Chapter 68

Su Jinglan took a step back on her own initiative, a gentle smile lingering at the corners of her eyes and brows.

“Please, Miss Wen.” Given Ning Jiuwei’s personality, she wouldn’t let Wen Wanyuan stay overnight anyway. Su Jinglan could simply wait until she left before coming over to find Ning Jiuwei—their homes were right across from each other, just a few steps away.

Such hypocrisy. Who was this act of pretending not to want to put Ning Jiuwei in a tough spot supposed to fool? Wen Wanyuan fought back the impulse to smack Su Jinglan with her bag and said in a sarcastic tone, “President Su, you’re so thoughtful on others’ behalf. Too bad I don’t need your generosity. I want Jiuwei to choose, so certain people can see clearly who matters more in her heart.”

Su Jinglan didn’t react at all, holding onto her gentle smile as she gazed at Ning Jiuwei with eyes brimming with amusement.

“Both of you, come in.” Ning Jiuwei flung the door wide open.

Wen Wanyuan: “…” Damn it.

She’d known Ning Jiuwei wouldn’t play such a pointless game of picking one or the other. With Wen Wanyuan’s selfish wish fulfilled, Su Jinglan smiled faintly, lifted one long leg, and strode through the doorway.

“If you don’t come in, I’m closing the door.” Ning Jiuwei propped one hand on the door handle. The sight of the puffed-up, indignant Wen Wanyuan was so adorable that she couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

Wen Wanyuan grew even angrier. She tossed her bag onto the entryway cabinet and flung herself onto Ning Jiuwei, looping her arms tightly around Ning Jiuwei’s neck. Pressing close to her ear, she whined, “Why didn’t you pick me? Aren’t I your favorite little baby anymore?”

“Get down from there, quick.” Ning Jiuwei couldn’t handle such overwhelming enthusiasm and tried to pry her arms loose.

But Wen Wanyuan clung too fiercely; Ning Jiuwei couldn’t budge her. Su Jinglan watched as the two embraced by the entryway cabinet, utterly oblivious to anyone else’s presence. The smile on her face finally cracked, her expression darkening in an instant.

Ning Jiuwei had her back to Su Jinglan and couldn’t see the shift in her demeanor, but Wen Wanyuan caught every bit of it. With a provocative lift of her brows, she hooked her legs up and locked them around Ning Jiuwei’s waist—like a total koala.

Ning Jiuwei had no idea where Wen Wanyuan had picked up such a pose, but it felt eerily familiar, stirring memories of their intimate positions. Her eyes darkened as a chill swept through her body. “Two seconds. Get off me.”

Wen Wanyuan’s heart skipped a beat. She meekly unwrapped herself from Ning Jiuwei.

Straightening the wrinkles she’d put in Ning Jiuwei’s clothes, she admitted her fault in a soft voice. “I was wrong, Sister Ning.”

With an outsider present, Wen Wanyuan deliberately kept her voice low when speaking to Ning Jiuwei. Su Jinglan could only make out bits and pieces, vaguely catching the word “sister.” She clenched her fist, struggling to tamp down the jealousy churning inside her.

If she hadn’t stepped inside, would she have missed this scene altogether? The mere thought sent the jealousy she’d been suppressing into an even wilder frenzy.

Preserving her image as the poised and unflappable president, Su Jinglan waited as the pair moved from the entryway into the living room and took seats.

Wen Wanyuan shot a glance at Ning Jiuwei, who had gone off to pour water, then sneered at Su Jinglan. “What brings President Su to Jiuwei’s place? Got nothing better to do?”

The barbed words rang clearly into Ning Jiuwei’s ears. She glanced toward the living room, her movements slowing as she poured the hot water.

“Aren’t you here too, Miss Wen?” Su Jinglan shot back breezily, the corner of her lips curving up ever so slightly.

“I’m not like you, President Su. I’m the one Jiuwei likes—and she’s the one I like. You probably don’t know this, but I come over every night to stay.” Wen Wanyuan tilted her chin up proudly. “We sleep in the same bed, share the same blanket. I love hugging her while we sleep.”

~~~

Ning Jiuwei covered her eyes. Once Wen Wanyuan started spouting nonsense, there was no stopping her. “She won’t let go even for a second—hugs me straight through till morning.”

Feeling her words lacked punch on their own, Wen Wanyuan turned to Ning Jiuwei for backup. “Right, Jiuwei?”

Ning Jiuwei ignored her completely. Undeterred, Wen Wanyuan swung back to Su Jinglan with shameless bravado. “See? Jiuwei didn’t deny it. That’s why I say I’m different from you, President Su.”

“Mm, you certainly are.” Su Jinglan didn’t call her out on the lie, and the jealousy in her chest eased just a fraction. “Did you sleep with Designer Ning last night too, Miss Wen?”

“Of course.” Wen Wanyuan took the glass of water Ning Jiuwei offered and downed half of it in one gulp.

Su Jinglan eyed the cup of steaming-hot water in her own hand—far too scalding to drink. With a look, she questioned Ning Jiuwei about the blatant favoritism.

Wen Wanyuan grinned in delight. “Aww, my Jiuwei knows me best. She could tell I was thirsty and mixed it just right for me.”

Ning Jiuwei let Wen Wanyuan ramble on before issuing her eviction notice. “I’ve got design drawings to work on tonight. If it’s nothing important, finish your water and head home.”

Su Jinglan blew gently on her scalding water and remarked at just the right moment, “This is so hot—I can’t drink it for a while.”

The offhand comment left Wen Wanyuan fuming, her chest tight with frustration.

Wen Wanyuan drained the remaining half glass and refused to leave. Instead, she grabbed Ning Jiuwei’s hand and tugged at her sleeve. “Jiuwei, I have something really important to tell you. Should we talk in the bedroom or the study?”

Her eyes flicked meaningfully toward Su Jinglan. Ning Jiuwei already knew the reason for her visit had to do with Su Jinglan, and she understood the hint at once.

Su Jinglan interjected leisurely. “Why not let me listen in? I might be able to help.”

“I haven’t even said what it is yet, President Su. How do you know you need to help?” Wen Wanyuan’s smile was all false politeness. “But thanks anyway, President Su. It’s so kind of you to offer. Why don’t you head home early and give us some space for a private chat?”

Su Jinglan could tell every word was aimed at her. She felt puzzled, yet a hazy suspicion formed—Wen Wanyuan liked Ning Jiuwei and saw her as a romantic rival.

Ning Jiuwei didn’t take the opportunity to send Su Jinglan away. She simply rose gracefully and said politely, “President Su, make yourself at home. Wanyuan and I are heading to the study.”

The moment the door clicked shut, Wen Wanyuan demanded impatiently, “Why are you letting her hang around your house? I know everything now—she’s that Su Jinglan!”

The study was brightly lit, leaving no shadows for expressions to hide. Ning Jiuwei smiled faintly at her furious childhood friend, recalling the Darkness Effect from psychology.

In dim lighting, people tended to lower their guards and feel a sense of security. Yet here, under the ample light, Ning Jiuwei dropped her defenses around her childhood friend.

“You’re still smiling? I was worried sick about you, you know.” Wen Wanyuan fought back tears, but with Ning Jiuwei right there and only the two of them alone, her eyes welled up and overflowed.

She threw her arms around Ning Jiuwei and sniffled. “Ah Mu, just quit your job. Come work at my company, or I’ll start a studio tomorrow. We can be partners.”

“Are you worried about me, or just trying to poach me?” Ning Jiuwei smiled as she patted Wen Wanyuan’s back, soothing her emotions.

“I just want you to stay away from her.” Fear intertwined with worry, making Wen Wanyuan tremble uncontrollably in Ning Jiuwei’s embrace. “Stay away from her, okay? Please?”

Ning Jiuwei’s smile faded. Following Wen Wanyuan’s words, she pictured a life far from Su Jinglan, never seeing her again.

It felt like a knife viciously carving out her heart, the pain so intense she could barely breathe. She swallowed the familiar suffocation, gently pushed Wen Wanyuan back by the shoulders, and smiled warmly. “Wanyuan, that’s all in the past. Su Jinglan had no idea about what happened back then. In the end, it has nothing to do with her—it’s my own problem. I’m healed now. She can’t hurt me anymore.”

“But what if?” Tears rolled down her cheeks, smudging her flawless makeup, but Wen Wanyuan didn’t care. Her damp eyes brimmed with heartache. “She’s always right there in front of you. What if you… relapse?”

Wen Wanyuan cut herself off. Ning Jiuwei grabbed a tissue and dabbed gently at her face. “If my mental health takes a turn again, I’ll see a doctor right away and keep my distance from Su Jinglan.”

“If anything happens to you, I’ll kill Su Jinglan.” Wen Wanyuan seized the hands on her cheeks and glared fiercely. “Even if it costs me the rest of my life, I’ll make sure she pays.”

Ning Jiuwei’s lips curved in a soft smile. “No need to throw away your life for it. I’ll handle it myself. I’ll imprison her, torture her, and then kill her.”

Wen Wanyuan had only been venting in anger, but Ning Jiuwei’s calm delivery of those horrifying words—impossible to tell if they were real or not—left her stunned. Her heart pounded wildly, as if it might shatter her ribs.

“Ah Mu, you… are you really healed?” Wen Wanyuan asked tentatively. “Why do I feel like things are even worse now?”

“Of course I’m healed.” Ning Jiuwei tossed the tissue aside. Her smile remained gentle, without a trace of malice.

Wen Wanyuan still wasn’t convinced. She studied Ning Jiuwei’s face, searching her eyes for the truth behind her words, but found nothing. It was just like last time, when Ning Jiuwei had lied straight to her face that Su Jinglan wasn’t the girl from high school—she simply couldn’t read her.

“No, you have to quit anyway.” Wen Wanyuan’s expression turned deadly serious. “I can only relax if you’re far away from Su Jinglan.”

Knowing her childhood friend only had her best interests at heart, Ning Jiuwei nodded. “Alright, I’ll think about it.”

“Don’t give me that brush-off.” Wen Wanyuan might not be able to fathom Ning Jiuwei’s inner thoughts, but she could always tell when she was being placated. She played her ace card. “If you don’t quit, I’ll tell your mom. I’ll tell her Su Jinglan is your boss now—not just your boss, but her office is right across from yours. You two see each other every single day.”

“Are you being childish?” Ning Jiuwei couldn’t resist ruffling Wen Wanyuan’s hair. “What are you, a kindergartener tattling to mommy?”

“You’ll see how childish I can get.” Wen Wanyuan whipped out her phone. “I’m calling your mom right now.”

Ning Jiuwei merely smiled and said nothing.

Seeing that Ning Jiuwei wasn’t buying it, Wen Wanyuan pocketed her phone and gave herself an easy out. “It’s too late tonight. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Wanyuan, don’t worry. It’s really all in the past.” Ning Jiuwei grew serious. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”

“You might know what you’re doing, but do you have any idea what Su Jinglan is up to?” Wen Wanyuan cut straight to the heart of it. “I think Su Jinglan has fallen for you. She’s pursuing you.”

Wen Wanyuan stepped out of the study and shot a glance at the woman on the sofa before walking right out.

The cup of hot water had gone cold in Su Jinglan’s hand. She set it down, rose to her feet, and waited for Ning Jiuwei to approach. “What did you two talk about in the study?”

Su Jinglan’s eyesight was keen. She could see that Wen Wanyuan’s eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot—clear signs she’d been crying.

“Just some work matters, and a bit of reminiscing about the old days.” Ning Jiuwei turned to Su Jinglan. “Did President Su need something from me?”

“Yes.” Su Jinglan beckoned Ning Jiuwei closer. When she was just a few dozen centimeters away, Su Jinglan opened her arms and pulled her into an embrace.

The intimate hug brought Wen Wanyuan’s parting words rushing back to Ning Jiuwei’s mind. In that fleeting moment of distraction, Su Jinglan guided her down onto the sofa. The soft cushions sank deeply beneath their weight.

“Nights always make me miss Teacher Ning.” Su Jinglan’s fingertip traced Ning Jiuwei’s lips, pressing lightly. “I want to unlock a new level in our relationship with Teacher Ning.”

~~~