TNSFC – Chapter 92

Fang Sushen looked a bit bewildered as Gu Shanxue suddenly distanced herself from him. He glanced around doubtfully, then walked back to Gu Shanxue’s side.

Gu Shanxue was about to move aside again but noticed some activity at the entrance.

Fang Sushen watched the woman walking in, a look of admiration flashing across his face.

Gu Shanxue frowned, looking at him with a touch of wariness.

Turning back, Fang Sushen saw her expression and paused, a bewildered look unconsciously appearing on his face.

What’s suddenly wrong?

Que Yining had originally intended to stride up to Gu Shanxue with her full presence, make the man interested in Gu Shanxue step aside, and show him how affectionate she and Gu Shanxue were. However, before she even reached the entrance, people who recognized her began to exchange pleasantries, and she had no choice but to join in.

“Boss Que, your leg’s all better! Congratulations, congratulations.”

“Thank you. Thanks to your good wishes, you look very well too.”

Exchanging greetings as she moved forward, Que Yining took a wine glass from a waiter, tilted her head, and chuckled softly with someone, her natural charisma evident.

Gu Shanxue watched her intently, and even Que Yining’s movements as she approached seemed to slow infinitely in her mind. The surrounding figures and noise faded, leaving only this one person shining brightly.

“Shanxue.”

Que Yining walked to Gu Shanxue’s side, reached out to take her arm, and pressed close to her in an extremely intimate, possessive manner, calling her name sweetly.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would have picked you up. Is your leg completely healed?”

Gu Shanxue replied, then in turn asked Que Yining.

She hadn’t known Que Yining was coming, nor that her recovery had progressed so well.

Que Yining hadn’t told her. Previously, she had only mentioned that rehabilitation was effective and she could walk for a short distance. When Gu Shanxue had asked for more details, Que Yining hadn’t elaborated.

“It was to give you a surprise. Well? Are you surprised?”

They were both wearing high heels. Que Yining was slightly shorter than Gu Shanxue, so she looked up at her slightly and blinked.

“Surprised.”

The corners of Gu Shanxue’s lips curved up. She raised her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Que Yining’s ear.

Que Yining could finally walk as she used to; how could Gu Shanxue not be surprised?

It was just that the emotion surged strongly in her chest, and she wasn’t adept at expressing it, so only a fraction of it showed on the surface.

“And this is?”

Que Yining turned her gaze to Fang Sushen, who was standing to the side, an inquisitive look on her face.

“Hello, I’m Fang Sushen.”

Fang Sushen, having been ignored for a while, saw he was finally noticed. He extended his hand and introduced himself to Que Yining.

He figured this must be a good friend of Gu Shanxue’s; after all, Gu Shanxue’s attitude towards her was clearly different from how she treated others. She must be a very close confidante. Fang Sushen thought it would be beneficial to get on good terms with her.

“Hello, Que Yining.”

Que Yining’s hand briefly clasped his then released, a business-like smile on her face, while inwardly sneering that this man wasn’t very perceptive.

“So it’s Miss Que. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Fang Sushen had heard of Que Yining’s name before coming to Lu Su City and was quite interested in some of her accomplishments. So, a capable beauty’s good friend is also a capable beauty, he thought. Fang Sushen’s smile became even more sincere.

“Oh? Mr. Fang has heard of me?”

Que Yining raised an eyebrow and started chatting with Fang Sushen.

She wanted to see what this man, perhaps some insignificant male supporting character from the book, was all about. Although she was inwardly grinding her teeth, her expression remained composed and elegant, and she never let go of Gu Shanxue’s hand.

Gu Shanxue watched Fang Sushen, who was beaming with joy as he chatted with Que Yining, and the frown lines between her brows deepened.

Fang Sushen noticed her gaze and quickly steered the conversation towards Gu Shanxue. He thought Gu Shanxue was upset because he had been so engrossed in chatting happily with her friend that he had neglected her, unaware that this was far from the truth.

“So that collaboration is with your company. Shanxue also mentioned that project to me.”

Que Yining feigned surprise, looked up at Gu Shanxue, and gave her a wink.

Fang Sushen said teasingly, “It seems you two are very close. Miss Gu even tells you about collaborations like this.”

“Of course. Shanxue is willing to tell me anything because I’m her darling.”

Que Yining acted very cute and sweet, meeting Gu Shanxue’s gaze, her eyes filled with delight, and a sweet tone rolled off her tongue.

Gu Shanxue’s face grew warm at her words, and she remained silent in tacit agreement.

Fang Sushen found the atmosphere between them a bit strange but couldn’t quite pinpoint why.

Someone approached from behind to chat, so Fang Sushen had to put aside his strange feeling and turn to business.

“What an unperceptive man. Shanxue, remember to stay away from him.”

Que Yining pulled Gu Shanxue away and, at a corner, leaned close to whisper in her ear.

Her breath was hot, and her feminine scent subtly enveloped Gu Shanxue. The sensation by her ear was slightly ticklish, a tickle that reached Gu Shanxue’s heart.

A faint, barely noticeable blush appeared on Gu Shanxue’s face. Her gaze drifted slightly, but her tone when she replied was very serious.

“He’s just a business partner. If necessary, we can stop collaborating.”

In truth, Gu Shanxue wasn’t skilled at saying things to please people. Even these words carried a somewhat clumsy assurance. Anyone unfamiliar with her might have thought her arrogant and cold, incapable of sweet talk.

Que Yining was a romantic at heart, though not the type for superficial, flowery gestures. She greatly appreciated Gu Shanxue’s earnestness and smiled at her.

Their current relationship was ambiguous, seemingly just a step away from being lovers. But Que Yining knew they had already crossed that threshold and reached a deeper connection. It was just that neither had explicitly stated it, nor broken the unspoken understanding.

Unspoken, yet mutually understood.

Que Yining wasn’t in a hurry to change this dynamic. She wasn’t anxious. Gu Shanxue could take her time to be sure of what she could offer, and Que Yining would simply wait. If she grew too impatient, she would be the one to speak up first.

Gu Shanxue actually gave her a great sense of security. She didn’t know if Gu Shanxue realized this, but she did.

“Am I interrupting something?”

Laughter came from nearby. Jiang Xiaowan, holding a wine glass, looked at the two leaning against each other, her face full of teasing.

The smile on Gu Shanxue’s face faded slightly. She greeted Jiang Xiaowan politely but inwardly grumbled, You knew you were interrupting, yet you still came over.

Que Yining wasn’t the least bit embarrassed at being seen. She openly straightened up from leaning on Gu Shanxue, greeted Jiang Xiaowan, and winked at her, indicating everything was going smoothly.

Jiang Xiaowan raised her glass in affirmation. She knew Que Yining would have no problem winning over Gu Shanxue.

“Is your leg completely healed? How does it feel?”

Jiang Xiaowan’s gaze lingered on Que Yining’s calves. They were beautiful and straight, showing no sign of the severe injury they had once suffered.

“It’s completely healed. The long-lost feeling of walking on my own is very good.”

Que Yining took a couple of steps to show she was doing very well now.

“I have a congratulatory gift for you, to celebrate your recovery. Interested?”

Jiang Xiaowan’s tone was somewhat mysterious. Although she was speaking to Que Yining, her eyes swept over Gu Shanxue.

“Yes, go ahead. This is my partner; there’s nothing she can’t overhear.”

Que Yining squeezed Gu Shanxue’s palm and smiled at her when Gu Shanxue looked over.

Jiang Xiaowan gave a look that said, ‘You said it yourself,’ then began, “Want an annual membership card to a famous lesbian club? It’s full of beauties, all sorts of types. I have someone at home now, so I don’t go to those places anymore. But it’s a pity to waste it. How about you inherit it?”

Gu Shanxue’s expression visibly darkened, and Que Yining was also momentarily stunned.

“It would be a waste for me to inherit it too. I’ll pass on this kind offer. My favorite type is right here beside me.”

Que Yining quickly proclaimed her innocence and shot daggers at Jiang Xiaowan with her eyes.

“Just kidding. It’s about a collaboration with Que Corporation. Want to hear about it?”

Seeing Gu Shanxue’s reaction, Jiang Xiaowan was secretly delighted. She didn’t know why, but she just loved to see an “ice beauty” like Gu Shanxue lose her composure; she found it very amusing.

“If it’s about a profitable opportunity, then of course I want to hear it.”

Que Yining’s tone was teasing and casual, but she began to get serious.

Meanwhile, someone else approached Gu Shanxue to talk. Gu Shanxue whispered, “See you in a bit,” to Que Yining and went elsewhere to converse with that person.

“Looking at you now, you’ve completely won her over.”

Jiang Xiaowan watched Gu Shanxue’s retreating figure and congratulated Que Yining.

“Trying to break up a happy couple is asking for trouble, you know. Don’t say things like that in front of her again. Otherwise, I’ll have Qiao Yuchu tell that little lady of yours all about your ‘glorious’ past exploits.”

Que Yining said with a beaming smile, not at all afraid of a little mutual blackmail.

“So protective, huh? But don’t you find it particularly amusing to see her get angry?”

Jiang Xiaowan was thoroughly amused. She had originally thought that in their relationship, Que Yining would be the one effortlessly in control. Now, it didn’t seem so. Yet, to say Gu Shanxue was in control seemed even less likely. It could only be said that they were mutually entangled, pulling at each other, with neither holding a superior position nor able to navigate it with complete ease.

“You’re not allowed to have any designs on her.”

Alarm bells rang in Que Yining’s mind, and she spoke bluntly to her friend.

“No interest, no interest at all. Let’s just talk about the collaboration.”

Jiang Xiaowan stopped teasing and began to discuss business seriously with Que Yining.

The banquet hadn’t been going on for long. Gu Shanxue was busy socializing, and Que Yining didn’t plan to leave with her too soon. While Gu Shanxue was occupied, Que Yining also worked on expanding her network. However, this type of event didn’t have a significant overlap with her usual business circles, so after a while, Que Yining found herself with some free time. She admired her Miss Gu’s beauty from a corner for a bit, confirmed that Fang Sushen wasn’t hovering around Gu Shanxue, and then went to the restroom to touch up her makeup.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Fang Sushen, who was just coming out, right by the sinks.

“Miss Que.”

Fang Sushen greeted her, intending to strike up a conversation.

“Mr. Fang.”

Que Yining was currently applying lipstick, her movements unhurried, exuding a captivating charm as she did so.

Her voice was languid, the slightly raised pitch carrying a suggestive undertone.

She finished applying her lipstick, smiled at her reflection, and met Fang Sushen’s gaze in the mirror.

“I advise you to quickly dismiss any unrealistic ideas, to avoid heartache later.”

Que Yining smiled brightly, then turned to face Fang Sushen directly, but her eyes held a touch of coldness.

“She is mine.”

Her vividly red lips uttered the words of possession, curving into an assertive smile.

Que Yining brushed past Fang Sushen. The click of her high heels on the floor carried an immense pressure, as if striking directly at one’s heart.

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