Blood Orange

Moonlight trailed them home, then settled on the windowsill, watching the two figures lying in bed with enough space between them to fit a galaxy.

Liao Xue's chest ached with a tight grip, her mind hazy, as if something important was slipping away. But what? She didn't know, so she let it go.

Shen Qiancheng couldn't sleep either; she hadn't slept well in three years. Last night, holding Liao Xue, she'd managed to rest until morning. Tonight, she waited for her chance—for Liao Xue to fall into a deep sleep so she could pull her close.

When Liao Xue's breathing evened out, Shen Qiancheng made her move. She curled her lips, quietly shifting closer to that warm body, settling her head against the soft curve of Liao Xue's neck. Strands of hair fell across her face. The scent filling her nostrils was Liao Xue's usual fragrance, now on Liao Xue herself.

Shen Qiancheng breathed deep, savoring the familiar, longed-for scent.

Soon, she too fell asleep.

Company affairs were a headache. Shen Qiancheng had been so tired last night that she nearly overslept.

At the doorway, she slipped on her heels. A suit hugged her slender waist, and her long hair cascaded down, obscuring half her face.

"Liao Xue, I'm off to work. Be good and stay home."

Liao Xue's pajamas were rumpled—heaven knew what had pressed them like that. She stood with her hands at her sides, looking like she hadn't fully woken up.

"Got it."

Her voice was soft and drowsy, with a hint of a nasal twang.

Shen Qiancheng sighed, walked over in her heels, took a deep breath, and said, "I'll be back at noon. Wait for me, okay?"

"Mhm," Liao Xue nodded, turned, and headed back to the bedroom for more sleep.

After breakfast, Liao Xue was about to change out of her pajamas when she saw the closet stuffed with clothes—all new arrivals Shen Qiancheng had bought.

Since Shen Qiancheng had given her presents, she should cook her a nice meal in return.

In a bright, spotless office at Shen Corporation Tower, Shen Qiancheng rubbed her forehead in frustration. Those old fogeys had set her up nicely.

That "core" project was nothing but a hot potato with no one to contact.

Shen Qiancheng's fingers drummed on the folder, her mind racing to figure out how to make that old bastard take a heavy loss.

A WeChat notification came through on her personal phone.

Sui Shi, busy in the office, immediately stepped outside.

[What do you want for lunch? As a thank-you for the clothes.]

After sending the message, Liao Xue placed her phone on the table and picked up the clothes from the rack. She was just putting them on when she heard the phone ring urgently.

She answered the video call, looking puzzled.

Shen Qiancheng's flawless face filled the entire screen.

"Why aren't you wearing the clothes I bought you!"

The tone carried three parts exasperation, three parts hurt, and four parts caught red-handed.

Shen Qiancheng waited for Liao Xue to apologize. Instead, she saw Liao Xue reveal a clean white chin, reaching for the belt at her waist.

Shen Qiancheng thought: Is she about to strip?

!!!

"Liao Xue, are you trying to seduce me?!"

But the belt was unbuckled, the coat's fabric stiff. As the coat opened, what lay inside was revealed.

It was one of last night's outfits.

A sharply tailored sweater dress in soft moonlight white draped over Liao Xue, casting her in a gentle halo—a warmth Shen Qiancheng had never felt before.

By the time she realized she was staring, Liao Xue had already closed the coat.

"It's cold today; the last cold snap," Liao Xue said, tying the belt. Her ears were flushed, but her tone was light.

Shen Qiancheng coughed softly and said casually, "Oh, then wear more. Don't catch a chill."

Liao Xue hummed in acknowledgment. "So what do you want to eat? Send it to me on WeChat; I'm off to the market."

Shen Qiancheng, embarrassed, suddenly remembered she was the boss and straightened up. "Clothes worth hundreds of thousands—you think a single meal can repay that?"

In Liao Xue's eyes, this was the evil Shen Qiancheng personality again.

Again! She hated this Huang Shiren-style villain mode.

"And what else?" Liao Xue said in the most timid tone, but the words were sharp. She met Shen Qiancheng's pixelated gaze. "Miss Shen, are you demanding repayment for a favor?"

In the video, the pixels of Shen Qiancheng's mouth curved upward. "Who taught you to be so sharp-tongued?"

The answer was obvious, but she asked anyway.

Liao Xue said, "You."

Shen Qiancheng said, "That's better. But I'm not as weak as you—only able to bully family."

Sui Shi knocked on the door outside; Shen Qiancheng signaled with a glance to wait a moment.

"Wait for me at home. I'll be back at noon to go to the market with you."

As the call ended, the phone screen reflected Liao Xue's bewildered face.

Sui Shi was allowed to push the door open and was met with Shen Qiancheng's announcement: "I'm going home. Reschedule the morning meetings to the afternoon."

Sui Shi was holding a folder. "This is the previous contact's info for the project. No matter what, we have to see him this afternoon—"

But before Sui Shi could get the words out, she watched Shen Qiancheng rush out like a whirlwind.

Boss Shen, weren't we supposed to stir up a shareholder's wife into a divorce?

###

Back in the room, Liao Xue, feeling warm in her coat, took it off and waited.

Early spring weather was fickle—cold enough in the morning and evening to make you rub your arms, but sunny at noon, tempting you to wear a skirt.

The doorbell rang; Liao Xue got up to answer. The door opened from outside, and Shen Qiancheng entered holding a shopping bag.

"It's a bit brisk outside," Shen Qiancheng said, handing the bag to Liao Xue. "Put this on and see how it fits."

Liao Xue took it, puzzled. Inside was a camel-colored trench coat. Judging by the fabric, craftsmanship, and who had bought it, it was anything but cheap.

Liao Xue hesitated. "Miss Shen, we're going to the market, not a runway..."

Shen Qiancheng sneered. "If you dress shabbily, you'll embarrass me!"

Even during the day, the market lights were on. Above the meat stalls hung harsh purple-red bulbs; above the vegetable stalls, stark white ones.

Stepping inside, the smell of rotting leaves, fishiness, and sweaty crowds hit Shen Qiancheng's nostrils, making her sneeze loudly.

All kinds of vegetables were on display, still glistening with morning dew, and live fish leapt in big iron basins.

Shen Qiancheng whispered, "Are these vegetables, meat, and fish clean?"

Liao Xue was in her element in the market, like a fish in water or a tiger with wings.

"Mhm, hurry," Liao Xue added. "The delicious meal you had last night—those ingredients came from right here."

At the thought that the food digesting in her body had been bought here, Shen Qiancheng felt a wave of queasiness.

"You actually fed me dishes made from market vegetables?! Didn't Sui Shi send any?" Shen Qiancheng said.

Liao Xue calmly took the large red plastic bag the stall owner handed her—it contained a scaled, gutted fish—and scanned the code to pay.

"She did send some," Liao Xue said, "but there was no lily flower, so I bought some from that stall over there."

"Oh, the stall owner didn't come today."

The stall that should have had lilies now stood empty, with no one in sight.

Shen Qiancheng pinched her nose. "Are we done? I'm suffocating here."

Liao Xue said helplessly, "Alright, alright, we're leaving now."

The fish seller, very enthusiastic, said, "Little girl, yesterday you asked about small fish. I saved some for you today. No charge, just take them. My daughter is about your age—a senior in college doing an internship away from home. Seeing you reminds me of her."

Liao Xue smiled lightly. "Take care of your health, Auntie, and may your business prosper."

Shen Qiancheng couldn't bear it another second. The moment she heard they were leaving, she grabbed Liao Xue's arm and headed for the exit.

"Wait, wait," Liao Xue stopped. "Look."

Shen Qiancheng followed her gaze. In the sparse shrubs on both sides of the entrance, a small orange figure appeared, crawling on all fours.

Its curved tail was held high, its milky white chin lifted proudly. It brushed against Liao Xue's pant leg.

Shen Qiancheng tilted her head. Looked like this one knew them?

Under the streetlamp, Liao Xue stood in a simple cardigan over a white base layer, paired with jeans—clean and neat, with the warm kitten at her side. It was a scene too cozy for words.

It stirred an emotion Shen Qiancheng had never felt before.

Liao Xue crouched down, her fingers stroking the kitten's soft fur. The cat let out a thin, sharp mew, and her heart melted.

It was probably hungry.

A slender hand extended, pinching a small fish between thumb and forefinger—a gift from the fish seller.

There was a hint of embarrassment on Shen Qiancheng's face. "Cats probably like fish, right? Hmph, if you don't want it, forget it..."

Liao Xue was stunned. Three years ago, Shen Qiancheng had been a germaphobe; half an hour ago, she'd been revolted by the fishy smell.

"If you won't feed it, I will." Shen Qiancheng tossed her bangs and bent down slightly, putting on a bold front, but it was all a bluff.

Her hand trembled a little as she moved slowly and cautiously, betraying her anxiety.

The kitten raised its chin high, its eyes fixed on Liao Xue, then turned its head to regard the "stranger" Shen Qiancheng, as if to ask what these humans were up to.

"Meow..." The kitten licked a paw and then pounced forward confidently.

In a flash of orange, the damp little fish vanished into the kitten's mouth.

"Meow..." The sound was soft and sticky, as if the kitten's paw were scratching at Shen Qiancheng's heart.

A furry head nudged her hand, and Shen Qiancheng froze.

Another hand covered hers, carrying its own unique warmth and texture.

"You have to scratch under its chin like this, gently. It's very affectionate," came a voice gentle as a spring breeze, as Liao Xue guided Shen Qiancheng's fingers, which met a bit of sticky moisture.

The orange cat, delighted by the petting, began to purr continuously.

Shen Qiancheng smiled and fed the cat a couple more small fish, then turned to see Liao Xue's bright, sparkling eyes.

On that plain face, those eyes were too brilliant. Their owner turned with a soft smile to meet her gaze. "You're not as bad as they say..."

A kitten that's well-fed is obedient, but a kitten that's annoyed can bite.

Shen Qiancheng's expression darkened. "Who's spreading rumors about me?! How dare they speak ill of me, and in front of you, no less!"

It was exactly something Shen Qiancheng would say. But under her hand, the kitten still rubbed against her palm. Through the light, through the wind, through the pretense, Liao Xue glimpsed something almost sacred—kindness.

"Plenty," Liao Xue said after a moment's pause, her brows arching high, seizing the upper hand. "But I don't believe a single word of it!"