Chapter 62: Lingering Intimacy

Waiting for Qi Yu—rehearsed countless times—still voice shook speaking.
Natural between lovers—would happen—why nervous—comfort self—more shy. Days ago a light probing touch—body trembled—deeper—how shameful…
Shy—with trace expectation—could not shake—until now said—heart pounded harder.
Qi Yu only surprised eyes—stunned—no immediate answer.
Already shy—no words—buried neck—muffled. “Why not talk?”
“If you want rest tonight—forget it…”
“Don’t want to.” Crisp—arms tighter—still hidden.
Warm in arms—wave excitement—blood surged from her words.
Arm waist—tight—face her ear—smile whisper. “Say again—what you just said?”
Impossible—shame—“No.”
“Didn’t hear—pretend I didn’t say.”
“Heard—clear.” Light laugh—“You said—not only heart but also…”
Back light punch—playful.
Stopped—smile corner long.
Hand down—through clothes gap—skin up—hook clasp.
“Thanks Teacher Jiang—best birthday gift—cherish…” Finger moved—undone. Kiss ear—whisper—“Hope you like my return gift…”
Buried shoulder—could not speak—back action—soft in arms—wish bury self.
Unlike usual—tonight extra gentle—kiss light—forehead eyes lips—perfect fit.
Used to kisses—soft mattress—still nervous—grip clothes—only safety—dead hold.
Not only her nervous.
Imagined before—real battle—new recruit—calm face—storm inside—only neck cling.
Focused—Jiang Ya could not hold laugh.
Blank look up—eyes watery soft.
“Sorry…” hand cover smile—inappropriate—more hold more laugh.
“Laugh at what?” Doubt self.
“No… sorry—itchy—can’t help.” Pity eyes—truth.
Still blank Jiang Ya—more laugh—saw her tension green—heart calmed.
“You… are you…” hard to continue.
Understood—deflated head in chest—“Never dated—you’re first…”
“Still mock me.”
“Didn’t.”
Chest still shaking faintly.
Ashamed—glare—her biting lip—infected—laughed together—mood gone.
Calmed lying—glanced—phone time—near midnight—rest? Remembered Tang’s videos.
Told Tang upright—won’t open. Tang said wait face slap.
Half day—compromised.
Jiang Ya confused—screen—low sounds—shocked—red.
Turned away—pulled “study” together—half bed stare phone—silent—art film focus—red faces betray.
Ten minutes—phone aside—still playing.
Lamp off—dark—bold—hand in hair—face—finally soft cover—honest soothe unease.
Room sounds merged video.
Kiss throat—song from throat—high low—moving listener.
First battle—weapon trembling—encouraged—step into field—straight for gate.
Rain sudden—dry earth moist—footprints—rain heavier—pouring—soaked—mud—cannot stop.
Gate shook under assault—souls trembled intertwined.
Countless attacks—gate fell—scene shook her.
Rain seemed fiercer.
Tears physiological—entered gate—heart—deepest—touch soul.
Saw sensitivity—weakness—layers—hot true heart.
Beating for her.
Long—video stopped—rain stopped—tears still fell.
Ear lazy tired—“Why cry?”
Hand on face—shake head smile—“Just feel…”
“Jiang Ya—so long wandering—we finally belong.”
Touched—heart jump—surprise or flutter—cupped face—dim light—wiped tear.
Deepest question. “Qi Yu—if again—still choose me?”
“Yes.” No pause.
“No if in world—this life—we were meant meet.”
“So… whatever ending—I accept.”
Because loving you—I gladly bear.
Kiss corner lips—lingering touch.
Music still playing.
Night still long.
Next morning Jiang Ya woken nine.
Usually awake—now could not open in Qi Yu arms.
Shifted—face chest—“So sleepy… what time?”
Qi Yu just up—alarm set—pet hair—“Nine—ten tutoring—up.”
“Ah… forgot.” Forehead.
Turned—hazy eyes meet—both shy smile.
Hide—blame Qi Yu.
After first round exhausted—Qi Yu would not stop—unknown when sleep—now sleepy—body not hers—waist sore weak.
“Blame what?” Smile—want turn face—buried deeper—“Service not satisfy? Still blame me?”
“Last night you didn’t say that—two-faced Teacher Jiang.”
“Shut up!”
Shame angry—hands over Qi Yu mouth.
Caught—kiss on lips—tight hug.
Ten minutes—push—“Up—wash—busy later.”
“Use and go—dump me so fast.” Tease.
“What words…” shy—cannot argue—quiet in arms.
Who leaves lover’s arms—linger more.
Wish… linger forever…
……
Two weeks—final exams—Jiang Ya busier.
Zhou Lin often apartment—no notice—weekend weekday.
Different excuses each time—Jiang Ya saw through—let come—busy both—no cohabit lately.
Tonight Zhou Lin evening visit.
Just off work—computer—doorbell.
Qi Yu said coding home—must be Zhou Lin.
Opened—Zhou Lin—plastic bag.
“Mom so late—why?”
Living room look—bag on table—“Wedding banquet leftovers—lobster abalone—good stuff—brought you.”
“Put fridge—eat tomorrow.” Water—bag to fridge.
Zhou Lin looked around—back—“Past ten—computer—work tomorrow—no rest?”
Pause—hair behind ear—“Just work.”
Eye contact—mute—always want avoid Zhou Lin now.
“Almost done—Mom—I’ll wash—you head back early?”
“Oh you go—I sit a bit—then leave.”
Look—stopped—bedroom—shut computer—clothes bathroom.
Water sound—Zhou Lin to bedroom.
Nothing odd—few clothes—all Jiang Ya style—no problem.
Sigh—overthought—Jiang Ya never lied twenty years…
Leaving—phone on nightstand—vibrate several times.
Frozen—stared phone—propriety vs curiosity.
Chose latter.
Mother—gave birth—kin—just look—what privacy from parents.
Picked up—locked—but notification clear—stiff—pupils shrink.
Name never heard.
Qi Yu: Baby, what are you doing?