"Qin Yu, I'm so satisfied."
Ningguang's voice, thick with warmth and languor, pulled Qin Yu from the hazy afterglow.
Ningguang's long, elegant fingers gently brushed aside the strands of hair clinging to Qin Yu's sweat-dampened forehead.
And just moments ago, that very hand...
Qin Yu quickly tried to banish the memory, but the flush on her skin and the lingering heat refused to fade.
Just moments ago, she had seen a side of Ningguang she'd never witnessed before, heard Ningguang call her name in a voice unlike any other. She imagined Ningguang felt the same about her.
No, stop thinking about it! Qin Yu burned with embarrassment.
But when she saw Ningguang's shoulder peeking out from under the covers, the memories defied her will and flooded her mind once more.
In the end, they had crossed that line.
Seeing Qin Yu remain silent, Ningguang's expression shifted slightly. "Did you hate it?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
I didn't hate it.
"I didn't hate it..." Qin Yu murmured softly.
But I wouldn't say I liked it either.
Maybe because it was the first time? I'm not sure. But if I had to say whether it felt good or not... Qin Yu thought, it was actually quite pleasant.
Ningguang certainly hadn't left her with a bad memory; she had been gentle the entire time.
"That's good," Ningguang said, relieved.
She leaned in, gently pressing her lips against Qin Yu's.
"Ah..." Qin Yu breathed out involuntarily.
"I didn't want to leave you with a bad memory," Ningguang whispered, her lips barely parting. Her voice, like melting honey, made Qin Yu's face flush and her heart race.
But recalling Ningguang's actions just now, Qin Yu remembered a hint of nervousness. When they had held each other, she had faintly felt the tremors caused by that tension.
Qin Yu took Ningguang's hand.
"Ningguang... you were nervous too, weren't you?"
Ningguang gave an embarrassed smile. "You saw through me. Yes. It was your first time, but it was mine as well. I wasn't confident I could do it perfectly, and I was terrified that even the slightest mistake would leave you with a lasting aversion to it."
"But all in all, it went quite well. We both enjoyed it."
Qin Yu averted her gaze and said stubbornly, "I didn't."
Ningguang dismissed her denial. "I saw with my own eyes, heard with my own ears, and felt with my own hands. How could I be mistaken?"
"Your eyes are blind, your ears are deaf, and your hands are numb."
"But you kept calling my name, didn't you?"
Qin Yu bristled, her face flushing red. "I did not!"
Probably.
"Alright, let's just say you didn't," Ningguang said casually.
So dismissive.
Qin Yu let out a breath. The air under the covers was a mix of her scent and Ningguang's. The lingering warmth Ningguang had left on her body gradually faded, replaced by a wave of exhaustion.
"Are you tired?" Ningguang asked with concern.
Warmed by Ningguang's care, Qin Yu answered softly, "After something like that... it's impossible not to be tired. What about you, Ningguang?"
"I'm ready to sleep," Ningguang said languidly.
Qin Yu sighed in exasperation. "You shouldn't spend so much time sitting in your office, or else—"
With a mix of "revenge" and playful teasing, Qin Yu said:
"Next time, you won't be able to get out of bed."
Ningguang's eyes widened slightly, then she broke into a bright smile. "So you're saying... there will be a next time."
"Eh? Ah..."
I think I just dug a hole for my future self.
Qin Yu felt a pang of regret, but on second thought, Ningguang's desires were so strong... it was impossible to believe she'd only want to do this once.
She'll probably try again at the first opportunity.
At that thought, Qin Yu pouted. "Even if I said no, you'd find a way to make me agree, wouldn't you?"
Ningguang smiled. "You know me so well."
I knew it.
"And by thinking that, are you giving me permission to have another 'intimate exchange' with you in the future?" Ningguang confirmed.
Qin Yu didn't know what to say, so she stammered, "...Depends on my mood."
"Then I'll make sure you're in the mood."
Just as Qin Yu was about to speak, Ningguang took her hand and pressed it against her own chest, whispering softly:
"I'm very much looking forward to you making me unable to get out of bed."
After all, whether she initiates it or I do, Ningguang would be more than happy either way.
Qin Yu's ears burned. She couldn't help but blurt out, "You lecher!"
"It's normal to desire one's lover."
Can't argue with that.
If she had to choose between being desired and not being desired, Qin Yu would choose the former.
If Ningguang showed no desire at all, Qin Yu would actually feel uneasy.
"Has she lost interest in me?" she thought. I'd definitely think that.
But there were still things that needed to be said.
"Try to control yourself a little. You're so old—can't you manage even this much desire?" Qin Yu whispered.
"Everything has its limits, including restraint. But don't worry, I'll only be like this with you... when you allow me to."
Qin Yu huffed. "Isn't that obvious?"
But Ningguang's words still brought her a sense of relief.
After that, they fell silent, lying on their pillows and gazing at each other. Ningguang continued to gently stroke Qin Yu's hair.
Qin Yu relaxed even more, feeling a deep sense of peace and security. More than the act itself, she cherished these quiet, warm moments that followed.
"Um..."
"Hmm?"
Qin Yu hesitated. "I've heard that some people become cold and distant afterward."
"You're worried about that too? Hmm, it seems that does happen. But I want to enjoy the process, and I also want to enjoy everything that comes after. I hope you can enjoy it all too. Besides—"
Ningguang smiled. "I made a promise to you. So I won't become cold and distant like you're imagining. In fact..."
She then murmured, almost as if confessing a secret:
"I want to go again."
Huh?
Again? Qin Yu panicked. "No, no, no! That's enough, isn't it?!"
"It's not enough. I've realized my desire for you is endless."
"Control yourself!"
"I make no promises," Ningguang said with a slight smile.
The smile held an obvious hint of teasing. Realizing Ningguang was just messing with her, Qin Yu pinched her cheek in annoyance.
"Stop teasing me."
"You love teasing me, but I'm not allowed to tease you back?" Ningguang asked.
Qin Yu immediately retorted, "Exactly."
After all, Ningguang's teasing might...
"How selfish."
"It's a reasonable request," Qin Yu insisted.
Ningguang smiled faintly. "I understand. I won't tease you."
Qin Yu let out a breath. Good.
"Because everything I said was the truth."
"Eh?"
She really is dangerous!
What's worse, she was still Ningguang's secretary. No matter what, she had to stay by her side for work—there was simply no escape.
The more Qin Yu thought about it, the more dreadful the situation seemed.
Although Ningguang is gentle, and the whole experience was pleasant enough... I can't possibly do this every single day.
Fortunately, she was also Keqing's secretary now and worked with Ganyu, so she didn't have to be with Ningguang every day...
Come to think of it, their desires seem pretty strong too.
...Never mind. Qin Yu gave up thinking about it, deciding to leave that problem for her future self to worry about.
While her mind was racing, Ningguang buried her face in Qin Yu's chest.
"Whoa! You scared me! What's wrong? And just so we're clear, we're not going again today. I'll get angry if you try," Qin Yu said hastily.
Ningguang's voice was languid. "I know. I just want to..."
"Be spoiled?"
Ningguang's silence was her answer.
I haven't even gotten dressed yet. Qin Yu felt a flush of embarrassment, but she was already used to Ningguang's clingy behavior. Suppressing her shyness, she hugged Ningguang's head, stroking her hair as she spoke.
"If you want to sleep, rest for a while. I can't promise I'll finish all the remaining work—some of it requires your attention—but you can trust me with at least half of it."
Ningguang murmured, "You don't have to. I just wanted to do this."
"I figured as much."
"Qin Yu."
Qin Yu replied casually, "Hmm?"
"I wish I had met you sooner."
Qin Yu was confused. "Why are you suddenly saying that...?"
"Does she... want me all to herself?"
Qin Yu pressed her lips together. Even though we say we're even, I suppose it's only natural to still feel a little bothered by it sometimes, isn't it? That's just human nature.
This complicated feeling would likely stay with them for the rest of their lives.
All she could do was strive to keep Ningguang and the others happy, proactively express her feelings to them, and earn more of their love.
"I'll do my best," Qin Yu said.
"Hm? Oh, I understand what you mean. I'll look forward to it."
Ningguang added, "But you've misunderstood. While I do have such thoughts, the main reason I said that is because... it would mean I could spend more time with you."
Qin Yu's heart pounded. She didn't know if Ningguang could hear it, but Ningguang suddenly let out a soft laugh.
Don't laugh.
As Qin Yu grumbled internally, she said aloud, "That's just a hypothetical. The only thing I know for sure is that I don't want to leave you, Ningguang, and I won't let you leave me either."
"So greedy."
"It's fine to be greedy. I'll always be by your side in the future, Ningguang. Our time together will only increase, never decrease."
After blurting out words so sincere they made her blush, Qin Yu quickly added, "That's how it is. So instead of dwelling on the past, we should think about what to do tomorrow."
Ningguang laughed softly and teased, "You're absolutely right. This means we'll have even more chances to get close, not fewer."
"Don't always think about things like that!"
After some more pillow talk, Qin Yu thought, I need to get back to work.
Before she could move on to other things, she had to finish the chores at hand.
"Let me help you get dressed," Ningguang offered.
Qin Yu hesitated, suspicious. Is she planning to take advantage of the situation again?
But they had already crossed the final line.
"Okay."
Ningguang got out of bed and said, "You can help me get dressed too."
"I know. Ah, by the way, are we still continuing the game?" Qin Yu asked, feigning nonchalance.
"Do you want to continue?"
Qin Yu crossed her arms and nodded. "But this time, you really can't do anything strange."
Ningguang murmured into her ear, "'Yes, Master'—does that count as something strange?"
"N-No, it doesn't..."
In fact, it feels kind of nice...