After Being Bent by Reader

Chapter 74: Pt.1

After discussing it among themselves, Xu Chuanchuan and Murong Shi decided to bring Fang Qin back to the company dormitory.

Before Murong Shi could even park the car, Fang Qin suddenly said she wanted to puke. Immediately, Xu Chuanchuan and Murong Shi hurriedly helped Fang Qin off the vehicle.

After puking, Fang Qin remained dazed. When she saw the two people supporting her from both sides, she asked, "Why are you two here?"

Guessing that Fang Qin had drunk so much that she had lost her memories, Xu Chuanchuan reminded, "It's you who called us to you."

"Is that so?" Fang Qin furrowed her brows as she tried to remember what she had been doing before losing consciousness. Then, she suddenly revealed a silly smile as she said, "S-Sorry, I shouldn't have interrupted you two lovebirds."

In response, Murong Shi tightened her hold over Fang Qin's arm and said, "Stop talking nonsense. We'll bring you upstairs to get some rest first."

"Upstairs? Where are you...bringing me?"

Fang Qin continued her drunken ramblings, but neither Xu Chuanchuan nor Murong Shi had the patience to respond to her nonsense.

After they returned to the dormitory, the first thing they did was help Fang Qin wash up a little before laying her on the bed. When Fang Qin hit the bed, she closed her eyes and fell asleep after mumbling a few more words.

The sun outside was still scorching, so the room was still brightly lit. Seeing this, Murong Shi closed the curtains to allow her friend to have a peaceful sleep.

Then, Xu Chuanchuan and Murong Shi walked out of the room one after another. As they were temporarily lending their room to Fang Qin, they could only rest on the sofa.

Upon sitting down on the sofa, Xu Chuanchuan finally realized that she was both physically and mentally exhausted. So, removing all disguises, she weakly rested her head against Murong Shi's shoulder.

"Hah"

Although Murong Shi couldn't see Xu Chuanchuan's face, she could tell that the other party was troubled over something. So, she asked, "Are you overthinking things again?"

Xu Chuanchuan shook her head.

After hearing Fang Qin's tale and seeing her agonizing appearance, Xu Chuanchuan had indeed started concerning herself over baseless matters. However, the brief hug Xu Chuanchuan shared with Murong Shi in the car had given her strength, so she tried her best not to feel too depressed. Unfortunately, while she could overlook her own circumstances, she couldn't overlook Fang Qin's situation as a friend.

While sticking closely to Murong Shi's body, Xu Chuanchuan pondered for a moment before saying, "Fang Qin is so pitiful. Is there anything we can do to help her?"

Murong Shi didn't know whether she should laugh at Xu Chuanchuan's innocence or praise her lover for her kindness. After a moment of silence, she said, "What can outsiders like us do to help? Are we supposed to confront her parents?"

Xu Chuanchuan didn't have such intentions, either. After absent-mindedly counting her fingers, she let out a helpless sigh.

Then, Murong Shi kissed Xu Chuanchuan on the forehead and said, "Don't frustrate yourself over this matter. I've known Fang Qin for over twenty years, so I understand her personality. She isn't that weak of a person. She might've just decided to stop bottling her emotions and vent it all out today. She'll know what she needs to do once her head is clear. She has always been level-headed."

"Fang Qin Why did Fang Qin break up with her previous girlfriend?" Xu Chuanchuan had never liked to gossip, but she was especially curious about Fang Qin's situation at this moment.

After a slight pause, Murong Shi said, "Simply put, it is also because of both sides' parents."

Xu Chuanchuan abruptly straightened her back and sat facing Murong Shi, expressing that she was listening carefully.

"Fang Qin was the first to come out of the closet. Her parents exploded into a flying rage when they found out, and they threatened to sever relations with her. However, Fang Qin loved her ex-girlfriend, so she abandoned her work in the country and went to France with the girl."

Xu Chuanchuan was moved when she heard Murong Shi's words. "So, Fang Qin is actually such an affectionate person."

Murong Shi did not deny Xu Chuanchuan's words. Then, she continued, "Her ex-girlfriend is an art student. They lived in France for three years. However, later on, the girl's family found out about her relationship with Fang Qin, and the girl's mother used suicide to threaten them to break up. The girl eventually succumbed to the pressure and gave up on Fang Qin."

"What?!" Although Murong Shi had spoken in a flat tone, the more Xu Chuanchuan heard about Fang Qin's tale, the more frightened and confused she became. After opening and closing her mouth several times, she eventually asked, "Is it so difficult for two people to be together?"

"Did you get scared?"

Xu Chuanchuan had indeed been afraid previously. However, after hearing the words Murong Shi said in the car, she had already made up her mind. So, in a determined tone, she said, "I'm not afraid with you here."

Murong Shi furrowed her brows as if thinking about something. Then, she squeezed Xu Chuanchuan's palms and said, "You already asked me about it in the car, so it's my turn to ask you now." After pausing for a slight moment, Murong Shi continued, "If your parents oppose our relationship, what would you do?"

This was a question Xu Chuanchuan had dreaded to think about. However, after hearing Murong Shi's determined answer in the car, she felt that she no longer needed to care about this problem anymore. This was because her heart had long since reached an answer.

The next moment, Xu Chuanchuan firmly said, "I don't care what other people think. I won't leave so long as you remain."

Murong Shi stared deeply into Xu Chuanchuan's eyes, her expression so serious that it seemed a little scary. Then, she said, "You're not allowed to lie to me."

Taking a deep breath, Xu Chuanchuan said, "I have never lied to you. I am quite a stubborn person. So long as I have set my mind on one thing, I will stick to it regardless of the outcome."

Murong Shi caressed Xu Chuanchuan's tensed face and revealed a relaxed smile. Then, she said, "That, I believe. Looking at how you've persisted in writing novels for six years, I can tell that you're very stubborn."

Xu Chuanchuan felt warmth enveloping her heart after receiving praise. Then, in a soft voice, she said, "I'm also like that towards people."

After interacting for so many months, this was the first time they had communicated so deeply. Both of them had thoroughly opened up themselves and spoke from the bottom of their hearts.

Murong Shi relaxed her eyebrows and laughed in joy.

They were finally able to communicate with each other like they usually did.

While staring at Xu Chuanchuan's lips opening and closing, Murong Shi suddenly recalled the agreement they made in Nanjing University's parking lot. Then, she slid her thumb across Xu Chuanchuan's lips as she said, "You still owe me a kiss."

The sudden change in topic caught Xu Chuanchuan off guard, and it took her several seconds to snap out of her daze. They had already done every intimate action a couple could do at this point, so Xu Chuanchuan had nothing to be embarrassed about. Immediately, she held onto Murong Shi's face and kissed her.

Even though it had only been two days since she last shared any intimacy with Xu Chuanchuan, Murong Shi felt as if a long time had passed already. And upon feeling the warmth coming from Xu Chuanchuan's lips, she could feel the stone weighing down on her heart disappearing. Immediately, she put her hand on the back of Xu Chuanchuan's head, enveloped the soft tongue invading her mouth, and took over the initiative.

As if trying to make up for the intimacy they missed out on for the past two days, the two were very patient in their kiss. There was no lust in their kiss, and they kissed for a long time before reluctantly parting from each other.

Xu Chuanchuan leaned against Murong Shi's chest like a frail maiden, her fingers gently tracing along Murong Shi's alluring collarbone.

Feeling a little ticklish, Murong Shi grabbed onto Xu Chuanchuan's hand and kissed it.

Xu Chuanchuan silently looked at Murong Shi's profile while she waited for her breath to stabilize. Then, she softly said, "Let's not fight anymore in the future."

Xu Chuanchuan had gone through hell these past two days. Even though she had quickly realized how childish her actions had been, she couldn't bring herself to make up with Murong Shi. And as a result of her guilt, she could neither eat well nor sleep well during these two days.

Murong Shi's eyes glowed, realizing that this was Xu Chuanchuan's attempt to make peace. Then, sensing the atmosphere growing heavier, Murong Shi couldn't help herself from teasing Xu Chuanchuan, saying, "I never wanted to fight with you. It was you who refused to listen to me."

Xu Chuanchuan snorted when she heard Murong Shi's reply and extended a hand to pinch Murong Shi's waist. However, when she recalled that she had already pinched Murong Shi once in the car, she paused and asked, "Does your leg still hurt?"

Xu Chuanchuan didn't intend to be so violent. However, she failed to control her strength at the time because of her embarrassment and anger. When she recalled how loudly Murong Shi had cried out back then, she couldn't help but worry if she had injured her lover.

Murong Shi blinked and sternly said, "You're too ruthless. It hurts even now."

Xu Chuanchuan panicked a little as she asked, "Will it bruise? Lift your trousers and let me take a look."

"Hey, hey, hey; you pinched my thigh, so why are you looking at my calf? Why don't I take off my pants, and you can do a thorough inspection?" Murong Shi playfully suggested.

Xu Chuanchuan didn't question Murong Shi's suggestion and promptly moved to grab the waistband of Murong Shi's trousers. However, when she looked up and saw Murong Shi's playful eyes, she knew that she had been tricked. Then, she looked away and said, "You're taking liberties with me again. I'm not playing with you anymore."

Murong Shi simply smiled in response.

It was already night outside when Fang Qin woke up. However, her mind remained a mess because of all the alcohol she previously consumed, and she couldn't make any sense of her current location whatsoever. After making her way out of the dark room and seeing the two familiar people messing around on the sofa, though, her consciousness gradually returned.

After scanning the foreign environment, Fang Qin asked, "Is this the apartment you two are sharing?"

Murong Shi glanced at her friend and briefly summarized, "It's the company dormitory."

Fang Qin replied with a simple "Oh," lacking any interest in this topic.

Meanwhile, Xu Chuanchuan climbed out of Murong Shi's embrace and straightened her wrinkled clothes. Then, she said, "I'll make you some honey water. It'll help your hangover."

After washing up in the bathroom and drinking a cup of concentrated honey water, Fang Qin finally felt life flowing within her body again. Then, revealing a bitter smile, she said, "Sorry, I've let you two witness a joke."

Neither Xu Chuanchuan nor Murong Shi smiled at Fang Qin's words.

After scrutinizing Fang Qin's face, Xu Chuanchuan carefully asked, "Are you alright?"

A flash of light briefly appeared in Fang Qin's eyes. Then, she pretended to be calm and said, "I'm fine. It's no big deal. I'm already used to living by myself, in any case."

However, Murong Shi continued looking at her friend with a solemn expression. Then, she got straight to the point and asked, "What do you plan on doing from now on?"

Fang Qin's expression stiffened, and she failed to keep up her smile any longer. Then, as if to vent her anger and frustration, she crumpled the paper cup in her hand, threw it into the trash can, and said, "I'm tired. I'm not going to continue struggling with them anymore."

"So?"

"Nothing. I still haven't thought it through yet. I'll tell you two once I've made a decision," Fang Qin said, unwilling to continue on this topic as she lowered her head and avoided Murong Shi's gaze. However, her expression returned to normal the next second, and she said, "I'm really sorry for interrupting you two. I even occupied your bed."

"What nonsense are you spouting? Do you even think of us as friends still?" Murong Shi asked, frowning.

Fang Qin smiled but did not speak.

After taking a look at the time, Murong Shi said, "We've been waiting for you all this time. Since you're awake now, let's go out and eat something."

Without even thinking, Fang Qin said, "No, you two go ahead. I'm going back to pack my things."

"Pack? Where are you going?" Murong Shi asked in confusion.

However, Fang Qin simply shrugged in response. Then, she nonchalantly said, "Since I can't stay in that house anymore, I'll move out of it first before deciding on the future."

If Murong Shi had such troublesome parents as well, she wouldn't have wanted to stay at home, either. So, she didn't intend to dissuade Fang Qin from her actions. Instead, she asked, "Do you need my help?"

"Not for now," Fang Qin said. Then, she stood up and continued, "Alright, I'll stop interrupting your alone time."

However, Murong Shi still didn't feel at ease. Before Fang Qin left, she reminded, "Call me whenever you need help."

"I know. Alright, no need to see me off. Bye-bye."

"You're leaving?" Everything was happening so quickly that Xu Chuanchuan failed to process the situation.

Meanwhile, after taking a few steps toward the door, Fang Qin suddenly turned around and walked back to the couple. Then, she solemnly said, "You two must be happy."