Chapter 28

Wen Xin woke up at six in the morning.

It wasn’t a day off, so there was no reason to stay in bed. Groggily, she opened her eyes and reached for the phone that should have been on the bedside table.

But she didn’t find it. Instead, her hand touched something soft. Startled, Wen Xin reflexively widened her eyes and soon made out the person lying next to her on the pillow.

It was Shi Qianyu. Last night, she hadn’t left and had stayed over at Wen Xin’s place. The two of them had squeezed together on the narrow single bed, falling asleep in each other’s arms.

It was too early now, and Shi Qianyu hadn’t woken up yet. Nestled in her embrace, Wen Xin didn’t dare move, afraid of disturbing her.

A flood of memories came back to her—the intimate tangles from last night, the tender whispers, the way she had sobbed and gasped uncontrollably beneath Shi Qianyu. She had felt like she was tumbling into high, suspended clouds, her once-clear mind turning foggy from one lingering kiss after another.

They had made love for a long time last night. Utterly exhausted, Wen Xin had fallen asleep without even eating dinner. She had assumed she would wake up alone, but Shi Qianyu had chosen to stay.

How was she supposed to face her now?

Ashamed, Wen Xin lowered her gaze, not daring to look straight at Shi Qianyu’s face. She had never been good at hiding her feelings; they were practically written across her features. The memories of last night brought a flush to her cheeks, and her brows furrowed unconsciously.

That expression was utterly adorable. Shi Qianyu, waking up moments later, caught it all and couldn’t help curving her lips into a smile.

She lifted a hand and gently stroked the soft ends of Wen Xin’s hair. “Morning. What are you thinking about?”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it still gave Wen Xin a start. She looked up in surprise. “Director Shi, you’re awake.”

“Did I wake you?”

“No.” Shi Qianyu denied it immediately. Wen Xin’s form of address had reverted quickly—from the intimate A-Yu of last night back to Director Shi today.

Noticing this, Shi Qianyu let out a soft sigh. Then, affecting a dramatic tone, she told Wen Xin, “I had a nightmare myself.”

Wen Xin leaned in with concern. “What did you dream about?”

“I dreamed some people sleep with me and then pretend it never happened.” She blinked, her expression tinged with grievance—whether genuine or feigned, it was hard to tell. “You were calling me A-Yu yesterday, and now it’s Director Shi again.”

Wen Xin: “…”

Shi Qianyu met her eyes steadily. “So, what are we now? Aren’t we lovers?”

“…Yes, lovers.” Seconds later, Wen Xin surrendered. She could never hold out against Shi Qianyu speaking to her this way. “S-Sorry.”

Shi Qianyu said nothing more, charmed all over again by Wen Xin’s reaction. She pulled her close in a tight embrace, her eyes crinkling with a smile that Wen Xin couldn’t see. The morning sunlight bathed them in a warm glow, making everything feel perfect.

Caught off guard by the sudden hug, Wen Xin didn’t understand the gesture and froze, not daring to move much. They lay there together in the warm light for a little longer before finally getting up.

Shi Qianyu must have cleaned her up last night; Wen Xin felt fresh and comfortable, with no trace of discomfort. At Shi Qianyu’s urging, she went to wash up. Emerging from the bathroom, she discovered that breakfast was already prepared.

Time was short, so it wasn’t elaborate, but it was thoughtful: milk, fried eggs, pickled vegetables—everything she could want.

“You fell asleep last night without dinner. You must be starving.” Shi Qianyu arranged the bowls and plates in front of her. “Eat up.”

“Okay.” Wen Xin nodded, settling at the table and picking up her chopsticks.

Satisfied that she had started, Shi Qianyu went to freshen up. When she returned, however, Wen Xin hadn’t touched a thing.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Unlocking her phone, Shi Qianyu glanced at the day’s schedule.

Wen Xin looked embarrassed. “I was waiting for you.”

She was clearly famished yet held back her hunger just to wait.

So obedient, so endearing. This side of her didn’t show up at the office—only here, at home.

Shi Qianyu pocketed her phone. Shared breakfasts like this were rare; she didn’t want Wen Xin waiting any longer.

“Okay.” She nodded with a light smile. “Coming right now.”

~~~

Shi Qianyu pulled the car over to the roadside, near the subway station exit.

To avoid drawing attention, Wen Xin didn’t want her dropping her off right at the office building. In private spots, she could embrace and kiss Shi Qianyu freely, breathlessly calling her A-Yu. But out in public, they were still boss and subordinate. Her address wouldn’t change; it would always be Director Shi.

“Okay.” Shi Qianyu didn’t mind. Their new relationship as lovers shouldn’t disrupt their daily lives, and she respected Wen Xin’s caution.

“See you soon?” Leaning out the car window, she waved goodbye.

Wen Xin waved back, watching the car vanish from sight. Then she drew a deep breath and composed herself.

This was probably the first time: waking up together, sharing breakfast, heading to work side by side. Being lovers brought a thrill of tension, worry, and uncertainty—but also wonder and freshness.

Wen Xin couldn’t put her feelings into words, only that they weren’t bad at all. Shi Qianyu’s presence chased away the old loneliness, at least for now. No more waking to cold, empty sheets. Even the milk at breakfast had tasted a little sweeter.

She walked the streets alone until she reached the office building. After clocking in, she peered inside and saw Shi Qianyu had arrived well ahead of her.

She stood chatting idly at Manager Liu’s desk, coffee cup in hand, her thick, soft hair spilling over her shoulders. Her smile was as warm and radiant as ever.

Wen Xin stepped in and caught the tail end of their talk. Manager Liu sounded surprised—she’d never seen Shi Qianyu in an outfit like this. “Director Shi, switching up your style?”

“Yeah.” Shi Qianyu smiled, glancing down at the hem of her goose-yellow skirt. Wen Xin had given it to her that morning; it was too big for her and fit Shi Qianyu perfectly.

Her clothes from last night were still in the wash. With nothing else to wear, Shi Qianyu had borrowed not just the skirt, but her underwear too.

A secret only they shared—no one would ever guess. Spotting Wen Xin, Shi Qianyu turned with a gentle smile. “Wen Xin, morning.”

“Director Shi.” Wen Xin nodded, striving for nonchalance. “Good morning.”

“Had breakfast?”

Wen Xin: “Yes.”

Shi Qianyu grinned, chatting with her as casually as she would any colleague. “What do you think of my outfit today?”

“Looks good.” Obediently, Wen Xin lifted her gaze, letting it travel over Shi Qianyu—not just the goose-yellow skirt, but the more intimate layers beneath. “Very good…”

“Thanks~” Shi Qianyu’s smile bloomed brighter, her luminous eyes breathtaking.

Wen Xin couldn’t hold her gaze and hurried off, head down.

The morning passed in a flurry of work. The prior project was on track, and ideas for the new ones were solidifying. Wen Xin exhaled in relief, screensaving her computer for lunch.

Gao Qiu was out again, and Zhou Lele was on assignment. Wen Xin ate alone in the cafeteria and, reluctant to return early, wandered back to the garden.

The Gatekeeper Uncle’s kittens were there today. Though she’d fed them only a few times, they remembered her vividly and mobbed her boldly, meowing for treats.

“I didn’t bring any cat treats,” Wen Xin said with a helpless laugh, but language was no barrier to them. They rubbed insistently against her legs, meows rising in chorus.

Until the Cat Treat Hero, Shi Qianyu, made her entrance.

The kittens abandoned Wen Xin and swarmed Shi Qianyu, vying for attention. Soon Wen Xin joined her, crouching nearby to watch.

“You really carry cat treats everywhere.” Wen Xin said admiringly.

“I didn’t used to.” Shi Qianyu explained softly, amusement in her eyes. “But after they hounded me a few times…”

“Do they do this with everyone?” Wen Xin asked.

“Not at all.” Shi Qianyu replied. “Cats have sharp noses—they can smell who truly likes them.”

For real?

Wen Xin doubted it but said nothing, content to watch Shi Qianyu feed the kittens. Sunlight played across her hair, gilding her light strands with a bright halo. Inwardly, Wen Xin mused that if Shi Qianyu were a cat, she’d be a Ragdoll: big, gorgeous, with silky fur and sparkling eyes.

Wen Xin hadn’t realized how long her gaze had lingered on Shi Qianyu until the other woman finished feeding the cat treats and meticulously wiped her hands with a disinfectant wipe.

“Would you like one too?” Shi Qianyu asked afterward.

“Oh, sure.” Wen Xin nodded. Even though she hadn’t touched any cats today, she still took the wipe and cleaned her hands carefully.

Then she stood up with Shi Qianyu. “Shall we head back?”

“Let’s head back,” Shi Qianyu replied with a nod, verbally agreeing with her even as her actions did the opposite. Wen Xin watched as she raised a hand, gently touching Wen Xin’s neck before hooking her arm around it.

Wen Xin jumped in surprise. “Di-Director Shi…”

“Don’t be scared,” Shi Qianyu said. “There’s no one here.”

“Give me a kiss before we go, okay?” She wheedled for one just like the cats, her clinginess no less than theirs. Wen Xin couldn’t refuse, afraid of being spotted, so she didn’t delay. She leaned in close and quickly pecked her on the lips.

Perhaps she hadn’t controlled her strength—this kiss actually hurt a little, drawing an instinctive “Ow!” from Shi Qianyu.

Wen Xin panicked at once and carefully checked her lips. “Are you okay?”

Shi Qianyu didn’t answer. That lightning-fast kiss had amused her so much she wanted to laugh. This time, she didn’t hold back in front of Wen Xin. Her eyes curved with mirth, the smile evident at the corners of her lips, showing no mercy.

Wen Xin felt ashamed under that gaze, a mix of embarrassment, awkwardness, and annoyance washing over her. She instinctively covered Shi Qianyu’s mouth. “Don’t laugh… don’t laugh…”

“Alright.”

Shi Qianyu quelled the laughter in her eyes and took the initiative to kiss Wen Xin’s fingertips.