Shen Yue finished work and packed her belongings. Luo Kai was already waiting for her by the door.
As they exited the coffee shop, Shen Yue spotted the discreet yet luxurious Bentley on the street almost immediately.
Though the windows were tightly sealed, Shen Yue could sense that the person in the driver's seat was staring intently at her.
She pursed her lips and turned to the tall man beside her, offering an apologetic smile. "Xiao Luo, my friend is here to pick me up. Why don't you head back first?"
Luo Kai remained silent for a long moment before finally murmuring a soft "Okay."
Only after the man's figure disappeared did Shen Yue approach the car.
From the hidden corner, a man silently watched the woman get into the luxury vehicle.
The burning sensation in his chest intensified, as if it were consuming his flesh along with it.
As soon as Shen Yue closed the car door, before she could utter a word, the man beside her hooked his arm around her neck, his hot breath washing over her.
Xie Jiang Sheng said nothing, solely focused on kissing her. His large, warm hand pressed against the back of her neck, neutralizing all her struggles.
Eventually, Shen Yue lost all strength and leaned softly against the passenger seat. Her vibrant lips were swollen, glistening with a layer of moisture. Her eyelashes, like raven's feathers, were damp with condensation, making her appear exceptionally delicate and endearing.
Her mind was hazy, her lips numb, as if she hadn't quite recovered.
Xie Jiang Sheng caressed Shen Yue's moist, bright red lips with his rough fingertip, his voice laced with a gentle smile. However, his eyes, fixed on hers, were dark and devoid of light, shadowed by the looming presence of a coming storm.
"Who was that person you came out with just now?"
As Shen Yue's senses returned, she heard his question and felt a mix of helplessness and amusement. "Just a colleague."
Xie Jiang Sheng's grip tightened, his finger further irritating her already swollen and chapped lips, making them even redder, like a strawberry on the verge of being crushed, as if sweet juice might spill out at any second.
"Mmm..." Shen Yue flinched in pain, retracting her neck. Her thick eyelashes trembled with tension. Her soft, delicate fingers pressed against the hand that was causing her discomfort.
"Mr. Xie, he's really just a regular colleague. Please don't overthink it, okay?"
Her expression was pure and a little timid, not at all like she was lying.
Xie Jiang Sheng let out a soft hum, his expression softening slightly. He stroked her exquisite face and said in a low voice,
"I don't like you being so close to others."
Shen Yue's dark eyes curved upwards, revealing shallow dimples. Her eyes seemed to hold tiny, scattered stars.
She was utterly obedient.
"Okay."
This completely satisfied Xie Jiang Sheng's almost obsessive desire for control. He couldn't resist lowering his head and kissing her again.
Xie Jiang Sheng took Shen Yue to dinner. Perhaps to celebrate this special day, he chose a restaurant on the top floor of a skyscraper.
Looking up, one could see the diamond-like stars against the night sky. Looking down, one could see the scattered city lights and colorful neon signs, a scene of prosperity.
Shen Yue had never dined in such a grand setting before and felt a little flustered.
While she appeared calm on the surface, her hands, hidden beneath the table, nervously clutched her clothes.
A vase on the table held a bouquet of beautiful, pure lilies. Their petals were like crystal-clear glass, radiating a holy radiance and emitting a captivating fragrance.
"They're so beautiful." Shen Yue couldn't help but show her joy, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at them.
Xie Jiang Sheng merely glanced at them casually before withdrawing his gaze. "If you like them, I can buy you a bouquet after dinner."
The woman extended her fingers, white as jade, to gently touch the petals of a lily. Her delicate and beautiful features, bathed in the warm light, seemed to possess an almost unreal beauty.
Her soft voice was like a gentle breeze. She tilted her head, her dimples showing, "Mr. Xie, do you know the meaning of lilies?"
Before the man could reply, Shen Yue lowered her long eyelashes. A faint shadow fell beneath her fair face, like fine raven's feathers adorning the skin below her eyelids.
"They symbolize purity and solemnity."
Xie Jiang Sheng's heart suddenly gave a jolt. Before he could react, a waiter brought the dishes.
His thoughts interrupted, Xie Jiang Sheng didn't ponder further.
Xie Jiang Sheng put on disposable gloves and placed the peeled crab meat onto Shen Yue's plate, a faint smile on his lips. "The seafood here is excellent. See if you like it."
Every movement the man made was filled with charm. When he fixed his amorous gaze upon someone, almost no one could resist.
Shen Yue picked up her chopsticks, lowered her head, and took a bite. The crab meat was fresh and juicy, tender yet firm, with a delicate texture that left a lingering taste.
Shen Yue couldn't help but nod. "It's delicious."
A smile flickered in Xie Jiang Sheng's eyes. "If you like it, I'll bring you here often."
Shen Yue kept her head lowered and didn't speak, the tips of her ears turning red.
After dinner, Xie Jiang Sheng drove Shen Yue back to her apartment building. He watched until her figure disappeared before driving away.
Xie Jiang Sheng returned to his villa. A woman in a bathrobe sat on the sofa; she was his wife in name.
Having likely waited for a long time, impatience was evident in her eyes. Upon seeing Xie Jiang Sheng, she put down her phone.
Xu Tian fiddled with a strand of hair in front of her chest. "Why are you back so late?"
Xie Jiang Sheng merely cast a casual glance at her, his expression entirely indifferent, too weary even to feign politeness.
Xu Tian seemed accustomed to this and didn't find it unusual. Her question was merely perfunctory. She glanced at her freshly done nail art and said nonchalantly, "We have to go back to the old house the day after tomorrow. Don't forget. The old man called earlier, urging me, saying no matter what reason we have, it won't be accepted the day after tomorrow."
The two were only husband and wife in name, lacking any actual marital relationship. Xu Tian rarely stayed in this villa. She enjoyed leisure and often traveled to different places. They met only a handful of times a year, perhaps fewer.
The man, dressed in a suit and looking handsome, simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Just as he was about to go upstairs, Xu Tian spoke again.
"The old man said he wants to hold his grandson. What are your thoughts on this? I'm open to anything."
This was also the reason Xu Tian had returned. They had been married for three years but had no children. The elders were anxious and had urged them repeatedly. Xu Tian finally had no choice but to come back.
Their marriage was initially a business arrangement, with no emotional foundation. They had met very few times over the past three years. However, no matter how wild she was outside, they had to have a child.
Xie Jiang Sheng's steps halted. He didn't turn around, his tall, slender figure exuding an undeniable charm even from behind.
For such an outstanding man, Xu Tian naturally felt no reservations. She was the one benefiting.
She assumed Xie Jiang Sheng would agree, as she knew his true nature—a businessman who prioritized profit over emotion, a terrifyingly rational individual.