Chương 142: On the other side, she was also strategizing her own conquest.

Chapter 142 On the other side, she was also working on her own conquest.

Unlike the tense and confused atmosphere that gradually developed on Xingxian's side, the bathroom on the second floor of the Lin family's house was filled with warm, humid steam and a relaxing fragrance.

Luo Bingli immersed her entire body in the comfortably warm water, feeling the warmth emanating from all parts of her body, and experiencing unparalleled peace and relaxation.

Water droplets slid down her smooth neck and disappeared into the warm water, creating tiny ripples.

She closed her eyes, trying to let her thoughts become hazy and empty, like the steam in the bathroom, but some images and words were like the deepest imprints, impossible to erase from her mind no matter what.

Last night, on the other side of this frosted glass sliding door, there was Lin Che—no, Lin Che.

His words, spoken with such earnestness and solemnity, still echoed clearly in my ears, carrying a reassuring calmness and gentleness: "Simply because—you are 'you,' the unique one who deserves to be treated well—Luo Bingli."

From childhood to adulthood, she had heard too many reprimands and denials from her parents. She was used to licking her wounds alone in the cold, empty house, and used to wrapping herself up with sharp words and indifferent expressions.

She had asked herself countless times why she was the way she was? Why didn't she deserve to be loved? Why was she always the one who was abandoned and ignored?

She tried hard to become stronger and prove herself, but with each disappointment and setback, she became more withdrawn and self-doubting.

However, Lin Che told her that she deserved to be treated well, simply because she was "Luo Bingli".

Simply because—she is herself.

This fact made her feel very clearly that she was seen, understood, and cherished.

She suddenly remembered the question she had asked with all her might, and his unwavering, smiling reply: "Okay, Xiao Li."

"Xiao Li—" Luo Bingli silently recited this affectionate nickname in her heart, and the corners of her lips involuntarily curved upwards into a shy yet incredibly sweet smile.

It seemed to possess some kind of magical power, making her feel that the distance between her and Lin Che had suddenly been shortened a lot. They were no longer just "classmates" or "friends' brothers," but rather—something closer and more special.

Immediately, her thoughts drifted back to last night, remembering that classmate who called himself "Xiaoying"—Lin Che.

Even though only one night had passed, she found herself starting to miss that soft and warm embrace.

Last night, when she mustered up the courage to ask "Xiaoying" to stay and sleep with her, she was actually quite nervous. But when "Xiaoying" finally agreed and the two of them actually fell asleep in each other's arms, she felt an unprecedented sense of peace and satisfaction.

She once thought that as long as she could have such an experience, as long as she could feel a moment of warmth and reliance, she should be very satisfied.

But now, as she soaks alone in the warm bathtub, savoring the blush-inducing intimacy of last night, she feels that the feeling of being able to rely on someone without reservation, the sense of security that comes from being held tightly in her arms, seems completely insufficient.

Tonight, Lin Che—he definitely won't turn into "Xiao Ying" again, right? After all, that was a form he had to maintain to conserve his virtual energy, and he himself felt incredibly ashamed of that outfit.

A few days later, when that man goes on another business trip, she will always return to her cold and empty home.

I wonder when I'll have the chance to hold "Xiaoying's" soft, warm body and fall asleep peacefully like I did last night.

Perhaps—there will never be such an opportunity again?

Thinking of this, Luo Bingli felt an indescribable sense of loss and melancholy.

She sighed softly, and the warm water rippled with her sigh, just like her complicated and unfathomable emotions at that moment.

To be cared for so sincerely, treated so gently, and even embraced so intimately by someone—it feels so good.

It was so wonderful that she felt a little greedy and a little afraid that all of this was just a short and fragile beautiful dream.

But no matter what, Luo Bingli silently told herself that she was willing to believe that she might truly deserve this hard-won warmth.

Looking back, it seems that apart from Yuqing and Lin Che, only Senior Xingshuang would have given her such great help and encouragement and treated her so well without asking for anything in return.

Thinking of Xingshuang, Luo Bingli couldn't help but feel a deep sense of longing and yearning.

That senior, dressed in a pink combat suit and sporting lively pink twin tails, looked even smaller than me, yet possessed unimaginable strength and a gentle heart.

- It's been almost seven days since Senior Xing Shuang sent the message saying she had urgent business to attend to and needed to leave Jiangchuan City.

Where is that senior colleague now? Did she resolve the emergency she encountered? Did she encounter any danger?

Luo Bingli realized that she had so much to say to her, especially since—after receiving those astonishing pieces of information from Xiao Ying the night before last.

The conspiracy of Jingjue, the possible traitors within the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs, and even the complex feelings deep within his heart for Lin Che that he found difficult to express to Yuqing— She longed to confide in someone she could completely trust, someone who could offer her the right guidance, about these heavy secrets and confusions.

Senior Xingshuang was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate in her mind.

My senior is so strong, so gentle, and so understanding. She must be able to understand me, right? She must be able to give me some useful advice, right?

I just wonder when she will come back?

"Senior—please come back soon—" Luo Bingli murmured softly to herself, sinking her body deeper into the warm water, letting the steam blur her vision.

After a long while, as the water in the bathtub gradually cooled down, the comfortable warmth that enveloped her body also faded a bit, and she finally came back to her senses from her chaotic thoughts.

She shook her somewhat heavy head, temporarily suppressing all her hopes and worries about Lin Che, Senior Xing Shuang, and the future, and slowly stood up from the bathtub.

Crystalline water droplets slid down her fair and delicate skin, leaving winding water trails on her body before spreading on the smooth tiles. She stretched out her slender arm, picked up the clean bath towel hanging to the side, and carefully wiped the water droplets off her body with gentle and delicate movements, leaving no corner untouched.

As the steam rose, her short, black hair became even more thoroughly wet, with a few unruly strands clinging to her smooth forehead and slightly flushed cheeks, adding a touch of languid charm rarely seen on ordinary days.

As she dried herself off and prepared to change into clean clothes, Ziguang inadvertently caught sight of her underwear, which she had taken off and placed in the laundry basket.

Those two small pieces of fabric with lace trim stood out under the warm yellow light.

Luo Bing's face immediately turned even redder.

Did he see it at the time?

Taking a few deep breaths, Luo Bingli tried to calm the panic and shyness in her heart, forcing herself to shift her attention away from those things she "absolutely shouldn't be thinking about."

She picked up another set of brand-new pajamas that Su Yuqing had prepared for her early in the morning—a two-piece set of pure cotton pajamas with delicate ruffles. The fabric was soft and comfortable, and it also carried a faint scent of sunshine, as well as—the comforting warmth that belonged to this home.

This was completely different from the cat-ear onesie she wore last night, but just as cute—making her cheeks flush slightly as she looked at herself in the mirror, a girl who usually wears dark-colored, minimalist clothing.

However, after changing into these pajamas, looking at herself in the mirror with her cheeks flushed from the heat and embarrassment, and her eyes much softer than usual, a faint smile still appeared on her lips.

Luo Bingli shook her still slightly damp, soft short hair, carefully adjusted the slightly messy neckline of her pajamas, and then pushed open the bathroom door and walked towards Su Yuqing's room.