Seeking Answers

“It’s actually quite well-written. The structure is sound, the plot and emotions run parallel, and the descriptions are… vivid,” Lin Wanzhao continued, her voice light and teasing. “You’re quite the talent, Manager Yu. For a ‘straight’ girl to write such an excellent scene between two women, you must have done considerable research.”

“I didn’t write that,” Yu Qingkong stated flatly.

– Oh? So you’re saying I wrote it?

Lin Wanzhao clicked her mouse and closed the document.

Yu Qingkong’s eyes dropped to the hand on the mouse before she looked up again. “CEO Lin, you know that’s not what I meant.”

– It reminds me of a cat I used to have. Every night when I turned off the lights, it would sneak into bed and curl up under the covers with me. But the moment I turned the lights back on, it would vanish. Then the lights go off, and it’s back again.

Lin Wanzhao rested her chin on her interlaced fingers, her voice barely a whisper.

– I wonder who that cat takes after.

Yu Qingkong ignored the metaphor and got straight to the point. “CEO Lin, you’ve truly misunderstood. If you don’t believe me, you can have IT check the company’s network logs. You can trace the source of that file—see if it originated from my computer or was sent to me from elsewhere.”

The company had strict document controls to prevent leaks; the trail would be easy to verify.

Lin Wanzhao nodded slowly, considering this.

– So, what you’re saying is… you didn’t write it, you were just reading lesbian erotica?

There were many ways to spend a lunch break—napping, chatting, watching a movie—but Yu Qingkong chose… that.

Visiting a lesbian bar was one thing. Rolling in the sheets with her was another. Now, reading “GL” smut in private? When you add up all these “coincidences,” they stop looking like accidents. None of this felt like the behavior of a straight woman.

Yu Qingkong’s brow furrowed. She realized that no matter what she said now, it sounded like a weak excuse. Compared to writing it, reading it didn’t exactly make her look any better—it just made her look thirsty.

“No,” Yu Qingkong shook her head. She couldn’t prove she hadn’t read it, so she shifted her stance. “But even putting aside the fact that I’m straight—even if I weren’t—what does that have to do with you, CEO Lin?”

Lin Wanzhao was momentarily stunned by the blunt question. She eventually managed a smile.

– Go back to your desk then. Resend the actual summary to me.

“I’ll do that now.”

– Wait.

Lin Wanzhao called out, standing up and walking gracefully toward her.

Yu Qingkong stood her ground, watching her approach.

– Would you like to have dinner tonight? You helped me with a lot of things outside your job description during the trip, and I haven’t thanked you properly. A new restaurant opened nearby; the food is quite delicious. Want to go?

Lin Wanzhao stopped in front of her, reaching up to smooth a stray lock of Yu Qingkong’s hair.

That familiar, rich fragrance flooded Yu Qingkong’s senses—a scent that now signaled danger.

Yu Qingkong suddenly reached up and caught Lin Wanzhao’s wandering wrist. She tilted her head slightly. “Dinner?”

Lin Wanzhao tilted her head back, meeting her gaze.

– Is that a no?

Yu Qingkong slowly released her hand, a faint, polite smile touching her lips. “CEO Lin is too kind. As a member of this company, assisting with extra tasks is only right—not to mention you provided a generous stipend. As for tonight, I’m sorry, but I have plans. I can’t make it.”

With a slight nod, Yu Qingkong turned and left the office.

As the door clicked shut, Lin Wanzhao let out a breath and rubbed her arms. Two-faced. One person in bed, another person in the office. Utterly heartless.

Just then, Lin Wanzhao’s phone rang. It was her friend Lu Fen.

– Hello?

Lin Wanzhao’s voice was a bit flat.

“Wanzhao!” Lu Fen’s energetic voice exploded through the speaker.

– What’s up?

“There’s a lesbian mixer in Shengcheng tomorrow night! It’s organized by the ‘Lily League’ on the city forum. Come with me, pretty please?”

– What, have you finally decided to go on the offensive and find a girlfriend?

Lin Wanzhao teased.

“Yes! But I’m too nervous to go alone. Please come with me?”

Lin Wanzhao figured she had nothing else to do tomorrow night anyway.

– Fine, fine. I can’t say no to you. Contact me when it’s time.

“Haha, great! I’m going to go pay our entry fees now!” Lu Fen hung up.

Lin Wanzhao tossed her phone aside. A “mixer” was essentially just a group blind date. Even though she’d agreed to go, she couldn’t bring herself to feel any real interest.

************************************

Meanwhile, Yu Qingkong stood outside her own office, taking deep breaths. Her only comfort was that she hadn’t sent that file during peak work hours. I’m going crazy, she thought.

That night, she ate a simple dinner and sat on her sofa, flipping aimlessly through TV channels before tossing the remote aside. She couldn’t focus. Images of their intimacy and the gossip from Zhang Xue swirled in her head.

She knew she wasn’t into men. But being gay? She had never even considered it. It was… impossible, right?

Then again, she knew some straight women were “GL fans”—they were much more interested in this stuff than she was. Did that mean they were gay too?

Aside from physical reactions, how was one supposed to prove their orientation? She couldn’t ask Wang Min; her friend had too big of a mouth.

Thinking of Wang Min, Yu Qingkong scrolled through their chat history and found a link to a local lesbian forum her friend had shared once. She followed the trail into the site.

After browsing a few posts, her eyes locked on a pinned thread at the top of the homepage.

She clicked it.

Event: Local Lesbian Mixer

Date: November 20th, Afternoon

Location: Mingguang Tea House, Shengcheng

Details: Want to make more like-minded friends? Join us!

Note: Fee is 200 RMB per person. Buffet provided. Add QQ: xxxxx to register and pay.

Deadline: November 19th, 8:00 PM.

Yu Qingkong rubbed her chin.

Should I go? If I go and actually see what it’s like, will I find the answer I’m looking for? Everyone there will be familiar with this lifestyle; maybe I can talk to someone.

The deadline was 8:00 PM tonight. It was currently 7:40.

She raised an eyebrow. Finally, she copied the QQ number and searched for the user. A profile appeared with a rainbow avatar and the nickname “Little Waterdrop.”

Yu Qingkong stared at the screen, her lips pressed tight. She clicked “Add Friend.”

Minutes later, the request was accepted. A message popped up immediately: “Hello! Are you looking to register for the event?”

Yu Qingkong stared at the screen for a long time. In her hesitation, the clock ticked over to 7:55. Time was running out.

Her gaze deepened. To go… or not to go?