Chapter 67: Countdown to the Agreement (Part 2)

Yu Ling's eyes suddenly flushed with moisture. She hurriedly lowered her head, trying to hide the sudden surge of emotion. She walked to the dining table, pulled out a chair, and sat down. In the crystal glass, the deep red wine shimmered in the candlelight, creating an intoxicating luster.

"You..." She cleared her choked throat, trying to make her voice sound calm, with a soft smile that she herself hadn't noticed, "Do you still remember this?"

Zhao Chen sat down across from her. Hearing the softness in her voice, his tense shoulders seemed to relax a little. He raised his head, his amber eyes shone startlingly bright in the candlelight as he stared at her intently. The blush on his ears hadn't completely faded, but he smiled a warm yet slightly silly smile.

"Yeah. That day... you finished all the chicken nuggets and most of the rice. You ate a lot more than usual." His tone was a little proud, like a child who had successfully presented a treasure. "I thought, I'll make it for you more often in the future."

Yu Ling's heart melted at his words. She picked up her knife and fork, looking at the heart-shaped steak on the plate, emitting an alluring aroma. She felt a soft lump in her throat, and for a moment, she didn't know where to start.

Zhao Chen had already cut the steak for his plate. He picked up the medium-sized piece of beef with perfect texture and rich sauce with a fork very naturally, stretched out his arm across the table, and steadily brought it to Yu Ling's lips.

"Try it?" His voice was low and gentle, with a hint of temptation. "Today's heat is the best I've ever had."

Yu Ling looked at the beef being passed to her mouth, and the undisguised expectation and doting in Zhao Chen's eyes. The last bit of defense in her heart collapsed. She leaned forward slightly, opened her mouth, and took the piece of beef in her mouth.

Gently bite into it. The outer layer is crispy and charred, while the inner layer is incredibly tender and juicy! The rich juiciness of the meat instantly bursts in your mouth, blending with the exotic aroma of premium black truffles, the subtle spiciness of black pepper, and the mellow sweetness of red wine. It's as if your taste buds are instantly sent to the clouds! The ultimate delicacy brings an ultimate sense of happiness, like an electric current running through your body!

"Hmm..." Yu Ling couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh, her eyes narrowed in happiness, "Delicious! Really... so delicious!"

Zhao Chen looked at the genuine satisfaction and amazement on her face. The smile in his eyes spread gently like a pebble dropped into a lake. He took back his fork, cut another piece, and brought it to her mouth again.

"If it tastes good, eat more." His voice was soft and full of endless indulgence.

Candlelight flickered, and the wine was slightly intoxicating. The two sat across the table, one feeding, the other eating. There were no extra words, only the occasional soft clink of knife and fork against the plate, and a sweet, silent warmth flowing through the air. The heart-shaped steak was like a sweet island, temporarily shielding them from the storms of the outside world and the cold roar of the countdown.

Yu Ling reveled in the gentle embrace of this ultimate pampering, her inner confusion and anxiety temporarily soothed. She even began to wonder if the expiration of the agreement wasn't the end? Perhaps this "acting" had already become their unspoken "reality."

late at night.

Room 1601 fell into silence. Only the sensor light at the end of the corridor emitted a faint and soft glow.

Yu Ling was awakened by thirst and drowsily got up to go to the kitchen to get some water. As she passed the study, she was surprised to find a ray of light peeking from under the door.

Zhao Chen hasn’t slept yet?

She held the water cup, walked lightly, and subconsciously approached the study door. The door was not closed tightly, leaving a gap.

Through the crack in the door, she saw Zhao Chen sitting at a large desk with his back to the door. The computer screen was on, its faint blue light illuminating his focused profile. He was facing the screen, seemingly carefully reviewing a document, his fingers occasionally sliding across the touchpad.

On the table, the low-key yet top-notch laser printer was making a very slight hissing sound as it operated, and a piece of white A4 paper was slowly ejected from the outlet.

Zhao Chen seemed very satisfied with the printed content. He picked up the paper and looked at it carefully.

At this moment, Yu Ling's eyes passed over Zhao Chen's shoulder and accidentally caught the title of the document on the computer screen -

The title was large and bold, standing out against the dark blue background of the screen:

[Horizon Holdings Group] Permanent Spousal Interest and Asset Confirmation (Beneficiary: Yu Ling)

boom--!

Yu Ling felt her breathing stop instantly! Her heart seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand!

Permanent spousal interest? Asset confirmation? Beneficiary…Yu Ling?!

The agreement! The one that expires in one year! He…he printed a new agreement? A permanent one?!

A wave of shock and indescribable ecstasy washed over Yu Ling like a tsunami! Blood rushed to her head, leaving her dizzy! He...he had planned this all along? He had no intention of letting the agreement expire? He wanted it to be...permanent?!

This realization was like a powerful bolt of lightning, splitting the fog and confusion in her heart! The cold numbers of the agreement countdown shattered at that moment! In its place, there was a surging warmth that almost drowned her and a huge sense of relief that everything was settled!

Just when her fingertips were trembling with excitement and she was almost unable to control herself and rushed in to ask for clarification——

Zhao Chen in the study seemed to have eyes on his back, or sensed her suddenly disordered breathing, and turned around suddenly!

His movements were as fast as lightning! Before Yu Ling could react, still immersed in the huge impact, his slender fingers tapped hard on a key on the keyboard!

Bang!

The computer screen instantly fell into darkness!

At the same time, he held the A4 paper that had just been printed and was still warm from the machine, and subconsciously and extremely quickly turned the paper upside down on the table!

"Lingling?" Zhao Chen stood up, his face showing a hint of disturbed, just-right surprise, and a hint of barely perceptible panic. He walked quickly towards the door, his tall figure blocking Yu Ling's view of the table.

"Why are you up? Are you thirsty?" His voice was gentle and concerned. He reached out and naturally took the cup of water from her hand that was almost unsteady.

Yu Ling's heart was still pounding in her chest, her cheeks slightly flushed from the excitement and breath-holding she had just experienced. She looked at Zhao Chen, trying to find any clues on his face, but he hid it so well. Aside from that almost negligible, fleeting panic, all that remained was pure tenderness and inquiry.

"Hmm... a little thirsty." Yu Ling calmed herself down, pointed at the dark computer screen, and tried to make her voice sound casual. "Still busy so late? Something going on at the company?"

Zhao Chen's eyes quickly glanced at the table behind him where the papers were lying upside down. His Adam's apple seemed to roll slightly. He put his arm around Yu Ling's shoulders and led her to the living room. His tone was relaxed and natural, with a hint of helplessness:

"Nothing serious." He paused, his voice lowered with a hint of deliberate "complaint." "It's just that the administration department sent a notice urging us to submit this year's physical examination report. It's really annoying. I just printed it out and plan to fill it out tomorrow."

Medical report? Notice?

Yu Ling walked forward, her steps a little unsteady, half-carried by him. However, her gaze drifted back to the study room, as if uncontrollably, landing precisely on the A4 paper lying face-down on the table.

The edge of the paper was clearly revealed under the warm yellow light of the desk lamp.

In that corner, a dark blue, extremely complex, anti-counterfeiting-patterned steel seal of a law firm was silently flashing a cold and authoritative luster.

Does the medical examination notice need to be stamped by a law firm?

Yu Ling paused slightly.

Zhao Chen, who was walking beside her, seemed to stiffen for a very short moment.

Yu Ling slowly raised her head and looked at Zhao Chen. He was looking down at her, his amber eyes clear under the soft light of the living room, filled with concern and innocence, as if he was really just worried about an ordinary medical examination notice.

Their eyes met.

One second. Two seconds.

Yu Ling looked at his impeccably handsome face, then at the tiny flame of nervousness that he tried so hard to hide deep in his eyes...

A huge feeling, a mixture of knowing everything, the sweetness of being cherished, and a helpless smile at his clumsy yet cute cover-up, suddenly rushed into Yu Ling's heart like a boiling spring!

She couldn't bear it anymore.

The corners of her mouth lifted uncontrollably, rising higher and higher until it finally transformed into a brilliant, mischievous, and sweet smile. She lowered her head and buried her face in the warm crook of Zhao Chen's neck, her shoulders swaying slightly as she tried to suppress a smile.

"Hmm..." Her muffled voice came from the crook of his neck, with a thick smile and a barely perceptible sob, "I know. The physical examination is very important, fill it out carefully."

Zhao Chen's body visibly relaxed. He tightened his arms, holding his trembling little wife tighter in his embrace, resting his chin lightly on the top of her head, and letting out a long, silent sigh of relief.

Under the warm yellow light, the shadows of the two people hugging each other were stretched very long.

Yu Ling closed her eyes, feeling his steady, powerful heartbeat, her nose lingering with his reassuring scent. The "Confirmation of Permanent Spousal Rights," stamped with the law firm's seal, lay face down, like the sweetest reassurance, silently sinking into the depths of her heart.

Countdown to the deal? Screw it.

In her heart, she quietly and sweetly rolled her eyes.

This bastard is pretending to be a pig and eating the tiger.