My Boss Transmigrated Into a Maid and I Became Gay - Chapter 10

Lu Ying closed the document with a satisfied hum, but when she caught a glimpse of the time, she nearly leaped out of her chair in a panic.

Crap! It’s almost time for the meeting with President Jian!

She tossed her phone aside, slapped on a quick sheet mask, and began applying her makeup with uncharacteristic precision. Usually, she was a “clean face” girl at the office, but the thought of going out alone with Jian Qin made her want to look just a little bit better.

After doing her makeup, she spent ages picking out an outfit and even opted for a pair of small heels.

Stepping back to check her reflection, she gave herself a jaunty snap of the fingers. Perfect!

She grabbed her bag and called a ride to the neighborhood entrance. It was only after she sat down in the car that reality caught up with her: I’m going to the mall with my female boss, not on a date. Why am I so worked up?

Lu Ying massaged her temples. She suspected the “transmigration effect” was bleeding into reality. The boundaries between her fictional world and the real one were blurring, and along with them, the professional distance between her and Jian Qin was starting to feel… fuzzy.

She was still wrestling with how to handle this identity crisis when her phone buzzed.

President Jian: Where do you live? Do you need me to pick you up?

Sakura-chan: No need, no need! Thank you, President Jian, I’m already in a car.

President Jian: Alright.

The message sent a surge of nerves through her. To ground herself, she scrolled back through their chat history, trying to find that “manager-subordinate” distance again.

Hmm… besides the initial ‘hello’ and her sick leave last month, there’s basically nothing. They barely had any overlap in real life, yet after a few nights in the book, Lu Ying felt like they were close friends. Well, technically, they were closer now. At least she never imagined herself mall-hopping with the boss before today.

Why the sudden closeness? She couldn’t figure it out, so she chalked it up to coincidence.

*****

Arriving at the mall entrance, she spotted the tall, striking figure of Jian Qin and for a split second thought she had transmigrated again.

Is it just me? She felt Jian Qin’s casual yet elegant outfit today had a suspicious “flavor” of the outfit the maid wore to school.

Must be a coincidence. This look is common enough. It was late summer/early autumn; plenty of women wore these slim-fit trench coats.

Stay cool, Comrade Lu Ying. Don’t say anything stupid and dig your own grave.

Steling herself, Lu Ying walked up and greeted her. “Hello, President Jian.”

Jian Qin, who had been looking the other way, turned around. Her gaze lingered on Lu Ying’s face, and she seemed to freeze for a moment before offering a polite, graceful smile. “We’re not at the office; you don’t have to be so formal.”

Ah…

Lu Ying looked at Jian Qin’s face, and for some reason, her heart skipped a few beats. It wasn’t the usual nervousness. It felt more like… being struck by lightning by her beauty.

Wasn’t she already beautiful enough at work? Why is she even more stunning on the weekend? Is there no justice in this world?!

Lu Ying cleared her throat awkwardly. “Okay. So, President Jian, you lead the way?”

“Let’s go,” Jian Qin said with a helpless look. “And really, drop the formalities. You can just call me Jian Qin.”

“…” Lu Ying tried to imagine shouting “Jian Qin” across a room and felt it was a bit too audacious. She thought for a second. “Using your full name feels a bit rude. How about… Sister Jian? Or Sister Qin?”

Jian Qin: “…”

She didn’t know whether to be angry or laugh. With those “Sister” titles, she felt like she was suddenly pushing fifty.

Jian Qin stepped into the mall with a sigh. “You… might as well stick with ‘President Jian.'”

Lu Ying could tell the boss wasn’t thrilled with her suggestions. She tucked her head in and followed quietly.

The atmosphere turned awkward. To a passerby, they probably looked like strangers who just happened to be walking in the same direction.

Maybe she could bring up the new project? She’d written a summary on Friday night that she wasn’t happy with. But it was a day off… would talking shop be annoying?

Help! I have zero idea how to act with a superior outside of office hours.

If she was too warm, her colleagues might think she had an ulterior motive. If she was too distant, she’d feel bad for wasting Jian Qin’s kindness and might even offend her.

It would be so much easier if the Maid-Jian from the book were here, she thought.

*****

They stepped onto the escalator, Lu Ying one step behind. They were close—so close that Lu Ying caught the scent drifting from Jian Qin’s wrist.

It was a crisp, woody fruit scent, but underneath was a hint of soft, creamy milk. Gentle and refined, like a cup of high-end milk tea that wasn’t too sweet.

I didn’t peg President Jian for the type to wear such a sweet fragrance.

Inspiration struck—a perfect way to break the ice! When two women don’t know what to talk about, you can always talk about perfume or makeup.

Lu Ying cleared her throat and stepped up beside her as they exited the escalator. “Oh! What perfume are you wearing? It smells amazing.”

“I visited a friend’s fragrance studio a while back and mixed it myself,” Jian Qin replied. “You like the scent?”

“I do! You’re incredible, President Jian.” Lu Ying’s eyes widened. She wasn’t being polite; she genuinely didn’t expect her boss to have such a magical skill.

“It’s nothing special. If you’re interested, I’ll take you there next time.” Jian Qin smiled and pointed to a storefront ahead. “We’re here. This is the place—they have a huge selection of mugs.”

Lu Ying followed her inside, her curiosity about the perfume still piqued. “Did you give it a name? Since you mixed it yourself?”

Jian Qin paused, tilting her head to smile at her. “I did. It’s called ‘White Moonlight.’“

“Oh… sorry.”

Lu Ying suddenly felt like a thief who had accidentally peeked into someone’s secret heart. She scrambled to change the subject. “Look at all these glass ones! Let’s check out that side!”

She flashed a big, fake smile and hurried away. Jian Qin watched the curl of hair bouncing on Lu Ying’s shoulder and, thinking of a certain memory, her lips curved into a soft arc.

*****

Lu Ying hid behind a shelf, pretending to inspect a mug while her heart hammered.

Hell! How did a ‘safe’ topic like perfume end up at ‘White Moonlight’?! The awkwardness level just jumped from three stars to five.

Still, she couldn’t believe it. A mature, rational woman like Jian Qin would do something so sentimental. Creating a fragrance for the “White Moonlight” in her heart… it was tragically romantic.

Her damn curiosity… What was she supposed to do? She really wanted to know who this “White Moonlight” was.

She stole a glance at Jian Qin. The woman was looking down at a cat-paw-shaped mug. Her black hair, usually tied back, was draped over her shoulder, framing her pale face perfectly. Just standing there, Jian Qin’s aura and beauty eclipsed everyone else in the store.

Lu Ying couldn’t help but steal a few more looks. She wanted to talk to her more.

Her lipstick color is nice too… should I ask for the shade? Surely that topic can’t go wrong.

Just as Lu Ying opened her mouth, Jian Qin spoke simultaneously: “Are you looking at me?”

She turned to face Lu Ying, her deep gaze searching for something.

Lu Ying laughed nervously, “N-No! I was looking at the mugs near you. That panda one is actually quite cute.”

Jian Qin picked up the panda mug. “It is cute. I think I’ll buy this one for my house.”

“Oh… wait… let me get it for you! You’re the one who took the time to help me find a replacement.” Lu Ying checked the price tag. “It’s not expensive—just the cost of two milk teas. Think of it as a small thanks for taking care of me lately.”

Jian Qin picked up a shopping basket, placed the mug inside, and smiled. “Alright. Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

She agreed! Lu Ying felt an odd surge of happiness.

After a bit more browsing, Lu Ying finally found a mug almost identical to her old Shiba Inu one. She was so excited she forgot her manners. “There it is! You’re amazing, President Jian!”

Jian Qin laughed along with her.

Realizing she had lost her cool, Lu Ying rubbed her nose and took the basket from Jian Qin’s hand, scurrying to the checkout.

****

Mug in hand, she stood outside the shop, torn. It felt a bit abrupt to just go home now. Should they get tea?

Lu Ying had been so busy getting ready she hadn’t eaten lunch. She was genuinely hungry.

Before she could decide, Jian Qin spoke up. “Shall we get a drink? Or maybe see a movie?”

A movie! Yes! In a movie theater, she wouldn’t have to talk to Jian Qin; she could just focus on the screen!

Lu Ying’s eyes lit up. “Sure! Let’s see a movie. Let me check what’s playing…”

She held her phone in one hand and the shopping bag in the other. Seeing her struggle, Jian Qin reached out to take the bag, but her fingers accidentally brushed against Lu Ying’s hand.

Having spent the previous night kneading the “Maid-Jian’s” hands, Lu Ying’s guilty conscience flared up like a live wire. She yanked her hand back instantly.

Jian Qin froze. “Did I startle you? I just wanted to help with the bag.”

“No, no… not at all…”

Lu Ying was inwardly berating herself. Why did I react like that?! It was nothing, and now I’ve made it weird!

While she stared down at her phone, Jian Qin finally took the opportunity to stare at her.

Last night, in the mission world, the Young Mistress NPC had suddenly taken her hand. Jian Qin had never imagined being led like that for so long. And after they got in the car, the girl had grabbed her hand again, shamelessly “mooching” off her touch.

Despite having nearly identical faces, the Young Mistress was nothing like the real Lu Ying. One was bold and proactive; the other was cautious and introverted.

Sometimes, Jian Qin wondered if the NPC and that world existed only to fulfill a long-lost dream of hers.

But… she still preferred the weight of reality.

Lu Ying scrolled for ages but couldn’t decide what to watch. She looked to Jian Qin for help.

Jian Qin thought for a moment. “How about an older film?”

“That works. Where can we see one?”

Jian Qin pulled out her phone and booked a room at a private cinema, then waved the screen at her. “It’s nearby. Follow me.”

Lu Ying stood frozen for two seconds, feeling as if she’d been struck by lightning.

No way! She wanted a movie specifically because theaters were full of people. It was a safe, public space. Now, she was going to be alone in a small private room with the boss? Choosing the film together, sitting on the same sofa, sharing snacks…

Help! The awkwardness level just broke the scale!

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