A corner of the camera had lost some of its paint due to a bump. She gently placed the camera on the desk, took one last look, turned off the lights, and closed the door to the study.
Standing before the stairs, she paused for a few seconds with her hand on the railing before making her way up.
The bedroom door was tightly shut. Ning Ruohuan hesitated for a moment before curling two fingers and knocking three times.
There was no response from inside.
Her heart ached even more. She pressed down on the door handle and pushed it open; the room was pitch black.
A chill crept up from the soles of her feet. Ning Ruohuan hung her head, leaning her body against the doorframe as the hallway light illuminated her back.
The light filtered through the gap, leaving part of the bedroom hidden in shadows. No one was in sight.
Click.
She flipped the switch, and instantly, soft light filled the room.
It was empty.
Luo Yanzhi was not here.
She and Luo Yanzhi rarely had such direct confrontations or arguments. Whenever a situation like this arose, Luo Yanzhi would always go to the guest room or the study to sleep.
And every time, she was the one to bow her head first—to retreat, to yield, and to seek reconciliation.
Ning Ruohuan closed the door behind her and went straight to the attached bathroom to wash up.
The face in the mirror was pale. Splashed with water, the liquid dripped down her chin.
She propped her hands against the vanity, the corners of her eyes tinged with red. She stared unblinkingly at her reflection, her eyes stinging from the moisture.
Returning to the bedroom, she lay on the bed with her hands folded over her abdomen. In the dead of night, she turned her head to look out the window. Through the haze, a faint lunar halo expanded; she had no desire to sleep.
The next day, she woke up very early. While heading down for breakfast, she was informed by the butler that Luo Yanzhi had gone out early in the morning.
Ning Ruohuan gave a numb “Okay.”
She went through the motions of her daily life.
All morning, her phone remained silent. Luo Yanzhi did not send her a single message. It wasn’t until the afternoon that the long-dormant notification sound finally rang.
It wasn’t from Luo Yanzhi.
Cousin, good afternoon. It was Ning Yu.
Ning Ruohuan didn’t reply.
Ning Yu’s messages popped up one after another. The consecutive “dings” were unpleasant to hear. She tapped on Ning Yu’s profile, intending to delete her, but then reconsidered. If she deleted her, Ning Yu would certainly tell Ning Lan and the others, which would lead to a lot of trouble later.
She slid her finger down and selected “Mute Notifications.”
As she was exiting, she caught a glimpse of one message:
Cousin, you haven’t told me what you think of the photos I took yet.
Ning Ruohuan opened the chat and replied with double meaning: To say they are artistic would be a lie. To say they are ugly—well, certainly.
Without giving Ning Yu time to respond, she exited the interface, pressed down on the chat, and selected “Hide.”
Out of sight, out of mind.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a new red dot. It was from the person who shared her hobby. It seemed the message had arrived at the same time as Ning Yu’s, and she hadn’t noticed it initially.
Ning Ruohuan clicked it open.
Look, a complete 3D model. How is it? Give me a critique. I’ve already prepared myself to hear praises.
Attached was an image.
Ning Ruohuan enlarged it. It was an exquisite character model. After rendering, the character’s features were lifelike, and the strands of hair falling over the shoulders were distinct, vivid, and natural.
The mood that had been disturbed by the events of the past two days lightened slightly. She typed a reply: I remember you haven’t been learning for long, yet the level of completion is already this high. If you put this model out there, I’m afraid countless companies would be fighting to hire you.
Hahaha, not easy to hear a compliment from you! But is it really that good? I haven’t shown it to anyone else yet; I was afraid of having my confidence crushed. The other person replied quickly.
Ning Ruohuan knew a bit about her—she had a bright, sunny personality. She smiled and typed: It’s really good.
After chatting about the model for a few minutes, the conversation gradually drifted toward their lives.
The person asked: By the way, you mentioned before that you’ve lived with your fiancée for several years. When do you plan to get married? I have to be there in person to give my blessings when the time comes.
The smile on Ning Ruohuan’s lips froze. Her fingertips hovered over the virtual keyboard for a long time before she finally typed: In a little while. I’ll let you know once the date is confirmed
The other side: Okay.
Not forgetting that Yin Fan had specifically asked about this person’s whereabouts last time, she hesitated for a moment before typing: And you? How have you been lately?
The “typing…” indicator appeared at the top… stopping and starting.
After a dozen seconds, a message popped up.
Pretty good, except for a rather troublesome person who takes a bit of effort to deal with. It’s that person I told you about a long time ago—I don’t know how she found me again. I suspect there’s something wrong with her head. I want to be sisters with her, but she insists on doing things with me that I can’t describe in detail.
She even sent a rolling-eyes emoji.
Ning Ruohuan pursed her lips. The person being described was most likely Yin Fan. She hadn’t expected Yin Fan to find her so quickly.
Judging by her current state, everything seemed normal; Yin Fan didn’t seem to be affecting her too much.
At the time, she hadn’t paid much attention to these matters, and coupled with the gap in their social status, she knew very little. She couldn’t give a proper warning right now.
Ning Ruohuan: Watch out for your safety. Call me anytime if something happens.
The other side: Got it. I’ve got to go now; there’s a seasonal specialty here that’s about to be ready to eat. I’ll send you some then.
Ning Ruohuan: Okay
Her chaotic thoughts gradually settled.
For several days in a row, Luo Yanzhi did not return. Ning Ruohuan did not message her, and Luo Yanzhi did not message Ning Ruohuan.
The two had entered a tacit cold war.
When Ning Ruohuan went out, the butler no longer asked about her destination as he used to. He would respectfully ask if she needed a car, and upon receiving a negative answer, he would say no more.
Shi Wen’s car was already waiting on the roadside several hundred meters away.
It was the same three-story villa and the same instrument for testing ability values.
Ning Ruohuan gripped the long tube of the device. A weak current pulsed from the tube, making her arm feel tingly and numb.
Shi Wen adjusted the various settings on the machine. Once everything was confirmed, she looked at Ning Ruohuan.
Ning Ruohuan gave her a calm nod.
Shi Wen pressed the start button.
Instantly, the values on the display began to change rapidly. The crimson color faded as the numbers rose. A few seconds later, the numbers stabilized, and the color above turned half-red and half-green.
The boundary was right in the middle.
Shi Wen’s tense expression relaxed. She took the tube back from Ning Ruohuan’s palm, unable to hide the excitement in her voice: “In a week at most, your ability value will be fully recovered.”
Ning Ruohuan smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.
Shi Wen added, “Even though you don’t plan on using your abilities anymore, the ability value is linked to your body. Excessive depletion of ability causes damage to your spirit. Once you’ve recovered, you’ll have far fewer concerns in the future.”
Ning Ruohuan nodded in agreement. “Thank you for your hard work.”
Shi Wen showed a rare expression of joy. “It’s no trouble.” She continued, “Boss, the Ning family’s project in S-City has suffered a major failure. There is panic within the family. According to the information we’ve received, they are now pinning all their hopes on the Luo family.”
Ning Ruohuan didn’t care. “I see.”
Shi Wen felt regretful. “Back when the Ning family was in your hands…”
Ning Ruohuan raised a hand to interrupt her. “That’s in the past. There’s no point in dwelling on it.”
She stood up and adjusted her sleeves. “Take me back.”
Shi Wen: “Yes, Boss.”
Sitting in the back seat, Ning Ruohuan leaned her head against the window, watching the scenery flash by.
As they passed the Luo Corporation building, she rested her head against the glass, her gaze lingering for a second or two longer.
The car entered the villa district. Shi Wen chose a relatively secluded spot to stop. “Boss, we’re here.”
Ning Ruohuan hummed in response, took a moment to compose herself, and stepped out of the car.
This spot was about five hundred meters from the villa where she lived.
Ning Ruohuan watched Shi Wen drive away.
“Big sister!” A child’s innocent voice broke the silence.
Ning Ruohuan turned around to see the little girl already running to her side, grabbing her hand and shaking it. “We meet again!”
It was the little girl she had met that day. Ning Ruohuan looked up and, as expected, saw an adult standing nearby.
It wasn’t the same woman from last time.
To avoid any misunderstanding, Ning Ruohuan nodded to the woman from a distance.
The woman also nodded slightly, her gaze softening as she looked at the little girl.
Ning Ruohuan knelt down and took the girl’s hand. “What a coincidence. Are you out playing?”
The little girl said giggling, “I’m out with Mommy to pick up Mama.”
The woman, who had walked closer, heard the girl’s words and stroked her head. The little girl looked at her, and the woman shook her head gently.
The little girl pouted and stopped talking.
The woman spoke with a distant but polite tone: “Hello. I heard my daughter mention you last time and I’ve been wanting to meet you. I didn’t expect to run into you today. Thank you for taking the photo of my partner and daughter; my daughter really likes you.”
Ning Ruohuan: “You’re too kind. Your daughter is very cute.”
The little girl tugged at the woman’s sleeve. The woman helplessly scratched the girl’s head and said, “My daughter drew a picture a few days ago. She wanted to show it to you. Do you have a moment?”
The little girl’s bright eyes were full of anticipation.
It wouldn’t take long, and Ning Ruohuan had no intention of refusing the child’s kindness. “Sure.” She acted pleasantly surprised. “I’m sure it’s drawn very well.”
The woman took out her phone, tapped it a few times, and handed it to Ning Ruohuan, holding it by the edges.
Ning Ruohuan held the top edge of the phone, being careful not to touch the screen so as not to accidentally swipe through the gallery or pry into the woman’s privacy.
It was an oil painting full of childlike wonder. The world in the girl’s eyes was preserved within the small screen. It was clear that the girl’s mothers cherished her work, as they had laminated the physical drawing, causing a bit of a glare in the photo.
In the painting, Ning Ruohuan was kneeling in front of the little girl, speaking softly, while the little girl looked up with a wide smile. The background featured a sun, clouds, and trees—the staples of a child’s drawing.
In truth, the specific features of the people weren’t clear, but that didn’t stop it from being a painting full of warmth.
Ning Ruohuan felt a long-lost sense of warmth. She said sincerely, “It’s a wonderful drawing. I like it very much.”
The little girl’s eyes grew even brighter. “If sister likes it, I’ll have Mommy send it to you!”
Ning Ruohuan: “Okay.”
They added each other on WeChat, and the woman sent the photo to Ning Ruohuan.
When she got home and stepped into the living room, Ning Ruohuan immediately sensed that something was wrong.
Luo Yanzhi was sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, staring at her with a heavy gaze.
After several days apart, the atmosphere between them was thick with tension.
Ning Ruohuan took a deep breath, walked forward, and said naturally, “Would you like some fruit? I’ll go cut some for you.”
Luo Yanzhi didn’t answer but continued to stare straight at her.
Ning Ruohuan felt uncomfortable under her gaze and, assuming she had agreed, turned to go cut the fruit.
Luo Yanzhi watched the person bringing the fruit platter to the side table, her eyes darting between the fruit and Ning Ruohuan. “She’s married. She even has a child.”
Ning Ruohuan didn’t understand what she meant. “What?”
Luo Yanzhi looked away. “Nothing.”
The cold war was still ongoing. Ning Ruohuan said, “Okay, I’m going upstairs then.”
The door was pushed open a crack, and a figure slipped inside.
Ning Ruohuan closed her eyes.
The blanket was lifted at one corner, and the mattress sank slightly under the weight of another person.
A slightly cool body pressed against her. An arm draped across her waist, and then the person pressed their entire body against hers, their warm lips kissing her neck.
“Sister,” a muffled voice sounded in her ear. Luo Yanzhi took her earlobe into her mouth, sucking on it intimately. “Are you still angry?”
Ning Ruohuan’s breathing slowed, and a lump of bitter sorrow rose in her throat.
This was the first time Luo Yanzhi had actively sought a reconciliation. The suppressed grievances were slightly released by her partner’s initiative. “Yes.”
Luo Yanzhi lifted herself up, resting her face against Ning Ruohuan’s chest to listen to the rhythm of her heartbeat. She offered a clumsy comfort: “Sister, don’t be angry.”
She crawled up bit by bit and kissed Ning Ruohuan’s chin, her tone somewhat coaxing. “I only love you. I’ve been so sad these past few days not seeing you.”
The blockage in her heart finally cleared. Ning Ruohuan wrapped her arm around Luo Yanzhi’s waist and reached up to tilt Luo Yanzhi’s chin, forcing her to look her in the eye. Her gaze was searching. “Yanyan, say that again.”
Luo Yanzhi curled her lips and kissed her hand. “I only like sister. Sister, don’t be angry anymore, okay?”
Ning Ruohuan was very easy to appease, especially when it came to her tolerance for the person she loved. She whispered, “Okay.”
Luo Yanzhi smiled with satisfaction. Her finger touched Ning Ruohuan’s lips, tapping them lightly. She leaned down and then asked casually, “Sister, when I came back, I saw you chatting very happily with someone. When did you meet them? Why haven’t I heard you mention it before?”
Ning Ruohuan frowned. “When I met them before, I took a photo for her partner and daughter. We just ran into each other today and chatted for a bit…”
She stopped abruptly, belatedly realizing exactly what Luo Yanzhi had meant by those words in the living room.