Keep Your Distance

The very next second, Wen Yuzhi suddenly turned her head.

Their eyes collided in the rearview mirror.

Lu Shiyu felt guilty.

She had been sneaking glances back.

In the dim car light, two long-haired beauties leaning against each other looked like a movie poster.

It was breathtaking.

But this was President Wen.

The Wen family rules.

The wolves and tigers within that household.

How could she dare?

Along the drive, the pink bubbles in Lu Shiyu’s heart burst one by one.

Once they entered the city, there were more red lights.

Stop and go.

Qin Huairen slept restlessly.

Wen Yuzhi gently loosened her hold, her arm resting behind Qin Huairen’s neck.

Whenever she swayed, she could pull her back at once.

Lu Shiyu had seen much in her life.

She had no prejudice toward same-s*x love.

What shocked her was seeing the aloof eldest daughter of the Wen family now so attentive and tender toward someone else.

And even afraid of being noticed.

When the car turned, Qin Huairen’s head suddenly tilted.

With a dull thud, it hit Wen Yuzhi’s palm against the window.

She let out a sleepy hum.

Wen Yuzhi stroked her gently, like soothing a child.

Qin Huairen drifted back into sleep.

Lu Shiyu stared in disbelief.

Finally, the car stopped at the hotel entrance.

Qin Huairen still had not woken.

Wen Yuzhi stayed silent.

Lu Shiyu pretended to scroll her phone.

After a while, Qin Huairen shifted, as if dreaming.

Wen Yuzhi smoothed her arm lightly.

Suddenly, Qin Huairen flung her hand.

Smack.

Her palm struck Wen Yuzhi’s face.

She cried out and jolted awake.

Lu Shiyu jumped.

Wen Yuzhi showed no reaction.

“Did you have a nightmare?” she asked softly.

Qin Huairen stared blankly at her before coming back to herself.

“Are we there?”

“We’re here.”

Lu Shiyu stepped out to open the door.

Qin Huairen got down, but Wen Yuzhi caught her sleeve.

“Wear the coat.”

“No need.”

She brushed off her hand and hurried inside after thanking Lu Shiyu.

The sleep had been terrible.

In her dream, Wen Yuzhi was everywhere.

The worst part was nearly being bewitched by her beauty and almost kissing her, only to be slapped in return.

Then the dream shifted to high school.

Her concern had been mocked as ulterior motive.

Her sincerity trampled.

She did not think herself petty.

But she could not forget.

Back outside, Wen Yuzhi told Lu Shiyu she could leave.

Lu Shiyu hesitated but still reminded her.

“President Wen, you haven’t had a check-up in a long time. Have you been going elsewhere, or are you just too busy?”

“Busy.”

Wen Yuzhi waved her off.

“President Wen.”

Lu Shiyu called again.

“For Lantern Festival, your family arranged a blind date. Prepare yourself.”

Wen Yuzhi’s expression remained calm.

“I know.”

When Wen Yuzhi appeared at the hotel door, Qin Huairen froze.

Wen Yuzhi handed her an envelope.

Inside were tickets to the Su family’s special exhibition.

“No need.”

“I already have one. Ningning gave it to me.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing.”

Qin Huairen blocked the doorway.

“No more business, right?”

She moved to close the door.

Wen Yuzhi stopped it and handed over a bag.

“Breakfast.”

Qin Huairen looked her up and down.

Since their reunion, Wen Yuzhi had changed.

Too frequent.

Too attentive.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’ll skip breakfast after work. I thought you might.”

Qin Huairen widened her eyes.

That was exactly her plan.

Wen Yuzhi hung the bag on the handle and turned to leave.

“Why are you suddenly like this?” Qin Huairen called.

“Like what?”

“Still pretending?”

“You can be more direct.”

She opened the door wider, arms crossed.

“You’ve been awfully concerned about me lately.”

Wen Yuzhi’s smile stiffened.

“Whether I eat breakfast or not has nothing to do with you.”

Qin Huairen lifted the warm bag and handed it back.

“Take it. I won’t eat it.”

Wen Yuzhi did not accept it.

Qin Huairen grabbed her hand.

“Do you remember what you once said to me?”

Warmth from her fingers traveled upward.

Wen Yuzhi looked at her pale face under the light.

Dark circles under bright amber eyes.

Resistance and hurt within them.

“I said… whether I eat breakfast or not has nothing to do with you. Stop pretending to care.”

It was a wound from their past.

Qin Huairen smiled, but it did not reach her eyes.

“You remember. So stop pretending from now on.”

She turned, but Wen Yuzhi caught her wrist with her injured hand.

“Now what?”

She met sincere eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

Qin Huairen was almost amused.

“You apologize too? I’m surprised. So you do know it was wrong to treat sincerity as ill intent.”

“If I hurt you, I’ll make up for it any way I can.”

She offered the breakfast again.

“Start with this.”

“Who agreed?” Qin Huairen laughed dryly.

“You didn’t even ask me.”

“What would you prefer?”

Her eyes lit up slightly.

“Tell me.”

“Just one thing.”

“You say it.”

“Stay away from me.”

The door slammed shut.

Wen Yuzhi stared at the bag in her hand.

She raised it toward the trash can.

Then lowered it.

Food should not be wasted.

Downstairs, Yan Qing waited by the car.

Wen Yuzhi handed her the bag.

“For you.”

“For me?”

Yan Qing was touched.

Wen Yuzhi said nothing and got into the back seat.

Yan Qing nearly teared up in gratitude.

Meanwhile, Wen Yuzhi curled into the corner where Qin Huairen had sat.

She hid her reddened eyes.

She closed them and breathed in the lingering scent that belonged only to Qin Huairen.

Exhaustion pulled her under.

In her dream, she murmured hoarsely.

“A-Ren… A-Ren… A-Ren…”

“I’m sorry.”