Chapter 34-Part 2: A Nighttime Visitor

Back at home, Song Jin was faced with three concerned elders: Butler Song, her mother Song Yuan, and Auntie Shao Lan.

Of course, Song Jin couldn’t avoid explaining why she was leaving, so she used the excuse of attending a fashion show and needing to stay at someone’s house for a while.

“Mom, I’m going to Country F for a fashion show, and because I need training, I’ll be staying at a friend’s house.”

Song Yuan’s smile held a hint of curiosity. “What friend? Does Mom know her?”

Song Jin playfully threw herself into Song Yuan’s embrace and looked up cheekily to answer, “Oh, she’s a friend I met at work. Don’t worry, my big sister already checked her out for me, she’s absolutely safe.”

Song Yuan dotingly stroked Song Jin’s hair and nodded her assent gently. “Alright then, you must be careful. Go pack your things now.”

Butler Song immediately offered to help. “Miss, let me help you.” At the same time, the hired household staff also prepared to follow.

A flicker of loneliness crossed Song Yuan’s face as she muttered softly, “My daughter is all grown up, and her heart has wandered far. She forgets her mother once she has someone she likes, not even bothering to tell me.”

Shao Lan chuckled softly and comforted Song Yuan, leaning her body gently against her shoulder. “She’s still young, and the relationship isn’t stable yet, so of course she won’t be in a hurry to tell us. Don’t worry, once they’ve established their relationship, she will naturally bring her back for us to meet.”

Song Yuan nodded in agreement, her arm gently wrapping around Shao Lan’s shoulder, pulling her closer. “Yes, once Xiaojin’s temperament has settled, we’ll confess our relationship to her…”

Upstairs, Song Jin stood at the entrance of her room, looking at the items inside, feeling that these were all things she ought to take with her.

Jewelry, clothes, bags, and some of her treasured trinkets were all indispensable parts of her life.

She directed the household staff to help her pack her luggage, while Butler Song observed from the side. “Miss, you’re only staying at a friend’s house temporarily. Why are you bringing so many things?”

Song Jin thought for a moment and decided to reduce her luggage. “Alright, I’ll take a little less then. Oh, and that velvet box must be brought along.”

Inside that velvet box were two necklaces, an eighteenth birthday gift from her mother, intended for her to give to the person she falls in love with one day as a token of their affection.

Finally, Song Jin looked at the four suitcases of belongings, nodded, and prepared to leave for Duan Yan’s house.

Butler Song made a suggestion. “Miss, would you like me to take you there and help you unpack?”

Song Jin was about to nod when she suddenly remembered that Duan Yan had met Butler Song before. If the butler took her, wouldn’t her identity be immediately exposed?

She quickly shook her head, turning down the butler’s suggestion. “No need, the driver can just take me there.”

And so, Song Jin, with her luggage in tow, knocked on Duan Yan’s door. “Sister, I’m back.”

Duan Yan opened the door to welcome her, signaling for Song Jin to move her luggage upstairs first before coming down to eat.

Song Jin led the housekeeper and driver to place the luggage in her room, then left it for them to organize while she went downstairs for dinner.

Just as she stepped out of her room, Song Jin heard Auntie Lian’s voice from downstairs. Ever since she became a cat, her hearing and vision had improved significantly, so she focused her attention and began to eavesdrop.

“Why did you let her move into the house?” Auntie Lian asked.

“There are some things… she’s just staying for a while,” Duan Yan’s reply was somewhat vague.

“What did her sister want when she came to see you today? Are you really not hiding anything?”

Auntie Lian’s tone became a few degrees more serious.

“I’ve always known you; you’ve never brought anyone home before. What’s more, she left with you this morning. If you like her, then treat her well. Don’t let down her feelings. I can see she cares about you a great deal.”

“It’s really not that kind of relationship. I kind of wish it were, but unfortunately, it really isn’t.”

Duan Yan’s voice was tinged with helplessness.

‘What does she mean, she wishes it were true? It clearly is true! She likes Duan Yan, and Duan Yan likes her too!’

Song Jin’s heart pounded with excitement. She nearly wanted to rush downstairs and tell Duan Yan her feelings directly, urging her to confess quickly.

However, for now, she could only continue to eavesdrop. She had to think of a way to let Duan Yan know her feelings.

The conversation finally ended with Auntie Lian’s “Alright.”

Song Jin stopped eavesdropping, made her footsteps deliberately audible as she walked out, and greeted the two people below from the top of the stairs.

“Auntie Lian, Sister Duan.”

“Ah, Xiaojin, come and eat. I wasn’t sure what you like to eat.”

Auntie Lian beckoned for Song Jin to sit down.

“Thank you, Auntie Lian.”

At the dinner table, Auntie Lian began to ask about Song Jin’s past.

Song Jin’s heart tightened. She knew this was another one of Auntie Lian’s inspections. She gathered all her wits, answering more seriously than she ever had with any reporter.

“How did you and Xiaoyan meet?” Auntie Lian’s question made Song Jin smile slightly.

“We met during a previous collaboration… Sister Duan is a very gentle person.”

After a round of questions, the way Auntie Lian looked at Song Jin grew increasingly satisfied, while Duan Yan, who was eating silently beside them, looked helplessly at Song Jin and gave her an apologetic glance.

After dinner, Duan Yan showed Song Jin around the room, giving a detailed introduction of the locations of the washroom, bathroom, and so on. Although Song Jin was already familiar with these places, she still listened patiently, occasionally nodding to show she understood.

As night deepened, the hour and minute hands on the clock intertwined, pointing to eleven o’clock at night.

The entire room was silent, covered in a tranquil veil, with only the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock breaking the quiet of the night.

Song Jin gently turned the doorknob. A sliver of light shone through the crack in the door, which then closed again. She had successfully transformed back into her cat form.

Her cat eyes appeared exceptionally bright in the darkness, vigilantly scanning her surroundings to ensure she hadn’t attracted any attention.

Then, with the agility and caution of a cat, she silently moved towards Duan Yan’s room door from memory.

Standing outside Duan Yan’s door, Song Jin lowered her head slightly, her brow furrowed.

‘Damn it, the door is closed.’

She cautiously extended a soft cat paw, placing it gently on the doorknob, attempting to push the door open with her feline strength.

Fortunately, the door didn’t seem to be locked, or rather, it wasn’t completely shut. With a slight push from Song Jin, the door swung open silently.

Her cat head peeked in slightly, her curious eyes twinkling with excitement in the dark as she carefully observed the quiet figure on the bed.

Confirming that Duan Yan was sound asleep, Song Jin’s body pressed close to the floor, and she slipped into the room in a nearly imperceptible manner. Her cat-like steps were light, making no sound, like a gentle breeze sweeping by.

She leaped gracefully onto the bed, each step careful and deliberate, slowly advancing along the edge of the bed until she found a suitable spot, curled up her body, and burrowed under Duan Yan’s covers, lying down beside her.

Noticing no movement from Duan Yan, Song Jin boldly snuggled into Duan Yan’s embrace, her fur pressing against the skin of Duan Yan’s arm.

The moment their skin touched, the intimate contact gave Song Jin a deep sense of satisfaction and peace.

A familiar scent named “Duan Yan” enveloped Song Jin. She found a comfortable position and drifted off to sleep with a great sense of security.

Duan Yan was used to falling asleep at night holding a warm little orange cat, but tonight her arms felt empty. The familiar warmth and soft touch were gone, making her feel a little unaccustomed to it, and for a time, she found it hard to sleep alone.

Duan Yan hadn’t closed her door tightly, holding onto a sliver of hope in her heart.

‘What if Song Jin turns into a cat tonight and comes looking for me?’

Sure enough, Duan Yan heard a faint, rustling sound. It was her cat, coming to sleep with her.

It wasn’t until there was movement in her arms and a small, furry body pressed against her arm that the warmth of the touch gradually calmed Duan Yan’s heart, and a relieved smile unknowingly appeared on her face.

After a while, Duan Yan quietly reached out, carefully pulling the little orange cat deeper into her embrace. Her fingers gently stroked Song Jin’s fur, savoring the familiar feeling, and finally planted a soft kiss on the little orange cat’s head.

“Goodnight, my cat.”

Duan Yan’s doting whisper echoed in the quiet room.

The next morning, Duan Yan and Song Jin, as scheduled, went to attend Fare’s training course.

Fare, this passionate-as-fire instructor, was dressed with great personality—fashion-forward yet stylish. Her personality was easygoing and straightforward, and she began by saying bluntly:

“I am Fare, and I will be your instructor for this training. Now, I’d like to see your stage presence first. You can go one by one, just walk a lap from here, so you don’t interfere with each other.”

Duan Yan was the first to go to the changing room to put on her outfit, preparing for her showcase.

Under the T-stage spotlights, Duan Yan, dressed in a black gown, stepped out elegantly, like the brightest star in the night sky descending to the mortal world.

Duan Yan’s gaze was like a thousand years of ice, cold and sharp yet clear. Wherever her eyes landed, it was as if she could freeze the air, making people not dare to approach easily.

But the slight upturn of her lips was like a budding rose, revealing a hint of a warm invitation that made one unable to resist wanting to find out more.

This beautiful sense of contradiction was interpreted by her to perfection.

Her steps were firm and powerful, her long hair cascading like a waterfall to her waist, swaying gently with her pace.

Duan Yan’s gaze remained locked ahead, as if nothing in the world could shake her focus.

When she reached the end of the T-stage and gently turned, for a moment, it was as if time had stood still for her.

Every one of Duan Yan’s movements exuded ultimate elegance. Nobility and cold beauty were perfectly fused in her.

Song Jin watched all of this without blinking, her heart deeply moved, completely lost in Duan Yan’s catwalk.

Gentle, lively… she had seen all those sides of her, but this extreme, ice-cold version was one she had never seen before.

Song Jin wished she could record this segment and treasure it for a lifetime.

“It’s your turn.”

Fare hadn’t made any comment and was waiting for Song Jin to walk. Noticing Song Jin was in a daze, she reminded her.

Song Jin snapped out of her trance and composed herself.

Duan Yan smiled as she looked at Song Jin, her expression full of anticipation.

Song Jin secretly pumped herself up. ‘I can’t let Duan Yan down.’