My Boss Transmigrated Into a Maid and I Became Gay - Chapter 18

That night, Lu Ying found herself once again cursed with overtime.

The only saving grace was that President Jian had left on time, so she didn’t have to face her. Sitting in the quiet, empty office, Lu Ying felt as though her brain had been replaced with a bowl of thick porridge—her thoughts were a mess, and her heart was even worse.

There were things she didn’t understand, and things she didn’t want to understand.

After dazing out for a long time, the computer screen suddenly went black. Lu Ying jiggled the mouse, took a sip from her Shiba Inu mug, and got back to work on the new project’s training materials. Whatever that foggy feeling in her heart was, right now, her only goal was to produce work that would satisfy Jian Qin.

She didn’t want the boss to be disappointed in her.

By the time she finished her revisions and replied to two final emails, it was 9:00 PM. She stretched, shut down her computer, and packed her things. It was only when she reached the lobby that she realized a steady, drizzling rain was falling outside. The shared umbrella stand was empty.

The rain wasn’t too heavy, so Lu Ying decided to improvise. She draped her coat over her head, clutched her backpack to her chest, and made a dash for it. The subway station wasn’t far; if she ran, she wouldn’t get too soaked.

She had just reached the bottom of the steps when a car honked behind her. Headlights flashed in the rain. Thinking she was blocking someone’s way, Lu Ying quickened her pace, but the car followed her, honking again.

She turned around, and the car slowed to a halt beside her. Was it a ride-share driver looking for a fare? She opened her mouth to tell him she wasn’t interested, but then the window rolled down, revealing the elegant profile of President Jian.

Jian Qin didn’t waste words. She reached over and pushed the passenger door open. “Lu Ying, get in.”

Wait… President Jian had left hours ago. Why was she here? And why was she telling her to get in the car?

Remembering Sister Zhuan’s worries from earlier that morning, Lu Ying felt a pang of regret. She should have helped her friend analyze the situation more thoroughly; maybe then she’d know what the protocol was for being offered a ride by your boss in the rain!

Seeing her hesitation, Jian Qin called out again, “Lu Ying, come on. Get in.”

Hearing the slight urgency in her tone, Lu Ying didn’t have time to think. She scrambled into the car, shaking out her damp coat as she pulled the door shut. In the small, enclosed space, Lu Ying felt a sudden surge of nerves. After a long silence, she managed a weak, “Uh, hello, President Jian.”

Jian Qin: “…”

It’s a bit late in the evening for a formal greeting…

She sighed softly. “Where do you live? I’ll drop you off.”

Knowing her place was quite far from Jian Qin’s neighborhood, Lu Ying waved her hands. “No, no, that’s okay! Just drop me at the Line 3 station. My apartment is very close to the exit. Thank you so much, President Jian.”

Jian Qin didn’t want to push too hard and risk a counter-productive reaction. She stole a glance at the nervous girl beside her and gave a small, subtle smile. “Alright. Put on your seatbelt.”

As the car glided through the rain, the drizzle suddenly turned into a downpour. Lu Ying let out a breath of relief that she was under a roof, then turned to look at the boss. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, “President Jian, did you not go home?”

“A friend came into town for a visit,” Jian Qin explained. “I went to dinner with her after work. I was passing the office on my way back and saw the lights on the seventh floor go out. I wondered if it was someone from our department just leaving… and then I saw you.”

She tilted her head and offered Lu Ying a smile that made the girl swallow hard and look away, choosing to stare intensely at the rhythmic swaying of the windshield wipers instead.

Just talk normally! Why do you have to smile so beautifully?!

Lu Ying clutched her coat, trying to sound nonchalant. “Oh, I see. What a coincidence.”

Jian Qin’s lips quirked up. “Mm-hmm.”

In reality, Jian Qin had seen Lu Ying’s work account was still online after her dinner. Worried she didn’t have an umbrella, Jian Qin had been waiting in the parking lot. Only when the girl’s status turned grey did she start the engine.

Lu Ying sat as stiffly as an elementary schooler. Jian Qin looked at her white-knuckled grip on her coat and found it slightly amusing.

“You worked late today. Was it the training materials?”

“Yes,” Lu Ying replied robotically. “I’m mostly finished. I’ll make some final edits and send them to you tomorrow.”

Jian Qin was silent for a moment before asking, “Do I really scare you that much?”

“No, no! Not at all!” Lu Ying denied instantly while screaming “YES” internally.

Yes, she was terrified! Terrified that she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from having “improper thoughts” about her boss!

Jian Qin didn’t say anything else.

The car stopped at the Line 3 station. Lu Ying thanked her again and unbuckled her seatbelt. Just as she was about to open the door, Jian Qin caught her wrist. “Wait.”

Lu Ying’s gaze fell to where their skin met. She wanted to pull away, but she also wanted to hold on. She felt split in two by her own conflicting desires. Fortunately, Jian Qin let go and handed her a folding umbrella from the backseat. “Take this. Be careful on the way.”

“I’m only a few steps from the exit once I get off,” Lu Ying demurred. “You should keep it, President Jian.”

“I have another one in the trunk.”

Left with no choice, Lu Ying accepted it. “Alright… thank you, President Jian. See you tomorrow!”

She prepared to put her damp coat back on, but before she could, Jian Qin stopped her again. She shoved her own blazer from the back seat into Lu Ying’s arms. “Wear this. Don’t catch a cold.”

The cars behind them began to honk, urging them to move. Lu Ying didn’t have time to refuse. She popped the umbrella and scrambled out of the car, clutching the blazer. Before she could turn back to say thanks, the car had already pulled away.

******

She walked into the subway station, draped in Jian Qin’s blazer, her heart a tangled mess of emotions.

Jian Qin had worn her “White Moonlight” perfume today, and the scent clung to the fabric. Within minutes, Lu Ying felt enveloped by the fragrance.

Or rather… enveloped by Jian Qin.

The station was quiet at this hour. Lu Ying found a seat and leaned her head against the advertisements. Closing her eyes, her mind filled with images from the car. Startled, she snapped her eyes open and pulled out her phone.

Sakura-chan: Doggy-Egg, I think something is wrong with me.

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: When has anything ever been ‘right’ with you lately?

Sakura-chan: Be serious. I’m really messed up.

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: Fine, fine. How are you messed up?

Sakura-chan: I’m starting to enjoy being with the maid in the Mary Sue world too much. I want physical contact. Yesterday she bridal-carried me and I was actually… happy. qwq

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: …Sis, did you transmigrate yourself gay?

Sakura-chan: I am literally considering that! But there’s a bigger problem. The lines between fiction and reality are blurring. I’m starting to feel… dependent on my real-life manager too.

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: …………

Sakura-chan: Help me. I don’t want to have to resign!

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: How am I supposed to help with that?!

Sakura-chan: Insult me! Snap me out of it!

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: …Okay, give me a second to gather my thoughts.

Lu Ying clutched her head in agony until her phone buzzed again.

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: Wake up! Your manager has zero idea about the Mary Sue world. If you act too close, she’s just going to think you’re a weirdo. Plus, if you’re too clingy, your colleagues will start gossiping. It’s bad for you and bad for her.

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: Even if this was a ‘Happy Ending’ and she liked you back, office romances are a mess. You’d have to quit and move to a new company to make it work. And you’re both women—can that even last?

Sakura-chan: Wow, you’re so practical. I hadn’t thought that far ahead, but thanks. I’ve been slapped awake by reality.

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: Besides, it’s all one-sided. You’re the one feeling close, not her. Just control yourself.

But President Jian is so good to me! Lu Ying thought, a surge of irrational defensiveness hitting her. In a fit of heat, she typed out the story of the ride home, the umbrella, and the borrowed blazer.

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: !!! There’s MORE?!

Rainbow Doggy-Egg: I SHIP IT! Please, keep the fluff coming!

Sakura-chan: …

Sakura-chan: Can you PLEASE pick a side and stay on it!

*****

Lu Ying got home and hung Jian Qin’s blazer up carefully to avoid wrinkles. Just then, her phone buzzed. It wasn’t Doggy-Egg; it was Jian Qin.

President Jian: Did you make it home?

Lu Ying flopped onto her sofa, staring at the message. After a long pause, she replied.

Sakura-chan: I’m home. What about you?

President Jian: Just parked. By the way, bring the blazer to the office tomorrow. No need to wash it.

Lu Ying sat up and adjusted the hanger.

Sakura-chan: Got it. Thank you so much for today. Get some rest!

President Jian: You’re welcome. Consider it payment for those ‘museum masterpiece’ compliments. Don’t worry about it. Rest well.

Lu Ying thought back to the lunch incident and felt a mix of shame and the urge to laugh.

No… I can’t keep thinking like this! She lay back down and re-read the “reality slap” messages from Doggy-Egg. She even took a screenshot of them to use as a reminder.

******

Autumn rain brings the chill. Lu Ying found her thin duvet wasn’t enough, so she dug out a thicker one and bundled herself up until she finally drifted off.

When she opened her eyes, she was on the sofa in the music room, covered by the maid’s trench coat.

The maid was napping beside her. Lu Ying sat up quietly and leaned in to look at her. The maid wore light makeup, making her look more like the “shopping” version of Jian Qin—more refined than the bare-faced version, but more approachable than the office version.

In the quiet room, Lu Ying’s gaze traced the line from her forehead down to her soft, shimmering lips. She studied her face intensely. The sleeping maid looked so gentle and harmless; Lu Ying was reminded of a fluffy souffle topped with colorful berries. Something ephemeral and fragile, yet utterly captivating.

“So annoying,” Lu Ying whispered. “You’ve got me acting like a lost soul all day…”

Before she could finish, the maid’s eyes snapped open.

Lu Ying scrambled back in a panic. “Y-Y-You… when did you wake up?”

The maid picked up her coat, put it on, and offered a soft smile. “Good afternoon, Miss. As it happens, I woke up right when you said ‘acting like a lost soul.'”

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