Chapter 110: I’m just kidding

Duan Liming’s gaze and expression showed no reaction to Duan Fan’s words.

She only asked, “Do you really not want children?”

Duan Fan leaned forward slightly, clasping her hands together with her elbows resting on her knees.
Her brows curved, her eyes curved as well, but there was not a trace of laughter in her narrow eyes.
“Sis, I hate children.”

“Then don’t set your sights on Liu Qiu. She’s married—she doesn’t need any illegitimate children.”
After saying that, Duan Fan stood up and looked down at Duan Liming from above.
“If you really want a child, go make a few with Zhao Yue.”

“Maybe one of them will turn out normal. Anyway, the Duan family is big enough—we can afford to raise a few kids.”

Duan Fan wasn’t being sarcastic; she was sincerely offering advice.

She felt that Duan Liming’s obsession with finding an heir had become a little insane.
Something as simple as finding a random woman would solve the matter, yet her sister kept being picky, insisting on finding the most suitable one.

From the beginning, she had known about the project Duan Liming invested in.
She also knew that her own genes had been put into a laboratory to be matched with a suitable candidate.

Duan Fan never took it seriously.
Five years ago, she never imagined that five years later, this miracle-like project would actually succeed.

Nor did she expect that even after all these years, Duan Liming still wouldn’t let her go.

Looking at Duan Liming’s calm, unfathomable eyes, Duan Fan softened her tone.

“Sis, mental illness doesn’t necessarily get passed down. You could just use your own genes to create an heir.”

Duan Liming’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
She nodded faintly.
“I understand.”

Duan Fan let out a small exclamation and rubbed her short curly hair.
Her usual frivolous smile returned to her face.

“Sis, I knew you wouldn’t force me.”

“It’s late. I’ll stay here tonight.”

Duan Liming hummed in acknowledgment, holding her phone as she stood up and walked upstairs.

Duan Fan watched her sister’s back until it completely disappeared from sight.
Only then did she raise her hand to rub her face and collapse onto the sofa, her expression lazy yet filled with exhaustion.

Duan Liming should know that she hated Liu Qiu.
If this conversation had happened some time ago, she definitely would have exploded in anger.

Now it was only because she had fallen in love that she was being so polite about this topic.

Her sister wasn’t someone with a strong desire for control, nor was she domineering.
That was why Duan Fan dared to mock her—and dared to refuse.

Since she had already said so much, Duan Liming should give up on using her and Liu Qiu’s eggs to create a child.

---

The night gradually deepened, and the time had already passed midnight.

Liu Qiu sat sleepily on the sofa, waiting for Fu Jinyin to come home.

After a whole day of exhaustion, she was already extremely tired, yet Fu Jinyin still hadn’t returned.

Sighing softly, Liu Qiu picked up her phone and hesitantly called Fu Jinyin.

She wasn’t sure if Fu Jinyin would answer.

The phone rang again and again.
Just as it was about to hang up, the call was finally picked up.

The other end of the line was completely silent.

Liu Qiu had already gotten used to it.
She took the initiative to ask, “Jinyin, when are you coming back?”

After speaking, she waited patiently for Fu Jinyin’s answer.

Almost a minute passed before Fu Jinyin’s hoarse voice finally came through the phone.

“I’m not going home.”

Liu Qiu froze for a moment.
After recovering, she said stiffly, “O-okay.”

The call ended.

Looking at the phone screen, Liu Qiu frowned slightly, a trace of worry filling her eyes.

Had she really made Fu Jinyin hate her to this extent?

[Host, go to sleep, go to sleep! Aren’t you going to try out for that modeling job tomorrow? Don’t worry about your wife.]

[The more she goes out and meets people, the faster our mission progress will increase.]

Liu Qiu nodded.

The system was right.
Since Fu Jinyin didn’t sound like anything was wrong, she wouldn’t keep waiting.

She was really sleepy.

Returning to the bedroom, Liu Qiu washed up quickly.
After lying down on the bed, she soon fell asleep.

The room was left with only the light, steady sound of her breathing.

Moonlight streamed through the window, making the room even quieter.

Time slowly passed.

After an unknown amount of time, the moonlight inside the room disappeared.

The entire room grew dim.

Suddenly, the doorknob at the entrance turned gently.

The door slowly opened, and a tall figure slipped inside.

“Gujii…”
A sticky, strange sound echoed faintly in the room—soft enough that it wouldn’t wake anyone.

The figure stood beside the bed.

If one looked down, they would see writhing tentacles spreading out wildly, eerie and horrifying in the darkness.

Liu Qiu slept soundly.
She couldn’t see the tentacles squirming as they wrapped around her neck.

A damp, viscous liquid soaked her skin.

She also couldn’t see her clothes being pushed upward, her chest and stomach bulging slightly.

“Gujii…”
The slime rubbed softly.

Fu Jinyin tightly hugged her own arms, her face deathly pale.

She watched as her tentacles wrapped around Liu Qiu, the suction cups pressing tightly against that pale flesh.
The sensation was smooth and warm.

“I’m sorry.”

“Liu Qiu… I’m sorry.”

She couldn’t control her tentacles.

She didn’t want this.
She didn’t want to—

“I’m sorry.”

Fu Jinyin trembled as she bent down and gently covered Liu Qiu’s eyes with her hand.
Cold tears dripped onto the back of her hand.

“Mm… Jin… Jinyin… like…”

The hoarse murmur made Fu Jinyin’s entire body stiffen.

Slowly removing her hand, she saw Liu Qiu’s tightly closed eyes.

Her sleeping face was flushed red, with a bit of sticky residue on her chin, looking terribly innocent.

Even in her sleep, Liu Qiu was calling her name.

Suddenly, Fu Jinyin remembered.

She had always known that Liu Qiu liked her.

But she never understood what liking someone meant.
She only knew that Liu Qiu’s closeness made her feel disgusted and annoyed.

But now?

Hearing the word “like” come from Liu Qiu’s mouth, her heart only pounded violently.

There was no feeling of disgust or revulsion.

As if sensing her emotions, the tentacles lifted the blanket covering Liu Qiu and then rolled up the slightly damp clothes.

Every movement was beyond her control.

She truly was a failed experiment.

Now she couldn’t even control her basic actions.

Fu Jinyin’s breathing hitched.

Her already pale face lost even more color, and she seemed to fall into panic.

Gritting her teeth hard, Fu Jinyin endured the tearing sensation in her body and forcibly pulled every tentacle back from Liu Qiu.

She couldn’t—she absolutely couldn’t do that to Liu Qiu while she was asleep.

“Like…”

The faint murmur near her ear made Fu Jinyin tremble even harder.

She had to leave.

She couldn’t get close to Liu Qiu anymore.

Her body would do disgusting things to Liu Qiu.

She shouldn’t have come back.

The door that had been opened slowly closed again.

The room fell back into silence.

Only Liu Qiu remained on the bed, sleeping soundly.

Her pale lips parted slightly, occasionally letting out sleepy murmurs.

“Jinyin… like…”

“Like… raw meat… no… can’t…”

---

When Liu Qiu woke up, daylight was already bright.

She felt like she had slept well, yet her body felt uncomfortable.

Especially her neck—and her chest.

Liu Qiu went to the bathroom to look in the mirror.
She tilted her head left and right, then lifted her clothes.

Her skin was pale and clean, without any marks.

But her body felt sticky.

Was it sweat?

She didn’t remember feeling hot while sleeping.

Sighing, Liu Qiu decided to take a shower and wash away the sticky feeling.

She was going to visit the modeling company today.
She had to dress nicely.

Liu Qiu rummaged through the wardrobe and took out the outfit the original owner had worn when she first arrived.

A tight white shirt, a black hip-hugging skirt, and black stockings.

After putting them on one by one, Liu Qiu asked the system,

[System, is Fu Jinyin at home?]

The system scanned the entire house before replying,

[Host, there are no other life signs.]

Liu Qiu nodded.

[Looks like she really didn’t come back last night.]

It was normal for adults not to come home for the night.
Liu Qiu didn’t dwell on it.

Right now, the closer she got, the unhappier Fu Jinyin became.

Perhaps not seeing her would be better for Fu Jinyin.

After getting dressed, Liu Qiu applied light makeup.

She wasn’t very skilled at makeup, but since she was going for a modeling interview, she needed to look prettier.

She applied a layer of orange-red lipstick, then pinned up her hair.

After finishing, she asked the system,

[Does this look formal enough?]

The system praised her.

[Very formal. Host will definitely succeed.]

Liu Qiu coughed twice and straightened her expression.

“Hello, my name is Liu Qiu.”

“I’m here for a modeling interview.”

[Great! Very professional!]

The system’s enthusiastic praise made Liu Qiu’s lips curl into a small smile.

If she succeeded, she could earn 300 yuan an hour.

After a simple breakfast of bread and milk, Liu Qiu put on black high heels and headed out.

It was only ten o’clock now.
If she arrived early, she could eat lunch first before the interview.

Her plan sounded good.

But the moment she reached the entrance of the residential complex, she saw a familiar purple sports car—and a familiar person.

Duan Fan.

Duan Fan’s eyesight was clearly better than hers.

She was already walking over and even waved.

“President Liu, we meet again.”

Today Duan Fan had changed her style again.
She wore a tight sleeveless crop top and cargo pants, leaving her toned abdomen exposed.

Liu Qiu could see beautiful muscles and defined abs.

Not only on her stomach—there was also a thin layer of muscle on her arms, elegant without being exaggerated.

Maintaining a blank expression, Liu Qiu glanced at her once before turning and walking away, clearly unwilling to engage.

Duan Fan quickly caught up and stepped in front of her, smiling.

“President Liu, you look very beautiful today.”

“Of course—you’re beautiful every day.”

Duan Fan always behaved this way—frivolous and flirtatious, looking like she didn’t take anything seriously.

Liu Qiu turned her head away.

“If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

She was very puzzled.

Why wasn’t Duan Fan pestering Fu Jinyin anymore and instead coming to bother her, this old woman?

Duan Fan chuckled.

“President Liu, dressed like this today… are you going on a date?”

“I could give you a ride.”

Last time she hadn’t noticed, but looking now, Liu Qiu was perfectly suited for this kind of outfit.

The shirt collar was buttoned high, and her expression was serious.

Yet the tight shirt made her chest look full and upright, and the hem tucked into her waistband emphasized her narrow waist.

The black hip-hugging skirt highlighted the beautiful curve of her hips, and below it were long legs wrapped in stockings.

Duan Fan’s smile deepened.

“If you go on a date dressed like this, you’ll knock people unconscious.”

Liu Qiu frowned slightly.

“Duan Fan, what are you talking about?”

“I’m going to look for a job.”

After saying that, she pressed her lips together.

She hadn’t wanted to tell Duan Fan.

Hearing this, a dark glint flashed through Duan Fan’s eyes.

“What kind of job are you looking for, President Liu?”

“I’ll take you there.”

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Liu Qiu sighed inwardly.

She knew this would happen.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly.

“No need. And stop calling me ‘President Liu.’”

Duan Fan raised her eyebrows.

“Alright, baby. Want to get in? I’ll give you a ride.”

Liu Qiu: “…Duan Fan, call me by my name.”

Duan Fan was really something—calling an old woman “baby” with a cheerful smile.

After saying that, Liu Qiu realized a moment too late that she had been led off topic again.

She should have gone to take the bus instead of arguing with Duan Fan at the entrance.

She tried to walk away, but the moment she moved, Duan Fan moved with her, clearly not intending to let her leave.

Liu Qiu’s lips moved slightly.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally said nothing and turned toward the sports car.

She understood now.

Duan Fan simply wanted her to get in.

She opened the door, got in, closed it, and quietly fastened her seatbelt.

A tapping sound came from the window.

Turning her head, Liu Qiu saw Duan Fan’s face.

That gorgeous face carried a smile, her narrow eyes slightly squinted, looking lazy and carefree.

“What is it?” Liu Qiu asked.

Duan Fan raised her hand and stretched it through the window toward Liu Qiu.

Her fingers opened and closed in front of Liu Qiu’s eyes.

Confusion appeared in Liu Qiu’s gaze.

She watched the pale fingers open and close.

Suddenly the hand clenched into a fist, flipped over—

When it opened again, a rose appeared in Duan Fan’s palm.

Liu Qiu could no longer maintain her indifferent expression.

Her eyes slowly widened in astonishment.

Just now, there had clearly been nothing in Duan Fan’s hand.

How did a rose suddenly appear?

Duan Fan took in Liu Qiu’s changing expression completely.

Her smile widened as she placed the rose into Liu Qiu’s palm.

“Looks like our President Liu is about to cosplay a goldfish.”

Liu Qiu didn’t understand what that meant.

She lowered her head to look at the rose.

It wasn’t a real flower, but it still surprised her.

Then she noticed a glimmer of gold in the center.

Pressing her lips together, Liu Qiu pushed aside the petals.

Inside, where the stamen should have been, there was a gold ring.

“President Liu, do you like gold?”

Liu Qiu turned to look at Duan Fan.

Duan Fan wasn’t looking at her—she was staring straight ahead.

“Address. I’ll drive you there.”

Liu Qiu answered the latter question but ignored the former.

She placed the flower in the storage compartment.

“Duan Fan… are you crazy?”

Duan Fan’s expression didn’t change, but her fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel.

She smiled.

“Maybe.”

Looks like that failed.
So giving gold doesn’t work either.

Liu Qiu wanted to ask why Duan Fan wasn’t chasing Fu Jinyin anymore.

But that would completely break character—no one wanted their rival in love to pursue their wife.

Soft music played in the car.

Liu Qiu looked away and checked her phone.

Zhao Yue still hadn’t replied to her message.

She didn’t plan to send another.

Zhao Yue seemed enthusiastic and clingy, lacking boundaries.

But maybe it was just a three-minute burst of enthusiasm.

The car drove along the road.

The weather today wasn’t too hot or too cool—just right.

Duan Fan talked a lot.

Although Liu Qiu wanted to treat her coldly, whenever Duan Fan asked questions, she felt that not answering would be impolite.

So without realizing it, Liu Qiu answered every single one.

“Baby, I think we’re here—is it this place?”

Duan Fan pulled the car over to the side of the road and gestured for Liu Qiu to look outside.

“Call me by my name,” Liu Qiu muttered before looking out the window.

She had never been here before.

But the name matched, so it should be the right place.

After getting out of the car, Liu Qiu ignored Duan Fan and called the woman who had given her the business card yesterday.

The call connected quickly, and Liu Qiu explained her purpose.

Duan Fan parked the car and walked quickly over to Liu Qiu’s side.

After hanging up, Liu Qiu frowned.

“Why are you still following me?”

Duan Fan laughed softly.

“Baby, I’ll go with you. If you get scammed, I can save you.”

Hearing that, Liu Qiu actually felt the reasoning made sense.

So she quieted down and patiently waited for the woman to come.

Duan Fan looked around.

Now that Liu Qiu had fallen to the point of needing to find a job, if this had been before, she probably would have mocked her mercilessly.

But now she couldn’t bring herself to.

Liu Qiu had dressed so beautifully just to come find work in this shabby place.

Thinking about it made her unhappy.

Liu Qiu didn’t wait long before the woman from yesterday approached.

She looked Liu Qiu up and down and nodded with satisfaction.

Then she glanced at Duan Fan.

“Your friend?”

“You two are both very suitable to be models.”

Before Liu Qiu could speak, Duan Fan enthusiastically said,

“Sure, beautiful. Let me take photos together with my baby.”

Liu Qiu’s eyes widened.

Before she could say anything, the woman had already turned around and started walking back.

“What a well-matched little couple. Follow me.”

“I’m very satisfied with your appearance. I’ll explain things as we walk, and there will be a formal contract later.”

Liu Qiu felt like she was going to faint.

What nonsense was Duan Fan saying with that mouth of hers?

The woman walked quickly and had already gotten far ahead.

Liu Qiu glared at Duan Fan but didn’t have time to scold her.

She hurried after the woman.

Meanwhile, Duan Fan followed leisurely behind them, as if she were on a sightseeing trip.

Everything happened very quickly.

They entered the company, did a trial photoshoot, received the contract, and the system confirmed there were no issues.

After signing, Liu Qiu officially became a model.

Duan Fan followed behind her and repeated the exact same process.

Liu Qiu truly had no idea what Duan Fan was here for.

But she didn’t have time to think about it now.

The woman asked her to change clothes.

Inside the same dressing room, Duan Fan had already taken off all her upper clothes.

Liu Qiu’s breathing stalled.

Seeing that Duan Fan was about to take off her pants as well, she quickly said,

“Duan Fan, wait. Let me step out first—then you can change.”

Duan Fan raised an eyebrow and straightened up, letting go of her belt.

Then she walked toward Liu Qiu.

Embarrassed to look, Liu Qiu turned her head aside and said softly,

“After you finish changing, I’ll change.”

Duan Fan’s lazy laughter echoed through the room.

Liu Qiu sensed her presence approaching.

Her fingers tightened slightly, and she instinctively stepped back.

The room wasn’t large.

Very soon, she had retreated all the way to the wall.

Her back pressed against the hard surface.

“Duan Fan, don’t come so close.”

Duan Fan stared at the pale stretch of neck exposed when Liu Qiu turned her head.

A trace of darkness flickered in her narrow eyes.

She reached out and grabbed Liu Qiu’s waist.

Feeling the body in her palm tremble slightly, Duan Fan grinned and leaned close to Liu Qiu’s ear.

“What are you afraid of? We’re both women.”

“Our bodies are built the same.”

“Want to see mine?”

A faint blush spread across Liu Qiu’s pale cheeks.

“Duan Fan, I’m really going to get angry.”

Of course, she didn’t actually feel angry—just embarrassed.

Duan Fan was too close.

And she was still holding her waist.

It tickled.

But Duan Fan wasn’t wearing anything on top, so Liu Qiu didn’t know how to push her away.

While Liu Qiu’s thoughts ran wild, a hand suddenly pinched her cheek and forced her to turn her head.

Liu Qiu pressed her lips tightly together and closed her eyes, refusing to look at Duan Fan.

Duan Fan’s laughter became clearer.

Liu Qiu felt the hand on her waist loosen.

But immediately after, a leg slid between her thighs.

It pressed against the hem of her skirt, causing a faint tugging sensation.

Startled, Liu Qiu opened her eyes and met Duan Fan’s smiling gaze.

Duan Fan gently blew on Liu Qiu’s ear.

Then, in a deliberately sweet voice, she said,

“President Liu, let me help you take it off.”

Her eyes lowered as she looked over Liu Qiu’s outfit from top to bottom.

She wondered—

If Liu Qiu unbuttoned that shirt, lifted the skirt, and hooked her waist with those legs wrapped in black stockings… what kind of sight would that be?

Liu Qiu’s face turned bright red.

Duan Fan’s chest was pressed against her—she could feel it clearly.

And something below was brushing against her slightly too.

It was terribly awkward.

Lowering her voice, Liu Qiu said,

“Duan Fan, move aside.”

She tried to look cold and fierce.

But Duan Fan, seeing her like this, only felt her heart grow even hotter.

Too good.

Her face looked cold, yet she was dressed so provocatively.

A faint flush spread across Duan Fan’s cheeks.

At this close distance, she could smell the scent of Liu Qiu’s body wash—fresh and pleasant.

Finally, Duan Fan stepped back and smiled.

“Baby’s really fierce. I won’t tease you anymore.”

“Let’s hurry up and change.”

If they stayed any closer, she’d get wet.
She already felt an itch starting.