That “Bad” Woman Next Door – Chapter 30

It Definitely Tastes Different With Your Saliva On It.

Yuan Yue didn’t follow celebrities or care for gossip, so the only reason Jie Ran came to mind was because she had just talked about her with Yu Xi not long ago. That, combined with the fact that Yu Xi had said she and Jie Ran were good friends, led Yuan Yue to guess correctly.

What frustrated Yuan Yue was, why was Jie Ran at the gym without Yu Xi telling her? She wasn’t even replying to her WeChat¹ messages. What in the world was going on?

Her mind a jumble, Yuan Yue couldn’t help but ask the person next to her, “What is Jie Ran doing here?”

The big guy just assumed she was curious and said with a smile, “She’s at a gym, so of course she’s here to exercise. What else would she be doing?”

Exercise?!

Why not just say working out?!

The word choice unsettled Yuan Yue. She hurriedly fumbled for her phone, then paused. She looked at the big guy standing beside her and said, “Excuse me, I need to make a call.”

“Then I’ll leave you to your waiting.” The man took the hint and left.

As soon as he was gone, Yuan Yue’s expression changed. She used a shortcut to find Yu Xi’s number and dialed.

Du… du… du…

Listening to the dial tone, Yuan Yue grew agitated. Fortunately, Yu Xi didn’t keep her waiting long. The moment the call connected, Yuan Yue demanded, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

Yu Xi’s voice sounded normal, light and cheerful. “Working.”

“It’s so late,” Yuan Yue said, dissatisfied. “What kind of work are you still doing?”

Yu Xi caught the unusual tone in her voice and quickly explained, “I’m sorry, it’s been a little busy today, so I couldn’t call you.”

Hearing that, Yuan Yue felt like she was the one being unreasonable. She took a breath to calm herself. “Have you eaten?”

“I’ve been so busy, where would I find the time to eat?” Yu Xi said with a sigh.

Yuan Yue’s heart instantly softened. “You know I worry when you don’t eat on time, right?” she said, annoyed at herself.

But Yu Xi sounded happy. “I know now. Thank you for caring, honey.”

Yuan Yue had so many questions and had been ready to throw a bit of a tantrum, but Yu Xi had completely deflated her with just a few words. She mumbled, “I brought you some food. Finish up your work quickly and come out to eat.”

Yu Xi sensed something. “Where are you right now?”

“At the gym,” Yuan Yue answered without thinking. But as soon as she said it, she felt something was off and shot back, “Didn’t you see the WeChat message I sent you?”

Yu Xi paused, momentarily ashamed. “Sorry, I’ve been busy and haven’t had time to look. What did you send?” Before Yuan Yue could answer, she rushed on, “Why didn’t you come find me if you’re at the gym? Are you at the entrance? Wait for me, I’ll come find you.”

Yu Xi fired off a series of questions, and Yuan Yue didn’t know which to answer first. Feeling like a deflated balloon, she said listlessly, “Forget it, you should get back to work. I’ll leave the food here for you. I’m going now.”

“Where are you going?” Yu Xi stopped her. “Don’t hang up. I’m coming to find you right now.”

When Yu Xi got assertive, Yuan Yue was powerless. She could only say obediently, “Okay, then hurry.”

“I see you.”

Just as she spoke, Yuan Yue saw Yu Xi jogging toward her in workout clothes. She put her phone down and stood up.

Yu Xi ran right up to her, slightly out of breath, and said eagerly, “I’m sorry, have you been waiting long?”

“Not really, I just got here.”

Yu Xi took the opportunity to check her WeChat and finally saw the last voice message Yuan Yue had sent. She played it, and Yuan Yue’s sweet, soft voice floated out: “Honey, I’m rushing over to bring you a loving meal. You have to wait for me, okay?~”

Yu Xi was using the earpiece mode, but Yuan Yue could still hear her own slightly affected voice. Her face flushed, and she lowered her voice uncomfortably, “Turn it off.”

Yu Xi put her phone away, a smile playing on her lips. “You told me to wait for you, so why were you trying to run off?”

“You’re a very busy person. I can’t afford to wait,” Yuan Yue said peevishly.

Yu Xi gave her a meaningful look, then suddenly leaned in and wrapped her in a hug, planting a quick kiss on her cheek. “Thank you, honey. I’m really touched, truly.”

Even though they were already intimate, the sudden gesture still startled Yuan Yue. A beat later, she hugged Yu Xi back, rubbing her head against her shoulder. “What if someone sees?” she asked shyly.

“Sees what?” Yu Xi pretended not to understand, hugging her tighter. Her tone was relaxed. “Let them see. Is there a rule against people hugging?”

Yuan Yue was speechless. She reluctantly pushed her away.

They looked at each other for a few seconds, sparks about to fly again before Yu Xi changed the subject. “What delicious food did you bring me?”

Yuan Yue finally remembered her mission. She sat down and opened the takeout container she had placed to the side. “My sister-in-law made this. It’s still warm. Sit down and eat.”

Yu Xi did as she was told, watching with anticipation as Yuan Yue opened the box. The aroma of the food instantly wafted out. “It looks delicious,” she remarked. “And you know, I really am a little hungry.”

“Hurry up and eat,” Yuan Yue urged, handing her the container.

No matter how hungry she was, Yu Xi still ate with an elegant grace. Yuan Yue watched, captivated, and couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, “I guess big stars don’t need to eat?”

Slightly surprised, Yu Xi looked up at her. “You know?”

“Know what?” Yuan Yue countered.

Yu Xi couldn’t read her expression. She composed herself and decided to come clean. “Jie Ran is here. I was with her just now, along with her assistant, of course.”

Yuan Yue had already guessed, so she wasn’t surprised at all. She, without moving in sound or color², watched the person opposite her and, looking from side to side to speak of other things³, asked, “Is it good?”

“It’s delicious,” Yu Xi said, taking a cooperative bite. “You have some, too.”

Yuan Yue hesitated, looking at the spoon Yu Xi held out to her. “I already ate.”

“Eating at home and eating here are two different things. Come on, open up.”

Taken in by her coaxing, Yuan Yue dazedly opened her mouth and chewed the bite of food thoughtfully.

“See? It tastes different, doesn’t it?”

Yuan Yue swallowed and, deciding to tease her, said with a mischievous smile, “Mhm. It definitely tastes different with your saliva on it.”

But her little trick was no match for Yu Xi, who simply raised an eyebrow and retorted playfully, “You seem to be enjoying it. Have another bite.”

Yu Xi didn’t give her a chance to refuse, scooping another spoonful and holding it to her lips.

What could Yuan Yue do but obediently open her mouth?

After being fed several more bites, Yuan Yue refused any more. “I brought this for you,” she said with a frown. “How did I end up being the one eating it? You should finish it.”

Having had her fun, Yu Xi didn’t press her anymore and began to focus on her meal.

Yuan Yue watched her, entranced. Just as she was getting lost in the sight, a thought occurred to her. “If you’re eating here, what about Jie Ran and the others?”

“If she’s hungry, she’ll leave,” Yu Xi said nonchalantly, still eating. “She has her assistant with her; I don’t need to worry about her.”

Since the topic was up, Yuan Yue seized the chance to gossip. “What’s she here to see you for?”

Yu Xi spared her a glance. “To work out. What else?”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” Yuan Yue finally voiced the question that had been bothering her.

Yu Xi paused and mulled it over. “I was afraid that once you saw her, you’d fall for someone new.”

So she was jealous. Yuan Yue was ecstatic inside but kept a straight face. “Am I the kind of person who sees something new and changes their mind?⁴“

Yu Xi looked at her for a moment, then slowly shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“WHAT DID YOU SAY?!” The answer was unexpected. Yuan Yue yelled, “YOU DON’T TRUST ME?!”

“With anyone else, I’m confident you wouldn’t leave me,” Yu Xi said, feigning composure. “But if it’s Jie Ran… I’m really not sure.”

A chill went down Yuan Yue’s spine. She hadn’t expected Yu Xi to doubt her. Her good mood vanished, and her face went cold.

Seeing her silence, Yu Xi grew flustered. She quickly put down the food container and explained, “Don’t misunderstand. I don’t doubt you. I just think Jie Ran’s charisma is too powerful. Most people can’t resist her.”

Yu Xi’s words did nothing to soothe her. Yuan Yue tried to calm herself and said icily, “Most people can’t resist her. What about you? Are you ‘most people’?”

Yu Xi looked like she wanted to say something but stopped. She lowered her eyes and fell silent.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Yuan Yue grabbed her hand, feeling uneasy.

Yu Xi looked into her eyes. After a long moment of thought, she said slowly, “There was a time… when Jie Ran and I were together.”

Yuan Yue was stunned, unable to believe what she was hearing. Yu Xi said she had been with Jie Ran, but hadn’t she told her they were just good friends?

In disbelief, Yuan Yue let go of her hand, suddenly unable to meet Yu Xi’s gaze.

“Yuan Yue.” Yu Xi suddenly used her full name, swiftly grabbing her hand back to keep her from pulling away.

Yuan Yue gave a bitter smile. “I thought…”

“DON’T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS!” Yu Xi cut her off loudly, turning her face to look at her. “This is why I didn’t tell you. I was afraid you’d overthink things,” she said with a serious expression. “My relationship with Jie Ran isn’t what you think.”

“I’m not overthinking,” Yuan Yue said, staring at her blankly. “I just don’t understand. Didn’t we agree to have no secrets? Why would you hide something this important from me?”

“I’m sorry,” Yu Xi said painfully. She took both of Yuan Yue’s hands to soothe her. “You have to listen to me. Nothing ever happened between Jie Ran and me. We’re really just friends. In college, there was this girl who was obsessed with Jie Ran. To get her to back off, Jie Ran asked me to pretend to be her girlfriend, and I agreed…”

So Yu Xi had been a “shield”⁵ for someone else before. Even though she now understood the reason, Yuan Yue still felt a knot of discomfort in her heart. She tried to pull her hands away. “If you weren’t really together, then why couldn’t you tell me?” she said awkwardly. “I’m not the type to get jealous over nothing. Don’t you trust me even that much?”

“I’m sorry, I was wrong,” Yu Xi apologized profusely. She took a deep breath and continued, “I won’t hide it from you. I did have a crush on Jie Ran back in college. But I gave up after I realized she didn’t feel the same way about me.”

“You’re saying you had a secret crush on her?!” Yuan Yue exclaimed.

“Mhm.” Yu Xi squeezed her hand, meeting her gaze steadily. “That was years ago. I only see her as a friend now, and she never knew I liked her.”

“But I know now.” A light voice suddenly drifted in, interrupting their conversation.

Yu Xi whipped her head around and saw a glamorous woman, also in workout clothes, standing behind her. “Eavesdropping isn’t a very moral thing to do,” she said with a frown.

Yuan Yue followed her gaze and saw the woman behind Yu Xi. Her eyes widened in an instant. “You-you’re Jie Ran!”

Yuan Yue was thrilled to see her idol. She tried to stand up, but her hand was still held firmly by Yu Xi. She shot Yu Xi a look, pleading with her to let go, but Yu Xi’s frown only deepened. “Your actual girlfriend is right in front of you,” she reminded her. “Are you planning to defect already?”

It was the first time Yuan Yue had seen Jie Ran in person, and she was mesmerized by her radiance, too excited to know what to say.

Seeing Yuan Yue’s star-struck expression, Yu Xi thought, This is bad. I think our relationship is in serious trouble.

Yu Xi turned back to the unwelcome person behind her and said resentfully, “Why are you staring at my girlfriend?”

Jie Ran shrugged, deliberately provoking her. “Just looking. Can’t help it when your girlfriend is so pretty.” She waved at Yuan Yue with a warm smile. “Hi, Xiao Yueyue, it’s nice to finally meet you. Honestly, you’re much prettier than your pictures.”

Jie Ran knew her name?!

Yuan Yue was shocked. Flushed from the compliment from her idol, her brain completely shut down. She stood with her mouth slightly open, speechless.

Yu Xi turned and saw Yuan Yue’s reaction. Her feelings grew complicated; it seemed her worries were not unfounded.

Losing her composure, Yu Xi forcefully pulled Yuan Yue against her, accurately covered her mouth with her own, and kissed her passionately.

Before Yuan Yue could even close her eyes or process what was happening, Yu Xi suddenly let her go.

Staring at Yuan Yue’s lips, now red and swollen from the kiss, Yu Xi spoke through gritted teeth to the woman enjoying the show behind her. “Does the big star want to stick around and watch the rest of this feature for free?”

“Tch.” Jie Ran scoffed. She had only come out to use the restroom and had accidentally stumbled upon them. She wasn’t bored enough to stay and be a third wheel. “You two take your time,” she said to Yu Xi’s back. “My assistant and I are going to get dinner.”

Yu Xi’s expression was grim. When she felt Jie Ran was far enough away, she pulled Yuan Yue in again and lowered her head for another kiss.

Yuan Yue was being held so tightly she could barely breathe. She managed to squeeze out a few words. “The food is getting squished!”

Yu Xi paused for a second before throwing out a single, cold word: “Whatever.”

She was too angry to eat anyway.

With that, she resumed kissing her, giving her no chance to breathe.

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The author has something to say:

This chapter is super cringey, so cringey I can’t even bear to read it a third time. I feel like Yu Xi has been possessed by an overbearing CEO⁶ ←_←

Is this considered “sugar”?⁷

Half-bitter, half-sweet, I guess……

Although Jie Ran is just buying soy sauce⁸, the plot wouldn’t work without her.

More sugar to come tomorrow~

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