Chapter 3: Too Close for Comfort

Duan Yan’s cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, her body enveloped in the warm, moist air of a recent shower.

Her long-sleeved nightgown revealed only a sliver of her ankles, and the skin on her bare insteps was as white as freshly fallen snow shaken from a branch, captivating Song Jin’s heart.

Song Jin’s breath seemed to freeze in that moment.

The usual Duan Yan was cold and noble. Although she was gentle with her juniors, she was like an iceberg, keeping others at a thousand miles’ distance.

But at this moment, fresh from her bath, the coldness in her brow seemed to have been gently soothed by the water vapor, casting a soft hue over her features. She resembled a pure lotus swaying gently in the night rain—hazy and fragile, evoking a sense of tender affection.

Song Jin couldn’t help but take a few extra glances, looking her up and down, before silently passing judgment in her heart: ‘Beautiful, yes, but still a tiny bit inferior to me.’

Completely unaware of Song Jin’s thoughts, Duan Yan’s pair of cool eyes lit up with a special brilliance when she saw the ball of orange fur.

Such an adorable little cat, waiting for her at the door on purpose, its head tilted up, a pair of watery eyes looking straight at her.

What did this mean?

‘My little cat is so clingy. Why else would it give up the “fun” yarn ball to wait eagerly by the door for me to pet it?’

Duan Yan, who had always been shunned by cats, was finally experiencing the “sweet burden.” Ignoring the fact that the ends of her hair were still a bit damp, she couldn’t wait any longer and swept the little cat into her arms.

“Meow?”

Song Jin had been so busy sizing her up that she had completely forgotten her mission to gather intel. Caught off guard by Duan Yan’s embrace, she only then remembered her goal.

She struggled to escape from Duan Yan’s grasp but couldn’t break free from her hug. Held tightly, she could only resort to helpless fury, letting out an indignant cry.

‘Let me go! I need to get in there!’

However, the little cat’s strong protest was automatically viewed through a thick filter in Duan Yan’s eyes.

All that registered was a delicate, soft “meow meow meow.”

“There, there, don’t be angry~”

Duan Yan simply thought the kitten was throwing a tantrum for being neglected earlier. She pressed the kitten a little closer, her arms wrapped tightly, holding it securely.

Song Jin was pressed into a very awkward position; she could practically see Duan Yan’s soft “cotton puffs” just by looking up.

Thanks to her previous experience, she didn’t dare to move recklessly. Besides, there would be plenty of chances to get into the bathroom later. She stayed obediently in Duan Yan’s arms.

With each breath, a unique fragrance wafted into her nostrils—it was the same scent from before.

‘D*mn it, why does this woman have a scent that I like so much?’

For some reason, Song Jin, in her cat form, was completely immersed in it, like the fatal attraction of catnip to a cat, leaving her unable to resist.

‘The scent wasn’t intoxicating, but one becomes intoxicated all the same.’

Song Jin gritted her teeth. Sooner or later, she would find out what body wash and perfume Duan Yan used and ruthlessly copy and paste it for herself.

With this in mind, she silently inched a little closer, taking a few deep breaths of the alluring aroma.

Holding the cat, Duan Yan was completely unaware of the little feline’s thoughts in her arms; she only felt a pang of heartache.

She hadn’t felt it so much in the car, just thinking that the cat was perhaps very young and thus light.

But now it seemed the cat must have been starving. After all, all the orange cats she had ever seen lived up to the saying, “an orange cat is a heavy cat.” None were a light little bundle like this, as fluffy as cotton and so easy to pick up.

Duan Yan secretly resolved to start fattening the little cat up tomorrow. She was going to raise a plump, energetic little orange cat.

Duan Yan carried the small cat to her bedroom and placed it on the desk.

After being set down, Song Jin was still a bit dazed, but as her gaze fell upon the things before her, her mind immediately kicked into gear.

‘Such a golden opportunity. It would be a crime not to dig up some secrets.’

‘Whatever reference materials my rival has consulted, I must see them too. I can’t let Duan Yan surpass me.’

She ignored some jealousy-inducing trophies, like the “Best Actress Award” that Duan Yan had just won.

Song Jin couldn’t help but steal another glance at it. The golden trophy shone with a dazzling light. It should have been proudly displayed in a prominent position, a brilliant centerpiece, yet Duan Yan had just casually laid it sideways on her desk.

If it were anyone else, Song Jin might have thought this was a provocation or a way of showing off.

But this was her respected rival whom she longed to surpass—Duan Yan.

Song Jin knew this wasn’t some deliberate show of off, but simply how things were, because aside from Duan Yan, no one deserved such an award, and that naturally included her, Song Jin.

But, she was confident in herself. She would definitely catch up to Duan Yan and one day stand on the same peak she had once conquered.

Pushing aside her distracting thoughts, Song Jin stretched her neck, trying to see the titles of the books on the bookshelf and memorize them.

She gave them a quick scan. There were some scripts from plays Duan Yan had acted in, as well as some books written by professional actors.

She was secretly memorizing the book titles, completely absorbed, when Duan Yan’s voice suddenly rang out.

Duan Yan had just finished setting up a cat bed. When she turned around, she was greeted by this scene.

A tiny orange cat was standing on her desk, its two paws pressed against the edge of the lowest shelf of the bookcase, stretching its little head to look inside, its fluffy ears twitching and trembling.

‘Too cute!’

Duan Yan really couldn’t hold it back, and a laugh escaped her lips.

“Does my little kitty want to read books too?”

Song Jin’s heart leaped. She thought her cover was blown and was so startled that her front paws, propped on the edge of the bookcase, couldn’t support her anymore. She lost her balance.

Her body’s instincts forced her to regain her balance, and she suddenly lurched forward onto the desk.

With a “clatter,” something from the desk was knocked to the floor.

‘Oh no, it’s Duan Yan’s trophy.’

Song Jin squeezed her eyes shut in anguish and embarrassment, fully prepared to be thrown out.

The rough treatment she expected never came. Instead, a pair of soft, fair hands gently lifted her up.

“My baby, you didn’t get hurt, did you?”

“Meow?” Song Jin peeked her eyes open, her gaze meeting Duan Yan’s worried ones.

“Why so listless?” Before she could feel touched, Duan Yan grew anxious.

A pair of hands roamed all over her fur, seemingly checking for any injuries.

Having just caused trouble, Song Jin didn’t dare to move, allowing Duan Yan to do as she pleased.

Suddenly, Duan Yan’s fingers unintentionally brushed against a “cool” spot and lingered for a moment.

Song Jin’s body immediately stiffened. She broke free from Duan Yan’s constantly roaming hands, jumped down, and glared at her.

“Meow! Meow meow!!!”

‘How could you touch that place?’

Her two eyes were wide and round, filled with fury and a hint of shyness she herself hadn’t noticed.

Seeing the kitten’s intense reaction, Duan Yan belatedly realized she had touched a place she shouldn’t have.

‘But… it seems to be a little female cat…’

Duan Yan shook the chaotic thoughts from her head and coaxed the little cat with a soft voice until its anger subsided and it allowed her to hold it again. Then, she carried the cat to the cat bed, trying to guide it inside.

Song Jin looked at the cat bed before her with some resistance. ‘Am I supposed to sleep in a cat bed?’

Admittedly, the bed Duan Yan had prepared for her was quite comfortable for a cat, but for Song Jin, who was accustomed to a life of luxury, it was incredibly crude.

She cast a dissatisfied glance at the small, round basket. The cotton pad inside was soft, but for her, it was far from enough.

‘But if I don’t sleep here, where will I sleep?’

‘There’s only one bed in the room. Am I supposed to squeeze in with Duan Yan?’

Song Jin’s gaze drifted towards Duan Yan’s bed.

The pale blue bed looked neat and simple, a far cry from the one in her own room, but compared to the cat bed, Duan Yan’s bed was clearly the more acceptable option.

‘It’s all Duan Yan’s fault for being so stingy. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been reduced to squeezing onto a bed with someone else.’

She had completely forgotten that Duan Yan had originally intended to prepare a separate room for her, but she had refused, insisting on staying with Duan Yan.

She leaped lightly onto the bed, found a spot to her liking, curled up, and shot Duan Yan a sidelong glance.

‘Duan Yan is getting off way too easy. I’ve never had to share a bed with anyone. I’ve sacrificed too much just to defeat my nemesis.’

Song Jin chewed on the inside of her cheek, glaring at Duan Yan with “fierce” eyes.

Her intention was to express her anger, but to Duan Yan, who saw everything through layers of filters, only one message was received.

‘Hurry up and come to sleep with me~’

The warm light in the bedroom spilled over the orange cat. Paired with its unconsciously swaying tail and the “yearning” gaze fixed directly on her, it was all so clingy.

Like a spring breeze brushing against the tender buds on a branch, a warmth called “home” bloomed in Duan Yan’s heart for the first time.

‘Such a little clinger, can’t bear to be away from me for a moment.’

Duan Yan revealed a helpless expression, got into bed, and went to sleep with the little cat.

Perhaps because she was in an unfamiliar environment, it took Song Jin a long time to muster up any sleepiness. Just as she was about to close her eyes, a “wandering hand” reached for her, pulling her into Duan Yan’s embrace, pressing her face against the crook of Duan Yan’s neck.

‘Too, too close.’

Warm breaths fanned across her face like a hot wind, making her feel flushed all over. She had never been this close to another person.

The only thought left in her mind was to get away.

Song Jin tried to struggle, wanting to escape from Duan Yan’s arms, but was only pulled in more forcefully.

Two arms locked her in place, leaving no opportunity for escape. Song Jin could only wait for the right moment to slip out of Duan Yan’s embrace.

Duan Yan’s even breathing sounded by her ear, and the light, clean scent from her body filled her nostrils. Unconsciously, she forgot all about her plan to escape and tumbled into a deep sleep.

The sounds of human and cat breathing intertwined, like a perfectly matched pair.

Duan Yan had a habit of waking up early.

The moment she opened her eyes, she saw an adorable orange cat sleeping in the crook of her arm.

In its sleep, the little cat instinctively burrowed towards the source of warmth, letting out a hazy sound that made Duan Yan’s heart melt.

Who could resist such a scene?

The little orange cat’s ears seemed to sense something amiss and twitched slightly. A few strands of silver-white were mixed in with the orange fluff, like the first rays of dawn, radiating a warm glow.

From time to time, it would also let out a soft, faint “purr purr” sound.

‘It’s just too captivating.’

If not for her extremely limited social circle, she would have loved to introduce the little cat to everyone, to let the whole world know of her joy.

The fluffy little cat on the bed was curled up, its whiskers twitching with each breath, its mouth slightly open, lost in a sweet dream. It unconsciously rolled over, revealing its little belly. Every single strand of fur seemed to tremble gently, rising and falling with its breath.

Duan Yan had noticed early on that although the little cat was orange, many parts of it were snow-white, especially the patch under its chin. The patch of pure white was incredibly cute, making her want to touch it…

Patience had its limits. Duan Yan quietly rescued her hand from under the cat’s round little head and reached out with both hands to pet its head and belly.

Perhaps because it was asleep, the cat’s head unconsciously rubbed against Duan Yan’s palm. The touch, as fine as silk, was like morning dew sliding over a new leaf.

A gentle tremor stirred in her heart, causing her whole being to melt into this sweet softness.

Her palm moved slowly across the cat’s back. A satisfied smile naturally formed on Duan Yan’s face, yet there was still a hint of regret. ‘If only I could bury my face in its fur for a good sniff.’

‘That would definitely be so comforting…’

In her dream, Song Jin’s mood was just as good as Duan Yan’s.

In the dream, she had won the Best Actress award, and Duan Yan was looking at her with eyes full of admiration.

“Can I really not take a look?”

The Duan Yan in her dream looked at her with an expression of envy and longing.

Basking in Duan Yan’s gaze, Song Jin felt as if she were floating, as if walking on cotton, an unreal sensation.

“No.”

She refused Duan Yan coldly, affecting an air of noble indifference. She was determined to make her beg properly.

The light of night was dim, hiding Duan Yan’s expression in the darkness. She couldn’t see it clearly, only hear Duan Yan’s pleading voice.

“Really not?”

Duan Yan’s usually calm and composed voice was tinged with grievance and loneliness.

Logically, Song Jin should have felt triumphant and proud at this moment. After all, Duan Yan was the rival she had always wanted to defeat. But for some reason, something felt off.

“It’s not entirely impossible. I’ll let you have just one look.”

Song Jin’s heart softened. She reluctantly extended the trophy toward Duan Yan.

But Duan Yan didn’t look at the trophy. Instead, she suddenly moved closer, then patted Song Jin’s head, her eyes shimmering as she revealed a sly smile.

“You’re so cute.”

Song Jin was startled awake.

The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Duan Yan staring straight at her, her hand still resting on the soft fur of her belly, muttering the same words as in the dream—

“So cute…”

Song Jin’s fur stood on end in an instant.

‘You creep! Who said you could touch me!’