The Line Between Restraint and Desire

A familiar woody, agarwood scent filled Qin Huairen’s senses.

It was Wen Yuzhi.

The panic and fear faded instantly.

In their place surged embarrassment and irritation.

Only, it came out as anger.

She had been played.

Perhaps Wen Yuzhi had known from the beginning that she would come.

Lying in wait, just to make a fool of her.

Qin Huairen broke free.

The lights came back on.

Before her was an opulent European-style interior.

It felt as though she had stepped into a noble estate from another century.

Her gaze shifted.

A beautiful face came into view.

Even with injuries, it did nothing to diminish her looks.

Those bright, expressive eyes were dazzling enough that Qin Huairen had to look away.

“Ah Ren.” Wen Yuzhi reached out and held her.

“Sit down first. I’ll explain slowly.”

Qin Huairen avoided her gaze.

She shook off her hand.

Her face burned.

“I don’t have anything to hear. I just… I just…”

Damn it.

She didn’t want to lie.

But she couldn’t admit she had been following her.

Worse, her sleep-deprived mind couldn’t even come up with a proper excuse.

After stammering for a while, she said, “I just had something to do and walked into the wrong place.”

“Mm.” Wen Yuzhi responded simply.

She poured her a warm drink.

“Rest for a bit. You must be tired.”

The drink had a faint milky sweetness.

Warm yet refreshing.

An odd combination, but it tasted good.

“I came here for something too,” Wen Yuzhi explained.

“Su Yuetong had arranged to meet me here, but she canceled at the last minute.”

This explained why she was here.

And why she was alone.

Qin Huairen held the cup.

She took small sips.

Not because she was thirsty.

But to avoid the awkwardness.

And eye contact.

Wen Yuzhi sat at the table.

She took a sip of her own drink.

Then continued.

“Su Yuetong—you might have heard of her. She’s Su Muchuan’s younger sister.”

“Our relationship isn’t close. But our families interact, and there’s talk of a marriage alliance.”

“We’ve been in frequent contact this year.”

Qin Huairen thought to herself: Why are you telling me all this?

I’m not anyone important to you. You don’t need to explain.

Yet in reality—

Her ears perked up.

She wanted to hear more.

“I have no interest in the Su family,” Wen Yuzhi said.

“Whether it’s Su Muchuan or Su Yuetong.”

There was a trace of frustration in her tone.

Qin Huairen understood.

After all, Wen Yuzhi was born into a powerful family.

That wasn’t something she could change.

Wen Yuzhi sighed softly.

“But I can’t completely cut ties. And some people insist on causing trouble.”

“Like Su Yuetong.”

Her attitude toward her was clear.

But Su Yuetong wasn’t the type to back off easily.

“She used the opportunity to send ambiguous messages.”

Wen Yuzhi paused.

Then asked tentatively, “Ah Ren, do you know people like that?”

“No matter how clearly you reject them, they always twist things to suit themselves.”

“I haven’t figured out how to make her give up completely.”

“Do you have any ideas?”

Qin Huairen couldn’t think of a solution right away.

But being asked made her feel… oddly pleased.

“I know that kind of person,” she said.

“I’ve met one before. Lin Zhixun. Remember him?”

“How could I not?” Wen Yuzhi said lightly.

“He took you back to the hotel on the night of the school anniversary.”

Qin Huairen didn’t even know why she brought him up.

“It was actually Xu Jianing’s arrangement,” she explained.

“I was just the one being informed.”

“And you still went with him,” Wen Yuzhi said.

There was a faint hint of grievance in her tone.

Qin Huairen caught it.

“Well, wasn’t it because of that stunt your company’s intern pulled on the red carpet?”

“He used to be our intern,” Wen Yuzhi said.

“But not anymore.”

“He was planted by a competitor to stir trouble.”

“The target wasn’t you. It was me.”

“They just didn’t expect things to turn out differently.”

Qin Huairen was stunned.

“So that’s what happened.”

“I misunderstood you. Sorry.”

“That guy even called me afterward to explain, but I thought he was just covering up.”

Wen Yuzhi smiled faintly.

“Not surprising. People assumed we didn’t get along.”

“They wanted to take advantage of that.”

“Who are ‘they’?” Qin Huairen asked.

Then quickly realized she shouldn’t have.

“Never mind.”

“People are scary. Friendly on the surface, but scheming behind your back.”

Wen Yuzhi agreed.

Then changed the topic.

“If Lin Zhixun comes after you again, be careful.”

Qin Huairen shook her head.

She had never considered him.

Back then, his pursuit had caused quite a stir.

She had been blamed.

Criticized.

Even though she had done nothing wrong.

He had only confessed.

Yet everything fell on her.

Later, he kept pestering her.

Until the end of the term.

He apologized.

Said he had figured things out.

Wanted to have one last meal together.

She reluctantly agreed.

Halfway through, she suddenly felt strange.

Her face flushed.

Her heart raced.

Something felt off.

When he leaned in, she realized—

There might have been something in her drink.

She made an excuse to send him away.

Then ran.

Her legs weak.

She collapsed in a corner.

When she woke up, she was in the hospital.

A stranger had taken her there.

She never found out who.

Lin Zhixun had disappeared.

Transferred schools.

Qin Huairen let out a cold laugh.

“If I had found him back then, I might’ve killed him.”

“And when we met again, he even said I smiled at him at that dinner.”

“As if I still had feelings for him.”

Wen Yuzhi said nothing.

Her head lowered slightly.

A sharp glint flashed in her eyes.

“What’s worse,” Qin Huairen continued,

“He talked about marriage ideals.”

“I said I wanted someone I love and a healthy child.”

“And he shamelessly said we were a perfect match.”

“I almost slapped him.”

“If it weren’t for the dean, I would’ve.”

“That kind of person—”

“I’d rather be alone forever than consider him.”

Qin Huairen turned to Wen Yuzhi.

“You think my instincts were wrong?”

Wen Yuzhi looked at her.

Her expression softened.

“I believe you.”

“Your instincts are right.”

“Not choosing him was the right decision.”

It sounded formal.

But Qin Huairen noticed—

The way her hand gripped the cup.

The tension in her knuckles.

The pale fingertips.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I’m fine,” Wen Yuzhi said.

She took a sip of her drink.

Then smiled gently.

“About Su Yuetong—if she keeps playing games, I’ll handle it seriously.”

Qin Huairen nodded.

For some reason, it felt like a promise.

Her heart fluttered.

A strange sensation spread through her.

Soft.

Electric.

“…How was the hot spring trip today?” Wen Yuzhi suddenly asked.

Qin Huairen lowered her head.

“Honestly? Not great.”

She didn’t go into detail.

But she didn’t hide her feelings either.

“It felt… suffocating.”

“Then don’t go next time,” Wen Yuzhi said simply.

Qin Huairen felt a bit relieved.

“I didn’t want to go anyway.”

“I just forced myself.”

She had gone for Xu Jianing.

To comfort her.

But things had only gotten worse.

Their friendship was changing.

Becoming unfamiliar.

And she didn’t know what to do.

Qin Huairen sighed heavily.

“I should go.”

Wen Yuzhi stood up immediately.

She stepped in front of her.

“The room’s already booked.”

“It’d be a waste not to stay.”

“We can eat first.”

“If you don’t want to talk, just eat.”

“Or lie down and watch the aurora.”

Qin Huairen hesitated.

Maybe she was too tired.

Maybe everything had been too much lately.

She didn’t refuse.

The floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the city at night.

Lights shimmered like stars.

On the table—steak, wine, crystal glasses.

They sat across from each other.

Wen Yuzhi cut the steak slowly.

Her voice was low.

Slightly hoarse.

Like a late-night radio host.

She described the suite’s theme.

Aurora.

Snow.

Burning wood.

Everything Qin Huairen liked.

Gradually, Qin Huairen relaxed.

Her mind quieted.

She watched Wen Yuzhi.

Elegant hands.

Precise movements.

Like a painting.

Wen Yuzhi placed the cut steak in front of her.

Then said softly,

“Do you know the best steak I’ve ever had?”

Qin Huairen looked up.

“It was the one we had during that overseas competition.”

“I’ve had more expensive ones since.”

“But none tasted the same.”

Qin Huairen felt the same.

They ate quietly.

Sipped wine.

Wen Yuzhi talked about old memories.

Gradually, Qin Huairen loosened up.

Maybe it was the alcohol.

The night felt softer.

Wen Yuzhi, too.

Her smile curved gently.

Her eyes shone.

“Am I good-looking?” Wen Yuzhi asked.

Qin Huairen tilted her head.

She looked carefully.

Then nodded.

“More than the food?”

“Drink some water,” Wen Yuzhi said softly.

“Don’t drink too much.”

“Being drunk is nice,” Qin Huairen muttered.

Wen Yuzhi looked at her seriously.

“Why?”

Qin Huairen laughed lightly.

“You know why.”

She took another sip.

Her lips grew more vivid.

Her voice softer.

Wen Yuzhi’s gaze darkened.

“I don’t know.”

“But maybe… we’re thinking the same thing.”

Qin Huairen smiled lazily.

“And if we are?”

“And if we’re not?”

Wen Yuzhi stood up slowly.

She walked over.

Qin Huairen looked up.

Their eyes met.

Closer.

Closer.

Wen Yuzhi brushed her hair aside.

Then leaned down.

Soft.

Gentle.

Like something precious.

Qin Huairen murmured,

“We…”

“Mm.” Wen Yuzhi responded softly.

Their voices blurred.

Her hand rested on Qin Huairen’s back.

Calming her.

Guiding her.

Until she slowly melted into the moment.

Then—

Qin Huairen suddenly pulled back slightly.

Her breath uneven.

“This feels… strange.”

She finally said it clearly.

“This… us… it feels strange.”

Wen Yuzhi gently held her hand.

Her voice soft.

“Maybe we’re just not used to it yet.”

“That doesn’t make it wrong.”

Warmth lingered between them.

Qin Huairen felt overwhelmed.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Wen Yuzhi’s thumb traced lightly over her hand.

“As long as we’re willing… that’s enough.”

That touch sent a shiver through her.

Her breathing quickened.

Yes.

As long as they were willing.

Wen Yuzhi tilted her head slightly.

She pressed a soft kiss against her palm.

A spark ignited.

Something deeper stirred.

Desire flickered to life.