Stepping into the office, Qin Ning was indeed still awake. She lay on her side across the plush sofa, phone held up in both hands, absorbed in a casual mobile game.

Her curvaceous figure stood out vividly in that pose. The languid, alluring posture made me blush slightly.

As expected, it’s the mature, elegant woman who really makes my heart race. Feeling shy, I also felt a faint sense of relief—I at least didn’t find the girls in my dorm, same age but mentally years younger, more appealing. Right?

Like, if Xu Qianqian hugged me again until I felt suffocated, I could stay fairly calm now. But if Qin Ning… if she pressed me against her chest? I probably…

“Stop staring,” Qin Ning suddenly sat up, casting me a look tinged with pity. “You’re nineteen. You’ve got maybe two years left for any growth. Judging by your current… foundation? No hope.”

My face froze.

Phew. At least she thought I’d been staring out of envy, not fantasy.

But again—out of nowhere—a sharp-tongued jab…

Something in me short-circuited. I blurted out, “Really… no chance at all?”

Qin Ning studied me deeply, then her eyes softened. “Drink more milk. Watch your nutrition. There’s still hope.”

…Uh.

In seconds, I pieced together her thoughts. She knew my past. Knew Su Xiaoxi’s family struggled. Probably assumed my petite frame came from childhood malnutrition…

After that teasing remark followed by a quiet show of care, Qin Ning seemed pleased. “Go on. What do you need?”

I brushed my clothes and straightened up. “Here to report on the shop setup… Also, before that—there’s something I’d like to consult you… about.”

“My opinion?” Qin Ning arched a brow. “Speak.”

“Well… you know I’m… temporarily homeless,” I chose my words carefully. “I stayed in the dorm before, but summer break started. Dorms are closed. So I…”

“So you’ve got nowhere to go?” Qin Ning cut in.

Well, not really “cut in”—I’d made it obvious.

I nodded, face flushed.

“What’s your plan?” she asked.

“I… I don’t have one,” I murmured weakly.

Qin Ning wasn’t fooled. Not by this little white rabbit act. “Don’t take me for a fool. If you had no plan, why ask me? You’ve got an idea. You’re checking if I’ll help. Right?”

Intimidated by her mature-woman aura, I shrank back. “Y-yes…”

No hiding it. Qin Ning seemed careless about many things—but not because she didn’t see. She just didn’t bother.

Makes sense. A big boss like her? Of course she sees everything.

“Then say it,” her tone softened. “As long as it’s not too unreasonable, I’ll help.”

That police station incident had brought us closer. Good thing she knew about Su Xiaoxi’s situation.

Still… what *exactly* counts as “not too unreasonable”?

I stammered, then—under her patient, urging gaze—forced the words out:

“I don’t feel safe staying elsewhere… Could I stay at your place, Sister Qin Ning… just temporarily? Is that… too much?”

Silence filled the office. I held my breath, lips sealed tight—like a prisoner awaiting sentencing.

Qin Ning’s gaze stayed locked on me. Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the glass desk. Weighing. Considering. I couldn’t guess her thoughts, but I knew they ran deep.

Just as my nerves frayed to the breaking point—

“Alright,” she said. “After tonight’s group dinner, come with me.”