Perhaps sensing that it wasn't a compliment, the little cat pressed its soft pink paw pads against Luo Li's face, a clear sign of retaliation.
Luo Li chuckled, finding the cat both proud and adorable, but a hint of doubt flickered in her heart.
This cat was too clever, almost as if she could fully understand human speech. Could it be that Lu Cixue really didn't remember anything?
If Lu Cixue knew that she was being casually hugged and petted like this, wouldn't Luo Li be in big trouble?
Luo Li studied the little head in her arms with suspicion. The cat, with its soft fur, licked its paw, and then, noticing Luo Li's silence, looked up at her with innocent, bewildered eyes.
Luo Li suddenly felt she was overthinking it.
How could that be? Even if she turned into a cat, that cold-hearted person wouldn't be this affectionate.
But Luo Li didn't have the courage to sleep with the cat in the same bed. After making sure the little cat was sound asleep, she retreated to another bedroom.
Lying in bed, Luo Li couldn't help but laugh.
Honestly, as the owner of this house, giving up the master bedroom to a little creature while she slept in the guest room—how odd.
The next morning, in the master bedroom, Lu Cixue stared at the ceiling of Luo Li's home, her eyes clear but tinged with complexity.
The space beside her was perfectly neat, unwrinkled, and cold, untouched by anyone.
Last night, she had just stepped out of the bathroom when she received a call from her parents. But with so many things piling up, Lu Cixue was too exhausted to deal with them.
Then she got the message that they were coming over in a fit of anger.
It wasn't the first time. They had access cards and knew the code to her door.
Looking back, Lu Cixue realized that in all her twenty-something years, she had rarely done anything bold. Her upbringing had instilled a deep-seated silence and patience in her.
Every time she acted out of character, it was related to Luo Li.
She didn't want to see her parents, but she had nowhere else to go. In this city, she had neither friends nor family.
But the person across the hall seemed to like cats.
And so, a bold idea formed in her mind.
The woman adjusted her robe, the soft morning light casting faint shadows in the bedroom, highlighting her graceful back and long, thick hair.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Cixue quietly pushed open the bedroom door, only to be surprised by the figure sitting at the dining table.
...
"You're awake?" Luo Li grinned.
Unlike before, she now had a job and wouldn't sleep in as late as she used to.
And it was rare to see such an awkward expression on Lu Cixue's face.
"Last night…"
"You turned into a cat again last night and came to my place. Your parents did come looking for you, but I told them you were on a business trip."
The moment she heard the words "last night," Luo Li perked up, quickly pulling out her phone to show Lu Cixue the photos she had taken—evidence of the little cat clinging to her.
Lu Cixue had intended to say that if she had caused any trouble, Luo Li could just ignore her next time. But seeing the photos of herself snuggling up to Luo Li, an inexplicable warmth crept up her neck, and she pressed her lips together, unwilling to speak further.
In the photos, a delicate white cat nestled against Luo Li's hand on the bed, sleeping soundly.
Luo Li intently observed the now-silent woman, her expression shifting from focused to surprised as she struggled to suppress a smile.
If she wasn't mistaken, her boss was blushing?
"Sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? Now I don't have to worry about you being taken away by someone else. You're welcome to come over anytime." Luo Li even began to consider placing a cat climbing frame by the door, just in case this clever little cat wanted to visit again.
Lu Cixue opened her mouth but stopped, eventually just saying thank you.
Perhaps it was her cowardice and tendency to avoid things, but Luo Li hadn't rejected her, had she?
Such a despicable thought, but humans are like that—once given an inch, they take a mile.
And cats are no different.
For the first time, the two of them sat down for breakfast together.
Luo Li even managed to snag a ride with Lu Cixue. The cold-faced director focused on driving, but Luo Li noticed the tips of her ears were still a bit red.
Kind of cute.
On the day of the business trip, Luo Li carefully reviewed her notes at the airport.
She had just learned that Ji Qiubai was supposed to accompany them, but for some reason, he had suddenly taken leave late at night, leaving Luo Li with the assistant's responsibilities.
It was her first time doing this, and although she didn't have to negotiate like Lu Cixue, she still needed to prepare well.
After all, she was just a small-time assistant, while the beautiful boss beside her was busy answering emails even on a business trip.
Luo Li secretly admired the woman's side profile, quickly sitting up straight as Lu Cixue looked up.
"Director Lu, would you like something to drink?" Luo Li glanced at the time, noticing a coffee shop and convenience store nearby.
"Coffee or something else? But you drink coffee all day at the office. How about some milk instead? Or is there something you particularly like?"
Plan initiated—pursuing someone starts with understanding their interests and preferences.
Luo Li chirped away like a little sparrow, but Lu Cixue didn't find it annoying. In fact, it strangely put her at ease, and she actually paid attention to what Luo Li was saying.
Something she particularly liked…? It seemed there wasn't anything.
Her life seemed devoid of things she particularly liked or was interested in.
How dull.
"Anything is fine. Thank you."
Luo Li felt a tiny bit disappointed.
But Lu Cixue added, "I don't have any special preferences, so whatever you're having is fine."
That little bit of disappointment from Lu Cixue's aloofness vanished instantly, and Luo Li ran off happily.
Her bouncing figure resembled an eager child, and even Lu Cixue didn't notice the faint smile at the corners of her lips.
Luo Li, holding a bottle of milk and orange juice, walked back from the counter, spotting two young men standing next to Lu Cixue.
One of them was holding a phone, saying something to Lu Cixue.
Flirting.
That was the word that immediately popped into Luo Li's mind, and she quickened her pace, catching the tail end of their conversation.
"It's okay if you don't add me. Are you also going to Yunhai City, ma'am? Is it for tourism? There are lots of fun places there, I can…"
"Ma'am."
The boy's words were cut off by a voice that had a hint of coquettishness.
Lu Cixue froze, watching Luo Li approach, sit down beside her, twist open the bottle of milk, and hand it to her. Then, with her free hand, she lightly circled it around her own waist.
It was just a gentle embrace, almost not touching her at all, but even through her clothes, Lu Cixue felt as though her whole body was heating up.
She wasn't sure if it was because of the warm milk in her hand.
"She's my girlfriend, a bit shy and not very good at turning people down. Is there anything else you need?" Luo Li said to the boy, tilting her head.
The implication was clear: you've been rejected, so don't bother her anymore.
The two boys awkwardly smiled and quickly left.
Luo Li immediately pulled her hand back and cutely apologized, "Sorry, Director Lu, I didn't mean to!"
Actually, she did.
Lu Cixue forced her expression back to normal. "It's okay."
Yet when Luo Li's warm breath suddenly retreated, she felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
They arrived in Yunhai City in the late afternoon. After checking into the hotel and unpacking, Luo Li collapsed, not wanting to move.
She hadn't even done anything, so why was she so tired? Is this what the working life is like?
Just as she was about to open a bag of snacks she'd bought, her phone buzzed with a message: [Come over.]
The contact was saved under "Little Antique," her first impression of this person.
Luo Li immediately got up and headed to the room across the hall, not even willing to put down her snacks.
Even on a business trip, employees shouldn't go hungry, right?
The door was ajar.
The person inside wasn't working, but rather sitting quietly at the desk, as if waiting for her.
Luo Li quickly hid the snacks behind her back, smiling as she greeted, "Director Lu, you called?"
Noticing Luo Li's small gesture, Lu Cixue didn't comment, instead pushing a few documents across the desk and motioning for her to sit.
"Help me finish these, and then I'll take you to dinner."
"Really?" Luo Li instantly lost interest in her snacks, setting them aside and focusing on her work under Lu Cixue's guidance.
Though she considered herself a novice, Luo Li had still graduated with a legitimate diploma and was a fast learner.
She quickly completed the work and handed it to Lu Cixue for review.
As Lu Cixue swiftly browsed through the documents, she couldn't ignore the bright gaze fixed on her.
Eyes gleaming, waiting for Lu Cixue to take her out to eat.
Though it sounded insulting, Lu Cixue couldn't help but think of an animal, something like a puppy eagerly waiting to be fed.
They chose a nearby restaurant in a shopping mall. After eating, they took the elevator down, where a couple stood in front of them, the girl holding a large stuffed deer.
Luo Li instinctively glanced at Lu Cixue, noticing that she was staring intently at the stuffed toy.
Luo Li: "?"
She wasn't mistaken. Lu Cixue had been staring at the toy for two floors.
Feeling like she had discovered a secret, Luo Li couldn't help but smile as they reached the ground floor and stopped walking.
Lu Cixue turned to her, puzzled.
"Oh, I think I forgot to buy something. Why don't you head back first, Director Lu?"
Lu Cixue didn't suspect anything, simply reminding her to return soon before leaving alone.
By nine o'clock, Lu Cixue still hadn't received any word from Luo Li. She hesitated, debating whether to call her. Her finger hovered over the message box, unable to press send.
Would she seem too nosy? Even as a boss, she didn't have the right to pry into someone's personal life.
Reflecting on the day's events, Lu Cixue grew more confused. Could Luo Li be this concerned about someone she didn't like?
It seemed she could—she was kind to everyone.
Just ordinary kindness, with no other feelings involved.
Lu Cixue lowered her eyes, hiding her thoughts, biting her lip in deep contemplation.
At that moment, her phone suddenly rang. It was a voice call from Luo Li.
"Hello?" Lu Cixue's voice, usually so composed, had a slight edge of unease and panic.
Standing at the door of her room, Luo Li was puzzled by how quickly the call was answered.
"Director Lu, are you asleep? I have something for you."
"Wait a moment." Luo Li barely heard these words before the door in front of her swung open.
"Look, do you like it?"
Lu Cixue didn't even notice Luo Li's face.
What she saw first was a giant stuffed cow cat.
No, two of them.
One was still in its packaging, placed on the floor, with only its head facing Lu Cixue.
Luo Li's head popped out from the side. "Though it's a different breed, I think it looks a lot like you. I know you'll probably say it's childish, and I admit it is, but I've already bought it, so please accept it."
"Think of it… as a belated birthday gift!"
Director Lu, encountering such a situation for the first time, stood there in a daze.
She had been staring at the little deer in the elevator, not because she particularly wanted it—it was just an ordinary stuffed toy, something she could easily buy herself.
It was just that she had missed out on such things in her childhood, and that's why she looked at it a bit longer.
But now that Luo Li was giving her something, it felt different, though she couldn't quite explain why.
In terms of logic and reason, she shouldn't accept it. The fool in front of her didn't seem to realize that giving gifts to a superior could be seen as inappropriate.
But with those hopeful eyes, how could she refuse?
"Thank you." As she reached out to accept the cat, Lu Cixue's voice was slightly strained.
Luo Li froze, then her smile deepened as she picked up the one on the floor. "Then have a good night. I'll head back now."
Back in her room, Luo Li couldn't calm her excitement.
She had thought Lu Cixue wouldn't accept the gift or that she would transfer money to her account as usual. That was always Lu Cixue's way of dealing with people: not owing anyone anything, maintaining distance, and being polite.
But she didn't.
She accepted it and even smiled at her.
Lu Cixue's smile was truly beautiful—something no one else in the company had seen.
Luo Li happily unwrapped her own plush toy, confident that Lu Cixue hadn't noticed.
She had bought a matching couple's set.