Behind the Mask - Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Kissing the Waist
Chu Ye's heart pounded. She felt it was because she harbored improper thoughts that she was so sensitive to the other's casual words.
"What did you lie to me about?" she asked Bai Ning seriously.
Bai Ning lowered her gaze and smiled, feeling a bit helpless. Hearing Chu Ye take it so seriously, she said, "That day, when I told you I could practice divination, I was lying to you."
Chu Ye had believed this matter without a doubt, so it was better for her to explain.
Chu Ye didn't speak. She didn't have such a sophisticated mind. Most of the time, she believed whatever people told her, and she hadn't doubted Bai Ning's words in the slightest.
She had a straightforward personality and never liked being coaxed and deceived in roundabout ways. Although she could guess that Bai Ning had lied to her back then to comfort her.
After a moment of silence.
"Do I look that easy to fool?" Chu Ye muttered, a hint of indignation in her voice.
Bai Ning was at a loss for words. Seeing her pout and look sullen, she asked, "Are you angry with me?"
That soft, pleasant voice entered her ears, and the bit of displeasure in Chu Ye's heart vanished completely. It was as if she was willing to be deceived by her.
Chu Ye avoided answering. "It's late. You should sleep. The doctor said you need to rest more."
Bai Ning hugged her. "Mm."
After the person beside her on the pillow closed her eyes, Chu Ye still felt no sleepiness. She thought of the painting Bai Ning had made of her and felt a little happy, but then she thought of Bai Ning's health and grew worried again.
Her heart was suddenly filled with worries.
That night, Chu Ye dreamed that Bai Ning was still coughing. As she coughed, bright red blood surged up from her throat, splashing onto the bedding and her plain white lapels, a shocking sight.
Chu Ye woke with a start.
The room was dimly lit. She glanced at Bai Ning beside her. It was a false alarm; thankfully, it was just a dream.
But Bai Ning's condition was not good. Her eyes were closed, her brows were tightly furrowed, her face was unusually pale, her lips had become dry, and her body was trembling slightly.
"Second Miss," Chu Ye called to her softly. But she couldn't wake her at all. Bai Ning just trembled, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Chu Ye immediately got out of bed and went to tell Nuan Hua to fetch a doctor.
Bai Ning was gravely ill and had fallen unconscious.
Naturally, there were many people bustling about to care for her. Chu Ye had no opportunity to get close and could only watch from a distance.
Chu Ye heard Lady Bai complaining to her husband, "As her father, how can you not feel for your daughter? A'Ning fell ill right after being rescued from the mountains. Before she even recovered, you made her go to the attic to reflect on her mistakes. How could her body possibly endure that?"
That day, the Bai Manor summoned many doctors. They came and went, some diagnosing, others prescribing medicine, in a flurry of chaotic activity.
Chu Ye waited outside the long corridor, from dawn until dusk. The stars and moon came out, and she stood there for a whole day without hearing any news of Bai Ning waking up.
The air was so quiet it was agitating.
From time to time, Chu Ye would look toward Bai Ning's room, wanting to go in and stay with her, but it wasn't her place. She was suddenly struck by a strong feeling that no matter how close she and Bai Ning were in private, they were ultimately from two different worlds.
Not until late at night.
From a distance, Chu Ye heard someone in the room exclaim, "The young miss is awake!" She let out a breath, and the hand clutching the corner of her clothes finally relaxed.
When Bai Ning opened her eyes, many people were waiting by her side. She looked around and asked Nuan Hua, "Where is Chu Ye?"
Chu Ye saw the people gradually disperse. Nuan Hua came running to find her. "Miss Chu, the young miss wants to see you."
"Mm." Chu Ye responded calmly on the surface, but her heart was overjoyed.
The room was filled with the scent of medicine.
Bai Ning lay in bed, her temples beaded with a cold sweat. Her face was haggard, and she didn't even have the strength to sit up.
Chu Ye wanted to say a few words of concern, but her throat felt tight, and she couldn't speak.
Bai Ning smiled at her. "Did I sleep for a long time?"
Even her smile was pale and weak. Chu Ye pressed her lips together. "Mm." Seeing Bai Ning's current state, not only did her throat feel tight, but her eyes began to sting as well.
Nuan Hua brought over bird's nest porridge and a medicinal soup. "Miss, have some porridge first, then drink your medicine."
Bai Ning shook her head. She really had no appetite right now.
Nuan Hua was in a difficult position.
"You have to drink it. You haven't eaten all day," Chu Ye said anxiously. She turned to Nuan Hua. "Let me do it."
"Alright. Then I'll trouble Miss Chu. Please make sure the young miss eats something." Nuan Hua knew that Bai Ning and Chu Ye had a good relationship; Chu Ye's persuasion would be more effective than her own.
"Mm, I know."
After Nuan Hua left and there was no one else in the room, Chu Ye was no longer so reserved. She sat on the edge of the bed and helped Bai Ning sit up. Bai Ning hooked her arms around Chu Ye's neck, half-held and half-embraced, as she managed to sit up.
Chu Ye let Bai Ning lean against her, resting her head on her shoulder. She looked at Bai Ning's pale face from up close, not speaking, just staring for a long time.
"I'm fine, you don't need to worry."
This is fine? She's trying to coax me again. Chu Ye didn't ask if she wanted the porridge. She took matters into her own hands, picked up the bowl and spoon, scooped up a little porridge, carefully blew on it to cool it, and brought it to Bai Ning's lips.
She wasn't very good at taking care of people. Since she was young, her brother and sister had doted on her. Later, when Chu Lan lost her sight, she wouldn't let Chu Ye take care of her either. Elder Sister was always stubborn, insisting she could manage on her own.
Bai Ning had no appetite, but seeing Chu Ye watching her expectantly, waiting for her to eat, she still opened her lips and took a small sip.
She ate with difficulty, only able to manage a small mouthful at a time. Chu Ye was patient, feeding her one small bite after another. Though her movements were clumsy, they were gentle and considerate.
Bai Ning only ate a few bites. She asked Chu Ye, "Did you wait for me all day?"
Chu Ye was silent.
So it was true. Bai Ning asked again, "And you didn't eat all day?"
"I'm not hungry." Chu Ye continued to feed her the porridge. "Finish the porridge first, then drink your medicine."
Bai Ning no longer opened her lips. "If you don't eat, I won't eat either."
Hearing this, Chu Ye directly put the spoonful of porridge Bai Ning refused into her own mouth.
"There, I've eaten."
Bai Ning couldn't help but smile.
Chu Ye wanted to feed her again, but she looked at the spoon in her hand and realized her action had been improper. She withdrew her hand and said, "I'll go get another bowl."
Bai Ning stopped her. "No need."
"But I've already eaten from..." Chu Ye trailed off. She saw Bai Ning open her lips and willingly eat from that same spoon, not minding at all.
"You eat too," Bai Ning said.
"Mm." Chu Ye took another sip herself. Her lips touched the spot where Bai Ning's had been, stirring a strange sensation, as if it were an intimate touch. The warm porridge seemed to scorch her lips.
After feeding Bai Ning the porridge and then the medicine, Chu Ye felt a little more at ease. Bai Ning leaned against her and dozed off again. She was listless and sickly, as if she couldn't withstand even the slightest breeze.
If you rescue me, I'll only live for another year or so.
Chu Ye suddenly remembered what Bai Ning had once said to her.
Live for another year or so.
The more she thought about it, the more her nose tingled. She looked down at Bai Ning. Does she really only have a year or so left?
She wanted to hold Bai Ning and lie down to sleep, but the slight movement woke Bai Ning up. Bai Ning stared straight into her eyes, which were red and bloodshot.
"Why are you crying?"
"I'm not." Chu Ye turned her face away, trying to defend herself. The people of Xizhou were fierce and always looked down on those who cried. Even when she wanted to cry, she could usually hold back her tears.
"Were you afraid I wouldn't wake up?"
Chu Ye looked at her. "Don't you dare say that!"
Bai Ning saw her eyes grow even redder. She smiled at her, reached out to touch her cheek, and her fingertips brushed past the reddened, moist corners of her eyes.
That gentle touch made the corners of Chu Ye's eyes completely wet.
Seeing that she was actually crying, Bai Ning's heart also felt a pang of sorrow. She comforted Chu Ye, "I'm fine. I'll get better after a few days of good rest."
Chu Ye's eyes were red-rimmed. "You're always lying to me."
"You..." Seeing her like this, Bai Ning parted her thin lips. "You can't bear to part with me?"
Chu Ye was silent.
"When you return to Xizhou, we... we won't be able to see each other anymore," Bai Ning said with a lonely smile.
"It's different." Even if they were to part, on the days they couldn't see each other, she still wanted Bai Ning to be well. A wave of sorrow washed over Chu Ye's heart, and tears fell straight down. She had thought she wouldn't cry.
"I'm really fine," Bai Ning explained repeatedly. "When I told you I only had a year or so to live, I was just coaxing you. I didn't want to be a burden to you back then."
Chu Ye froze. "But everyone outside says you..."
"You can't believe all the rumors from the outside world." Bai Ning knew those rumors better than anyone. To others, they were just idle gossip, but probably only Chu Ye would feel so genuinely sad for her. She moved closer to Chu Ye's face, carefully wiping away her tears, and smiled through her own stinging nose. "Silly girl, why do you believe everything? Although I'm frail, I'm not so fated to have a short life."
So the rumors outside are false? Chu Ye was half-convinced, half-doubting.
"This brings us back to Prince Shun's Manor." Bai Ning thought for a moment and decided to explain to Chu Ye. "When I was sixteen, someone from Prince Shun's Manor came to propose marriage. My father knew that Prince Shun harbored treasonous intentions and didn't want to be associated with him. But he was also afraid that an outright refusal would bring trouble upon us, so he used my innate frailty as an excuse to decline. Later, the matter spread throughout Jingzhou and turned into all sorts of rumors."
So many twists and turns. Chu Ye frowned. "You'd better not be lying to me..."
"I'm not lying." Bai Ning smiled helplessly. "Ye'er, I won't lie to you anymore."
With that promise from Bai Ning, Chu Ye finally believed her. She leaned her face forward, letting Bai Ning dry her tears, feeling obedient and happy.
"It must be because that man couldn't marry you that he spread rumors everywhere to slander you," Chu Ye said indignantly.
"It wasn't necessarily a bad thing." Bai Ning smiled calmly, still stroking Chu Ye's cheek. "I didn't want to marry any of those stinking men either."
Chu Ye thought about it. What Bai Ning said made a lot of sense. She also couldn't imagine what kind of man would be worthy of Bai Ning.
"Your eyes are all red from crying."
Chu Ye turned her head away awkwardly. That single, pained remark from Bai Ning was enough to make her feel sweet for a long time to come.
The next day, more people came to take care of Bai Ning. But Bai Ning sent them all away, telling Nuan Hua that she wanted to recuperate quietly and not be disturbed by anyone. She only kept Chu Ye by her side.
Nuan Hua agreed to it all. She was puzzled. Why did the young miss always want only Chu Ye to accompany her, even sleeping together every night? It was less like a bodyguard and more like a little lover.
But of course, she didn't dare say such a bold thing out loud; she only thought it to herself.
When she was alone with Bai Ning, Chu Ye returned to her unrestrained self. She didn't have to wear a mask and could be... intimate with Bai Ning.
Bai Ning rested in bed for two days, and her complexion gradually improved.
Chu Ye still fed her medicine one mouthful at a time, taking meticulous care of her.
Bai Ning grew bored from lying in bed for so long and wanted to get up and finish the painting she hadn't completed a few days ago.
Chu Ye wouldn't allow it in the slightest. "You need to rest properly. Painting is mentally taxing. You can't."
"But I can't just lie in bed all day, can I?" Bai Ning gave a wry smile. She saw that it was another clear day, with sunlight streaming into the room.
"Ye'er," Bai Ning called her softly. "I want to bask in the sun."
Chu Ye's heart tingled at being called that. She looked at Bai Ning lying in bed, without makeup and with her long hair hanging loosely. She lacked the coldness she showed in front of outsiders and instead possessed a captivating charm. For some reason, just looking at this scene made Chu Ye blush.
Bai Ning wrapped an outer robe around herself and tried to get out of bed.
"I'll carry you," Chu Ye said, bending down.
Bai Ning didn't refuse. As Chu Ye approached, she proactively wrapped her arms around Chu Ye's neck, holding on tightly.
Chu Ye lifted her from the bed, their faces drawing close. Chu Ye's mind began to wander; even the medicinal scent on Bai Ning's body was pleasant.
Walking toward the chair by the window, Chu Ye walked a little slowly, deliberately, wanting to hold her for a while longer. She was destined to part with Bai Ning, so she especially cherished this little bit of closeness and ambiguity.
Chu Ye sat down in the chair with Bai Ning in her arms. The warm sunlight spread over them, making their eyes shine brightly.
Chu Ye hadn't straightened up yet.
"Are you this considerate when you protect other women?" Bai Ning couldn't help but ask.
Chu Ye looked at her. "No."
Bai Ning's heart pounded. She pressed, "Then why are you like this with me?"
Why, why...
Chu Ye already had the answer in her mind. She paused slightly. "You saved my life."
Bai Ning smiled faintly. "You saved my life too. You don't have to be good to me because of that."
Chu Ye hummed in acknowledgment. She remembered her siblings' frequent warnings: never develop feelings for your employer. As commoners, they would never have a future with such nobles. She thought her siblings would never guess that not only had she developed feelings, but it was for a woman.
They basked in the sun quietly, and Bai Ning leaned on her shoulder again.
She secretly watched Bai Ning, wishing time would pass a little more slowly, that the sunlight would be a little warmer.
However, in this world, things rarely go as one wishes.
That evening, Chu Ye received another letter from her Big Brother. Chu Hu said that the remnants of Prince Shun's Manor had been captured, and he also told her that she had to leave for her next mission tomorrow.
How did it come so quickly?
When Bai Ning heard that the remnants had been caught, she too fell silent for a long time. Chu Ye would be leaving, of course...
After washing up that night, Chu Ye got into Bai Ning's bed as usual.
Bai Ning asked with a faint smile, "You're leaving tomorrow?"
Chu Ye felt a lump in her throat and nodded.
They lay down on the bed without a word, but after a shared glance, they embraced with a tacit understanding.
Chu Ye held the person in her arms tightly, her heart beating faster than ever before, yet she felt a sense of loss.
Bai Ning stroked her back again and remembered, "It's been many days since we applied the ointment. Let me help you with it again."
Chu Ye held her, reluctant to let go. "Okay."
Sitting face to face on the bed, Bai Ning took out the White Jade Ointment and stared at her.
Chu Ye felt embarrassed. In the past, when she undid her clothes, Bai Ning would always avert her gaze for a moment.
Bai Ning looked at her and smiled, but she still didn't turn her face away.
Chu Ye was no longer shy. In front of Bai Ning, she lowered her head and removed her middle garment, taking it off until only a dudou remained. Her face burning red, she obediently lay down on her stomach on the bed.
Bai Ning reached out her fingertips and touched the fair skin of her back. She felt Chu Ye's body move slightly, and her own fingertips twitched.
"The scar has faded a little." Bai Ning stroked the long scar, her gaze following its path from the upper back down to that slender waist.
Chu Ye found the touch unbearable, feeling more sensitive than ever before. She closed her eyes and quietly took a deep breath.
"How did you get this scar?" Bai Ning asked.
Talking would be a good distraction. Chu Ye felt a little better. She had only ever said she got the scar when she was twelve, but never gave the details. She turned her head slightly to look at Bai Ning and began to elaborate.
She told Bai Ning how her brother and sister had found her in the snowy plains and how she had become a bodyguard.
She told her how she got her first scar, and how scared she was the first time she passed out in a pool of blood. She never admitted to others that she could be afraid, not even to her brother and sister.
She was only twelve that year. It was the first time she had killed someone and the first time she had been injured. Those images had become like a nightmare that she still often dreamed of to this day.
Bai Ning listened to her story, her fingers still stroking the scar. "Did it hurt back then?"
"It hurt. It hurt like hell. But I didn't dare say it hurt in front of Elder Sister and the others. I was afraid they would worry." Saying this was out of character for Chu Ye, but as she looked at Bai Ning, she said it anyway. She thought Bai Ning would surely feel sorry for her and then comfort her.
A warmth spread through Bai Ning's heart. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to the scar on Chu Ye's back.
In an instant, a tingling numbness spread through Chu Ye's entire body. Bai Ning's hair fell against her back, as did the warm kiss. She hadn't expected Bai Ning to comfort her like this...
Bai Ning followed the long scar all the way down, kissing it bit by bit, her touch carrying a sense of comfort, but also something else.
Chu Ye's back tensed up, and her mind went blank. Her palms clutched the bedding, her breathing grew chaotic, yet she didn't dare make too much noise.
By the time her kisses reached her waist, Bai Ning's breathing had also grown heavy. She held Chu Ye's waist, repeatedly placing soft kisses on the scarred side.
Chu Ye finally lost control of her heavy breathing, letting out a soft sigh. Her previously tense body began to grow limp and pliant.
"Ngh—" A very faint sigh escaped her throat. Every time Bai Ning pressed a kiss to her lower back, her waist couldn't help but tremble and twitch.
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