72 An Embrace on the Rooftop
Halfway through the banquet, Cheng Boyan took the opportunity of toasting to whisper in Wen Xueyan's ear, "Let's go to the rooftop on the third floor. I'll be waiting for you."
Ten minutes later, Wen Xueyan quietly left her seat. As she pushed open the rooftop door, the night wind rushed in, lifting the stray hairs at her temples.
Cheng Boyan leaned against the railing, the city lights behind him spreading out like a dazzling starry sky.
A night breeze swept by, and she couldn't help but sneeze.
Cheng Boyan immediately took off his suit jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders. The jacket still retained his body heat and familiar, refreshing scent, and this thoughtful gesture made Wen Xueyan's heart flutter.
"Have you named the child yet?" Cheng Boyan asked.
"His name is Xi Qian." Wen Xueyan's voice rang clearly in the night, "Qian as in 'humble'."
"Your surname is Xi?" Cheng Boyan's voice was cold and clear in the night wind.
"Mm." Wen Xueyan nodded.
Cheng Boyan was slightly taken aback, then realized that he couldn't possibly have the surname Cheng.
This is a good name, implying both the virtues of a gentleman and the humility one should possess in dealing with others. Just like Wen Xueyan's consistent character in his memory, she was always humble and polite, yet possessed an undeniable resilience.
"A very good name," he said slowly.
"Thank you," Wen Xueyan replied softly, her gaze unconsciously lowering.
Then, both of them fell silent.
In that instant, she suddenly felt inexplicably that there was an indescribable awkwardness between them.
They hadn't been in contact for a year. Indeed, during that year, Wen Xueyan hadn't experienced any major emotional fluctuations, and Xu Junxian hadn't come to see her again before her death.
At this moment, the distance between the two people is not physical, but emotional, like two rivers that once met but diverged at a fork in the road and flowed separately, as if they could never return to their former intimacy.
A gentle night breeze carried the faint sounds of music from a distant banquet. Wen Xueyan pulled Cheng Boyan's suit jacket closer to her shoulders.
She remembered that more than a year ago, when Cheng Boyan frowned, he would naturally reach out and gently smooth the wrinkles between her brows with his warm fingertips. When she suffered from unbearable menstrual cramps, he would pull her into his arms and let her lean against his broad chest. His palm would gently press on her lower abdomen, using just the right amount of pressure to relieve her discomfort.
"How have you been lately?" Cheng Boyan's voice broke the silence, his tone cautious and tentative.
Wen Xueyan looked up and met his deep eyes. In those eyes that she once knew so well, she saw the same melancholy. It turned out she wasn't the only one who had felt this change.
"It's alright," she replied softly. "Taking care of the children is a bit tiring, but it's also very fulfilling, especially with the help of the nanny."
"That's good."
Cheng Boyan wanted to ask about the child's background, but he had promised not to.
After he finished speaking, the two fell silent again.
This deliberate politeness caused Wen Xueyan a slight pang of pain. Since when did they have to fill the void with such distant small talk?
Cheng Boyan seemed to sense her unease. He raised his hand, wanting to tidy her wind-blown hair as he used to, but then slowly lowered his hand halfway down.
"Time flies." Cheng Boyan gazed at the city lights in the distance, a faint sigh in her voice. "In the blink of an eye, you're already a mother."
Wen Xueyan nodded gently, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the cuff of her suit jacket. She knew there was more to his words than met the eye; how many unfulfilled regrets were hidden in that unspoken sentence.
However, Cheng Boyan's next sentence stunned Wen Xueyan.
"Can you get a divorce right away? Xu Junxian is gone now, there are no more obstacles between us." Cheng Boyan decided to stop being polite and asked directly.
Wen Xueyan was taken aback by his sudden question, a complex expression flashing across her eyes. She gently shook her head, the moonlight casting a soft shadow on her delicate profile: "Not now. I want to ask, is Xu Junxian's matter... related to you?" Her voice was filled with worry.
Xu Junxian's death was completely unexpected by Wen Xueyan. She had thought that Cheng Boyan might go through a protracted divorce lawsuit, or even a long and uncertain one, but she never expected that his marriage would end so suddenly in this way.
Cheng Boyan stared at her: "The police have closed the case. It was done by Gu Mengzhou's wife. Gu Mengzhou is the man Xu Junxian cheated on with back then." He deliberately omitted certain details, not wanting Wen Xueyan to be involved in these dark past events, and also worried that knowing his dark side would frighten her.
Legally, Cheng Boyan's actions in Xu Junxian's case were beyond reproach, but he did retaliate secretly, even though he never crossed any legal lines. Thinking of losing Wen Xueyan and Qiao Lanyue losing her child, Cheng Boyan did not regret what he did.
In fact, when Xu Junxian threatened Cheng Boyan to stop him from filing for divorce, she applied for property preservation, which later led to a crisis for the Cheng Group. Cheng Boyan then used some means to achieve this.
When Xu Junxian learned that Cheng Boyan was on a business trip to Jingzhou, she went to Jingzhou for a vacation.
Cheng Boyan meticulously planned a "chance encounter." He deliberately left on the day he was scheduled to meet with Gu Mengzhou's company in the conference room of the Jingzhou Hotel, creating the opportunity for Xu Junxian to unexpectedly reunite with her former lover.
All of this was done seemingly without leaving a trace.
Later, Xu Junxian, who had been neglected for a long time, quickly rekindled her old feelings with Gu Mengzhou and began to date frequently again. They even went to Singapore together to see their daughter once.
Cheng Boyan knew all this, but he let it go without showing any emotion.
Not long after, Gu Mengzhou's wife, Song Yanyan, received an anonymous letter. Later, Song Yanyan cornered the two of them at a five-star hotel.
That day, Song Yanyan barged into the hotel's presidential suite with her two cousins. She had a month's worth of evidence of surveillance, including CCTV footage from the hotel reception.
"Hello, room service." Song Yanyan followed behind the waiter.
When the door opened, Xu Junxian had just finished showering and was wearing Gu Mengzhou's white shirt.
Seeing this, Song Yanyan couldn't stay calm, and the two quickly started fighting. At that moment, Gu Mengzhou saw his wife being beaten, grabbed a fruit knife from the coffee table, and stabbed Xu Junxian.
"You..." Xu Junxian stared at Gu Mengzhou in disbelief before slowly collapsing.
Song Yanyan was also stunned. She never imagined that her husband would hurt someone to protect her. She had originally planned to have her two cousins beat up Gu Mengzhou.
Police arrived at the scene quickly. During the interrogation, another truth came to light: the car accident that caused Xu Junxian to fall into a coma six years ago was orchestrated by Song Yanyan.
Five years later, when new evidence was found and the case was reopened, Song Yanyan found a scapegoat, causing the case to be dropped again.
This time, the evidence was irrefutable. Gu Mengzhou was sentenced for intentional injury resulting in death, and Song Yanyan was also imprisoned for orchestrating the crime.
Looking into Wen Xueyan's clear eyes, Cheng Boyan chose to bury the truth deep in his heart.
Wen Xueyan's cheongsam was adorned with a circle of soft white fur around the cuffs and collar, which was both warm and beautiful, making her appear elegant and gentle.
He saw that Wen Xueyan had recovered well after childbirth, and her figure was more shapely than before. A strong impulse surged in his heart, and he wanted to hold her in his arms.
Cheng Boyan even wanted to reach out and feel that softness so close to him.
"Why can't you get a divorce? I saw you three together in the banquet hall, you looked so sweet." His voice was low, filled with undisguised disappointment.
After saying that, he suddenly stepped forward and pulled her into his arms without saying another word. The action came too quickly, too urgently, and carried an almost desperate intensity.
Before Wen Xueyan could react, he held her tightly in his arms, and through their clothes, they could feel each other's rapid heartbeats.
"Bo Yan..." She had barely opened her mouth when his lips covered hers.
The kiss carried the tenderness of spring rain in March, yet also the chill of lingering winter. His arms encircled her waist, the force so strong it felt as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.
At that moment, all reason and all concerns were cast aside; he only wanted to confirm her existence and feel her warmth.
Wen Xueyan's hand rested on his chest, trembling slightly.
Cheng Boyan's presence overwhelmed her, causing her to feel momentarily disoriented. Memories she had deliberately forgotten surged back like a tide; how many nights had they embraced like this, as if the whole world had shrunk to just the two of them?
The faint music from the banquet hall downstairs reminded them of their current predicament.
Soon, reason returned. Wen Xueyan tried to push him away forcefully, her breath slightly ragged: "There are so many guests today, what if someone sees us?"
Cheng Boyan's arm remained around her, his gaze intense, his voice forceful: "Let them see, I'm single now."
"Are you crazy?" Wen Xueyan's voice was filled with panic. "Don't you know where this is? How many people are in this banquet hall?"
"I'm more clear-headed than ever." Cheng Boyan's fingertips gently traced her cheek. "It's precisely because I'm so clear-headed that I'm in so much pain. I thought you married her because you were worried Xu Junxian would harm you. Now tell me, why can't you get a divorce right away? Are you worried about Song Tiancheng, or... have you really fallen in love with Xi Mingyuan?"
Thinking of the Xi family elders still in the downstairs hall, Wen Xueyan broke free from his embrace, took a step back, and hesitated about how to explain. Having witnessed his near acquisition of the Shiming Group, she knew that this man loved her very much, but he was not easy to control.
Cheng Boyan gazed at her. Beneath the suit jacket, the light blue-green cheongsam fabric made her skin appear even whiter, and the fur cuffs added a touch of delicate softness.
Just then, Qiao Qianyue gracefully walked onto the rooftop, her skirt swaying gently in the night breeze: "President Cheng, I've been looking for you. I saw you going up the stairs; so you were enjoying the view here."
Her sudden appearance broke the delicate atmosphere between the two. Cheng Boyan frowned slightly: "Miss Qiao, are you here for some fresh air too?"
"Yes, it's a bit stuffy in the banquet hall." Qiao Qianyue's gaze shifted between the two women, finally settling on Wen Xueyan. "Mrs. Xi, your child is so adorable. It's clear that Mr. Xi and you are a perfect match."
These words were like a fine needle, gently pricking Cheng Boyan's heart.
"Thank you for the compliment. It's getting late," Wen Xueyan replied politely, then turned to Cheng Boyan and handed him back his coat. "I should go back now."
Cheng Boyan took the coat, which still retained her body heat and a faint scent of gardenias.
He knew this taste all too well.
Qiao Qianyue walked to his side: "It seems Mrs. Xi is enjoying her life now." She paused, her tone suddenly becoming subtle, "But she doesn't know if she's truly happy? Or rather, is it a very difficult life for her?"
Cheng Boyan stopped in his tracks as he was about to leave: "What's wrong?"
Qiao Qianyue hesitated for a moment, her slender fingers gently stroking her pearl earring. "My family arranged blind dates for me before, and I dated Xi Mingyuan for a month." Her voice was very low. "Later, we broke up because of his 'special' nature."
Cheng Boyan turned to look directly at Qiao Qianyue: "What aspect? What matter?"
Just then, Qiao Qianyue sneezed. She pulled her shawl tighter around herself and forced a smile: "It's too cold on the rooftop. Let's talk at the coffee shop on the first floor, or could you lend me your coat?"
Cheng Boyan glanced at her, but didn't take off his coat for her like he had done with Wen Xueyan earlier. He simply nodded slightly and said, "Let's go."
In a coffee shop tucked away in the corner of the lobby on the first floor, warm yellow lighting created a cozy atmosphere. They chose a booth furthest inside, and Cheng Boyan ordered two lattes. After the waiter left, only the two of them remained in the space.
Qiao Qianyue made sure no one else was around before leaning forward and whispering, "You have to keep this a secret. I haven't even dared to tell anyone else. I think Mrs. Xi is a good friend of yours, and I was actually a little worried, so I told you."
"Okay, go ahead." Cheng Boyan's tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp.
"At first, my family arranged a blind date for me with him, and I was quite happy about it," Qiao Qianyue recalled, her fingers unconsciously stirring the coffee spoon. "He was successful in his career, just like you, and he was still unmarried. Maybe it was his family's requirement, but he even took me to see a movie, which was quite romantic. The movie theater was very crowded that day, and the name of the movie was..."
"Let's not talk about the movie. Just get to the point, and then what?" Cheng Boyan interrupted, then pressed for an answer.
Qiao Qianyue lowered her voice even further, as if afraid that a third person would overhear this unspeakable past. Her slender fingers unconsciously caressed the handle of the coffee cup, her gaze wandering over the wood grain of the table.
"After dating for a month, my elders asked me with concern if I had considered getting engaged." Her wording remained as dignified as a socialite, but her tone betrayed a hint of barely concealed embarrassment. "I also subtly conveyed my family's feelings to him."
Qiao Qianyue paused for a moment, took a small sip of her latte, as if trying to calm her emotions.
"His response was surprisingly open-minded. He said he wasn't old-fashioned; on the contrary, he admired independent and modern women. He believed that if two people wanted to develop a relationship further, they should first understand each other's habits in various aspects." Qiao Qianyue's lips curled into a bitter smile. "So he suggested that I stay at his place for one night, as a kind of...trial marriage."
"That night in the supermarket still feels surreal to this day," Qiao Qianyue's voice was barely audible. "He calmly took a condom from the shelf right in front of me. I understood his intentions and acquiesced to the arrangement. But..."
Qiao Qianyue continued, "When I was paying at the cashier, I was surprised to find that he had bought five boxes in one go. Now that I think about it, those five boxes of condoms were perhaps a warning, indicating that he was unusual."
Cheng Boyan frowned slightly, signaling her to continue.
"But when I got to his bedroom," Qiao Qianyue's voice lowered, "I ran away in less than a minute. He was quite the gentleman, though, and didn't stop me at all."
"What's wrong?"
Qiao Qianyue responded, "I used to wonder why someone with such great qualities never had a girlfriend. He went on so many blind dates, but none of them worked out. That night, when I entered his bedroom, I saw several leather whips hanging there. It terrified me!"
Cheng Boyan's pupils contracted slightly, but he remained calm on the surface.
Cheng Boyan realized that Wen Xueyan was wearing a long-sleeved cheongsam today, so he couldn't tell anything. He wished he could rush to the banquet hall, pull her out, take her home, and check if she had any injuries.
"So, I told my family I was canceling the engagement," Qiao Qianyue continued, her voice tinged with lingering fear. "Then I went abroad. When I came back this year, I was quite surprised to see he already had a son." She looked up, meeting Cheng Boyan's eyes directly. "Do you think Mrs. Xi is having an easy time now?"
Because Qiao Qianyue spoke in a low voice, Cheng Boyan had to sit closer to her to hear her clearly.
This pose looks exceptionally intimate from a distance.
Just then, the banquet ended, and Xi Mingyuan walked out carrying his son, with Wen Xueyan following behind him. As they were about to leave the hotel, Wen Xueyan's gaze inadvertently swept over the coffee shop in the corner of the lobby, and she happened to see Cheng Boyan and Qiao Qianyue chatting intimately in a booth.
Wen Xueyan paused slightly, but quickly resumed her normal pace.
Grandma Xi was standing to the side.
She said softly, "Let's go."
Xi Mingyuan looked down at her: "Tired?"
"A little." Wen Xueyan replied softly, glancing one last time in the direction of the coffee shop.
Cheng Boyan noticed the commotion in the distance and looked up to meet Wen Xueyan's gaze.
Qiao Qianyue's words kept echoing in Cheng Boyan's mind.
At this moment, he felt that if Xi Mingyuan really had such a peculiar hobby, then Wen Xueyan's married life over the past year...
He dared not think any further.
"You have to keep this a secret. I'm not married yet, and I don't want any strange rumors to spread. I'm only telling you this because I trust you and I mean well. Besides, nothing happened between him. By the way, there's a midnight movie at the cinema next door tonight. Will you take me to see it?" Qiao Qianyue's voice pulled Cheng Boyan back to reality.
After saying that, Qiao Qianyue reached out and took Cheng Boyan's arm.
Welcome all readers and fans to leave comments and vote! Thank you for your support.
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When will you finally open your mouth and explain yourself? I'm so anxious!
Thank you for reading and leaving a comment. According to the outline, it is expected that in the next chapter (or the chapter after that), President Cheng will fully know the truth.
I hope it was the female lead who told him... and not from a third party.
Thank you for your comment. I was so touched by your heartwarming suggestion!
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