Unexpected Sanctuary, Unsettling Revelation

The darkness outside her window was absolute when Xiang Qing finally awoke.

Her head throbbed intensely, and a heavy sensation lingered in her chest.

Propping herself up, she realized she was covered by a thin blanket.

“Are you awake?”

Shen Lanzhi approached, carrying a glass of warm water.

Her bathrobe’s sash was loosely tied, revealing the delicate curve of her collarbone.

Her hair was casually swept back, with a few stray strands framing her ears.

Xiang Qing accepted the glass, took a sip, and then spoke.

“Where is that madwoman from earlier?”

“She’s gone,” Shen Lanzhi replied, settling beside her.

“After the police arrived, she quieted down considerably.”

“That’s it?” Xiang Qing’s brow furrowed.

“She smashed my window, and they just let her off so easily?”

Shen Lanzhi shook her head.

“At the time, she was still making a huge fuss, claiming you were friends and it was just a quarrel.”

“The police told her to pay compensation, and she gave five thousand yuan to you.”

Xiang Qing paused, taken aback.

“Five thousand?”

“Yes, I held onto it for you.”

Shen Lanzhi gestured towards the money on the coffee table.

“She was quite hysterical then, and I was worried that if we pushed her too hard, something truly awful might happen, so I agreed to a settlement on your behalf.”

“You don’t blame me, do you?”

Gazing at the stack of banknotes on the coffee table, Xiang Qing’s emotions felt intricate.

Five thousand yuan was certainly not a small sum.

Yet, the mere thought of Gu Wei’s frenzied face sent a chill down her spine.

“I don’t blame you,” Xiang Qing said, waving a hand dismissively.

“I would have done the same.”

“There’s no telling what that madwoman might do.”

Shen Lanzhi let out a breath of relief.

“I was truly worried she might harm you.”

“When she left, she kept looking back several times, as if she had more to say.”

“Let’s not worry about her anymore.” Xiang Qing set down the glass.

“Thank you.”

“If it weren’t for you, I honestly don’t know what I would have done today.”

Shen Lanzhi smiled.

“We’re neighbors, it’s only right.”

Xiang Qing rose to her feet, picking up the money from the coffee table.

“I should head back now; my place is a mess and needs tidying.”

“It’s so late already; why not wait until tomorrow?” Shen Lanzhi voiced her concern.

“What if that woman comes back?”

Xiang Qing considered her words; it was indeed a possibility.

Still, she longed to return to her own home.

She always felt uneasy staying at someone else’s place.

“It’s fine, I’ll just make sure the door is locked securely.” Xiang Qing moved towards the entrance.

“Thank you for all your trouble today.”

Shen Lanzhi escorted her to the door, deliberately peering down the hallway.

“If anything happens, just knock; I’m usually home.”

Xiang Qing nodded, then returned to her apartment.

The moment she opened the door, the devastation in her living room made her heart ache.

Glass shards littered the floor, the curtains were ripped into strips, and footprints marred the sofa.

‘How much would it cost to fix all this?’

As Xiang Qing swept up the glass fragments, her mind was still preoccupied with Gu Wei.

‘Would she truly give up?’

Gazing at the shattered window, Xiang Qing’s fear intensified with every passing thought.

‘What if that madwoman crept over in the middle of the night?’

She gritted her teeth, then spun around and headed back out.

‘Forget it, I’ll just go back to Shen Lanzhi’s place to sleep.’

“What’s wrong?” Shen Lanzhi quickly rose when she saw Xiang Qing return.

“After thinking about it, I’m still a bit scared,” Xiang Qing admitted, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

“Would it be alright if I stayed at your place for the night?”

“Of course!” Shen Lanzhi immediately began preparing the room.

“You can sleep in the bed; I’ll take the floor.”

“No, please, I’ll just sleep on the sofa.”

“How could I let you do that?” Shen Lanzhi waved her hand.

“You’ve been through such a fright; I can’t possibly let you sleep on the sofa.”

Xiang Qing tried to decline again, but Shen Lanzhi was already spreading the bedsheets.

This gentle, older sister figure certainly instilled a sense of security.

A warmth spread through Xiang Qing’s heart, and she suddenly remembered the five thousand yuan.

“Oh, here, this is for you.” She pulled the money from her bag.

“Thank you for all your trouble today.”

Shen Lanzhi paused, bewildered.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s a token of my gratitude.” Xiang Qing offered the money.

“If it weren’t for you, I truly wouldn’t know what I’d do today.”

“I won’t take it.” Shen Lanzhi gently pushed her hand away.

“Neighbors help each other; there’s no reason to accept money for it.”

“But—”

“There are no ‘buts‘,” Shen Lanzhi stated firmly.

“My family isn’t short on money; the inheritance my parents left me is enough for a lifetime.”

Xiang Qing’s heart stirred.

‘So Shen Lanzhi actually came from such a wealthy background?’

‘No wonder she lived alone in such a nice house and didn’t even have to work.’

“In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony.” Xiang Qing put the money away, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled.

Five thousand yuan secured, along with a safe place to sleep.

Although she had been tormented by that madwoman today, the overall result was still rather good.

Watching her smile, Shen Lanzhi’s own heart brightened with joy.

“Go change into your pajamas in the room; I’ll finish tidying up.”

“Thank you, Sister,” Xiang Qing cooed sweetly.

Shen Lanzhi’s face flushed, and her heart inexplicably quickened its pace.

‘That girl’s address melted her heart.’

Xiang Qing entered the bedroom, closing the door behind her with a casual motion.

In the living room, Shen Lanzhi tidied the teacups, her movements gentle, occasionally glancing towards the bedroom.

Xiang Qing shed her jacket and was about to unbutton her shirt when, from the corner of her eye, she suddenly caught sight of a figure in the crack of the door.

She whipped her head around, her gaze colliding directly with Shen Lanzhi’s peering eyes.

“Ah!” Shen Lanzhi gasped in alarm, quickly retracting her head.

Xiang Qing froze for a few seconds, then pushed open the door.

“Sister Lanzhi, what are you looking at?”

Shen Lanzhi’s face was as red as a ripe apple, and she stammered.

“I… I was worried the pajamas wouldn’t fit you, and I felt too awkward to ask directly, so I just secretly took a peek.”

“Is that all?” Xiang Qing let out a sigh of relief.

“I thought it was something serious.”

Shen Lanzhi grew even more embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to.”

“It’s nothing, really,” Xiang Qing said, waving her hand, a subtle warmth spreading through her heart.

“You’re so concerned about me; I’m grateful beyond words.”

It had truly been a long time since anyone had shown her such genuine concern.

Xiang Qing continued changing, leaving the door ajar this time.

Shen Lanzhi stood by the doorway, her eyes flickering, fingers tightly gripping the doorframe.

“All done.” Xiang Qing slipped on the pink pajamas, then turned and patted the bed.

“Let’s sleep together.”

Shen Lanzhi’s eyes widened.

“Together?”

“We’re both girls, there’s nothing to be shy about.” Xiang Qing climbed into bed, beckoning to her.

“The bed is huge; there’s more than enough room for two.”

Shen Lanzhi’s heart pounded, and the flush on her face deepened.

“Th-then alright.”

She switched off the light and fumbled her way onto the bed in the darkness.

As they lay down, their bodies pressed close, Xiang Qing could even feel Shen Lanzhi’s warmth.

‘This feels a bit strange.’

Xiang Qing shifted slightly to the side.

Shen Lanzhi immediately pressed closer, unmoving, staring intently at her.

Xiang Qing’s skin crawled.

“Wh-what’s wrong with you?”

Shen Lanzhi remained silent, her gaze unsettlingly peculiar.

The air was terrifyingly still.

Xiang Qing’s heart raced, a dreadful premonition rising within her.

Suddenly, Shen Lanzhi broke the silence.

“Qingqing, do you know?”

“I’ve lived alone for so many years; I’m truly lonely.”

Her voice, remarkably clear in the darkness, held a subtle tremor.

“My parents passed away early, leaving me this house and some money.”

“Over the years, I’ve thought about finding a companion, and I’ve been on several blind dates.”

Xiang Qing’s heart gave a jolt; she sensed something was amiss with these words.

“But those men, they just annoyed me to look at,” Shen Lanzhi confessed, turning onto her side, her breathing growing increasingly rapid.

“Only later did I realize that I don’t like men at all.”

Xiang Qing froze instantly.

“Girls are so wonderful, gentle and soft, fragrant and warm, so incredibly comfortable to hold,” Shen Lanzhi’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“Just like you…”

‘Holy hell!’

Alarm bells screamed in Xiang Qing’s mind.

‘What kind of predatory words were these?’

“Haha, Sister Lanzhi, what are you talking about?” she feigned ignorance.

“It’s so hot; I think I’ll just sleep on the floor where it’s cooler.”

She made to get up.

“Don’t go.”

Shen Lanzhi suddenly reached out and seized her wrist.

“What are you doing?” Xiang Qing stumbled from the pull, falling back onto the bed.

The next second, Shen Lanzhi straddled her directly, her hands braced beside Xiang Qing’s face, staring down at her.

“From now on, I’ll protect you.”

Shen Lanzhi’s eyes gleamed in the darkness, her voice terrifyingly low.

Xiang Qing felt as though her world had crumbled.

‘Damn it, she’d just gotten rid of Gu Wei, that lunatic, and now another one?’

‘Who wanted her protection?!’

‘She wanted money, not this bizarre protection!’

‘Why were all the women around her perverts?’

Xiang Qing struggled desperately.

“Get off me, I can’t breathe!”

Not only did Shen Lanzhi not get off, but she pressed down even harder.