Temptation

● Manicurist x drummer

● The pursuer: a girl who pretends to be shy, but is naturally gifted at flirting x The pursued: a fox-like older woman who loves to flirt but is warm on the outside and cool within

[Chen Tang]

The first time they met, Chen Tang rested her chin in her hand and lazily watched the manicurist working in front of her. Then, out of the blue, she said, "Cute."

The other woman looked up at Chen Tang, blinking in confusion.

Chen Tang smiled. "You're so cute."

When Fang Suqing finally understood, her face instantly turned bright red.

Chen Tang thought she was even cuter now.

So she began visiting the nail salon, whose business seemed rather slow, more and more often.

Once, twice, three times...

She and Fang Suqing met more times than she could count.

Until one day, Chen Tang couldn't help herself. Watching Fang Suqing's cheeks remain flushed, she asked casually, "Want to give us a try?"

Fang Suqing looked up, confused and surprised. After a beat, she shook her head and turned her down. "No."

Chen Tang's heart sank, but she asked as if nothing were wrong, "Why?"

Fang Suqing simply looked at her earnestly for a long while without saying a word.

Watching her lower her head again, Chen Tang thought that Fang Suqing wasn't cute at all right now.

But why did she want to kiss her even more?

-

[Fang Suqing]

Once, Fang Suqing couldn't hold back her surging feelings and took a step toward Chen Tang.

But Chen Tang instinctively pulled away the hands they had clasped together.

Seeing the coldness and stiffness that had unconsciously crossed Chen Tang's face, Fang Suqing changed the subject as if she hadn't noticed a thing.

Chen Tang smiled and went along with it, and the still air began to move again.

But Fang Suqing understood everything.

Later, after turning Chen Tang down, Fang Suqing kept her head lowered and felt the scorching gaze above her. A faint, twinkling smile filled her eyes.

[Reader's Note]

1. The pursuer is Fang Suqing; Chen Tang is the pursued.

Theme: Love is a tug-of-war: when one advances, the other retreats; when one retreats, the other advances.