My Straight Girlfriend with Skin Hunger Syndrome - Chapter 93

Chapter 93

After Yi Shanshan’s car drove away, Ying Yuan stood for a while in the sweltering heat before pulling out her phone to text Qi Hongyue.

She felt Qi Hongyue, as her friend who had given her advice, had a right to know how things were progressing.

She briefly recounted the events from the previous night to the present moment. Though her fingers trembled slightly and her cheeks flushed as she typed “multiple kisses,” Ying Yuan didn’t deliberately omit anything.

She composed a lengthy message, structuring it into paragraphs with clear punctuation, resembling a concise academic report before sending it.

Almost immediately, Qi Hongyue’s reply came: 【…】

Ying Yuan: 【…】

Qi Hongyue: 【I’ve only been gone half a day, and you two are already like this?】

Ying Yuan: 【…】

Qi Hongyue: 【Can’t you resist her? After she kissed you the first time, why didn’t you push her away the second time?】

Ying Yuan: 【The second time, I initiated it.】

Qi Hongyue: 【…】

Ying Yuan: 【I had my reasons.】

Qi Hongyue: 【Tell me.】

So Ying Yuan carefully relived the moment, detailing the specific circumstances, her thoughts, and her feelings in a lengthy text message, and sent it.

Qi Hongyue: Sounds like reading smut.

Ying Yuan: …

Qi Hongyue: All those reasons, all those excuses—just to write smut.

Ying Yuan: …

Qi Hongyue: Happy? Satisfied?

Ying Yuan: Happy. Satisfied.

Qi Hongyue: Let’s be real—you couldn’t resist her charm. One little trick and you were hooked.

Ying Yuan: True.

Qi Hongyue: Pretty honest. Aren’t you afraid of getting too comfortable, too safe?

Ying Yuan took a deep breath. This question had been haunting her all day. Her reply: But it really did make me happy. Really did satisfy me.

Qi Hongyue: …

Ying Yuan: Senior, I think the biggest problem between you two wasn’t what you did, but that she lied to you.

Qi Hongyue: Now you’re making me reflect on myself.

Ying Yuan: Senior, I don’t think Shanshan would ever lie to me. Even if the outcome isn’t what I want, she’ll always tell me the truth.

Qi Hongyue: Let’s end our friendship right now. You’re making me furious.

The conversation paused briefly. Just as Ying Yuan reached her doorstep, Qi Hongyue sent a long message:

Currently, the following development paths exist:

1. You had mad, passionate sex. Afterward, Yi Shanshan felt utterly bored and disillusioned. The experiment failed, and she left.

2. You had mad, passionate sex. Yi Shanshan felt comfortable and secure with you, so you continued for a while. Then another temptation arose, her interest waned, and she left for someone else’s arms.

3. You had mad, passionate sex. Yi Shanshan fell deeply in love with you, and you both became passionately infatuated. Her father offered you five million yuan to leave her, or offered her five hundred million yuan to leave you. She agreed, and she left.

4. Neither of you agreed. Madly in love, you defied the world together and lived happily ever after.

These possibilities assume your belief that “Yi Shanshan would never deceive you.” The personal consequences for you are as follows:

1. You’ll suffer for a while, develop PTSD toward straight women, and become much more cautious in future relationships.

2. You’ll suffer for a very, very long time. Experiencing betrayal and jealousy, you’ll lose faith in the exclusivity of love.

3. You’ll suffer a lifetime, so long as your memory holds true. The pain will return with each recalled moment. Plagued by self-doubt and self-loathing, you’ll find it nearly impossible to experience love again. Your life’s motto will become: Never underestimate the potential of a youth who starts with nothing.*

4. You’re the protagonist of this story. You find true love.

Ying Yuan stared at these words, then opened her front door.

Her mother was already lying down, while her father sat on the balcony, sipping tea and scrolling through his phone.

With Yi Shanshan gone, the apartment had reverted to its usual state. The light seemed less bright, the air no longer rang with laughter, and the familiar furniture stood in place, unchanged.

Ying Yuan went to her bedroom.

Two roses Yi Shanshan had plucked from the bouquet now stood in the pen holder on her desk. The pen holder had been deliberately positioned so sunlight could stream through, illuminating the petals with a shimmering glow.

Ying Yuan’s bed remained unmade. Her parents never entered her room to clean, so the rumpled blankets seemed to still bear the imprint of Yi Shanshan’s body.

The clothes Yi Shanshan had worn earlier lay tossed in a corner, now imbued with a special radiance.

But most potent of all was the lingering scent.

Yi Shanshan’s lingering scent remained locked within the room, refusing to dissipate.

Ying Yuan closed the door, inhaling deeply. The fragrance flowed through her heart like a clear spring, filling her with both joy and a profound sense of intoxication.

Qi Hongyue had sent her countless warnings, each one perfectly logical, yet Ying Yuan felt no fear as she read them.

Her gaze remained fixed on the fourth point, those lines of text shimmering like the most precious diamonds and the most beautiful fantasies:

You loved each other madly, you defied the world together, you lived happily ever after.

Compared to the abyss-like despair she had felt before, this burning hope now flickered like the brightest star.

Ying Yuan’s chest grew warm, her fingertips trembling.

Soon, the answer crystallized in her heart.

She savored this answer, chewing it over and over until she was certain: this truly made her blood boil, filled her with fighting spirit, and brought her joy.

Senior, all these problems could arise with any relationship.

She typed:

Love is a game for the brave.

I’m a coward, but if it’s Yi Shanshan, I’m willing to take the risk.

The opportunity is right in front of me. I’m going to gamble on that possibility.

Whatever the outcome, I’ll accept it as my due.

A long silence hung between them. Qi Hongyue didn’t reply.

Ying Yuan chuckled, trying to lighten the mood: What if I’m actually the protagonist of a novel?

Qi Hongyue sent back two curt words: Get lost.

Ying Yuan laughed, collapsing onto the bed and pulling the blanket Yi Shanshan had hugged into her arms.

Yi Shanshan’s sweet scent filled her nostrils, but she couldn’t get enough. Her cheeks flushed, she buried her face in the blanket and inhaled deeply.

Clutching her phone, she estimated the time and texted Yi Shanshan: Have you arrived yet? Was the drive smooth?

Yi Shanshan’s reply popped up almost instantly: Just got here, parking now.

Good to hear, Ying Yuan replied.

What, don’t trust my driving skills? Yi Shanshan teased.

I was a little worried, Ying Yuan admitted.

Try it next time. Once you see, you won’t worry anymore, Yi Shanshan retorted.

Ying Yuan couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about this exchange.

She shook her head, trying to shake off the jumble of strange thoughts.

But the very next second, another message from Yi Shanshan popped up: Ying Yuan, did you know? They call that driving too~

Ying Yuan’s face instantly turned crimson.

Yi Shanshan didn’t just brush aside those wild thoughts; she’d shoved them straight into Ying Yuan’s heart.

Ying Yuan didn’t bother asking which “one” Shanshan meant. Knowing Shanshan’s boldness, she figured she’d say anything.

Ying Yuan: I know.

Yi Shanshan: But I don’t know how I am with that “technique” yet.

Ying Yuan: Oh.

Yi Shanshan: Let’s try it next time. We’ll find out then.

Ying Yuan frantically swiped her screen to confirm her “Oh” had been sent after the previous message, not after this one.

Her face flushed crimson, she quickly changed the subject: Aren’t you there yet? Hurry up and go.

Yi Shanshan: I’m still sitting in the car. Haven’t moved.

Ying Yuan: Your friend isn’t here yet?

Yi Shanshan: Just texted me—they’re here.

Ying Yuan: Then why aren’t you going?

Yi Shanshan: Savoring the moment.

Ying Yuan: What?

Yi Shanshan: Savoring that kiss of yours. I’ve been thinking about it the whole drive here, and now that the car’s stopped, I can really focus on it.

Ying Yuan couldn’t type another word.

Yi Shanshan: I’m kind of regretting it.

Ying Yuan’s heart leaped into her throat, and a cold sweat prickled the back of her neck.

Yi Shanshan: Regretting not kissing you longer.

The cool breeze had vanished, replaced by a sweltering wind. Her racing heart, though unsettling, now pounded fiercely in her throat.

Yi Shanshan: I think I genuinely love kissing you, Ying Yuan.

Yi Shanshan: I’m so afraid that if I talk to anyone else right now, all I’ll be thinking about is kissing you.

Yi Shanshan: You’ve kissed my brain away, Ying Yuan.

Yi Shanshan: Name your price, Ying Yuan. What does a kiss cost?

Is this how Yi Shanshan pursues people?

Does she just throw them into the fire until they’re cooked through?

Didn’t Yi Shanshan have all those intricate social skills?

Why isn’t she using any of them now? She’s just relentlessly saying how much she likes me, holding nothing back, like a battery of cannons bombarding my defenses.

Ying Yuan felt like a raging bull, smoke billowing from her nostrils. She quickly typed four words: Go with the flow.

Then she threw her phone aside, determined to take a break. No matter what Yi Shanshan said next, she wouldn’t reply so quickly.

In the sweltering summer afternoon, the air conditioner hissed out cool air.

Ying Yuan pulled the blanket over her head, as if draping herself in a sweet-scented dream.

When she picked up her phone again, sure enough, there was a new message from Yi Shanshan:

Ying Yuan, guess what? My friend is a lesbian too!

We’ve found a kindred spirit!

And she’s super experienced!

Wait till I pick her brain!

Ying Yuan: ????

Wait, what? What “brain-picking”? Yi Shanshan, after everything you’ve already done, what else do you need to learn?

Scrolling down, Yi Shanshan continued:

But don’t worry, we won’t do anything.

I don’t feel that way about her.

Now it’s so obvious—friendship and romance feel completely different.

Further down, Yi Shanshan:

Ying Yuan, I think I’ve loved you all along without realizing it. I’ve been plotting this for ages.

Ying Yuan, since you’re a lesbian and you kissed me, that means you like me a lot too, right?

At least you like my body a lot.

That’s okay, you’ll like my mind soon enough.

I’ll work hard for it! Fist pump! Fist pump! Fist pump!

Ying Yuan: “……”

How could such a clever girl act like a clueless newbie now?

Yi Shanshan:

[Image]

[The barista here can customize latte art! I asked her to write “Wish” for me. LOL, so many strokes!]

Ying Yuan zoomed in on the image. The writing on the coffee was slightly blurred, but the hand holding the cup was soft and delicate, the fingertips tinged with a faint pink.

Ying Yuan saved the photo.

The next moment, a new message from Yi Shanshan popped up:

Ying Yuan, I’m never getting my nails done again.

Ying Yuan: !!!!!!

A thunderous shock reverberated through Ying Yuan’s mind. Her hand trembled as she finally replied:

Let’s not talk about this kind of stuff too much.

Weren’t we supposed to discuss our music collaboration?

Yi Shanshan: Oh, right.

Yi Shanshan: What are you and your parents doing today?

Ying Yuan: It’s too hot to do anything special. My mom might steam some buns tonight. I’ll help her.

Yi Shanshan: What kind of buns?

Ying Yuan: Chive and tofu, spicy eggplant, and shiitake mushroom pork buns. Usually just those three kinds.

Yi Shanshan: I love those!

Yi Shanshan: Can you save some for me?

Ying Yuan’s fingertips paused momentarily before she replied: Okay.

Then I’ll come by tonight to pick them up, Yi Shanshan said.

Ying Yuan remained silent.

Quick in, quick out, I promise, Yi Shanshan insisted.

After putting down her phone, Ying Yuan left the bedroom.

Her mother was still napping, and her father, also drowsy, was sprawled on the sofa.

Ying Yuan went into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and checked the ingredients.

She was almost out of ginger, and the spiciest chili paste, the one that gave the best flavor, was completely gone.

Turning around, she changed her clothes and went out to buy the missing items.

It’s so hot today. The streets are so quiet.

As she walked through the heatwave, Ying Yuan thought about carefully wrapping a few steamed buns for Yi Shanshan. It feels so good.

She busied herself, feeling fulfilled. The emptiness in her heart was filled again, and she once more felt the meaning of life.

By sunset, the first batch of steamed buns was ready.

Ying Yuan spread them out to cool, picked out the most perfectly shaped ones, and packed them into a food bag once they had cooled completely.

Two more hours passed, the sky turned completely dark, and the temperature dropped. Ying Yuan texted Yi Shanshan: The buns are ready.

She took a quick shower, put on freshly laundered clothes, and waited for Yi Shanshan.

Yi Shanshan arrived quickly. Just half an hour later, Ying Yuan’s phone rang.

“Ying Yuan, about that parking spot this morning…” Yi Shanshan said, “It’s too conspicuous.”

“Mm-hmm,” Ying Yuan murmured softly.

“I’ll turn into the alley south of here,” Yi Shanshan said. “I’ll leave my headlights on so you can find me easily.”

Ying Yuan swallowed, her throat sliding. “Okay.”

“I’ve parked. Hurry over!”

The gentle urgency in her voice carried a silent promise.

Ying Yuan rose, grabbing the food she’d prepared earlier. “Mm-hmm.”

She hurried downstairs, her pace quickening with each step.

By the time she reached the residential compound’s gate, she was almost running. But at the alley entrance, she suddenly stopped.

She took a deep breath, savoring the clean, faintly lemony scent in her mouth—fresh and pure.

Rounding the corner, she saw Yi Shanshan’s headlights, shining brightly as promised.

This area was a recently demolished site awaiting redevelopment. Construction blocked the road, leaving it deserted.

How did Yi Shanshan find this place so precisely? Ying Yuan wondered. She’s created the perfect setting for our quick exchange—a place ripe with possibility.

Ying Yuan walked forward, enveloped by the warm evening air.

The headlights flickered briefly, as if waving hello.

Yi Shanshan didn’t get out of the car. Only the headlights illuminated Ying Yuan’s path.

Bathed in the brilliant glow, Ying Yuan couldn’t see into the darkness ahead. Yet she knew that within that darkness, a pair of beautiful eyes was watching her, fixed intently on her.

Ying Yuan lowered her eyes, feeling as if she had forgotten how to walk, how to breathe.

She struggled to maintain her pace, neither too fast, which would seem hurried, nor too slow, which would seem lazy.

Finally, she reached the car. Before she could discern anything inside, the headlights suddenly went out.

The car door opened. In the darkness before Ying Yuan’s eyes could adjust, an arm reached out and pulled her inside.

The back seat.

Plenty of room.

Ying Yuan tumbled in, landing in a fragrant embrace, the familiar scent crashing over her senses.

“I’ve missed you so much, Ying Yuan,” Yi Shanshan murmured, her breath ghosting across Ying Yuan’s lips, their noses nearly touching.

As Ying Yuan’s eyes adjusted to the dim light, she could barely make out Yi Shanshan’s silhouette.

Yi Shanshan had changed her appearance, her long hair styled into large, flowing curls. She wore a tight black dress that bared her shoulders and legs, her pale, luminous skin glowing softly.

Her makeup was dramatic, her lashes curled even more boldly, her eyes deepened with shadow. Ying Yuan’s gaze dropped to those kissable lips, painted a rarely worn, intense red.

“Do you like it, Ying Yuan?” Yi Shanshan smiled, her body pressing closer, her eyes holding a languid, devil-may-care glint. “They say you guys are into older women, right? Dominant types? I can be that too.”