Chapter Forty-Four
In the early morning, a thin mist hangs in the air, and tiny water droplets drift down the glass windows.
A slender, fair wrist peeked out from under the deep blue bedsheets, and the person on the bed turned over and slowly opened their eyes.
The spot beside her had already cooled down. After a few seconds, Xing Bei propped herself up on the bed and sat up, a wave of soreness instantly washing over her body.
Xing Bei got out of bed, supporting her lower back. Looking at herself in the mirror, she saw that her collarbone was covered with dense red marks of varying shades. Images of blushing and racing hearts flashed through her mind in an instant.
No one knows where Lu Runxu learned his skills from, but each time it's a different new move. Before she can fully adapt to the previous one, the next one is even more difficult.
She felt that one day Lu Runxu would ruin her.
After taking a bath, Xing Bei saw the message left by Lu Runxu. No wonder he kept her up for so long last night; it turned out he was going on a business trip.
Since she had nothing to do these few days, she decided to go back to Qingyang for a few days and ask her senior brother for some special pigments.
It's only a four-hour journey from Chanjing to Qingyang. Xing Bei headed straight for her senior brother's house, only to be told by the housekeeper that her senior brother hadn't stayed there for a long time.
She sent messages to her senior brother but he didn't reply. In the end, she had to ask Assistant Chen to find out that her senior brother was currently drinking tea and listening to music at Fengyue Xiaozhu in Xilin.
Xing Bei was stunned for several seconds when she saw the message from Assistant Chen. Her senior brother had always been focused on cultural relic restoration, so how could he possibly have time to listen to music and drink tea? This was very strange.
After receiving the location from Assistant Chen, Xing Bei drove to Fengyue Xiaozhu. As soon as she got out of the car, Assistant Chen came out to pick her up.
"Assistant Chen, when did our President Tan become so self-disciplined?" Xing Bei asked gossipy, leaning closer to Assistant Chen. "Could it be that President Tan is planning to become a monk?"
Assistant Chen looked somewhat speechless: "Sister Beibei, when will I ever hear a good word about President Tan from you?"
Xing Bei frowned in confusion: "You can't blame me for this. We all know President Tan's temper. If cultural relics could cultivate themselves into spirits, they would definitely be President Tan's wife."
Assistant Chen: "..."
It's no wonder she has these suspicions. Her grandfather and Grandpa Tan had a very good relationship. However, the Tan family's relationships were quite complicated, and Tan Ji had lived with Grandpa Tan since she was a child.
She and Tan Ji were childhood sweethearts, and she learned all her skills from Grandpa Tan.
However, she was more skilled in oil painting, so Tan Ji inherited his grandfather's mantle and became his successor at a young age, possessing superb painting skills.
Perhaps due to his family background, Tan Jiye has always had a rather cold personality and has always enjoyed studying strange and unusual things.
As they grow up, they seem to treat everyone with gentleness, but in reality, their personality becomes increasingly unpredictable, as if they have been programmed to be indifferent to joy or sorrow.
When Assistant Chen first heard President Tan suggest coming to Fengyue Xiaozhu for tea, he was also shocked.
However, when he saw a familiar figure at Fengyue Xiaozhu, he suddenly understood what President Tan meant.
Assistant Chen led her inside: "Sister Beibei, you should come back and visit President Tan more often. Our President Tan is already married and it's impossible for him to become a monk."
"Tan Ji is also married?" Xing Bei's peach blossom eyes widened. "Assistant Chen, this joke is not funny at all."
Seeing that she didn't believe him, Assistant Chen pointed to the woman sitting upstairs fanning herself with a round fan and whispered in Xing Bei's ear, "That's the owner of Fengyue Xiaozhu, who is also President Tan's wife."
Xing Bei looked in the direction of the finger and saw that the decoration in the center of the third floor was completely different from the rest of the place. Lush orchids were placed on both sides of the railing, and a chaise lounge made of pear wood was placed in the middle.
If you were to watch a short piece of music from there, it would certainly be the best vantage point.
A woman in a silver-white cheongsam leaned back lazily in her chair, slowly waving a round fan in her hand, exuding elegance and casualness.
Although they were quite far apart, the woman's beautiful face was still clearly visible, like a delicate jasmine flower.
Xing Bei was puzzled. How could such a beautiful woman fall for Tan Jiye, this ice block?
Noticing Shen Ce's puzzled expression, Assistant Chen added, "Miss Cheng Yan is the one who was betrothed to President Tan as a child."
So that's how it is. She said how could Tan Jiye have found a wife so quickly? It's fortunate that Grandpa Tan had a plan, otherwise, with Tan Jiye's temper, he might have been a lonely widow for the rest of his life.
However, this beauty is destined to suffer for the rest of her life, as her senior brother is clearly sexually frigid.
The person on the chaise lounge on the third floor lazily cast their gaze at the two people talking downstairs. The person behind them spoke casually, "Isn't that Assistant Chen? Who's the woman next to him?"
Upon meeting the gaze of the person upstairs, Xing Bei smiled politely at them, then looked away and said to her side, "Let's go find President Tan."
"They're heading towards President Tan's private room." The person by the chaise lounge followed them. "Could that be President Tan's unrequited love?"
The person who was playing with the fan looked away, slightly curving their lips, without responding to the questions from the person beside them.
Upon entering the private room, Xing Bei naturally sat down next to Tan Jiye, picked up the teacup on the table without hesitation, poured herself some tea, and Tan Jiye glanced at her indifferently.
Sitting opposite her, Nian Yubai toyed with his pale blue teacup, looking at her with a teasing expression: "Miss Xing, it's usually harder than climbing to heaven to see you. What brings you back today?"
Xing Bei put down her teacup, glanced at the man sitting beside her, a mischievous glint in her peach-blossom eyes: "Of course, it's for President Tan..."
Before she could finish speaking, Nian Yubai looked at her with a horrified expression: "You don't really like Aji, do you? I've always felt that the way you look at Aji is strange."
Xing Bei kicked him directly: "Can't you ever let me finish what I'm saying? Half of the rumors I've heard before definitely came from you."
"Also, the way I looked at my senior brother was strange. I treat him like a brother, and I have no romantic feelings for him whatsoever."
Nian Yubai clutched his leg in pain and looked at the person opposite him with a wronged expression: "Why are you so agitated? I was just joking."
Can she please calm down? This circle is so small. What if, like before, these words reach the ears of her jealous husband at home? He'll cause a huge scene.
Xing Bei glared at him speechlessly: "This kind of joke can't be taken lightly. Our CEO Tan has a wife. If word gets out and affects his family, we can't afford to be responsible."
The person leisurely sipping tea on the side heard Xing Bei's words and the image of her childhood sweetheart, who was so different from her, flashed through her mind, causing a faint smile to appear on her lips.
Xing Bei, glancing casually out of the corner of her eye, instantly caught Tan Jiye's fleeting smile, her slender fingertips slowly circling the rim of the glass.
It seems that this childhood sweetheart holds a high place in Tan Jiye's heart, and he's probably just here to see his wife.
Nian Yubai waved his hand with a smile: "Don't worry, that was an engagement arranged by Grandpa Tan for Aji, there's no real feeling involved."
Xing Bei strongly disagreed with his statement: "Even if there are no feelings, you should still give the other person enough respect. If it weren't for the older generation's matchmaking, she might not have chosen to marry Tan Jiye."
She spoke very seriously, and naturally did not notice that the person next to her, who had been nonchalant, looked strange when she said those words.
"We'll see." Xing Bei paused. "I'm married too, and what you're saying will affect me."
Upon hearing the word "marriage," Tan Ji frowned: "Is it that Zhou guy again?"
Xing Bei was speechless. She really began to suspect that Tan Jiye's family couldn't afford the internet fee.
Seeing the speechless expression on Xing Bei's face, Nian Yubai burst out laughing: "That kid surnamed Zhou will definitely not get past his uncle and aunt."
He took out his phone, opened Weibo, and handed it to Tan Jiye: "I'm starting to wonder if you live in some remote mountain forest. These past few days, Miss Xing has practically taken over Weibo."
Tan Ji glanced at it indifferently and uttered four words: "I don't have a Weibo account."
Xing Bei: "...Senior brother, it still has to be you."
Nian Yubai: "Never mind what I said..."
“As long as it’s not that guy surnamed Zhou, that person isn’t a good match.” Tan Ji’s expression remained calm. “Do your parents know about your marriage?”
Xing Bei leaned back in her chair like she had no bones, and said matter-of-factly, "I don't know."
Tan Ji's face darkened instantly upon hearing this, and his eyes turned cold. Xing Bei met his gaze and knew what he was about to say, so she quickly interrupted him.
As she poured tea for Tan Jiye, she explained, "I just haven't had a chance to say it yet, but before that, I met my mother with him, and I will bring him back to meet my parents at the beginning of the year."
On the other side, Nian Yubai smiled happily: "Miss Xing, be careful you don't get a 'one-zhang red' on the first day of the new year."
Tan Ji also said earnestly, "Xing Bei, marriage is a major life event. You should think it over carefully. Why didn't you even tell your uncle and aunt?"
Great, her senior has switched to the senior track again.
Xing Bei rubbed her temples: "Senior brother, if you like someone, you should do it sooner rather than later."
"But....."
Before he could continue explaining, Xing Bei quickly changed the subject: "Senior brother, I came back this time to ask you for something."
Seeing that she was starting to act like a rogue, Tan Ji was at a loss: "Speak, what do you want this time?"
Xing Bei's eyes lit up instantly: "I heard that my senior brother has a special kind of pigment that is not only vibrant in color but also lasts for a long time."
Tan Ji listened to her words and narrowed his eyes slightly: "What do you intend to use it for?"
Xing Bei smiled slightly: "Of course, paint is used for painting. What else can it be used for?"
"Is that so?" Tan Ji smiled meaningfully. "I think there's more we can do."
Xing Bei instantly understood the meaning behind Tan Jiye's words; it seemed that her senior brother and she had the same idea.
This reminded Xing Bei of a fleeting glimpse she had made in the lobby earlier: a lifelike jasmine flower on the thigh of a woman in a cheongsam.
That must have been done by her senior brother; compared to that, her painting skills are far inferior.
Xing Bei got up and stretched: "I'm not taking things for nothing. I have a pair of imperial green earrings that look really good for your wife. I'll have someone deliver them to you in a few days."
Tan Ji smiled and said, "I'll have Assistant Chen send it to you tomorrow."
This was the first time she had seen Tan Ji so straightforward. It seemed that in the future, if she wanted to get some strange and unusual gadgets from him, she would have to start with his wife.
*
After finishing his social engagements, Lu Runxu opened his phone and saw that the chat window still showed the time from three days ago, causing his delicate brows to furrow slightly.
However, considering how badly I bullied them that night, I guess they're still not completely over it.
Secretary Lin walked over to Lu Runxu with a tablet and handed it to him: "Boss, the renovations at Maple Lake Garden are finished. Would you like to go take a look?"
Looking at the photos on the screen, Lu Runxu's eyes sparkled with a hint of spring: "No need. There will be an auction here soon. Have Secretary Hu stay."
Secretary Lin nodded: "Understood."
Sigh, another day of envying Mrs. Lu as a working-class person.
Every corner of Maple Lake Garden was personally designed by the owner, including the plants planted in the courtyard, which are all things Mrs. Lu likes.
Xing Bei had a great time in Qingyang, hanging out with friends from the entertainment circle she hadn't seen in a long time.
Unexpectedly, on the day she was to return to Chanjing, she ran into her least favorite cousin, He Min. Before she could say anything, He Min rolled her eyes at her.
Xing Bei stared at her, then gave a speechless snort: "You're sick."
Perhaps she had developed a dependence on Lu Runxu, because she didn't sleep well during her few days in Qingyang. After returning home, Xing Bei fell asleep on the sofa not long after.
As night deepened, the second-floor bathroom was filled with steam, and a white, lotus-root-like arm draped over the edge of the white bathtub.
Xing Bei yawned as she scrolled through Weibo. Before Lu Runxu went public, her alternate account didn't have many followers.
With so many extra items, she had to check them several times every time she posted an update, which made her feel a little uncomfortable.
—Teacher Perle, you finally remembered you have a side account! Please interact with us more often in the future.
Teacher, could this alternate account post pictures of your married life with President Lu? We really want to see you two showing off your love.
I wholeheartedly agree with this proposal.
—Yes, let's see just how amazing this man, known as the 'cold and beautiful fox,' really is.
—Hey lady upstairs, something's not right with your thinking.
—Mrs. Perle, do you know that there's a fanfiction about you two that's really good?
- Could it be that writer, Star Cat, who specializes in writing stories about unrequited love? I really like her writing.
—It's her. Mrs. Xingxingmao's book about unrequited love with a tragic ending is so heartbreaking.
When Xing Bei saw them mention fanfiction, she immediately became interested. It has to be said that this generation of netizens is incredibly talented.
Based on information revealed by netizens in the comments section, Xing Bei quickly found Teacher Xingxingmao's Weibo account and promptly followed it.
Xing Bei clicked on the webpage link sent by Xingxingmao and finished reading the latest updated chapter in less than an hour.
Although there are only four chapters, the plot is very engaging, the writing is delicate, and it reads smoothly and comfortably. She really likes novels with this kind of pace.
The title of this book could be improved a bit, but it doesn't need to be so exaggerated—"The Years When President Lu Had a Crush on Me".
The next second, several messages popped up on the screen.
—Ahhh, I was actually chosen by Mrs. Perle! I'm so excited!
—I'm so happy.
—Madam, please tell me if there's anything you don't like.
- Teacher Xingxingmao writes very well. Please update on time every day. I love reading it.
—Just because my wife liked this sentence, I immediately went and wrote several thousand words of angry rant.
- There's no need to be so diligent.
No, my wife's affirmation is my greatest encouragement, and I will follow her for the rest of my life.
Xing Bei was both amused and exasperated by her words; how could there be such a lovely person in the world?
She has always loved spoiling her fans, and since everyone wants to see it, she occasionally updates her and Lu Runxu's real-life daily life.
Late at night, the bright moon quietly hid behind the clouds, leaving only a dim street lamp outside the window.
When Lu Runxu arrived home, it was nearly midnight. He gently pushed open the bedroom door, looked at the person sleeping soundly on the bed, and a gentle smile appeared on his handsome face.
In the middle of the night, Xing Bei turned over and snuggled closer to a hot body. She opened her eyes groggily, saw the face she had been longing for day and night, snuggled into his arms, and fell asleep again.
The next day, sunlight streamed through the gauze curtains and fell on the foot of the bed. Xing Bei stirred, and the cold air touched her slender wrist, instantly waking her up.
Thinking about how she dreamt last night that Lu Runxu had returned, she raised her hand and pinched the space between her eyebrows.
They've only been apart for a few days, yet she's already so reluctant to part with him that she even dreams about him.
Wait, there's now a hand on her waist and abdomen.
Xing Bei suddenly turned her head and saw a familiar face beside her, and she was stunned.
It turns out last night wasn't a dream; Lu Runxu really came back.
She noticed that Lu Runxu always returned home late at night after business trips, as he liked to come back immediately after finishing his work and didn't seem to get tired.
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