Their time together was dwindling. If some things weren’t said now, there would be no chance later.
Shen Ningruo had never been this kind before, but she was certain that her words came from the heart.
Very sincere.
She didn’t expect any particular reaction from Qiu Yang. She turned over, her back facing Qiu Yang, closed her eyes, and her breathing gradually became steady and even.
Qiu Yang’s eyelashes fluttered a few times. The movements beside her were exceptionally clear, and Shen Ningruo’s words replayed in her mind.
After a long moment.
Qiu Yang also turned over. She hesitated for an instant, then gently hugged Shen Ningruo, pressing her forehead against the other’s thin back. Her voice slightly nasal, she said to Shen Ningruo, “Thank you.”
Shen Ningruo heard it, but she didn’t make a sound or move.
Developing this kind of relationship with Qiu Yang was something she had never imagined, but Shen Ningruo felt it wasn’t bad; it was a beautiful journey she hadn’t experienced in her twenty-eight years.
But a journey is ultimately a journey, destined to end sooner or later, especially when the timeline was so clear.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day before their return trip.
At six in the afternoon, the tour group returned from the scenic spot. Qiu Yang’s door was knocked on. Zhao Mingfen and Wu Xiaoqiong stood outside, the two aunties beaming as they handed Qiu Yang a box.
“Xiao Qiu, thank you for helping us film that video the other day. Today we went to the seaside and found this stone particularly beautiful. We bought it for you as a token of gratitude,” Zhao Mingfen said with her usual kind expression.
Qiu Yang smiled and said, “Auntie, you don’t need to. It was just a small effort.”
Wu Xiaoqiong took her hand, placed the box in it, and said in a tone that brooked no refusal, “You must accept it. You and Xiao Shen didn’t go out to play; doesn’t that mean you came here for nothing?”
“We were afraid you wouldn’t accept something expensive, so we discussed it and bought a little trinket. If you still refuse, then you’re not accepting our thanks.”
Wu Xiaoqiong was shrewder and more assertive than Zhao Mingfen; this was noticeable from the beginning.
Qiu Yang pursed her lips and didn’t refuse again. Holding the box, she broke into a smile, “Thank you, Aunties.”
Zhao Mingfen looked somewhat relieved, “Xiao Qiu, I think your complexion looks much better now. It’s okay, child, life will always get better.”
Life will always get better.
Qiu Yang thought so too.
Coming to Xicheng this time, although she still often thought of Tao Sixian, those sad emotions seemed to have dissipated a lot.
Qiu Yang thought perhaps it was because she had completely given up hope. Now when she thought of Tao Sixian, she mostly felt disgusted.
It turned out that Tao Sixian hadn’t treated her very well over the past three years, hadn’t reciprocated her love equally. It was just that she had truly liked Tao Sixian too much back then, to the point of losing herself.
Now she was no longer lost; she knew what she wanted.
Zhao Mingfen and Wu Xiaoqiong turned and went to knock on Shen Ningruo’s door. Before closing her own door, Qiu Yang saw Shen Ningruo’s door open. The two exchanged a glance, then averted their eyes.
In the evening, Shen Ningruo came to Qiu Yang’s room on her own initiative. Tonight, it was supposed to be her room.
Qiu Yang was a bit surprised but didn’t find it strange.
It was the last night; whose room it was didn’t seem to matter. There was no need to be so particular.
However, Shen Ningruo arrived somewhat early, about half an hour earlier than usual.
Qiu Yang had just finished drying her hair and was about to pack, but hadn’t started yet.
Qiu Yang opened the door, and Shen Ningruo stepped inside.
Once the door was closed, Shen Ningruo grabbed Qiu Yang’s hand and once again pressed her against the door.
Her right hand cradled the back of Qiu Yang’s head, while her left hand intertwined its fingers with Qiu Yang’s right, pressing it against the door.
It wasn’t the first time kissing Shen Ningruo in this spot; Qiu Yang was used to it.
But it still felt a bit sudden, as there was no warning.
“What’s wrong?” The room’s lighting was similar to before, but Shen Ningruo standing like this blocked most of the light. Qiu Yang looked at her bright eyes and couldn’t help asking.
She could again smell the fresh lemon scent on Shen Ningruo.
Shen Ningruo didn’t answer, just lowered her head. Qiu Yang thought they were going to kiss again and closed her eyes.
She only heard Shen Ningruo let out a low chuckle, rubbing her nose against hers, before replying, “Have you packed yet?”
Qiu Yang: “…Not yet.”
Just as she finished speaking, Shen Ningruo lightly pressed her lips against hers.
A very light touch.
Shen Ningruo’s nose rubbed against hers again, and only when their breaths mingled did she kiss her properly.
In seven days, the two had kissed many times. Although there was no emotional component, it still felt comfortable and addictive.
Shen Ningruo’s left hand gradually loosened. Once freed, Qiu Yang expertly hooked her arms around her neck.
The soft kiss deepened, throats swallowing again and again.
Shen Ningruo knew what she was thinking. After finishing packing in her room, the thought of saying goodbye to Qiu Yang tomorrow made her feel somewhat restless.
She thought about coming over earlier, doing something more with Qiu Yang to soothe her emotions.
Her emotions were indeed relieved; now she just wanted to kiss Qiu Yang and go to bed with her.
After tonight, it would never be like this again.
Shen Ningruo’s mind drifted to this point again, and she couldn’t help but slide her left hand under the hem of Qiu Yang’s clothes.
She lifted her up again, placing her on the nearby cabinet.
Their lips parted. Shen Ningruo leaned in and licked hers again before lifting Qiu Yang’s pajamas.
The mirror opposite the cabinet silently watched everything unfold. It wanted to cover its eyes, but it couldn’t.
Qiu Yang’s hands rested on her sides, her head tilted back, her breathing completely chaotic.
She sensed Shen Ningruo’s very obvious emotions but had no desire to make her stop.
This was the last night of her indulgent journey. After returning to Yuncheng, it would never happen again.
They had tacitly avoided exchanging contact information these past few days, precisely so that after returning, this matter would become a secret, buried within them forever.
Qiu Yang didn’t feel reluctant to part, but she was very grateful to Shen Ningruo for giving her such an experience.
The pajamas were tossed onto the floor, and the pajama pants quickly followed.
The room had air conditioning, but being like this still made Qiu Yang feel a bit cold. Shen Ningruo knew this, so she lifted her down.
Qiu Yang wasn’t heavy, and Shen Ningruo exercised regularly. She simply carried her directly to the sofa and placed a cushion under Qiu Yang’s lower back.
Ever since the night they watched the moon, Qiu Yang no longer suppressed her voice as before, but she still tried to control it somewhat.
After finishing on the sofa, Qiu Yang had no strength left, but Shen Ningruo still felt it wasn’t enough. She carried her to the bed, kissing Qiu Yang while slowly teasing her body again.
They still had great tacit understanding, knowing how to bring each other pleasure.
After a short while, Shen Ningruo’s lips lingered on Qiu Yang’s collarbone. Her eyes darkened, and finally, she sucked on it twice.
This was the first and would be the last hickey left on Qiu Yang’s body.
Qiu Yang knew what she was doing but still didn’t stop her.
As long as it wasn’t on her neck, it was fine.
When she woke up, Shen Ningruo had already left the room. The tour guide reminded everyone in the group chat about the meeting time.
After Shen Ningruo got up, she had placed Qiu Yang’s pajamas on the nearby sofa. Qiu Yang pursed her lips and silently picked them up to put them on first.
Entering the bathroom, Qiu Yang looked in the mirror. Her pajamas were very loose, so the mark on her collarbone was visible at a glance.
It wasn’t large, but somewhat deep. She was naturally fair-skinned, so even a small mark was conspicuous.
Qiu Yang gathered her thoughts, turned on the faucet, and began to wash up.
The meeting time was ten o’clock. Qiu Yang hadn’t packed yet, but she wasn’t in a hurry. She had always been good at organizing and packing. When she lived with Tao Sixian, she kept every aspect of the apartment very tidy.
Around 9:50, Qiu Yang, wearing a round-neck sweatshirt that covered her collarbone, turned the combination lock on her suitcase and took out her room key.
Waves of dull sounds from suitcase wheels rolling on the floor echoed in the hallway. Qiu Yang joined in.
Arriving at the guesthouse lobby, Qiu Yang scanned the area but didn’t see Shen Ningruo. She looked back down the hallway but didn’t see her there either.
The sunlight was bright, illuminating the lobby, but it was crowded with people, feeling cramped.
By ten o’clock, Shen Ningruo still hadn’t appeared. The tour guide started the roll call. Even after it finished, Shen Ningruo’s name wasn’t heard.
Qiu Yang’s brow furrowed. After hesitating repeatedly, she finally went to ask Jin Yuan, “Guide Jin, where is Shen Ningruo?”
“Miss Shen messaged me saying she had an urgent matter. She took a taxi to the airport before dawn,” Jin Yuan revealed a smile. “Oh, right, she mentioned you to me. She asked me to pass on a message if you came looking for me.”
“What message?”
“Don’t throw away the little lamb doll.”
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