Chapter 38 Deep Sleep: What she wanted was for the passion to fade, but for the love to last a long time.
Qin Lan ignored her changing expression and turned to Jiang Yan to introduce her warmly: "This is my friend, He Luqing. This is her small library. It's closed today, so she's treating us."
"Uh... Lao Qin, aren't you going to introduce your friend?" He Luqing's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement as she frequently glanced at Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan smiled elegantly and gracefully, a hint of jealousy in her eyes, but said nothing.
"Come on, stop pretending. I told you yesterday I was bringing friends." Qin Lan retorted without hesitation, "Aren't you going to invite us in?"
He Luqing barely suppressed her shock and gestured for them to enter: "Welcome!"
"This is the secondhand book section. Books with purple markings on the covers are secondhand books held in custody by members and sold at discounted prices by Paper Force. We will take a 15% commission."
"Paper Field isn't just for reading books, it also sells paper." Qin Lan pointed to the right: "Over there are paper sculptures, some are masterpieces, and some are carved by He Luqing himself. You can't tell, can you?"
Jiang Yan approached and gently touched the three-dimensional paper: "I really can't tell them apart."
“This part of the paper sculpture is different from the one over there; it’s meant to be done in harmony with the art of light and shadow.” Qin Lan nudged her shoulder with her index finger: “You stand over there.”
Dozens of spotlights pointing in different directions are mounted overhead, casting the shadows of the white paper silently onto the wall.
Jiang Yan did as she was told and stood to the side. The shadow on the wall changed accordingly, revealing a couple surrounded by roses.
He Luqing walked over and said with a smug smile, "This is a guest's work. I also take on apprentices."
Jiang Yan laughed in surprise: "Really? I didn't expect Miss He to be so good at cooking. I'd like to learn from her."
He Luqing was very proud and led them further inside: "Teacher Jiang, look, there are two types of cabins here: experience cabins and reading cabins. These are unique services offered by our library. The experience cabins can play movies adapted from classic books, as well as audiobooks, scene recreations, and other functions. We use holographic technology, so the experience is very realistic, basically achieving a fully immersive reading experience."
"That sounds interesting, I'll definitely try it later." Jiang Yan nodded enthusiastically, "I wonder if the movies you have here, Miss He, are they the original language versions or the Mandarin versions?"
"Of course we have them all!" He Luqing excitedly introduced them to her. The two chatted for a while and walked away, leaving Qin Lan behind. Qin Lan rolled her eyes speechlessly, followed them, and interjected, "Hey, have you two forgotten there's still someone here?"
"How could I?" He Luqing smiled. "I'll go make you some drinks. Lao Qin, you take Teacher Jiang on another tour of the reading cabin."
Qin Lan pushed her aside, led Jiang Yan to the front of the reading pod, and raised her chin defiantly: "You two get along quite well."
Jiang Yan smiled, her breath sweet as orchids: "Miss He, you must be a book lover to own your own library. I also enjoy reading books and watching movies, so I'm quite interested in this place."
Qin Lan pursed her lips: "Her reading volume is only slightly more than mine, but she can't compare to me in movies. Why don't you talk to me?"
"Because I want to kiss Teacher Qin every time I see him," Jiang Yan said calmly. "I don't have the mind to talk about literature and art."
Qin Lan blushed and almost wanted to leave, but after a moment, she stiffly changed the subject: "That's a reading pod over there. You can try it out later."
Jiang Yan followed up, "Didn't we already have an experience capsule? Does the reading capsule have any special functions?"
"There's nothing special about it, it's not as interesting as the experience cabin." Qin Lan opened the cabin door and showed her inside: "It can play light music, there are several different modes to adjust, and it uses soundproof materials, so you can concentrate on reading."
He Luqing was busy behind the bar. Qin Lan led Jiang Yan to a monitor next to the bookshelf: "Try this, it will randomly match you with a book for today."
Jiang Yan walked over, entered her gender, age, and hobbies, and clicked "Start Matching".
Countless books flashed across the screen, finally settling on Andrei's *The Narrow Gate*. The shelf to which it belonged was indicated, along with a brief description.
Jiang Yan read softly: "The most beautiful moment of love is not when I say I love you. You make my dreams soar high and boundless, and all worldly happiness will shatter them. It is with the hope of reuniting with you that even the rugged path feels like a smooth and open road."
A hint of nostalgia appeared on her face: "I stumbled upon this book in high school, but at the time I didn't quite understand its deeper meaning; I just thought it was beautifully written. Now, seeing this passage again, it feels quite different..."
"No way." Qin Lan looked puzzled. "You actually finished reading it? I couldn't resist reading it after I got halfway through."
Jiang Yan smiled and said, "I knew you wouldn't be able to finish reading it. There are a lot of popular sentences in this book, and I came here because of its reputation. I think it's pretty good."
"I really can't stand watching this," Qin Lan said honestly. "The male and female leads are both too strange; I don't understand what they're doing."
"It's alright." Jiang Yan thought about it carefully: "You didn't read it carefully, did you? The characters' motivations are actually quite easy to understand."
"What's so easy to understand?" They chatted all the way to the bookshelf, and Qin Lan opened the book "The Narrow Gate," casually flipping through a couple of pages: "The farther away I am from you, the more I love you. I ask you, isn't that illogical?"
“That’s because you haven’t experienced the feeling of longing,” Jiang Yan retorted. “People only miss what they love when it’s not in front of them. Moreover, the male and female protagonists enjoy Platonic love more. Only the letters they exchange when they are separated can make them feel the joy of spiritual communication.”
"I still don't understand." Qin Lan shrugged. "And this line was once very popular online: 'What hurts me the most is not that you let go of my hand, but that I feel uncomfortable with my hand in yours. Even if you don't let go, I will.' If you're uncomfortable, just break up! If you truly love each other, how can you feel uncomfortable?"
“Sigh, Teacher Qin,” Jiang Yan sighed. “Many people feel like there is sand between their fingers when they hold hands tightly, tormenting each other. Whether they can go to the end depends on whether they have enough love to turn that sand into pearls. It’s like entering a narrow gate. The gate is narrow, the road is small, and very few people can get in.”
She said "many people," but in her heart she was thinking of herself and Qin Lan.
"It's too abstract." Qin Lan shook her head again: "I can understand what you're saying, but I couldn't understand it at all when I was reading this book."
Just as Jiang Yan was about to speak, He Luqing walked over with a tray: "Two big stars, the fruit tea is ready. Have you chosen the books you want to read?"
She saw that their hands were empty: "Looks like you don't have any yet. Lao Qin, come here for a moment, let Teacher Jiang try my coffee first."
Jiang Yan smiled and thanked her, then took the cup and walked away.
He Luqing pulled Qin Lan behind the counter, making sure Jiang Yan couldn't hear their conversation before exclaiming, "Ahhh, isn't that Jiang Yan? Is that the actress Jiang Yan I know? Is that really Jiang Yan? Why are you two standing together? How did you bring Jiang Yan here without saying a word? And you even specifically told me not to make coffee?"
"Look at you, so pathetic." Qin Lan crossed her arms in disdain. "What's so surprising about that..."
He Luqing shook her violently: "Big sister, don't you know what kind of relationship you two have? Rolling your eyes is the least of your worries. There are even rumors that you two were fighting on set. Do you know how many people online are gossiping about you two? You even created a gossip topic with millions of followers!"
"...I'm clarifying for the eightieth time that we didn't pull each other's hair." Qin Lan pushed her aside and picked out a waffle for herself. "Okay, now you can see for yourself, we really didn't pull each other's hair. Can I go back to my book now?"
"Actually, I'm one of those fans who just watch the drama unfold." He Luqing's expression was a mix of excitement and disappointment.
"That's enough." Qin Lan's patience ran out. "You can leave now and don't disturb our reading."
"Ah," He Luqing said, still wanting more, "You're already sending me away? But I wanted to see you two interact..."
"You don't want to." Qin Lan ruthlessly pushed her out the door.
He Luqing made a final attempt to protest: "I'm the host, after all. It would be disrespectful to leave like this..."
Qin Lan locked the door: "I will tell Jiang Yan that you have something come up and can't accompany her, but you will treat her to a meal next time you come to Luocheng."
He Luqing watched as she triumphantly winked at Jiang Yan, then smirked and went back to find her.
Qin Lan could see the red light on the experience cabin from afar, indicating that it was occupied.
She walked over and knocked on the door. Through the glass, she could see Jiang Yan on the phone, her profile pale.
Upon hearing the knock, Jiang Yan covered the microphone with her hand and mouthed "wait a moment."
Qin Lan nodded and walked to the side.
Jiang Yan released her grip: "What exactly do you want?"
Liang Jin's angry voice came through: "How have you become so rude? Don't you even want to call me 'Dad' anymore?"
Jiang Yan smiled gently: "Etiquette is for polite people. Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying you're impolite."
Liang Jin was furious and cursed loudly on the other end of the phone: "Just like your mother! You better tell the Jiang family to stop right now, are you trying to destroy the legacy your mother left behind?"
"Isn't that the company you built from scratch?" Jiang Yan tilted her head: "If it weren't for your diligence, why would my mother have challenged the Jiang family to let you marry into their family? Do you think she's love-struck?"
"No matter what, you have to make them stop!" Liang Jin said urgently. He was overseas and trying to save the last bit of money.
"Go dream about it, it's getting dark." Jiang Yan said, hanging up the phone and tossing it aside. She remained silent for a while.
She took a deep breath, randomly selected a movie and pretended to watch it, then opened the door and called out, "Teacher Qin."
Qin Lan walked over and sat down beside him: "What are you looking at?"
She asked casually, glancing up at the screen where dark shadows of trees and people silhouetted against the orange-red sunset. "Gone with the wind."
"Does Teacher Qin like it?"
“Of course,” Qin Lan said excitedly. “But I prefer the original novel; the movie omitted a lot of things. My favorite part is when they return to Tara Plantation after the war, and Scarlett takes off her pretty dress and starts working in the fields. She’s no longer a pampered young lady, but a brave and decisive warrior, a clever and resilient businesswoman, the pillar who can support the whole family, and the first woman in a patriarchal society to dare to go out and do business…”
“I’ve always thought Teacher Qin looks a lot like Scarlett,” Jiang Yan said softly. Just then, the classic line echoed in their ears: “God is my witness, God is my witness, the Yankees can’t defeat me… even if I have to steal, rob, kill, and set fires—God is my witness, I will never go hungry again.”
At the same time, she could hear Liang Jin's admonitions to her after she went to university.
—Dad found you a good husband. His son is a graduate student and an intellectual. He's more than a match for you.
To put it nicely, they're actors; to put it bluntly, they're performers, there for people's amusement. Women shouldn't always be out in public; it's unseemly.
—You're still talking to me about your mother?! You're married but you're always thinking about going out, saying you need to work. Do you really need her to run a business? Meeting all sorts of shady people!
She smiled as she gazed at Qin Lan's profile and said slowly, "I've always felt that you're a lot like Scarlett O'Hara in some ways. A woman among women, a warrior among warriors, a beautiful but deadly flower, a tenacious lioness, never giving up, and always proud."
＊
Qin Lan carefully stretched out her hand and waved it in front of Jiang Yan.
The background music is interspersed with the sound of a woman's even breathing.
She leaned closer, and the moment she touched Jiang Yan's arm, she woke up with a start, looking at herself groggily: "Finished?"
"I'm not reading anymore, I've read it so many times already." Qin Lan sat back down nonchalantly. "Pick a book to read, take the one you like with you."
“Okay.” Jiang Yan sat up and followed her to the bookshelf.
Qin Lan randomly picked up a book, took the drink into the reading pod, adjusted the seat, and waited for Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan returned after a long while, holding a copy of "Love in the Time of Cholera".
Qin Lan moved to the side; actually, the reading pod was quite spacious and could easily accommodate two people.
She closed the door, then took the book from Jiang Yan's hand and shoved a copy of "Remembrance of Things Past" into her hands.
Jiang Yan: "......"
"I don't want to read this book..."
"No, you want to," Qin Lan said firmly. "I want to read your book."
Jiang Yan sighed, but ultimately said nothing and resignedly opened the book.
Out of the corner of her eye, she felt Qin Lan press a few buttons on the side of the cabin door, switching to night reading mode. But she didn't notice; she only noticed that the surrounding light was somewhat dim.
At first, Jiang Yan was reading the book attentively, but soon she began to nod to the lullaby that Qin Lan had set up.
Qin Lan absentmindedly flipped through the book. When she reached page fifty-something, Jiang Yan finally collapsed onto her shoulder, and the book in her hand slowly slipped from her grasp.
She quickly reached out and grabbed the book, placing it aside. After waiting a short while, she called out softly, "Jiang Yan? Jiang Yan?"
Jiang Yan did not wake up; her breathing was even and gentle, unlike the breathing she usually heard at night, indicating that she had entered a deep sleep.
Qin Lan became happy and carefully carried her into the elevator. After going up to the third floor, they walked to the end. In front of them was an ordinary bookshelf, but Qin Lan knew that there were guide rails installed on this bookshelf. She pulled hard, and He Luqing's lounge appeared behind it.
Qin Lan placed Jiang Yan on the bed, unable to resist glancing at her a few more times. This woman had a slender waist and long legs; even asleep, she looked like a vixen. How could someone be so alluring?
She resisted the urge to touch and pinch her, picked up a thin blanket from the side and covered her with it, then went to close the curtains.
She placed her phone aside, turned on a sleep aid playlist and played it on repeat, then tiptoed out. A few seconds later, she peeked back in, still worried, but Jiang Yan was still fast asleep, showing no signs of waking up.
Qin Lan breathed a sigh of relief, went downstairs to make herself a cup of coffee, and this time carefully selected a book to read leisurely.
Three hours later, a slight noise came from the bedroom door. Qin Lan looked up to see Jiang Yan standing barefoot on the floor, her face showing a hint of panic: "Qin Lan..."
"Awake?" Qin Lan unconsciously smiled, the afternoon sun shining brightly on her face. "Did you sleep well?"
Jiang Yan gradually calmed down and couldn't help but slowly walk to her side, twitching her fingers as if she wanted to pull her along: "You...did you bring me here to sleep today on purpose?"
Qin Lan readily admitted, "Yes, how did you sleep?"
“Very good.” Jiang Yan’s eyelashes fluttered, and she added, “I haven’t slept this soundly in a long time.”
Qin Lan smiled smugly: "I knew it, reading is the most effective way to hypnotize someone."
"Yeah, I was already a little sleepy, and you showed me such a soporific book." Jiang Yan sighed helplessly, but her spirits were high: "Is Teacher Qin trying to be nice to me?"
"Whatever you think is true." Qin Lan raised her chin, only then noticing that she wasn't wearing shoes. "Why aren't you wearing shoes?"
Jiang Yan shrank back: "I forgot."
In fact, when she first woke up, she was very wary of the completely unfamiliar environment and immediately looked around, so she didn't bother to put on her shoes.
Qin Lan hadn't thought of any of this and urged her to go back and put on her shoes, "You can stay for another twenty minutes. Pick out some books and take them with you."
Jiang Yan initially only took the previous book, "Love in the Time of Cholera," but after being pressured by Qin Lan, she reluctantly picked out a few more books.
"Why are you trying to save her money? Money is the last thing she needs." Qin Lan got into the car and told Ye Wei to go straight to the airport: "She still owes us a meal. We'll make it up to her next time we come over."
"Teacher Qin and Miss He have a good relationship? I've never heard you mention it before."
"Oh, we used to play together when we were little. Later, her family's business expanded to Luocheng, and the whole family followed. It's been several years since I've seen her. I didn't expect her to have grown up like this," Qin Lan said to herself with emotion.
Jiang Yan narrowed her phoenix eyes and softened her voice: "Oh, what do you look like now?"
"Well, she's got big breasts and long legs," Qin Lan thought for a moment and described, "quite sexy."
"Teacher Qin likes sexy things, huh?" Jiang Yan said, her tongue pressed against her canine teeth, her alluring face slightly gloomy.
"You're quite sexy," Qin Lan suddenly said, as if she had realized something.
“Miss He is indeed very sexy.” Jiang Yan deliberately puffed out her chest. “She’s also very tall. Is she a model?”
"How did you know?" Qin Lan exclaimed in surprise, "She stopped liking modeling later and deliberately changed her style, so few people could tell..."
Qin Lan pondered how Jiang Yan had discovered He Luqing's past as a model the entire way, but didn't notice that Jiang Yan had remained silent the whole time.
Jiang Yan cursed herself inwardly, feeling utterly ashamed. When Qin Lan was attracted to her figure, she always wanted to have some kind of interaction with her beyond physical intimacy. But now, after deliberately seducing Yin and finding that Qin Lan didn't react, she actually started to feel disappointed again.
She asked herself again what she really wanted. Should she succumb to the current hormonal attraction and indulge in it before finding a suitable way to get along?
No. She reminded herself again to be patient; what she wanted was for the passion to fade, but for the love to last a long time.
————————!!————————
Here are some introductory Western classics for you:
*In Search of Lost Time*, *The Sound and the Fury*, *No Exit*, *Ulysses*, *Siddhartha*, *Crime and Punishment*, *War and Peace*, *Finnegans Wake*, *The Rougon Macquarie Family*, *The Human Comedy* [Good Luck][Good Luck][Good Luck]
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