The Obsessive Beauty’s White Moonlight - Chapter 7

“It’s not my blood,” Su Niannian explained, allowing Qi Ning to lead her along. “It someone else accidentally brushed against me.”

Su Niannian uncomfortably rubbed her nose as she spoke. For some reason, she didn’t want Qi Ning to discover that she had a violent side.

Even though she could tell exactly what had happened by the shape and spray of the bloodstains, Qi Ning didn’t call her out. Masking the dark glint in her eyes, she asked softly, “Where did they brush against you?”

“On the terrace,” Su Niannian replied, forcing a change of subject to stop Qi Ning from investigating further. “Are you full yet?”

Su Niannian wasn’t quite full herself, but after thrashing that lecherous man, she had lost her appetite for the food in this particular restaurant.

“Not quite,” Qi Ning offered a gentle smile. “Would you like to go get some dessert together? I know a fantastic little shop.”

Dessert? The word was a small, irresistible temptation. Su Niannian immediately put the man on the terrace out of her mind. “Sure.”

At the affirmative answer, the curve of Qi Ning’s lips deepened. She lightly interlaced her fingers with Su Niannian’s. “Let’s go. I’ll settle the bill first.”

It took a moment for the sensation of their locked fingers to register. Su Niannian felt as if an electric current were traveling from Qi Ning’s fingertips straight to her heart.

She hurriedly wrenched her hand away, not daring to look at her. “I, I’ll wait for you at the entrance. I could use some fresh air anyway.”

With that, Su Niannian turned and marched away, looking as if she couldn’t leave fast enough. She didn’t realize that her bright red ears had already betrayed her completely.

Qi Ning chuckled softly, rubbing her fingertips together as if the warmth of Su Niannian’s hand still lingered there.

Then, despite saying she was going to pay the bill, she turned and headed back toward the terrace.

Su Niannian stood leaning against Qi Ning’s motorcycle, her long black hair draped over her shoulders, her gaze vacant.

She had just contacted two wealthy patrons who had been commissioning her for paintings. After successfully securing their promise to “handle” the man from the terrace for her, she had nothing left to do but stare idly at the stars.

Qi Ning is taking a long time to pay. Is it because our bill was too high and it’s causing her trouble?

Su Niannian felt a twinge of regret. She should have paid before leaving. Qi Ning was, after all, just a young doctor; her income surely couldn’t compare to her own.

Just as Su Niannian considered going back to find her, Tian Wan appeared before her.

“Um, we meet again,” Tian Wan greeted her cautiously.

Su Niannian looked at her, confused. “Is something wrong?”

Tian Wan had noticed Su Niannian in the parking lot some time ago. Despite her thin clothing, the painter didn’t seem to mind the cold, standing there with an air of quiet expectation as if waiting for someone.

Her expression now wasn’t as sharp as it had been on the terrace; she looked almost innocent. Tian Wan stared dazed, thinking that Su Niannian didn’t need to say a word to make the starlight seem as if it were falling specifically for her.

Initially, Tian Wan had watched from a distance, hidden in a corner. But unconsciously, she had moved closer, step by step, until she found herself standing right in front of her.

Since she was already here. Tian Wan summoned her courage, met Su Niannian’s eyes, and spoke: “I wanted to ask for your name, so that in the future—” So that I can see you again.

“Niannian, did you run into an acquaintance?”

Tian Wan’s words were cut off abruptly. A woman with a gentle aura walked up to Su Niannian and lightly wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

Then, Tian Wan watched as Su Niannian who had been so cold to her turned toward the newcomer with eyes that clearly shimmered with delight.

“We just met today,” Su Niannian glanced at Tian Wan, but after a moment of hesitation, she didn’t say more.

Tian Wan looked crestfallen, but she knew Su Niannian was right; they had only known each other for half an hour. As for this woman holding her, their relationship must be incredibly close.

“The line was a bit long, so I’m late,” the woman spoke in a soft, melodic voice, never sparing so much as a glance for Tian Wan. “What would you like to eat? Their matcha mousse is quite famous.”

Hearing the name of a favorite dessert, Su Niannian quickly chirped, “Okay!”

“Let’s walk over; the shop isn’t far. After we eat, I’ll take you home.” The woman spoke exclusively to Su Niannian, her total disregard for anyone else’s presence stinging Tian Wan like a needle.

An unnameable bitterness spread through Tian Wan’s heart. She bit her lower lip to hide her inner turmoil.

If I become successful enough, will I one day have the chance to receive such undisguised favoritism from Su Niannian, just like this person?

After they had walked a safe distance away from Tian Wan, Su Niannian called out to Qi Ning. When the doctor looked over, she asked, “Why did you call me that just now?”

“Hmm?” Qi Ning blinked, intentionally playing dumb.

Su Niannian’s face grew redder as she lowered her voice. “I mean, why did you call me Nian, Niannian?”

She had never heard anyone call her that before.

Especially when Qi Ning said it, it was as if she were rolling the two characters on the tip of her tongue, making it sound so sweet and syrupy that it made her heart flutter.

Qi Ning seemed to find it amusing. She mimicked Su Niannian’s low volume, whispering, “Am I not allowed? I think it’s a very cute name.”

Her voice grew quieter and quieter until the last few words were a mere breath against Su Niannian’s ear. To catch what she was saying, Su Niannian had to lean in closer.

“What do you mean ‘cute’!” Su Niannian was about to protest when she felt something soft brush against her cheek.

Su Niannian froze. It took her three full seconds to process what had just happened.

Qi Ning just kissed her?

No, no, no, that can’t be. I must have imagined it.

“I’m sorry,” Qi Ning said, her voice soft and full of apparent sincerity. “Because the way you leaned in, Niannian it looked like you were asking for a kiss. I couldn’t help myself.”

Su Niannian felt as if the patch of skin that had been kissed was on fire.

Taking a deep breath, she came to a halt and said, one word at a time, “Are you like this with everyone?”

“We’ve known each other for less than a day, yet many of your actions have far exceeded normal social boundaries. I think—”

“I’m only like this with you,” Qi Ning interrupted, grabbing her hand. Her tone carried a hint of urgency. “I have never done anything like this to anyone else before.”

Qi Ning’s eyes were pale and beautiful; as she gazed at Su Niannian, they seemed to overflow with a bottomless, tender affection.

“I didn’t mean to offend you. I just I lost control.”

The elegant, cool scent of sandalwood drifted from Qi Ning, enveloping Su Niannian as if trying to stain her with that very same fragrance.