Do Not Approach

Young Miss, I'll give you one more chance.

In the brightly lit house, the living room table was piled with documents and materials. Qin Yi, usually obsessive about tidiness, no longer had the energy to organize them. Days of constant busyness had left her mentally strained.

From an outsider's perspective, Qin Yi always seemed energetic, as if she never ran out of stamina, but no one knew she had barely slept in three days.

Even though she was exhausted, her mind kept running, as if propelled by some invisible force. She felt trapped in a cycle: working made her tired, but lying down left her restless.

It was a feeling she knew well, reminiscent of her darker days. But all she could do was endure it. She kept telling herself, Just get through this. Once she could return to Xiaoxiao's arms, and she would finally take a good rest. Only Xiaoxiao's scent gave her peace.

The only sleep she had managed recently was brief. It was when Xiaoxiao had called, pestering her to sing a lullaby. After listening to Xiaoxiao's voice, she finally drifted off for a short while.

When she woke, she was surprised to see the video call hadn't ended. Xiaoxiao was gazing at her with a doting expression, like a mother looking at her child.

Embarrassed, Qin Yi quickly ended the call.

Shaking her head, a smile unconsciously spread across her lips.

I'm thinking about her again.

Who would have thought she'd ever become so sentimental? To be so deeply attached to someone, always missing them, no matter the time or place.

Across from her sat a woman wearing a long, fitted dress, her features sharp and striking. Her bold red lips and the heavy scent of her perfume exuded an air of aggression.

This was Mag-the only friend Qin had ever had in her life. Mag had left for the U.S. with her parents back in middle school and had lived abroad ever since. If it weren't for helping Qin Yi, she wouldn't have returned this time.

Mag set down the file in her hands and raised an eyebrow. "Want some coffee?"

They hadn't been together long, but Mag had quickly noticed that Qin Yi often relied on coffee when she's on the verge of collapse.

Qin Yi shook her head and glanced at her. "You should get some rest."

Mag also had been busy nonstop since arriving, not even having the chance to adjust to the time difference.

Reality was never as simple as fiction. Although Qin Hailong's influence had waned over the years, an emaciated camel is still bigger than a horse, and shaking his foundation remained a formidable challenge.

They were already at a breaking point, Qin Yi had no choice but to give it her all.

Mag shook her head. "I'm fine. I'll stay with you." She checked the time-it was almost midnight. "Hungry? I make a mean steak."

At the mention of food, Qin Yi thought of Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao's cooking was truly exceptional, especially her soups-delicate and never too rich, perfectly suited to Qin's tastes.

"Qin," Mag called out, displeased with Qin Yi's absent-mindedness. She frowned. "What are you thinking about?"

Lately, Qin Yi had often drifted off like this, her lips curving into a smile for no apparent reason.

During her years abroad, Mag had heard about the ups and downs of the Qin family. Back when Qin Yi was at her most vulnerable, Mag had immediately called, wanting to come back. But Qin Yi had refused, unwilling to see anyone at that time.