Zhao Yanan sniffed, biting her lip, and gently leaned on Chu Yuxuan's shoulder.
Chu Yuxuan grasped her hand with one of his, while his other arm softly pulled her into his embrace. Seeing that she didn't resist, he held her tighter.
Coincidentally, the movie ended just then.
The room was dimly lit, and so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Zhao Yanan's cheek pressed against Chu Yuxuan's chest, and she could feel his breathing grow heavier, his heartbeat becoming more rapid.
The ice-cold beauty unconsciously felt a bit uneasy. She wanted to sit up, but Chu Yuxuan held her even tighter.
"Yuxuan..." Zhao Yanan's eyes welled up with tears. She looked up at him, her expression shy and unsure.
"Yanan," Chu Yuxuan looked serious, taking a deep breath, his voice seductive, "I really love you." With that, he tilted his head and slowly leaned in.
Zhao Yanan's eyes trembled as she saw his face moving closer. She tightened her grip on Chu Yuxuan's hand, her other hand instinctively resting on his chest, but not pushing him away as forcefully as before. Her body slightly weakened, and a faint fragrance escaped from her red lips.
In the subtle atmosphere, their faces drew closer and closer.
Zhao Yanan's hand, gripped tightly by Chu Yuxuan, trembled as if she was battling with herself. Finally, she slowly closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering nonstop.
Chu Yuxuan felt a rush of joy, gently kissing her lips, not rushing but tenderly testing her boundaries.
However, just as his lips touched hers, the phone on the bedside table suddenly rang...
Zhao Yanan snapped back to reality, quickly pushing Chu Yuxuan away, gasping for breath, too embarrassed to lift her head.
Chu Yuxuan, feeling frustrated, glanced at the phone—it was a call from Chu Zhiqing. His lungs nearly exploded with rage. "What do you want?!"
On the other end, Chu Zhiqing paused in surprise. "What's wrong, son? Not in a good mood?"
Chu Yuxuan, clearly annoyed, replied, "I must have sinned to have a father like you!"
"Oh? What did you just call me? Come on, say it again, I didn't catch that!"
Chu Yuxuan: ...
The room was overly quiet, and the conversation between father and son was clearly overheard by Zhao Yanan, making her inwardly curse, "These two are cut from the same shameless cloth!"
When his son didn't reply, Chu Zhiqing didn't push it further and chuckled, "Alright, on to business. Come to the Red Mansion."
Chu Yuxuan thought for a moment and sighed, "Wait for me."
After hanging up, Chu Yuxuan looked at Zhao Yanan with a playful expression, winking, "Honey, should we... continue?"
Zhao Yanan grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "You shameless jerk! From now on, you're not allowed in my room anymore!"
"Fine, one kiss and I'll agree."
"Get lost! Shameless!"
Chu Yuxuan grinned roguishly. While Zhao Yanan raised the pillow again, he suddenly pounced, planting a quick kiss on her lips before darting out of the room. Only his head peeked back through the door as he cheekily said, "Wife, I love you!"
"Get out!" Zhao Yanan fumed, throwing the pillow at him, but he quickly closed the door, blocking it.
Moments later, Chu Yuxuan's voice came from the living room, "Honey, I might be home late, don't wait up for me!"
Zhao Yanan didn't bother responding, hugging another pillow to her chest, embarrassed and frustrated. She muttered, "Annoying jerk, shameless b*st*rd!" But her expression wasn't one of real anger. Instead, she was overwhelmingly shy, biting her lip and burying her face in the pillow.
After leaving, Chu Yuxuan pressed the elevator button and then walked briskly towards his own house, knocking on the door.
Old Third, who was holding a bucket of fried chicken, opened the door and looked at his big brother in confusion. "Big Bro, why didn't you just come in? Uh... did you forget the password?"
Chu Yuxuan beamed brightly and patted Old Third on the belly, "I have to go out for a bit. Keep an ear out and make sure to protect your sister-in-law."
Old Third nodded blankly, watching his brother, who seemed unusually happy. He couldn't help but laugh along, "Hehe..."
Chu Yuxuan: "What are you laughing at? Did you win over Xiaoqing?"
Old Third instantly deflated like a punctured balloon. "No, we watched Lost in Her the other day, and now she's vanished. She's not responding at all."
Chu Yuxuan laughed so hard he could barely stand straight. "You should've taken her to watch Transformers! Alright, I'll teach you more later."
Old Third gave an "oh" and watched his brother head to the elevator. Just before entering, Chu Yuxuan made an exaggerated bow-and-arrow gesture toward Zhao Yanan's house, looking both cheesy and playful. The big guy scratched his head, muttering, "Is he possessed? Amitabha..."
Half an hour later, Chu Yuxuan arrived at the Red Mansion.
Led by the hostess, he entered a familiar private room on the third floor.
Inside, Chu Zhiqing was happily chatting with President Tan. Seeing Chu Yuxuan enter, Chu Zhiqing waved for his son to sit beside him.
Since Chu Yuxuan had already met President Tan before, the man didn't feel distant. They exchanged a few lighthearted jokes.
Chu Yuxuan smiled politely, though inwardly he despised President Tan.
Just another scoundrel like President Cao, surely no better.
"Son, come on, offer President Tan a toast to congratulate him on his promotion!" Chu Zhiqing, looking slightly tipsy, handed a glass to Chu Yuxuan.
Chu Yuxuan forced himself to go through the motions, offering the toast.
Afterward, Chu Zhiqing and President Tan resumed their lofty conversation about acquiring the Ye family's business. Chu Yuxuan, growing impatient, wondered why his father even called him here. Just like last time, he found an excuse to slip out for some fresh air and sent Chu Zhiqing a message: "If nothing's up, I'm heading out first."
Chu Zhiqing: "Wait, there's something big I need to say."
Chu Yuxuan rolled his eyes, put away his phone, and leisurely strolled downstairs to smoke in the courtyard.
However, as he reached the lobby, he unexpectedly bumped into Situ Jingyao.
She was, as always, dressed in a cheongsam, her figure graceful and captivating.
The scene mirrored their first encounter—the same setting, the same cheongsam, the same woman.
But this time, Situ Jingyao was being embraced by an elderly man.
The elderly man had a wealthy appearance, his face stern and dignified. Several other rich old men followed, each with a beautiful woman on his arm, looking carefree and content. A large group of bodyguards trailed behind them.
The man holding Situ Jingyao pulled her closer, kissing her on the cheek, whispering something that made her giggle.
Halfway through her laughter, Situ Jingyao noticed Chu Yuxuan descending the stairs.
For a moment, her smile froze, but she quickly regained her composure. Gently removing the man's hand from her waist, she gracefully approached Chu Yuxuan and smiled. "Mr. Chu, why didn't you give me a heads-up before coming?"
Chu Yuxuan smiled faintly, simply saying, "Long time no see."
Situ Jingyao was about to say more, but the elderly man called out, "Yao Yao, let's go!"
Situ Jingyao responded, her expression slightly unnatural, said to Chu Yuxuan, "We'll talk later," and returned to the man's side.
The old man casually slapped her on the rear as they bantered and made their way to the elevator.
Chu Yuxuan felt a twinge of sympathy for Situ Jingyao, letting out a soft sigh.
About ten minutes later, Chu Zhiqing sent a message: "Come back to the private room."
When Chu Yuxuan returned, President Tan was already gone.
He got straight to the point: "What's the big deal?"
Chu Zhiqing took a sip of tea, his expression a bit serious. "Ye Yongsheng escaped from the detention center. The police have issued a warrant for his arrest."