Standing Ground

When Lin Wanzhao heard Yu Qingkong’s words, a soft smile tugged at her lips. She lowered her head to look down at the delicate matching bracelet on her wrist, her features softening completely. Forever. Yes, she desperately hoped their relationship would last exactly like that.

The retail assistant nearby stood frozen in a daze for a long moment before finally recovering her composure, offering a polite smile. “You two truly make a perfectly matched couple!”

“Thank you,” Yu Qingkong replied, finally letting a warm, gentle smile grace her features.

In the blink of an eye, the day of Lu Koko’s birthday party arrived.

The celebration fell on a weekend, and since Yu Qingkong had spent the entire previous night sleeping over at Lin Wanzhao’s apartment, they naturally prepared to head out together. Because the party wasn’t scheduled to start until 5:00 PM, they had an abundance of time to relax and get ready without rushing.

When Yu Qingkong finished cooking breakfast and quietly slipped back into the bedroom, she found Lin Wanzhao still sound asleep, tightly clutching her pillow. Yu Qingkong reached out to gently tug the pillow away, prompting Lin Wanzhao to frown slightly and tighten her arms in protest. Amused, Yu Qingkong climbed back into bed and lay down beside her. In response, Lin Wanzhao instantly abandoned the pillow, shifting her weight to cling to Yu Qingkong like a koala.

Yu Qingkong rested her hand gently over the back of Lin Wanzhao’s hand, closing her eyes to listen to her soft, rhythmic breathing. A sudden wave of profound contentment washed over her; she realized that a quiet, simple life like this was the ultimate form of happiness, requiring no intense drama or artificial excitement.

After a while, Lin Wanzhao let out a tiny yawn, stretched her limbs lazily, and slowly blinked her eyes open.

“You’re awake?” Yu Qingkong murmured softly.

Lin Wanzhao nodded gently. “Mmh, I’m awake.”

“How have you been waking up so early lately?” Yu Qingkong asked, reaching out to smooth a stray lock of hair from her forehead.

Lin Wanzhao let out a soft sigh, turning her head to stare directly into her eyes with a gentle blink. “Because… because you’re right here beside me. I simply can’t bear to waste our time together by sleeping it away.”

“Is that true?” Yu Qingkong chuckled softly.

“Yes,” Lin Wanzhao nodded, tightening her embrace around her waist. “I just want to look at you more and hold you closer. I absolutely refuse to let sleep steal my precious time with you.”

“We still have a very long life ahead of us. There will be plenty of time for you to look at me and hold me in the future; just make sure you don’t grow tired of me by then,” Yu Qingkong teased.

“How could I ever grow tired of you?” Lin Wanzhao rolled onto her side, shooting her a mock glare. “I am definitely not the type of woman who loves the new and discards the old.”

“Alright, alright…” Yu Qingkong conceded with a nod.

“I am going to grow old with you step by step,” Lin Wanzhao murmured softly, intertwining her fingers tightly with Yu Qingkong’s. “When that day comes, we’ll head out together every single morning to practice Tai Chi, hold hands for evening walks, and sit together on a park bench to watch the sunset…”

“Yes, we’ll grow old together, our hair turning completely silver and our faces filling with wrinkles. We’ll eat soft, well-cooked meals and share bowls of warm porridge,” Yu Qingkong added, following her lead.

“Mmh! And then we’ll officially become the most deeply affectionate pair of old ladies in our entire neighborhood!” Lin Wanzhao laughed, tilting her chin up to offer a stunningly sweet smile.

“Yes, the most deeply affectionate old ladies,” Yu Qingkong agreed with a nod. “In that case, are you ready to get out of bed now? I’ve already finished making breakfast.”

Lin Wanzhao let out another tiny yawn, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she nodded. “Alright, I’ll get up right away.”

“Good, up you get.”

The very next second, Lin Wanzhao shifted her weight, sat up from the edge of the mattress, slipped her feet into her slippers, and padded smoothly toward the bathroom.

Watching her figure disappear around the door, Yu Qingkong finally pulled out her phone to check the group chat. Predictably, Liu Ting and Lu Xiaoxiao were acting like a comedy duo, taking turns listing her dynamic offenses. They claimed she was completely prioritizing romance over friendship, abandoning her friends the moment she fell in love, and barely even making an appearance in the chat anymore. They jokingly labeled her a massive fraud, noting how she used to act more determined than anyone about staying single, only to exit the bachelorette market faster than everyone else.

Yu Qingkong burst out laughing at their dramatic texts. It was true; ever since she started dating Lin Wanzhao, she eagerly utilized every single spare second to cherish her company. Reviewing her actions, she supposed she really was slightly guilty of prioritizing her romance.

A short while later, Lin Wanzhao finished washing up, and the two sat down to enjoy breakfast together. The meal was simple yet highly nutritious: two bone-in sausages paired with fresh broccoli florets, a perfectly fried egg, and two glasses of warm milk.

Once they finished eating, Yu Qingkong washed the dishes while Lin Wanzhao activated the robotic vacuum to sweep the floors. Afterward, they teamed up to give the entire apartment a thorough deep cleaning.

In the past, Lin Wanzhao had thoroughly despised domestic chores, viewing them as tedious and exhausting; she had always preferred to pay a professional service rather than lift a finger herself. Now, however, she discovered a unique sense of joy in the activity. She watched with absolute fascination as Yu Qingkong utilized clever, efficient shortcuts to effortlessly tackle household tasks that usually felt monumental to her.

They folded the fresh laundry together, wiped down the windows, changed the bedsheets, and tossed the dirty linens into the washing machine. Before they knew it, half the day had slipped away. Surprisingly, Lin Wanzhao didn’t feel tired at all; instead, she felt a profound sense of productivity.

With the chores finished, they curled up together on the living room sofa to watch television, sharing casual jokes and deep conversations whenever a program triggered a thought. The comfortable intimacy felt incredibly soothing.

Following a light lunch, Lin Wanzhao headed back to the bedroom to start getting ready for the evening. After all, a birthday party required a bit of effort.

After washing her face, she sat down at her vanity mirror, turning her head back toward Yu Qingkong. “Qingkong, do you know how to apply makeup?”

“Not particularly. I’m a bit lazy when it comes to cosmetics, so I usually just apply a simple base and some lipstick,” Yu Qingkong admitted honestly, leaning against the side of the vanity. “As for filling in eyebrows or especially drawing eyeliner… I tried it once, ended up making a complete mess, and never attempted it again.”

“Do you want me to draw it for you?” Lin Wanzhao offered, dabbing toner onto her face as she looked up.

“Sure,” Yu Qingkong agreed with a soft smile.

“Apply your base layer first, and I’ll handle the rest for you in a bit!” Lin Wanzhao handed her a few small bottles, pulling up a nearby stool to sit right beside her.

“Alright.” Yu Qingkong took the cosmetics and set to work.

Once the base was evenly applied, Lin Wanzhao uncapped an eyeliner pen and turned fully toward her, gently tilting Yu Qingkong’s chin upward. “Lift your face slightly.”

Yu Qingkong complied seamlessly, remaining perfectly still under her direction.

Yu Qingkong possessed refined, elegant facial features that carried a naturally striking aura. When she wasn’t smiling, her cool demeanor created a subtle sense of distance; yet the moment her face lit up with a grin, it felt as refreshing as a spring breeze. Lin Wanzhao felt she could look at her face forever without growing tired of it.

Lin Wanzhao’s hand remained remarkably steady, finishing the clean lines within a few moments. The second Yu Qingkong blinked her eyes open, Lin Wanzhao suddenly covered her mouth, stifling a secret laugh.

“What’s wrong? Did you turn me into a monster?” Yu Qingkong asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course not!” Lin Wanzhao protested instantly.

“Then why are you laughing?” Yu Qingkong asked, thoroughly puzzled.

“You look incredibly fierce…” Lin Wanzhao murmured under her breath.

Yu Qingkong turned her head toward the mirror with a chuckle. The eyeliner Lin Wanzhao had drawn swept upward at the outer corners, making her eyes appear elongated and sharp. Paired with her elegant features, it gave her a distinctly commanding, authoritative presence.

“Alright, let’s keep going! I’ve decided to give you a full makeover!” Lin Wanzhao exclaimed enthusiastically, rummaging through her entire cosmetics collection to pull out mascara, eyeshadow, blush, contour, and highlighter.

“Why are you so incredibly excited about this?” Yu Qingkong laughed helplessly, noticing that Lin Wanzhao had even started humming a cheerful tune.

“You wouldn’t understand. It’s blatantly obvious you never played with dolls or dress-up games when you were a child,” Lin Wanzhao noted with a playful glance.

“Actually, I did play with them a bit when I was very young. But once I discovered that electronic toys and outdoor sports were far more exciting, I shifted my focus elsewhere,” Yu Qingkong countered with a soft smile. “So, am I your personal dress-up doll right now?”

“What, are you unwilling to be my exclusive doll?” Lin Wanzhao challenged.

“Not at all…” Yu Qingkong shook her head, happily playing along.

Satisfied with the response, Lin Wanzhao meticulously completed the look. Even without lipstick or a styled haircut, the transformation was jaw-dropping. Under the refined makeup, Yu Qingkong perfectly blended a striking elegance with a cool, modern edge.

“It’s a complete crime to leave a canvas this gorgeous un-styled,” Lin Wanzhao murmured, uncapping a tube of lipstick.

“In that case, I’ll make sure to study cosmetics thoroughly in the future. I’ll transform myself into a stunning flower and go out to attract every single butterfly in the city, how does that sound?” Yu Qingkong teased with a grin.

The next second, Yu Qingkong’s smile vanished as Lin Wanzhao delivered a sharp pinch to her arm, causing her to let out a painful hiss.

“Care to repeat that? Exactly who are you planning to attract?” Lin Wanzhao raised an eyebrow dangerously.

“You! Only you, I swear!” Yu Qingkong surrendered immediately.

“That’s more like it,” Lin Wanzhao laughed, gently raising her chin once more. “Now for the absolute final step: applying your lipstick.”

However, right as the lipstick approached Yu Qingkong’s lips, Yu Qingkong reached out and firmly caught Lin Wanzhao’s wrist.

“What is it…” Lin Wanzhao’s fingers tightened slightly against the casing. Meeting her gaze, her ears grew warm, and her eyes darted away shyly.

“Let’s save the lipstick for later,” Yu Qingkong murmured.

“Huh?” Lin Wanzhao blinked in confusion.

Yu Qingkong leaned across the small distance, pressing a soft kiss against the corner of her lips before pulling back slightly, her gaze locking onto Lin Wanzhao’s eyes. “If we apply it now, it will be far too difficult to kiss you properly.”

With that, Yu Qingkong leaned back in, capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss. Lin Wanzhao’s body stiffened slightly before melting into the embrace, her fingers gripping the lipstick tightly as her heart hammered wildly against her ribs.

Another ten minutes passed before they finished getting ready and stepped into the walk-in closet to select their outfits.

Lin Wanzhao’s closet was spectacular, bearing a striking resemblance to a high-end department store. Attire for all four seasons rested in dedicated display cases, meticulously organized by color palette and style. Rows of luxury bags, shoes, and jewelry lined the shelves. Yu Qingkong reflected that even if she possessed an abundance of wealth, she likely wouldn’t dedicate this much energy to clothing out of pure convenience. To simplify her life, most of her purchases centered around versatile essentials, eliminating the need to spend mental energy planning coordinates.

Ultimately, Lin Wanzhao selected a classic cream coat paired with a crisp white inner top, and the two finally departed for the venue.

By the time they arrived at the location, it was just past 4:20 PM. Lu Koko was hosting the birthday celebration at her personal residence—a stunning, three-story detached villa that had been beautifully decorated to create a vibrant, festive atmosphere.

Catching sight of Lin Wanzhao, Lu Koko immediately abandoned the friends she was chatting with and jogged over. “You’re finally here!”

Despite being the guest of honor, Lu Koko had dressed in an incredibly casual style—or perhaps that loose, effortless look was simply the essence of hip-hop fashion. Wearing an oversized baseball jacket paired with baggy denim jeans, she projected a thoroughly laid-back, slightly rogue charm that suited her personality perfectly.

“Yes, we’re here,” Lin Wanzhao noted, scanning the room.

“Hello, Miss Yu,” Lu Koko added, shifting her gaze to the woman standing beside her friend.

“Hello,” Yu Qingkong nodded politely, handing over two beautifully wrapped gift bags. “Happy birthday. Wanzhao and I picked these out together; I hope you like them.”

“Ah, hello! Thank you so much!” Lu Koko beamed, her face breaking into a radiant smile.

“I should be the one thanking you. Wanzhao told me that if it weren’t for your advice, we might never have taken the step to be together,” Yu Qingkong continued smoothly.

“Oh, it was nothing!” Lu Koko waved her hand dismissively. “I simply offered a few pointers, encouraging her to courageously go out and seduce you…”

Before she could finish the sentence, Lin Wanzhao abruptly reached out and slapped a hand over her mouth. Yu Qingkong blinked in mild surprise at the sudden movement.

“Don’t listen to her,” Lin Wanzhao whispered to Yu Qingkong, offering a bright, innocent smile.

“Haha,” Yu Qingkong chuckled softly, raising an eyebrow playfully but choosing not to press further.

“Koko.” A clear, melodic female voice called out from the side.

The three of them turned toward the sound, catching sight of Zheng Shuyi walking toward them. Her hair was styled in soft, elegant curls, and her subtle makeup made her look completely angelic. Carrying a small gift bag, a faint smile graced her features.

“Oh, Shuyi—”

“Koko, I’ve arrived!” Before Lu Koko could greet her properly, a young man suddenly burst out from the crowd, interrupting the moment. He wore a trendy, street-style outfit and possessed a remarkably handsome face.

“Xiao Ma? I thought you said you wouldn’t be able to make it today?” Lu Koko’s attention was instantly pulled away as she turned to converse with him.

“I know! So you see exactly how much I value our friendship? Even though I am thoroughly overwhelmed with daily imperial affairs, I still managed to carve out some time to rush over here. Aren’t you touched?” Xiao Ma teased, a cocky grin pulling at his lips.

“Fine, fine,” Lu Koko laughed. “I’m deeply touched, alright?”

At that moment, the gentle smile on Zheng Shuyi’s face vanished completely. She stepped forward silently, thrust the gift bag firmly into Lu Koko’s hands, and offered a tight, forced murmur of “Happy birthday” before turning around and walking away toward a quiet corner.

“Hey…” Lu Koko blinked, holding the bag as she scratched the back of her head, staring blankly at Zheng Shuyi’s retreating figure.

Yu Qingkong watched Zheng Shuyi depart with a thoughtful expression before looking back at Lu Koko, though she remained silent. Was she overthinking things? It truly felt as though Zheng Shuyi’s feelings for Lu Koko were far more complex than simple platonic friendship. In fact, she had picked up on that exact underlying dynamic when Lu Koko first introduced them to Lin Wanzhao.

After standing in a brief daze, Lu Koko lowered her head and peeked inside the bag, pulling out a beautifully decorated box. Opening it, she found a collection of adorable, handmade chocolate biscuits crafted so precisely they looked like delicate ornaments.

“Wow, she’s surprisingly skilled at making these… They look incredible. Mind if I try one?” Xiao Ma noted from the side, reaching out an arm to snag a biscuit.

Before his fingers could touch the box, Lu Koko delivered a sharp slap to his hand, sending his fingers retreating as the lid snapped closed.

“What was that for…” Xiao Ma grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck in confusion.

“If you’re hungry, go grab something from the buffet tables over there,” Lu Koko directed firmly, tucking the box securely back into the paper bag before turning on her heel to walk away.

Xiao Ma stood frozen for a second before nodding slowly. “Fine. They’re just a few biscuits, no need to guard them like sacred treasure. I swear, if Zheng Shuyi gifted you a bottle of plain dirt, you’d probably store it on a display shelf.”

Lu Koko stopped in her tracks, turning her head back to look at him. “Congratulations, you guessed absolutely right.”

Xiao Ma choked on his words, opening his mouth to counter before giving up entirely, shifting his gaze away in silence.

Having observed the entire exchange from the sidelines, Yu Qingkong and Lin Wanzhao shared a knowing look before turning around to wander toward another section of the villa.

“Is Koko straight or queer?” Yu Qingkong asked quietly as they walked.

“Straight…” Lin Wanzhao hesitated for a brief second before adding, “…probably.”

“Really?” Yu Qingkong exhaled softly.

“Mainly because all the celebrities she fawns over are men, and her entertainment tastes lean entirely toward what standard straight women enjoy. Plus, back before she knew about my sexual orientation, she casually offered to jump into the shower with me to scrub my back. I had no choice but to explicitly tell her, ‘Look, I’m queer, this is inappropriate,’ before she finally started behaving herself,” Lin Wanzhao explained, her brows knitting together slightly. “So, it feels like it would be incredibly difficult for someone like her to ever realize she might have feelings for women.”

“Who knows?” Yu Qingkong shook her head with a soft chuckle. “Before I met you, wasn’t I as straight as a telephone pole?”

“So, does this mean my charm is simply irresistible?” Lin Wanzhao beamed, looping her arm tightly through Yu Qingkong’s.

“Yes. Otherwise, how could I have been completely conquered by you?” Yu Qingkong laughed.

Lin Wanzhao grinned widely, resting her head affectionately against Yu Qingkong’s shoulder.

Because Lu Koko possessed an incredibly vast social circle, the celebration drew a crowd of over twenty guests, featuring individuals from completely different walks of life.

The massive turnout had its advantages; the energy remained sky-high, and the atmosphere livened up instantly regardless of what game was being played. The group spent hours eating, drinking, and playing party games before moving upstairs. The villa essentially functioned like an elite private club, complete with a karaoke room, a card room, and a home theater setup.

Lin Wanzhao had initially worried that Yu Qingkong might feel left out since she didn’t know anyone, but she quickly realized her anxieties were entirely unfounded. While Yu Qingkong could project an icy distance when she chose to ignore people, she possessed an incredible ability to easily blend into a crowd when she wanted to, navigating conversations and party games with effortless ease.

The celebration continued at full blast until 11:00 PM before the guests finally began to disperse.

Once the party wrapped up, Yu Qingkong and Lin Wanzhao bid their farewells, stepped into the car, and headed back toward the apartment.

Lin Wanzhao had consumed a small amount of alcohol during the evening; though she was nowhere near intoxicated, her cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink, making her eyes appear exceptionally bright and clear. The perfect evening had left her feeling thoroughly content.

However, the moment Yu Qingkong accompanied Lin Wanzhao back to the front door of her apartment building, Lin Wanzhao’s footsteps suddenly ground to a halt.

Yu Qingkong blinked in surprise, following her gaze toward the entrance. Standing right by the door was an elegant, middle-aged woman dressed in an exquisite, high-society outfit. Despite the subtle lines that time had etched around her neck and the corners of her eyes, her immaculate makeup and sophisticated demeanor made her look thoroughly radiant. As she turned around, her sharp gaze fell directly onto Yu Qingkong and Lin Wanzhao’s intertwined hands. It was Lin Wanzhao’s mother.

“Why did you suddenly show up here without giving me a warning?” Lin Wanzhao dropped her hold on Yu Qingkong’s hand, taking a swift step forward to stand directly in front of her mother, her brows knitting together in a cold demand.

Lin Wanzhao’s mother offered a freezing, dismissive sneer. “If I had given you a warning, would I have ever managed to catch you?”

Lin Wanzhao let out a bitter laugh, turning her head away.

Her mother’s gaze swept past her shoulder, locking onto Yu Qingkong before returning to face her daughter. Her sneer deepened. “If I had warned you beforehand, would I have crossed paths with this little lover of yours?”

“Why must you always speak with such absolute malice?” Lin Wanzhao blurted out, a sudden wave of fury rushing through her veins.

Instead of answering, her mother merely curled her lips into a cold smile. She stepped past her daughter, stopping directly in front of Yu Qingkong to look her up and down with an authoritative air. Her critical gaze traveled from Yu Qingkong’s face to her clothes, lingering deliberately on the brand logos before moving down to her shoes. “Yu Qingkong, correct?”

The statement caused both Lin Wanzhao and Yu Qingkong to freeze instantly. How on earth did she know her name?

“Yes,” Yu Qingkong replied, meeting her critical gaze head-on without a single hint of evasion.

The next second, Lin Wanzhao’s mother let out a chilling chuckle. “You claim to love my daughter? And by that, I mean that so-called ‘romance’ format.”

“Yes,” Yu Qingkong answered firmly.

Lin Wanzhao looked between Yu Qingkong and her mother, her teeth biting deep into her lower lip.

“And you two are currently dating?” Her mother pressed, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Yes,” Yu Qingkong nodded resolutely. Since the woman could accurately state her name, it meant she had already uncovered the truth; there was absolutely no reason to hide it.

At that moment, the cold smile vanished entirely from her mother’s face, replaced by a gaze of absolute disdain. “Do you honestly think you’re worthy of her?”