Chapter 27: Little Run’s Lips

But something was definitely off, leaving her heart feeling like it had been gently scratched by a kitten’s paw.

Her fingertips seemed to move of their own accord, trembling ever so slightly.

And that tiny tremor made the person in her arms flinch for an instant.

Fang Run blinked, her eyes glistening with moisture, as if brimming with scattered starlight.

That expression, holding back words she wanted to say, made one feel inexplicably even more ill at ease.

Stillness hung in the air for a few moments. Pei Luo finally steadied herself, helped the girl stand upright, and lowered her eyes. “Sorry,” she said.

The situation was simply too awkward and strange. She did not wish to linger. Changing the subject, she said, “Let’s go. My car is parked outside.”

Fang Run had gotten the reaction she wanted and had no intention of staying either.

The girl obeyed with a nod and turned to walk out.

When she reached the doorway, Pei Luo was still standing right where she was.

Fang Run tilted her head and asked softly, “Sister Pei Luo, aren’t you coming?”

Only then did the woman glance up at her. Without a word, she lifted her feet and walked out.

In the changing room, Fang Run took off her dance clothes and put her own outfit back on. She tidied the wrinkles in the mirror and reapplied her lip gloss.

She was in a fairly good mood, the ends of her brows raised, an unconcealed delight surfacing on her face.

Once in the car, Fang Run fastened her seatbelt and then asked casually, as if it just occurred to her, “Sister Pei Luo, what are we going to do this afternoon?”

Over the phone, Pei Luo had only hinted she needed help in the afternoon but hadn’t said precisely what for.

Fang Run looked at the person beside her with some curiosity, her mind already making guesses.

Pei Luo merged into traffic, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “I might need to trouble you to accompany me to an auction, and the dinner party afterwards.”

Fang Run’s eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t expected something like this.

Showing up with Pei Luo — didn’t that mean the other woman was about to publicly reveal her sexual orientation?

Even if she had guessed Pei Luo might not be straight, Fang Run hadn’t expected her to make such a big move, this soon.

Even she herself had only subtly come out; she had no plans for a grand public declaration of her orientation.

Though same-sex relationships are also protected by law today, heterosexual people are still the majority — men marrying women, having children.

Perhaps guessing what Fang Run was thinking, Pei Luo felt a brief pang of awkwardness and then quickly explained: “Before, I always went with others from the company. But this time, they happened to have other plans. I couldn’t find a suitable replacement on short notice, so I thought of you.”

This was indeed the situation, though not the whole story.

Her secretary had booked two sets of formal wear long ago, and it had always been Sheng Nuoyi who accompanied her to various banquets. However, today, Sheng Nuoyi had to go home for her father’s birthday party, leaving one set of formal wear unused.

Logically, it wouldn’t be impossible to find another person in the company. But upon seeing that dress, Fang Run’s face flashed in Pei Luo’s mind.

If Fang Run wore this dress, she would probably look perfectly stunning.

On an impulse she couldn’t explain, Pei Luo had made that call.

Only when she was interrupted, hung up, and her heated brain cooled down did she realize what she had done.

A request like this… it was crossing the boundary of friendship a little.

After giving this explanation, Pei Luo’s heart lifted inexplicably, and she gripped the steering wheel tightly, a little nervous.

Fang Run stroked her chin thoughtfully, then said slowly, “So… I’m the first person Sister Pei Luo thought of as a rescuer?”

A question in response, no direct answer, her tone sweet and obedient.

Just then, a red light. Pei Luo braked and looked sideways at her.

There was no chip on her shoulder, no suspicion in Fang Run’s eyes. They were clean, pure, reflecting a tiny version of herself — as if the whole world contained only Pei Luo.

Under that undivided, intense gaze, Pei Luo lowered her eyes. She was silent for a moment before saying, “Mhm. I felt Little Run was very suited for it.”

Fang Run smiled then, the upwards-slanting corners of her eyes even more brilliant and fresh, like the curved crescent moon.

“Alright then, I’ll help.” Her voice was soft as she spoke.

Even if Pei Luo was deliberately avoiding the subject, Fang Run could guess who had been accompanying her to these events before. Whatever reason Sheng Nuoyi had for being absent this time, she had to seize this opportunity and make sure the other woman lost these chances forever.

No matter what reason Pei Luo had for thinking of her, it meant she was no longer just the simple Girl Next Door in the other’s heart.

Fang Run was particularly satisfied with this point. She fiddled with her fingers, almost wanting to sing out loud.

After a quick meal nearby, Pei Luo reminded her she could go home to rest first, as the auction wouldn’t start until around seven.

Fang Run thought it over and asked, “Then can I go wait at the company with Sister Pei Luo?”

She spoke in a pitiful tone: “It’s a little boring at home by myself, and if I go with Sister Pei Luo, we can save time too.”

Pei Luo considered it briefly and agreed to this not-too-presumptuous request.

Inside the CEO’s Office was a small break room for Pei Luo to rest in when she was tired.

Now, this private, narrow space had been occupied by Fang Run.

Like she was inspecting her own territory, she meticulously scrutinized every corner before finally sitting down on the small bed, swinging her legs and playing on her phone.

Because she hadn’t given the answer the other wanted to hear that morning, Wen Ran had sent quite a few messages later on. But Fang Run had been spending time with Pei Luo then and hadn’t replied.

Now that things had settled down, she picked and chose, finally sending a few messages that went along with what Wen Ran wanted.

The other replied almost instantly: [You’re so halfhearted]

Fang Run typed helplessly:

[Fine, fine. You guys are just so improper]

Then, immediately sent another message:

[And now you’ll say I’m being a prude]

She typed incredibly fast. The “typing…” indicator on the other end appeared and vanished.

Wen Ran, her thoughts read perfectly, simply sent an “assassination” sticker to be funny.

Fang Run smiled, stole the sticker, and sent it back.

She stretched her body, not saying any more about the subject.

She’d warned her friend, but whether the friend listened or not — that wasn’t up to her.

She could only offer a safe harbor, shelter from the storm, should Ying Ningyan ever hurt Wen Ran.

Beyond that, her heart was willing but her power was weak.

Realizing she was spiraling towards negativity again, Fang Run shook her head hard and cast aside those chaotic thoughts.

She glanced out the window. Outside the door, the low murmur of Pei Luo talking to someone drifted in, like a quiet background track.

Fang Run couldn’t help but feel a little drowsy. She yawned, paced a few steps back and forth in the small space, and finally chose to lie down on the bed.

Perhaps because Pei Luo often rested here, the woody perfume scent was very strong, as if Pei Luo were holding her close.

Fang Run nestled into the pillow and drew a deep breath, letting that fragrance burrow into her nostrils and envelop her completely.

She curled up with the thin blanket and drifted into a light sleep.

Very quiet, very leisurely, very pleasant.

Fang Run rarely had moments of such total relaxation. Taking advantage that no outsider would casually enter here, she indulged herself, letting her whole body and mind slacken, nestling into Pei Luo’s scent.

Because of this, she lost track of time’s passage.

Outside, after the person took their documents and closed the door behind them, Pei Luo raised her head and glanced at the closed partition door.

She had no idea what Fang Run was doing inside. It had been completely quiet, as if the room were empty, just like any other day.

Yet Pei Luo was acutely aware: inside her rest room, someone from outside was right now walking around, sitting, leaning — all with her permission.

Once before, Sheng Nuoyi had wanted to rest in the break room. Pei Luo had refused with almost no hesitation.

Her territorial instinct wasn’t overly strong; she simply felt that before a relationship exceeded a certain threshold, all interactions should maintain distance and proper boundaries.

She just didn’t know when it had started, but Fang Run had soundlessly crossed that invisible line and blundered straight into her private domain.

Pei Luo withdrew her gaze and continued working at her desk.

It wasn’t until four in the afternoon, when Pei Luo finished today’s work and stood up rubbing her sore neck and shoulders.

The sun was traveling west, the afterglow resplendent.

She turned her head to look at the scenery outside the window, her gaze involuntarily landing on the partition door that had never been opened.

After a pause, Pei Luo got up and walked over.

It was her own private rest room, yet the moment her hand touched the door handle, Pei Luo felt a pang of self-conscious guilt and nervousness.

Like she was about to sneak into someone else’s territory, involuntarily condemning her own actions, yet unwilling to stop.

Pei Luo opened the door very quietly, a sound that would hardly disturb anyone inside.

Fang Run was asleep. Her palm-sized face was pressed into the pillow, the thin blanket draped over her, her sleeping posture somewhat curled up.

She’d forgotten who said it — that such a posture means a person lacks a sense of security inside, adopting a defensive position to protect themselves even in dreams.

Pei Luo’s heart softened, and she walked over with lightened steps.

She half-crouched down, her gaze level with the lying Fang Run.

The girl looked beautiful even in sleep, quiet and well-behaved. Her lips held a faint rose-pink shade, her lashes long and dense, like a perfectly proportioned doll.

Pei Luo didn’t want to wake her, just quietly watched Fang Run like this. Her mood, which had been slightly vexed by work, inexplicably soothed.

The more she looked, the more she found Fang Run’s lips exceptionally fine.

The lip shape was symmetrical and beautiful, neither too thin nor too thick, full and dimensional. With lipstick on, it looked even more delicate and fresh.

Pei Luo’s gaze was drawn to them irresistibly.

Inappropriately, she recalled the sensation of holding Fang Run’s waist this morning — the girl’s tiny shiver, and that soft, warm sound.

It melted her bones, like a warm current soaking through every part of her.

Whether looking down or straight ahead, the girl’s lips captured her attention like this.

Something flickered through Pei Luo’s mind. She caught it sharply.

Realizing what it was, Pei Luo wished she weren’t quite so sharp.

In her dream, Fang Run was right there, blinking those dewy eyes, as Pei Luo pressed her lips fiercely against the wall, in the bathtub, on the sofa, and other places.

The image was far closer than reality; one could even glimpse the girl’s snow-white teeth.

Red tongue tip, red lips.

Pei Luo’s throat went dry, and her ears slowly grew hot.

It seemed she had never actually touched Fang Run’s lips. Just looking, she felt they must be soft, warm, carrying the girl’s unique fragrance.

As if under a spell, Pei Luo involuntarily leaned her upper body forward.

But the next second, an alarm rang out suddenly.

Pei Luo jumped, instinctively stepping back, looking rather like a panicked fugitive.

Reaching the doorway, Pei Luo stopped again, belatedly remembering that she, in fact, was the owner of this rest room.

…So, what was she running from?

Just then, Pei Luo heard the girl’s sleepy, hoarse voice: “…Sister Pei Luo?”

The previous question unanswered, Pei Luo forced herself to turn back, meeting Fang Run’s gaze as the girl propped herself up.

Fang Run’s eyes were drowsy, clearly not having slept enough. And with her movement, her collar had accidentally slipped askew, revealing a bright crimson strap.

Like a single red plum blossom on a snowy field, making that patch of skin seem even more translucent and smooth.

Inevitably, Pei Luo remembered the full, rising curves she’d seen in the bathroom once, and that hint of crimson beneath pink bubbles.

The back of Pei Luo’s neck tingled, her fingertips trembling slightly.

She unobtrusively wiped her lip peak, confirming nothing embarrassing had appeared there, and finally felt relieved.

“Is it about time to leave to get our hair and makeup done?” Fang Run checked the time and asked with a yawn.

Her eyes shimmered with moisture, currently carrying a kind of naturally blank, adorable charm.

Pei Luo nodded: “Yes. I was just about to wake you. I didn’t expect the alarm to go off.”

Fang Run let out an “ah,” rubbed her nose a little sheepishly. “I was afraid I’d oversleep, so I set an alarm every fifteen minutes.”

Realizing her state was too relaxed and fearing it might lead to delays, Fang Run had done this out of necessity.

Only, she hadn’t expected it would also bring an unexpected bonus.

She discreetly scrutinized Pei Luo standing in the doorway, a hint of probing in her deep eyes.

Just now, the woody perfume scent had been very close, indicating Pei Luo had been right beside the bed. Only, the alarm had rung at a ruinously unlucky moment, startling her away.

So, if the alarm hadn’t rung, what had Pei Luo been about to do?