The more lost in passion one gets, the more troublesome it becomes to touch up makeup afterward.
As Shi Yue sighed at her slightly swollen lips in the mirror, Leng Yanmi stepped out to take a phone call. By the time Shi Yue finished fixing her makeup, a staff member came in to notify her that the award ceremony recording was about to resume.
She left the room, following the staff toward the stage, when she happened to run into Leng Yanmi and Leng Mingchuan.
Leng Yanmi paused to speak with her. "It's all been arranged. Congratulations."
With other people around, Shi Yue didn't respond verbally, just offered a small smile to show she understood.
Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Leng Mingchuan, noticing the redness around his eyes, as if he had been crying.
Once back on stage, Zhang Zhuo brought a tear-streaked Shen Lingling forward to explain the situation. "We've reviewed the competition rules, and while Shen Lingling's actions did have a negative impact on the event, they didn't meet the criteria for a forced disqualification. Based on her sincere apology and promises to make amends, the production team has decided to cancel her disqualification."
"If anyone has objections, feel free to raise them now."
The other contestants exchanged glances but remained silent. They all tacitly turned their gazes toward Shi Yue, knowing she was the only one with the right to pass judgment on Shen Lingling.
Shen Lingling's tears fell again as she stepped forward, pleading, "Shi Yue, I'm truly sorry. I was confused and shouldn't have accused you and Xi Chuanyu without any evidence."
"Please, I'm begging for your forgiveness."
Shi Yue had already felt that disqualification wasn't the appropriate punishment, so she wasn't going to make things harder for Shen Lingling.
She turned to Zhang Zhuo and asked, "When the show airs, will this incident be edited out entirely?"
"No," Zhang Zhuo admitted. "We'll remove any parts that might damage your or Miss Xi Chuanyu's reputations, but we will keep Shen Lingling's questioning of the scoring."
Satisfied, Shi Yue looked at Shen Lingling. "In that case, I hope to see a sincere apology from Miss Shen."
"I-I will," Shen Lingling said, wiping her tears. "When the show airs, I'll immediately release a public apology to both you and M.Crush, asking for your forgiveness."
Shi Yue knew Shen Lingling wasn't truly remorseful but was only submitting to the situation. Still, she didn't want to drag things out.
She nodded, signaling the end of the matter. "I don't have any further objections."
Shen Lingling wept with relief, and Zhang Zhuo also exhaled, visibly relieved. "Thank you, Miss Shi Yue. This also supports and affirms the work of our production team."
With that, he signaled for filming to continue.
For the rest of the awards ceremony, Shen Lingling, looking pitiful with her tear-streaked face, finished the recording. Though she may have hoped to gain sympathy, most people just felt she was reaping what she had sown.
The first round of the competition officially concluded with a shot of Shi Yue holding the medal, and the production team graciously gave all the contestants a weekend break, asking them to return to the villa on Monday to resume filming.
Shi Yue, glad for the reprieve, packed up her things and headed outside. As expected, she saw a familiar car waiting. She slipped into the passenger seat, buckled her seatbelt, and as soon as she did, Leng Yanmi started the engine and drove them back to her apartment in the city center.
At home, Leng Yanmi went into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water for Shi Yue, casually asking, "Are you satisfied with how things were handled?"
After taking a cool drink, Shi Yue felt much better. She shrugged. "There's nothing to be dissatisfied about."
She then recalled the strange look on Leng Mingchuan's face when she saw him in the hallway and chuckled. "Did you agree to cancel Shen Lingling's disqualification because your dear nephew cried and begged you?"
"Because of you," Leng Yanmi replied, lifting her eyes to meet Shi Yue's.
When the subject of Leng Mingchuan came up, her expression quickly soured. "He's a grown man, yet somehow he's still as childish as ever."
"As the head of feather design competition, he has a thousand ways to protect Shen Lingling, but all he can think to do is come crying to me."
Shi Yue placed the bottle on the counter, unable to resist teasing, "Isn't that your fault for spoiling him?"
When Shi Yue had read the novel, she quickly noticed that Leng Mingchuan lacked any real talent. His extensive network was thanks to his privileged background, and the company's profitability was entirely due to the team Leng Yanmi had built for him.
To be honest, with Leng Yanmi supporting him, even a pig could run the company profitably. Leng Mingchuan didn't really have to do anything.
On top of that, with his naturally lazy and spoiled personality, he was more than happy to cling to Leng Yanmi's support and simply coast along. It was no surprise that whenever a problem arose, his first instinct was to cry to her rather than solve it himself.
"I spoiled him?" Leng Yanmi clearly disagreed with Shi Yue's assessment.
She scooped up her white ragdoll cat, which had run into the kitchen to rub against her, and scoffed, "Then why aren't you and Pi Qiu like him?"
Shi Yue almost laughed out loud. "You..."
There were so many points to argue with. She glared at the cat contentedly licking its paw in Leng Yanmi's arms and asked through gritted teeth, "Am I really on the same level as that fat cat in your eyes?"
Leng Yanmi considered for two seconds before replying, "…No."
Shi Yue raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
Stroking the ragdoll's back, Leng Yanmi headed toward the living room, casually tossing back, "Pi Qiu is better behaved than you."
Shi Yue followed her, just in time to see the plump cat roll onto its back on the sofa, exposing its soft belly and enticing Leng Yanmi to play with it.
"Pfft," Shi Yue couldn't help but laugh. "Such a shameless little thing."
Leng Yanmi gave her an indifferent glance.
Shi Yue then boldly walked over and sat directly on Leng Yanmi's lap, blocking her from petting the cat.
After a moment of surprise, Leng Yanmi quickly settled into the situation, a sly smile tugging at her lips as she waited for Shi Yue's next move.
"You said it's better behaved than me." Shi Yue wrapped her arms around Leng Yanmi's neck, lowering her voice teasingly. "So, do you choose the cat, or do you choose me?"
Before Leng Yanmi could answer, Pi Qiu, feeling ignored, swatted at Shi Yue, its voice rising into sharp meows: "Mrrreeooww!"
Shi Yue, suddenly competitive, grabbed Leng Yanmi's arm and declared, "She's mine."
Pi Qiu mimicked her, placing its paw on Leng Yanmi's other arm: "Mrrr!"
In retaliation, Shi Yue leaned in and licked the corner of Leng Yanmi's lips, provocatively eyeing the cat.
Pi Qiu, not to be outdone, leapt up onto the back of the sofa and edged closer to Leng Yanmi.
Just as the cat was about to mimic Shi Yue and lick its owner, Leng Yanmi had enough. She pressed her hand firmly against the cat's head. "Pi Qiu, down."
"Meow!" If Pi Qiu could speak, its complaint would surely be full of grievances. This is my home, my owner, my human cushion! How could this horrible human show up and steal my place?!
Shi Yue was laughing so hard she collapsed against Leng Yanmi.
Even after Pi Qiu returned to the sofa, it refused to give up, extending its paw to push at Shi Yue, trying to nudge her away from its beloved owner.
With a chuckle, Leng Yanmi scooped Shi Yue up in her arms and carried her straight to the master bedroom.
Pi Qiu, trailing behind them, was met with a closed door, its fate sealed to remain locked outside. The cat pawed at the door, its pitiful "meow meow" echoing through the hallway.
Inside the bedroom, Shi Yue's laughter only subsided after she was laid down on the soft gray bedspread.
Standing by the bed, Leng Yanmi had already undone the top two buttons of her shirt.
Suddenly, Shi Yue felt parched.
She propped herself up and tried to leave the bed, but before she could take a step, Leng Yanmi bent down and pinned her back down by the knees.
Feigning innocence, Shi Yue asked, "Hmm?"
"You win," Leng Yanmi murmured, her voice low and sultry. "I choose you."
Shi Yue's eyes darted nervously around the room. "Thanks... Uh, can I go now?"
"Of course not." Leng Yanmi's fingers threaded through Shi Yue's tousled hair, leaning in to whisper softly against her ear, "Now it's time for the awards ceremony."
Shi Yue reached up to cover her mouth, only to have her hand caught. Leng Yanmi kissed her way slowly along Shi Yue's fingers.
When she reached Shi Yue's index finger, Leng Yanmi gently took the fingertip into her mouth.
Her tongue was soft, and Shi Yue felt electricity shoot through her, tingling all the way to her toes, making her body tremble. But soon, she felt the smoothness of Leng Yanmi's teeth, the contrast between soft and firm teasing her nerves. After a few rounds of this, Shi Yue shuddered and withdrew her finger.
Leng Yanmi's eyes were already clouded with desire, a deep, unreadable mist, yet something about that look drew Shi Yue in, making her want to push through the fog and uncover the truth.
Leng Yanmi's hand moved to Shi Yue's face, her touch tender and slow, as if she were giving Shi Yue one last chance to resist.
Shi Yue's mind felt fuzzy. If she were thinking clearly, she wouldn't have taken the finger she had just freed from Leng Yanmi's mouth and put it back into her own.
Her tongue brushed over the tip of her finger, tasting the remnants of Leng Yanmi.
But it wasn't enough.
This faint taste alone couldn't fill the growing desire inside her.
Without words, their eyes met, and sparks flew between them, igniting the air around them. The tension in the room thickened until they both leaned in, their lips crashing together, fire meeting fire.
"Mm…" A thin line of saliva slipped from the corner of Shi Yue's mouth.
She was too wrapped up in the moment to care about such minor details. The only thing on her mind was pulling Leng Yanmi closer, locking her in, refusing to let her go.
The sweet scent of citrus filled the room, and Shi Yue's gland began to itch.
Leng Yanmi, following the trail of that intoxicating aroma, found the spot she was looking for. She nipped at the tender flesh with her teeth but didn't bite down, teasing it with light licks instead.
Shi Yue let out a soft whimper, a sound of impatience. "Hm?"
She tilted her head back, baring her neck fully, offering herself up like a feast on a platter.
Leng Yanmi let out a low, indistinct growl.
But instead of marking Shi Yue, she barely grazed the skin with her teeth before moving on, exploring lower.
Shi Yue's disappointment was brief as new sensations quickly consumed her.
She closed her eyes, sighing in contentment, letting herself be swept away by the rhythm Leng Yanmi set.
By the time they finished, night had fallen. Leaning against the headboard, Leng Yanmi casually asked Shi Yue what she wanted to eat. Shi Yue, too lazy to think, mumbled, "Whatever."
So, the great Leng Yanmi placed an order through her phone.
As Shi Yue touched her neck, she suddenly asked, "You didn't mark me?"
Leng Yanmi paused for a moment, her expression unreadable, then calmly continued, "No."
"Why?"
Both of them were adults, and Shi Yue had already prepared herself for the possibility of being completely claimed. But now that it was all over, she found herself still... untouched.
What kind of logic was that?
Leng Yanmi, pretending not to hear the question, skillfully changed the subject. "Want to go to the beach tomorrow? Or maybe visit the neighboring city's famous night market?"
Shi Yue, caught off guard, instinctively replied, "No, I've got something to do tomorrow."
"Hm?"
"I'm going to the company."
Leng Yanmi frowned. "Shi Nuo?"
She reminded Shi Yue, "Tomorrow's Saturday."
"I know." Shi Yue brushed her hair aside. "Shi Nuo's been swamped with promoting the fall collection, and most departments are working overtime. Wu Quan mentioned there are two important meetings this weekend, and if I'm available, I should attend."
She smiled apologetically at Leng Yanmi. "I haven't been to the company even once since the new CEO took over. I've only been in contact with Wu Quan over the phone. Now that I finally have some free time, I really should go check things out."
Leng Yanmi's expression darkened.
"I don't have much of a choice. The competition is so intense, and I won't have time later," Shi Yue added, feeling a bit guilty.
Leng Yanmi, however, wasn't moved. "So you're going to sacrifice my time for it?"
Shi Yue found that remark odd and asked, "You don't have work these next few days?"
When Leng Yanmi nodded in confirmation, Shi Yue teased, "That's a rare sight. Our busy President Leng has some free time?"
"I wrapped up my trip to Europe early, and there's nothing important scheduled for the rest of the month."
Shi Yue stroked her cheek. "That's great, isn't it? You should take this chance to rest and recharge."
Leng Yanmi narrowed her eyes dangerously, placing a hand on Shi Yue's shoulder. "Are you implying I don't have enough energy?"
Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Shi Yue quickly laughed and pleaded, "No, no! That's not what I meant."
Leng Yanmi didn't give her a chance to explain, opting instead to prove how much energy she has with actions.
Later that night, she personally fed Shi Yue some porridge to settle her stomach before watching her drift off to sleep.
The next morning, Shi Yue was dropped off in front of the Shi Nuo building as she had hoped.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes and stretched, she thanked the culprit responsible for her exhaustion and soreness, "Thanks for dropping me off, Auntie." She then opened the car door from the passenger seat. "Bye, drive safe on your way back."
But as she stepped out of the car, she noticed Leng Yanmi had gotten out too.
"Hm?" Shi Yue was confused.
Leng Yanmi, however, seemed unfazed as she gestured for her to hurry. "Come on. Aren't you going to your meeting?"
"Uh…" Shi Yue caught up to her. "But why are you coming with me?"
Leng Yanmi kept a straight face and coolly replied, "Date."
Shi Yue blinked in confusion, but when the meaning sank in, she smiled wryly and shook her head.
And so, that day, the Chairman of Shi Nuo, finally taking the time to inspect her company, was trailed by a very professional-looking 'assistant' named Leng Yanmi, who exuded an air of elite competence.
The receptionist didn't recognize Leng Yanmi and initially thought she was an important client, only to relax after Shi Yue's explanation, watching the two of them enter the elevator together.