In an instant, Ye Ruihuan's wine glass stopped swirling. Silence enveloped them like a heavy blanket, and time itself seemed to pause at Lin Ruijiao's words. The smile on Ye Ruihuan's lips faded as a probing darkness flickered in her eyes.
"In that case, shouldn't you be thrilled? Landing a sugar mama, clinging to powerful coattails—and your target happens to be your beloved idol, no less." Ye Ruihuan leaned closer, her clear voice taking on a husky undertone, though her words carried an unsettling playfulness.
Lin Ruijiao stared back in stunned silence, her pink lips parted slightly, full and glistening as if inviting a taste. Ye Ruihuan's gaze swept downward, her throat tightening. She leaned forward and pressed a restrained kiss to the corner of Lin Ruijiao's mouth.
"Tell me, does this look like someone who's into women?" Her voice carried a magnetic rasp, eyes sparkling with seductive mischief, her expression one of complete satisfaction.
Lin Ruijiao covered her mouth in shock, shaking her head frantically like a bobblehead, terrified that any response might encourage Ye Ruihuan to follow through on whatever she was thinking.
'If I can't provoke her, at least I can avoid her."
"Come on." Ye Ruihuan swirled her wine glass one final time and drained it completely.
Crimson liquid stained Ye Ruihuan's delicate lips. She raised her thumb to wipe it away, then drew it between her teeth. A flush spread across her exquisite features, paired with those intoxicated eyes, creating a devastatingly seductive image.
Her usual cool demeanor had been swept away by wine's influence, transforming her into an utterly enchanting temptress. Lin Ruijiao couldn't help but swallow hard as she stood to follow.
"Oh, my hair's still damp. Could you blow-dry it for me?" Ye Ruihuan's eyes were hazy with drink, her dazzling smile making her appear genuinely intoxicated.
"Of course." Lin Ruijiao nodded obediently.
Ye Ruihuan immediately climbed onto the bed, sitting cross-legged with her back turned.
Lin Ruijiao picked up the hair dryer and settled on the bed's edge, gently running her fingers through the silky strands as she sectioned and dried them. The lustrous black hair slipped smoothly between her fingers, her pale, slender digits weaving through the soft ends.
"All done." Lin Ruijiao finally set the dryer aside.
"Thank you, little rabbit. Come sleep now." The drowsy Ye Ruihuan lay down, patting the space beside her.
"...Alright." Lin Ruijiao's fingers found the tie of her robe. After slipping it off to reveal a thin nightgown underneath, she bounded onto the bed like a startled rabbit, pulling the covers up to her chin and denying Ye Ruihuan even a glimpse of skin.
Ye Ruihuan appeared to have succumbed to wine-induced sleep, eyes closed, rolling back and forth across the bed before finally turning to face Lin Ruijiao, draping an arm across her waist.
The sudden weight made Lin Ruijiao tense. Unable to see Ye Ruihuan's expression from her position, she could only judge by the steady, rhythmic breathing that the other woman had fallen asleep. In the quiet room, the anxious Lin Ruijiao gradually drifted off, lulled by the occasional waft of wine's fragrance.
But the supposedly sleeping Ye Ruihuan opened her eyes, lips curving into a smile. This little rabbit was so easily deceived. Hadn't she noticed the performance? That small amount of wine could hardly make her drunk. She reached out to poke the soft flesh at Lin Ruijiao's waist—no reaction. She really was asleep.
Then she tugged gently at the hem of Lin Ruijiao's nightgown. Feeling the discomfort, Lin Ruijiao turned over in her sleep, now facing her directly. Ye Ruihuan's smile deepened. The little rabbit had no defenses whatsoever when asleep. If only she were this compliant when awake.
She brushed away the hair from Lin Ruijiao's face. In the dim gray darkness, she could barely make out the peaceful expression—serene and docile, like a pristine white rabbit, absolutely adorable.
Unable to resist, she caressed Lin Ruijiao's cheek—so soft. Her fingers traced the delicate nose before settling on those lips—soft, sweet, and tantalizingly full. Everything about her seemed designed to tempt mischief.
Ye Ruihuan's thumb gently rubbed against those tender lips, her eyes gleaming with indecipherable light, a flash of longing crossing her gaze. Memories spilled out like an overturned jar, flooding her mind with recent dreams that played on endless repeat. Her throat worked as her eyes filled with nothing but devotion.
In a moment of weakness, she leaned down to kiss those lips, her hands settling possessively on Lin Ruijiao's waist before burying her head in the curve of that graceful neck, pulling her close. In the silence, their breathing mingled, and Ye Ruihuan could hear only her own thundering heartbeat. She bit her lip, eyes reddening.
Finally, she released a soft sigh, unable to resist pressing another kiss to that tender neck, her tongue darting out to taste the delicate skin. After an internal struggle, she settled for holding Lin Ruijiao close as she tried to sleep.
When Lin Ruijiao awoke, she found herself trapped in Ye Ruihuan's tight embrace. She blinked, confirming that she hadn't drunk anything the night before, certainly hadn't been intoxicated—so how had she ended up in Ye Ruihuan's arms?
A quick, subtle check confirmed her clothes were undisturbed.
The seemingly sound-asleep Ye Ruihuan suddenly spoke: "Don't move. Sleep a little longer." Her embrace tightened.
That clear voice, heavy with lazy magnetism, was utterly intoxicating. Lin Ruijiao studied Ye Ruihuan's sleeping face—serene and gentle, with no trace of her usual imperious demeanor. Instead, that flawless face bore a rosy flush, appearing soft and beautiful, a sight for sore eyes.
Unable to resist lingering on the view, Lin Ruijiao finally resigned herself to closing her eyes again, mentally strategizing how to handle Ye Ruihuan going forward. But this embrace was so warm, filled with such sweet fragrance that it clouded Lin Ruijiao's resolve.
As light from the window grew brighter—though she couldn't tell the time—Ye Ruihuan finally stirred. Her open eyes held pure tenderness, softening her usual coolness into something resembling a gentle beauty.
"You're quite restless in your sleep," she said with obvious amusement.
Lin Ruijiao detected something almost indulgent in her tone.
"I am not. You're the restless one," she replied with wide, misty eyes, her bitten lower lip a soft pink.
"Yes, yes, I'm the restless one." Ye Ruihuan couldn't help but linger on the sight before getting out of bed.
Lin Ruijiao sat up, her gaze inevitably falling on Ye Ruihuan's exposed skin—luminous and pale, with a generous expanse revealed at her chest, her delicate collarbones swaying tantalizingly before Lin Ruijiao's eyes. She couldn't help but look away, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
Ye Ruihuan had definitely been acting strange lately, speaking oddly, as if she'd become... gentle. The moment that word occurred to her, Lin Ruijiao started in surprise. How could she possibly think of Ye Ruihuan as gentle? It had to be an illusion.
When Ye Ruihuan emerged from the bathroom, she found Lin Ruijiao sitting on the bed in a daze, an adorable cowlick sticking up from her head. Smiling softly, she climbed back onto the bed and reached out to smooth down the unruly hair, her long fingers working the messy strands into submission.
Lin Ruijiao looked up at her with wide, misty, unfocused eyes.
Ye Ruihuan finally couldn't resist, leaning down to kiss her lips.
A fresh, clean taste filled her senses. Lin Ruijiao's eyes flew wide open, and she instinctively pushed Ye Ruihuan away.
Ye Ruihuan's smile faltered for a moment before her lips curved into a teasing grin. "What's wrong? Was that uncomfortable?" She reached out to caress Lin Ruijiao's face with infinite gentleness.