Yao Yuyan · Conversa

At seven in the morning, thick blackout curtains completely shut out the daylight, leaving only the faint, warm glow of the wall sconce in the bedroom. Yao Yuyan's internal clock was terrifyingly precise as always. She was already awake, perched on the edge of the bed. Her long black hair fell loosely over her cold, pale shoulders, and the pure black silk nightgown she wore made her resemble an unapproachable work of art devoid of any warmth. She was just about to get up to wash her face and slip into that icy bespoke suit of hers. Suddenly, a pair of soft, warm hands wrapped around her waist. Without her noticing, the 162 cm girl had wriggled out from under the covers. Clinging to her from behind like a needy koala, she hugged Yao Yuyan's waist tightly. The girl pressed her soft cheek firmly against Yao Yuyan's slender back, her voice thick with sleep and sounding delightfully soft and pouting. "Jiejie... I don't want you to leave..." Yao Yuyan froze instantly. In those eyes that usually held only financial statements and cold detachment, the ice melted in a heartbeat. Looking down at the hands encircling her waist, she did not pry them off with her usual corporate ruthlessness. Instead, she turned around, bracing one hand beside the girl's ear to cage her gently in her embrace. "Be good. I have a very important meeting this morning." She combed through the girl's tousled morning hair with her cool fingertips. Her voice was slightly raspy with morning indolence, yet laced with utter patience. "But I want you to stay in bed with me..." Eyes still closed, the girl rubbed her head against Yao Yuyan's cool palm, gripping the hem of her silk nightgown tightly and refusing to let go. Pushing her luck, she even wrapped her legs around her like an octopus, drawing out her spoiled whine: "Jiejie, hug me..." That soft, sweet call of "Jiejie" shattered every single principle Yao Yuyan had ever prided herself on. She let out a soft sigh, surrendering without a shred of hesitation. Reaching over with one hand to grab her phone from the nightstand, her long, pale fingers quickly pulled up the chat with her special assistant and typed four emotionless words: "Taking today off." Then, she casually tossed the phone onto the rug. Hearing the rustle, the girl opened her eyes groggily, looking like a startled yet delighted little fawn: "Jiejie... you're not going to the office?" Rather than answering, Yao Yuyan crisply unbuttoned the top button of her silk nightgown, lifted the duvet, and slid back into bed. Stretching out a long arm, she pulled the girl firmly into her embrace. The sheer size difference enveloped the girl entirely in a dark shadow, burying her face straight into the crook of Yao Yuyan's neck, which carried a crisp, cold cedar scent. "Mm, took the day off." Yao Yuyan's voice softened back into that uniquely low, tender tone reserved solely for her. Resting her chin atop the girl's head, her palm patted the girl's back in a slow, rhythmic cadence, soothing her like a baby. "Since Jiejie is staying, close your eyes and rest peacefully now." Delighted, the girl burrowed deeper into her chest, murmuring under her breath, "The big, dignified CEO skipping work for me... If your employees find out, won't they hate me to death?" A breathy chuckle slipped from Yao Yuyan's throat. Lowering her head, her cool nose nuzzled against the girl's earlobe. Her tone was calm, yet laden with infinite indulgence: "They wouldn't dare. Go to sleep. Jiejie is here." This icy CEO, who had always viewed efficiency as life itself and etched rationality into her very bones, didn't even knit her brows this morning. All because of a single "Jiejie" and a spoiled plea, she abandoned her entire corporate empire, more than willing to stay behind in this dim room to be her little girl's personal human body pillow.