Chapter 23: Bites and Then Ghosts Part 1

“……!”

The shirt collar, which had been neatly fastened around her neck, was yanked open and pulled to the right. A large expanse of snow-white skin was exposed across her collarbone and right shoulder, the bare curve revealing a subtle bone structure that was exceptionally alluring.

A thin bra strap peeked out in an ambiguous tease. Bai Jin’s ears flushed red in an instant. Before she could say another word, Lu Huan gripped her waist with one hand and sank her teeth into the soft flesh of her shoulder and neck.

“Ugh!”

Bai Jin shuddered violently, squeezing one eye shut against the pain.

The sharp bite mingled with a tingling, electric shock that surged through her entire body. Her waist was pinned at the exact spot that left her powerless to move.

For a brief moment, her raised gaze went blank.

It hurt…

Pressed tightly against another body, strands of hair tickling her skin, the distant click of high heels approached from outside the office. Realizing someone was passing by just beyond the door, Bai Jin’s heart lurched again.

She gritted her teeth. “Lu Huan…”

If that person outside decided to come in right now and caught them like this—it would be—

“Outside. Someone’s outside.” Her voice trembled as she warned her, but Lu Huan didn’t release her. Instead, she bit down even harder.

A tangle of chaotic thoughts swirled through Bai Jin’s mind, worst-case scenarios flashing repeatedly.

Fortunately, the clicking heels drew near, then faded away. Whoever it was had just been passing.

The bite lingered for a full ten seconds before Lu Huan finally let go.

She hadn’t held back—when she pulled away, the skin was broken. But Lu Huan didn’t consider her force excessive.

Sitting up slightly, she undid her own collar with one hand and tugged it open, revealing the bite mark Bai Jin had left on her shoulder and neck the night before.

It had already seeped spots of blood last night—far worse than the mark she’d just inflicted.

Bai Jin glanced at Lu Huan’s shoulder and neck, her chest rising and falling as her frantic heartbeat steadied.

Now they both bore matching marks on their right shoulders and necks.

“Now we’re even.” Lu Huan wiped her lips with the back of her hand. “Why avoid me?”

She stared intently, breathing heavily for a couple of beats—as if she’d been swept up in the heat of the moment herself. Calming down, she turned and walked away, rebuttoning her shirt collar as she went.

Bai Jin lifted her hand to her neck. Her fingertip brushed the wound, tracing the distinct ridges of teeth marks and the faint lingering wetness.

So Lu Huan thought she was dodging her out of guilt for last night’s bite. This retaliation was meant to end the avoidance.

Was that really all there was to it?

Bai Jin lowered her eyes, fastening her collar buttons while gazing downward. She straightened the fabric, then looked up at Lu Huan and took a few steps closer.

“Sit. Aren’t you tired of standing?”

Bai Jin sat. Lu Huan leaned in close from behind, teasing a chuckle into her ear before returning to her own seat across from her.

As though struck by a sudden thought, Lu Huan scooted forward. Propping her chin on one hand, her eyes gleamed with layered meaning, her tone light and teasing. “You jumped to conclusions the moment you saw that lipstick mark last night. So you knew I like women?”

Bai Jin hesitated, unsure whether to respond or stay silent. But Lu Huan had already straightened up, reclining casually against her chairback as if nothing had happened.

An office desk separated them. Lu Huan drew out a stack of documents and flipped it open. “I’ve been swamped lately—no time for whatever wild ideas you cooked up. Don’t worry.”

“Even if there was someone, I wouldn’t bring them home. And I certainly wouldn’t let them take your place.”

Bai Jin’s eyelids drooped slightly. She said nothing.

Yet beneath her half-lowered lashes, a flicker of emotion stirred.

Your place…

What place? And where?

A spot in the house? Or deeper, in the heart?

What place did she hold there?

More cryptic words, ripe for misunderstanding.

Bai Jin ached to demand clarity—to slice open Lu Huan’s chest and read the truth for herself. What rank did she hold in that heart? She yearned to unleash the feral beast she’d caged inside, to bare her unfiltered self.

But over a dozen years had schooled her in restraint.

She wouldn’t allow such sordid, unhinged impulses to break free.

A quiet pause passed. Bai Jin merely nodded, adding nothing more.

“By the way.” Lu Huan let out a faint chuckle. “Don’t tell Mom.”

“Mm.” Bai Jin acknowledged.

Likely referring to her tastes in bedmates.

Lu Huan rose and quickly gathered some files. Bai Jin watched her calmly from across the desk. Moments later, a stack of documents landed before her.

Before Bai Jin could ask, Lu Huan spoke first. “Weren’t you scared I’d run wild out there? Then keep an eye on me. See exactly what I do on a normal day.”

Bai Jin fell silent once more: “……”

The petulant edge in her tone hinted at lingering pique from yesterday.

Bai Jin voiced no protest. She nodded and set to organizing the materials.

The office fell into companionable quiet. Now and then, Lu Huan offered a couple of crisp instructions—always work-focused, straightforward. Nothing seemed amiss at a glance.

Yet when Lu Huan handed over a cup of tea, or leaned in from behind to murmur near her ear, Bai Jin sensed the undercurrent.

An intangible, flirtatious haze clung to the air, punctuated by touches that masqueraded as accidental.

It felt less like routine paperwork and more like seizing a pretext for something illicit.

Like clandestine lovers.

Veiled in sunlight by a veneer of propriety, stealing moments behind closed doors.

The sensation sharpened when the door swung open and someone entered.

Probing glances darted their way, lips parting only to press shut, words hovering unspoken—all betraying the intruder’s suspicions about their dynamic.

Bai Jin couldn’t help pondering it herself. Claim they were mere boss and subordinate? Reality begged to differ. Sisters? They neither treated nor addressed each other that way.

The thought drew a silent scoff from deep within.

Right—what were they, really?

When it boiled down to it, probably nothing.

“……”

Time flew. Morning bled into lunch, then afternoon—the full workday found Bai Jin ensconced in Lu Huan’s office.

Vindicating Lu Huan’s claim: “See what I do all day.”

Work. Plain and simple.

Colleagues emerging from the office hurried back to their department, buzzing in hushed tones to friends. “Bai Jin’s been sorting docs for President Lu all day straight.”

“Is she getting hazed or something?”

“No clue, but she’s slaving away in there nonstop. No breaks.”

“Probably pissed her off somehow. This is payback.”

“Who knows—”

They speculated freely, oblivious to that morning’s heated tussle and its lingering mark.

As evening quittin’ time rolled around, Lu Huan stepped behind Bai Jin and began kneading her shoulders.

“You’ve earned this.”

Her fingers worked with gentle, even pressure, coaxing away the ache of hours bent over desks.

“Head home now?”

Bai Jin kept her tone even, betraying no stray emotions.

Lu Huan’s chuckle was soft. “Not so fast. Before we go…”

“Something fun awaits.”

—

Afternoon sunlight bathed the scene.

“Come along, Xiao Xin.”

At the front of the house, the woman shouldered her bag and clasped the little girl’s hand, heading for the car door. A man dashed up, seizing their arms.

Hong Shuo burst from the house after them, face beet-red with fury. “What the hell is this now, woman? Fired from the company and you bolt with the kid? I ain’t bankrupt yet! What crap are you pulling?!”

Lately had been aggravation enough; now this? Heaven must be gunning for him.

Fang Ru’e slipped off her sunglasses, a wry laugh escaping her. “Old Hong, after all our years hitched—how many of my ‘tantrums’ have there really been? You know the score.”

Hong Shuo’s gut twisted with dread. “W-what do you mean by that?”

“You know exactly. I’m done pretending.”

Fang Ru’e tightened her grip on Xiao Xin’s hand. “As for the joint money you’ve blown on your side pieces all these years—my lawyer will be in touch.”

She bit out each word. “We’ll tally every penny.”

Hong Shuo’s mind blanked, as if something detonated inside.

By the time he regained his wits, Fang Ru’e and her daughter were in the car, the driver sealing the door.

“No—damn it, we can talk! Why take the kid?!!”

Hong Shuo slapped at the window. Fang Ru’e never glanced back, simply directing the driver onward.

The car pulled away, widening the gulf between them and the man.

In the back seat, Xiao Xin hugged her rabbit plush, kneeling to peer over the headrest. She watched her father’s stationary figure, then turned to her mother, confused. “Mommy, why are we leaving?”

Fang Ru’e’s eyes were flat and ashen. Only when Xiao Xin called did a spark return.

She curved her lips faintly. “Because Daddy loves someone else now. Mommy’s off to find someone who loves her—and live life on her terms.”

Xiao Xin grasped little of “loving another”—to her, love meant delight, pure joy. She just wanted Mommy happy.

So she nodded brightly. “Xiao Xin will stay with Mommy forever.”

“That’s my good girl.” Fang Ru’e tousled her hair.

The taillights dwindled into the distance.

Hong Shuo remained rooted, baffled at the misstep.

His wife had been the picture of compliance all these marriage years—no drama. How had it exploded like this?

He raked his hair in frustration, tsking sharply. Just then, Chen Zhong hustled up behind him.

“Uncle—Uncle! What happened? Why’d Aunt just…” up and leave?

Hong Shuo worked his jaw uselessly before waving him off. “Drop it. None of your business.”

He stalked back inside. Chen Zhong trailed after, feigning concern, only to be blocked at the threshold by the bootlicking housekeeper.

“Beat it. Brother Hong’s in a mood—marital hiccup, that’s all. What’re you, the kid detective? Buzz off.”

From the doorway, Chen Zhong eyed Hong Shuo in the living room, fret etching his face. “Uncle!”

It all made it seem like he was the one bullying people. Hong Shuo waved his hand dismissively, sank into the sofa, and lit a cigarette. “Forget it, forget it. What’s the point of quibbling with my own nephew?”

Only then did the butler let the visitor in.

Chen Zhong stepped inside and stood awkwardly to one side of the sofa, not daring to sit. He kept his hands clasped obediently in front of him.

Across the coffee table, he addressed Hong Shuo, who sat with his legs crossed and a cigarette dangling from his lips. “Uncle, what about… my job? And the matter you mentioned before? You said you’d get me into the Lin Group.”

The Lin Group’s benefits were sure to be no worse than Qining’s, and with their vast assets, working there would give him real status once he stepped back out into the world.

Hong Shuo had brought it up offhand at first, but now there was no further word.

“Young man, what’s the rush?” Hong Shuo exhaled a plume of smoke and adopted the posture of a wise elder. “You’ve called me ‘uncle’—do you really think I wouldn’t help you out?”

“It’s not like making contact over there happens overnight. Don’t they need time to weigh their options? It’s a massive company, and President Lin’s a major player. Would she just ghost someone on a whim? If she weren’t on board, why go to all that trouble circling around with me? You’d have to be an idiot not to think it through.”

His words rang true, and Chen Zhong felt a measure of relief.

Hong Shuo jiggled his raised foot a couple of times. “You know, what you just said reminded me—I do need to go see someone again today.”

He had to deliver the second half of the leverage she wanted. If there were no issues, the deal would be sealed.

Chen Zhong opened his mouth to ask more, but Hong Shuo had no intention of elaborating. He waved him off curtly. “I’ll let you know when there’s news. Don’t you trust me to handle it?”