Chapter 42.2

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Qiao Ziman lowered her gaze, her voice turning thoughtful. “That doesn’t seem right. We’re not even officially together yet, and I’m already keeping things from her. Isn’t that dishonest?”

Ji Yun stared at her, speechless. Wow, what a little angel. How did I not realize my best friend was such a paragon of virtue?

“I’m seriously tempted to nominate you for ‘Best Girlfriend of the Year,’” Ji Yun quipped.

“Oh, you flatter me,” Qiao Ziman replied, smiling sheepishly.

Seeing that Qiao Ziman was starting to waver, Ji Yun leaned in with a persuasive tone. “Come on, just go with me! We’ll just take a quick look and broaden our horizons. I’ve never been to one either, and I’m not getting any younger. Besides, aren’t you a fresh new recruit in this world? Don’t you want to check out the scene?”

Qiao Ziman mulled it over for a moment before reluctantly agreeing. “One hour, max.” She raised a finger for emphasis. After all, I can’t neglect my friends just because of Yinyin.

Ji Yun grinned triumphantly and floored the gas pedal before Qiao Ziman could change her mind. The car sped toward “Dongcang,” the city’s most popular lesbian bar.

Half an hour later, they arrived. Ji Yun left to park the car while Qiao Ziman lingered at the entrance, peeking inside curiously.

Unlike the bars she’d been to in the past, “Dongcang” was devoid of gaudy decor, blinding lights, or deafening beats. Instead, the place was styled in an elegant, traditional Chinese aesthetic, understated yet graceful. Small groups of women sat scattered throughout, quietly chatting and sharing their thoughts.

A resident singer on stage crooned a familiar folk song, her voice soft and soothing, the melody flowing gently through the air.

Not bad, Qiao Ziman thought, her apprehension easing slightly.

Qiao Ziman’s anxious heart finally began to relax in the calming atmosphere. Moments later, Ji Yun joined her after parking the car, and the two walked into the bar together.

“Welcome. Table for two?” Even the server was a woman, her short hair and warm smile adding to the welcoming vibe.

Qiao Ziman quickly tugged on Ji Yun’s arm as she gawked around the room. “Yes, do you have a table?” she replied, before leaning closer to Ji Yun and whispering, “Stop acting like some country bumpkin seeing the big city for the first time.”

Ji Yun shot her a sidelong glance. “Oh, and you’re not doing the same thing?”

Qiao Ziman: “…”

The short-haired server chuckled kindly. “We do. Follow me.” She led them to a cozy corner table in the back. “First time here?” she asked as they walked.

Before Qiao Ziman could answer, she gave Ji Yun another discreet nudge. The two of them instinctively blurted out in unison, “Of course not! We’re regulars!” Their synchronized reply was almost comical in its attempt at coolness.

Once seated, the server handed them the menu. “What would you like to drink?”

“Orange juice,” Qiao Ziman said quickly, without even glancing at the options.

Ji Yun shot Qiao Ziman a glare. “Don’t kill the vibe! What, now that you’ve got a girlfriend, you’re swearing off alcohol too?”

Qiao Ziman sighed inwardly. If I don’t set a good example by not drinking, how can I ask Yinyin to do the same? Outwardly, she tried reasoning, “Didn’t you say we’d just sit for a bit and then leave? Besides, you’re driving tonight.”

Ignoring her, Ji Yun flipped through the menu and asked the server, “What’s your specialty here?” Then, turning back to Qiao Ziman, she added, “Just call for a driver! You two have driven me crazy enough as it is—don’t I deserve to let loose a little?”

Qiao Ziman: “…”

“Fine,” she relented, though only with a tiny, fleeting pang of guilt. “Just a little.”

Ji Yun’s expression softened, satisfaction written all over her face. The server began explaining, “For beer, we recommend our craft brews. For cocktails, our two most popular options are ‘First Love’ and ‘Spring Night.’”

Before the server could finish saying, “They’re a bit strong,” Ji Yun, already intrigued, interrupted enthusiastically. “Okay, we’ll take two!”

The server acknowledged their order and stepped away. Before long, she returned with two visually stunning cocktails. The pink one, named “First Love,” glowed softly, while the darker one, “Spring Night,” exuded a richer allure.

Ji Yun glanced at the starry-eyed woman across from her and pushed the pink cocktail toward her. “Try it. It suits you.”

Qiao Ziman didn’t hesitate, taking the glass and sipping it cautiously. The first taste was sharp and fiery, much like her first encounter with Chi Yin. But as the flavor settled, a subtle sweetness lingered on her tongue, reminiscent of the way their relationship had softened over time.

She smiled to herself, lost in thought.

Ji Yun watched her, utterly unimpressed. Bitter! she thought, feeling an unexpected pang of jealousy.

As the two quietly savored their drinks, the clock struck 8 p.m., and the bar began to fill up. The folksy singer stepped off the stage, the lights dimmed, and a lively, upbeat tune began to play. The atmosphere shifted, buzzing with energy.

At the table next to them, two women started dancing together, moving closer and closer as the music swelled. Before long, their movements melted into an embrace, and then—right there on the dance floor—they kissed passionately.

Qiao Ziman’s eyes widened in shock. “Wha—what?!”

She froze, suddenly feeling out of place in the intimate, uninhibited atmosphere. What kind of place is this?!

“Why are you so startled? Isn’t this normal for a bar?” Ji Yun said casually, trying to appear unfazed.

If Qiao Ziman hadn’t noticed Ji Yun’s hand trembling slightly as she held her glass, she might have actually believed her cool demeanor.

Just then, shadows fell over their table.

“Two gorgeous ladies—how about a drink together?”

Qiao Ziman looked up to see the speaker: a woman with a buzz cut, dressed head-to-toe in trendy streetwear, with a row of glittering earrings lining her ear.

Qiao Ziman had noticed this person glancing their way earlier but hadn’t expected her to actually approach. Feeling a twinge of wariness, Qiao Ziman immediately straightened up, her smile vanishing. “Sorry, we’re discussing something private.”

The buzz-cut woman smirked, raising an eyebrow in what she probably thought was a suave gesture. “Private matters? In a bar?”

So greasy, Qiao Ziman thought with distaste. Why is it that when Chi Yin raises her eyebrow, it’s effortlessly stunning, but this… this is just unbearable?

Her voice turned icy. “And what’s it got to do with you?”