17. A lamp in the thick fog at night
Cheng Boyan's kiss landed gently on Wen Xueyan's lips.
As night deepened outside the car window, Wen Xueyan felt uncertain about this relationship, even finding it inexplicable. But at this moment, she wanted to etch this kiss deep into her memory.
Wen Xueyan felt the conflicting emotions surging deep within her heart. Cheng Boyan was like a beacon in the thick fog of the night, appearing when she was most confused.
Over the past year, she has been neglected and ignored in her failed marriage.
It wasn't until recently that she rediscovered the feeling of being respected.
But on the other hand, reason reminded her to keep her distance. She had only just filed for divorce, and legally she was still Song Tiancheng's wife.
Given her identity, she felt that even if she yearned for light, she shouldn't rashly approach that beacon.
Besides, Cheng Boyan already has a wife.
A sense of morality was like an invisible rope, constantly tugging at her heart.
Wen Xueyan recalled how Cheng Boyan arranged for a lawyer to help her when she was at her most helpless. These small acts of kindness were like spring rain nourishing her parched heart.
But was this tenderness genuine? Or was it just a fleeting whim of someone in power? Wen Xueyan dared not think about it too much.
She feared she would be drawn to this beacon like a moth to a flame, only to be burned in the end. After all, too many impossibilities separated them: his social status, his comatose wife, her divorce proceedings—each a chasm between them.
The rain grew heavier, tapping against the car window, as if echoing her chaotic thoughts.
Cheng Boyan released her hand, his gaze falling on her glistening lips, his fingertips gently tracing her cheek.
His voice was low and deep. "The rain is too heavy, so you'll have to stay here tonight. If you'd like, you can move in later."
Before she could respond, Cheng Boyan got out of the car first, opened a black umbrella, and went around to the passenger side to open the door for her.
The sound of rain suddenly became clear, pattering on the umbrella.
The elevator goes directly to the 25th floor.
The apartment door slowly opened, and warm lights automatically turned on.
Wen Xueyan was slightly stunned by the scene before her. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city's night view unfolded in the rain, like twinkling stars. The interior decoration was minimalist modern, yet exquisite details were evident everywhere.
This apartment is almost a world apart from the rented room I lived in just an hour ago.
Cheng Boyan took off his rain-soaked coat, revealing a dark shirt underneath. He walked to the smart lock in the entryway and tapped the screen a few times.
"Xueyan, come here." He turned to her and said in a gentle voice.
This was the first time Wen Xueyan had heard Cheng Boyan address her like that. It felt very warm and familiar.
Wen Xueyan approached hesitantly, and Cheng Boyan gently grasped her wrist, pressing her index finger onto the fingerprint recognition area. The cool touch made her tremble slightly, but his palm was warm and firm.
"Data entry complete." An electronic voice echoed in the quiet entryway. Cheng Boyan was still holding her wrist.
"This is..." Wen Xueyan looked at him with some confusion.
"The fingerprint lock here," he said, his gaze deep, "is a place you can stay anytime from now on." His words were spoken casually, yet they stirred a thousand waves within her.
Wen Xueyan stared at him blankly, unsure how to respond.
Cheng Boyan seemed to sense her unease, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly: "There's no need to feel pressured. This is just giving you another option; you can come here whenever you need to."
He released her hand and walked towards the open kitchen: "Would you like something to drink? Hot tea or red wine?"
Wen Xueyan stood there, the cool touch of her fingerprints still lingering on her fingertips, as well as the warmth of his hand.
Watching Cheng Boyan's busy figure in the kitchen, she suddenly realized that this always aloof man was opening a door for her in his own unique way.
The rain outside the window grew heavier, and the city lights blurred into a gentle hue in the rain. Wen Xueyan walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the car lights flowing below, like rivers of light.
At that moment, she suddenly didn't want to think about the identities that bound her anymore.
"How about some tea?" Cheng Boyan's voice sounded from behind her. He handed her a cup of hot tea, the delicate aroma of white tea filling the air.
Cheng Boyan wanted to get through the night sober.
"Thank you." Wen Xueyan accepted the teacup.
"Sometimes," he suddenly began, "on a rainy night, looking at the rain scene can bring back many memories."
Wen Xueyan nodded gently and took a sip of tea. The warm liquid slid down her throat, bringing a sense of comfort.
Cheng Boyan turned to face her, his gaze deep. "I know now isn't the best time, but there are some things I want you to know. I'm planning to file for divorce. Xu Junxian was in a car accident in Hong Kong. During my business trip, the Hong Kong police told me they'd recently uncovered some new leads; her accident was related to a man, and she'd been cheating on me for a long time. However, my divorce proceedings may be lengthy and complicated. Until then, I can't openly date you, but I truly like you."
Wen Xueyan was surprised that he had revealed so many private things all at once.
His fingertips gently brushed the back of her neck: "From the first time I saw you, I felt that your temperament was special."
"Is this the first time you've seen me? Is it at the company's annual party?"
"Do you remember?" He shook his head. "More than three years ago, when you were working at Daoning Chemical, you represented your company at an international chemical industry summit."
Wen Xueyan was slightly stunned, as if that memory had been veiled by time.
He actually remembered.
"That day, you were wearing a dark blue business suit, standing on the podium explaining the sealing technology of the new reactor. Your eyes were shining, and you knew every technical parameter like the back of your hand." Cheng Boyan's voice was filled with admiration. "I sat in the audience, deeply attracted by your professionalism. People often say that talent and beauty are hard to find together, so I marvel at how such a beautiful woman could be so knowledgeable about chemical machinery."
A look of reminiscence appeared in Wen Xueyan's eyes. That was the golden age of her career; she had just graduated with her master's degree that year, full of ideals and enthusiasm.
"After the meeting, I wanted to discuss a few technical issues with you," Cheng Boyan said with a wry smile, "but I saw you surrounded by a group of engineers asking you questions. At that moment, I thought, if I hadn't gotten married then, I would have definitely sent you a huge bouquet of roses."
Wen Xueyan gently shook her head: "Back then, I was only focused on studying the technology and giving a serious presentation, and I didn't even notice who was sitting in the audience."
"The second time I saw you was at the company's annual meeting." Cheng Boyan's eyes darkened. "I saw Song Tiancheng arm in arm with you, introducing you to others as his wife. I simply couldn't believe that the radiant female engineer at the technology summit had actually become his wife."
Wen Xueyan lowered her eyes; that memory was unpleasant. That year, she had to quit her technical job to take care of her sick mother. Because of her beautiful and outstanding appearance, she quickly found a relatively easy receptionist job, but the income was much less.
Later, when Song Tiancheng underwent gastritis surgery, she completely gave up the idea of returning to her technical position due to the daily trips to the hospital.
"Later, I saw Song Tiancheng being intimate with an intern. I asked him about you, and he said you were working as a receptionist." Cheng Boyan's voice carried suppressed anger, his fingers tightening slightly. "I felt it was such a pity then. Such a talented technical person, unable to use their abilities. And my mother told me about the day you took such good care of her. All of this makes me feel now that you are the person I want to cherish most."
Wen Xueyan smiled bitterly, "Back then, I thought it was the right thing to do for my family. Looking back now, I was so naive."
Outside the window, the autumn rain began to fall again.
Cheng Boyan stepped forward and embraced Wen Xueyan. His arms were strong and powerful, yet tender and careful.
Wen Xueyan nestled in his arms, her cheek lightly pressed against his shirt, feeling the warmth of his chest and his steady heartbeat. The embrace, carrying the slight coolness of the autumn rain, made her feel a sense of security she had never felt before.
His kiss landed again, and Wen Xueyan's hands unconsciously climbed onto his shoulders. This kiss held so many unspoken emotions, so many desires suppressed by time, finally finding an outlet in this moment.
Cheng Boyan's kiss moved away from her lips and landed gently on the corners of her eyes, cheeks, and neck.
Wen Xueyan closed her eyes, feeling him. His lips were soft, tender as they touched the corner of her eye, as if kissing away all the tears she had held back for over a year, and restrained with desire as they lingered on her neck. Each light kiss made her tremble slightly.
She felt her body and her heart being awakened by him.
As Cheng Boyan unbuttoned the second button of her shirt, his warm lips gently touched her collarbone. "Xueyan, considering many practical issues," he whispered in her ear, his voice hoarse and restrained, "if you refuse me now before I lose control, I can leave immediately."
Wen Xueyan looked up and gazed into his deep eyes.
Her gaze lingered on Cheng Boyan's handsome features.
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