Guan Qingtong, who was ready to leave in a huff, was stopped by her assistant, who urgently whispered something in her ear. Su Yirao guessed it was related to work.
"We'll meet tonight," Su Yirao said from behind, her voice like vines wrapping around Guan Qingtong, who couldn't help but feel both expectant and annoyed at her own weakness.
"Why should I meet you just because you say so?" Guan Qingtong huffed, leaving this remark behind as she quickly walked away.
Watching her retreating figure, Su Yirao couldn't help but chuckle softly. Guan Qingtong's lingering stubbornness showed that she still cared about their three-year agreement. She hadn't forgotten; she was just sulking, feeling uneasy.
After the banquet, Su Yirao had no opportunity to meet with Guan Qingtong, who had deliberately avoided her.
"My dear boss, I've got a night out planned with my friends at a bar in Rong City tonight. Are you coming? If not, I'll drop you back at the hotel..." Zhu Li, the assistant, casually offered as she always did, fully expecting Guan Qingtong to decline, as usual.
Guan Qingtong was about to nod her head in agreement when she spotted Su Yirao approaching the car from the corner of her eye. On impulse, she said, "Let's go together."
"Huh?"
"What, not welcoming me?" Guan Qingtong teased.
"No, it's just... you're acting a bit out of character."
It was then that Zhu Li noticed Su Yirao lightly tapping on the car window.
"Boss, now I know why you're acting strange," Zhu Li said, nudging her chin towards Su Yirao. "Looks like I might really end up in that cooking pot."
Guan Qingtong burst out laughing. "Well, that's not for sure."
"In that case, boss, you better hold on tight. I'm going to do my best to earn that doubled year-end bonus!"
With that, the assistant released the handbrake and hit the gas, speeding away.
Halfway to their destination, Zhu Li started to feel that something was off. "Didn't you two just agree to meet tonight? For a long-awaited reunion, shouldn't you pick a quiet place? Why would you choose to join me at a noisy bar?"
Guan Qingtong glanced at the car following closely behind them, her mood lifting as she said, "In the past, I was always the one chasing after her. Now, I want her to chase after me."
"Oh, I smell the stench of love in the air," Zhu Li remarked, then groaned in frustration. "Turns out I'm not driving towards my doubled bonus, but rather, into a cooking pot."
"Hahaha, something like that."
"You're tough, boss! But for the sake of my bonus, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. Just depends if you're up for it!"
"Let's hear it."
"First, let me warn you, it's risky and could backfire on your plan. If you're thinking of playing hard to get, be careful how you use it..."
Su Yirao had just followed Guan Qingtong and Zhu Li out of the parking garage when the deafening, rhythmic music hit her ears. She looked up and saw the two of them relaxed and accustomed to the environment, seemingly at ease.
By the time she caught up with Guan Qingtong, the latter was already seated in a booth, surrounded by wine and fruit, looking comfortable and carefree.
"Have a seat," Guan Qingtong smiled at her, gesturing to the seat next to her. "There's fruit and drinks here, and later there'll be a pole dance performance. I'm treating tonight."
She acted like the perfect host, which Su Yirao found amusing.
Well, since she was here, she might as well go along with it.
Su Yirao sat down beside her, asking, "Why did you bring me here specifically?"
"Just a coincidence," Guan Qingtong replied, fabricating an excuse as she spoke, half-lying. "When I'm tired from work, I come to bars at night to relax. Here, there's only loud music and dancing, no endless pressure..."
"Qingtong, you're really not good at lying."
"After so many years apart, how could you know me that well..." Guan Qingtong bristled at being called out, determined to maintain her facade.
"If you were a regular here, you'd be playing drinking games with Zhu Li and her friends by now," Su Yirao pointed out, nodding towards the group having a great time. "But you just said hello and stayed out of their games. I noticed they were quite reserved around you, not like they see you often."
Despite Su Yirao being spot-on, Guan Qingtong stubbornly stuck to her story. "Maybe I stayed out of it because I wanted to spend time with you."
Su Yirao raised an eyebrow, leaning in to look directly into her eyes with a teasing smile. "Even if that's a lie, I like it."
"Qingtong, this place makes you uncomfortable and anxious. It burdens you rather than relaxing you. If you're really tired, this isn't the place to unwind. Let me take you home," Su Yirao suggested seriously.
"Your concern is boring."
Guan Qingtong pouted, "I'm not leaving. There's a pole dance later, and I've booked a few guys and gals to drink and chat with me. With such an exciting nightlife ahead, why go home early?"
Su Yirao was taken aback by her attitude. "You really don't want me to stay?"
"With you here, it'll ruin the fun," Guan Qingtong smirked.
"Ruin the fun? How?"
"What if I want to add some 'special services'—like a kiss or a hug? With you here, I couldn't make a move."
To her surprise, Su Yirao burst out laughing. "Qingtong, if you want to play the bad girl, you're not going about it the right way. There are no hidden services like that in Rong City's bars."
Guan Qingtong was left speechless, grateful that the dim lighting hid her flushed face.
"Seems like you've had plenty of free time these past few years. Otherwise, how would you know so much?"
Su Yirao laughed softly, deliberately sniffing the air. "What's that smell? A hint of jealousy? Still mad at me for not reaching out these past few years?"
"I wouldn't dare. I don't have the right."
"The truth is, I didn't contact you because I spent these years reflecting on my feelings for you—whether it was love, friendship, or something else..."
The bar was loud, and Su Yirao wasn't sure if Guan Qingtong had heard her clearly. She cleared her throat to continue, but just then, a manager arrived with two women dressed to impress.
The manager smiled obsequiously, introducing them, "Ladies, here are the friends you requested to keep you company. They're great at singing and drinking. I guarantee you'll have a good time tonight."
Su Yirao's smile stiffened as she politely declined, "We have some things to discuss. You can let them go for now. I'll cover the cost..."
"Actually, they're for me. No need for them to leave, everyone, have a seat," Guan Qingtong insisted, inviting the two women to sit down and offering them some fruit.
Her relaxed demeanor was in stark contrast to her earlier discomfort.
A dangerous glint appeared in Su Yirao's eyes as she leaned in, giving Guan Qingtong's waist a playful pinch.
"Three years apart, and you've changed. Have you really turned bad, inviting two women to sit with you? Is it for company, or are you planning on getting cozy with them?"
Guan Qingtong gasped, but inside she was thrilled.
"Su Yirao, what's your problem? We're not even together, so why do you care?"
"Not once since you've been back have you called me 'sister.' Have your wings grown that strong?" Su Yirao murmured, her voice low as she whispered in Guan Qingtong's ear, "Qingtong, if you want kisses and hugs, just ask me. No need to stage this little act."
With that, Su Yirao's tongue lightly brushed against the edge of Guan Qingtong's ear, her warm breath trailing down to her neck, where she began to kiss and lick intimately.
Guan Qingtong felt a shiver run through her, her body softening as she fell back against the sofa, pushing aside the women who had just sat down.
"Su Yirao, what are you doing?" Guan Qingtong's entire body was on fire, and even without seeing it, she knew her face was red.
"I'm a public figure; if someone sees..."
"Hush..." The cool touch of Su Yirao's lips turned into a gentle suction on her neck, making Guan Qingtong gasp.
"You're wearing a mask." Su Yirao lifted her head, her fingers brushing against the strap of Guan Qingtong's mask as she threatened, "But if you're not careful, you might find yourself on tomorrow's headlines."
"Su Yirao, what do you want?"
Su Yirao's beautiful face was tinged with mischief, her lips curling into a seductive smile as she spoke each word deliberately, "Kiss me, Qingtong. I want to feel the passion you had for me three years ago."
At that moment, all the pain and doubts of the past three years vanished, and the walls Guan Qingtong had built around her heart came crashing down.
Her mind filled only with Su Yirao's words, swirling in her head and drawing her in, stirring emotions she could no longer suppress. Her voice was husky as she leaned closer to Su Yirao's ear, whispering, "Do you know why I stopped calling you 'sister'? Because I want to hear you call me..."
Su Yirao's smile faltered for a moment, before she replied, "Well, who ends up on top is still up for debate."
Guan Qingtong bit her lip, trying to keep her excitement in check. She adjusted her mask, then grabbed Su Yirao's hand, pulling her toward the bar's exit.
"Let's go. I want to kiss you now."
As they left the bar, the night seemed to grow warmer with every step, their anticipation building. The world outside was quiet compared to the lively bar, but the silence only added to the tension between them.
Inside the car, the atmosphere was charged. Neither of them spoke, the air thick with unsaid words and repressed desires. Guan Qingtong's heart raced as she wondered what would happen next. Su Yirao, calm as ever, kept her eyes on the road, but a small, secretive smile played on her lips.
When they arrived at the hotel, they barely made it to the door before their self-control snapped. Guan Qingtong had barely managed to close the door before Su Yirao had her pinned against it, their lips crashing together in a heated kiss that held three years of longing and frustration.
This kiss wasn't like the cautious, tentative ones they had shared before. It was demanding, consuming, and filled with a desperation that left both of them breathless.
Guan Qingtong felt like she was drowning in Su Yirao—her scent, her touch, her taste—it was overwhelming and exhilarating all at once. She clung to Su Yirao, wanting more, needing more, as if trying to make up for all the time they had lost.
Su Yirao pulled back slightly, her breathing heavy as she looked down at Guan Qingtong with a mix of desire and affection. "I've missed this," she admitted softly, brushing a strand of hair away from Guan Qingtong's face.
Guan Qingtong's response was to pull her back in, kissing her again with even more intensity, not wanting the moment to end.
But as their kisses grew more urgent, a small voice in the back of Guan Qingtong's mind reminded her of the years of uncertainty, of the distance that had grown between them. She pulled back slightly, looking into Su Yirao's eyes with a mix of fear and hope.
"Su Yirao," she began hesitantly, "what happens now? Are we really going to do this?"
Su Yirao's expression softened, and she placed a gentle kiss on Guan Qingtong's forehead. "Yes, Qingtong," she said quietly, her voice filled with sincerity. "I want this. I want us. But only if you do too."
Guan Qingtong searched her eyes, seeing the truth in them. All the fear, all the doubts that had plagued her for the past three years seemed to melt away in that moment. She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Then let's not waste any more time," she whispered, pulling Su Yirao back into another kiss.
This time, there was no hesitation, no holding back. They had waited too long for this, and now that they were finally together, neither of them wanted to let go.
The night stretched on, filled with whispered confessions, tender touches, and the promise of a new beginning. As they lay entwined in each other's arms, the past seemed to fade away, leaving only the present and the hope for a future together.
Guan Qingtong knew there would still be challenges ahead, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like they could face anything as long as they were together. And with Su Yirao by her side, she was ready to embrace whatever the future held.