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Lu Yunshu had kept her feelings for Jin Hanshuang hidden in her heart for many years.
Because Jin Hanshuang was married to Shen Minghai, she had always restrained herself from pursuing her affections. Until last year, when her feelings were stirred up again, eager to resurface.
Jin Hanshuang was single again.
Jin Hanshuang also liked women.
So why couldn’t it be her?
Why couldn’t the woman standing next to Jin Hanshuang be her?
But she didn’t know how to pursue someone or win Jin Hanshuang’s affection, and she was afraid that being too straightforward would backfire.
So when Jin Hanshuang asked her if she was having relationship problems, she saw it: a perfect opportunity.
Since she didn’t know how to pursue the person she liked, why didn’t she ask her directly—even if she had to deceive her?
…Now, would Jin Hanshuang agree?
She took Jin Hanshuang’s wrist, staring at her intently.
Jin Hanshuang looked very beautiful today. Her long, seaweed-like hair fluttered gently in the breeze, revealing a rose earring on her right ear. The rose was large and striking, bright and flamboyant on her ear, drawing Li Yunshu’s gaze like a moth to the flame.
At this moment, a heavy silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft rustling of the wind as it brushed past.
Jin Hanshuang stood in the same place, neither speaking nor moving, digesting the situation.
She never thought she would see the day when her stepdaughter’s mortal enemy asked her for help with love. And she didn’t understand why it was her.
“Me?” As the question left her mouth, Jin Hanshuang couldn’t help but find the whole situation inexplicably amusing, the corners of her lips curving into a slight smile. “Why would you think of coming to me? Romance is a very private matter, and we’re not very close…”
Lu Yunshu said, “Because I don’t know who else to turn to.”
Jin Hanshuang’s smile froze.
What a pitiful tone.
Even looking into Lu Yunshu’s eyes made her feel pity.
“You’re the only person I know who also likes women,” Lu Yunshu explained. “So you’re the only person I could think of….and the only one who I can turn to for help.”
She tightened her grip on Jin Hanshuang’s hand.
“Jiejie, please help me. Don’t turn me away, okay?” Lu Yunshu forced out the lie, each word strained in an attempt to sound natural.
In reality, she knew more people than just herself or Jin Hanshuang who liked women…but she put everything on the line for the sake of getting close to Jin Hanshuang.
The true fear of being rejected by Jin Hanshuang made her tone sincere and pitiful, like a puppy wagging its tail, desperate for mercy from its owner.
Don’t reject me…please…
“…”
Jin Hanshuang didn’t answer right away.
She couldn’t help but glance at Lu Yunshu a few more times, her thoughts drifting back to the first time they met.
Back then, Lu Yunshu and Shen Wenxin were in their third year[1] of high school. They were very academically competitive, attending the same prestigious high school in the city. By chance, they were also in the same class.
Both their fathers had bought houses near their school, hoping to provide a quiet environment close to their daughters’ studies[2]. Coincidentally, the Lu and Shen families bought property in the same neighborhood, a fact that they only discovered after moving in.
And so for three years, they lived as neighbors who focused on their education, while household staff took care of their laundry and meals.
Jin Hanshuang moved into their neighborhood during the second year of her marriage to Shen Minghai. It was then that she met Lu Yunshu.
At the time, Lu Yunshu was still a student. She had grown up elegant and beautiful, but she was only a naive teenager. She wore ordinary glasses on her nose, and she had a reserved and modest demeanor.
She quietly went to class every day with her hair tied in a ponytail, carrying a small school bag, looking like the poster child of a model student[3].
And she was.
Shen Wenxin had once mentioned that Lu Yunshu was named the school’s model student twice, which was once more than her, and she was unwilling to accept it.
After that day, Jin Hanshuang had always thought of Lu Yunshu as a “good girl.”
Since then, the “good girl” Lu Yunshu had grown up and become the head of the Lu family. She was mature and composed, no longer wearing plain modest glasses.
And just like Jin Hanshuang, she began to like women[4].
Now, she was even seeking romantic advice.
It was really an unexpected turn of events.
Jin Hanshuang’s thoughts drifted back to reality.
She opened her mouth and said, “Have you thought it through?” I’m your mortal enemy’s stepmother, after all.”
Lu Yunshu’s response was gentle. “You are my mortal enemy’s stepmother, not my mortal enemy herself.”
Jin Hanshuang asked, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Wenxin?”
Lu Yunshu remained calm. “This isn’t something that’s necessary to tell her, is it?”
Jin Hanshuang smiled. Her smile left Li Yunshu even more unsure.
Was it a sign of acceptance, or would she still reject her?
Afraid of the latter, Lu Yunshu couldn’t help but nervously tighten her hold on Jin Hanshuang’s hand. “So, are you willing to help me?”
Jin Hanshuang gazed down at Lu Yunshu, who resembled a small puppy…and agreed.
“Okay, jiejie will help you.”
This child was so pitiful, she couldn’t help it.
Her generosity turned into stars in Lu Yunshu’s eyes.
Jin Hanshuang watched as Lu Yunshu’s lips curved into a smile, her joy spreading like the sun melting the first snow of spring. Her expression blossomed like blooming flowers, dazzlingly beautiful. Then, she hugged Jin Hanshuang.
“Thank you.” Li Yunshu’s voice fell into Jin Hanshuang’s ears, as soft as the whisper of a breeze. “You’re very kind.”
The sudden hug made Jin Hanshuang freeze for a moment, her eyes blinking uncontrollably. It was very uncomfortable.
She knew that a boundary had been crossed.
But seeing how happy this child was…
Oh, whatever.
Jin Hanshuang raised her eyebrows. Then, with an awkward but good-natured gesture, she slowly patted Lu Yunshu’s back. “It’s such a small matter. There’s no need to be so polite.”
Lu Yunshu must still have a good image of her in her heart.
Jin Hanshuang initiated the conversation: “So, tell me about the person you like.”
They walked closely together in the parking lot.
Lu Yunshu seemed a little lost.
“Where do you want me to start?”
“Age.”
She shot Jin Hanshuang a secret glance.
“Older than me.”
“When did you meet?”
“A long time ago, when I was still in school.”
“Oh? A classmate?”
Lu Yunshu smiled, neither confirming nor denying it.
“Well, if you’ve known each other for so long, have you ever tried confessing before?”
“No, for certain reasons.”
Seeing that Lu Yunshu was not going to provide honest answers, Jin Hanshuang decided not to press further. She switched to a new topic: “What does this person do now?”
Lu Yunshu thought of Jin Hanshuang’s current identity: a leisurely wealthy wife.
There was no way she could mention that. Even if she wasn’t exposed, it would be disastrous if Jin Hanshuang misunderstood her as a potential third party.
She couldn’t help but remember how the wind had lifted Jin Hanshuang’s long hair, revealing her bright and striking earring.
Lu Yunshu said, “She’s…involved in the fashion industry.”
It was true that Jin Hanshuang was quite fashionable.
In terms of style, she had never experienced defeat.
Unaware of the implications, Jin Hanshuang said, “Oh, I see~”
She smiled slightly and moved on to the next question. “What do you like about her?”
“I like…” Lu Yunshu turned to look at Jin Hanshuang. “Her gentleness.”
When their eyes met, it was the person who had responded with such sincerity that was unexpectedly gentle.
She looked at Jin Hanshuang with warmth.
She loved her gentleness, and she couldn’t help but act gently towards her.
Jin Hanshuang stared at Lu Yunshu.
Two seconds later, her expression softened.
“You really like her, don’t you?” she said. “Just talking about her makes you open up.”
She didn’t connect the dots at all.
Lu Yunshu was stunned, then laughed.
She nodded. “Yes, I really like her.”
Standing in the parking lot, their eyes met in a steady gaze. Then, without warning, Jin Hanshuang’s tone shifted. “You should be careful with your jokes in the future.”
Lu Yunshu: “?”
Jin Hanshuang took on the demeanor of an elder and looked at the child in front of her who she was not very familiar with but who was very polite.
Taking on the air of an elder, Jin Hanshuang looked at the child in front of her, someone who she wasn’t very familiar with but who she thought was very polite.
“At that party the other night, you joked about pursuing me. How can you talk such nonsense when you already have someone you like?”
She continued, “You kiddo, I didn’t realize you had such an unruly side. This is not appropriate, and you shouldn’t do it again in the future.”
Jin Hanshuang thought Lu Yunshu was well-behaved and serious, only to find out she could joke around like this.
She thought Lu Yunshu liked men, only to find out she was lesbian. The child even daringly came out of the closet straight to her face.
She really knew too little about Lu Yunshu. Now, even learning a little more unexpected things about Lu Yunshu wouldn’t surprise her anymore.
Lu Yunshu listened in silence.
She was speechless.
She could only obediently admit her mistake.
“Okay. I won’t make such jokes to others in the future.”
“Good girl~”
Jin Hanshuang took out her car keys.
“Okay, I’m leaving,” she said. “If you need anything, contact me on WeChat.
“Bye-bye.”
Watching her walk away without a hint of reluctance, Lu Yunshu smiled wryly.
When it came to Lu Yunshu’s feelings, Jin Hanshuang genuinely never considered the possibility that they might be for her.
The translator (AmEricaNo) has something to say:
I had some time on my hands, so here’s a bonus chapter to celebrate the start of the translation!
The author (热到昏厥) has something to say:
Thank you to everyone and special thanks to Ah Hua for the deepwater torpedo[5]. Muah!
I sent out red envelopes[6] for the previous chapter, but I made a mistake and accidentally sent them out twice (oops, sorry about that!). I will resend them later, and this time I’ll include red envelopes for the second chapter as well, available until midnight tonight~
I wish you all happy reading~
[1] In China, middle school is four years while high school is three years, so Lu Yunshu and Shen Wenxin were in their last year of public schooling.
[2] An extremely common thing for wealthy and middle-class Chinese parents to do, which can start as early as elementary school. As a result, the housing prices for any property near what people consider good or ‘prestigious’ schools are famously jacked up.
[3] The original Chinese descriptor uses “三好学生” (sān hào xuéshēng) or “three good traits student.” It’s a saying that refers to a student who excels in not only academic performance, but also moral character and physical health.
[4] The original Chinese description goes “弯了” (wānle) or “become bent,” a Chinese slang for people turning gay.
[5] The highest unit of “nutrient solution” on jjwxc. These donations help authors climb the rankings on special reader lists.
[6] Authors can also give out red envelopes to fans as thanks for their support.
