"You're welcome."
They hugged for just three seconds before Lin Ran let go. Xu Zhi really did suit that outfit—her figure could carry off anything. He gave her shoulder a light pat. "Let’s head back to change. Hotpot for dinner tonight?"
"Sure." Xu Zhi walked to his side, climbing into the car together.
"Thanks for your help today, Xiao Mo," Lin Ran said softly to Xu Mo.
She just shook her head. "It’s fine."
She seemed a little distracted, but Lin Ran didn’t press. He drove them home. Xu Zhi changed, carefully folding the silver gown, heels, and wig, storing them neatly.
"I’ll go edit the photos. See you at the hotpot place later."
"Mm, my treat this time." Xu Zhi tilted her chin up with a playful huff. Lin Ran nodded and turned to leave—but Xu Zhi hurried after him.
"I’ll walk back with you."
"Alright." He didn’t refuse. Xu Mo stood by the sofa, waving quietly as the door clicked shut behind them. Her lashes slowly lowered.
………………………………
"This is such a hassle."
Xu Zhi sat at Lin Ran’s desk, watching him manipulate photos with software she couldn’t decipher.
"See? Knowledge is power." Lin Ran flicked ash from his cigarette. The AC hummed loudly in his room. After a pause, Xu Zhi lifted her legs, resting them on his lap as he edited.
"What’re you doing?"
"Letting you touch."
"Don’t tempt me, you little demon!"
"You were sneaking looks while shooting anyway." Xu Zhi tilted her head. Stripped of the gown, the old Xu Zhi had returned—swimming in an oversized white tee and a cheap pink plaid skirt from Taobao, yet stunning.
*Mostly because of those legs.*
"How am I supposed to focus like this?"
"Then… touch first, edit later?" she whispered in his ear.
Lin Ran moved. His mouse hand moved! He set it down, gave her smooth thigh a quick, light squeeze, then snatched his hand back.
*Can’t stay. One more squeeze and I won’t stop.*
*This wicked woman!*
Xu Zhi let out a soft hum, gaze drifting to the window. "Who gave you that mark on your neck?"
"Mosquito bite."
"A mosquito? That big?"
"Yeah. Huge." Lin Ran kept editing. Xu Zhi didn’t get angry. *What right did she have to be angry anyway?*
*When we stop saying "I love you," we’re just close friends. Say it, and the world collapses.*
Xu Zhi kept her legs on his lap, ankles delicate and elegant. She scrolled through cosplay forums on her phone. "What should I name my account?"
"Whatever you like. Even your real name’s fine."
"Then… Xu Zhi QAQ it is. What about your photography handle? What’ll I tag?"
"Whatever."
"Give me your phone. I’ll change it."
He tossed it to her. Xu Zhi unlocked it, glancing at him slyly. "What if I pick something weird? You won’t get mad?"
"When have you ever seen me truly angry? I haven’t even registered an account. Set one up while you’re at it."
"Good."
Quietly, she changed his ID to *Lin Ran QWQ*. She waved the phone in his face. Lin Ran just chuckled, lighting another cigarette.
"Smoke less, okay?" Her dainty foot nudged his stomach.
"…Won’t kill me. Living to forty’s a win."
"I don’t care… You’ve had so many already. Smoke again, and I’ll stomp on you." Her ankle swung lightly. Lin Ran stubbed the cigarette out.
"When you crave a smoke… kiss me instead," she murmured.
"Can I smoke *you* then?"
"No." Xu Zhi shot him a reproachful look. "You’re such a big player."
"Why’s that?"
"When we kissed… the one time you used your tongue. So skilled. I couldn’t even breathe."
"Sometimes you only need one person to get really good at something." Lin Ran reasoned calmly. Xu Zhi lifted her calf and pressed it against him.
Lin Ran’s eyes widened.
*Gently as it was… something primal stirred in him.*
"Stop messing around. Or I’ll pin you to the bed… and you won’t escape."
"You dare?" Xu Zhi arched a brow.
Lin Ran instantly backed down. "You win."
Two hours later, the edits were done. He sent the photos to Xu Zhi. She logged into his computer, uploading the first photoshoot set under *Xu Zhi QAQ*.
She also posted her first cosplay short video.
"Now what?"
"Now we wait. This won’t make money yet—but give it a month. You’ll earn your first pot of gold."
"So confident."
"Please. My photography skills match my boxing record. Only one loss in all these years."
"One loss?"
"Back when I shot Su Nisheng’s boudoir set. Halfway through… you know."
"You two were already—"
"No. Don’t imagine things. She’s still pure."
"Then?" Xu Zhi shot him a sideways glance, lips curling.
"…You know what I mean." Lin Ran pinched her cheek. "Growing the account takes time. Let the videos simmer. We’ll see the results soon. Be patient. Trust your body."
"Mm."
"Time for a nap. Hotpot later."
"Finally thinking about sleep?" Xu Zhi teased.
"Just a short one."
Lin Ran lay on the bed, turning off the light. Curtains drawn, the room stayed dim. Xu Zhi curled up beside him, draping one leg over his waist.
"How am I supposed to sleep like this?"
"Not my problem. Just don’t poke me. I’m sleeping too." She smiled faintly, closing her eyes.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
Ten seconds later.
Lin Ran gently lifted her leg, pulled her closer, and wrapped his arms around her.
Xu Zhi’s body trembled slightly.
His voice brushed her ear:
"Sleep."
She shut her eyes obediently.
*She loved this dependable warmth.*
………………………………
Dusk.
Xu Zhi and Lin Ran woke.
She stretched on the bed, her silhouette flawless in the dim light—slender waist, hips not yet lush like a mature woman’s, but pert and firm.
Lin Ran sat up, ruffling his messy hair, buttoning his shirt. He glanced in the mirror. The faint pink mark on his neck had mostly faded.
He called Xu Mo to pick her up, but she refused—said she’d take the bus. Lin Ran didn’t argue.
Xu Zhi slipped on her white canvas shoes. *Much steadier.*
Lin Ran drove, Xu Zhi in the passenger seat. The sky hung gray. When they arrived, Xu Mo already waited under the hotpot restaurant’s awning, queue number in hand. They sat together.
Xu Zhi rarely ate hotpot—it was pricey. Takeout was her usual.
Lin Ran ordered modestly—not to save money, just small appetite. Xu Mo added a few dishes. Between bites, Lin Ran explained next steps. Xu Zhi listened, trying hard to understand.
*It didn’t really matter. None of this mattered.*
After dinner, Lin Ran dropped the sisters home. Xu Mo stayed quiet, the obedient younger sister. Their bond seemed stronger now—Xu Zhi, the bold elder; Xu Mo, sensitive and thoughtful.
*Two sides of the same coin. Raised in the same soil.*
Lin Ran said goodbye. Xu Zhi waved.
"My mom’s still trying to kick me out to live with you. Hmph."
"My place is too small for you." Lin Ran smiled wryly.
"What if… I make real money someday? Move to a big house. Will you live with me then?"
"Sure. You can keep me."
"Deal." Xu Zhi lifted her face, eyes sparkling.
"Deal." Lin Ran pinched her cheek gently.
*Life needs something to look forward to. Without hope, what’s the point?*
Lin Ran returned the rental car, then crawled under his bed. He pulled out a box.
Inside lay a mask and black clothing.
*If Su Nisheng had planted cameras here, she wouldn’t have wondered so long. But she’d respected his privacy.*
Lin Ran put on the mask. Snapped his fingers.
A dull *thud* echoed. In the corner, the cat’s pupils dilated—
Lin Ran vanished from the room.
………………………………
"I love washing up, skin so smooth~ Ooh-ooh! Cap on, singing and dancing~ Ooh-ooh!"
Water splashed in the bathroom.
Raven stood silently in the living room, watching the light under the door. He cleared his throat softly.
A shriek pierced the air.
"It’s me. Finish your shower. I’ll wait here. Got new things to teach you."
The scream cut off. After a pause, Xu Weiyu’s flustered voice trembled: "I-I didn’t bring clothes in here… Y-you—"
"Shall I fetch them?"
"Get out!"
"Not feasible. You installed new cameras at the door."
"Then leave the way you came in!"
"Not feasible." Raven paused. "Truly not feasible. How about… I lock myself in the kitchen? You grab your clothes alone?"
"What if you peek?"
"I won’t."
"I don’t believe you… Just bring my clothes. Black nightgown in the closet. And—and underwear!"
"Right."
Raven turned toward the girl’s bedroom.
