“Sister Bao’er, I’m so sorry. I need to take this call.” Mo Qing looked apologetic.

“It’s fine. You don’t have to be so formal.” Tang Bao’er looked calm, as if she didn’t mind at all.

Mo Qing stayed right where she was, showing no intention of stepping away as she answered the call.

“Hello? Xue’er? What’s up? Missing me already?”

“Mo Qing, it’s so late. Why aren’t you home yet? I was a little worried, so I called to check on you.”

“Oh, that’s why. Something happened today, and I made a new friend, so I’m at her place right now.”

“I see. Then I’m relieved. Are you coming home tonight?”

“Of course. Make sure you eat properly, okay? Wait for me to come back.”

“I understand…”

“All right. Bye.”

Mo Qing hung up and looked at Tang Bao’er. Tang Bao’er’s expression was unchanged, but she was gripping her chopsticks so tightly her knuckles had gone white.

“Sister Bao’er, here, try this.” Mo Qing put a piece of meat on Tang Bao’er’s plate.

“Thank you.” Only then did Tang Bao’er loosen her grip on the chopsticks she’d nearly snapped in half. She picked up the piece of meat Mo Qing had given her and ate it slowly.

“Sister Bao’er, could you take me home in a little while?” Mo Qing asked with a smile.

“Sure,” Tang Bao’er replied glumly. Her reluctance slipped out despite herself, and she kept her eyes fixed on Mo Qing.

“Sister Bao’er, why do you keep looking at Qing’er?” Mo Qing asked, pretending not to know.

“It’s nothing. Eat.” Tang Bao’er looked away and lowered her head to continue her meal.

After they finished eating, Mo Qing hurried to clear the dishes, carried them into the kitchen, and started washing up.

Tang Bao’er followed Mo Qing into the kitchen and watched, lost in thought, as she bustled about.

“Sister Bao’er, do you ever get bored living alone in such a big villa?” Mo Qing chatted as she washed the dishes.

“I do get bored. Qing’er, could you come visit me when you have time?” Tang Bao’er was completely led along by Mo Qing, without even realizing it—even though she was a formidable businesswoman.

“That’s what I was thinking, too. I’ll come visit you often when I have time, Sister Bao’er. You really like my cooking—you ate three bowls tonight!” Mo Qing smiled sweetly, her twin ponytails swaying as she put on a playful-girl act.

“I really like the way you cook, Qing’er. Just call me whenever you want to visit, and you can come by anytime.” Tang Bao’er gazed at Mo Qing as she spoke. Then the two exchanged phone numbers.

Once the dishes were washed, Mo Qing had nothing else to do, so she asked Tang Bao’er to take her home. Even though she could clearly see how reluctant Tang Bao’er was to part with her, she still urged her to leave.

Tang Bao’er drove her black minivan and dropped Mo Qing off outside her rented apartment. Looking at where Mo Qing lived, she frowned slightly. How could Mo Qing live in a place like this?

“Mo Qing, could I come up for a bit?” Tang Bao’er asked. She didn’t want to part with Mo Qing just yet—and she also wanted to see this person called Xue’er.

“Of course. Xue’er’s really nice. I’ll take you up and introduce you to her.” As she spoke, Mo Qing reached out, took Tang Bao’er’s hand, and led her through the dimly lit hallway.

“Xue’er, I’m back~” Mo Qing raised a delicate hand and tapped a steady rhythm on the rusty iron door.

“Coming!”

Jiang Qingxue’s hurried footsteps sounded from inside. She came running to open the door for Mo Qing.

Clang! The iron door swung open. Jiang Qingxue saw Mo Qing holding hands with an unfamiliar woman and couldn’t help freezing for a moment.

“Xue’er, let me introduce you. This is my new friend, Tang Bao’er.”

“Sister Bao’er, this is my good friend, Jiang Qingxue.”

Mo Qing introduced them with a happy smile.

“Hello.” Jiang Qingxue politely held out her hand.

“Hello.” Tang Bao’er narrowed her eyes as she looked at Jiang Qingxue, but made no move to take her hand. She only gave a stiff greeting.

Jiang Qingxue’s hand hung in midair. She felt awkward. The other woman didn’t seem very friendly toward her. It was their first time meeting, so why did she seem to dislike her so much…?