40

Luo Li noticed the icy expression on Lu Cixue's face and quietly backed her wheelchair up a couple of steps.

How was she to know that once Lu Cixue transformed, certain... possessive instincts would take over?

But Luo Li clearly remembered who had started this game.

She raised her hand to cover her mouth and made a zipping motion, her expression all too eager to show she wouldn't say anything foolish again.

"I have some friends coming to visit tomorrow," Luo Li said as she followed Lu Cixue around like a tail. "Do you want to meet them? Most of them are my old high school friends, really good people."

"They're mostly coming because they saw the post I made. Honestly, they're probably more interested in meeting you."

"But if you're uncomfortable with it, it's fine. We can visit them together later." Luo Li was mostly worried that a group of enthusiastic friends might make Lu Cixue feel overwhelmed.

After taking off her coat, Lu Cixue, whose figure was as elegant as ever, turned around to see Luo Li covering her eyes and looking somewhat ashamed.

—Why was her mind so filled with inappropriate thoughts? She felt like a pervert.

"It's fine," Lu Cixue said, puzzled as she looked at Luo Li. "What are you doing? Are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so red?"

Luo Li's hand was gently lifted as Lu Cixue's cool palm pressed against her forehead, her familiar and distinct fragrance enveloping her.

—It was strange, ever since she discovered Lu Cixue's unique reaction, she found herself particularly sensitive to that scent, unable to help her wandering thoughts.

"N-no, it's nothing," Luo Li stammered, backing away before inching forward again to focus on Lu Cixue's reddened eyes. "What happened to your eyes?"

Luo Li hadn't noticed it before, but now that Lu Cixue had removed her glasses, she saw the slight redness in the corners of her eyes.

This was odd since Lu Cixue usually only wore glasses at work, yet today she'd returned home still wearing them.

"It's nothing, I'm just tired," Lu Cixue said, closing her eyes for a moment. "I'll be fine after some rest."

During the days when Luo Li was unconscious, she had stayed by her side, crying and unable to sleep. After returning to work, she had stayed up late, trying to catch up on everything. It was relentless.

"No, you need to see a doctor."

Given that Luo Li's parents were always vigilant about her health, they had their own family doctor.

"Miss Lu is simply overworked. She needs to rest and take breaks from screen time," the doctor explained, handing over a bottle of eye drops. "This is a new treatment; Mr. Luo is also using it. Apply it to the eyes before bed. It can help alleviate fatigue. If more is needed, just let me know, Miss Luo."

Luo Li listened attentively to the doctor's instructions, but suddenly a vivid image popped into her mind.

Would Lu Cixue be staying with her tonight? Actually, it seemed like she'd be staying here for a while.

—This wasn't going to be easy for an injured person.

Especially since Lu Cixue was taking care of her, helping her wash her face, brush her teeth, and do her physical therapy. Luo Li felt a wave of guilt.

"Maybe I should go stay with my parents," Luo Li suggested, worried. "It's too much for you to handle every day."

The doctor had said she was recovering well, and by early spring, she might be able to walk again. But who wouldn't feel bad seeing the person they love work so hard for them?

"No," Lu Cixue said simply. Fresh from a shower, she was surrounded by a soft, warm mist, her features bathed in a gentle orange light.

Luo Li felt a soft, damp touch on her brow as Lu Cixue's smooth hair tickled her collarbone.

"It's only tiring when you're not here."

Luo Li's lips curled into a smile she couldn't suppress.

"Then let me apply the eye drops for you."

Luo Li eagerly applied the drops to the soft black silk band, excited to place it on Lu Cixue's eyes.

"I can do it myself. You should lie down and rest," Lu Cixue said, puzzled by Luo Li's enthusiasm.

"No way! If you do it yourself, how will you know if it's on right? Let me help!"

Lu Cixue laughed softly, doubtful about Luo Li's sudden interest in this task.

"But how will I go to sleep with this on?"

Luo Li froze, followed by a wave of disappointment as her imagined scene of a blindfolded beauty shattered.

But it was okay; there would be other opportunities.

Sneakily, she sent a message from her phone, reminding Dr. Zhao to send over more of the drops.

——

Luo Li had friends all over the place, and when a group of them came to visit, they found her alone.

"Luo Luo, are you guys already living together?" one girl with gray-streaked hair leaned over to check Luo Li's leg. "There are high heels in the shoe rack, and you definitely can't wear those right now."

"You're such a sneak! We didn't even hear a peep about you dating until you made it public," another friend, a designer, chimed in excitedly. "But I saw a gorgeous woman on my way in, tried to ask for her number, but she said she already had someone. Such a shame."

"Is there an empty apartment here? I'd love to find my own love here."

"Are you kidding? She had a ring on her finger, and you still tried?"

"I didn't see it!"

As soon as they entered, the group started chattering away, and Luo Li looked at them with mock disdain.

They had brought gifts, sure, but it was obvious they were more interested in meeting her girlfriend than in her.

"Where's your wife? It's the weekend, no need to work, right?"

Before Luo Li could answer, the door softly opened.

Lu Cixue seemed taken aback by the eclectic group of people but quickly composed herself. She smiled gently, her elegant demeanor and cold beauty still intact. "Hello."

"Whoa!"

"Aren't you—" The girl on the couch gaped, clasping her hands together in mock prayer as if ready to kneel before Luo Li. "I'm so sorry, Luo Luo, I was wrong. Let me design your wedding dress for free!"

Luo Li, now handling the wheelchair controls, rolled over to Lu Cixue and took the bag from her hands, puzzled. "Why are you apologizing?"

Another friend laughed, "No big deal, just that your girlfriend's too pretty. She thinks you two are a perfect match."

"Come to think of it, I remember you two arguing in high school over Tao Jinxi. Looking back, you were both so silly," one of them reminisced.

The room fell into a sudden silence.

"Ah, well, youthful ignorance, right?" The girl with gray hair tried to smooth things over, then quickly changed the subject. "But you two… It's crazy that you're friends now."

They had both liked the same person in high school, but now...

——

The group stayed until evening before leaving in pairs.

All afternoon, Luo Li had been closely watching Lu Cixue's expression. Even though the boss kept a faint smile all day, Luo Li couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

These guys really knew how to stir the pot, bringing up Tao Jinxi for no reason!

"Don't be mad, babe. I was just foolish back then. I've already deleted her without a word, you know that." Luo Li hobbled over on her crutch, standing behind Lu Cixue and babbling nonstop.

Ever since she found out about Tao Jinxi's antics during her coma, she'd cut ties with her completely.

"Your friends are quite interesting."

Lu Cixue helped Luo Li sit down slowly, her tone nonchalant as she added, "Very amusing, actually."

"Huh? They're all good people. We joke around a lot, so everyone's pretty laid-back." Luo Li cautiously answered.

Lu Cixue's slender, pale hands gently placed Luo Li's leg down, her touch tender. Luo Li felt a bit more at ease, thinking she might have overreacted.

"Yes, it's quite something to have fought over the same person and then become friends. A bit like sharing a common enemy, wouldn't you say?"

—Oh no.

Luo Li's heart skipped a beat.

Lu Cixue raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression tender to the point of masking the danger in her dark eyes. Her finger traced Luo Li's lips in a not-so-subtle warning.

Luo Li's heart pounded as she realized she had severely underestimated how difficult it would be to soothe this jealous little cat.

"We became friends, but it had nothing to do with Tao Jinxi," Luo Li quickly clarified. "You know I cut all ties with her."

"So, you were pretty into her before, weren't you?"

Luo Li felt wronged. It wasn't like she could change the past. Guilty, she could only coax and soothe Lu Cixue's temper.

"But now, I have no feelings for her whatsoever."

For some reason, Luo Li couldn't shake the feeling that something was different about Lu Cixue tonight. Her porcelain skin was growing increasingly flushed, and her emotions were more unguarded.

It was as if...

"Is your heat cycle starting again?" Luo Li ventured.

She remembered Lu Cixue had said she handled it better now, but still, it wasn't entirely comfortable. Emotional swings and certain needs remained, and only Luo Li could help alleviate them.

Only she was allowed to.

Kneeling by the bed, Lu Cixue's hand hovered over the silk band coated with ointment, her eyes red from the misty warmth.

Then, Luo Li felt her breath hitch, her heart threatening to stop altogether.

The cold, distant goddess was slipping into the world of mortals, becoming something far more dangerous.

"So don't move," the woman commanded softly, her breath hot against Luo Li's ear.

"You wanted to see, didn't you?" The blindfolded woman's crimson lips parted slightly. "Then stay still."

Luo Li's mind went blank, her face heating up furiously.

White, delicate fingers were guided by Lu Cixue's hand, slowly moving inwards.

As her fingers were pulled and teased, Luo Li remained still, compliant, letting the other do as she pleased.

But this person was delicate, easily exhausted. After just a few minutes, Luo Li could feel the exhaustion in her partner, but still, Lu Cixue refused to let her go.

Luo Li chuckled softly at the cat's bold yet somewhat unsuccessful attempt.

"Relax."

"Come closer."

"There are other ways too," Luo Li whispered, her voice muffled.