“Ah—” A startled cry disrupted the morning’s tranquility, like a lake stirred by a sudden storm.
Ou Xueman, having only fallen asleep near dawn, rubbed her aching temples. Her silk slip dress had slipped off one shoulder, and her messy wavy hair spread wildly on the pillow. Exposed décolletage revealed an irresistible charm.
Reluctantly getting up and complaining inwardly about meddling in others’ affairs, she wondered why she had agreed to care for this troublesome woman. Bringing her back required not only care but also resulted in being vomited on and struggling all night.
A pair of slender, jade-like bare feet lightly stepped on the floor. As she opened the door, she was startled by the woman’s disheveled appearance. With a pale face and dark circles under her eyes, her hair was further disheveled, and she occasionally pounded her head, clearly suffering from a severe hangover.
Hearing the door open, the woman turned her head towards Ou Xueman, looking bewildered as she tried to recall last night and who this woman might be.
Ou Xueman walked to the coffee table, picked up a cigarette, and lit it, leaning back lazily on the massive sofa. Compared to it, she appeared tiny. Her red lips parted slightly as pure white smoke seeped out, enveloping her in a misty haze.
Her delicate fingers flicked the cigarette, ash falling into the crystal ashtray. She looked up at the woman again and said lazily, “You don’t need to think about it. We don’t know each other.”
The woman, stunned, blankly observed her surroundings. The house featured wall surfaces of varying levels, adorned with light colors, creating a bright, modern feel. Every piece of decor and lighting was concise, enhancing the space’s simplicity. The most striking item was the massive red sofa, seemingly out of place but softened by a few unique light-colored throw pillows.
The owner appeared to have excellent taste, someone who understood living well. However, looking at the lazy, enchanting woman on the sofa, she struggled to connect her to the imagined owner.
“Hehe…” Huang Tianli gave an awkward laugh, pointing to the house, “Sorry, may I ask how I ended up here?”
Ou Xueman’s starry eyes were half-closed, reminiscent of a dozing Persian cat. Her voice was lazy: “You randomly got into my car.”
