Chapter 55: Apology

Hearing—Qi Yu’s tight brow finally loosened—looked at her—deep breath out soft sigh.
Chest still stuffy—but less than a month dating—if not fix now—pile up later—dared not imagine.
Forced calm—tone eased. “Okay… say it—sorry—I was emotional too.”
“Know… just worried about me—I should apologize…” Jiang Ya gentle eyes met Qi Yu—arms around shoulders again—pillow in arms—eyes like water. “Sorry—I didn’t know you’d come find me.”
“Today… went parents’ home—but some things… didn’t want you to know—lied on my own.”
Soft voice at ear—Qi Yu’s turmoil eased—even without explain—guessed family. Hand light on embrace—sighed. “What? Why not tell me?”
“…If I say—promise you won’t be angry?” Face moved to ear—whisper.
Silent—then. “Can’t promise—but I’m not unreasonable.”
Felt Jiang Ya hold tighter—bodies flush—Qi Yu looked aside—knew—not ordinary.
Pat back soothing—soft. “Tell me?”
“Not… blind date talk again?” Teased—little smile.
Jiang Ya stiff at that—hand on thin spine—eyes down—blink—soft. “Not talk.”
Eyes cold—brow knit. “What mean?”
Deep breath—slow. “Listen—two days ago mother messaged—father’s old student back from abroad—close with father—parents invite him home meal—want me back too.”
Qi Yu could not sit— “Wind-down dinner? Looks like matchmaking you two?”
“Of course I know.” Jiang Ya helpless too.
Since Zhou Lin probed—surface quiet—but hints—peers married—blessing others—Jiang Ya knew—warning in words.
“You know—I can’t refuse—don’t know how… miss this—they’ll schedule next.”
“So…”
Not finished—Qi Yu cut in. “So didn’t tell me—afraid I won’t let you go?”
Jiang Ya paused—surprised blunt—silent—then. “If I told—would you let me?”
Frank. “Of course hope not—I’m your girlfriend—why want you near another man?”
“Hope is hope… if you really asked—I wouldn’t make it hard.”
“Guessed.” Light voice.
Surprised. “Guessed? Why lie then?”
Slow explain. “Because… didn’t want you unwilling unhappy—but pretend okay for me.”
“Didn’t want you overthink. Just together—didn’t want this fight—afraid… didn’t tell—thought solve… maybe wrong—shouldn’t lie.”
“Went—but no contact with him… relax… if I say no fit—family won’t force…”
“Sorry… don’t be mad.”
Heavy sigh—body slack—full in Qi Yu’s arms—warm safe.
Qi Yu no reply.
Explanation sincere—halfway sulk gone—after—heart calm—no more doubt.
Accepted. But—if true—why not refuse direct? One sentence don’t want—why lie circle.
No reason refuse—or dare not refuse?
Held her—eyes down—clean tile shine—light in eyes—swallowed—dark.
Still silent embrace—half beat no words—thought still upset—heart hung again.
Loosened gap—looked up—Qi Yu slightly blank—eyes water—tentative. “Still angry?”
Eyes like autumn pool—pitiful.
Wanted explain—urgent look—swallowed words.
Brow eased—tiny raise—teasing flash—deliberately knit brow again—silent ambiguous answer.
As expected—Jiang Ya saw change—eyes wetter—brow knit—lost worry.
Right—she lied first—complaint normal—Qi Yu has right to feel.
But what—good with words—now stuck—no coax line.
Under silent stare—brow tighter—soft flower crushed—she wronged first—looks like one needing comfort.
Qi Yu lowered eyes—that meek look—heart tremble—wanted wall press kiss until breathless.
Bit lip—almost laugh—Jiang Ya hugged again—chin up—eyes closed—kissed lips.
This time—opened lips—learned Qi Yu’s way—trembling hold—suck—green urgent—hard—even tongue shy at teeth.
Qi Yu shocked.
Kissed often lately—but shallow—neither deep.
Sometimes deep feeling—Qi Yu could not control—but feared Jiang Ya breath—swallowed desire.
Unexpected—Jiang Ya crossed first.
Body nerves joy—dopamine—soft—heart heavy—melted inside.
No more chaos—arm tight back—hand on head—brief part—while unprepared—tongue in—tease shyness—pull her tongue dance.
Lips tongue cling.
Jiang Ya never deep kiss—dizzy—light—legs weak—pushed to door—let invade lips.
Fierce to soft. Qi Yu did not say—searched kissing tips online lately—for this moment—not wasted—Jiang Ya’s reaction proof.
Eyes tight closed—dared not see—hot cheeks exposed all.
So hot.
Kiss hot—face hot—body hot—heart hot.
What do.
Almost suffocate…
Breath messy—short puffs—no fresh air—dizzy like oxygen gone.
Before fall—Qi Yu let go—part—silver thread suspicious.
……
Slow open eyes—lust not gone—swallowed satisfied—stared swollen red lips—water light—tempting.
Jiang Ya not like her—gasping until heart steady—licked lip—stopped—shy glance—buried face shoulder—muffled. “Still… angry?”
Eyes flicker—smile teasing. “If still angry—what will you do?”
“I… I…” smaller—breath. “Don’t know.”
Buried again—held tight—won’t look up.
Could not help laugh—this atonement kiss—heavy air gone—heat still in room.
Held back—chin on shoulder—sighed. “Was angry at first—don’t understand why lie—any reason.”
“Know you didn’t want me sad—but think—rather sad from this—I’d rather you not lie.”
“Those outside things—you’re girlfriend—your lie hurts most—know?”
“Any relation—friend family love—trust most important—no trust—how far? Trust bridge over trouble—trouble not worst—losing ability solve together.”
“So… later—good bad—tell me first—no lie cover—okay?”
Heartfelt—Jiang Ya lifted half face—light solemn—“Mm.”
Wanted more—Qi Yu again. “Lie again… punishment not so simple…”
Light laugh at ear—chest tight—
Back tie finger tugged once.