Before Dawn

Silence settled all around.

The air seemed to grow warmer.

The next second, Qin Huairen pressed her palm against Wen Yuzhi’s forehead and pushed her away.

She gave her no pleasant expression.

“If you don’t move farther away, I’ll make you regret it.”

Wen Yuzhi chuckled softly and pulled the coat over to drape it on her.

“Your hands are cold. Don’t freeze.”

Qin Huairen snatched the coat and flung it behind her in flustered haste.

When people are embarrassed, they always look busy.

They had once stood even closer than this.

Each time, Qin Huairen refused to retreat.

As if giving an inch meant losing.

But never before had her face burned like this.

Her heart had been racing since earlier.

It must be lack of rest.

And the cold wind.

It was common sense that cheeks turned hot after warming up from the cold.

She was still persuading herself when the air fell quiet again.

The horizon faintly brightened.

The sun seemed to be climbing up.

“Your phone broke, right?” Wen Yuzhi spoke first.

It had indeed broken.

The screen was cracked and would not turn on.

A piece of the back casing had chipped off.

“With that kind of force, of course it broke.”

“If, and I mean if,” Wen Yuzhi slightly turned her head to glance at her, “if someone asks, say I already deleted the recording. I suggest letting me keep the phone.”

“Who needs your suggestion?”

Wen Yuzhi smiled faintly, as if expecting that answer.

“Fine. Keep it if you want. Just don’t let anyone see it.”

She did not name him.

But Qin Huairen was not stupid.

Wen Heyun would certainly cause trouble over it.

“You think he’ll believe you just because you say so?”

“It’s fine. I’ll make him believe.”

Wen Yuzhi bent her knees slightly and leaned her lower back against the railing.

Her hands rested casually behind her.

Qin Huairen stared at those naturally drooping fingers.

It was such a random posture.

Yet even her hands looked sculpted and elegant.

Even if she did not want to admit it, Wen Yuzhi was like a walking magazine spread.

Even leaning lazily against a railing, she radiated nobility.

Temperament was something that came from the bones.

It could not be imitated.

“What are you looking at?” Wen Yuzhi tilted her head.

Qin Huairen was caught staring.

She felt guilty but responded forcefully.

“What? I wasn’t looking at you.”

Wen Yuzhi could not help laughing.

“It’s fine if you look at me. Medically speaking, looking at beautiful things is good for your health.”

Qin Huairen had been caught too many times tonight.

“Try laughing again.”

Wen Yuzhi cleared her throat deliberately and composed herself.

“I won’t laugh.”

“And about what happened at my house tonight,” Wen Yuzhi began again.

Qin Huairen shook her head like a rattle drum and covered her ears.

“Not listening. Not listening.”

“You used to be curious.”

“That was before.”

Her tone sounded casual, yet calculated.

“I’m just an ordinary person. I don’t dare be curious.”

Wen Yuzhi had only meant to explain that her phone had been vibrating nonstop under the tree.

Since the school anniversary, it had not stopped ringing.

She ignored every call.

Finally Wen Heyun blocked her way.

It was his usual tactic.

To take her somewhere and force her compliance.

Only when she agreed to return home for Lantern Festival did the farce end.

The less genuine something was, the more it needed to be displayed.

Every holiday, the Wen family gathered to showcase harmony.

Wen Yuzhi let out a cold, mocking laugh.

Qin Huairen heard it and assumed it was directed at her.

Her irritation flared.

She pulled off the coat and stuffed it back into Wen Yuzhi’s arms.

She yanked off the scarf and hung it around her neck.

Then she walked away without looking back.

Lu Shiyu was waiting to treat their wounds.

Qin Huairen stepped aside and pointed at Wen Yuzhi.

“Treat her first. I’ll handle mine.”

Lu Shiyu glanced at Wen Yuzhi.

“Your injury is on your back. Let the doctor look first. If it’s not serious, you can treat it yourself.”

Wen Yuzhi’s tone was so gentle that even Lu Shiyu felt unaccustomed.

So she was not naturally cold after all.

Under their persuasion, Qin Huairen agreed.

But she insisted on returning to her hotel afterward.

Wen Yuzhi nodded.

In the medicine room, the scent of disinfectant filled the air.

Qin Huairen lifted her shirt.

Wen Yuzhi quietly pushed open the door.

Lu Shiyu had just opened her mouth when Wen Yuzhi gestured for silence.

“Is this okay?” Qin Huairen asked.

“It’s fine.”

Lu Shiyu was sharp.

Tonight had already been unusual.

The hotpot.

The soda prepared in advance.

Even the fact that someone with slight germaphobia had drunk from Qin Huairen’s bottle.

Piece by piece, it painted a picture.

Was President Wen falling in love?

But watching Qin Huairen’s reactions, something felt uneven.

Had Cupid only shot one arrow?

“No fractures.” Lu Shiyu replied when asked.

“Large areas of swelling and bruising. Best to apply medicine with massage.”

“I’ll do it myself.”

Lu Shiyu suggested daily outpatient treatment at Jingzhou First General Hospital.

Qin Huairen hesitated.

“Girls should treat themselves well.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

Qin Huairen knew whose favor this really was.

Before leaving, she asked softly, “Is there a bus nearby? Or can I get a taxi?”

“If you don’t mind, I can give you a ride.”

Lu Shiyu explained the plan to Wen Yuzhi.

Wen Yuzhi lowered her gaze slightly.

“I’ll send A-Ren first. Then take me to the company.”

It was already five in the morning when they left Swan Lake.

Qin Huairen could not lean back.

She sat sideways, facing the window.

The car was warm and quiet.

The familiar woody scent was calming.

Sleep overtook her all at once.

She tried to sit upright.

But when the car turned, her body swayed.

Wen Yuzhi immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Through the rearview mirror, Lu Shiyu watched.

Wen Yuzhi pulled Qin Huairen into her arms.

She let her head rest on her shoulder.

Then she tilted her own head gently against Qin Huairen’s.

Carefully smoothing her hair.

As if touching something precious.

The tenderness in her eyes was almost tangible.

And then.

She leaned closer.

Closer.

Lu Shiyu nearly stopped breathing.

Oh my God.

She kissed her.