Pleasure

She would have won her over long ago.

That necklace was her favorite. It was also the coming-of-age gift her grandfather had given her when she turned eighteen. She had worn it only once, at her birthday party, and kept it in her jewelry box ever since.

Jewelry was nothing new to her, but she treasured that necklace because it was from her grandfather. If Xing Yue had really sold it, she would never like her again.

Xing Yue looked down at the woman sprawled against her chest. Tears kept spilling down that little face as Bu Yao stared at her without blinking. She had cried so hard that her face had gone red.

Xing Yue sighed and wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. "I didn't."

If she hadn't known the story behind the necklace, she might well have sold it secondhand. But she knew the whole story, so she had kept it.

Xing Yue wasn't heartless. She set down the jar, freed both hands, and rubbed Bu Yao's round cheeks to help her catch her breath. At this rate, she might suffocate herself crying.

Bu Yao really could cry.

Why hadn't she cried like this before? Xing Yue found it strange, then remembered Bu Yao telling her on the mountain that she'd stopped taking her medication for the past few days, which had made her emotions unstable.

"What medication are you taking?" Xing Yue asked.

Bu Yao was still caught up in her sorrow. Xing Yue hadn't sold the necklace she'd given her, but the night had still been awful. Her head was a muddle, and she didn't catch what Xing Yue said.

She shifted around until she found a comfortable spot in Xing Yue's lap. Her nose was red, her eyes were swollen, and she sniffled now and then. Anyone who didn't know better would think the broken things had belonged to her. They'd never guess she was a little demon with a talent for destruction.

Xing Yue touched her arm. It felt cool, below a Fire Snake's usual body temperature. "Go get dressed. There are clothes in the wardrobe. Pick something and put it on."

Bu Yao shook her head and turned to look at her. "Are you really going to get back together with He Zhiwen? You'd better not. I'm afraid you'll embarrass yourself."

"..."

Bu Yao went on in all seriousness. "People go after homewreckers pretty fiercely these days. They'll hang banners outside your office, strip you in the street, film you, and put it online. Could you handle that?"

"I couldn't," Xing Yue said.

"Exactly!" Bu Yao frowned. Sitting on Xing Yue's lap, she was a little taller than her, bringing their eyes level. "So why are you still chasing her? She's married. You missed your chance, and that's that. We snakes ought to know shame and decency and respect other people's relationships. If her marriage were unhappy, I could at least dress up what you're doing and call you a hero rescuing her from misery. But she isn't unhappy. She went hiking with her wife today."

After what had happened halfway up the mountain, Bu Yao had someone look into it. She had never dared check whether Xing Yue was single or married before. She'd been afraid the answer would be too much to bear, upsetting her so badly that all her progress in treatment would be lost.

Only today had she looked into He Zhiwen. After leaving Xing Yue, He Zhiwen had spent two years being pursued by a young woman from her hometown before finally accepting her. They had registered their marriage at the start of this year.

The young woman was still at university, so they hadn't held a wedding yet. They would have one after she graduated in the summer.

Afraid Xing Yue still wouldn't give up, Bu Yao spilled everything she'd found. "They've booked the banquet and sent out the invitations. They've even laid eggs and put them in an incubator. Next spring, a whole nest of colorful baby snakes will hatch."

"Don't exaggerate... What kind of snakes are colorful?" Xing Yue said.

And Bu Yao had the nerve to lecture her about decency and respecting relationships? Madam Bu was the most shameless one of all. Xing Yue pushed Bu Yao away and gathered up the things on the bed.

She didn't truly intend to get back together with He Zhiwen. She just felt that their breakup hadn't been He Zhiwen's choice, and if He Zhiwen wanted to return, she had no reason to refuse her.

Now that she knew He Zhiwen was doing well, every time she appeared in her life would only be an intrusion.

"Colorful just means pretty," Bu Yao explained. "I meant her baby snakes would be pretty."

An explanation wasn't enough. She leaned in and rubbed her face against Xing Yue's, looking for all the world as if she were saying, See how generous and gentle and kind I am? Hurry up and praise me.

Xing Yue pushed her away again. "How was I supposed to know that was a compliment? Stop grinning at me. What your mother did isn't over. Who's going to make up for the seven years I lost with my girlfriend? You? No, thanks. I'd like to live a few more years."

She put the keepsakes away, arranged them in the bedside cabinet, then looked from Bu Yao to the cabinet. Finally, she fetched a key and locked it for the first time since buying the house.

Bu Yao's teeth itched as she watched. If she were a hamster, she would have gnawed through the entire cabinet the moment Xing Yue locked it.

Xing Yue pulled a long-sleeved white shirt from the wardrobe and tossed it onto Bu Yao. "If you're not going to sleep, put this on. If you are, get down there and cover yourself with your blanket."

She was apparently determined to make Bu Yao sleep on the floor tonight. She had already laid out bedding and a pillow.

Whether Bu Yao had really fallen out with Madam Bu was still in doubt. More likely, Bu Yao was angry with her mother on her own and didn't want to go home.

If Madam Bu really had stopped interfering in Xing Yue's private life, that was good. But it also meant Madam Bu wouldn't help with her tail, unless Bu Yao went back to negotiate.

Xing Yue couldn't do that. Accepting the favor would mean truly trading He Zhiwen's departure for it. She would never be able to hold her head up in front of the Bu Family again. As things stood, Madam Bu owed her, and she could still confront the Bu Family and call them out for what they'd done.

So what was she supposed to do about her tail? Just wait for it to become permanently damaged?

Xing Yue was growing frustrated. Then she remembered the hypnotherapist she had met at the hospital last time...

Just then, Bu Yao tossed the shirt onto the floor. "No."

She neither dressed nor got off the bed. Instead, she curled up on the covers and stole glances at Xing Yue.

Xing Yue wasn't about to indulge her. She grabbed Bu Yao's ankle and dragged her over. "Don't tell me no. If you don't want me to throw you out, do as I say."

Bu Yao had been domineering for years, convinced she was a princess wherever she went. Xing Yue would have to act like the owner of this house and cure her of that bad habit.

"All right." Bu Yao abruptly changed tack, looking aggrieved but willing to compromise. She sat up, leaned over the bed toward Xing Yue, and let her red hair sway across her chest. "I want..."

She tilted her face up to Xing Yue. Under the light, her delicate skin looked dazzlingly pale. A mischievous red strand had fallen between her breasts. She hooked Xing Yue's index finger. "Xing Yue, I want you."

Her voice was so sweet it could melt a person's bones.

The sight was overwhelming. Xing Yue's gaze seemed fixed in place as she looked down at Bu Yao's alluring pose. The finger caught in Bu Yao's hand rocked slowly back and forth, as though a feather were brushing her heart.

Xing Yue's eyes darkened. She caught Bu Yao by the wrist and pulled her into her arms.

"Xing Yue..." Bu Yao wrapped an arm tightly around Xing Yue's shoulders, suddenly nervous.

But several seconds passed, and Xing Yue did nothing more. She only looked at her from up close.

At this distance, Xing Yue could clearly see the strand of hair caught between Bu Yao's breasts. The curves filled her vision.

Her breath caught. With one finger, she lifted the strand free and tucked it behind Bu Yao's ear. Her touch was gentle and restrained, perfectly concealing the beast roaring inside her.

Xing Yue let her go and bent to pick up the shirt. After a whole evening of standoffs, she was the one looking after Bu Yao again. All her stern words had come to nothing.

She took Bu Yao's hand and guided it into a sleeve.

Even without a word, her expression was tender. The air between them felt charged.

Bu Yao blushed as she watched. When Xing Yue started buttoning the shirt, she suddenly pressed a hand over hers. Embarrassed, she whispered, "The bra I'm wearing today... fastens in the front. This style gives pretty good support."

Xing Yue nodded. "Your figure looks good without a supportive bra, too, princess."

Bu Yao didn't know whether to blush or get angry. "That's not what I meant..."

She knew perfectly well what her figure looked like. That wasn't the point.

Holding back a laugh, Xing Yue asked with deliberate confusion, "Oh? Then what did you mean?"

Bu Yao sulked and shoved her hand away. The tips of her ears were as red as cooked shrimp. "I only told you two things. How do you still not know?"

The bra gave good support, and it fastened in front. If she didn't mean the first, she could only mean the second.

Realization dawned on Xing Yue. She lifted Bu Yao from the bed and laid her on the bedding on the floor. "Oh, I know what you mean now. Undoing it from the front, like unwrapping a present. Very romantic. I'll tell you when I feel like opening it."

Bu Yao had put so much thought into pleasing her that Xing Yue could hardly resist. The princess had a dreadful temper, but at times she was unbearably cute. Xing Yue couldn't bring herself to be harsh with her.

If Bu Yao were always this cute, Xing Yue would have fallen for her long ago.

Being together meant accepting every side of each other. No one stayed cute all the time. Having a temper was normal, as was having an unpleasant side. Xing Yue only wanted a more equal relationship. If she spent every day giving without getting anything back and being pressured, her feelings would eventually wear away.

The moment Xing Yue set her down, Bu Yao clung to her and refused to let go.

Bu Yao had been as forward as she could be, yet Xing Yue still refused her. Stung, she settled for less. "Could you kiss me?"

Xing Yue kissed her cheek several times and patted her head. "Go to sleep."

When the lights went out, the whole little two-story house sank into darkness. For some reason, they hadn't even left a night-light on. It was pitch-black.

Bu Yao tossed and turned under the covers. She couldn't get comfortable without making some kind of fuss. Frustrated and unable to sleep, she thought it over and decided to blame someone else.

"Xing Yue, are you really tired? We only hiked for a little while, and you've rested for ages since we got back. Have you still not recovered? Is it because you're getting older and can't keep up anymore?"

Yes. It definitely wasn't that I wasn't attractive enough.