Chapter 59

In July, Jinzhou felt like a giant steamer. The scorching sun scorched the earth, twisting even the air in waves of heat. The asphalt felt soft and crumbling, and the leaves of the roadside trees drooped. Only in the evening, when the last traces of the setting sun faded, did the evening breeze, carrying a faint chill, steal into the corners of the city.

On this evening, Jiang Yu emerged from the orthopedic clinic of Jinzhou First Hospital, clutching his newly released review report. Xia Wan followed him, her mood even more anxious than the July weather, her eyes fixed on his expression, trying to decipher something.

"How is it? How is it?" Xia Wan followed Jiang Yu like a little parrot, flapping her wings and asking questions all the way.

Jiang Yu was obviously very patient. After getting into the air-conditioned car, Jiang Yu did not start the engine immediately. Instead, he handed the report to Xia Wan. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise up, outlining a clear and relaxed arc.

Xia Wan eagerly took it, her eyes quickly scanning the professional terms and images, finally settling on the clear handwriting in the conclusion column: "The callus at the right scapula linear fracture and rib fracture is growing well, the fracture line is blurred, and has met clinical healing standards."

"The fracture... is healed?" She looked up, her voice filled with disbelief and surprise, her eyes instantly red. Over the past few months, watching him suffer through pain, watching him be so cautious not to make big movements, watching him endure the pain and hardship of rehabilitation, all the worry and heartache she had felt finally found an outlet in this moment.

"Yeah, it's healed." Jiang Yu looked at her red eyes, his heart softening. He reached out and gently wiped the corners of her eyes with his fingertips. "The doctor said that the recovery is better than expected, thanks to a certain 'supervisor' who did his job diligently." His tone was full of ridicule, but more of it was inextricable gratitude and tenderness.

For the past few months, Xia Wan had truly acted like his strictest supervisor. She reminded him to take his medication on time, watched him through tedious rehabilitation exercises, and when he felt like giving up due to pain or irritation, she encouraged him in her uniquely gentle yet firm way. She researched extensive rehabilitation resources, learned how to give him relaxing massages, and prepared a variety of nutritious meals. Her meticulous care was meticulous, yet she also managed to maintain his self-esteem, never letting him feel like a burden.

The overwhelming joy was like a cool spring, instantly washing away the heat and long-held worries in Xia Wan's heart. She couldn't help but rush over and hug him tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Her voice was muffled and choked with sobs, "That's great... It's really great..."

Jiang Yu's heart warmed at her sudden, reliant embrace. He hugged her back tightly, feeling the slight tremor of her slender body. He lowered his head, rubbing his chin against the soft crown of her hair, inhaling her fresh fragrance. A sense of relief and immense satisfaction, a sense of "lost and found," filled his chest. Being able to embrace her again without burden, feeling her complete trust, gave him a sense of security and happiness far greater than any commercial success.

"To celebrate Young Master Jiang's return to health," Xia Wan raised her head from his arms, her eyes sparkling, her smile bright with tears in her eyes, "Let's call Lin Wei and go get some barbecue! This kind of weather is perfect for working up a sweat at a roadside stall!"

Jiang Yu laughed. He could almost imagine how Lin Wei would jump for joy after hearing this suggestion. He pinched her nose lovingly and said, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Lin Wei on the other end of the phone burst into cheers. "Celebrating President Jiang's rebirth! We have to go barbecue! I know there's a new place that's opened. The food is amazing, and they even have private rooms with air conditioning. They definitely won't let our President Jiang down!"

As the lights came on, the city shed its daytime hecticness, revealing the vibrant energy of nightlife. The barbecue restaurant Lin Wei had strongly recommended was incredibly popular. Fortunately, we'd reserved a private room, shielding us from the hustle and bustle of the city outside. The air conditioning was plenty cold, and the various skewers of meat and vegetables sizzled on the grill, filling the air with aroma.

Lin Wei was as lively as ever, her witty remarks making Xia Wan laugh non-stop. Raising her beer glass, she declared, "Come on! Cheers to our strong, brave, and handsome CEO Jiang, who has finally gotten over his injury! Cheers to our hardworking and beautiful little angel Wanwan, too!"

Jiang Yu, for once, didn't seem to mind Lin Wei's chatter. He picked up his teacup with his left hand and clinked it with theirs, his gaze fixed on Xia Wan. Seeing her cheeks flush with joy and listening to her clear laughter, he felt that this was probably the best form of life.

After a few beers from Xia Wan and Lin Wei, Xia Wan's fair cheeks flushed, making her look particularly charming under the light. She carefully placed the grilled skewers on the plate in front of Jiang Yu and reminded him, "The doctor said that even though you're better, you still need to be careful not to eat too much spicy food."

Lin Wei smacked her lips as she watched from the side. "Oh my god, this dog food is even more delicious than the barbecue skewers in my hand! Mr. Jiang, you didn't just find a girlfriend, you hired a personal butler and rehabilitation therapist!"

Jiang Yu smiled without saying anything, just looking at Xia Wan, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowing. He enjoyed the feeling of being controlled by her and being cared for by her.

The celebratory dinner was relaxed and enjoyable. It was almost late when we returned home. The apartment was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner. The slight intoxication from the alcohol and the excitement of the celebration had not yet completely faded; the air seemed to still linger with the aroma of barbecue smoke and a faint hint of ambiguity.

Xia Wan's face was still flushed as she walked to the living room to pour herself a glass of water. Jiang Yu followed her and gently hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

"Wanwan," his voice, deeper and hoarser than usual due to the alcohol, held a magnetic allure. "Thank you."

Xia Wan's body stiffened slightly, and she could clearly feel the warmth of his chest and the steady beat of his heart. His arm was wrapped around her waist, neither too strong nor too weak, but with an undeniable possessiveness. The air seemed to thicken at this moment, every molecule filled with a silent invitation.

She turned and faced him. The living room was lit only by a single floor lamp, its dim light softening his angular features. His eyes were deep, churning with clear emotions, like a deep ocean with undercurrents, nearly drawing her in.

They were so close they could feel each other's breath. Xia Wan's heart pounded in her chest, her blood coursing faster from the alcohol and the ambiguous atmosphere. The faint scent of alcohol on her body, mixed with his refreshing and pleasant scent, formed an intoxicating aroma.

His gaze fell on her lips, and it was so hot that it seemed to carry a physical temperature, making Xia Wan feel her lips dry. She subconsciously licked her lower lip, but this unconscious action was like a spark thrown into dry wood.

Jiang Yu's Adam's apple rolled violently, and the last bit of his rationality seemed to be on the verge of collapse. He slowly, extremely slowly lowered his head, and his warm breath came closer and closer, almost brushing her face.

Xia Wan's heartbeat was so rapid it felt like it was trying to break free from the restraints in her chest. She watched his handsome face approach, the desire and struggle swirling in his eyes. Her long eyelashes trembled violently with extreme tension. Finally, she closed her eyes in obedience and tilted her face slightly, a silent, complete acquiescence and invitation.

His lips finally landed gently and tentatively on hers.

At first, it was just a feather-light touch, tinged with uncertainty and extreme cherishment. But even this light touch was like an electric current that instantly ran through their bodies.

Xia Wan let out a very light whimper, like a sigh, and her body went limp.

The sob seemed to flip a switch, and Jiang Yu's breathing suddenly increased, and the light kiss he'd once restrained deepened. No longer content with a brief taste, he tightened his arms, pressing her even closer to him. His scorching tongue, with undeniable force, pried open her jaws, slightly parted in shock, and penetrated, entwining and sucking, all with the slight intoxication of alcohol and a ferocious desire that had been suppressed for so long, almost ready to burst forth.

The kiss was filled with aggression, yet strangely, it held a sense of cautious cherishment. Xia Wan was swept away by this sudden, surging passion, her mind blank. She could only passively endure and respond. Her hands unconsciously climbed up his neck, her fingertips digging into the stubble at the back of his neck. The only sounds in the air were their rapid breathing and the intimate sounds of their lips mingling, the temperature rising steadily.

In a state of confusion and passion, Jiang Yu's hands began to wander uncontrollably on her back. Even through the thin fabric, he could feel the warmth and delicate touch of her skin. His kiss followed the corner of her lips, all the way down, lingering on her slender and fragile neck, leaving a wet and hot mark.

Xia Wan tilted her head back, breathing rapidly. It felt like a fire was burning inside her, and a strange, empty longing was growing. She felt her strength being drained away, and she almost melted in his arms.

Just when his hand tentatively, with a burning warmth, lifted the bottom edge of her skirt and was about to touch the skin of her waist——

Jiang Yu's movements suddenly stopped!

He felt as if something had burned him, abruptly awakening him from this whirlpool of passionate infatuation. He panted, his forehead against hers, their noses touching, their breaths mingling hotly. He could clearly see the misty light in Xia Wan's eyes, the crimson flush of passion, and he could feel the desire tensing up to the point of aching somewhere in his own body.

"No..." He squeezed out two words from between his teeth, his voice hoarse and filled with suppressed pain. "The doctor said... although the bones have healed, it will take time for the body's functions to fully recover... I can't... get too excited."

He was using his remaining, powerful willpower to fight against his instincts. He wanted her, desperately, every cell in his body clamoring for possession. But he cherished her and respected her even more. He didn't want their true first time to happen when his body hadn't fully recovered, or when excitement might even re-injure old injuries. That would be unfair to her and contradict his original intention of giving her the best. He couldn't risk hurting her or tarnishing their newly established relationship because of a momentary impulse.

Xia Wan's hazy eyes gradually cleared. She took in his taut jawline, the veins bulging from his forehead and neck from restraint, and the unmistakable pain in his eyes, the intense conflict between desire and reason. A wave of warmth, mixed with immense emotion and an indescribable heartbeat, washed over her. This man, at all times, put her feelings and their future first.

She looked at him sweating profusely, and her heart softened and she felt a little distressed.

She took the initiative to reach out her hand and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with her fingertips, her voice still slightly hoarse from the emotion: "Then... then let's go to sleep. Just... hold each other and sleep."

Jiang Yu's body stiffened, then it was as if a heavy burden had been lifted off him, as if he were struck by a deeper emotion. He hugged her back even harder, as if he wanted to rub her into his own flesh and blood. He lowered his head and placed soft, cherishing kisses on the top of her head, as if performing some kind of soothing ritual.

"Okay," he agreed hoarsely, his voice filled with relief and deep attachment, "I'll hold you while I sleep."

That night, they didn't separate the guest and master bedrooms. After washing up, Xia Wan dressed in conservative pajamas and shyly slid into the large bed in Jiang Yu's master bedroom. Jiang Yu quickly joined her and turned off the lights, leaving only the city lights outside the window, casting a dim glow through the gaps in the curtains.

He turned sideways, carefully pulling her into his arms. Her back pressed against his still-scorching chest, his arm wrapped around her waist, his palm gently resting on her stomach. Through the thin pajamas between them, they could clearly feel each other's body heat, the texture of their skin, and... the intense, still-present heat somewhere within him.

Xia Wan's body trembled slightly, but she did not dodge.

"Don't move..." He whispered a warning in her ear, his voice still hoarse and restrained, "Just like that... don't move."

Xia Wan immediately dared not move, and nestled obediently in his arms, feeling the enveloping feeling of his strong arms and the undeniable hardness behind him. A strange sense of security and intimacy intertwined.

Gradually, surrounded by his body warmth and steady heartbeat, and the reassuring coolness of his breath, Xia Wan's tense nerves slowly relaxed. His embrace was broad and warm, like the most solid harbor. She quietly adjusted to a more comfortable position, leaning back and pressing closer to him.

Feeling her relaxation and dependence, Jiang Yu's tense body gradually relaxed. The desire still existed, but another deeper and more peaceful emotion took over - the satisfaction of owning the whole world and the anticipation of a closer relationship in the future.

In the darkness, he tightened his arms and held her deeper in his arms, as if he was embracing a rare treasure that had been lost and found again.

That night, there was no further intimacy, only the warmth and security of sleeping in each other's arms, and that abrupt but lingering kiss that left a deep mark on their hearts. Their breaths gradually merged, and their heartbeats seemed to find a common rhythm. This was a milestone, symbolizing that their relationship had officially entered a new stage of intimacy and mutual trust, from cautious mutual care to a new level of intimacy. Physical boundaries were broken, and their spiritual connection reached new heights. From that night on, living together seemed to become a natural and smooth process.

Outside, the July sun blazed brightly, the night darkening. Inside, the two embraced each other. After enduring the trials of injury and the simmering of emotions, they were finally, for the first time, truly "together." Physical boundaries were broken, and their spiritual connection reached new heights. From that night on, their life together seemed to become a natural progression, a natural progression.