Siyina could sense Jianglai wasn’t as unattainable as she seemed. Anyone seeing her for the first time would think she was an untouchable beauty, needing gentle care and delicate nurturing. But Jianglai’s true self was nothing like that.
Siyina still remembered the expression on that beautiful woman’s face when she’d pinned her against the wall moments ago. Deep in her eyes lay endless longing, yet she still put on airs, waiting for Siyina to pierce that thin veil of pretense.
That forceful attitude, those unrestrained moves—these were likely the stimulants that ignited the beautiful woman’s burning desire even faster.
Siyina had never met a beauty like this—strong yet fragile, seemingly out of reach yet secretly craving to be dominated. This bundle of contradictions made Siyina ache to know her deeply.
She longed to devour her whole in one breath.
...Jianglai left the company feeling utterly out of her mind. Just now, she’d actually, for a fleeting moment, anticipated what would come next. She had no idea why she’d become so emotional, slowly unable to suppress her inner turmoil.
In the past, she could handle anything rationally, no matter what happened. But now, everything had changed completely.
Jianglai had been lonely for too long. For over a decade, she’d locked her extra emotions away in a shadowy tower, pouring all her heart into her daughter and work.
This life, though calm and uneventful, was acceptable—until now, when she’d grown accustomed to burying her feelings.
All this time, Jianglai had suppressed her true self, striving to play the perfect father role she’d imagined, becoming everyone’s pillar of support.
This disguise, this mask—she’d worn it since her twenties, all the way to now. She’d even forgotten what her real self looked like.
But after that one-night stand two days ago, Jianglai’s hidden heart, buried for decades, had been fully exposed. Xu Ruobing’s touch had thoroughly stirred her deepest cravings.
Jianglai now needed someone by her side; the emptiness inside her craved filling. Yet she hadn’t even considered what she truly wanted—solace for her soul or physical closeness.
After leaving work, Jianglai saw it was still early. No need to call her sister-in-law over now; if she went back herself, she could make lunch for her daughter.
She quickly messaged her sister-in-law, then headed home. Sitting in a subway corner, Jianglai thought of her daughter alone at home.
Jianglai knew she couldn’t openly visit her daughter in her current identity. Without someone covering for her, she feared her true self might be exposed.
She wondered if her daughter, not seen for months, would miss her “father.” They hadn’t met during school, and now on vacation, still no reunion.
Her daughter was growing up; the days they could spend together morning and night would fade. In the end, she’d truly be alone.
While Jianglai worried whether her daughter was eating well and feeling lonely, Jiang Leyi was at home, silently grumbling about her.
Jiang Leyi scanned the room she’d just finished cleaning with effort, finally sighing in relief. She had no idea what her dad had been doing—dust coated many spots he’d ignored.
If she weren’t about to welcome her best friend, Jiang Leyi would’ve messaged right now to complain about her dad.
It was odd; she’d only mentioned getting a stepmom soon. Even if curious, her friend shouldn’t have rushed over the next day.
It was her own stepmom coming, yet her best friend had been more anxious than she was since hearing the news.
As Jiang Leyi pondered what tasty treats to offer her friend, the doorbell rang with a ding-dong.
Had her friend arrived so fast? Jiang Leyi had wanted to pick her up at the subway station, but her friend had messaged it was fine. Even with navigation, this was too quick.
Jiang Leyi’s best friend was Shenruxue. Though they’d known each other only half a year, Jiang Leyi already saw her as a goddess. Anything she mentioned once—her blood type, allergies—Shenruxue remembered perfectly. It felt like Shenruxue understood her better than she understood herself.
Shenruxue’s care was doting to the point of spoiling, like a mother’s love for her daughter. But Shenruxue wasn’t her mother; even as a potential stepmom, the age gap with her dad was too wide.
Jiang Leyi loved matchmaking recklessly, but she couldn’t link them. In the end, she narcissistically blamed her own charm.
No time for such thoughts—the doorbell rang again. Jiang Leyi flung open the door to welcome her mother-like friend.
No sooner had Shenruxue pressed the bell than Jiang Leyi bounced out and hugged her tightly. Shenruxue gently stroked Jiang Leyi, who clung like a sloth.
Far from minding the intrusion, Shenruxue’s face softened with doting affection. “Bouncing like that, you might get hurt,” she chided gently.
Shenruxue, both exasperated and tender, led Jiang Leyi inside as if it were her own home. Once in, she scanned every corner of the room.
Her eyes settled on the soft sofa, then a cabinet in the living room corner filled with Jiang Leyi’s childhood trophies and certificates.
Unlike a school dorm, this place held traces of Jiang Leyi’s growth and life—traces Shenruxue had never witnessed.
Shenruxue couldn’t look away. Beyond searching for Jiang Leyi’s marks, she slowly sought any remnants of Jianglai.
While Jiang Leyi prepared sweet treats, Shenruxue drifted to Jianglai’s bedroom door. Even after over a decade away, she sensed Jianglai’s scent in the room—a familiar, nostalgic aroma.
Overwhelmed by longing, Shenruxue was momentarily bewitched. She opened the wardrobe and silently sniffed Jianglai’s clothes inside.
