“Knock, knock, knock.”
A rhythmic, measured knocking sounded. After receiving permission, a woman in her thirties entered. She wore light, fresh makeup and possessed an understated, simple beauty.
“President Yun, here is the information you requested. It has been organized.” Mo Yin placed a stack of documents on the desk, showing deep respect to this boss who was more than a decade her junior.
“Just call me Qianxin from now on, Sister Mo Yin. You are not just my assistant, but also my elder. There’s no need for such formality.”
“Alright, Qianxin. Regarding that boy… his father passed away from overwork a few years after you left. He was quite introverted before graduating middle school. You can read the details yourself.” Mo Yin bowed slightly. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go arrange your afternoon schedule. Are you returning tonight?”
“Yes. Thank you for your hard work, Sister Mo Yin.”
Mo Yin nodded and turned to leave.
Behind Yun Qianxin, the floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a bustling city of flowing crowds and towering skyscrapers. On her spacious desk, steam rose from a cup of coffee. The computer screen displayed a wallpaper—the very first photo she had ever taken with the boy.
She flipped open the report documenting the youth’s life, unable to help but recall that bitter winter when they first met. That innocent, adorable child had been as clean as pure white snow. Later, like her, he had been deeply tormented by fate, leaving scars in his heart that were difficult to heal.
The difference was that suffering had bred hatred and ferocity within her. Seeds of selfishness had been planted in her heart; she had become violent and cold-blooded, capable of killing her enemies and plundering what she loved.
As she turned the pages, a girl’s name appeared in Yun Qianxin’s eyes. The final page of the file contained information on Luo Ming, complete with a photo. Her face was not at all inferior to Yun Qianxin’s—cold, quiet, with eyes that seemed to hide a venomous snake.
If I don’t take him back soon, someone might beat me to it…
“Then get some rest. If you doze off during morning study again tomorrow, I’m not helping you watch out for the teacher.”
“Got it, got it. I’m heading off then. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
No new messages appeared in the chat box. Gu Yu scrolled through the records; dozens of meaningless conversations hid the youth’s ambiguous affections. Chatting with the girl before sleep made him very happy.
Luo Ming’s profile picture was the back of an anime girl with cherry-pink hair. With default fonts and chat bubbles, and a hidden profile, she seemed clean, beautiful, and yet somewhat inscrutable.
Gu Yu often recalled that lap pillow. Every intimate physical contact with Luo Ming left a deep impression on him. He seemed to have become the most loyal follower of this “unreachable flower on a high peak.”
The foot-soaking water had grown cold. Gu Yu dried his feet and carried the plastic basin to pour the water out. Looking up, he saw bright car headlights flare outside the window, flashing a few times before turning off.
He stood by the window in a daze for a moment, then heard a steady knocking. Upon opening the door, a familiar figure stood outside. She wore makeup now, making her even more glamorous and moving—like a rich, fragrant rose.
“Good evening, Xiao Yu. Sister is back! You’re not asleep yet?” Yun Qianxin smiled at him tenderly, still maintaining that kind, gentle persona.
“I was just about to sleep. Sister Qianxin, why are you back so late?”
“I just finished up work. As soon as it was over, I couldn’t wait to rush back. Come, let Sister give you a hug. It’s been a few days; did you miss me?”
Yun Qianxin willfully embraced Gu Yu, resting her chin on the boy’s shoulder. She breathed in his clean, sunny scent, unwilling to let go for a long time.
“Of course I did. Sister Qianxin, you’re holding too tight.”
“Sorry, Sister got a little excited.” Yun Qianxin released him and stroked his head. “Is the AC in your room fixed? Do you want to sleep at my place?”
“No need…” Before he could finish his refusal, Gu Yu was firmly pulled into the apartment across the hall. The door was shut behind them, leaving him no retreat.
“Xiao Yu can’t refuse Sister, or I’ll be sad.” She tapped the boy’s smooth forehead, her tone carrying a hint of grievance.
“Alright… but I haven’t turned off the lights at home yet…”
“Sister will go turn them off. You go to sleep, Xiao Yu.”
Struggle seemed pointless. Gu Yu helplessly walked into Yun Qianxin’s room. It was tidy and clean—wardrobe, desk, chairs, a double bed. There were no superfluous decorations or signs of a typical girl’s bedroom; it was minimalist and mature.
Gu Yu sat on the edge of the bed for a while. Soon, the door opened. Yun Qianxin casually took off her jacket, turned on the heater, and looked at him, asking softly, “Why aren’t you sleeping? Not tired? Careful, you might not be able to get up tomorrow.”
“Sister Qianxin… are you sleeping here too?” Gu Yu asked the question burning in his mind. Yun Qianxin’s natural movements suggested she had no intention of sleeping in separate rooms.
“Of course. The other room hasn’t been made up yet.”
“That won’t do. It’s not good for your reputation, Sister Qianxin. I should go back and sleep.”
Gu Yu stood up, about to leave, but was immediately pinned down onto the bed by Yun Qianxin. She restrained his body with firm movements that brooked no resistance, yet her face remained warm and kind.
“I told you, you can’t refuse Sister. Does Xiao Yu really want to see me sad?”
“It’s not appropriate, Sister Qianxin. I’m almost an adult, not a child anymore.”
“So what? It’s just sleeping together. We aren’t doing anything. It’s so cold in your room; Sister doesn’t want you to freeze.”
“Actually, my blanket is quite thick. It’s not that cold.”
“If you refuse again, Sister will cry.” Yun Qianxin’s voice carried a hint of a sob, sounding weak and pitiful, yet the hand stroking Gu Yu’s face carried an undeniable weight.
“…Alright, we’ll sleep together.” Gu Yu hesitated for a few seconds before finally agreeing.
In Yun Qianxin’s eyes, he still seemed to be that ignorant little boy. She spoke to him as if she were taking care of an innocent child—somewhat casually and without any guard.
Gu Yu lay on the bed and covered himself, leaving more than half the space open. The shyness he felt toward the opposite sex made him instinctively maintain the furthest possible distance, even though they were in the same bed.
He saw Yun Qianxin take off her black thermal stockings, revealing snow-white, slender feet. She put on slippers and went to the bathroom to wash up. When she returned, her makeup was gone, her cheeks clean and fair—yet she remained peerlessly beautiful.
Gu Yu’s eyes secretly observed the woman standing with her back to him at the bedside. He saw Yun Qianxin suddenly begin to undress, grabbing the hem of her shirt and pulling it upward, revealing a waist that could be held in one hand.
“Sister… Sister Qianxin? I’m still here! Why are you undressing?”
“I have to change into pajamas. It doesn’t matter if Xiao Yu sees; Sister doesn’t mind.” Yun Qianxin spoke indifferently. Her shirt was already off, revealing a smooth, white back and perfect shoulder blades.
The straps of a black bra appeared in his sight—lace-edged, a most mature and sexy style. Gu Yu hurriedly closed his eyes and ducked his head under the covers.
There was movement in the bedding. He felt another person enter. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw Yun Qianxin, now in her pajamas, very close. She was lying on her side right in front of him, facing him.
“Did Xiao Yu peek just now?” The woman smiled warmly and brightly, her tone playful.
“I… I saw a little bit.””
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