45

Outside the car window, the rain had turned into a light drizzle without her noticing.

"This isn't worth you coming all the way out here. I can get home on my own, I don't need you. There's no point in dragging this out." In that moment, she transformed back into the carefree heartbreaker, her smile as false as it was cold.

"Ji Qiubai, I'm tired of this. Stay away from me, okay? I don't want to waste any more of my time on you because of your parents."

It was a brutal and heartless dismissal, her "bad girl" persona laid bare without even trying to hide it.

Ji Qiubai resigned herself to pulling the drunken woman into her arms. Though she resisted verbally, her struggles were weak, and Ji Qiubai felt the warmth of tears against her neck.

"If that's how you feel, then why are you crying?"

Why was she crying? She was upset. Upset that this had happened to her, upset that after she had exposed her scars to Ji Qiubai, she had been avoided in return. What was she supposed to do to gain her parents' approval?

Their clothes were soaked through from the rain, and if they didn't change soon, they would catch a cold. Ji Qiubai didn't like things to go wrong, which is why she always kept a spare set of clothes in her car.

"What are you doing?" The woman in her arms, with a red nose and alluring eyes, frowned as she caught Ji Qiubai's hand trying to remove her clothes.

"I'm changing your clothes. You'll get sick if you stay like this," Ji Qiubai replied calmly. Her soft demeanor was the perfect mask, even as the soaked fabric of the woman's shirt clung to her chest, revealing pale skin and black lace beneath. Ji Qiubai's face remained unchanged, betraying no reaction.

Oddly, the woman felt a sense of defeat, her eyes lowering as she released Ji Qiubai's hand.

When her skin was finally exposed, the woman shivered, instinctively seeking warmth from Ji Qiubai's embrace. But even with the warmth of the car's heater, the cold in her heart couldn't be shaken.

The shirt she should have been changing into was forgotten. Instead, Ji Qiubai's lips found the scar on the woman's abdomen, kissing it tenderly.

"Ah..." Surprised by the sudden intimacy, the woman tried to pull away, curling into herself.

"I'm sorry. It wasn't because of what happened that I didn't come to see you."

With nowhere to escape in the small space of the car, the woman was easily pinned down in the back seat, her lips captured in a soft, gentle kiss.

"I just didn't know how to face you and my parents, so I cowardly ran away."

Ji Qiubai's fingers, long and slender, slid across her skin. Even the slightest touch was enough to make her body tremble. Slowly, she became more accepting, though her body tensed with every movement, torn between resistance and desire.

The woman's eyes, usually so guarded, softened as Ji Qiubai whispered, "I'll talk to them. Even if they don't agree, it doesn't matter. It's not like they can drag me back home."

It was rare for Ji Qiubai to say something so rebellious, but as her touch became more intimate, the woman felt her control slipping, her tears returning, soaking her long lashes.

Suddenly, Ji Qiubai laughed.

"Actually, I was a really rebellious kid. Climbing trees, getting into fights—you name it. But my parents believed in strict discipline, so as I got older, I learned to act obedient, just to avoid getting punished."

"Pretending for so long, I almost forgot how to defy them."

But it seemed that side of her had resurfaced after meeting Jing Yao.

Jing Yao's forehead glistened with a thin layer of sweat, her watery eyes dazed as she weakly leaned against Ji Qiubai. "But they still love you."

Ji Qiubai hugged her tighter. "Maybe."

Her gaze shifted to the woman beside her, eyes red and tearful, looking vulnerable and fragile. In such a short time, she had cried several times, helplessly staring at Ji Qiubai as if seeking comfort.

Ji Qiubai remembered Jing Yao's message from the other day. She hadn't responded properly then.

"I was wrong before. I don't hate you, and I'm not disgusted. I won't avoid you like that again."

The eyes that had once been full of suspicion were now brimming with tenderness and sincerity.

"Sister, I love you."

As the air in the car grew heavy with heat and tension, the tears that had started from frustration only deepened, dripping from Jing Yao's long lashes.

When the rain finally stopped, her eyes and nose were both red, her body limp as she rested in Ji Qiubai's arms. She mumbled something about being tired, her voice hoarse from all the crying.

"Shall we go home?" Ji Qiubai shifted slightly to make her more comfortable.

"No, just stay here."

Only by holding onto each other so tightly could she be sure this moment was real. She just wanted more, regardless of the consequences.

——

The news of the Jing family's power shift caused a major stir at Fengyu.

Within just one morning, several managers ran to inform Luo Zhining and Luo Shuhe of the change.

Ji Qiubai didn't come to work. As her direct superior, Lu Cixue didn't ask any questions, simply approving her leave without hesitation.

Luo Li had been laying low as well, still under suspicion of plagiarizing her own work, so she couldn't stroll into the office every day as she used to.

Instead, she waited until after work, pulling a hardly-used Porsche out of the garage and parking it at the office entrance, waiting for Lu Cixue to finish.

Though they hadn't made their relationship public yet, it was important to create the impression—or rather, to establish the fact—that Lu Cixue was taken.

Luo Li's main motivation came from the information she'd received from Chen Ting last week.

While the diamond ring on Lu Cixue's finger had successfully deterred many admirers, the rumors surrounding their relationship had started to morph, now that they were no longer seen together at the office.

After being sent home, Luo Li learned that people had begun speculating again.

"I think Director Lu is just wearing that ring to avoid the hassle of turning people down. I mean, I've never seen anyone pick her up from work."

"Exactly, she probably just likes the way it looks."

"So you're saying you still have a chance? Didn't she personally help you with your report the other day?"

The guy smiled shyly. "I sure hope so."

After Luo Ran left, Chen Ting had somehow become Luo Li's unofficial informant.

"They're talking about the intern who joined after Luo Ran left. He's a shy little guy, still holding onto his romantic fantasies."

"While I'm sure Director Lu doesn't have any interest, he's been coming to her office quite a lot recently. Even for the smallest things, he goes straight to her, and she always takes the time to explain. You'd better be careful. Someone's definitely got their eyes on her."

Hearing this, Luo Li couldn't sit still.

Her fingers drummed impatiently on the steering wheel as she waited.

She might not want to make a scene, but she couldn't let anyone think they had a shot at stealing her girlfriend.

It was just helping him with a report—nothing to be proud of. How could he think that gave him a chance? With that mindset, how was he even going to pass his probation period?

Lu Cixue spotted the car from a distance, parked conspicuously in front of the building.

It was rush hour, and employees were streaming out of the office. The intention behind that car's presence was clear.

A few employees walking behind Lu Cixue noticed her pause before continuing toward the car. Their faces lit up with curiosity.

As they watched their usually composed boss walk up to an unfamiliar car, they exchanged excited glances.

The passenger door opened, but they couldn't see the driver. However, they did see Lu Cixue accept a bouquet of blue roses from inside.

"Honey, you've been working hard. I wrapped the flowers myself, and it took me forever to get this limited-edition book. Do you think it's worth a kiss in exchange?" Luo Li, wearing sunglasses, smiled playfully as she offered the gift.

Hidden behind her sunglasses, her eyes sparkled with mischief as she glanced through the window at the onlookers, pleased to see their stunned reactions.

She looked every bit the charming rogue.

"Are you proud of yourself for getting what you wanted?" Lu Cixue's voice was calm, effortlessly cutting through her bravado.

Luo Li's little act was completely exposed, and she immediately turned to her last resort, leaning in with a pout, begging for affection.

The door closed, and the passenger window rolled halfway down. Lu Cixue tilted Luo Li's chin, her lips brushing against the corner of her mouth.

"Hold still."

From outside, the angle made it hard to see the driver's face, but their intimate gestures were unmistakable to the group of gawking employees.

"Oh my God, are they kissing?!"

"They have to be! I mean, have you ever seen Director Lu get in anyone else's car?"

"This is insane! Just when I thought I could escape this week without being reminded of how single I am."

After the brief kiss, Luo Li adjusted her seat, dramatically covering her face as a grin spread across it.

——She's so bossy.

Ever since she had been suspended, Luo Li and Lu Cixue hadn't been sleeping together as often. After her bath that evening, Luo Li lay on the bed, thinking.

Most of the time, they slept apart, but occasionally, Luo Li would suggest sleeping together, and rarely would Lu Cixue refuse.

So, after only a moment's hesitation, Luo Li grabbed her pillow and headed to the other apartment.

Unlocking the door, she found the master bedroom, where Lu Cixue was reading, and naturally, she threw herself into her arms.

Lu Cixue stroked the top of her head, and Luo Li purred contentedly, her eyes half-closed.

Though Luo Li sometimes felt like a puppy when Lu Cixue petted her, for some reason, she couldn't get enough.

"If all goes well, you'll be back at work next week," Lu Cixue mentioned, recalling the morning meeting with Luo Li's parents. "But your identity will be completely exposed."

There wouldn't be any more secrets left.

"Exposed or not, what does it matter? It's just a name. It won't make a big difference."

Luo Li's friends all flaunted their relationships, taking pictures with their partners and showing off online. Meanwhile, she'd taken plenty of pictures, but none of them had dared show Lu Cixue's face.

Although she dreamed of advancing their relationship, of showing the world they were together, she still hesitated.

The reason was simple: she lacked confidence. She didn't feel good enough to flaunt what she had.

But when she thought about all the people circling around Lu Cixue, her frustration grew.

"You don't seem happy," Lu Cixue observed, sensing Luo Li's silence.

Luo Li grumbled in response. "You've been personally helping interns write reports. Where was that treatment when I started?"

Lu Cixue blinked, momentarily confused, before realizing who Luo Li was referring to.

"He's... delicate," she said carefully. "When I saw him on the verge of tears, I couldn't just leave him hanging."

She paused for a moment before adding, "But he's not going to pass probation if he can't handle such a small task."

Luo Li nearly burst out laughing.

"That just means he's dumb."

"He also comes to me with other small questions," Lu Cixue admitted. "I've told him to ask other colleagues, but it seems like he didn't get the message."

Her explanation was sincere, with a hint of helplessness.

"Next time, just tell him you're busy and to go to someone else. Otherwise, he might think you're paying him special attention," Luo Li grumbled.

Lu Cixue looked at her, amused. "Is that why you've been upset?"

"Yeah," Luo Li admitted quickly, mumbling, "And not just him—there are enough of them to fill a mahjong table…"

Lu Cixue cupped her cheeks, silencing her with a kiss.

Her voice was soft but firm as she whispered, "You're right. I was wrong. How can I make it up to you?"