Several more days passed in a leisurely manner.
The projects Wen Xin had worked on wrapped up smoothly. During the morning meeting, Shi Qianyu took special note to praise their entire team—and even pulled Wen Xin out from the less prominent members for some detailed commendation.
This sort of praise was different from what Wen Xin had grown accustomed to receiving from Shi Qianyu in the past. Back then, they had been lovers; now they were boss and subordinate. The professional recognition landed just right with her, drawing her lips into an unconscious smile.
Once the morning meeting wrapped up, Fei Yuan led the team in a group chat debrief of those projects, urging everyone to keep up the momentum and grow together.
The team was riding high, one after another firing off celebratory emoji stickers.
Wen Xin chimed in with one of her own. As time had gone on, she had gradually blended into the group—so much so that she could even hold a smiling conversation with colleagues she barely knew when they were alone together.
Qi Qing had a fantastic work environment, nothing like her previous companies. Beyond the universally kind colleagues, a lot of it came down to Shi Qianyu leading by example with spot-on guidance.
She always wore that warm, spring-like smile, treating everyone with genuine kindness and no insurmountable walls between her and the staff—like a gentle girl-next-door big sister.
But when it came to work, she was just as strong a leader: inclusive yet with firm boundaries, rewards and discipline meted out with perfect timing, empathetic without going overboard on indulgence, and following through on every promised perk and benefit.
Without exaggeration, working here was an absolute blessing. Wen Xin was starting to really get what Gao Qiu meant when she said, “Unless they fire me, I’m never leaving Qi Qing for the rest of my life!”
Wen Xin closed out of the group chat and pulled up the file to review the prep process for the new project.
Gao Qiu beside her was still buzzing from the upbeat vibe, and with the team-building trip coming up in a couple of days, she reached over to pat Wen Xin’s shoulder. “Wenwen, have you decided yet?”
The question came out of left field, leaving Wen Xin momentarily stunned. “What?”
“The team-building thing.” Gao Qiu blinked. “Who’s your plus-one family member?”
Oh. That.
Wen Xin paused, at a loss for words. This would be her first team-building event since joining Qi Qing, and Gao Qiu had been talking it up forever. Big companies had their perks—the boss didn’t skimp on these outings. Food, lodging, transportation, all top-shelf.
Last time around, the whole team had jetted off overseas for a full week of fun. The local eats had been right up Gao Qiu’s alley; she’d gorged herself silly and come back six pounds heavier.
This time it was domestic and shorter, but the itinerary Assistant Wang had posted in the group chat was plenty impressive on its own.
Five-star beach resort with every amenity imaginable, including hot springs. Ocean views and sandy beaches right outside your window. The company had reserved outdoor spaces and gear for barbecues and outdoor movie nights.
There was even more on the agenda, but Gao Qiu skipped the details and looped back. “So, who’s the lucky plus-one?”
Wen Xin shook her head. She had no family or close friends to bring. “No one. I’ll go solo.”
“Huh?” Gao Qiu blinked in confusion. “Why? The company’s paying.”
“Don’t you have siblings? Or a bestie?” Gao Qiu knew she was single but wasn’t letting up. “I could play matchmaker for you. Bang—a perfect match by this weekend.”
Zhou Lele looked up from nearby. “Matchmaking’s my specialty. Since when did you poach it?”
“Pfft, as if it’s ever been yours!” Gao Qiu fired back, pivoting to spar with Zhou Lele instead. “I’ll do it! I will!”
Those two were classic frenemies, always finding something to squabble over.
Wen Xin felt a quiet relief, though. Zhou Lele had successfully distracted Gao Qiu, keeping her from digging deeper. Wen Xin didn’t like rehashing her past or baring old scars—no matter who asked.
Even Shi Qianyu.
Before she knew it, Wen Xin was thinking back to the recent incident. She’d turned down Shi Qianyu’s suggestion then, certain it would anger her. She’d spent days bracing for the fallout, anxious and on edge.
But Shi Qianyu hadn’t blown up. Instead, she’d responded with understanding and accommodation—as if she fully grasped all of Wen Xin’s hesitations and had handled them with care from Wen Xin’s perspective.
To this day, Wen Xin still didn’t know exactly how much Shi Qianyu knew about her family situation.
Surely quite a bit? Her parents’ early deaths. The humiliations she’d endured. The years spent living under others’ roofs, subjected to endless sneers and cold shoulders?
Wen Xin didn’t know. And she didn’t want to ask. She dreaded the strange, pitying looks it might bring. Those events were like scars mottling her skin—jagged, painful, hideous.
She had no desire to share them with anyone. She just wanted to bury them deep where no one would notice.
~~~
The day slipped away in a flash.
Shi Qianyu had been slammed with work lately—likely clearing her plate ahead of the team-building trip, cramming everything forward as much as humanly possible.
Even so, she couldn’t stomach the idea of Wen Xin crammed into rush-hour subways. Every evening, she’d drive her home first before rushing back to the office.
Wen Xin had protested in vain and eventually given in. But it wasn’t just freeloading; she tucked away every kindness in her heart. The better Shi Qianyu treated her, the more indebted she felt—a nagging guilt she couldn’t shake.
She wanted a chance to pay it back, so she’d been keeping a close eye on Shi Qianyu’s schedule. Until today, that is.
For once, Shi Qianyu wasn’t pulling an all-nighter.
Wen Xin jumped at the opening and invited her over for dinner. The fridge was loaded; whatever Shi Qianyu fancied, she could whip it up.
“Really?” Shi Qianyu lit up at the initiative. “Won’t it be too much hassle?”
“No way.” Wen Xin shook her head fast. “A-Yu, just say what you want.”
Shi Qianyu blinked. “I haven’t decided yet.”
Wen Xin smiled understandingly. “No rush. I’ll wait.”
She’d never been one to hide her feelings well, and Shi Qianyu saw straight through. These gestures stemmed from gratitude, plain and simple.
But gratitude wasn’t what Shi Qianyu craved. She wanted Wen Xin’s love—even if that love might take years to bloom.
It didn’t matter. Shi Qianyu had waited this long already; if anything, her patience had only deepened. This woman deserved nothing but the best, after all.
She didn’t want Wen Xin wearing herself out. Far better a single heartfelt dish than watching her slave over a massive spread.
Out of nowhere, Shi Qianyu found herself missing the taste of that one bowl of noodles.
“How about another bowl of noodles?” She smiled, her voice soft.
“Sure.” Wen Xin agreed without hesitation, waiting expectantly for more. But nothing followed.
It clicked for her belatedly. “Just… a bowl of noodles?”
Shi Qianyu nodded, pleased. “That’s right.”
Wen Xin wouldn’t let it go, pressing gently. “Does A-Yu want any sides? I can stew, boil, fry, stir-fry anything…”
Shi Qianyu’s smile widened. “But I only want the noodles Sister makes.”
She glanced over while waiting at a red light, her lovely eyes fluttering coyly. “Can’t I have that?”
Of course she could.
Wen Xin went quiet for a beat, then surrendered. “Okay.”
“My noodles aren’t very good, though.”
“Nope, they are.” Shi Qianyu shook her head, easing the car around the turn. “Anything you make tastes great.”
“For real?”
“Mm-hmm. Absolutely.”
The reassurance spurred Wen Xin on. She nodded to herself, running through the old recipe in her mind—fixing slip-ups, tweaking details.
The moment they got home, she headed straight for the kitchen and got to work.
Hard work paid off; this batch was noticeably better than last time.
Wen Xin savored a triumphant taste before serving it up, eager for Shi Qianyu to try. She clearly loved it, heaping on the praise without holding back.
Wen Xin exhaled in relief. The olive branch she’d extended so carefully had been warmly received. What a great feeling.
After dinner, Shi Qianyu didn’t bolt. Some urgent company file needed attention, so she borrowed Wen Xin’s computer and dove in.
Wen Xin left her to it, though a faint hope flickered inside—not for time to speed up, but to slow down. Maybe then she’d have an excuse to suggest staying over, sharing the night.
It was just… since that day, they hadn’t had a quiet evening alone like this. Shi Qianyu had chalked it up to work overload, and Wen Xin believed her—she’d seen the proof firsthand. Still, she couldn’t shake the nagging worry that her own rejection had played a huge role.
In the end, this romantic relationship benefited her far more. Shi Qianyu was willing to endure, willing to make allowances, not minding yielding a little more. But Wen Xin didn’t want her to suffer too great a loss—her conscience wouldn’t allow it.
What she could offer Shi Qianyu in return, beyond cooking and keeping her company with conversation, was perhaps only her body.
Shi Qianyu’s work wouldn’t wrap up for a little while longer. Wen Xin said nothing more, quietly grabbing her pajamas and heading to the bathroom for a shower and to freshen up. Once finished, she returned to the living room and waited in silence.
Until Shi Qianyu finally rose and walked toward her.
Wen Xin met her gaze. Though a flush of shame warmed her cheeks, she didn’t look away. Tonight, she wore a pure white nightgown with nothing underneath. The neckline dipped just low enough to pass at a casual glance, but the moment she leaned forward, her intimate charms would be on full display.
After that brief moment of eye contact, Shi Qianyu seemed to notice something. Yet she said nothing about it, bidding Wen Xin farewell just as she always did. “Are you tired? Sorry—I lost track of time and stayed way too long.”
“Get some early rest. I’ll head home now.”
“It’s so late.” Wen Xin caught the hem of her shirt, her ears turning pink, her voice barely above a whisper. “Going back alone isn’t safe. Stay.”
It was an invitation as clear as day.
Yet Shi Qianyu seemed oblivious to her meaning. “No worries. It’s not that late, and there are still plenty of people out on the streets.”
“Go to bed.” She smiled and brushed a light kiss across Wen Xin’s forehead. “You don’t need to walk me out.”
She was the one trying to keep her here—how could this be about seeing her off?
Wen Xin shook her head. Arguing with Shi Qianyu was pointless anyway. Better to let her actions speak. She stepped forward, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of her lips, and made her plea once more. “Stay.”
The air grew thick with intimacy from that single, tender kiss.
Shi Qianyu finally seemed to grasp her intent. Lowering her eyes, she took the initiative to deepen the kiss—but only so far, pulling back with perfect restraint before it could go too far.
As if determined to hear it straight from Wen Xin’s lips, she traced a fingertip gently along her cheek. “Is Sister seducing me?”
The question was so blunt it deepened Wen Xin’s embarrassment.
But for once, she didn’t deny it. Her eyes gleamed brightly, her voice soft and yielding.
She answered earnestly. “…Yeah.”
