Chapter 43: Bed Companion Part 2

Her face flushed bright red in an instant.

She was just about to stand when Shi Sui said, “Rest for a bit. You didn’t sleep well last night either.”

Jiang Ruoning didn’t really want to rest, but it was too embarrassing. Her mind was full of that slow-motion scene of Shi Sui’s, the whole room scented with fragrance.

She felt like a traveler exiled in the desert.

Who had accidentally glimpsed a water source.

Her body clamored and shouted.

Jiang Ruoning almost couldn’t hold back.

It was just wiping fingers—not like she was fingering her.

Why get so worked up!

Before her face could burn hotter, Jiang Ruoning shot to her feet. Shi Sui looked up, and Jiang Ruoning said, “I need to use the bathroom.”

She made her escape.

So embarrassing!

But if she didn’t, she felt like she would pounce.

Shi Sui was a total menace!

She was certain of it.

Shi Sui turned her head to watch her leave but didn’t follow. Instead, she drew the curtains closed, lay down on the bed, and under the influence of the medication, her mind grew foggy and drowsy. Her phone vibrated several times, but she didn’t hear it. Her vision blurred with flashes of color, scenes flickering one after another.

Memories from her school days abroad, when she had just returned to the country and started working.

The first time she saw Jiang Ruoning’s message online.

Jiang Ruoning emerged from the bathroom. She hadn’t planned to return to the room, but seeing that Shi Sui hadn’t covered herself with the blanket, she went in anyway. When she pulled the blanket over Shi Sui, her skin felt a bit hot to the touch.

Was she running a fever again?

Worried, Jiang Ruoning fetched a thermometer from the living room and took her temperature—37.8 degrees.

A low-grade fever.

She touched Shi Sui’s forehead; it wasn’t scorching. She must have been feeling off with this low fever all morning, yet she had still taken her out to eat and chatted so much nonsense.

She must have been extremely uncomfortable.

This woman…

Jiang Ruoning wanted to curse her but didn’t know where to start.

The fever wasn’t too high, so Jiang Ruoning didn’t wake her for fever reducers. Instead, she leaned over the edge of the bed, just like the night before, occasionally glancing at Shi Sui. Before long, drowsiness overtook her—she hadn’t slept all night and ended up dozing off with her head on the bed.

In her dream, someone called out to her.

It was Jiang Qin, scolding her for slouching when sitting and sprawling when sleeping, even smacking her on the butt. Jiang Ruoning reflexively scrambled onto the bed and burrowed under the covers.

It was a bit hot.

A bit stuffy.

She wanted to poke her face out to breathe, but the blanket wouldn’t budge—it pinned her down tightly. Annoyed, Jiang Ruoning yanked it off with a forceful shove, the motion jolting her awake.

She opened her eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling light.

And at the arm that she had pushed away, now draped over her again.

Like an octopus, Shi Sui had rolled toward her and was hugging her once more.

No wonder it felt so heavy.

No wonder it was so hot.

Jiang Ruoning turned her head. Shi Sui was still asleep, her breathing steady and even, her fair skin showing no sign of renewed fever. Jiang Ruoning let out a breath of relief. Her gaze slid from Shi Sui’s forehead downward, lingering on her nose bridge, her tip, her thin lips.

The curve of those lips was perfect for kissing—they looked so soft.

Jiang Ruoning swallowed.

She reached out a finger and brushed it over Shi Sui’s upper lip, rubbing back and forth. Shi Sui’s lips parted slightly, and Jiang Ruoning pressed her fingertip in a little. Seeing no reaction, she withdrew her hand, leaned forward, and pressed her own lips lightly against them.

The moment they touched, Shi Sui’s embrace turned into a storm.

Her kissing skills seemed maxed out—her tongue tip was wet and slick, stirring up the deepest memories in Jiang Ruoning.

“Shi Sui, wanna walk home together tonight?”

“Shi Sui, I passed by the convenience store and grabbed some snacks for you.”

“Shi Sui, what flavor of milk tea do you like?”

“Shi Sui, you brought me chocolate today?”

“Shi Sui, do you like girls?”

Jiang Ruoning jolted awake.

She shoved Shi Sui away in a panic, scrambled up to a sitting position, and gasped for breath. Shi Sui was pushed to the edge of the bed, nearly tumbling off. Jiang Ruoning quickly yanked her back to the center, pursed her lips, tucked the blanket over her, and got off the bed.

What a joke.

She had almost climaxed from a single kiss.^1

Jiang Ruoning rushed into the bathroom, grabbed the toothpaste and toothbrush, and brushed furiously. Who knew if there were germs in Shi Sui’s mouth—she didn’t want to catch a cold or fever.

Brush it clean!

She brushed three or four times before stopping, touching her slightly swollen lips. She couldn’t tell if it was from Shi Sui’s kiss or from brushing too long. She didn’t dare go back to the room.

Shi Sui was a succubus.

The moment she went in, she got pulled in.

Good thing her willpower was strong.

Jiang Ruoning sat on the sofa and took a sip of warm water, but it didn’t feel right. She went to the kitchen and switched to the cup Shi Sui had prepared for her, which made her feel a bit better. Her phone, charging in the living room, had several messages: work notices from Zhao Miaomiao and inquiries from Qin Zheng. Just as Jiang Ruoning was about to reply to Qin Zheng, she heard movement outside the door—someone approaching in high heels.

She perked up her ears. The next second, there was a knock.

Who!

Jiang Nuan?

Jiang Ruoning’s first thought was actually Xu Qingqing.

Sure enough, Xu Qingqing’s voice came from outside: “Shi Sui, open the door.”

Jiang Ruoning strode to the door in a few steps. After a moment’s thought, she doubled back to Shi Sui’s room, opened her closet, and rifled through it disdainfully for two seconds.

All so prim and proper.

Not a single nightie that barely covered the butt?

In the end, she grabbed a one-piece nightgown at random, changed into it quickly, raked her long hair back, tiptoed out of the room, and carefully closed the door behind her. Then, with great fanfare, she flung the door open.

Xu Qingqing had knocked two or three times and was about to call Shi Sui when the doorknob turned. She looked up to see Jiang Ruoning emerging in sleepwear.

Her long hair disheveled behind her, the marks on her neck not yet faded.

It wasn’t hard to guess what they had been doing inside.

Xu Qingqing froze in shock for two seconds. Jiang Ruoning snapped impatiently, “Who are you looking for?”

She seemed much more arrogant and overbearing than six years ago.

Xu Qingqing remembered the first time she met Jiang Ruoning at school. Jiang Ruoning, as the student representative, had spoken at a parent-teacher conference. She had overheard a classmate’s mother say, “This girl’s really something—single-parent family, top grades, polite too, and pretty. Impressive.”

Back then, she had admired Jiang Ruoning too. So when Shi Sui started hanging out with them, Xu Qingqing was pleased, thinking Shi Sui could learn some good habits from them.

She never imagined.

She only picked up bad ones.

Single-parent families had their flaws, after all.

Shameless.

That’s why she had seduced Shi Sui back then.

Xu Qingqing replied arrogantly and coldly, “Where’s Shi Sui?”

Jiang Ruoning said, “She’s sleeping. Keep your voice down so you don’t wake her.”

Xu Qingqing frowned. “Open the door.”

Jiang Ruoning braced herself in the doorway, blocking the handle with her body, and smiled at Xu Qingqing. “And you are… Director Xu?”

Xu Qingqing furrowed her brows.

Jiang Ruoning had no memory of her—she had known that back then, which was why she had tacitly allowed Shi Sui to develop in Shangjing. She figured that even if Shi Sui liked her, with Jiang Ruoning’s amnesia, she might not accept her. Besides, the past example was there—Shi Sui shouldn’t be foolish enough to repeat it.

She never expected Shi Sui to be that stupid.

Still contacting Jiang Ruoning.

And Jiang Ruoning? With no memories, they had known each other for barely a month, and she was already rolling in the sheets?

Utterly low-class!

Just a loose woman, as expected!

The contempt in Xu Qingqing’s eyes was blatant. She shoved at Jiang Ruoning, but Jiang Ruoning didn’t budge, standing firm.

Xu Qingqing’s frown deepened. The old Jiang Ruoning would never have been so disobedient.

The Jiang Ruoning with Shi Sui had always obeyed her every word—when had she ever been this rebellious?

Xu Qingqing said, “I’m her mother.”

“So what?” Jiang Ruoning didn’t yield. “You’re her mother, not her wife. What, come to catch us in the act?”

“You!” Xu Qingqing’s face flushed red. “Insolent! Do you know who you’re talking to?”

Jiang Ruoning shrugged with utter nonchalance. “I do. Director Xu, high and mighty head of Fuli Group.”

Xu Qingqing said, “Jiang Ruoning, are you going to live like this forever—shameless?”

“Shameless?” Jiang Ruoning burst out laughing at that. She looked at Xu Qingqing. “Who could be more shameless than you? Your daughter’s just dating someone—it’s not like she’s stealing another woman’s man. Why the shouting and threats? Outsiders might think Shi Sui’s your pet, that she can’t even step out without your permission.”

Xu Qingqing gritted her teeth. “Is that how your mother raised you?”

“My mom taught me plenty. She said to speak human to humans, ghost-talk to ghosts. And that not all elders deserve respect.” Jiang Ruoning eyed Xu Qingqing. “You, especially, don’t qualify as one.”

“You!” Xu Qingqing raised her hand to slap Jiang Ruoning. Though her swing was fast, Jiang Ruoning caught her wrist and gripped it hard.

Xu Qingqing couldn’t move.

Jiang Ruoning said, “Shi Sui lets you hit her because she’s stupid, foolish, still seeing you as her mom!”

Her words turned icy. “You didn’t think you’d get the same treatment from me, did you?”

Xu Qingqing clenched her fist.

The old Jiang Ruoning hadn’t just taken beatings and scolding—she let Xu Qingqing walk all over her, even idolized her.

Never this sharp-tongued.

Xu Qingqing glared furiously at Jiang Ruoning.

Jiang Ruoning met her gaze without flinching. Thinking of how Jiang Qin freaked out at Shi Sui’s name, how all her relatives had suffered unfairly because of her, and how they must have struggled these years…

The fire in Jiang Ruoning’s chest blazed. Flames danced in her eyes. Xu Qingqing saw the hatred there and for a split second thought Jiang Ruoning had recovered her memories.

Impossible.

If she had, how dare she act this way?

Still gripping Xu Qingqing’s wrist, Jiang Ruoning stepped forward, her words provocative. “Director Xu doesn’t need to concern herself with me so much. Shi Sui and I are just playing around—she’s treasure to you, but to me, she’s just a convenient bed partner. When I get tired of her, I’ll return her to you.”

Xu Qingqing’s eyes reddened with rage. “You! You!” She stammered repeatedly, too furious for words. Jiang Ruoning flung her hand away, straightened her clothes, and said, “Take care of your health, Director Xu.”

“Bitch!” Xu Qingqing finally exploded. “Little bitch!”

Jiang Ruoning watched her calmly, like she was a performing monkey. Darkness flickered in Xu Qingqing’s eyes as she turned to leave. Jiang Ruoning called after her, “Oh, right, Director Xu.”

Xu Qingqing paused with her back turned.

Jiang Ruoning said, “I don’t want these matters disturbing my mom or my friends—just like you don’t want anyone knowing your daughter’s a lesbian.”

Threatening her?

Xu Qingqing whipped around to stare at Jiang Ruoning, her anger peaking into a smile.

Well played.

Very well played.

A mere model daring to threaten her.

Seeing her turn, Jiang Ruoning waved with a fake gentle smile. “Goodbye, Director Xu.”

Xu Qingqing shot her a venomous glare and stormed off.

Jiang Ruoning exhaled sharply, feeling instantly relieved. No wonder Wu Jie had said her meridians were clear that day—it really felt unblocked now.

She watched the elevator descend, floor by floor. Turning back, she pressed the door handle. As it swung open, someone stood inside.

Jiang Ruoning jumped. “Shi—Shi Sui?”

Shi Sui’s face was unreadable. She showed no big reaction to Jiang Ruoning’s startled voice. Jiang Ruoning had no idea when she had gotten there or if she had overheard the confrontation with Xu Qingqing. Without giving her time to react, Shi Sui grabbed her hand, pulled her inside, and slammed the door shut.

Bang.

Jiang Ruoning felt a twinge of guilt.

She stole a glance at Shi Sui’s expression as she was dragged stumbling into the bedroom. There, Shi Sui shoved her onto the bed.

Jiang Ruoning yelped, “W-what are you doing!”

Shi Sui’s face was overcast. “Fulfilling my bed partner duties.”