A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of Tang Lian’s lips, the pure delight of a victor who had successfully teased her opponent.
Even now, that rainy night when she had unexpectedly crossed paths with the anxious Nan Qi who had rushed to her side—their first meeting—still felt as vivid as if it had just happened.
She remembered how Nan Qi had been so careful and loving toward Bo Ranying, showering her with endless care and protection, unwilling to let her suffer even the slightest grievance or harm.
Bo Ranying, clearly accustomed to it all, took Nan Qi’s kindness as nothing less than her due.
Tang Lian had felt deeply unsettled back then, unable to bear the sight of Nan Qi’s aggrieved expression around that straight girl. On one hand, she couldn’t help drawing closer; on the other, she had to remind herself that the other woman had a boyfriend, so she needed to restrain her fluttering heart and keep her distance. Every moment had been spent in agonizing conflict—how difficult it had been…
That was why, when Tang Lian sensed a perfect opportunity today, she wanted Bo Ranying to taste just a fraction of the torment Nan Qi had endured for so long. She had deliberately chosen words that stabbed right at the heart.
With eighty percent confidence, Tang Lian was certain Bo Ranying couldn’t withstand such provocation.
But she hadn’t expected Bo Ranying to say nothing at all, simply hanging up the phone in silence.
Judging from their online chats, Bo Ranying was so proud and self-assured that she would surely vent with a few choice curses to feel better.
Was she the type to stew in silence by herself?
Puzzled, Tang Lian realized her understanding of Nan Qi and Bo Ranying was far too shallow. Unable to figure it out, she decided not to waste more energy on it. In any case, she was sure she had struck Bo Ranying hard enough today.
Casually, she swiped Nan Qi’s phone back to the home screen and noticed eighty-nine little red dots on the phone icon, indicating eighty-nine missed calls.
An inexplicable discomfort washed over Tang Lian. She wanted that icon to match the neat uniformity of the others—no special treatment.
She tapped into it directly. A glaring sea of red text filled the screen. In the call log, only the topmost entry showed a call duration; the rest were packed with calls from Bo Ranying, averaging more than twenty per hour.
They had started sometime after seven in the evening and only stopped moments ago. Impressive persistence.
But there wouldn’t be any more now.
The smile at the corner of Tang Lian’s lips hadn’t yet faded.
She backed out, and sure enough, the icons now looked neat and harmonious, with no anomalies. Satisfaction bloomed in her chest.
Clamping the phone under her arm, she picked up two bowls of noodle soup and headed toward the living room.
Nan Qi had finished her shower too. She had even blow-dried her hair in the bathroom and emerged feeling refreshed. They met in the hallway.
Tang Lian’s first instinct was to call her over for noodles. “All done? The noodles are ready—come eat!”
But before she could finish, she looked up and caught sight of Nan Qi’s figure.
To her astonishment, that single glance rooted Tang Lian in place. She couldn’t tear her eyes away, forgetting the words on the tip of her tongue.
Nan Qi’s hair, freshly washed, no longer pulled into its usual impeccable work bun but hanging loose and natural, with the ends curling slightly against her chest. It swirled lightly over her skin like satin on a pillow, rosy as dawn light. The pajamas she had chosen were simple—a black-and-white vertical-striped set of long-sleeved shirt and pants, clean and elegant. Though the colors gave off a cool vibe, the tousled hair added a warmth that softened the chill, making her seem far more approachable and balancing out her usual distant aura.
But what stood out most was the glow on Nan Qi’s face right then. She had removed her light base makeup and wiped away the bold red lipstick that amplified her commanding presence, revealing a completely bare face.
It truly lived up to that old saying: a hibiscus blooming fresh from clear water, naturally beautiful without adornment.
It was a face the Creator had clearly favored, stunning in its perfection. Washed clean of chemical traces and baptized by water, her skin gleamed smooth and delicate, rosy beneath the white. The sharp brows and eyes lost their edge. She resembled a ripe water honey peach just plucked from the tree—plump and juicy, with a pinkish-white nose tip and soft pink lips. A mere pinch would leave a tender dimple on her cheek, and every gesture radiated irresistible allure…
It was utterly different from her usual look, and Tang Lian found it refreshingly novel. She stared in fascination, her affectionate gaze turning into something almost tangible, a caress that suddenly scorched Nan Qi’s chest. Nan Qi clenched her fist slightly and turned sideways, trying to shield her figure—and block that brazen stare.
She felt an embarrassed sense of being seen through, quite literally…
Instinctively, she clutched her clothes tighter.
Evidently, long sleeves and pants weren’t enough. Next time, she would need a thick coat.
The thought jolted Nan Qi, and she quickly banished it. What next time? She would never come to Tang Lian’s place to shower again!
Soon, though, Nan Qi realized her evasive movements had done nothing. Tang Lian’s gaze simply followed her, clingy and intense.
She recalled a cat video she had scrolled past recently, where the owner was utterly absorbed in petting her cat—just like Tang Lian now. If anything, Tang Lian seemed even more fervent, and Nan Qi was the cat being utterly adored…
Unable to bear the subtle atmosphere, Nan Qi broke it herself.
Striding forward, she took the soup bowls from Tang Lian, who seemed petrified in place. Her voice came out a little unnatural. “Can’t carry them? Here, let me.”
