The scene in front of her was almost unbearable.
Ye Ruihuan watched as the two on set pressed their hands to each other's faces, gazing deeply into one another's eyes. Their noses touched—so close they might kiss at any moment. A faint sharpness crept into Ye Ruihuan's gaze without her realizing it. The pair grew even more intimate, embracing tightly, half-reclining on the floor, their bodies pressed close.
Ye Ruihuan forced herself to look away, biting back the urge to storm over and tear them apart. But not long after, her eyes wandered back, involuntarily, laced with impatience.
A nearby crew member quickly approached. "Miss Ye, is there anything you need?"
"We're good, thank you." Assistant Li stepped forward to reply on her behalf.
The crew member followed her gaze to the stage—there stood the ever-controversial Lin Ruijiao alongside Chen Qing. Both actresses were performing well, the setting was in order, and everything seemed perfectly normal. It was clear now—this was the Lin Ruijiao from all the online gossip, the one rumored to be at odds with Ye Ruihuan. Whispers and knowing glances passed among the staff nearby.
Roughly half an hour later, the shoot wrapped up. No photographer dared take too long—not with President Ye watching from the sidelines. Lin Ruijiao and Chen Qing giggled as they chatted about the shoot's finer details. Mid-conversation, Lin Ruijiao suddenly turned her head and locked eyes with Ye Ruihuan. She froze. "{Why was she looking at her?"
"Ruijiao, Sister Ye is still here. Let's say hello before we go," Chen Qing suggested, tugging her over.
Instantly, all eyes shifted toward them. Even the on-site coordinator grew alert, worried something might erupt.
"Sister Ye, we'll be heading out now." Chen Qing waved cheerfully. Lin Ruijiao stood quietly at her side, hands by her sides, saying nothing.
Ye Ruihuan merely nodded, her expression cool as her gaze drifted elsewhere, as if unaffected. With that, the two women left to remove their makeup.
"Ruijiao, why didn't you say anything to her?" Chen Qing asked curiously. "You two aren't actually on bad terms, right?"
"It's just… a little awkward. Things blew up online, after all." Lin Ruijiao sighed softly.
"True… but don't let it bother you," Chen Qing said, smiling gently.
Back at the studio, Ye Ruihuan wore no visible expression. Makeup artists made their final touches while she carefully reined in her emotions.
Soon, she stepped onto the stage draped in a flowing crimson robe. The set had already been changed. Her indifferent demeanor was, ironically, perfect for the camera. Her costume was even more ornate than Lin Ruijiao's—delicately styled, with hairpins studded with gems and jade threaded into her glossy, jet-black hair.
Her gaze was commanding, her every movement steeped in authority. The cold elegance she radiated made her the embodiment of royalty, the perfect figure for a cover shoot. The photographer didn't dare pause, snapping away with praises spilling nonstop. They even took extra shots for backup—just in case.
But Ye Ruihuan didn't care about that. As her makeup was being removed, her mind wandered to one thing—when would her little rabbit come home?
"Xiao Li, do you have Lin Ruijiao's schedule?" she asked softly. The studio had emptied out.
Assistant Li immediately fetched her itinerary and handed it over. When Lin Ruijiao returned home, the villa was warmly lit. She knew immediately—Ye Ruihuan was in the living room. Normally, the first floor lights weren't on unless someone was there.
She sighed quietly. She'd nearly forgotten they lived together. It was still hard to get used to.
"Ruihuan," she greeted softly, nodding toward Ye Ruihuan curled up on the couch.
"You're back," Ye Ruihuan said, eyes still on the television. She held a wine glass, wrapped in a soft fluffy robe—cozy in appearance, yet her expression remained distant and cold. Even the way her black hair fell over her shoulders seemed to carry a chill.
Unbothered, Lin Ruijiao headed straight upstairs. Her assistant Jing Jing quietly slipped away to her own room. From the moment Lin Ruijiao entered, Ye Ruihuan had been watching—her gaze subtle, hidden in the corners of her vision.
She knew her rabbit's habits by heart. Lin Ruijiao would go wash up first, then head straight to bed. With her tight schedule, rest was a rare luxury.
So when Ye Ruihuan crept silently to her door and heard the soft sound of running water, she pushed the door open, slipped inside with her wine in hand, and closed it behind her without a sound.
When Lin Ruijiao emerged from the bathroom, ready to collapse into bed, she froze.
Ye Ruihuan, the last person she expected to see, sat inside.
For a second, all her emotions showed—shock, followed by silent exasperation. "So that's why she didn't stop me downstairs... she was waiting here."
At a loss, she gripped her pajama pants tightly and said nothing. Pretending not to see her, Lin Ruijiao climbed into bed, ignoring the figure on the small couch behind her.
"You're done washing up?" Ye Ruihuan asked, stepping closer with her wine glass. "Want a drink?"
She offered it gently. "Just a little—it'll help you sleep."
Lin Ruijiao eyed the pale liquid fizzing with bubbles and swallowed nervously. "N-no thanks…"
"One sip won't hurt." Ye Ruihuan's hand didn't lower.
"…Fine…" It smelled nice, and she hadn't had a drink in ages. A little wouldn't hurt. Besides, it might help her sleep.
So much for her vow to never drink again. Lin Ruijiao took the glass, sipped it tentatively—sweetness burst across her tongue, so good she took another.
Ye Ruihuan's lips curved with satisfaction. Looks like her little rabbit wasn't just a lightweight—she was a bit of a wine lover, too. All her efforts hadn't been for nothing. Sitting at the edge of the bed, Ye Ruihuan smiled softly, her gaze gentle and affectionate.
"Ruihuan, I'm not drinking anymore." Lin Ruijiao handed back the half-full glass, her face flushed with a hint of shyness.
Ye Ruihuan took it and set it on the table. Her own glass, however, remained in her hand.
"I'm going to sleep now, Ruihuan." Lin Ruijiao's cheeks were tinged pink, her voice soft and delicate.
Ye Ruihuan's eyes dimmed slightly. That was a clear dismissal. She walked toward the table, took another sip, and placed her glass down.
Lin Ruijiao assumed she was finally leaving—but then, Ye Ruihuan suddenly closed the distance between them. She cupped the back of Lin Ruijiao's head with one hand and pinned her wrists down with the other.
A shock of sensation exploded across Lin Ruijiao's lips.
The taste of sweet wine flooded her mouth—intense, unrelenting. Before she could react, she had already swallowed it down.