CHAPTER 118
Wei Zhuang had always been a light sleeper. Having slept alone for many years, she could immediately sense someone else beside her. Perhaps unaccustomed to it, her sleep remained shallow.
In the middle of the night, she heard the sound of rain, a gentle pitter-patter as if sprinkling right beside her ear. She opened her eyes and instinctively reached out beside her, finding no one there.
Sitting up, she slightly brightened the room's lighting and only then spotted Xiaoyuan.
Bathed in the soft amber glow, she was curled up at the foot of the bed, her back against a thin silk quilt, hugging a pillow, fast asleep.
Wei Zhuang's bed was too large—perhaps Xiaoyuan found it too spacious and had unconsciously shrunk downward until finding the position that felt most secure, finally allowing herself to sleep soundly.
This was a habit she had cultivated over many years, ingrained like muscle memory.
This was the third time they had shared a bed, Wei Zhuang thought.
The first time was at Ji Dao Hotel.
The second time was in her own room.
Though during those previous two occasions, they'd fallen asleep naturally after int!macy, with Xiaoyuan exhausted and leaning against her shoulder. Wei Zhuang hadn't woken midway either, both sleeping straight through till morning.
Tonight was different.
Though Xiaoyuan had coquettishly made her way into Wei Zhuang's room to sleep, she likely sensed Wei Zhuang's discomfort sharing a bed and didn't insist on clinging to her. At times, she could be remarkably perceptive and sensitive.
Wei Zhuang quietly watched Xiaoyuan's sleeping face for a while before rising and walking to the foot of the bed. Bending down, she lifted her. The moment Xiaoyuan left the bed, she startled slightly—a conditioned reflex—but quickly settled, drowsily nestling against Wei Zhuang's shoulder.
As Wei Zhuang laid her back on the bed, Xiaoyuan fumbled for her pillow, murmuring, "...Did I wake you?"
"No," Wei Zhuang replied, lying down on the other side.
"It's raining..." Xiaoyuan also heard the rain, but her eyelids remained too heavy to open, and she soon fell back asleep.
Wei Zhuang lay on her side, propping her chin with her hand as she gazed at her.
Actors often sacrificed sleep during filming, rushing day and night—especially Xiaoyuan. She was so passionate about her acting career that whenever she entered a set, she would invest the maximum amount of energy, time, and emotion.
No, not just investing, but pre-investing.
So each time filming wrapped, she'd be utterly exhausted.
This time seemed better, not as severe as during "Huo 3," when Xiaoyuan had already shown signs of depression.
When Wei Zhuang watched the final cut in Beicheng, even she couldn't tear her eyes away from Xiaoyuan on the big screen, utterly captivated.
She couldn't sort out her emotions at the time: there was satisfaction, pride, perhaps a little heartache, and a certain indescribable feeling that she herself couldn't quite grasp.
Xiaoyuan possessed a vibrant, determined ambition when it came to acting—a sincere and pure passion that Wei Zhuang deeply admired. Yet, she had come to realize one undeniable truth: in Xiaoyuan's life, acting would always come first, with no room for anything else.
This reminded her somewhat of Zhu Ehua.
Wei Zhuang's expression grew pensive, gradually settling into a stillness as deep as a secluded pool.
She lay back down, listening to the growing intensity of the rain outside. The soft, rhythmic pattering was nature's white noise—it should have lulled her to sleep easily.
Yet, Wei Zhuang found herself unable to drift off.
Then, Xiaoyuan suddenly shifted closer, nestling against her in the rain-soaked night. Her warm, soft body pressed near, her faint fragrance brushing against Wei Zhuang's neck, sending a delicate shiver through her.
Slowly, Wei Zhuang reached out, fingers threading through Xiaoyuan's hair. With a soft, unconscious murmur, Xiaoyuan burrowed into the crook of her arm, her warmth seeping into Wei Zhuang's skin.
The room was quiet—so quiet that only Xiaoyuan's light breathing and the relentless rain outside could be heard.
Wei Zhuang closed her eyes, and before she knew it, sleep began to claim her.
The rain grew heavier, thunder rumbling faintly in the distance. Wei Zhuang fell into a deep slumber, her arm draped over Xiaoyuan's waist.
By morning, just before seven, Wei Zhuang was the first to wake. She glanced down at Xiaoyuan nestled in her arms, her expression a little dazed.
The rain outside hadn't stopped. Xiaoyuan lay peacefully in her arms, dark brows contrasting against her fair skin and rosy lips. Wei Zhuang watched her silently for a while, then traced a finger over her lips before leaning down to press a gentle kiss.
Xiaoyuan's lashes fluttered, her eyes blinking open drowsily. "...Frances? You're awake?"
Her pajama collar had loosened, revealing the smooth, ivory skin beneath. A slender hand grazed her collarbone, and Xiaoyuan's body reacted before her mind could catch up.
Then, a tingling sensation traveled up her neck, making her tremble. A soft sound escaped her lips.
Taking it as permission, Wei Zhuang kissed her ear and murmured, "Let me see?"
"Frances..." Xiaoyuan's voice was a whisper, her mind still foggy. Seconds later, an even more intense wave of pleasure surged through her—soft, wet heat drawing her in, making her curl in sensitivity.
Throughout, Xiaoyuan hovered between lucidity and delirium. She felt as though she were on the deck of a ship adrift at sea, bare-skinned, with a fine mist of rain caressing her, leaving endless ripples in its wake. Then, the waves grew stronger, tossing her up and down, leaving her no choice but to cling tightly to Wei Zhuang...
She wasn't sure what she cried out, what sounds she made—only that she eventually sank back into deep sleep.
By the time she fully awoke, the rain had stopped. On the nightstand was a note from Wei Zhuang: Gone downstairs for a video conference.
After a shower and freshening up, Xiaoyuan made her way to the dining room for breakfast and found her phone. It was already ten.
Biting into a sandwich, she sent Wei Zhuang a message: [I'm up.]
No immediate reply—she must still be busy. Xiaoyuan didn't mind. Normally, she'd already be on set by this hour, waiting to start work. This was a rare, leisurely morning. She snapped a photo of her sandwich and shrimp salad, adjusted the colors, and posted it on Weibo:
[A relaxed and happy morning~ Big smile~] She paused, then added the hashtag #ZZ.
Her joyful mood intertwined with Wei Zhuang's initials—a secret little thought of hers.
'Zhuang Zhuang?'
She froze for a moment, then covered her lips as if suddenly remembering something.
The elevator doors slid open, and Xiaoyuan arrived on the 33rd floor. Pushing the door open, she happened to see Wei Zhuang stepping out. Their gazes met directly in mid-air.
In that split second, the details from hours earlier flashed simultaneously through their minds, like a slow-motion film frame by frame.
—Their lips had clung together, lost in a feverish kiss. Xiaoyuan surrendered completely, drowsiness still lingering, lacking the energy or strength to "return the favor." Every thought, every sensation was consumed by the touch and conquest of her body.
Xiaoyuan's face gradually burned. She kept her eyes downcast, not daring to look at the woman. "Are you done with your meeting?"
"Mhm."
"Then... shall we go up to the 34th floor?"
"Mhm."
Walking side by side, Xiaoyuan couldn't even lift her head, the details in her mind growing sharper:
They had tried a new position—Wei Zhuang lifting her leg while she, soft and pliant, yielded to her...
And somehow, she had even uttered some unbearably shameless words, like "Here... more..." or "Zhuang Zhuang, you're amazing..."
The moment the elevator doors opened on the 34th floor, Xiaoyuan bolted into the apartment, not daring to meet the woman's eyes for even a second, and dashed straight to her room.
'Oh my god, that was so embarrassing!'
Xiaoyuan buried her face in her hands. And she had even exposed the nickname she secretly called Wei Zhuang in her heart—who knew what expression she had made upon hearing it?
She couldn't face her now!
A short while later, Wei Zhuang knocked on her door again.
"W-what is it?" Xiaoyuan's heart was still pounding wildly.
"Your phone is ringing." The same low, magnetic voice, seemingly devoid of much emotion. A flicker of indignant shyness passed through Xiaoyuan's heart.
The call was from Ruan Qing, confirming her schedule.
"You have four days off. Then on the 30th, there are a few interviews. On the 29th, Venice will announce the nominations, so things will get busy..."
"Oh, mm-hm..."
Xiaoyuan listened distractedly, stealing a glance at the woman sitting across from her on the sofa, reading the newspaper. Her dark hair cascaded to one side. From this angle, her posture wasn't perfectly upright—slightly tilted at 35 degrees, her lashes, the tip of her nose, and her thin lips forming a flawless, streamlined profile that gave off an aloof, unapproachable vibe.
How could this woman be like this?
She had done... that to her in the morning, yet now she wasn't even taking the initiative to sit beside her or start a conversation, acting as if nothing had happened at all!
"Hey sweetheart, are you listening to me?"
"Mhm..."
"What do you mean 'mhm'? Get your ears over here and listen carefully!" Ruan Qing suddenly became serious, raising her voice.
Xiaoyuan startled, pulling her gaze back and sitting up properly.
The woman opposite her subtly cast a glance over.
"What did you post on Weibo? What does that tag mean?" Ruan Qing asked her.
"Ah, it's just... random stuff."
"...I don't need to worry, right? If there's anything?"
"Mhm mhm, don't worry, no one will notice it." Xiaoyuan nodded vigorously.
"Good then, I'll trust you on this. Alright, I won't bother you anymore, I'm hanging up!"
"Phew~" Xiaoyuan exhaled after the call ended, her eyes drifting back to Wei Zhuang, who was still reading the newspaper. What could possibly be so interesting in that paper?
Unable to contain her frustration, Xiaoyuan tossed her phone aside and strode over to the opposite sofa. In one swift motion, she snatched the newspaper from Wei Zhuang's hands!
Before the surprise could fade from Wei Zhuang's eyes, Xiaoyuan leaned down and captured her lips in a bite.
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