Had Keqing and Qin Yu started dating?
But... wasn't she dating me? Could it be...? Ningguang's mind reeled, her heart a tangled mess.
Let's hear what Keqing has to say.
"When did this happen?"
"A while ago, before the Jade Chamber's reconstruction was completed. I'm sorry for bringing this up so suddenly, but I hope you can understand and accept it."
Understand and accept it.
Ningguang set down her teacup, her voice firm. "Are you certain she's dating you? Or could this be... some kind of misunderstanding?"
Keqing's brow furrowed slightly. A misunderstanding? How could that be?
"No, I definitely confessed to her, and she definitely accepted. Even though we're both women, love is love, and there's nothing wrong with that."
"Of course, given Qin Yu's circumstances, she probably doesn't disregard others' opinions as easily as I do. That's why I wanted to explain things to those close to her first, hoping for your understanding."
Keqing exhaled softly.
"I see," Ningguang replied casually, her thoughts racing.
No wonder there was no awkwardness between Qin Yu and Keqing. The reason is—Qin Yu accepted both her confession and mine.
Ningguang realized this, a maelstrom of thoughts surging through her mind.
She never expected Qin Yu would do something like this.
If accepting her confession was merely due to the atmosphere, an unconscious acceptance, Qin Yu still had time to clarify her feelings afterward, didn't she?
To sort out her thoughts and make a decision.
To choose between her and Keqing.
If she had chosen her, Keqing wouldn't have come here to say these things.
But Keqing still came, declaring outright that she was already dating Qin Yu.
Qin Yu hadn't chosen between the two; she hadn't selected either "A" or "B," but instead opted for an entirely unpredictable and impossible "C."
Ningguang took a deep breath.
What could Qin Yu possibly have been thinking to make such a choice?
Ningguang was deeply curious, intensely concerned, and also... frustrated and vexed.
Why couldn't she have chosen just me?
Now, facing a genuine rival in love, Ningguang pondered for a moment before deciding to lay all her cards on the table, inviting Keqing to join the game.
No one will take Qin Yu from me.
With that thought, Ningguang said calmly, "I also have something to tell you."
"Hm?"
"Qin Yu is also dating me."
Keqing's eyes widened in shock. "With you too?!"
How could this be possible?!
Qin Yu would actually do something like this... Or is this just Ningguang's scheme to manipulate me? Ningguang has always had feelings for Qin Yu, but I swooped in halfway and stole her away. Did she resort to such a desperate measure to make me give up?
Keqing found it unlikely, but no one truly knew what lengths Ningguang might go to when it came to matters of the heart.
Keqing frowned.
"Are you serious?"
"Absolutely," Ningguang replied calmly.
Seeing Ningguang's composure only deepened Keqing's frustration.
"What's the evidence?" Keqing demanded.
"Then I could ask you the same—what's the evidence of your relationship with Qin Yu?"
"How could I possibly lie about something like this?" Keqing snapped. "What reason would I have to lie about that?"
"Exactly the same applies to me," Ningguang said coldly. "I have no reason to lie about this. You can simply ask Qin Yu yourself later—it'll become clear then. Why would I need to fabricate something like this?"
Keqing fell silent.
Indeed, asking Qin Yu directly would resolve this. Why would Ningguang make up such a lie?
But if that's true, then does it mean...
"Qin Yu... she actually accepted both of our confessions?" Keqing pressed a hand to her forehead, struggling to believe it.
"It seems that's indeed the case. As for the reasons, I suspect only Qin Yu herself knows the truth."
Keqing didn't believe Qin Yu was the kind of person who would do this, but as Ningguang pointed out, only Qin Yu herself could explain her motives.
I must get to the bottom of this!
Keqing took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
"Where's Qin Yu?"
"She should be back shortly."
"Then I'll wait here. I need to ask her directly why she did this." Keqing sat down by the tea table and rubbed her temples.
"I have no objection, but—"
Ningguang pursed her lips slightly as Keqing turned her gaze toward her.
After a moment, she continued, "What you truly want to ask is which of us she prefers, isn't it? Which of us she'll choose?"
Ningguang's words ignited the tense atmosphere in the office, setting off an explosion. An invisible dust swirled in the confined space, making it hard to breathe.
Keqing crossed her arms, turned away, and remained silent.
Yes, the most important thing isn't why, but what Qin Yu will do now that this has come to light. Who will she choose?
Ningguang was deeply displeased with Qin Yu's actions, but if Qin Yu ultimately chose her, she would "forget" the entire incident.
"I didn't expect you to say that. I thought after you learned the truth, you'd..." Keqing glanced at Ningguang.
"Thought I'd get angry and cut ties with Qin Yu?"
"Something like that."
Ningguang rested her chin on her clasped hands and said, "I am deeply dissatisfied right now. I've never felt this dissatisfied with Qin Yu before. But I want her, and my feelings for her are absolutely no less strong than yours."
"You haven't immediately cut ties either, have you?" Ningguang added.
Keqing replied softly, "No. Qin Yu has become an indispensable part of me. I don't want to leave her, and I don't want her to leave me. So I won't give her up to you."
"Heh, is that so..."
It's the same after all.
Ningguang also refused to give Qin Yu up to anyone. She couldn't bear the thought of not being able to touch Qin Yu while others could.
Never.
Therefore, she wouldn't make the foolish move of severing ties herself.
I never imagined Qin Yu would be the one to choose... Ningguang murmured inwardly. I always thought I was the one choosing her, but now it seems I'm the one being chosen.
And only as a possibility.
What if Qin Yu doesn't choose me? Both women found themselves thinking the same thing.
If they lost, they would have no choice but to watch the winner's happiness.
Returning their relationship to how it was before the confession was impossible.
An arrow once released cannot be drawn back. Having committed to transforming their relationship and embarking on the path of lovers, they could only see it through to the end.
Speaking of which, had Qin Yu also accepted Shenhe's confession?
As Ningguang was still pondering, the door opened.
"I'm back... Huh?"
As soon as Qin Yu returned, she spotted Keqing. Before she could greet her, she sensed an unusual atmosphere permeating the room. The air seemed to carry a heavy weight, pressing down on Qin Yu's heart.
Wh-what's going on...?
"Close the door," Ningguang instructed.
"Ah, right."
With a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest, Qin Yu closed the door.
She turned to Keqing and said, "Keqing, you're here! I'll make you some tea."
"Not right now," Keqing replied, her expression complicated.
"O-oh... alright."
Ugh. Qin Yu felt increasingly uneasy.
Just then, Ningguang spoke.
"Qin Yu."
"Hmm?"
Ningguang narrowed her eyes, her displeasure evident. "Do you realize what you've done?"
This was the first time Qin Yu had ever seen Ningguang radiate such obvious dissatisfaction.
Did I... make Ningguang unhappy?
This was Qin Yu's worst nightmare. She desperately wanted Ningguang to always be satisfied with her, never displeased. Facing this situation now filled her with deep unease and distress.
If Ningguang were to dislike me...
No! This absolutely cannot happen!
"I don't know, but if I've displeased you, Ningguang, I'll fix it. Is there something I've done wrong? Is there some part of my personality that you find unpleasant?" Qin Yu asked anxiously.
"Then choose me," Ningguang said.
"Huh?"
Choose what?
Keqing raised an eyebrow and stood up. "Qin Yu, you promised me we would never leave each other."
Pressing a hand to her chest, Keqing asked, half hopeful, half anxious, "You... you'll choose me, right?"
Qin Yu was utterly confused. What are they talking about? What choice are they asking me to make?
If it's about being their secretary, haven't I already been both of theirs for a while now?
"What's going on?"
Ningguang and Keqing exchanged a look, both seeing the competitive glint in each other's eyes.
"You accepted both Ningguang's and my confessions at the same time, didn't you?" Keqing tried to maintain her composure, but her voice still carried an accusatory edge.
Qin Yu's expression froze.
"Why would you do that? And who have you truly chosen?" Ningguang demanded.
Ah, I'm done for.