The morning sun the next day was exceptionally bright.
Li Bowen, having achieved his desire, held the soft woman in his arms, feeling utterly content.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the room with the warmth of spring.
Wen Xuanyuan woke up hungry. As she opened her eyes, she felt enveloped in warmth, her nose filled with the man's clean, pleasant scent.
Her eyes fell upon a handsome sleeping face. His eyes were closed, his long lashes slightly curled, his nose high-bridged, and even in sleep, his thin lips curved upward, as if dreaming of something pleasant.
Recalling the indiscretion of the previous night, Wen Xuanyuan's face instantly flushed.
Lying in his embrace now, she felt warm, sweet, and incredibly secure.
She reached out, her finger tracing the contours of his brow, her lips curved in a sweet smile.
Li Bowen furrowed his brow slightly and reached out, grasping the mischievous little hand. When he opened his eyes, he saw her, as lovely as a blooming flower.
His mind couldn't help but recall her shy and timid appearance under him the night before.
His heart tightened, his breathing deepened, and he wanted to...
He gazed deeply at Wen Xuanyuan, a burning desire in his eyes that directly scorched Wen Xuanyuan.
Wen Xuanyuan trembled slightly, her voice laced with pleading.
"No, it hurts."
Little did she know, this pleading voice only further stimulated Li Bowen.
However, he knew he couldn't go too far and needed to exercise restraint.
"I'm going to take a shower."
Li Bowen rolled out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
Wen Xuanyuan tightly clutched the quilt, her cheeks flushed.
...
Wen Yan, who had also achieved his desires, was already awake, feeling refreshed and full of energy.
Qiao Xinyue was still asleep, the quilt only reaching her neck. An arm, like a lotus root, was exposed, its fair skin covered in marks.
On the nightstand, several plastic takeout containers were scattered haphazardly, creating a scene of disarray.
Wen Yan tiptoed forward and, in a few quick movements, gathered the trash into the bin.
He looked at the person on the bed with gentle eyes, a faint smile unconsciously curving his lips.
Qiao Xinyue frowned in her sleep and then opened her eyes.
Her hazy eyes met Wen Yan's tender, watery gaze.
Her mind reeled as embarrassing scenes flashed through her memory. She hastily pulled the quilt over her face, too ashamed to face him.
Wen Yan chuckled softly, reached out to stroke her hair, and coaxed her gently, "Be good, no need to hide. I'll wait for you outside, and we'll go eat."
"Mm," Qiao Xinyue's voice was muffled by the quilt.
Hearing his footsteps recede, she slowly revealed her face, the blush still lingering.
Enduring the discomfort in her body, she wrapped herself in a blanket and went to the bathroom to wash up. Just as she was about to change, she remembered her clothes weren't here.
As she was contemplating what to do, Wen Yan's considerate voice came from outside the door.
"I put your clothes by the door."
After a moment, she opened the door to retrieve her clothes. Holding the two intimate pink undergarments, she felt as if they were burning her hands.
She changed quickly and then, with her head lowered, came out of the bathroom.
Wen Yan was sitting on the sofa waiting for her. Hearing the movement, he immediately turned to look at her.
He couldn't help but imagine what she would look like in pink. Last night, she had worn light purple...
Qiao Xinyue was already shy, and sensing his gaze, she hesitated to step forward.
Wen Yan dispelled the chaotic thoughts in his mind, a smile appearing on his face. He said, "Let's go, we're going to eat."
"Mm."
Qiao Xinyue still didn't dare to look at him, only taking small steps towards the door.
Wen Yan quickly walked up to her and naturally placed his hand around her waist.
Qiao Xinyue bit her lip, allowing him to hold her, a deep sense of joy within her.
Just as they were leaving their room, Li Bowen and Wen Xuanyuan were also preparing to go for a meal.
The four of them looked at each other, then, as if nothing had happened, left together.
The meal was exceptionally quiet, as they were genuinely hungry.
They had missed both sunset and sunrise, spent a few days at the beach, taken a yacht ride, and now the group was packing up for their next journey.
As for Lu Li Luo, Wen Xuanyuan had completely forgotten about her after that night.
And after that, she never reappeared.
— Five-Star Grand Hotel —
Today was the engagement banquet for Jiang Zexi and Xia Wanfu.
Gong Zhijing, dressed in a low-key and conservative gown, attended with Ling Yuchen. This was the first time she had seen Han Wenjuan since leaving the Xia family.
As the sole heir of the Jiang family, Jiang Zexi's engagement was naturally grand, with the entire venue decorated exquisitely and luxuriously.
The elite of the business world gathered. The ladies wore gowns of various colors, each vying for attention, creating a picturesque scene everywhere.
The gentlemen were in suits and ties, their faces adorned with polite smiles as they clinked glasses and exchanged pleasantries.
Gong Zhijing and Ling Yuchen became the focus of attention as soon as they appeared, with everyone coming forward to greet them and curry favor.
Ling Yuchen indifferently handled the greetings, shielding Gong Zhijing from all the social obligations.
As they moved through the crowd, just as they were looking for a quiet corner to sit, they saw Situ Jun waving at them.
Situ Jun, with Su Yinwan by his side, looked more composed in his black suit.
Everyone knew that Situ Jun was typically dissolute and willful.
And Ling Yuchen had always been aloof and detached, so generally, no one dared to disturb their small corner.
After being seated, Gong Zhijing and Su Yinwan nodded to each other in greeting.
They weren't close, only acquainted through Ling Yuchen and Situ Jun's friendship.
Because of Situ Jing, Gong Zhijing always found it difficult to wholeheartedly befriend her.
And Su Yinwan seemed to have sensed this, so the two of them maintained a tacit understanding of being mere acquaintances.
Situ Jun picked up a glass of red wine and offered it to Ling Yuchen, then asked with concern, "I heard your grandmother is ill. How is she doing?"
Ling old madam's illness had not been rumored at first, but it gradually became impossible to hide.
The elders of the families often visited each other. When a person who was usually active suddenly stopped going out, and their acquaintances visited, they could sense something was amiss.
Ling Yuchen took a sip of red wine and said faintly, "Dementia. That's how it is."
Situ Jun only knew she was ill but not that it was such a serious illness. He was somewhat surprised, his eyes filled with disbelief.
In his eyes, Madam Ling had always been a kind, benevolent, yet shrewd and capable woman.
She had not been a simple figure in her youth; how could she have contracted such an illness?
And a while ago, Elder Ling had also suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and been hospitalized.
Situ Jun didn't know how to comfort him. However, the elders were all old, and birth, aging, sickness, and death were all part of human nature.
First, his grandmother's passing, then Elder Ling's severe illness, followed by Jiang Zexi's grandmother falling ill and not yet fully recovered, and now this...
Ling Yuchen raised his wine glass to him and said calmly, "Drink."
There was no need for further words. Between brothers, a drink was enough.
The two raised their glasses and drained them in one go, and with their disappearance, a small trace of sadness also vanished.