Chapter 7 Not in a Relationship

After draping the thin blanket over Pei Luo, Fang Run returned to her own bedroom.

She didn’t ask any questions about that woman, afraid the other might notice something when she woke in the morning. No matter what, right now, it was her living with Pei Luo—not that woman.

Fang Run’s mood had calmed considerably. Glancing down, her eyes landed perfectly on the pair of slippers printed with pink puppies.

She had gone through a phase of liking dogs for a while as a child, but her family’s situation wouldn’t allow her to keep a pet of her own, so she’d regretfully let it go. Her mother always said little girls in pink looked fair-skinned and cute, constantly buying her pink clothes and shoes, which led to pink occupying half the territory of Fang Run’s wardrobe year-round.

After becoming an adult, likely out of aesthetic burnout, Fang Run never bought another piece of pink clothing and fell in love with dark colors.

It must have been hard for Pei Luo, to remember after all this time the things she once liked.

It was like a green leaf silently serving as a backdrop suddenly receiving a returned glance from the flower it had always watched—excited and thrilled, even the leaves trembled faintly.

An indescribable shiver spread through her body along her blood vessels, making Fang Run unable to resist gently curving her lips. Carefully, she slipped her feet into the slippers, turning around to examine them like a child discovering a new toy.

Even if Wen Ran criticized these shoes as childish, her love for the pink puppies had reached its peak at this very moment.

Perhaps, in this instant, Fang Run had fallen in love with pink all over again.

She walked with light steps to the window.

Night hung low, and in the distance, neon lights gleamed brilliantly. Even nighttime in this bustling, prosperous metropolis was so restless. Some once said this was a treasured land for young people to strive, yet it could just as easily ensnare inexperienced students in dreams of debauchery and decadence, leading to their downfall.

Fang Run focused her mind, an unstoppable heat surging from the bottom of her heart.

Since Pei Luo already stood on the stage of success, and she was so unwilling to let another woman possess her, she could only make herself strong enough, until she stood on the same level as Pei Luo. That would be a proper match.

But if so, she would have to step out of her comfort zone and face the many hypocritical faces of this tumultuous world.

Fang Run harbored a natural, slight aversion to socializing with others. Perhaps unpleasant past experiences had intensified her avoidance of peers. Because of this, besides the carefree and extremely social Wen Ran, she had almost no good friends, maintaining what she deemed a safe social distance even with classmates.

University housing had forced her into a six-person room, and as luck would have it, she’d encountered a roommate who loved nitpicking and stirring up trouble, causing Fang Run immense distress.

Her thoughts were tangled, and the all-conquering heat from moments ago gradually cooled. Fang Run’s mind slowly sobered.

Such matters couldn’t be decided so decisively. She pondered for a moment, then lowered her gaze, concealing her eyes.

A few seconds later, Fang Run set her alarm for six o’clock and nestled into the soft pillow, quietly staring at the ceiling.

Forget it. Tomorrow’s business for tomorrow.

Sleep was more important.

A dreamless night.

When the alarm rang, Fang Run, just like before, lazily got up to wash up. She tidied herself into a state of refined beauty, showing not a trace of last night’s hidden, manic frenzy—as if she had returned to being that well-behaved and sensible Little Sister Run.

When she came out, she happened to meet the gaze of Pei Luo, who had just returned from her morning run.

Pei Luo arranged the breakfast on a plate and gave her a slight smile. “Little Run, you’re awake?”

Fang Run also curved her lips, revealing a demure smile. “I wanted to get up early to cook for Sister Pei Luo, but I didn’t expect you’d already be back from your run.”

The taste of a hangover wasn’t pleasant, and Fang Run genuinely hadn’t expected Pei Luo’s self-discipline to be so strong. After a night, almost no fatigue showed on her; she looked full of energy and vitality.

Hearing this, Pei Luo shook her head. “Still a bit uncomfortable, but I’m used to morning runs. My biological clock won’t budge.”

She pinched the back of her neck, massaging the hollow. “Don’t follow my example. Drinking harms the body.”

The woman wore a casual sportswear set, her bare face looking excellent even without makeup. Glasses perched on her high nose bridge, her whole being exuded an air of relaxed and healthy elegance.

With an aura like that, no wonder she attracted bees and butterflies.

Fang Run suppressed the gloom that flashed through her eyes and stepped forward to Pei Luo’s side.

“My mother had cervical spine discomfort before, so I specifically learned some massage techniques. If Sister Pei Luo doesn’t mind, let me help relieve your muscle fatigue,” Fang Run said. Her slender, fair fingers gently touched the back of the other’s hand, transmitting a slightly warm body temperature.

When Pei Luo glanced over, she smiled casually and lightly. “Consider it thanks for sister’s breakfast.”

Such a roundabout choice of words left Pei Luo unable to refuse.

She sat in a chair, back straight, the proportions of her shoulders and neck outstanding.

Fang Run stood behind her, lowering her gaze to quietly observe the other’s completely unguarded posture. After pausing for a few seconds, she placed her hands on the skin radiating warmth.

Her fingertips found the acupoints precisely, alternating between firm and gentle pressure, kneading slowly.

Fang Run hadn’t lied; she had indeed learned a superficial amount. It couldn’t compare to a professional masseuse, only barely able to relieve fatigue, but in this situation, it was more than enough.

She couldn’t see Pei Luo’s expression, but the other’s muscles gradually relaxed, silently sending signals of trust and comfort.

Her lips, coated in a rose-bean-colored lipstick, subtly curved upward. Fang Run felt joy, too.

No early eight o’clock class today, so Fang Run controlled the time, selfishly pressing a little longer.

She felt herself slowly turning bad, roots rotting black, unable to control her fondness and possessiveness toward Pei Luo.

That blazing, scorching gaze landed on the nape of the person before her, then timidly moved away, repeating the cycle countless times, like a python fixing its eyes on its prey.

She wanted to be closer to Pei Luo.

She wanted more time and opportunities for companionship.

She wanted Pei Luo to be covered entirely in her scent.

Pei Luo had a slight sweat, mixing with her woody perfume into a heavier, spicier, slightly astringent fragrance.

Fang Run had also sprayed a bit of perfume, a gentle and serene floral scent. The two fragrances intertwined, carrying a silent, ambiguous intimacy.

Fang Run narrowed her eyes in pleasure, her fingertips subconsciously applying slightly more force, sinking into the other’s skin and pressing out faint red marks.

Unfortunately, time couldn’t freeze forever in this moment. She glanced at the wall clock, regretfully withdrawing her hands.

“Alright, sister, go take a quick shower. Let’s eat breakfast together,” Fang Run said, her voice honey-sweet.

Her pressing technique was effective; Pei Luo had accidentally drifted into a light slumber for a while. Her eyelashes fluttered at the words, and she opened her eyes, staring blankly ahead.

Fang Run just happened to pass by her, heading toward the other side of the dining table.

The little sister who used to follow her around begging for candy had grown up. Narrow waist, full hips, ample chest, long legs—coupled with that gently made-up, tender face, she was a complete enchantress of the human world.

The impactful image lingered in her mind, impossible to dispel. Pei Luo subconsciously turned her head slightly, following the other’s figure.

That figure… it seemed to overlap with what she had glimpsed the day before yesterday.

—Truly a delicate, alluring beauty. Who knew who would end up lucky in the future.

Perhaps it was a lingering effect of the hangover, but Pei Luo felt a throbbing pain in her temples, belatedly realizing her mouth was parched.

She had no mind to delve into the thought that had just popped up, as if deliberately avoiding this kind of regret a grown-up might feel over a child at home growing up too fast.

Maybe, at some point she hadn’t noticed, her Little Sister Run had long given her heart away.

Not everyone was like her, pouring her whole heart into her career, single for over twenty years and never once moved.

A university student’s day-to-day life was easy and carefree. Good-looking classmates were a dime a dozen on campus. A beauty like Little Run, with such a lovely face and great figure, should be very popular.

The more she didn’t want to think about it, the faster her mind raced. Baseless speculations sprouted like bamboo shoots after spring rain.

Pei Luo couldn’t stand herself like this—acting like a paranoid gossip enthusiast.

She got up to pour herself a glass of water, tilted her head back and downed it, then fled back to the master bedroom as if escaping.

As if sensing something, Fang Run stopped, turned her head slightly, and her gaze fell upon the tightly shut door, revealing a meaningful, faint smile.

That breakfast was eaten with each harboring their own thoughts, the surface calm and undisturbed.

After getting into the black Maserati, Fang Run recalled the forum post. She hesitated for a moment before speaking to Pei Luo, who was fastening her seatbelt.

Fang Run: “Sister Pei Luo, could I trouble you to park the car at the milk tea shop around the corner? I promised a friend I’d bring her a coffee. I can walk the rest of the way myself.”

Pei Luo’s movements paused, and she turned her head to meet her gaze.

The girl’s eyes were pure black and bright. After speaking, her lips were pursed, showing that pretty rose-bean pink.

Innocent and pure, like a little lotus unstained by mud.

Pei Luo inexplicably recalled the random thought from that morning. She shouldn’t have pried; after all, the other was only a “Girl Next Door” little sister from a warmer time in childhood.

As if prompted by some ghost, she instead smiled faintly, teasing: “Is it a good friend who’s a boy?”

After speaking, she saw Fang Run’s eyes widen slightly in surprise.

A flush of heat spread across Pei Luo’s face. She had overstepped—whether as an elder or a housemate, this was an improper probing.

Inappropriate. Lacking in proper upbringing.

Just as she was about to apologize, Pei Luo heard the girl’s light laugh.

Fang Run’s eyes were upturned fox eyes, subtly seductive when un-smiling, but laced with a bit of cunning when filled with laughter.

Like a little fox that had become a spirit.

Pei Luo felt somewhat uneasy, her fingers loosely gripping then releasing the steering wheel. The fastened seatbelt seemed poorly adjusted, causing a slight tightness in her chest.

“Sorry,” she apologized sincerely and politely, voicing the words she’d intended to say earlier.

Fang Run stared at her without shifting her gaze, a dark glint flashing briefly in the depths of her eyes.

Fang Run: “It’s nothing. Sister Pei Luo doesn’t need to apologize.”

Fang Run: “The coffee is for a good friend I’ve known since high school. She’s a girl, and I dislike the opposite sex.”

Fang Run: “I am single, sister.”

At the last sentence, Pei Luo breathed a sigh of relief, as if a small stone that had been faintly bothering her since the day before yesterday had been kicked away with a single stroke.

She didn’t understand why she suddenly cared somewhat about this point. It was probably really just pity for a younger sister.

Pei Luo thought somewhat uncertainly. In any case, it wasn’t something like love.

She stepped on the clutch, gripped the steering wheel, and turned her head to look outside, preparing to start the car.

“What about sister then,” Fang Run’s voice came, as if asking casually, “Is Sister Pei Luo in a relationship?”

The understatedly luxurious Maserati jolted to a sudden stop.

Fang Run looked like a startled little fox, staring at her blankly.

Pei Luo scattered the strange thoughts in her mind and averted her gaze.

“Not in a relationship,” she said, her tone calm, as if delivering a work report. “I’m single too.”