In Su Nanxing's eyes, Lu Beiyuan was born a favored son of heaven.
Born into wealth, he also possessed impressive looks.
What was even more rare was that he lacked the extravagant habits common among the second generation of the elite.
Instead, he was cold and restrained, stable and imposing.
Three years into their marriage, Su Nanxing's love for him had not diminished but had grown even stronger—Lu Beiyuan had an extremely charming personal magnetism.
This was something she couldn't deny.
He was distant toward others and not fond of women, but he had always been extremely protective of Su Nanxing.
Once, Su Nanxing thought this was a sign that he had feelings for her.
But now looking back...
It wasn't at all.
How did he manage to say he couldn't mistreat Meng Qingxue yet not forget about her?
Maybe it wasn't not forgetting her.
It was just... habit?
Su Nanxing directly raised her hand and hugged Lu Beiyuan's waist.
She could feel Lu Beiyuan's body stiffen momentarily.
He reacted.
Su Nanxing's hands moved up from his waist, wrapped around to the front, and then hooked around his neck.
The two bodies pressed together, Su Nanxing saw his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
She tiptoed and kissed the corner of Lu Beiyuan's lips.
Lu Beiyuan's large hand was already clasped around her waist, and with a bit of force, the two were pressed even closer together.
Su Nanxing kissed him briefly then moved back, hearing his heavy breathing, then his hand clutched the back of her head, and he forcefully leaned down to kiss her.
Su Nanxing had no resistance to his kiss.
His breath, his scent, even the rapid breathing next to her ear, were enough to intoxicate Su Nanxing.
His kisses were often fierce and overwhelming, quickly leaving Su Nanxing weak in the knees, letting him have his way with her.
But this time, she restrained herself and responded actively with enthusiasm.
Her nimble tongue tangled with his, like a fish frolicking freely in the water.
The breaths of Lu Beiyuan grew increasingly heavy, his large hand moved up from her waist and skillfully slipped inside her blouse.
But Su Nanxing suddenly pulled away from his lips and simultaneously grabbed his eagerly moving hand.
She looked up and saw the passion intense in Lu Beiyuan's eyes, a familiar sign that a storm was approaching.
If it had been before, Lu Beiyuan might not have been able to hold back, no matter where they were, be it the living room or the dining room, he would have wanted to possess her impatiently.
Even now, he didn't hide his desire to possess her, his iron-like arms firmly securing Su Nanxing, his fervent eyes showing a hint of confusion.
As if asking Su Nanxing why she stopped.
Su Nanxing still hooked her arms around his neck, her clear and distinct eyes bright and firm.
She slowly spoke, "Lu Beiyuan, didn't we divorce? What does this count as?"
Lu Beiyuan's arms remained still, his eyes still blazing with heat.
Su Nanxing continued, "You hold me, kiss me, even want to sleep with me. Lu Beiyuan, even if we don't mention the divorce, with this intimacy between us, have you thought about Meng Qingxue?"
Indeed, Lu Beiyuan's grip loosened slightly.
Su Nanxing's smile carried a trace of bitterness, "Lu Beiyuan, do you really think Meng Qingxue is so understanding?"
Lu Beiyuan's grip relaxed a bit more.
Su Nanxing took the opportunity to push him away, "Lu Beiyuan, is this appropriate?"
The heat in Lu Beiyuan's eyes subsided considerably, but his eyes still carried the familiar passion.
After a long while, he finally spoke, "Sorry."
No explanation, no reason.
Simply two words, enough to dismiss Su Nanxing.
Su Nanxing felt a sour, astringent sensation at the bottom of her heart, and a wave of sadness enveloped her instantly.
She should have known that, from beginning to end, Lu Beiyuan had always been able to calmly separate sex and love.
What did he consider her?
A tool for sexual release?
A plaything of the body?
It no longer mattered.
Su Nanxing held back her tears and said, "You can go now."
Lu Beiyuan saw the redness in the corners of her eyes, and a feeling of reluctance spread, he couldn't help but raise his hand to touch her face, "Don't cry, I won't do this anymore."
Su Nanxing shook her head, unable to utter a single word.
"Regarding your father, I will speak to him." Lu Beiyuan sighed silently, "From now on, take good care of yourself, understand?"
Seeing that she didn't respond, he added, "Call me if you need anything, and remember to disinfect your forehead on time."
Finally, Su Nanxing nodded.
"I am leaving."
Lu Beiyuan kept looking at her, and for a moment, Su Nanxing felt slightly dazed, as if he were waiting for her to ask him to stay.
Quickly, when she looked up again, Lu Beiyuan's eyes had already cleared.
The fleeting affection had already vanished.
As she walked him to the door, Lu Beiyuan looked deeply at her, ultimately saying nothing as he reached for the door.
Outside the door, Tang Shen was holding a three-tiered insulated food container, his arm just raised.
It was a gesture that indicated he was about to knock.
"What are you doing here?" Lu Beiyuan instinctively shielded Su Nanxing behind him.
Seeing him, Tang Shen also frowned, "Lu Beiyuan? I should be the one asking you that. You and Xingxing are already divorced, why are you still here?"
Before Lu Beiyuan could speak, Su Nanxing poked her head out, "You're here? What did you bring?"
Tang Shen smiled, "Your favorite braised pork ribs. I cooked them myself for you."
"Thank you!" Su Nanxing also smiled, "I am just hungry."
Lu Beiyuan's face turned ashen, his jaw clenched, his Adam's apple bobbed, but ultimately, he said nothing and walked away.
After Tang Shen came in and closed the door, the smile on Su Nanxing's lips drooped.
Tang Shen ruffled her hair, "Go wash your hands and eat."
Lu Beiyuan stepped out of the elevator, his phone rang, and he answered, "I'll be there in fifteen minutes," he said directly after hearing something.
Twenty minutes later, Lu Beiyuan and Meng Qingxue sat opposite each other.
"Brother Beiyuan, you still remember I like the herbal cuisine from this place," Meng Qingxue smiled softly, "It's been so many years, I didn't expect this place to still be open."
Lu Beiyuan hummed faintly, automatically preparing chopsticks and a bowl for her.
"Thank you," Meng Qingxue was secretly delighted, "Brother Beiyuan, you're really good to me."
Lu Beiyuan forced a smile, his mind full of the image of Tang Shen carrying the food container to see Su Nanxing.
Near the end of the meal, Meng Qingxue went to the restroom and came back to sit right next to Lu Beiyuan.
The faint scent of her perfume drifted by, and Lu Beiyuan almost imperceptibly furrowed his brows.
Su Nanxing never liked wearing perfume, but she always carried a pleasant fragrance.
It was nothing like Meng Qingxue's scent.
Meng Qingxue tugged on Lu Beiyuan's sleeve, "Brother Beiyuan, my eyes feel a bit uncomfortable, can you see if there's something in them?"
She said this, and then a pretty face came closer, chin uplifted, eyes closed.
Lu Beiyuan inexplicably thought of the way Su Nanxing used to lift her face asking for a kiss.
But the person in front of him wasn't Su Nanxing.
Lu Beiyuan glanced at her, his heart still, "Open your eyes, how can I see like this?"
Meng Qingxue's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.