Baby is responsible, okay?

Things weren’t quite as Xu Fengluan had imagined.

Trailing closely behind Liu Tingsong into the dressing room, her thoughts ran wild, unable to stop despite her own warnings, conjuring a flurry of romantic notions.

But once inside, she understood why Liu Tingsong had called her in.

The outfit for the next shoot was a mermaid-style, hip-hugging gown, pearl-white satin with minimal embellishments, its soft, ethereal flow derived from the fabric itself. A V-neck cut at the back, adorned with gemstone tassels resembling cascading grapevines, formed a delicate net-like pattern. A slit on the right reached the thigh, blending elegance with a hint of allure.

Perfect for Liu Tingsong—but not for the Liu Tingsong currently covered in kiss marks.

Xu Fengluan guiltily touched her nose, recalling her antics from the night before.

Liu Tingsong lazily lifted her eyes, casting a quiet glance that sent Xu Fengluan’s heart racing. Without a word, Xu Fengluan spoke up, “Did you bring concealer?”

Liu Tingsong glanced at the bag nearby, her meaning clear.

Xu Fengluan, previously irked by Liu Tingsong’s teasing during makeup, instantly lost her edge, her wandering thoughts tamed. She obediently bent to grab the concealer, saying, “Change first.”

With that, she retreated to a corner, suddenly docile, as if the one who’d held Liu Tingsong in a bare embrace that morning wasn’t her.

Liu Tingsong found it amusing, saying, “Turn around.”

Xu Fengluan stiffened, turning back with blinking eyes, her suppressed thoughts resurfacing. Could Liu Tingsong really mean to…

As if reading her mind, Liu Tingsong said helplessly, “You need to hold my things.”

These were high-end borrowed pieces from the brand, not to be carelessly tossed aside.

“You call that assistant material? Such a dummy,” Liu Tingsong teased, unable to resist.

“How can you be so clueless? Even Li Zi’s sharper,” she added, her smile growing.

Xu Fengluan shot her a resentful look, suspecting it was deliberate but lacking proof.

Liu Tingsong laughed, pinching her cheek, fully aware of her thoughts but pivoting to scold, “Who told you to kiss so much?”

She coaxed, “Baby, you’ve got to take responsibility, okay?”

Xu Fengluan, swayed by her charm, nodded instinctively, her green eyes spelling “Fine.”

Liu Tingsong’s eyes curved, praising, “So good.”

Xu Fengluan turned her head, urging, “Hurry up.”

Her ears, beneath her white hair, reddened—whether from last night’s guilt or Liu Tingsong’s coaxing, childlike tone.

Soon, the rustle of fabric filled the air.

Xu Fengluan stood rigid, head turned, arms outstretched as a makeshift rack for Liu Tingsong’s discarded clothes.

Her gaze drifted uncontrollably, only to snap back. She pursed her lips, breathing heavily.

A dog starved for five years wasn’t sated in a night or two. Her restraint now was purely due to being in public.

But then, a piece of clothing landed on her head.

Liu Tingsong patted her hand as punishment, saying, “No dirty thoughts. It’s not convenient here.”

She’d noticed Xu Fengluan’s shift before she did.

The clothes carried lingering warmth, their faint scent teasing her nose. Xu Fengluan bit her back teeth.

Her earlier doubts resurfaced—she was now certain Liu Tingsong was teasing her deliberately, feigning innocence, telling her not to overthink while stirring her up, leaving her caught in the middle, doubting herself.

This was the older woman’s usual game. Five years ago, Xu Fengluan fell for it repeatedly; five years later, she was still tumbling in.

“Li Zi,” Liu Tingsong called suddenly.

Xu Fengluan, just nursing a spark of retaliation, straightened instantly, jaw tight.

“Here, sis!” Li Zi, outside, answered promptly.

Xu Fengluan’s last shred of doubt vanished. She stood even straighter, eyes forward, nose to mouth, practically chanting *I’m just a coat rack* to herself. @Infinite Good Stories, Exclusively at Jinjiang Literature City

Liu Tingsong, amused, tugged her hand, scolding, “Only bold at home.”

She’d long seen through Xu Fengluan—thick-skinned alone, outrageously naughty, capable of anything wicked. But in public, especially crowded places, she was proper, blushing at the slightest tease, visibly tense.

Like at the theater, the hospital, and now.

Like a tough-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside puppy, only daring to bare its teeth and wreak havoc in safe spaces. In unfamiliar territory, the slightest rustle made her ears perk, face alert.

Before Xu Fengluan could retort, Liu Tingsong patted her again, saying, “Pass the clothes.”

“Oh, oh,” Xu Fengluan hurried to comply, turning toward the door by memory, only to fumble blindly for the handle. Liu Tingsong, laughing, pulled the clothes off her face, letting her see.

The clothes were handed over piece by piece.

Li Zi took them deftly, sneaking a glance at Xu Fengluan.

*Oh my.*

*Still blushing.*

Li Zi stifled a laugh, twisting into an awkward grin, casually saying, “They’re still setting up outside. No rush.”

With that, she grabbed the clothes, pushed Xu Fengluan’s hand back, and thoughtfully closed the door.

*Wow, what a considerate assistant I am,* Li Zi praised herself, skipping off with the clothes.

Inside, Xu Fengluan caught the hint, freezing. Staying wasn’t right, nor was leaving. After a pause, she blurted, “Y-You, change quick. Don’t catch a cold.”

No response. Xu Fengluan glanced over, met with a helpless look, as if saying, *Dummy again.*

These dresses, stunning but tricky to wear, needed help.

Li Zi was gone with the clothes, leaving only Xu Fengluan.

Xu Fengluan blinked.

Her mind blanked, not considering how Liu Tingsong would’ve managed without her. Surely there was another way, but now, all bets were off—Xu Fengluan had to help.

Last night’s grievances weren’t so easily soothed.

She’d begged repeatedly, yet Xu Fengluan kept going until she nearly passed out.

Liu Tingsong snapped back, prompting, “The dress.”

Xu Fengluan grabbed the hanger, carefully lifting the gown.

The small space filled with faint fragrance. Xu Fengluan, dazed, became a puppet—moving only when told. The delicate dress and the woman beneath her hands felt fragile, demanding care. Sweat beaded on her palms.

The older woman didn’t help, standing still, letting her fumble.

The gown was finally on, gemstone tassels swaying at the back, half-hiding, half-revealing her graceful spine, accentuating rather than hiding the ambiguous red marks.

“Concealer,” Liu Tingsong prompted again.

“Oh, oh,” Xu Fengluan snapped back, grabbing the box she’d picked up and put down.

Her cap fell with a thud, ignored.

Inexperienced, she scooped a thick layer, thinking it was like ointment, only to be stopped by Liu Tingsong’s helpless voice, “Baby, you want everyone to know I’m hiding something?”

She laughed, her eyes twinkling, teasing, “Not that it’s impossible.”

Xu Fengluan, speechless, glanced at her, wiping off half the cream.

Liu Tingsong smiled, wrapping her arms around Xu Fengluan’s neck, saying slowly, “What’re you mad about? Who made these?”

“Hm?” Her drawn-out tone was provocative. @Infinite Good Stories, Exclusively at Jinjiang Literature City

“Who pinned me to the window, biting and kissing?”

Her budding temper fizzled. Xu Fengluan ground her lips, unable to speak.

She’d done it, but having it brought up here made her shy.

Outside, someone was scolded loudly for a mistake, footsteps bustling.

In this dim, cramped space, their distance shrank, yet restraint kept them apart.

Xu Fengluan bit her teeth, warning softly, “Stop it, Liu Tingsong.”

“Oh?” Liu Tingsong, unfazed, saw through her public timidity, lifting her eyes with interest.

Xu Fengluan’s gaze darted away, saying, “Don’t get too cocky.”

Or tonight, Liu Tingsong would pay.

But teasing a puppy was too fun to stop.

She loved watching her blush, retreat, and pretend to be sternly rational.

Adorable.

Liu Tingsong smiled, saying, “Alright, no teasing. Apply the concealer, okay?”

A concession—or not.

Xu Fengluan couldn’t tell, only complying.

The cool cream touched a red mark, not yet blended, when Liu Tingsong shivered, her voice soft and plaintive, “So cold.”

No stopping—just a new way to tease.

Xu Fengluan ignored her, desperate to cover the marks, to end this prolonged, untouchable tease.

Liu Tingsong didn’t stop her, only humming—short, innocent, fragile sounds, like a newborn beast suckling helplessly.

Xu Fengluan wanted to cover her mouth but feared smudging her makeup, saying hoarsely, “Stop it, Liu Tingsong.”

She tried focusing, staring at the marks. Leaving her claim on her lover was thrilling, satisfying.

Now, covering them herself felt different—like a secret only they shared.

In the mirror, she was a dazzling star; behind it, Xu Fengluan knew her neck, chest, and waist bore her hidden marks.

Her throat bobbed, swallowing repeatedly.

As the last mark was concealed, her fingers strayed.

A strange pleasure surged, like burying a gem in a box only she knew.

Xu Fengluan looked up to praise, but Liu Tingsong didn’t check the results, instead removing her glasses and leaning in for a kiss.

Xu Fengluan stepped back, hitting the wall, turning to dodge, but her face was held, pulled back firmly.

“Don’t…” she mumbled, hesitant, wary.

“No way.”

Liu Tingsong knew her concerns, her fingers rubbing her jaw, coaxing huskily, “No one’s outside.”

Xu Fengluan’s lashes trembled, tempted.

Liu Tingsong chuckled, murmuring, “You’re so cute, baby.”

Never angry, just blushing, meeting her lover’s excessive demands.

“Remind me to fix my lipstick later,” she said, kissing deeply, skipping tentative touches, diving into her lips.

Xu Fengluan lowered her head, wanting to grab her waist but fearing to wrinkle the dress. Her hands hung, rubbing her jeans’ seams, wiping sweat.

Lipstick smudged, tongues tangled, desire ground between lips, unfulfilled, leaving only a hollow tease.

“Don’t look at me like that later,” Liu Tingsong said hoarsely.

Xu Fengluan, confused, couldn’t respond, her lips blocked, back against the wall.

“During the interview, I wanted to kiss you.”

“You looked so good, like a puppy wagging its tail, shouting, ‘This is my person.’”

“Good baby,” she bit Xu Fengluan’s lip gently, murmuring, “Don’t look at me later. I might not resist kissing you.”

She pleaded pitifully, “Wanting to kiss but can’t—it’s tough.” @Infinite Good Stories, Exclusively at Jinjiang Literature City

Xu Fengluan’s ears burned red. Speechless against such bold words, she let Liu Tingsong kiss her longer, then gently pushed her away, reminding softly, “There’s still a shoot.”

Liu Tingsong pecked her a few more times, reluctantly pulling back, slipping the glasses back on.

“You look good with glasses, baby,” she didn’t forget to praise.

Xu Fengluan adjusted them, saying, “Fix your lipstick.”

Liu Tingsong laughed, cooing, “So good.”

Xu Fengluan pressed her lips flat, ignoring her, picking up her cap and pulling it on.

Once their breathing steadied, they left the dressing room, one after the other.

Li Zi, outside, was frowning at her phone. Hearing them, she looked up, seeing Xu Fengluan’s face flush red.

What… what happened?

She was fine earlier!

Why’d she blush seeing her?

Li Zi looked down, then up, wondering if her secret CP super topic got exposed.

No way…

It was only up for three minutes!

Meanwhile, Xu Fengluan caught up to Liu Tingsong, muttering, “Big liar.”

There *were* people outside!

She said there weren’t!

Fuming and flustered, she thought, Liu Tingsong’s way too bold today!