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The long night continued, and the dawn’s light broke in silently. 

The next day, Ye An woke up quite late as usual. However, she woke up slightly when Xie Shuo got out of bed. She asked hoarsely, half awake, “Are you going to the office?”

Xie Shuo kissed her on the forehead while holding her in his arms, saying, “It’s Saturday today, so I don’t need to go to the office. Go back to sleep for a while.”

Hearing this, Ye An closed her eyes again and returned to sleep. 

When she opened her eyes again, it was already past ten, and the sunlight outside was a bit dazzling.

Taking a moment to laze, she massaged her sore back and dragged her legs to the bathroom to wash up.

After freshening up, she changed into a loose cotton dress and dragged her feet out of the bedroom. She noticed that the study door was open, seeming as if someone was inside. 

Having little inclination to go downstairs for breakfast, she headed straight for the study.

As expected, Xie Shuo was inside. 

The sunlight illuminated the room. He stood by the desk, his figure tall and lean. Holding a stack of paper, his shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing a defined wrist. His side profile was even more distinct due to the shadows and light.

His composed appearance was a stark contrast from yesterday night.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around. “Awake?”

Ye An walked over, leaning in to see what he was holding. “What are you looking at?”

Xie Shuo, however, moved the papers away, not letting her see.

Ye An, with keen eyes, still caught a glimpse of the big, bold words “Divorce Agreement” on top of the paper.

It was the document she had drafted with her lawyer, signed by her only.

When she moved out previously, she also brought the divorce papers with her. After moving back, Xie Shuo had handled her belongings, so it wasn’t surprising that the divorce papers were now in his possession. 

A thought came to mind, and Ye An decided to tease him. She reached out to grab it. 

Xie Shuo seemed to have anticipated her move, swiftly evading and walking toward the shredder, intending to shred the papers. 

Seeing this, Ye An hurried over, wrapping her arms around his waist and trying to snatch the papers. “Don’t shred them yet. I didn’t even agree!”

Glancing at her, Xie Shuo held her hand and decisively fed the papers into the shredder. 

“What’s the use of keeping unnecessary things?”

“…….”

Ye An was a little angry and said intentionally, “It’s useless to shred them. I still have a copy!” 

Xie Shuo clearly didn’t believe her words. He wrapped his arm around her, leading her to sit on the sofa.

He wore a white button-up, with the top buttons casually undone, the hem slightly loose and not as meticulously arranged as when he usually went out. Wrinkles formed around his waist. 

Ye An liked seeing him in a button-up as he appeared noble and easy on the eyes. 

She glanced at him, charmed by his looks, and felt her irritation easing a bit. 

They had established their agreement and set the terms for their divorce right in this study, too. 

Back then, he was much colder and more distant than he was now, often wearing a sour expression, radiating an icy aura. Every expression he wore showed a disdain for her. 

Thinking back to those times, she couldn’t resist jabbing his chest with her finger. “Now you’re tearing up the agreement? Do you want me to remind you of how you used to despise me back then? And how you readily agreed to divorce as soon as you regained your vision?” 

Xie Shuo remained silent as if what she said had nothing to do with him. 

Ye An nestled against him, scratching lightly at his jaw and smiling. “Does your face hurt, President Xie?”

Looking down, Xie Shuo caught her finger and leaned down to kiss her. 

Ye An pressed against his chest and turned her face away before saying haughtily, “Don’t use this trick; it doesn’t work!”

She shifted to sit on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, staring at him. “Don’t forget, you still owe me sweet nothings. I asked you to say it that day, and you never did.”

Xie Shuo looked at her, remaining silent. 

Ye An raised her chin. “Is it that hard to coax me?”

Ye An didn’t really need to hear sweet nothings from him. She just couldn’t resist teasing him when he always appeared aloof and serious.

With her gorgeous face so close, Xie Shuo suddenly recalled many things—her tender voice amid the darkness and his first sight of her when he regained his vision. 

Bathed in the warm winter sun, her eyes sparkled. 

After a while, he held her hand and looked into her eyes before saying, “I can’t see anyone else, only you.”

The man’s voice was deep, carrying a hint of rare tenderness and lovingness. 

Ye An was briefly taken aback before bursting into laughter.

Hearing such sweet words from him felt so out of character!

Although it was so uncharacteristic, Ye An’s ears turned slightly red, and her heart skipped a beat.

She raised her chin in a haughty manner, unable to conceal the smile at the corner of her lips. “Barely passable.”

Xie Shuo smiled amusedly, leaning forward to kiss her on the lips before holding her waist. “Shall we go downstairs for lunch?”

Ye An stood up, letting him lead her outside.

As they stepped out, the wind brushed past, causing the curtains to ripple like water.

It was already 11 a.m. Ye An had skipped breakfast and directly had lunch.

After lunch, they returned to the study. Xie Shuo leaned against the sofa, going through documents, while Ye An grabbed a book and leaned against his shoulder to accompany him.

The bright sunlight shone in, creating a serene atmosphere. 

“Do you want to go horseback riding?” Xie Shuo suddenly asked, glancing at his phone.

Ye An looked up, her eyes sparkling. “Today?”

“Tomorrow.”

Xie Shuo glanced meaningfully at her waist and legs. “You rest today.”

Meeting his gaze, Ye An almost immediately understood his meaning. A faint blush appeared on her face, and she couldn’t help but glare at him.

Xie Shuo smiled.

Noticing his smile, Ye An playfully kicked him. “Stop smiling!”

Xie Shuo seized her delicate ankle, and his slender fingers moved upward. He leaned down to kiss her.

Ye An purposefully dodged, determined not to let him do as he pleased. In no time, the two of them tangled up together.

……

6 p.m.

After dinner, Xie Shuo suddenly asked Ye An to change clothes and accompany him outside.

Once in the car, Ye An questioned, “Where are we going?”

Xie Shuo rubbed her hand and smiled, “You’ll know when we get there.”

As the car drove through the night, lights shimmered along the way.

It wasn’t until they got out of the car that Ye An realized that he brought her to an auction.

The venue was brightly lit, and they took seats in the front row. Ye An vaguely recognized two or three familiar faces, people she had seen at previous banquets, including a certain heiress who had tried to Xie Shuo before.

When she spotted her and Xie Shuo, her expression soured. 

Xie Shuo turned around, leaning close to Ye An’s ear. “If you see something you like, tell me.”

Meeting the gleam in his eyes, Ye An’s heart skipped a beat. She raised an eyebrow deliberately. “Why the sudden urge to buy me a gift?”

Xie Shuo smiled, whispering, “To coax you.”

Sweet nothings were nothing compared to tangible gifts. Ye An’s cheeks flushed, thinking to herself that this man seemed to have had a recent surge in thoughtfulness. 

Soon, the auction began, with the rhythmic sounds of bidding echoing through the venue.

In the end, Ye An successfully bid for a pair of earrings and a bracelet. During the bidding for the bracelet, Xie Shuo even engaged in a playful competition with someone else.

When they returned home, it was 10:30 p.m.

Considering they were going to go horseback riding the next day, Xie Shuo was unusually merciful and didn’t torment her too much, simply embracing her and going to bed early.

Ye An, however, found herself unable to fall asleep. Turning around, she gazed at the blurry silhouette in the darkness. It took her a long time to finally drift off to sleep, lulled by his steady and prolonged breaths.

……

The next day, with clear skies and crisp air, the couple headed to a horse ranch in the suburbs. 

Upon arrival, Ye An spotted several familiar faces—Xie Yuran, Xin Li, Jiang Shiyan… and Xin Li’s brother, Xin Yu.

Indeed, as Xin Li had described, her brother was refined and gentle, appearing to have a good temper.

After exchanging greetings, everyone went to change clothes and pick out their horses.

Ye An and Xin Li walked together. In the dressing room, Xin Li chatted with her for a while but didn’t bring up matchmaking her with her brother, unlike the last time. It wasn’t clear if it was because Xie Shuo was around.

A short while later, Xin Li finished changing and left after informing Ye An.

It was Ye An’s first time horseback riding, and she spent quite some time in front of the mirror getting ready before heading outside. 

Under the brilliant spring sun and a gentle breeze, the emerald green meadow stretched toward the horizon like a flowing tide.

Xie Shuo had already chosen a horse and was waiting for her outside.

He wore a black riding outfit, standing tall with a stern expression. Ye An couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat again at the sight of him. The sunlight shone on her face, turning it slightly red.

In the azure sky, wisps of clouds floated by. Xie Shuo stood in the sunlight, gazing at her from a distance.

Ye An had tied her hair up, revealing her smooth forehead. With her striking features, combined with her riding attire, she looked heroic. 

Approaching him, she glanced at the horse he was holding by the reins and somewhat timidly admitted, “I don’t know how to ride.” 

“I’ll teach you,” Xie Shuo said, reaching out to support her waist and helping her onto the saddle.

Getting on the horse wasn’t too difficult, but once she was up there, she wasn’t quite used to it, so her body swayed a bit.

As she adjusted and settled into the saddle, Xie Shuo took hold of the reins and slowly led the horse forward, instructing her along the way.

Jiang Shiyan just so happened to emerge with a horse and witnessed the scene, making a playful remark.

Xie Shuo paid him no mind, but Ye An felt a bit uneasy.

Xie Shuo had become more high-profile lately, taking her everywhere. She wasn’t sure if it was simply due to the honeymoon phase or an effort to dispel the rumors of their divorce.

After circling for two or three laps, fearing that he might be bored, Ye An suggested, “Why don’t you also go pick a horse for yourself? Don’t worry about me; I can ride on my own for a bit.”

Instead of leaving, Xie Shuo let go of the reins and mounted the horse, sitting behind her and wrapping his arms around her.

Then, he took the reins and urged the horse to pick up the pace.

As the wind rushed past, Ye An felt a bit uncomfortable, tensing up to avoid falling.

Xie Shuo held her tighter, his lips near her ear as he reassured her, “Don’t be afraid.”

Ye An leaned against his chest, gradually calming down.

The vast sky stretched above, and the sunlight scattered before her eyes.

After riding for a while, Ye An insisted on trying it on her own. Reluctantly, Xie Shuo dismounted and instructed her on a few matters before letting her ride two laps by herself.

Fortunately, Ye An picked up on things quite fast, and since she exercised regularly, there were no mishaps. However, when she dismounted, her legs were too sore. With a turn, she ended up falling directly into Xie Shuo’s arms.

Jiang Shiyan happened to pass by again, glancing at them teasingly. This time, following Xie Shuo’s example, Ye An ignored him.

Approaching noon, under the high sun, everyone began to head to the rest area for a break.

After downing half a bottle of water, Ye An went to the restroom. When she came out, she unexpectedly ran into Xin Li and Xie Yuran.

They were at the corner of the corridor, and it seemed like Xin Li had injured her leg. Xie Yuran reached out to support her, but she shrugged him off, and the two of them walked away in a huff.

They didn’t notice Ye An, and she pretended not to know anything, turning to walk in the opposite direction.

After not walking far, she unexpectedly bumped into Xin Yu. Ye An politely nodded in greeting and planned to leave when she was stopped.

“Miss Ye, have you seen my sister?”

Thinking of Xie Yuran, Ye An hesitated for a moment before pointing him in the right direction.

Xin Yu thanked her and hurriedly left.

Ye An returned to the nearby resting area, and Xie Shuo was leaning on the sofa, gazing at her. His expression was somewhat strange.

Ye An sat down beside him, and suddenly, Xie Shuo embraced her waist, lowering his head to kiss her.

This sudden move caught Ye An off guard, and she quickly turned away. “What are you doing?”

Xie Shuo’s lips brushed against her cheek. “What were you talking about with Xin Yu just now?”

Ye An: “……..”

They had only exchanged a few words, yet he was actually jealous. 

Amused by this, Ye An raised an eyebrow deliberately. “Curious? Beg me…”

Just as she finished her words, Xie Shuo caught her hand and kissed her without hesitation.

Ye An struggled a bit but couldn’t break free from his hold, so she could only let him do as he pleased.

When they finally parted, her face was flushed, and she glared at him with watery eyes. “Are you going to eat or not?”

Xie Shuo looked at her, silent. He traced her lips with a suggestive touch, his gaze full of desire.

Ye An had a feeling that he might say something shameless like “I’d rather eat you.” Without giving him a chance to speak, she got up and walked away.

Xie Shuo smirked and got up before grabbing her hand. 

……

Ye An had never gone horseback riding before. After a whole day, she was exhausted. When she got home in the evening, she discovered that her thighs were bright red with some chafes.

After taking a shower, she sat on the bed, lifted her nightgown, and examined her wounds.

Coming out of the bathroom, Xie Shuo walked over to the bed.

“Chafed?”

Xie Shuo sat down at the edge of the bed and reached out to touch the chafed area, his fingertips slightly cool. 

He rummaged through the medicine box and brought out ointment, grabbing her leg and gently applying it.

Ye An pulled her leg back a bit, wanting to do it herself, but Xie Shuo glanced at her.

She sensed the warning in his glance and immediately relented, no longer resisting.

After applying the ointment, Xie Shuo went to wash his hands before getting into bed.

Xie Shuo took Ye An’s hand out from under the covers, using his fingers to massage each one delicately before eventually holding onto her left ring finger.

The slender and fair finger seemed to lack something.

Ye An thought he was just doing a habitual action and casually glanced at it without giving much thought.

“An An…”

He suddenly called her.

“En?”

Ye An looked up puzzledly. He rarely called her by name like this, except… during certain moments in bed.

Holding onto her ring finger, Xie Shuo looked at her as if he had something to say.

Seeing him like this, Ye An thought he might not be satisfied and still wanted to do it, so she couldn’t help but blush.

Feeling a bit irked, she kicked him under the covers.

“Sleep!”

She pulled her hand back and turned around, her back facing him.

After a while, Xie Shuo also lay down, pulling her into his arms. However, he didn’t do anything else. 

……

The next day—Monday.

Xie Shuo got up before 8 a.m. while Ye An’s legs were still sore, lying in bed, unwilling to move like a bum.

He instructed her to rest well at home and went to work after changing his clothes.

Ye An lay on the pillow, watching him button his shirt, adjust the cuffs, and put on his watch.

Her man was truly pleasing to the eye.

After he was done getting ready, Xie Shuo turned around, and seeing her awake, he walked over and bent down to kiss her on the forehead.

Just as he was about to get up, Ye An mischievously grabbed his tie and kissed him on the lips.

“Morning.”

Before Xie Shuo could react, she quickly let go, laid back down, and wrapped herself in the blanket before blinking her long lashes.

Xie Shuo sat down by the bedside, propped himself up with one hand on the bed, and lowered his head, intending to continue kissing him, but she dodged away.

“Quickly go, or you’ll be late!”

Xie Shuo smiled and ruffled her hair. “Call me if you need anything.”

He got up and left the room, his back straight and sturdy like a pine tree.

Watching him leave, Ye An gradually closed her eyes again, the lingering scent of him still present in the air.

It wasn’t until the sun reached its zenith that Ye An finally got out of bed.

Ye An’s legs were sore, and she was too lazy to go out, so she spent the whole day at home. In the afternoon, Xiang Quan sent her a message, discussing the details of a new project.

Around 4:30 p.m., with the sun shining through the windows, Ye An changed into a beautiful maxi dress and did her makeup, deciding to go find Xie Shuo at the company and have dinner with him.

She didn’t send him a message, intending to give him a surprise.

Picking up her purse and preparing to leave, she remembered the bracelet she had bid the day before. She turned and walked to the glass display counter where valuable items were placed and took out the bracelet.

As she put on the bracelet and looked at her hand, she suddenly remembered Xie Shuo squeezing her finger from yesterday night.

At that time, he seemed to have emphasized her left ring finger?

Could it be that he wasn’t expressing that he wasn’t satisfied but rather trying to remind her to wear her wedding ring?

Before, the two of them were just a married couple on paper, so not wearing rings had become a habit. Now, it seemed like a good time for a change.

Ye An couldn’t help but find it amusing. If he wanted to remind her, why the need for such a roundabout way?

Turning around, she retrieved the wedding ring from the nightstand and had initially planned to put it on herself. However, after a moment’s thought, she placed the ring into the ring box and put it into her purse.

As the spring season neared its end, the fragrance of peach and plum blossoms had faded, and the flowers along the streets had also changed their appearance.

With the sun slanting toward the west, the evening glow was scattered, creating a colorful display on the floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

At Junming Group headquarters, inside the CEO’s office.

Xie Shuo wearily massaged his temples, leaning back in his genuine leather chair, and closed his eyes to rest.

“President Xie, the design for the wedding rings has been sent. Would you like to take a look?”

Xie Shuo opened his eyes and uttered a soft “en” in response.

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“Naturally, you should figure it out yourself. Else, what’s the point?”

Ye An got up from his embrace and went to the other side of the sofa, placing her legs on top and crossing them. 

Looking at her, Xie Shuo was about to respond when the sound of a phone vibrated.

Ye An retrieved her phone from the side of the sofa and checked the incoming call before answering it. 

It was from Xiang Quan, who said there was a slight issue with the dubbing for the movie she had worked on recently, and they needed her to come in for some last-minute retakes. 

In the end, Ye An didn’t get to hear Xie Shuo’s sweet talk. She hastily changed her clothes and rushed to the studio.

Fortunately, the issue was minor. After getting the situation sorted out, Ye An immersed herself in the recording booth and busied herself.

It was already 4:30 p.m. when the retakes were completed.

Ye An didn’t head home immediately. Instead, she hung out with Shi Shuangshuang at a nearby cafe.

Shi Shuangshuang had been incredibly busy recently due to a new script, and the two of them hadn’t had a chance to catch up in a long time.

After some hesitation, Shi Shuangshuang couldn’t suppress her curiosity about the rumor and asked, “Was the rumor about your divorce a while ago for real?”

Taking a sip of her coffee, Ye An threw a question back at her, “What do you think?”

Shi Shuangshuang: “I didn’t believe it at first, but there were just too many people circulating it as if it was real. Besides, have you noticed that you haven’t been showing any signs of PDA for a long time?”

Even when it was such chaos on Weibo, she didn’t show any signs of anything, which didn’t fit her image.

Ye An raised her eyes and glanced at Shi Shuangshuang.

She didn’t say anything and just picked up her phone before dialing a number.

“Hi Honey, where are you?”

Her tone was sweet and coyish, giving anyone listening goosebumps.

“So when are you coming to pick me up?”

“An hour? That’s too long…” She pouted and had a displeased expression. “No, I’ll only wait for you for 40 minutes. If you don’t arrive within 40 minutes, you’ll be sleeping in the study tonight.”

After ending the call, Ye An looked up and ran her fingers through her hair elegantly before smiling.

Their PDA was evident for all to see.

Shi Shuangshuang: “…….”

Sorry to have bothered you.

Shi Shuangshuang shut her mouth and never brought up their divorce again. Stirring her coffee, she changed the topic to discuss other gossip. 

Outside the cafe, people were coming and going, and the sunlight gradually imbued with a warm hue. 

About 40 minutes later, Xie Shuo arrived at the cafe in a rush.

The man walked through the glass door, tall and dashing, quickly attracting the attention of many.

Looking up, Ye An saw him at a glance, and her eyes involuntarily brightened.

“Your husband really has the looks of a stereotypical romance hero.”

Shi Shuangshuang followed her gaze, shaking her head ruefully, “I can’t imagine him being banished to the study by you. According to the usual plot, aren’t you supposed to be loving each other passionately and torturing each other to no end, with him taking you forcefully?”

In reality, Ye An wasn’t sure if she could accomplish the daunting and unusual task of sending Young Master Xie to sleep in the study. However, she was determined not to lose face. So, she said nothing and just raised her chin, giving off an untamed, willful, and spoiled indulgence.

Xie Shuo walked over to their seats.

“Done recording?”

His gaze swept over Shi Shuangshuang and then settled on Ye An, becoming gentle.

Ye An nodded and linked her arm through his naturally before turning to ask Shi Shuangshuang, “Wanna join us for dinner?”

Shi Shuangshuang had no desire to be the third wheel and quickly waved her hand. “No thanks. I have plans with Boss to discuss some matters tonight.”

The three of them left the cafe, with Shi Shuangshuang returning to the studio and Ye An and Xie Shuo heading toward their car parked by the road.

Xie Shuo didn’t use the chauffeur today. He drove by himself. After getting into the car, he leaned over to help her fasten her seatbelt. 

Looking at his lips, Ye An couldn’t resist leaning in and brushing her lips against his fleetingly.

Xie Shuo looked up, his gaze landing on her face as he maintained his position, leaning toward her.

Ye An blinked her long, slightly curled eyelashes, her innocent look mixed with a hint of flirting and smugness.

Xie Shuo paused for a moment before securing her seatbelt and sitting back in his seat.

He turned his gaze back to the road ahead, his long fingers resting on the steering wheel. In the golden glow of the setting sun, his side profile seemed as if it had been enhanced with a beauty filter.

Ye An suddenly recalled the first time she had seen him and couldn’t help but steal a few more glances.

Soon after, the car started, driving into the gorgeous sunset, with the horizon painted in hues of gold.

Xie Shuo had made a reservation at a high-rise French restaurant. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, they could overlook the city’s night skyline.

“Do you still need to go to the recording studio tomorrow?” Xie Shuo asked as he passed the place of perfectly sliced steak to her.

Ye An looked up and replied, “No.”

Xiang Quan didn’t know the real identity of “Mr. Wen,” so he didn’t assign any new projects to her. 

Now that her remuneration had risen significantly, she no longer needed to take on every project like before.

After dinner, it was still quite early.

It was a warm spring day. Ye An didn’t rush home and pulled Xie Shuo for a stroll. 

The night breeze was gentle and carried the scent of grill and charcoal. Hand in hand, they strolled with the smell of flowers wafting in the air.

There was a sense of joy in moments like this despite not doing much.

Surrounded by towering skyscrapers and colorful neon lights, a large LED screen high above was playing the latest movie trailers. 

As the light and shadows danced across their faces, Xie Shuo suddenly asked as he looked at the trailer on the screen, “Wanna go watch a movie?”

The two of them had hardly ever had a proper date before, so when she heard his suggestion, Ye An was a bit surprised.

Looking up at him, she playfully scratched his palm and said with a smile, “Sure.”

It was a typical romantic movie, though its plot was a bit melodramatic. As they watched, Ye An couldn’t help but lean in and quietly remarked to him. 

Holding her hand, Xie Shuo patiently listened to her, and his typically aloof expression softened. 

As the movie approached its end, the story finally reached a happy ending. On the giant screen, the male lead took out a ring and proposed to the female lead. 

The background was picturesque, and the music set a romantic mood. Ye An was nearly moved to tears, and she had forgotten any discontent from earlier. 

The dim light from the screen cast a soft glow on her face, enhancing her slightly curled eyelashes and creating a stunning side profile. 

Xie Shuo gazed at her focused side profile, lost in thought. His sight shifted slightly, landing on her left hand.

Between her fair and slender fingers, there was nothing.

After watching the movie, it was already pretty dark. They left the movie theater and didn’t engage in any other activities, driving straight back home.

During the day, while Ye An was away, Xie Shuo arranged for her things at the condo to be packed and moved back home. 

After staying up late yesterday and having a busy afternoon today, Ye An was exhausted. She didn’t have the energy to bicker with him and went straight to bed after taking a shower.

Xie Shuo held her in his arms and kissed her, intending to do something more, but seeing that she couldn’t even keep her eyes open, he decided to let her rest. 

Soon enough, Xie Baiyan found out about Ye An moving back, but he didn’t reprimand them. He simply chalked it up to youthful exuberance and recklessness, bickering and making up soon after. 

For the following few days, Xie Shuo returned to his typical busy routine while Ye An, bounded by her “contract,” accompanied him.

Xie Shuo was a stereotypical workaholic, working to no limits if no one watched him.

Worried that he might genuinely experience a mishap, Ye An stayed by his side just like she used to, reading documents for him and trying to minimize the strain on his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, it was already Friday. The studio had arranged a live-streaming event at 7:30 p.m. for Ye An, so after dinner, she abandoned Xie Shuo and returned to the study to start up her laptop.

As soon as she said “Good evening,” after entering the live-streaming room, the screen was immediately filled with a flurry of bullet comments: 

“Good evening, jiejie!”

“AHHHHHHHH, your beauty is off the charts!”

“Sis, are you barefaced? I envy your flawless skin…”

“Jiejie’s voice is so gentle tonight…”

“I unilaterally declare that this is my wifey!”

“CEO Xie with a poker face: Who dares to steal my wife? Come chat with me.”

……

After exchanging greetings, Ye An chatted with the audience for a while before moving on to the interactive segment. Fans would suggest characters or dialogue scenes, and Ye An would do live voiceovers for them.

The live-streaming room was bustling with activity, and the viewer count continued to rise.

Ye An switched between characters like she had split personalities, not even pausing to take a sip of water.

At a certain point toward the end of the livestream, a bold fan asked, “Jiejie, is CEO Xie there?”

Immediately, many others chimed in. 

Ye An was briefly taken aback and glanced toward the door of the study before responding, “He’s at home, but he’s not here with me.”

Once this topic was brought up, it couldn’t be contained, and soon another fan asked, “Jiejie, jiejie, how do you and CEO Xie usually get along?”

Just as Ye An was about to reply, the door of the study was suddenly pushed open, and a figure walked in.

Xie Shuo approached her from behind and placed a cup of tea beside her laptop.

The screen immediately exploded with comments:

“?”

“I think I just saw a man’s figure…”

“Is that CEO Xie?”

“AHHHHH, was CEO Xie concerned about jiejie being thirsty that he brought tea over?”

“So sweet!”

“The CP I shipped finally set sail! Waaah…”

From the camera angle, only Xie Shuo’s upper body and arms were visible; his face couldn’t be seen at all. However, this didn’t dampen the excitement of the fans. 

Just as Xie Shuo was about to turn around and leave after placing the cup down, Ye An glanced at the screen filled with comments and grabbed his arm, saying, “Honey, would you like to say hello to my fans?”

She adjusted the camera toward him, so now his jawline was partly visible.

Xie Shuo paused for a few seconds before nodding slightly toward the screen. “En.”

“En?”

“Just this?”

“AHAHAHAHA, he’s too aloof!”

“A true domineering CEO-style indifference.”

“CEO Xie: Don’t think I don’t know you all want to steal my wife!”

……

Ye An had a good laugh and didn’t pay any more attention to him. She continued to interact with her fans.

Suddenly, an observant fan spotted “Little Penguin,” Yin Yin placed in the corner and curiously asked, “Jiejie, is that a penguin in your room?”

Ye An turned to look and said, “It’s an AI robot.”

It was just upgraded and came back yesterday.

“So cute!”

Another fan asked, “Is this penguin bought by CEO Xie?”

Without another thought, Ye An replied frankly, “Yes, he gave it to me.”

“Seriously?”

“AHAHAHAHA, his lofty and aloof image crumbled in one second…”

“From now on, I will picture CEO Xie’s face as a penguin.”

“OP, are you the devil in disguise? I’ve already forgotten CEO Xie’s good looks.”

“OMG, this is too hilarious. AHAHAHAHA…”

“Gifting your wife a penguin… that’s too sweet! AHHH, I’m totally into this cold exterior and warm interior image!”

……

On the screen, besides the jokes and laughter, many CP fans were exclaiming. 

After the livestream ended, related topics quickly emerged on Weibo and forums, where netizens were discussing in fervor. 

Some netizens even created stickers of a domineering CEO penguin, all in good fun. 

After showering, Ye An was leaning against the headboard, scrolling through Weibo when she came across the stickers, and she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Xie Shuo, wearing a robe, also got into bed. Seeing her nestled in the blankets, laughing crazily, he leaned over and asked, “What’s so funny?”

Ye An suppressed her laughter and showed him one of the penguin images. “Doesn’t it look like you?”

Xie Shuo: “…….”

Looking at his indifferent handsome face, Ye An couldn’t resist poking him with her finger. “Not quite; you’re not cute at all.”

There was a sparkle in her eyes as her slightly curled and long eyelashes fluttered. Xie Shuo caught her finger and held it in his palm, his gaze fixated on her rosy lips. 

Before he could react, Ye An leaned in and kissed him on the lips. 

However, she always just provoked and didn’t take responsibility for what came after. After the kiss, she nonchalantly turned around and placed her phone on the nightstand, getting ready to lie down and sleep. 

In the next moment, her waist was embraced from behind, and she bumped into a strong and familiar embrace. His scent overwhelmed her as he held her tightly, without any room for escape. 

In the quiet of the night, as the wind rustled and the moonlight danced gently, they remained entwined, undisturbed for a long while. 

……

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The air hung heavily for a few seconds, and then a burst of anger surged to her head.

Ye An’s mind went blank, her ears buzzing. Instantly, she sobered up…

How could she have forgotten that he could see now?

After a brief moment of being stunned, she snatched the gown from his hand and covered her chest with it, glaring at him angrily. “Why aren’t you leaving!”

Under the dim light, her face turned as red as a tomato; her neck was also flushed.

Clutching onto the gown tightly, she took two steps back, but her unsteady footing nearly caused her to fall.

In the nick of time, Xie Shuo reached out and steadied her.

Meeting the desire in his eyes, Ye An’s heart skipped a beat and quickly pushed him away. “Let me take a shower first…”

Counting strictly, they had only been intimate that one time and it was under the influence of alcohol. Now, to do it again made her a bit nervous.

Xie Shuo smiled and gave a kiss on her temple. “En, go take a shower first.”

Ye An: “…….”

Why did his words make it sound like she was saying she wanted to take a shower and wait for him?

She didn’t mean it that way at all!

Xie Shuo obviously didn’t care whether she meant that or not. He let go of her and glanced at her with lingering desire before turning and leaving, closing the door behind him.

Ye An’s face grew even redder. She was completely flustered, sitting down by the edge of the bathtub.

Her cheeks remained flushed, and she covered her face in embarrassment. She can’t just so casually undress like that ever again!

After calming down, she got up and removed her makeup in front of the mirror before proceeding to take a shower.

The sound of running water filled the bathroom, and soon, steam began to fill the room. The hot water cascaded down from above, sliding down her neck to every inch of her body. 

As she showered, the steam in the bathroom made her mind gradually hazy again, and the effects of the alcohol surged back.

After showering, she threw on her nightgown and slipped into her slippers before walking out, forgetting to even blow dry her hair.

Returning to the bedroom, she found that Xie Shuo had already changed into a robe and was sitting against the headboard… He had taken a shower in the adjacent room.

Standing about two steps away from the bed, Ye An hesitated and felt somewhat nervous, her fingers gradually clenching by her side.

Although she was still a bit drunk, she could also guess that there were some things that she couldn’t avoid tonight, especially considering how she ended up coming home with him in her muddleheaded state. 

Looking up, Xie Shuo’s sight settled on her wet hair.

He didn’t rush into anything. Instead, he lifted the covers, got out of bed, and brought a hairdryer over. He guided her to sit at the edge of the bed and began to blow dry her hair.

The shadows in the room swayed gently as his fingers rustled her long locks gently.

The room was still, with only the distinct sound of the hairdryer.

The warm air blowing her scalp was lulling, making her drowsy. Sitting by the edge of the bed, Ye An’s eyelids were heavy, and her head gently bobbing.

Xie Shuo gathered her hair to one side, revealing her smooth nape and shoulder under the soft glow of the light, skin so fair to the point of almost glowing. 

After turning off the hairdryer, he couldn’t resist kissing her exposed nape. 

Ye An, however, was oblivious. Leaning against him, her eyes were half-closed, about to fall asleep at any point now. 

Seeing her like this, Xie Shuo couldn’t bring himself to proceed further. He carefully helped her lie down and get tucked in bed before returning the hairdryer to its place.

When he returned, Ye An had already wrapped herself in the blanket and fallen asleep. Her black hair cascaded on the pillow, revealing her exquisite side profile. Her cheek still bore a faint flush from the alcohol.

Xie Shuo walked to the other side of the bed and got in. After looking at her for a moment, he kissed her gently on the lips before turning off the light and lying down.

There are many days ahead of them, no need to rush.

……

The moonlight by the windowsill was bright, with the shadows of the trees swaying gently in the wind. Just as he closed his eyes and was about to drift off to sleep, there was a slight movement under the covers, and a soft body nestled into his embrace.

Ye An snuggled against him, familiarly placing her hand on his body.

Xie Shuo opened his eyes again, and the desire he had just suppressed rose once more.

As the night grew deeper, the moon outside the floor-to-ceiling window hid among the flower blossoms, casting a bright and clear light. 

The clouds dispersed, and the rain stopped; everything returned to tranquilness.

……

The night passed in a daze. When she woke up, it was already bright outside, and the morning spring sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Ye An opened her eyes and lay in bed. It took her a while to regain her senses.

After a night of drinking, she had a slight headache. She massaged her temples and attempted to sit up, but she fell back into bed.

Her entire body felt as though her bones had turned to jelly, and she was sore and weak. Her legs, in particular, felt utterly powerless. 

She lay there for a moment before turning to look beside her.

There was no one on the pillow next to hers, but there was a lingering warmth from his side of the bed. The room was empty and quiet. 

It felt like she was reliving that same cold and deserted experience of “pulling up his pants and his figure could not be seen”…

An obscure anger surged within her. She grabbed the pillow he had slept on and without thinking, angrily threw it.

She couldn’t grasp her strength well, and the pillow rebounded and landed on the floor, bouncing a couple of times.

Coincidentally, at that moment, the door was pushed open, and a tall figure appeared in the doorway.

Ye An: “……”

Xie Shuo: “……”

Xie Shuo walked in slowly, picked up the pillow from the floor, and looked at her puzzledly. “What’s wrong?”

He was wearing lounge clothes, looking sophisticated. Ye An was momentarily stunned and felt a bit embarrassed, so she turned away.

Xie Shuo sat down beside her on the bed, embraced her from behind, and rested his chin on her shoulder before pressing his face close to hers.

Ye An looked up at him and asked curiously, “You don’t need to go to the office today?”

Holding her, Xie Shuo kissed her at the temple. “I’ll stay home with you today.”

Remembering last time, Ye An still felt a bit displeased. She pursed her lips for a moment before saying, “How come you didn’t think of staying with me last time then?”

For some matters, she preferred to discuss them clearly with him rather than keeping them bottled up so they wouldn’t resurface and hurt her.

Xie Shuo was taken aback. At the time, he had been in a hurry to leave as there was an urgent matter at the company, and he hadn’t given it much thought afterward. He didn’t expect her to bring this up after so long. 

“You disappeared right after, and there wasn’t even a word of concern afterward…” Ye An poked at his chest firmly. “Scumbag!” 

Xie Shuo grabbed her finger and looked at her for a while before softly saying, “I’m sorry.”

He wasn’t just apologizing for that particular matter but for everything that had happened in the past. 

Surprised to hear those words from him after all this time, Ye An felt a bit overwhelmed by favor. She lightly scratched his chin, smiling. “Well, since you’re showing such sincerity, I’ll reluctantly forgive you.”

Xie Shuo asked gently, “Would you like to go downstairs for breakfast, or should I bring it up for you?”

Ye An pulled back the covers and said, “Downstairs.”

After breakfast, Xie Shuo went to his study to work, and Ye An kept him company, leaning on his shoulder while playing on her phone.

The spring sunshine was lovely, and the warmth of the day seeped in through the window. Ye An casually glanced around and noticed something was missing.

“Where’s Yin Yin?” She asked, turning to Xie Shuo.

He looked up and replied, “She’s gone for an upgrade.”

“An upgrade?”

Hearing this, Ye An’s interest was piqued. “She can even be upgraded? Will she become smarter after the upgrade then?”

Xie Shuo placed his laptop on the nearby desk and said, “It depends on the final result.”

He turned to the side and embraced her before asking, “Shall I have someone move things back from the condo?”

Ye An was initially going to say “yes,” but upon seeing his cold and aloof expression, she swallowed the word.

Arching an eyebrow, she made things difficult for him and said, “It’s not a bad idea, but you should say something nice to sweet-talk me first.”

Looking at her spirited expression, Xie Shuo smiled. “What would you like to hear?”

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Faced with Xie Shuo’s request to want a mile when given an inch, Ye An grinned and leaned on his shoulder, moving closer to his ear and saying in a deliberate, alluring tone, “You want me to sleep here?” 

Xie Shuo looked up, his slender and long fingers resting on her waist.

In the next second, Ye An suddenly dropped her smile and said coldly, “Keep dreaming.”

With that, she mercilessly pushed him away, got up, and walked out of the room. Her departing figure was graceful and decisive, with a hint of contentment at getting back at him.

Thinking back to when they had just gotten married, she had tried every seductive trick in the book besides laying bare on top of him, but he had remained indifferent. It could be said that he had a heart of stone.

Now, the tables had turned. If she didn’t leave him hanging for a while, she would feel sorry for herself in the past, who had faced his indifference.

Besides, he had just suffered from a severe headache, so it was better for him to rest peacefully.

As Xie Shuo watched her leave, his smile remained. He sat for a while before getting up to take a shower.

In the quiet of the night, outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sound of the ocean tides surged, and moonlight spilled like scales.

The two of them spent their last night on the island and the following morning, boarded a private plane to return to China.

When they landed, it was just past 7 p.m., with dusk settling in and the city lights beginning to glow.

Ye An didn’t return to the Xie family estate with Xie Shuo, instead, she headed back to the condo… Even if she were to move back, she needed a couple of days to rest as her things were still all over the place.

Enduring the wear and tear of travel, when she returned to the condo, she quickly showered and went to bed, sleeping until noon the next day.

Around 2 p.m., Xie Shuo called. Ye An initially thought he couldn’t wait and was eager to remind her to return to the Xie family estate. To her surprise, he told her that Grandfather Xie wasn’t feeling well and asked if she wanted to go with him to visit.

All things considered, after she married into the Xie family, Grandfather Xie treated her quite well. Now that he was unwell, it was both reasonable and proper for her to pay him a visit.

Ye An quickly changed her clothes and accompanied Xie Shuo to the Xie family estate.

When they arrived, Grandfather Xie was sitting in the courtyard sunbathing while admiring the flowers. Seeing the two of them, he broke into a warm and kind smile, “An An is here too?”

The flowers in the courtyard bloomed like a brocade, and the sky was painted in hues of pink and lavender. Ye An walked beside Xie Shuo, holding his arm, just as she always had. She greeted in the same gentle and obedient manner, “Ye Ye*.”

ye ye – a term to address one’s paternal grandfather; wives follow their husbands in addressing their elders 

Grandfather Xie glanced at Xie Shuo and then at Ye An before sighing. “You’ve suffered.”

“?”

Ye An was a bit puzzled.

After being confused for a moment, she realized that he might be referring to their separation.

As expected, he continued, “A’Shuo was muddled momentarily, but he’s come to his senses now. Don’t be angry with him. Come back home soon…”

From his words, Ye An finally learned how Xie Shuo had explained their separation to his family.

It turned out that he had taken all the blame upon himself, telling Grandfather Xie and Xie Baiyan that it was his insistence on divorce that had led to their separation.

For this, he had received a scolding. After all, she married into the family when he was blind. Now, shortly after his recovery, he was pushing for a divorce. It inevitably left a negative impression for others to think that the Xie family was unfeeling and ungrateful.

Grandfather Xie had always valued the family’s reputation, and upon learning of this, he seriously scolded Xie Shuo.

In the lovely spring sunshine, butterflies fluttered by. Ye An couldn’t help but turn to glance at the man beside her.

Xie Shuo seemed to have the same mind as her and happened to look in her direction, too.

Their gazes met, and Ye An inexplicably felt her face warming up, so she quickly averted her eyes.

Springtime had a way of making one feel a bit restless.

Grandfather Xie held their hands together and exhorted them for half a day to reconcile, which made Ye An suspect his illness was exaggerated, and that he was acting as a mediator for Xie Shuo.

Eventually, he brought up another matter. “By the way, your Uncle Xin is hosting a banquet tomorrow. He’s sent an invitation. Since I can’t attend, both you and Yu Ran should go.”

Xie Shuo obliged.

That evening, they left the family estate after dinner, and Xie Shuo, as usual, drove Ye An back to the condo.

The street lights flickered along the way, casting a warm ambiance. Ye An was gazing outside the window when she suddenly heard Xie Shuo say, “Will you accompany me to the Xin family’s banquet tomorrow?”

Ye An turned around and asked, “What time?”

Xie Shuo replied, “7 p.m., I’ll come to pick you up in the afternoon.”

Ye An nodded and said, “Alright.”

Xie Shuo, however, continued to look at her, seemingly worried.

Ye An understood that he was afraid she might stand him up like she had last time. Holding back a smile, she leaned over and asked, “What if I have something come up at the last minute tomorrow?”

Xie Shuo held her hand and reminded her, “You signed a one-month contract.”

Ye An raised her chin and said, “That doesn’t count; you haven’t even paid me my salary.”

Her eyes glistened, and Xie Shuo’s gaze shifted slightly. He raised his hand and grabbed her chin. “When the month is up, I’ll pay you.”

Lately, he had developed a habit of making such intimate gestures, and Ye An felt a tickling sensation wherever his fingers touched. She straightened up and put some distance between them.

The next day at 3 p.m., Xie Shuo had a couture gown sent to the condo, along with a professional makeup artist.

The gown was black and made of lightweight fabric that accentuated her graceful figure. As she moved, the skirt flowed like gentle ripples.

To complement the dress, the makeup artist made Ye An’s makeup to be slightly more alluring and smokey.

After getting ready, Ye An walked up to Xie Shuo in high heels and blinked. “Pretty?”

Looking at her, Xie Shuo suddenly remembered the day of their wedding and smiled before reaching out his hand toward her. “Very pretty.”

At 7 p.m., the banquet venue was brightly lit.

As they entered the bustling hall, they immediately attracted the attention of many.

Although the rumors about their divorce had been suppressed online, their gossip still circulated within the affluent circle. After all, they were rarely seen in public together.

Seeing the couple walking hand in hand in such an intimate manner, onlookers couldn’t resist but be a little surprised and engage in hushed conversations with each other.

Ye An pretended not to notice and walked arm in arm with Xie Shuo, not glancing around as they headed inside.

Due to Xie Shuo’s status, many people came over to offer their toasts and engage in conversations. Ye An accompanied him for a while but began to feel a bit overwhelmed. She excused herself to the restroom.

When she returned to the hall, she had initially intended to ignore Xie Shuo and grab a bite to eat to fill her stomach. However, in the short time she was away, a young lady appeared by Xie Shuo’s side. She wore a fitted emerald green gown, slender and slim, and was holding a glass of wine while talking to him, with admiration written all over her face.

A surge of nameless anger suddenly rushed to her head. She was right here, and he dared to attract the attention of others. Did they really think she was just a decoration?

The crystal chandeliers on the ceiling shone brilliantly, casting an intense light.

Taking a deep breath, Ye An pushed her hair behind her shoulders, revealing her exquisite and fair collarbone. She walked over elegantly in her high heels.

Coming to Xie Shuo’s side, she reached out and linked her arm with his, affectionately calling out, “Honey.”

As she spoke, she discreetly pinched his forearm twice.

Xie Shuo turned around.

Ye An glanced at him and then at the woman in front of her.

Even after seeing Ye An, the women showed no intention of backing down. Instead, a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes. Who didn’t know they were on the verge of divorce, so what was there to pretend about?

She waited for Xie Shuo to show annoyance and push her away. However, Xie Shuo looked down at Ye An tenderly. “What’s wrong?”

“I feel a little dizzy,” Ye An said in a soft, tender voice, suppressing her goosebumps.

“I’ll accompany you to sit over there for a bit?”

Xie Shuo gently held her slender fingers on his arm.

Ye An smiled. “Sure.”

Seeing the two of them leave so intimately, the smile on the woman’s face froze, and her complexion noticeably changed.

… Weren’t they rumored to have a cold relationship and be on the brink of divorce?

What’s going on?

Not only her but others who witnessed the scene were also surprised and began to discuss it quietly.

“Who said they were getting a divorce? It doesn’t look like it…”

…….

When they reached a less crowded lounge, Ye An finally let go of Xie Shuo. She turned to face him and smiled. “Did you have a good time chatting?”

It was a loaded question, and Xie Shuo replied with a strong desire to survive, “No, we didn’t chat.”

Ye An snorted lightly, clearly not believing him. 

Actually, she anticipated this kind of situation. Given his family background and conditions, once news of their divorce got out, there would be no shortage of heiresses trying to get close to him. 

Xie Shuo gripped her fingers tighter and wrapped his arm around her bare shoulder before whispering, “Take a rest here and grab a bite to eat.”

Ye An poked his chest, displeased. “Why do you always attract so much attention?”

Xie Shuo smiled and guided her toward the sofa.

Ye An just had quite a few drinks, and by now, she was feeling a bit tipsy. She didn’t care about the setting. Slightly tiptoeing, she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in close, whispering, “I’ll give you a chance to coax me.” 

Her rosy lips were just inches away, and Xie Shuo’s gaze became intense.

Ye An raised her chin and instructed him, “Close your eyes now for half a minute. Don’t open them.”

Xie Shuo thought she might be a little drunk and wanted to kiss him. He smiled and closed his eyes.

However, he felt no warmth on his lips even after waiting for half a day.

With one hand hooked around the nape of his neck, Ye An pressed her fingertips against her red lips and applied them to his shirt collar.

He was wearing a white button-up tonight, and the red lipstick stood out on it, eye-catching and meaningful.  

“Alright, go on with your business.”

After applying the lipstick, Ye An ruthlessly pushed him away and nudged him on the shoulder. She arched her slender eyebrow, and her expression was wanton.

Now that there was a mark, I dare anyone to covet my man.

Xie Shuo didn’t get the kiss he had wanted. He stared at her red lips for a moment before suddenly grabbing her waist and leaning down to kiss her on the lips, letting go just before she got angry. He then turned and walked away.

He walked into the crowd, holding a glass of wine, and continued to converse with others. At first, he didn’t notice, but as he observed the sidelong glances of people occasionally drifting toward his shirt collar, coupled with their meaningful expressions, he realized something was amiss. He looked down and saw the red mark.

Xie Shuo: “…….”

…….

Seeing there were no more pests around Xie Shuo, Ye An felt pleased. She touched her warm lips, took a dessert, and sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, enjoying her snack.

Not long after, a figure suddenly appeared next to her, with slender legs under a knee-length skirt. It was none other than Xin Li, the young lady from the Xin family.

Naturally, she wouldn’t be absent from the Xin family’s banquet.

She sat down beside Ye An, holding a half-empty glass of wine, before asking, “I heard you and your husband are getting a divorce. Is that true?”

Ye An looked up, but before she could even respond, Xin Li patted her on the shoulder and continued, “No need to be sad. A man as uninteresting as him, if you’re divorcing, then so be it. There’s nothing to be sad about. I’ll introduce someone new to you later.” 

She said smugly, and Ye An couldn’t help but smile.

“Let me tell you, men are all like this. The more you care about them, the less they value you…”

Xin Li seemed to be in a bit of a bad mood. As they chatted, she started pouring drinks for both of them. The lively spark in her eyes was now replaced by a tinge of melancholy.

In this kind of event, Ye An couldn’t easily refuse, so she ended up having two drinks with her.

“Isn’t it just a man? What’s the big deal? Buh-bye, then so be it. There are plenty of good-looking and sweet guys out there. Why put up with someone that doesn’t make you happy?”

Xin Li drank pretty fast, so she was drunk very quickly. A rosy blush appeared on her snow-white cheeks, and she spoke without any reservations.

Ye An held up slightly better than her, but she was gradually getting drunk. She slouched on the sofa, her long eyelashes drooping. 

Xin Li held the tall crystal glass, her eyes glistening. Blinking, she suddenly asked, “Are you really getting a divorce? If so, I’ll introduce my brother to you. He’s a pretty nice guy, considerate, and gentle with women…”

Just as Xie Shuo finished socializing, he walked through the crowd and overheard this conversation from behind them. Upon hearing this, his expression instantly turned soured.

“It’s true. I’ll go get him right now. You can meet him to see for yourself…”

Xin Li placed her glass down and looked up muddlely. She swayed as she tried to stand up to call someone, but then she met a soured, gloomy face.  

Xin: “……”

Upon seeing Xie Shuo, Ye An was stunned. She lay on the sofa, gazing at the figure in front of her with a bewildered expression.

Despite the bustling atmosphere in the venue, this corner felt like a brewing storm.

Xie Shuo walked up with a sour face and sat down beside Ye An before holding her waist and pulling her into his arms. “What were you guys chatting about?”

Ye Yan winced as her waist was tightly held by him. She tried to push his arm away, but he remained firm, so she snuggled in his arms and said vaguely, “Xin Li said she wants to introduce her brother to me and that her brother is much more interesting than you…”

Xie Shuo’s expression darkened even more, and he held her by the shoulder, helping her stand up before walking away with her, leaving Xin Li behind.

Ye An’s steps were unsteady, and she leaned while asking puzzledly, “Where are we going?”

“Home.”

Xie Shuo held her in his arms as they passed through the lively banquet hall, making their way outside under the various gazes of the guests.

In a corner, Xin Li sat back down, staring at the red alcoholic liquid in the crystal glass before downing it.

Leaning to the side, she lightly held the stem of the glass, lost in thought. Suddenly, she chuckled and got up from the sofa.

Her slim heels tapped lightly on the floor, and she took a step as she saw Xie Yuran standing not far away.

He appeared to have stood there for a long time. Through the layers of dim lights, his handsome features were somewhat indistinct, and his gaze was murky and unclear.

Xin Li paused in her steps and glanced at him before turning and walking in the opposite direction, stumbling through the crowd and disappearing from sight.

Xie Yuran stood still for a while before following her.

……

On the way back home, Ye An lay in Xie Shuo’s arms, occasionally pulling at his tie and playfully poking his Adam’s apple. Her eyes, like those of a curious child, shone brightly.

After fooling around for a bit, she grew a bit tired and rested against him, her fingers lightly tugging at his shirt.

Once she quieted down a bit, Xie Shuo held her hand and whispered into her ear, “Where are we going?”

Ye An looked up, a hint of bewilderment in them, not fully understanding his question. “Didn’t you say we’re going home?”

Xie Shuo smiled, his eyes slightly intoxicated. His voice seemed to resonate from his chest as he replied, “En, going home.”

When they arrived at the Xie family estate, it was almost 11 p.m.

The spring night breeze was gentle, and the fragrant flowers were enveloped in the moonlight. 

Although Ye An was muddle-headed, she hadn’t fallen asleep. She kept her eyes open, and even when the car door opened, she managed to bend down and exit the car.

However, as she stepped out of the car, she staggered and almost fell. Xie Shuo promptly caught her, his arm around her shoulder, his palm against her warm and delicate skin.

Ye An was puzzled for a moment before turning around to support him. “You can’t see, so you need to be careful…”

Xie Shuo: “…….”

She was obviously quite drunk. Seeing her stagger with each step, Xie Shuo decided to just princess-carry her, walking toward inside.

Amidst the silence, the sound of his footsteps echoed.

Being suspended in the air, Ye An wrapped her arms around his neck, staring at his eyes.

“You can’t see, so how can you still carry me?”

Xie Shuo acted as though he hadn’t heard her question. He set her down on the sofa in their bedroom before sitting down beside her, loosening his tie.

Looking around the familiar interior, Ye An subconsciously thought that she had returned to the past when he hadn’t regained his sight.

She nestled close to him, and noticing him loosening his tie, she tugged at his tie.

Xie Shuo looked down and caught hold of her fingers.

His tie was still hanging loosely around his neck, and the lipstick mark from earlier was still visible. Ye An recalled the scene at first and asked while touching the mark, “Be honest, how many women did you talk to tonight?”

Xie Shuo embraced her and said, “Just you.”

“Who are you trying to fool?”

Ye An didn’t believe his nonsense, so she tugged at his tie.

“I’m telling you, if you dare to mess around with other women outside, I’ll go find someone else…”

She looked up and saw his smooth jaw. Just like earlier, when she was drunk, she had a thought to kiss him.

Xie Shuo was already accustomed to this, and his hand supported her at her lower back, allowing her to continue.

After kissing him for a bit, Ye An released him and continued to rest against him dazedly.

Holding her shoulder, Xie Shuo’s gaze landed on her rosy lips. Just as he was about to lean down for a kiss, Ye An suddenly pushed herself up against his chest and stumbled to stand firm.

“Are you going to take a shower? I’ll go get your clothes for you…”

She thought it was just like before and swayed her way to the closet.

Worried that she might fall, Xie Shuo got up and followed her.

Inside the closet, Ye An familiarly pulled out a men’s robe. When she turned around, she almost bumped into his embrace.

Seeing her in a daze, Xie Shuo took the robe, tossed it aside, and casually picked out a nightgown before wrapping his arm around her shoulder and leading her outside the closet.

“Go take a shower first.”

After entering the bathroom, he let her go.

“What about you?”

To save time, Xie Shuo reassured her, “I’ve already showered.”

Ye An relaxed and then removed the hair clips in her hair before undressing herself in front of him just like she used to.

This wasn’t the first time she had done such a thing, and she didn’t find it inappropriate since he couldn’t see anyway.

Xie Shuo neatly placed the nightgown down for her before turning around to check up on her and was slightly taken aback.

This wasn’t the first time he had seen her change as if no one was around.

The long gown fell to the floor gently like water.

In the instant her skin was exposed to the slightly chilly air, Ye An suddenly came back to her senses and realized something before turning around to look at him.

The bathroom light was rather warm, outlining her alluring curves.

Xie Shuo’s gaze intensified as he picked up the gown that had fallen to the floor, with a smile in his eyes…

“Why aren’t you continuing?”

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Staring at her name on the contract, Ye An was stunned for a while, finding it hard to believe that Xie Shuo could do such a thing.

She turned around, intending to confront him, but her gaze met a pair of eyes filled with mirth, and her resolve weakened.

This man used to have a perpetually stern face and was impervious to humor. Now, he smiled as if it cost him nothing. 

Ye An struggled to regain her focus after being charmed by his looks and said, “You’re the one who grabbed my hand to sign my name. The signature isn’t right, so the contract doesn’t count.”

Xie Shuo didn’t release his hold and pulled her back into his embrace, leaning in close to her ear. “Written in black ink on white paper, how can it not count?”

As soon as he mentioned “written in black ink on white paper,” Ye An couldn’t help but remember the trick she had played on him before and the image of forcefully kissing him, making her confidence waver.

How could she have been so bold back then?

But this wasn’t the time to be timid. Ye An straightened her back, placed her hand on his chest, pushed him away slightly, and said with a playful smile, “If I say it doesn’t count, it doesn’t count. Besides, the name on the contract isn’t even yours.”

When she smiled, there seemed to be a twinkle in her eyes. Xie Shuo’s gaze subtly intensified as he tightened his grip around her waist.

Ye An had a feeling he was about to repeat his previous antics, getting close to teasing her, so she moved slightly away before he could make a move.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back.”

As she got up to leave, she was unsurprisingly pulled back into his embrace.

Just as she was about to free herself from his hold, he rested his chin on her shoulder and said, “I went to Professor Cen’s clinic a couple of days ago.”

Upon hearing this, Ye An was no longer in the mood for playful banter with him and quickly turned to ask, “What happened? Aren’t your eyes healed now? Is there another issue?”

Xie Shuo looked at her but remained silent.

Meeting his playful gaze, Ye An finally realized what was going on, and her cheeks flushed. She was genuinely annoyed and kicked his shins. “If you use this to trick me again, you can just be alone from now on!”

“I didn’t lie to you.”

Xie Shuo wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “Professor Cen said that I’ve been overworking my eyes lately and need more rest. Otherwise, there’s a risk of a relapse.”

Ye An was still somewhat irked and quipped, “You only have work on your mind. Are you really worried about a relapse?” 

Her originally fair earlobes turned slightly red. Xie Yan glanced at it and couldn’t help but turn to give it a kiss as he said hoarsely, “Stay and help me?”

Ye An was left in a daze after his kiss, her entire body tingling. She turned to push him away and said, “If you’re talking, just talk; stop trying to take advantage of me.”

Xie Shuo looked up, loosened his hold on her slightly, and his hand slid down her wrist to cover her soft hand. His gaze rested on the contract before him.

“If you stay and help me, I won’t be so exhausted.”

Ye An followed his gaze and thinking about the act he had just put on, suddenly felt like laughing. “Where did you learn all this? You’re so childish.”

“Even from Senior Wen…” Ye An turned to playfully poke at his shoulder. “Did you think I was that easy to fool? If I hadn’t come, let’s see how you would’ve managed.”

Xie Shuo didn’t respond; he already knew he couldn’t fool her. He was just having a try.

Fortunately, his try was a success.

He let go of her, leaned backed against the sofa, unbuttoned his collar, and a hint of weariness showed between his eyes.

Thinking about what he had just said about Cen Qingyan’s warning, Ye An couldn’t help but soften her heart. “Do you have a headache? I’ll give you a massage?”

Xie Shuo smiled and held her hand before saying, “Let’s have dinner first.”

Ye An had just flown over, and she was indeed a bit hungry, so she nodded.

“Shall we have dinner delivered or go downstairs to eat?”

“Let’s go downstairs.”

Xie Shuo got up, held her hand, and they left for the restaurant downstairs.

After dinner, the two of them wandered around the island, and Ye An didn’t bring up the topic of leaving again.

What she wanted was his genuine affection. When she had insisted on a divorce, it was because she felt he had no feelings for her. Now that he was openly showing his emotions and going to such lengths for her, she had no reason to harbor any grudges. 

Ye An had always been kind to herself and had no intention of deceiving herself. Love was love. There was no need to make decisions against one’s heart.

…….

The next day, Ye An accompanied Xie Shuo to meet a business partner, a middle-aged British-Chinese man named Mr. Fei.

Xie Shuo introduced her in English, saying, “This is my wife.”

Mr. Fei seemed surprised that he had brought his wife along, and he turned to compliment, “Your wife is truly beautiful.”

Ye An blushed slightly and smiled before sitting down with Xie Shuo, listening to them talk.

Her gaze gradually focused on Xie Shuo’s face. It had to be said that the way this man earnestly discussed business had a unique charm; even his eyelashes seemed to shimmer, making it hard to look away.

After the meeting, Ye An linked her arm with his and accompanied him back to the hotel. When they entered their room, she suddenly remembered something and turned to say, “Do you think I should go take a course?”

Xie Shuo squeezed her hand and asked, “For what?”

Ye An sat on the sofa with him and said, “It’s nothing, just thinking of learning a couple more languages to make dubbing easier.”

Xie Shuo replied, “No need to go through all that trouble. I can teach you.”

Ye An looked at him. “Besides English, do you know any other languages?”

“I also know French. If you want to learn, I can teach you.”

Without waiting for her response, Xie Shuo turned to her and said a phrase in French, “Jetaime.”

Ye An: “…….”

Did you think I couldn’t understand even such a simple phrase as “I love you”?

Xie Shuo reminded her, “Repeat after me.”

Ye An: Heh.

Ye An grabbed his tie, pulled him forward, and leaned in to whisper in his ear, “Your approach is so old-fashioned, it lacks any creativity.”

Moreover, it wasn’t romantic at all! I don’t want to hear a confession in this context!

As she pulled him forward, Xie Shuo took the opportunity to embrace her slender waist and press her down onto the sofa.

Ye An hadn’t expected the sudden shift to such an ambiguous position. After being stunned for a moment, she quickly let go of his tie.

Xie Shuo, however, showed no intention of getting up. He used one hand to support himself beside her, towering over her with deep, alluring eyes.

Ye An looked up while lying down with a view of his smooth jawline and sexy Adam’s apple; his collar buttoned all the way up. She felt oddly nervous and pushed against his shoulders to free herself, scooting to sit at the corner of the sofa.

“Don’t you have something to do later?”

Xie Yan glanced at her and didn’t insist further. He calmly redid his tie, his action refined yet filled with lust.

Ye An’s heart raced… She had once again shamefully succumbed to his charms. 

Soon, an assistant knocked on the door and came in to report something to Xie Shuo.

The first few days after arriving on the island, Xie Shuo was super busy, and Ye An stayed by his side, helping him read some documents and occasionally bickering with him as if they had returned to the past.

After completing most work matters, they didn’t rush back to China. Instead, they spent two more days on the island.

The weather was perfect, with a gentle breeze and sunny skies. The sea stretched endlessly toward the horizon, with waves rolling in and out one after the other.

On the beach by the seaside, parasols dotted the area like mushrooms as tourists came and went. 

Xie Shuo lay on a sunbed, wearing sunglasses, and relaxed with his eyes closed. 

Ye An, in a sundress, lay beside him with a beach towel draped over her back, exposing half of her fair shoulders.

Turning around slightly, her gaze traced the contours of the man’s chest and paused on his well-defined muscles. 

She extended a finger and playfully poked on his abs.

Xie Shuo opened his eyes, removed his sunglasses, and turned to look at her.

Ye An met his gaze for a moment before quickly withdrawing her hand with a mischievous smile. She pretended as if nothing had happened, wrapped her towel closer, and turned to gaze out at the sea.

A man wearing floral swim trunks stood in the sea, raising his arms in a super cool pose while asking his friends to help him take a photo. 

Just as the shutter clicked, a large wave suddenly crashed down and pounced on him…

His floral swim trunks were washed away…

“AHAHAHAHA….”

“Quick, look! That guy lost his trunks!”

Laughter echoed all around. Upon hearing the commotion, Ye An immediately sat up and looked toward the scene.

However, it was quite far away, so the scene was quite indistinct.

Curious, she craned her neck, trying to get a better view. But suddenly, her vision was blocked by a large, cool hand gently covering her eyes.

“What are you doing? Don’t block me!”

Ye An grabbed his wrist, attempting to pry his hand away, but she lacked the strength to overpower him.

During the struggle, his lips suddenly descended upon hers. 

After a long while, the warmth of his lips finally left, and his hand withdrew from her eyes. 

Her vision restored, and Ye An found herself leaning against him, her lips red and slightly swollen, glistening with a hint of moisture, making her look particularly seductive. 

Looking up, she met his eyes, and she couldn’t help but blush even more, the heat scorching to her ear lobes.

…… When this man got serious, she was no match for him at all!

“There are still people around!”

Ye An glared at him, scanned their surroundings, and upon realizing that nobody was watching, she relaxed. She got up from his arms and wrapped the towel even more tightly around herself. 

Xie Shuo’s gaze brushed over her lips, and he smiled before lying down once more.

After a while, Ye An lay down on her side and reached for her phone nearby before opening her camera to openly snap a side profile of him.

Perhaps due to excessive exposure to the sun, when they returned to the hotel that evening, Xie Shuo experienced an unusual headache and discomfort in his eyes.

Ye An helped massage his temples for a while. Seeing that he seemed to be feeling a bit better, she helped him up and prepared to return to her room.

But before she could stand up, he pulled her into his arms.

Ye An bumped into his chest and turned to glare at him. “You already have a headache like this; what do you still want to do?”

He always used this tactic, and she wondered if he ever planned to try something different.

Under the soft light, Xie Shuo held her waist, his forehead against hers, before saying, “After we go back… stop living in the condo?”

Ye An was taken aback, almost forgetting about this aspect.

Looking at his slightly pale face and remembering his recent efforts to please her, she pursed her lips and turned her head away before giving a vague response, “Let’s discuss it when we get back.”

Usually, when she said something like that, it was equivalent to giving her consent.

Xie Shuo smiled. As she prepared to get up, he pulled her back into his arms and held her hand.

Ye An gently brushed his hand aside and asked, “What’s with you now?”

Looking at her, Xie Shuo said softly, “Why don’t… you stay here tonight?”

Ye An: “…….”

Hmph, men.

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