Set rules for Ming Shuyan

When Ming Shuyan learned she’d been added to Ming Shuzhen’s besties’ group chat, she acted deeply flattered.

“I didn’t think you’d introduce me to your friends,” she said shyly over the phone.

“Why not?” Ming Shuzhen was surprised by this rare display of emotion from Ming Shuyan.

Shyness, nervousness, insecurity—these made her feel like she was facing the real Ming Shuyan.

Knowing the other shared her emotions and worries gave her a grounded sense of security.

“Finally landed a gorgeous woman—gotta show off a bit,” Ming Shuzhen said, feigning arrogance.

Ming Shuyan laughed, feeling Ming Shuzhen’s joy through the screen.

When Pillow was happy, she was too.

Despite the day’s exhaustion weighing on her.

Ming Shuzhen flopped back onto her bed, clutching her phone, staring dreamily at the person on the screen.

Earlier that day, she’d been anxious about her lack of security, unsure if Ming Shuyan was serious. Now, she was completely at ease.

“Wife, were you super busy today? Barely texted me, and I didn’t see you at the office.”

“Mm…” Ming Shuyan almost defaulted to saying she was busy with work.

But then she thought—her partner wasn’t some business associate requiring false pretenses.

This was her lover, someone she could and should open up to, without holding back.

Having never been one to confide, Ming Shuyan tried voicing her unease.

“My… sister?” To clarify the relationship for Ming Shuzhen, she called Bimo Yantai “sister” for the first time.

“They came back to the country, and we had dinner today. They probably returned to spend the New Year with my mom.”

“Mm.” Ming Shuzhen listened patiently, loving when Ming Shuyan shared like this.

It let her learn more about her, piecing together the private Ming Shuyan beyond the workplace version.

“They haven’t been back in years. I’d told my mom I’d visit for the New Year, but when we met, they assumed I wouldn’t go.”

“Oh.” Ming Shuzhen got the gist.

She recalled Ming Shuyan mentioning her mother lived in a “mental hospital.”

“Did you fight?” she asked.

“No,” Ming Shuyan said with a self-deprecating smile. “It’s not even that. Fighting implies there’s still emotion, a willingness to invest time and energy.”

“But my sisters and I, especially the older two, we don’t even bother fighting.”

Ming Shuyan adjusted her position, settling closer to the phone.

“You know, in big families—or ones like mine, where they kept having kids to get a boy—who suffers most?”

“Who?”

“The eldest daughters,” Ming Shuyan answered.

“As the first-born, parents still have hope. Not a boy? Disappointing, but they think they can try again. So, the eldest still feel some parental love.”

“Me and my younger sisters, we’ve accepted the truth—our parents don’t love us, and we don’t expect them to. That makes it less painful.”

“But Calista and Aurelia,” Ming Shuyan used their names, finding “sister” too awkward, “they’re stuck between love and neglect. They got care as kids, then coldness as adults, so they suffer more than us younger ones.”

“Have you heard this saying?” she asked Ming Shuzhen. “Your family is like a wet, old cotton coat—cold to take off, cold to wear.”

Ming Shuzhen nodded; the phrase was classic.

Ming Shuyan continued, “But I’ve taken it off. I can buy my own coat. Calista and Aurelia still wear theirs, too scared to shed it and resentful when others do. That’s our conflict.”

Hearing this, Ming Shuzhen felt a weight in her chest.

“Wife, when we meet tomorrow, let’s hug tight, okay?”

Ming Shuyan smiled, her eyes shimmering. “Yeah, a big, tight hug.”

“Wife, about visiting your mom for the New Year—if you want company, I can go with you,” Ming Shuzhen offered.

Ming Shuyan paused, glancing at her before nodding slowly.

“Actually, I mentioned you today.”

“What?” Ming Shuzhen sat up, excited. “What’d you say? Tell me!”

“Just…” Ming Shuyan tilted her head, surprised to find herself reporting to someone, discussing her messy family dynamics.

“They always criticize me, saying I’m a failure for not marrying.” She waved it off, dismissive of their views.

“When I brought up He Xiang, they were really against it—friends, same-s*x relationships.”

Ming Shuzhen pursed her lips, recalling when He Xiang accidentally knocked her phone, mid-fight with her girlfriend. Were they okay now?

“Every time I hear their lectures, it’s exhausting. They’re stuck in their own misery.”

“Then, impulsively, I said I have a girlfriend too.” Ming Shuyan chuckled, amused at her own childishness.

“Oh,” Ming Shuzhen understood, feeling included.

“I told my parents about you too,” she admitted.

“What?” Ming Shuyan was surprised, then worried. “How’d you bring it up?”

Pillow’s parents weren’t like hers—hers wouldn’t care if she died.

But Pillow was her parents’ treasure. Dating was already a big deal, let alone with their unique situation.

Ming Shuyan was anxious but understood why Ming Shuzhen’s parents might object.

Hearing Ming Shuyan’s sigh, Ming Shuzhen grew uneasy. “You’re not backing out, are you?”

“Backing out of what?” Ming Shuyan asked, confused.

“You can’t stop liking me just because my parents don’t approve,” Ming Shuzhen said, half-joking.

Ming Shuyan laughed. “Not only will I not back down because of your parents, I’d butt heads with the whole world for you.”

Relieved, Ming Shuzhen grinned. “That’s a big price for love.”

They leaned against their beds, chatting long into the night, staring at each other through their screens.

The next morning, Ming Shuzhen got up, brushed her teeth in front of the mirror, and giggled to herself.

Being in love… was such a strange feeling.

Especially with Ming Shuyan.

Having seen her all serious at work, her playful side made Ming Shuzhen’s heart flutter.

Arriving early at the office, Ming Shuzhen typed diligently at her desk.

Team Two was still sparse, the office quiet.

She brewed a cup of beauty tea, steam rising from the mug beside her computer.

“Come to my office,” Ming Shuyan’s voice called. She’d arrived at the company.

Instead of heading to the sixth floor, she’d come to the fourth.

Ming Shuzhen’s heart skipped, knowing who it was, but she looked up with feigned confusion.

Sure enough, it was Ming Shuyan.

She hadn’t expected such boldness—hardly anyone was around, but still, so blatant.

“Oh, okay, boss,” Ming Shuzhen said, rising from her chair with the same professional demeanor as any employee.

Ming Shuyan’s face was impassive, no trace of a smile.

After speaking, she ignored the others and headed to the elevator.

Ming Shuzhen scurried after her.

She fought to keep her expression neutral, hands close to her sides.

Following Ming Shuyan into the elevator, she maintained her composure.

“No one’s here now,” Ming Shuyan said, turning to face her, leaning closer. “How about a smile for me?”

“Hm?” Realizing Ming Shuyan was flirting, Ming Shuzhen couldn’t help but giggle.

She pushed her lightly, keeping some distance. “What do you want?”

Ming Shuyan raised an eyebrow, her eyeshadow deepening her gaze.

“Didn’t you say we’d hug tight today?” she teased in a coy tone.

“Did I?” Ming Shuzhen tilted her head playfully.

“You didn’t?” Ming Shuyan leaned closer, resting her chin on Ming Shuzhen’s shoulder.

She nuzzled near her ear—pale, delicate, recently nibbled.

Her warm breath grazed Ming Shuzhen’s neck, making her shiver.

About to push her away, Ming Shuzhen felt a wet tongue flick her earlobe.

She flinched, pushing Ming Shuyan back, her whole body bristling.

Ming Shuyan grinned triumphantly. “So? Did you say it, wife?”

Ming Shuzhen gritted her teeth, laughing. She hadn’t expected such audacity.

“I did…” she mumbled, conceding defeat.

“Come hug me, wife,” Ming Shuyan said, opening her arms.

Ming Shuzhen tilted her chin defiantly, staying put, daring her.

They were at the office, after all—what could she do?

Seeing her childish defiance, Ming Shuyan chuckled and pulled her into an embrace.

They hugged tightly.

“The elevator’s probably here,” Ming Shuzhen said, glancing at the closed doors.

“It’s my private elevator. No one can open it from outside,” Ming Shuyan explained.

Reassured, Ming Shuzhen stayed in her arms.

Ming Shuyan felt warm.

She wore light clothing but always radiated heat.

Nestled in her embrace, Ming Shuzhen felt like she was wrapped in a quilt, cozy and content.

“Boss?” she said softly.

“Mm?”

“We need some rules,” Ming Shuzhen said seriously.

Ming Shuyan didn’t let go, holding her close. “What rules?”

“First,” Ming Shuzhen tried to wriggle free but couldn’t, so she set rules from within the hug.

“First, that ‘connected household’ issue I mentioned before—I think you need to clear it up. I don’t want colleagues misunderstanding.”

“Oh?” Ming Shuyan raised an eyebrow, surprised Ming Shuzhen cared about this.

“So… right now… are you a ‘connected household’?” She released her, studying her face.

Ming Shuzhen blinked, realizing she might actually be one now.

“Well, another rule then.”

“Go on,” Ming Shuyan said, tucking a strand of hair behind Ming Shuzhen’s head.

“At the office, we stick strictly to a boss-employee relationship. Today’s the last time for this,” Ming Shuzhen said, her big eyes flashing, serious yet stirring Ming Shuyan’s protective instincts.

“Today’s what? What happened?” Ming Shuyan tilted her head, teasing her wife.

Ming Shuzhen swatted her. “You know what!”

Ming Shuyan instantly behaved. “Oh.”

“But I don’t want to hide our relationship,” she said honestly.

Ming Shuzhen opened her mouth to respond, but Ming Shuyan continued.

“But I want my wife to feel comfortable at work, so I’ll hold back.” She wrinkled her nose.

Ming Shuzhen shot her a look, satisfied with the negotiation.

“I’m leaving then?” she said.

“What?” Ming Shuyan was reluctant, holding her to keep her still.

“How about a kiss?” she asked, eyes hopeful.

“What?” Ming Shuzhen’s eyes widened, startled by the flirtation.

She quickly covered her mouth. “Boss, I’m going to work.”

Ming Shuyan watched her, face falling as Ming Shuzhen moved to leave the elevator.

*

Back at her desk, Ming Shuzhen noticed Team Two’s colleagues had arrived, all watching her curiously.

“Uh.” She flicked her hair, lifting her chin, and they quickly looked away.

Ming Shuyan’s bold move—calling her away so openly—had given them fuel for speculation.

Ming Shuzhen wanted to explain, but with no one asking, explaining would seem like protesting too much, inviting more gossip.

She opened Ming Shuyan’s chat and reiterated her rules: “From now on! At the office! Boss-employee only!”

Then she sent a “roaring puppy” emoji.

Ming Shuyan replied quickly: “Puppy pat.jpg”

Ming Shuzhen rolled her eyes. If Ming Shuyan were here, she’d throw a left hook, then a right, to wipe that smugness off her face.

Dating… dating… couldn’t she be more low-key?

She’d forgotten how she’d pestered Zhong Shuo, gushing about their intense, tug-of-war first kiss.

“Pfft, Full Purse,” Meilin said, glancing at her phone, confused. “I came in late, but I heard the boss called you away? She didn’t say anything, did she?”

“Huh?” Ming Shuzhen’s ears perked up, eyes darting.

What a perfect chance to clear things up.

She raised her voice. “Oh, the boss? The boss, she just—y’know, haha.”

Her face fell—she couldn’t even lie convincingly.

Meilin gave her a pitying look. “Did the boss scold you?”

“Sisters fight sometimes—it’s normal. Be patient with her. She may seem tough, untouchable, but she’s soft inside.”

“Managing such a big company alone—if others were in her position, they’d slack off. But she still joins our team for inspections. She’s a responsible boss.”

Ming Shuzhen listened to Meilin praise her wife, her tail wanting to wag but wary of Meilin’s sharp eyes.

She played along, raising her voice for the eavesdroppers. “The boss is super responsible. I messed up at work, so she called me to her office to ask about it. Really, Sister Meilin,” she said, lightly gripping Meilin’s hand, “having such a great boss is my good fortune.”

“…Mm.” Meilin glanced at her, thinking the reaction was a bit much.

Returning to work, Ming Shuzhen heard Meilin speak again.

Meilin, checking a message from Ming Shuyan, looked puzzled. “Full Purse, huh.”

“What?” Ming Shuzhen noticed Meilin’s expression freeze. “What’s up?”

Meilin stiffly showed her phone.

Ming Shuzhen leaned in.

The chat read: *Your team’s Full Purse is quite proactive.*

No need to check the sender—Ming Shuzhen knew it was Ming Shuyan.

What’s that supposed to mean? She frowned inwardly.

That sarcastic tone wasn’t praise—it was payback for the denied kiss.

“Hmph, sneaky jerk,” Ming Shuzhen muttered inwardly.

On the surface, she grinned at Meilin. “Haha, the boss is so witty. She’s saying everyone’s working hard, but my effort’s a bit clumsy, like a buzzing fly with no direction. She’s poking fun at me.”

Meilin smiled faintly. “I’ll share the boss’s thoughts with everyone.”

“No, wait!” Ming Shuzhen tried to stop her, but Meilin was too quick.

Meilin stood, addressing the team. “Listen up.”

All eyes turned to her.

“The boss just messaged me, saying Full Purse is hardworking and praising us all. With the New Year coming, let’s stay sharp and grab those big red envelopes.”

Team Two cheered, clapping.

Ming Shuzhen, slumped at her desk, wanted to disappear.

Every year, Ming Shuyan gave out red envelopes from her personal account at the company dinner.

Not huge—ten or twenty thousand each, just for fun.

This year might be more.

Colleagues exchanged knowing glances at Ming Shuzhen. Thanks to their “connected household,” the boss was favoring Team Two.

Unaware of their thoughts, Ming Shuzhen dreaded getting caught in this mess.

At the office, she’d keep her distance from Ming Shuyan as much as possible.