In Kyoto, at a five-star hotel.
In front of the floor-to-ceiling window, the light-colored curtains reflected two figures pressed close together, intertwined in an ambiguous embrace.
Situ Jun’s arm circled Su Yinwan’s slender waist, his face buried in her neck as he greedily breathed in her intoxicating fragrance.
Su Yinwan’s eyes flickered, her gaze ablaze with passion. The heat of his breath on her skin sent shivers through her.
Her red lips parted slightly, and a captivating voice whispered out. Her cheeks were flushed pink, making her look even more alluring.
Her fair, delicate wrist pressed against his chest, her voice now soft and powerless.
“Situ Jun, you scoundrel!”
Situ Jun let out a light chuckle and leaned closer, calling out in a provoking tone, “Yinyin, are you still running away?”
Su Yinwan could only glare at him powerlessly, her eyes filled with anger.
Situ Jun playfully kissed her red lips, his voice husky and languid, “When will you come home with me to meet my parents?”
Su Yinwan’s gaze dimmed for a moment. Although she had agreed to be with Situ Jun, she lacked the courage to go home with him.
This was because she felt she had never been favored by elders since she was young.
If she went home with him, it was very likely they would part ways.
But she didn’t want that, for she had already fallen deeply for him.
Her inferiority complex was etched into her bones, as she had been considered a “bad kid” by adults since childhood.
Situ Jun, sensitive to her emotional shift, immediately pulled her into his embrace, his voice softening.
“What’s wrong?”
Su Yinwan covered his eyes and pressed herself tightly into his arms.
“It’s nothing, I just don’t want to see your parents yet…”
Situ Jun wouldn’t force her, of course. He simply held her tightly, as if wanting to meld her into his being.
He whispered into her ear, his husky, magnetic voice laced with a strong sense of possession.
“Ze Xi and Bo Wen are already engaged, and Yu Chen is about to get married. Don’t keep me waiting too long, I’m eager to marry you.”
A man who truly cared about a woman would only try his best to marry her, to give her a proper status.
Su Yinwan fell silent, her arms wrapping around his neck, and she kissed him.
…
Three days later.
Gong Zhi Jing woke up early in the morning.
Today, the Ling family was coming to propose, so the Gong family was exceptionally busy.
She changed into a red dress, its fitted style perfectly showcasing her graceful figure.
Her hair was all pulled back into a high ponytail, making her look youthful and radiant, nothing like a mother.
Gong Ye had been busy downstairs since early morning, arranging the banquet, taking the proposal very seriously.
Gong Zhi Jing came downstairs with her child.
She found the entire first floor tidied up neatly.
She scanned the surroundings and found Gong Ye in the living room. Gong Zhi Jing called out.
“Dad!”
Gong Ye looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness.
“Yes.”
After responding, he reached out and took his granddaughter.
“Go eat breakfast, I’ll watch the child.”
Gong Zhi Jing nodded, feeling exceptionally happy. She hadn’t seen Ling Yu Chen in three days and was starting to miss him.
Sitting at the dining table, she listened to the bustle from the kitchen.
The hissing of the pressure cooker stewing something, the sizzling of the frying pan, accompanied by waves of aroma.
Today’s busyness was all for her.
And her father, who had arranged everything on his own, not letting her help with anything.
With a complex mix of emotions, she finished breakfast and then took Ling Le You for a walk in the yard.
Quietly waiting for Ling Yu Chen’s arrival.
Proposals usually happened in the morning, so they would definitely arrive before noon.
Time ticked by.
Around ten o’clock in the morning, several cars slowly drove into the Gong family’s courtyard and parked one after another.
The first car carried Ling Yu Chen and his parents.
The second car was for Jiang Ze Xi and Xia Wan Fu.
The third car was for Li Bo Wen, accompanied by Wen Xuan Xuan and Qiao Xin Yue.
The fourth car was for Situ Jun and Su Yin Wan.
The remaining cars were for bodyguards.
They had all arrived.
Ling Yu Chen was wearing a formal black suit today, exuding an imposing and powerful aura.
The first thing he did upon exiting the car was look towards Gong Zhi Jing, then he walked directly towards her.
He hadn’t seen her in three days and was already driven mad with longing.
Gong Zhi Jing greeted everyone with a smile.
“Everyone, please come in and sit.”
As she spoke, she glanced at Ling Yu Chen, handed him the child, and a hint of joy flickered in her eyes.
Ling Yu Chen took his daughter, but his gaze remained fixed on Gong Zhi Jing.
Gong Zhi Jing avoided his gaze and continued greeting the others.
“Mom, Dad.”
Ling Jun Ye nodded gently, while Zhu Yun Fei responded with a smile before going to dote on her granddaughter.
“Xuan Xuan, Xin Yue.”
Wen Xuan Xuan and Qiao Xin Yue exchanged casual greetings with her, then curiously began to look around.
“Congratulations,” Xia Wan Fu stepped forward, offering her sincere blessings.
Gong Zhi Jing responded with a faint smile, “Thank you.”
“Congratulations, sister-in-law,” Situ Jun, with Su Yin Wan’s slender waist in his arm, walked over.
Gong Zhi Jing responded to everyone one by one, watching them enter the house.
Finally, only she and Ling Yu Chen remained.
Ling Yu Chen, holding his daughter, turned his head to look at Gong Zhi Jing, a slight smile on his lips.
“You look very beautiful today.”
Gong Zhi Jing cast him a look devoid of any reaction and quickly walked into the house, but a radiant smile bloomed on her face as she turned back.
Upon entering, everyone had taken their seats on the living room sofas, with fruits and tea snacks already laid out on the coffee table.
However, everyone was still looking around with curiosity, clearly interested in the architectural style of the house.
Many years ago, one would not have been ordinary to be able to build such a French-style villa.
“Uncle Gong is truly amazing. The plaque hanging at the entrance is so majestic!”
Wen Xuan Xuan exclaimed with sparkling eyes. Although she had seen it during the livestream, seeing it in person was still breathtaking.
Gong Ye smiled at her, his gaze very gentle.
“It’s merely the nation’s favor, just for show.”
Despite his words, he felt a measure of pride in his heart. This was the honor his family had cultivated through generations.
And for Wen Xuan Xuan, he was grateful.
After investigation, he learned that if she hadn’t taken care of his daughter over the years, she would have suffered much more.
“Uncle Gong, you’re just being modest. Such an honor is rare to find anywhere else in the country.”
Wen Xuan Xuan was genuinely admiring, her gaze towards Gong Ye filled with light.
The others were the same as her, their respect evident.
Especially Xia Wan Fu, who felt deeply moved and, at the same time, a stronger sense of guilt arose within her.
Such a selfless and brave person, and yet she had treated his daughter so poorly.
And her own life of comfort and luxury was all thanks to Gong Zhi Jing.
Thinking of her past arrogance and her disdain for Gong Zhi Jing, she felt utterly ashamed.