Wan Yunxin shrugged with a knowing air, a playful smile on her lips. “Isn’t that a bit unethical of you?”
When Ning Ruohuan returned, she happened to catch the tail end of Wan Yunxin’s sentence. Her gaze swept over the group before she sat back down beside Luo Yanzhi, placing a glass of water within easy reach of the other woman.
“Drink some water?” she whispered.
Luo Yanzhi smiled and leaned her head against Ning Ruohuan’s shoulder for a brief second before playfully pulling away. “Alright.”
The small gesture made Ning Ruohuan’s heart ache with a sudden urge to pull her into an embrace. However, with Luo Yanzhi’s friends surrounding them, she lowered her eyelids. Light and shadow danced within her pupils before finally dissolving into a faint, breathy sigh.
Obediently, Luo Yanzhi swapped her drink for the glass of water. Under Ning Ruohuan’s watchful gaze, she drank half of it.
A visible gentleness settled over her features. For the rest of the gathering, Luo Yanzhi didn’t touch another drop of alcohol, as if she had taken the words “drink less” completely to heart.
As night began to fall, the friendly gathering finally drew to a close.
Bu Ruoyan supported a slightly swaying Wan Yunxin as they prepared to leave.
Yin Fan smiled and bid Ning Ruohuan goodbye. “See you next time.”
It was only then that Ning Ruohuan truly took notice of this woman, who had been largely silent throughout the party. Her appearance and tone were clearly vibrant, yet throughout the entire event—save for the few words exchanged when Ning Ruohuan had sorted the cards for her—she had remained tucked away in the shadows, quietly sipping her drink.
Ning Ruohuan gave a slight nod. “Next time.”
Luo Yanzhi was currently cornered by Wan Yunxin and couldn’t break away, leaving her no room to pay attention to the exchange.
Yin Fan snapped her fingers, and a playing card appeared between her fingertips like a business card. She held it out.
It was the Two of Diamonds.
Ning Ruohuan didn’t move. “Miss Yin?”
She didn’t know what Yin Fan’s ability was, only suspecting it was related to the deck of cards. Now, with the other woman offering a card without explanation, she had to be cautious. Her acquaintance with Yin Fan wasn’t deep enough to warrant the use of an ability on her, and more importantly… her gaze drifted instinctively toward Luo Yanzhi.
Yin Fan followed her line of sight and raised an eyebrow, tucking the card away. “If Sister Ruohuan isn’t willing to take it, I won’t press the matter.”
She walked a few steps away, then paused and turned back. “Sister Ruohuan, if you ever have a need, feel free to find me at any time.” She paused. “Don’t put everything… entirely into one basket.”
Ning Ruohuan stared at her retreating back. A few seconds later, her gaze shifted to Luo Yanzhi, who was walking toward her.
Inside the dimly lit wine room, things hadn’t been clear, but now that they were out, she could see Luo Yanzhi’s flushed face and the hazy look in her eyes.
To the accompaniment of a roaring engine, the woman threw her arms around Ning Ruohuan’s neck. Under the pale moonlight, she pressed her lips against Ning Ruohuan’s.
The scent of alcohol traveled through the flicker of the woman’s tongue. Ning Ruohuan gripped her waist, pulling their bodies flush. Luo Yanzhi was forced to lean back until the air was squeezed from her lungs. She laughed, turning her head away, and pressed a fingertip against Ning Ruohuan’s lips. Her voice was unsteady. “Does it taste good?”
Ning Ruohuan’s gaze darkened. “Very.”
Luo Yanzhi rested her forehead against Ning Ruohuan’s chest. Just as Ning Ruohuan was about to carry her into the bedroom, the woman suddenly asked, “Was Sister chatting happily with Yin Fan just now?”
Ning Ruohuan’s heart sank. She had thought Luo Yanzhi hadn’t noticed, but it seemed she had been paying attention after all.
Unsure whether to feel happy or wary, she replied, “She was saying goodbye and mentioned seeing each other again.”
Luo Yanzhi’s arms tightened around her. “Just that?”
Ning Ruohuan had no desire to stir up trouble among friends, so she spoke evasively. “Mhm. That’s all.”
Luo Yanzhi let out a low laugh. She tilted her head up, her moist lips curving. Without hesitation, she pulled out the hem of Ning Ruohuan’s shirt, which had been tucked into her trousers for convenience. Her palm slid along the lines of Ning Ruohuan’s muscles.
Her hand was somewhat cold.
“Sister, you really are popular,” Luo Yanzhi said. She withdrew her hand and released her hold, a faint, unreadable smile playing on her lips. “Yunxin wanted to see you, and Yin Fan made a point of saying goodbye to you before leaving.” She tilted her head curiously. “What about Ruoyan? Did she say or do anything to Sister?”
The questioning made Ning Ruohuan feel uneasy. Suppressing the discomfort, she shook her head. “No. I’m not close to them. They probably only spoke to me for your sake.”
She asked, “Yanyan, do you not trust me?”
Luo Yanzhi’s scrutinizing gaze swept over her. After a moment, she pursed her lips, the corners of her eyes tinged with a faint red. “Sister, you know I like you. Because of that, I’m a bit possessive. Did I make things difficult for you?”
How could Ning Ruohuan find it difficult? She was naturally pleased by this possessiveness. It was different from those who only approached her to use her—those who acted respectful while constantly calculating.
This possessiveness was for her as a person. And Yanyan liked her—liked her.
Ning Ruohuan patted the top of her head. “It’s not difficult. I’m sorry, Yanyan. I shouldn’t have questioned you like that.”
Luo Yanzhi smiled. “It’s okay. I forgive Sister.”
The night passed peacefully. Perhaps because she hadn’t rested well the night before and had woken up early for various errands, Luo Yanzhi curled into Ning Ruohuan’s arms right after dinner and a shower, falling into a deep sleep.
Ning Ruohuan wasn’t sleepy, but Luo Yanzhi liked having her there.
When Luo Yanzhi slept, she couldn’t stand even a sliver of light. The curtains were drawn tight, and the warm light strip above the headboard remained off unless it was a “special” occasion.
Ning Ruohuan couldn’t use her phone to pass the time, as the light from the screen would disturb Luo Yanzhi. Keeping the same position made her limbs stiffen, and she tried to rotate her wrist slightly.
The person in her arms reacted immediately, grumbling with heavy sleepiness. “Don’t move.”
When morning came, Ning Ruohuan couldn’t remember exactly when she had finally drifted off into a groggy sleep.
Luo Yanzhi was already awake, sitting with her back to her, scrolling through videos with the sound on.
Ning Ruohuan, a light sleeper, was woken by the noise.
She rolled over. Half of her body felt numb, tingling with a needle-like sting at the slightest touch. She tried to massage it until the numbness gradually receded.
Noticing she was awake, Luo Yanzhi turned around, her arm naturally draping over Ning Ruohuan’s waist as she continued to scroll. “Sister, you’re awake? Did you sleep well?”
Ning Ruohuan: “…Quite well.”
Luo Yanzhi: “Me too.”
Ning Ruohuan did her usual hour of exercise followed by a hot shower. By the time she came out, Luo Yanzhi was no longer in the bedroom.
She let go of the doorknob and pulled out her phone. Two messages sat at the top of her notifications.
One was from Luo Yanzhi:
Sister, I’m heading to the office.
The other looked like spam:
Boss, the Luo Group’s project in City A has been completed.
Ning Ruohuan deleted the “spam” message and sent a reply to Luo Yanzhi.
Alright. Should I bring you lunch at noon?
Luo Yanzhi replied quickly:
No need.
Ning Ruohuan stared at the message, her gaze turning distant. She closed the bedroom door and headed down to the first-floor dining area.
“Miss Ning, where are you going?” As she stepped toward the door, the butler’s voice came from behind, sounding puzzled. “Do you need me to prepare a car for you?”
Ning Ruohuan declined gently. “No need. I have some things to do; I won’t be back for lunch.”
The butler insisted, “It’s better to let the driver take you. You can’t catch a taxi here. If Miss Luo finds out, she won’t be happy.”
Ning Ruohuan took a half-step back. “I appreciate it, but it’s really fine. Consider it exercise.”
The butler hesitated.
Ning Ruohuan continued, “I’ll tell Yanyan myself, so don’t worry. Thank you for your hard work.”
The butler relented. “Very well. Please be safe, Miss Ning.”
Without further delay, Ning Ruohuan put on her coat. This villa district was excessively large; after walking for half an hour, the exit was still nowhere in sight, but it was far enough.
A black Maybach pulled up silently beside her, its door opening automatically.
Ning Ruohuan stepped inside. As the door clicked shut, she crossed her arms. Within her refined features, a hint of exhaustion finally flickered in her eyes.