Confidentiality

Last time when taking a bath, I didn’t notice anything.

But the time before that, when bathing with Yuying, she was certain Lin Wanning hadn’t looked like this.

Shaking her head, Li Qingxue wondered if she had misseen things.

How could it be possible in such a short time? Besides, if Lin Wanning had gotten a boyfriend, she definitely wouldn’t keep it a secret...

"What are you doing? Come in quickly, the bathwater is just right—any more and it’ll overflow."

Hearing Lin Wanning’s call, Li Qingxue dismissed it as her own mistake.

She took off her underwear and stepped into the tub.

The steam from the hot water formed a dense mist in the small space. Glancing at Lin Wanning, Li Qingxue settled into the right side of the bathtub.

Soaking in the hot water, every cell in her body seemed to relax.

A soft moan of comfort escaped her lips.

Then she felt a splash of water hit her.

Li Qingxue adjusted her position, lounging comfortably. "What’s up?"

"What were you thinking about earlier?" Lin Wanning asked casually, resting her arms on the edge of the tub.

Li Qingxue looked up at her. The heat had deepened the red marks on Lin Wanning’s skin. Frowning slightly, she ignored the question and pointed instead. "What’s that on your body?"

Lin Wanning glanced down at herself, rubbing at the marks with a faint smile. "Probably just from scrubbing too hard."

Li Qingxue wasn’t convinced. The marks didn’t look like they came from scrubbing—especially the one near her collarbone.

It was an irregular oval shape, not something fingers could leave behind. It looked more like... a hickey.

Having watched a few risqué films, Li Qingxue wasn’t entirely naive anymore.

A hickey?

From who?

Had Lin Wanning, heartbroken after seeing Hu Yuying and Long Aotian together, rushed into a new relationship to forget him? And had they already... slept together?

The thought startled her.

She had known Lin Wanning for a long time. Though she was aware of her quiet boldness, she never took her for someone so impulsive.

But once the seed of curiosity was planted, everything seemed suspicious.

Multiple marks on Lin Wanning’s body hinted at something happening in just two days.

To test her theory, Li Qingxue’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

"You go ahead and wash your hair first. I want to soak a little longer."

Lin Wanning, unsuspecting, stood up from the tub and turned on the shower.

As the water cascaded over her, she gathered her long hair to apply shampoo—revealing even more.

The marks on her shoulders looked like someone had gripped them from behind, arms sliding under her armpits.

And for that to happen, Lin Wanning would’ve had to be lying down...

Li Qingxue stood, grabbed some shampoo sachets, and squeezed extra onto Lin Wanning’s head. "Your hair’s long, mine’s short. I always have leftovers—don’t waste them."

"Qingxue, that’s too much! The suds are getting in my eyes."

"Oops! Then rinse it off first."

As Lin Wanning washed, Li Qingxue crouched behind her. Through the gap between her legs, she had a clear view of the opposite wall.

The sight confirmed her earlier suspicion. Covering her mouth, she gasped.

Wanning really had become a woman...

And in just two days...

Her shock turned to fascination. Settling back into the tub, she studied Lin Wanning, wondering who could’ve won her over so quickly.

Had Lin Wanning’s exhaustion yesterday been because of... that?

The thought made Li Qingxue’s cheeks flush. She stifled a giggle.

Hearing her, Lin Wanning smiled. "What’s so funny?"

Li Qingxue arched a brow, her expression teasing. Still pretending? Let’s see how long you can keep this up.

Even if she wasn’t the "mother-in-law," Lin Wanning couldn’t hide this forever.

If they’d already slept together, she’d introduce him eventually.

Who could’ve charmed our Wanning so fast?

Seeing Li Qingxue’s playful smirk, Lin Wanning stepped closer, mirroring her knowing look. "That smile means trouble. Are you plotting something?"

Her hands began tracing Li Qingxue’s body, tickling her.

Squirming, Li Qingxue burst into laughter. "Alright, alright! Wanning, are you dating someone?"

Lin Wanning’s fingers froze. "Of course not."

Though the pause was brief, Li Qingxue felt it. "Liar! What, scared I’ll steal your boyfriend?" she teased.

"Look at those marks. No one gets hickeys like that from scrubbing—especially not on the collarbone. And your legs..."

Lin Wanning’s smile stiffened. Her gaze dropped to her thighs, remembering how Li Qingxue had once teased Hu Yuying about "becoming a woman."

How could I forget?

Biting her lip, she met Li Qingxue’s eyes. "Qingxue, please don’t tell anyone. Not even my brother or Yuying."

"Relax, my lips are sealed!" Li Qingxue grinned, oblivious to Lin Wanning’s tension.

Lin Wanning rolled her eyes. That’s exactly why I’m worried.

"Qingxue, a lot of people wouldn’t approve. I don’t want this relationship exposed yet."

"Please keep it secret."

Seeing her rare seriousness, Li Qingxue nodded. If Wanning had her reasons, she’d respect them.

As a friend, she only wanted her happiness.

"I won’t say a word," she promised.