Chapter 167 - Speculation

“It’s nice. The location is great, and the decor is quite distinctive.” Chu Qianqian’s tone held a hint of envy as she spoke. After all, even though Wuhu District wasn’t in the city center, its real estate prices were still among the highest in City A, just like those in Freehand Bamboo Grove and No. 7 Century. Ellie had already bought an apartment at her age, making her stand out among her peers.

Slouching lazily on the sofa, Ellie glanced at Chu Qianqian and noticed a hint of wistfulness on her face, guessing a bit of what was on her mind. With a sigh, she reached out and pulled Chu Qianqian into her arms, speaking in a magnetic and gentle voice, “Don’t overthink it. Life’s opportunities are hard to predict or imagine. Just live in the moment.”

Chu Qianqian’s expression was somewhat rueful, realizing that her little melancholic thoughts had been seen through. “I understand what you’re saying, but it still feels like there’s so much change. Everyone is moving forward, and I’m the only one still stuck in the same place.”

“Come on, what nonsense,” Ellie chuckled, “Is your current job fake? Are the achievements you’ve gained handed to you for nothing?”

Chu Qianqian looked a bit surprised, and after a moment, a smile finally returned to her lips, “Ellie…wait, where are you putting your hand?!”

With a smack, she slapped away the wandering hand that had casually landed on her chest. Her face was a mix of anger and helplessness, and all her previous sentiments were thrown out the window. She sat up straight, thought for a moment, and, deciding it wasn’t safe, moved several seats away. “You, can’t you ever change this bad habit?!”

Rubbing her hand where it had been struck, Ellie put on a very innocent expression, one that bordered on insincerity. “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

“You, you-” Chu Qianqian was rendered speechless by Ellie’s shamelessness. She leaned back on the sofa, deciding not to bother anymore.

Seeing her reluctance to speak, Ellie felt a little guilty. Watching Chu Qianqian’s wary eyes and crossed arms, Ellie subtly shifted her precious seat back beside her.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Ellie said with an innocent expression, raising her hands and then placing them on the sofa to show she meant no harm.

However, Chu Qianqian wasn’t buying Ellie’s act. Back in senior high school, Ellie had developed a habit of groping, which was a source of discomfort for Tang Yu and her as Ellie’s close female friends.

It was strange, really. Despite knowing that Ellie was a lesbian and that such behavior would be considered sexual harassment if a man did it, the sight of Ellie’s natural movements coupled with her innocent eyes somehow made Tang Yu and Chu Qianqian grow accustomed to this harassment, treating it as a form of playful teasing among girls.

Of course, being accustomed to it didn’t mean they wouldn’t complain or retaliate when needed. As Tang Yu would say, “This is to teach Ellie a lesson, to let her know that a girl’s chest isn’t something to be touched so freely.”

But Chu Qianqian could tell from Ellie’s increasingly practiced moves that Tang Yu’s so-called “lessons” probably hadn’t taught Ellie anything.

“Hehe,” Ellie smirked with a mischievous curve to her lips and a cunning sparkle in her eyes. Under Chu Qianqian’s puzzled gaze, she spoke, “Why do I feel like your CUP has gotten much bigger since you left? Did you, you know, do it with a guy?”

“What?” Chu Qianqian was momentarily stunned, not catching Ellie’s meaning at first. But as the implication dawned on her, her face turned a deep red, a mix of embarrassment and anger, “Ellie!”

“That expression, no way, it’s true?!” Ellie looked somewhat incredulously, but before she could speculate further, Chu Qianqian confirmed the classic internet saying with her actions: “No good deed goes unpunished.”

“Wait, Qianqian, let’s not resort to violence, calm down, wait, Qianqian, Chu Qianqian-”

Half a minute later, Ellie, rubbing her sore arm, silently moved her precious behind further away, just as she had come.

Feeling the soreness all over her body, Ellie forced a smile that was more like a grimace, saying, “Haha, Qianqian, your strength seems to have gotten even stronger since you left, ouch-”

As she pressed somewhere tender, a wave of pain hit, turning her face a shade paler. Maybe it was the look of utter despair in Ellie’s eyes, or perhaps Chu Qianqian’s anger had dissipated after lashing out. Either way, she finally deigned to give Ellie a glance.

After a while, noticing that the paleness in Ellie’s face didn’t seem to fade, Chu Qianqian frowned, feeling puzzled. Although she had been angry, she had controlled her strength. But Ellie’s expression didn’t seem feigned.

After a few seconds of internal conflict, Chu Qianqian couldn’t suppress her concern any longer and sat back next to Ellie. Although her tone remained cold, her movements were gentle. “Where does it hurt?”

Instantly taking Chu Qianqian’s outstretched hand, Ellie adopted a dramatically romantic demeanor, guiding her hand to her chest. With a voice so low and magnetic as if trying to melt her resolve, she said, “Nowhere hurts, just my heart.”

Realizing she was being tricked, Chu Qianqian let out a scoff, her frustration breaking into a smile of disbelief. “Ellie, you’ve got a death wish, haven’t you? Let go.”

“No!” Ellie declared with the tragic defiance of a martyr, “Unless you tell me who that jerk is.”

At the mention of “jerk,” Chu Qianqian’s expression flickered, and though she quickly masked it with anger, Ellie, who was watching closely, noticed it.

Originally just trying to tease Chu Qianqian, Ellie felt a heavy thud in her heart, sensing that her hunch had been correct.

Reflecting on the phone calls with Tang Yu since Chu Qianqian’s return, Ellie recalled that none of them mentioned Chu Qianqian being involved with anyone romantically. So, whoever Chu Qianqian had been with must not have been her boyfriend.

Knowing Chu Qianqian well enough, Ellie understood that she wasn’t the type to casually get involved with strangers. So… “Did one of your bosses force you?!”