Jiang Jiang's eyelashes trembled heavily twice, her brain had not yet reacted, yet her eyes had already closed.
Ji Xu'an looked calm on the surface, but in truth her breathing was also somewhat disordered. She tilted her head slightly and slowly leaned closer to Jiang Jiang, confirming that Jiang Jiang did not have the slightest intention of avoiding her. Only then did she gently press her lips against hers.
The warm yellow light in the room poured down from above, coating both of them in a layer of golden halo. Even their shadows on the floor intertwined inseparably.
Ji Xu'an's lips were slightly cool, soft with a faint scent of grapes, like a butterfly fluttering in dance, lingering at the corner of Jiang Jiang's lips.
Jiang Jiang tilted her neck back. With her eyes tightly shut, she could not see Ji Xu'an's expression at this moment, yet she could vaguely hear the other woman's rapid heartbeat.
The hand clasped at the back of her neck was dry and warm. While supporting Jiang Jiang's head, it also cut off any possibility of her escape.
Jiang Jiang tried hard to recall the scene from last time. How had Ji Xu'an done it again?
She only remembered that Ji Xu'an had been drunk then, so that kiss had carried the scent of alcohol. Ji Xu'an had kissed very forcefully, to the point that Jiang Jiang's mind had turned completely muddled.
This time Ji Xu'an was much gentler. Every movement of hers was slow. From the corner of Jiang Jiang's lips she kissed all the way to the side of her face, and finally returned to her lips. Seeing that Jiang Jiang did not resist, she parted her lips and very lightly took Jiang Jiang's lower lip into her mouth.
Heat bloomed on her lips. Jiang Jiang suddenly grabbed Ji Xu'an's clothes tightly, so tense that even her fingertips lost their color.
After losing her sense of sight, her other senses became especially distinct. Jiang Jiang could even feel the subtle ticklish sensation when Ji Xu'an's breath brushed across her face.
It was too hot. Not only Ji Xu'an's breath, but also the heat radiating from Jiang Jiang's own cheeks, scorching her until she was completely unable to think.
Ji Xu'an kissed very carefully, as if afraid of causing Jiang Jiang any discomfort. She would wait until Jiang Jiang had fully adapted before proceeding to the next step.
Before bathing, Jiang Jiang had opened the window. At this moment, cool wind surged in through the half-open window, barely dispersing the stuffiness in the room, yet neither of them felt even a moment of relaxation.
Unknowingly, Jiang Jiang parted her lips slightly. Ji Xu'an immediately deepened the kiss. She tilted her head, her dark eyes always half-open, her gaze fixed directly on Jiang Jiang's face, unwilling to miss even the slightest reaction from her.
Jiang Jiang's cheeks were flushed. Her breathing grew more and more rapid and disordered. In this aspect she was completely no match for Ji Xu'an. Her legs were so weak she could hardly stand steady.
Burning love blazed in Ji Xu'an's eyes, yet she remained restrained and did nothing more excessive. Just as she had promised at the beginning, she was only kissing. From start to finish, her hands behaved properly.
Sticky sounds of moisture spilled from between their lips and teeth, accompanied by breaths that were sometimes light and sometimes heavy, adding a trace of ambiguity to the deep night outside the window.
—
Jiang Jiang could no longer remember exactly how long they had kissed in the end.
She only remembered that when it ended, her lips were so numb they were nearly devoid of sensation. Without even looking in a mirror, she could guess how indecent her expression must look at this moment.
Ji Xu'an was clearly still unsatisfied. This time Jiang Jiang did not indulge her. She pushed Ji Xu'an with her hand and said, panting, "That's enough, sister."
Ji Xu'an followed her strength and stepped back. "Alright."
Her voice carried an unusual hoarseness.
Jiang Jiang did not look at Ji Xu'an's eyes at all. She used the back of her hand to wipe her lips, thoroughly erasing that trace of ambiguous moisture. Only then did she take a deep breath and say, "How about we leave it at this for tonight?"
"Is there anything else you want to ask?"
Ji Xu'an knew deeply that nothing could be rushed. What she had gained tonight was already more than enough. She had to give Jiang Jiang time to adapt and breathe.
"No." Ji Xu'an turned her head to glance at the clock hanging on the wall. "It's getting late. You still have to go to school early tomorrow. Go to sleep first."
That was exactly what Jiang Jiang intended.
She silently let out a breath. "Then…"
Before she could finish the sentence, Ji Xu'an thoughtfully spoke first, "I know. You need time to accept this."
"Our relationship has developed to this point. It seems like you have always been the one compromising. I have never given you the right to choose."
Of course, even knowing this, Ji Xu'an would not give Jiang Jiang the chance to make a second choice.
She did not say that sentence, but both she and Jiang Jiang understood it clearly.
"Compared to normal couples, the development between us lacks the step of courtship." Ji Xu'an gazed deeply into Jiang Jiang's eyes. "I want to make up for that step."
"So… can you give me a chance to pursue you?"
Consider it her atonement for those foolish things she had done before.
Jiang Jiang pressed her lips together. "If I say no, will you not do it?"
Ji Xu'an remained silent.
Jiang Jiang tightened the coat around herself again. She did not look at Ji Xu'an. Her gaze fell on the large bed not far away. "So you don't need to ask me. I don't know either."
Ji Xu'an apologized quickly, "I'm sorry, wife."
She called her that very smoothly, without the slightest sense of awkwardness.
It was only at this moment that Jiang Jiang realized Ji Xu'an was actually a person with very thick skin. Although she said sorry and her attitude was humble and sincere enough, she did not retreat even a little.
Jiang Jiang rubbed her cheeks. "I'm a little sleepy. You should go back and sleep too."
Ji Xu'an did not move her feet, yet her brows knitted slightly. The way she looked at Jiang Jiang carried a pitiful meaning. "I know. I shouldn't disturb you."
Perhaps it was tonight's conversation that had opened up Ji Xu'an's meridians. When she pretended to be pitiful, she was especially natural.
"But without you, I seem unable to fall asleep alone."
Before Jiang Jiang could refuse her, Ji Xu'an added, "If you don't want to sleep on the same bed with me, that's fine."
"I can sleep on the sofa."
Jiang Jiang stared at her quietly for a few seconds, then nodded. "Suit yourself."
Although this answer was not what Ji Xu'an most wanted to hear, this result already made her feel very satisfied.
A smile rose on her face again. "Then… I'll go bring my quilt and pillow over?"
Jiang Jiang walked toward the bed with her back to Ji Xu'an. Her response was very soft, without much emotion. "Mm."
If it had been before, Ji Xu'an might have felt sad because of Jiang Jiang's overly indifferent attitude. But at this moment, Jiang Jiang's scent still lingered on her lips. Ji Xu'an simply could not feel sad.
Although her wife did not want to sleep on the same bed with her, she had not completely driven her out, had she?
Afraid that Jiang Jiang would change her mind, Ji Xu'an left behind the words "I'll be right back" and turned to walk out of Jiang Jiang's bedroom.
After her figure disappeared from the doorway, Jiang Jiang finally turned her head to look in the direction Ji Xu'an had left.
She blinked. A hazy sheen of moisture still lingered in her eyes. Her pair of lips had been sucked until they were rosy and plump by Ji Xu'an. Her whole face carried an indescribable springlike allure.
Jiang Jiang raised her hand to touch her lips, then guiltily hid her hand behind her back.
Ji Xu'an kissed so fiercely.
It hurt a little.
Is this what liking someone feels like?
—
After returning to her own room, the smile on Ji Xu'an's face slowly faded.
She lowered her head and looked at the messages on her phone. More than ten minutes earlier, Secretary Zhao had sent a message saying that Jiang Zhenyun had agreed to meet her.
[Secretary Zhao: She said she also has some interesting things she would like to share with you.]
—
T/N: If you're enjoying this translation, feel free to check out my Patreon. If you're unable to support financially, you can still subscribe for free and receive chapters two hours earlier, along with updates and announcements. Paid tiers offer early access and daily chapters.
Thank you so much for reading!
patreon.com/Baenz