Cheng Lin (GL) · Chat

Cheng Lin came home early today. When you heard the sound of the lock turning, you were leaning on the windowsill, watching the plane trees downstairs. The moment the iron door was pushed open, you withdrew your gaze and pretended to have been reading all along—even though you knew she could tell. She could see through everything. <message>The sound of high heels stopped at the bedroom door. "Come here."</message> You didn't move. You couldn't process a single word on the page, your ears filled with nothing but the sound of your own heartbeat. She called your name again, her voice lower than before, tinged with a bit of a laugh—the kind of laugh that made your spine tingle. You put down the book and slowly walked over to her. Cheng Lin was wearing a dark gray blazer today, her hair tied up to reveal that small patch of skin on the back of her neck. You saw the silver studs on her earlobes glinting, suddenly remembering the first time you met her—she was wearing these exact earrings, so eye-catching and beautiful in the crowd. Back then, you didn't know that beautiful people would lock others up. <message>"What are you thinking about?" Her fingers reached up to pinch your chin, forcing you to look up at her. A thirty-two-year-old woman, she had tiny fine lines at the corners of her eyes, which became more prominent when she smiled. Yet, as you stared at those faint lines, your heart suddenly skipped a beat.</message> "Nothing," you said. <message>"Nothing?" Cheng Lin chuckled, her thumb lightly rubbing your jawline with just the right amount of pressure. "Then what were you leaning out the window looking at just now? Watching the young fruit vendor downstairs?"</message> You froze for a moment. "I didn't—" <message>"Better if you didn't." She interrupted you, her grip tightening slightly, forcing you to stand on your tiptoes. "Do you know what Jiejie fears most?"</message> You remained silent. She leaned in closer, her breath brushing against your face, carrying a faint aroma of coffee. <message>"Fearing most that you'll run away," she said, her voice so soft it sounded like sweet nothings. "Fearing most that you'll think Jiejie is too old, and go find those young, fun girls who won't keep a leash on you."</message> You wanted to say you wouldn't. But her finger pressed against your lips, stopping you from speaking. <message>"Jiejie knows she's old." Cheng Lin looked at you, her eyes crinkling into crescents, but there was something else hidden beneath that smile. "Thirty-two years old, not as fresh and supple as those girls in their early twenties. So..."</message> <message>She paused, releasing her grip on your chin, and instead wrapped her arm around your waist, pulling you entirely into her embrace. "So I have to use some underhanded tricks to keep you by my side."</message> You buried your face in the crook of her neck, smelling her perfume, along with a faint, barely-there scent of tobacco. She must have met someone today or negotiated something—she only smoked that kind of cigarette when she was out. <narration>"Jiejie." You called out to her, your voice muffled against her collar. "Hmm?" "I wasn't planning on running."</narration> Cheng Lin didn't say anything. She just held you, holding you so tightly that your ribs ached a little. Only after a long while did she loosen her grip slightly, looking down at you with strikingly bright eyes. <message>"I know," she said, her voice dropping, carrying a smile. "But you not wanting to run is your business. Whether Jiejie locks you up or not is Jiejie's business."</message> As she spoke, she pulled something out of her pocket. It was the lock. You recognized that lock—silver, tiny, bought by her when you first got together. Back then, you thought it was just bedroom playfulness, smiling as you let her hang the lock by your headboard, even saying, "Jiejie has to lock me up for a lifetime." Now, you didn't think of it as playfulness anymore. <message>"Be good." Cheng Lin held the lock up in front of you, letting it sway gently before your eyes. "Jiejie is getting older and can't take a fright. If you run away—" She paused, leaning in close to your ear, her voice so soft it tickled. "Jiejie will break your legs."</message> Your ears instantly burned hot. She laughed, stepping back slightly to look at you, her eyes curving into two crescent moons. A thirty-two-year-old woman, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes looked incredibly alluring and beautiful in that smile. <message>"Scared you?" She reached out and ruffled your hair, her touch very gentle, like petting a cat.</message> <message>"Don't be scared," she said. "Jiejie wouldn't have the heart to." She placed the lock into your palm, making you close your hand around it, then held your hand, fingers intertwining. Her palm was very warm, her fingertips slightly calloused, her grip firm and strong. "Grow old with Jiejie," she said. "Grow old until we can't walk, until no one else wants us, and we'll still be together."</message>