80 His deep affection and indifference

As dawn broke, Wen Xueyan woke up in bed to find herself tightly embraced by Cheng Boyan. His arms were strong and powerful, encircling her completely.

Memories of last night flooded back; he wasn't gentle afterwards, but she felt a strange attraction to his aggressiveness.

She also remembered that Cheng Boyan later carried her into the bathroom.

In the misty steam, he pressed her against the tiled wall. It was as if he wanted to make up for the year or so they had been apart.

Cheng Boyan braced his arm against the wall beside her ear, completely trapping her within his territory. That strong, uniquely his masculine scent swept over her, not the smell of perfume, but a more primal one, along with the hormonal aroma emanating from his own burning body heat, like a wild storm.

Wild, unruly, full of the most direct desires and control.

Thinking of these things, her cheeks couldn't help but blush.

The deeper memory is that feeling of being completely filled, perfectly fulfilled. It's as if a long-drifting lone boat has finally sailed into its own harbor, every crevice filled, every inch of the soul soothed.

Then, he lowered his head, not to kiss her, but to gently, with a punitive nibble, on Wen Xueyan's tender earlobe, causing her to tremble uncontrollably.

"During the time we were apart, did you think of me?" Cheng Boyan's breath brushed against her ear.

Before she could answer, his lips pressed down on hers again.

Between breaths, she caught his unique masculine scent. His hand slowly moved down her back, finally stopping at her waist, and he suddenly pressed her closer to him.

A few minutes later, his movements became wilder, and he turned her around and hugged her from behind.

"Call me by my name. Who am I?" Cheng Boyan stopped and suddenly asked the question that had been weighing on his mind for a long time. Subconsciously, he was still worried, after all, legally, Wen Xueyan was still Xi Mingyuan's wife.

“Bo Yan…” she called his name again, this time with a hint of pleading.

“I’m here,” he replied, his voice hoarse but firm. “I’ve always been here.”

Only after receiving Wen Xueyan's affirmative answer did Cheng Boyan delve deeper into the matter.

In this moment of confusion and infatuation, Wen Xueyan suddenly remembered the scene of seeing him in the company's conference room before.

He was wearing a dark gray suit, a white shirt buttoned up to the top, and a silver-gray tie tied meticulously. He questioned the department head's report, his voice calm and methodical.

At this moment, the man had her trapped between his arms and the wall, a few strands of hair falling across his forehead, adding to his unruly air.

“You’re completely different now than you are at the company,” she whispered, her voice breaking from his kiss.

He chuckled softly, the vibrations of his chest resonating through her: "The way I am now, I will only ever show myself to you for the rest of my life."

These words broke down all her defenses. She turned her head and met his lips.

Cheng Boyan's response was even more passionate. He entered her again, cupping her face in one hand while the other hand roamed over the curves of her body, every touch filled with possessiveness.

That night, Wen Xueyan saw all his duality: wildness and restraint, unrestrainedness and tenderness.

At this moment, in the cool morning light, Wen Xueyan quietly raised her eyes and gazed at the sleeping face so close to hers. Gone was the wildness of the previous night; he appeared much quieter, but the deep contours of his features remained etched between his brows.

But last night, and now, the man holding her tightly in his arms, made her feel wild, unrestrained, and passionate, filled with the most primal impulses and a sense of power.

"Awake?" Cheng Boyan's voice was hoarse from the early morning.

"Mmm," she replied softly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

A glint flashed in his eyes, and then he kissed her forehead even more deeply. This kiss was different from the intensity of the previous night; it was filled with endless tenderness and reverence.

Wen Xueyan closed her eyes, feeling the warmth from his lips, a warmth like that of jade refined over time, gentle and enduring.

Cheng Boyan stepped back slightly, his deep eyes churning with complex emotions. "Xueyan," he called her softly, his voice carrying a rare, almost sighing tenderness, "In the year or so since we separated, I happened to hear a song called 'Passing Through the World'."

He paused, as if lost in memories, "The lyrics say, 'People should have illusions about love and forever. Passing through this world, it's only a few decades.' As I listened, I suddenly thought of us. In the days when you weren't by my side, those memories have always been with me."

Wen Xueyan nestled in his arms and nodded gently. She understood what he meant. In the vast universe and the long river of time, individual lives are as insignificant and fleeting as mayflies. It is love and bonds that give weight and meaning to these brief lives.

A gentle smile appeared on Cheng Boyan's lips. "Back then, I felt that this overwhelming love was only for you. But now, there's someone else."

Wen Xueyan was startled and almost blurted out, "Who else is there?" Rao Wanyi's image flashed into her mind again, and her heart felt like it had been gently tugged by something.

A woman like Qiao Qianyue is flamboyantly beautiful but empty, like a colorful balloon with no substance.

Wen Xueyan knew that with Cheng Boyan's depth and discerning eye, he would not be easily fooled by such a shallow appearance.

But Rao Wanyi is different. She was an undeniable presence for Wen Xueyan during her university days. Rao Wanyi's beauty was not an aggressive, overbearing kind of beauty, but a gentle beauty nurtured by books and experience, like a pearl under the moonlight, with a warm luster, yet without losing its strength.

Rao Wanyi came from a wealthy family, yet she was humble and sincere. She even provided Wen Xueyan with financial assistance. What Wen Xueyan admired even more was that Rao Wanyi had disregarded societal norms and stayed with her boyfriend from a poor family for many years for the sake of pure love. That perseverance and courage were something that many pampered heiresses could hardly match.

Although her marriage later broke down due to her husband's betrayal, she did not succumb to despair after such a devastating blow. Instead, she rose again with a more resilient and insightful attitude.

Such women possess an independent soul that does not depend on anyone, and also have the compassion and wisdom to understand the complexities of the world.

Cheng Boyan, a man as steady as a mountain and insightful about the world, has an overwhelming radiance. When Wen Xueyan thought about Cheng Boyan being pursued by such a woman who combines gentleness and strength, her heart tightened uncontrollably.

Cheng Boyan was taken aback when he saw her expression tense up instantly. Then, remembering what happened last night, he immediately realized what had happened and chuckled softly. He reached out and gently stroked the tip of her nose, his eyes full of teasing and doting: "Xueyan, that person is our one-year-old baby, our son."

Wen Xueyan blushed instantly, burying her face in his firm chest in embarrassment, and gave him a light punch.

The future may still be uncertain, but at least at this moment, in his presence and embrace, she felt a long-lost sense of belonging.

Just then, Cheng Boyan's phone screen on the bedside table lit up, accompanied by a crisp notification sound.

Wen Xueyan's gaze unconsciously drifted over. Cheng Boyan keenly caught this subtle movement of hers. Without the slightest hesitation, he stretched out his long arm and pulled her into his embrace, while picking up his phone with his other hand, displaying the screen directly in front of the two of them.

"You enter the password, and then you'll see. There's nothing I need to hide from you. Even if it's a trade secret, I'm confident you won't betray me," Cheng Boyan said slowly.

It was a complete and unreserved honesty. Wen Xueyan leaned against his firm chest and could clearly feel his steady heartbeat.

Wen Xueyan looked down at the screen, and the content stunned her.

The sender was none other than "Vice President Li of the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital".

"Mr. Cheng, yes, yesterday a young woman named Wen Haijing, accompanied by Mr. Xu Junheng, visited the obstetrics and gynecology department. The examination results showed she was four weeks pregnant."

“All around… Jingjing is only a freshman in college, only nineteen years old…” Wen Xueyan murmured to herself, her voice filled with disbelief and shock.

Her cousin's youthful face immediately flashed into her mind. That girl came from a poor family; her parents had almost emptied their savings to raise money for their son's dowry, and even her living expenses were often cut off. Jingjing had always been very sensible and studied hard. To ease the burden on her family, she had even considered working part-time at a bar, but after being dissuaded by Wen Xueyan, she only went once and never persisted.

Later, Jingjing told Wen Xueyan that she only tutored on weekends. Although it was hard work and she didn't earn much, at least she felt at ease. Wen Xueyan felt sorry for her and would secretly give her some living expenses every month.

How could such a simple, hardworking girl with a life so straightforward it's almost transparent get involved with a complex and ruthless man like Xu Junheng, known for his business acumen? Their lives are like parallel lines; where exactly did they unexpectedly intersect?

Cheng Boyan's expression was solemn. He knew Xu Junheng's history better than Wen Xueyan; he had cheated on his wife after their marriage.

“Xu Junheng…” Wen Xueyan’s voice was filled with suppressed anger and lingering fear, “How could he… Jingjing is so young, only nineteen! Should we call the police? Or, I should call Jingjing right now and ask her what happened!” She thought of Xu Junheng’s eyes, which were always filled with calculation and indifference, and a chill rose from the bottom of her heart.

A warm, large hand gently covered the back of her hand as she prepared to dial.

"Don't rush," Cheng Boyan said calmly. "We don't fully understand the specifics yet. Besides, she's an adult."

Wen Xueyan turned to look at him in disbelief. His expression was overly calm, even indifferent.

"How can you be so cold-hearted?" She pulled her hand away. "She's my cousin. Now that she's in such a big situation, shouldn't we take the initiative to care for her?"

“Xueyan, this isn’t indifference.” He gazed at her calmly. “Think about it, if she doesn’t want anyone to know about this right now, how would your sudden inquiry make her feel? If concern is inappropriate, it becomes pressure. Some detours, though known to be thorny, must be walked by oneself to understand what a smooth road is. Whatever decision she makes, it’s her life.”

Cheng Boyan's voice pulled Wen Xueyan back from her chaotic thoughts; his tone regained its usual calmness and orderliness.

“But she needs help…” Wen Xueyan responded.

"Of course she needs help, but the premise of help is respect. Respect her wishes and the pace at which she handles the problem. The important thing is to figure out the situation first. What if she doesn't want you to call the police? What if she's doing it voluntarily? I mean voluntarily after being deceived. This matter may be complicated."

In his eyes, Wen Xueyan saw again the composure and clarity that this man displayed in the workplace.

Cheng Boyan paused, then pulled her into his arms. "I know you were worried yesterday, so I investigated secretly. But matters of the heart are complicated, and everyone has moments of irrationality. When you wanted to break up with me last year, if I had known you were pregnant with my child, I would never have accepted you leaving me."

Wen Xueyan opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but found that she couldn't find the right words for a moment.

She had to admit that Cheng Boyan's words made sense, and perhaps she should pretend not to know for the time being, but emotionally she still found it hard to accept.

*

Morning light filtered through the checkered curtains of the dormitory, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Wen Haijing sat alone at her desk, her fingers picking at the edges of her textbook pages, her gaze unfocused on the view outside the window.

There were no classes this morning, and my roommates went to the library early. Right now, the four-person room is so quiet that I can hear my own heartbeat.

The memory of that rainy night two months ago remains as vivid as yesterday.

That day, Wen Haijing took the bus as usual to the home recommended by the tutoring agency to tutor the child once a week. The student was a well-behaved first-grade girl who lived in a well-known villa area in the east of the city.

Initially, whenever Wen Haijing came to teach, she would contact the child's mother, and she did not have the male homeowner's contact information.

After finishing her two-hour class, it was pouring rain outside. She didn't have an umbrella, and it would take her ten minutes to walk to the bus stop.

She was worrying about how to get back to school when her husband, Xu Junheng, came out of his study and offered to drive her there.

The black sedan drove smoothly through the rain, its interior filled with a faint scent of leather and the lingering aroma of cigars.

Throughout the journey, Xu Junheng didn't say much, only asking her a few simple questions about her studies and family situation, his tone gentle and polite. When they arrived at the school gate, he considerately parked the car on the side of the road, took a long black umbrella from the trunk, and handed it to her.

"It's raining heavily, be careful not to get wet. I'll drop you off here. Goodbye." Xu Junheng's voice sounded particularly calm amidst the rain.

Before Wen Haijing could even thank him, he had already turned around and returned to the driver's side door, nodded slightly to her, and then quickly drove away.

Before leaving, Xu Junheng didn't exchange any pleasantries, nor did he ask for his WeChat or phone number.

Throughout the entire process, he was almost impeccably gentlemanly.

Welcome all readers and fans to leave comments and vote! Thank you for your support.

Mr. Cheng is so charming!

Thank you for your message.

I want to see the teacher's pre-orders~ Hehehe

Okay, thank you for your message~ May I ask you, which pre-order book are you most interested in right now?

I think so. Some things you can only experience yourself. No matter how much others say, it's useless; you just can't listen.

Yes, that's exactly right. Thank you for your comment and vote.

Absolutely no problem. Everyone has their own path to walk. The female lead sometimes just meddles too much. She's struggling herself but still tries to help her cousin.

Thank you for your detailed analysis.