Ye Ruihuan's expression was gentle between her brows and eyes. To say gentle was somewhat inaccurate—it was tenderness, her eyes filled with spring breeze-like softness, her face full of joyful smiles. Her usual arrogance was completely gone, replaced by a touch of coolness, but this wasn't her usual unapproachable coldness. Instead, it carried a sense of tranquility that made people unconsciously want to draw near.
Lin Ruijiao found herself staring, completely caught off guard. This version of Ye Ruihuan was utterly foreign to her—so foreign it sent alarm bells ringing through her mind. Her hands clenched involuntarily, knuckles white with tension, veins standing stark against her pale skin.
"There are," Ye Ruihuan murmured, her smile radiant as she reached out to cup Lin Ruijiao's face with infinite gentleness. Her thumb traced a feather-light path across the younger woman's cheek. "There are flowers." Her voice had transformed too—melodious and rich, like honey poured over silk.
The words took a moment to register. When understanding finally dawned, Lin Ruijiao turned away sharply, heat creeping up her neck to bloom at the tips of her ears despite her best efforts to remain unmoved.
"Jiaojiao," Ye Ruihuan continued, her tone deceptively casual, "they're renovating Guiting Manor. I thought I might stay here at Yuwan for a while."
The mention of Guiting sent a sharp pang through Lin Ruijiao's chest. Memories from her previous life surfaced unbidden—that sprawling estate had been everything she'd dreamed of, the symbol of belonging she'd desperately craved but been denied. How many nights had she imagined living there, sharing that space with Ye Ruihuan?
"Is that alright? Can I move in and live with you for a while?" Ye Ruihuan's eyes sparkled brightly, as if they contained twinkling stars, extraordinarily beautiful.
The question hung in the air like a challenge. Lin Ruijiao felt the bitter irony of the moment—once, she would have given anything for this opportunity. Now, when her heart had learned to guard itself, it was being offered freely. She didn't understand why the other person wanted to do this.
"Why here?" The words slipped out before she could stop them, curiosity overriding caution.
"I haven't been sleeping well lately. I sleep very well when I'm with you," Ye Ruihuan had to say this way. This was also a fact.
"..." Lin Ruijiao turned her head away, her eyes fixed on the television, but she was obviously absent-minded. So that's how it is? She still had to serve as a sleeping pill.
Lin Ruijiao's attention sharpened. "Sleep together?"
"Just... staying here," Ye Ruihuan clarified quickly, though something in her tone suggested she might prefer otherwise. "I promise I won't disrupt your life."
A hollow laugh almost escaped Lin Ruijiao's lips. My life, she thought bitterly. As if anything about my life has ever truly been mine when you're involved.
"This is your property," she said instead, schooling her expression into practiced indifference. "You hardly need my permission."
"...Alright, I just wanted to ask for your opinion first," Ye Ruihuan moved closer to her.
"Mm-hmm, I was actually thinking of moving out anyway. This place is a bit remote..." Lin Ruijiao said matter-of-factly.
"No! Living with you, I'll feel more at ease," Ye Ruihuan's words had a somewhat clingy flavor. "I'm not staying here for free. I'll call you for good scripts later," she quickly added.
"Fine. But we'll formalize the arrangement." Lin Ruijiao reluctantly agreed. For now, it seemed impossible to get rid of Ye Ruihuan. Whether they lived together or not didn't matter. Since that was the case, she might as well agree if it benefited her.
Lin Ruijiao's eyes were thoughtful. After getting through this period and earning enough money from acting to break her contract with Ye Ruihuan, everything would be fine. Even though the company contract was favorable to her with many benefits, for someone wanting to escape Ye Ruihuan, it was no different from shackles binding her firmly to the other person's side.
The smile that bloomed across Ye Ruihuan's face was radiant enough to rival the sun—so warm and genuine it seemed to belong to an entirely different person.
Forget it. After all these days, Lin Ruijiao had long figured it out. What did a little hugging and kissing with Ye Ruihuan matter? She'd just consider it acting—these were very common actions in dramas anyway, and she wasn't losing anything.
As if to test her resolve, Ye Ruihuan settled back against the sofa cushions, maintaining their linked arms while ostensibly focusing on the television. Lin Ruijiao endured the contact for several minutes before rising under the pretense of fetching water, using the opportunity to create distance.
When she returned with a glass for Ye Ruihuan, she wore her most disarming smile—the one that had charmed directors and audiences alike. Let Ye Ruihuan think she was winning this game.
The transition happened swiftly after that. Aunt Liu prepared a guest room with military efficiency, while Assistant Li arrived with enough luggage to confirm this was no temporary arrangement. The Yuwan villa, once Lin Ruijiao's sanctuary, would now house them both.
Living under the same roof, seeing each other every day. Lin Ruijiao mused. The irony wasn't lost on her.
Due to Lin Ruijiao's rising popularity, Sister Wang had arranged many various announcements for her. She selected several decent media interviews and popular variety shows... but there were no film or drama roles she wanted to play. All the offers were small, poorly-made productions, which she directly refused.
However, she was more active on Weibo, interacting with the crews of Moonlight Serenade and Phoenix, conducting business online in her character's name, interacting with other characters from the dramas—quite lively.
It was after one such evening engagement—a late interview that had run longer than scheduled—that she returned to find the house transformed. Warm light spilled from every window, and when she stepped inside, shaking off the autumn chill, she discovered Ye Ruihuan waiting.
The older woman sat curled in the corner of the sofa, wine glass cradled between her fingers, cheeks flushed with a becoming warmth. Her eyes held a dreamy quality, as if she existed in some softer version of reality.
"You're back," Ye Ruihuan murmured, her usually crisp voice rough around the edges.
The scene struck Lin Ruijiao with an unexpected wave of déjà vu—how many times had she imagined coming home to exactly this? The domestic intimacy of it, the suggestion that someone had been waiting, thinking of her...
"Ruihuan." She shed her coat and joined her on the sofa, allowing exhaustion to show in the lines of her face. Sometimes authenticity served better than performance.
"You look tired. Have some wine." Ye Ruihuan gestured to a second glass waiting on the coffee table.
The deep red liquid gleamed invitingly. Lin Ruijiao hesitated—she'd always been a lightweight—but the day's stresses weighed heavily, and perhaps a small indulgence wouldn't hurt.
One glass became two under Ye Ruihuan's gentle encouragement. The wine was excellent, smoother than anything Lin Ruijiao usually drank, and before she realized it, the room had taken on a soft, hazy quality.
"I should..." She attempted to stand and immediately swayed, the world tilting precariously.
"Careful." Ye Ruihuan was beside her instantly, steadying her with gentle hands. "You're quite drunk, aren't you?"
The smile on Ye Ruihuan's face was knowing, almost predatory in its satisfaction. Lin Ruijiao tried to focus, but the wine had clouded her thoughts, leaving her vulnerable in ways she hadn't anticipated.