you. I promise I’ll make it up to you for all the lost time.”
She turned, cupped Yu Linna’s face, and hugged her gently. Then she opened the door, letting in a gust of cold wind that seemed to symbolize the growing distance between them.
As the door closed, everything fell silent. The dark-haired figure disappeared from sight, leaving only a few dust particles settling on the carpet. The person who was here just an hour ago was now on a journey.
Yu Linna felt a pang of loss, a strange, unfamiliar sensation.
Ye Zhiyun’s departure left her unsure of when they would meet again. Perhaps even Ye Zhiyun herself didn’t realize the impact of her leaving. By the time they saw each other again, everything would have changed.
Ye Zhiyun got into a taxi, checked her watch, and exhaled. She had booked her flight in advance and had to leave that evening. Hopefully, she would make it in time. Her father wouldn’t have called her unless it was truly important.
He had mentioned a Chinese-American company and a world-renowned designer. With such a prominent figure involved, it was no wonder her father was taking this so seriously.
She hoped everything would work out, she thought, looking out the window. She just wanted to resolve this issue quickly and return home.
Yu Linna looked around the empty apartment. Silence descended, and her heart gradually grew cold. She was alone again.
Although Ye Zhiyun was often away for work, she always returned every evening. The only exception had been that week-long business trip to negotiate copyright acquisitions.
Where was she going this time?
How long would she be gone?
She listlessly returned to her room, sat down, and stared blankly ahead. Her early life had been marked by poverty, consumed by daily worries about survival. Now, free from those concerns, she felt a strange emptiness, as if she had lost her direction.
What did she truly want?
She asked herself repeatedly.
Unable to find an answer, Yu Linna gave up thinking, pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen, and began to draw. As a child, she had learned the basics of drawing from a kind old man, later honing her skills through self-study with borrowed books. She was remarkably talented, surpassing even the art students at school. She could have pursued art school, perhaps even getting into a prestigious university.
But she hadn’t chosen that path. In her words, studying art was too expensive, a luxury she couldn’t afford.
She preferred to be a regular student.
The drawing was finished – a portrait of a person with a proud, imposing face and a pair of disdainful eyes that held a hint of warmth. Although the person wasn’t smiling, their charm was evident.
The person was Ye Zhiyun.
When had this person become so important to her? Yu Linna couldn’t say. She only knew that before she realized it, Ye Zhiyun had already carved a place in her heart.
Leaning back in her chair, her eyes held a trace of bewilderment. She wondered when Ye Zhiyun would return, even though it had only been an hour since her departure.
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