Chapter 72.2

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The burning heat of Yu Shuyan’s skin pressed against hers, all soft curves and warm breath.

Ji Yun’s mind went blank, white noise rushing in. 

Her heart pounded loud and hard.

Before she could lose the last thread of reason, she hurriedly lowered Yu Shuyan into the tub.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Yun turned around, facing the other way. She dug through the cabinet for a clean towel, soaked it in hot water, wrung it out carefully, then walked back to the tub to wipe Yu Shuyan’s face.

Her cheeks, flushed from the alcohol, glowed with a kind of seductive beauty. Just like she had looked that first time they’d surrendered to each other, losing control without restraint…

The memory replayed with perfect clarity. The more Ji Yun thought about it, the harder it became to stop. Heat flushed across her skin.

She drew in a long breath to steady herself—but her gaze drifted again, falling on the delicate figure beneath the foam. Bare curves, soft pink against pale skin, barely concealed.

She froze, stunned. Her eyes darkened, hand inching forward before she even realized it.

Just as her fingertips were about to brush against that softness, Yu Shuyan stirred, the movement sending ripples across the water.

Ji Yun snatched her hand back and tore her gaze away. Taking advantage of her like this… it’s shameless. I’m not that kind of person. I’m not.

She shut her eyes tight, breathing deep. Focus. Work. Unfinished projects. Anything else.

Seconds later, she burst out, loud and sharp, “Fucking clients. So damn annoying!”

When she opened her eyes again, the heat had cleared. Her vision, sharp and focused.

Ji Yun dipped the towel into the hot water again, wrung it out, then returned to Yu Shuyan’s side. She gently began wiping her face, soft and precise, her movements steady.

From forehead to behind the ears, again and again, slow and careful.

Yu Shuyan’s lashes trembled. A second later, a single tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

Ji Yun’s heart clenched. Without thinking, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the corner of her eye. 

Only when her lips met the dampness did she realize what she’d done. Slowly, she pulled back. Her gaze softened, tracing every line of exhaustion and vulnerability on the face before her.

Yu Shuyan’s lips moved. She said something—quiet, barely audible.

Ji Yun leaned in, lowering her head so her ear was near her mouth. “What did you say?”

Yu Shuyan’s voice quivered with a faint hint of tears as she repeated herself. “Why couldn’t I stop Wang Yang?”

Wang Yang?

That student?

So the peacock hadn’t been crying out of hurt… but out of guilt?

Ji Yun’s eyes flickered with emotion. She reached out and gently took Yu Shuyan’s hand, her thumb tracing soft circles across her palm, her voice tender and low. 

“It’s not your fault. Listen to me, you did everything you could.”

Again and again, Ji Yun whispered those words, until Yu Shuyan’s tears finally stopped. Her breathing slowed, deep and steady.

Only then did Ji Yun quietly rise from her side. She turned away, wiping the tear from the corner of her own eye—the one that had slipped out from how much her heart ached.

Taking a deep breath to collect herself, she pulled a clean towel from the shelf, preparing to dry her off.

But as soon as she turned back around, she froze.

The woman in the tub had opened her eyes and was staring straight at her, unblinking.

Ji Yun’s fingers twitched as she lowered her gaze. “You’re awake?”

There was no reply.

She quickly added, “You’re the one who asked me to give you a bath, remember? I didn’t take advantage of you. If you’re okay now, dry yourself off. I won’t look.”

Yu Shuyan looked at her—really looked. Her expression shifted slightly, something soft and uncertain rising to the surface. A vague memory stirred… the feeling of being taken care of all night… hearing someone’s voice gently soothing her in that half-conscious haze…

And deep inside, something stirred awake.

She heard herself asking, “Ji Yun… do you like me?”

The moment Ji Yun heard that question, she asked herself the same thing.

Do I like her?

From the seemingly wild and flirtatious Peacock, to the serious and responsible Teacher Yu… or maybe it was the woman who hid all her vulnerability and heartache in the shadows.

The more she got to know her, the deeper that feeling grew—something wild and consuming, taking root and flourishing in her chest.

Ji Yun lifted her gaze, eyes burning with intensity. She answered clearly, “Yes.”

When Yu Shuyan didn’t respond, Ji Yun took her hand and placed it against her chest, letting her feel the frantic rhythm of her heartbeat. Then she guided that hand lower, until it reached the damp heat between her legs.

“My heart and my body,” she said, “they both tell me—they like you. What about you?”

“I…” Yu Shuyan’s fingertips trembled, her expression wavering with inner conflict.

The silence stretched, long and heavy.

The light in Ji Yun’s eyes dimmed bit by bit. Quietly, she turned around.

“I get it.”

Behind her, the tub splashed with a sudden swoosh, water sloshing to the sides. In the next second, something gripped her wrist—pulling her back, forcing her to turn.

“What are you doing?”

Warm lips pressed against hers—gentle, cautious.

Unlike their first time, which had burned with reckless passion, this kiss was laced with hesitation. Not a response to love, but something quieter, something that felt more like an apology.

Ji Yun abruptly pushed her away, voice sharp. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

When Yu Shuyan didn’t respond, Ji Yun’s anger surged. She grabbed her wrist tightly. “I’m asking you a question. What do you mean by this? Do you pity me? Do you think I’m pathetic?”

This time, Yu Shuyan quickly shook her head. “No!”

“Then what is it?”

Yu Shuyan clenched her palm tight, nails digging in. When she looked up again, there was a forced, indifferent smile tugging at her lips. “Didn’t you say earlier… you wanted to sleep with me?”

Ji Yun’s hand loosened. A bitter laugh slipped out. “Not anymore.”

But Yu Shuyan caught her hand, guided it down, pressing it against her.

Hot. Slick. Ji Yun’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Her voice was tight, barely holding steady. “I said I don’t want to anymore.”

“But I want to,” Yu Shuyan murmured. “I want to do it with you.”

The next moment, she pulled Ji Yun into the tub.

Water splashed everywhere. Ji Yun didn’t even have time to resist before the heat of Yu Shuyan’s body completely swallowed her up.