Chapter 59: Heart in Turmoil Part 3

Guilt flared in Yinian’s chest; she was terrified that Sister Ran would notice something amiss. In her panic, she shoved the water glass back into Shen Ruoshuang’s hand, struggled out from the curve of her arm, and dove back onto the bed, feigning sleep as if nothing had happened.

Shen Ruoshuang’s dark eyes lowered. She idly swirled the remaining half-glass of water, turning the cup until her fingers brushed the dampened rim where Yinian’s lips had been.

Right in front of both Xu Yinian and Bai Ran, she pressed her lips to that exact spot. Tilting her long, pale neck, she drained the glass.

The elegant line of her throat shifted as she swallowed, a sight that was provocatively alluring despite her usual cold, ethereal aura.

Not only did she drink my leftovers… she specifically sought out the spot I drank from!

How is this any different from a kiss?

Xu Yinian instinctively pressed her lips together. Her cheeks, the corners of her eyes, and the tips of her ears all erupted in a sudden, scorching heat. She was so embarrassed her fingers reflexively bunched the corner of her pillow into a tight ball.

Only one thought remained in her chaotic mind: If I… if I had known… I would have finished the water myself.

Bai Ran’s eyes swept over Shen Ruoshuang as she finished the water, but when she caught Xu Yinian’s reaction, her head snapped back toward the glass.

It was impossible to stay on guard against everything at once.

For the rest of the morning, Xu Yinian was a mess. Her thoughts were trapped in a loop, replaying Shen Ruoshuang’s words and the image of her drinking from the glass.

She was so distracted that she barely registered Bai Ran’s meticulous care—how she carefully folded Yinian’s clothes and left them at the foot of the bed or how she made sure breakfast was ordered before they left.

.

Over the next day or two, Shen Ruoshuang’s attitude returned to its usual indifference.

She threw herself into her studies, leaving early and returning late, making that morning’s “offensive” feel like nothing more than a fever dream.

To her annoyance, Xu Yinian realized that she had become the one closely monitoring the other woman’s every move. Out of a sudden, inexplicable sense of spite, she resolved to stop thinking about Shen Ruoshuang altogether.

The day for her voice acting session on Saturday arrived quickly. Senior Sister Qin, who usually sought her out for chats or meals, had suddenly gone quiet.

Even Ji Yan, who had helped her that night, hadn’t sent a single message.

After being pestered by Ji Yan on WeChat for so long, the sudden silence was actually a bit hard to get used to. However, Yinian was the type who never reached out to others unless absolutely necessary; though she was curious, she didn’t ask.

Since her relationship with Ji Yan had softened, Xu Yinian had insisted several times that Bai Ran didn’t need to accompany her to the recording session.

Bai Ran, however, was exceptionally persistent, claiming she simply wanted to go along for fun. Given that excuse, Yinian had no ground to refuse.

The car waiting for them was the same one driven by the private assistant Yinian had met before.

The elegant, sophisticated vibe of the pearl-white Maybach perfectly matched Bai Ran’s gentle temperament. Sitting inside the top-tier luxury vehicle, Xu Yinian felt significantly less stiff and awkward than the first time.

They arrived at the familiar small building of Monologue Studios, though the person by Yinian’s side had changed from Qin Jiashu to Bai Ran.

“We should be finished around six in the evening. If the plan changes, I’ll contact you,” Bai Ran told the assistant before stepping out.

“Miss Bai, there is a family dinner tonight,” the assistant reminded her hesitantly. Her eyes didn’t dare meet Bai Ran’s; instead, she stared at Xu Yinian. It was clear who the message was truly intended for. “If you are absent, the Chairman and Madam will be displeased.”

The Bai family’s “family dinners” were never as warm as they sounded.

In a clan where the main and branch lines were constantly pitted against each other like venomous insects in a jar—a ruthless “survival of the fittest” struggle—every dinner was a battlefield of hidden agendas, power grabs, and posturing.

Although Bai Ran was the recognized heir, there were always those who mistook her sickly, gentle exterior for weakness.

This particular dinner concerned an overseas business venture. The question of who would take charge was vital, and the undercurrents had been surging for a long time. The Bai couple had high expectations for Bai Ran to secure this line.

The assistant never expected Bai Ran to skip it so easily just to have dinner with a girl. She hoped this ordinary young woman would be sensible enough to persuade Bai Ran to go.

Xu Yinian blinked, startled, and quickly said, “Oh… Sister Ran, if you have something important, you don’t need to eat with me tonight. I’ll be fine on my own.”

Bai Ran’s gaze flickered. She stared silently at the rearview mirror for a few seconds. When she turned back to Yinian, her eyes were once again filled with a soft, shimmering smile.

“Niannian, it’s almost time. Go on up so you aren’t late. I’ll just exchange a few words with the assistant and then I’ll follow you.”

Xu Yinian could tell she still had no intention of going to the dinner, which made her feel uneasy. But since the two clearly had private matters to discuss, she could only get out and head toward the studio.

The moment the car door clicked shut, Bai Ran’s gentle posture vanished. She leaned back against the leather seat with the casual, dangerous grace of a refined predator. Her entire aura turned chillingly dark.

“I apologize, Miss Bai, but the Madam is monitoring everything. If you don’t go and have no other excuse, Miss Xu will be discovered.”

The assistant’s expression was full of trepidation. Bai Ran was terrifying; she tolerated not even a hint of defiance. But since the assistant’s true employer wasn’t actually Bai Ran, she had to try and force a stop regardless of her fear.

“You know that well, don’t you? After all, you’re the one monitoring me,” Bai Ran said, her lips curving into a smirk. her voice was as sweet and lethal as honeyed poison. “You are disloyal—both to the Bai family and to me.”

“But I don’t mind. Fear itself is an important bond in any relationship. Of course, if you’ve forgotten what that fear feels like, I don’t mind helping you remember.”

“For instance… how about a visit to your former lover?”

Only the Bai couple could be twisted enough to place her brother’s former assistant—and lover—by Bai Ran’s side to monitor and “balance” her. Even with the brother out of the picture, they wouldn’t stop their games of internal strife.

“You had better behave. If the Bai family finds out about Xu Yinian, you know the consequences.”

As she spoke, the last traces of warmth vanished from her smile, replaced by a gaze of predatory malice. Xu Yinian was Bai Ran’s bottom line; if anyone dared to touch her, she would show no mercy.

“Are you… afraid that a scandal involving a same-sex lover will be disadvantageous?” the assistant stammered.

At that, Bai Ran actually laughed.

“Lover? How could Niannian be my lover?”

Her eyes turned cold and possessive. “She will be my wife.”