Chapter 104 At least for now, in…
Chapter 104
Zhou Yue parked his car downstairs in the residential area, got out, and casually lit a cigarette. With a flash of light, he lowered his head and took a drag. The smoke slowly dissipated in the night. He closed his eyes, leaned his shoulders against the car door, as if trying to use the hot smoke to shut out the turmoil and restlessness outside his chest.
The neighborhood was exceptionally quiet at night. The wind rustled through the sycamore trees, the leaves gently whispering and making a soft, rustling sound, which made the night both gentle and lonely.
He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze passing over the roof of the car to the buildings not far away. A dim, warm light shone through the gaps in the curtains of a few houses, blurry yet full of life and warmth.
His gaze lingered for a long time until it landed on the window upstairs that belonged to him. It was lit up at the moment, and a warm yellow halo quietly overflowed, gently drawing him back from the shadows.
That was the person he flew across the ocean to protect. He traveled all the way, not for the project, not for fame, but for this lamp in front of him.
Xia Zhiyao was the woman he had loved since his youth. Her smile, her stubbornness, and every little detail of her appearance were etched into his very being. Now that she was finally willing to stay by his side, he could not allow any accident to push her away.
In his eyes, she was never just a partner, but a fragile and precious being, someone he wanted to protect with all his might throughout his life.
The grievances, fears, and isolation she had suffered must all be kept out. He wanted to be her shield, even if it meant bearing all the hardships alone, as long as it brought her peace of mind and security.
He flicked the ash from the cigarette as it burned down to his fingertips, then finally stepped into the stairwell. The night breeze brushed against his brow, dispelling some of his melancholy.
As he stepped into the elevator, the mirrors on the walls reflected his slightly tired expression. He stared into his own eyes, raised his hand to touch his brow, adjusted his breathing, and only when a seemingly natural smile appeared on his lips did he press the floor button.
As the elevator trembled slightly as it ascended, he tried to suppress the weariness and gloom of his journey, as if he were putting on a mask of composure before arriving home.
The motion sensor light at the door turned on. He raised his hand, pressed his fingerprint, and pushed the door open. The living room was quiet and silent; the usual figure waiting on the sofa was nowhere to be seen.
The air, however, carried a different, gentle scent. The sliding door to the balcony was half-open, and a night breeze gently drifted in, carrying the scent of laundry detergent mixed with the daytime sunshine—clean and warm, instantly putting one at ease.
Xia Zhiyao bent down, shook the shirt vigorously, hung it on the clothes rack, and hummed an unknown tune softly, with a casual and cheerful tone.
Her hair was casually tied into a loose bun, with a few stray strands falling down and swaying gently in the night breeze. Her loose loungewear swayed with her movements, concealing the sharp edge she usually exuded in the office, leaving only laziness and ease.
At this moment, she lacked the imposing aura she exuded at the negotiating table, and the cold, sharp gaze she displayed in the conference room. Instead, she appeared relaxed and at ease in her daily life, earnestly dealing with these trivial matters.
Zhou Yue stood quietly at the door, watching her back. His gaze softened unconsciously. It was this contrast that made a certain part of his heart soften almost painfully. That long-lost peace and tranquility seeped into his heart like a night breeze.
He suddenly stepped forward, almost without warning, and pulled her tightly into his arms from behind, as if he wanted to lock her completely in his embrace.
Xia Zhiyao was startled by the sudden hug, almost dropping the clothes in her hands. She asked with some surprise, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?"
Zhou Yue did not answer. His chin was pressed against her shoulder, his breath hot and rapid, with a hint of suppression, falling on the skin of her neck and bringing a burning numbness.
He wrapped his arms tightly around Xia Zhiyao's shoulders, so tightly that she could clearly feel his heart pounding. His strength was almost obsessive, as if if he let go, she would slip away through his fingers.
Xia Zhiyao was stunned for a moment, sensing his unusual vulnerability and weariness. She stopped moving, put aside the trivial matters in her hands, and slowly relaxed, letting herself lean into his arms little by little.
"Xia Zhiyao." He called her name softly, his voice hoarse, filled with weariness and restraint, as if he had hidden all the emotions he had suppressed during the day into these three words.
Xia Zhiyao's fingers slowly traced his arm, her fingertips first gently brushing against his arm, then patting his tense hand. "What's wrong? Are you tired from working?"
Zhou Yue's chin rested on her shoulder, his breath hot. He didn't respond immediately, but hugged her tighter, his voice low and hoarse as he squeezed out, "Mmm... a little." It carried a vulnerability he didn't want to show.
A night breeze blew in from the balcony, causing the clothes on the clothesline to sway gently and make a soft rustling sound. A few car sounds came from afar, then quickly faded into silence. At this moment, the only sound inside the house was their breathing.
They embraced tightly, neither of them speaking, as if all the unspoken emotions had found a place to rest in that moment.
Zhou Yue's breath brushed against her neck, one breath at a time, gradually becoming rapid, carrying a burning heat and suppressed restraint. His arms, which had initially been holding her tightly, slowly slid, his fingertips stopping at her waist, then tightening, revealing obvious restlessness and desire.
Xia Zhiyao was held firmly in his arms. She struggled slightly, trying to turn around, but only received a stronger grip from him. The next moment, he lowered his head, his cheek brushing against her side, carrying an urgent, burning breath. His heavy breathing swept over her skin, becoming clearer in the night and quiet.
"Zhou Yue..." She had barely opened her mouth when he silenced her with a kiss that was both restrained and urgent. It started by lightly brushing against the corner of her lips, initially like a test, but then quickly became intense, with a possessive force.
He held her fingers with one hand, their fingers intertwining even tighter, while his other hand rested on her waist, pressing her firmly into his arms. Xia Zhiyao was forced to tilt her head back, her eyelashes trembling slightly, the palpitations in her heart almost overflowing.
Zhou Yue's lips pressed together more forcefully, as if he wanted to pour all his emotions into them. Xia Zhiyao was held tightly in his arms, almost unable to move, and could only let him lead her deeper and deeper into his embrace.
Her breath was taken away, her chest heaving rapidly. She instinctively raised her hand to touch his chest, but he grabbed her wrist and pressed her even more firmly against his side.
Zhou Yue lowered his head, his lips sliding from the corner of her lips to her chin, and then to her ear, his hot breath spraying onto her skin.
“Xia Zhiyao…” His voice was low and hoarse, with a dangerous allure.
His hand slowly tightened, climbing up the curve of her waist, his movements clearly urgent and restless. Xia Zhiyao was forced to lean back slightly, her back pressed against the cold balcony railing. The interplay of cold and heat made her heart pound even more erratically.
She tried to speak, but he suddenly lifted her chin and kissed her fiercely again.
At this moment, all the night wind and noise receded into the distance, leaving only the intertwined breaths and heartbeats.
The atmosphere was so tense it felt like it could ignite at any moment, every inch of the air thick with dangerous tension. Just then, Xia Zhiyao casually uttered, "Zhou Yue, I want to move back to our new home."
Zhou Yue's movements abruptly stopped. His breathing was still rapid, his chest heaving, and a low, hoarse laugh, tinged with disbelief, escaped his lips: "...Why did you have to say it now?"
Xia Zhiyao's eyes were as cunning as a cat that had just stolen some cream. The corners of her lips curled up slightly, revealing a triumphant smile. Her tone carried a hint of deliberate teasing: "Otherwise, when would be a good time?" She tilted her head, pretending to think seriously. "Seeing you so anxious is quite amusing."
Zhou Yue's eyes darkened instantly, as deep as the sea at night, and a dangerous smile flickered at the corner of his lips, carrying a hint of predation.
He slowly approached her, closing the distance between them inch by inch until she could feel his hot breath. His voice was low and menacing, like a warning rolling from the depths of his chest: "Xia Zhiyao, what you should be saying now is not something as unromantic as moving."
She feigned innocence, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, her bright eyes blinking like a naive little girl: "Then what should I say? Could you give me some pointers, Mr. Zhou?"
Zhou Yue's breath brushed against her lips, hot and dangerous. His hand gripped the back of her neck, his thumb gently caressing the sensitive skin behind her ear.
His smile held an undeniable possessiveness. He leaned down, his voice low and his words slow and deliberate, each syllable seeming to brush against her lips: "You should say, 'Honey, you're amazing.'"
Before she could finish speaking, Zhou Yue leaned down and kissed her without warning. The force of his kiss was punitive, as if he wanted to crush and swallow all her provocation and cunning.
Xia Zhiyao was forced to tilt her head back, her breath was forcefully taken away by him, and her heartbeat was pressed into a rapid and chaotic rhythm. In the gap between their lips and teeth, she could almost feel his long-suppressed anxiety and unease, all of which poured out in this kiss that she could not avoid.
As Zhou Yue kissed her, he held her tightly in his arms, his steps drawing closer, forceful yet urgent, as if he wanted to force her step by step into a corner with nowhere to retreat.
The night breeze from the balcony was still blowing in, carrying a chill, but it couldn't compare to his burning breath. He pushed her inside until her body hit the doorframe, and in the next instant, he led her deeper into the bedroom.
As the night passed, the bedside table was littered with the scattered items that had been swept away, and shirts and coats were casually piled on the floor. The air still carried the scent of last night's passionate encounter, with a languid and ambiguous warmth.
Zhou Yue woke up first, squinting to adjust to the light. Xia Zhiyao's hair was scattered on the pillow, with a few strands playfully sticking to her cheeks. Her sleeping face had none of its usual sharpness; she was quiet and defenseless.
His gaze lingered on her face for a long time, his eyes unconsciously softening. The passion and intensity of last night seemed to be diluted into a sense of peaceful contentment at this moment.
Just as the tranquility was about to freeze, a slight vibration came from the bedside table. Zhou Yue frowned, lowered his head and kissed her forehead, then carefully reached for his phone on the bedside table, moving very gently, afraid of waking the person in his arms.
Zheng Xiaotian's WeChat message: "I've got a lead on that matter. Wait for my update."
Those few words instantly changed Zhou Yue's expression; the previous gentleness vanished, replaced by a deep contemplation. He stared at the words for a few seconds, his thumb lingering on the screen for a moment, before replying with a single word: "Okay."
He put down his phone and his gaze returned to Xia Zhiyao. She stirred slightly in her sleep and snuggled deeper into his arms. He reached out and gently brushed the stray strands of hair that had fallen across her face behind her ear.
Xia Zhiyao sensed that he had looked at his phone, but didn't say anything. She simply turned over, her back pressed against his chest. Zhou Yue couldn't help but smile, pulling her into his arms from behind and resting his chin on her shoulder.
The warmth in his arms and her even breathing brought a sense of peace to a certain part of his heart. The morning light was just right, and this moment of tranquility was so precious that he was reluctant to break it.
But the faint shadow between his brows never faded. He closed his eyes, buried his face in her hair, and greedily absorbed this peace. At least for now, on this morning, she was still in his arms.
Zheng Xiaotian sat in a high-end Western restaurant downstairs from his company, with Eggs Benedict and a cup of coffee in front of him. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the morning light shone on the street, where people and cars came and went.
He casually glanced at the messages on his phone: "[Found it. The outsourcing company you requested; the anonymous emails and package photos were leaked from them.]"
[Registered in an old office building on XX Road in the South District, it advertises itself as a public relations firm, but there are no financial transactions between its accounts and Zhang Luyuan's company.]
Interestingly, his family's company had also handled his finances.
The message was accompanied by several screenshots: a company registration document, two bank statements, several large "consulting fees," and a list of contracts and payment records for the past six months.
Zheng Xiaotian leaned back in his chair, his expression languid, yet exuding a suppressed chill. He forwarded the screenshots to Zhou Yue one by one, put down his phone, and continued eating with his head down.
After a while, when he had almost finished his breakfast, Zhou Yue replied: 【Stay calm.】 Immediately following, another line: 【Don't alert them.】
Zheng Xiaotian stared at the screen, his gaze lingering for a few seconds before slowly putting down his phone. He picked up his coffee cup and took a sip, the bitter liquid sliding into his mouth. This time, they've really caught him red-handed. Since you want to play this game, then I'll give you a taste of your own medicine.
Zheng Xiaotian squinted, thinking to himself, "Neither of us is any cleaner than the other."
In this circle, no one is truly innocent. Zhang Luyuan dared to tamper with things, so he should have expected that one day his flaws would be exposed. He knew very well that Zhang Luyuan was not the only one with a stain on his record, and even Zhou Yue was not completely clean. But that's precisely why this game is so interesting.
"Since you want to play..." he thought to himself, his eyes gradually hardening, "then I'll play along to the end."
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