Chapter 35

Upon hearing this, Ruan Xinyi subconsciously glanced at Wen Xihan, her lips slightly parted, wearing an expression as if she wanted to speak but didn’t know how.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to explain; rather, she didn’t know how to explain it.

Deep down, Ruan Xinyi actually hoped Zhong Ke would misunderstand, but at the same time, she was afraid Wen Xihan might feel unhappy. Rather than risk that, it seemed better to let Wen Xihan speak for herself.

Her fingertips lightly twisted, as if trying to hide it from others. Wen Xihan silently tucked the milk-flavored candy she was holding into her palm. Her expression remained calm, and her voice showed no fluctuation as she simply stated the facts: "Miss Zhong misunderstood. Ruan Xinyi and I only have a straightforward superior-subordinate relationship."

For a brief moment, Ruan Xinyi’s expression stiffened. She tightened her grip on Wen Xihan's sleeve and, following her lead, grit her teeth and added, "Yes, my sister is my direct superior. I usually call her 'General Manager Wen.'"

Wen Xihan’s peach blossom-shaped eyes slightly narrowed. Her deep gaze swept over Ruan Xinyi’s face. Her jaw moved, but in the end, she said nothing.

Ruan Xinyi’s slightly sarcastic tone was easily caught by Zhong Ke. She smiled faintly, instinctively sensing that the relationship between the two was not that simple. She put on her jacket, adjusted her hat, and, with a slightly apologetic tone, said, "Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought..."

Zhong Ke didn’t continue her sentence, leaving much to the imagination.

The rain showed no signs of easing, and water began to accumulate on the uneven road, forming pools.

Zhong Ke smiled, undeterred by the rain, as she stepped forward and softly said to Ruan Xinyi, "By the way, Xinyi, I tried the product you recommended last time, and it worked really well."

Ruan Xinyi, holding an umbrella, followed her at a steady pace.

The light drizzle continued. She tilted the umbrella slightly toward Wen Xihan, smiling as she replied, "I'm glad it worked. I think they just released a new cup. I plan to buy it and give it a try sometime."

The hand exposed to the air was slightly cold. Wen Xihan rubbed her chilly knuckles with her thumb and tucked her hand, which was holding the milk candy, into her coat pocket.

Zhong Ke exhaled lightly, and the white mist she breathed out quickly dissipated into the air. She turned around, and in the light drizzle, her eyes gleamed with a lively spark. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips, making her demeanor more carefree. "Then I look forward to your new wine."

Ruan Xinyi lowered her gaze and chuckled, her tone humble. "You might be disappointed, Zhong Jie. I haven’t touched it in a long time, so my skills are rusty."

Wen Xihan quietly listened, silently labeling Ruan Xinyi as a slippery talker. It’s unclear how many people this seasoned trickster had fooled with such a simple, innocent tone.

Hadn't she just said she hadn't touched it in a long time? Then who made that 'true love' last night...?

She exhaled a thick puff of white mist, the cold air swirling and masking Zhong Ke’s gaze directed toward Wen Xihan.

By the time the mist dissipated, Wen Xihan had already turned her gaze away, casually turning around and pressing a button on the car key.

"Beep beep—" Two sounds followed by the flash of lights from a silver-gray Mercedes.

Zhong Ke lifted her chin. "Is it that one?"

Once Zhong Ke settled into the driver’s seat, Ruan Xinyi walked to the back, gently opening the car door and lifting the umbrella a little higher, signaling Wen Xihan to get in first.

Their eyes met for a brief moment. Wen Xihan wrapped her coat tighter around herself and bent down to get into the car.

Ruan Xinyi closed the umbrella and climbed into the car, only to find Wen Xihan sitting on the other side, almost pressed against the door, leaving enough space between them for two people to sit.

She bit her lip but said nothing, and the door closed with an unusually soft sound.

Hearing the movement, Zhong Ke glanced at the rearview mirror. Their eyes exchanged a brief look, and she suppressed a smile before gently starting the car.

The car hadn’t driven for long when the light drizzle stopped.

The road wasn’t crowded, and Zhong Ke drove the car unusually smoothly, with little bumping. The droplets on the car window slowly slid down.

The car was warm, and Wen Xihan and Ruan Xinyi sat on opposite sides, with no one speaking, creating an unusually quiet atmosphere.

Perhaps it was this awkward silence that made Wen Xihan unknowingly relax, lowering her guard against Ruan Xinyi. As her nerves eased, the slight drunkenness she felt began to rise slowly.

Wen Xihan leaned back in her seat. In just a moment, a drowsy feeling overtook her.

Through the blurry reflection on the car window, she saw Ruan Xinyi staring at the retreating street scene outside.

This, at least, was just like before.

It seemed like it was Ruan Su who, with rare free time, had decided to take them to the newly developed hot spring resort for a two-day trip.

That night, Ruan Su’s little one was so eager to sleep that she couldn’t rest. After 11 p.m., the little one, dressed in a cute pajama, clutching her little pillow, knocked on her door in the middle of the night.

When she opened the door, she saw the little bundle rubbing her eyes, sounding both babyish and pitiful. "Auntie, I can’t sleep..."

The hallway lights were off. The little one was particularly clever, lowering her voice as she glanced upstairs. "Auntie, can I sleep with you tonight? Just for one night. I’ll be very quiet, so Mom won’t hear."

Back then, Ruan Su’s little one was so well-behaved and understanding. She climbed into bed without a word and quickly fell asleep, without needing her to coax her.

Perhaps because she slept too late that night, the next day, Ruǎn Su’s little one overslept.

Ruan Su didn’t say anything but silently ate her breakfast at the table, curiously watching her little one, who was guilty and anxious about being late.

The little one was overly thoughtful, dressing herself, washing her face, brushing her teeth, and sweetly greeting everyone. "Auntie, Mama~"

After breakfast, they set off for the hot spring resort in the neighboring city.

Throughout the journey, Ruan Su stayed busy with work, while the little one curiously gazed outside, looking around. Perhaps it was her first time sitting in a car for such a long time, and after looking out the window, she soon got car sick.

She noticed the little one’s discomfort first and quickly called for the driver to stop.

As soon as the car stopped, the little one couldn’t wait to jump out and throw up.

Even quicker than her reaction was Ruan Su, who tossed the computer aside and grabbed a bottle of water. She got out of the car from the side near the road and gently patted the little one’s thin back, asking in a soft voice, "Are you feeling better?"

It was then that she realized Ruan Su cared about her little one even more than she showed.

But the little one, without any gratitude, quickly called out, "Auntie..."

"..."

Ruan Su’s face at that moment was quite something.

Wen Xihan closed her eyes slightly, her lips curving upward silently, allowing sleep to overtake her.

Ruan Xinyi was indeed watching the window, but more of her attention was on the figure reflected in the glass.

After observing for a few minutes and confirming that Wen Xihan was truly asleep, Ruan Xinyi cautiously silenced her phone and, moving with great care, reached out a finger, tentatively touching it.

When her finger was only an inch away from Wen Xihan, Ruan Xinyi lifted her gaze and met Zhong Ke’s teasing look in the rearview mirror.

"…"

The one caught didn’t panic at all. Instead, she mischievously winked at Zhong Ke.

Zhong Ke shifted her jaw slightly, as if grinding her teeth, but gradually slowed the car down.

Finally, Ruan Xinyi seated herself next to Wen Xihan.

She glanced back over her shoulder and, using the gap between Wen Xihan’s neck and the headrest, slowly extended her arm.

Being a thief in such a subtle way requires immense patience, and with the assistance of a teammate’s perfect timing, one can finally embrace the soft, fragrant warmth long desired.

Zhong Ke’s temples throbbed twice. After making sure not to jostle Wen Xihan, she sharply swerved the steering wheel to the right.

Ruan Xinyi supported Wen Xihan, who was leaning toward her, carefully hooking an arm around her and letting her rest on her shoulder.

"Thank you," Ruan Xinyi mouthed silently to Zhong Ke.

Zhong Ke rolled her eyes at Ruan Xinyi and deliberately avoided glancing at the rearview mirror.

The bar wasn't far from the apartment. No matter how slowly Zhong Ke drove, they inevitably arrived at their destination.

Following Ruan Xinyi's hand gestures, Zhong Ke smoothly reversed the car into the parking spot.

As the engine stopped, Zhong Ke unbuckled her seatbelt, gestured at Ruan Xinyi and the person resting on her shoulder, then tossed her the keys before quietly closing the car door and leaving.

A dozen seconds later, the phone in Ruan Xinyi's bag vibrated.

Afraid that the light from the phone screen would disturb the sleeping person, Ruan Xinyi tugged her sleeve down to cover most of the phone's glow, leaving only a narrow gap to read the message.

It was from Zhong Ke: [Tsk, Xinyi, you're no fun. I thought you'd have me drive a few more laps around the neighborhood.]

Ruan Xinyi replied with her thumb, relying on muscle memory for the keyboard: [Gas is expensive. Let’s reduce emissions, shall we?]

Zhong Ke sent back a string of ellipses in exasperation.

Turning off the screen, Ruan Xinyi slipped the phone back into her bag, then turned her head to look at Wen Xihan, who was sleeping soundly on her shoulder.

The woman's features were exquisitely sharp—her nose straight and delicate, her breathing soft and steady. Her slender lips parted slightly in her sleep, and the usual aloofness that kept others at bay had completely vanished.

This side of her—aside from that night—was only the second time Ruan Xinyi had seen it.

Unconsciously, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Lowering her head, Ruan Xinyi gently kissed Wen Xihan on the forehead.

Time slipped by. Maybe it was a few minutes; maybe it hadn't even been half an hour. Ruan Xinyi noticed the person leaning on her shoulder stir slightly, her forehead brushing against her neck, accompanied by a soft hum.

Ruan Xinyi slowed her breathing, careful not to wake Wen Xihan.

After silently counting in her head, Ruan Xinyi called softly, “Sister?”

“Hmm?” Wen Xihan’s voice was thick with sleep, a hazy, melodic hum.

Holding her breath, Ruan Xinyi tightened her arms around her, her voice hoarse as she repeated, “Sister~”

“Hmm?”

Wen Xihan’s eyelids fluttered slightly, and her breath brushed against Ruan Xinyi’s neck, leaving a warm trail on her skin.

Feeling her face flush, Ruan Xinyi glanced down and intertwined her fingers with Wen Xihan’s, gripping her hand tightly.

She asked, “Do you know who I am?”

“Ruan… Ruan…”

“Ruan Xinyi—”

This time, Wen Xihan said her name clearly, every syllable ringing in Ruan Xinyi’s ears.

Swallowing hard, Ruan Xinyi gently stroked the back of Wen Xihan’s head and murmured apologetically, “Sister, I’m sorry.”

Wen Xihan seemed more awake now. “What for?”

“I want to kiss you.”

As she spoke, Ruan Xinyi held Wen Xihan by the shoulders and precisely pressed her lips against the ones she had longed for.  

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