Yun Daidai crouched by the company gate, sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.

Sun Qing, Yun Mingyue’s personal secretary, happened to arrive just then. She immediately spotted Yun Daidai weeping inconsolably.

"Young Miss?"

Regardless of the chairwoman’s relationship with the young miss, Sun Qing knew—objectivity was part of her duty.

As long as Yun Daidai held inheritance rights to the Yun Group, she remained its Young Miss.

"Why are you crying here?"

"I… I’m fine…" Yun Daidai choked out, dabbing her eyes with the small silk handkerchief Zhou You had left behind.

The smooth fabric brushed her eyelid. Catching the damp stains, she recalled Zhou You’s words. A wave of sorrow surged—she nearly sobbed again.

But an outsider stood nearby. She held it back.

"I just tripped. It stings a little." She feigned calm, offering a barely plausible excuse.

Sun Qing saw right through it. Just as Zhou You thought: elder sisters had seen too much. Thinking you could fool them with a little acting? Only invited ridicule.

Sun Qing glanced toward the office—no sign of the young man. Experienced as she was, suspicion already formed.

Which employee dared reject the Yun Group’s Young Miss? Even unaware of her status, Yun Daidai’s goddess-tier beauty alone should’ve been irresistible.

"Shall I take you to the hospital, Young Miss?" Sun Qing didn’t press. She’d observe, gather details, then report to Yun Mingyue later.

The chairwoman would surely want to know about Yun Daidai’s romantic situation.

"Secretary Sun, I’m fine," Yun Daidai said flatly, shaking her head slightly. "Thank you. I’ll head in."

She turned and walked inside, steps heavy. Despite her composure, her retreating figure radiated quiet loneliness.

…

Zhou You walked alone toward the secretarial office. The fleeting joy faded, leaving hollow emptiness.

She mourned losing him—not truly understanding him.

"Maybe you’ll never understand?"

If Yun Daidai ever sincerely, genuinely stood before him to apologize…

Then he…

"Of course I’d reject her. Heh."

Zhou You let out a derisive chuckle, pushing the office door open. "Only then would you grasp how I felt."

Nothing mattered. Unvalued by her heart, the outcome was sealed long ago—he’d just refused to see it.

He covered his face, inhaling deeply. Sure enough: Yun Daidai always unraveled him.

Should he stay calm? Ignore her completely? Yet he knew—if she appeared before him in pain, he’d cave.

If she stayed calm, he could part gently. If hysterical, he’d ignore her. But if she mirrored his past self…

"Haa… Stop thinking about her."

Zhou You exhaled slowly, pushing her from his mind. Brewed coffee for himself, then another cup for the senior female secretary arriving in three minutes.

Drafted plans. Initiated chats. Summarized. Improved.

His day unfolded normally. Yun Mingyue remained absent all day.

Only late that night did Yun Mingyue finally rest. She kicked off her heels the moment she sat, gently massaging her soles. Years of training granted her supple flexibility—such deep bends came effortlessly.

She pondered inviting Zhou You to her new boutique foot massage parlor. Many girls there wore animal ears.

Strictly legitimate. Female clients only.

"His technique’s excellent. He could massage me and train the staff… if he’s willing."

Yun Mingyue rarely pressured others privately—unless emotions clouded judgment.

"He probably won’t refuse." She lifted her fingers. Delicate toes, like tender bamboo shoots, stretched outward.

Few ever earned the chance to admire such exquisite feet.

*Beep beep beep…*

Yun Mingyue lifted her phone to her ear.

"Hello, Sister Hua—what’s up?" Zhou You tensed slightly. Please don’t ask about last night. He really didn’t want another bite.

Thankfully, she didn’t mention it.

"Free tonight?" she asked bluntly, voice dripping with playful tease. "This older sister’s lonely… and needs you… Mmm~~~"

That final coo melted bones with honeyed charm.

Zhou You’s knees went weak. He handled younger girls with ease—but mature women? Utterly disarmed.

"This older sister opened a new foot massage spot in Binjiang. Come~ I’ll show you fun games~~"

Her soft exhale into the mic sent phantom tingles across his skin.

Unbearable. No wonder ancients warned: "Beauty is a curse." He’d scoffed before—blaming weak men, not women. Now he understood. This wasn’t resistance. It was surrender.

Facing Sister Hua’s bold advances, refusal felt impossible.

"O-Okay."

"Pfft~ I won’t eat you. What’s there to fear?"

Zhou You’s expression twisted. Did he hope she *wouldn’t* "eat" him… or fear she *wouldn’t*? Utterly torn.

"This older sister waits. Hurry~"

*Beep beep beep…*

Yun Mingyue hung up with a light chuckle, slipped into white cotton slippers, and stepped out.

"Kemonomimi" girls bustled about in preparation.

*Clap clap!* She clapped sharply, drawing their attention.

"Bring me clothes. I’ll bathe." Most parlors didn’t offer baths—but as owner, Yun Mingyue made exceptions.

A girl hesitated. "Boss… we only have *that* kind." She formed bunny ears above her head.

Yun Mingyue paused—didn’t refuse outright. "Show me."

A semi-sheer ancient dancer’s outfit. Fox ears included.

"Acceptable." Within her range.

Her eyes narrowed. A flicker of anticipation: Zhou You’s reaction to her in this?

"Help me bathe and change."

She turned. Two girls followed with the outfit; another opened the door to a steaming bath.

Toes dipped into warm water. Milky foam traced down her thighs. Steam curled, faintly outlining a graceful silhouette.