18. She nestled into his arms.

Wen Xueyan could clearly feel the delicate, persistent kisses on her collarbone, their heat burning. She felt a deep longing for that moment of being cherished and loved.

Wen Xueyan did not answer. She looked up, her gaze falling on his upright face.

Each time Cheng Boyan's lips touched her lips, it was like throwing a pebble into a long-frozen lake of her heart, creating ripples.

Wen Xueyan could feel his body's reaction, and sense the same desire and struggle she felt.

His warm breath brushed against the delicate skin of her neck, spreading through the autumn night air.

Seeing that she didn't answer, Cheng Boyan slowly moved his fingertips to her back and unfastened the clasp. His movements were gentle and restrained, as if giving her one last chance to refuse.

Wen Xueyan gasped softly as his hand slipped under the hem of her shirt. His palm was already burning hot, and a shiver ran through her as it caressed her waist.

At this moment, Cheng Boyan's hand continued to reach inside the shirt, and Wen Xueyan inexplicably flinched.

"Xueyan," Cheng Boyan seemed to sense her hesitation and asked again, "Are you sure you want me to stay tonight?"

Both of them know what will happen if they stay.

This time, those words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly waking Wen Xueyan up.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, her voice trembling with a tremor that surprised even herself, "now...is not the time."

Cheng Boyan paused. After a moment, he slowly got up from her, maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor.

"Then I'll go out." His voice had lost its usual calmness.

Cheng Boyan is really gone.

The sound of the door closing softly was particularly clear in the quiet apartment.

Wen Xueyan lay alone in bed, staring at the ceiling, when she suddenly felt a strange emptiness.

The images from the past year or so uncontrollably flashed before her eyes: those nights spent alone in an empty house, Song Tiancheng's indifferent back view time and time again, the heartbreak when she discovered evidence of his infidelity... Why did she continue to remain faithful to a marriage that had already hurt her?

Why should one use morality to bind oneself after being betrayed?

She recalled all the sacrifices she had made over the years: quitting her dream job to take care of her sick mother, carefully adjusting her husband's diet to treat his stomach ailment, and giving up her original job opportunities for her family.

Why did I push him away?

Life is short, why can't we bravely pursue a moment of warmth? Why always think about waiting until later?

Just then, my phone rang. The screen displayed the name of my best friend, Ning Zhiyi.

"Xueyan, I've been incredibly busy with work and social engagements lately, and I only just saw your message. Did you file for divorce?" Zhiyi's voice was filled with concern. "Are you alright?"

Wen Xueyan briefly explained what had just happened.

"Oh my god," Ning Zhiyi exclaimed, "You rejected your boss? The one you mentioned before, President Cheng? Xueyan, are you stupid? When Song Tiancheng betrayed you, did he ever think about morality? Let me tell you, recently even my boss wanted to pursue me, and I almost said yes."

Why didn't you agree?

"Xu Dechuan, the CEO of the Xu Group. The problem is, he's more than 20 years older than me. That's a significant age gap. But, the few blind dates I've had with men my age all rejected me because I brought a boy along. Since they reject me, I might as well stay single. If Xu Dechuan and CEO Cheng were the same age, I definitely wouldn't refuse." Ning Zhiyi was always very frank with Wen Xueyan.

Ning Zhiyi continued, "President Cheng is only seven years older than you. He's so accomplished, and he hasn't had any scandals all these years. But our youth is so short! We can't control the future, so living well in the present is what's important. When you married Song Tiancheng, didn't you also think it would last a lifetime? Be brave, live for yourself, and remember that your psychological and physical needs are both important."

After hanging up the phone, Wen Xueyan walked to the French windows and looked out. The night breeze slipped in through the slightly open window, gently caressing her ankles and bringing a touch of coolness.

The height of the 25th floor gave her a feeling of floating, belonging neither to the sky nor to the earth. This state of being suspended was very much like her relationship with Cheng Boyan; they couldn't be open about their relationship, but she couldn't bear to reject him.

Ten minutes later, she dialed Cheng Boyan's number.

It was answered after only one ring.

"Xueyan, what is it?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm still in the car, downstairs, smoking." He had been about to drive away a minute before answering the phone.

These words made Wen Xueyan's heart tremble.

"Do you want to... come up again?" she asked softly.

A dozen minutes later, the doorbell rang. Wen Xueyan opened the door and saw Cheng Boyan standing outside, carrying a faint smell of tobacco and the chill of the autumn night.

As he stepped through the door and closed it, Wen Xueyan hugged him from behind. Her cheek pressed against his broad back, feeling the warmth of his body.

Wen Xueyan was about to ask him why he had taken so long to come upstairs when she touched the square box in his trouser pocket and guessed that he might have gone to buy something.

Cheng Boyan slowly turned around, gazing deeply into her eyes: "Xueyan?"

Wen Xueyan tiptoed and answered with a kiss. This kiss was no longer hesitant and restrained, but filled with a definite longing. Cheng Boyan responded to her kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.

This time, there were no more words.

He lowered his head to find her lips, and took them in his mouth, gently yet firmly.

Cheng Boyan's arms were strong and powerful, and he easily lifted Wen Xueyan up in his arms.

Her cheek pressed against the cool fabric of his shirt, and she smelled the crisp scent of autumn rain. A long-lost sense of security and strength quietly enveloped her.

Outside the bedroom's floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights were shimmering in the autumn rain, creating a hazy sea of ​​light.

Cheng Boyan gently placed her on the large bed.

He didn't rush to do anything, but instead knelt on one knee by the bed, his deep gaze fixed intently on her.

Wen Xueyan turned her head slightly under that gaze. More than a year of emotional desolation made it almost impossible for her to bear such a burning gaze.

"You are beautiful," he whispered, each word clear to her ears, "but now..."

Wen Xueyan knew what he wanted to say, and reached out to cover his lips with hers.

He slowly lowered his head and took her fair hand in his. His palm was broad and warm, completely enveloping her delicate hand.

Then, he leaned down and gently kissed her pale fingertips with his warm lips.

At that moment, Wen Xueyan almost burst into tears.

She could feel the warmth of his breath, spraying onto the back of her hand, tickling her all the way to her heart, and prying open the long-frozen shell of her emotions.

However, this extreme gentleness is merely a brief calm on the sea surface before the storm arrives.

When his lips left her fingertips and he looked up, Wen Xueyan met a pair of eyes that had darkened completely.

All the restraint he had shown earlier vanished instantly, leaving only his aggressive masculine aura.

Wen Xueyan's heartbeat suddenly became erratic.

The next moment, the world spun around.

His tall frame suddenly pressed down on her, capturing her lips precisely. It was no longer a test, but a complete conquest.

He stopped speaking, and Wen Xueyan felt her rationality melting away little by little, her body responding honestly.

For over a year, she had grown accustomed to sleeping alone at night, and the warmth and touch at this moment made her both longing and nervous.

Cheng Boyan's slender fingers unbuttoned her shirt.

As the collar of his shirt opened, the cool air touched his skin, but was quickly covered by his warm palms.

Wen Xueyan subconsciously tried to cover herself with her hands, but he gently grabbed her wrist and pressed it against the pillow.

The lights were turned off, and in the darkness, the senses were amplified.

When his hand gripped her slender waist, Wen Xueyan unconsciously held her breath.

Wen Xueyan felt that the kisses falling on her body were like the autumn rain tonight, fine and cool.

That year of being neglected, ignored, and treated like air—Song Tiancheng's indifferent back, his impatient frown, and even the deliberate distance he maintained when they shared a bed—all of these were unspeakable dull pains that eroded her pride as a woman little by little.

But at this moment, Cheng Boyan's powerful presence, his burning body temperature, his heavy and powerful heartbeat, and every unquestionable act of possession were like the most scorching sunlight.

Two hearts, both betrayed, draw closer now.

His strong arms were tightly wrapped around her waist. The strength was not meant to harm, but rather an almost domineering possessiveness and confirmation, as if silently declaring her ownership and telling her unequivocally, "You are here, in my arms."

She even began to actively try to feel him.

She loved the sense of control he gave her when his strong arms held her tightly, and she loved the intense heat emanating from his muscular chest.

Her slender fingers, brimming with a renewed courage, touched his tense back.

…

When she finally arrived at that moment, Wen Xueyan couldn't help but utter a soft sound, feeling as if dazzling fireworks were exploding in her mind.

Outside the window, the rain had stopped.

Cheng Boyan held her in his arms for a long time before letting go.

Wen Xueyan went to the bathroom in the middle of the night. When she returned to bed, Cheng Boyan instinctively reached out his arm to greet her while he was half asleep.

She turned her head slightly, and in the dim moonlight, looked at the profile of the sleeping man beside her. His handsome features had softened at that moment.

She is no longer merely someone being chosen; tonight, she has also chosen to embrace her own heart and accept this powerful warmth.

Wen Xueyan nestled into his arms again, feeling his body temperature.

The autumn morning light filtered through the thin gauze curtains, casting dappled shadows on the floor. When Wen Xueyan woke up, the bed beside her was already empty.

She picked up her phone from the bedside table. The screen lit up, displaying a message from an hour earlier, sent by Cheng Boyan.

Welcome all readers, teachers, and darlings to leave comments and vote! Thank you for your support.

I love it!

Update quickly!

That's wonderful! Be true to yourself! Don't always give away your life.

Congratulations on becoming a paid seller! Yuanshan-sensei is amazing; she manages to maintain such high quality while being so prolific.

I really love the descriptions of the female lead's changing emotions; looking forward to the next update!

Great! Please update more!

Thank you for your comments, readers! Feel free to leave more messages!

Thank you for your comments, readers! Feel free to leave more messages!

Yes! Her mindset is changing~ Thank you for your comment, reader~ Please feel free to leave more comments!