Chapter 8: Captivated By Her
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Once you have a guess, you want to verify it.
Song Qingluo became a little excited.
She hurriedly finished her bath and threw the clothes she had changed into the trash can.
She was wearing disposable ones made of pure cotton and very comfortable. There was a full drawer in the guest room wardrobe. It seemed that Wen Ruoxian had kept it at home for a long time just for guests.
Before coming here, Song Qingluo had imagined that with her hands empty, she might be able to wear the slippers and pajamas worn by Wen Ruoxian and use the comb used by Wen Ruoxian...
But that person was so meticulous and thoughtful that she had no chance at all.
Like an airtight wall.
After blow-drying her hair, Song Qingluo walked out wrapped in her nightgown, looked around, and followed the movement toward the kitchen.
Wen Ruoxian was cooking something in front of the stove.
Wearing a simple ash-gray apron, her long hair is tied back with a shark clip, and her profile makes her chin look sharper and slimmer. She is focused and serious, just as serious as when working.
But in Song Qingluo's view, she was extremely gentle at this moment.
There is a kind of illusion as if looking at her own girlfriend.
The pasta is cooked, and Wen Ruoxian turns off the fire, ready to scoop it out. With a quick glance, she turns her face and sees Song Qingluo leaning against the kitchen door, staring at her absentmindedly.
Her gaze seemed to be infatuated, and there was a smile at the corner of her lips.
Like a leopard eyeing its prey.
Her heart inexplicably trembled for a brief moment, and then this feeling disappeared. She looked at Song Qingluo and said, "I've cooked pasta with shrimp and tomatoes. It will be ready soon."
The voice woke up Song Qingluo, and she was snapped out of her wonderful fantasy. She stepped forward quickly, "They are all my favorite food."
"Great. It's quite late now, eating too much can make it hard to sleep and isn't good for your stomach, so I only made a little..." Wen Ruoxian muttered as she spoke, serving the pasta under cold water.
She placed it on a small plate, drizzled it with the sautéed tomato sauce, added a few cooked shrimp, and finally sprinkled some black pepper.
Song Qingluo looked at her skillful movements and couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to hug her from behind──
She reached out and gestured in the air. At that moment, Wen Ruoxian turned with the plate, startling her. She wanted to retract her hand but it was too late, so she pretended to take the plate, saying, "Let me do it."
She held the plate and turned around to go out.
"I still have some work to do. Eat slowly and leave the bowls and chopsticks, I'll clean up later." Wen Ruoxian poured a cup of warm water and placed it on the dining table.
"Why do you still have work?"
"Wrapping things up."
"Oh, go ahead." The sweet and sour taste of the tomato sauce made her greedy. Song Qingluo swallowed her saliva and picked up her phone to take a photo before starting to enjoy it.
The moment it touched her lips, her dormant taste buds woke up.
Maybe it was due to hunger after waiting for so long or the effect on her mood. Despite the simple ingredients, the taste was better than what she had in restaurants outside. She didn't want to finish it quickly, resisting the urge to gobble it down, savoring each bite.
The portion is small and she can’t bear to eat it.
Song Qingluo looked at the empty plate and secretly made up her mind. With this first time, there would be a second, third, and many more to come.
She took the initiative to wash the pots and pans and tidied up the kitchen stove.
The electronic wall clock shows nine forty-seven.
Obviously, it’s still early.
The lights on the tall buildings outside the window flickered, but inside the house, it was quiet and cold.
One of the two rooms facing north has a light on, and the goose-yellow light leaks out a little warmth. Song Qingluo walked over lightly and poked her head curiously.
An entire wall was filled with a large bookshelf.
Oval sofa, coffee table, and a large desk.
Wen Ruoxian sat at the desk, looking at the computer while holding a pen to write something. She wore gold-rimmed glasses perched on her delicate nose, and the thin lenses reflected the light. Her lips were tightly pursed, and her expression was somewhat serious
She was born with a tall and delicate nose, with a finely carved outline. Her glasses, instead of being a burden on her face, actually added to her beauty.
Her entire demeanor was even more cool and gentle.
Song Qingluo looked at her intently and suddenly remembered that when they first met, she was wearing the same gold-rimmed glasses. She was poised and calm. Even if she stood there without saying a word, people would believe that that was her home court and the situation was all under her control.
People who are accustomed to the raging waves of the sea think they will never fall in love with a calm and clear mountain stream.
She always criticized her for being old-fashioned, yet she was captivated by her steadiness.
"Miss Song?"
Wen Ruoxian raised her head at some point and looked at Song Qingluo standing at the door of the study in confusion, then suddenly realized, "Have you finished eating? I'll go wash the dishes."
After saying that, she got up.
Song Qingluo woke up and shook her head: "No need, I've already cleaned up. Thank you for the pasta; it was very delicious."
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"Miss Song, you're too kind. I'm glad it suits your taste," Wen Ruoxian smiled slightly and sat back down.
Song Qingluo didn't like this way of speaking.
Formulaic, insincere, and artificial, means that the relationship between them is thousands of miles away.
"Are you done?"
"Almost."
"Then can I go in?"
"Okay."
The young Miss walked into the study room with seductive steps. Her robe hung loose on her, the belt half-heartedly fastened, and her paper-white legs dangled in front.
Wen Ruoxian immediately lowered her gaze, cleaning the table as she asked, "Miss Song, is there something you need?"
"Can't I just chat with you when there's nothing to do?" Song Qingluo sat lazily on the oval sofa, tilting her head casually.
No need to be polite.
Treating it like her own home.
Wen Ruoxian was amused: "Of course, as long as it doesn't delay your sleep."
"It's too early to sleep, what time is it now? In the past, my friends and I would spend our nights..." Song Qingluo caught herself in time and swallowed her words. She was now a pure and obedient white lotus*, who knew nothing.
*someone pure and innocent
Wen Ruoxian bluntly cut her off, "Your nightlife is just beginning?"
"..."
Song Qingluo's face turned dark.
Hearing Wen Ruoxian chuckle, she felt amused herself, "You are very annoying, Wen Ruoxian."
The name came out unexpectedly smoothly.
Both of them were stunned.
Wen Ruoxian was accustomed to this familiar tone, so natural as if they had known each other for a long time.
However, Song Qingluo thought she might have offended her, feeling both resentful and wronged. "I just called you by your name. What's the matter? It's in private. You're not a petty person, are you?"
"You can call me by my name," Wen Ruoxian nodded, "I don't mind."
"Wen Ruoxian, Wen Ruoxian, Wen Ruoxian."
"Hm?"
"I called you three times, but you only answered once?"
"Uh-huh, uh-huh."
Song Qingluo burst into laughter, amused by her serious expression.
Wen Ruoxian also laughed contagiously, which immediately relieved a lot of the fatigue caused by work, but she couldn't be as hearty as Song Qingluo. Even if she was happy, she always paid attention to restraint.
"Are you busy until late every day?" Song Qingluo laughed enough and looked at the study quietly.
The large bookshelf is not completely filled with books. Most of them are original books in English and German. There are no unnecessary decorations. In addition to two computers, there are only some documents, notebooks, and a pen holder stacked on the table.
Clean and simple.
Wen Ruoxian closed the computer and said, "Not really."
"But I always see you working overtime." Song Qingluo propped her chin and looked at her.
"The end of the year is indeed busier, and it is the same in all walks of life."
"Oh, endless clients, endless projects, and your personal work. What else?"
When Song Qingluo said these words, Wen Ruoxian instinctively became guarded. She remembered that Song Qingluo joined the company under unclear circumstances, and her doubts hadn't vanished. She knew she shouldn't jump to negative conclusions, but just thinking about it made her feel guilty.
"Some translation manuscripts and online conferences to be published." She didn't go into too much detail and just covered it up in general terms.
Song Qingluo sensed that Wen Ruoxian wasn't willing to discuss it further, feeling a bit disappointed but understanding. She changed the topic, "I feel like I'm causing trouble for you again. You're so busy, yet you have to take me home, make late-night snacks, and prepare a bath for me..."
"It's just a small effort, Miss Song doesn't need to worry about it."
"Why are you so nice to me?"
Those coquettish fox eyes are like hooks, seeming to seduce.
Wen Ruoxian was taken aback.
Many voices suddenly popped up in her mind, giving various reasons: because she was the client's daughter, because she was used to taking care of her younger sister, and also because she found her interesting.
She only needs to pick one.
Reason told her not to bring personal emotions.
She was about to respond when it seemed like Song Qingluo had a sense of what she was going to say. Probably it would have been some polite words. So, Song Qingluo intervened on her behalf, "Because Miss Song is President Song's daughter, right?"
Wen Ruoxian didn't answer, which was considered an acquiescence.
Even though it was just a casual joke and a question without any expectations, when Wen Ruoxian acquiesced, she still felt a little bit sour.
The reality is also normal.
After all, they have only known each other for how long...
Song Qingluo turned her back silently and curled up.
Awkwardness bred and spread in the silence.
Wen Ruoxian lowered her eyes and thought for a long time, turned her face, looked at Song Qingluo's obviously disappointed back, and said in a coaxing tone: "It's also because I think you are very interesting."
"Really?" Song Qingluo immediately turned back.
"Mm."
Seeing the smile return to her face, Wen Ruoxian felt a hazy and subtle emotion in her heart, like a gust of wind, floating lightly and coming and going, making it difficult to catch the trace.
But then, she remembered what she wanted to say and cast that emotion aside.
"What else did Manager Cao ask you to do?" She took off her glasses, walked to the sofa opposite Song Qingluo, and sat down, putting away all her gentleness, leaving a solemn look on her face.
Song Qingluo noticed that she was sitting too far away as if she was deliberately avoiding her, and suddenly she remembered her guess...
An evil thought is born in her mind.
"Don't sit so far away, it feels like you're scolding me. I'm scared." With that, she patted the space beside her.
The distance between the two sofas is about 1.7 meters.
Wen Ruoxian did not question Song Qingluo's words. She hesitated for a moment, stood up helplessly, and sat down according to her wishes, half a body away from her.
"Are you still scared?"
"Not anymore."
"Mm, now continue answering my previous question."
Sensing an opportunity, Song Qingluo quickly thought it through. She forced a reluctant expression and whispered, "I volunteered to do it myself, it's not Manager Cao's fault..."
"I know." Wen Ruoxian sighed.
"She must have told you that newcomers should exercise more and be proactive so that she can give you high marks during the assessment. If you are not proactive, you will be criticized as 'lazy' and 'unmotivated'... '... she's 'PUA-ing'* you."
*Pick-up Artist method, using deceptive strategies to manipulate someone into doing something. The term is usually used in dating/sexual relationships but I guess it can be used like this in China
The old routine of bullying newcomers.
Thinking about it carefully, it's easy to understand.
The young Miss is so spoiled and pampered, how can she understand these twists and turns? Wen Ruoxian thought in her heart, Song Qingluo was relatively innocent.
"So that's it, then I'll wash Manager Cao's car..." Song Qingluo pretended to be shocked and took advantage of the situation to say something even more outrageous.
"Wash her car?"
"Mm."
Wen Ruoxian's eyebrows suddenly frowned, and after being silent for a long time, he asked, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Because you said that work-related matters should be reported to your immediate superior. I can't file a complaint beyond my superiors." Song Qingluo hugged her legs and rested her chin on her knees, her tone getting lower and lower as she spoke.
"It would be great if you were my superior..."
It's indeed what she said.
Wen Ruoxian closed her eyes and rubbed her brows, feeling that her mind was in a mess.
Normally, this would be a trivial matter.
But now it’s Song Qingluo…
A strand of loose hair hung down, and Song Qingluo suddenly reached out, hooking it and tucking it behind Wen Ruoxian's ear.
Her fingertip silently slid over her temple.
Wen Ruoxian woke up suddenly and pushed her hand away.
"?"
"You…"
"I just wanted to help you." Song Qingluo looked innocent.
"Oh," Wen Ruoxian avoided her gaze awkwardly, "Thank you."
Song Qingluo stared at her face closely, not missing any subtle expression, "Why are you so jumpy? We're both women. Could it be... you think I'm taking advantage of you?"
Author's Note:
What bad thoughts could Xiao Qingluo have? She just wants to be her wife's secretary (doge
PS: Sorry for being late, my drafts ran out, woo woo TAT.