Mu Bai, of course, noticed every change. From the moment she had stepped into the training room, her gaze had never once strayed from the petite figure of this woman. And now, seeing that transformation in Shen Ming's eyes, she felt an almost magnetic pull toward her. It was more than simple curiosity — it was a sudden, almost overwhelming desire to close the distance completely, to reach out and draw Shen Ming into her arms. The feeling was so abrupt, so vivid, that Mu Bai found herself questioning its origin.
This strange rush of familiarity was unsettling. She had done the soul experiment, and she trusted her memory, but now… this sensation was both familiar and alien, like meeting someone from a dream you can't remember until you stand in front of them again. Was this truly the first time she had seen Shen Ming? Or was there something in the fragments of memory she had yet to recover?
Before Mu Bai could dwell too much on these thoughts, the change in Shen Ming's gaze caught her attention again. The shyness was gone, yet there was no hostility — instead, her eyes carried an unspoken depth, as if she were looking not at Mu Bai's face, but into something beneath it. That complexity stirred something in Mu Bai's chest, though she couldn't tell if it was a warning or an invitation.
The acting teacher, oblivious to the silent current between the two, stepped forward with a polite but slightly nervous smile. Her voice broke through the quiet tension, brisk yet careful, as she began introducing the two of them.
"Little Ming, this is Director Mu," the acting teacher said warmly, her voice carrying a hint of reverence when she spoke Mu Bai's name. "Our company's legendary gold medal agent. You must have heard of her already, so I won't say much more. Anyway, Director Mu wants to see you for something important. I'll give you a short break. Come back after your talk."
As she spoke, the acting teacher stepped closer and patted Shen Ming's thin, porcelain-like shoulders. Her hand lingered for a brief moment, as if to encourage her, before giving her a gentle push forward. Shen Ming's frame, though delicate, held a quiet strength — her back straight, her steps unhurried, yet there was a certain fragility in the way her figure seemed to sway ever so slightly, like a willow branch in a light breeze.
Shen Ming's movements were slow, almost hesitant, as though she was still processing the sudden call. She seemed a little dazed, her soft features momentarily caught between curiosity and reserve. When she lifted her head again, her eyes found Mu Bai's — and instantly, it was as if time stilled for a heartbeat.
Meeting that same unwavering, intense gaze made Shen Ming pause. Her usually cool eyes, the kind that kept people at a safe, unapproachable distance, began to shift. In their depths, the ice seemed to melt, replaced by a clear and gentle spring that rippled with a quiet charm. The transformation was subtle yet mesmerizing — a delicate thawing that revealed warmth where there had been only cold.
She lowered her gaze then, as if unable to withstand the weight of Mu Bai's attention. In that simple act, her long, dark lashes trembled faintly. They were thick, curling naturally at the tips, casting soft shadows over her cheeks. The movement was light, almost imperceptible, yet it stirred something deep in the heart — like a butterfly's wings brushing against the skin, delicate and fleeting.
The faintest blush of warmth colored her pale cheeks under the room's cool light, and that hint of life against her porcelain skin made her all the more captivating. Her lips, naturally tinted with a gentle rose hue, parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something but thought better of it. The curve of her chin was refined and smooth, flowing into the pale line of her neck, which disappeared into the loose folds of her dress.
That momentary glimpse, paired with her lowered lashes and softened eyes, was enough to send a quiet blaze directly into Mu Bai's chest — not a wild fire, but the gentle, persistent warmth of a flame that could not be ignored. It was not overwhelming, but it was there, steady and constant, seeping into her heart like sunlight through a half-open window.
Mu Bai felt it instantly — a faint itch in her chest, as if a pair of kitten paws were brushing softly against her heart, scratching just enough to make her restless. The sensation was unfamiliar yet instinctively pleasant, awakening an urge she couldn't quite explain. She found herself wanting to close the distance, to reach out and…
But she stopped herself. She didn't want to frighten this little rabbit who stood before her, so soft and unguarded in this rare moment. The desire had to be pushed down, hidden beneath her usual composure.
Taking in a slow, steady breath, Mu Bai forced her heartbeat to settle. When she finally spoke, she intended for her voice to carry the same calm, cool tone she always used in business — detached, in control, and without excess emotion.
Yet, as the words left her lips, she could hear the faintest shift in them herself. It wasn't obvious to anyone else, but there was a hidden softness there, a note of tenderness that slipped through before she could stop it.
"Come with me, Shen Ming."
As she spoke those words, Mu Bai turned with her usual controlled grace and walked toward the door. Her movements were calm and precise, each step steady and measured, but there was an unspoken tension in her posture. She reached the door, opened it without a sound, and then stopped, her hand holding the handle as she waited. Her gaze shifted to the slender figure slowly approaching.
Shen Ming walked with unhurried steps, the faint swaying of her skirt adding a softness to her every movement. Her loose dress followed the rhythm of her body, light and airy, making her seem like she was drifting rather than walking. Mu Bai didn't rush her. Instead, she simply stood there, holding the door open in the quiet manner of a gentleman, silently inviting her through.
When Shen Ming reached her, the distance between them narrowed to a fraction. For that split second, Mu Bai caught the faintest trace of fragrance. It wasn't the sharp sweetness of perfume or the floral note of deodorant. No — this scent was different. It was light, almost airy, with a soft warmth that felt alive, like the faint aroma of fresh rain on a warm day or the natural scent of blooming flowers at dawn. It was subtle, yet the moment it entered Mu Bai's senses, it seemed to spread through her mind like ripples in water.
An unexpected haze filled her head, not heavy but dizzying in its own quiet way — the kind of disorientation a drunkard might feel after draining a whole bottle of aged wine. It was pleasant but dangerous, and for a brief heartbeat, Mu Bai nearly lost her composure. If not for the system's sudden, cold warning in her mind, she might have stood there staring at Shen Ming like someone possessed, her expression betraying the obsession that was trying to surface.
Snapping herself out of it, Mu Bai quickly schooled her expression, stepping through the doorway right after Shen Ming. The door closed quietly behind them, sealing away the hum of voices from the training room. Now, in the quiet hallway, the world felt smaller — just the two of them and the muted echo of their footsteps.
Shen Ming stood ahead with a quiet, almost patient gaze. Her posture was relaxed but not careless. The loose strands of her dark hair framed her face gently, and the smooth arc of her jaw was illuminated under the soft lighting. Her eyes — those long, narrow phoenix eyes — were calm and watchful, carrying a depth that made one feel as if they were being seen through entirely. Mu Bai didn't dare meet them again just yet. She could feel herself slipping into unfamiliar territory whenever she did, as though she was no longer the Mu Bai she had always known.
It was as if she was bewitched by some witch craft. But how could she be bewitched? Her mental energy was among the highest in the entire interstellar federation and it was impossible for her to be affected by any mind techniques.
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