Chapter 35.1

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An hour later, the bus brought the group to the resort. After getting off, Qiao Ziman took in her surroundings. The resort was nestled in charming bamboo cottages, surrounded by mountains. The view was lush and green, with the air filled with the sweet scent of plants. In the distance, the sound of a stream gently flowing could still be heard. Satisfied, she nodded.

Next, she went off to discuss the details with the owner. Before she left, she pulled Ji Yun into a corner and stressed, “Make sure to keep an eye on her!”

Feigning ignorance, Ji Yun asked, “Who should I be watching?”

Qiao Ziman pointed her chin toward Jiang Zaozao. “The little white flower, of course.”

After a pause, she added, “She’s so innocent, doesn’t even know how to say no. What if she gets taken advantage of?”

Ji Yun couldn’t take it anymore and waved her off, cutting in, “Does Chi Yin know that she’s your ‘little white flower’?”

“I don’t think so.” Qiao Ziman replied, quite unapologetic.

Ji Yun: “.”

“Fine,” she sighed.

Qiao Ziman was relieved and turned to go to the reception with the owner.

An hour later, she returned and saw that only Ji Yun was in the lobby. Puzzled, she asked, “Where’s Chi Yin and the others?”

Ji Yun showed her the room key, “The staff just came by to arrange the accommodations. They went to drop off their luggage.”

Qiao Ziman paused mid-motion, repeating, “They?”

“Mhm,” Ji Yun glanced at her, “Wasn’t it arranged as a double room?”

Damn, she had forgotten about that. This resort was great in many ways, but the accommodation was a bit lacking—only standard rooms available.

It seemed that, without her noticing, Jiang Zaozao had already taken her “little white flower” away. Qiao Ziman snatched the key out of Ji Yun’s hand, giving her a glare. “Wasn’t I supposed to have you watch her? How did they end up in the same room?”

“Please, sharing a room doesn’t mean sharing a bed. What’s the big deal?” Ji Yun said, unimpressed.

Qiao Ziman gritted her teeth. “That doesn’t matter!” With that, she yanked her luggage and stormed off toward her room, fuming.

Ji Yun chased after her. “Wait up! This vinegar jar is tipping over, the sourness is drifting ten miles away.”

Qiao Ziman stopped in her tracks. “Who, who said I want to sleep with her?” After a brief pause, she added, “How would you even ‘kidnap’ her?”

Ji Yun: “…”

What a woman who’s all talk and no action.

Qiao Ziman then asked, “Did Chi Yin ask for the room arrangement earlier?”

“That wasn’t it,” Ji Yun thought for a moment, “But she didn’t refuse either.”

“Ah, then forget it. Why should I disturb someone else?” Qiao Ziman took a long stride and walked toward her room.

Ji Yun: “…”

Still being stubborn.

Chi Yin’s room was 203, while hers and Ji Yun’s were in 204—just separated by a short hallway. The bamboo cottages didn’t have great soundproofing, and without her trying, the laughter and conversation from the room next door rushed into her ears.

“Sister, let’s go bungee jumping together later.”

“Sister, take me with you? I’m a bit scared alone.”

“Sister, or should we go sing karaoke?”

Qiao Ziman jumped out of bed and rushed to Ji Yun, who was still sorting out her luggage. She crouched down right beside her, staring directly at Ji Yun.

Ji Yun felt a bit uneasy. “What’s wrong, Qiao Qiao? Do I have something on my face?”

Suddenly, Qiao Ziman cracked a sinister smile.

Ji Yun: “… Speak your mind, don’t scare people like that.”

Qiao Ziman slowly opened her mouth, spitting out two words: “Sister.”

Ji Yun shuddered. “Have you lost your mind?”

Qiao Ziman smiled, “I’m not crazy!”

Ji Yun: “… Then speak properly.”

Qiao Ziman looked at her seriously, “I just want to ask, do lesbians like it when people call you ‘sister’?”

Ji Yun thought, Heh, why not just ask directly, why beat around the bush? She gave Qiao Ziman a side-eye, “It depends on the person. Like, I don’t mind it, but I don’t like it when you call me that.”

There, clear enough, right?

Qiao Ziman pondered for a moment, then responded with a casual “Oh,” and said, “No other intentions, just wanted to understand this circle. You said I could ask if I didn’t get it.”

Ji Yun gave her a way out, “All for work, right?”

Qiao Ziman nodded vigorously, “Yes, yes, yes.”

Ji Yun: “…”

Her little cherry lips really were tough as steel, standing firm as ever.

***

The noon sun was blazing hot, and Qiao Ziman and Ji Yun decided to meet up with their colleagues later. Suddenly, the sound of a door opening came from next door, followed by the footsteps of Chi Yin and Jiang Zaozao.

“Sis, really don’t want to go bungee jumping with me?”

Chi Yin replied, “I have a fear of heights.”

“I’ll teach you to ride a horse.”

“Alright, alright.”

Qiao Ziman grabbed Ji Yun out of bed.

“Let’s go!”

Ji Yun: “Where to?”

Qiao Ziman gritted her teeth, “Horseback riding!”

“My God! In this scorching sun, you’re not thinking of me, but have you considered how the horse feels?”

Qiao Ziman perked up her ears, listening to the footsteps outside grow fainter, and stubbornly dragged the unwilling Ji Yun out the door. The two followed behind Chi Yin to the horse ranch. Qiao Ziman bought two cold drinks, handing one to Ji Yun, who finally stopped complaining.

“Consider yourself somewhat conscientious.” But not much; she prioritized looks over friends.

Ji Yun took a sip of her drink and, noticing Qiao Ziman’s silence, curiously followed her gaze. A dark top, white skinny pants paired with knee-high boots, one hand holding a riding whip, and the other leading a white horse. She looked both beautiful and fierce. Who else could it be but Chi Yin?

“Oh, Chi, your outfit looks quite professional,” Ji Yun remarked.

Qiao Ziman nodded, “Of course.”

“No, Qiao Qiao, if you want to look, just look openly. What’s with hiding behind a leaf?” Caught in the act, Qiao Ziman’s face flushed. She tossed the leaf aside and hid behind a horse.

Ji Yun, exasperated, said, “Qiao Qiao, in my opinion, avoiding it isn’t necessarily useful. Look at Jiang Zaizao over there.”

In the distance, Jiang Zaizao was running towards Chi Yin, her smile shining brighter than the midday sun. Chi Yin helped her onto the horse and, holding the reins, rode off into the distance. They really looked like a perfect couple!

Qiao Ziman felt a twinge of jealousy and suddenly slapped the horse’s rear. The horse startled, rearing up on its front legs and letting out a long, mournful whinny. Chi Yin seemed to sense something and glanced over in this direction. Panicking, Qiao Ziman grabbed Ji Yun and dashed back.

Chi Yin watched the two figures running away in the distance, lost in thought.

After returning to the hotel, Qiao Ziman took a quick shower and flopped onto the bed, looking completely disinterested in everything. Ji Yun sighed in exasperation. “So, I came out to have fun just to run 800 meters with you?”

Qiao Ziman rolled over, facing the wall. “Why don’t you go find Tang Xiaoxiao and the others to hang out with?”

Ji Yun could see that she wanted to be alone for a while. “Okay, but don’t get too down on yourself.”

Qiao Ziman replied, “I’m not down about anything.”

“Really?” Ji Yun rolled her eyes at Qiao Ziman’s back. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

In her heart, Qiao Ziman thought, Isn’t it just that seeing Jiang Zaizao with that pretty girl makes me feel uncomfortable?

Moreover, this feeling seemed to have crossed the boundaries of “friendship.” It was elusive and intangible. Qiao Ziman lost herself in thought for a moment.

Fine, she got it. Ji Yun decided to give her some space.

“I’m just going to take a walk,” she said, heading for the door. But she couldn’t resist adding, “Why don’t you be proactive? If you want to find Chi Yin, just go for it.”

To Ji Yun’s surprise, Qiao Ziman didn’t argue back. She softly replied, “Got it.”

Ji Yun’s eyes widened. She was shocked that Qiao Ziman was actually being agreeable! It seemed her friend was ready to make a move.

Silently, Ji Yun closed the door behind her.