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She was stunned.

Instinctively, she straightened up, moving slightly backward.

"Sister."

"What were you doing?" Wen Yixin's gaze was cool and penetrating.

Qin Ruan met that clear, deep gaze for only a moment before she couldn't help but look away, her voice faltering. "Nothing."

Wen Yixin observed Qin Ruan's averted face and slowly sat up, leaning on the sofa with both hands.

She smoothed her nightgown, her tone revealing no emotion. "I saw it."

Qin Ruan turned back, her eyes filled with shock and doubt.

Wen Yixin stared at her and slowly uttered four words, "You kissed me."

Qin Ruan's eyes widened, and she went through a range of emotions—fear, helplessness, and finally, oddly, calmness.

Unnoticed by anyone, a shadow of darkness clouded her eyes.

"Sister," Qin Ruan said in a low voice, "I'm sorry."

Wen Yixin gave a vague response, resting her chin on her hand as she leaned against the sofa. "Why did you kiss me?"

Her question was direct, leaving no room for evasion.

Qin Ruan couldn't help but grasp the hem of her clothing, her lips pressed into a firm line.

She lowered her head, remaining silent for a moment as if weighing her response.

Wen Yixin lightly tapped her fingers and spoke softly, "Answer me, and I'll forgive you."

She didn't like guessing people's thoughts, especially now.

Qin Ruan raised her head.

She gazed at Wen Yixin with an unprecedented seriousness, biting her lip as she finally confessed, "Because I like you."

"I like you, Sister."

"It was wrong of me to steal a kiss, but I don't regret it. You can scold me or punish me, whatever you want."

After blurting everything out, Qin Ruan felt a sense of relief wash over her.

She had kept these feelings hidden for so long, and now that she had spoken them out loud, she felt lighter. As for what would happen next, she would take it one step at a time.

Qin Ruan watched Wen Yixin's expression carefully, but her face remained calm and unreadable, making Qin Ruan increasingly anxious. "Sister, do you hate me?"

Wen Yixin withdrew her hand from her chin, sitting up straight, her foot inadvertently brushing against Qin Ruan's leg.

It felt cool and smooth, like jade.

The touch made her toes curl slightly.

"I wouldn't say I hate you," Wen Yixin replied slowly.

Although she had been shocked when she first saw Qin Ruan kiss her, she hadn't found the act entirely unpleasant. In fact, when Qin Ruan confessed her feelings, a part of Wen Yixin felt a sense of inevitability.

She had already suspected that Qin Ruan had feelings for her. Now that it was confirmed, as she looked at the girl kneeling in front of her, recalling the events of earlier, her emotions were complicated.

Hearing Wen Yixin's response, Qin Ruan's heart eased somewhat. "So, Sister isn't angry with me anymore?"

Wen Yixin hesitated. It was true—she hadn't really been angry.

Could it be that…

She pressed her lips together, pushing aside the thought, and replied softly, "No, I'm not angry."

Qin Ruan's heart fully relaxed, a small smile playing on her lips.

She leaned closer to Wen Yixin, emboldened. "Sister, will you ever like me?"

Wen Yixin's heart skipped a beat.

She didn't answer immediately, instead gently pushing Qin Ruan's face away as it drew too close. "Don't be silly."

"Since you're done with your shower, you should get some rest. We walked a lot today; you must be tired."

Qin Ruan shook her head, hiding her disappointment. "I'm not tired, and I don't want to go to bed so early."

"Is Sister tired?"

Wen Yixin nodded. "A little."

"My legs are sore from all the walking."

Qin Ruan's eyes sparkled. "Let me massage them for you."

"No need…" Wen Yixin began, but she paused when she met Qin Ruan's anxious gaze. "Sister, do you hate me now? Is that why you won't let me massage you?"

Wen Yixin was left speechless.

She sighed softly and moved her legs closer to Qin Ruan. "Alright, I'll trouble you, then."

Qin Ruan's smile widened with joy, her earlier anxiety evaporating.

"Sure."

Wen Yixin: …Why does this feel so strange?

Having received permission, Qin Ruan wasted no time in placing Wen Yixin's feet on her lap.

The sudden contact with Qin Ruan's cool skin made Wen Yixin reflexively curl her toes.

She looked at Qin Ruan and patted the sofa beside her. "Sit here to do it."

Qin Ruan shook her head. "It's not as convenient."

"I can lie down while you sit next to me. The sofa is wide enough; there's no need to worry."

"It's even more inconvenient for you to squat like this."

"Alright." Qin Ruan didn't argue further and obediently sat on the sofa.

Wen Yixin adjusted herself, lying face down with her legs stretched out on the sofa.

Qin Ruan began to massage Wen Yixin's calves, asking every now and then if it felt good, if it was okay.

After receiving affirmative responses, Qin Ruan became more attentive, gradually moving her hands higher up Wen Yixin's legs.

Noticing the touch creeping upward, Wen Yixin couldn't help but call out, "Qin Ruan…"

"Hmm," Qin Ruan responded, quickly explaining, "I just want to massage more areas for you, Sister. Is that alright?"

Wen Yixin was silent for a few seconds before softly agreeing, "Alright."

Since she was already getting a massage, there was no harm in letting Qin Ruan continue.

Qin Ruan smiled gently, lowering her gaze to the person lying in front of her. Despite the earlier incident, Sister Wen wasn't rejecting her touch.

On the contrary, she seemed more aware of their physical contact now than before.

More aware, but not rejecting it.

It gave her hope.

Qin Ruan controlled the pressure of her massage expertly, so much so that Wen Yixin soon found herself closing her eyes in comfort.

"Qin Ruan, have you done this for someone else before?"

Qin Ruan shook her head. "No, only for you."

"Then you're really good at it." Qin Ruan's massage was so skillful that it felt almost professional.

Qin Ruan couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, Sister."

After a moment of thought, she hesitantly added, "Sister, if I do an even better job, will there be a reward?"

Wen Yixin turned her head slightly. "What would you like?"

Qin Ruan avoided the question. "I'll tell you after I'm done."

Wen Yixin nodded.

After about ten more minutes, Wen Yixin finally asked her to stop.

She sat up and asked, "Are you tired?"

"No."

Wen Yixin nodded in acknowledgment, then leaned over to pour two glasses of water, handing one to Qin Ruan. "Have some water."

Qin Ruan thanked her and took a sip, her fingers unconsciously tracing circles around the rim of the glass as she watched Wen Yixin drink.

After finishing her water, Wen Yixin noticed Qin Ruan staring at her intently. "What reward did you have in mind?"

Qin Ruan tightened her grip on the glass. "Sister, promise you won't get mad."

"Tell me first," Wen Yixin said, not committing. "I rarely get angry unless it's something I really can't tolerate, as you know."

Qin Ruan thought carefully and realized this was true. She set down her glass and scooted closer to Wen Yixin.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she nervously made her request:

"Can you kiss me? Like I kissed you earlier."

Wen Yixin: Bold!