Following the public press conference, the trending searches list was instantly replaced and cleared.
#LuQingliClarifiesInPerson.
#LuQingliAndLuoXuanAnnounceCooperation.
#NoDivineSongCanSurpassSnowyNight…
The comment section was filled with conflicting opinions, and the debate was fierce.
“What do you mean ‘no need to prove herself’? That’s what true confidence looks like.”
“Give me a break. Are you acting blind to that 90% overlap rate?”
“You jealous haters shut up. Ranked first in the nation at age 12, if you’re so capable, why don’t you try?”
“Some people should stop shifting the blame and deceiving themselves. The evidence is solid, are you really not looking at it?”
“My dear Li-bao, ruined by that group of envious haters, wuu wuu…”
Aside from the onlookers enjoying the drama, the news of their collaboration also sent shockwaves through Luo Xuan’s fan base.
“Why would Luo Xuan suddenly collaborate with Lu Qingli? Do they have a personal relationship behind the scenes?”
“Awesome! A dream collaboration!”
“Hardcore fan here! Our Luo Xuan has always been very respectful toward her seniors, alright?”
“…”
Gu Shuyun nervously scrolled through the comment section, her gaze growing cloudier the further down she read.
“Ah, Luo Xuan, what on earth are you thinking?” the young manager said, filled with anxiety.
The higher the expectations, the harder the fall.
Is Miss Lu really not just making empty promises?
Luo Xuan, who had just finished recording the song’s original vocal tracks, closed her eyes to rest on the sofa, her upper body sinking deeply into the cushions.
“Just go with it,” the young idol said nonchalantly without opening her eyes.
Her dense eyelashes cast half-fan-shaped shadows over her face. With her eyes closed, she looked as delicate and quiet as a porcelain doll.
Over her lustrous black wavy hair sat a stylish beret. The bangs on either side were pinned back with rhinestone hair clips, drawing eyes toward her captivating features.
A khaki knit sweater was paired with a black miniskirt, showing off thighs with just the right amount of soft fullness.
Both her figure and her face were the perfect standard for a top idol.
“Wuu wuu, what is that supposed to mean?”
Seeing how calm and collected she was, Gu Shuyun felt even less assured. Anxious to the point of wanting to bite her handkerchief, she wished she could squeeze out two massive invisible tears from the corners of her eyes.
The phone on the coffee table vibrated, its screen lighting up at just the right moment.
Luo Xuan stretched out her slender arms to push against the edge of the sofa, sitting up to pick up the phone.
Seeing the message on the lock screen, a bright sparkle flashed across her clear eyes. She turned her head and asked Gu Shuyun, “When am I free?”
“Hmm, ” Gu Shuyun tapped her chin with her finger, adopting a thoughtful pose.
“After finishing the vocal recording this afternoon at around 4:30, assuming you don’t need more than five retakes, you have physical training right after…”
Luo Xuan raised her brows stylishly and said, “Push the workout back a bit.”
Gu Shuyun quickly noted it down in her mind, then asked in confusion, “Do you have other arrangements?”
Luo Xuan’s current schedule mostly consisted of solo activities, meaning she wasn’t heavily restricted by the company, enjoying far more freedom than when she was in the group.
Even so, she still preferred having Gu Shuyun meticulously organize everything for her. Moreover, she really liked her straightforward yet thorough nature.
Luo Xuan adjusted the beret on her head to the most flattering angle, then patted Gu Shuyun’s shoulder with her soft, delicate hand: “I’m going to meet the composer.”
Stars instantly sparkled in Gu Shuyun’s eyes, her round cheeks looking exceedingly cute as she said in a delighted tone, “Oh, to discuss the song arrangement, right?”
Regarding their personal matters, she exercised great discretion by not prying too much, simply focusing on carrying out her duties meticulously and arranging Luo Xuan’s schedule.
*
By late afternoon, after wrapping up the recording session, Luo Xuan arrived at the designated venue as agreed.
It was a music restaurant with a great atmosphere, and the owner seemed to be an acquaintance of Lu Qingli’s.
A soothing and pleasant piano piece was playing live inside. Extending behind the restaurant was an open-air quiet bar, where small groups of two or three sat chatting and enjoying the evening breeze, a scene of comfort and leisure.
Perhaps feeling that it matched Lu Qingli’s composer temperament better, Luo Xuan was also quite pleased with the venue.
The young idol adjusted the fine strap of her mask behind her ears, making sure she wouldn’t be instantly recognized before walking toward her reserved table.
It was a private booth with a full floor-to-ceiling window. Outside the glass, the sky was already tinged with faint traces of sunset glow.
The air was filled with the fragrance of bluebells, likely a special incense used by the restaurant, which smelled thoroughly relaxing.
The crystal pendant chandeliers emitted a slightly dim light. Illuminated by the warm glow, Lu Qingli was leaning her head to the side, looking out the window, her beautiful side profile appearing extraordinarily attractive.
Her golden hair was styled with two side braids tied loosely at the back, exposing her delicate earlobes. Dangling short earrings swayed gracefully in curves, while her fair and slender neck aroused a desire to taste it carefully.
Seeing Luo Xuan arrive on time, Lu Qingli gently pressed the call bell on the table with her pale fingers, signaling the waiter to come over for ordering.
“So punctual,” Lu Qingli murmured with a subtle smile.
“Naturally,” Luo Xuan pulled out a chair and sat down, looking at Lu Qingli with a playful expression. “Why ask to meet here? We could have met at the company.”
“You know I don’t like going to the company,” Lu Qingli lowered her eyes with a soft laugh upon hearing that, resting her hands on the table with fingers loosely clasped. “Besides, I wanted to treat you to a meal to express my gratitude.”
“What exact matter is sister thanking me for?”
A smile curled up at the corners of Luo Xuan’s lips. The rhinestone hair clip on her head sparkled under the light, casting an enchanting allure over her otherwise pure face as the implied meaning in her words needed no explanation.
Exposed underneath her golden hair, Lu Qingli’s ears turned visibly redder.
Seizing every single opportunity to tease her.
“Naturally for everything,” she said, pretending to remain unbothered.
“Oh? Then one meal might not be enough to finish thanking me, sister.”
Luo Xuan propped her cheek on her hand, a hint of ambiguous warmth glinting in her smiling eyes.
“Don’t push your luck. Are you going to eat or not?”
Lu Qingli tightened her grip on her fork, signaling that she was getting dangerous.
“I’m eating, I’m eating.”
She stopped teasing.
After the waiter served their dishes, the two quietly enjoyed their dinner.
Lu Qingli suddenly set down her cutlery, the light in her eyes dimming slightly as a layer of mist clouded them:
“Regarding the composition, I have a few thoughts.”
“What thoughts?” Luo Xuan paused her knife and fork.
“I need to understand a person deeply enough before I can write a song that suits her voice.” Lu Qingli slowly lowered her head, her fine golden hair swaying in front of her eyes as her fair fingers gradually tightened into a fist.
As if making up her mind, she spoke in a low voice tinged with a slight nasal tone: “Let me… get to know you a bit more.”
The fragrance of bluebells drifted softly through the air, gently circulating between the two of them.
When she looked up after that, what met her eyes was Luo Xuan’s gaze filled with endless tenderness and deep affection, looking at her as if from both far away and very close.
Without feeling any distance at all, the young Alpha let out a smile as shy and enchanting as a blooming rose, saying, “Mm, of course.”
“Let’s get to know each other better, sister.”
*
Following that, the two chatted while dining, talking about their respective expectations for the song.
Lu Qingli suggested that in order to deepen her understanding of Luo Xuan, they should meet at least once a week.
However, Luo Xuan intentionally teased her by saying she was too busy and had no time, which annoyed Lu Qingli into frowning once more.
After finishing their pleasant meal, the two prepared to leave.
The moment she stood up from her chair, a wave of intense dizziness suddenly swept over Lu Qingli, an exact replay of what had happened on the rooftop.
Something was wrong with her body.
First, her throat became parched, then her ears and cheeks grew scorching hot, a burning sensation relentlessly rising within her body.
Lu Qingli leaned her hand against the table to support her head, her breathing gradually taking on a warm heat.
Luo Xuan was picking up her cloud-shaped shoulder bag, preparing to leave. Seeing that the other woman looked a bit strange, she quickly stepped closer to ask, “What’s wrong?”
Tears began to well up in the corners of Lu Qingli’s reddened eyes as she panted lightly, the tips of her hair tinged with a flushed hue as if she were intoxicated.
A rose-scented pheromone gradually pervaded the air, slowly masking the original incense of the restaurant.
Sensing this familiar yet intoxicating scent of rose pheromones, Luo Xuan felt her own body suddenly heat up a few degrees.
Is this… an estrus period?
She hurriedly shifted backward, an Omega in estrus was equally dangerous to her.
That rich, scorching rose pheromone carried the risk of triggering her own heat/arousal.
Lu Qingli raised her delicate arm from the table, her hand gradually reaching up to clasp Luo Xuan’s arm, wanting to pull the other person closer, wanting a more intimate touch.
The heat was rapidly making it impossible for her to think, turning her mind hazy.
An Omega in estrus was often completely unable to control her desires.
So hot, it’s so hot…
I really want to…
She wrapped her arm around Luo Xuan’s slender, snow-white neck and threw herself into her embrace.
At this moment, the Alpha’s pheromones were like a clear spring in a desert to her, or a breath of oxygen to someone drowning and suffocating.
Luo Xuan’s pupils contracted slightly, stunned into place by this sudden hug.
Outside the window, the glow of the sunset had completely burned out, replaced by scatterings of city lights like twinkling stars, bright as a galaxy.
“Sister, are you… alright?”
She raised her hand intending to support Lu Qingli’s swaying body, but the person being touched stiffened instantly, like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on.
“…Mm!” Lu Qingli let out a soft murmur.
Then she commanded her, “Don’t… wait…”
Luo Xuan’s ears were completely flushed crimson as well. The last time, Lu Qingli had gone into heat with her back turned to her.
This time, however, Lu Qingli was embracing her like this, that vulnerable and alluring appearance made even Luo Xuan, who was accustomed to being surrounded by beauties, unable to stop her heart from beating wildly.
She straightened her posture slightly, hoping the Omega could lean against her more comfortably.
The young Alpha tried her best to display her reliable side.
The Omega, who had suddenly fallen into estrus, was resting right in the crook of her neck, her scorching breath continually brushing against her skin.
It felt as though surging currents were rushing through her, heating up the blood circulating beneath her fair skin.
Their two slender bodies leaned closely against each other. Luo Xuan felt fortunate that she usually worked out and had decent core strength, enough to support the other person.
Besides, sister wasn’t heavy at all, she was soft and light…
She felt her own rationality teetering on the edge of collapsing.
But this won’t do.
She reached out both hands to hold Lu Qingli’s soft shoulders, whispering to her, “Sister, once you calm down a bit, I’ll take you out.”
I need to calm down too, Luo Xuan thought, rubbing the space between her eyebrows, her sleek lips pressed tightly together.
Lu Qingli felt her body burning intensely, as if something inside was desperate to be released.
Completely unconsciously, she nuzzled her nose against Luo Xuan’s cheek.
Her pair of moist, peach-blossom eyes stared straight at Luo Xuan’s face, her breath short and scorching as her chest rose and fell rapidly.
“Don’t want to calm down… I want…”
Her alluring lips, red as ripe cherries, parted slightly as she murmured something.
Luo Xuan didn’t catch it clearly.
From the moment the other woman’s dense, scorching breath swept across her lips, the perfect idol’s ability to think completely froze, like a network connection suddenly cut off.
Whatever came after those words was definitely something she shouldn’t listen to.