The cat froze for a moment, lifting her paw to block Luo Li, but the mischievous human pinned her down, continuing to shower her with kisses.
Luo Li shamelessly thought, Who could resist such an adorable, clingy little thing looking at them with tear-filled eyes the moment they woke up? It wasn't her fault; she was only guilty of making the same mistake any human would make.
The fluffy white cat, with her fur now all ruffled from the kisses, finally broke free and darted back to the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her.
Luo Li regretfully watched the cat flee, but she seemed much more spirited than she had been in the morning, which likely meant the fever had gone down.
Glancing at the time, Luo Li realized it was already time for dinner. She stretched her neck and was about to get up when the bedroom door opened again.
The person who emerged looked much better, her complexion slightly rosy, but her gaze toward Luo Li was cautious, as if she were wary of some hidden danger.
Luo Li didn't pay much attention to it, though she did feel a bit guilty. She kept it hidden well.
Handing the thermometer to Lu Cixue, Luo Li headed to the kitchen, asking her what she wanted to eat for dinner as she went.
Luo Li was making herself quite at home, acting as if she belonged there.
As she opened the fridge, she kept muttering, "Next time, you should keep some fresh fruits and vegetables at home. They're good for your health. But I guess you come home too late to cook for yourself…"
In a burst of inspiration, Luo Li added, "Why don't you just come over to my place for dinner?"
She might need to brush up on her cooking skills with her dad, but this seemed like a great idea to her.
It was as if she had already decided to include Lu Cixue in her daily life.
Lu Cixue was checking the thermometer. The fever had indeed gone down.
Her first reaction to Luo Li's suggestion was that it didn't make sense.
Why would she invite her over for dinner? Why had Luo Li come over today to take care of her? Was it to apologize for what happened last time?
Why… was she being so nice to her?
After all, they were just two people with little interaction, at most a superior-subordinate relationship.
"No need." Lu Cixue's index finger curled as she glanced down at the thermometer, her tone distant as she declined, "I can handle it myself."
Handle it herself? Was she going to handle herself right into another fever?
Luo Li pouted. The person who wanted hugs and cuddles earlier was her, and now the same person was acting cold and distant. What was going on in Lu Cixue's mind?
"Alright…" Luo Li quietly returned to the kitchen, pondering over a cooking tutorial on her phone, trying to think of something other than porridge to make.
A sudden voice startled her from behind, "What are you doing?"
Luo Li jumped, turning to find Lu Cixue standing so close behind her she could almost feel her breath on her neck. The moment Luo Li turned around, Lu Cixue silently stepped back.
?
"I haven't decided yet. Do you have any dietary restrictions?"
Lu Cixue shook her head, stepped forward, and cracked the eggs Luo Li had taken out, pouring them into a bowl.
Luo Li watched, confused, as Lu Cixue moved with practiced ease.
So… Lu Cixue was cooking dinner!?
"Is my cooking that bad?" Luo Li's spirits drooped. Was it so bad that, even when she was unwell, Lu Cixue had to take over?
Lu Cixue's hand paused on the chopsticks, and she quietly replied, "No."
Her intention had been to fulfill the promise she made to have dinner with Luo Li, a promise she hadn't yet kept. Plus, since Luo Li had been taking care of her all day, she wanted to help out.
Lu Cixue didn't like owing anyone anything, whether it was sympathy, pity, or even kindness. She always felt the need to return the favor.
There was no such thing as a special favor without a hidden agenda, just like her parents, business partners, or even Luo Li's father.
But she couldn't figure out Luo Li's intentions.
And this person was the only one she had ever shamelessly initiated contact with.
Lu Cixue put down what she was holding. Her lips were a faint pink, and her bare face turned toward Luo Li, who was watching her with serious intent. Suddenly, Lu Cixue's ears began to burn, and her gaze became evasive.
"Luo Li…"
Her voice was weak and hesitant.
"Why did you come to my house today?"
Hmm? Did that really need to be asked?
Luo Li immediately answered, "Ji Qiubai said you were sick, and I was worried about you."
"Why?"
Luo Li was puzzled by the second "why."
But then she seemed to realize that Lu Cixue was asking why she was worried about her.
Luo Li's heart suddenly raced, wondering if her feelings were about to be exposed. But looking at Lu Cixue's serious expression, she doubted Lu Cixue had noticed anything.
"What do you think?" Luo Li replied somewhat cryptically.
Lu Cixue was stunned. She didn't know. She had asked because she didn't understand what Luo Li's kindness meant, but now Luo Li was throwing the question back at her.
Human emotions were complex—family, friendship, love—various connections could lead to concern for others.
But she wasn't Luo Li's family, friend, or lover.
She didn't know what kind of bond she shared with Luo Li, but she knew she didn't mind it—in fact, she craved it.
She had tried to guess. Was it because of Luo Li's affection for her cat form? Was it because Luo Li was kind and treated everyone with such care? Or was it, more absurdly, that Luo Li was trying to curry favor with her boss…
But it couldn't be love.
That was an answer she didn't even dare to guess. How could someone like her be worthy of anyone's affection?
What should she say? She couldn't answer. If she did, this fleeting dream might shatter.
She hesitated, wanting to avoid the question.
The cat's understanding of human emotions was still too shallow. Her world was simply divided into likes and dislikes. She didn't comprehend how complex human emotions and psychology could be.
Luo Li noticed that Lu Cixue had gone quiet and started fiddling with the items in her hands again, and she felt a strange sensation rising in her chest.
Her Director Lu seemed to be deliberately avoiding the topic…
Luo Li smiled softly, choosing not to press further, and instead began to help her.
She knew Lu Cixue wasn't one to talk much, and this was likely her first time dealing with something like this.
It was fine; they could take things slow.
It seemed to be working, didn't it?
Director Lu was back at work by Tuesday, and the previously relaxed atmosphere immediately turned serious.
The weather had oddly warmed up again, and some of the male employees in the department had even switched to short sleeves.
Luo Li had been dutifully wearing formal attire for the first week, but now she was starting to slack off.
Of course, the main reason was that she had spent so much time at Lu Cixue's house the day before, even trying to push her luck by suggesting she stay the night in case Lu Cixue's fever returned. But she had been mercilessly kicked out.
She was tired, so today she almost overslept and didn't manage to come to work with Lu Cixue.
What a shame.
Worse yet, Lu Cixue had been scheduled to go on a business trip that afternoon, meaning she wouldn't see her until after the National Day holiday.
As for the rumors about Lu Cixue being harsh with employees, they had mostly died down after the truth came out and Luo Li's parents quietly intervened. No one was gossiping anymore.
Since she missed work the previous day, Luo Li had a lot of work to catch up on and didn't have time to visit Lu Cixue's office.
Strangely, the person she had been thinking about came to her first.
The sound of high heels clicking against the floor was unmistakable, but Luo Li didn't pay much attention to who it was.
"Double-check these and send them to my email by Thursday." A familiar voice spoke above her.
Chen Ting took the documents and agreed, but Luo Li only looked up then, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Lu Cixue's outfit.
Her mouse slipped from the "Save" button, closing the document instead.
"Ah!" A scream echoed at the worst possible moment.
Lu Cixue glanced over at the intern, who was now holding her head in frustration, and closed her eyes in resignation. "Luo Li, come to my office."
Luo Li hung her head and mumbled a low "okay."
Following behind Lu Cixue, she couldn't help but steal glances at her.
Silver-framed glasses, a pencil skirt, black stockings, high heels… Was this how the boss motivated her employees?
Every detail hit right on Luo Li's aesthetic preferences.
"What are you smiling about?"
Luo Li snapped out of it to find Lu Cixue standing at the door, looking at her curiously. She was still staring at her legs, grinning like an idiot.
"Nothing." Luo Li quickly straightened up, redirecting her gaze to that elegant, icy face. "Just seeing you makes me happy, Director Lu. It instantly gives me the motivation to work. I'm sure our marketing department will thrive under your leadership."
Total nonsense.
Lu Cixue didn't feel like engaging with her playful banter.
"I won't be in the office for the next few days, so try not to get into any conflicts with others." Even though Luo Li had her parents backing her up, Lu Cixue still felt compelled to say it.
"Mm-hmm, I know." Luo Li nodded eagerly, then paused as she processed Lu Cixue's words, grinning, "Don't worry, I'll behave and wait for you to come back."
"If you need anything, you can go to He Qinian."
Luo Li blinked. That name sounded familiar.
Oh right, the new planning department manager who replaced Guo Wenzhi after he got fired.
"But I'm not close to him. Why would I go to him?"
"He's a…" Lu Cixue hesitated, unsure how to describe their relationship, but it didn't really matter.
"A friend. You can ask him for help if you need it."
Luo Li sat at her desk, typing away furiously to make up for what she had lost that morning.
But her demeanor made Chen Ting nervous.
"Luo Luo, are you okay?"
Luo Li shook her head, her eyes on the screen, but her mind was elsewhere.
A friend…
Luo Li felt ridiculous for overthinking it, but hearing Lu Cixue call someone her friend was rare.
She wasn't even sure if she was considered a friend by Lu Cixue.
Who was this guy, anyway?
As Luo Li was growing increasingly restless, Liu Yue passed by, handing her a document. "Xiao Luo, could you take this to the planning department for a signature? Or are you busy? I can go myself."
"No, Liu Jie, I'm almost done. I'll take it." Luo Li smiled sweetly, eager to check out this person for herself.
The planning department had recently undergone a major staff overhaul.
It seemed this manager was quite capable.
Luo Li happened to bump into the assistant from before, who greeted her with a smile.
Luo Li returned the smile, thinking this might be a good opportunity.
"Brother Qi, how did your new manager get here so quickly?"
The assistant, who was well-versed in all the company gossip, lowered his voice conspiratorially, looking excited. "Don't spread this around, but…"
"Our new Manager He and your Director Lu are actually college classmates. They knew each other back then. Some even say they dated. He's here to rekindle the flame."
"I helped him set up some software yesterday, and Director Lu just happened to message him. She sent it first, you know? Guess what his contact name for her is?"
Luo Li's face darkened, but the assistant didn't notice, too caught up in the gossip.
"What?"
The assistant pulled out his phone, typing out a few characters for her.
(Heart) Lu (Heart): If you're too busy, I can come to you.
They were definitely familiar with each other.
"Don't tell anyone I told you this." The assistant, not much older than Luo Li, couldn't resist sharing the juicy gossip.
Lu Cixue and Ji Qiubai were already heading for the elevator when Luo Li stormed out of the stairwell, a scowl on her face.
She was clearly upset about something, pouting as usual, but she was also easy to soothe.
Lu Cixue's lips twitched into a brief smile before returning to her usual expression. "Luo Li, where are you going?"
She was walking in the wrong direction.
The person in question froze at the sound of her voice, feeling awkward but trying to act nonchalant as she turned back, her eyes darting around.
"Nothing, just taking a walk."
Ha, her pout could practically hang a teapot. Such a bad liar.
Lu Cixue didn't have time to figure out who had upset her. She rubbed her temples, still feeling a bit lightheaded from the fever. "Don't bring your emotions into your work."
She meant it as a reminder and a bit of comfort. Luo Li needed to mature quickly.
But why did those watery eyes look even more hurt?
"Oh… I know. I'll reflect on it. I won't do it again." Her apology was anything but sincere, her head hung low as she tried to walk past them.
Ji Qiubai did her best to remain inconspicuous, but just as the elevator arrived, Lu Cixue suddenly turned back.
?
"You go ahead. I'll be there soon."
Luo Li had just reached her desk when she heard those familiar footsteps behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
But it didn't make sense. Lu Cixue was supposed to be on her way out.
"Come to my office." The familiar figure breezed past her, leaving behind a faint, cool scent.
Five minutes later, Chen Ting watched as Luo Li practically bounced out of the office, grinning from ear to ear.
That smile seemed awfully cheap.
She had never seen anyone leave Director Lu's office looking so happy.
"What's with the big smile…" Chen Ting asked, holding a latte as she approached.
"Hehe, nothing. We shouldn't slack off during work hours!" Luo Li cheerfully opened her laptop, ready to dive into her tasks.
? It's break time, though!
Lu Cixue walked by, and Chen Ting noticed how that cheap smile turned into a bright wave as Luo Li's eyes lit up.
"Make sure you rest and don't overwork yourself."
The fast-walking woman nodded with a smile.
Chen Ting was stunned.
No way! Did she just see that? Did Director Lu really smile? And at Luo Li, no less?
There was definitely something going on between them.
Luo Li could feel someone staring at her, but when she turned, she didn't see anyone. She shrugged it off, unconcerned.
——
Five minutes earlier.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm fine." Luo Li's tone was defiant.
She knew her behavior was childish, throwing a tantrum at her boss. It wasn't how an employee should act.
But she couldn't help it. Her emotions were all over the place, leaving her frustrated and heavy-hearted.
"Don't let others control your emotions. If I said something that upset you, I apologize." Lu Cixue looked up at her. "But you have a lot to learn, and no one will be there to comfort you all the time."
Luo Li's temper deflated like a punctured balloon.
Lu Cixue had come back just to find her.
She couldn't stay mad.
"I understand." Luo Li kept her head down, like a child admitting a mistake.
She seemed to get it, but something was still holding her back.
"What do you want to say?"
"Can't you… comfort me a little?" Luo Li risked a glance, feeling both bold and embarrassed.
Lu Cixue's normally serene face registered surprise for the first time.
Just as Luo Li braced herself for rejection, she heard an even more surprising response.
"How do you want me to comfort you?"
…
That was the third time Luo Li had sat at her desk, grinning like a fool. Chen Ting couldn't bear to look, turning away in disgust.
Luo Li was filled with smug satisfaction.
Director Lu had just patted her head!
Maybe she shouldn't wash her hair ever again?