After Being Forced to Kiss My Superior (GL) - Chapter 14
The rain seemed to finally ease up sometime in the second half of the night.
Li Wanqiu usually had trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places. But for some reason, she slept surprisingly well that night.
She didn’t even dream. When she woke up, she felt clear-headed and refreshed.
The dorm building was surrounded by trees and greenery, the kind that brightened one’s mood. Since it had just rained, the air carried a light scent of damp earth—clean and calming, almost like it could wash away stress.
Li Wanqiu rolled over and reached for her phone.
It was still early.
She saw a message from Ji Jinyan. She’d gone ahead to work and mentioned that she’d left a change of clothes in the room—brand new—and that Wanqiu could help herself if needed.
Li Wanqiu typed out a quick “thank you” in reply. Although Ji Jinyan had told her she could start work later, she still got up, tidied herself a little, and pushed open the door to Room 1303.
A subtle scent lingered in the air—it was the familiar fragrance Ji Jinyan often wore.
As if she had predicted Wanqiu would come by, Ji Jinyan had already laid out clothes on the bed: a clean, white dress with a matching jacket. It was clearly her style, but when Li Wanqiu held it up against herself, it looked just right—elegant, graceful, not the least bit out of place.
It was as if… Ji Jinyan had picked out the most suitable outfit just for her.
Not long after, Li Wanqiu stepped out of the elevator. She hadn’t walked far when she spotted Ji Jinyan in the break room.
She was on the phone, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and her phone in the other, leaning casually against the wall. Her lips were curled into a faint smile.
The small window in the break room let in the soft morning sunlight. It wasn’t too harsh yet—just warm enough to cast gentle rays through the frame. The light brushed over her features, softening the angles of her face and outlining her beauty in a subtle way.
Not wanting to interrupt, Li Wanqiu lowered her gaze and kept walking. But after just a few steps, she heard Ji Jinyan’s voice behind her.
“Morning.”
Li Wanqiu stopped and instinctively turned around, meeting her eyes.
“…Morning.”
“I’ll talk to you later,” Ji Jinyan said into the phone, then ended the call and walked up to her.
“Did you sleep well in the dorm bed?”
“It was nice,” Li Wanqiu replied, then hesitated before asking quietly,
“Was that call just now important?”
“No,” Ji Jinyan said casually. “It wasn’t work—just a friend.”
“I see.” Li Wanqiu nodded and fell into step beside her, chatting lightly as they made their way toward the office. There were visitors scheduled to tour the vineyard today, and several new emails had arrived in her inbox overnight. As soon as she entered the office, Li Wanqiu got to work.
She didn’t even notice when Assistant An arrived.
“Wanqiu, you’re in early today,” Assistant An remarked. The rain might have stopped, but the streets were still full of puddles. Commuting, especially from the city, would’ve taken some time.
He looked at her curiously, then added with a grin,
“New outfit today?”
Li Wanqiu looked up. “Is it that obvious?”
“Definitely,” he chuckled, tugging lightly at the edge of her jacket.
“Feels like something President Ji would pick out.”
It was just an offhand comment—but it made Li Wanqiu freeze for a moment.
That morning, when she put the clothes on, she hadn’t really thought much of it. She’d just been touched by Ji Jinyan’s thoughtfulness. But now that Assistant An had said it out loud, a strange feeling slowly crept up.
She hadn’t gone home last night. She had spent the night at Bixia, alone with Ji Jinyan. She had seen sides of her most people never saw. She had slept in the room next door.
And now she was wearing clothes Ji Jinyan had picked for her.
Even though the clothes were brand new, they’d likely been hanging in her wardrobe for a while. The fabric still held traces of her perfume—that distinctive scent Ji Jinyan always wore. Faint, but unmistakable. If one leaned in closer, they’d catch it.
It was like a quiet secret had been uncovered—and that realization made Li Wanqiu suddenly a little flustered. She forced a casual smile and laughed off Assistant An’s comment, but her body betrayed her, shifting subtly to the side as if trying to hide.
“It was probably just a coincidence.”
Li Wanqiu said it quietly, almost as if she was trying to convince herself.
…
The workday flew by. Just before she was about to head home, Li Wanqiu got a call from Yan Weiwei.
“Wanqiu, are you busy?”
Weiwei’s voice came through quickly after the call connected. “I have to tell you—something today really scared me.”
Li Wanqiu was puzzled. “What happened?”
“Guess who called me?” Weiwei said, sounding clearly annoyed. “You know… her. I don’t even want to say her name. I have no idea how she got my number.”
Li Wanqiu immediately knew who she meant—Guan Chun. Her expression tightened slightly.
“What did she want?”
“She was asking about you,” Weiwei replied. “Wanted to know how you’ve been all these years, and how you suddenly ended up working at Bixia.”
“I didn’t tell her anything,” Weiwei added with a frustrated sigh. “Seriously, what’s her deal? She disappears overseas for years, doesn’t bother to keep in touch, and now that she’s back, she’s suddenly interested again?”
“I don’t know,” Wanqiu replied softly, thinking back to the night before. “Maybe it has something to do with my mom too.”
Weiwei sighed again. “Whatever it is, you should just stay away from her.”
Li Wanqiu nodded. “I will.”
“Oh right—do you have plans tonight?” Weiwei asked, clearly eager to change the subject.
“What’s up?” Wanqiu asked.
“You’ve forgotten already?” Weiwei sounded shocked. “I told you last week! There’s an auction tonight. They’re selling a bunch of limited-edition stuff that you normally can’t even buy with money!”
She sounded so indignant, it was almost funny.
“You have to come with me!”
Her voice puffed up like an angry little pufferfish, and Wanqiu couldn’t help but laugh.
“Alright, alright,” she said, giving in. She glanced at the time. “I’ll meet you at the venue in about half an hour.”
She’d finished work earlier than usual, and the roads weren’t too crowded. Taking a shortcut, she drove straight from the office and arrived right on time.
“Wanqiu!” Despite the crowd, Weiwei spotted her instantly. “Over here!”
She was with Song Yu and a few other friends.
Wanqiu nodded and walked over. As soon as she reached them, Weiwei immediately noticed something.
“You look different today,” she said, eyeing her outfit. “Your style’s not quite the same as usual.”
“Really?” Wanqiu gave a small cough. “Just something I threw on.”
“It looks great,” Weiwei smiled, giving her a thumbs-up. “Our Wanqiu’s always a beauty~”
“So true!” one of the others chimed in. A few more followed with cheerful agreement.
“Sweet talker,” Wanqiu joked, lips curving into a smile. Being around friends made her feel more at ease. She laughed and chatted with them as they headed into the auction hall together.
The event began soon after. Wanqiu hadn’t planned to bid on anything—she was just there to keep Weiwei company and enjoy the atmosphere.
Compared to more formal auctions, this one was pretty relaxed. Most of the items were luxury bags and watches from private collections—mostly things owned by wealthy young men and women. The prices weren’t outrageous, and the mood was lighthearted.
Yan Weiwei’s “little treasure fund” was doing quite well. The moment she saw something she liked—even if it was out of reach—she’d still try to compete for it. If it weren’t for Li Wanqiu and Song Yu holding her back, there was no telling how many items she would’ve tried to win.
Before long, the auction reached its final item—a necklace.
The screen zoomed in for a close-up. The necklace was said to be handcrafted by a renowned artisan. The pendant was shaped like a star, with a pale blue gemstone set in the center. Light from above filtered through the top, casting soft glimmers across the gem, making it appear even more radiant and eye-catching.
It was stunning—and one of a kind.
The room grew visibly more excited. No one had expected to see such a piece at this kind of event. Even though it was the last item, the atmosphere remained electric, and the bidding quickly escalated.
“What do you think?” Li Wanqiu leaned over and nudged Yan Weiwei with a smile.
“It’s definitely beautiful,” Weiwei nodded, pausing for a moment in thought before sighing, “But my little vault’s running dry. I’d better pass.”
“How about I bid on it for you?” Wanqiu teased with a laugh. “It can be your birthday gift this year.”
“No, no, no,” Weiwei said quickly, shaking her head. “It’s gorgeous, but it doesn’t match my style at all.”
“It suits you, though,” she added, turning to glance at Wanqiu. “If you like it, you should bid on it for yourself.”
“I think I’ll pass,” Wanqiu replied lightly.
Items like necklaces and jewelry don’t have fixed prices. Beyond materials, their value depends on craftsmanship, cut, and brand reputation. If you truly love something, no matter the cost, it might still feel worth it.
Wanqiu had already estimated a price range in her head. After watching the bidding for a while, she realized the price had gone beyond what she was willing to spend. So, she gave up the idea and let others go for it instead.
Still, the growing energy in the room was contagious. Like everyone else, she found herself caught up in the excitement, curious to see who would end up taking the necklace home.
Until—
A hand suddenly appeared in her line of sight.
Slender fingers, fair skin, neatly manicured nails glinting under the lights.
Somehow, without even needing to think, Li Wanqiu recognized it immediately.
It was Ji Jinyan.