Chapter 10: Suspicious 

Before she could finish speaking, Jun Youyue tilted her head again.

Then put her finger in front of her lips, signaling Lu Xici to be quiet.

The woman's fingers were long and slender, like uncut jade, but the joints were slightly reddened due to the cold.

Such an alternation of colors is like a painting, which makes her hands more attractive.

And her lips are also red.

Even though she had been outdoors in the cold of winter for a long time, her lip color was not much paler than usual.

The contrast between red and white highlights the two colors better, like two delicate roses.

One is as pure as snow, and the other is as enchanting as fire. The two embrace each other, innocence tinged with desire.

The plump center of her lips was pressed flat by her index finger, revealing its softness, making Lu Xici unconsciously swallow.

Looking upwards, her nails were well-shaped, small and round, meticulously trimmed, smooth as if a gardener had just tended to tree stumps.

For lesbians, such nails seem to imply something.

Lu Xici squinted her eyes, thinking of the scratch she saw yesterday, she felt strange again.

After all, there is no more evidence, and the marks on the woman's neck have faded today.

The truth is, in places she can't see, such as Jun Youyue's back and chest, there are many more marks she created.

Interrupted by Jun Youyue, Lu Xici couldn't ask any more questions.

She squatted quietly on the spot, staring at the sprout with Jun Youyue in a daze.

Jun Youyue had been focused, but was interrupted by Lu Xici's mention of "last night."

At this moment, she began to replay the clips of the two of them enjoying each other last night repeatedly in her mind, and her heart could not calm down.

Unsure of how long she had been squatting, Jun Youyue finally ended her reminiscing, blinked her eyes that had grown sore from staring in the same direction for so long.

She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that she didn't squat to the ants nearby.

But it's impossible for Lu Xici to stay here with her for too long.

She stood up, slowed down for two seconds, and naturally reached out her hand to Lu Xici.

Lu Xici saw the tall figure of a woman, under the gray sky, with the light behind her back, reaching out to her.

It's like the past, like a dream.

Lu Xici hesitated for a moment, questioning what she was seeing, but eventually put her hand on it nervously after blinking three times.

The woman's palm was hot.

It looks so warm and attractive in the wind and snow.

She really wants to intertwine fingers with her.

After steadying herself, she ended her dazed state and let go of Jun Youyue.

Jun Youyue's empty hand grasped at the air, and she gave Lu Xici a resentful look.

* * *

Lu Tingyi saw the two children come back one after the other.

The distance between the two is at least half a meter.

Just as she was about to give her daughter a mocking look, she noticed the scarf around Jun Youyue's neck.

She stared at Lu Xici suspiciously. Improvement?

Lu Xici avoided her gaze.

That means no.

Lu Tingyi shrugged and invited the young ones to the table.

In the afternoon, the family watched Lu Xici's newly released "Bridesmaid" in their home theater.

As a New Year's film, "Bridesmaid" was full of humor, with almost continuous laughter that even made Lu Tingyi's stomach ache. 

Even Jun Youyue had a subtle smile on her lips.

Lu Xici watched along with them.

She had already seen the film when it was in post-production and had discussed a few scenes with the director.

Besides, as the lead actress, Lu Xici had the plot memorized, so how can she find it still funny?

However, her mother's reaction was so exaggerated that Lu Xici followed suit, pulling at the corners of her mouth, mirroring Jun Youyue next to her.

The first day of the New Year was spent in a peaceful atmosphere.

The next day, Jun Youyue left very early. When Lu Xici woke up according to her holiday schedule, Jun Youyue had already left the Lu residence.

Lu Xici opened her eyes and saw the familiar ceiling, familiar lamp, and familiar desk.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to get up, she couldn't move her hands.

Something seemed to be pulled during the movement, and there was a creaking sound.

When she lowered her head, she saw unfamiliar bindings, wrapped around her hands and feet, firmly fixing her to the bed.

She had forgotten that she had tied herself to the bed.

One hand was not bound. Lu Xici carefully untied the rope on the other hand, sat up, and then untied the rope on her feet.

For some reason, the red ribbons looked somewhat familiar, especially when they were wrapped around her hands.

Lu Xici tried to recall but couldn't remember anything.

If she let her thoughts wander, they would drift to the suspicious mark on Jun Youyue's neck and her extremely neat nails.

She decided not to dwell on it.

During the Chinese New Year, most families visited relatives, and the younger ones often disliked this part, unless they could receive red envelopes.

Luckily, Lu Tingyi had already severed all their family ties, leaving Lu Xici stuck at home, chatting with friends online.

Her dear mother sat next to her, mirroring her posture.

Lu Xici turned to look at her mother, and Lu Tingyi did the same to her daughter.

"Do you have anything to say?" 

"Um... aren't you supposed to be working?"

After all, wasn't she the hardworking Chairwoman who never took a day off in the capital city?

"Aren't you happy that your mother has two days off?" Lu Tingyi pinched Lu Xici and resigned.

With Jun Youyue's difficult temperament, Lu Xici had always held her in high esteem, looking up to her, admiring her, and sometimes going overboard to avoid doing anything that might displease her.

As soon as she faced Jun Youyue, her usual tact was gone.

Was she going to be so awkward that she'd end up digging a hole in the floor when they were left alone together at home?

For example, two years ago, Lu Tingyi received an urgent message for help from her daughter and rushed back home to spend the New Year with them.

Lu Tingyi definitely didn't want to come home one day and discover that the floor had been damaged, only to find out from the housekeeper that her own dear daughter had caused this embarrassing mishap.

She kindly stays at home with her possibly embarrassing daughter. This little white-eyed wolf*, dare to urge her to go to work?

*ungrateful person 

Lu Xici coughed, remembering the feats she had done before.

Lu Xici didn't dare to speak anymore.

Then she watched as Lu Tingyi took out the earphones and held remote meetings at home.

In front of her was a Spring Festival Gala broadcast on a certain TV channel.

People on the screen were singing and dancing enthusiastically, and those around her were too busy to exchange a single word with her.

Lu Xici felt like she had turned into an idler, as she stared at the familiar face on the screen and typed six ellipses in her friend's chat box.

Her friend's name was Song Liufeng, a college roommate from Lu Xici's university days, who was currently an internet floret starring in TV dramas.

TV dramas naturally had an advantage in terms of popularity, and Song Liufeng was highly renowned, no less than Lu Xici.

Song Liufeng's agency company did not forget to exploit her during the Chinese New Year.

They had called her to the fruit stage during the New Year's Eve for the satellite TV Spring Gala, and today, she had yet another rehearsal for some evening event.

At the moment, it was makeup time, and Song Liufeng held her phone. She happened to see the message Lu Xici had sent.

She opened it without even reading the message, skillfully accessed her clipboard, and pasted a passage of text.

Song Liufeng: [You still like her and don't want to divorce, and she hasn't met a suitable one, so there's no need to divorce.]

As one of the few insiders who knew the truth about Lu Xici's marriage, Song Liufeng had developed a skillful way to handle Lu Xici's usual torment.

Lu Xici's mouth twitched. Look at the impression she had left on her friend.

Lu Xici: [...No, I'm not here to complain about that today ]

Song Liufeng: [Then what is it? Love, save my mom, no date?]

Lu Xici couldn't help but smack her forehead when she saw the message.

Was this person really that busy? Would she rather make fun of herself than listen to her rambling?

Fortunately, Song Liufeng's next news will come soon.

[Stop making trouble, I'm putting on makeup right now, so speak slowly]

Lu Xici: [I have been so idle these two days, my mother is busy next to me, I feel so guilty]

Song Liufeng: [This beauty* has turned on friend verification, you are not her friend yet.]

*Term used is Biyue Huixue, an abridged line from the poem 'Luo Shen Fu' - It seems like the moon is covered by light clouds, and the fluttering snow is like the flowing wind' used to describe a beautiful woman. Liufeng means fair/flowing wind which is mentioned in the poem.

Lu Xici lay on the sofa laughing silently, her body trembling slightly, causing Lu Tingyi to roll her eyes.

Lu Xici: [I mean, there is a fourth female lead in my new movie that has not yet been decided. The role is not insignificant, and it suits you well. Do you want to give it a try?]

Song Liufeng's eyes lit up in the dressing room.

She has always wanted to transition from being an internet celebrity, and her own abilities are not lacking. However, she has been struggling due to a lack of opportunities, and the company is unwilling to promote her in the movie industry.

Different trades are like different worlds. The movie industry and the TV drama industry may seem related as they both belong to the entertainment circle, but there is a significant gap between them, along with a hierarchy of disdain.

Movies usually have higher requirements for acting skills, and are more likely to be labeled as capable.

For Song Liufeng, who was currently considering a transition, the opportunity to try acting in a movie, even if it was just a female lead no. 4 was something she didn't want to turn down.

Song Liufeng: [When does filming start? I need to ask my agent.]

Lu Xici gave her some time and sent her the crew information.

Anyway, her family is the largest investor, so it's easy to squeeze in a supporting role.

What's more, this supporting role is her friend, and she knows the strength of the other party.

Song Liufeng: [Thank you so much, my good sister, how would I live without you?]

Lu Xici: [Just lending a hand. If I don't cast you, someone else will push for the person they want, and they might end up ruining my movie. Don't thank me; I'm experiencing "thank you" PTSD these days.]

Song Liufeng: [?]

Then she seemed to understand something, and opened the clipboard again.

Song Liufeng: [You still like her and don't want to divorce, and she hasn't met a suitable one, so there's no need to divorce.]

She didn't even change a single word.

She didn't even change a single punctuation mark!

Lu Xici's veins are all bulging.

She recklessly sent Song Liufeng a description of the things she felt strange in the past two days, and started the message bombardment.

After a series of bombings, Lu Xici asked Song Liufeng what she thinks.

Song Liufeng: [You said she had signs of being ambiguous with someone? Her nails are neatly trimmed too?]

Song Liufeng, also a member of the Ji family*, looked down at her newly done nails and shed tears typical of a mudanhua*.

*lesbian

**lit. single flower, single since birth

Song Liufeng: [I need some comfort from my big sister (fierce girl shedding tears)]

Lu Xici: [Movie role...]

Song Liufeng chuckled, causing the makeup artist to shake and overdo the blush.

"Sorry," Song Liufeng quickly controlled her expression, put on her best effort, and began analyzing seriously the possibility of Jun Youyue 'cheating' with the help of Lu Xici.

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