After Being Bent by Reader

When Murong Mingshu called, Murong Shi and Xu Chuanchuan were still on the highway. After Murong Shi slowed down the car and answered the call, she heard the other side saying, "You said you were sending off a friend. What's taking so long?"

If they hadn't spent 20-odd minutes taking a break on the highway, they would've long since reached the city by now.

After clearing her throat, Murong Shi said, "I'm reaching soon. Is something the matter?"

"Aunt Lian stewed some green bean soup. Do you want it iced or hot?"

"Iced."

"Okay. I'll keep it in the fridge for you. Make sure you remember to eat it."

Murong Shi initially wanted to say she wouldn't be going home for lunch today. However, when she saw a certain someone holding onto their chest as if they were in pain, she pondered for a moment before saying, "Mom, have Aunt Lian make some more. I'm bringing a friend back today."

Xu Chuanchuan, who was in a severe state of motion sickness, was shocked when she heard Murong Shi's words. When she saw Murong Shi storing her phone away, she hurriedly asked, "Am I that friend you mentioned?"

"Who else could it be but you?" Murong Shi asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Wouldn't it be an inconvenience if I suddenly visit your house?" Xu Chuanchuan asked. She was astonished by this situation.

"Aunt Lian likes you so much while my mom is an easygoing person. My dad isn't home, either. What inconvenience could there be?" Murong Shi asked. After a slight pause, she added, "Didn't you say you bought a massager for Aunt Lian? You can give it to her in person."

Unable to make a decision, Xu Chuanchuan hesitantly said, "But I only bought one. Wouldn't it be awkward if I give one to Aunt Lian but not your mother?"

After making sure that the road ahead was clear, Murong Shi took a glance at Xu Chuanchuan and calmly said, "Aunt Lian has given you food while you're giving her a gift as a show of gratitude. My mother has never given you anything, so why do you need to prepare a gift for her?"

"Uh..."

Then, Murong Shi's lips curled upward slightly as she teased, "You only need to prepare gifts when you're meeting your in-laws. Are you already done considering?"

Xu Chuanchuan's mouth moved a little. However, as she didn't know how she should answer Murong Shi's question, she eventually pursed her lips and lowered her head.

If it was from a friend's standpoint, Xu Chuanchuan had no reason to refuse Murong Shi's invitation. Moreover, she still owed Aunt Lian a word of gratitude for the meal and fruits she received.

As for the massager, Xu Chuanchuan decided to leave it be for now. After all, she had only bought one. She couldn't bring herself to give only Aunt Lian a gift and nothing for Murong Shi's mother.

When Murong Shi heard Xu Chuanchuan's decision, she didn't voice any objections. Instead, she said, "So be it. We can save making a big detour that way. Are you still carsick?"

Xu Chuanchuan nodded.

"Why don't you drive?"

The two changed positions.

There wasn't much traffic on the highway. But, when Xu Chuanchuan thought about how she would be visiting Murong Shi's house as a guest later on, she couldn't help but grow uneasy. So, she took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Murong Shi. They talked about food and work. Even Fang Qin had ended up being included in their conversation.

"I haven't seen Fang Qin visit you recently," Xu Chuanchuan said.

After finally getting an opportunity to relax, Murong Shi sat in the passenger seat lazily. She rested her cheek on one hand and let her long hair cover half her face. Then, she slowly said, "She only returned to the country recently, so she should be busy looking for a job now. Also, you still remember her? It's been so long since you last met her."

With her eyes focused ahead, Xu Chuanchuan frankly said, "That day at the bar, I saw her sighing while drinking, so I guessed that she must be in a bad mood. She was also sitting beside me at the time, so it's hard not to remember."

Most importantly, Xu Chuanchuan had heard from Fang Qin regarding Murong Shi's first kiss in that bar, so her memory of that day was still fresh in her mind.

While twirling a lock of hair with her fingertips, Murong Shi gradually narrowed her eyes before saying, "She met her ex-girlfriend for the first time in that bar. It'd be strange if she can be in a good mood."

Xu Chuanchuan lightly stepped on the brakes when she heard Murong Shi's answer. Then, she sent a glance at Murong Shi and asked, "Ex-girlfriend? Fang Qin likes women too?"

"Mhm."

"Then..."

"What?"

After pondering for a moment, Xu Chuanchuan said, "I have a question. Did you like girls since young?"

Murong Shi had never been asked such a question before. After thinking it over in earnest, she said, "To be precise, I never had any particularly strong feelings toward men and women in the past, though I did have a small preference toward females, that is until..."

"Hm? Why did you stop talking?" Xu Chuanchuan curiously asked.

As soon as Xu Chuanchuan finished speaking, she felt her left wrist being grabbed. She was so surprised by the sudden physical contact that she nearly drove the car off the road.

Murong Shi didn't put any force into her hand. Instead, while letting her hand rest on Xu Chuanchuan's wrist, she stared at the other party's profile and said, "Until that time where I drank too much and accidentally kissed you. After that incident, my preference started intensifying."

What did it feel like to receive a confession while driving? Xu Chuanchuan now knew the answer to that question.

Xu Chuanchuan's heartbeat accelerated when she heard Murong Shi's answer, and the lightheadedness she experienced before instantly disappeared. Then, after secretly swallowing her saliva, she said, "I can't drive well if you hold onto my hand like that."

Murong Shi removed her hand from Xu Chuanchuan's wrist, only to place it on Xu Chuanchuan's thigh immediately afterward.

Xu Chuanchuan gasped when she felt Murong Shi's touch again. After taking a glance at her thigh, she asked Murong Shi, "What are you doing?"

"Driving is tough, so I thought to give you a massage."

"Hey, hey, hey! I'm still driving!"

Murong Shi snickered at Xu Chuanchuan's reaction. This time, though, she finally retracted her hands. Then, she asked, "Are you still nervous?"

It took Xu Chuanchuan a moment to realize that Murong Shi was asking her about the coming visit. After thinking about it carefully, she realized that her anxiety had decreased substantially after Murong Shi's messing around.

...

Eventually, the car entered the city limits and arrived at an elegant residential area. Under Murong Shi's instructions, Xu Chuanchuan parked the vehicle under a high-class condo.

After turning off the engine, Xu Chuanchuan unfastened her seatbelt and carefully inspected the foreign environment. Then, she asked, "What's the name of this district?"

"Longteng District," Murong Shi said. She had nearly answered Xu Chuanchuan without thinking for a moment. However, before she did so, she suddenly thought of something, so she ended up saying the name of the neighboring district instead.

Fortunately for Murong Shi, Xu Chuanchuan did not doubt her answer. After getting out of the car, Xu Chuanchuan carefully followed Murong Shi.

Then, Murong Shi suddenly held Xu Chuanchuan's hand.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm afraid you'll get lost."

"...Your excuse is terrible."

Murong Shi put on a beautiful smile in response to Xu Chuanchuan's words. However, the subsequent words that came out of her mouth were not at all beautiful as she shamelessly said, "That's right. I'm using this chance to hold your hand."

Xu Chuanchuan turned away in embarrassment. Then, she said, "We're still not officially together."

However, as if having prepared for such an answer, Murong Shi firmly said, "You'll be meeting your future in-laws in a moment anyway. As for those formalities you speak of, they don't matter at all."

"When did it become a meeting with in-laws?!" Xu Chuanchuan exclaimed with widened eyes.

Murong Shi smiled but did not speak. Afterward, she tightened her hold on Xu Chuanchuan's hand and guided the latter into the elevator.

Upon meeting Xu Chuanchuan, Aunt Lian was both surprised and thrilled. "Little Xu!"

Xu Chuanchuan shyly smiled and greeted, "Long time no see, Aunt Lian."

Smiling brightly, Aunt Lian said, "When Little Shi said she was bringing a friend over, her mother and I thought she would be bringing a boyfriend home. I didn't expect it to be you.

Boyfriend?

Xu Chuanchuan glanced at Murong Shi, but the latter didn't provide an explanation.

Then, Aunt Lian eagerly said, "You might not know this, but Little Shi has been coming back late every night recently. When we asked if she was working overtime, she said she had appointments. If she didn't get herself a boyfriend, where would she find so many appointments every day?"

Upon hearing Aunt Lian's words, Xu Chuanchuan awkwardly smiled and thought to herself, I doubt you'll be able to keep on smiling if you knew Murong Shi has been meeting with me every night.

Murong Shi still held onto her hand tightly, so Xu Chuanchuan used her fingernails to scratch Murong Shi's palm gently.

Meanwhile, Murong Shi took the hint and interjected, "Aunt Lian, she doesn't feel well right now. Is the iced green bean soup ready yet?"

At this time, Aunt Lian finally noticed Xu Chuanchuan's slightly pale complexion. Then, she retracted her smile and earnestly said, "It's done, it's done. You two wash your hands first. I'll get it ready for you in the meantime."

Aunt Lian's green bean soup was thick and soft. It was also sweet but not greasy. After taking a mouthful, Xu Chuanchuan immediately felt her body recovering its vitality.

Aunt Lian looked at Xu Chuanchuan kindly and said, "Eat up. I made a lot."

Xu Chuanchuan smiled at Aunt Lian's offer. Then, she said, "The watermelon and lychee you had Murong bring me last time were delicious. It's just that there were too many, so I felt quite embarrassed receiving them."

"Actually, those were given to me by my relatives. They were freshly picked, so I wanted to let you try some as well."

"Thank you, Aunt Lian."

Frowning, Aunt Lian said, "Everything about you is good. The only flaw you have is that you're too polite to others."

Xu Chuanchuan smiled foolishly but remained silent.

"Is the guest here?" At this time, a soothing voice interjected the conversation, accompanied by the sound of unhurried footsteps.

When Xu Chuanchuan looked toward the source of the voice, she saw a beautiful woman walking out of the nearby study. Although the woman was dressed plainly, the plain clothing did not hide any of her elegance. Meanwhile, judging by the woman's temperament and familiar facial features, Xu Chuanchuan didn't need to guess to know that this person was Murong Mingshu.

Xu Chuanchuan hurriedly put down the bowl and spoon in her hands. Then, she greeted, "Hello Auntie, my name is Xu Chuanchuan."

"Sit, sit," Murong Mingshu said with a gentle smile. Then, after scrutinizing Xu Chuanchuan for a moment, she said, "Chuanchuan? What a cute name. You look very likable as well. No need to be so cautious. It's rare for Little Shi to make a friend, so make sure to come over and visit often."

Although Murong Shi had told her that Murong Mingshu was an easygoing person on their way here, Xu Chuanchuan did not expect the person in question to be so friendly.

When Aunt Lian explained to Murong Mingshu that Xu Chuanchuan was the kind person who had previously helped her, Murong Mingshu's eyes glowed in pleasant surprise. Then, she said, "Stay for dinner tonight. Aunt Lian and I will cook something delicious for you."

Xu Chuanchuan was greatly surprised by this offer. Then, just as she was about to refuse politely, Murong Shi suddenly held her hand under the table and interjected, "Aunt Lian, she likes malatang."

"Okay, I'll go out and buy the ingredients right away!" Aunt Lian replied.

"I'll go with you," Murong Mingshu said. "You two take your time eating."