"Heh heh heh, what a coincidence..." Herta chuckled, her laughter forced and mirthless.
"Y-yes, indeed." Lumina managed an awkward but polite smile, the scent of Ruan Mei's perfume filling her senses, and the physical contact between them sending shivers down her spine.
Is there a pro? Is there a pro? Lumina mentally cried out. Is there anyone who knows how to perfectly diffuse this situation?
At the same time, she was utterly bewildered by Ruan Mei's actions.
Lumina wasn't worried about Herta finding out Ruan Mei was in her room. Given Ruan Mei's personality, she wouldn't react like March 7th and the others.
Herta, who knew Ruan Mei well, would undoubtedly be aware of this too.
So even if Herta discovered her, Ruan Mei likely wouldn't say anything.
But...
But who could tell me? Why would Ruan Mei do something like this?
It was completely out of character for Ruan Mei, and it completely contradicted Lumina's impression of her.
To deliberately move closer, pressing her lightly dressed body against Lumina's own, seemed like something only the closest of friends would do, right?
Strictly speaking, Lumina had only met Ruan Mei twice in person.
And neither of those meetings had lasted very long.
Although they occasionally chatted on messaging apps, their progress had certainly not been this rapid.
By Lumina's estimate, she and Ruan Mei were currently at the level of ordinary friends.
They were still far from the depth of friendship Ruan Mei shared with Herta.
So why was she...?
Lumina's gaze settled on Ruan Mei, her eyes filled with confusion.
But that confusion was quickly replaced by a surge of satisfaction...
Hmm... This satisfaction encompassed many layers, not just her appearance.
But Lumina couldn't quite articulate exactly what it was.
It couldn't be helped. Ruan Mei was only wearing a thin nightgown. Properly dressed, walking normally, or sitting properly would have presented no issues whatsoever.
But Ruan Mei's current posture—almost sprawled across Lumina—made it impossible for Lumina not to look.
To be fair, she did look stunning. (heart eyes)
Hmm... Lumina's "stunning" here referred solely to Ruan Mei's appearance.
Her face, like a lotus emerging from water, her cheeks flushed pink by the steam, was an unprecedented new form of Ruan Mei. Of course she looked particularly beautiful!
"You little creep, what are you staring at?" Herta hissed through gritted teeth, her voice sharp and clear in Lumina's ears, instantly snapping her out of her reverie.
Reluctantly tearing her gaze away, Lumina shifted her focus from one beautiful person to another.
"Ruan Mei's beauty is undeniable," Lumina replied truthfully. "I was naturally captivated by her appearance."
Only telling half the truth is still half the truth, right?
"Hmph," Herta snorted softly, showing no suspicion toward Lumina's words.
The nameless fire in her heart toward both Lumina and Ruan Mei had dwindled significantly.
Ruan Mei isn't that kind of person, and Lumina wouldn't act rashly. So there's nothing to worry about.
Besides, Ruan Mei and I are pretty similar in our interactions.
We might not be as physically affectionate as Lumina and Ruan Mei are right now, but we're not far off.
So, Herta doesn't really care...
Of course, that's a lie.
How could Herta not care?
"Could you two at least move the phone further away?"
"Do you really need to huddle around the same screen?"
"Doesn't this feel awkward for you both?"
Madam Herta fired off three pointed questions.
Though framed as inquiries, they all pointed to a single answer:
Can you two just hurry up and separate?!
"Um... Ruan Mei, I was going to say..."
"It's fine. It's perfect just like this."
"..."
Hearing Herta's three questions all pointing to the same answer, Lumina nodded slightly in agreement.
If Ruan Mei continued to hold her in this position, Lumina might end up doing something that would completely violate the image of the Saintess—namely, pushing Ruan Mei away.
But just as before, before Lumina could finish her sentence, Ruan Mei interrupted her. At the same time, she pressed their bodies even closer together, exerting considerable force. This nearly caused Lumina to lose her composure and abandon her Saintess facade, almost shoving Ruan Mei away roughly.
Hearing Ruan Mei's words, Herta fell silent for a moment.
"Ruan Mei, don't you think... what you two are doing is a bit... hmm, intimate?"
Finally, gazing at the screen showing Ruan Mei and Lumina's close proximity, Herta abandoned her roundabout hints and directly pointed out what bothered her.
"Hmm... You're right, it is indeed a bit intimate," Ruan Mei nodded, her lips curving into a faint, enigmatic smile, as if she had achieved her purpose.
Lumina shifted slightly, creating some distance between herself and Ruan Mei.
Though they remained close—only half a finger's width apart, their clothes and pajamas still brushing—for two beautiful girls, this was considered a perfectly normal range.
"Ruan Mei, you..." Herta, familiar with Ruan Mei, recognized the faint smile on her face and knew she had been bluffing her all along.
Her mouth opened slightly, as if to speak, but then snapped shut without uttering a word.
There was no point. Even knowing Ruan Mei was bluffing, Herta would have made the same choice.
Compared to how intimately Lumina and Ruan Mei were pressed together, being tricked by Ruan Mei seemed utterly insignificant.
"Sigh..." Madam Herta sighed and waved her hand dismissively.
"Anyway, that's all for today."
"Have fun tonight, you two."
Her tone remained dripping with sarcasm.
When Herta first witnessed Ruan Mei and Lumina's intimate behavior, she had an impulse to immediately rush to the Luofu.
But upon reflection, she decided against it.
Lumina wouldn't dare, and Ruan Mei wouldn't allow it.
It was that simple.
-
"Ruan Mei, are you using me to tease Herta?"
After ending the video call with Herta and putting away her phone, Lumina crossed her arms, a hint of dissatisfaction coloring her expression as she turned her gaze to Ruan Mei.
She seemed genuinely bothered by Ruan Mei's manipulation of her.
And indeed, Lumina was somewhat bothered. Being used by one beautiful girl to tease another? Anyone would feel a twinge of annoyance, right?
Yet the moment Lumina's eyes landed on Ruan Mei, all her annoyance vanished.
She's so beautiful!
"Hmm... I'm sorry," Ruan Mei murmured, offering an apology.
"Hmph~ Well, this time I'll..."
"To express my apology, you can ask me to do anything you want."
Having received Ruan Mei's apology, Lumina had been about to haughtily accept with a tsundere 'fine.'
But just like before, Ruan Mei interrupted her before she could finish her sentence.
"Anything? Are you serious?" Lumina froze, scrutinizing Ruan Mei from head to toe, her gaze skeptical.
Though her pajamas were thin, they covered most of her body, leaving little exposed.
Her exquisite, serene face remained as still as water, betraying no emotion.
Pale, rosy-tinged skin was exposed to the air. Having just finished bathing, Ruan Mei hadn't styled her hair; three thousand strands of raven-black hair cascaded down like a dark waterfall, and a delicate, youthful fragrance filled the room.
"Yes, to... express my apology," Ruan Mei murmured.
"Then I want..."