Chapter 37

Tang Lian and Nan Qi had poured a tremendous amount of effort into cleaning the room until it was just barely livable. Both women were covered in dust and dirt, exhausted and starving, their energy reserves nearly depleted.

Nan Qi glanced at her wristwatch. It showed nearly ten-thirty at night. Time had flown by astonishingly fast.

Feeling that she had troubled Tang Lian far too much already, Nan Qi adopted an attitude tinged with guilt and caution when facing her again. “Thank you for helping me all this time. What do you want to eat? Let me treat you to a casual meal first, and then a proper one later?” Nan Qi discussed ways to thank her with Tang Lian.

Tang Lian naturally picked up on the distance in Nan Qi’s words. Although she had half-forced her earlier, using their mutual interests to coerce Nan Qi into acknowledging their close relationship—and Nan Qi hadn’t refused any of the help she’d offered afterward, seemingly treating her as a familiar friend she could trouble without restraint—Nan Qi’s current heartfelt reaction revealed her true thoughts. She couldn’t accept Tang Lian’s selfless giving without expecting something in return.

Of course, Tang Lian wasn’t that selfless.

But the return she wanted went far beyond just a meal from Nan Qi…

Still, an opportunity to share a meal was a good start. More contact would lead to future chances, and she could take things slowly.

Tang Lian pinched her dust-stained sleeve and glanced at Nan Qi’s hair, damp with sweat and plastered to her forehead. Her clothes were smudged with grime in various places, making her look utterly disheveled. She had shed the refined, aloof demeanor she’d worn at the law firm not long ago, appearing quite bedraggled.

“If Nan Qi wants to treat me to dinner, of course I’ll accept the favor~”

“But let’s not bother with it today. We’re both covered in dust and sweat—it’s uncomfortable. We shouldn’t eat out.”

Nan Qi could tell she had more to say and didn’t interrupt, adopting a posture of patient listening.

“Why don’t we just grab something casual at my place? Your apartment doesn’t have gas hooked up yet. You’ll need to wait until the gas company opens tomorrow to recharge with your card. Right now, there’s only cold water, no hot—so showering here isn’t convenient. You can shower at my place and come back after.”

Tang Lian’s expression was earnest, presenting it purely as a suggestion, leaving the final decision up to Nan Qi.

The moment Nan Qi heard the first sentence, a nerve in her brain twitched—like some kind of warning signal. Sure enough, Tang Lian’s words grew bolder with each one, each building seamlessly on the last, all designed to lead naturally to the next. Her thinking was meticulously tight.

“Your place?” Nan Qi’s eyes were clear and gentle, but a sharp edge gleamed in her brows, manifesting as a tangible piercing gaze directed at Tang Lian, clearly signaling that she had seen through her ulterior motives.

Tang Lian didn’t panic. For someone as clever as Nan Qi, being seen through was only natural.

She didn’t hesitate to express her fondness for Nan Qi.

Making sure Nan Qi received the signal of her attraction was just one step in Tang Lian’s plan.

Her lips curved lightly, her tone ambiguously flirtatious, laced with the playfulness of victory. “Yeah, my place—right upstairs. I bought it with a friend for convenience back then, but the guy went abroad for work before even finishing the renovations. Never spent a single night here.”

Nan Qi: “…”

She suddenly understood why Tang Lian had been so eager with her suggestions.

She hadn’t imagined becoming neighbors, separated by just one floor, with someone she’d only met twice.

“Is it too late to back out of the lease now?”

“No… way… in… hell—” Tang Lian wagged a finger by her lips, enunciating each word deliberately. She had already drawn Nan Qi into her web and had no intention of letting go easily—especially since this was Nan Qi’s own choice. She had merely guided her a little.

Nan Qi was just venting. She had already signed the contract and was quite satisfied with the apartment. Reflecting on how things had unfolded, she realized this woman was incredibly sharp, adept at scheming without making anyone dislike her—only admiring her flawless little plots.

“Oh—” Nan Qi paused deliberately before saying with a half-smile, “If showering here is inconvenient, I can get an hourly room at a nearby hotel.”

“Hotels aren’t hygienic. Or do you want to treat me to dinner at a hotel? I’m starving already. Shouldn’t you respect your guest’s suggestion when treating someone to a meal?” Tang Lian lounged relaxedly, unfazed by Nan Qi’s coolness. Her expression even held a hint of delight. “On second thought, dinner at a hotel does sound interesting.” A meaningful, unrestrained gleam flickered in her eyes. Her thick lashes were like a little brush, gradually revealing the emotions in her gaze to the woman before her.

Nan Qi shivered involuntarily, sensing a strangely profound aura. She immediately dismissed the hotel idea.

With a blank expression, she rummaged through her packed luggage for her pajamas and toiletries. “Then let’s go tour your place.”

She moved behind Tang Lian, gesturing for her to lead the way.

Tang Lian burst out laughing at Nan Qi’s deadpan framing of “borrowing the bathroom for a shower” as a “tour.” She doubled over in mirth. “Hahahaha… hahahahahaha!” Her chest heaved with laughter, the rounded outline beneath her shirt prominent. A faint blush colored Nan Qi’s cheek, and she felt a touch embarrassed by the uninhibited laughter, turning her head away.

In her vision, only Tang Lian’s legs remained.

This was the safest, least mistake-prone position. She needed to follow Tang Lian’s steps forward.

She waited a moment, but Tang Lian showed no sign of stopping. Arms full of toiletries, Nan Qi was stuck—unable to advance or retreat.

Unable to bear it, she snapped in irritation, “…Stop laughing!”

“What’s so funny about it?”

“It’s just… hahaha, hilarious.”

Tang Lian’s laughter paused briefly. She suddenly turned to face her, grabbed her arm, and wiped the tears from her eye corners with the clean fabric of her sleeve.

Staring at the damp patch on her sleeve where Tang Lian had rubbed, Nan Qi went numb.

She felt her soul briefly leave her body for a few seconds before drifting back.

Once the tears were wiped away, it was as if the switch controlling Tang Lian’s laughter had finally been turned off.

She waved her hand in a commanding tone. “Alright, alright, let’s head home.”

Nan Qi: “…”

Finally.

She stepped forward to follow. Two minutes later, they arrived at Tang Lian’s door.

It really was incredibly close!

She watched as Tang Lian made no effort to hide it, reaching under a flowerpot on the entryway stand to retrieve a key, unlock the door, and replace it.

Muttering solemnly, “This is the hiding spot for my spare key—super important. Keep it secret, Nan Qi~”

Nan Qi was speechless. “You didn’t have to tell me.”

“How could I not?” Tang Lian shot back immediately. “I told you on purpose so you can come over anytime you want, no need to notify me ahead of time.”

“There won’t be any such opportunity.”

“You never know~”

As they chatted, Tang Lian stepped inside, flipped on the lights, and pulled out a pair of brand-new, unopened slippers, stepping aside from the entryway. “Come on in, Nan Qi.”

Nan Qi entered anyway, closing the door behind her. She set her items on the cabinet and bent to unwrap the slippers.

“They’re disposables—make do. I don’t have guests over often, so no proper slippers prepared.” Tang Lian leaned half against the wall, gazing tenderly down at the woman changing shoes. Her heart swelled with warm fulfillment.

“What size shoe do you wear? I’ll have some ready for next time.”

Her words flowed so naturally, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. To Nan Qi’s ears, they hit like thunder. She paused mid-motion while slipping on the shoe, then continued nonchalantly. “No need.”

“If Lawyer Nan won’t tell me, I’ll just eyeball it.” She began teasingly calling her that again.

Tang Lian wasn’t bothered by the brush-off. She silently eyed Nan Qi’s heel protruding from the disposable slipper, then appraised her figure. “You’re tall—size 38 should be about right.”

Nan Qi shuffled past her in the slippers, brushing heavily by. Tang Lian’s persistence had worn her down.

Tang Lian understood that Nan Qi was probably just shy.

But she especially loved seeing other vivid expressions crack Nan Qi’s cool facade. It inexplicably awakened a mischievous streak in her she’d never known. Without a firm answer, she wasn’t satisfied.

She had no idea what consideration meant. If Nan Qi didn’t want to stay near her or acknowledge her, Tang Lian would chase after, leaning close to her ear and asking repeatedly, “Is it okay? Did I guess right?”

“What if I buy the wrong size? What then next time if it still doesn’t fit?”

What to do, what to do, what to do.

It was like an relentless earworm.

Nan Qi was thoroughly annoyed, on the verge of losing it. In retrospect, agreeing to come to Tang Lian’s place had been a mistake from the start!

Too bad she was already in a bind.

In a small voice, she said, “It’s right…”

“What?” Tang Lian pretended not to hear, poised to keep pestering.

Nan Qi had no choice but to repeat it louder and clearer.

“Get size 38.”

Nan Qi stood at 172 centimeters tall with a shoe size of 38—several centimeters taller than Tang Lian. Both women had long hands and legs, their figures boasting enviable proportions.

Seeing Nan Qi finally give up resisting, Tang Lian beamed with delight. “See? I told you my eye for these things is spot on.”

During their earlier tussle, Nan Qi hadn’t paid any attention to where she was headed. She’d been focused solely on shaking off Tang Lian and her relentless questions about her shoe size. Only now did she realize she’d backed herself right up to the living room’s television wall.

Her gaze swept casually across it before freezing in place.

Just a few dozen centimeters away, she spotted a very familiar black umbrella.

It was the one from that rainy night when she’d gotten the call and rushed to the bar to pick up Bo Ranying. She’d lent it to Tang Lian on the spot.

Tang Lian had taken excellent care of it, propping it beside the television wall in a cardboard box. She’d even cut a circular hole in the middle to slot the umbrella through, keeping it off the floor and away from any dust.

Noticing what had caught Nan Qi’s eye, Tang Lian’s smile turned soft and wistful. She explained patiently, “It’s the umbrella you lent me before. It saved me that night. After we parted ways, the rain came down even harder. Thanks to it, I stayed completely dry.

“I meant to return it the next day. I even asked Bo Ranying for your WeChat to get in touch, but you never added me. Not knowing when I’d see you again, I figured I’d just keep it safe here for now.”

Hearing Bo Ranying’s name no longer twisted Nan Qi’s heart with pain or anger. She felt surprisingly calm about that now. What surprised her instead was Tang Lian’s earnest treatment of a mere umbrella.

“It’s the perfect chance now. Want to take it home?”

Nan Qi started to nod, then hesitated. It was just an umbrella, after all. No big deal.

It felt a little strange, though, to see an ordinary umbrella given such a dedicated spot.

“Forget it. I’ll keep it here,” Tang Lian added before Nan Qi could respond, retracting the offer at lightspeed. “Next time you need it, I’ll come pick you up with it myself.”

Nan Qi wanted to point out that, barring the unexpected, she’d never need such a thing.

Right then, Tang Lian’s stomach let out a loud, unmistakable gurgle, echoing through the spacious apartment.

Nan Qi’s eyes drifted unconsciously to her midsection.

Tang Lian rubbed her belly. “The water heater’s always on. You want to shower first, or should I?”

The question made Nan Qi’s face heat up instantly. Being asked that in someone else’s home felt mortifyingly intimate!

She didn’t dare dwell on it and quickly demurred, eyes downcast. “You go ahead.”

She avoided looking at Tang Lian’s eyes, which sparkled with playful affection.

Tang Lian laughed, radiant as the most vibrant rose in a morning garden—vivid and utterly captivating. “Alright, wait for me. I’ll be quick.”

Nan Qi wandered back to the sofa and sank down. “…”

She ignored the deliberate teasing.

“If you’re bored, feel free to poke around the place.” Tang Lian put extra humor into the word “poke,” then sauntered through the bedroom toward the bathroom.

Only when the door clicked shut did Nan Qi finally exhale, her tension easing.

Being around Tang Lian was an emotional rollercoaster—thrilling one moment, steady the next, entirely beyond her control.

She stood and began exploring, taking in the apartment’s furnishings.

Like its owner, the space brimmed with eclectic touches.

A massive oil painting hung on the wall, its bold colors clashing dramatically. Bizarre animals and religious motifs collided in a whirlwind of cultural impact. An easel on the balcony held an unfinished portrait head, surrounded by a chaotic scatter of paints.

Venturing toward the kitchen, she found a full human skeleton propped up, complete with labeled diagrams of bones and acupoints detailing each part’s name and functions.

In one corner of the living room sat a small altar table with an incense burner. Several sticks of rich sandalwood incense smoldered within, offered before a statue of Wang Lingguan.

Nan Qi knew a bit about him. Wang Lingguan—originally named Wang E—had been renamed Wang Shan by the Sa Shoujian Sa Zu Mage. He was a Daoist guardian deity and town pillar god, formally titled the Innate Prime General Redheart Guardian of the Dao Three-Five Express King Heavenly Lord of Majestic Spiritual Manifestation. He oversaw celestial and mortal inspections, bore three eyes, and ranked among Daoism’s most renowned immortals.

On the sofa sat an open suitcase, its compartments neatly stocked with all sorts of items.

Cosmetics filled some: eyebrow pencils, blush, eyeliner, liquid foundation, powder puffs—the works. Others held fine medical suture thread, gauze, tweezers, and the like.

At first glance, the elements seemed unrelated, a jumble of disparate things. But on closer inspection, they formed a strangely harmonious whole.

It was like a surreal artist’s bizarre exhibition: you might not understand it, but that didn’t stop you from feeling it—the beauty, the harmony, the urge to immerse yourself and explore every detail.