When the two of them left Solo, the rain had stopped for a while, and the sun had come out. The remaining puddles on the ground, deep and shallow, intertwined with the golden-orange sunlight filtering through the gaps in the plane tree leaves, creating a kaleidoscope of colors.
Wen Wanbing followed behind Fu Junxue, stepping on these mottled patches of light and shadow, feeling as though she were treading a path leading to some illusory realm.
At the end of this path stood Fu Junxue’s vividly red Wrangler. The parking lot of Solo was never short of luxury cars, and since Fu Junxue had parked in a more secluded spot this time, almost no one had noticed her vehicle.
It was indeed a perfect place for discussing confidential matters.
Once inside the car, Fu Junxue turned on the air conditioning first, then took out Wen Wanbing’s test paper and a folder from her bag.
She casually tossed her bag onto the back seat and glanced at the bag Wen Wanbing had placed beneath her legs. “Want to put your bag in the back?”
“No need.” Wen Wanbing thought signing the contract wouldn’t take too long. Once it was done, she’d get out of the car, and fetching her bag from the back seat would just be a hassle.
However, when Fu Junxue handed her a six-page document and she flipped through it only to find multiple-choice questions, Wen Wanbing was stunned. “Are you sure this isn’t an exam paper?”
“Don’t doubt it~ This is the contract, just in duplicate,” Fu Junxue said, opening the storage compartment and pulling out a pen. “If there’s anything you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask me~ Take your time, read carefully, and choose thoughtfully.”
Her words were drawn out, spoken lightly yet with an unmistakable emphasis, before she finally handed over the pen.
“…”
Wen Wanbing couldn’t be bothered to respond to her teasing and took the pen.
The pen still carried the warmth from Fu Junxue’s palm. As she gripped it, that lingering heat seeped into her own hand.
The multiple-choice questions in the contract weren’t actually that many, resembling the kind of quizzes one might find online questions about preferred date locations, activities they’d like to do with a partner, and other preference-based inquiries.
But some of the acceptable intimate behaviors listed were enough to make one blush furiously.
Wen Wanbing bit her lip hard, barely suppressing the urge to snap the folder shut, and forced herself to keep reading.
Fu Junxue finished grading the test paper and tilted her head slightly to glance at Wen Wanbing, immediately amused.
She watched as Wen Wanbing’s cool, porcelain-like skin flushed crimson, the redness spreading from her delicate earlobes to her cheeks and down her neck impossible to miss.
Wen Wanbing had an aloof appearance and a calm, restrained personality. Even when Fu Junxue occasionally teased her, she usually just looked exasperated.
Like an ice-cold refrigerator, devoid of warmth inside and out.
Who would’ve thought that when she was particularly embarrassed, she’d look like she was about to steam?
The greater the contrast, the more delightful and novel the moment felt, and the more captivating it became.
Was it really that bad? Just reading about holding hands and hugging could make her blush like this. Fu Junxue, thoroughly entertained, couldn’t resist teasing her. “Just looking at words makes you blush this hard?”
The two of them were clearly on completely different wavelengths.
Wen Wanbing released her bitten lower lip, pressed her lips together, and answered earnestly and meticulously, “Words leave room for imagination. The impact can be stronger than actual physical contact.”
“Oh~” Fu Junxue suppressed a laugh, drawing out the syllable as she feigned sudden understanding. “So, what exactly did you imagine?”
Wen Wanbing froze, her shoulders slumping slightly, and said nothing.
“Hmm~” The amusement in Fu Junxue’s voice spilled over. “Then why did you blush when you hugged me in class today?”
Wen Wanbing’s shoulders immediately tensed up as she straightened her posture, earnestly defending herself: “It’s because I was distracted in class and mistook you for a swimming ring. I felt a little ashamed.”
The unexpected answer made Fu Junxue burst into laughter, repeating with meaningful emphasis, “Ashamed~”
Wen Wanbing’s face flushed even redder. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay composed, then turned her head and retorted, “Don’t you ever blush or feel embarrassed?”
The question made Fu Junxue momentarily dazed, stirring up long-buried memories.
The smile on Fu Junxue’s lips faded slightly. Her gaze fell on the agreement in Wen Wanbing’s hands, but her eyes were unfocused, lost in thought.
Wen Wanbing didn’t press further. As she waited for an answer, the heat in her cheeks gradually subsided. The paper that had made her face burn now felt cold and sharp in her grip.
“Every girl gets shy sometimes,” Fu Junxue said, slipping back into her signature lazy, carefree smile.
The golden hues of the setting sun streamed through the car window, enveloping Fu Junxue in a warm glow. The light painted a soft, enchanting makeup on her delicate features, while the mole on the tip of her nose added a touch of playfulness.
Wen Wanbing shifted her attention back to the contract, where a multiple-choice question caught her eye Top or bottom?
Clutching the pen, she hesitated for several seconds before asking, “What’s the difference between choosing top or bottom?”
“If you choose top, you’d be the one taking care of the other person,” Fu Junxue said, her long lashes lifting slowly like a close-up in slow motion, her eyes shimmering with shifting light. “If you choose bottom, you’d be the one being taken care of.”
“Since we’re both women, shouldn’t we take care of each other?” Wen Wanbing moved to check the “top” option.
Fu Junxue blinked in surprise, then leaned closer to scrutinize her choice.
Her fragrance lingered in the air, wrapping around Wen Wanbing, testing her willpower.
Instinctively, Wen Wanbing tightened her grip on the agreement. The pen tip hovered over the paper, unmoving, leaving no mark.
“You want to be the top?” Fu Junxue’s tone was laced with unmistakable disbelief.
Wen Wanbing turned her head, meeting Fu Junxue’s deep gaze, and suddenly felt an inexplicable surge of competitiveness.
“Is there a problem with me wanting to be the top?” she countered, her words sharp but her tone flat, revealing little emotion.
Fu Junxue’s lips curled slightly, her eyes growing even gentler. “Do you even know how? Miss Never-Been-in-a-Relationship.”
Here we go again.
“Taking care of someone isn’t that hard,” Wen Wanbing said dismissively.
It had become second nature to her.
Noticing the amused glint in Fu Junxue’s eyes, Wen Wanbing considered that romantic care might be different and added, “Even if I don’t know, I can learn.”
“Learn?” Fu Junxue murmured softly, and Wen Wanbing could almost feel her fingertips twitch.
“Learning requires a model, doesn’t it?” Fu Junxue smiled. “Who would you learn from?”
“You,” Wen Wanbing said. “Aren’t you experienced?”
Fu Junxue narrowed her eyes, teasing, “Learn from me just to take care of someone else?”
Wen Wanbing stayed silent, thinking that indulging once was enough.
Fu Junxue reached out with her other hand and pressed it over the pen.
Wen Wanbing lifted her gaze, allowing Fu Junxue to envelop her hand under the guise of adjusting her grip on the pen, guiding her to make a shaky checkmark next to the “aggressive” option.
Their hands pressed tightly together, creating a subtle yet peculiar sense of fusion.
The fragrance seemed to grow heavier, clawing at every taut nerve in Wen Wanbing’s body.
“I’m not exactly a responsible teacher, so you’ll have to put in more effort yourself, Student Wen.” Fu Junxue tilted her head, her lips brushing against the strands of hair covering Wen Wanbing’s ear, like a slow-motion shot stretching out the ambiguous tension. “The techniques you learn from me might only work on me.”
Wen Wanbing curled her fingers slightly, feeling the lingering warmth on her hand ferment in the scent, it was unbearably hot.
The last multiple-choice question was about the duration of the relationship. There were only two options: three months, or an extension after three months depending on circumstances, no time limit.
Wen Wanbing chose three months.
Fu Junxue clicked her tongue. “Why not the second one?”
Wen Wanbing stared at the second option, hesitating briefly before reason swiftly reined her in. “No need. Long-term commitments are time-consuming, energy-draining, and expensive.”
Fu Junxue chuckled but said nothing, simply signing the contract.
Once the signatures were done, Wen Wanbing prepared to leave.
Fu Junxue said, “Let me walk you out.”
Wen Wanbing reflexively declined.
Fu Junxue laughed. “Aren’t we technically together now? No need to be so distant, girlfriend.”
Wen Wanbing had no choice but to sit back down, still unaccustomed to the sudden shift in their relationship.
“By the way, where’s Little Star’s hair clip? Let me see how to fix it.” Fu Junxue smoothly shifted to a more comfortable topic, pulling a velvet pouch from her bag and opening it. “Take a look which one do you think Star would like?”
Inside were loose gemstones stored in transparent boxes.
Wen Wanbing suddenly remembered she had left the clip in a drawer the night before. “I forgot to bring it.”
Fu Junxue parted her lips, about to say she could bring it next time, but before she could speak, Wen Wanbing’s phone rang, cutting her off.
It was a call from He Xiuying.
“Shui’er, when are you coming back?” He Xiuying said. “Don’t forget about helping Uncle Zhang with the public movie screening. Come back early.”
“Today?” Wen Wanbing was surprised.
“I told you this afternoon and you already forgot!” He Xiuying chided.
Wen Wanbing frowned slightly and replied, “I remember now. I’ll head back soon.”
“Pick up two more braised dishes on your way,” He Xiuying added. “Hailing’s here. The things he bought earlier arrived, and since he was worried we’d have trouble returning them, he came to pick them up. I invited him to stay for dinner.”
Wen Wanbing felt a headache coming on. “You invited him to dinner?”
“Well, we were already planning to invite Old Zhang over. The more, the merrier. We’ll all go watch the public movie together afterward.”
Wen Wanbing massaged her temples and exhaled. “Got it. I’ll stop by soon.”
“Alright.” He Xiuying reminded her, “Don’t forget the food.”
Though the call wasn’t on speaker, the proximity made it audible. Seeing Wen Wanbing hang up, Fu Junxue’s eyes flickered before she continued, “I promised my friend I’d return the unused stones tomorrow morning. How could you forget to bring it?”
Wen Wanbing lowered her gaze. “Are you free tonight?”
“I am,” Fu Junxue replied. “Why?”
“Do you want to come over for dinner?” The suggestion was abrupt, and Wen Wanbing added stiffly, “I did say I’d treat you to a meal before.”
“Ah, meeting the parents right after confirming our relationship?”
“No!” Wen Wenbing looked up.
But Fu Junxue just smiled, opening the navigation app as she said, “Tell me your home address.”
Maybe it was just her imagination, but Wen Wenbing couldn’t shake the feeling that the curve of Fu Junxue’s lips resembled that of a cunning fox.