Since their relationship had changed, it felt like anything could be said. However, Shen Ningruo asking that question was purely because she didn’t know what else to say.
She thought about it and found it a bit ridiculous. In the business world, she was always praised for being eloquent, yet here she was, having a day like this.
But she had to admit, watching Qiu Yang’s reaction was very interesting.
She saw Qiu Yang’s eyelashes flutter, her expression shifting from hazy to clear. Her delicate brows furrowed, and she refused righteously: “No.”
Even though the tone was serious, when Qiu Yang said those two words, they still had a soft, gentle quality.
Shen Ningruo’s thoughts skipped, recalling when Qiu Yang had called her name once while beneath her last night.
It was more beautiful than ever before.
Shen Ningruo raised her hand again, wanting to smooth Qiu Yang’s hair, but Qiu Yang dodged away, looking at her with some wariness: “I can comb it myself.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t.” Shen Ningruo curled her fingers. Not feeling awkward, she lowered her hand and resumed her usual confident demeanor. Acting completely at ease, she walked over and sat on the sofa. “I should stay here today.”
Qiu Yang ignored her, went into the bathroom, and picked up a comb.
There was a table in the room with Qiu Yang’s laptop on it, and a wireless mouse beside it.
The laptop screen was black, but it was clear there had been work done.
Shen Ningruo waited for Qiu Yang to come out, then pretended to be curious and asked, “Are you still working while on vacation?”
Qiu Yang sat on the chair, her back to Shen Ningruo. “I’m not idle.”
She turned on the computer, opened a file, and her fingers tapped rapidly on the keyboard.
Shen Ningruo looked at her long, loose hair and used the same phrasing as before: “I didn’t say you were idle.”
Qiu Yang: “…”
Qiu Yang turned her head and couldn’t help but ask, “What exactly do you want?”
“I’m hungry.”
“But I don’t know what to eat.”
“Can Xiao Yang give me some suggestions?”
That nickname, “Xiao Yang,” again. Qiu Yang felt she wasn’t used to it, and hearing it brought a complicated feeling.
Because Shen Ningruo had called her that last night too, “Xiao Yang” over and over, right by her ear, accompanied by warm breaths.
It was a very intimate nickname, but her relationship with Shen Ningruo hadn’t reached that level; it was still far from it. They were still just strangers who knew each other’s gender and name.
Even though they had done the most intimate thing in the world.
Qiu Yang looked back at her computer but replied, “Have you had the rice noodles in Xicheng?”
“No.”
“Then eat that.”
Shen Ningruo obediently opened a food delivery app, searched for rice noodles, and entered a highly-rated shop.
She looked at the menu, slowly scrolling with her fingertip, and after a few seconds said, “I’ll order a portion for you too.”
Qiu Yang refused, “I don’t like rice noodles.”
“Then why did you recommend this to me?”
Qiu Yang’s typing paused, and after two seconds, she continued, “Just order it.”
Shen Ningruo pursed her lips, a hint of irritation rising in her heart.
She guessed Qiu Yang might be thinking of her ex-girlfriend.
Qiu Yang was indeed thinking of Tao Sixian. Before meeting Tao Sixian, she also loved eating noodles and similar dishes.
She liked all kinds of noodles, rice noodles, thick or thin. But Tao Sixian didn’t like them. Tao Sixian said she couldn’t stand the smell, especially after they started living together, so she didn’t let Qiu Yang eat them anymore.
So, for nearly three years, Qiu Yang hadn’t eaten these much. If Shen Ningruo hadn’t just mentioned it, she would have almost forgotten about it.
Qiu Yang stared at the computer, a quiet sigh escaping her lips.
Thinking back carefully, she had given up too many things while dating Tao Sixian.
Shen Ningruo didn’t speak anymore, just leaned against the sofa looking at her phone, occasionally glancing up at Qiu Yang’s back.
The delivery arrived at the door thirty minutes later. Shen Ningruo got up to get it and placed the bag on the coffee table.
“I didn’t order rice noodles.” Shen Ningruo arranged the cutlery, her expression unreadable. “I’ll eat first.”
Qiu Yang: “Okay.”
She didn’t turn her head, but soon smelled the aroma of the food.
Shen Ningruo usually ate slowly and gracefully, but today she sped up a bit and put down her chopsticks not long after.
After wiping her mouth clean, she said, “I’m going back.”
Qiu Yang’s answer didn’t change: “Okay.”
Shen Ningruo held her phone, her expression uncertain. By the time she reached the door, she still hadn’t seen Qiu Yang look at her.
She pulled the door open and left.
Qiu Yang finally let out a sigh of relief. Being stared at by Shen Ningruo had made her body stiff.
The coffee table still looked very clean. Shen Ningruo had tidied up before leaving. Now there was a covered portion of rice on it, and a dish that was only half-eaten.
Shen Ningruo had somehow made the dish look like two portions had been eaten, while the one next to it looked completely untouched.
Qiu Yang pursed her lips, then looked at the closed door, starting to wonder if her attitude towards Shen Ningruo had been a bit too cold.
But they were just a one-night stand. Why would they need any consideration? They weren’t dating.
What they did last night was sex without feelings.
Things in bed and out of bed should be kept separate, to avoid unnecessary entanglement and trouble later.
Qiu Yang had no intention of having a long-term casual partner. These few days in Xicheng were the deepest indulgence she had allowed herself in years.
Shen Ningruo knew what Qiu Yang was thinking, but she still felt a knot of frustration, as if she were some kind of monster.
But she wasn’t. With Qiu Yang, she was already a very different version of herself.
She started to feel that she shouldn’t have been so curious about Qiu Yang just because she felt sorry for her initially, and shouldn’t have followed her to Xicheng.
Facing a setback with Qiu Yang now was truly unexpected, but at the same time, this feeling was very new.
It was the first time Shen Ningruo had experienced this.
She calmed herself down for a while, then also opened her laptop and started looking at the files Ke Yezi had sent.
When working, Shen Ningruo was completely different. She wasn’t as lively or “flirtatious” as she was in front of Qiu Yang. Her expression was serious, and she read the content very carefully.
And she easily forgot the time.
She also had an online meeting, and by the time it ended, it was almost 5:30. After closing her laptop, Shen Ningruo rubbed her temples and looked out the window.
The sun wasn’t so intense anymore, and the sky outside had darkened considerably, but the beautiful sunset view was still somewhat breathtaking.
The tour group hadn’t returned yet. Shen Ningruo withdrew her gaze.
They had also planned to go hiking with Qiu Yang today, but the atmosphere between them was awkward, and neither mentioned it.
It was too late to go now, because the sun would set soon, and it would be relatively dangerous outside then.
Just as she was thinking this, there was a knock on the door again. Shen Ningruo tucked her hair back a bit before going to open it.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t Qiu Yang standing outside, but Wu Xiaoqiong and Zhao Mingfen, who had just returned.
The two aunties looked very happy. Wu Xiaoqiong said to Shen Ningruo, “Xiao Shen, the video you filmed was really good quality! People have been liking it all day!”
“It wasn’t my doing,” Shen Ningruo said, glancing at Qiu Yang’s door.
Zhao Mingfen smiled kindly. “Xiao Shen, when we get back to Yuncheng, Auntie will invite you to my place as a guest. Oh, and Xiao Qiu too. You’re both good kids. The photos she took for us yesterday were also very good.”
“Okay.” She agreed for now, even though Shen Ningruo would likely not contact them after returning.
What about Qiu Yang?
Would she still contact her?
As if the door opposite could sense Shen Ningruo’s thoughts, it opened the next second. The gap widened, and finally, Qiu Yang herself appeared within their sight.
Zhao Mingfen quickly asked, “Xiao Qiu, are you feeling better?”
Qiu Yang’s eyes met Shen Ningruo’s for a moment, then she smiled at the two aunties in front of her. “I’m fine, thank you for your concern.”
“That’s good.” Wu Xiaoqiong nodded. “Then you two hurry and get dinner, and come back early. It’s dangerous outside.”
“Okay.”
The two aunties left, and other people passed by in front of them.
Shen Ningruo and Qiu Yang stood at their respective doorways, their gazes meeting. One had a cool expression, the other a calm face.
After a while, the corridor quieted down.
Qiu Yang spoke, “Didn’t you say you should be in my room?”
Shen Ningruo’s throat bobbed. She took out her room card, closed her door, and went to Qiu Yang’s room.
This door also closed immediately, leaving only a “bang” echoing in the corridor.
There was a cabinet in the entryway, not too tall or short, for temporary storage. Shen Ningruo picked Qiu Yang up and sat her on it.
They looked at each other at eye level, neither speaking.
After a few seconds, Shen Ningruo spoke. Her expression softened, and a smile appeared in her eyes. “Why invite me so early?”
Qiu Yang reached her arms forward and hooked them around Shen Ningruo’s neck. She put on a thoughtful expression, then leaned towards Shen Ningruo as she said, “I want to sleep with you.”
“Is that okay?”
It was exactly the same as what Shen Ningruo had said a few hours ago.
After Qiu Yang finished speaking, she stopped just one or two millimeters away from Shen Ningruo’s lips.
Their breaths intertwined again.
Shen Ningruo lowered her eyelashes. “Xiao Yang…”
“What is it?” Qiu Yang had already pressed her lips against Shen Ningruo’s. When she said those three words, they weren’t very clear.
Shen Ningruo didn’t answer. She held Qiu Yang’s waist firmly, no longer hesitating, and extended the tip of her tongue.
What was she going to say?
In the afternoon, it wasn’t actually “I want to sleep with you.”
It was—
I missed you.
