A Night in Yan City

After ending her conversation with Lu Keke, Lin Wanzhao sat for a long time, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. The more she thought about it, the more Lu Keke’s words made sense.

To hell with being “just friends.” Her friends spanned the four corners of the earth—was a “friend” really what she was lacking?! Her brain must have been caught in a door hinge previously to think that was enough.

Besides, looking back at everything, Lin Wanzhao truly felt that Yu Qingkong must have some feelings for her. She tapped her phone lightly against her chest, unable to stop a smile from spreading across her face.

With that thought in mind, she sent a message: “Qingkong, let’s go to Yan City for New Year’s instead.”

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

When Yu Qingkong woke up from her nap, it was already 11:30 PM. She wasn’t sure how or when she’d fallen asleep. She propped herself up, checked the calendar on her nightstand, and then scrolled through WeChat. She saw Lin Wanzhao’s message from half an hour ago.

“A change of plans? We’re going out of town?” Yu Qingkong squinted at the screen, dimmed the brightness, and sent the reply.

“Yeah,” Lin Wanzhao replied almost instantly. “Keke has a small villa there. It’s quite beautiful, with a pool and a garden. Since she’s focusing on her career here, she rarely stays there. She just has someone maintain it regularly, so it’s empty right now. We can stay there and take the photos. What do you think?”

Yu Qingkong paused, her tongue flicking over her dry lips. She took a sip of water and typed: “Do you have photos of the place?”

A second later, ten photos flooded her screen.

Yu Qingkong opened them one by one and was stunned. It was indeed beautiful. The interior and exterior were designed with immense style—more “vibe” than many professional studios.

“Don’t you think it offers more creative space than a gym?” Lin Wanzhao asked.

Yu Qingkong felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. Lin was putting so much effort into this; it would be embarrassing if she messed it up. She replied: “It’s beautiful. But I have to say again—I’m a real amateur. If the results are… well, ‘amateur,’ I hope you’ll be patient with me, CEO Lin.”

“It’s fine, just relax,” Lin Wanzhao messaged back. “Send me your ID number. I’ll book the flights. I see a flight on the 30th at 7:30 PM. It’s perfect.”

Yu Qingkong sent her ID. A few minutes later, she asked: “How much was the ticket?”

“You don’t need to pay me back,” Lin replied.

“Tell me, how much?” Yu Qingkong insisted stubbornly.

“I said you don’t need to pay. I’m the one asking you to take photos for me. There’s no reason to make you pay for the flight, right?” Lin Wanzhao sounded slightly annoyed.

Yu Qingkong finally gave in: “Fine.”

“Great, I’m looking forward to it. Anyway, I’m sleepy. Going to bed now.”

“Goodnight,” Yu Qingkong sent.

Lying flat on her bed, Yu Qingkong thought back to her dream. In it, she had seen Lin Wanzhao in a pure white wedding dress, exchanging rings in a church with a man whose face was blurred. The crowd had erupted in applause, but Yu Qingkong had felt like a ghost in the room, her heart aching with an inexplicable, dull pain.

The feeling was so vivid that even now, her chest felt tight. She got up, washed her face with cold water, and went back to bed.

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

On the night of the 30th, after handling her work, Yu Qingkong met up with Lin Wanzhao to head to the airport.

Lin Wanzhao looked radiant in a khaki coat, a white base dress, and brown over-the-knee boots. Her makeup was light and her outfit simple, yet she looked elegant and approachable.

“Why so many suitcases?” Yu Qingkong asked, surprised to see Lin dragging two large bags. Compared to Lin, her own luggage was sparse.

“We’re taking photos, so I brought a lot of outfits. Different clothes need different accessories, and it just added up once I started packing,” Lin Wanzhao laughed.

“Give me one of those.” Yu Qingkong reached out.

“It’s okay, I can handle it…” Lin felt particularly energetic today.

Yu Qingkong didn’t argue; she simply took the handle of one bag, dragged it to the car, and hoisted it into the trunk. When Lin went to put the second one in, Yu Qingkong took that one too.

“Thanks,” Lin Wanzhao whispered, standing close to her.

“You’re welcome.” Yu Qingkong closed the trunk.

“Qingkong, you really are a ‘Great Person,’” Lin Wanzhao suddenly said.

Yu Qingkong paused. “What are you talking about, CEO Lin…?”

“I’m telling the truth. What, are you that bad at taking compliments? You’re blushing.” Lin Wanzhao poked her shoulder.

Yu Qingkong rubbed the spot where she’d been poked and turned away. “I’m not…”

“You really are blushing! Then I’m going to keep saying it. You’re so good—you cooked for me, you brought me medicine in the middle of the night, you gave me your coat when I was cold…” Lin Wanzhao smiled. “I almost thought you’d fallen in love with me.”

Yu Qingkong’s heart gave a sudden thud. She yanked open the car door. “CEO Lin, you’re loved by everyone who sees you. Who wouldn’t like you?”

She slid into the seat quickly.

Lin Wanzhao pondered that seemingly joking remark, smiled, and followed her into the car. “Anyway, thank you for being so good to me.”

“But can I stay with you forever? You still need to learn to take care of yourself,” Yu Qingkong coughed. “Eat when you’re supposed to, and watch your step when you walk so you don’t fall again…”

“What if I’m a total disaster at life and I never learn? Would you stay then?” Lin Wanzhao arched an eyebrow.

Yu Qingkong’s heart raced. She turned to meet Lin’s eyes. “Believe in yourself.”

“Fine, if you say so.” Lin Wanzhao nodded, her lips curving into a nonchalant smile as she looked at Yu Qingkong’s profile.

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

By 11:00 PM, the two of them finally arrived at Lu Keke’s villa in Yan City, exhausted from the travel.

It was too dark to see the exterior, but the interior was even better than the photos—clean, fresh, and perfect for a shoot. As Yu Qingkong moved the luggage into the living room, Lin Wanzhao announced she was hungry.

“At this hour?”

“The airplane food was terrible. I barely ate anything, so I’m starving now,” Lin said helplessly.

Yu Qingkong pulled out her phone. “True. What do you want to eat?”

“Barbecue and fruit. But I want to shower first. You order—I’ll eat whatever you pick.” Lin Wanzhao began rummaging through her suitcase.

“Okay.”

An hour later, the delivery arrived. By then, both had showered and dried their hair.

“Come and eat,” Yu Qingkong said, opening the bags.

“Wait, let me get some drinks. Barbecue without alcohol has no soul. Keke said there’s leftover beer in the fridge.”

Yu Qingkong frowned. “Is that really a thing?”

“You wouldn’t understand!” Lin called over her shoulder as she ran to the fridge.

“Alright.” Yu Qingkong shrugged. She didn’t drink much, so she really didn’t understand.

Lin Wanzhao sat down beside her with several cans of beer. “Want one?”

Yu Qingkong shook her head. “I’ll pass. And you should drink less, CEO Lin. It’s bad for your liver.”

“But when you’re stressed, you can’t help it. When your brain is a little fuzzy, you don’t think about so many things.” Lin cracked open a tab, took a swig, and set it aside.

“Alcohol is just a temporary fix, and it hurts your body. It’s not worth it,” Yu Qingkong said.

“Can’t help it. It’s a hard habit to break. I started drinking in my teens.” Lin took a bite of fruit.

“Your teens?”

“Mhm. My parents only knew how to scold me. I guess that’s the difference between the ‘new money’ and old nobility. If my dad hadn’t won the lottery and found a mentor to start his business, my family wouldn’t even be at your level…”

Lin Wanzhao smiled bitterly. “I used to be a dancer. But then I fell. It’s fine for everyday life, but I can’t do the high-difficulty moves anymore. That path was essentially dead. My mom scolded me for ages, saying I was useless…” She stared at the barbecue skewers, lost in thought, before taking another long drink of beer.

Yu Qingkong looked at the table and let out a quiet breath. “Don’t listen to her, CEO Lin. You are already so, so excellent.”

“I try not to, but…” Lin licked her lower lip, looking at Yu Qingkong. “If a stranger said those things, I wouldn’t care. But she’s my mother. Can’t she care about my feelings for once? Honestly, dancing wasn’t even my choice. It was her dream since childhood, and when she couldn’t achieve it, she expected me to do it for her…”

Yu Qingkong watched her silently, acting as a quiet listener.

“I danced for so long and then suddenly couldn’t—do you think I wasn’t hurt? Instead of comfort, I got a lecture. So I started drinking and binge-eating. I gained dozens of pounds in a short time. Everyone mocked me…” Lin picked at the label of her beer can.

“I was so insecure I didn’t even dare chase the people I liked. I just watched from the sidelines. My mom never realized she was being cruel. Even now, she uses the ‘for your own good’ excuse to control me. She wants me married off. My dad is fine as long as I can support myself, but she…”

Yu Qingkong sighed and handed her a tissue. Every family has its secrets and struggles.

“Thanks…” Lin pressed the tissue to her eyes. “I didn’t mean to say all this… it’s embarrassing.”

“CEO Lin,” Yu Qingkong said, her heart aching as she saw Lin curled up on the sofa. “I won’t tell anyone. And it’s not embarrassing. She’s the one who was wrong, not you.”

Lin Wanzhao took another sip of beer, nodding in silence.

“As for your appearance, CEO Lin—don’t think I’m saying this just because I’ve never been ‘fat.’ I truly believe it’s not that important. Look at Ting-jie; she’s pleasantly plump but confident and happy. Malicious comments aren’t worth your time. I’ve never chosen friends based on how they look,” Yu Qingkong said softly.

Lin Wanzhao looked at her and nodded. After a moment, Yu Qingkong spoke again. “Besides, everyone has something they’re insecure about. I do too. You just have to face it. Weight can be changed; my thing is for life.”

“Mhm?” Lin looked up.

“I don’t know if you noticed, but on my back, I have a scar. It’s not small. In the summer when I wear less, people give me strange looks.”

Lin searched her memory but couldn’t recall. It had been dark that night, and she’d been tipsy. “Is there?”

Yu Qingkong looked at her, then picked up a beer herself, took a few swigs, and set it aside. Then, she reached for her collar and unbuttoned the top button.

Lin Wanzhao watched her, motionless.

Yu Qingkong turned her back to Lin, pulled her hair over her chest, and slowly slid the fabric off her left shoulder, revealing half of her back.

Her back was slender, her shoulder blades beautifully shaped, her skin delicate. But there, near the center, was a scar the size of a fist. It had faded significantly, but it was still visible.

“This…” Lin leaned forward. “How did it happen?”

Yu Qingkong’s body stiffened. “A burn.”

“A burn?”

“Mhm…”

“It must have hurt so much…” Lin’s voice was barely a whisper.

“At the time…” Yu Qingkong tilted her head. “Honestly, I didn’t feel much.”

“Why?”

“Because my whole body was covered in injuries. I was so numb from the pain that this one didn’t seem like much.” Her voice was eerily calm.

“Did your parents…?”

“No, they were good to me…” Yu Qingkong shook her head. “It was an accident. Is it ugly? Did I scare you?”

“Nonsense, no…” Lin frowned. “Can I… touch it?”

Yu Qingkong thought for a long time before finally nodding.

Lin’s gaze moved to the scar. Her fingertips brushed against it lightly, tracing the lines downward. Yu Qingkong’s body trembled slightly under the touch.

Then, Lin lowered her hand and leaned in closer to see. The warmth of her breath fanned across Yu Qingkong’s skin. Yu Qingkong’s muscles tensed, her lips parting slightly.

Lin placed a hand on her shoulder, closed her eyes, and kissed the scar on her back.

“CEO Lin…” Yu Qingkong shuddered, her throat working. That area was incredibly sensitive. She felt a strange heat spreading through her body, a feeling she couldn’t escape.

Drunk and misty-eyed, Lin Wanzhao looked at the scar again and hugged her from behind, kissing it once more. “Qingkong, your voice… it sounds different.”

“I…” Yu Qingkong began to pull up her clothes, but stopped. She turned around to face Lin. Lin’s eyes were watery, her red lips soft like flower petals.

“You seem very sensitive. Do you want it?” Lin caught her hands, gazing into her eyes. She leaned close to her lips and whispered the question.

Yu Qingkong felt her thoughts dissolving. She had no strength left to think.

“Do you?” Lin reached around her neck, her body leaning softly into hers, and closed her eyes to kiss Yu Qingkong’s lips.