Chapter 27: Trigger Point Part 1

Xu Yinian had never heard such gentle words in her life. For a moment, the tenderness was so overwhelming that she forgot her own pain and froze in place. Touched and embarrassed, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she looked up, drowning in the depth of those beautiful eyes.

Shen Ruoshuang and Ji Yan watched the exchange, their gazes turning cold in unison.

Bai Ran was far too skilled at using her advantages. She repeatedly utilized her “frail” constitution to garner sympathy, using it as a wedge to draw closer to Xu Yinian.

Unfortunately, with Xu Yinian in such obvious distress, neither of them could start a fight or try to snatch her away. They could only watch as Bai Ran seized the initiative.

Fortunately, Xu Yinian’s next words were a polite, equal-opportunity rejection.

Though they were all too familiar with her avoidant, independent nature, this was the first time they found her rejection so pleasant to the ear.

“Sister Ran… I don’t really need that. It’s mostly just for psychological comfort anyway. A hot water bottle and brown sugar water are enough for me.”

Before Xu Yinian could even finish her sentence, Shen Ruoshuang had already picked up the old-fashioned thermos next to her desk. She gave it a light shake; as expected, it hadn’t been filled yet.

Xu Yinian had clearly been planning to head out for exactly that reason.

“I’ll go get the water.”

Shen Ruoshuang’s voice was crisp and clear, devoid of any unnecessary emotion, as if she were simply performing a routine task for herself.

It was this calm, self-possessed delivery that left Xu Yinian staring in a daze. It wasn’t until Shen Ruoshuang was nearly out the door that she finally reacted.

“Ah… Wait?!”

Xu Yinian had no room to refuse now; the thermos was already in the other woman’s hand.

She had no idea why the “Ice Queen” had suddenly descended from her pedestal to fuss over her and perform such menial tasks… but how could Xu Yinian possibly feel at ease enjoying the service of such a darling of fortune?

She hurried to catch up, but between the abdominal cramps and her unhealed sprained ankle, her pace was agonizingly slow.

Hearing the commotion behind her, Shen Ruoshuang’s eyes—hidden from Xu Yinian’s view—flickered with a moment of panic.

Her voice remained cold, lacking any overt tenderness, yet it carried an instinctive protective edge: “It’s not convenient for you to move. Wait here.”

The chance to have Xu Yinian follow her and spend a few private moments together at the hot water station was certainly precious. But if the price of fulfilling that wish was taking advantage of Xu Yinian’s suffering, Shen Ruoshuang would rather continue to wait.

Xu Yinian wasn’t easily deterred, but before she could reach the door, a figure blocked her path.

It was Ji Yan. Sensing danger, Xu Yinian instinctively took a few steps back. However, she froze when she looked up and saw Ji Yan’s face.

Seeing the girl’s sheer terror and her desperate attempt to avoid her, Ji Yan’s expression turned peculiar. The usual lazy, reckless air was gone. She opened her mouth, hesitating.

“Xu Yinian, about what happened just now—”

At those words, Bai Ran’s body tensed for a split second. Her gaze fixed on Ji Yan, her eyes deepening.

It was never a good sign when a “mad dog” started getting serious. One Shen Ruoshuang was already enough of a handful.

Sensing the hint of guilt and hesitation in Ji Yan’s tone, Xu Yinian suddenly understood. It seemed Ji Yan had discovered she was suffering from period pain while being bullied earlier. Had she actually found a conscience?

Xu Yinian’s fear and sense of grievance stemmed from being so easily controlled and toyed with by Ji Yan. The only reason the other girl was realizing her behavior was excessive was because she currently looked like a ghost from the pain.

Deep down, Xu Yinian didn’t truly accept the sentiment, but her naturally soft temperament made it impossible for her to say anything harsh.

She simply looked away, her voice so faint it seemed it might dissipate at any moment. “Please… just don’t do it again.”

Though she remained calm on the surface, Xu Yinian was internally shaken by Ji Yan’s abnormal behavior. In the original novel, Ji Yan would never care whether an insignificant person lived or died. Ji Yan had done far worse things than this without ever showing a hint of remorse or offering an apology.

It wasn’t just Ji Yan; Shen Ruoshuang’s behavior also completely contradicted her “Ice Queen” persona—a character who was never supposed to be moved by emotion or step down from her pedestal so easily.

Xu Yinian couldn’t tell if the original novel was simply inaccurate, or if the relationship had changed because she wasn’t performing the villainous acts of the original “cannon fodder” character.

But Xu Yinian didn’t want this kind of attention or care. No relationship was the best relationship. She only wanted these darlings of fortune to leave her alone as soon as possible.

Ji Yan hadn’t actually planned to say those words. Her initial reason for stopping Xu Yinian was the fear that the girl would pass out from pain halfway down the hall.

But seeing the girl retreat in fear, the words she had been agonizing over spilled out the moment she opened her mouth.

Taking in Xu Yinian’s clear coldness, a shade of darkness flickered in Ji Yan’s eyes, her pupils turning as black as unbridgeable ink.

Just then, the door—which Shen Ruoshuang had left slightly ajar—was abruptly pushed open. All three girls snapped their heads toward the entrance.

Several figures appeared, peering inside with offensive curiosity. The moment they spotted Ji Yan and Bai Ran, their eyes lit up. They stepped onto the entryway floor with their outdoor shoes and even pulled the door shut behind them.

Xu Yinian recognized them instantly. They were the seniors from the Public Relations Department who had come to “sweep the building” yesterday.

Recalling their previous awkward conflict, Xu Yinian bit her lip and looked away without saying a word.