Cocoon (Lily ABO) - Chapter 28

Han Jingman needed to go into the study to prepare a few things, while Ling Yu sat in the living room waiting for her.

What does she want to talk about? My secret part-time job? Perhaps how I took advantage of her during her induced heat, or my violent behavior in the parking lot? Maybe it’s being reported for marijuana—no, maybe it’s about last night…

Ling Yu kept her eyes downcast, her hands clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Hearing the sound of Han Jingman emerging from the study, she couldn’t help but swallow nervously.

Han Jingman took her seat but wasn’t in a hurry to speak. Instead, she pushed an A4 sheet of paper toward Ling Yu.

The paper was freshly printed, still carrying the scent of ink and a trace of warmth. Ling Yu gripped her hands and looked at the title in confusion. Bolded black letters stood out prominently: “Co-habitation Agreement.”

What?

In an instant, her mind went blank. Ling Yu stared at the paper foolishly, her breathing pausing instinctively.

Han Jingman picked up her glass and took a sip of water to moisten her throat. “Sign it if you have no issues after reading it,” she said, handing over a black signature pen.

“No, wait… hold on a second.”

Ling Yu looked up in shock at the woman holding the water glass. Why a co-habitation agreement? And all these clauses about Party A and Party B… when did Han Jingman prepare this? Didn’t she say she wanted to talk? Why…

Watching Ling Yu, whose pupils were slightly dilated with surprise, Han Jingman kindly reached out a fair hand to pinch the corner of the paper and began to explain for her:

“Co-habitation Clause One: When Party A is away from home for a long period due to business trips or other matters, Party B must take diligent care of all potted plants, including but not limited to daily watering, pest control, and ensuring sufficient sunlight.

Clause Two: Party A and Party B must not bring others home without the other’s permission, including but not limited to classmates, friends, and coworkers.

Clause Three: Due to Party A’s busy work schedule, Party B must take the initiative to handle Party A’s living and dining arrangements every weekend, including but not limited to grocery shopping and cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Clause Four: Party B needs to assist Party A in completing the dusting and cleaning of the entire house every week.

Clause Five: The rent Party B needs to pay monthly will be automatically converted into the food and labor costs mentioned in Clauses Three and Four.

Clause Six: In public, Party B must respectfully address Party A as ‘Teacher.’ In private, Party B is not restricted.

Clause Seven: Without Party A’s consent, Party B may not enter Party A’s bedroom.

Clause Eight: The living room, study, and kitchen are common areas; Party A and Party B may move freely within them.

Clause Nine: If Party B wishes to terminate the lease, they must inform Party A half a month in advance.

Clause Ten…

Final Clause: This agreement shall take effect immediately upon signing.”

After finishing, Han Jingman took another small sip of water. Speaking so much at once made her throat a bit dry. Seeing no reaction for a long time, she glanced at the person opposite her, only to find Ling Yu sitting there like a wooden statue, her eyes glazed over.

Has she gone into a trance?

Han Jingman waved her hand in front of Ling Yu’s eyes. “Ling Yu, are you okay?”

Ling Yu finally blinked and snapped back to reality. Her ink-black eyes seemed to shimmer with moisture. She lightly bit the soft flesh on the inside of her cheek; the slight sting and the tip of her tongue brushing the mark helped her suppress the wild joy in her heart. Ling Yu spoke with difficulty, “So, the ‘Co-habitation Agreement’… is this what you wanted to talk to me about?”

Han Jingman nodded. “Correct. Do you see any issues with the content? If you do, I’ll go back and revise it.”

Han Jingman made a move as if to get up and fetch her laptop from the study, but Ling Yu grabbed the pen and pressed down on the paper, quickly signing her name.

“No need. The agreement is fine. I’m done signing.”

Glancing at the two words “Ling Yu” in the Party B signature slot, Han Jingman contentedly took the pen and elegantly signed her own name.

“Alright. The agreement is in duplicate. I’ll scan it later and send it to your email.” Han Jingman gathered the papers and prepared to stand, but Ling Yu called out to her.

“Wait a second. Why do you want to live with me?”

Ling Yu looked at the woman who had turned her head to stare straight at her. For a moment, she didn’t dare meet Han Jingman’s eyes. Her heart was pounding, her stomach felt like it was doing somersaults, and she wanted to kick herself for asking such a stupid question.

“Does Xiao Yu actually not want to live with me?”

Han Jingman raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a faint hint of surprise and dejection.

“Of course not!” In her urgency, Ling Yu nearly stood up. She rubbed the hem of her shirt and said tremulously, “It’s just… a bit sudden.”

It truly was sudden. Their relationship had practically dropped to freezing point recently, then she had nearly gotten herself into serious trouble, and then she fell ill and coincidentally hit her heat—leading the two of them to sleep together in a total mess. Everything between them had been laid bare; shouldn’t they solve what happened last night first? Ling Yu’s head began to droop toward her chest as she thought.

“Oh, I see,” Han Jingman replied neutrally. “Because it’s dangerous for Xiao Yu to live alone. Diana said that the staff turnover at that shared house is high and no one knows each other. What if you get sick again? Grandma would be very worried, and the lab work wouldn’t be able to continue. Xiao Yu surely doesn’t want Grandma to worry. Furthermore, as your sister and your boss, I am taking the initiative to look after my sister and show consideration for my student. Are those reasons sufficient?”

“Yes… sufficient.” Ling Yu, lacking confidence, didn’t dare meet Han Jingman’s righteous gaze. Torn, she still couldn’t help but ask one more time,

“So, you really, really just wanted to talk about co-habitation?” Her toes curled inside her slippers, and her heart was racing. She was still agonizing over the events of the previous night.

Han Jingman looked at her with a half-smile. “Otherwise? If I asked why you’re working at Strings when the university pays you a stipend, would you tell me now?”

Ling Yu’s face went white again, and her shoulders slumped instinctively. She nervously fiddled with her fingers, biting her lip and mumbling, “I… actually…”

“It’s okay. You can tell me whenever you’re ready. I can wait. After all, we are roommates now. We have! All! The! Time! In! The! World!”

Han Jingman smiled and waved the agreement in her hand, gently cutting off Ling Yu’s explanation, and then turned to the study to scan the document.

Ling Yu hugged her arms and shivered. Even though Han Jingman had an understanding smile on her face, for some reason, Ling Yu heard a chilling sense of “gritted teeth” in that last sentence.

Emerging from the study and seeing Ling Yu still rooted to the sofa, Han Jingman softly reminded her, “I’ve sent the agreement to your email.”

Ling Yu hurriedly responded.

“To celebrate the signing today, you’ll be in charge of dinner. No problem, right?”

Han Jingman gave a shallow yawn and languidly brushed her long hair, then walked slowly toward the bedroom in her slippers. “I’m too tired. I’m going to take a nap now. The keys are on the shoe cabinet. Please try to finish moving your luggage before dinner, Xiao Yu.”

Ling Yu stared at the closed bedroom door, her brow slowly furrowing. She felt as if she had missed some crucial detail.