Chapter 36: A Hesitant Awakening

Zi Yanran distinctly felt every subtle movement from Bai Mengqi, and a ripple of profound relief spread through her heart.

Indeed, if one were to compare their loneliness, Bai Mengqi’s solitude paled in comparison to Zi Yanran’s.

For years, Zi Yanran’s heart had been a desolate, empty, and sealed-off desert. She had ceaselessly yearned and searched, hoping for something that could finally fill the profound emptiness within her.

The year of her pregnancy, in particular, had felt like an eternity spent trapped within a dark abyss.

She perceived the entire world as hostile, with every indifferent gaze and every piercing word acting like a sharp blade, repeatedly tearing at her already fragile heart.

Once, she had been incredibly open and cheerful, her face always alight with a radiant smile. She was like warm sunshine, capable of chasing away the shadows from people’s hearts.

However, after enduring the myriad hardships of that year, she had transformed. She erected an impenetrable wall around herself, isolating her from the outside world and keeping everyone at a vast distance. No one could truly enter her inner sanctuary.

Yet, now, as if by fate’s intricate design, the person capable of filling her inner void had finally appeared.

That person was Bai Mengqi. Zi Yanran secretly swore to herself that she would never allow Bai Mengqi to leave her again. She would sacrifice everything she had, even her cherished pride, if it meant keeping her close.

For anyone alive, the ultimate goal was happiness.

The happiness Zi Yanran sought was something no amount of money could ever purchase.

As the atmosphere grew subtly fervent, both their breaths involuntarily quickened.

Their hearts, as if spurred by an intense鼓动, throbbed faster and faster, a unique rhythm orchestrating a symphony meant solely for them.

This peculiar sensation felt like an invisible hand, lightly tracing Bai Mengqi’s heart. The tickling unease was becoming unbearable.

‘What a strange feeling,’ Bai Mengqi thought. ‘It’s completely different from back then. Damn it.’

Deep within her, a new kind of yearning began to stir.

A sudden desire for Zi Yanran to go further ignited within her, even if it was just a gentle caress. This longing flared like a small, persistent flame, growing stronger with each passing moment.

Yet, Zi Yanran was experiencing a similar, intense reaction.

‘Little rascal,’ Zi Yanran silently urged Bai Mengqi. ‘Just be bolder. Whatever you do to me, I can accept it.’

Thus, both women silently yearned for the other to take a more proactive step.

“Mmm!…” A soft, purring sound, like a kitten’s contented hum, suddenly escaped Bai Mengqi’s throat. It was a melodious, lingering sound, imbued with an indescribable, alluring charm, as if possessing an invisible magic.

Hearing that sound, Zi Yanran felt a jolt run through her entire body. The internal flame within her surged, burning even more intensely. Unable to restrain herself any longer, she initiated her next advance.

Slowly, she extended her hands, letting them glide upward along Bai Mengqi’s body until they finally rested upon her chest.

Then, with a delicate touch, she unfastened the first button of Bai Mengqi’s pristine white shirt.

The unique aura emanating from Zi Yanran, coupled with her subtle, intoxicating scent, acted like a potent aphrodisiac on Bai Mengqi. It became increasingly difficult for her to control her primal instincts, and she felt herself sinking deeper into a hazy, dreamlike trance.

If Bai Mengqi had opened her eyes at that moment, she would have undoubtedly noticed that Zi Yanran’s pupils had inexplicably turned blood-red, radiating an eerie glow. It was as if a mysterious power, long dormant within her, was subtly stirring awake.

Indeed, the fox demon power concealed within her now exhibited clear signs of revival.

As the last button of Bai Mengqi’s shirt was undone, her pristine, jade-like skin was revealed without reservation.

In the brightly lit office, her skin shimmered with a soft luster, appearing like a freshly carved piece of warm jade.

Now, with no clothing to impede her, Zi Yanran’s cool hands tenderly stroked Bai Mengqi’s skin. The sensation was truly like caressing an exquisitely precious piece of warm jade, leaving Bai Mengqi feeling utterly weak.

However, just as Zi Yanran’s hand slowly ascended towards Bai Mengqi’s chest.

Suddenly, a powerful, electric shock-like sensation.

Jolted Bai Mengqi’s mind abruptly awake from her hazy, intoxicated state.

“Ah!”

Bai Mengqi’s eyes snapped open instinctively, her face instantly contorted with a look of utter panic.

Immediately, she clasped both hands tightly over her chest, effectively halting Zi Yanran’s further advance.

Zi Yanran froze, standing still with a bewildered expression as she gazed at Bai Mengqi. She couldn’t comprehend why, after everything had been so perfect moments before, it had suddenly taken such an unexpected turn.

Bai Mengqi, meanwhile, huddled against the corner, her eyes glistening as if brimming with a clear spring. Her expression was utterly heartbreaking.

A deep crimson flush bloomed across her face, so intense it seemed almost ready to drip blood.

“Eh? What’s wrong?”

Zi Yanran, too, began to show signs of panic.

Bai Mengqi lowered her gaze, glancing at her unbuttoned shirt, and her face deepened to an even fiercer blush. “I’m… I’m sorry,” she stammered shyly, “I’m not quite used to being touched on the chest.”

Her voice was soft and faint, like a gentle breeze whispering past one’s ear.

Only then did Zi Yanran come to a sudden realization. She understood that she had indeed gotten a little too carried away; intimate matters, after all, required a gradual approach.

‘If Bai Mengqi were to suddenly touch my private areas,’ she mused, ‘I would probably react the same way.’

“Uh, sorry, sorry, I got a bit carried away, haha…” Zi Yanran chuckled awkwardly, then quickly composed herself, trying to regain her composure.

Her initial goal had simply been to gently guide Bai Mengqi, encouraging her to embrace their burgeoning emotions more proactively. She hadn’t anticipated losing control and getting so swept up in the moment herself.

“Mmm, this is still the first time I’ve been touched like this since becoming a girl,” Bai Mengqi murmured, reaching up to re-button her shirt. “I still need a little time.”

In that moment, she truly seemed no different from any ordinary girl. Her bashful expression and cautious movements exuded a delicate shyness unique to young women.

“Alright, alright,” Zi Yanran said understandingly, “Take your time. Why don’t you go wash your face in the restroom?”

Only then did Bai Mengqi, her body still feeling somewhat weak, slowly make her way towards the CEO’s private restroom within the office.