"Hmm...?" Dugu Yan eyed her suspiciously. "What are you trying to say?"
Ye Lingling didn't answer directly. Instead, she gently nudged Dugu Yan's head aside, leaned close to her ear, and whispered a few words.
"Lingling!"
Dugu Yan's head snapped up when she heard that. Her face was as rosy as peach blossoms, her lips parted slightly, and her eyes were filled with shock.
"Who taught you all this?! You weren't like this before!"
Ye Lingling didn't explain. She simply continued to tempt her. "Just tell me—do you want to be with your benefactor or not?"
"I..." Dugu Yan hesitated. She lowered her head, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes between her fingers as her cheeks grew redder and redder.
After a moment, she gritted her teeth, summoned her courage, and looked at Ye Lingling. "Fine! But you have to go after me."
"No problem!" Ye Lingling's lips curled into a triumphant smile, and she gently nudged Dugu Yan away.
Then she leaned close again and lowered her voice.
"Ling'er told me this morning that she was originally supposed to look after your benefactor today."
"But... she can let us have our turn."
"So it really is her...! Wah—!" Before Dugu Yan could finish speaking, Ye Lingling suddenly clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Not so loud!"
She lowered her voice and warily scanned the doorway. Only after confirming no one was there did she continue:
"I'm just asking if you want to. If you do, blink twice."
"Then hurry back and get dressed up. Tonight, sneak over to the Zhao Residence with me."
"Mmph! Mmph!" Dugu Yan blinked twice in quick succession, and only then did Ye Lingling let go.
Dugu Yan took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart. In a soft voice, she said,