27

Qin Ruan ran her fingers through her hair, "I just finished showering."

"What about you, Sister Wen?"

"I just did too," Wen Yixin replied, turning over in bed.

At the same time, Qin Ruan could faintly hear some rustling sounds from the other side. She suddenly realized that the two of them were... chatting late into the night, almost like pillow talk.

The corners of Qin Ruan's lips curved up as she reached for the plush goose beside her and gave it a squeeze.

"Qin Ruan, do you have time tomorrow?" Wen Yixin asked.

Qin Ruan responded immediately, "Yes, I do."

"Would you like to accompany me to a dance studio tomorrow?" Wen Yixin asked softly.

She had only remembered after returning home that she needed to check on the renovations at a dance studio she had been working on. Then, thinking of Qin Ruan, she couldn't resist calling to ask.

"Sure, what time?" Qin Ruan asked.

"Hmm..." Wen Yixin thought for a few seconds, "Around two or three in the afternoon." It was already late, and she wasn't keen on getting up early the next day.

After a brief pause, Wen Yixin added, "If that time works for you, I'll come to pick you up around three."

Qin Ruan's grip on her phone tightened slightly, and the smile on her lips never wavered, "That works for me."

"I'll be waiting for you."

Hearing Qin Ruan's words, Wen Yixin couldn't help but laugh softly.

Qin Ruan's ears perked up, and she asked in a low voice, "Sister Wen, why are you laughing?"

"Nothing, I just realized that you're quite obedient." It seemed that every time Wen Yixin asked Qin Ruan to do something, Qin Ruan never hesitated, always ready to follow her lead.

Qin Ruan pursed her lips, "I'm not obedient to just anyone."

"Hmm?" Wen Yixin's tone lifted slightly in curiosity.

Qin Ruan suddenly tightened her grip on the goose's neck, "I only listen to you, Sister Wen."

Wen Yixin was taken aback and coughed slightly, "Well, that's a good thing."

"After all, I would never treat you unfairly."

Qin Ruan remained silent for a moment, her grip on the goose's head tightening as she shifted the conversation, "Sister Wen, the Qin family is plotting against you."

Wen Yixin raised an eyebrow, "Did someone say something to you during your stay at the Qin family?"

"They didn't say much; they just wanted to use me to get close to you. I refused."

"Well done." Wen Yixin couldn't help but smile and praise her.

"Just keep doing that, and don't get involved in anything else. If anything comes up, just let me know."

Qin Ruan responded softly with a light acknowledgment.

The next day, when Wen Yixin and Qin Ruan arrived near the dance studio, they noticed that a new bubble tea shop had opened next door, bustling with customers.

Wen Yixin glanced up at the shop's name and realized it was a branch of a well-known bubble tea chain.

"This bubble tea shop seems pretty good. How about we grab a drink before heading up to check the dance studio?" she suggested to Qin Ruan.

Qin Ruan wiped the thin layer of sweat off her forehead. Despite using an umbrella, the hot weather had still caused a light sheen of sweat to form after walking from the parking lot.

"That sounds good," she agreed.

They entered the shop, where Wen Yixin stood in front of the menu, quickly scanning the many options before choosing a lemon tea.

"What about you?" she asked Qin Ruan.

"I'll have the same as you," Qin Ruan replied.

Wen Yixin nodded, placed the order for two lemon teas, and then led Qin Ruan further inside, looking for a quieter corner to sit and wait.

The shop was crowded, and the once spacious aisles were now narrowed by the throng of people. As they made their way through the crowd, Wen Yixin instinctively shielded Qin Ruan, ensuring she wasn't jostled.

At one point, Wen Yixin accidentally bumped into the back of someone's chair, causing them to turn around. Wen Yixin quickly apologized.

"No problem," the person said, shaking her head.

It was only then that Wen Yixin realized it was a girl with short hair, sitting next to another girl. From behind, Wen Yixin had thought they might be a couple.

"Sister Wen, let's sit here," Qin Ruan pointed to a small table ahead.

"Alright," Wen Yixin gathered her thoughts and pushed aside any lingering curiosity.

However, the short-haired girl, after being bumped by Wen Yixin, turned to her companion and whispered, "Hey, don't you think those two look like a couple?"

"What do you think?"

Her companion glanced in Wen Yixin and Qin Ruan's direction, uncertain, "Maybe not?"

Although their conversation was hushed, Wen Yixin faintly caught the words "look like a couple."

Hearing this, Wen Yixin raised an eyebrow slightly, curious: "A couple? What did they mean?"