A new hire drops into the law firm: tall, pretty, cool and abstinent, with every button done up to the very top. A ruthless, quiet, career-driven predator.
Yet when this person looks at Shang Ting, the ice turns to early-spring water, and their eyes brim with tenderness.
A coworker teases, "You two have a thing?"
Shang Ting explains indifferently, "She used to be my mom's student. We aren't close."
Qu Yunyue gives a soft laugh nearby, letting that answer stand.
No one knows that her fingers dig into her palm, drawing blood.
*
At the welcome dinner, in a dim corner, Qu Yunyue comes face to face with Shang Ting.
In that corner beyond the light and the noise, only faint breathing and the scent of red wine remain.
"We aren't close? How could we not be close..." She tugs at Shang Ting's clothes, the wine rushing to her eyes until they glisten red and wet. "Xiao Ting, I still remember you saying you'd love me forever."
Shang Ting pauses, then lets out a scornful laugh. "I also remember our last words to each other: 'Qu Yunyue, if you've got the nerve, don't look back.'"
She leans down, her voice falling slowly and clearly beside Shang Ting's ear.
"So how come you've got the nerve to come crawling back to me now?"
*
Brash and cruel x the aloof moon on a high peak, legal profession, 2023.11
Will begin posting once 50-60% of the story is written.
Theme: Be brave and go for it. The world will clear a path for you.
