Chapter 37 Part 1: A Confession Misunderstood

The surrounding silence spread like a vine, squeezing Song Jin’s heart tightly.

In the end, Song Jin couldn’t suppress the impulse in her heart. She bit her lip gently, breaking the barrier between them.

She calculated in her mind, how could she make Duan Yan accept this sentiment without putting up her guard?

Song Jin decided to use gratitude and friendship as a pretext, believing that Duan Yan would surely not refuse this way.

“Sister Duan, your companionship and help during this time mean so much to me. I hope this small gift can express my gratitude.”

However, Duan Yan only raised her head slightly, her gaze sweeping faintly across her face.

Song Jin’s palm began to sweat. The velvet box slipped in her grasp, almost escaping from her trembling fingertips.

“Do you not like the style? Or is it something else?”

Song Jin deliberately widened her eyes, her round almond eyes shimmering like autumn water. This was a look Duan Yan could not refuse.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Song Jin felt the world become unusually quiet, even the blooming of the fireworks seemed distant and unreachable. Only the sound of her own nervous heartbeat echoed in her ears.

But Duan Yan remained silent.

A trace of unspeakable grievance welled up in Song Jin’s heart. Her brow furrowed slightly, the corners of her mouth turning down unconsciously. ‘How could this be…’

Finally, Duan Yan made a move, parting her lips to speak.

But Duan Yan’s voice was as thin as a silk thread, barely making it out before it was quickly swallowed by the surrounding clamor.

Song Jin didn’t hear her at all and asked with concern.

“What did you just say?”

“It’s nothing. Thank you.”

Duan Yan slowly extended her hand, her fingertips like morning dew, gently touching the necklace.

The gemstone seemed to come alive under her touch, sparkling brilliantly.

Her gaze shifted from the necklace to Song Jin’s face, her voice soft, the corners of her lips curving into a faint smile.

“Your gift is beautiful. I like it very much.”

Song Jin’s tense body finally relaxed at this moment, and a relieved smile bloomed on her lips.

The Ferris wheel was indeed a good place to give a gift. Not only could one overlook the distant scenery, but one could also see the other person’s expression in full view.

Outside the glass door, the fireworks continued to bloom in the night sky, their colorful light casting a dreamlike glow on Duan Yan’s face.

The Ferris wheel slowly descended from its peak, and Song Jin’s suspended heart sank with it, landing back on solid ground.

Duan Yan had accepted her necklace. Although she said it was to thank her for her care, the deep emotion in her eyes was something no one could ignore.

‘Duan Yan should be able to understand, right?’

Song Jin secretly glanced at Duan Yan’s expression. She saw that her gaze was still fixed on the necklace, as if searching for an answer in its sparkling light, lost in thought.

The Ferris wheel ride came to an end. The staff’s voice sounded by their ears, urging the two of them to exit the cabin.

Song Jin and Duan Yan stepped out of the cabin.

A night breeze brushed past, bringing a cool air that diluted the previous atmosphere.

The necklace had been given. Song Jin’s goal was achieved. She had no more lingering attachment to this amusement park and turned to ask Duan Yan.

“Sister Duan, is there anywhere else you’d like to go?”

“No, there isn’t.”

Duan Yan lowered her eyes and answered softly.

“Then let’s go back.”

Song Jin calculated in her mind how she could find a suitable excuse to slip into Duan Yan’s room tonight.

‘Right, there are bad people outside. What if they catch a little cat?’

This thought flashed through her mind. It was undoubtedly an excellent excuse.

Song Jin could totally use this opportunity to share a warm night with Duan Yan!

Actions speak louder than words. Happiness was within reach and not to be missed.

“Sister Duan, tonight…”

Song Jin deliberately left her sentence hanging, a look of hesitation and confusion on her face, as if she were hiding a secret that was difficult to speak of.

“Are you worried about tonight?”

Duan Yan instantly knew what Song Jin had left unsaid.

All this time, she had left her door half-open at night, tacitly allowing Song Jin in her cat form to enter her room and spend the night with her. This matter had never been brought out into the open; it was a tacit understanding between her and Song Jin.

But now they were in Country F. The hotel couldn’t possibly leave a door open at night for a little cat to come in. And what if the kitten was caught by someone on its way over?

Considering Song Jin’s safety and her own, Duan Yan had to face this matter directly.

Duan Yan thought for a moment and then said, “It’s alright, you can just come over directly tonight.”

Hearing this, Song Jin’s heart bloomed with joy. She said apologetically, “I’m sorry for troubling you, Sister.”

The night descended like a soft curtain, slowly wrapping the world in a blanket of tranquility.

Song Jin returned to the hotel and took a pleasant shower.

At the thought of spending the night with Duan Yan, her heartbeat couldn’t help but accelerate, and an unconcealable excitement showed on her face.

After changing into comfortable pajamas, Song Jin tiptoed to Duan Yan’s door and knocked lightly.

“Sister, it’s me.”

Song Jin’s voice was soft.

“I’m here, come in.”

Duan Yan’s voice came from behind the door, hazy and languid from just having showered.

Song Jin gently pushed the door open. The room before her was simple and spacious, with nothing but the necessary items.

A warm yellow light added a touch of homey warmth to the otherwise cold room.

She saw Duan Yan sitting on the edge of the bed, a hairdryer in her hand, continuing to dry her hair.

Duan Yan’s black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, fluttering gently with the warm air from the hairdryer. The light cast mottled shadows upon it, revealing only her beautiful side profile, her silhouette becoming even more distinct in the interplay of light and shadow.

Song Jin’s gaze involuntarily fell on Duan Yan’s neck. It was bare.

A little disappointment welled up in Song Jin’s heart. Duan Yan wasn’t wearing the necklace. But she was sure Duan Yan would wear it in the future.

Duan Yan finished drying her hair and pointed to the pillow opposite her, the gesture elegant and natural, indicating for Song Jin to sleep there.

Song Jin nodded slightly. Although she was a bit reluctant to be separated from Duan Yan by a distance, she still acted very obedient.

‘Since we’re already sharing a bed, will there be any lack of opportunities to be close?’

‘Hehe.’

Song Jin lay down thirty centimeters away from Duan Yan and said softly in her direction, “Goodnight, Sister Duan.”

Her voice was so soft it was as if she were afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the night.

Duan Yan rested her head on the other pillow, lay down, and said softly to Song Jin, “Goodnight.”

This was the first time Song Jin had lain in bed with Duan Yan while both were awake, and what’s more, Duan Yan had agreed to sleep with her.

It wasn’t like last time, where she had to beg for it.

The corners of Song Jin’s mouth couldn’t help but curve upwards, her eyes twinkling with excitement. She was almost too excited to sleep.

Noticing the sound of Duan Yan’s even breathing, Song Jin closed her eyes, pretending to be fast asleep. She turned over and silently scooted towards Duan Yan.

Her movements were extremely light and careful, afraid of waking the person beside her.

Song Jin then casually shifted her body again, as if unconsciously seeking warmth in her sleep.

Song Jin swore that at this moment, her acting skills were at their peak.

Sensing the complete silence around her, Song Jin turned over again.

This time, she was finally close to Duan Yan.

She mumbled something indistinctly, her arms naturally reaching out as if searching for something, like a child who couldn’t sleep soundly without their familiar stuffed toy.

Duan Yan seemed to be startled by Song Jin’s sudden embrace, her body trembling slightly, but she quickly relaxed and didn’t push Song Jin away.

Song Jin secretly curled her lips and fell into a peaceful sleep.

Duan Yan felt Song Jin’s body temperature, which seemed a bit higher than her own, possibly due to a younger person’s faster metabolism.

The fervent warmth passed through the two thin layers of fabric onto Duan Yan’s slightly cool skin, like a small, warm sun, warming her up.

Song Jin herself was a perfect fit for Duan Yan’s metaphor: childish and cute, frank and bold, as if she were the ruler of this world.

That vitality and vigor hidden within her body was something Duan Yan envied, making her unable to resist the urge to get closer and protect it.

Duan Yan turned her head, her gaze falling on Song Jin’s peaceful sleeping face.

She didn’t understand why this girl could so easily pluck at her heartstrings, why she was so captivated.

It wasn’t that there were no cute girls in the entertainment industry, but she just happened to have feelings for Song Jin, and no one else.

Her eyelashes cast a soft shadow on her eyelids. Her eyes were shut tight, and her rosy lips were slightly parted, revealing a sliver of pearly white teeth, shining like pearls.

Unlike her lively and spirited self during the day, at night, Song Jin seemed to have retracted all her light, as quiet as an angel.

Waves stirred in Duan Yan’s heart.

She recalled being on the Ferris wheel, Song Jin’s sincere and ardent gaze, and that necklace.

Duan Yan couldn’t help but want to ask Song Jin what her feelings for her truly were.

Perhaps, this wasn’t all just her own one-sided wishful thinking. Perhaps Song Jin liked her too?

But, she was also afraid that after asking, she would see disgust or confusion on Song Jin’s face.

At that moment, Duan Yan’s heart had been beating unusually fast, as if it were pounding more fiercely than ever before, and at the same time, she was extremely conflicted.

Finally recalling Auntie Lian’s words, she decided to be brave and ask. But the very next moment, just as she was about to speak…

Song Jin had broken the silence, saying softly that she was giving her the necklace to express her gratitude.

Duan Yan’s heart had stopped beating for a moment. She squeezed out a smile, not knowing how she had managed to accept the necklace.

‘That’s right. Song Jin is still a child who hasn’t shed her naivety. She’s undoubtedly ignorant of the subtleties of romantic entanglements and didn’t realize what an amorous atmosphere the location and situation she had chosen held.’

Duan Yan tried hard to restrain her heart that had strayed, to bring it back within safe boundaries.

But Song Jin’s smile, every little movement, was like a seed that had taken root in her heart, sprouted, and then grew rapidly, making her chest feel full and tight, almost unbearable.

Duan Yan took a deep breath, admonishing herself not to develop any romantic feelings for Song Jin—

Song Jin’s gratitude towards her was just a temporary stay.

Once her body recovered, she would disappear from her world like the wind, and she would once again return to that boundless loneliness.

Duan Yan’s gaze fell upon Song Jin’s face, and she suddenly discovered that the person beside her had turned into a fluffy little orange cat.

Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting fine silver specks of light.

The orange cat was curled into a ball of fur, its ears drooping slightly, twitching occasionally in sync with its breathing. Its whiskers shimmered faintly in the dim light. The orange fur appeared deeper in the darkness, as if it had absorbed the essence of the moonlight, emitting a soft glow. Its small belly rose and fell slowly with each breath, its four limbs stretched out in relaxation.

Duan Yan had always been fond of these soft creatures, completely defenseless against kittens.

But at this moment, facing this little orange cat that symbolized Song Jin, Duan Yan was somewhat reluctant to touch it. After all, the little orange cat was also Song Jin’s incarnation.

The little orange cat on the bed seemed to feel uneasy without its owner’s embrace. It let out a soft “meow,” a sound full of longing for its owner’s care, silently calling for Duan Yan’s affection.

Hearing this sound, Duan Yan’s heartstrings were gently plucked. Her heart softened involuntarily. After a moment of hesitation, she ultimately couldn’t resist this soft temptation.

She gently reached out her hand and tenderly gathered the little orange cat into her arms.

The little orange cat seemed to have found a long-lost warmth and tranquility in Duan Yan’s embrace. It curled up contentedly, its body trembling slightly as it let out a soft purr.

The moment she touched that soft fur, Duan Yan’s resolve melted like ice and snow. Her boundaries had been lost without her even realizing it.

‘Song Jin has no memory of being a cat, and the cat has no memory of being Song Jin. They are two different beings.’

‘A person is a person, a cat is a cat.’

Duan Yan comforted herself in her heart. Gradually, her eyelids grew heavy, her consciousness blurred, and she slowly sank into a deep sleep.