In the lab, Shen Xueyun and Xing Luo’s initial interactions weren’t as pleasant as Lyn had imagined.

Soon after Lyn left, Shen Xueyun exchanged only a few words with Xing Luo—something like “call me if you need anything”—before the room sank into an eerie silence.

Shen Xueyun was naturally introverted, and Xing Luo’s liveliness only surfaced around Lyn. Neither could find a topic to keep the conversation going.

Xing Luo sat alone on a tall stool, her slender legs clad in white stockings swinging idly. Her beautiful golden eyes curiously scanned the surroundings.

Shen Xueyun quietly busied herself with Potions nearby, studying standard recipes.

After a while, realizing Lyn wouldn’t return for hours, Xing Luo finally hopped down from her stool. “Sister Kaoru, can I look around here?”

“Mm.”

Most of Shen Xueyun’s attention was on Potion-making, so she nodded without hesitation at such a small request.

Xing Luo jumped down and wandered through the lab. Her little nose twitched slightly, as if searching for something.

Soon, the silver-haired girl reached the back of the lab, where a curtain partitioned off a section.

Hesitating only a moment, Xing Luo pulled the curtain aside. Behind it were two small single beds.

“What’s this…” Xing Luo stared at the beds, momentarily stunned.

Earlier, while sitting quietly, she’d been identifying scents in the lab. She’d detected Lyn’s lingering aroma and wondered where he usually stayed.

The result? A shocking revelation.

The beds carried Lyn’s scent—but also Shen Xueyun’s delicate fragrance.

Shen Xueyun hadn’t expected Xing Luo to pull the curtain. Seeing the beds exposed, she startled and hurried over with an unfinished Potion, explaining flustered, “This is… just a resting spot for breaks.”

“During busy experiments, we’d sometimes stay all day. Occasionally, I’d rest here with Senior Lyn.”

Watching Xing Luo stand frozen in confusion, Shen Xueyun suddenly remembered—she was just a little girl who understood nothing.

No need to rush explanations.

Sighing softly, Shen Xueyun glanced at the beds, a trace of nostalgia flickering in her eyes.

When Lyn was her assistant, they’d spent many quiet moments alone here. During naps or overnight stays, they’d lie on these separate beds. Just seeing Lyn’s sleeping face filled her with warmth.

But after Lyn earned enough credits, such moments vanished. She’d resorted to… preserving his scent to sleep with.

A private little secret, of course.

Xing Luo snapped out of her daze and turned to Shen Xueyun. She noticed the girl’s expression shift from panic to distant reminiscence.

After a brief pause, Xing Luo asked curiously, “So this is a resting place? I’m a bit tired too.”

Before Shen Xueyun could refuse, Xing Luo scrambled onto Lyn’s bed.

Under Shen Xueyun’s conflicted gaze, Xing Luo rolled around on the mattress.

“This bed’s so small.”

“With Master, it’d barely fit. Too bad I can’t roll around freely like at home. I have to be held properly while sleeping.”

After testing the size, Xing Luo kicked her little feet in white stockings, murmuring to herself.

“…”

“Held properly while sleeping…”

Shen Xueyun froze. Her eyes dimmed as unexpected words spiked her blood pressure. Her slender hands clenched unconsciously.

*Crack.*

The Potion tube in her grip shattered from the force.

“Sister Kaoru…” Xing Luo jumped, bewildered. “What’s wrong?”

“I—I’m fine. Sorry. The Potion must’ve been unstable.” The sound snapped Shen Xueyun back. She forced a weak smile and began picking up glass shards.

“Your hand’s bleeding.”

Blood dripped from Shen Xueyun’s palm, sliced by fragments. Xing Luo hadn’t meant to hurt her—it was just a subtle jab.

“It’s nothing… just a scratch.” Shen Xueyun shook her head, but Xing Luo hopped down and grabbed her hand.

Xing Luo froze. Beyond the fresh cuts, she spotted older marks hidden under Shen Xueyun’s sleeve—like whip lashes or blunt-force scars.

Noticing Xing Luo’s gaze, Shen Xueyun stiffened. She yanked her hand back and tugged her sleeve down.

“Sister Kaoru, these are…”

“Accidents… from Potion experiments.” Shen Xueyun’s voice was soft. She avoided Xing Luo’s eyes and crouched to clean the glass.

Xing Luo said nothing. She knelt beside her, helping gather the shards.

“Thank you, little sister.” Shen Xueyun murmured after they finished.

“Sister Kaoru, are you really okay?” Xing Luo stared at her injured hand.

Shen Xueyun shook her head gently. “I’m fine.”

Gazing at the wide-eyed, concerned girl, Shen Xueyun wondered if those words were deliberate or innocent chatter.

Probably just childish rambling.

After all, when she was Xing Luo’s age…

Senior Lyn had held her to sleep too.

She still missed that safe, carefree feeling in his arms.

“You’re so lucky, little sister.” Shen Xueyun reached out and ruffled Xing Luo’s hair.

“Huh? Why?” Xing Luo tilted her head.

“When I was little, I could rest guilt-free in Senior Lyn’s arms too.”

“But telling you this now… you wouldn’t understand.” Shen Xueyun whispered, then offered an apologetic smile before returning to her Potions.

The little tuft of hair on Xing Luo’s head bobbed. Her face stayed perfectly innocent—but behind her back, her tiny fists clenched tight.