Chapter 21 : Swallowed Whole

For a fleeting moment, Jiang Yanlin felt that Péi Wanyi was the one doing the dining.

She closed in, step by step, trapping her in the dim space, where warmth and moisture clung together, swallowing her down without mercy.

But in the first breath, she followed the wine stains, moving slowly upward, and kissed Jiang Yanlin’s lips.

Yet she still had to retrieve the “gentleness” she had long since discarded, halting their tangled breaths, pulling back just an inch, and asking in a low, husky voice:
“Let me confirm one thing first. Will you regret this?”

Jiang Yanlin truly didn’t understand how there could be any regret.

It was simply dinnertime. You were hungry, I hadn’t eaten, so we decided to have a meal together.

So her answer was to raise a hand to Péi Wanyi’s shoulder and let out a soft laugh.

The sound was almost mocking, her fingers tracing lightly over the warm skin.

“As long as you don’t.”

The final syllable of Jiang Yanlin’s words was swallowed by her. Her upturned chin and waist were held fast, falling into a willful grasp.

As their breaths fell into disarray once more, Jiang Yanlin still had time to think—‘Miss Péi must do strength training often. I really can’t break free at all.’

Just as her thoughts drifted to “it’s best not to get into a conflict with this person in the future,” a light bite brought her back, a punishment.

Jiang Yanlin didn’t mind her “pouting.” She rewarded her with a response, her palm stroking her hair, smoothing down her back, landing on the powerful lines of her muscles.

But Péi Wanyi couldn’t slow her breathing. It came in short, hot bursts against her skin.

Jiang Yanlin was greatly pleased by her.

Seven days ago, upon first seeing the arrogant Miss Péi, Jiang Yanlin had thought with a touch of malice—
‘I wonder what this meticulously packaged woman is like in bed.’

And Péi Wanyi, with this night, gave Jiang Yanlin the answer.

An almost reckless, unrestrainable force pressed down on her, allowing Jiang Yanlin to finally glimpse a corner of the pool hidden beneath Péi Wanyi’s mask.

Fragments of breath tangled in their dark hair. Outside the car window was the starry river of a summer night and the scattered lights of the city, but before them, all that could be seen were heaving breaths and a touch of white in the darkness.

Jiang Yanlin had almost forgotten the last time she had been so unrestrainedly wild—on what day, in what place, and with whom.

And what would the next time be like?


A rewarding kiss, only after wiping away the sweat.

Péi Wanyi’s hair was mostly damp. Jiang Yanlin tucked it behind her ear, revealing her clean, beautiful face.

Her breathing had not yet calmed when it was disturbed again by a fleeting, butterfly-light kiss.

But Jiang Yanlin pulled away before she could respond, getting up to pick up the clothes on the floor, holding them one by one.

“Go take a shower. And remember to check on that pot outside.”

She said, walking into the RV’s bathroom. Soon, the sound of water started, a continuous splashing.

Péi Wanyi rolled over on the bed, slowly letting out a breath.

A long time later, she finally felt her pulse forcibly calm down. So she also got up, put on her clothes, and went outside.

The cream of mushroom soup had indeed been reduced to a layer of black residue at the bottom of the pot. Péi Wanyi sighed, extinguished the charcoal fire, took the pot into the RV, and filled it with water to soak in the sink.

The sweat was still sticky on her body. She knocked on the bathroom door and said:
“Do you want me to find you some clean clothes?”

The bathroom door was pulled open. The person inside reached out and handed her the dirty clothes.

Péi Wanyi casually tossed them into the laundry basket, went to the closet, and found a clean shirt and a pair of disposable cotton underwear.

After handing the items in, the bathroom door was pulled shut again.

Miss Péi let out a laugh, and simply went back to the bed, leaning against the window to listen to the song still playing on the speaker outside.

The same few songs, on repeat. They had already listened to them who knows how many times.

Her phone vibrated. Péi Wanyi picked it up and saw it was a message from El.

He had sent one earlier as well—right when she was unbuttoning Jiang Yanlin’s shirt.

Only then had Péi Wanyi remembered to turn on “Do Not Disturb.” She had fumbled for her phone with one hand, quickly switched it on, and tossed it onto the bed.

And Jiang Yanlin, beneath her, had even let out a light laugh and said, “Aren’t you going to reply to him?”

Péi Wanyi knew all too well what she was mocking.

So she had leaned down with a straight face and decisively shut her mouth.


By the time the playlist had looped again, the person in the bathroom came out.

Péi Wanyi was sitting up, leaning against the window, and turned her head to look over.

The person who had just showered was wearing her shirt. Due to the difference in their frames, the hem reached her thighs, revealing a pair of smooth legs.

Jiang Yanlin’s skin was very fair, clearly having had little exposure to UV rays. She only ever went out for gatherings at night.

Sometimes, Péi Wanyi thought she was like a vampire, especially with that unforgiving mouth, as if it were hiding sharp fangs that could draw blood with a light touch.

Suddenly, Péi Wanyi reached out and pulled her over.

She was in the middle of getting ready, but she didn’t refuse.

She turned her head and kissed her, not letting her dodge.

Some wines are intoxicating. No matter how brilliant the color, how sweet the illusion…

Péi Wanyi savored it, bit by bit, stealing the breath from her lips, feeling the rhythm that had been thrown into chaos because of her.

So easily it entered her mouth, yet it was filled with the illusion of not having tasted anything at all.

Jiang Yanlin knew that El had also sent her a message.

At the exact same time.

But this time, neither of them paid any attention.

Two self-centered people, finally, tacitly, cast aside their civilized masks.

Péi Wanyi’s body still carried those scents—alcohol, sweat, even a tangled remnant of ambiguity.

One kiss ended, and a new touch began, with breath, with body heat.

Jiang Yanlin didn’t mind letting her control the rhythm.

In these matters, whatever the other person desired, that’s what Jiang Yanlin became.

Sometimes, she would think of herself as a perfectly qualified actress, one side completely immersed, body and soul, while the other side watched coldly from the sidelines.

Until in the end, even she often couldn’t distinguish which part was her true self.

So she simply stopped caring, stopped exploring.

She lived her life with too much clarity; it was time to be blissfully ignorant for a change.


After a wild night, the one who had exhausted her energy took a shower and returned to the bed, pulling the person lying on the left side, Jiang Yanlin, into her arms.

Seeing her confusion, Péi Wanyi smiled and said softly, “Just sleeping.”

Jiang Yanlin had thought she wasn’t very fond of physical contact. Even with her good friends, she had always kept a distance.

But the hand around her waist didn’t let go. Jiang Yanlin thought for a moment and once again let her be.

So she closed her eyes and returned to that state of drowsiness.

This sleep didn’t last too long.

Jiang Yanlin was woken up by the chirping of birds outside the window. When she opened her eyes, she found that the sky was already faintly brightening.

She propped herself up and looked out the window. In just a short time, the dawn had become a little brighter.

Jiang Yanlin turned her head and poked the beautiful face of the person with closed eyes.

“Péi Wanyi.”

The sleeping person half-opened her eyes, only regaining a bit of consciousness a moment later.

“Hmm?” A muffled sound came from her nose.

Jiang Yanlin leaned against the window, watching her with a light laugh.

“Want to see the sunrise?”

Later, Péi Wanyi would often revisit this page in her dreams.

Before the sunrise, the dawn light refracted through the glass window, spilling over her eyebrows and eyes. The tips of her hair seemed to glow, a tangible warmth of the sun, rushing in like a tide the moment she opened her eyes.

And so, her sleepiness was also submerged, letting her drift with the current, sinking into this high tide at 5:50 in the morning.

It wasn’t until it was over her mouth and nose, drowning in her throat, that she finally realized.

The sunrise in the mountains offered an endless view.

Jiang Yanlin wrapped a blanket around herself. It wasn’t until the red sun had fully revealed itself that she let out a small yawn.

She leaned on Péi Wanyi’s shoulder and let herself fall asleep again.

This time, she finally slept a little more soundly.

The mental exhaustion and the depletion of dopamine left every nerve in her sleep restless.

Jiang Yanlin dreamt of many people. Familiar faces became strange. In a bizarre world, she was like walking through a heavy downpour. The wind tore at her clothes, the rain soaked her hair, and her heavy steps made the road ahead seem so long.

In a daze, she seemed to hear someone’s tired and emotionless voice, dropped onto her heart.

She said—
“Jiang Yanlin, you’re really something.”

The dial tone of a phone, the snow-covered branches of a Christmas tree, a street bustling with people, the cold wind, chilling her to the bone.

It wasn’t until the glare of a car’s headlights stung her eyes that Jiang Yanlin woke from the dream.

For a long time after opening her eyes, there was still a sense of unreality.
—How many years had it been since she had last visited her own dreams?

Xiao You had once asked Jiang Yanlin:
“What were you doing when you were my age?”

At that time, Jiang Yanlin’s fingers hadn’t even stopped, tapping out lines of text on the keyboard. Her mouth only offered a concise reply:
“The same as you, constantly doing stupid things.”

Xiao You immediately pouted and turned away, pretending not to want to talk to her.

But seeing that Jiang Yanlin had no intention of putting down her work to coax her, she had no choice but to obediently come closer, hugging the person who hadn’t even looked up from behind, nuzzling against her shoulder.

“Don’t call me stupid.”

She haggled.

Jiang Yanlin let out a laugh. “Okay, remind me next time.”

“There’s a next time?!”

She raised her voice in dissatisfaction, causing the person in her arms to laugh lightly again.

“I hate you,” Xiao You said, but her hands didn’t let go.

Jiang Yanlin replied, “I like you.”

The simple-minded person was immediately placated, and she started to cling to her again, seeking some attention and affection.

That day, and every day after, Jiang Yanlin never told Xiao You.

At that same age, she had indeed been “constantly doing stupid things.”

Just as Qining had later asked her curiously, “Jiang Yanlin, how can you love me so perfectly?”

Jiang Yanlin didn’t answer her either.
—Because the imperfect parts were all given to the most perfect one.


The second camping trip ended very late.

When Jiang Yanlin woke up, Miss Péi was already working in the sun, either replying to emails or taking calls.

Jiang Yanlin leaned against the RV door. Hearing the scattered business words, she went into the bathroom to wash up.

When she came out, she saw a set of clothes that were clearly not her size laid out on the bed. Jiang Yanlin wasn’t picky. She took off the shirt and changed into the clothes one by one.

Someone wrapped their arms around her waist from behind and said,
“Are you leaving already?”

Jiang Yanlin put on her long pants, then lifted the hem of her shirt and reached behind to fasten her bra.

The person behind her took over the task, fastening it for her.

Only then did Jiang Yanlin turn around and reply,
“I should get back to work.”

Péi Wanyi laughed. “You should bring your laptop next time.”

Two people who worked from home, now made to feel like office workers who had to clock in.

Hearing this, Jiang Yanlin nonchalantly changed the subject:
“Is there anything to eat?”

Péi Wanyi glanced at her and, a second later, replied,
“It’s in the warmer. Soy milk or milk?”

“Soy milk, thanks,” Jiang Yanlin said out of habit.

Although it was already afternoon, Jiang Yanlin still had no desire for carbs. She finished the simple breakfast left for her, put on her jacket, packed her things, and put her dirty clothes in a bag.

Péi Wanyi closed the windows and the RV door. As she walked towards the motorcycle, she said,
“What do you want to eat tonight?”

One meal had just finished, and she was already planning the next.

Jiang Yanlin glanced at her. The thought wavered in her mind for only a brief moment before she gave a response that wouldn’t spoil the mood:
“I’m too lazy to go out. You can come to my place.”

This time, Péi Wanyi was genuinely surprised. She turned to the side and looked at her for a moment.

Jiang Yanlin raised the corners of her mouth and smiled.

“Don’t expect much from my cooking.”

If I’m busy, I’ll just give you some instant food or takeout.
—Anyway, it’s not like you’re short on this one meal.

Péi Wanyi picked up the helmet and naturally put it on for her, as if to help because her hands were full with the bag.

But her approaching breath still teased her, like scratching an itch through a boot.

Jiang Yanlin looked into her eyes and found no ripples.

This woman was really good at pretending.

The more unshakable she appeared on the surface, the more devastating her attacks.

Jiang Yanlin thought of the red marks and bite marks she had seen when she showered. She suddenly raised her hand, held her head, and kissed her.

Dominatingly, without any technique, a wild sweep, and then a leisurely retreat.

Péi Wanyi held her waist and kissed her back.

Jiang Yanlin bit her lip, and when she flinched in pain, she deftly broke free.

“Let’s get on the bike. We’re in a hurry.”

She made no attempt to hide her “fickleness after being satisfied.”

But Péi Wanyi didn’t mind this little “retaliation.”

She knew she had been a bit indulgent last night. If Jiang Yanlin had turned hostile and left in the morning, she wouldn’t have been surprised.

But she was surprised at herself.

Usually, at the beginning, she wouldn’t be so “ungracious.”

At least for all these years, she had maintained it well.
—So if anyone was to blame, it could only be Jiang Yanlin.

Returning to the city from the mountain, the afternoon sun was dizzying. So much so that Jiang Yanlin didn’t want to deal with another word. She got off the bike, gave a wave, and walked away.

Péi Wanyi watched her for a moment, let out a light laugh, got on the bike, started the engine, and sped off.

Jiang Yanlin heard the sound of the engine but didn’t even bother to turn her head.

She went straight home. The first thing she did was fill the bathtub with hot water, throw her dirty clothes into the washing machine, and then go back to the bathroom to add some relaxing essential oils and start her bath.

This night had been truly exhausting. She would need three days of not going out to recover.

The third time, Jiang Yanlin had actually really wanted Péi Wanyi to stop.

But it wasn’t because she was tired and not feeling it anymore.

It was because she had captured something long-lost and unfamiliar, and her subconscious had called for a stop.

Xiao You had never given her this feeling, nor had Qining.

By the time Jiang Yanlin was slowly realizing what it was, it was already a bit too late to stop.

In the end, she could only let her instincts take over, to cater, to respond, and even to control.

This was very bad.

Jiang Yanlin sighed.
—Péi Wanyi in bed was just too compatible with her.

The difference between humans and animals often lies in the ability to control one’s primal desires.

Jiang Yanlin had never wanted to be a person who chased after desire, even though she was already more free-spirited than most.

Or to put it another way, she didn’t want to be controlled by desire.

Love, lust, gluttony, materialism.

Each of these, Jiang Yanlin instinctively avoided overindulging in, unwilling to be soaked in them for too long.

She didn’t trust human nature, nor did she have any confidence that she wouldn’t get lost in it.

But as an ordinary person, the only thing Jiang Yanlin could do was to slowly find a balance, to have clear goals but not wild ambitions, to discard rules but not be chaotic.

Among all desires, the easiest to lose balance in is s*x.

Jiang Yanlin was actually aware that she was a person who enjoyed s*x very much.

This important color would not be missing from her love, but she tried not to make it her final destination.

Unfortunately, the reality was that when she no longer had sexual needs for Xiao You, her love also gradually cooled, settling into a kind of pity.

Or perhaps, precisely because she no longer produced more love, s*x subsequently became a cold stone slab, untouchable.

The boundary between the two was so blurry, and the cause-and-effect relationship was like a Mobius strip, with no beginning or end.

Jiang Yanlin didn’t like s*x without any emotional connection, like a mechanical and uninteresting animal.

But what an overly compatible s*x life meant, she also knew all too well.

But how can one resist their own nature?

Especially for someone like Jiang Yanlin, who lived only to please herself.

Such a contradictory self, a desire of uncertain quality, mixed in with the most primitive instincts, catalyzing the secretion of dopamine, making it impossible for Jiang Yanlin to refuse Péi Wanyi.

Not on the first night.

And not on the second night either.


At dusk, Jiang Yanlin received a video call from Li Yuncheng.

Since her trip to Singapore, Li Yuncheng had rarely been so active, having been down for more than two months before getting a little better.

This wasn’t “not being able to get over it,” but rather slowly turning the heart she had given into a specimen, to be cherished and remembered.

“I didn’t delete her, nor did I confront her. I just wanted to wait for the day she would give me an answer, to let me know why.”

For someone like Li Yuncheng, guessing and judging didn’t have much meaning. She wanted to know the real reason, even if the answer was the most common one, it was better than silence.

Jiang Yanlin wouldn’t advise her against it. She was fine just the way she was.

“Let’s not talk about this. I’m planning to go to China for a while. You’ll have to treat me to a meal then.”

She quickly changed the subject, cheering up.

Jiang Yanlin wiped her thin-framed glasses and asked her, “Which place are you planning to go to?”

Li Yuncheng wasn’t sure. “I can’t say for sure. I might go to a place where I have friends first, and do some travel live streaming on the side.”

She was a YouTuber, and her freelance lifestyle was similar to Jiang Yanlin’s, which was also part of the reason they had hit it off so well.

And in terms of relationships, the two often felt that the other was another version of themselves in the world.

This might be an exaggeration, but it was somewhat true.

Li Yuncheng’s first love was also at a very young age, the older sister next door.

In that country with a relatively large Chinese population, it was common to have Chinese neighbors, and it was easier to get close.

Li Yuncheng’s family and the other family often got together. The parents would have meals, and the children would play together.

And the youngest among the younger generation was Li Yuncheng.

At that time, she would follow her around all day, calling her “big sister,” like a little follower.

It wasn’t until the other girl went to high school, probably during her sexual awakening, that she was full of curiosity and impulse. So the obedient and clingy Li Yuncheng became her experimental subject.

Li Yuncheng, like Jiang Yanlin, was relatively mature in this aspect.

She knew what the older sister next door was doing to her, but she subconsciously treated this relationship as “love,” so she had always been obediently cooperative, and it had lasted for a year or two.

It wasn’t until the other girl got a new partner in high school that she was cast aside and rarely paid attention to anymore.

This “first love” had an irreversible impact on Li Yuncheng’s entire view of love for the rest of her life.

She was often attracted to such pathological relationships, falling into an unconscious state of endurance. It wasn’t until today that she had slowly found a way to face herself.

During her most confused period, Li Yuncheng even accepted being “kept” by a European woman who was traveling in her country.

She was a wealthy woman in her thirties or forties, full of charm, and very gentle with her.

But as soon as the trip ended, the other woman returned to Europe and never contacted her again.

One experience after another had made Li Yuncheng so used to being the one who was abandoned.

But she would still bravely step into a new relationship when she met someone new, even if it turned out to be another messy situation.

It wasn’t the first time Jiang Yanlin had seen someone grow up like this. Outsiders might call her a “hopeless love brain,” but she knew that Li Yuncheng’s heart was already stronger than many people’s.

When faced with something they want, some people are afraid of the risks, some don’t consider the consequences, but there are also those who are willing to pay the price for that experience.

The only difference between Jiang Yanlin and Li Yuncheng was that she would observe more cautiously.

When life already has so many goals to achieve, for the scenery along the way, do you stop and stay, or do you take a picture as a memento and never look back?

As cautious as Jiang Yanlin was, she didn’t always make the right choice.

It’s just that she had already let go. The results of right and wrong were just another piece of the puzzle that made up her future self.

“By the way, Lu Sien is coming to China again in a while. I think he’s meeting a friend to play ball. Want to have dinner together then?”

Li Yuncheng remembered this and probed tentatively.

Jiang Yanlin knew her true intentions were not about the dinner. She thought for a moment and still replied,
“If it’s appropriate at the time.”

Li Yuncheng immediately caught on to something.
“Oh? Any progress?”

Jiang Yanlin retorted, “Have you cured your sexual apathy?”

Li Yuncheng immediately shut her mouth.
—Who would have thought that an online relationship could make you “impotent”?

Jiang Yanlin found it amusing to think about how that woman had made her impotent. When they first broke up, she had called and cried for two hours, repeatedly saying, “It’s over. Now every time I think about s*x, I think of her. And when I think of her, I get sad. And when I get sad, I cry. And when I cry, I lose my erection.”

“Jiang Yanlin, please find me a woman. I’m afraid I’ll be like this for the rest of my life.”

Thinking of this, Li Yuncheng also looked worried.

Jiang Yanlin laughed. “You know how many friends I have.”

“Then let’s meet some new ones. That young miss, she looks like she has a wide social circle. Are there any around her?”

Jiang Yanlin paused and thought about it for a rare moment.

Only then did she realize that she actually didn’t know what other friends Péi Wanyi had besides El and the others. The only female friend among them was the recently heartbroken Xiao Nuo.

But Xiao Nuo was most likely straight, and she had A Qiu who took good care of her.

Jiang Yanlin replied with regret, “Not sure, don’t know, no idea.”

Li Yuncheng whimpered a few times and then let the topic go.

Everyone knew that using a new person to forget an old one was the most meaningless method.

It was both immoral to the other person and torturous to oneself.

Many years ago, when Jiang Yanlin had no strategy for relationships, she had also used such a foolish method.

And more than once.

That’s why she knew very well that it was useless.

And the final result was often not a good one.
—The person you wanted to forget was never completely erased.


It was getting a bit late when she hung up the phone.

Péi Wanyi had sent a message saying she would arrive before eight. There was still half an hour left. Jiang Yanlin had to order some ingredients on a delivery app and then found an unopened bottle of white rum in her cabinet, planning to mix it with some juice and soda to make something drinkable, just to get by.

In the end, the person and the dinner arrived at the same time.

Jiang Yanlin casually threw on a sheer cardigan and went downstairs to get the delivery and let her in.

Péi Wanyi wasn’t driving today. She was wearing a white shirt and black trousers, with a suit jacket draped over her arm, as if she had just come from the office.

Jiang Yanlin took the items from the delivery locker, swiped the door open, and let her in.

Seeing that she was only wearing a slip dress under her cardigan, Péi Wanyi raised an eyebrow and followed behind, casually asking, “So domestic today?”

It had rained in the evening, and it was still a bit windy. Jiang Yanlin wrapped her cardigan tighter and said without turning her head, “Giving you a bit of novelty.”

She was clearly just too lazy to bother.

Seeing that she had no makeup on and was wearing glasses, Péi Wanyi let out a laugh.

Miss Jiang was the real one who discarded people after they had served their purpose.

So lazy that she couldn’t even be bothered to put in any effort after getting what she wanted.

Thinking this, Péi Wanyi’s gaze swept over her.
—Well, it wasn’t a loss either.

Entering the apartment, Jiang Yanlin had already taken out a pair of disposable slippers for her to change into at the door.

Then, right in front of Péi Wanyi, she took out the semi-finished delivery items one by one, did some simple preparation, and served them on the table.

A blatant “ready-to-eat” feast.

Péi Wanyi looked at it and had to console herself—at least she wasn’t just given a bowl of instant noodles.

So she went with the flow, went into the kitchen, washed her hands, and helped out, speeding up the dinner process.

The sooner they ate, the sooner they could… eat.

Jiang Yanlin did manage to find her last shred of conscience and personally mixed a cocktail for Miss Péi.

White rum base, citrus juice and lemon soda, a pinch of sea salt, a few ice cubes, and some crushed ice on top. It looked quite decent.

Péi Wanyi watched from the side, for once feeling what it was like to be “overwhelmed by favor.”

With this drink, the meal was at least acceptable.

The dishes were all low in oil and salt: baked chicken breast, vegetable salad, purple sweet potato and brown rice balls, and a convenience store caramel pudding.

There was meat, vegetables, carbs, and dessert. It could be called a feast.

But no matter how you ate it, it didn’t feel like a home-cooked meal.

So it was inevitable that for a long time after, Péi Wanyi would have the impression that Jiang Yanlin “couldn’t cook.”

And many of her perceptions of Jiang Yanlin had deviated from the true path from the very beginning.

So they held their prejudices against each other, yet they also tested each other’s unpredictability.

Whether it was a desire to win or a desire to get closer, neither of them was that clear-headed.

Because “clear-headed” is the antonym of “instinct.”


After the meal, Miss Péi was self-aware enough to help clean up the kitchen. As a first-time guest, this was already very polite.

Jiang Yanlin was also satisfied with her sensibility. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been invited a second time.

The main reason she hated having people over was that she hated cleaning up the mess.

“I’ve been meaning to say, you’re very skilled and meticulous at washing dishes.”

Jiang Yanlin was drinking water and resting on the side, watching with a clear conscience as Miss Péi washed the dishes for her.

Péi Wanyi dried a plate, put it in the dish rack, and replied casually,
“I used to work in a Chinese restaurant, just washing dishes.”

Jiang Yanlin was a bit surprised, but not very surprised.

Two camping trips together were enough for her to see that Péi Wanyi had no problems with life skills. In fact, she was less pampered than girls from ordinary families.

These skills were not acquired in a short time, nor were they something that someone who had never had to worry about food and clothing should have.

But Jiang Yanlin wisely didn’t ask any more. They were not yet at a stage in their relationship where they could talk about these things.

And perhaps they never would be.

She didn’t ask, but Péi Wanyi took the initiative to mention it.
“I was fired from that dishwashing job after a few days because I was too meticulous and my efficiency was too low.”

Jiang Yanlin couldn’t help but laugh. “You are indeed very meticulous.”

And indeed not very efficient.

So a more suitable career path would be a part-time domestic helper.

The thought flashed through her mind, but Jiang Yanlin didn’t say it out loud to tease her.

She looked at the person in front of her, her gaze sweeping over her focused face.
—In just seven short days, they had developed this kind of relationship.

After Qining, Jiang Yanlin hadn’t had a normal relationship for two years.

So for the past two years, she had almost forgotten what a normal relationship was like.

Jiang Yanlin was tired of being tied down by a title. That label, like a marriage certificate, a ring, gave everyone the opportunity to fight for “ownership.”

Using “this person is mine” to emphasize the relationship between two people, to cover up a lack of security, but in reality, it had never successfully stopped someone who wanted to break the contract.

Social news constantly reminded everyone who held onto a glimmer of hope that neither love nor law could completely tie a person to you. When the other person really wanted to leave, they didn’t even need a reason.

So what kind of protection did this “title” really provide?

What was the difference between having it and not having it?

This world couldn’t force everyone to have a sense of contract, so Jiang Yanlin would never tell anyone—in her eyes, “titles” and “marriage certificates” were just self-deception for the insecure.

This idea was too unconventional. Even in front of her closest friends, she rarely mentioned it.

It’s just that the longer it went on, the more she walked on a path that deviated from the norm, unable to return, and not wanting to.

Was Péi Wanyi a normal person?

Jiang Yanlin didn’t think so.

But the two of them had yet to discuss this topic. Everything was still to be verified.

It was just that the atmosphere was right, so it was a rare moment of blissful ignorance, a rare moment of indulgence.


The curtains in front of the floor-to-ceiling window were drawn. In the darkened room, only the light from the projector remained.

The movie scenes flickered on the screen, one after another, the fluorescent light hitting their faces, obscuring their features.

Who leaned in to kiss first was no longer important.

Jiang Yanlin’s sheer cardigan was thrown on the carpet. She suspected that Péi Wanyi had wanted to do this two hours ago, which was why her movements were so fluid.

But Péi Wanyi’s white shirt felt very high quality, perfect for being roughed up a bit.

So Jiang Yanlin didn’t hesitate to make her move either.

The sofa cushions were pushed aside, and clothes were scattered on the carpet.

In this inseparable kiss, Jiang Yanlin noticed a little of Péi Wanyi’s preferences.
—She liked to squeeze every soft spot, and every time, with a bit of force.

And more subtly, Jiang Yanlin could already feel that she was trying to restrain her strength as much as possible.

Just like the breath on her lips and jaw, the more chaotic the rhythm, the more there would be a moment of slowing down to regroup.

Finally, in a moment of careless tightening, Jiang Yanlin felt a twinge of pain and bit her on the shoulder in return.

“Sorry.”

Péi Wanyi kissed her lips good-naturedly, a gentle appeasement.

But the breath she exhaled was so hot that it left a burning sensation on her skin.

Jiang Yanlin soon discovered that treating her in the same way was not a punishment.

The boring Korean movie from not long ago suddenly popped into her mind. Before she could think about it, she was pushed against the floor-to-ceiling window. The carpet and scattered cushions softened the impact. Péi Wanyi grabbed her wrists, held them tightly, and pinned them to the carpet.

At this moment, Jiang Yanlin should have felt uncomfortable.

She usually wouldn’t allow anyone to be so condescending, to have complete control over her every inch.

But looking up at Péi Wanyi from this angle, clearly seeing the subtle emotions on her face and the deep light in her eyes.

Jiang Yanlin actually felt a bit of pleasure.

In the eyes of outsiders, Péi Wanyi was a young miss from a good family with good looks.

She had a string of suitors, the ability and talent to stand on her own in her work, and an IQ and EQ that ordinary people would find hard to handle.

But such a Péi Wanyi seemed a bit too perfect.

Jiang Yanlin was the worst kind of person.

She liked to tear off the masks of the perfect.

Knowing full well that it was a deep pool, she still had to tiptoe, to dip her bare feet in, to test the water temperature.

And now, it seemed she had only just touched the surface.

Péi Wanyi reached out and covered Jiang Yanlin’s eyes.

So clean, so pure a black, reflecting a clear shadow.

So it was easy to see herself.

She covered Jiang Yanlin’s eyelids with one hand, leaned down to kiss, to taste, to overwhelm.

The body shrouded in darkness was forced to amplify its senses. A little warmth, a little touch, all threw her breathing into chaos.

Jiang Yanlin’s revenge also came quickly. She bit her lip with a little force, her teeth grinding gently, slowly applying pressure, then releasing lightly, then applying pressure more slowly.

Péi Wanyi felt a long-lost torment.

In this insignificant pain, she could barely control her racing pulse.

A series of loud thuds that only she could hear were screaming wildly.

Faster, faster, now.
—Completely, swallow her whole.


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