oh baby you are in my heart

Winter’s dry air, coupled with Ming Shuzhen’s recent bouts of anger, led her to conclude her swollen gums were due to internal heat.

She licked her aching gums, feeling more frustrated.

“I’ve got work to do,” she said, glancing at Ming Shuyan, though it was over an hour until quitting time and she had no tasks.

“Let’s have dinner,” Ming Shuyan offered again.

“Too much heat,” Ming Shuzhen said, not entirely an excuse. “Don’t want messy outside food.”

*Or to see messy people with even messier people.*

“I’ll cook for you—light and healthy,” Ming Shuyan said quickly.

*Woof.* A stray dog, scrappy and bold, always finds an owner.

“Hm? Your place?” Ming Shuzhen paused.

“Yeah.” Ming Shuyan nodded. “My house isn’t far from your complex. You can drive in. If you’re not sure about parking, the butler can handle it.”

She’d thought of everything.

Ming Shuzhen blinked, studying her face, hesitating.

She has a girlfriend—three, even—and invites me over? Too much? Or just a sincere apology dinner?

Ming Shuyan tilted her face, light catching it. Ming Shuzhen noticed not just her eye makeup had changed—her blush had fine shimmer, like a mermaid princess.

*Hmph.* Three girlfriends, flashing a dazzling display.

“Fine!” Ming Shuzhen replied loudly. *Show off your charm—don’t blame me if your girlfriends get mad.*

“Great!” Ming Shuyan pressed her lips, giving a cautious smile.

She texted the housekeeper to buy light, heat-clearing ingredients.

Not yet quitting time, Ming Shuzhen, though swayed by Group Two’s laid-back vibe, stayed grounded.

She glanced at Ming Shuyan. “I’m heading to the fourth floor. Meet you in the parking lot after work.”

“Okay…” Ming Shuyan’s eyes lit up, nodding eagerly. “Good.”

Back at her desk, Ming Shuzhen watered her peace lily, fiddled with her computer, and flipped through her notebook, soon idle again.

“Meilin-jie,” she said, seeing Meilin toggle webpages to kill time. “Isn’t the boss super busy? Why’s she always hanging around us?”

“Of course she’s busy,” Meilin said, as if it were obvious. “Red Brick’s not her only business. She’s got subsidiaries and crews in other cities, always on the move.”

“But…” Meilin mused, “this month, she’s stuck around the main office, not traveling. She used to spend four or five days a month at each location.”

“What?” Ming Shuzhen was surprised. “Didn’t peg Ming Shuyan as such a powerhouse.”

She used her full name without noticing.

Meilin glanced, unfazed. *Sisters acting distant.*

“So…” Ming Shuzhen wanted to gossip about Ming Shuyan’s love life.

But she held back. What if Ming Shuyan only told *her* about her orientation? Meilin, just an employee, probably didn’t know. Asking would seem nosy.

Finally, quitting time. In the underground parking lot, Ming Shuyan was waiting in her car.

Not the Cullinan, but the familiar Audi.

Ming Shuzhen signaled and pulled out.

Ming Shuyan’s call came through. “Follow me. I’ll drive slow.”

She remembered Ming Jianchang dropping Ming Shuzhen off, saying she was nervous driving.

After training—and that rainy night chasing Han Shuyu—Ming Shuzhen wasn’t as scared anymore.

Still, trailing Ming Shuyan’s black Audi felt comforting.

Ming Shuyan kept the call open.

“Want music?”

“Lady Gaga?” Ming Shuzhen sighed. Last time they talked like this, they were polite. Now, there was an unspoken rift.

*Jealous mistress vibes?* She shook her head. She wouldn’t be a mistress, let alone a side piece. Someone with multiple mistresses? No good.

*Bad news Ming Shuyan.* Hearing “Lady Gaga,” her gentle voice came through. “Yeah, wanna listen?”

“No.” Ming Shuzhen was firm.

*That’s for true love’s entrance, not for you.*

“Um…” Ming Shuyan hesitated.

“Done. Hanging up.” Ming Shuzhen’s upbringing—Ming Jianchang’s “fight back if bullied” mantra—meant she never bent to please others, especially with her grudge against Ming Shuyan.

Silence on the line, then a cautious, “Or… keep talking? I’ll warn you about turns.”

“…” A practical reason. Ming Shuzhen didn’t argue.

The car went quiet. No real difference, but it felt like another presence lingered.

“Or… you sing?” Ming Shuzhen blurted, regretting it instantly.

Who was she, ordering the boss to sing? Thinking she’s *somebody*—but not *that* much.

Thankfully, Ming Shuyan complied. “Sure. What do you want?”

Ming Shuzhen swallowed her nerves, feeling bolder. “Whatever.”

At a stoplight, she grinned big, trying to recapture their old boss-employee dynamic.

“Ahem.” Ming Shuyan cleared her throat, secretly thrilled.

She sensed Ming Shuzhen’s softening tone—genuine interest in a song. She had to nail it.

*“In the unseen night, I’m always thinking of you, can you hear me? ~ This moment’s emotions, should I escape? ~”*

Ming Shuzhen hadn’t heard this song. She expected English or something mellow, not this upbeat tune with somber lyrics.

Her clear voice made Ming Shuzhen think of night-blooming cereus—pure, cold, veiled by moonlight, glowing like icy feathers.

*“Oh baby, you’re in my heart ~”*

Ming Shuzhen couldn’t hold back—her suppressed feelings surged.

Gripping the wheel, her hard-won calm shattered.

*No way I’d be a mistress, let alone fourth or fifth.*

—

Ming Shuyan’s villa district was indeed close—just two intersections from Ming Shuzhen’s complex.

She recalled Ming Jianchang buying her place for its location and appreciation potential.

Entering the villa area, the butler parked their cars.

No parking hassle, Ming Shuzhen followed Ming Shuyan inside.

The area had standalone villas, private and serene.

Ming Shuzhen eyed the three- or four-story villa, unsure about basements, with a small front lawn.

*Living alone in this mansion, probably hosting mistress parties.*

“Boss, is it… okay to be here?” *No kinky play outfits, please.*

“Yeah, no one’s home,” Ming Shuyan led the way.

The villa’s entrance faced the garden gate—good feng shui.

Ming Shuzhen followed awkwardly, mood unclear.

Inside, lights flicked on, the living room bright.

Ming Shuyan offered light green fuzzy slippers. “New, unworn. Sit to change.”

Ming Shuzhen eyed the simple slippers, likely warmed by a machine, fluffier and cozier.

“No need, I’ll take disposables. Don’t waste your shoes.”

“Wear them.” Ming Shuyan frowned at her refusal. “I thought you’d like these, so I had the housekeeper set them out. There’s more new pairs—pick one?”

“Uh, no need.” Ming Shuzhen slipped them on—soft and comfy.

The green was subtle, with a puppy outline—her style.

Inside, she scanned the decor, relieved. No gaudy opulence or romantic French vibes.

Oddly, Ming Shuyan’s villa wasn’t a cookie-cutter tycoon style, comforting Ming Shuzhen.

Like Ming Shuyan, it seemed cold at first—spacious, heavy furniture grounding it. Yet, details showed her finesse and charm.

Wooden beam ceiling, arched partitions, white cabinets, old-wood dining table, candelabra chandelier…

Hard to imagine someone with such taste being so messy in love.

“Boss, your place is unique. Artistic,” Ming Shuzhen said sincerely.

“I designed it,” Ming Shuyan said, peacock feathers spreading.

“Figured.” *Stop showing off.*

Ming Shuyan unpacked the groceries, checking recipes on the kitchen’s control panel.

“Any dietary restrictions?” She tied her hair up, donning an apron.

Ming Shuzhen cradled the hot water Ming Shuyan poured, watching her domestic vibe.

She wasn’t picky but asserted herself. “Not too salty, no spice, light on soy sauce.”

“Got it. I never use soy sauce,” Ming Shuyan nodded, taking it in.

“Oh.” *Whatever.*

Ming Shuyan clearly rarely cooked, checking the panel for item locations.

“You…” She glanced at Ming Shuzhen, arms crossed, watching. “Can you grab some eggs?”

“Where?”

“Uh, fridge, I think,” Ming Shuyan said, sheepish.

Three fridges—one small with a temperature dial, clearly for skincare. The other two looked standard.

“Which one?” Ming Shuzhen tilted her head.

“White one, maybe.” She got fruit from the silver one, so white was likely for veggies.

Ming Shuzhen opened it—neatly organized, bird’s nest supplements stacked.

“You just moved in?” she called.

The pan was heating; Ming Shuyan fumbled, glancing over.

“Then the smaller one.”

Ming Shuzhen shot her a look, opening it. “Thought this was for face masks.”

No one kept masks in the kitchen, but there were eggs.

“Sigh.” She handed them over. “Two enough?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought you’d be Michelin-star level, showing off. You don’t even know your fridges.”

“I know,” Ming Shuyan said, smiling, eyes curving. “I can cook.”

“…Hope so.” Ming Shuzhen considered takeout.

This area’s delivery had steep fees and strict rider rules, deterring many.

She scrolled menus but balked at the 46% service tax.

*She’s treating me—why should I pay?*

Glaring, she said, “You sure you can cook? Don’t push it—we can order.”

“I can. Trust me,” Ming Shuyan hummed.

She raised her hand, dodging the hot spatula. “I invited you—I’m confident. You’ll be stuffed.”

“…Boss, you used to people hyping you up, forgot what it’s like to be grounded?” Ming Shuzhen didn’t want to risk her life.

“Grounded…” Ming Shuyan smiled. “Been a while since I went barefoot on the floor.”

Ming Shuzhen huffed.

Ming Shuyan managed her “battlefield,” mood lifting. Their vibe felt like the beginning—pre-“kiss,” relaxed and easy.

“Go watch TV or sing karaoke,” she said, glancing back. “I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

“No takeout?” Ming Shuzhen eyed her skeptically.

“Really,” Ming Shuyan laughed, nudging her out.

In the living room, Ming Shuzhen sat, not wanting to touch the TV or sing without the host.

She pulled out her phone, searching for the song Ming Shuyan sang in the car.

It was acapella then; now, with music, it felt like a deep-sea tune, the “da-da-da-da” interludes like waves.

Maybe because Ming Shuyan sang it, it felt special—waves crashing, boundless blue, cool mist, a sprite strolling the shore, whispering, *Hey, Ming Shuzhen, admit it—you like her.*