Counting my heartbeats

The moment their lips touched, Ming Shuyan snapped sober, blinking in shock at her actions.

Ming Shuzhen stared, breath catching, heart clenching, stomach spasming.

This pain was sharper than before.

Wincing, her face showed distress.

Ming Shuyan released her instantly. “Did I hurt you?”

She hadn’t bitten hard, but her teeth had grazed Ming Shuzhen’s lips.

The lipstick held—Qian Duoduo’s high-end brand was reliable.

Ming Shuzhen shook her head, clutching her stomach. “I… probably ate too much. Stomach’s upset.”

Grape ice, mixed drinks, skewers, and jajangmyeon—it made sense, right? She reassured herself.

Her hand gripped Ming Shuyan’s clothes, too flustered to let go.

Ming Shuyan, heart racing from her own recklessness and worry for Ming Shuzhen, didn’t notice.

“Hospital,” she urged.

“No.” Ming Shuzhen shook her head, curling up on the sofa. “Boss, I need water.”

“Right.” Ming Shuyan moved to pour it, then noticed Ming Shuzhen’s grip.

Hesitating, she grabbed a cup anyway, and Ming Shuzhen’s hand fell.

Testing the water’s warmth with her hand, Ming Shuyan passed it over.

Ming Shuzhen sipped slowly.

Her heart had trembled earlier, but the feeling faded, leaving true stomach pain.

Slumped on the sofa, eyes red from drinking, she blinked pitifully.

Ming Shuyan, uneasy, said, “I’ll check with the front desk for stomach meds.”

“Okay.” Ming Shuzhen watched her leave.

As the door closed, her stomach settled, pain gone.

Panic flooded her.

Was that a kiss? Or not even? Just teeth grazing lips.

Boss was drunk, heard the lipstick was edible, and curiosity won—probably just tasting it, right?

No other intent… surely.

But if there was? Did she want there to be? Of course she did. Wait—why? That’s weird, Shuzhen. Are *you* into Boss?

No way, I’m straight—*straight*! Stop saying that. Real straight girls don’t overthink this. Oh god, I’m blushing, where’s Boss, my stomach’s fine now!

But how to face her when she’s back? Say it was drunkenness? No, *she* kissed *me*! Why am I stressing? I didn’t start it.

Ugh, stop saying “kiss,” it’s too much…

Her hands twisted together, heart pounding fiercely.

In the winter chill, she splashed cold water on her face in the bathroom.

After a quick wash, she dove into bed.

Alcohol took hold—her heart raced, but sleep pulled, leaving her in a tangled state.

Ming Shuyan returned with medicine, hearing the door.

Ming Shuzhen, hearing it too, shut her eyes, pretending to sleep.

Seeing her in bed, Ming Shuyan placed the medicine on the nightstand, gathered the drinks and snacks into a bag, and cleared the table.

After washing up, she called softly, “Pillow?”

Ming Shuzhen’s heart leapt, eyes squeezed shut.

Unsure if Ming Shuyan saw through her act, she felt her sigh and head to her own bed.

Lights off, the room darkened.

In the dark, Ming Shuzhen opened her eyes, back to Ming Shuyan, counting heartbeats.

Near dawn, she drifted off.

Late sleeping meant a late morning.

Ming Shuyan gently shook her, her rare patience reserved for the sleeping figure.

“Pillow, up.”

In her dream, Ming Shuzhen heard a voice, searching through darkness. Opening her eyes, the world brightened—Ming Shuyan stood beside her.

“Boss?” Her voice was groggy.

“Up. We wrap up work today,” Ming Shuyan said.

Ming Shuzhen clutched the blanket, irked. She was still hung up on last night, but Ming Shuyan acted like she’d forgotten—unfair.

Rushing to wash up, she hurried to join Qian Duoduo and the others.

Seeing Qian Duoduo’s lipstick on the table, Ming Shuzhen felt it burn her hand. She stuffed it deep in her bag.

“Stomach still hurt? Here’s medicine,” Ming Shuyan said, noticing her fling something into the bag, concerned.

“Uh, I’m fine.” Ming Shuzhen forced a smile. “Drank too much last night.”

*Last night…*

Her eyes widened, staring at Ming Shuyan.

As if oblivious, Ming Shuyan calmly slipped the medicine into her bag.

Her composure fueled Ming Shuzhen’s unease—or indignation.

Why was Ming Shuyan so unaffected, like she hadn’t initiated that not-quite-kiss? Like Ming Shuzhen was the only one overthinking, questioning her straightness, freaking out. Why?

Pouting, she followed Ming Shuyan out, deflated.

Ming Shuyan sensed her mood, assuming anger over the kiss.

She’d overstepped, regretted it, fearing Ming Shuzhen saw her as some creep, secretly repulsed.

At the Book House, chaos awaited.

Xu Bao had told Liu Wenjing he wanted to end the contract, but Red Brick insisted on finishing the inspection.

He saw no point, waiting for Ming Shuyan.

Stepping off the car, she saw him. “Engineer Xu.”

Xu Bao nodded. Temperamental but not bad, he was approachable.

“I was going to ask Liu when you’d arrive. Wanted to talk,” Ming Shuyan said directly.

“Same here,” Xu Bao replied, no pleasantries. They stepped outside.

The open lot was empty, perfect for talking.

“Engineer Xu, I studied Qingyuan Book House’s data. It’s one step from completion. You need a report; Red Brick needs a chance. If you dismiss the XPS board issue, assuming we’re like other firms out for profit, you’re thinking small.”

Xu Bao scoffed.

Ming Shuyan pressed on. “XPS boards are brittle, prone to damage. Can you be sure our report’s false? If the Book House opens and issues arise, you, the lead architect, bear the blame. A collapsing wall injuring someone—your name on the blacklist?”

“Even if nothing happens, and you use a shoddy report for awards, are you at peace? If judges find flaws, you think it’s just disqualification?”

Her gaze was steady, tone firm but not harsh, commanding attention.

Xu Bao coughed. “I haven’t said anything, and you’re already judging.”

Ming Shuyan held his gaze, unsmiling. “We work for free. You want to end the contract? We’ll still finish. We’re not like those firms. We’re responsible to you and the Book House. This report isn’t about profit—it’s about ensuring safety, so kids can study without risk. Doubt us? Take our report for review.”

“Heh.” Xu Bao sneered. “Pretty words.”

“So, your decision? Terminate?” Ming Shuyan raised a brow.

“Liu persuaded me, and now you. Xinjiang and Baota planted flowers today, inspired by you. I see the wall’s notes,” Xu Bao said reluctantly, but Ming Shuyan knew it was about pride. “What can I say? Can’t smash my own reputation.”

Ming Shuyan smiled knowingly. “Replacing XPS boards is work. Next year’s international award…”

“Miss it, then.” Xu Bao shrugged. “Missed two already—what’s one more?”

“Good things take time. Qingyuan’s meaningful, low-energy—it’ll shine globally,” she encouraged.

“Hope so.” Xu Bao grinned. “Liu said Red Brick has a construction team. Let Red Brick handle the XPS replacement.”

Ming Shuyan’s lips curved. She’d said they’d let others handle repairs to prove no profit motive, but Xu Bao’s choice showed trust.