"I think you are mistaken. Everyone in the city knows that I am a fascinating man, but never lewd. I wonder how I gave you such a wrong impression." Edward frowned and glanced at Justin who beamed happily behind Belinda. He suddenly felt like he was shooting himself in the foot.
"Huh. Don't try to hide things from me. You have had one night stands with almost all beautiful women in the city." As the words slipped out of her mouth, she anxiously glanced at Justin. She had forgotten that he stood right there while she was busy talking back to Edward. She had blurted out such careless words without any qualms.
Do you really take me for a stud? I remember that I also had a dubious relationship with your husband. Didn't you see that news report? We have finally come out of the closet!" Sensing that Belinda was pissed off, Edward thought that their repartee had become more interesting. However, as he finished speaking, he felt a cold stare drilling holes into the back of his head. Well, it wouldn't intimidate him.
"You want to come out, then that's your own business. Don't involve me in it," Duke finally aired his complaint when he heard Edward mention him. He didn't know what else Edward would say to disgrace him. Duke had to put an end to this conversation.
"Oh, really? Duke, you are such a wet blanket. Justin, let's go inside and find your Mommy." Edward flashed him a sly smile. He wondered if the couple would quarrel after he left. Who cared, anyway. He was not the one who started this.
Duke, it surprises me that you have such habits." Belinda gnashed her teeth, glaring at Duke. Although she knew it was a trap set up by Edward, she couldn't help but fall into it.
"What! You really believe him? Wow. I don't know what to say to you if you really think that. Women are so gullible." Duke rolled his eyes. This was what Edward wanted. That scheming meddler! He intentionally slandered Duke to provoke a fight between them. What a manipulative man!
Oh, so now you want to badmouth women? We women certainly have more self-respect than you do." Belinda was angry at Duke's remarks. She detested anything that implied sexism or gender discrimination. Duke was dead meat now.
"Belinda, are you sure you want to continue arguing with me? You have been tricked by Edward. Why are we even fighting?!" Duke gazed at her with his arms folded across his chest. There was an ambiguous expression on his face. He wondered when she would figure it out.
"Hah! Even so! You are the same as he is." Belinda shot daggers at him with her beautiful eyes. These men were samely evil, just like the popular saying, 'Crows are black all over the world.'
"Mr. and Mrs. Leng, what are you doing here? Are you two quarreling?" Aaron suddenly appeared, looking between Belinda and Duke. The atmosphere grew awkward. He wished he hadn't walked into them. If Aaron had known they were at odds, he would have sneaked into the house furtively, without getting noticed by them. He could have avoided the unfriendly stare that bored into him right now.
"What do you think? You tell if we're quarreling or not." Belinda stared at Aaron sullenly. She sidestepped him and walked into the house as her high heels clicked loudly. According to her, all men who were associated with Edward were bad people. Except for Luke, of course.
"Did I say something wrong?" Aaron was dumbfounded. Was today just a bad day for him? Was he not supposed to go out at all?
"No. Women just easily lose their tempers during that time of the month." Duke shot him a casual, knowing look, before following Belinda inside. Left standing outside, Aaron was even more confused. It took a long time for him to realize what Duke meant.
The house was bustling amidst celebrations of Daisy's promotion. The boisterous laughter and get-together were what Daisy had hoped for. It made her feel like she was part of a big family. Later that evening, the guests left after the party got over. With his arms around his beautiful wife, Edward looked at the beautiful night sky. Numerous stars twinkled brightly in the dark.
"Honey, congratulations." Edward might not be the first one to congratulate her, but his blessings were most precious to Daisy. He didn't say it in front of everyone else because he wanted it to happen when they were alone together. He wanted this moment to be special.
"Thank you. In fact, my military promotion also belongs to you. You contributed to half of it." The cold night breeze swept across their faces, making them feel at ease.
"Oh, really? Then I wonder how Colonel Ouyang would like to reward me." Edward tightened his grip around her waist, a cunning smile spreading across his face. He rested his chin on her head as he pulled her closer.
"Reward? Let me think. How about rewarding you with me?" Daisy said as she turned around. Her eyes gazed into his passionately. The air between them seemed to spark.
"Why not?" As he finished speaking, Edward kissed her luscious lips gently. He was happy to hear that she was offering herself to him as a reward.
Daisy flashed him a mischievous smile, tenderly wrapping her fair arms around his neck. Although she always said that Edward was born with great skin, she too had good skin herself. The people in her troop tanned in the sun easily, but her own skin was fair and blemish-free. Probably because she drank a lot of water every day. Although not as smooth or soft as Leena's, Daisy's skin was fairly good too.
Close your eyes. Don't open them until I tell you to." Edward told her, breaking off the kiss reluctantly. He covered her eyes with his palm.
"What are you going to do? Are you planning to throw me down from here?" Despite saying so, Daisy obeyed him and closed her eyes. She did not know what he was up to, but no matter what, she trusted he would never bring any harm to her.
"If that were true, would you be scared?" Edward took out the necklace from his coat pocket and gently clasped it around her neck.
"No, I'm not scared, because it's you. Ah! What is that? It feels cold. Edward, are you putting a snake on me?" The thought of a slippery snake made her flesh crawl.
"Yes, it's a snake. Don't open your eyes, or it will bite you." Edward warned her. Was she afraid of a snake? He thought she was afraid of nothing.
"Edward, can't we negotiate? Can you take this thing off me? You can ask me for anything in exchange!" Snakes were not unfamiliar to Daisy. When she was getting trained for survival in the wild at JC military school, she often encountered them. However, every time she saw a snake, she got goose bumps all over her skin. She fretted that if she didn't kill it, it would attack her with its poison. Snakes always sent a shiver down her spine.
Okay, you can open your eyes now." Edward smoothed her clothes and stepped back to see how the necklace looked on her. Indeed, the Ice Rain was a perfect match for her. She looked so graceful and regal wearing the necklace.
"Edward, are you sure I can open my eyes now? Why do I feel like there is still something around my neck?" Daisy squeaked, a little hesitant. She didn't want a snake to touch her! She didn't like the creature at all.
"Don't worry. It's not a snake." Edward grinned widely at the sight of her frightened look. He gently touched her on the nose, his eyes full of affection.