Chapter 4

But the images that burst in her mind like fireworks only filled her with guilt—and an overwhelming surge of desire.

She couldn’t help recalling the sight she had witnessed not long ago.

Her fingertips drifted through the rippling water, tracing Bo Ranying’s features stroke by stroke.

Those black-and-white eyes, misty with steam, always stared straight at her when she acted coquettish. Those plump, rosy lips tasted sweet when kissed. That creamy, flawless skin would redden at the slightest firm touch. Her slender waist like a willow branch, her collarbone and throat glistening with moisture, and on the quiet snow-capped peaks, a pair of trembling red tassels—like plum blossoms blooming alone in the winter dusk…

Nan Qi’s throat tightened, and she swallowed hard against the ache.

Forgetting she was still holding her breath underwater, she accidentally gulped down a mouthful of bathwater. She choked violently, her eyelids turning red as she broke the surface. “Cough cough cough… cough cough!”

She furrowed her brow, pressing her palm to her chest to soothe the overwhelming itch.

Little Ancestor certainly had a way about her. Even when she wasn’t there, she could leave Nan Qi in such a pathetic state.

It took a while for the earth-shattering coughing fit to subside. Nan Qi bit back a wry smile.

Her hand still rested on her chest, and the image of Little Ancestor in her mind grew ever clearer. In her imagination, those eyes shimmered with a peachy glow, her cheeks flushed pink. She gazed at Nan Qi with damp, pleading eyes, utterly bare and vulnerable.

Nan Qi could hear Bo Ranying’s voice, sweet and cloying, each word bouncing on her heart and making her soul quiver.

“Little~ Qi, I want~ to be with you~”

Then let’s be together.

Nan Qi’s eyes burned red. She reached out, accepting Bo Ranying’s invitation, pulling the girl’s body firmly into her arms—as if embracing the other half of her soul, a perfect match destined from birth.

Heat waves rolled wherever she touched. Forests burst into flames, and the endless white clouds in the sky were dyed into a brilliant fiery sunset.

Nan Qi drifted between clarity and surrender.

She despised herself even as her heart raced uncontrollably. She knew she wouldn’t sleep tonight.

The girl’s lips kissed her eyes, her nose, her earlobes, her mouth, trailing down her collarbone and lower. Bo Ranying’s exclusive summer-fresh scent swept over her, carrying her to the clouds. Her body felt light as a feather, floating freely in midair.

Sweat beaded on her face. She gasped for breath, calling out Bo Ranying’s name without thinking.

Short, urgent, fragmented cries—like a little kitten.

“Ranran. Ran…”

“Ran!”

A knock at the door. The kitten clapped a hand over her mouth, muffling her startled cry into a faint whisper. But the emotions inside her had ignited and continued to boil over.

Fireworks crackled, playing a symphony of roses.

Nan Qi nearly toppled over in fright. She wanted to call out, but the situation left her speechless.

She couldn’t spare a thought to wonder why someone who should have been asleep was suddenly at the bathroom door.

The heat in her face felt like it would cook her alive.

Was this the first time she’d fantasized about her like this—only to be caught red-handed by Bo Ranying?

Shame tightened every toe.

From outside the door came the girl’s soft, tentative voice. “Little Qi, are you still washing up? You’ve been in there a long time. Are you okay?”

Each word carried careful concern, as if Nan Qi were something precious.

She always sought reconciliation after hurting her, full of remorse.

She always scratched exactly at Nan Qi’s weak spot, leaving her defenseless. Nan Qi couldn’t muster anger or blame.

She could only tell herself to try harder, to persist for the long haul, and eventually Bo Ranying would come to like her.

And just like that, without realizing it, she’d persisted for years.

Nan Qi didn’t answer.

Bo Ranying knocked again, her tone growing anxious. She twisted the doorknob, as if ready to burst in at any moment.

With no choice, Nan Qi bit her finger, forcing her trembling voice to steady as she responded to Bo Ranying.

“I… I’m fine. You should go to sleep.”

After forcing out those words, Nan Qi felt like a shipwreck survivor clinging to driftwood in a flood. Now the wood was rotting, about to shatter, leaving her without shelter as she sank into the depths to drown.

“I want to wait for you.”

The girl outside spoke in a soft, sticky whine, ignoring her instructions.

The bathroom door was frosted glass. Nan Qi wiped the sparkling water and sweat from around her eyes and vaguely made out the girl’s silhouette—leaning against the door before squatting down, determined to wait for her.

Nan Qi was helpless.

Her fingertip bore a deep bite mark as she wrenched herself back from the clouds.

“Wait for what?”

“The weather tonight is so scary. There’s been thunder and lightning outside nonstop. I’m afraid to sleep alone. I want to sleep with Little Qi.”

Her tone was soft and pitiful, like a rabbit with reddened eyes, paws raised in plea.

Nan Qi’s heart softened. She couldn’t bear to keep Bo Ranying waiting any longer.

That was how she was—unable to resist the occasional candy Bo Ranying offered.

Honey laced with arsenic still tasted sweet going down.

She quickly rinsed off and dried herself, shoving aside stray thoughts. With graceful poise, she opened the bathroom door and immediately spotted Bo Ranying leaning against it, head tilted adorably as she waited.

She was so cute that Nan Qi couldn’t resist ruffling her hair.

The motion sent Bo Ranying’s body swaying sideways.

She ended up lying back across Nan Qi’s lap.

Feeling the unfamiliar warmth radiating from the girl’s body, Nan Qi froze for a second. The emotions in her heart threatened to reignite.

She bit her tongue to stay clear-headed.

In a half-joking tone, she said, “My bad. I forgot Classmate Ranran is scared of thunder. Now you’ve stayed up waiting for me when you must be exhausted.”

“It’s okay. I’ll remind you next time.”

Bo Ranying rubbed her face against Nan Qi’s leg.

The touch was so soft that both of them savored the closeness, neither pulling away for a moment.

Nan Qi instinctively looked down, a smile tugging at her lips. She was about to say something when she glimpsed the girl’s bare, pale feet. Forgetting her words, she scolded her seriously yet tenderly, “The floor is so cold. Why aren’t you wearing shoes?”

“Didn’t want to.” Bo Ranying scrunched up her little face.

“Brat?” Nan Qi remained stern.

With a sigh, she resignedly scooped Bo Ranying into her arms and carried her back to the warm bed.

The moment she touched the bed, the girl rolled to the far side and patted the empty space beside her, smiling sweetly and obediently. “The bed’s all warmed up now. I set the AC to a steady 26 degrees, and I lit some Cire Trudon chestnut-cashmere wood incense. Come on in and sleep!”

The room was filled with a cozy, nostalgic warmth.

The girl before her was perfect, and everything she brought was perfect.

This scene was exactly the everyday life Nan Qi dreamed of—building a home with Bo Ranying.

Nan Qi’s cheeks hollowed slightly as a tender smile bloomed on her face.

“Okay,” she murmured softly.

She lifted the covers and slipped into bed.

No sooner had she settled than Bo Ranying rolled over from her side, landing precisely in Nan Qi’s arms. She wrapped her arms around Nan Qi’s waist and nestled her cheek against her chest, full of attachment.

Nan Qi ran warm, and come winter, Bo Ranying loved sticking to her, as if she wanted to grow right onto her.

With a glance down, Nan Qi could see Bo Ranying’s soft crown of hair and her innocent, adorable face—right there within reach.

They embraced like lovers, real yet illusory, like a delicious poison that Nan Qi willingly swallowed.

“Go to sleep.”

She switched off the room’s last nightlight, plunging everything into darkness.

Bo Ranying fell asleep quickly against her, but Nan Qi felt no trace of drowsiness.

She stared at the ceiling with open eyes, the girl’s soft body pressed to her side.

Her senses were a tangle of contradictions.

Restless desire mingled with profound loss.

She didn’t know how long her insomnia lasted—until her eyes grew sore and sleep finally beckoned. She buried her face in the fragrant pillow, allowing herself to surrender.

In the quiet space, a message notification chimed.

Her foggy thoughts snapped awake. Nan Qi’s first instinct was to check Bo Ranying in her arms and confirm she was still sleeping soundly. She let out a soft breath and turned toward the sound.

With the notification, a phone screen lit up with harsh light.

It was Bo Ranying’s phone, tucked under the pillow.

Nan Qi reached for it, intending to turn off the screen.