Chapter 64.

Chapter 64.

Zhao Tingyuan has been exceptionally irritable lately.

"Darling, darling..." A gentle call from a woman echoed by his ear.

Zhao Tingyuan felt a surge of annoyance. Recently, his power in the company had been usurped, with Zhao Quan personally overseeing most of the corporate affairs now. Zhao Yayuan had returned to Ancheng and blatantly refused to come home.

It was almost like receiving a harsh slap on his face.

He didn't even want to see Su Qingyou anymore. If not for her seduction, how could he have committed those acts? Zhao Yayuan was his own flesh and blood, someone he had watched grow up; how could he bear to do it?

Su Qingyou whispered softly, "Darling, look, Xiu Yi has grown teeth."

The little infant was still sleeping in the cradle, cheeks plump like little buns. He inherited most of the Zhao family traits, possessing a pair of beautiful peach blossom eyes, with pointed ends and short yet dense wet lashes. Inside his open little mouth, two tiny milk teeth were visible at the bottom.

"Darling," Su Qingyou said, thinking he hadn't heard her.

Zhao Tingyuan was a bit irritated, "Stop calling, I heard you."

The man's voice was somewhat heavy, laden with unrestrainable irritation. Infants are actually very sensitive to adults' emotional shifts; even slight changes in their parents' emotions can significantly impact them.

Zhao Xiu Yi started crying, startled.

"Why are you crying again?" Zhao Tingyuan remarked.

The infant couldn't comprehend the words, only sensing the harshness from his father.

The crying intensified.

Zhao Tingyuan felt somewhat at a loss due to the escalating cries. Su Qingyou called for the nanny to come in and take Zhao Xiu Yi away. As she softly cooed him in her arms, the crying gradually subsided.

This episode made Zhao Tingyuan even more agitated.

"I told you before, not to mess with Yayuan," Zhao Tingyuan voiced, "After all, Yayuan is my biological brother. How could you treat him so harshly without feeling any remorse?"

Su Qingyou said softly, "It's my fault."

"What about the matter with Lu Zhihong? What should we do?" Zhao Tingyuan asked sternly.

The mere thought kept him awake at night. Lu Zhihong held a complete chain of evidence; if Jiang Wenyan discovered the connection between them and Lu Zhihong, everything would be ruined. He feared reaching a dead end, with his image being shattered in the family's eyes.

He tried every means to locate Lu Zhihong, but the people sent by Qin Si never left Lu Zhihong's side, leaving him no opportunity whatsoever, no matter what he tried.

He knew the man well – ruthless in his actions and meticulous in his planning.

He simply had no means to counter him.

Zhao Tingyuan buried his fingers in his raven hair, massaging it frantically, like a precursor to a volcanic eruption.

Speaking of Lu Zhihong.

Greedy, foolish, short-sighted, solely profit-driven.

They no longer held any utility to him now. His daughter was with Qin Si, and his very sustenance depended on him. It was implausible to betray Qin Si or steadfastly guard their secrets any longer.

"Don't be afraid," Su Qingyou suddenly uttered.

She stood in the shadows, slightly trailing behind Zhao Tingyuan.

She told Zhao Tingyuan, "Tingyuan, you don't have to worry about this matter anymore."

She would resolve everything.

Su Qingyou contemplated quietly.

The bathroom door remained closed, with the faint sound of water echoing from within.

Having laughed to her heart's content, Lu Nian reclined on the bed, swinging her little feet, and picked up her phone to check the message sent by the editor.

There were too many notifications on the phone.

Her autograph session had been a great success.

The love story between her and the real-life inspiration for "Hei" (Black) had spread online with explosive momentum.

Some argued it was a fabrication, urging the revelation of the person behind the inspiration to witness the reality.

Others believed it to be true, claiming to have spotted a mysterious figure resembling "Hei"—a sternly handsome man—at the venue.

However, no one had photographic evidence.

All in all, the topic had ignited fervent debates.

She had no intention of parading Qin Si before them. He was not a public figure and deserved his privacy.

In her opinion, it was sufficient that she alone recognized his virtues.

She was well aware of the extensive fanbase "Hei" had garnered.

Why would she needlessly invite potential rivals into her life?

"Black and White" was selling exceptionally well, with first-day sales surpassing initial estimates from the editorial team by over double.

The editorial department had already phoned her, with editor Hu bubbling with joy, "You must work overtime to produce more!"

"A reprint is inevitable. Your efforts have finally paid off, after all the times I've urged you."

"What are your thoughts on the Star Comics proposal?" editor Hu inquired, "Are you considering selling the rights to them? From what I've seen, their adaptations are quite decent, respectful to the original works, and maintain good quality. It would be a great choice if you decide to sell the rights."

"Let me finish this part first," Lu Nian said, her lips curving into a smile. "If I don't hit a snag and can draw smoothly, then we'll sell it."

"I must say, Nian Nian, your output seems to have dipped recently," remarked the voice on the other end.

"Don't let yourself slide too much. Know your limits," editor Hu advised earnestly.

Knowing that there was a man living in her house, and seeing them living so sweetly together, editor Hu couldn't resist a warning, "Be careful not to stop drawing altogether, or you'll lose your royalties, and then you won't be able to support your man financially."

Lu Nian collapsed into giggles on her bed, saying, "You're right, I feel motivated now. I'll get up and start drawing tomorrow."

After ending the call, she couldn't help herself.

She just felt an overwhelming urge to laugh.

Was it really possible that editor Hu believed that she was financially supporting Qin Si?

Did their relationship give off such a vibe? Or was it because Qin Si looked like the kind who would be kept by a woman?

Nevertheless, she seriously decided to continue serializing the latter half of the story.

After all, even though Qin Si was financially comfortable now, she wanted to contribute to their household too. Besides, when they had a baby in the future, she could show them the animated adaptations of her comics.

Although Qin Si had said he didn't really want children, the existence of a baby was still uncertain.

Lu Nian sat on the bed, scrolling through her social media feed for a good while.

She realized her phone battery was running low, and tilted her head slightly, contemplating searching the drawer of her bedside table for a charger.

She paused, a sudden stillness overtaking her.

Inside the drawer was a neatly folded black short-sleeved t-shirt, evidently a man's garment.

Generally, only the two of them visited the house on Qiufeng Road.

Could it be Qin Si's?

But this room had always been hers, and knowing Qin Si as she did, once she moved out years ago, he would have absolutely avoided entering this room again.

There was something else folded beneath the shirt.

The more Lu Nian looked, the more familiar it seemed.

Suddenly, it clicked. These were her belongings from the year she spent here—towels, bath towels, a wooden comb, not a single item missing.

After their argument back then, she had vowed never to return here, to which Qin Si had coldly responded that it was for the best, and he had already thrown away her belongings.

Why were they here?

Lu Nian felt a bit stunned and bewildered.

She reached out, meticulously rifling through the pile of clothing, her expression suddenly turning quite animated.

Just then, the bathroom door opened, and he stepped out.

Although by now, the two of them had shared almost the most intimate moments possible, having seen all there was to see of each other.

He remained conservative and restrained, still preferring to change into fresh clothes inside the bathroom, revealing nothing, before making an appearance.

The hem of his shirt wasn't fully extended, exposing a small portion of his slender waist, skin as white as jade. The warmth had steamed his complexion to a faint red, highlighting his rosy lips and white teeth. His soft, black hair was wet and dripping, water droplets rolling down.

He was using a dry towel to rub his hair.

Lifting his eyes, he saw Lu Nian sitting on the bed, smiling gently, her delicate fingers fiddling with something, "What is this?"

As he realized what those objects were, his mind seemed to explode, leaving him frozen in place.

The towel slipped from his grasp, landing silently on the floor.

Water droplets were still rolling down the tips of his dark hair; he was utterly mortified, his throat moving subtly but unable to voice any explanation.

Yet, Lu Nian's face bore no signs of anger.

She hopped off the bed and pulled him along, causing him to fall onto the bed. As she flipped over, water droplets from his hair dampened a small area of the beige bedsheet, slowly seeping in. The mist in his eyes seemed yet to fully dissipate.

Their breaths were warm, faces so close that their noses nearly touched, sharing the same breath.

Her cheeks were as white as snow, her large eyes clear and transparent.

Her voice was soft and fluffy, "Can you show me, please?"

"What were you like at that time?"

His face turned bright red, pushed to a point where he had no room to retreat. She knew, in this situation, he would silently agree to all her requests.

Her slender and clean fingers slowly extended downwards.

Overwhelmed by both embarrassment and an unspoken desire, the corners of his eyes had turned red. His originally fair skin flushed to a beautiful shade of pink, displaying a breathtaking beauty that invoked a sense of cherishment, tempting one to both desecrate and touch.

His usually cold and restrained features, the prideful and aloof young man he used to be, seemed to be falling into a state of decadence, sinking into abasement. He clenched his teeth, refusing to let out any sound, wishing for this ludicrous yet enchanting scene to end swiftly.

Every subtle expression, the quivering of his long eyelashes, the suppressed low moans.

She saw it all in her eyes.

She rescued him from this hellish scenario.

The redness in the corners of his eyes had intensified, becoming increasingly unbearable.

The last string in his mind snapped.

Outside the window, the galaxy shimmered brilliantly, under a gentle moonlit night. The vague and bitter dreams of his youth had transformed into harmony and fulfilment. Her voice, close at his ear, hummed low and entwined with his senses, making it difficult for him to control himself as memories overlapped with reality, turning years of fantasies into reality.

The scene brought him an enormous shock, a mixture of shame, thrill, and fulfillment, now utterly beyond his own control.

He had completely and thoroughly fallen for her.

Lu Nian extended a slender and porcelain white hand, lazily letting it rest, a tingling sensation reaching the tips of her fingers, unwilling to move even slightly.

The man's slender fingers gently grasped her fingertips, tucking them back under the covers.

Lu Nian stretched out her snowy white little feet, playfully kicking him under the covers, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness, "Qin Si, are you very experienced? Where did you learn all this?"

"Have you been with several people before?" she teased, wanting to stir trouble on his end.

But then, she realized that from head to toe, she had not a shred of energy left, as if she had been run over by something, and her throat was terribly parched.

The man’s long eyelashes drooped as he got off the bed to get her some warm water from the water dispenser.

His physique was really good; viewed from behind, the lines were smooth, with a slender waist and long legs. His waist appeared lean, but she knew that it was only at a glance, incomparable to her arms and legs that were genuinely devoid of any strength.

He indulged her whims, turning back to embrace her, gently feeding her water before planting a kiss atop her head.

She bit him lightly on the collarbone, her voice tinged with playful demand, "How many, hmm?"

He hadn't yet answered her question.

"...None." The man's long lashes quivered slightly.

His experience wasn't very extensive.

His voice held a hint of raspiness, but between his brows and eyes lingered a trace of depth, a manifestation of satisfaction and languor post fulfillment.

"None of what?"

His thin lips pressed together briefly before he murmured, "Only with you."

"What about with me?"

Qin Si, "..."

With twinkling eyes, Lu Nian burst into laughter, "Still pretending, huh? Putting on a facade of innocence."

During their previous heated moments, when he fervently pursued her desires, this semblance was nowhere to be found.

His face turned slightly red, but he simply held her in silence, offering no rebuttals, not a single word.

Now so compliant, why was it that he hadn't heeded her words before?

Lu Nian had neatly dressed herself, taken a bath, and felt thoroughly pampered by him, every finger feeling utterly relaxed. The summer night held a pleasant temperature, and seeing him pick up clean clothes, she prepared to slip them on as well.

"Don't put them on yet."

His hand hesitated for a moment.

Her eyes were clear and bright, as she rested her cheek on her hand, watching him, her voice carrying a touch of sweetness and tenderness, like something nourished and blossomed, "I enjoy watching, you know."

His body bore many marks left by her, like blemishes on fine jade, a vast expanse of beautiful skin now laid bare, bathed in the soft moonlight.

Those marks, which might have seemed discordant on him, who had always resembled the persistent snow atop a mountain, now only accentuated a kind of sensual allure, recalling their origin.

It also granted her a heightened sense of accomplishment, as if these were her trademarks, a declaration that this man now belonged to her entirely.

"It's such a pity to cover them up with clothes," she lamented.

His face turned red, but he ceased his movements, rigidly allowing Lu Nian to nestle into his embrace, tenderly cherishing the beauty spot on his collarbone intermittently.

The tips of his ears turned red again, enduring patiently until he could no longer resist, gently enveloping her in his arms and bestowing a kiss upon her cheek.

Lu Nian didn't resist; she felt safe in his embrace.

In this lifetime, it seemed there hadn't been a moment of such profound satisfaction.

Beginning from their youth.

He had never experienced such fulfillment, wishing time could stand still, forever encapsulating this moment.

Lu Nian had come to recognize the clingy side of this man.

After they officially became involved, their bond became undisguised and evident.

It was a kind of silent stickiness.

Seemingly dignified and reserved, he would avert his gaze when she looked at him; however, whenever she wasn't looking, she felt his constant gaze upon her, a gaze that never seemed to tire.

A man who was not usually proactive, now seemed unable to bear letting her out of his sight, eager to facilitate her every desire.

Even his expressions of affection were subdued yet unmistakable, revealing his longing for her closeness in every flicker of his eyelashes and every subtlety of his expressions.

As soon as she took a slightly more proactive role, his responses were particularly enthusiastic.

His love for her had reached an ultimate peak, a fact evident in his burning gaze, the nuance of his movements, and his unwavering attention, even though unspoken.

As Lu Nian sat on his lap, her voice carried a languid tone as she suddenly asked, "Who was it that insisted we wait until after marriage?"

He, "..."

Men truly are creatures prone to going back on their word.

"You're lying," Lu Nian accused, "Even after marriage, you're going to deceive me like this?"

"Then I won't come to you anymore," stated Lu Nian.

He pulled her back to him, his voice low and stern, "And who else would you seek?"

Lu Nian, "Are you upset?"

Just moments ago, his eyes and brows radiated waves of subtle satisfaction; now, is he upset once again?

How quickly the tide turns.

His fingers exerted a slight force, at this juncture, he found himself entirely intolerant of even the slightest inkling of her wanting to leave him, even contemplating such a thought was unfathomable.

Lu Nian set forth a condition, "Next time, I will be the one to decide, and when I tell you to stop, you must stop."

"You really are an expert in pretending," Lu Nian mused, recalling from her memory that the boy and the man hadn't changed much, still showcasing a cold and arrogant demeanor. She murmured softly, "Pervert."

Hearing that, he became somewhat embarrassed, his ears flushing a deep red.

"Still pretending," Lu Nian admonished seriously, "You are not a virgin anymore, what's there to blush about?"

Now, he was utterly unable to contain himself.

His lips pressed tightly together, eyes slightly reddened, he allowed her intermittent, random kisses on his collarbone and throat, holding her tightly within his arms, as if embracing an entire world.

"I love you so much," he whispered softly. At some point, the girl had drifted into a deep sleep. He gently kissed her cheek, lips, and the tip of her ear, each motion filled with a profound devotion, an unspeakable infatuation and admiration.

As long as she doesn't leave him.

To perpetuate this moment, forever just like this.

He would do anything.