Chapter 20: The Boss And Her White Little Lotus
Yu Zixue twirled a strand of her own hair, eyes wide, lips forming the perfect balance of naïve and flirty. "I… I'm just saying, it's… overwhelming. In a good way."
Lin Qinglan arched an eyebrow, mock - serious. "Overwhelming, huh? Be careful. Too many complaints, and I might have to discipline you."
"Oh no," Yu Zixue said, batting her eyelashes dramatically. "Discipline me? That would be… tragic. I could barely survive your — uh — supervision."
Lin Qinglan's lips quirked. "Keep testing me, and we'll see just how well you survive."
Yu Zixue feigned a faint shiver, leaning back slightly, hands folded gracefully over her torso, the perfect picture of a delicate, innocent girl — yet her playful grin betrayed every ounce of mischief. "I… I think I can manage. Somehow."
A pause lingered between them, thick with tension and playful heat. Yu Zixue had just begun to straighten, glancing toward the crew's preparations. "We should… start filming soon," she murmured softly.
Before she could pull away completely, Lin Qinglan's hand caught her wrist.
Without warning, Qinglan leaned in and kissed her again — deeper this time, more deliberate. The restraint from earlier fractured just slightly.
Yu Zixue let out a small, breathy sound before she could stop herself, fingers curling instinctively against Lin Qinglan's sleeve. Her cheeks flushed instantly.
"Q - Qinglan…" she whispered, voice trembling just enough to sound innocent rather than inviting. "We'll get caught… we — we really have to start filming…"
Her words lacked force. Her lashes fluttered, gaze hazy but still bright with that deceptive sweetness.
Lin Qinglan's eyes darkened at her reaction. She kissed her once more — slower now — before her tongue brushed lightly along Yu Zixue's lower lip in a teasing, unhurried gesture.
"Mm," Qinglan replied quietly, as if agreeing, though she didn't move right away.
She hesitated.
Not because she didn't want more.
But because she did.
She knew better than to push too far. Ruxue was still testing her, still that elusive, delicate flower pretending not to understand the fire she was playing with. Lin Qinglan would not scare her off now — not when she had finally drawn her this close.
"Alright," Lin Qinglan said at last, her voice calm again, almost cool. She stepped back, though her eyes lingered, studying every flicker of expression on Yu Zixue's face.
She hummed softly — low, subtle — just enough to acknowledge her compliance, though the warmth in her gaze betrayed more than she allowed.
Yu Zixue steadied her breathing, pressing her lips together as if flustered, though her heart danced triumphantly beneath her ribs.
So you do lose control, she thought sweetly.
Outwardly, she only lowered her gaze, smoothing her sleeve as though embarrassed.
Yu Zixue allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.
It was fleeting — soft as mist — gone almost the moment it appeared. She lowered her lashes, as though embarrassed by her own indulgence.
Careful, she reminded herself gently. Too obvious is dangerous.
Across from her, Lin Qinglan's gaze lingered.
"What is it?" Lin Qinglan asked, her voice calm but edged with quiet curiosity.
Yu Zixue blinked up at her, innocence returning effortlessly. "Nothing," she said lightly. "I was just… happy we're starting soon."
"Happy?" Lin Qinglan repeated, stepping half a pace closer. "You seem more than that."
Yu Zixue's fingers curled subtly at her sides. Her heartbeat skipped, but her expression remained tender, harmless. "It's my first day," she said softly. "Of course I'm excited."
Lin Qinglan studied her for a moment longer, then gave a faint hum. "Don't let excitement distract you."
Distract me? Yu Zixue thought sweetly. This is exactly what I've been waiting for.
"I won't," Yu Zixue replied obediently.
I wouldn't waste a single second of this, she added inwardly, warmth spreading quietly through her chest.
The crew's voices swelled around them, equipment adjusted, lights flickered, and schedules confirmed. The private tension between them dissolved into the structured rhythm of the studio.
The first day of filming officially arrived, and Yu Zixue's chest practically vibrated with excitement. Half a month of living day and night with Lin Qinglan — her precious heroine — was more than she could process rationally.
She jumped, twirled, spun in the living room, suitcase in hand, little squeals of delight escaping her lips like an unrestrained child. The sheer absurdity of her excitement made her giggle.
Unable to resist any longer, she flung herself into Lin Qinglan's arms, nuzzling the other's shoulder in a practiced display of spoiled affection. "I can't believe this! Half a month with you, Qinglan!" she whispered, voice barely above a breath yet charged with joy.
Lin Qinglan flexed her jaw slightly, feigning exasperation, yet made no move to push her away. "Ruxue…" she said, clipped yet playful, "you're already far too clingy."
"I'm not clingy!" Yu Zixue protested, tightening her hold subtly. "I'm… I'm devoted. Entirely devoted to you!"
Lin Qinglan arched a brow, letting a faint smile curve her lips. "Devoted, huh? You do know devotion comes with responsibilities, right?"
Yu Zixue tilted her head, pouting slightly. "Responsibilities? What responsibilities? All I need is to be with you, be spoil by you, follow you around…"
"Follow me around?" Lin Qinglan echoed with mock horror. "You sound like a very annoying shadow."
"I prefer 'adorable shadow,'" Yu Zixue countered, tugging lightly at Qinglan's sleeve. "Adorable, devoted, lovely shadow!"
Lin Qinglan sighed theatrically, but her dark eyes softened as she let the girl cling a little longer. "Fine. You can cling. But just a little. Don't get carried away, brat."
Yu Zixue grinned triumphantly, pressing her cheek against Qinglan's arm. "That's all I ask. Brat Ruxue is very happy today."
Lin Qinglan's lips twitched in amusement. "Hmph. You'll regret calling yourself a brat if I ever decide to punish you… later."
"Then I'll accept any punishment!" Yu Zixue said with a little squeak of delight, utterly unashamed. "Anything for you, Qinglan!"
Lin Qinglan let out a faint laugh, barely audible, but her hand rested lightly on Yu Zixue's back, steadying her. Despite the bratty tone, she allowed the spoiled affection, the subtle theatrics. "You're impossible, Ruxue," she murmured, a faint warmth threading through her words.
Yu Zixue's grin widened, triumphant, mischievous. "Impossible… just like Qinglan."
Lin Qinglan rolled her eyes, a low, amused hum escaping her lips. "Hmph. Maybe. But you're mine while filming. Don't forget that."
Yu Zixue snuggled closer, practically vibrating with joy, her thoughts spiraling. Mine… she said mine. The concept made her stomach quiver in the nicest way, a delicious, unsteady heat she tried to keep under wraps. "I'll never forget. Not even for a second."
Her system, Aiyu, silently judging with its mechanical precision, finally piped up. "Host, please don't forget your mission."
Yu Zixue pulled back slightly, flashing a mischievous grin. "Mission? Oh, right. Stop Lin Qinglan from falling in love with Yao Yinuo. Got it. But… what about me? Am I allowed to steal her heart instead?" She leaned closer, forehead brushing Lin Qinglan's, teasing the invisible line between casual closeness and something more.
Predictably, Aiyu had no response.
Yu Zixue leaned just a fraction closer as they walked, tilting her head innocently, letting her fingers graze Lin Qinglan's arm. Lin Qinglan… are you really okay with me being this close? she thought, eyes wide, a picture of delicate concern, lips curling ever so slightly.