Chapter 72.1

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The peacock cried?

Ji Yun stood frozen in shock, unable to move a single step. In her mind, the peacock had always been proud, arrogant, wrapped in bristles and barbs, always acting like she couldn’t tolerate even a hint of bullying. And now she was crying?

Could it be that all that bravado had been a facade? That underneath it all, the peacock was fragile? So fragile she could only let herself break down under the cover of darkness? Is this who the real peacock is?

Ji Yun looked at her, heart aching. She stayed silent, then slowly backed away to a spot where she could keep an eye on her without being seen—quietly standing guard, patiently waiting for her to finish healing.

Time ticked by, minute by minute. Three empty juice glasses now sat on Ji Yun’s table. Just as she stood up, ready to go downstairs for a refill, a loud clatter came from the booth in the corner, followed by the sound of bottles and glasses crashing to the floor.

What happened? A wave of panic hit Ji Yun. She slammed her glass on the table and rushed over without a second thought. “Hey, are you okay?”

Ji Yun looked at the passed-out Yu Shuyan slumped on the couch and let out a helpless sigh. “Drunkard. Drinking alone in the dark without even calling me to join you.”

She dabbed at Yu Shuyan’s still-wet tears with a tissue, then slipped an arm around her waist, pulled her up, and hoisted her over her shoulder. Lighter than she’d expected. Ji Yun carried her out with ease.

Just as she stepped outside, she ran straight into Chi Yin and Qiao Ziman walking in together.

The two stared at her—and the unconscious Yu Shuyan draped over her shoulder—in stunned silence. For a long moment, no one said anything.

Then Chi Yin gave her a big thumbs-up. A solid endorsement from the number one.

Qiao Ziman didn’t look quite so thrilled. She glared at Chi Yin with a mix of grievance and disbelief, slapped her hand down, rubbed her own arm like it was aching, then reluctantly twisted her lips to the side. Ugh. Pathetic.

“Uh, yeah, so… you two, I’ve got my hands full. Catch you later.” Ji Yun tossed the words over her shoulder, shoved Yu Shuyan into the car, slammed the door, and peeled out with a screech.

Chi Yin and Qiao Ziman stood in a cloud of exhaust, staring at each other, speechless. After a long pause, they spoke at the same time.

“She’s something else.”

***

Ji Yun brought Yu Shuyan back to her apartment. After parking the car, she scooped her up in her arms again. The night breeze swept in, and for a moment, Yu Shuyan stirred. She squinted, trying to make out the person holding her. Then suddenly started thrashing.

“Ji—you damn Ji—put me down… Didn’t I tell you to stop following me…”

Ji Yun clicked her tongue and smacked her on the butt. “Cut it out.”

Smack.

The body in her arms fell quiet. Then, just as suddenly, Yu Shuyan exploded—flailing with fists and elbows, beating her wildly. “Ji, you son of a—how dare you hit me! This isn’t over!”

When she couldn’t break free, she sank her teeth into Ji Yun’s shoulder.

Ji Yun winced. 

“Ow—seriously? Damn it, Peacock, talk about ungrateful.” She landed another solid slap to Yu Shuyan’s backside. “You’ve got plenty of fight at home, huh? Why don’t you throw some of that fire at the people who actually hurt you? No, you save all your bravado for me!”

Yu Shuyan let out a soft hmph, then slowly released her bite before collapsing once again into a drunken stupor.

Her hair brushed against Ji Yun’s skin, lips barely grazing her neck. A teasing touch that sent a tickle from her throat down to her chest, curling into her heart.

Ji Yun’s strength gave out. The woman on her shoulder slipped downward.

Ji Yun: “…”

This damn peacock… dangerously tempting.

She closed her eyes and held her breath, focusing intently—for a full minute—before she finally regained her composure. Then she pulled out her keys and opened the front door.

Ji Yun gently laid Yu Shuyan on the couch, then stood and began tidying up. The apartment, long unused, had gathered a thin layer of dust. She swept through the bedroom and kitchen, cleaning everything thoroughly, then cooked a bowl of hangover soup.

By the time she finished, a light layer of sweat clung to her skin, sticky and uncomfortable. Ji Yun came back to the couch and sat down beside her. She lifted Yu Shuyan’s head to make her more comfortable, but the woman frowned in her sleep.

Ji Yun sighed and, with no better option, pulled her back into her arms.

Only then did Yu Shuyan’s furrowed brow relax.

Ji Yun looked down at the lips so close to hers, her throat tightening as she swallowed hard. Her heart began to pound out of control.

“Peacock…”

As soon as she spoke, her voice came out hoarse. Ji Yun cleared her throat awkwardly and called again. “Yu Shuyan.”

Yu Shuyan’s eyelashes fluttered as she let out a groggy, uncomfortable sound.

Ji Yun tightened her arm around her waist and asked gently, “Are you feeling sick? Do you need the bathroom?”

Yu Shuyan rubbed against her neck. “No…”

Ji Yun’s ears flushed pink. “Then… how about some hangover soup? I’ll feed you?”

“No.” Yu Shuyan clung to her like a body pillow, arms wrapped around her neck as she murmured a single, boozy word. “Hot.”

Ji Yun: “…”

Hot and still clinging this tight?!

Yu Shuyan let out another small whimper. “Shower…”

Ji Yun: “…”

She’s this drunk and still thinking about bathing…

“How about we skip it? Just bear with it a bit?”

Yu Shuyan bit down on her shoulder again—but this time with no real strength behind it. “No… dirty…”

“Hey, what are you, a dog? Getting addicted to biting me?” Ji Yun grumbled. “I finally get a day off and I’ve spent the whole thing taking care of you. Do I owe you or something?”

“Mmm…”

“You still ‘mmm’ me?!”

Ji Yun glanced down at her. The shirt she wore was soaked in alcohol. The smell clung heavy and thick. If she didn’t get a shower, she’d probably feel miserable. Ji Yun sighed, giving in. She scooped Yu Shuyan back up and carried her into the bathroom.

As the hot water began to fill the tub, steam quickly spread through the small space. Ji Yun steadied Yu Shuyan and began undressing her.

“Stand still. Don’t move.”

But Yu Shuyan kept leaning into her, completely uncooperative. Ji Yun had to wrap one arm around her to keep her upright, fumbling with the buttons using just one hand.

By the time the clothes were finally off, Ji Yun was drenched in sweat. She looked down at the bare figure in her arms, her breath catching as it grew heavier.

Yeah… definitely overestimated my willpower.