The wine had transformed Ye Ruihuan into something altogether different—her usual composed elegance melted away like snow beneath spring sunshine, revealing a warmth that seemed to radiate from within. Even her wine-dampened lips held a new allure, soft and inviting in the lamplight.
"I'm not drunk," Lin Ruijiao protested, fighting to keep her eyes wide despite their glassy, unfocused sheen. "Stop laughing at me..." Her words slurred together prettily, her cheeks flushed rose-pink, even her lips glowing with an enchanting blush that made her look like a watercolor painting come to life.
Something tender flickered in Ye Ruihuan's expression as she watched her struggle. "Of course not," she murmured, her voice taking on an indulgent quality she rarely allowed herself. "You're perfectly fine."
"I need to go to my room." Lin Ruijiao attempted to stand with determined stubbornness, swaying dangerously as she took her first unsteady step.
Ye Ruihuan rose swiftly to support her, marveling at how such a small amount of wine could fell someone so completely. One glass, she thought with fond exasperation. Just one glass and she's completely gone.
Not that she minded. This version of Lin Ruijiao—uninhibited and vulnerable—was infinitely more endearing than her usual guarded self.
Their progress toward the bedroom was a comedy of errors, Lin Ruijiao weaving unpredictably while Ye Ruihuan tried to keep her upright. Each stumble sent them both swaying, a graceless dance that somehow felt more intimate than any choreographed movement.
"Shower," Lin Ruijiao announced once they reached her room, clutching her nightgown like a lifeline as she aimed herself toward the bathroom. "Need to shower..."
Seeing her like this, Ye Ruihuan couldn't feel at ease. She hadn't planned to leave anyway, so she silently stayed by her side, protecting her as she entered the bathroom.
"Go away..." Lin Ruijiao pushed her lightly, without any strength, looking soft and floating, her unclear words sounding like she was acting coquettishly with Ye Ruihuan.
"Alright." Her throat rolled as her gaze remained locked on her throughout.
Seeing her slowly but skillfully preparing everything, Ye Ruihuan stepped back two paces, and then the door was closed from inside.
Ye Ruihuan had to sit by her bed and wait quietly. The sound of the shower inside was rushing like a beautiful, wonderful dance tune. Ye Ruihuan lay down on the bed, closing her eyes greedily. At this moment, she could even imagine what kind of beautiful scene it would be in the bathroom—mist everywhere, the little rabbit's graceful figure hidden in the hazy fog, smooth skin covered with water droplets, seductive and alluring, plus her face flushed red from the steam, like a sweet and juicy peach that made one want to take a bite.
Ye Ruihuan couldn't help swallowing, her face blushing three degrees deeper. She was probably drunk too.
When the water finally stopped, Ye Ruihuan forced herself upright, preparing to resume her caretaker role. Lin Ruijiao emerged in a cloud of fragrant steam, practically glowing in her delicate lace nightgown that left little to the imagination.
"Don't," Lin Ruijiao murmured when Ye Ruihuan moved to steady her, but her protest was weak, more reflex than genuine resistance. The push she gave was butterfly-soft, sending warmth spreading through Ye Ruihuan's chest instead of creating distance.
Despite the short distance, the two took several minutes to walk. Lin Ruijiao, swaying left and right, wore a thin lace camisole nightgown, with large areas of skin exposed at the front. A rich, pleasant fragrance lingered around Ye Ruihuan's nostrils. She forcibly controlled her gaze from looking at her body, and in the moments she lowered her eyes, her throat unconsciously swallowed.
This beautiful scene was too gorgeous. Ye Ruihuan was really afraid she couldn't help but pounce on her. It seemed she couldn't let the little white rabbit drink outside in the future. Her eyes darkened, flames of suppression seemingly burning hotly in her pupils. Helplessly, Ye Ruihuan released her arm.
Lin Ruijiao collapsed onto the bed with boneless grace, spreading herself across the mattress in a sprawl that was both utterly innocent and completely captivating. Her face disappeared into the pillows, leaving only the elegant curve of her spine visible. Despite everything, Ye Ruihuan couldn't suppress her smile. Even drunk, Lin Ruijiao was impossibly endearing.
Immediately, she licked her lip corner, turned Lin Ruijiao over, covered her with the blanket, leaving only a red little face exposed outside—smooth and gorgeous, tempting like a watery red apple. Her eyes couldn't help becoming deep and dark. Finally, she couldn't resist leaning down to place a kiss on her moist, delicate red lips.
Soft and sweet, she couldn't help gently biting once.
Lin Ruijiao seemed to sense something and reached up to touch her own face. Ye Ruihuan quickly dodged away, smiling as she looked at Lin Ruijiao, drunk and unconscious on the bed.
After a moment, as if making some decision, she lay down beside her, carefully smelling her fragrance, wanting to devour Lin Ruijiao entirely. She buried her face deeply in her neck twice. The smooth skin made her have wicked thoughts again, and vivid scenes flashed in her mind. Such a cute and obedient Jiaojiao was rare to see.
Immediately, she moved closer again, gently caressing her moist lips, greedily seeking this moment of warmth and softness. Finally, she pried open her lips and teeth, exploring with her tongue tip, drawing in the sweet breath.
The confused Lin Ruijiao muttered some sleep talk, reached out to push her away, then turned over with her back to Ye Ruihuan.
Ye Ruihuan licked her lip corner, her eyes shimmering. The cold, arrogant, and superior Ye Ruihuan seemed like a completely different person—gorgeous and seductive, her rose-red lips moist and full, as if she had applied lipstick, her features filled with satisfaction. She composed herself, finally placing a kiss on her ear tip, then turned and left, reluctance and attachment flashing in her eyes.
When she came out, she happened to encounter Lin Ruijiao's assistant.
"She's sleeping," Ye Ruihuan said, her voice rough with emotions she couldn't name. "No need to disturb her."
"Alright, Boss Ye." Jing Jing had always been paying attention to the dynamics between the two of them. Sister Lin was drunk, and Boss Ye went to take care of her. She didn't know what Sister Lin's reaction would be when she sobered up. Jingjing, who turned and left with her, sighed softly. "Sister Lin didn't seem to like Boss Ye very much."
Alone in her own room, Ye Ruihuan lay awake staring at the ceiling, her lips still tingling from those forbidden kisses. Since moving to the villa, her sleep had improved dramatically—no more restless nights, no more fragmented dreams that left her aching and confused.
Or rather, the dreams had changed. Now they were vivid, coherent narratives where Lin Ruijiao looked at her with adoration instead of wariness, where gentle touches were welcomed rather than tolerated. In these dreams, she was Lin Ruijiao's entire world, just as Lin Ruijiao had somehow become hers.
One thing, however, was becoming increasingly clear with each passing day: she was falling in love with Lin Ruijiao—not just the dreamed version, but the real woman who challenged her, frustrated her, and made her feel more alive than she had in years. But the dream fragments were all discontinuous and incoherent. Too little information prevented her from piecing them together, unable to know what happened in the dreams.
She vaguely felt this might be her and Lin Ruijiao's past life, or something like a parallel world existence. Otherwise, these scenes that matched reality so closely, she really couldn't explain.
The realization should have terrified her. Instead, it felt like coming home.