How could there be anyone else? Of course she was thinking of taking advantage of her dear sister.
Fang Run grumbled inwardly but didn’t dare say it aloud.
In Huaguo, the same-sex marriage bill had only passed two years ago. So, even though gay people weren’t rare in daily life, people were still accustomed to phrasing things from a heterosexual perspective.
After Pei Luo finished speaking, she realized she hadn’t been thorough enough and added, “Of course, whether it’s a man or a woman, I hope our Little Run will be happy.”
Her wording was precise, her tone calm, as if she were genuinely blessing Fang Run.
At an angle Pei Luo couldn’t see, Fang Run pressed her lips down in a faint, secretive curve.
After their slightly romantic and ambiguously flirtatious exchange ended, the two bid each other goodnight. The bedroom door closed.
Lying in bed, everything Fang Run saw was pristine white. She wasn’t used to sleeping with the lights off. The dim, pale orange glow illuminated a small space, holding the darkness at bay.
Despite the awkward little interlude tonight, overall, she was satisfied and comfortable.
Getting flowers from Pei Luo for the first time,
Having Pei Luo help blow-dry her hair for the first time,
Whispering intimately with Pei Luo ear-to-ear for the first time.
The atmosphere was perfect. Little Sister Run still needed to work hard.
A progress bar, like the kind from a game where you level up and fight monsters, appeared in Fang Run’s mind. Even if it was only a pitiful 3%, it was enough to boost her spirits.
Pei Luo’s gentleness was like a spark, reigniting ashes that now crackled and burned without end.
Pei Luo still saw her as the little sister from their childhood, but that didn’t matter.
She would make Pei Luo slowly realize that the once-little Sister Run was now a mature adult. Someone she could date, someone she could even walk down the aisle with.
Fang Run waved a hand in front of her face, her eyes shining with a determined, must-win resolve.
So, the first step to capturing Pei Luo’s heart was to show just how thoughtful and virtuous she was as a housemate.
Her phone screen lit up. The number dial for her alarm clock scrolled endlessly before hesitating for a few seconds and finally locking onto the number 6.
Fang Run, who never woke up before 7 a.m., had a grave expression. Her fingertip lightly touched the screen, confirming.
The next day.
6:00 a.m.
The alarm rang mercilessly, crashing into Fang Run’s ears like a death knell.
Fang Run resisted, burying her head under the thin blanket, ready to slip back into sleep when Pei Luo’s face suddenly flashed in her mind.
Click.
The ringing stopped abruptly.
Rubbing her eyes, Fang Run sat up groggily and stretched slowly.
By the time she’d finished washing up and applying makeup, half an hour had passed.
Except when the school gave an urgent last-minute notice, she had never been this diligent about waking up early.
She couldn’t help but take a photo in the mirror and send it to Wen Ran, along with a morning wake-up nudge.
Wen Ran didn’t reply. Was probably still lost in sweet dreams.
Unconcerned, Fang Run put her phone away. She twisted her wavy hair up and secured it steadily at the back of her head with a shark clip. The tassel gave a soft twirl, exuding a lazy, casual, yet still elegant air.
Fang Run changed into a light-colored floral dress that emphasized her waistline, making her excellent body proportions immediately and strikingly obvious.
Before leaving her bedroom, she went back to the bathroom and daubed a little perfume on her neck and wrists.
The beauty in the mirror had bright eyes, pearly teeth, fair skin, and red lips—vibrant and alluring.
Instantly, Fang Run’s confidence multiplied several times over. She smiled gently.
Ready, she pulled open her bedroom door and walked, step by step, toward the kitchen.
Dressed this conspicuously, she naturally couldn’t let the smell of cooking oil mask her. Thus, she opted for a simple, ready-to-eat breakfast plan of warm milk and toast.
But just as she reached the kitchen, Fang Run heard the door chime, followed by the sound of it opening.
Pei Luo was wearing a loose, casual white sportswear set. Her long hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and a pure black headband was tied around her forehead, making her look dashing and heroic.
This outfit made her look even more like a university student than Fang Run—full of youthful vigor and vitality.
In her hand, she was clearly holding a plastic bag printed with a breakfast shop’s logo.
Fang Run: “…”
She suddenly felt a little superfluous.
Their eyes met, and Pei Luo obviously noticed her elaborate attire.
Pei Luo asked tentatively, “Is Little Run heading to class now?”
Fang Run didn’t want her to misunderstand. “I was originally going to get up and make breakfast. I didn’t expect you would have already bought some.”
They’d never talked about private matters, so naturally, Fang Run didn’t know she had a habit of early morning exercise.
Insufficient intel; it was truly a mistake.
Pei Luo breathed a sigh of relief. “If you’re not in a rush, sit down and have breakfast with me. I bought soup dumplings and rice porridge.”
Fang Run naturally wouldn’t refuse such an opportunity for them to be alone together. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and pulled out a chair to sit down.
Pei Luo went into the master bedroom to shower and freshen up, returning in a set of lounge clothes.
The dining area wasn’t large. The two sat across from each other, at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
“Sister Pei Luo, you’re up so early,” Fang Run smiled a bit sheepishly. “Most people are still asleep at this time.”
Her table manners were impeccably elegant. Her fair, delicate fingers holding the soup dumpling were so pretty that, in a different setting, it wouldn’t look out of place even if she were eating steak at a high-end Western restaurant.
Upon hearing this, Pei Luo raised an eyebrow. “Waking up early helps clear the mind and improves work efficiency. You can also enjoy the flowers and plants in the park, cultivate your mind and character. Once it becomes a habit, you can’t break it.”
Her short speech revealed a deep admiration for the good habit of early rising.
Fang Run, who was used to sleeping in, didn’t want to hypocritically agree. She just gave a slightly shy smile and continued to silently eat her soup dumplings.
After breakfast, the wall clock showed it was exactly 7:30.
Fang Run went back to her bedroom to grab her things, touched up her lipstick, and then returned to the living room.
Pei Luo had also changed into a dress shirt and trousers. Her restrained, noble, and abstinent aura was now sharply and distinctly highlighted.
She straightened her collar in front of the living room’s full-length mirror, raised a hand to pick up her jacket, and the exquisite cufflinks at her wrists shimmered silently.
During their brief time together, Pei Luo had been too gentle and caring, almost making one forget that she was the CEO of a company preparing for an IPO—a domineering CEO straight out of a novel.
The cufflinks were brilliantly and lavishly crafted, the gems dazzling and ostentatious. They were luxuriously expensive and clearly not in line with Pei Luo’s aesthetic.
Looking at the small object that was slightly different from Pei Luo’s taste, Fang Run instinctively sensed a whiff of danger.
Like a rabbit with a keen sense of smell, the moment she caught a hint of something amiss, alarm bells rang out.
“Sister Pei Luo, your cufflinks are so beautiful.” Fang Run’s smile was sweet and obedient as she probed casually. “I’ve never even seen this style before.”
Pei Luo had finished tidying up. Hearing this, she paid it no mind and explained offhandedly, “A colleague gave them to me. I wear them occasionally.”
Fang Run let out an “Oh.” “Sister Pei Luo has such a good relationship with her colleagues. I hope when I enter the workforce, I’ll also meet a kind and approachable boss like you.”
Even if it was a colleague, it was definitely no ordinary colleague.
Fang Run knew her limits. Probing further would inevitably be annoying. Even though curiosity still remained, she decisively stopped.
There was plenty of time. She would eventually find out who this mysterious colleague was.
Pei Luo smiled warmly. “You definitely will. Come on, I’ll drive you to school.”
Fang Run smiled obediently. After hesitating for two seconds, she deliberately acted casual as she stepped forward, lifting her hand to loop it through Pei Luo’s arm.
“Okay then, I’ll be troubling Sister Pei Luo.”
Imperceptibly closing the distance, her fox eyes lifted, a sly glint flashing within.
