The four of them arrived back at the complex. As they entered the building, the three girls headed toward the elevator, dripping wet and ready to go up.
Sun Xingchao stayed back and said respectfully, “Eldest Miss, Second Miss, I won’t be coming in.”
Understanding his meaning, Shen Luoxi said, “Take the umbrella with you and stay safe on the road.”
“Mhm,” Sun Xingchao replied, turning to leave with the umbrella.
With the heavy rain keeping everyone indoors, the elevator arrived quickly. When the doors opened, Shen Luoxi stepped aside. “Get in.”
Shen Yuhan obediently led her friend inside.
Shen Luoxi followed, swiping her circular key card on the sensor. Once the floor lit up on the digital screen, the doors slid shut, and the elevator began its ascent.
Though the elevator was spacious, Shen Yuhan huddled in the far corner, clutching her friend’s arm tightly. Her eyes kept darting nervously toward the back of Shen Luoxi’s head.
Back in elementary school, when Yufei the woman she was currently clinging to—was about to move abroad, Shen Yuhan had cried and screamed that she couldn’t bear to let her go. She had caused a week-long scene in front of her parents, crying while lying down, kneeling, and even prostrating herself. Eventually, her parents gave in and arranged for her to transfer schools so she could go abroad with Yufei.
In the years since, she only returned for holidays. Sometimes she would lose track of time while having fun abroad and wouldn’t come back for the New Year at all, making do with a video call to send her blessings. Consequently, she wasn’t very close to her older sister. If it weren’t for this storm, Shen Yuhan likely would have visited her parents and flown away again.
Staying the night felt a bit awkward.
When the elevator reached their floor, Shen Luoxi stepped out first. The two girls followed closely behind, the tips of their hair still dripping.
Ding-ling.
Shen Luoxi entered the passcode and pulled the door open. She leaned over to open the shoe cabinet and pulled out two pairs of brand-new flip-flops; since the girls were soaked, cotton slippers would only get ruined.
“Change your shoes. Go take a hot shower afterward so you don’t catch a cold,” Shen Luoxi said as she slipped on her own flip-flops and headed toward the living room. Pei Yu was walking toward them, seemingly ready to receive guests.
“Got it,” Shen Yuhan’s voice trailed from behind.
Shen Luoxi stopped in front of Pei Yu. Whenever she looked at Pei Yu now, her gaze seemed incredibly focused and sincere.
She introduced them softly: “The one with blonde hair is Shen Yuhan, and the girl next to her is her friend. They’ll probably stay for a night. Let me know if they bother you in any way—don’t pay too much attention to them, and don’t let yourself be inconvenienced.”
“Mhm,” Pei Yu responded softly, her gaze meeting Shen Luoxi’s without flinching.
Having finished changing their shoes, Shen Yuhan and Lin Yufei walked over. Seeing the two of them standing side-by-side, they assumed they were “showing off their love” and greeted them cautiously: “Hello, Sister Pei Yu.”
Lin Yufei was much more mature than Shen Yuhan, and her voice was steady: “Hello, Sister Pei Yu.”
Pei Yu stepped out from behind Shen Luoxi and greeted them with reasonable warmth. “Hello. You’re going to shower, right? I’ll go prepare some clothes and towels for you.”
“Uh… okay. Thanks, Sister Pei Yu.”
The moment Shen Yuhan saw Pei Yu in person, her heart skipped a beat. She had heard from her mother that Luoxi had married an actress, but she hadn’t thought much of it until she saw a giant billboard of Pei Yu while shopping one day. Even then, she was stunned, but the real person was even more beautiful!
What kind of dumb luck did Luoxi get into?
Shen Yuhan’s mouth worked faster than her brain. Looking at Pei Yu, she blurted out, “Sister Pei Yu, you’re so pretty.”
“Thank you.” Pei Yu took it as a polite formality and turned toward the bathroom to prepare the items.
Slightly embarrassed by the cold response, Shen Yuhan pursed her lips and looked at Lin Yufei, acting as if nothing had happened.
There were only two bathrooms in the house: one in the master bedroom and one in the common area. Since the guests couldn’t use the master bedroom, Pei Yu went to tidy up the common bathroom.
As Pei Yu busied herself, Shen Luoxi turned to the pair. “I’ll go pour you some hot water.”
“Thanks, Sis,” Shen Yuhan replied obediently.
Shen Luoxi went to the kitchen to get glasses. As the hot water steamed and splashed into the glass, she suddenly remembered something: she was currently staying in the guest bedroom, and all her clothes were still in there. If they were staying over, they would need that room. She would have to clear out.
Setting down the kettle, she hurried to the living room. “The water is in the kitchen; help yourselves.” Leaving them with that, she ducked into the bathroom.
Pei Yu was setting out new toothbrushes and toothpaste by the sink. Hearing the noise, she glanced back and asked, “Is something wrong?”
Shen Luoxi came in and shut the door, looking a bit awkward. “Can I… move back into the master bedroom tonight? There’s nowhere else to sleep, and they need the guest room. Don’t worry, I’ll sleep on the floor. I won’t touch you, or… you can even tie me up if you want.”
“What? You don’t want your sister to know we’re living separately?” Pei Yu finished tidying and leaned against the sink, turning slowly. Her gaze fell on Shen Luoxi’s beautiful eyes—a gaze as refreshing as a spring breeze. She had never denied that Shen Luoxi had beautiful eyes, even in the past.
“It’s not… exactly that.” Shen Luoxi began to doubt if her request was reasonable.
The first thought that had flashed through her mind was indeed to hide the fact that they weren’t sleeping together, just like in novels and TV dramas. Usually, when a couple who is fighting has family visit, they squeeze back into one bed to maintain the facade of a loving couple and eventually reconcile. But there was no need for such harmony between her and Pei Yu; being apart was their “normal.”
What kind of idol drama plot am I overthinking?
Realizing the situation, Shen Luoxi felt a wave of regret. She took a step back and withdrew her request. “I’ll sleep in the study.”
She had overthought it. Feeling awkward, she gripped the door handle and pushed it open. Stepping out, she feigned composure and told the girls, “Go ahead and shower. Pei Yu has everything ready for you.”
“Okay, thanks Sis.” Shen Yuhan finally let go of Lin Yufei’s hand and tugged at her sleeve. “You go first. I’ll go after you’re done.”
Lin Yufei replied gracefully, “Alright.”
Hearing they were going one by one, Shen Luoxi subconsciously started to say, “Why don’t you—”
She caught herself mid-sentence and bit her lip, wanting to kick herself. In her world, two girls showering together was nothing, but this was an ABO world. Shen Yuhan was an Alpha and Lin Yufei was an Omega; in this reality, that was essentially like a man and a woman. Only couples would shower together. From the looks of them, they were just friends.
“Why don’t we what?” Shen Yuhan asked with wide, innocent eyes.
“Nothing,” Shen Luoxi replied, narrowly avoiding a slip of the tongue. “Go shower.”
She had simply wanted them to go together so she’d have more time to clear out the guest room. Plans had changed, so she would have to start packing now.
While Lin Yufei showered, Pei Yu sat on the sofa with Shen Yuhan, her back ramrod straight. One was as still and beautiful as a statue, while the other’s head was turning like a rattle, watching Shen Luoxi haul blankets and clothes back and forth between the guest room and the study.
The situation was clear: the two were living separately, and Luoxi was the one who had been kicked out.
How pathetic.
As Shen Luoxi made her final trip to the study with her pajamas, Shen Yuhan let out an awkward cough and looked away, terrified of meeting Pei Yu’s cold gaze. If even a notorious playboy like Luoxi was afraid of Pei Yu, a “rookie” like her certainly shouldn’t provoke her.
After moving her things, Shen Luoxi put her hands on her hips, panting, and went back to make the bed for them. Truth be told, Shen Luoxi had lived 25 years in her original world as a pampered daughter who never lifted a finger; she had never made a bed in her life, aside from changing Pei Yu’s sheets the night before.
As she struggled with the second duvet cover, getting trapped inside and unable to breathe, a surge of frustration hit her. She rested her hands on her knees, the duvet cover draped over her head and her hair a mess, and shouted, “Shen Yuhan! Come help me with this duvet!”
Startled, Shen Yuhan practically bounced off the sofa and scurried into the guest room. She gave a forced, polite smile before walking to the other side of the bed to help Shen Luoxi tuck the duvet into the cover and zip it up.
Two people were indeed faster than one. Once the bed was made, Shen Luoxi emerged from the room with flushed cheeks. Without makeup, she looked like a ripe apple.
“Are you hungry?” Shen Luoxi asked. It was already 8:00 AM, time for breakfast. Pei Yu had returned so late last night; she must be starving.
Shen Yuhan clutched her growling stomach and nodded. “Starving! Sis, what can you make? Can we have hot pot? Rainy days are perfect for hot pot.”
“Don’t you spend all your time abroad? Why are you thinking of hot pot?” Shen Luoxi teased. She expected her to ask for steak or sandwiches.
Shen Yuhan glanced toward the bathroom and rubbed her nose sheepishly. “Yufei wanted it when she got back. I planned to take her out tonight, but the rain ruined that. So, Sis, can we have it here?”
“Oh, Yufei wants it, does she?” Shen Luoxi teased. No wonder she had followed the girl abroad in elementary school; she had a crush.
Shen Yuhan began to whine, “Sis…”
“Fine,” Shen Luoxi laughed.
There wasn’t much in the fridge, so she needed to run to the supermarket downstairs. She had seen it open on her way in.
“I’m going down to buy some groceries. Wait here,” Shen Luoxi said, turning toward the entryway.
Shen Yuhan waved happily at her back. “Thanks, Sis! I love you very much!”
Staying abroad had given her a pure English accent. Overjoyed at the prospect of hot pot, Shen Yuhan snapped her fingers and headed into the kitchen to see what ingredients were already there.
Pei Yu remained on the sofa, a variety show playing quietly on the TV. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, dark clouds swirled and rain lashed down. A news notification popped up on her phone: Severe rainstorm arrives; two people missing, search underway.
Pei Yu picked up her phone, glanced toward the door, and stood up to make a call.
The phone rang for a dozen seconds before connecting. Walking to the window, Pei Yu asked softly, “Mom, are you and Dad okay? It’s pouring outside, don’t go out.”
Her mother replied, “Don’t worry, we’re fine. When the rain started this morning, the young lady from the Shen family sent someone over with food and water. We have everything we need. Are you and the Shen girl, okay? You haven’t been fighting, have you?”
Shen Luoxi sent supplies to my parents?
“Xiao Yu? Are you listening?” Her mother asked anxiously when Pei Yu didn’t respond.
Pei Yu lowered her head and whispered, “I’m listening. I’m just glad you and Dad are okay. If anything happens, text me; don’t hide things because you’re afraid of bothering me. Shen Luoxi has… changed a lot. She’s not like before.”
“That’s good. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet,” Pei Yu replied. “Her sister Yuhan is here with a friend. She went down to buy groceries; we’re having hot pot in a bit.”
“Good, go eat then.” Her mother hung up shortly after.
After the call, Pei Yu leaned against the window with her arms crossed, thinking about what her mother had said. Shen Luoxi had sent supplies the moment the rain started. It was a detail Pei Yu, the daughter hadn’t even thought of, yet Shen Luoxi had anticipated it and acted.
“Shen Luoxi… Shen Luoxi…” Pei Yu murmured the name. Her voice was tiny, as light as a breeze, and only she could feel the warmth behind the sound of that name.
“I’m back with the groceries!”
A loud voice suddenly came from the door. Pei Yu reflexively dropped her arms and turned around.
Shen Luoxi was carrying two heavy white plastic bags filled with ingredients and seasonings. She set them on the dining table, shook out her tired hands, and tossed her damp hair over her right shoulder. Her jawline and high nose bridge looked exquisite.
Her clothes had been damp when she first returned, and after another trip out, the back of her white T-shirt was completely soaked, faintly revealing the outline of her black bra straps.