Their eyes met.
Linlin stared at Ruan Yuan.
Ruan Yuan stared back at Linlin.
“Hm? Linlin, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you taking it off?”
Ruan Yuan tilted her head, her expression innocent, eyes clear, as if she had no idea what the problem was.
Linlin was speechless.
Just listen to what you’re saying!
If the police in this world actually worked, they would arrest you on the spot!
Unfortunately, in this instance the police probably only existed in the setting and could not be relied on.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something but not knowing what.
She could not just say “I’m not wearing underwear, so don’t look,” right?
That would be even more embarrassing!
At that moment, Ruan Yuan’s expression changed.
She seemed to suddenly realize something.
Then she took a step forward.
Two steps.
Three steps.
She stood right in front of Linlin.
Bent down.
Leaned her face closer.
And stared directly at Linlin’s chest.
“You… what are you doing!”
Linlin instinctively shrank back, covering her chest with her arms.
But it was already too late.
Ruan Yuan straightened up, her face showing an “I see” expression.
“Linlin, you…”
She paused.
“You’re not wearing underwear, are you?”
Linlin’s face flushed red.
“I-I…”
She wanted to say “No, I’m not,” but Ruan Yuan’s eyes had clearly already seen.
She said it on purpose!
It was definitely on purpose!
But Ruan Yuan did not continue teasing her.
She also did not suddenly do anything strange like Linlin had feared.
She just looked at Linlin and hesitated for two seconds.
Then she squatted down.
Her hand reached toward the small cabinet at the very bottom of the wardrobe.
“Linlin’s underwear is kept here, right?”
Linlin was stunned for a second.
“…Yeah.”
She answered softly.
Ruan Yuan opened the cabinet door.
Inside, various colors of bras and panties were neatly folded.
Mostly pink, with some white and light purple.
Ruan Yuan rummaged through them and pulled one out.
A white sports bra with a little bear printed on the front, surrounded by pink bow patterns.
She also pulled out a pair of panties.
Pink-and-blue vertical stripes, with small ruffled edges.
She held the two items in her hands, stood up, and showed them to Linlin.
“Put these on, Linlin.”
Linlin looked at the neatly folded underwear, her mind a little blank.
Not because of shyness.
But because… it was unexpected.
From last night until now, she had gone through too much.
Which had caused her to subconsciously assume that anyone who approached her or was nice to her would eventually bully her.
They would all be like Xiran.
So when Ruan Yuan handed her the underwear and said “Put these on, Linlin,” her first reaction was not “Thank you,” but:
“You… you’re not…”
“Not what?”
Ruan Yuan looked at her, her eyes carrying a bit of helplessness and amusement.
“Linlin, in your eyes, am I the kind of person who takes advantage of others?”
Linlin did not speak.
But her eyes clearly said: Yes.
Ruan Yuan sighed.
She stuffed the underwear into Linlin’s hands and softened her voice a little.
“I want to protect you, not bully you.”
She paused.
“Although… I am quite jealous of that girl.”
When she mentioned Xiran, her tone sank.
“But for that kind of thing,”
She looked into Linlin’s eyes.
“I want it to be something you want too.”
Linlin stared at her blankly.
Something you want too.
Those six words spun around in her mind several times.
Linlin lowered her head and looked at the sports bra with the little bear in her hands.
The fabric was soft and carried a faint scent of laundry detergent.
“Hurry up and put it on.”
Ruan Yuan’s voice came from above.
“But…”
Her tone suddenly shifted, carrying a hint of mischievous laughter.
“I definitely have to watch, though.”
Linlin looked up.
Ruan Yuan was smiling at her, eyes curved, with an expression that said “I’m just being honest.”
“Pervert…”
Linlin muttered very softly.
But for some reason, when she said it, there was no fear like when facing Xiran.
It felt more like… a helpless complaint.
She turned around.
With her back to Ruan Yuan.
Her pink long hair draped down her back, covering a bit of her exposed skin.
The air felt a little cool, raising tiny bumps on her skin.
She stayed alert to any movement behind her.
Afraid that Ruan Yuan would suddenly hug her.
Afraid that Ruan Yuan would reach around from behind like Xiran.
Afraid that those awful things would happen again.
But behind her, it was quiet.
Only the sound of breathing.
Gentle and steady.
Linlin took a deep breath, grabbed the hem of the oversized white top.
And pulled it up.
The clothes peeled off her body, revealing her slender waist and bare back.
Her pink long hair slid down, scattering over her shoulders.
The chill became more obvious.
She did not turn back.
She set the clothes aside and picked up the white sports bra.
Pulled it over her head.
Slid her arms through the straps.
Adjusted it into place.
The bra pressed against her, soft and a little tight, but comfortable.
Her small chest was gently supported and covered.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
Then she fished out the pink long hair that had gotten caught in the bra.
The strands slipped through her fingers, a few sticking to her face.
She brushed them away and continued.
Her hands moved to the skirt at her waist.
Xiran’s dark skirt was too long for her.
She grabbed the waistband and pulled it down.
The skirt slid off.
Revealing her bare legs and…
Her soft, small bottom.
She felt the gaze from behind.
Very focused.
Very serious.
Staring.
Don’t stare at my butt so seriously!
Linlin’s face started burning again.
She sped up her movements, grabbed the pink-and-blue striped panties.
Lifted her foot.
Slid them in.
Pulled them up.
The fabric clung to her skin, a little cool.
Done.
Safe.
She exhaled and turned to pick up the long dress she had chosen earlier.
Light pink, long style, with white lace trim on the hem.
She slipped into it.
Her head went through the neckline, arms through the sleeves.
The dress fell down, covering her body.
Then the white off-shoulder long-sleeved shawl.
She draped it on and adjusted it.
Finally, the socks.
White knee-high socks.
She sat on the edge of the bed and lifted her foot.
Her feet were small, toes round.
She pulled the sock on, stretching it little by little until it wrapped around her calf.
The other foot the same.
Once dressed.
When she looked up, she suddenly got a fright.
Because Ruan Yuan had somehow appeared right in front of her without her noticing.
“You… what are you going to do…”