The woman with long curly brown hair observed the woman happily reading the book in her hand. It was a hot afternoon that day, and she decided to come home early after finishing up her work. She smiled and quietly approached the woman who didn't even notice her presence as she read the lines of what her wife, Xin Yuexiaxia, was reading with a warm feeling in her chest.
Her wife we're so engrossed in her book that she can't help but admire the beautiful serious face of her wife that she slowly wrapped her hands around her, making Xin Yuexia jolt as she smiled widely and hugged her back, letting go of the book in her hand as it falls unto her lap.
"An-An!" Xin Yuexia shouted as she planted a soft kiss on her wife, Tang Qianyu's, cheeks. "When did you arrive?" She asked with a sweet smile as she patted the space right beside her, urging Tang Qianyu to sit next to her, and put away the book she was reading.
"A few minutes ago." Tang Qianyu replied as she held Xin Yuexia's hands and rubbed them with her thumbs. "You seem to be really focused on that book," she mentioned as she pointed at the book on top of Xin Yuexia's legs. "What was it about?" She asked softly as she saw the sparkle in her wife's eyes as she grinned like an idiot—something she always has in her face whenever she's excited.
"Oh this?" Xin Yuexia giggled as she picked up the book and showed it in front of her wife. "It's a new book I read that seems interesting. The story was…."
As she went on and on about the plot and the characters, Tang Qianyu was very tired but she listened intently as she rested her head on Xin Yuexia's shoulders—listening calmly to her voice with a smile etched on her face—nodding from time to time when her wife asked her if she's listening.
And before she knew it, she fell asleep in her wife's embrace, soft laughter, and her soothing voice. She couldn't even remember what time she fell asleep but when she woke up, the two of them were already on top of the bed sleeping next to each other.
Tang Qianyu looked at the time on her phone and saw that it's already 7 pm. She felt her stomach growling as she stood up, she lightly shook her wife up for the two of them to eat dinner together as Xin Yuexia opened her eyes, drowsy, and proceeded to wrap her hands around Tang Qianyu's neck.
Tang Qianyu was already used to this as she carried her wife towards the living room and laughed as she felt ticklish everytime her wife's soft breath and low muffled voice hit her neck.
"I feel so tired and sleepy… Can't we just continue sleeping?" Xin Yuexia grumbled with half open eyes as Tang Qianyu chuckled and shook her head and held her gently.
"No." Tang Qianyu replied with a sharp tone in her face but the smile hasn't faded in her face. "We mustn't skip dinner." She replied as Xin Yuexia whispered something she couldn't quite hear despite their distance being a few breaths away. "Besides, isn't that what you always say to me?" Tang Qianyu added as she felt Xin Yuexia grip tightened around her neck.
Xin Yuaxia remained quiet in her arms as she heard the rhythmic breathing of her and her heart pounding steadily. She inched closer towards Xin Yuexia who was already wide awake as her wife leaned in and gave her a soft kiss.
Tang Qianyu smiled at the unexpected gesture and kissed her back until they finally reached the end of the hallway. She put her wife down on the couch in the living room where the two once cuddled as Xin Yuexia talked about the book that Tang Qianyu had already forgotten about. Maybe she'll ask her about it again later.
Whilst she was thinking about this, she gave her a peck on her forehead, Xin Yuexia smiled. "You're awfully so sweet today, what's wrong?" She asked as Tang Qinayy chuckled.
"Was it wrong for me to adore you?" Tang Qianyu replied as Xin Yuexia shook her head with a mischievous grin.
"Nope, but you must only do this to me, understand?" Xin Yuexia asked with a stern look on her face, waiting for Tang Qianyu's reply as she's met with an innocent smile of Tang Qianyu who was nodding.
"Of course." Tang Qianyu replied before giving her a one final hug as she walked towards the kitchen to start cooking dinner for the both of them tonight.
Xin Yuexia who was already satisfied with her answer, took the laptop laying on top of the coffee table, writing down ideas for the novel she's currently writing and put it down as she observed the quiet back of her wife who's humming as she prepared dinner.
The two of them split chores evenly and despite Tang Qianyu managing the businesses her family owns, she still takes some time off her busy schedule to cook for Xin Yuexia whenever she learned a new dish she wanted for her wife to try.
Xin Yuexia stood up and walked towards Tang Qianyu as she wrapped her hand around her waist and pressed her head against Tang Qianyu's back. Tang Qianyu was already used to this so she didn't react and merely looked at Xin Yuexia and smiled.
"Yes, you can help me." Tang Qianyu replied before Xin Yuexia could even ask her as it has become deeply ingrained in them what the other would ask or do before they could even ask for it. "And no, I won't let you cook, tonight's my turn to cook dinner for the two of us." She added as Xin Yuexia felt quite pissed and pinched Tang Qianyu's stomach, making Tang Qianyu jerked and chuckled. "Hey, come on! Don't pinch me while I'm cutting the vegetables!"
"It's your fault for being so cute." Xin Yuexia retorted. "But, seriously, you keep spoiling. I wonder what would happen once you're gone? ." she grumbled under her breath as Tang Qianyu faced her with a pale expression which worried her. "What's wrong?"
"I almost lost my fingers." Tang Qianyu spoke softly as she pointed at her index finger on her left hand, acting like she's hurt as she pouted and looked pitifully at Xin Yuexia. Xin Yuexia had seen through her bluff but still felt guilty as she held her hand and kissed it.
"I'm sorry, An-an." Xin Yuexia apologized sincerely as Tang Qianyu patted her head with a smile. "I promise I'll make it up to you." Xin Yuexia spoke with conviction as Tang Qianyu chuckled and wrapped her hands around her waist.
"No need." Tang Qianyu replied, "Just you being by my side is more than enough for me and don't worry, I will keep on spoiling you and would never leave your side either." Tang Qianyu added as she pulled Xin Yuexia closer to her and brushed their noses together.
"You're being too cheesy, you idiot." Xin Yuexia replied blushing as she looked away and pushed Tang Qianyu's face away from her, her grin hidden beneath her hand as Tang Qianyu smirked and chuckled.
"And I'm your idiot." Tang Qianyu replied and chuckled as Xin Yuexia chuckled along with her as well as they both laughed at their actions.
"Anyway, I will cut the vegetables now so you should instead focus on cooking, okay?" Xin Yuexia spoke after a few seconds as Tang Qianyu nodded happily. "Oh and I almost forgot, what are you cooking tonight?" She asked as Tang Qianyu put her index finger against her lips.
"That would be a surprise." Tang Qianyu replied as she laughed at the dejected face of her wife and let her cut the vegetables in appropriate sizes while guiding her and heating up the pan as they both remained focused on cooking.
It's been 7 years since that incident which changed their life and to this day which turned their life upside down and while the memories and happy moments the two shared just like right now , she still feels quite resentful and guilty.
•••••
2 months has passed since Tang Qianyu's girlfriend, Qin Meiying, left her out of the blue and broke up with her through text—saying she's going abroad for a while and wanted Tang Qianyu to wait for her if she truly loves.
Tang Qianyu contacted Qin Meiying many times and while Qin Meiying replied to her messages, with her usual playful demeanor, she never explained why she left without a word and just said she wanted to pursue her dreams abroad—something she never even told Tang Qianyu before despite the 3 years that two have been together.
Qin Meiying has long dreamed of being a fashion designer. That's something Tang Qianyu knew ever since but Qin Meiying never even talked about going abroad and if she does, Tang Qianyu would've supported her and studied abroad along with her so the fact that Qin Meiying left her alone made her feel torn and heartbroken.
As 2 weeks went by, their conversation went from talking everyday to twice or thrice a week, leaving Tang Qianyu in despair. Another week passed and Qin Meiying stopped responding to her chats. Tang Qianyu tried to call her many times and flooded her with texts ranging from concern to disappointment to begging and pleading but she was left on seen.
In anger, Tang Qianyu threw her phone and cried, locking herself up in their apartment, ignoring everyone's calls and texts as she got through the day like a robot. Going to class and listening to the lectures and going home as soon as possible as she lay in their bed motionless.
Everything in their apartment was left in its place except for clothes and belongings Qin Meiying took along with her. The home they once shared now looks desolate and empty as the once bright and tidy house was now filled with dirty dishes on the sink, dirty laundry that Tang Qianyu didn't bother cleaning, and trash around the house.
Tang Qianyu's friends since childhood and middle school were sad to see the sorry state their friend was in, so after a few weeks of encouraging her to go out, Tang Qianyu obliged and they went to a bar to drink down her sorrows.
She could still remember the day she went inside the bar, it was loud and full of people that made her feel uncomfortable but as she was dragged around by her friends, she felt guilty refusing their good will considering that she ignored them for more than 2 months.
She went inside the room that her friends reserved for the 4 of them and sat as they all cheered from finally seeing her again but seeing the malnourished and devastating sight of their friend. They expressed their concerns. Tang Qianyu couldn't remember what was asked but generally, they asked her how she was and even scolded her for not talking to them when the effects of her breakup was this bad.
Tang Qianyu apologized to them as she drank a lot of alcohol that was laid down on the table. She couldn't remember what happened next after that, she might've passed out after drinking a lot, after all, she doesn't have a good tolerance to alcohol and she never really controlled or counted how many glasses she drank that night.
But to her surprise, she woke up in an unfamiliar bed with a woman with short black hair lying by her side. She froze up as thoughts raced through her mind. She doesn't remember what happened last night that would lead up to this scene and she's feeling conflicted—guilty that she cheated on Qin Meiying and also angry at herself for not being able to control herself better.
As much as Tang Qianyu wanted to ditch and run away, leaving all of this behind, she couldn't bear to leave this woman beside her regardless of what happened as she's also responsible for this happening and so, she groaned and stood up. She looked around and realized she's in a hotel near the bar.
Feeling hungry, Tang Qianyu decided to order room service for the two of them to eat and while she waited, she quietly picked up the pieces of clothes left scattered around the floor, folded it neatly, and then went to the bathroom to take a shower.
After she's done, the food she ordered has already arrived and as she's taking a sip of the soup she ordered, she hears a rustling inside the room and realising that the woman from earlier may have woken up, she brought a glass of water and a bowl of soup for the woman.
She knocked on the door before entering, putting the cup down the mini cabinet near the door that has displays in it.
".... Come in." the woman replied as Tang Qianyu gently opened the door and picked up the cup of water as she walked inside in a calm manner.
The woman looked up at her and looked quite scared as she immediately looked away and covered herself with the blanket. Seeing this, Tang Qianyu felt her stomach drop and became restless when she realised that she might've forced herself on this woman as she coughed and sat far away from the woman while the woman jolted in fright.
"I'm sorry about what happened last night." Tang Qianyu said in a sincere tone with an apologetic smile as she offered the glass of water to the woman who took it and drank it quietly. "I know alcohol could never excuse what I did last night and I'm sorry if I did something bad to you." She added as the woman sheepishly gave her the emptied cup and replied thank you.
Tang Qianyu then gave her the soup to fill her stomach before the two could properly talk about what happened the other night which the woman seemed to realize as well she drank the soup in silence.
"If you're still hungry, there's more in the living room for us to eat." Tang Qianyu spoke softly as the woman nodded and was about to stand up when she realized she had no clothes on, Tang Qianyu noticed this and gave her the sets of clothes she folded that the woman owned as she quietly left the room.
Tang Qianyu sat in agony while she waited for the woman to come out for them to talk. A short while later, the woman came out with a shy look on her face as she sat opposite to Tang Qianyu. "We should eat." Tang Qianyu spoke after s brief minutes of silence as the woman nodded.
"Yeah." The woman replied as she ate the food laying neatly on the coffee table. Soon after, the two finished eating and looked at each other with an unknown feeling.
"I'm sorry for what happened last night." The woman uttered which shocked Tang Qianyu as she tried scrambling for words. "I was partly at fault too because I was very tipsy and didn't realize what I was doing but what happened last night was consensual, don't worry! I mean, at least on my part." The woman explained as she chuckled nervously. Tang Qianyu, who was left dazed, scratched the back of her head and looked away.
"Do you remember what happened last night?" The woman asked after a few minutes of silence as Tang Qianyu shook her head and replied a no. "I see…" the woman muttered as she smiled. "Well, that aside we should focus on the most important part," The woman took a deep breath as she looked directly into Tang Qianyu's eyes. "What would you like for us to do moving forward?" The woman asked as Tang Qianyu fell deep in thought.
She's still nor ready to be entangled in any relationships after Qin Meiying left her and she still hasn't gotten over her so it would be a bad idea to meet someone new for now. She doesn't even have any feelings for this person but then again, something happened to the two of them so she needs to be responsible. She might not remember what happened but she still needs to take responsibility.
The woman noticed her silence as she smiled and patted her shoulders. "You don't have to force yourself to date me or anything." The woman expressed with a calming smile. "I just want to ask if you want us to pretend this never happened or become friends since we go to the same university and share a few classes" The woman explained as Tang Qianyu remained stoic.
"We met before?" Tang Qianyu asked. She never met her before and while she felt like this person was quite familiar, she couldn't put her finger on who and where.
The woman nodded, "Yes, I often see you and your friends hanging around the campus. You're very famous so of course everyone knows of you and while we may have shared a class together, we haven't interacted before." She replied as Tang Qianyu nodded and muttered I see.
"Well, back on the topic, what about you?" Tang Qianyu asked, "What would you like for us to do?" She asked as she looked deeply into the soft emerald eyes of the woman in front of her, something she only noticed now.
The woman remained silent before smiling sweetly. "I would like for us to become friends." She replied as Tang Qianyu gulped and nodded as she smiled curtly.
"We shall do that then." Tang Qianyu replied and pulled out her phone to add the woman's contacts. The woman took out her phone and scanned the QR code that was on Tang Qianyu screen as her smile grew wide.
"Oh, and you may have forgotten it but my name's Xin Yuexia." Xin Yuexia introduced herself as she reached out her hand which Tang Qianyu grabbed and smiled back.
"And my name's Tang Qianyu." She replied as the woman grinned. Which left Tang Qianyu confused on how this mysterious lady, Xin Yuexiaxia, seemed cheerful and happy for no apparent reason.
"I know." Xin Yuexia replied.