26

Late October brought a sharp drop in temperature, the perfect time to snuggle up with someone you like for warmth—definitely not the time to go weeks without seeing your boss. Luo Li couldn't help but complain; the management at the branch office was utterly useless. She'd lost count of how many times they'd sent Lu Cixue out there this month. It was high time they sorted things out.

Sitting at her desk, clutching her panda thermos, Luo Li checked the time on her computer screen again. Most of her colleagues had already left for the day. Just ten more minutes and she could head to the airport to pick her up.

Is my makeup still intact? This perfume smells nice, right? I wonder if Lu Cixue will like it…

Her crafting skills were truly lacking. She'd tried to make a lifelike little cat but ended up with something that looked like a bizarre, unidentifiable creature. Fortunately, she'd found a pocket watch that suited Lu Cixue perfectly. Luo Li planned to give them together, but her cat figurine looked pitiful next to the elegant watch…

"Wow, are you going on a date, Cousin?" A lively voice startled Luo Li, pulling her from her thoughts. It was so loud that Luo Li winced.

"Luo Ran, why haven't you gone home yet?" Luo Li turned around, wondering if she was really getting old. This kid had been interning for a week and was still bursting with energy.

Was this the difference between a bright-eyed college student and a jaded office worker?

Oh, wait, no. She'd calm down soon enough after meeting Director Lu. That would do the trick.

"Nice try, dodging the question," Luo Ran teased, grinning mischievously. "You've been checking the mirror every two minutes and glancing at the time constantly. Plus, you look amazing…"

Her tone suddenly turned serious. "Come on, spill!"

Luo Li ignored the not-so-intimidating threat, holding up her crocheted creation. "What do you think?"

"What is that ugly thing?" Luo Ran looked at it with disdain, squinting to get a better look before a lightbulb seemed to go off. "Oh! I get it, it's Stitch, right? You know, it's kind of abstract, got a unique vibe. Who gave it to you?"

"It's a cat!" Luo Li gritted her teeth.

"Huh?" Was her cousin's sense of aesthetics really that far gone?

Luo Li's face fell.

As expected, if even Luo Ran thought it was ugly, maybe she shouldn't give it after all.

"I'm off. You should head home early too—we've got work tomorrow."

Luo Ran watched her leave, noting the shadow of gloom hanging over her cousin's retreating figure.

At the airport.

Lu Cixue spotted Luo Li waving at her from afar, her furrowed brow gradually relaxing.

"Your hand is so cold," Luo Li remarked casually as she brushed against Lu Cixue's hand, quickly taking the liberty of holding it, pretending nothing happened.

Lu Cixue glanced down but said nothing.

—Hey, she didn't pull away.

"Are you tired? Did you eat on the plane?" Luo Li eagerly took the suitcase from Lu Cixue.

"No, I waited for you." Lu Cixue took a moment to study her. "Your makeup looks great today."

The night before, her cat had diligently studied comments online, one of which said: "When meeting someone you like, be sure to notice their outfit or makeup. They might have spent hours getting ready, so give them positive feedback to keep them happy."

Luo Li blinked, unable to see the expression behind the black mask, but her smile grew wider.

—What a dilemma. It seems I'm developing a love-struck brain.

"Uh, so…"

Ji Qiubai had quietly taken a few steps back, feeling completely out of place in the atmosphere between the two. It seemed they'd already forgotten she'd come with Director Lu.

She had only gone to swap a piece of luggage, and now it was like she didn't exist.

But no matter—the ability to remain composed while internally panicking was a skill she had perfected as an assistant.

Still, the sight of them holding hands gave her quite a jolt. She'd need a moment to process it.

"Luo Li, could you take Director Lu home? I'll leave you two to it." Not waiting for a response, Ji Qiubai quickly dragged her suitcase away.

As she walked off, she shook her head in disbelief. Director Lu had gloves in her bag, yet they insisted on using this method to stay warm?

After dinner, back at her place, Luo Li's gaze wandered. She was still fretting over how to give Lu Cixue the gifts.

As the door was about to close, Luo Li impulsively stopped it. "Wait a second!"

"This is for you." She handed Lu Cixue a black gift box.

—Giving a gift to someone you like is a way of telling them they're important to you.

But Luo Li saw the cat's face cloud over with disappointment.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get you anything."

The branch office had been a mess, and Lu Cixue had barely had time to sleep, let alone think about gifts.

—But that's okay. Forcing a gift at a specific time takes away from the sentiment, doesn't it?

Luo Li laughed, "It's not a favor—do I need to expect something in return every time?"

Still, she wasn't about to let an opportunity slip by.

Just as she was about to speak again, Lu Cixue cut in.

"Can I open it?"

"Huh? Yeah, sure…"

Luo Li watched as her boss's eyes landed on the ugly little toy next to the pocket watch.

"That… it might not look like it, but it's supposed to be a cat," Luo Li mumbled, lacking confidence.

It wasn't even close—no resemblance at all.

Her boss didn't say anything, probably stunned by its ugliness.

Luo Li tried to laugh it off, "It's okay if you don't like it. I just threw it together; the colors don't even match."

"Thank you. I really like it."

Luo Li's excuses were cut short as something warm and soft brushed her lips, a pink tongue that quickly licked her before giving her lower lip a playful bite.

"I especially like it."

Clearly, cats who turn into humans are quite seductive.

——

"You—" Luo Ran barely managed to get a word out before Luo Li clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Shut up, or else." Luo Li's tone was deadly serious.

"Did you make that ugly thing—no, I mean, that cat? And when did you and Director Lu get so close?"

Luo Ran was bursting with excitement.

After all, Director Lu was known as one of the top beauties at Fengyu. Luo Ran had finally gotten to see her after a week, and she didn't disappoint—beautiful, elegant, and stylish. But then there was that ugly thing in her hand… It looked familiar somehow.

"Hey, watch it!" What do you mean, 'got close'? They were just getting to know each other better, okay?

Although they had already progressed to a deeper understanding, it was still all very proper.

"Don't worry about it. Just finish your internship and go back to school."

Luo Ran pouted but then grinned slyly, "I won't ask for hush money, but you have to keep me updated."

"Stay out of this. If people find out we're related, how am I supposed to keep working here?"

Having the same last name was already suspicious enough. This little brat hanging around and calling her 'Cousin' every chance she got—did she think people were stupid?

"Okay, okay, I'm going. But don't forget to tell me everything!"

"Luo Li, Director Lu is looking for you." Liu Yue happened to walk by, eyeing the pair curiously.

Luo Li's face lit up as she eagerly made her way to Lu Cixue's office.

Wearing her silver-framed glasses, the woman's ethereal beauty was accentuated by the soft sunlight filtering in, making her look like a painting. But the slight frown on her face suggested that her mood wasn't great.

"Director Lu, your coffee, with milk added." Luo Li had long since lost the nervousness she felt the first time she entered this office, now confidently approaching Lu Cixue's side.

And there it was—the little cat figurine she'd made, sitting neatly on the desk. Luo Li's eyes crinkled with happiness.

"You'll be in charge of the end-of-year planning. If Liu Zhi asks, tell him it's my decision. He needs to get his personal affairs in order before he can talk about work—or better yet, leave."

Uh-oh, Director Lu was really angry.

Luo Li suddenly remembered that this colleague's personal life had been a mess lately. Several people, men and women, had been showing up at the company demanding explanations, causing quite the scandal. He'd even shown up with a black eye a few days ago.

"Got it," Luo Li agreed smoothly, then immediately switched to a coaxing tone. "But don't get upset. It's not worth it."

Lu Cixue's stern expression softened, but her gaze shifted to the dark circles under Luo Li's eyes. "Didn't sleep well last night?"

Luo Li had been so excited after that kiss that she couldn't sleep at all, eventually getting up to edit some photos she'd been working on. She ended up losing track of time.

She needed to save up for her future, after all.

"Just stayed up late, no big deal."

Her boss didn't seem to agree with that, glancing at the time. It was almost lunchtime. She briefly considered letting Luo Li rest in the office's private room.

Although it was filled with Luo Li's clothes, there was no point in hiding it anymore.

Director Lu's face remained composed, but her ears turned a suspicious shade of pink.

"Next time, let's go together. The instructor's really good, so the next one will definitely look better." Luo Li beamed with confidence.

She wasn't boasting—she had full faith in her boss.

Although it was technically still work hours, no one was really working at this point, so the workaholic Director Lu didn't see any reason to send Luo Li back.

The little toy, with its crooked hat and mismatched proportions, was definitely ugly but also kind of cute in its own way.

Lu Cixue smiled faintly, sipping her coffee, but her hand accidentally knocked a pen off the desk. The black pen rolled under the desk.

Both of them bent down to pick it up.

"Director Lu, someone's here to see Liu Zhi. They've gone upstairs this time…" Ji Qiubai was clearly flustered. The usually efficient assistant had forgotten to knock before entering.

Perfect timing—she walked in just as Luo Li was crawling under the desk and Lu Cixue was sitting in her chair.

Everything else was hidden behind the desk, but Ji Qiubai's imagination filled in the blanks.

She might not have had firsthand experience, but she'd certainly seen enough to know what was happening.

"…"

"I'm so, so sorry… please continue…"