Chapter 52.2

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Somewhere between breathless pauses, Qiao Ziman found herself crouching in front of Chi Yin’s safe. She retrieved a fresh box of finger condoms, carefully examining the instructions. Then, turning to Chi Yin, she asked with the utmost seriousness, “One or two?”

Chi Yin blinked, momentarily thrown off. A second later, the flush behind her ears darkened. Awkwardly, she mumbled, “I don’t… have experience being on the receiving end.”

Why is she even asking this?

Does Qiao Qiao even know what she’s doing?

A troubling thought surfaced in Chi Yin’s mind. Wait… don’t tell me she doesn’t even know how to put one on?!

Her fears were confirmed when Qiao Ziman held out a hand. “Help me.”

Chi Yin: “…”

Even after mentally preparing herself, she still felt a bit embarrassed. Taking a deep breath, she turned her head away. “Do it yourself!”

Fine.

Qiao Ziman fumbled her way through the process, then slowly climbed back onto the bed, murmuring, “I’m coming.”

Chi Yin inhaled sharply. “Then hurry up!”

Her voice carried a hint of urgency.

Qiao Ziman mimicked the way Chi Yin had once treated her—trailing soft kisses across her skin, igniting tiny fires everywhere she touched. Her hands followed suit, moving instinctively.

A slow, deliberate heat built between them. Electricity crackled through every lingering caress.

Chi Yin’s lashes fluttered slightly. Watching the person above her, so focused and serious, she felt her mind blur. She reached up, pressing lightly against Qiao Ziman’s head as a gentle reminder. “You can kiss a little harder.”

Qiao Ziman obeyed, deepening her kisses. 

The shift in intensity sent a stronger wave of sensation washing over Chi Yin. Her mind clouded, drifting in a warm, intoxicating haze.

But—

…Nothing else happened.

Time stretched.

Still no next step.

Unable to hold back, she cracked open her eyes—

Those gorgeous, shimmering peach-blossom eyes gazing up at her, bright and full of emotion.

“Qiao Qiao,” she murmured. “You can keep going.”

Qiao Ziman slowly lifted her head. Her expression was… helpless. Her voice was even more pitiful, carrying the edge of tears. “Yin Yin… I think… I don’t really know how.”

Chi Yin froze.

For a moment, she just stared. Then, she turned her head slightly and let out a soft, controlled breath.

Qiao Ziman squinted. “Did you just sigh?”

“Am I… really that bad?” Her voice cracked—this time, real tears spilled over.

Chi Yin snapped back at the sound, immediately grabbing her hand. Softly, she coaxed, “It’s normal for the first time.”

She bit her lip, suppressing her own shyness. Then, taking a deep breath, she guided Qiao Ziman’s hand—

“I’ll teach you.”

Chi Yin guided her, leading her step by step into the unknown. Slowly, Qiao Ziman began to find her rhythm.

“Is this okay?”

Chi Yin’s eyes remained closed, her expression distant, dazed. Floating somewhere between reality and dream. The sound of Qiao Ziman’s voice felt like it was coming from far, far away. She barely parted her lips, a faint murmur slipping past her throat.

“Mhm…”

But then—

Qiao Ziman suddenly stopped. “My hand… is so sore.”

Chi Yin was instantly yanked from the brink of bliss. Suspended midair, left stranded in that unbearable in-between. 

She opened her eyes and shot Qiao Ziman a long, quiet, devastated look.

A moment of silence passed. Then, with infinite patience, Chi Yin rolled over and switched their positions. “Forget it. I’ll do it.”

Qiao Ziman, utterly defeated: “…Yeah, okay.”

—

A long time later.

Qiao Ziman lay sprawled on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Tears streamed silently down her face. Her entire body felt like it had been shattered into pieces. But this time, she wasn’t crying from exhaustion—

She was crying from humiliation.

Absolute disgrace.

Total embarrassment.

I gave Yin Yin such an awful, disastrous, tragically incompetent first-time experience.

Chi Yin finished cleaning her up and briefly considered asking, Want to go again? But one look at Qiao Ziman’s crushed, miserable expression made her swallow the thought. 

Instead, she patted her gently on the shoulder. “You actually did pretty well.”

Qiao Ziman rolled over, turning her back as she continued crying in silence.

Chi Yin: “… Really, you did fine.”

Qiao Ziman whipped her head around, eyes brimming with fresh tears, and glared at her.

“Liar. I’m not stupid.”

Chi Yin pressed her lips together, then silently withdrew her hand.

—

The next day.

A rare stretch of beautiful weather.

Taking advantage of the last bit of the holiday, Chi Yin dragged a sulking Qiao Ziman out of bed, determined to get her outside for some fresh air. A large, stuffed-to-the-brim backpack was slung over Chi Yin’s shoulder.

Qiao Ziman eyed it curiously. “Where are we going?”

Chi Yin smirked mysteriously. “That’s a secret.”

Qiao Ziman: “…”

They took the elevator down to the underground parking lot. Chi Yin opened the car door for her, slipping an arm around her waist while using the other to shield the top of her head as she helped her inside.

Qiao Ziman, finally cracking a smile, leaned over and planted a kiss on Chi Yin’s cheek.

“Such a thoughtful girlfriend,” she teased. “That’s your reward.”

Chi Yin playfully ruffled her hair in return before walking to the back of the car. She popped open the trunk and began double-checking their gear. 

But then—

A chill crept down her spine. A cold, unsettling sensation, like someone’s eyes were on her. Her entire body tensed.

Chi Yin whipped around, instantly alert. Just in time to see a shadowy figure disappearing around the corner. She hadn’t seen their face, but something about them felt… strangely familiar.

Chi Yin’s expression darkened.

“What’s wrong?” Qiao Ziman asked, sensing the sudden shift in mood.

Chi Yin turned to glance at her. Then, after a brief pause, a smile flickered across her lips.

“Nothing,” she said lightly.

Maybe I just imagined it.

“Alright, just don’t keep things bottled up,” Qiao Ziman said casually, turning her attention back to her phone.

She was completely focused—staring at the screen, occasionally picking up a pen and scribbling seriously in her notebook.

Chi Yin frowned slightly. “What are you looking at?”

Ever since she woke up, she’d been glued to her phone, barely looking away.

Qiao Ziman didn’t bother hiding it. She tilted the screen toward Chi Yin. “Porn.”

Chi Yin: “…”

Without a word, she turned back to the road, keeping her eyes firmly on driving.

Qiao Ziman, unfazed, continued, “I’ve decided that theory is important too. From now on, I’m going to study seriously.”

She had thought things through—setbacks only meant she needed to work harder.

No way was she accepting defeat.

Chi Yin: “…”

…Alright.

As long as she was happy.

—

By the time the sky began to darken, their car had long since left the city. After what felt like forever, they finally arrived at their destination. Chi Yin reached over and gently patted Qiao Ziman, who had dozed off somewhere along the way.

Qiao Ziman blinked awake, still groggy. “We’re here?”

Chi Yin pointed outside.

The moment Qiao Ziman turned her head, her eyes widened in pure awe. A vast stretch of ocean spread before her, glowing with brilliant blue bioluminescence. Like shattered diamonds scattered across the waves.

Like stars that had lost their way and fallen into the sea.

The light illuminated half the sky.

Qiao Ziman was instantly mesmerized. Throwing open the door, she kicked off her shoes and ran toward the water. Chi Yin followed after her, but just as she reached her, she pulled out a bouquet of blue roses from behind her back.

Holding it out, she said softly, “Qiao Qiao, I want to take you on a date.”

At that moment, Qiao Ziman’s heart rippled just like the waves teasing the shore—soft, restless, and full of warmth. She accepted the bouquet, her voice light as a whisper. “Okay.”

But Chi Yin wasn’t done.

“I still have more to say.”

She looked straight into Qiao Ziman’s eyes, her gaze filled with unwavering sincerity.

“I’ve already apologized wholeheartedly. I’ve given you both my heart and body. But there’s still one thing I owe you—a proper confession.”

Qiao Ziman’s breath caught slightly. She lifted her head, meeting those gentle, affectionate eyes.

“What is it?” she asked.

Chi Yin spoke slowly, clearly, as if etching each word into the night itself. “I like you. Can you forgive me now?”

Qiao Ziman let out a long breath. “I’m not mad anymore, but…”

She tugged at Chi Yin’s sleeve, almost pleading.

“I still feel like something’s missing. Can you give me one more chance—to be on top?”

===

Iron T (铁T, tiě T): A term from Chinese LGBTQ+ slang referring to a very dominant, emotionally and physically reserved “T” (short for “Tomboy”) who takes control in relationships but does not like being touched intimately. An “Iron T” is stereotyped as being rigid, always leading, and avoiding vulnerability or physical intimacy beyond what they initiate.