Chapter 7: A Heavy Downpour

“Mm…” Meng Chuning slowly extended the tip of her tongue. From the scald, a natural flush crept from her dainty tongue to her swan-like neck, while a misty dampness gathered at the slightly upturned corners of her eyes. It was the kind of expression easily reminiscent of a novel heroine lost in the throes of passion.

Having been steeped in Su Jiuyue’s works, Jiang Xiaoyi’s mind instantly flooded with a slew of indescribable scenes.

“N-No, nothing’s wrong.” Jiang Xiaoyi hurriedly averted her gaze. What on earth had she been thinking? How could she superimpose Big Boss Sister’s face onto those steamy GL webnovels?

What a grave sin. Jiang Xiaoyi resolved not to touch Su Jiuyue’s stories for a good while—they were far too corrupting.

It was just a simple check of her mouth, yet Jiang Xiaoyi’s face had turned so red.

Meng Chuning curved her lips downward slightly. “It tastes great.”

“Ah?” Only then did Jiang Xiaoyi belatedly realize Meng Chuning was talking about the vegetables.

“That’s good, then. Next, we’ll just plate them up.” Jiang Xiaoyi scooped the vegetables out with a strainer, drained them, arranged them on plates, and set the dipping sauce aside. Everything was ready.

Making a low-fat meal took no more than twenty minutes—a piece of cake for Jiang Xiaoyi. But it must have been a novelty for Meng Chuning; Big Boss Sister probably never cooked.

Ding-dong—

【Task completed. Reward credited.】

【Host Account balance: 530,000 yuan.】

The System’s chime finished, and Jiang Xiaoyi’s eyes lit up instantly.

Finally, a task done.

Jiang Xiaoyi considerately washed the used pots and bowls, putting them back in their places. Then, unable to wait any longer, she said her goodbyes. “Sister, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head out.”

“It’s still raining outside. You want to leave now?” Meng Chuning glanced at the weather. The rain had intensified since her arrival.

The overcast sky flickered with distant lightning, and the trees outside whipped wildly in the gusting wind.

“It’s getting dark. I’ll call a ride,” Jiang Xiaoyi insisted. If she didn’t go soon, the rain might get even worse, trapping her here.

“Wait until it lets up, and I’ll drive you.” Seeing Jiang Xiaoyi about to refuse again, Meng Chuning smiled and glanced at her outfit. “Your clothes are still drying.”

Right.

She was still wearing Meng Chuning’s clothes.

Big Boss Sister’s garments surely weren’t cheap; getting them soaked would be more than she could afford to replace.

“Alright, then. I’ll wait a bit longer.”

Jiang Xiaoyi peeked out the window and checked her phone’s weather app. The forecast showed the rain wouldn’t stop until midnight.

Did that mean she’d have to spend the night here?

She sat on the sofa, clutching the hem of her skirt to cover her thighs, silently praying for the rain to end.

Meng Chuning sensed Jiang Xiaoyi’s anxious tension.

Jiang Xiaoyi was a little nervous. The vast villa held only the two of them—no maids or butlers—and the silence pressed in.

Just as she wondered what to say to ease the mood, Meng Chuning sat beside her and grasped a clear glass with her elegant fingers.

“Xiaoyi, have some water.”

The glass was fogged with condensation. Jiang Xiaoyi’s cool hand warmed instantly as she took it. “Thank you, Sister.”

“Looks like the rain won’t stop until late tonight,” Meng Chuning said apologetically. “Sorry about this. I shouldn’t have asked you over today.”

By apologizing first, Meng Chuning ensured Jiang Xiaoyi wouldn’t suspect the invitation had been deliberate at four in the afternoon.

“It’s fine, Sister. I wanted to come.” Jiang Xiaoyi turned and smiled at her. How could she let Big Boss Sister apologize to her?

Meng Chuning asked casually, “Shall I drive you home tomorrow?”

“No need, Sister. Once my clothes are dry, I can go myself.” Jiang Xiaoyi had no intention of staying over. Besides, Lovers’ Water Bay was only a half-hour ride from her place.

“But I was hoping you’d stay and keep me company.”

Meng Chuning watched as Jiang Xiaoyi reacted with the startled arch of a cat’s back.

Before Jiang Xiaoyi could gather her words, Meng Chuning explained softly, “My family’s away tonight. I’m a bit scared to sleep alone.”

Oh.

Even Jiang Xiaoyi got spooked sleeping alone on stormy nights.

In truth, her ride app showed no drivers available. After some thought, she decided to stay—there was no leaving anyway.

“Alright, I’ll keep you company tonight, Sister.” As Jiang Xiaoyi agreed, Meng Chuning suppressed a smile. “Are you hungry?”

She’d rushed over without eating, and her stomach had been growling for a while.

Jiang Xiaoyi said tactfully, “A little.”

“There’s stuff in the kitchen fridge. I’ll make you something.” Meng Chuning stood and headed to the kitchen. Jiang Xiaoyi hurried after her. “Let me do it.”

Remembering how Meng Chuning had nearly blown up the kitchen just boiling veggies, Jiang Xiaoyi fretted over Big Boss Sister’s skills.

Meng Chuning eyed her. “What, scared my cooking’s inedible?”

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi chuckled awkwardly.

“Then I won’t trouble you.” Meng Chuning stepped aside and selected a pink apron from the rack.

“Xiaoyi, let me tie this on you. We don’t want to dirty the clothes.” Meng Chuning said it innocently, just wanting a close moment with Jiang Xiaoyi, unconcerned about the outfit.

But to Jiang Xiaoyi’s ears, it sounded different. She shut off the faucet in a panic. “Sorry, Sister. I’ll wash them properly once I change back.”

“Why so nervous?” Meng Chuning reached to loop the apron around her neck, but Jiang Xiaoyi ducked her head and slipped under it herself.

Like a puppy eagerly stepping into a leash, she lifted her face, waiting for her owner to secure it.

As Jiang Xiaoyi bent and then looked up instinctively, her nose tip brushed Meng Chuning’s chin—dangerously close.

So lethal. Jiang Xiaoyi resisted touching her nose and apologized. “Sister, does your chin hurt?”

“It’s fine.” Meng Chuning neatly folded the collar of her shirt, then said, “Turn around.”

In Meng Chuning’s presence, Jiang Xiaoyi was like an obedient puppy following commands. She turned, letting Meng Chuning tie the waist strings.

Meng Chuning’s hands grasped the thin ties at her waist, her warm palms brushing the sensitive skin incidentally. Jiang Xiaoyi’s back stiffened until Meng Chuning announced, “There, done.”

Jiang Xiaoyi let out a relieved breath. The tension passed, and only then did she realize she could have tied it herself.

The kitchen held plenty of ingredients, but Jiang Xiaoyi’s skills were basic.

She settled on two eggs and some greens—egg noodles would do.

It wouldn’t waste Big Boss Sister’s food, nor expose her mediocre cooking.

Jiang Xiaoyi curved her eyes in a smile. “Sister, noodles okay?”

Meng Chuning nodded. “Sure, I love noodles.”

Perfect.

Jiang Xiaoyi hadn’t realized she could hit Big Boss Sister’s tastes so precisely.

While waiting for the water to boil, she chopped veggies and beat the eggs.

Noticing Meng Chuning’s gaze, she said shyly, “Sister, you can wait in the living room. It’ll be quick.”

“Okay.” Meng Chuning enjoyed watching Jiang Xiaoyi focus on tasks, especially with her cheeks flushed—it was adorable.

But not wanting to make her uncomfortable, Meng Chuning returned to the living room to handle some afternoon work.

With Big Boss Sister gone, Jiang Xiaoyi relaxed at once.

Soon, she served two steaming bowls. The greens and fried egg made an appetizing sight.

She’d tasted hers first; it was decent, but would it suit Meng Chuning?

Watching her take a bite, Jiang Xiaoyi asked nervously, “How is it, Sister? Tasty?”

“Delicious.”

Meng Chuning’s mouth still smarted from the veggies, and the hot noodles stung a bit, but she didn’t frown once—lest Jiang Xiaoyi think she disliked it.

Relieved, Jiang Xiaoyi bowed her head and ate.

Starving as she was, she devoured hers quietly. When she looked up, finished, she saw Meng Chuning smiling at her.

Was Big Boss Sister mocking her lack of manners?

Cheeks bulging, Jiang Xiaoyi swallowed slowly, then made an excuse to escape. “I’ll wash the dishes.”

So cute.

Meng Chuning smiled. She ate just like a little hamster.

While Jiang Xiaoyi sulked over the dishes, Meng Chuning had prepared a guest room upstairs for her.

“You’ll sleep here tonight. Call me if you need anything.”

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded quickly, vowing inwardly she’d need nothing from Big Boss Sister tonight—and endure if she did.

Meng Chuning said, “Then get some early rest.”

Jiang Xiaoyi replied eagerly, “Good night, Sister.”

Once Meng Chuning retired, Jiang Xiaoyi dove under the covers, rolling around muffledly. She wanted to message Su Jiuyue and vent about the day.

On second thought, no—Su Jiuyue was such a gossip. If she learned Jiang Xiaoyi was overnighting at Meng Chuning’s, the bombardment would be relentless.

She’d just set her phone aside when a message from Su Jiuyue popped up: 【Xiaoyi, quick, check out the pics I posted today. Aren’t they hot? Keep the thirsty comments coming!】

Jiang Xiaoyi knew the drill: like and comment on Su Jiuyue’s Moments post.

She tapped the latest one and copy-pasted her go-to flirty lines mechanically.

Xiao Yi: 【OMG, goddess dropping fanservice!】

Xiao Yi: 【Rain’s pouring today—wonder if Sister’s is too.】

Comments posted, she finally glanced at the photo.

That sheer dress looked familiar.

Moments later, Su Jiuyue messaged: 【Xiaoyi, where’s your like and comment?】

Xiao Yi: 【?】

Xiao Yi: 【I posted them.】

Su Jiuyue said she hadn’t received them. Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart skipped. She bolted upright and checked—the photo and comments were gone.

Oh no, oh no.

Who had she just commented that on?

Had her bold thirst trap scared someone into deleting the post?

As Jiang Xiaoyi racked her brain, her phone buzzed twice.

M: 【Screenshot.】

M: 【Come see.】

Big Boss Sister?!

Jiang Xiaoyi’s world crumbled.