Jiang Ran struck a pose awkwardly.
The camera lamp flashed, and as Jiang Ran turned her head, she noticed Tao Xixue’s towering, ample chest resting steadily on the table.
Noticing the gaze, Tao Xixue extended her snow-white fingers and lifted Jiang Ran’s chin, forcing the girl to meet her eyes.
“What’s wrong, little one? Why are you looking at me? Look at the camera.”
“Okay… okay.”
Jiang Ran turned her head, her gaze landing on the lens before instinctively drifting down toward the table.
Tao Xixue pressed a button on the studio light, the glow making both their faces appear bright and pale.
“Alright, next set of photos.”
Jiang Ran stood up and went to the changing room.
She froze as she pulled off her last piece of clothing; hanging on the wall was a black-and-white maid outfit.
“Jiang Ran, hurry up. You’ve already been in the room for five minutes.”
“I… I understand.”
Jiang Ran bit her lip.
She grabbed the clothes, gritted her teeth, and pulled them on.
Tugging at the hem of her skirt, Jiang Ran stepped out of the room again.
She looked up to see Tao Xixue sitting on the edge of the bed, patting the mattress.
“Come here.”
Jiang Ran did as she was told.
She sat on the bed numbly, keeping her head down, unwilling to say anything.
Tao Xixue was clearly dissatisfied with Jiang Ran’s coldness.
“Student Jiang, why aren’t you saying anything?”
“I… have nothing to say.”
“Is it that you don’t want to talk, or you don’t dare to? Fine, I don’t mean to make things difficult for you. This time, I want you to help me film a short Vlog.”
“A short Vlog?”
Jiang Ran looked up, her brow furrowed in confusion.
She had not yet processed the previous situation.
“That’s right, just a short video. Here, these are the props. Use the fork to feed me some cake.”
Tao Xixue placed a cream cake in Jiang Ran’s hands.
The distance between them began to shrink until they were almost pressed together.
Feeling the radiating heat from Tao Xixue’s body, Jiang Ran realized the woman’s chest was pressing against her.
She thought about the money Tao Xixue had transferred to her yesterday and gritted her teeth.
She accepted the cake and then stared at it blankly.
“Feed me. What are you waiting for?”
Tao Xixue urged her, her expression still as gentle as before.
“Alright.”
Jiang Ran gripped the spoon, scooped up some cream, and stuffed it toward Tao Xixue’s cherry-red lips.
Just as she was about to withdraw the spoon for a second bite, Tao Xixue bit down on it.
She kept one eye closed, winking at Jiang Ran.
‘Is it… not tasty?’
Jiang Ran tugged at the spoon again, but it remained motionless, as if it were permanently fixed in Tao Xixue’s mouth.
Tao Xixue placed one hand on Jiang Ran’s waist, gradually moving it down to press lightly against her leg.
Seeing Jiang Ran shrink back, Tao Xixue released her teeth from the spoon.
Jiang Ran prepared to feed her another spoonful, but unexpectedly, a dollop of cream slid off and dripped onto Jiang Ran’s leg.
She was about to wipe it away, but Tao Xixue beat her to it.
“Don’t let it go to waste; the food is dirty now.”
“It’s nothing. The cake is delicious, so I couldn’t help but want to savor it more. Student Jiang, do you want a more profitable part-time job? Is your usual allowance enough to live on?”
Jiang Ran was stunned.
‘This development is a little strange.
It’s quite similar to the plots of those short Japanese films I used to watch under my covers.’
“It’s enough. This money is already enough to cover my medical expenses.”
“Is that so? But doesn’t that mean the money left for your daily life is effectively less? You’ve been staying very close to Su Wanqing lately. Could it be because of money issues as well?”
Tao Xixue’s gaze landed on Jiang Ran, becoming more scrutinizing.
She was like an electric drill, trying to find a crack in the girl’s armor she could pry open.
Jiang Ran clutched the hem of her skirt with both hands and lowered her head.
“No, the President and I just have a normal relationship. She’s very good to me, like a Sister…”
Thinking of the text message from last night, Jiang Ran slightly adjusted the lines Su Wanqing had given her.
‘Maybe if I do this, Tao Xixue will lose interest in me?’
However, Jiang Ran still underestimated Tao Xixue’s level of mischief.
Completely immersed in her role, Tao Xixue seemed to be enjoying this game of “hunting,” the expressions on her face changing unpredictably.
She pinched Jiang Ran’s hand.
“It seems Su Wanqing takes very good care of you. No wonder she came to me to inquire about your situation.”
Jiang Ran’s eyes widened.
“She came to find you?”
“Yes. Surprisingly, she pleaded for mercy on your behalf. It seems Su Wanqing really does care about you.”
“I… I see. Then I should thank her. Thank you for telling me this.”
Jiang Ran tried her best to act pleasantly surprised, but her relaxed hands betrayed her true thoughts.
Tao Xixue was fueling the fire, preparing to taste the small flutter of emotion rising in Jiang Ran’s heart.
But to her surprise, she didn’t sense any emotion at all.
Calm… it was incredibly calm.
For the first time, Tao Xixue looked at Jiang Ran in shock.
She hadn’t expected this girl to be completely different from how she appeared on the surface.
Her expression was clearly excited, yet her heart was dead quiet.
This meant she had absolutely no feelings for Su Wanqing.
‘Then why is she acting so excited?’
A thought bloomed in Tao Xixue’s eyes.
She suddenly became curious about what it would feel like if Jiang Ran actually fell in love.
She tightened her grip and pulled Jiang Ran into her arms, her hair brushing against Jiang Ran’s cheek.
“Actually, you think Su Wanqing is really annoying, don’t you?”
“Huh? Is that so? I… I just think she’s very good to me.”
“Is that right? But has she never interfered excessively in your life? For example, asking too many questions or messaging you for no reason in the morning or at night?”
“I suppose so. Maybe she’s just very enthusiastic.”
“Wrong. Do you think enthusiasm alone can push someone to keep messaging like that? It means she definitely cares about you. Student Jiang, in my view, you two are more than just friends. Just now, you were clearly excited to learn she cares about you. Could it be that you’re in some kind of underground relationship?”
Jiang Ran’s eyes widened instantly.
“No… definitely not! It’s just that the President plays games with me, so we have a lot to talk about.”
“I see. If I told you there was a way to make her stop bothering your normal life in the future, would you be willing to try it?”
Tao Xixue’s purple eyes studied Jiang Ran with a hint of playfulness.
Upon realizing Jiang Ran had no feelings for Su Wanqing, she suddenly felt an unknown fire burning within her.
Rarity increases value.
A child being fought over like this must be the most delicious.
‘How wonderful would it be to have a little thing like this curled up next to you while you sleep?’
Hearing Tao Xixue’s suggestion, Jiang Ran nodded.
“I do. I don’t really want President Su to worry too much about me.”
“What a good, obedient child. The method isn’t difficult. I have a Ball coming up soon. You will accompany me, and we’ll take some photos. At that time, I will announce that you are a Photography External Hire for House Tao. From then on, you’ll be my assistant. Once the term of service is over, I’ll give you back your freedom. How does that sound?”
“This…”
Jiang Ran was stunned.
She felt that Tao Xixue’s suggestion was very strange, carrying an inexplicable sense of ambiguity.
Logically, the Plot was supposed to be her, the Yellow Hair, stealing the female lead.
Why had things developed this way?
Just as Jiang Ran was about to wave her hand and avoid answering the question, her phone rang at just the right moment.
The caller ID displayed—Su Wanqing.
Tao Xixue was quick, pressing the answer button.
Under Jiang Ran’s resentful gaze, an anxious female voice came from the speaker.
“Jiang Ran, where are you right now!”