Chapter 25-Part 1: A Dream and a Plan

Moonlight spilled onto the edges of the petals, casting a faint silver glow, like a dusting of fine snowflakes.

The dew on the lotus flower wasn’t that easy to get.

The little orange cat carefully extended a soft paw, retracting its sharp claws, afraid of hurting the flower, and gently touched the pure white lotus.

At this gentle touch, the lotus trembled slightly.

The dewdrops on its petals, as if unable to withstand such a tease, seemed fragile and weak, sliding down the edges.

But the little orange cat’s movement was a step too slow.

The dewdrop unexpectedly dripped into the water.

The crisp “plink” sound stirred up circles of ripples.

What a pity.

A gentle breeze brushed by.

The stamen of the lotus swayed softly, as if cleverly avoiding the little cat’s touch, or perhaps shyly recoiling from the contact.

The little orange cat used its paw to gently touch the heart of the flower, and the dew within the lotus naturally tilted downwards.

Having learned from experience, the little orange cat didn’t stick out its tongue so eagerly this time.

It watched for the right moment, extended its tongue, and savored nature’s gift to its heart’s content.

It finally tasted the dew on the lotus flower!

The sweet flavor was like heavenly nectar on earth, utterly intoxicating.

The little orange cat licked its lips in satisfaction.

Just then, a gentle spring breeze wafted by, making the intoxicating lotus scent even richer.

The little orange cat was completely mesmerized.

It closed its eyes, fully experiencing the wonder of the lotus pond.

Suddenly, a cool, gentle touch landed on the little cat’s head.

“Little cat, why are you running around? Let me pet you~”

It couldn’t see the person’s face clearly.

The figure was hazy and elegant.

It could only see that they were wearing a light pink gauze robe, vaguely exuding a gentle and graceful aura, like a lotus fairy, carrying a faint fragrance.

The little orange cat lay drowsily in that warm embrace, unwilling to wake from this beautiful dream.

It was so comfortable.

The lotus fairy’s touch was gentle and lingering, like soaking in a hot spring or lying on the fluffiest of clouds.

It couldn’t bear to leave such a perfect “massage.”

The lotus fairy’s body temperature was warm with a hint of coolness, like a breeze on a summer night, making one feel both comfortable and serene.

This familiar and intimate feeling made the little orange cat want to immerse itself in it forever.

‘I so want to be held by her forever. It smells so good, I love it so much…’

The little orange cat struggled to open its eyes, wanting to see the lotus fairy’s face clearly, but it remained a blur, indistinct.

As dawn broke on the horizon, the lotus fairy’s appearance finally became clear—

A pair of phoenix eyes seemed to hold the waters of spring, her enchanting gaze as fine as silk, as if expressing some inner desire.

Her crimson lips were slightly parted, glistening with a moist sheen.

It was Duan Yan’s face!

Song Jin woke up from the dream with a start.

A tingling numbness slowly rose from the base of her spine, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks, like the glow of sunset.

Song Jin suppressed her shyness and gently swiped her phone screen open.

Her fingertips quickly typed in the search bar.

“What to do if you dream about your professional rival?”

She curiously entered the question, and countless related posts immediately popped up on the screen.

She randomly clicked on one, her eyes shining with the light of someone seeking answers, wanting to find a solution from others’ experiences.

[C and I are in two branches of the same department. We’re always at each other’s throats. Recently, I finally landed a huge deal and really rubbed it in her face. This should have been a good thing, but—]

As Song Jin read, she couldn’t help but nod.

This was so similar to her situation.

She continued to scroll down with curiosity.

[This whole week, I’ve been dreaming about my nemesis at the company, and she actually became my wife! But I don’t even like her at all!

I didn’t pay attention at first, but after dreaming about my rival director for a week straight, I suspect she’s doing it on purpose. Maybe she wants to see my deal fail so she can snatch the top spot and get me kicked out of the company.

From my observation, this woman really seems to have some kind of designs on me. I found a photo of myself in her office desk—

She’s probably using it for voodoo! No wonder! I knew it! This weird sickness I have must be all her doing.]

Song Jin frowned, recalling Duan Yan’s various past behaviors.

She began to suspect that Duan Yan might be trying to do the same thing.

‘Could it be that she wants me to lose my strength and have no choice but to rely on her?’

The more Song Jin thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

[I’m now preparing to confront her with the photo. Wish me luck.]

The end of the post was filled with a tense atmosphere.

Song Jin imagined the scene, her heart tensing up.

She took a deep breath and continued to browse the replies below.

[It’s over, she confessed to me!!! What do I do!!!]

Song Jin’s eyes widened.

What kind of a plot twist was this?

[After she confessed, she actually kissed me! F*ck! So charming, boohoohoo, I have no way of refusing…]

Song Jin’s brows furrowed tightly.

This turn of events confused her.

[…she wants to take me to her place for the night. This is impossible, I must resist…]

Song Jin stared intently at the screen, waiting for the next update.

[Sorry everyone, I gave in.]

Followed by an image of a dazed-looking cartoon character.

Song Jin stared blankly.

[Being my wife’s dog… is so f*cking good…]

This final sentence made Song Jin frown, a wave of dissatisfaction rising in her heart.

‘Such submission! So spineless!’

Song Jin shook her head and closed the post.

She could absolutely never fall for Duan Yan.

“Impossible, absolutely impossible!”

But… it seemed like it wasn’t entirely out of the question.

It seemed she was unable to refuse Duan Yan’s kisses and hugs.

If Duan Yan came to confess to her, and even kissed her, she… she…

Just thinking about it made Song Jin’s face turn red.

She didn’t know when it started.

Perhaps it was Duan Yan’s whispers in her ear, perhaps it was Duan Yan’s meticulous care for her cat self, or perhaps it was even earlier, at the very moment they first met.

A fluttering red dress, snow-white shoulders, bright, beautiful eyes, and a dazzling smile.

That seed belonging to a lotus had long been unknowingly planted deep inside her.

In the depths of her heart, after a long gestation, it had finally bloomed.

When she came back to her senses, her heart was already enveloped in Duan Yan’s unique lotus fragrance.

The scent, like a continuous, fine thread, was tightly wound around her, lingering for a long, long time.

Song Jin suddenly realized.

She seemed to have actually fallen for Duan Yan?

She wanted to be closer to her, to sleep…