Chapter 42.3

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The buzz-cut woman didn’t seem offended. Instead, she introduced herself with a sly smile. “Let me introduce myself—I’m Xiao Qiang. You can call me Qiangzi.”

Next to her, a heavily made-up woman tapped Xiao Qiang’s shoulder, her voice dripping with amusement. “Ooh, spicy! Qiangzi, you like this type, huh? In that case, I’ll take the other one.”

Ji Yun pointed to herself. “Me?”

“Yep. What do you say?”

Ji Yun thought to herself, Wow, what’s going on today? Why am I only running into these overly flashy types? She eyed the woman critically, noting her uneven eyeliner. Even that peacock earlier had better makeup than this.

Lifting her glass, Ji Yun took a sip of her drink and responded coolly, “Sorry, but you’re not my type.”

Unbothered by the rejection, the heavily made-up woman leaned closer and clung to Ji Yun’s arm. “Aw, don’t say that. I’m amazing in bed, I promise. Give me a chance, and I’ll blow your mind.”

Ji Yun’s expression darkened as she frowned in discomfort, sharply shaking off the woman’s hand. “Excuse me, do you not understand plain language? I’m a top-tier butch. Do you think I need your skills?”

“What’s going on? Why the aggression? Coming to a place like this and pretending to be someone you’re not?” someone in the crowd jeered as a group started gathering around.

It looked like a conflict was about to erupt.

Just then, a sharp voice rang out from behind them. “Xiao Qiang! Causing trouble at my place again, are you?”

Xiao Qiang turned and saw Yu Shuyan approaching. Her demeanor immediately softened, and she plastered on a smile, quickly waving off the group she had rallied. She even pulled out a cigarette and offered it to Yu Shuyan. “Sister Yan, I wouldn’t dare.”

Yu Shuyan didn’t take the cigarette and instead waved her off impatiently. “Get lost.” Her voice carried an edge of warning. Messing with Boss Chi’s little fairy? Good thing I spotted this in time. If anything had gone wrong, I wouldn’t be able to handle the fallout.

“And if you stir up trouble again, it won’t end well for you.”

“Alright, alright, no need to get angry, Sister Yan. We’re leaving,” Xiao Qiang said hastily, retreating with her group.

Once the troublemakers had dispersed, Yu Shuyan turned around, ready to greet Chi Yin’s “little fairy” with a warm smile. But the words “little sister” barely made it to her lips before she spotted Ji Yun standing nearby.

And then it clicked—this was the same woman who had argued with her earlier, snatching away the perfume and tossing some very unkind words her way.

What a small world.

Ji Yun recognized her at the same time, her face turning stormy.

Their eyes locked, both glaring daggers at each other. Simultaneously, they snapped, “Why is it you?!”

“Damn it, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Ji Yun jabbed Qiao Ziman in the ribs, whispering sharply, “That’s the flashy peacock I was talking about earlier.”

Her? Qiao Ziman blinked in surprise. If she remembered correctly, this person was one of Yinyin’s friends.

Yu Shuyan shot Ji Yun a sideways glare. “Who are you calling flashy and flamboyant?”

“And who’s the peacock now?”

Wow, sharp ears, Ji Yun thought. She planted her hands on her hips, unwilling to back down. “What, am I wrong? You’re strutting around like a peacock in full display, dripping with perfume, and now prowling the bar looking for someone to pick up. Feeling lonely, are we?”

Yu Shuyan gave her a disdainful once-over, smirking. “Oh, I am a peacock, strutting everywhere I go. But too bad—I wouldn’t pick you even if I were lonely. You’re too old for me.”

“Old?” Ji Yun staggered as if struck by lightning, pointing at herself in disbelief. “What the hell do you mean, old?!”

“You heard me,” Yu Shuyan said with a mocking laugh. “You’re ancient.”

“Ancient?!” Ji Yun spluttered, her words tangling in her fury. “I’m twenty-eight! Twenty-eight! How is that old?!”

Qiao Ziman sighed, stepping between them in an attempt to mediate. “Come on, let’s not argue. Why don’t we all sit down and talk this out?”

But Ji Yun wasn’t having it. She pushed past Qiao Ziman and jabbed a finger toward Yu Shuyan. “Tell me, where do you see ‘old’? Huh? I’m in my prime!”

“Oh, got under your skin, huh?” Yu Shuyan leaned back into the booth with an exaggerated smirk, her tone dripping with amusement. “So, sis, is this your first time at a lesbian bar?”

She waved a hand dismissively before Ji Yun could respond. “Don’t bother asking how I know. Anyone with even a shred of experience knows that when someone hits on you, you just play along and refer to them as your partner—it’s no big deal. But shouting about being a ‘top-tier butch’? That’s just amateur hour.”

She paused for dramatic effect, tilting her head and letting her words hang. “Could it be… you’re new at this? A total rookie?”

Yu Shuyan glanced at Ji Yun’s darkening expression and felt a flicker of triumph. Oh, did I hit the nail on the head? Her grin widened, and then she burst into laughter—uninhibited, loud, and utterly gleeful. “Hahahaha! Oh, my god, it’s true! You’re a newbie! And here you are calling yourself a ‘top-tier butch.’ What a joke!”

If there’s one rule to live by, it’s never expose someone’s inexperience to their face—and Yu Shuyan had just stomped all over it.

Ji Yun’s fury flared to a breaking point. Her rationality snapped like a thread, and she stormed over to Yu Shuyan in three long strides. Without a word, she grabbed Yu Shuyan’s chin firmly with one hand.

And then, she kissed her. Hard.

Yu Shuyan, realizing what was happening, pushed against Ji Yun with all her strength, but Ji Yun swiftly caught the back of her head with her free hand, holding her in place. Ji Yun’s tongue boldly invaded her mouth, tangling with hers in a way that was both shocking and infuriating.

Outraged, Yu Shuyan bit down hard in desperation. Ji Yun winced at the pain and finally released her, pressing her thumb against the fresh cut on her lip. She glanced at the blood, then raised an eyebrow provocatively. “Go on. Laugh now.”

Yu Shuyan had lived for many years, but this was the first time someone had dared to forcibly kiss her. Well, this is a first. She nodded slowly, a dangerous glint in her eye, and ground out through gritted teeth, “Fine. You’ve got guts.”

Then, pointing at Ji Yun, she hissed, “You’re coming with me!”