Lemon Drop

Blurb:

The first time Ji Ning saw Pei Xiaoxuan was in the ultra-luxurious "secluded pavilion" at a private resort.

The pavilion had only two private rooms: Golden Bough and South Mountain in Sight.

Ji Ning had always worked in the ordinary private rooms. On her very first visit, she delivered a dish to the wrong place and blundered into "South Mountain in Sight," the room reserved for the business world's revered deity.

The woman wore a sheer white lace slip dress. Her neckline plunged deeply, revealing a long knife scar. Her eyelids were lowered, and her gaze held an air of nobility and indifference.

Her long, slender legs were crossed. The high slit of her skirt fell in soft folds, and her wine-red toes tapped idly.

Dim light passed through the glass of her wine cup, scattering in her slowly raised eyes. She was beautiful and cold, impossible to look away from.

The tray in Ji Ning's hands wobbled.

"Was this delivered to the wrong room?"

The final syllables, low and husky, nearly vanished beneath the classical music in the private room.

Ji Ning nodded.

Pei Xiaoxuan did not let her leave.

*

Rumor had it that the business world's revered deity was

At home in both black and white, ruthless in her methods

Upright and proper, sparing with words

Never the one to make the first move, and keeping strangers at arm's length

Rumor had it that the business world's revered deity was

Unable to tolerate even the smallest mistake, able to curse without using a single dirty word, and a ruthless figure who never gave anyone a second glance, yet whom no one dared offend...

Ji Ning thought: ...She's not really like that, is she?

*

Later.

The business world's revered deity, who always went only to "South Mountain in Sight," came to an ordinary private room for the first time.

"Love? That's medicine for the poor." Pei Xiaoxuan swirled her wineglass, her gaze cool. "I lack nothing, so naturally I don't need anyone's love."

Ji Ning happened to overhear her. She swallowed and didn't dare say a word.

*

Later still.

Everyone said Ji Ning had been unbelievably lucky that day. She had trespassed into "South Mountain in Sight" without being thrown out, and the revered deity had even singled her out to stay and serve.

Only Ji Ning knew it had nothing to do with luck.

Pei Xiaoxuan had fallen "ill."

She had developed an illness that made her want to bite and nibble Ji Ning whenever she saw her.

# Part-time employee at a private resort (22) vs. beautiful, cold, and unhinged business-world deity (32) #

Bonus scene:

Someone: They say that deity-level big shot likes her companions to wear green lace underwear. (very quietly)

Ji Ning: ...She's not really like that, is she? At least, I've never worn any.

Pei Xiaoxuan: Then do you want to? (quietly taking it from a birthday gift bag)

Ji Ning, her little face turning crimson: If I said that's not what I meant, would you believe me...

Reader's guide:

1. Pursuer top, one-on-one, younger woman and older woman (10-year age gap)

2. Class difference + pathological attachment

3. The blurb may be revised again later. Both the new and old versions are available on Big Eyes (2026/10/15)

Theme: One day, you'll be grateful to the person you worked so hard to become.