Offense - Chapter 18
Chapter 18
After saying this, Lian Wan pressed her lips together and raised her eyes, waiting for Zhou Yanqian's reaction.
During the wait, the bread in her arms continued to emit its fragrance without pause, as if this were a soft, sweet dream that would never end.
Two seconds, three seconds. Lian Wan tried hard to hide her eagerness, unaware that the invisible tail behind her was already wagging as if it were about to take flight.
She noticed Zhou Yanqian's fingers, which were resting on the door, twitch. Then they lifted into the air and loosely gripped her arm.
The warmth from that palm seemed to carry with it the cozy languor of a warm bed, pressing against her all at once.
In that instant, Lian Wan felt as if she were sitting in front of a heat lamp in winter, warm all over—not to mention the bread in her arms was still so fragrant.
"You want to have a meal with me?" Zhou Yanqian asked, pulling her closer. She tilted her head, her smile a little meaningful.
Lian Wan looked at her, a little anxious. "Yeah." She seemed to realize her invitation was too sudden and might cause Zhou Yanqian unnecessary trouble or extra planning, so she quickly added, "You don't have to cook. I can take you out to eat, too."
She paused, adding a final sentence: "...If you'd like."
Her voice was muffled, as if her ears would droop if Zhou Yanqian said no.
Fortunately, Zhou Yanqian agreed quickly.
"Okay," she said readily.
Not only did she agree, but she did so with considerable gravity: "We won't go out. We'll eat at home. I'll go to the market to buy groceries, and you can come straight over here when you're done with work."
Seeing Lian Wan standing motionless, she leaned a little closer and asked again, "Do you like seafood? I was originally planning to steam some oysters for myself today. I already have them in the fridge. I'll steam half with minced garlic and vermicelli, and pressure-cook the other half. But it might not be enough for two people. I'll go see what else is at the market later."
The woman held her arm, chattering on about delicious arrangements.
But Lian Wan could no longer respond to her.
She stared blankly, holding the bag of bread like a child clutching a beloved toy. When she realized which "home" Zhou Yanqian was referring to, even the corners of her mouth, which she was trying to keep impassive, couldn't help but uncontrollably curve upward.
When she had entered just now, out of shyness and necessary courtesy, she hadn't dared to look around too much, only taking a few quick glances. But thinking back now, she could still clearly remember that the throw pillows on the sofa were cream-colored, the curtains were patterned like a light blue sky, the backs of the dining chairs were carved with flowers, and the kitchen had white tiled walls.
Because this was Zhou Yanqian's home. Her independent territory, her complete privacy.
And now, Zhou Yanqian was inviting her to eat here.
Due to her family situation, Lian Wan had rarely been a guest in other people's homes growing up. She didn't have many friends to begin with, and those she could visit at home were even fewer. Of course, there were many childhood friends in town who lived on the same small lane, in the same apartment building, and attended the same high school. Every weekend, when Lian Wan passed through the lane, she could hear their loud laughter coming from the windows.
The feeling at that moment wasn't envy, and certainly not self-pity. The seventeen-year-old Lian Wan, walking past the lane entrance in her school uniform, didn't feel lonely. Even now, Lian Wan felt she didn't need friends. Just as a student gains knowledge from textbooks and an adult gains experience and common sense from life, she had simply glimpsed a fact from the friendships of others: opening one's home to another is a precious measure of friendship.
Did this fact also hold true for friends who have kissed? Lian Wan wasn't sure. She was unwilling to think about anything deeper, just as she didn't want to take the initiative to clarify the ambiguity or misunderstanding between her and Zhou Yanqian. In front of her, she always wished she could be a little less clear-headed.
Whether it was real or fake, she would just let herself have a few more hazy dreams.
So, right now, everything felt unrealistically wonderful.
Lian Wan suppressed the surprise welling up from her heart and cautiously asked, "Really? You're not going to the store?"
Her eyes were shining. Zhou Yanqian smiled and squeezed her wrist, humoring her. "Mhm-really. After I buy the groceries, I'll come home and cook while I wait for you. Installing the air conditioner shouldn't take too long, right? You hurry up and get back quickly too, so you can be my assistant, you hear?"
"Okay." Lian Wan's voice was muffled in the aroma of baked bread. She switched the bag of bread to her other hand, reached out to steady Zhou Yanqian's shoulder, and leaned down, her gaze fixed on her.
Then she lowered her head and gently kissed the corner of her lips.
After the kiss, she was still a little shy, her expression tense, but the slight arch of her eyebrows revealed a great deal of happy amusement. "I'll get going then... You can go back to sleep first. No rush, take your time."
Without her instigation, even when the little puppy took the initiative, her kiss was restrained, daring only to land on the corner of the mouth. Yet Zhou Yanqian felt her mood soar as if she were about to fly. They both seemed to have turned into fools who could only suppress their smiles, properly saying their goodbyes at the door.
Zhou Yanqian saw Lian Wan out, then leaned back against the door, savoring the moment for a while before composing herself to head to the market.
Coming out of Zhou Yanqian's place, the air conditioner technician was already waiting downstairs. Lian Wan led him upstairs, clutching the bag of bread the entire way. The fragrance of the bread lingered in the air, making it impossible to ignore. Even the technician glanced at it several times.
Out of politeness, Lian Wan should have offered one to the technician. But she stubbornly pretended not to understand his hinting gaze and didn't say a word. The first thing she did upon getting home was to put her precious bag of bread in the refrigerator.
The refrigerator door shut with a thud, closing tightly.
She wouldn't give any to anyone. Lian Wan thought childishly, even she herself was hungry but couldn't bear to eat it yet.
The technician was older and didn't bother with this young person who didn't understand social etiquette. He paid no mind to the small incident and got straight to work, walking out to the balcony to find a suitable spot for the outdoor unit. After confirming the details with Lian Wan, he opened his toolbox and prepared to install the mounting bracket.
Lian Wan leaned to one side, waiting and occasionally helping him by handing him a tool.
Most of her attention was on her phone.
On WeChat, Zhou Yanqian had already arrived at the market. As she walked, she sent Lian Wan a series of photos of fresh produce and seafood.
From eels caught in the fields and river crabs caught in the river, to boxes of shrimp and scallops that had arrived via cold chain, as well as all sorts of freshly made fried foods, noodles, and piles of fruit—the photos Zhou Yanqian took were all from her perspective. Lian Wan scrolled through them one by one, feeling as if she were also strolling through the morning market with her.
Zhou Yanqian maintained a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for everything, exclaiming to her repeatedly on WeChat as she browsed:
Wow, I ate this when I was a kid.
Wow, this wild one can grow so big.
Wow, what's this? It's amazing. The stall owner let me try one. It's super sweet. I bought a pound and a half, you can try some later too.
Lian Wan looked carefully at the vivid photos and the chat bubbles that seemed to be speaking aloud, patiently replying to each message. Time slipped by without her noticing, until the technician called her from the balcony for a hand. Only then did the two of them pause their chat to attend to their own tasks.
Although installing an air conditioner wasn't complicated, by the time it was done, it was nearly lunchtime. Lian Wan didn't invite the technician for a meal, but she did give him a little extra in a red envelope and saw him to the entrance of the complex.
On WeChat, Zhou Yanqian was already home cooking and reporting her progress: the garlic sauce was ready, the oysters were in the pot, the oysters were out of the pot, the chilled seafood medley of scallops, crab, octopus, and clams was plated, the vegetables were stir-fried, and the rice was being kept warm in the cooker.
She sent a final voice message. Lian Wan was rushing over to her place as she played it. She wasn't wearing headphones, so she held the phone up and pressed the earpiece to her ear, hearing Zhou Yanqian complain in a pouting tone: "Are you done yet? I'm starving."
-Ding-dong. Lian Wan stood panting in front of her door and pressed the doorbell.
Almost the next second, the door was opened from the inside. A blast of cool air from the air conditioner rushed out, bringing a wave of relief.
Lian Wan was prone to sweating. Having walked quickly all the way here, her face was already covered in sweat, as if someone had dumped a bucket of water over her head. Her forehead, cheeks, and the back of her neck were all hot and sweaty.
The house was filled with the savory, fragrant aroma of steamed oysters with garlic. Lian Wan took the tissue Zhou Yanqian handed her. Too embarrassed to let her help, she wiped the sweat herself, then asked where the bathroom was. Only after thoroughly washing her face did she feel refreshed.
The lunch was a joyous affair for both host and guest. Lian Wan took care of most of the food. It was only then that she discovered Zhou Yanqian's appetite didn't seem to change no matter what she ate; even with the most delicious food, she still ate just a little.
"I like to cook," Zhou Yanqian said, wrinkling her nose in slight vexation. "But I don't like to eat. Eating is so annoying."
After saying that, she paused, then added with a grin, "I also like watching you eat. If my mom saw the way you eat, she'd definitely say you're blessed with good fortune."
Belatedly, Lian Wan blushed while holding half a crab. "Thank you."
After lunch, they were both feeling relaxed. Lian Wan was about to help with the dishes, but Zhou Yanqian just lifted her chin and told her to help put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
"Technology is the light of humanity," she said. They were both sitting on the sofa. She moved over from the side, nearly squeezing Lian Wan into the corner, and looked down at her, pinching her cheek with an air of great importance.
Her body swayed, and Lian Wan, afraid she would fall, wrapped an arm around her waist. It was only after she had settled her onto her lap that Lian Wan belatedly realized how intimate their position was.
In the quiet afternoon, ambiguity floated in the air.
Lian Wan held her by the waist, not knowing where to look.
Right before her eyes was the deep neckline of the silk nightgown. If she leaned just a little closer, the bridge of her nose would press against that softness.
Just as she was panicking, Zhou Yanqian leaned down and cupped her face. Not minding that her collar dipped even lower, she applied some pressure with her hands and lowered her head to capture Lian Wan's bottom lip.
It was a light touch, stopping just as it began, yet it was as memorable as their entanglement yesterday. Lian Wan froze for a moment, then eagerly met her kiss. Zhou Yanqian held her patiently, slowly guiding her technique, occasionally giving a rewarding little lick before they finally separated.
But they couldn't stay apart for long. The woman in her arms was as alluring as a dew-kissed flower. Lian Wan's mouth was dry, and she unreasonably leaned in again.
Gradually, the kiss lost its rhythm. Zhou Yanqian seemed to be intentionally indulging her, letting Lian Wan hold her tightly in her arms. Her fingertips suggestively brushed over her collarbone, gently caressing Lian Wan's throat.
But for some reason, the puppy's rapid breathing began to calm down, little by little.
"I have work this afternoon," Lian Wan said softly after who knows how long. She held her, her lips brushing against the corner of Zhou Yanqian's mouth every now and then.
Zhou Yanqian slapped her on the back in annoyance. "You're infuriating!"
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