Chapter 2

Facing the woman’s kindness, Nan Qi’s first reaction was to refuse. “No need to trouble yourself.”

She pulled Bo Ranying tightly against her, lips pressed thin, as if trying to prove a point.

Unfortunately, the drunk Bo Ranying was utterly unreasonable. Her body was as slick as a little fish, constantly sliding down along Nan Qi’s frame, which undermined the composure in her words.

The woman wasn’t discouraged. Spotting Nan Qi’s concern for Bo Ranying, she aimed right for her soft spot. “It’s pouring out there. Holding the umbrella while supporting Bo Ranying must be tough. It wouldn’t do for her to get soaked. Why don’t I hold it for you? It’s no trouble at all.”

She made it sound effortless, weaving in just the right touch of concern for Bo Ranying to chip away at Nan Qi’s defenses.

After a moment’s thought, Nan Qi had to concede that the woman was right.

The parking spot was still a good distance from the bar. With alcohol already in her system, Bo Ranying catching a chill from the rain could lead to a cold—and Nan Qi wasn’t willing to risk it.

So she offered a reserved thank-you, her icy expression softening in an instant.

The woman knew she’d played her card perfectly.

Masking her inner thrill, she put on an even warmer, more understanding smile.

With the woman’s help, Nan Qi could focus solely on steadying Bo Ranying as they walked. The woman trailed half a step behind, umbrella aloft. Beneath its broad canopy, the three of them felt shielded from the storm, remaining dry and invigorated.

Nan Qi was absorbed in Bo Ranying’s well-being, oblivious to the fact that half a step away, the silent woman holding the umbrella had her eyes fixed entirely on her.

She caught the muffled thud of her heels on the damp pavement, noted how often her bare legs shivered in the chill wind, watched the sway of her low ponytail against the hem of her shirt…

Every road comes to an end.

The instant Nan Qi pulled open the car door, the woman seized her chance. She slipped the card she’d been clutching from her fingertips into the hem of Nan Qi’s shirt, where it caught on the tight skirt hugging her hips.

She acted as if nothing had happened, perfectly calm.

After settling Bo Ranying securely into the passenger seat, Nan Qi said politely, “Thank you.”

Rather than stepping away, the woman kept holding the umbrella, seemingly urging Nan Qi to hurry inside as well.

Nan Qi circled tentatively to the driver’s side, and sure enough, the woman followed right along, umbrella in place.

Nan Qi slid into the driver’s seat. The card dislodged from her shirt and tumbled unnoticed into a crevice in the seat. She rolled down the window, sensing intuitively that the woman had something to say.

As expected, the woman leaned toward the window, bending at the waist. The tilted umbrella cast a shadow across her face.

Her V-neck slip dress dipped low with the motion, baring a generous swath of pale skin at her chest—though she seemed unaware.

Decency demanded Nan Qi look away, cheeks burning.

“I didn’t check the weather before heading out today. I had no idea it would rain. Could I borrow your umbrella?”

“Mm.” It was just an umbrella; no big deal.

The woman gazed at Nan Qi’s lovely profile, unwilling to let the moment slip. “Could you give me a convenient address? Your office, maybe? So I can return it to you?”

Nan Qi frowned. Her job made her fiercely protective of her privacy, and this was a woman she’d only met tonight while out with Bo Ranying. No sense quibbling over a silly umbrella.

She shut it down, cool and resolute. “No need. Keep it.”

“I’ve been out long enough—my friend’s probably worried. I’ve got to get Ranran home. Catch you next time.”

“Goodbye…”

Nan Qi paid no heed to the woman’s lingering gaze.

Her entire focus was on Bo Ranying. She had a weak head for liquor; too much left her dizzy and queasy for ages. And yet she adored sweet cocktails, always charging ahead without a thought for last time’s misery.

Luckily, the ride home passed in peace. Bo Ranying stayed quiet, leaning against the seat back without a peep.

Whenever Nan Qi glanced her way, she looked like an angel tumbled down from the heavens. Just gazing at her made Nan Qi’s heart melt into a nest of soft cotton.

Once they were home and out of the car, Bo Ranying grew restless again. She clambered onto Nan Qi’s back, whining and humming—one minute demanding a song, the next a joke—leaving Nan Qi’s back aching.

Nan Qi coaxed her gently. “I got you those big wontons from Yunji. Still hot. Want some now?”

Bo Ranying’s eyes sparkled, only for her to shake her head vigorously. “No.”

“No?” Nan Qi echoed, stunned.

But Bo Ranying switched gears. “I stink. I wanna take a bath. Little Qi, carry me to the bathroom.”

Nan Qi scooped her up without protest. As they passed the bedroom, Bo Ranying bossed her into a detour.

With a sigh, Nan Qi murmured to the girl in her arms, “You really are my Little Ancestor.”

Following Bo Ranying’s directions, she grabbed a Cinnamon Dog onesie. She had a weakness for cute cartoons; her pajamas were all adorable getups like this.

Only then did she head to the bathroom. She adjusted the water temperature, eased Bo Ranying in, and hovered anxiously. “You sure you can manage? Feeling dizzy? We can do it tomorrow instead.”

She worried Bo Ranying might slip and fall.

“No way. I want a bath tonight.”

The girl was adamant, shaking her head in the cutest way to demonstrate. “But my head really is spinning a little. Little Qi, help me wash?”

Nan Qi’s face flamed red at the plea.

They’d been roommates since college, sharing a two-bedroom apartment in Linxi for nearly four years now. They knew each other inside out—but they’d always respected boundaries.

She’d never bathed Bo Ranying before!

Nan Qi’s heart hammered. She couldn’t meet the girl’s eyes, stammering as her hands flailed awkwardly. “I-I-I… how could I help you b-bathe? Y-you should just… wait till tomorrow.”

“Little Qi~”

The girl cooed her name, soft and wheedling. Her innocent face brimmed with pitiful appeal, those big clear eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She reached out, tugging Nan Qi’s hands and wheedling, “Pretty please? I really wanna bathe. I wanna be sweet-smelling Ranran, not stinky me.”

Drunk or not, she knew the truth: no request was too much if she turned on the charm. Little Qi always caved.

Nan Qi’s chest went numb, dissolving into a helpless puddle.

Truth be told, a single soft “Little Qi” was all it took to make her surrender.

“I… w-will… help you.”

She forced the words out, each one a Herculean effort.

Sober as she was, it felt like she’d had one too many.

“Hang on!” She propped Bo Ranying’s hand on the door handle to steady her, then bolted.

When she returned, dark sunglasses shielded her face. Bo Ranying reached playfully to yank them off, but Nan Qi barked a stern refusal, all bluster hiding her nerves.

Bo Ranying was the girl she cherished deep in her heart.

Even at her own request, Nan Qi refused to take advantage while she wasn’t clearheaded.

She saw it as a desecration—a profound disrespect.