Chapter 49: You Really Know How to Pick Your Timing

“You don’t want to see me?” Lu Yixue stared at Pei Shijin, her half-smile carrying a hint of danger.

Pei Shijin’s retreating steps halted as she shook her head lightly. “No, that’s not it.”

“Then what do you mean?” Lu Yixue tilted her head toward the suitcase that hadn’t even entered the room, as if Pei Shijin might bolt out the door at any second.

“I don’t want to live this close to you.” Pei Shijin gripped the handle of her suitcase, drawing courage from the action.

Lu Yixue took a deep breath. Being rejected like this hurt a little, but she was more puzzled. “Why? Sharing a suite won’t disturb you.”

Pei Shijin pressed her lips together and told the truth. “A proper ex should be as good as dead.”

With that, she backed away and swiftly closed the door, blocking Lu Yixue’s gaze.

Lu Yixue stared blankly at the door. An ex?

That meant there had been real feelings between them—strong ones.

Got it. Lu Yixue pulled out her tablet and added this bit of reading comprehension to her plan document.

She browsed the novel Guan Yueying had recommended while waiting for Pei Shijin to return.

There were no other rooms on the ship for Pei Shijin.

About half an hour later, the door opened again, and Pei Shijin strode right in.

She kept her eyes straight ahead, heading for one of the doors at a rapid pace.

Earlier, she had tried swapping rooms with others, but everyone refused. Who would turn down two thousand bucks?

She even raised it to five thousand, but still no takers. Pei Shijin refused to offer more.

To make matters worse, her teacher was in a single room, with no space for her to crash on the floor.

So Pei Shijin had no choice but to come back.

As long as she ignored Lu Yixue, she’d be fine. She had spent the whole walk back psyching herself up.

Things went smoothly after entering. As she neared the bedroom door, Pei Shijin felt a surge of excitement.

She grasped the handle and pressed down hard. With a click, the door swung open.

Pei Shijin froze. Right there on the bedroom floor sat a suitcase.

It was open, the top layer displaying several white and black bras and panties.

Ordinary stuff—nothing to blush about—but Pei Shijin’s mind flashed back to the image of her teeth unhooking a bra clasp.

“If you want to share a room with me, you’re more than welcome.” Lu Yixue’s voice sounded from behind her, drawing closer until the final word seemed to whisper right in her ear.

Lu Yixue’s hand braced against the doorframe, cutting off Pei Shijin’s escape route. The distance between them was less than five centimeters.

Hot breath carrying a faint spring orchid scent brushed against the skin of her neck, sending a tingling, electric shiver straight to her brain. Pei Shijin’s mind short-circuited.

The next second, she pinched herself back to reality.

As she retreated, she crouched down and slipped nimbly under Lu Yixue’s arm, dashing to the adjacent room without even grabbing her suitcase.

That room’s door had no decorations hanging on it, so she had assumed it was empty.

What an idiot, Pei Shijin thought once she reached the other room and confirmed it was unoccupied. She finally relaxed.

She flung herself onto the bed, and only then did her breathing and heartbeat steady.

Pei Shijin decided that unless her teacher summoned her, she wouldn’t step out of the room until they disembarked.

Ten minutes later, realizing she hadn’t found her suitcase, Pei Shijin suddenly remembered—she hadn’t brought it in.

She slapped her forehead. I’m hopeless. When will I ever stay calm around Lu Yixue?

She cracked the door open quietly, peeking out halfway. Seeing no one, she straightened up and stepped out calmly.

But after searching the entire living room, she still couldn’t find her suitcase.

Pei Shijin sighed helplessly and began mentally inventorying what was inside. If nothing was essential, the suitcase could crash elsewhere for now.

Click. Lu Yixue’s room door opened.

Pei Shijin couldn’t hide in time and stood frozen, feigning composure.

Guan Yueying emerged. Spotting Pei Shijin, she couldn’t hold back her laughter.

Perhaps out of conscience, after two chuckles, Guan Yueying covered her mouth. “Looking for your suitcase? It’s in Lu Yixue’s room.”

Lu Yixue flung the bedroom door wide open and stood by it. “I thought you didn’t want it. If you do, come get it.”

Pei Shijin could see clearly—her suitcase sat right beside the bed.

From the doorway to there, it was at least three steps.

“Thanks, I do want it.” Pei Shijin dug her nails into her palm and approached Lu Yixue step by step, appearing unflustered.

Lu Yixue blocked the doorway, showing no intention of stepping aside.

Pei Shijin stopped an arm’s length away, locking eyes with those amber ones without flinching, her expression icy. “Excuse me, or hand it over.”

Guan Yueying clamped her hand over her mouth, eyes wide as her gaze darted between them. Her mind exploded like fireworks.

Ahhhh, don’t move! Make Pei Shijin climb over you!

Hurry, Pei Shijin, scoop up Axue and toss her on the bed!

…

A flurry of steamy rival-to-lover tropes flashed through Guan Yueying’s head.

But reality was far less exciting.

After staring at Pei Shijin for a moment, Lu Yixue turned to fetch the suitcase.

She gripped the handle and dragged it right up to Pei Shijin, but showed no sign of letting go.

Pei Shijin grasped the side of the pull rod. “Thanks.”

She tugged gently. It didn’t budge.

“You’re welcome,” Lu Yixue said with a lip curl. “But how will you thank me?”

Pei Shijin felt exasperated. She didn’t want to tussle with Lu Yixue here. But Lu Yixue clearly wasn’t handing over the suitcase easily.

“Never mind.” Pei Shijin released her grip. “I’ll get it when we disembark.”

With that, she turned and headed for the door.

She suddenly remembered this was Dorothy’s medical ship—surely full of doctors and medical texts.

Borrowing from someone else would be easier than wrestling her suitcase from Lu Yixue.

The door shut, and Pei Shijin vanished completely.

Guan Yueying blinked in disbelief, rubbing her stiff-from-laughing cheeks. “She just… left?”

“She’s used to running away.” Lu Yixue stroked the suitcase, perfectly accepting the outcome. She had expected Pei Shijin to bolt the moment she didn’t yield.

“Huh?” Guan Yueying didn’t catch that—whatever, it wasn’t important. “So what about the suitcase? Just leave it in her room?”

“She said she’d get it when we disembark,” Lu Yixue replied flatly.

“You can’t just wait till then! Take the initiative!” Guan Yueying said, exasperated.

“Where’s that plan you wrote?” Lu Yixue eyed the armchair critic.

Guan Yueying brimmed with confidence, like a top student acing every subject. “I finished it—just needs a final touch! Wait, I’ll grab my laptop and send it. Follow my plan to the letter, and you’ll have Pei Shijin in three months max.”

“Oh?” Lu Yixue’s interest piqued.

“Heh heh, go back to your room and wait. Don’t let anyone see—top secret.” Guan Yueying grinned mischievously and dashed to her room.

She added the finishing images and hit send.

Lu Yixue fired up her computer to review the plan on the big screen.

The file opened to a sketch of a cat-eared maid licking a fingertip with dazed eyes—straight to Lu Yixue’s gut.

???

Lu Yixue frowned. She had a bad feeling this wasn’t serious.

After the sketch came the table of contents.