30

How could this be considered a punishment? For Guan Qingtong, this was the scene she had dreamed about countless times recently!

What does it feel like when a dream comes true?

The joy came so quickly that Guan Qingtong was overwhelmed, lost in her happiness and unable to give Su Yirao the response she was waiting for.

"What's the matter? You don't seem too willing," Su Yirao teased, narrowing her eyes slightly, the smile fading a bit as if she were displeased.

"Sister, you're putting words in my mouth again!" Guan Qingtong snapped out of her daze, quickly responding, "I didn't say a single word about not being willing."

Su Yirao hummed softly in acknowledgment, then gestured at Guan Qingtong's arm.

Seeing this, Guan Qingtong raised her arm, which seemed to satisfy Su Yirao. With a smile, Su Yirao leaned her head against Guan Qingtong's shoulder and asked, "Why did your body tense up as soon as I leaned on you?"

When someone you like suddenly leans in, it's hard not to feel nervous and stiffen up.

Guan Qingtong licked her dry lips, trying to calm her nerves, and said, "Give me a moment, I'll get used to it."

"We've already practiced this so many times. You're still not used to it?" Su Yirao asked.

"Everything takes time."

"Our process is already quite long. Remember when we practiced dancing?"

Dancing close to her under the guise of practice was entirely different from this almost intimate scenario.

Though they weren't exactly sharing a bed, to Guan Qingtong, the two situations felt worlds apart.

"Yeah, it's been a while," Guan Qingtong said, trying to ease her nervousness. "But that's not a problem."

"Now that I'm leaning on you, you see? My body isn't stiff, right?"

As she spoke, Guan Qingtong boldly raised her arm, wrapping it around Su Yirao, who was leaning on her shoulder.

After doing what she had been dreaming of, Guan Qingtong's heart pounded uncontrollably, and she could barely hide her delight.

Su Yirao, now nestled in Guan Qingtong's warm embrace, shifted slightly, a bit uncomfortable, and glanced at her.

"You're trying to hide your nervousness with your actions, aren't you?" Su Yirao observed.

"Who's nervous? I'm just hugging you. Why would I be nervous?"

"Stubborn as a mule," Su Yirao said with a knowing smile. "Your hand is trembling."

"Maybe I'm just excited?" Guan Qingtong retorted without thinking.

She wasn't lying—it was excitement that made her hand tremble slightly. But she hadn't expected Su Yirao to notice so quickly.

"Oh? Excited?"

"You're getting excited over just hugging me. Isn't that a bit much?"

Su Yirao's voice carried a playful tone, her gaze filled with amusement as she looked at Guan Qingtong.

"The first time hugging my girlfriend, and I didn't react at all. Wouldn't that suggest you're not attractive at all, sister?" Guan Qingtong replied.

"Flattering me now, are we?"

Su Yirao clicked her tongue but didn't move away from Guan Qingtong's embrace. Instead, she picked up the remote and began half-heartedly browsing for another movie.

"I'm not just flattering you, I'm saying it directly. You're the most charming woman I've ever met," Guan Qingtong said, feeling more relaxed.

"You just haven't met enough people," Su Yirao replied, denying it with her words but her face lit up with a bright smile.

For Su Yirao, who had once played the role of a villain, being praised like this by the protagonist felt incredibly satisfying.

If there were a scale for Su Yirao's happiness, it would be maxed out at this moment.

"Qingtong."

"Yes?"

"I'm really pleased with you tonight."

Guan Qingtong blinked, then jokingly asked, "Does that mean I was ugly before?"

As the protagonist, she was naturally attractive. But Su Yirao's compliment tonight wasn't just about her looks.

"You weren't ugly," Su Yirao replied with a smile.

But Guan Qingtong silently noted the moment that had made Su Yirao so happy.

It turns out that even someone like Su Yirao isn't immune to flattery.

The movie continued playing on the projector.

Su Yirao, in a great mood and full of energy, found it hard to focus on the film.

"Qingtong," she called softly, "is this movie any good?"

They were watching Zootopia, a film Su Yirao hadn't seen before. But her inability to fully immerse herself made her doubt the positive reviews she'd heard.

"It's okay," Guan Qingtong replied.

Outwardly, she seemed engrossed in the movie, but her mind was entirely on the woman leaning against her.

She realized that human desires are endless.

At first, just holding Su Yirao had been enough. But now, with Su Yirao in her arms, she wanted to hold her tighter, perhaps even have Su Yirao hold her back.

She could even imagine that after achieving this goal, she'd start yearning for even more intimate moments.

It seemed she was truly obsessed.

Unlike Guan Qingtong, who was lost in thought, Su Yirao gave up trying to chat after hearing her lukewarm response to the movie.

With her mood being what it was, she couldn't fully immerse herself in the movie, but she didn't want to ruin Guan Qingtong's experience either.

So, she simply allowed her mind to wander.

As time passed, Su Yirao began to feel drowsy.

She shifted slightly, finding a comfortable position in Guan Qingtong's arms, and closed her eyes.

When the movie ended, Guan Qingtong's wandering thoughts also came to an end.

"Sister? Are you asleep?" she whispered, turning off the projector with the remote.

Su Yirao's breathing was steady, and a faint smile played on her lips, indicating that she was sleeping soundly.

Seeing this, Guan Qingtong didn't have the heart to wake her, nor did she want to leave the warmth of holding her.

She gently adjusted the pillow's height, slowly lowering herself and Su Yirao, then carefully covered them both with a blanket.

With everything settled, she gazed down at the woman sleeping peacefully in her arms, a silent smile spreading across her face.

Sharing a bed!

She had only just managed to hug her, and now they were already sharing a bed!

However, a small part of her hesitated.

She could only hope that when morning came, Su Yirao wouldn't be upset with her for spending the night in her room.

Half excited, half anxious, Guan Qingtong's thoughts finally calmed in the early hours, and she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Su Yirao opened the window, welcoming the morning light.

As the golden rays filled the room, Guan Qingtong's biological clock woke her, and she slowly opened her eyes, rubbing away the sleepiness.

"Good morning."

The sound of a voice startled Guan Qingtong awake, the last traces of sleep vanishing instantly.

For Su Yirao to greet her so warmly, she must not have been upset about last night's unplanned sleepover.

In a good mood, Guan Qingtong responded, "Good morning."

She raised her arm, intending to stretch as usual.

But after letting Su Yirao lie on it all night, her arm was surprisingly sore.

Su Yirao, noticing the slight discomfort in her right arm, commented, "Human pillows are really nice. Sorry about last night."

"It's nothing," Guan Qingtong replied. "I was more than happy to do it."

In her eagerness, she let slip what was truly on her mind.

"Oh?" Su Yirao raised an eyebrow. "More than happy? Sounds like you enjoyed it."

"Sister, you're my girlfriend. Of course, I'm happy to help you."

"It seems last night's punishment worked. You're finally acknowledging your role today."

"Hahaha, yes," Guan Qingtong agreed. "Sister, don't you have to go to work today?"

Su Yirao wasn't dressed in her usual work attire. Instead, she wore a casual outfit and had even tied her hair into a ponytail, which was rare, suggesting she had other plans.

"No. After wrapping up the deal, I earned some rest time. I asked for a few days off."

Guan Qingtong nodded. "Where are you planning to go?"

From what she knew of Su Yirao, she likely wouldn't stay idle. She probably had plans to go out and enjoy her time off.

"I'm going next door."

"Next door?" Guan Qingtong asked, confused.

"The housekeeper has already cleaned the apartment next door. You're coming with me to see what needs to be added. Once everything's ready, you can bring your mother over in the next few days."

Su Yirao's words filled Guan Qingtong with emotion.

Home…

So, in Su Yirao's eyes, she really had become part of her home.

"Sister, I owe you even more now."

Between the money for her mother's treatment and the rent, Su Yirao hadn't mentioned it, but Guan Qingtong had kept a mental tally. By now, it seemed impossible to repay both the money and the kindness she owed Su Yirao.

"For me, it's just a small effort. Don't worry about owing me."

"But it's something that'll take me years to repay."

"Come here."

"Hmm?" Guan Qingtong asked, puzzled, but obediently moved closer.

Su Yirao gently pinched her lips, playfully pretending to be stern. "Don't mention repaying me again. Or I'll have to take a page from ancient times and make you marry me, and you'll be stuck by my side, serving me forever."

Guan Qingtong: This year has been full of good things!!! I'm going to keep mentioning repayment, so I can marry her!!!