Chapter 90: Tacit Understanding (Part 2)

Yu Ling looked at the man before her. He dissected his most shameful past with almost brutal frankness, denying the relationship with the coldest of words. Yet, as he looked at her, he revealed a deep sense of unease and vulnerability. That cautiousness, that fear that she might even take it personally, was more genuine and moving than any sweet talk.

The tiny thorn in my heart had already been turned into dust by his frank gaze and his clumsy cherishment.

She extended her hand, but instead of answering his question, she imitated him, gently brushing his furrowed brow with her warm fingertips. Then, she stood on tiptoe.

A gentle kiss with the sweet scent of almond shortbread fell on the corner of Zhao Chen's tightly pursed lips.

The kiss was light and brief, like the brush of a feather.

Zhao Chen's body suddenly stiffened! His pupils instantly dilated, clearly reflecting Yu Ling's smiling face, which was close at hand.

Yu Ling backed away a little, her nose almost brushing against his, her breathing audible. She looked at his expression, which was momentarily dazed, as if overwhelmed by immense happiness. A faint smile spread across her clear eyes, a hint of mischief, yet also a sincere tenderness.

"Idiot." She said softly, her voice like honey. "Of course I believe you."

"boom--!"

Zhao Chen felt as if something in his head had exploded! A huge, regained ecstasy swept through all his senses like a tsunami! All his uneasiness, anxiety, and fear were washed away by her gentle kiss and the words "Stupid, of course I believe you"!

He could no longer control himself, and with a long arm he stretched out, suddenly hugging Yu Ling tightly in his arms! His strength was so great that it seemed as if he wanted to rub her into his bones and blood! His chin rested on the top of her soft hair, greedily breathing in her sweet, reassuring scent.

"Lingling..." He buried his head in the crook of her neck, his voice muffled, with a heavy nasal tone and trembling with uncontrollable excitement, "Lingling..."

He called her name over and over again, like a traveler who had finally found his way home, filled with gratitude for having regained what he had lost and endless attachment.

Yu Ling was a little breathless under his stranglehold, but her heart felt like it was soaking in a pot of warm honey, sweet and swollen. She raised her hands and gently hugged his slender waist, resting her cheek on his warm chest, listening to the disordered but powerful heartbeat coming from his chest.

Boom, boom, boom...

That was the sound of a heart beating violently for her.

The kitchen fell silent, leaving only the two figures embracing each other, their heartbeats and breathing intertwined. Dusk deepened outside the window, the warm yellow light elongating their shadows, casting them gently on the polished marble floor, overlapping and inseparable.

The atmosphere of dinner was more relaxed and sweet than ever before.

Inside the restaurant, a massive crystal chandelier cast a soft glow. Fine bone china was neatly laid out on the long dining table. Several delicious home-cooked dishes exuded an alluring aroma. Next to them sat a plate of almond shortbread, baked by Zhao Chen himself, for dessert. This time, it was a legitimate product from President Zhao, who hadn't even been caught clearing out his stock.

Yu Ling sipped the delicious mushroom soup, occasionally looking up at the man sitting opposite her.

Zhao Chen had completely shaken off the emotions of the "confession" moment. He looked like a beautiful jade, aglow with warmth and joy. An irrepressible smile played on his lips, and behind his glasses, his eyes were gentle enough to shed tears. His gaze never left Yu Ling.

"Try this." He picked up a piece of tender and flavorful pork ribs and placed it in Yu Ling's bowl very naturally, his movements so familiar that it seemed as if he had practiced it a thousand times. "It's stewed with rice wine and rock sugar. You said you liked it last time."

"Hmm," Yu Ling agreed, picking up the ribs and taking a bite. It was indeed tender and sweet. She narrowed her eyes in satisfaction and casually asked, "Tomorrow is the weekend, do you have any plans?"

"Yes!" Zhao Chen answered immediately, putting down his chopsticks, leaning forward slightly, looking at her with sparkling eyes and childish excitement, "I'll take you somewhere!"

"Huh? Where are you going?" Yu Ling was amused by his sudden excitement.

"A secret!" Zhao Chen raised a finger to his lips mysteriously. Then, as if he had thought of something, his eyes showed a hint of cautious tentativeness, and his tone softened. "But... maybe I need to get up a little earlier? About half past six?" He said, and immediately added, "I'll prepare breakfast! You can eat it in the car!"

The look of fear, a hint of flattery and anticipation, as if he was afraid she'd find it too early, made Yu Ling burst into laughter. She deliberately put on a stern face and drawled out, "Six-thirty...isn't that too early? You're so busy, aren't you supposed to sleep in naturally on weekends?"

"What old man?" Zhao Chen protested immediately, his eyes full of grievance. "I'm young and strong! I'm in good spirits! Why would I sleep in?" He paused, his voice softening again, with a hint of coquettishness. "Lingling... are you going? I promise not to let you down!"

Seeing him like a large dog wagging its tail for mercy, Yu Ling couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing. "Alright, alright, let's go. But..." She rolled her eyes slyly, "Since you have to get up early, shouldn't you go to bed early tonight?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Go to bed early!" Zhao Chen nodded hurriedly.

Yu Ling smiled as she watched him frantically texting, her heart sweet. She picked up a piece of almond shortbread and took a bite. It was crispy and sweet. Her eyes inadvertently swept over Zhao Chen's left hand, which was resting on the table.

On her ring finger, the elegant platinum wedding ring gleamed with a warm sheen under the light. He had bought it at a small street vendor during their flash marriage, as an ordinary employee. She'd thought it was too simple, but he'd said, "Simplicity is better. You can wear it forever and never get tired of it."

Now, this "ordinary" ring, worn on the slender finger of the wealthy man, does not seem out of place at all. Instead, it seems particularly precious because of the thoughtfulness that has been placed on it.

She thought of the Victoria silver sailboat that Gu Qianqian had shown off and that Zhao Chen had won for her, and then thought of the undisguised disgust with which Zhao Chen had commented on that past... The last trace of gloom in her heart completely dissipated.

She swallowed the biscuit, suddenly reached out her hand, and gently touched the back of Zhao Chen's hand on the table with her fingertips.

Zhao Chen immediately put down his phone, took her hand in his, and wrapped it in his warm, dry palm, asking with his eyes, "What's wrong?"

Yu Ling looked at him, her eyes clear and warm, with a tacit understanding and tenderness: "Nothing. I just feel..." She paused, a sweet arc rising at the corner of her mouth, "You, this 'pig', may be full of flaws in your acting, but... the cookies you baked are quite delicious."

Zhao Chen was stunned at first, then reacted. His ears felt a little hot again, but his eyes were surprisingly bright. He held her hand tightly and laughed softly, a laugh full of joy and satisfaction.

"Of course," he said, raising his chin slightly, a little proudly, "Pigs also have dignity, and baking cookies is a basic skill." He leaned closer, lowering his voice, his warm breath brushing against Ling's ear with an ambiguous sweetness, "As long as the owner of the 'pigsty' likes it, that's fine."

Yu Ling's cheeks flushed with his amusement, and she glared at him angrily, but she didn't pull her hand away, letting him hold it tightly. The warmth from his fingertips and the unreserved tenderness and smile in his eyes, which belonged only to her, satisfied her more than any other delicacies.

The shadows of the past were dispelled by the sunshine of honesty, and the journey ahead was filled with the "secret" surprises he had carefully prepared. And at this moment, the tightly clasped hands and the smile on the lips were the most real and sweetest fireworks in the world.

It's late at night.

There was only a warm yellow wall lamp on in the master bedroom.

Yu Ling leaned against the large, soft headboard, an open book in her hands, but her mind was elsewhere. Her freshly showered skin was moist and fragrant with shower gel, and her long, half-dried hair draped over her shoulders. She watched Zhao Chen emerge from the bathroom.

He wore only a bath towel, his muscular torso still stained with wetness, a healthy sheen gleaming under the warm yellow light. Water dripped down his defined abdominal muscles, sinking into the edge of the towel around his waist. His hair hung wetly over his forehead, losing some of his daytime elite coolness and instead conveying a touch of homely laziness and... a wild sexiness.

He casually wiped his hair with a towel as he walked towards the bed. His eyes fell on Yu Ling, who was leaning against the headboard. His steps paused slightly, his eyes darkened instantly, and his Adam's apple rolled silently.

Yu Ling felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by him. She subconsciously pulled at the collar of her silk nightgown and her eyes drifted to the pages of the book in her hands: "Ahem... dry your hair, don't catch a cold."

Zhao Chen said nothing, simply walking to the bedside and casually draping a towel over the back of a nearby chair. Then, he knelt on one knee on the mattress, his tall figure instantly enveloping her with the warmth of a bath and the oppressive power of hormones.

Yu Ling's heart skipped a beat, and her fingers gripping the book tightened slightly.

Zhao Chen didn't move. He reached out and, with a perfectly natural movement, took the book from her hand, placing it on the bedside table without even glancing at it. Then, he leaned over, placing his hands on the mattress on either side of Yu Ling's body, trapping her between him and the headboard.

The distance between the two people was instantly shortened to the point where they could hear each other's breathing.

The ends of his wet hair were still dripping with water. A drop of cold water unexpectedly fell on Yu Ling's exposed collarbone, causing her to tremble slightly.

"Lingling," he began, his voice slightly hoarse from showering, as deep as the G string of a cello, especially alluring in the quiet night. "You just said in the restaurant...the cookies are delicious?"

His gaze was burning, sweeping across Ling's cheeks and lips like a substance, and finally landing on her slightly heaving chest.

Yu Ling's cheeks flushed as he looked at her. She forced herself to remain calm and said, "Yes, yes, what's wrong?"

"Then..." Zhao Chen's lips curled up in an extremely seductive arc, with a hint of mischief and childish anticipation. He lowered his head, his warm lips almost touching her earlobe, and his hot breath sprayed on her sensitive skin, stirring a subtle shudder.

"Would you like to try something else?" His low, hoarse voice was like a hook, and every word struck Yu Ling's heart. "I promise...it's sweeter than cookies."