Left to rest on the sofa, Naea sat silently for a few moments, but boredom soon set in. She switched on the TV to pass the time, her eyes drifting occasionally to the kitchen where Akira was working with absolute concentration to create the perfect meal.
A short while later, dinner was ready. Akira carried the food out on a tray and set it carefully on the center table. Instead of just handing Naea her plate, Akira sat beside her and began to feed her.
Naea blushed, protesting softly, "Akira... I only cut my finger, not my whole hand."
Without changing her expression, Akira countered calmly, "The food is very hot, Miss. The steam from it could cause a stinging sensation in your wound."
Naea fell silent at the logic, though she knew Akira was just finding an excuse to pamper her. A small, triumphant smile finally broke across Akira's face as she continued to feed Naea, taking a few bites for herself in between. In the quiet glow of the television, the two shared a meal that tasted of more than just spices—it tasted of deep, unspoken devotion.
As they finished their meal, Naea leaned back, a curious glint in her eyes. "So, tell me, Editor... how many chapters did you manage to get through today? And by the way, what kind of book are you even editing?"
Akira remained perfectly expressionless, her voice steady as she replied, "Well, it's a Yuri romance. The trope is a college student falling for a college professor."
Naea froze for a split second before a slow, mischievous smile spread across her face. She looked at Akira with a playful, knowing expression. "Well, Akira... I must say, this book sounds perfect for you to edit. It's almost as if the author wrote it specifically for your life."
Akira's ears turned slightly pink. "Naea, stop it. That's enough out of you," she muttered, trying to maintain her cool exterior.
Naea couldn't help it; she burst into a light, melodic laugh. "Alright, alright! I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I couldn't resist."
Seeing Naea's genuine laughter, Akira's artificial sternness melted. She leaned in close, catching Naea off guard, and pressed a soft, lingering kiss against her cheek. "Now," Akira whispered with a faint smirk, "we're even."
After their playful moment, Akira stood up and retrieved a box from her bag. She handed it to Naea with a soft look. "Well, Miss... these are your favorite cookies."
Naea's eyes lit up at the sight of the Bacelena cookies. By then, dinner was finished, and despite Naea's attempts to help, Akira wouldn't allow her to lift a finger. "Just rest, Naea," she insisted firmly. Akira carried the tray to the kitchen and made quick work of the dishes, her movements efficient and disciplined.
Once the kitchen was spotless, Akira finally went to change out of her professional clothes. In the drawing room, Naea leaned back, contentedly snacking on her cookies while watching television, the soft glow of the screen reflecting the peaceful atmosphere. Beside her, Little Naria remained in a deep, serene slumber.
Akira returned, now dressed in comfortable loungewear, but her mind was already shifting back to the mysterious manuscript. "Miss, I'm heading to the room to continue editing the book," she said, leaning down to press a lingering kiss on Naea's forehead.
Before heading in, Akira gripped the handle of Naria's new cradle. Thanks to the smooth-moving wheels at the base, she was able to glide the heavy, wooden-furnished cradle effortlessly across the floor. She shifted Naria into the bedroom so she could work while keeping her daughter close.
After moving the cradle into the bedroom, Akira carefully positioned Naria right by Naea's side of the bed. She wanted the baby to be within arm's reach for when Naea finally came to sleep. With her family's comfort secured, Akira settled into her own space.
She opened her laptop and pulled the manuscript toward her, the glow of the screen reflecting in her sharp, charcoal eyes. The domestic warmth of the evening began to fade into the background as she re-entered the world of An Mei's creation.
As she began editing the next set of chapters, the tone of the writing started to shift. The "Yuri" romance between the student and the professor was still there, but a darker, more frantic energy was creeping into the prose. Every time the character of "Chen" or the "Father" appeared in the text, the descriptions became more vivid, almost as if the author was reliving a nightmare. Akira's fingers hovered over the keys, her editorial instincts screaming that she wasn't just fixing grammar anymore—she was deciphering a confession.
In the subsequent chapters, Akira read that Ruoxi had gifted Fen a beautiful pen. It was clearly expensive, but it possessed the unmistakable charm of an antique piece. When Fen first touched it to paper, the very first thing she wrote was Ruoxi's name; the ink flowed elegantly, making the name look like a piece of art.
Fen's entire motivation for attending college had shifted. She now lived for the Computer Science lectures, her heart racing as she waited for Ruoxi to enter the room. What was once her weakest subject had become her strongest, driven by her desire to impress her professor.
However, a shadow appeared in the form of Ruoxi's fiancé, Wang Yi, a supervisor at a major tech company. During a meeting, he brought up the topic of their upcoming marriage. Ruoxi, however, cut the conversation short with a firm resolve. She explained that she wanted to stay focused until her current session of students graduated. She wanted to give them her absolute best, something she felt wouldn't be possible amidst the distractions of a wedding. Being an understanding partner who loved her deeply, Wang Yi agreed to wait, honoring her dedication to her students.
When the weekend arrived, Ruoxi returned to her family home, only to be met with a crisis. Her brother, Chen, was suffering from a dangerously high fever. His condition was worsening, and the atmosphere in the house was thick with anxiety.
As soon as Ruoxi realized the severity of Chen's condition, she didn't waste a second. Her parents were both out of the city, leaving her entirely alone in the massive, silent house. Panic surged through her, but she forced herself to stay calm. With trembling hands, she helped Chen into the car and sped toward the hospital, her knuckles white as she gripped the steering wheel.
Ironically, today was Fen's birthday.
Fen had organized a grand party at her home, inviting all her friends, including Chen and her beloved Professor Ruoxi. Like Ruoxi, Fen was also home alone as her parents were away on an urgent business trip. The house was filled with music and laughter, yet Fen felt a hollow ache in her chest.
She had been looking forward to this day specifically to celebrate with Ruoxi. It was because of the Professor that Fen had gained the confidence to overcome her weaknesses and master Computer Science. But as the hours ticked by and Ruoxi failed to show up, the party felt incomplete. While everyone else was having the time of their lives, Fen couldn't stop glancing at the door, unaware that her professor was currently fighting a desperate battle in a hospital emergency room.Chen was rushed into the emergency ward, where the doctors immediately began their assessment. After a tense wait, the doctor turned to Ruoxi with a reassuring nod. "There is no need to worry. We are going to start him on an IV drip now. I've prescribed some medicine; just ensure he takes them on time, and the fever will subside. He'll start feeling energetic again soon."
Finally, Ruoxi felt the suffocating weight lift from her chest. She could breathe again.
Meanwhile, at Fen's house, the party had been in full swing for hours, but there was still no sign of Ruoxi and no return call. Fen's anxiety was spiraling. She called Ruoxi repeatedly, but because Ruoxi was entirely focused on Chen's care, her phone remained on silent, the screen lighting up unnoticed in her bag.
As the night grew late, the guests gathered around, and it was finally time for Fen to cut her cake. Forced to put on a brave face, she went through the motions of her celebration, while miles away, Ruoxi sat motionless by Chen's side, her world reduced to the rhythmic drip of the IV and the steady breathing of her brother.At the party, Fen turned to a friend, her voice trailing off. "Do you know if Professor Ruoxi..." She hesitated, stopping herself before she could finish the thought.
"Man, I only came here because I heard the Professor was invited!" a boy nearby joked, sparking a wave of agreement from two or three others.
"She probably went home," a girl chimed in. "She always goes back to her family on the weekends."
A boy smirked at her. "Oh? You sure know a lot about her schedule. Are you stalking her?"
The girl laughed it off. "Maybe I am!"
"Can you blame her?" another boy added from the back. "The Professor is so young and pretty that it's not just the guys—even the girls are head over heels for her." The group erupted into laughter, but Fen remained quiet, absorbing every word.
Leaning toward a friend standing beside her, Fen whispered, "Can a girl... really fall in love with another girl?"
Her friend laughed softly. "Well, yeah. Why do you ask? Is there a girl you've got your eye on?"
"No," Fen replied quickly, looking away. "I just... I didn't know, so I asked."
"Don't worry about it," her friend said, still grinning. "There are plenty of guys at college who are 'in love' with the Professor too." She walked away to join the others, leaving Fen alone with her thoughts.
I only like the Professor because she teaches me so well, Fen told herself firmly. But as she turned her gaze back toward the door, her heart didn't feel as certain as her words.Inside the house, the remaining group decided to liven things up with a game of "Truth or Dare." The rules were simple: complete the dare, or take a shot. While some guests chose to leave, twenty people remained, eager for the chaos to begin. Fen initially refused to join, but her friends' persistent teasing eventually broke her resolve, and she sat down in the circle.
The game started off smoothly, with dares ranging from silly to bold. Some players completed their tasks with cheers, while others succumbed to the penalty. Fen was no exception; by the middle of the game, she had already downed four shots. One of those shots was the result of a dare she flatly refused: she was told to kiss someone in the room. Her heart, still fixed on a certain professor, wouldn't allow her to even consider it.
Thirty minutes later, the game finally came to an end, leaving behind five empty bottles and a room full of tired guests. One by one, her friends gathered their things and headed for the door. Soon, the music was cut, the lights were dimmed, and the laughter faded away.
Fen was now entirely alone in the massive house, the silence ringing in her ears as the alcohol began to blur the edges of her vision.Just as the last of Fen's friends were leaving, Ruoxi finally had a moment to check her phone. Her heart sank when she saw five missed calls from Fen. She immediately tried to call back, but the calls wouldn't go through—Fen's phone had died, leaving her unreachable.
Ruoxi was well aware that it was Fen's birthday. She looked at her brother, Chen, who was now sleeping peacefully and looking much better than before. Despite the exhaustion of the day, Ruoxi couldn't shake off the guilt and worry. Knowing that Fen wasn't picking up and that she had missed her special day, Ruoxi made a decision.
After informing the nurse on duty to keep an eye on Chen, she hurried to the parking lot. She got into her car and started the engine, heading straight for Fen's house through the quiet, moonlit streets.When Ruoxi finally arrived at Fen's mansion, she was greeted by an eerie silence. To Ruoxi, Fen was simply a dedicated student, yet the guilt of missing her invitation weighed heavily on her. As she stood before the entrance, she realized there was no music, no laughter, and no sound of celebration. Feeling a strange sense of unease, she pushed the door open and stepped inside without ringing the bell.
The interior was bathed in dim, low-power lighting. "Fen? Fen Tao? Is anyone home?" Ruoxi called out, her voice echoing through the quiet halls.
From the shadows of the living room, Fen slowly stood up from the couch. Before Ruoxi's arrival, she had been sitting in a daze, the five shots of alcohol clouding her mind. But hearing Ruoxi's voice seemed to give her a sudden, inexplicable surge of strength. She began to walk toward Ruoxi, her steps slightly unsteady.
Ruoxi watched her approach, noticing that Fen was wearing a beautiful dress that suited her perfectly. As a teacher, Ruoxi silently praised her student's appearance, her heart completely free of any romantic feelings—her loyalty and love belonged solely to her fiancé, Wang Yi. Fen continued to close the distance until she stood directly in front of Ruoxi, her eyes reflecting a mix of intoxication and deep, hidden longing.Standing before Fen, Ruoxi offered a warm, graceful smile. "Happy Birthday, Fen Tao. I believe you are 23 now." She apologized for not bringing a gift, promising to give it to her during their next tutoring session.
But Fen wasn't listening. She moved closer, the distance between them disappearing until Ruoxi could clearly smell the sharp, stinging scent of alcohol. Ruoxi's expression shifted to immediate concern. "Fen, you're drunk..."
Before Ruoxi could finish her sentence, Fen shattered every boundary. She reached up, her hands locking firmly over Ruoxi's shoulders with a strength that didn't match her usual self. She pulled Ruoxi into a deep, lingering kiss. It was soft, almost deceptively gentle at first, as if Fen wanted Ruoxi to truly taste the bitterness of the alcohol she had consumed.
Ruoxi was frozen in absolute shock, the sharp flavor of the shots burning against her lips. She tried to pull away, but Fen held her ground, refusing to break the contact despite Ruoxi's resistance. For a few agonizing seconds, Fen forced her into that intoxicated embrace, making Ruoxi a part of her chaotic world.
Finally, using every bit of strength she had, Ruoxi managed to violently push Fen back. Her hand moved instinctively, delivering a sharp slap across Fen's face that echoed through the silent mansion.
"Fen Tao!" Ruoxi gasped, her breath coming in ragged bursts of disbelief. "Have you completely lost your mind?"
After the slap, Fen stumbled back, her hand instinctively flying to her stinging cheek. No one had ever raised a hand to her in her entire life—this was the first time, and it had come from the very person she adored.
Ruoxi turned on her heel, ready to storm out of the mansion, when a voice stopped her cold. "Ruoxi..."
It was the first time Fen had ever addressed her by her name. Ruoxi's feet felt as if they were glued to the floor.
"On my special day... you slapped me just because I kissed you?" Fen's voice was trembling, thick with emotion. "Is it a crime to kiss the person you love? All night, my eyes were fixed on that door, waiting for you. I never planned to feel this way, but it was you... your kindness, the way you corrected my mistakes, the way you spoke to me. How could I not fall for you? You tell me!"
Fen took a ragged breath, tears blurring her vision. "We played a game tonight. I was dared to kiss anyone in the room. But I didn't. I chose to drink instead. Because the moment they said 'kiss,' your face was the only thing I saw. Everyone at college is obsessed with you—boys, girls, everyone! Do you think I don't feel jealous, Ruoxi? Tell me!"
"I don't know why I love you," Fen continued, her voice cracking. "I don't know when these feelings took root in my heart, but I know they aren't fake. Trust me, Ruoxi... I will love you more than anyone else ever could. More than your fiancé ever would. I'll fulfill your every desire. I'll understand every unspoken word of yours..."
At the mention of her fiancé, Ruoxi finally turned around. She walked back toward Fen, her eyes softening as she looked at the bright red mark on Fen's cheek. It was the first time Ruoxi had ever struck someone, and the guilt was beginning to settle in. She reached out, gently placing her hand over the bruised skin.
"I am sorry," Ruoxi whispered.
Fen's eyes were brimming with tears, yet she held them back with a stubborn pride, as if she refused to give her eyes permission to cry.
"Fen Tao," Ruoxi said softly but firmly, "a relationship between us can never happen, regardless of whether Wang Yi was in my life or not. I have always cared for you as my student—nothing more. In my heart, there is space for only one person, and that is Wang Yi. My fiancé."
With those final, crushing words, Fen's resolve broke. She finally gave her eyes permission to weep, and the tears began to stream down her face in silence.
Fen wiped her tears, her voice hollow yet determined. "Well, Ruoxi... you said you would give me my birthday gift later. I want to claim that gift now."
Ruoxi looked at her, silent and guarded.
"I want you to kiss me," Fen stated, her eyes locking onto Ruoxi's. "Not as a teacher, and not to a student. Forget who we are for a moment. Just kiss me like a partner. I want to feel your taste... just once."
Ruoxi didn't respond immediately. She stood in the dim light of the mansion, the weight of the request hanging between them. After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice devoid of its usual warmth.
"If this is what you truly want, then so be it, Fen Tao. But understand this: after this kiss, I will no longer tutor you. I will not meet you privately. From this moment on, we are strangers. I will be nothing more than a professor you pass in the hallway."
The words cut through Fen like a blade, leaving a trail of grief in their wake. But she didn't back down. If I can't have her in my life, Fen thought bitterly, then this kiss—this taste—has to be worth the sacrifice of everything else.
As Akira was finishing the intense chapter, the bedroom door opened softly. Naea walked in, her gaze moving from the sleeping Naria to Akira. "Well, Editor? Are the chapters finished?" she asked with a gentle smile.
Akira closed the manuscript and set her laptop aside, the heavy tension of the "Stranger Kiss" deal still lingering in her mind. She looked at Naea, and the coldness of the story melted away. "I've only finished reading them for now," Akira replied, a genuine smile reaching her eyes. "The actual editing can wait until tomorrow."
She shifted on the bed and opened her arms in an inviting hug, signaling that her "War Mode" was officially over for the night. Her time now belonged entirely to Naea.
Naea didn't hesitate. She moved into the warmth of Akira's embrace, the two of them settling into the plush pillows. In the quiet mansion, surrounded by the scent of luxury and the soft breathing of their daughter, they drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep, locked in each other's arms.