Chapter 32: Behind the door, she raised her phone

“That’s it for today.”

Zuo Xi zipped her guitar into its case and clapped her hands together.

“Same time tomorrow, everyone good?”

Fu Lan gave a small nod.

Guchuan Xing stretched, letting out a suggestive groan.

“Sure~ As long as Huanzi’s there, big sister’s always free~”

Qin Huan decisively ignored that and turned to look at Ju Zhenli, who had been quietly leaning against the wall the whole time.

Ju Zhenli stood there, her golden ponytail resting on her shoulder, her white shirt looking especially clean under the rehearsal room lights.

Noticing Qin Huan’s gaze, she curled the corners of her lips into a faint smile.

“Elder Sister Zhenli, I’m done packing.”

“Mm.”

Ju Zhenli nodded, naturally walking over to Qin Huan and taking the guitar case from her hands.

“Let’s go.”

As they stepped out of the rehearsal room, the evening breeze hit them, carrying the cool touch of autumn.

“Qin Huan!”

Zuo Xi chased up from behind, stopping in front of her, slightly out of breath.

Her white T-shirt collar rose and fell softly with each breath.

“Um… thank you for today’s rehearsal.”

“Thank me?”

Qin Huan blinked.

“Mm.”

Zuo Xi nodded firmly, her eyes shining with earnest light.

“Thank you for inviting me to form a band, for letting me sing such a beautiful song.”

“That was a song you wrote, right?”

Her voice was soft.

“It was really beautiful. When I sang it, I felt something in my heart being touched.”

Qin Huan froze for a moment.

That song wasn’t hers, of course—it was the work of creators from another world.

She was just a porter.

But looking at Zuo Xi’s serious eyes, the explanation just wouldn’t come out.

“I’m glad Xi Jiang likes it.”

She put on a smile.

Zuo Xi stared at her for a moment, then suddenly took a step closer, closing the distance until she could almost feel her breath.

“Qin Huan.”

Zuo Xi tilted her head.

“See you tomorrow.”

With that, she turned and walked away quickly.

“Xiao Huan.”

Ju Zhenli’s voice came from behind, unreadable.

“Time to go.”

“Ah, okay.”

She trotted back to Ju Zhenli, and the two walked side by side toward the school gate.

Qin Huan stole a glance at Ju Zhenli’s profile.

That delicate face looked a little cold under the dim yellow light, her long lashes lowered.

“Elder Sister Zhenli?”

“Mm?”

“Um… thank you for coming with me today.”

Ju Zhenli didn’t answer.

She simply walked quietly beside Qin Huan.

A sudden unease crept into Qin Huan’s heart.

Without thinking, she reached out and lightly tugged at the corner of Ju Zhenli’s shirt.

Ju Zhenli’s steps paused.

“Xiao Huan, let’s go home…”

The black business car glided quietly through the night streets.

Qin Huan leaned back in the comfortable seat, stealing glances at Ju Zhenli beside her.

Ju Zhenli was staring out the window, the lines of her profile softened in the dim cabin light.

Her golden high ponytail rested quietly on her shoulder, and the collar of her white shirt was slightly open, revealing a delicate collarbone.

“Elder Sister Zhenli.”

“Mm.”

“Are you unhappy today?”

Ju Zhenli didn’t answer.

Qin Huan bit her lip, about to say something to break the unsettling silence, when Ju Zhenli suddenly turned her head.

“Xiao Huan.”

Her voice was eerily calm.

“You’re pretty close with those band girls, aren’t you?”

Qin Huan’s heart skipped a beat.

Here it comes.

Of course it comes.

“Um… since we have to rehearse together, I…”

“Guchuan Xing calls you ‘Huanzi.’”

“That’s… she’s just naturally outgoing…”

“Zuo Xi looks at you strangely.”

“Zuo Xi is an idol; maybe that’s just how she looks at fans…”

“Fu Lan calls you ‘big sister.’”

“That’s because I knew her before…”

Ju Zhenli listened quietly, then gave a soft “Mm.”

She didn’t press further, just turned her head back.

Silence filled the car again.

Qin Huan’s fingers unconsciously twirled.

“Xiao Huan.”

Ju Zhenli spoke again, her gaze still fixed outside.

“I don’t like the way they look at you.”

“So…”

She finally turned her head, her brown eyes staring straight at Qin Huan.

“Keep your distance from them, okay?”

“Elder Sister Zhenli, I formed the band just because I love music…”

Her voice grew smaller.

“I know.”

Ju Zhenli nodded lightly.

“That’s why I didn’t make you give up the band.”

She reached out, her cool fingertips gently brushing Qin Huan’s cheek.

“I’ll support Xiao Huan’s dreams. But…”

Her thumb slowly traced the corner of Qin Huan’s eye. “Xiao Huan’s eyes can only look at me.”

—

Back at the villa, Ju Zhenli’s expression had returned to its usual warmth.

She had the housekeeper prepare dinner, and the two ate quietly, the atmosphere even cozy.

“Xiao Huan, go take a bath first.”

Ju Zhenli put down her chopsticks, offering a faint smile.

“Today’s rehearsal must have been tiring. A hot bath will help you relax.”

Qin Huan nodded and headed for the bathroom.

The hot water was indeed comfortable.

Soaking in the tub, Qin Huan felt the exhaustion of the day being slowly washed away by the warm currents.

She buried half her face in the water, blowing bubbles.

Glub glub.

The conversation in the car still lingered in her mind.

Ju Zhenli said she didn’t like the way those band girls looked at her.

But what about the way she looked at her?

What kind of look was that?

Qin Huan closed her eyes…

She opened them and stood up from the tub.

Warm droplets slid down her skin, glistening softly under the bathroom’s warm yellow light.

She grabbed a towel and slowly dried herself.

Forget it.

Don’t think about it.

Cross that bridge when you come to it.

You can’t rush a conquest.

Besides, Ju Zhenli’s Affection Level is already pretty high.

The Obsession Degree went up a bit, but it’s still within control.

As long as I keep playing the ‘Xiao Huan’ she likes, I’ll bring that degree down eventually.

With that thought, Qin Huan changed into her pajamas and pushed open the bathroom door.

The hallway light was off.

Only the warm yellow glow from the bathroom spilled out, carving a bright rectangle on the floor.

And at the edge of that rectangle stood a slender figure.

Golden hair glimmered faintly in the dimness.

A purple silk nightgown outlined graceful curves.

Pale fingers held a phone, its screen illuminating her face.

Ju Zhenli lifted her head.

In those brown eyes reflected the eerie purple glow of the phone screen.

“Xiao Huan… you really are the cutest.”

Qin Huan instinctively stepped back, her back hitting the bathroom doorframe.

“Elder Sister Zhenli… listen to me…”

“No need to explain.”

Ju Zhenli tilted her head, her lips curving into a gentle arc.

She stepped forward slowly, the hem of her purple nightgown swaying slightly, revealing a pale calf.

She stopped in front of Qin Huan, reached out, and pressed her cool fingertips lightly against Qin Huan’s collarbone.

“When Zuo Xi said ‘see you tomorrow,’ you smiled so happily.”

Her fingertips slowly moved up, tracing her neckline, stopping at Qin Huan’s chin.

“When Guchuan Xing called you ‘Huanzi,’ you enjoyed it too.”

With a slight pressure, she lifted Qin Huan’s chin, their eyes meeting.

“When Fu Lan called you ‘big sister,’ you looked so content.”

Ju Zhenli’s tone remained gentle, but the smile on her face had already vanished.

“Xiao Huan’s eyes weren’t only on me.”

The purple light on the phone screen grew brighter, almost overflowing.

“So…”

Ju Zhenli leaned in, her forehead gently pressing against Qin Huan’s.

Golden strands of hair fell down, mingling with the citrus scent of the body wash.

“Xiao Huan, let me help you.”

“Help you forget all those unnecessary things.”

“Then, your eyes…”

Her voice was as soft as if she were coaxing a child to sleep.

“Will only have me in them.”

The eerie purple light filled Qin Huan’s entire field of vision.

In the final moment, Qin Huan heard Ju Zhenli whisper in her ear—

“Good night, my Xiao Huan.”