CH 39

The sea breeze was warm and humid, blowing Lu Zhiqiao's trembling voice into Qi Yan's ears. Qi Yan paused for a moment, and then felt ecstatic, and the corners of her straight mouth gradually curved up. The fact that she can ask such a question means that she is thinking about the relationship between them. Since she is thinking and doubting, it means that there is a throbbing sprout in her heart, even if it is very weak.

Qi Yan didn't dare to show joy, she just put her arms around her and kissed her hair lightly: "I like everything about you, I like all of you."

She thought about this question many times. Lying alone on the bed at home in the dead of night, a few steps away from the door is the person she misses. She thinks over and over again, thinking of all the things that attracts her, such as tear mole, scents, or buttons. But none of these can represent Lu Zhiqiao.

She will like Lu Zhiqiao even if there's no tear mole. If she uses another perfume, she still likes Lu Zhiqiao. Even if the top button has been undone, she will still like Lu Zhiqiao.

From the moment she wanted to explore and understand, from the moment she began to restrain her desires, in her eyes, Lu Zhiqiao was not a single element that could only be admired or decorated, but a living and complex person.

So, it's not that she likes her everything, she only likes everything because it's Lu Zhiqiao.

Lu Zhiqiao's heart trembled slightly, as if a turbulent electric current was rushing through, it was numb and itchy. There are many people who have expressed their love to her since she was a child, but none of them can touch her. The same thing has been said and it seemed fake and dry, but it made her heart flutter when it came out of Qi Yan's mouth.

It must be that this person is experienced and knows how to make people happy, she can not be trusted.

"You need to see an ophthalmologist." Lu Zhiqiao said coldly, with a straight face.

--pfft

Qi Yan sneered, and was not in a hurry to explain, and followed her words: "Then I may still need to see a cardiologist."

"?"

"Everytime I see you, my heart beats wildly. I don't know what's wrong."

"..."

Qi Yan is used to flirting with her mouth, Lu Zhiqiao was a little confused at first, but blushed when she realized it. She had no relationship experience since she was a child, she had mostly unrequited love, and she was looked down upon by others, no matter how many good things were said, she would not be impressed, but today when Qi Yan said this, she seemed to have returned to her girlhood, and her heart began to beat wildly.

Heat rushed up from her heart, igniting her face, and slowly, the tips of her ears also became hot.

Lu Zhiqiao struggled slightly, covered her face with her hair, and said angrily, "Go see a doctor quickly, and let me go."

"No." Qi Yan brushed her hair away, "You are my doctor." After speaking, she leaned up to her cheek and kissed her carefully, her thin lips felt the heat, and a smile flashed across her eyes.

Caught off guard, Lu Zhiqiao let out a muffled groan in her throat. She was so ashamed that she hurriedly turned her head away, struggling more and more.

"Do not move."

"Are you letting go?"

"Let me hug you for a while." Qi Yan grabbed her wrists, pressed them against the railing, and diverted her attention with words: "I'll ask you a question too."

Lu Zhiqiao stopped struggling, her hands were bound and couldn't move, her breathing became ragged, and she said in a low voice, "Ask."

"Do you trust me that much?"

"……what?"

"Earlier." Qi Yan narrowed her eyes, "Aren't you afraid that I'll take all your money and leave Niu Niu alone?"

Touching Lu Zhiqiao's pulse with her fingertips, she rubbed it lightly, feeling the warm blood flowing in her skin, beating vigorously all at once, her fresh life was intact, and thinking about it made her terrified and scared, feeling very dangerous.

Lu Zhiqiao lowered her eyelids and murmured, "You won't."

"Why not?"

She pursed her lips and didn't answer.

"Hmm?"

The waves beat the wet sand on the shore intermittently, and the salty wind brings warmth. The surroundings are dark and silent. Such an environment makes people feel comfortable, relaxed, and sentimental. It is best to spill their hearts out. Lu Zhiqiao bent her lips and sighed softly, "I believe you."

The three very light and simple words fell heavily on Qi Yan's heart, and they carried a lot of weight.

It's not easy to gain someone's trust, especially someone you like. Does Lu Zhiqiao mean that she occupies a little place in her heart? Qi Yan didn't dare to think about it, and smiled self-deprecatingly. Maybe this person just didn't care about reason at the moment of life and death, and she just happened to be beside her.

"You are so innocent and easy to deceive, what should you do when you fall in love?" Qi Yan joked tentatively.

Falling in love.

Lu Zhiqiao felt that these three words were very far away. She never seemed to think about it, let alone talked about it seriously. She had a lot of crushes, and there were a lot of people who pursued her, but her emotional experience is almost zero. When Qi Yan mentioned it suddenly, she opened her memories.

"I won't fall in love." She said softly.

Qi Yan's body froze, and her smile also froze: "Didn't you say last time that you have ever had an unrequited love for a woman?"

"It was in high school." Lu Zhiqiao didn't seem to notice her probing at all, "I have known that I like girls since I was very young. At first, I had a crush on my English teacher in junior high school. Then in high school, I liked the girl in the class next door. I also liked girls in the next class in college. I liked two of them in a short time, but all were just momentary good feelings..."

She babbled to herself, her dark moles at the end of her eyes became more and more charming, but Qi Yan was so upset that she couldn't help interrupting: "Were you born curvy?"

"Um."

"Then you and Niu Niu's father..." She choked in the middle of the sentence, Qi Yan still felt that this was Lu Zhiqiao's private life. It was inappropriate for her to pry and she should wait for her to speak up, but just now she couldn't control it, so she blurted out the question.

Nowadays, the social atmosphere is not much more open than before. Homosexuals still cannot stand in the sun. Even if they naturally like the same sex, they may choose to marry the opposite sex in the end. After all, this path is too difficult to persevere. Qi Yan only thinks that she is not a meat eater*, that thinks everyone is as firm as herself without pressure.

*to be a meat eater is to be oblivious to other people's plight

The truth is, Lu Zhiqiao's past has nothing to do with her at all, even if Lu Zhiqiao went on dates every day, she couldn't care less.

She just wants to have her future.

"Niu Niu's father has been dead for many years."

Lu Zhiqiao's voice was weak, and her brows furrowed tightly. After speaking, she pursed her lips, her fingers pinned on the railing curled up, her nails dug into her palm, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

Qi Yan hugged her from behind, couldn't see her expression and eyes, but felt such a physical reaction, her heart sank rapidly, a strong sourness surged up, and she said with difficulty: "You loved him very much, didn't you?"

She couldn't understand Lu Zhiqiao even more.

"Love." Lu Zhiqiao's voice trembled slightly, "but it's not the kind of love you understand."

"What do you mean?"

She stopped talking.

Qi Yan's eyes were dark, she scratched her ears and cheeks anxiously, her heart was on fire, but didn't dare to ask, she just pulled her arms to hug her tightly, gradually increasing her strength.

As if sensing her emotions, Lu Zhiqiao tilted her head and blinked at the starry sky, saying softly, "I've never been married to a man, and I've never liked a man."

The sky is navy blue with a mix of a deeper shade of blue. The waning moon is surrounded by stars, emitting a cold and desolate silver light. Looking down, you can't see the edge of the connection between the vast sky and the deep sea, stretching out an infinite confusion.

Lu Zhiqiao has a lot of secrets, some of which she can say, and she is willing to say, as a token of trust for Qi Yan. But more are the scars on her heart that haven't healed for many years. If you tear it open, you can see the bloody flesh and bones inside, so it's a forbidden place, and you can only set foot in it in your dreams.

Qi Yan was taken aback, feeling vaguely as if she understood something, but not quite. Lu Zhiqiao is a mystery. There are too many things hidden in her heart. She peels off the protective film layer by layer. Whenever she thinks she can reach the deepest part, she encounters a cold and solid protection.

"Let's not talk about this." Lu Zhiqiao took a deep breath, looked away, and smiled wryly.

Qi Yan rubbed her face against her hair: "Why are you willing to tell me this?"

"I've said it before, I believe you." She smiled sideways, "Since I believe you, I have to show some sincerity."

"Oh."

Qi Yan had a disappointed tone on her voice, as if this person was being forced, and she didn't really want her to understand. But still, her heart seemed to be soaked in honey syrup, soft, sticky, and sweet.

"Then do you like me?" She blew into Lu Zhiqiao's ear and asked in a low voice.

Lu Zhiqiao's body trembled, she didn't expect Qi Yan to ask such a straightforward question, her heart was beating in her throat, the melancholic emotions just now were swept away, and her mind was buzzing.

How could she like Qi Yan?  This person doesn't belong to the same world as her, she just likes the confidence and sense of security that Qi Yan gives her, even if her mood is in turmoil today, it is because she just had a critical moment in her life. She feels that Qi Yan cares about her, is nervous about her, and has empathy and dependence on her.

Everyone has a strong instinct. Over the years, there are many young and fresh little sisters who express their affection to her, because she is a big sister, beautiful, gentle, and rich, and looks powerful. Attracting a lot of ignorant girls.

And Qi Yan, to her, is another level of strong, the true strength she understands. She can't help but be attracted to this kind of person, and she can't help being moved, just like those little sisters who pursue her.

There may be many Qi Yans in the world, but she happened to meet one of them by chance.

How can this be considered 'like'?

When flustered, Lu Zhiqiao thought a lot, and then blurted out: "I don't like you."

"So, what kind of person do you like?" Qi Yan felt slightly disappointed, but she didn't quite believe it. She kissed the tip of her ear lightly, and the smile in her eyes didn't fade.

Lu Zhiqiao turned her face away and said nothing.

"It's okay if you don't want to say it."

"I just want to tell you that wherever you are, I will be there. In the future, don't be afraid anymore."

Qi Yan closed her eyes, pressed the tip of his nose against her fragrant hair, and exhaled softly: "If you are willing, you can love me."

….

Most of the holidays are over, but the desire to play is not exhausted. After experiencing the shadow of the snake venom, Lu Zhiqiao's temperament has changed slightly. Before, her face was always cold and indifferent, but in the past two days, there has been a smile and a glimmer in her eyes.

Walking on the edge of life and death, she realized that life is precious. Every day of living is fresh and cannot be wasted, because no one knows which will come first, tomorrow or an accident.

Qi Yan was worried about the wound on Lu Zhiqiao's leg, and asked her to rest for another day, but she refused. She'd rather walk on the beach than be left alone and be bored in the room. Qi Yan could only comply. The three of them went to the scenic spots on other islands and planned to stay on the beach for the last two days.

Lu Wei wanted to go swimming in the sea, so Lu Zhiqiao bought her a swimming ring and asked her to play near the coast, but Qi Yan was worried, so she changed into a swimsuit and went into the water with her.

She was worried, she had to look at the little girl playing by the sea, and also pay attention to the girl's mother sitting on the shore under the shade of a tree.

Unexpectedly, Lu Zhiqiao was also looking at her.

The style of the swimsuit is bold and avant-garde, it is more sexy than the ordinary set of underwear, and there is no other material.  Qi Yan is tall and thin, probably due to years of fitness, her muscles are firm and smooth, and her proportions are also very good. The pair of slender chopstick legs are very eye-catching. It's a pity that she's wearing a swimming cap, otherwise with her black and soft hair loose, it would be a picturesque scenery.

The sun was shining brightly and the waves were light. The teacher and the student were playing happily in the sea. Lu Zhiqiao couldn't take her eyes off, with a deep arc drawn at the corner of her mouth.

She suddenly remembered the red bikini, and her face became a little hot.

In the afternoon, a volleyball game is held on the beach.

The temperature is gradually rising, and the number of tourists, obviously doubled that of the morning. Lu Zhiqiao and her daughter were sitting in the shade of a tree to rest. The little girl had been playing in the sea for more than two hours and lost her mind. She was afraid that the sunscreen would fail and the child would be sunburned, so she wanted to go back to the hotel to get a soothing spray.

"I'll go, just wait here." Qi Yan stopped her, turned around and walked towards the hotel.

"..."

Lu Zhiqiao wiped the water droplets off her daughter's body with a bath towel, her face full of worry: "Baby, do you want to sunbathe? Does your skin hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt, it's cool." The child shook her head.

"Wait for Teacher Qi to bring the spray. Mom will spray it for you. Sit here and don't move."

"Okay."

Lu Wei looked like she still wanted to play in the water, but Lu Zhiqiao wouldn't allow her to say anything. She is such a beautiful baby girl, it will be terrible if she turns into a panda.

There are many people on the beach, coming and going, and the stone bench next to the rest is full of people after a while, and the beach volleyball competition is not far away. There are several teams participating in the competition, all wearing their own uniforms——  Sports tank top and shorts. All foreigners with high noses and deep eyes.

Very strange, all are women's groups.

Lu Zhiqiao glanced curiously, looking past the passing crowd, glancing in the direction of the hotel from time to time, and suddenly caught a glimpse of the familiar figure coming their way.

Qi Yan was holding a spray bottle in her hand, and was wearing a light sunscreen. Next to her was a person with short blonde hair, dark blue eyes, wearing the uniform of a sand volleyball player, with a hot body, half a head taller than Qi Yan.

The two seemed to know each other, shoulder to shoulder, talking and laughing.

Lu Zhiqiao stared blankly, looked at the woman subconsciously, frowned, and before she could react, the two had already come to her, Qi Yan handed her the spray bottle, and turned her head to say to the people around her in English: "My friend  with her daughter, we came out to play together."

After finishing speaking, she introduced the foreigner to Lu Zhiqiao: "This is my classmate in grad school Chiara, we happened to meet at the entrance of the hotel just now."

Lu Zhiqiao was frozen for a while, all her attention was on the woman's hand holding Qi Yan's shoulder, and she didn't make a sound for a while, but the other party greeted her warmly, and she came to her senses, smiling and nodding perfunctoryly.

"They will play a game later, and there is a person in the team who has seafood allergies and diarrhea and can't play. I will temporarily replace her. You can sit here for a while. If you are tired, you can go back to the hotel."

Perhaps, Qi Yan noticed her gaze, she took two steps forward without making a sound, and naturally broke free from her classmate's hand, bent down slightly, and explained to Lu Zhiqiao in a soft voice, then looked at Lu Wei again, patting her head: "Niu Niu, you have to stay with your mother and don't run around."

The little girl nodded, looked at the foreign aunt curiously, and muttered: "Teacher. Qi, are you going to leave me and mom?"

"..."

The child's intention was very simple, she only thought that Qi Yan would accompany her to swim in the sea all day. Besides, the three of them were together, if Teacher Qi leaves, how could they play together? But to the ears of the two grown-ups, the meaning in the words was full of ambiguity, arousing people's imagination.

Seeing that Qi Yan's face changed slightly, Lu Zhiqiao hurriedly smooth things over: "It's okay, go ahead, we are tired too, so we will rest here."

Qi Yan opened her mouth and was about to say something, when a whistle sounded from over there, the foreign girl came over and patted her on the shoulder, she swallowed her words, took a deep look at Lu Zhiqiao, turned and went to the competition venue.

It was just a friendly match, and there were not many rules. No one raised any objections to the temporary change of players, and the expressions of the people around were very calm.

Lu Zhiqiao never knew that Qi Yan could play beach volleyball. Now, by chance, she could feast her eyes on her. She suddenly lost the desire to rest, and her eyes were fixed there, unable to move away.

Among the fair-haired and blue-eyed beauties, the black-haired Qi Yan stands out. She has a slender frame, a light and flexible body, and is very skilled in playing. It's the first time she meets the other team members, but she cooperates very well with each other. There are more and more tourists onlookers, and the cheers became louder and louder.

Lu Zhiqiao doesn't understand the rules of beach volleyball, she only knows how to look at the score, the team with the most points wins. Obviously, Qi Yan's team is far ahead.

"Mom, Teacher Qi is so cool!" the daughter shouted excitedly from the side.

She was taken aback for a moment, then inadvertently raised the end of her eyebrows, and the corners of her mouth were slightly raised, feeling a hint of pride inexplicably.

During the intermission, Qi Yan didn't go back to join them, but sat down with the team members to drink water and chat. She obviously didn't know the others, but she chatted very happily, her mouth kept moving, revealing a row of white teeth.

Suddenly, the short-haired woman grabbed Qi Yan's shoulders and pulled her to her side, and the two of them fell side by side, clinging to each other.

The other foreign girls laughed.

In the next second, Qi Yan wrapped her arm around her classmate's neck, hanging like a koala, giggling.

Lu Zhiqiao froze, her face dimmed a little and an inexplicable emotion flashed in her dark eyes, she stood up without thinking, walked up to Qi Yan, and said softly: "I'm a little tired, I'll take Niu Niu back to the hotel first.”

After finishing speaking, she turned around calmly.

Author's Note: 

Hey, come here, prepare some sour plum soup for Lu Mama~