My Straight Girlfriend with Skin Hunger Syndrome - Chapter 92
Chapter 92
Practice.
Now was certainly not the time for practice.
Under the glaring sunlight, Yi Shanshan had made such an intimate request. The most terrifying part was that Ying Yuan’s thoughts had been on the exact same thing.
Was this some kind of telepathy, or had she been found out? Heat surged to Ying Yuan’s face. She pulled her hand away from Yi Shanshan’s insistent tugging and instead clasped Yi Shanshan’s palm.
Clutching it tightly, she ignored Yi Shanshan’s words and strode forward. “That store near the entrance seems to have a promotion going on. Do you like that game? We could get some merchandise…”
“We could, or we could not,” Yi Shanshan said, jogging slightly to keep up, her hair lifting gently, carrying its familiar scent. “I’m not really interested in those things anymore.”
Yi Shanshan: “I’m most interested in you.”
Yi Shanshan: “Ever since you’ve captured my attention, I can’t seem to think about anything else.”
Yi Shanshan: “Is this what it means to be obsessed? Ah, Ying Yuan, I’m so obsessed with you…”
Ying Yuan’s steps quickened, her face flushed crimson.
She refused to glance at Yi Shanshan, but the younger woman’s small mouth chattered incessantly, each sentence like a tiny arrow piercing Ying Yuan’s heart.
Under this relentless assault, Ying Yuan haphazardly bought breakfast, souvenirs, and, on a whim, a bouquet of roses from a flower shop they passed.
The vibrant yellow roses were tightly bound, their tender petals half-open, radiating breathtaking beauty.
“Bringing flowers home? You’re such a romantic, Ying Yuan~”
Yi Shanshan helped carry the purchases, cradling the roses, burying her face in their fragrance, then looking up with crescent-moon eyes to praise Ying Yuan.
Ah, Ying Yuan thought, even roses, in all their splendor, can’t compare to her.
Back home, her parents had already washed up and changed into clean, tidy clothes.
The house showed signs of a thorough cleaning: the windows sparkled, and the furniture gleamed. Her mother emerged from the kitchen with two plates of cold dishes, while her father brewed a fresh pot of tea.
Ying Yuan arranged the breakfast items on plates. Yi Shanshan sidled up to her mother, admiring the bouquet together, and the two of them found a vase to display the roses.
The breakfast was a joyous affair, far happier than the usual atmosphere in the Ying family’s home.
Yi Shanshan was like a ray of sunshine, a natural charmer who knew how to engage in conversation, offer sincere compliments, and even feign endearing helplessness. Even when she wasn’t speaking, her mere presence radiated warmth, illuminating the entire world around her.
Ying Yuan could see that her family adored Yi Shanshan.
Especially her mother, whose eyes always sparkled with gentle affection whenever she looked at Yi Shanshan. For a fleeting moment, Ying Yuan wondered if a girl like Yi Shanshan embodied her mother’s vision of the perfect daughter.
After breakfast, with nothing pressing to do,
Ying Yuan’s mother, eager to keep Yi Shanshan from getting bored, urged them to go out and play.
Ying Yuan pulled Yi Shanshan back into the bedroom, where the covers were still rumpled from Yi Shanshan’s sleep.
“What are you going to do now?” Ying Yuan asked. “Has the recording session been postponed?”
“No, it’s still happening this afternoon as scheduled,” Yi Shanshan replied. “But I won’t be participating.”
Ying Yuan’s brow furrowed. Yi Shanshan blinked innocently and continued, “I just think our relationship is more important than recording that song.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Yi Shanshan said, tilting her head thoughtfully. “That song was meant to be a duet anyway. I was just going to add some harmonies. Hmm… actually, I’m not planning to sign with Wanyu either. Our meeting that day wasn’t very pleasant.”
After the banquet that night, Yi Shanshan had rushed off to meet with Wanyu, leaving Ying Yuan to go home alone. Yet hearing Yi Shanshan abandon such important opportunities still made Ying Yuan’s heart ache.
Noticing Ying Yuan’s expression, Yi Shanshan continued to explain, “Wanyu is connected to my father’s side of the family. Though their initial offer seems tempting, once I sign, I’ll have no room to refuse.
“They’ll decide my image, the songs I release—everything will be out of my hands. Even if I anger my father someday, he could have me shelved with a single command.”
“The risks are too high, and the chances of turning things around are slim,” Yi Shanshan concluded. “So, after weighing everything, I decided it’s better to decline.”
In a typical family, the backing of parents would undoubtedly offer greater security than a business partnership with strangers. But Yi Shanshan seemed to harbor little trust in her father, forcing her to meticulously weigh the entangled interests on a scale.
“What about Teacher Han…?” Ying Yuan asked.
“I bailed on her at the last minute. She’s furious,” Yi Shanshan replied. “But even if that relationship is ruined, it’s no great loss. She was recruited by my dad anyway. I tried to cultivate that connection, but it didn’t pan out—after all, I don’t possess any resources anyone else wants.”
“The fact that he agreed to let me study pop singing and dancing, even finding a teacher for me… that was suspicious from the start. Now that I think about it, it must have been after I slashed Lin Feng’s tires. He saw how volatile I was and realized he couldn’t control me. So he offered me a little taste of sweetness.”
“Every subsequent opportunity was just a sugar-coated bullet. The more I indulged, the deeper I’d bite into the trap.”
Yi Shanshan sighed deeply. “While I understand the concept of quid pro quo, I refuse to be a complete fool and fall completely into someone else’s scheme.”
Seeing so much scheming and backstabbing, Ying Yuan’s brow furrowed even deeper.
Yi Shanshan paused briefly, then suddenly raised her hands, draped her arms across Ying Yuan’s shoulders, and tilted her head back to gaze up at her with a bright smile.
“I have far more important things to do now. My freedom has gone up in price—it’s not something just anyone can afford anymore!”
Still immersed in their earlier conversation, Ying Yuan asked, “What are you going to do?”
Yi Shanshan: “Today, I’m meeting a musician friend—someone I know personally. We’ll just chat casually, see if any inspiration strikes. No rush to decide on anything concrete.
“As for you, why don’t you stay home and spend time with your parents? It’s not easy for them to squeeze in a visit like this. Cherish this time together as a family.”
Having included Ying Yuan in her plans, Yi Shanshan smiled.
Yi Shanshan: “After that, I’ll contact Teacher Han and explain everything clearly. The training camp is over, and I’ve been working myself ragged lately. I need to rest properly and enjoy my vacation before school starts.”
Ying Yuan wholeheartedly agreed: “Yes, you’ve been working way too hard.”
“That’s right~” Yi Shanshan’s voice grew softer and sweeter, her gaze fixed intently on Ying Yuan. “So, next, I want to plan a trip for myself—completely stress-free, to relax my body and mind. To escape the familiar city and people, open my heart, and embrace a brand new, unknown world!”
Hearing this, Ying Yuan felt genuinely happy. She didn’t want Yi Shanshan to be trapped by anything; she wanted her to live a life that was always free and radiant.
Ying Yuan’s lips curved into a smile, and she asked with genuine curiosity, “Where are you planning to go?”
Yi Shanshan: “To see the sea!”
Summer days at the sea—the very thought was both unrestrained and passionate.
Ying Yuan: “That’s a great idea.”
Yi Shanshan: “You should ask me why.”
Ying Yuan: “Why should I ask why?”
Yi Shanshan: “If you ask why, you’ll know why! Hurry up and ask~”
Ying Yuan: “Oh, why?”
Yi Shanshan grinned, her eyes crinkling into crescents. “Because the internet says the three essentials for lesbians are: cohabitation, adopting a cat, and seeing the sea!”
Ying Yuan: “……”
Yi Shanshan: “Cohabitation is definitely out of the question right now, and adopting a cat shouldn’t be taken lightly—we have to be responsible for a living creature. So let’s start with seeing the sea!!!”
How did it become “we”? How did I get caught up in this lesbian drama online?
Yi Shanshan pulled Ying Yuan’s head close, then pushed it away, then tangled her thoughts again. Ying Yuan’s heart raced, her cheeks flushed, as she tried to explain, “I thought you wanted to be alone…”
“I don’t want to be alone! Being alone is so boring. Two people is perfect. Two people with just anyone wouldn’t be the same—being with you is the best~”
Yi Shanshan’s fingers, draped over Ying Yuan’s shoulder, twined around the back of her neck, encircling her before she stealthily nestled into her embrace.
“So, in all my plans, the most important thing is this: I’m inviting you to come with me to see the sea.”
Ying Yuan froze.
Yi Shanshan, sweet and endearing, gentle yet slightly cautious, continued, “You don’t have to answer right away. I’ll give you time to think—you’re the one who cares most about timing, right?
“First, spend time with your family. I’ll take care of the preparations. If you have a particular coast you’d like to visit, just tell me—we can go anywhere~”
“As for the deadline for deciding…” Yi Shanshan paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. “I’ll give you unlimited time, as long as it’s before the end of summer vacation.”
The deadline truly shocked Ying Yuan.
No one knew better than her how busy Yi Shanshan was, especially during the long summer break. So many opportunities lay before her—so many things she could do to build a better life.
“Are you sure you don’t want to…?” Ying Yuan began.
Yi Shanshan raised a finger and pressed it against her lips, cutting her off.
“This is my decision, Ying Yuan. You don’t need to worry about anything else,” Yi Shanshan said. “Just think about what your decision will be.”
The fingertip on her lips felt warm and soft.
After she finished speaking, that fingertip, as if unsatisfied, drifted from her lips to the left, then to the right.
The little pearl-like curve of Ying Yuan’s lower lip was rubbed until it turned a vivid red.
“It feels so good…” Yi Shanshan murmured, her eyes glistening with a watery sheen.
In the living room, the sound of flowerpots being moved and her parents’ voices drifted in. Ying Yuan’s heart clenched as she remembered where they were.
How reckless! My parents are right outside the door, and I’m in here with Yi Shanshan, letting her rub my lips and talking about girl-on-girl stuff.
Ying Yuan took a step back, lowering her gaze. “Then… I’ll think about it.”
“Okay,” Yi Shanshan replied crisply, giving Ying Yuan time to relax after the tension had eased. “Yuan-dear, why don’t you walk me downstairs now? I’ll say goodbye to your aunt and uncle and be on my way.”
“So soon?” Ying Yuan murmured, dazed.
Yi Shanshan tilted her head and smiled. “Call me anytime you want to see me.”
As she left, Yi Shanshan changed back into her own clothes.
The sun beat down fiercely, making it swelteringly hot. Ying Yuan held up a parasol to escort her out of the residential complex, pulling out her phone to call a taxi.
“No need,” Yi Shanshan said. “I have a car.”
“Huh?” Ying Yuan responded.
Yi Shanshan pulled her car keys from her bag and pressed the button. A red sedan chirped twice from a parking spot under the shade of a nearby tree.
“You drive?” Ying Yuan asked, surprised.
Yi Shanshan pouted playfully. “I can even street race, you know. I’m a second-generation rich kid, after all.”
“Street racing is dangerous,” Ying Yuan warned.
“Alright, alright. If you say it’s dangerous, I’ll never street race again~” Yi Shanshan replied, so docile that Ying Yuan couldn’t help but glance at her.
“I have a valid driver’s license, so don’t worry,” Yi Shanshan assured her. “I’m always careful on the road—a law-abiding, good girl.”
She led Ying Yuan to the car. “When we get to the beach, we can rent a car, and I’ll drive us down the coastal road. Mountains on the left, ocean on the right, music playing, singing along—”
It was a beautiful scene, so perfect it felt like a dream, yet Yi Shanshan’s vivid description made it seem within reach.
Reaching the car, Yi Shanshan said, “We need to blast the AC. It’s been baking in the sun all morning—feels like a sauna inside.”
“Okay,” Ying Yuan replied.
She shifted the parasol further to shield Yi Shanshan from most of the sun.
The roadside trees were lush, their canopies alive with cicadas buzzing and chirping noisily.
While waiting for the AC to cool down, Yi Shanshan suddenly fell silent. She and Ying Yuan stood side by side, their arms brushing, but neither spoke.
Ying Yuan dared not meet her eyes, yet she could feel Yi Shanshan’s gaze resting on her face, silently tracing its contours.
Her heart pounded, each beat both heavy and light.
After a long moment, Yi Shanshan said, “It’s cool enough now.”
“Mm-hmm,” Ying Yuan murmured, her throat dry.
Yi Shanshan opened the car door and slid inside. Her sultry short-sleeved shirt and shorts, paired with the car’s luxurious leather seats, exuded a unique air of opulence.
The door remained open.
Ying Yuan watched as Yi Shanshan tossed her bag aside, set down her phone, started the engine, and activated the navigation system.
With everything ready, Ying Yuan leaned in to say goodbye.
Yi Shanshan’s gaze snapped toward her, and in the next instant, she grabbed Ying Yuan’s collar and yanked her forward.
Ying Yuan stumbled, half her body pulled into the car.
With the refreshing blast of cool air came Yi Shanshan’s soft lips.
Yi Shanshan’s lips were slightly cool at first, like a sweet, chilled jelly pressed against Ying Yuan’s mouth on a summer day.
They were on Main Street, with people constantly passing by. Right outside the entrance to the residential complex where Ying Yuan had lived for years—even the fruit stall owner at the gate could call her by name.
Ying Yuan’s heart leaped into her throat, hanging precariously like a bridge suspended in mid-air.
Simultaneously, her pheromones surged uncontrollably.
The initial thrill was intense enough, but Yi Shanshan, like a playful puppy, took Ying Yuan’s lower lip between her teeth and bit down hard.
Painful, yet exhilarating.
The sun blazed fiercely, the world clamored around them.
A sheen of sweat broke out on Ying Yuan’s skin, while Yi Shanshan’s initially cool lips quickly warmed.
Ying Yuan wanted to bite her back.
Ying Yuan wanted to devour her whole, swallow her down in one gulp.
But Yi Shanshan pushed her away.
Just two seconds of intimacy, then a cold rejection.
The cotton collar of Ying Yuan’s shirt remained crumpled, bearing the marks of Yi Shanshan’s grip.
Yet they were completely separated now. Yi Shanshan remained as she had been—glamorous and decadent, ensconced in her luxury car.
Ying Yuan stood under the scorching sun, her parasol drooping beside her.
Yi Shanshan smiled at her and closed the car door.
“Goodbye,” Yi Shanshan said. “Call me anytime.”
Call me anytime if you want to see me.
Ying Yuan wanted to call her right now.