TNSFC – Chapter 44

She is well-behaved, how could she not be well-behaved.

Que Yining’s voice carried an unconscious tremor. She looked at Gu Shanxue’s face, so close, her eyes holding a hint of infatuation.

Gu Shanxue’s light-colored lips appeared exceptionally vibrant red due to the alcohol. Her eyes were misty, like a thin fog veiling distant mountains, making them hard to see clearly, yet drawing one irresistibly closer.

Que Yining unconsciously swallowed, her already delicate and charming face appearing even more alluring due to the flush.

Even though they hadn’t kissed yet, she had the illusion of already being embraced.

Gu Shanxue looked at her with lowered eyes, that face magnifying in her vision until their warm lips met.

Her brain felt like old machine parts, operating extremely slowly, motionless, passively allowing Que Yining’s actions.

The intertwined feminine scents spread in the limited space. The tips of their noses touched, warm breaths mingling, making one’s heart race erratically.

Warm and moist.

Que Yining’s eyes unconsciously misted over as she lightly brushed her lips against Gu Shanxue’s.

Even though the other party didn’t respond, at that moment, Que Yining reached a mental climax.

It was as if brilliant fireworks exploded in her mind, one after another, bright and flamboyant. Her breathing quickened, and her legs unconsciously pressed together.

“Gu Shanxue…”

Que Yining unconsciously murmured her name, throwing all her plans to the back of her mind.

She parted her lips, insatiably wanting to get closer, but the phone in Gu Shanxue’s handbag started vibrating continuously, making it hard for Que Yining to ignore.

She was instantly pulled back to reality from the sensual, ambiguous atmosphere. The surrounding ambiance re-entered her awareness, reminding her of her current location.

Gu Shanxue still looked disoriented. Que Yining got up, let Gu Shanxue lean on her, and helped her out of the restroom.

Que Yining had already memorized the faces of Gu Shanxue’s team members earlier. As she was about to leave the restroom, she saw someone walking in this direction, and her mind raced.

She helped Gu Shanxue to the sink, then went back into the stall herself.

She didn’t close the door tightly, leaving a crack, and watched Gu Shanxue’s assistant walk in.

The assistant couldn’t find her boss anywhere and was about to panic. After seeing her in the restroom, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickly supported her.

Gu Shanxue, disoriented, pushed her slightly. The assistant said a few words to her before successfully helping her away.

After she left, Que Yining pushed open the door and came out of the stall. She let out a soft breath and, looking at the mirror above the sink, revealed a very faint smile.

She left the venue in a cheerful mood. Tonight’s trip had been very fruitful, exceeding her imagination.

She didn’t know if Gu Shanxue would remember anything after getting drunk, but it didn’t matter whether she did or not.

If not, that was perfect; she wouldn’t be exposed. Even if Gu Shanxue did remember, Que Yining could deny being there, thus planting a suggestion in her mind.

If Gu Shanxue realized she had hallucinations of kissing her when drunk… Que Yining felt excited just thinking about that scene.

What a perfect suggestion.

Que Yining licked her lips, feeling a bit regretful amidst her excitement.

She had only lightly brushed the other’s lips, licked over the creases of her lips, without any deeper contact.

She inwardly criticized herself for not being decisive and bold enough. If there was such a good opportunity next time, she should just kiss her directly—a passionate, deep kiss without stopping.

Of course, Que Yining was just thinking.

She wondered if such an opportunity would come again. Oh, how she wished she could win Gu Shanxue over quickly, so she could naturally do some… adult things.

Thinking this way all along, it wasn’t until she was in the car that Que Yining started to recall what Gu Shanxue had said.

Why did she suddenly say she wasn’t being good?

Was it because she came here to see her?

Que Yining thought about it over and over. She couldn’t think of a more reasonable answer; after all, she hadn’t done anything bad before tonight.

But she had to admit, Gu Shanxue’s tone when she spoke like that was really doting, giving Que Yining the illusion that she was liked by her.

Could Gu Shanxue also like her a little?

Que Yining looked out the car window, an unconscious smile on her face.

Zhang Shiyu drove quietly in the front. Seeing her boss in the rearview mirror, looking as if she were surrounded by pink bubbles, she dared not say a word, nor ask any questions.

When the car was almost at Que Yining’s home, Que Yining finally broke free from that sweet atmosphere. When she faced Zhang Shiyu, her expression returned to its usual state.

She cleared her throat: “Don’t tell anyone about tonight. I didn’t go out.”

Zhang Shiyu nodded: “Understood.”

Que Yining got out of the car. Zhang Shiyu watched her retreating figure from a distance, sighing inwardly, ‘Is this the beauty of love?’ She rolled up the car window and drove away.

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The long night was heavy, and in the hazy dimness, a rosy dawn began to bloom.

Gu Shanxue woke up with a splitting headache amidst the lingering smell of alcohol. Fragments of last night’s memories were scattered. She propped herself up and sat on the bed for a while, staring blankly at the curtains.

It had been a long time since she had been this drunk. The smell on her body made her, who was a bit of a neat freak, very uncomfortable.

Gu Shanxue pulled open the curtains, took her clothes, and walked towards the bathroom.

Ningning heard the movement, jumped down from the cat tree, stretched out its front paws, raised its rear, arched its back in a long stretch, and walked towards Gu Shanxue, swishing its tail.

“Good Ningning.”

Gu Shanxue bent down and stroked the cat’s back.

These three words seemed to trigger something. Gu Shanxue froze on the spot, pressing her temples, feeling an extraordinary sense of familiarity.

“Good Ningning…”

Gu Shanxue unconsciously murmured it again, thoughtfully recalling, and Que Yining’s face flashed through her mind.

Gu Shanxue felt like she had forgotten something very important, perhaps related to Que Yining.

She stood up and pondered for a moment, still reaching no conclusion. Smelling the scent on herself, she temporarily gave up thinking about it and took her clothes to the bathroom.

Gu Shanxue turned on the shower. In the split second she closed her eyes and hot water poured down on her, something leaped in her mind.

A beautiful face, eyes glistening with moisture, a hazy blush, softness and wetness… like a gorgeous yet absurd dream, an unbelievable illusion.

Gu Shanxue, not caring that water would drip into her eyes, suddenly opened them. She hastily wiped the water droplets from her face, wrapped a towel around herself, walked into the room, took out her phone, and called the assistant who had taken her home yesterday.

“Yesterday, did you really not see anyone else with me?”

“I’m fine, I just suddenly remembered something.”

“Are you sure I was alone?”

“Okay, never mind.”

Gu Shanxue hung up. Ignoring her uncomfortable, damp state, she was in turmoil, her thoughts in an uproar.

Was that scene that suddenly appeared in her mind real, or her hallucination?

She immediately checked the messages Que Yining had sent her. It seemed Que Yining hadn’t received her reply and had said goodnight very late.

If it really was a hallucination, why would she have such a hallucination?

Gu Shanxue highly doubted herself, wondering if it was because of the conversation she overheard yesterday that her subconscious had illogically pieced things together, creating such an absurd scene.

Gu Shanxue’s mind was very chaotic, so much so that she didn’t even want to reply to Que Yining’s messages. She put her phone aside and went back into the bathroom.

It shouldn’t be like this. Although she admired the other person, it wasn’t…

Gu Shanxue felt vexed and self-reproachful about that scene. Even though Que Yining was unaware, it felt as if she had indulged in a fantasy about her friend without her knowledge, making Gu Shanxue feel exceptionally guilty and remorseful.

She looked at the white wall, frowning and sighing softly.

Que Yining, on the other side of the city, had no idea her beloved was so conflicted and tormented. Last night’s events had given her a good dream. After changing her underwear, she put on makeup and went out.

Her phone still hadn’t received any reply from Gu Shanxue. Que Yining didn’t know if Gu Shanxue hadn’t woken up yet, or if she remembered last night’s events.

She sent a concerned message and today’s good morning greeting to the other person, then went to work with a smile.

Luck seemed to be especially on her side today. On the way to the company, she received a call from the police station and immediately had Zhang Shiyu turn the car around and head straight for the police station.

There was a lead in Geng Liyun’s case. In just one night, the police had figured out Geng Liyun’s network, and the case had a major breakthrough.

A sum of money had been transferred into Geng Liyun’s ex-wife’s account a few days ago. The transferring account was an overseas account, but Geng Liyun’s ex-wife was a peasant woman who had never even left the province. It was impossible for her to be connected to any overseas account, especially for a sum of several hundred thousand.

When the police questioned her, she claimed to know nothing about it.

“Geng Liyun’s ex-wife said she doesn’t really understand banking procedures. Geng Liyun helped her set up her bank cards, including online banking. After divorcing Geng Liyun, she put away all the bank cards that had no money. She claims to know nothing about the card we mentioned. It’s highly possible Geng Liyun used her ID to open it a long time ago without telling her.”

“We’ve used this as a breakthrough point and interrogated him. He has given up concealing things and confessed the details.”

The police officer explained the current progress and showed Que Yining the recording.

“He stated he was hired to interview at your company, observe your project developments, and plant a virus on your computers. The fee was one million, with a deposit of five hundred thousand, and another five hundred thousand upon completion.”

“He said he had never done anything like this before and was very nervous. A few nights ago, he thought his actions were seen, so he tried to flee that night. However, due to heavy rain, the plane couldn’t take off, so he chose to return to his hometown in the countryside to bid farewell to his family first.”

“We asked him who hired him, but he couldn’t say clearly, stating they only contacted via a phone number. When we tried calling it, it was already a dead number. The other party is very cautious.”

Que Yining pondered for a moment and then asked: “What about the remaining five hundred thousand? Did the other party transfer it?”

The police officer in charge of the case shook his head and continued: “But please rest assured, we will definitely work hard to investigate.”

Que Yining thought for a moment, feeling something was strange: “Is he sure he only planted a virus on the computer?”

Police officer: “That’s indeed what he said.”

Planting a virus and stealing confidential information are not the same thing. The latter is more complex. If it was only the former, Que Yining suddenly had someone in mind, but she wasn’t very sure.

Que Yining: “Can I see him?”

Police officer: “Please follow me.”

As soon as Geng Liyun saw Que Yining, he became very agitated, looking as if he wanted to hug her legs and cry his heart out immediately.

“Boss, I was possessed, but please believe me! I really didn’t do anything to steal data! I just planted a virus with a USB drive as that person told me to. I really don’t know what happened with the data, that really wasn’t me!”

He looked pitiful and wretched, his voice choked with sobs.

Que Yining didn’t sympathize with him. After asking him a few things, she left the police station.

In the car, she called Xie Yanhuai and asked about the virus. They hadn’t reported this to her.

“Virus? What virus? Boss, are you talking about that little thing I saw when I booted up the computer the other day? I just cleared it out casually.”

Xie Yanhuai sounded a bit bewildered, his tone subtly hesitant as he replied.

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