Chapter 34-Part 1: An Excuse to Live Together

In the studio, the staff was meticulously taking Duan Yan’s measurements, ensuring every inch of fabric would perfectly fit her form.

Although the company already had her measurements on file, they decided to conduct another detailed measurement in pursuit of ultimate precision.

Her assistant, Xu Qin, handed a lake-blue evening gown to Duan Yan.

The fabric of the blue dress was a high-grade silk satin, delicate and smooth, displaying different lustrous layers as the light moved over it.

The neckline was adorned with exquisite lace, its edges gently undulating like the soft lapping of ocean waves. From the waist down, the skirt flared out naturally, resembling a blooming blue flower.

On the hem of the skirt, the designer had incorporated sequins and beads of the same color, which sparkled brilliantly under the lights, like the brightest stars of the night sky scattered upon the earth.

Every detail of the entire dress exuded refinement; it was truly the work of a master from a French fashion show. Even the sample garment was so perfect.

However, a blue dress like this couldn’t help but make her think of Song Jin wearing that blue dress of hers this morning, and a subtle ripple spread through Duan Yan’s heart.

She was momentarily lost in thought, but quickly regained her composure, stepped into the changing room, and gently put on the lake-blue dress.

Standing before the backdrop, Duan Yan followed the photographer’s instructions, gently lifting the corners of her lips to reveal an elegant smile.

Her sense of the camera was excellent; every glance, every smile, easily captured the emotion the photographer desired.

Duan Yan gazed at her reflection in the mirror beside her, which couldn’t help but remind her of Song Jin’s charming smile that morning, and the casual warmth when she had taken her wrist.

A trace of a daze flickered in her eyes. Wearing stiletto heels, she had a moment of inattention, and her body swayed slightly, like a flower swaying in the wind, nearly causing her to fall.

Fortunately, Xu Qin, who was standing beside her, was quick to react and swiftly reached out to support her.

“Are you alright?” Xu Qin asked with concern.

Duan Yan shook her head and thanked Xu Qin.

“Are you not feeling well? Why don’t we take a break for now? You can rest for a bit, and we can continue trying on these clothes later. Let’s cancel this afternoon’s training session.”

Manager Yang Jun’s gaze was filled with concern.

This batch of outfits had been carefully selected and sent over by the event organizers. To ensure each piece fit the model’s figure perfectly, the organizers had sent sample garments in advance.

Considering Duan Yan’s experience on the T-stage was still limited, and with only five or six days left before the fashion show, the company had specially arranged for a professional mentor to begin intensive training with her at 4 PM.

“It’s nothing, Sister Yang, there’s no need to cancel.”

Duan Yan gently massaged her temples, trying to pull her focus away from her chaotic thoughts.

Yang Jun noticed the dark shadows under Duan Yan’s eyes. A wave of sympathy washed over her, and she decisively decided to pause the work, letting the staff and photographer go out for a half-hour break before coming back.

“Xiaoyan, did something happen? Why didn’t I see you bring your little orange cat over today? Is she sick?”

Yang Jun handed Duan Yan a cup of steaming hot water, her eyes full of worry.

“Yes, something did happen to her.”

Duan Yan nodded slightly, recalling the incredible scene from last night. The cat wasn’t exactly sick; she had turned into a person.

And that person was the junior she had always had a good impression of. They had even slept in the same bed last night.

The thought of Song Jin secretly hugging her and their unintentional intimacy this morning made her feel flustered.

That soft, delicate touch sent Duan Yan into a panic.

“Don’t worry too much, everything will be alright.”

As someone who had also raised a cat, Yang Jun knew how upsetting it could be when a cat you spent every day with fell ill. She gently patted Duan Yan’s shoulder, trying to give her some strength.

Duan Yan gave a bitter smile, a pang of sorrow in her heart. “I hope you’re right.”

She knew that the little orange cat might never come back. That unique warmth and companionship had vanished without a sound.

She took a deep breath, calmed her emotions, and threw herself back into her work.

On the way to Duan Yan’s house, Song Jin discovered that she actually owned a property near Duan Yan’s home. She immediately arranged for renovations to begin, deciding to move in.

Song Jin and Song Yu, who had just finished work, stood together before Duan Yan’s door and knocked.

Duan Yan had not yet returned. The one who opened the door was Auntie Lian, who looked surprised to see Song Jin.

“Hello, Auntie Lian. My sister and I have something we’d like to discuss with Sister Duan Yan. Is she here?”

Song Jin flashed her signature smile, the corners of her mouth turning up gently, her almond-shaped eyes curving into crescents. Her adorable appearance was hard to refuse.

Auntie Lian was clearly a bit at a loss. “She… she’s still out and hasn’t come back yet. Why don’t you…”

“It’s alright, we can wait,” Song Jin interrupted Auntie Lian, a hint of determination in her eyes.

Song Yu nodded slightly. Her aura was unique, and a palpable sense of pressure seemed to emanate from her. Helpless, Auntie Lian could only welcome the two of them inside and served them tea.

Auntie Lian asked somewhat nervously, worried that something had happened to Duan Yan.

“It’s nothing, we’re just here to explain what happened last night.” Song Jin took a sip of tea and replied with a smile, trying to soothe Auntie Lian’s anxiety.

Auntie Lian nodded. Recalling Duan Yan’s late rising and the fact that Song Jin was wearing Duan Yan’s clothes, a bold thought suddenly formed in her mind. She hurried to the second floor and dialed Duan Yan’s number.

She was changing out of her clothes, preparing to remove her makeup and go home, when she suddenly received a call from Auntie Lian.

The voice on the other end of the line was frantic. – “Xiaoyan, tell me honestly, did you two sleep together last night? She was even wearing your clothes this morning! Did you do something to wrong her last night?”

Duan Yan was completely bewildered and hadn’t even had a chance to explain before Auntie Lian’s words continued like a string of firecrackers. – “Her older sister has even come to our door. You’d better hurry back and sort this out.”

Duan Yan’s brain short-circuited. She was stunned for a good while before she finally understood.

Auntie Lian thought she and Song Jin were in a relationship, but that she had been a “jilt” to Song Jin last night, causing her family to come seeking an explanation.

She rubbed her brow, didn’t bother to remove her makeup, and told her assistant to go home for the day, while she herself rushed back home.

As soon as she entered, Duan Yan saw Song Jin and a strange woman next to her in the living room.

The woman bore some resemblance to Song Jin, but her aura was completely different. Song Jin was cute and energetic, whereas the woman before her radiated an air of decisiveness and severity.

Duan Yan guessed this must be Song Jin’s older sister. Although she felt a little uneasy, she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong, so she walked in with a composed expression.

The moment Song Jin saw Duan Yan, her eyes lit up. She immediately stood up and walked towards her, her face beaming with excitement. “Sister Duan, you’re back.”

Song Yu, however, remained seated on the sofa, her lips pursed, saying nothing.

Duan Yan looked at Song Jin, completely baffled. ‘Didn’t we already settle this?’

Song Jin avoided Duan Yan’s gaze. ‘How could it possibly be over? We’re not even together yet.’

Duan Yan and Auntie Lian sat on the sofa opposite them, facing Song Jin and Song Yu.

Song Yu was silent for a moment before getting straight to the point, her tone leaving no room for refusal. “I am Song Jin’s older sister, Song Yu. I apologize for this sudden intrusion, but there are some matters I’d like to discuss with Miss Duan alone.”

Hearing her sister’s stiff tone, Song Jin couldn’t help but gently tug on her sleeve, her eyes revealing a hint of worry. ‘Don’t scare my Sister Duan!’

Song Yu was rendered a bit helpless by her sister’s small gesture. She cleared her throat and softened her tone. “There are a few things I hope to discuss with Miss Duan privately.”

Auntie Lian tactfully took her leave, leaving Song Jin, Song Yu, and Duan Yan alone.

As the uninvited guest, Song Yu took a sip of tea and spoke first. “I presume Miss Duan is already aware that the cat you were raising was my younger sister.”

Duan Yan nodded lightly, a look of confusion on her face. “What exactly is going on?”

“My younger sister’s body is rather unstable. She suddenly transformed into a cat at the awards ceremony, and thankfully, Miss Duan picked her up, which saved her from any harm. We haven’t had a chance to thank you yet, Miss Duan.”

Duan Yan spoke bitterly, “There’s no need for thanks.”

Song Yu continued to explain, “Our Song family has been a Cat Clan for generations, but my younger sister’s constitution is weak, so she was long unable to transform. Thanks to Miss Duan’s meticulous care, she is now finally able to undergo the transformation.”

“Cat Clan?” Duan Yan was stunned.

Fearing Duan Yan wouldn’t believe her, Song Yu sprouted a pair of fluffy ears from the sides of her head.

The adorable ears formed a stark contrast with Song Yu’s cold face. Duan Yan was stunned by this fantastical scene, and her innate love for fluffy things acted up, making her want to reach out and touch them.

Seeing the intention in Duan Yan’s eyes, Song Jin gritted her teeth, secretly making a note to settle this score later.

‘How dare she! Isn’t having me enough? She actually dares to covet other fluffies!’

Song Yu continued, “My sister’s body is still recovering, and at night, she may involuntarily revert to her cat form. A cat develops a special attachment to the first person who raises it and can’t help but want to be close, otherwise she’ll become emotionally distressed. Therefore, we hope that Miss Duan can continue to care for her until my sister fully masters her transformation.”

Duan Yan was a bit baffled. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t worry, my sister will only be staying at Miss Duan’s home temporarily.”

Song Yu made her request.

Duan Yan looked at Song Jin suspiciously, still somewhat hesitant.

Song Jin, however, lifted a pair of eyes as moist and clear as spring water and looked at her. Her gaze held an unspeakable pitifulness, like a delicate flower swaying in the wind and rain, looking utterly fragile.

Duan Yan fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded. “Alright, I agree.”

Song Jin was blooming with joy internally, secretly celebrating. ‘Now that we’re living together, are the days of confessing and officially cohabiting still far away?’

Song Yu shot Song Jin a look that said, ‘Rein it in, don’t be too obvious, or I won’t help you if your cover is blown.’

Song Jin quickly suppressed her smile, lowering her head to hide her joyful expression.

Song Yu took a contract out of her bag.

“Rest assured, we will not leave Miss Duan’s care for my sister unrewarded. I heard that Miss Duan will be attending the fashion show in Country F. My sister will also be going. The company has hired the renowned French model Fare to train with her, and Miss Duan can join them. This is the compensation, which will be transferred to Miss Duan’s card.”

The instructor, Fare, was a famous model from Country F, but she had retired many years ago and was now working as a runway show coach.

Initially, the company had also intended to hire Fare for training, but Fare had never replied. Being able to receive Fare’s guidance was undoubtedly a great opportunity.

Moreover, there were no clauses in the contract that were unfavorable to Duan Yan; in fact, one could say it was written with her best interests in mind.

One of the clauses stated that if Duan Yan felt any discomfort, she could terminate the contract at any time.

With nothing left to say, Duan Yan signed the contract. Then, she lowered her eyes and asked softly, “Is the ‘can’t help but want to be close’ an instinct? Or something else?”

Song Jin looked at Song Yu, extremely anxious.

Song Yu gave Song Jin a “you little rascal” look, then answered, “It means exactly what it says. It is instinctual, physiological. She will involuntarily want to be near that person, craving skin-to-skin contact.”

Hearing this, Song Jin was utterly satisfied.

‘Experience truly does come with age.’

She had originally just hoped to find an excuse to stay by Duan Yan’s side, but she never expected her sister to express her feelings so directly—she really did love being close to Duan Yan, and of course, she wanted to take things further, but she didn’t have the official status yet, sob sob sob…

After Duan Yan signed the contract, Song Yu left first due to company matters.

Song Jin moved from the side of the sofa to a spot near Duan Yan, biting her lip, looking as if she were deeply conflicted. “So… should I move in with you, Sister?”

Duan Yan was silent for a moment, then said, “Move in. I’ll have Auntie Lian clean up the room next door later. I’ll take you up to see it first.”

Song Jin followed Duan Yan upstairs.

It was a standard room, but it seemed a bit small compared to Song Jin’s own room, and it had one fatal flaw—it was too far from Duan Yan’s room.

But it didn’t matter. She was going to sleep with Duan Yan at night anyway. Since she was already turning into a cat, why couldn’t she be held by Duan Yan while she slept?

She just loved sleeping in Duan Yan’s fragrant embrace!

“I’m satisfied with it, thank you, Sister.”

The smile on Song Jin’s face was impossible to hide. “Then, Sister, can I go back and pack my things now?”

Duan Yan nodded, instructing, “Just bring some daily necessities. I believe it won’t take long for your transformation to stabilize.”

Song Jin’s eyes instantly dimmed.

‘No way, of course I’m bringing everything.’

But Song Jin didn’t let it show on her face, simply saying with a smile, “I’m sorry for all the trouble, Sister. I’ll go get my things now.”

Seeing that smile, Duan Yan’s originally somewhat unpleasant mood instantly dissipated.

Song Jin was still just a kid in her early twenties. An awkward situation like this wasn’t something she could control, so what was the point of holding it against her?

She was almost thirty; was she really going to blame a junior for an accident?

“Alright, I’ll save you dinner.”

It was now four-thirty in the afternoon. A round trip would be just enough time to make it back for dinner at Duan Yan’s house.

Song Jin reluctantly bid farewell to Duan Yan. Seeing Duan Yan wave back at her, her heart felt warm and fuzzy.