Chapter 46: Warmth in the Greenhouse

The first rays of morning sunlight danced across Jin’s eyelids, filtering through the slats of the blinds.

She awoke in a daze, feeling as though she had enjoyed an exceptionally sweet night’s sleep.

However, she quickly realized something was amiss. Her body was tightly enveloped by something warm, and a faint citrus scent lingered at the tip of her nose.

Jin slowly opened her eyes, and the serene sleeping face of Yu Niannian came into view. They were nestled so close that Jin could count Yu Niannian’s long eyelashes and feel her warm breath caress her cheek.

Yu Niannian’s arm remained wrapped around her waist, their legs intertwined beneath the covers, and their pajamas were disheveled from their sleep positions.

A flush instantly bloomed across Jin’s face. She attempted to subtly shift away, but the moment she stirred, Yu Niannian tightened her embrace in her sleep, pulling her even closer.

“Don’t go…” Yu Niannian murmured unconsciously, her warm breath fanning Jin’s ear.

This intimate posture rendered Jin rigid. She could distinctly feel the softness of Yu Niannian’s chest pressed against her, and through the thin pajama fabric, that warmth and resilience sent her heart racing.

Even more disorienting was the fact that one of Yu Niannian’s legs had, at some point, wrapped around hers, her knee brushing lightly against Jin’s.

Jin held her breath, cautiously attempting to pull away. Yet, her movement seemed to disturb Yu Niannian, who frowned slightly in her sleep, her palm unconsciously gliding across Jin’s back. That gentle caress sent a shiver through Jin, a wave of heat surging from her spine to the crown of her head.

“Mm…” Yu Niannian let out a contented sigh, nuzzling her cheek into the hollow of Jin’s neck. This action caused her lips to inadvertently brush against Jin’s collarbone, eliciting a tingling sensation.

Jin couldn’t help but gasp softly, her body trembling slightly.

Just then, Yu Niannian slowly opened her eyes. The moment their gazes met, both women froze.

Yu Niannian’s face flushed visibly, yet she did not immediately release her grip. Instead, as if entranced, her gaze settled on Jin’s slightly parted lips.

“Sister… good, good morning…” Yu Niannian’s voice was husky with sleep, her fingers unconsciously stroking Jin’s side.

This subtle movement quickened Jin’s breathing. She could feel the hem of her pajamas, curled up from their sleeping position, allowing Yu Niannian’s fingertips to brush against her exposed skin.

A delicate atmosphere permeated between them, the air seemingly thickening. Yu Niannian’s gaze slowly descended, resting on Jin’s chest, which rose and fell subtly with her nervousness.

Two buttons on her pajamas had come undone at some point, revealing a small expanse of fair skin and the faint hint of a cleavage.

Yu Niannian’s throat bobbed. Her fingertips gently traced Jin’s collarbone, moving slowly along its elegant curve. Her touch was feather-light, as if caressing a precious piece of porcelain. Jin closed her eyes, experiencing this unfamiliar sensation, her body subtly trembling of its own accord.

“What are you two doing?”

Lin Wan’s sleepy voice suddenly pierced the ambiguous atmosphere. Yu Niannian recoiled as if burned, abruptly pulling her hand back and sitting up in a flurry. Jin, too, hastily adjusted her pajamas, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson.

Rubbing her eyes, Lin Wan sat up in bed, scrutinizing them with suspicion. “So intimate first thing in the morning?”

Her gaze swept over their disheveled pajamas and crimson cheeks, a knowing smile gracing her lips. “Looks like you both slept very well last night.”

Yu Niannian stammered, attempting to explain, but Jin gently took her hand. To Yu Niannian’s surprise, Jin wasn’t angry or embarrassed; instead, she offered a faint, slightly shy smile.

This smile sent Yu Niannian’s heart racing once more. She watched Jin’s slender waist, inadvertently revealed as she adjusted her pajamas, and the tips of her ears, flushed pink with shyness. Suddenly, this morning felt exceptionally beautiful.

Xia Yue had also awoken at some point, silently observing the scene with a complex expression. When her gaze met Jin’s, Jin offered her an apologetic smile, as if to say sorry for disturbing them.

****

After breakfast, Lin Wan and Xia Yue were called away by an urgent communication to handle an unexpected mission.

Before leaving, Xia Yue cast a warning glance at Yu Niannian, but Yu Niannian merely pretended not to notice, subtly hooking her finger onto the corner of Jin’s clothing.

Once their footsteps faded at the end of the corridor, Yu Niannian immediately turned to face Jin, her eyes sparkling. “Sister, I’m taking you somewhere.”

She took Jin’s hand, pulling her through several unfamiliar corridors without a word.

The base was far larger than expected. Yu Niannian expertly navigated the labyrinthine passages, finally stopping before an inconspicuous metal door.

“This is a little secret I discovered in the base,” Yu Niannian said with a mysterious smile, pressing her palm against the scanner beside the door.

The door slid open silently, revealing the scene within—a small greenhouse. Sunlight streamed through the arched glass dome, illuminating various exotic plants thriving in the warm, humid air, while a steaming natural hot spring pool occupied the center.

Jin’s eyes widened in surprise. This place was a stark contrast to the base’s stark, technological feel, resembling a secluded paradise.

Yu Niannian closed the door and led her to sit on a soft mat by the hot spring. “This was originally a recuperation area prepared for important guests, but it hasn’t been used in a long time.”

The warm air was filled with the fresh scent of plants, and the steam formed a hazy halo in the sunlight. Yu Niannian leaned closer to Jin, her fingers gently stroking her hair. “This morning… I’m sorry, was I too much?” Her voice was soft, laced with cautious probing.

Jin shook her head. In truth, she didn’t dislike the intimacy; it had simply been too sudden, leaving her flustered.

Yu Niannian seemed to read her thoughts, a sweet smile gracing her lips. “Then, Sister… it’s just the two of us now.”

She slowly drew closer, her fingertips gently lifting Jin’s chin. They were close enough to feel each other’s breath, and Yu Niannian’s gaze, filled with clear longing, settled on Jin’s lips.

Jin’s heart began to pound, yet she did not pull away, merely closing her eyes slightly.

Yu Niannian’s kiss was tender, first brushing her lips like a feather, then slowly deepening.

Her arms wrapped around Jin’s waist, completely erasing the distance between them. Jin could feel her pressed tightly against her, the warmth transferring through the thin fabric of their clothes.

“May I?” Yu Niannian whispered during a break in their kiss, her fingers already sliding to Jin’s collar. Seeing no objection from Jin, she carefully unfastened the first button, then the second.

Jin’s pajamas slowly slipped down, revealing her rounded shoulders and delicate collarbones.

Yu Niannian’s breathing grew ragged. Her kisses trailed down Jin’s neck, lingering at her collarbone. Her fingers gently stroked Jin’s exposed shoulder, reveling in the delicate feel of her skin.

“Sister, you are truly beautiful…” she murmured, her palm slowly gliding down the curve of Jin’s back.

The warm spring water gurgled nearby, and the rising steam cast a hazy veil over everything.

Yu Niannian gently lowered Jin onto the soft mat, leaning over her.

Sunlight, filtered through the steam, cast dappled shadows across Jin’s body, making her appear like a fallen fairy.

Yu Niannian’s fingers gently slipped beneath the hem of Jin’s pajamas, caressing her flat abdomen.

The skin there was exceptionally sensitive, causing Jin to tremble subtly. This reaction emboldened Yu Niannian, and her palm slowly moved upward.

Jin let out a faint whimper, her body arching involuntarily. Yu Niannian’s thumb brushed lightly.

Her heart hammered like a drum, and she couldn’t resist leaning in closer.

“Wait…” Jin suddenly grabbed her wrist, her cheeks flushed scarlet. “This… it’s too fast…”

Yu Niannian immediately halted, but did not pull away. Instead, she rested her forehead against Jin’s, whispering, “I’m sorry, Sister, I got carried away.” Her fingers shifted to gently caress Jin’s hair. “I just… really want to be close to you.”

The two embraced on the soft mat, listening to the sound of the hot spring and each other’s breathing.

Yu Niannian’s fingers unconsciously drew circles on Jin’s back, feeling the warmth of the skin beneath.

Jin gradually relaxed, even leaning into Yu Niannian’s embrace of her own accord.

This subtle gesture sent a wave of warmth through Yu Niannian’s heart.