Chapter 107 Beauty

Chapter 107: The Power of Attraction

The case was wrapped up for now, leaving them with a rare break today.

After work in the evening, Yue Lingchuan insisted on walking her all the way to her doorstep before leaving on his own.

Shen Qingye stood at the front gate of the villa, looking away as the jeep gradually disappeared into the distance.

Turning around, she saw that her mother had already returned from work. Shen Qingye was a little surprised. "You're back so early?"

Shen Linyue arched a brow, looking at her. "Yes, so early."

Lounging on the sofa with her arms crossed, she teased, "It's still bright outside. Was the road so unsafe that you needed an escort... Your captain sure is thoughtful."

If it had been before, when it was nearly dark after work, Yue Lingchuan sending her home out of concern for her safety would have made sense. But now it was June, and the sun hadn’t even set yet—why bother?

Shen Qingye paused briefly while changing her shoes, then replied casually, "Maybe it was on his way."

Shen Linyue pondered her words. "Maybe. On his way."

She chuckled. "But from what I’ve heard, your Captain Yue lives on the south bank of the river, which isn’t exactly nearby."

Shen Qingye looked at her mother helplessly, drawing out her words. "Mom..."

Shen Linyue chuckled. "I’ve never seen you like this before. Remember when I visited you at school, and that boy who liked you tried to butter me up? What was your attitude back then? And now?"

Shen Qingye pursed her lips and mumbled, "This is different..."

Shen Linyue tilted her head. "How is it different?"

Shen Qingye fell silent, sitting beside her mother with slightly flushed cheeks.

Though she had never been in a relationship, she had been pursued by many and could naturally sense Yue Lingchuan’s recent changes.

Those subtle protectiveness and hints, the seemingly casual words and gestures—she wasn’t oblivious to them.

Shen Qingye rubbed her face, feeling a rare bashfulness under her mother’s teasing gaze.

After a long silence, she blurted out, "I don’t dislike him..."

Before she could finish, her cheeks had already turned pink.

To be more precise, not only did she not dislike him, but when she recalled how he had given her those puppy-dog eyes today, pestered by Wei Zhengyi and the others to join them for dinner, she even found him... kind of cute.

Shen Qingye knew herself well and was fully aware that her attitude toward Yue Lingchuan was different from how she treated others.

A hint of amusement flashed in Shen Linyue’s eyes. "As long as you’re aware of your own feelings."

She paused, then added, "It’s not that I’m pressuring you to date or anything. I just hope you can relax a little more."

Shen Qingye looked at her, a little stunned.

Shen Linyue stroked her daughter’s long hair, her expression a bit wistful. "You’re still young. Dating, going out, enjoying life—these are all perfectly normal. Don’t be too hard on yourself."

Just as Shen Qingye understood her mother, Shen Linyue also knew her child well.

Though she never voiced it, she knew there were burdens weighing on her heart, far from the easygoing demeanor she displayed on the surface.

Shen Linyue didn’t expect her to completely let go of those burdens, but she still hoped she could live like other girls her age—dating, going out, making friends, and leading a more vibrant life.

Shen Qingye looked at her mother, her eyes glistened, remaining silent for a long while.

After what felt like an eternity, she leaned against her mother's shoulder and whispered softly, "Mom, don't worry. I know where to draw the line."

"I still have you."

There was a time when Shen Qingye had considered it, but she knew her own limitations—and more importantly, that her mother had only her.

Even if just for Mom, she would never deliberately put herself in danger.

As for Yue Lingchuan...

Shen Qingye’s cheeks flushed slightly. To say she was deeply in love would be an exaggeration—at most, she just had a little crush.

But this flutter of emotion was the first time in her life.

And she didn’t dislike it.

In that case... she might as well see how far this little crush could go.

Clinging to her mother’s arm, her beautiful eyes shimmered with unshed tears, carrying a faint hint of anticipation.

·

Meanwhile, on the south bank of the river.

Yue Lingchuan had just stepped out of the shower, a bathrobe hanging loosely off his frame, the front gaping open to reveal his toned abs on full display.

He picked up his incessantly ringing phone and, seeing the caller ID, answered cheerfully, "Hey, big bro."

There was a pause on the other end before Yue Jianshan chuckled. "You sound happy. What’s the occasion?"

Yue Lingchuan cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to sound casual. "Nothing much. Just closed a case recently, that’s all."

"A case? That’s got you this happy?" Yue Jianshan raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with amusement. "I doubt that’s all there is to it."

Yue Lingchuan’s hand stilled as he reached for the fridge. "What do you know?"

The man on the other end laughed, not bothering to hide it. "Mom came back from visiting you saying you’ve got a crush. I didn’t buy it at first, but now..."

Yue Lingchuan grabbed a bottle of cold water, ignoring the comment. "So you called just to ask about this?"

"Isn’t it worth a call? My little brother, single for nearly thirty years, finally catching feelings. That’s no small matter."

Yue Lingchuan snorted but made no move to deny it as he walked to the living room.

Yue Jianshan, seeing through the silence, couldn’t help but be amazed. His curiosity about the girl grew. "Mom mentioned she’s Chairman Shen’s daughter? I remember our family had a business deal with him once, but I don’t recall hearing much about his daughter. She works with you, right?"

He pressed further, "How’s it going between you two? Any progress?"

Yue Lingchuan had originally planned to tell his family only after successfully pursuing her, but today’s high spirits got the better of him. At his brother’s question, he couldn’t suppress a grin.

Stretching out lazily on the sofa, he replied, "It’s going okay."

Yue Jianshan laughed. "Oh? So it’s going well, then?"

Yue Lingchuan tried to sound casual. "Not bad." But his pride seeped through. "She was the one who asked me out to dinner!"

"Wait, what?" Yue Jianshan’s laughter halted, as if doubting his ears. "She asked you out to dinner?"

He stressed certain words deliberately. Yue Lingchuan waved his hand dismissively, "Ah, you just don't get it."

He excitedly told the day's events, leaving Yue Jianshan to fall silent for a moment.

Yue Lingchuan asked curiously, "Big brother?"

"It's nothing," Yue Jianshan replied with a complicated expression, though his tone was encouraging. "That's good. Go get 'em."

He had thought his brother's so-called "things going well" were more substantial, but...

Yue Jianshan hung up the phone, looked at it for a beat, then shook his head in resignation.

He really shouldn’t have overestimated his younger brother’s ability to pursue someone.

……

The next morning, the weather was sunny and crisp, with just the right temperature.

Shen Qingye pushed open the door and was startled to see someone already in the office.

Yue Lingchuan turned to look at her, his smile bright, his voice deep and pleasant. "Morning."

Shen Qingye looked him over for a long second before slowly blinking.

The man wore a black short-sleeved shirt that revealed his toned forearms, the muscles sculpted and smooth, with faint veins visible beneath his sun-kissed skin. Below, he sported casual black dress pants that hugged his long, straight legs. The shirt was tucked into his lean waist, perfectly outlining his perfect proportions—broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

Combined with his strikingly handsome face, the sight was enough to make your ears heat up.

Shen Qingye cleared her throat softly, her voice slightly hoarse as she replied,

"Morning."