After the Yandere Young Lady Proposed to Me

CP: Former Special Operations Team Member x Yandere Heiress (Trying Hard to Be Normal, Refined, Highly Intelligent Lu Qian x Princess Syndrome, Balanced Luck Buff, Clingy Yandere Tan Youning; not a typical older-sister/puppy romance)

Originally titled "My Yandere Employer Always Wants to Marry Me"

On Lu Qian's first day as a private security consultant, her employer, Tan Youning, greeted her with, "Hello. Want to get married?"

Lu Qian: Huh? What kind of Pokemon joke is that?

Rule Ten of the Security Consultant's Code of Conduct reads: Romantic or flirtatious relationships with employers are strictly prohibited.

Lu Qian joked with impeccable manners, "Sorry, I offer my skills, not my body."

Tan Youning coughed lightly, then laughed it off. "Just kidding. Miss Lu isn't my type."

The heiress was surrounded by danger. On Lu Qian's second day, rival local gangs clashed; on the third, there was a hotel fire; and on the fourth, a string of car accidents. A few days later, Lu Qian heard Tan Youning apologize. She replied demurely, "It's all right. I should earn the generous salary the heiress is paying me."

The security consultant was always polite and never crossed the line. Tan Youning watched her for a moment, then turned away.

Only belatedly did Lu Qian realize she'd offended the high-profile, fussy, and ill-tempered heiress. She served her every need: holding an umbrella, carrying her bag, tasting her food, checking the bathwater, lifting her hem, handing her champagne, and going out in a downpour to buy food, even from a shop that had already closed. Lu Qian did it all, calmly.

The woman was famous for her arrogance, yet after a party she leaned drunkenly against Lu Qian, her beautiful fingertips hooked into the boutonniere loop on Lu Qian's suit. With sweet breath, she teased, "My security consultant, are you always this good-natured?"

Lu Qian remained unfailingly polite. "It's my duty to do my job properly."

Tan Youning said, "Then according to the work rules, you've crossed the line." What kind of security consultant would kiss her employer like that?

Lu Qian only smiled. "Whatever my employer needs, Lu Qian will provide. I'm at your service."

Lu Qian discovered that her employer was intensely curious, adept at provoking people, and Defiant. As it happened, Lu Qian was the same way, and she also had a touch of occupational fixation: she liked to do everything perfectly.

Sometimes her employer called her a refined scoundrel, a repressed pervert, and a damned nuisance. Lu Qian took it all in stride, simply smiling as she kissed the heiress's lovely earlobe. "I just want to do well enough. After all, my employer has always been strict about the details."

Tan Youning criticized her. "If you want to do well, you shouldn't be so disobedient."

Lu Qian voiced her objection. "I'm not obedient enough because I like you too much."

They both fell silent for a moment, and the conversation went no further.

Lu Qian knew this was a brief exchange of favors, not something real.

But her employer had exquisite taste in life. She kept the wildflowers Lu Qian brought home in a pottery vase she'd made herself. Her employer grew clingier and clingier, asking for hugs and arms around her waist, always asking when Lu Qian would be back and waiting to have dinner with her. Her employer had picture-perfect features, a soft waist and long legs, and tasted sweet when kissed.

Gradually, Lu Qian began to think they were in a relationship. It wasn't until she saw Tan Youning's royal betrothal arrangement that she realized the truth: to her employer, Lu Qian had only ever been a temporary choice. Time had passed, and it was time to move on.

Half a year later, when someone at a bar asked what kind of person she liked, Lu Qian still thought of her employer's soft lips, delicate fragrance, and stubborn refusal to back down during arguments. One was rigid and oblivious to deep feelings; the other was insecure and always needed reassurance. How could two people like that learn to accommodate each other?

She smiled. "I like someone sweet and obedient." After a moment, she added, "Not too pretty, and not bad-tempered."

Her friends all laughed. "Looks like someone broke your heart."

Lu Qian walked out of the bar alongside a big group of new friends. She wore a crisp, refined white shirt, and every few steps someone asked to add her as a contact. She amiably accepted them all, until someone carrying a familiar fragrance sent her a friend request.

"Hello. Want to get married? ... I'll be good."

Reader's Guide:

1. Younger woman/older woman romance; the setting includes a few supernatural elements.

2. Updates generally at 7 p.m. Before signing, updates follow the rankings; afterward, daily updates.

Theme: Do good deeds, and don't worry about what lies ahead.