Chapter 36: Fish Scales? I Might as Well Be Seaweed

Yu Ling frowned, just about to tell him to move aside, when a "thud" echoed from behind her, as if something had fallen. She wanted to look back, but Cheng Suqiu, held tightly in her arms, poked her waist and whispered, "Hurry up and chase him away."

Yu Ling’s body trembled; she was burning up, with heat radiating from her head. If someone were to crack two eggs on her face right now, they would likely cook instantly. Impatiently, she said to the man standing frozen in place, "Mister, could you please make way? My girlfriend and I are on our way to a date."

The man seemed to be jolted back to his senses by these words, his body swaying slightly. Then, as if waking from a dream and facing a grave threat, he scrambled away in a panic.

Yu Ling remained silent for two seconds. Was she really that terrifying? Wasn't society quite open-minded now? What was wrong with being a lesbian? She shook her head and pulled Cheng Suqiu out of her embrace. "Qiuqiu, you did that on purpose." Yu Ling puffed out her cheeks, offering a soft, melodic protest.

Cheng Suqiu smoothed her ruffled hair, looked at Yu Ling, and teased with a smile, "What's wrong? Am I only allowed to let you kiss me, but not kiss you back?"

Why did that sound so strange? Yu Ling felt her face grow even hotter. She replied, "I was only trying to help you out of a tight spot! But you were clearly doing it on purpose—teasing me, poking my waist..." Besides, that wasn't even a real kiss; it was barely more than a touch.

Cheng Suqiu laughed out loud and reached out to pinch Yu Ling’s cheek. "Alright, it’s been three years. I’ve missed you so much. What about you? Did you miss me?"

Yu Ling nodded. "Yes, missed you so, so much."

They both moved by unspoken agreement to embrace, ready for a reunion hug. Just then, Yu Ling’s eyes widened suddenly, and she looked in horror at the person standing behind Cheng Suqiu. Oh no, was it too late to run? Yu Ling pulled back her outstretched hands.

Cheng Suqiu looked at her in confusion, not understanding why she had stopped. Yu Ling avoided her gaze, unable to find a way to warn her. She cast a sympathetic glance at Cheng Suqiu and murmured to herself, *Qiuqiu, you're on your own.*

Cheng Suqiu was baffled. She reached out to take Yu Ling’s hand, just about to say something, when she heard a chilling voice from behind: "Qiuqiu, you're back?"

Cheng Suqiu froze. The voice was so familiar that she knew exactly who it was without turning around. What had to come would come; having returned to Linhe, she could not avoid meeting him.

Cheng Suqiu sighed. A second before turning, she wiped the emotion from her face, faced him with a smile, and said, "Long time no see, Zhou Yan."

Meanwhile, Yu Ling took the opportunity to pull her hand back and retreated toward the wall, trying to minimize her presence.

*Zhou Yan, long time no see.* Those six words drifted into Zhou Yan’s ears, but they felt like blades hiding in his bloodstream, flowing backward into his heart and churning with agony. The beloved woman he had longed for day and night was right before his eyes; he had so much to say, yet he didn't know where to begin.

Suddenly, he noticed Yu Ling hiding to the side. His expression darkened instantly. Zhou Yan stepped forward and said coldly, "Miss, you're wrapped up so tightly in broad daylight—are you afraid to show your face?"

He had seen it clearly just moments ago; this was the person who had kissed Qiuqiu. Not only that, but Qiuqiu had kissed her back. The mere memory made his heart shatter into pieces. Qiuqiu had spent three years in Paris, and during those three years, he had snuck away to see her whenever he could. Yet, he never knew that Qiuqiu’s sexual orientation had changed. And she had a girlfriend!

Zhou Yan felt like dying. He wanted to throttle himself, and he wanted to throttle the woman who had taken Qiuqiu away. Consequently, the look he leveled at Yu Ling was far from kind.

Mistaken for a romantic rival, Yu Ling was stunned. She looked at the furious Zhou Yan, then at the calm Cheng Suqiu. Finally, she shook her head helplessly. *Good heavens, what is this mess?* Yu Ling felt a bit depressed; she had been marked as a romantic rival by a powerful benefactor she couldn't afford to offend. What was she supposed to do?

As Yu Ling pondered a counter-strategy, Zhou Yan, receiving no response, became even more incensed. He pressed, "Miss, are you a mute?"

The remark was blunt, lacking the courtesy typically shown to a stranger. Cheng Suqiu felt her heart pounding. She said to Zhou Yan, "Can you be more polite? She..."

"Of course I can't!" Zhou Yan bristled. "Asking me to be polite to a romantic rival—are you joking?"

Yu Ling, hearing this, thought, *...*

She hadn't wanted to reveal her identity yet, but if she didn't step forward now, Zhou Yan might actually charge over and strangle her. Yu Ling sighed and explained, "Brother Zhou, it's me, Yu Ling."

Unexpectedly, Zhou Yan’s reaction was bizarre. He snapped back without a second thought, "Yu Ling (Fish Scales)? I'm seaweed!" As he spoke, he rolled his eyes dramatically.

Yu Ling, having outed herself only to be mocked, thought, *...*

Speechless and complicated. Well, the image of Zhou Yan as a brilliant, wise manager had just collapsed in her mind. She decided to forget, at least for this minute, all the help Zhou Yan had given her in the past. A man ruled by his emotions was truly terrifying—indiscriminate in his attacks. He was beyond saving.

Yu Ling turned her head, refusing to look at him anymore. Cheng Suqiu rolled her eyes as well. She walked over and took Yu Ling’s hand. "Yu-Yu, let’s go. Don't pay any mind to the fool."

*Yu-Yu* was the affectionate nickname she had for Yu Ling. Yu Ling nodded in agreement and followed Cheng Suqiu’s pace. She was certain now: there was a reason Zhou Yan was destined for a "crematorium" of chasing his wife.

Seeing Cheng Suqiu about to leave, Zhou Yan hurriedly tried to keep her. "Qiuqiu, listen to me..."

Cheng Suqiu turned back and gave him a warning look, saying coldly, "Don't follow me."

Zhou Yan paced back and forth in a panic. If he didn't follow, he wouldn't see Qiuqiu; if he did follow, not only would Qiuqiu be angry, but he would also have to watch that hateful woman get close to her—a double torture.

He cursed angrily, "Yu Ling, what a hideous name! One day I'll scrape all the scales off, you fish..."

Suddenly, he seemed to realize something. *Yu Ling...*

"Yu... Yu Ling?" He muttered the name in disbelief.

So, that woman just now was Yu Ling? The woman Chi Ran had been secretly in love with for seventeen years? Zhou Yan shook his head, trying to clear out the chaotic thoughts. Thinking about it, that woman’s voice was indeed exactly like Yu Ling’s, and her figure matched, too... If it were Yu Ling, it was perfectly normal for her to go out wearing a mask and hat to cover herself up...

After a quick analysis, Zhou Yan realized with horror that he had made a grave mistake. If Chi Ran found out he had berated Yu Ling today, he would probably be beaten to death, right? But the realization that followed was one of pure ecstasy: Yu Ling’s sexual orientation was normal—it was impossible for her and Qiuqiu to be together!

Thinking of this, Zhou Yan hurriedly took off in pursuit, catching up in three strides.