Shen Wuxiao gently held Jiang Huaiyue’s hand, stroking it softly. “If you’re feeling upset, you can let it out. I’ll allow it.”
Jiang Huaiyue glared at him. “Are you serious? You actually want your woman to grieve over another man?”
Shen Wuxiao traced a playful pattern on her palm. “Weren’t you comrades-in-arms? It’s natural to have a bond.”
Jiang Huaiyue shook her head. “I never regret my choices. If we meet again, we’ll be nothing but strangers.”
She narrowed her beautiful eyes and stared at him. “But tell me this—are you really not jealous?”
Her expression was serious, tinged with anger.
Shen Wuxiao smiled calmly. “Why should I be? Why hold on to the past? Besides, you and Lin Fan were comrades, not lovers.”
Jiang Huaiyue nodded. “That’s true.”
But in the very next moment, a new thought struck her. Her expression changed.
She climbed over from the passenger seat to sit directly on Shen Wuxiao’s lap, grabbing his collar, face to face.“I have a question. You must answer me honestly!”
Shen Wuxiao, enjoying her closeness, wrapped an arm around her slender waist. “Ask.”
Jiang Huaiyue stared into his eyes. “I’m your woman, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then how come I don’t even know your full name?”
“You say your surname is Sikong, but what’s your real name?”
Shen Wuxiao smiled slyly. “Why don’t you guess?”
He knew the time had come. Since her connection with Lin Fan had been severed, it was best to come clean now. If he waited, the truth might hurt more later.
Jiang Huaiyue looked puzzled. “Guess? How could I possibly guess your name? What am I supposed to say—Shen Wuxiao?”
She said it jokingly, not expecting anything.
But Shen Wuxiao just gave a gentle smile and remained silent.
Jiang Huaiyue froze. “Wait… Are you really Shen Wuxiao?”
Shen Wuxiao nodded. “Yes. Shen Wuxiao.”
Jiang Huaiyue raised her hand to cover her mouth, stunned.
She was the strategist of the Sirius Squad—sharp-minded, analytical—but right now, her mind went completely blank.
After a long silence, she finally spoke. “You… you’re not lying?”
“No,” Shen Wuxiao said frankly. “I just chose the right moment to tell you.”
She stared at him in disbelief, her body trembling.
Her thoughts raced back to everything that had happened in Zhonghai. Suddenly, the pieces began to fall into place.
“Manager Xie from that hotel… he works for you, doesn’t he? You had him guide me to you!”
“Yes,” Shen Wuxiao admitted.
“And those two strange men and women… the ones who seemed like demons…”
“They’re bodyguards. Assigned by my family.”
Jiang Huaiyue’s voice cracked. “So every step between us… all of it was your plan…”
Shen Wuxiao nodded again. “Yes. It was manipulative—but if I had the chance to do it all again, I would.”
Jiang Huaiyue’s eyes filled with tears. A mist covered her gaze as crystal drops slid down her cheeks. Her lips trembled.
Shen Wuxiao reached out to wipe her tears, his expression filled with guilt and care.
“Then… what about your feelings for me?” she asked, voice trembling. “Was that real—or just part of the plan?”
She was terrified. She feared hearing him say she was just a pawn in his mission to take down Lin Fan. If he said that, she knew her heart would shatter completely.
But Shen Wuxiao didn’t hesitate.
He held her close, his arms warm around her.
“Some things are mutual,” he said gently. “When I was calculating you… I was also being pulled in myself.”
“I might be ruthless, but I’m not heartless. My feelings for you are real.”
“The reason I’m telling you everything now is because I know—the longer I hide it, the harder it’ll be for you to accept.”
Jiang Huaiyue stayed quiet for a long while. Then she whispered, “Mm,” and hugged him tightly.
Shen Wuxiao patted her back. “Take your time to process everything.”
She didn’t reply, just held on to him silently.
After a long pause, she murmured, “Let’s not go anywhere… I feel tired.”
“Alright,” Shen Wuxiao replied. He got out of the car with her in his arms and carried her back into the villa.
Inside, he laid her gently on the bed and lay down beside her. He pulled the blanket over them.
Jiang Huaiyue didn’t say a word the entire time—she just clung to him.
Shen Wuxiao rested his forehead against hers. Their eyes met.
Then, without warning, he kissed her.
At first, Jiang Huaiyue simply accepted the kiss—but soon, she began to respond. The warmth between them ignited.
Clothes scattered. The air heated with passion. Time passed, and everything quieted once more.
Whatever emotional gap had existed between them… it was now completely gone.
Jiang Huaiyue’s heart had softened again.
Looking at him, she sighed. “I never thought someone so wicked could have such a calculating mind.”
“Do you know how scared I was when you said you were Shen Wuxiao?”
“Scared?” Shen Wuxiao teased.
She lightly punched his chest. “Don’t pretend! You know exactly how I felt.”
He smiled. “I may not be a good person, but my love for you is sincere. You have nothing to fear.”
Jiang Huaiyue felt her heart settle.
But she still held a trace of anger. Everything had been part of his plan—from the very start.
Back then, she had thought the male and female bodyguards were just eccentric. Ruthless, but oddly passive. Why didn’t they attack? Why did they just throw her and Shen Wuxiao onto a bed?
Now she knew—it wasn’t them. It was him—this cunning man beside her—pulling the strings all along.
She narrowed her eyes. “How did you know I’d come to Zhonghai for Lin Fan?”
Shen Wuxiao laughed. “You’ve forgotten the season already? Autumn is over.”
Then he added with a grin, “There’s nothing in the entire Dragon Country that I don’t know. Believe it?”
Jiang Huaiyue nodded. “I believe you.”
“I’m not from Zhonghai. I’m from the imperial capital. My Shen family is the number one family in Dragon Country.”
“Do you know Shen Tianhong?”
Jiang Huaiyue’s eyes widened. “Of course. He’s the strongest man in Dragon Country.”
Shen Wuxiao nodded proudly. “Yeah. He’s my dad—your future father-in-law.”
Jiang Huaiyue was speechless.
It took her a moment to absorb it. Then she grabbed Shen Wuxiao’s ear and tugged hard. “If your dad’s that strong, how come you’re so weak?!”
Shen Wuxiao groaned. He didn’t argue—he had looked weak before.
“Hey, I’m no rookie,” he protested. “I’m the only one who can stop time in a domain. Did you really think that was the doing of those bodyguards?”
Jiang Huaiyue’s memory clicked, and she suddenly laughed.
“Wait… what level are you, anyway?”
“Sixth grade, fifth level.”
Jiang Huaiyue’s eyes widened again.
So he had been hiding his strength all this time…