Chapter 44

It was rare for her to take such initiative.

Wen Xin like this was a seldom-seen sight. Shi Qianyu curved her lips upward, meeting her gaze as her own eyes gradually turned ambiguous.

She saw through all of Wen Xin’s little machinations and understood just how much effort it must have taken for Wen Xin to give such a resolute answer. Yet Shi Qianyu deliberately played coy, pretending ignorance as she murmured softly, “Then what does Sister want me to do?”

She knew Wen Xin was too tongue-tied to say it outright.

Wen Xin immediately grew flustered, but the arrow was already nocked and loosed—she had started this, and she had to see it through to the end.

So she let her actions speak for her. She gently took Shi Qianyu’s hand, smoothed out her palm, and guided her fingertips to her own face.

Her cheeks had already grown scorching hot from their earlier kisses. The coolness of Shi Qianyu’s fingertips sent a shiver through her, but she didn’t let go. Instead, she drew those fingertips to her lips.

She pressed a light kiss to the pad of her finger, as if sharing her own body heat this way. The overhead light blazed brightly, illuminating every shadowed corner. Fearing the desire in her eyes might prove too obvious, she deliberately turned her head to avoid Shi Qianyu’s gaze.

But the more she did, the more she came across as coyly welcoming.

“Shall we go to the bedroom?” she ventured, her voice soft and tentative.

Shame and innocence mingled in her eyes. Outwardly seductive, she was still the same Wen Xin inside. From that gaze, Shi Qianyu glimpsed a tender entanglement that softened even her own heart.

As if testing just how far Wen Xin would go, Shi Qianyu nodded obediently. “Sure.”

Wen Xin let out a quiet breath of relief.

Night had fallen, and the distant neon lights blazed wantonly.

The moonlight tonight was unusually bright, painting the night sky in breathtaking beauty. But those inside the room had no attention to spare for it. Wen Xin reached up and drew the curtains, shutting out every gleam of light.

Shi Qianyu was showering in the bathroom, where the patter of water mingled with rising steam. Wen Xin sat quietly on the bed, waiting. Before long, the sounds tapered off.

Moments later, Shi Qianyu reappeared in view.

She had a naturally beautiful face—fair-skinned, with refined features. Makeup was merely an accent for her; she was lovely either way, just in different styles.

With makeup on, she was the glamorous Director Shi: every frown and smile brimmed with allure. Paired with her mature, elegant attire, she seemed to have stepped straight out of an oil painting.

That version of Shi Qianyu was beautiful in a noble, dignified way—slightly aggressive, enough to make admirers hesitant to approach, aware they didn’t measure up and choosing to keep their distance.

But bare-faced, without a trace of makeup, Shi Qianyu revealed a different style entirely. The softness and warmth she usually kept hidden emerged unmasked, laid bare before Wen Xin.

Her eyes seemed to hold spring water, brimming with unspoken tenderness, as if silently conversing with Wen Xin: Come closer. Closer still. Come to my side.

In the darkness, Wen Xin watched the woman before her. Her breathing grew heavier, her heartbeat thundering like a drum.

She hadn’t yet shed her own clothes, clinging to a shred of propriety. But to seduce meant surrendering everything, casting aside any pretense of dignity.

Thankfully, the room was dimly lit. The bright moonlight outside couldn’t fully penetrate, sparing Shi Qianyu the sight of her burning cheeks.

“A-Yu.” Wen Xin met Shi Qianyu’s lips. Together they climbed onto the bed for an intimate kiss.

Amid the kiss, she gently undid her buttons, revealing more of the skin hidden beneath her nightgown. But even that didn’t feel like enough, so she boldly hiked up the hem.

Her fitted nightgown now barely covered a few inches.

She pressed her back against the wall and lifted her arms willingly, reaching for an embrace. “A-Yu… do you want to?”

Shi Qianyu lowered her eyes to kiss her fingertips, the gesture devout and tender. Yet her words dashed Wen Xin’s hopes. “No rush.”

“Sister, why don’t you put on a show for me?”

Wen Xin froze. “But…”

Shi Qianyu prompted her, her tone laced with temptation. “It’s fine.”

“Didn’t we do this once before?”

They had, indeed.

How could Wen Xin forget that day—their first time as lovers? She hadn’t done well, but Shi Qianyu hadn’t minded. She had even taken her hand and guided her patiently.

Wen Xin remembered the thrill of it, mingled with shame. At least then, Shi Qianyu had helped, softening the awkwardness of her clumsiness.

But not this time. Shi Qianyu seemed content to watch from the sidelines, offering no aid. Wen Xin met her eyes for a moment, then dropped her gaze and bit her lip. She understood. If she was going to seduce, she had to do it properly.

Holding her breath, Wen Xin brought her fingers to her lips.

Her preparations weren’t especially deft, but they brimmed with allure.

The position was uncomfortable, so she shifted deliberately, leaning back a little. But with Shi Qianyu right there, blocking her in the cramped space, she couldn’t move much.

Her calf brushed against the lace trim of Shi Qianyu’s nightgown. It was rough enough to tickle without hurting.

She was practically offering herself up. The pose alone was mortifying—let alone what she still had to do.

Unwittingly, her eyes met Shi Qianyu’s again.

Shi Qianyu’s gaze had followed her every move, intimate and ambiguous as it lingered on her body—like sweet liquor, intoxicating and irresistible.

Wen Xin’s heart stuttered. Tension and excitement crept higher.

Slowly, she let her hand drift lower. Amid the haze, memories flooded back. She felt alien to herself. Shi Qianyu and she were worlds apart, yet fate had bound them, sparking a chemical reaction.

It transformed them both, making them scarcely recognizable—pushing them toward madness. At some point, Shi Qianyu leaned in for a kiss. They pressed together tightly, lost in wild entanglement.

Until Wen Xin was utterly spent.

But it wasn’t enough. She craved more embraces, more kisses, more need.

Just like before, she spread her arms to the woman before her, her lips parting on the same question.

This time, mercifully, Shi Qianyu gave her the answer she sought.

“Okay,” she said.

Nearly dawn, Wen Xin lay cradled in Shi Qianyu’s arms, sleepiness washing over her.

Shi Qianyu had work tomorrow; she shouldn’t keep her up so late. Unwilling to disturb her further, Wen Xin slowly closed her eyes.

Yet somehow, her mind wandered back to the day’s events—and Gao Qiu’s question.

“Who are you bringing to the team-building trip this time?”

Wen Xin knew herself well. She already had her answer in her heart, tinged with disappointment: she might be the only one left partnerless in the office.

Then, suddenly, she thought of Shi Qianyu.

Who would she bring?

Wen Xin had met her sister at that birthday banquet—the stunning actress Jiang Jianxue. They were close in age and got along well. Maybe Shi Qianyu would bring her.

But on second thought, a star like Jiang Jianxue couldn’t appear casually. Being recognized would only invite needless trouble—like with Zhou Lele, who knew her identity.

So if not her, then who?

In her drowsy haze, Wen Xin’s thoughts tangled uselessly. She couldn’t sort the complexity, nor pinpoint why she cared so much. She knew next to nothing about so many aspects of Shi Qianyu’s life.

They were just lovers; prying like this was crossing a line. Her mind knew it, but her mouth betrayed her. “A-Yu, are you asleep?”

“Not yet.” Shi Qianyu’s voice came from behind her. The bed was so narrow that their bodies pressed close—not just physically, but heart to heart.

Sensing something amiss, she added gently, “Why aren’t you sleeping? Something on your mind?”

“…Just a question.” It took Wen Xin a long moment to venture it.

“About me?” Shi Qianyu asked.

“Mm.” Wen Xin nodded, instinctively lowering her voice. “I’m just a little curious… who are you bringing to the team-building trip?”

Curious.

Shi Qianyu latched onto that key word.

Wen Xin wasn’t the curious type—not unless she truly cared. And voicing it took real courage.

Shi Qianyu knew this wasn’t idle chatter. Wen Xin must have mulled it over endlessly before seeking answers. Those quiet little thoughts of hers were endearing, drawing a silent smile to Shi Qianyu’s lips.

Was it safe to think she was finally starting to care?

She didn’t spell it out, wary of snuffing the fragile flame. Instead, she spoke softly, nurturing it. “No one else. Just me.”

“Ah?” Wen Xin sounded shocked; this was the last answer she’d expected. “Why?”

“No reason. Going alone is fine.”

The words made Wen Xin think of herself, her voice faint. “Won’t it be lonely…?”

Shi Qianyu seemed to agree. “Maybe.”

“But there’s still Sister.”

Wen Xin looked puzzled. “Me?”

Shi Qianyu met her eyes, her expression earnest. “Can I ask this of you? If I come looking for you then, will you promise not to turn me away? Two people on their own teaming up would be the most natural thing in the world—nothing conspicuous about it, and no one would bat an eye.”

It was actually a solid idea.

Yet Wen Xin still felt a flicker of fear, her voice laced with hesitation. “But…”

“Of course,” Shi Qianyu said, reading her thoughts and sparing her any embarrassment by taking a step back, “if you’re still uneasy about it, that’s perfectly fine. Then… can I ask you for something else instead?”

Wen Xin blinked. “What?”

Shi Qianyu smiled. “At least when no one’s watching, please don’t push me away.”