Chapter 62
In the golden autumn of October, Jinzhou welcomes the most refreshing and pleasant season of the year. The sky is high and the clouds are light, and the wind carries the sweet fragrance of osmanthus and the aroma of dry sycamore leaves. It is also in this harvest season that the demonstration section of the Old City Renovation Project (Phase I) has finally, after intensive construction, been unveiled to the public in its stunning glory.
The lanes, while retaining their original historical character, have been cleverly infused with modern living features. Damaged walls have been repaired, tangled electrical wiring has been neatly buried, and public spaces have been meticulously crafted. The old trees, ancient wells, and carved door lintels, which carry memories, have been preserved to the greatest extent possible, harmoniously coexisting with modern landscape elements and lighting systems. In particular, the core historical buildings, reinforced with carbon fiber fabric technology, are like old buildings given a new lease of life, retaining the integrity of time while straightening their spines. Their interiors have been transformed into community libraries, cultural exhibition halls, and workshops, bringing them renewed vitality.
The project's success exceeded all expectations. It not only became a highlight of Jinzhou's urban renewal efforts but was also hailed by numerous authoritative media outlets as a "model for the perfect integration of historical preservation and livelihood improvements," generating significant buzz within the industry. Xia Wan, the project's core designer and driving force, has been featured frequently in major reports and professional journals.
Then, an even bigger piece of good news came - the design drawings and program descriptions submitted by Xia Wan for the renovation of the old city (reinforcement of Building B-07 and revitalization of the area) won the first prize in the country's highest-level architectural design and urban planning awards!
When the news reached the design institute, the entire place was in an uproar. This was the highest honor the institute had received in the past decade! The director personally called Xia Wan and excitedly expressed his congratulations and gratitude.
The industry association specially held a grand and grand celebration reception to celebrate the success of the Old Town project and the outstanding architects who won the award. The venue was chosen to be the banquet hall of a top hotel with a panoramic view of the entire Jinzhou night scene.
This time, Xia Wan is the undisputed protagonist.
She wore a custom-made champagne-gold floor-length gown, simple and elegant in style. The fabric was adorned with subtle pearls, shimmering as she walked, accentuating her elegant demeanor with even greater elegance and brilliance. She wore minimal jewelry, only a slender diamond necklace around her neck, adorning her graceful collarbone like the brightest star in the night sky.
Jiang Yu, as a key technical advisor for the project, was naturally invited to attend. Dressed in a classic black tuxedo, white shirt, and black bow tie, he stood tall and proud, his demeanor radiating. Standing beside Xia Wan, he was no longer a patient in need of care, but her staunchest ally and proudest witness.
At the reception, the spotlight repeatedly shone on Xia Wan. She calmly handled the congratulations, interviews, and conversations from all sides, her words eloquent, her logic clear, and her face always wearing a confident and humble smile. She explained her design concepts and shared the stories behind the projects. Her dedication to her profession, her reverence for history, and her care for people touched everyone present.
Jiang Yu spent most of his time quietly by her side, offering her a glass of water when she needed it, or chiming in with a few words when she was dealing with a difficult person, deftly helping her out. His gaze always followed her, revealing undisguised admiration, pride, and deep love. They didn't need any intimate gestures; simply a glance, a brief moment together, was enough to convey their unbreakable bond and deep affection.
When the chairman of the industry association handed Xia Wan the heavy crystal trophy, symbolizing the industry's highest honor, the audience erupted in applause. The flashbulbs captured her smile at that moment—the radiance of a dream realized, the fruit of hard work, the glorious moment of a woman reaching the pinnacle of her beloved field.
Jiang Yu was in the audience, looking at the woman on the stage, who was so radiant that she seemed to have gathered all the light from the stars. His chest was filled with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and pride. He knew that she was worth it.
By the end of the reception, both were tipsy. Not from drinking too much, but from the joy of success and the unwavering affection in each other's eyes. In the car on the way back, Xia Wan dropped all her pretentiousness and leaned against Jiang Yu's shoulder like a lazy cat, clutching the crystal trophy.
"Jiang Yu, I seem to be dreaming..." She murmured softly, her voice soft and sticky after drinking.
Jiang Yu lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, then put his arms around her to make her feel more comfortable. "It's not a dream, this is what you deserve." His voice was low and gentle.
Back at the apartment, the entrance light sensor came on, its soft glow dispelling the darkness outside. Xia Wan kicked off the high heels that had tortured her all night, and stepped barefoot on the slightly cool floor. She spun around excitedly a few times, but she still felt hot all over.
Jiang Yu took the trophy from her hand and carefully placed it on the entrance cabinet. Then he turned around and gently pressed her against the wall. In the dim light, his eyes were like a deep pool of dark fire, locking onto her with a scorching heat.
"You are beautiful tonight." His fingertips gently caressed her cheeks, which were flushed pink from a combination of tipsiness and excitement. His voice was seductively hoarse, "You are even more dazzling than the spotlight on the stage."
Xia Wan looked up at him, her heart pounding at his proximity and his words. The alcohol had amplified all her senses; his scent, the warmth of his fingertips, the undisguised desire in his eyes, all seemed like an invisible net, enveloping her tightly. She reached out, hooked her hand around his neck, and took the initiative to press her lips against his.
This was a kiss unlike any before. No longer a tentative attempt, no longer a fleeting taste, but filled with a long-suppressed intensity and desire finally released. Their lips and tongues intertwined, their breaths blending, carrying the sweet aroma of wine and the searing heat of their bodies, as if to devour each other completely.
In their turmoil, it was unclear who moved first. The two stumbled, tangled from the entrance to the living room, and finally fell onto the soft bed in the master bedroom. The glory of the trophy was temporarily put aside. At this moment, the world was left with only each other.
Jiang Yu leaned over her, his deep eyes shining surprisingly brightly in the darkness. He carefully traced her eyebrows and eyes, as if he wanted to carve her at this moment into the depths of his soul.
"Wanwan," he called her name, his voice low and solemn, with an almost reverent confirmation, "Is it okay?"
Xia Wan didn't answer, but responded with action. She lifted her body and kissed his Adam's apple, feeling his momentary stiffness and heavier breathing. Her fingers clumsily unbuttoned his shirt, her fingertips trembling slightly, yet her determination was unwavering.
Her initiative, like a final clarion call, completely shattered Jiang Yu's restraint. He growled, turning passive into active, and his scorching kisses rained down on her, from her lips to her neck, to her delicate collarbone... igniting flames wherever he touched.
Then there are some things that Jinjiang doesn’t allow you to write…
It was a night of perfect harmony. No reservations, no barriers, only the most honest giving and the most passionate response. He guided her, exploring the mysteries of each other's bodies and touching the deepest tremors of each other's souls. Those long-accumulated emotions, that hidden love, the hardships they had experienced together, all transformed in this moment into the most intimate and unwavering possession.
After an unknown amount of time, the storm subsided. Xia Wan curled up exhausted in Jiang Yu's arms, her entire body feeling as if it had been torn apart and reassembled, even her fingertips tingling with a lazy tingle. Jiang Yu's arms remained tightly around her, occasionally stroking her smooth back, as if to comfort her, or perhaps with unconscious attachment.
He didn't turn on the light, and the moonlight sneaked in through the gap in the curtains, outlining the silhouette of the two people hugging on the bed.
"Are you okay?" he whispered in her ear, his voice filled with laziness and satisfaction after a big meal.
Xia Wan buried her face in his sweaty chest and nodded gently, her voice as thin as a mosquito: "Yeah."
Silent sweetness permeated the air. The ultimate physical intimacy brought an infinite closeness of soul. At this moment, they were no longer separate individuals, but truly merged into one.
Jiang Yu lowered his head, found her lips, and pressed a gentle and lingering kiss on her, without lust, but with endless love and cherishment.
"Go to sleep," he whispered, "my grand prize winner."
Xia Wan adjusted herself to a more comfortable position in his arms, feeling his steady heartbeat and reassuring breath as she fell into a deep sleep. Outside the window, the city's neon lights continued to flicker, but inside, the glory had faded into silence, leaving only love flowing silently through the deep night, long and eternal.
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