Chapter 91

Xiao Luyan got out of bed and took a shower. When she changed clothes, she subconsciously glanced at the mirror again. Her butterfly bones were still as flawless as last night, but she felt itchy.

The burning sensation from last night was still fresh in her memory, so she couldn’t help but reach out and touch them herself.

There was nothing particularly special about it—aside from the awkward position, it felt about the same as touching any other part of her body. But…

Why could Lu Yuezhi produce such an effect just by touching them?

Xiao Luyan paused, realizing she was actually thinking about this kind of thing. She quickly composed herself and decided to apply some elegant light makeup.

Last night’s outfit at the cocktail party had earned praise from almost everyone, but unfortunately, Lu Yuezhi had already gone out by the time she returned to change clothes. And when she came back, they had rushed straight into business talk, leaving no time to ask for Lu Yuezhi’s opinion.

Xiao Luyan’s hand paused while she outlined her brows, and remembering Lu Yuezhi’s entranced look from last night, she felt like she didn’t need to ask after all.

Thinking of the words she hadn’t been able to finish because she’d been interrupted, Xiao Luyan felt a bit annoyed, but her ears heated up. She wondered if this River had some incompatibility with her horoscope or clashed with Lu Yuezhi—every time the name came up, things never went smoothly.

But this person was indeed a significant threat. Su Yiqui’s tone and attitude last night had made it clear just how highly regarded River was in the Trans team. Yet Lu Yuezhi didn’t care at all; even if she seriously brought it up, it probably wouldn’t make much difference.

Xiao Luyan sighed silently, unwilling to just let it go.

After pondering for a moment, she decided to change her approach. Since talking didn’t work, she would take direct action. She planned to find a reason to get Lu Yuezhi to go to Deyounian, which would allow her to meet Su Yiqui and maybe even discuss the shooting details.

As for a suitable reason?

She thought about it and realized she still owed Lu Yuezhi a proper “tour.”

Xiao Luyan finished her makeup and chose a light-colored suit, going for an elegant and refined style today. It perfectly offset last night’s glamour and slight intoxication, leaving her looking pure and refined.

Her hand had just touched the doorknob when she heard light footsteps outside. Guessing that Lu Yuezhi was preparing breakfast, Xiao Luyan curved her lips.

She didn’t know when it had started, but she had grown accustomed to eating the breakfast Lu Yuezhi prepared and to seeing her every morning.

Before getting out of bed, she had already decided that since she was going to invest more, she needed to further confirm Lu Yuezhi’s current thoughts. She didn’t want to start taking the initiative only for the other side to want to pull back.

At that thought, Xiao Luyan’s lips pressed down a bit, and irritation began to build. Subconsciously, she didn’t want to dwell on it, as if she refused to accept that possibility.

Lu Yuezhi had woken up very early today—or more accurately, she had barely slept last night. Her mind had stayed in an excited state, and even when she forced her eyes shut, she kept replaying the moment she kissed Xiao Luyan.

The sensations on her lips and in her palms were unforgettable; every time she recalled them, her heart surged with emotion, like a dream come true. She knew forcing a kiss was wrong, but she couldn’t deny how intensely her heart had moved in that moment.

Kissing the person she liked was an indescribably happy thing. She confirmed once again that she liked Xiao Luyan—a lot!

It was just that… did her kissing skills need improvement? Lu Yuezhi tried to recall the details and found she only remembered the excitement; she had no impression of the technique.

All her experience came from Xiao Luyan, but she couldn’t just ask directly, “Do you think I’ve improved?” She didn’t even dare bring it up again, afraid that Xiao Luyan would want to “settle accounts” with her once sober.

But Xiao Luyan hadn’t seemed too resistant last night. Did that mean even drunk, she hadn’t found the kiss unpleasant? As Lu Yuezhi thought about it, her face heated up.

Her hands slowed down, and her lips curved up bit by bit until she scalded her finger.

She quickly rinsed it under cold water, chiding herself inwardly for being bewitched and thinking about such things first thing in the morning. After the cold water, both her fingertip and her heart cooled down.

She reminded herself repeatedly to hold back, to stay steady, and to have enough patience with Xiao Luyan.

As for Su Yiqui, Lu Yuezhi sighed silently—if Xiao Luyan wanted to talk about her, she could. After all, she was the work partner she’d been interacting with the most lately, and there might be plenty of issues in the project. What if she wanted someone to vent to?

She couldn’t keep getting sour every time she heard that name; it made her seem petty and would only push Xiao Luyan further away. If she couldn’t even speak freely at home, what was the point of home?

Lu Yuezhi built up more mental preparation. From now on, she didn’t want to get jealous so easily.

Someone approached slowly from behind, interrupting Lu Yuezhi’s self-talk.

“What’s for breakfast today?” Curious, yet expectant.

The familiar voice and familiar scent made Lu Yuezhi smile the moment she heard them.

She turned her head to answer and nearly brushed against Xiao Luyan’s cheek.

Lu Yuezhi froze. In the past, Xiao Luyan had never stood that close. Even when asking questions, she usually stayed two steps away.

But her gaze seemed fixed on the pot, very interested in the food. Lu Yuezhi figured she must be hungry and had instinctively leaned forward.

“Hungry?” Lu Yuezhi steadied her body with her core strength, neither leaning back nor touching Xiao Luyan in an overly polite way.

She softened her voice so her breath wouldn’t waft onto the other’s face.

Xiao Luyan kept staring at the pot and paused for a moment after hearing Lu Yuezhi’s question.

“A little.” She responded faintly, her gaze unmoving.

“You drank so much last night—didn’t you eat anything?” Lu Yuezhi sped up her movements, her tone laced with concern.

Xiao Luyan’s lips curved slightly before she finally looked over leisurely. “I ate, but it digested quickly.”

Lu Yuezhi smiled too. “Then eat more for breakfast.”

She busied herself plating the food, and Xiao Luyan took the initiative to step back a bit but didn’t go far. Seeing this, Lu Yuezhi really thought she was starving—otherwise, she wouldn’t even want to wait in the dining room.

She put the egg pancake on the plate and, after a thought, added her own portion on top.

Xiao Luyan was stunned. “Why give it all to me?”

“You have an appetite, so eat more.” Lu Yuezhi brushed on some sauce for her. “You’ve been so busy lately—you’ve lost weight.”

Xiao Luyan had wanted to say she hadn’t—her weight hadn’t changed at all. But hearing Lu Yuezhi’s tone, she felt warmth in her heart and didn’t want to refute it.

“Then what will you eat?” The plate grew heavier in Xiao Luyan’s hands as Lu Yuezhi urged her to go eat quickly.

“I can eat anything.” Lu Yuezhi looked indifferent as she picked something from what the auntie had prepared.

Xiao Luyan pursed her lips. “Yuezhi, are you free these next couple of days?”

Seeing her tone suddenly turn serious, Lu Yuezhi immediately thought of Su Yiqui. Though it still felt a bit uncomfortable, she no longer pulled a face.

“I should be.” Lu Yuezhi took a breath. “Something up?”

“Still interested in touring Deyounian?”

A tour? Lu Yuezhi was definitely interested, but she didn’t think Xiao Luyan would have time for that right now. Even Cheng Yanran probably wouldn’t have time to host her.

“I’ve always been interested. It’s better to go when you’re not busy.”

“I’m free the day after tomorrow.”

Lu Yuezhi’s eyes widened. Really? She found that hard to believe.

Xiao Luyan pretended not to notice her surprise and said calmly, “Madam Li’s feedback won’t come for a few more days, so I’m relatively free these days.”

Lu Yuezhi felt sorry for her. “Then rest well while you can—the busyness will continue soon. My thing isn’t urgent.”

She could tour anytime; her curiosity wasn’t so intense that it wouldn’t let Xiao Luyan catch her breath.

But unexpectedly, Xiao Luyan darkened her expression, clearly displeased with that response.

“Are you going, or not?” Xiao Luyan gave her a straight choice.

Lu Yuezhi didn’t know why she was suddenly so insistent, but since she was the one inviting, how could she refuse?

“Of course I’m going.”

Seeing how readily she agreed, Xiao Luyan’s smile grew much warmer.

Lu Yuezhi was happy too. Turns out it wasn’t about Su Yiqui—she didn’t want some disliked name ruining her mood first thing in the morning.

“Eat it while it’s hot; it’ll taste worse cold.” Lu Yuezhi urged her again.

Xiao Luyan was about to say something when her phone rang outside.

From the ringtone, it was Xiao Luyan’s.

Lu Yuezhi smoothly took the plate from her hands. “Go answer the call first.”

She tidied the stove casually and followed Xiao Luyan out of the kitchen. She hadn’t expected the early caller to be Su Yiqui.

She slowed her steps and perked up her ears.

Xiao Luyan hadn’t expected Su Yiqui’s call either; her tone was a bit hurried.

“President Xiao, have you checked the email?”

Xiao Luyan had a bad premonition. “Not yet. What happened?”

“Madam Li replied.” Su Yiqui paused. “She’s not very satisfied with this set of photos.”

The feedback had been sent to both of them. Su Yiqui had called Xiao Luyan immediately upon receiving it.

“How could that be?” Xiao Luyan was surprised and quickly opened her email.

Sure enough, Madam Li was dissatisfied. It hadn’t been formally rejected, but she required Deyounian to make adjustments and resend it.

That meant one more chance.

“President Xiao, what do you think?”

Xiao Luyan didn’t decide rashly. “Head back and have a meeting first.”

After hanging up, she immediately called Cheng Yanran and gave her a brief rundown.

Only after making several calls in a row did she remember Lu Yuezhi was waiting for her.

She turned around to see Lu Yuezhi holding a food bag toward her. “Even if it’s cold and affects the taste, it’s better than nothing.”

“Yuezhi, I…”

“Hurry to the company. Drive safely on the road.”

Xiao Luyan knew she must have overheard and said no more.

She went to get her coat and found Lu Yuezhi had already prepared it for her.

A wave of warmth rose in her heart, and she took the initiative to hug Lu Yuezhi. “Thank you.”

She rushed back to Deyounian in a hurry, where the photography team and project group gradually assembled. Xiao Luyan’s expression was grave, and Su Yiqui’s brows were tightly furrowed.

No one had expected Madam Li’s feedback so soon, which meant the first set of photos completely missed what she wanted, prompting the quick return.

After hearing the relevant analysis, Xiao Luyan made the call. “Just analyzing the reasons isn’t enough. We need to reshoot as soon as possible—we can’t keep Madam Li waiting too long.”

Su Yiqui was the head of the photography team and the main photographer. The specifics of the shoot had to follow her lead.

She furrowed her brows and didn’t respond to Xiao Luyan’s decision for a long time.

Everyone thought she disagreed, and the conference room fell unusually silent.

Xiao Luyan didn’t press, waiting patiently as if very certain of the answer.

After a while, Su Yiqui spoke. “President Xiao is right. We’ll discuss and adjust on the go. Better to shoot more and test more than just talk without action.”

With consensus reached, the project group and photography team got straight to work.

The pressure on Xiao Luyan spiked as she mulled over Madam Li’s comment of “not enough novelty.”