Chapter 42.4

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Ji Yun frowned slightly. “Where?”

Yu Shuyan smirked, her voice laced with venom. “To f*ck!” She kicked off her high heels and stormed toward the door, adding, “You’ve got five minutes, or I’m leaving without you!”

Ji Yun turned to Qiao Ziman, her tone almost casual. “I’ll go check what’s up. Be right back.” With that, she chased after Yu Shuyan.

Qiao Ziman sat frozen in her seat, utterly stunned. No, this can’t be right. Her thoughts swirled, her mind a cacophony of question marks. What even is this storyline? What just happened?!

Why is this so hard to figure out? Qiao Ziman wondered, still baffled by the strange turn of events. Deciding to wait a few minutes for Ji Yun—her bag was still there, after all—she sent a quick text to Ji Yun and propped her chin in her hand, sipping the last of her drink.

Before long, her glass was empty, and a slight dizziness set in. Is this drink really that strong? she wondered, frowning. The slight buzz in her head was enough to make her decide it was time to leave. She grabbed her bag and was about to get up when a pair of hands planted themselves firmly on the table in front of her.

Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with the buzz-cut woman again. Her brows knitted tightly as she asked coldly, “Do you need something? Why do you keep popping up like a ghost?”

The buzz-cut woman ignored the icy tone and sat down uninvited. “Just wanted to chat.”

What is with this total lack of boundaries? Qiao Ziman thought, her irritation growing.

“I like you,” the woman said bluntly. “How about giving me a chance?”

Qiao Ziman’s expression turned sharp. “Sorry, but I already have a girlfriend.”

The woman let out a short laugh. “That excuse is so overused. Do you really think I’ll believe it?”

Before Qiao Ziman could retort, a familiar voice cut through the tension from behind her.

“Qiao Ziman.”

She froze, recognizing that unmistakable tone. Boss Chi?!

Qiao Ziman turned around, her eyes lighting up with relief when she saw Boss Chi standing behind her. But the moment she noticed Chi Yin’s stormy expression, her heart, which had momentarily soared, plummeted back to the ground. The faint buzz from the alcohol disappeared instantly.

Oh no, she’s misunderstood again.

Chi Yin looked at her deeply before saying in a low, commanding voice, “Come home with me.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out.

Qiao Ziman grabbed her bag in a panic. As she followed, she didn’t miss the opportunity to glance back at the buzz-cut woman and smugly declare, “That’s my girlfriend. Pretty, isn’t she?”

She caught up to Chi Yin outside, tugging at the edge of her coat. “Wait for me—I feel a little dizzy.”

Chi Yin didn’t respond, but her pace unconsciously slowed. She hesitated for a moment, then sighed and took Qiao Ziman’s hand to steady her.

***

When they arrived home, Chi Yin headed straight for the bedroom without a word. Qiao Ziman, however, quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

“What?” Chi Yin asked, her voice cool.

Qiao Ziman pulled her over to the couch, urgency evident in her tone. “I want to talk to you.”

Chi Yin didn’t sit down but instead went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of hot water, placing it on the table in front of her. “Drinking so much alcohol while you’re on your period?”

“I’m not on it yet,” Qiao Ziman muttered sheepishly.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Qiao Ziman froze. She suddenly remembered that she had used this exact excuse to brush Chi Yin off earlier. Oh no, I’ve just made it worse. Sure enough, a chill flickered in Chi Yin’s eyes. “You lied to me?”

Qiao Ziman sighed inwardly, lowering her gaze. In a small voice, she admitted, “I’m sorry.” There was no denying it—she had lied, and now she had to own up to it. “But can you give me a chance to explain?” she asked softly.

Instead of answering, Chi Yin’s expression remained unreadable as she asked coldly, “What was the meaning behind the photo you sent yesterday?”

Qiao Ziman’s face flushed, and she looked down, stammering, “You were upset, and I was trying to cheer you up.”

Chi Yin’s voice remained steady, yet edged with expectation. “Then show me some sincerity.”

Qiao Ziman understood immediately. She hesitated for a moment before slowly getting up and walking toward the bedroom. Five minutes later, she emerged, wearing the lace lingerie from the photo. The fabric was scarce, barely covering her skin. Her head hung low, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. One hand awkwardly tried to shield her upper half, while the other covered her lower half. She stood there, trembling slightly in front of Chi Yin.

Before she could say anything, she felt a sudden pull as her wrist was firmly gripped.

Qiao Ziman found herself once again perched on Chi Yin’s lap. Her flushed cheeks burned hotter as she buried her face in the crook of Chi Yin’s neck, whispering softly, “Punish me.”

Chi Yin’s body stiffened, her gaze darkening. “Qiao Ziman, you said it yourself,” she murmured, her voice carrying an unmistakable edge. “Let me ask you—Buzz Cut Qiang, Wu Jianqiang, Xiao Qiang… do you have a thing for people with ‘Qiang’ in their names?”

She paused, her tone dropping to a low, sultry pitch. “If so, I can be your ‘Qiang’ too.”

And with that, she declared firmly, “Your Qiang has arrived.”

Before Qiao Ziman could react, Chi Yin’s dominant kiss descended like a storm—fierce and unrelenting. It stole her breath, leaving her utterly overwhelmed. Then, a pair of hands began to explore her body, wandering with a purpose, igniting tiny sparks wherever they touched. The heat spread rapidly, fanning flames that burned through her rationality.

As the fire threatened to consume her entirely, Qiao Ziman managed to muster her last shred of willpower and pushed Chi Yin away. Chi Yin froze for a moment, the intensity in her eyes gradually ebbing. She took a deep breath, visibly reining in her emotions.

“You’ve pushed me away three times now,” Chi Yin said, her voice calm yet laced with a quiet warning.

Chi Yin pulled herself away from Qiao Ziman, her movements swift and resolute as she turned to leave. However, just as she took a step, Qiao Ziman caught her hand.

Still catching her breath, her voice trembling slightly, Qiao Ziman stammered, “That’s not what I meant.”

Chi Yin turned her head, her expression unreadable, as Qiao Ziman hurried to explain, “I mean… I haven’t showered yet.”

===

Author’s Note:

Qiao Ziman finally delivered herself straight to her wife’s bed, personally and willingly.