"Ah—" A huge sigh escaped.
Bai Haoran turned towards the source of the sound, a puzzled expression on his face. "What's wrong? Sighing so early in the morning—are you unhappy with life?" He teased lazily, taking a swig of vodka from the bottle in his hand.
Lei Jie crossed his arms, his face darkening as he shot Bai Haoran a cold glance, remaining silent.
Wow! Trying to act cool, huh? "Alright! So what exactly are you sighing about?" Bai Haoran raised an eyebrow, still asking in a friendly tone.
Lei Jie's lips twitched slightly, his brow furrowed tightly. "I just can't figure out how Sunny managed to get in without triggering the security system," he said, frustration evident as he ran his fingers through his dark hair. This issue had been bothering him for days, and he still found it incomprehensible.
It was no wonder he was so restless; as the vice president of the "Dragon Gate Society" and head of security, it was his job to manage the security system for all the properties under their name, so naturally, he was more sensitive to such matters than most people.
Bai Haoran snorted in amusement. "Is that all?" He glanced at Lei Jie with skepticism.
Lei Jie's expression turned icy. "It sounds like you think this is a simple question!" He shot a displeased glare at Bai Haoran. "Then I have to ask you, how do you think Sunny got in?"
Bai Haoran rolled his eyes in resignation. "Come on! If you ask me, who am I supposed to ask? I haven't practiced any special abilities to know how she got in." Seeing the serious look on Lei Jie's face, he raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, just stop worrying about it. Who knows? Maybe she has some magical tricks up her sleeve. Why stress so much?"
"Do you think I shouldn't be concerned about the safety of everyone in the 'Dragon Gate Society'?" Lei Jie shot him a cold stare, his tone unfriendly.
Bai Haoran sighed, feeling a bit inferior. Sometimes, this guy was just too serious, too uptight.
"No, I don't think so," he replied casually. "But I do think you should be aware of something more important." A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.
Lei Jie looked at him suspiciously. "What is it?"
"That excessive sighing can shorten your lifespan?" Bai Haoran burst into laughter, clearly enjoying himself.
Lei Jie glared at him fiercely, his eyes cold enough to freeze. "Damn it, are you messing with me again?" This guy was truly annoying.
Bai Haoran couldn't help but chuckle, shrugging. "I'm just bored! If I don't find something to do soon, I might be the first person to die of boredom."
He sighed, stretched lazily, and sank deeper into the chair, crossing his long legs on the gleaming coffee table, shaking them out of sheer boredom.
That morning, Long Yang had gone down to the office because the headquarters had faxed over some very important documents that required his immediate attention. Meanwhile, Sunny had surprised everyone by saying she wanted to get familiar with her new surroundings after being there for days, and she vanished right after breakfast.
Sigh! Bai Haoran shook his head in frustration. So, here they were, two lonely men left in the huge room, staring at each other, unsure how to pass the time.
Just as he was about to join Lei Jie in sighing, Sunny came bouncing in, her face lit up with mischief.
"Hi! Bai Haoran, Lei Jie, what's going on? Why do you both look like you're on the verge of death after just a short time I was gone? Oh—" Her eyes widened. "It wouldn't be that you suddenly discovered you have some terminal illness, would it? Like cancer or AIDS, and now you know you're living on borrowed time!" She always had something sharp to say.
In all honesty, the world of the twenty-first century was nothing short of amazing—people, events, and things; everything was incredibly captivating, leaving her dazzled and in awe. She wanted to stay here forever and never return to the twenty-third century.
Especially the newlyweds she had just seen downstairs, throwing a banquet for their guests. The bride's wedding dress had left her dumbfounded, and she envied her immensely! Because in her time, the ceremony for couples was very simple; they only had to exchange a ring at the notary's office, without any need for wedding dresses or church vows.
In short, people living in this era were incredibly lucky! This was Sunny's conclusion.
"Pfft! Shoo, shoo, shoo. Sunny, did you reincarnate from a crow, or did we offend you somehow? Why do you always have to say something bad, wishing we'd get some incurable disease? Don't you want us to live long and prosper?" Bai Haoran retorted energetically, shaking off the gloomy demeanor from earlier.
Ever since Sunny had moved in, their lives had become infinitely more entertaining. If Bai Haoran didn't argue or bicker with her at least two or three times a day, he felt restless and uneasy, as if he were missing out on something.
"Hmm! Bai Haoran, Young Master Bai," Sunny called him softly, her voice sweet and gentle. "Have you been eating for so long that you've gotten stuffed? Otherwise, how could your tolerance shrink so small that you're nitpicking over such trivial matters? Just look at Lei Jie—he has such a commanding presence, remains calm, and doesn't say a word. His demeanor is impeccable; and you… tsk, tsk, tsk," she shook her head without reserve, "you look like a hairless wild monkey, making noise and chattering away endlessly."
Then, Sunny adopted a suddenly enlightened expression. "Oh! No wonder! No wonder you can't accomplish anything big or become anything great—there's a reason for it!" She mocked playfully, settling herself onto the couch across from them, using a cushion as a backrest, appearing completely unfazed and fearless.
Hmph! If anyone wanted to provoke Sunny, they'd better clean their ears first and find out who she was—a dazzling figure known throughout the martial world. To challenge her greatest skill—her sharp tongue—was simply asking for trouble. As the renowned genius and playful spirit of the twenty-third century, only her elder brother, Sang Lei, could somewhat subdue her; no one could ever win an argument against her, not even her parents and friends, who often found themselves both exasperated and affectionate toward her.
Naturally, after hearing her words, Bai Haoran would either be so furious he'd spit blood on the spot, or at least suffer some internal injury.
Unfortunately for Sunny, she was mistaken; Bai Haoran not only wasn't angry but laughed heartily, nearly gasping for breath.
"If you really think that, then you're seriously uninformed," he replied mischievously.
However, Sunny wasn't displeased; instead, her eyes lit up, and with her arms crossed, she smiled confidently. It seemed she had finally met a worthy opponent.
Great! She could have some fun with her witty banter.
"Let me tell you, Bai Haoran is renowned far and wide, second only to the top, the vice-leader of the 'Dragon Gate Society.' Who would dare be so foolish as to challenge me? And don't even get me started on my charmingly handsome, dashing appearance, my extensive knowledge, and my polite and courteous demeanor, among countless other virtues. All of these demonstrate my noble lineage, which is unlike anyone else's. From young to old, male to female, who doesn't admire me, who isn't captivated by me?" Bai Haoran boasted endlessly, growing increasingly smug as he spoke, showing no sign of embarrassment at all.
He had never realized he had so many merits, so much to brag about from head to toe; perhaps when he passed away a hundred years later, his remains could be displayed in a museum for future generations to admire this extraordinary talent.
Sunny raised an eyebrow at his words, scoffing, "Oh! Such a noble lineage!" Her tone dripped with sarcasm. This guy was too arrogant, too brazen, and too shameless; she had to cut him down to size. "But," she wrinkled her nose, "there's one thing I really don't understand!" Her eyes gleamed mischievously.
Bai Haoran, filled with self-importance, raised his nose haughtily and replied in a condescending tone, "What don't you understand? Go ahead and ask!" Finally, he hadn't wasted his breath; she was starting to recognize his exceptionalism and respect him.
"Since you claim you have a noble lineage unlike anyone else's, I want to ask, what special animal's bloodline did you come from?" Sunny smiled sweetly, "Is it a pig? A mouse? Or a wild monkey?" When it came to witty repartee, she never fell behind.
Bai Haoran was momentarily stunned, and Lei Jie, who had been listening with great interest, couldn't help but burst out laughing, nearly doubling over. In no time, Sunny's bright, ringing laughter joined in, causing Bai Haoran's face to twitch awkwardly; he was in quite the predicament.
He had thought this would be an easy win, but due to his momentary carelessness, he found himself utterly defeated and speechless. It seemed his once-great reputation as the "Silver Fox" was utterly ruined by her. Sigh! What a tragedy!
"What are you three chatting about? It looks pretty lively," Long Yang said casually, standing at the door, his eyes teasing as he looked at Bai Haoran's rare, relieved expression, nearly bursting out in laughter himself.
"Wow! Long Yang, you're back!" Sunny exclaimed, quickly jumping off the couch and rushing over to him like a fledgling returning to its nest.
Long Yang's handsome, cool face wore a hint of a smile as he gently tapped her little upturned nose. "Are you bullying Ah Huan again?" he asked with a smile.
"Unjustly accused! How could I!" Sunny wrinkled her nose and pouted, "Why do you always make me sound like a little bully? He's the one who started it by trying to pick a fight with me. I was just being kind, giving him a chance to sharpen his tongue a bit. Is that wrong?" She argued defiantly, for banter was a mutual game—one willing to play, the other willing to be hit; it was no matter of bullying.
Long Yang couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head at her. "You're such a mischievous spirit."
He wrapped an arm around Sunny's slender waist and led her back to the living room, where they sat together on the couch. He took a cigarette from the pack on the coffee table, lit it, and took a deep drag.
"How's everything at headquarters?" Bai Haoran asked, utterly bored.
Long Yang raised an eyebrow. "You mean the Three-Star Group?" He exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Of course," Bai Haoran replied with a look that said it was obvious. "Aside from those three troublemakers who love to stir up chaos, we have no worries about anyone else," he asserted confidently.
"Yeah! When the three of us are away, the headquarters becomes their playground," Lei Jie added with a faint smile.
Sunny, sitting nearby, was completely in the dark. "What's the Three-Star Group?" she interjected, her curiosity piqued.
"And also, what was that 'Dragon Gate Society' Bai Haoran mentioned? Is it a company or a gang?" she asked, guessing.
Long Yang, Bai Haoran, and Lei Jie all looked at her in disbelief.
"You don't know about the 'Dragon Gate Society'?!" Bai Haoran exclaimed, his eyes wide.
Logically speaking, if she hadn't heard of the Three-Star Group, he might have believed it; but the 'Dragon Gate Society'… that was impossible! He could confidently bet his life that, aside from those yet to be born, almost everyone in the world knew that the 'Dragon Gate Society' was a powerful organization encompassing authority, wealth, and status. It was common knowledge—how could she not know? This was simply bizarre!
Sunny, seeing their shocked expressions, couldn't help but stick out her tongue. What was so strange about it? She wasn't from this era, so how could she possibly know what the 'Dragon Gate Society' was?
However, seeing the three of them so astonished and incredulous, she decided to skip the question for now and ask Long Yang privately when she had the chance. Yes, that seemed more prudent.
"Seriously, you've never heard of the 'Dragon Gate Society'?" Lei Jie, unable to contain his curiosity, asked as he watched her not respond, sharing the same confusion as Bai Haoran.
Sunny shrugged apologetically. "I'm sorry, but it seems the teacher forgot to teach us about that!" She laughed it off, hoping that if they continued to question her, they would inadvertently reveal their own flaws.
Lei Jie furrowed his brows even tighter, while Bai Haoran wore a half-smirk that clearly expressed his disbelief at her ignorance.
Long Yang, on the other hand, regarded her thoughtfully, remaining silent.
What a serious atmosphere! Sunny thought to herself; it was a bit overwhelming.
She made a silly face at them. "Okay, stop frowning! You'll only age faster that way." Her lighthearted joke caused everyone to shake their heads and chuckle.
"If that's the case, then it's all your fault," Long Yang finally spoke, a hint of affection in his tone.
Sunny was shocked. "Yes, yes, it's all my fault! I'm so terrified! I apologize!" She performed a mock bow.
Her feigned panic made Long Yang and the others laugh again.
"Alright, you should tell me what the 'Three-Star Group' is!" Sunny urged mischievously, not giving up on her curiosity.
Long Yang looked at her, contemplating for a while before saying, "Meteor, Comet, Underworld Star."
Sunny blinked in surprise. "Just that?" It sounded too simple.
Long Yang smiled gently and explained, "The Three-Star Group is a think tank within the Dragon Gate Society, ranked just below me, Bai Haoran, and Lei Jie. Meteor is the leader of the Three-Star Group; he has an incredible memory, is exceptionally observant, has an uncanny sixth sense for codes and intelligence, and is a genius in computers and electronics. Everything related to the 'Dragon Gate Society' in terms of financial management and operational strategy—anything that requires a computer—is his territory."
"Comet is the second-in-command of the Three-Star Group; he's very intelligent, articulate, and a master in the legal field—essentially the unrivaled champion of the East, as well as a sharpshooter. He currently manages the legal department of the 'Dragon Gate Society.' Underworld Star is the youngest in the Three-Star Group, specializing in medicine. He's skilled and composed, doesn't talk much, and has a face prettier than many women. However…" Long Yang paused, shaking his head with a smile, "he really hates being told that, and usually, those who dare to say it in front of him…" He left the statement hanging, clearly trying to build suspense.
"Well?" Sunny leaned forward, her interest piqued. This sounded quite entertaining.
From Long Yang's words, she finally understood something significant.
So, the Dragon Gate Society was a hidden powerhouse filled with skilled individuals; everyone within it was talented and possessed superior intellect and beauty. It was no wonder that when she claimed not to have heard of the 'Dragon Gate Society,' their expressions had been as if the world was ending—now she completely understood.
"Let me elaborate!" Bai Haoran chimed in, eager to contribute. "Usually, those who dare to say that to him end up in a rather miserable state," he said, citing bloody examples.
"Miserable?" Sunny's eyes widened, her brows knitting together. "Is it really that serious?" She was skeptical.
"Absolutely! Don't doubt my words!" Bai Haoran's expression was dead serious. "Because if he doesn't make you unwittingly ingest his specially concocted laxative powder, leaving you in the bathroom all day until you're completely exhausted, then he'll have your whole body covered in seven-colored rainbow spots—ugly and unbearably itchy. You'd wish you could just end it all! Tell me, what else could be considered miserable?" He stated it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Even Meteor and Comet, those two guys—though quirky, they still have to keep their distance from Underworld Star, because a moment's slip of the tongue could bring unwarranted disaster. In short, this kid Underworld Star is a true weirdo," Bai Haoran concluded.
Sunny listened, both curious and excited. Such people existed in the world?
She instinctively wanted to see the real face of this Underworld Star right away. Of course, she was equally interested in Meteor and Comet. There was no helping it! Their unique perspectives were exactly to her taste.
After all, she was a distinguished genius scientist, a free-spirited girl who loved doing things out of the ordinary. Though not entirely rebellious, she was undoubtedly unconventional.
Just think about her invention of the time converter—if people knew she had actually succeeded in her research, it would shake the entire world!
"What? You really want to meet them, don't you?" Bai Haoran teased, seemingly reading her mind, his expression mischievous.
Sunny nodded without a second thought, turning her head with her bright, sparkling eyes fixed on Long Yang. "Can I?" She looked at him with hope and excitement.
From what she had just gathered, it seemed Long Yang was the highest authority in the 'Dragon Gate Society.' If he was willing, with just a command, she might be able to see the Three-Star Group in the blink of an eye.
Long Yang hesitated, unsure of how to respond; his mind was tangled with thoughts. Sunny's keen interest in the Three-Star Group made him feel a sudden wave of discomfort. No! She was his. The men she could notice and be interested in could only be him; he wouldn't allow her to be interested in anyone else, not even his brothers.
"Can you?" She pouted, breaking into his thoughts. For him, this shouldn't be that difficult; why was he taking so long to consider?
Long Yang fixed his gaze on her, replying in an ambiguous manner, "We'll see."
Sunny didn't understand what he meant. "What do you mean? Is it a yes or a no?"
"That's simple. Setting aside what 'we'll see' means, it clearly indicates someone is feeling jealous!" Bai Haoran chimed in, enjoying the situation with a beaming smile.
Long Yang shot him a warning glare, as if to say it would be wise for him to keep his mouth shut or there would be consequences!
Seeing this, Lei Jie couldn't help but smirk.
Sunny pouted in frustration. Although she didn't understand what Bai Haoran meant, she decided to remain silent as a form of protest against Long Yang's dismissive attitude. Only Bai Haoran maintained a relaxed demeanor, arms crossed, nonchalantly shrugging, while his eyes darted back and forth between Sunny and Long Yang with great interest—things were getting more and more entertaining!
They were in a high-end clothing store located on the fifth floor of the Dragon Gate Society's skyscraper. The store was elegantly decorated with a unique style and high taste, making Sunny feel as if she were surrounded by a garden of flowers as soon as she stepped inside. The female sales assistant who approached her was undoubtedly like a vibrant butterfly in that floral scene.
This sales assistant was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, dressed maturely and gracefully, radiating charm as she greeted Sunny with a polite yet subtle smile. "Miss, how may I assist you?" Lin Yingru asked kindly.
"Clothes," Sunny replied with a bright smile, excitedly blinking her eyes as she scanned her surroundings.
Wow! In all her life, she had never seen such a variety of beautiful clothing. If it hadn't been for Long Yang insisting that she choose some outfits from the store downstairs to replace the plain white uniform she wore from the twenty-third century, she might never have had the chance to see the fashionable attire of contemporary women in the twentieth century.
Heavens! The selection was overwhelming—her eyes were almost dazzled.
"Do you have any particular styles or colors in mind?" Lin Yingru inquired calmly.
"Um… no," Sunny mumbled absently, her gaze drawn to a wooden table and chairs set to the left of the entrance for resting. She couldn't help but walk over to the table, impulsively rubbing her fingertips over its surface.
She could hardly imagine that this luxurious furniture was made from real oak wood.
"Miss!" Lin Yingru's voice echoed in her ears.
"Hmm!" Sunny absentmindedly responded, having forgotten about the sales assistant's presence as all her focus was on the sensation beneath her fingers, which she couldn't resist.
It was marvelous! In their time, this was simply unbelievable. Due to environmental conservation efforts, only the most reputable individuals could enjoy such high-end luxuries; even so, the Environmental Protection Agency mandated that each person could only own one such piece of furniture at most. Now, she was actually able to touch this pure, raw wooden table and chairs—it was utterly astonishing.
After a while, satisfied for the moment, she finally withdrew her hand and turned around, only to find the sales assistant still standing in the same spot, her brows furrowed as she stared at Sunny.
Sunny silently scolded herself, sticking out her tongue; she had momentarily forgotten that there were others around. Ugh! She had to rein in her curiosity; otherwise, people would think she was crazy.
"This table is really well-crafted," Sunny said, trying to maintain a calm expression; this reason shouldn't be too abrupt, right?
"Not bad," Lin Yingru replied coolly, her expression no longer warm.
At that moment, the atmosphere seemed to grow quite heavy.
"I'm Sunny, and I need your help," Sunny said, looking straight at her and dropping the bombshell of a statement.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yingru's eyes nearly popped out of her head, her cold demeanor melting away as quickly as ice under heat. Who would have guessed that this strangely beautiful girl, who was difficult to look away from, was actually Long Yang, the leader of the immensely wealthy Dragon Gate Society? She stood frozen for a full minute before regaining her composure.
"Hello, the president has called to inform me that you would be visiting," Lin Yingru said, smiling. "I'm Lin Yingru; it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sunny. How can I assist you?"
President?! So the entire building was owned by the Dragon Gate Society! Sunny was astonished.
It was only now that she realized the amazing tales she had pulled from Long Yang last night about the Dragon Gate Society—its power, wealth, and even influence and status were virtually boundless. Initially, she had thought he was exaggerating, but now she saw that this magnificent, grand building was one of the many properties owned by the Dragon Gate Society. She couldn't help but start believing it. Oh my, what kind of big shots had she encountered?
If she told them she came from the twenty-third century, would they be more accepting of her?
"Miss Sunny?"
Lin Yingru's call brought Sunny back from her reverie. She smiled sheepishly and followed Lin Yingru to the clothing racks.
Next, they began picking out pieces one by one, inside and out.
Though Sunny was excited about the clothes, she was unfamiliar with the selection process, so she let Lin Yingru guide her. They gathered this and that, like a whirlwind, until the counter was piled high with various outfits: exquisite blouses, soft pajamas, cute lingerie, and many elegant dresses, suits, and casual pants, shirts, and shoes.
After making a complete round, Sunny, once enthusiastic, found herself utterly exhausted and collapsed onto the wooden table she had admired earlier, repeatedly exclaiming that it was enough, enough.
But Lin Yingru seemed to be following orders from Long Yang as she continued to pick out casual jeans and sportswear for Sunny. "And there's…"
"What?! There's more?!" Sunny groaned, slapping her forehead in frustration.
Being a woman in this era was truly exhausting! That was her only thought at the moment. She felt her enthusiasm for the clothing of this time was waning, as in their twenty-third century, both men and women didn't have to deal with such hassle when it came to choosing clothes.
All they needed to do was bring themselves and their clothes to a cleaning room once a week and press a button. In less than ten seconds, they would be completely clean from head to toe. It was time-saving and effortless, and they could even use a computer to select the type of clothes they wanted to wear. Though the styles were simple and limited, and all made from nylon, just like the outfit she was wearing now, at least it was far more convenient than having to change back and forth.
"A little dress, that's the most important thing," Lin Yingru insisted, looking at Sunny. "I happen to have just the right one for you." After saying this, she went to the closet on the right and retrieved the dress.
At Lin Yingru's gesture, Sunny, feeling helpless, entered the fitting room she had already been in hundreds of times.
It was a pure white, sheer dress with green lace trim, pure and flowing, perfectly emphasizing Sunny's ethereal beauty and her delicate figure. It looked as if it had been tailor-made for her.
As soon as Sunny emerged, she instantly drew many astonished gazes.
"Wow! You look absolutely stunning!" a young man standing at the accessories counter exclaimed sincerely.
An angel! He thought he was seeing an angel. He was momentarily stunned, unable to believe that someone with such pure, angelic beauty actually existed in the world.
"What did you say?" Sunny frowned slightly, confused as she looked at him.
The young man, though not as tall as Long Yang, was at least about 175 cm. He wore a pristine white shirt and dark blue dress pants that were clearly high-quality. His hair was shiny black, and he had dark sunglasses on his face, with his sexy lips slightly parted, revealing a row of white, even teeth.
"I said you look really beautiful in that dress," he repeated softly.
"Really?" Sunny asked in surprise, turning to face the large mirror beside her. Wow! She widened her eyes, hardly believing what she saw.
It was true that clothing could enhance one's appearance! She had never known that wearing this little dress would make her look so stunningly sexy without being vulgar; even she was amazed at her reflection.
Lin Yingru expertly adjusted the dress on her. "See? I told you it was perfect! This dress looks as if it was made just for you. It fits you perfectly from top to bottom—no alterations needed!" Her tone was enthusiastic. "I think this should keep you set for a while. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to let me know." Lin Yingru smiled.
Sunny made a funny face and sighed with relief, feeling happy that her shopping ordeal was finally coming to an end.
She changed out of the dress in the fitting room and handed it over to Lin Yingru, asking her to pack it along with the other items.
To be honest, being thrust into so many high-quality fabrics she had never even touched in her life, other than nylon, felt a bit strange.
"Miss Sunny, I'll have someone deliver these clothes to the president's penthouse. You should be able to pick them up this afternoon," Lin Yingru said as she organized the dress Sunny had just changed out of and hung it on a rack.
At that moment, the young man from the accessories counter walked over, taking off his sunglasses.
"Hi! I'm Yu Wei. What's your name?" he smiled as he introduced himself.
Even at such a close distance, even face-to-face, he couldn't help but feel the intense shock her stunning face and pure, ethereal aura had given him the first time he laid eyes on her—his heart raced restlessly.
"I'm Sunny," she replied confidently.
"Sunny…" He seemed surprised.
"Yes!" Sunny smiled brightly, secretly admiring his natural smile, which was quite charming.
"I just heard you mention the penthouse. Do you live in the hotel upstairs too?" Meng Wei asked curiously.
Sunny nodded. "From the way you're talking, are you staying there as well?"
"Yeah, I'm here for a medical seminar, but I'll be leaving today," he said with a smile.
"A medical seminar?" Sunny raised her eyebrows.
"Yeah, I'm a doctor," he replied.
"A doctor?! You mean a real-life doctor?" Sunny was taken aback! Oh my goodness! How could he possibly look like a doctor with that physique?
Okay! Even if she hadn't truly seen what doctors looked like in this era, there was an old saying that went, you don't have to have eaten pork to know what a pig looks like when it walks!
While they had advanced to the point where computer-operated treatment rooms replaced doctors, from what she had observed on TV, those so-called doctors usually had bald heads and beer bellies. None looked like him—so…
Sigh! People really shouldn't be judged by appearances; Sunny began to believe it, just as many didn't believe she was a well-known scientist at such a young age. Sigh! Did being young and not mature also count as a flaw?
"What's wrong? Your constant sighing—are you complimenting me or mocking me? Am I really that unconvincing as a handsome, mature, successful, promising doctor?" Meng Wei said, feigning a sad expression.
Yu Wei understood her surprise, as nearly everyone who met him reacted with disbelief. How could a thirty-something man have such a baby face? It was no wonder people questioned him.
Fortunately, he had learned to be clever about it. Every time he went out, he made sure to wear sunglasses; at least it made him appear a bit more mature and aloof. But to be honest, that was just self-comforting.
Hearing his playful complaint, Sunny couldn't help but chuckle. Her instinct told her this guy was just as shameless as Bai Haoran!
Yu Wei was mesmerized by her radiant smile, exclaiming, "Sunny, you look so beautiful when you smile. It's just like your name—sunshine!"
"Haha! I believe that wholeheartedly," Sunny replied proudly and unapologetically. "Someone as stunning and beautiful as I am, when I don't smile, it's fine, but when I do, it's bound to be breathtaking and captivating."
Meng Wei was momentarily taken aback by her confidence, then he humorously made a funny face, "I've really never seen a girl like you before." His admiration and affection for her grew stronger.
Sunny stuck her tongue out at him playfully, teasing, "Well, now you've seen it with your own eyes!"
Hearing this, Meng Wei burst out laughing, grateful to heaven for letting him meet such an interesting girl today. Not wanting to let this serendipitous opportunity slip away, he lifted his head to invite her to lunch, but suddenly caught sight of the clock hanging on the counter.
"Oh no! The most important and final seminar of the day is starting! I need to hurry. How about this: Sunny, do you have time for lunch today? My treat?"
Sunny shook her head without hesitation, declining, "I'm sorry, but I wasn't prepared for this so suddenly."
Meng Wei looked disappointed. "Can I call you later to chat?" he asked hopefully, not wanting to miss this chance.
Sunny chuckled at his pleading expression. Generally, she was a cheerful person who loved making friends. Her radiant smile, like summer sunshine, along with her fresh yet elegant demeanor, made it easy for her to blend into any crowd and form many meaningful friendships, whether with men or women.
However, those friends were now far away in the twenty-third century. Sunny imagined they would be thrilled to hear that her time converter had succeeded.
"What do you think?" Meng Wei asked nervously.
Sunny smiled, "No problem!" She then recited the phone number for Long Yang's penthouse to him. "I hope to receive your call. Let's stay in touch, Mr. Meng!"
"Call me Yu Wei," he corrected her with a smile. "I think we're not strangers anymore; we're friends, right, Sunny?" He politely extended his hand.
Sunny beamed, shaking his hand. "Exactly, we're friends." She liked his straightforward personality.
They exchanged smiles and waved goodbye.
"Hey! Long Yang, what are you doing here? Aren't you busy with Bai Haoran and the others in the office on the twenty-seventh floor?" Sunny was surprised to see the person blocking her path as she stepped out of the clothing store.
Long Yang stood there silently, his deep gaze fixed on her, not saying a word.
"Long Yang… what's wrong? You seem upset," Sunny cautiously asked, noticing his unusually grim expression. What was bothering him?
Still silent, Long Yang tightened his grip on her small hand and led her to his private elevator.
"What's going on?" she pressed, not giving up, even though his grip was painfully tight.
It wasn't until they entered the elevator that Long Yang coldly asked, his handsome face shadowed with a dark mood, "Who was that man you were just talking to?" His beautifully contoured lips twisted slightly.
He couldn't help but care about what he had just seen—Sunny engaging with a strange man so cheerfully, even shaking hands, which stirred a sense of unease and discomfort in him. The thought of this man having ill intentions toward Sunny awakened his bloodthirsty instincts.
"Oh—" Sunny suddenly realized, "You mean Meng Wei?"
"Meng Wei is that bastard's name?" Long Yang squinted dangerously, his tone chilling.
Sunny raised an eyebrow in surprise, then laughed nonchalantly, "Yes! He's a new friend of mine. Did you see him just now? If you did, then you must be just as incredulous as I am—he's actually a doctor!" She grew more excited as she spoke, shaking her head and laughing lightly. "He was even planning to invite me to lunch, but I…" Seeing Long Yang's increasingly dark expression, she furrowed her brows and bit her lip, "What's wrong? Is something off?"
She couldn't understand why he, who was usually so pleasant, was acting so strangely today; it was really odd!
"You're not allowed to go out to lunch with him." He coldly declared, his jaw clenched tight.
"I…" Sunny opened her mouth slightly, taken aback by his frighteningly intense demeanor.
"I don't allow you to go out to lunch with any man other than me. Did you hear me?" Long Yang's grip on her hand tightened, veins bulging.
"Ouch… that hurts!" Sunny finally found her voice, struggling to pull her almost numb hand free from his grasp. "Long Yang, let go of me! It hurts!"
"You haven't answered me yet!" he replied frostily, increasing his grip.
Sunny was now furious. "Long Yang, what is your problem?" Her face flushed with anger as she exclaimed, "Meng Wei and I are just friends! I haven't done anything unforgivable. Why are you so mad? Besides, I didn't even agree to go out to lunch with him! Why are you so worked up?"
Honestly, ever since she had met Long Yang, she had noticed this rough and cold side of him, which she had never seen before. His fierce, menacing demeanor was beginning to unnerve her. Still, she forced herself to stay brave; after all, she hadn't done anything wrong.
Long Yang glared at her, sneering.
Just then, the elevator dinged, stopping on the twenty-eighth floor. Long Yang, still wearing his dark expression, pulled her into the lobby, finally releasing her hand.
As he loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, he sat down on the sofa across from her, one arm resting on the back of the chair.
"Tell me, Sunny, how did you catch his attention?" Long Yang's voice was low and gravelly, carrying an undeniable authority.
Sunny was taken aback. "No, he didn't catch me! You can't use such a harsh word to describe my friendship with Meng Wei!" she exclaimed, outraged.
"Hmph! You're quick to defend him," Long Yang mocked, raising an eyebrow. He opened a cigarette case and lit one up. "Tell me about how you met him, Sunny," he coaxed softly, a twisted smile on his lips. "Tell me how that doctor you hit it off with managed to catch your interest." His last sentence was almost a snort.
Sunny glared defiantly at him. "Why should I tell you?" Just because she was staying here didn't mean that every aspect of her life and privacy was his to know and control.
"Because you have that obligation," he stated coldly, his eyes like ice.
"What? Obligation?" Sunny widened her eyes, incredulous. Was he out of his mind?
Sunny struggled to suppress her trembling anger, gritting her teeth and saying, "No, I won't say anything. I don't need to, nor do I have the obligation to report my actions to you." She glared at him.
Then, as if recalling his usual kindness towards her, her expression softened slightly. Confused, she shook her head, "Long Yang, I really don't understand why you're reacting this way. Is it a crime to make friends in your time?" After saying that, she almost bit her tongue, quickly assessing Long Yang's expression. Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice her slip of the tongue.
However, it was clear that the self-proclaimed genius, Sunny, was oblivious to Long Yang's obvious feelings.
"Damn it!" Long Yang cursed, "Do you really think that man only wants to be a simple friend with you?" He uttered a harsh curse, stood up, and walked angrily to the bar, pouring himself a drink.
Pain struck him; he downed the contents of the glass in one go. Yet no amount of alcohol could soothe his suffering. He noticed his hands trembling slightly, overwhelmed by a wave of deep jealousy. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Sunny stared at him in disbelief, her anger spreading like dry kindling meeting fire. The man before her was unreasonably overbearing. Calmly, she realized she needed to cool down, urgently, or she would explode.
Suddenly, she stood up and walked toward her room.
"Stop! You're not allowed to leave without my permission!" Long Yang shouted, his heavy breaths visible, his handsome face twisted in pain.
Halfway through, upon hearing his command, Sunny felt her blood run cold. She stiffened, turning to glare at him, her eyes blazing with fury.
Long Yang didn't give her a chance to speak, continuing, "Sunny, come back here. You can't leave until we finish talking." His irritation at her defensive gaze only fueled his anger.
"There's nothing to talk about," Sunny replied, clenching her fists, her tone icy. "If living here means I have no autonomy, just say the word, and I can leave right now." With that, she turned her back on him, slamming the door behind her.
Chapter Four
As Bai Haoran and Lei Jie stepped through the door, they were met with a chilling atmosphere in the living room that nearly made them shiver involuntarily.
They exchanged confused glances, then turned to see Long Yang standing with a bottle of alcohol, pouring it into his mouth while tugging at his shirt.
Their eyes widened in disbelief; after years of brotherhood, it was the first time they had seen their boss, Long Yang, in such a disheveled and uncontrolled state—drowning his sorrows in drink. But what was the reason?
Bai Haoran raised an eyebrow and was the first to speak, "Long, is the 'Dragon Gate Society' about to close down, or is the world coming to an end? Why do you look like someone just betrayed you?"
Long Yang seemed to ignore him, continuing to drink, his face growing even darker.
"Hey! Where's Sunny?" Lei Jie, standing next to Bai Haoran, asked, scanning the living room. "Why don't we see her? Long, didn't you go down to the clothing store to surprise her?"
"Right! I didn't even notice until you mentioned it," Bai Haoran added, glancing around. "Long, where's that sunny girl? She didn't run off to her room because it's cold, did she?" He couldn't help but make a joke.
Long Yang's face darkened further as he clutched the bottle and growled, "Can you two be quiet for once?" What were these two annoying birds doing, chirping away?
"What happened? How did you end up like this in just a short time?" Bai Haoran asked, undeterred, crossing his arms and studying Long Yang's cold expression, disregarding the displeasure and murderous glare in his eyes.
"Shut up!" Long Yang snapped, glaring at them. "Stop bothering me and get out!"
The three of them exchanged looks, holding their stares for a moment.
"Alright! If you don't want us to bother you, we won't," Bai Haoran replied nonchalantly. "Come on, Lei Jie, since someone here doesn't want us, let's go chat with Sunny instead. It might be more interesting, don't you think?" He said casually, appearing relaxed.
Lei Jie looked between Long Yang and Bai Haoran, finally understanding Bai Haoran's intention. He nodded, "Of course! Sunny would definitely welcome us more than this guy." His meaning was clear.
"Great!" Bai Haoran said triumphantly, throwing an arm around Lei Jie's shoulders. "To Sunny's room, let's go!"
"Stop! You can't go," Long Yang warned darkly. "If you dare, try me."
Bai Haoran raised an eyebrow. "Hmph! What's there to be afraid of? We're going to show you just what we can do!" He taunted, pulling Lei Jie toward Sunny's room.
Damn it! Being a brother to this guy was really tough. If he didn't let Long Yang vent his emotions now, given his personality and drinking capacity, he could drink all day without passing out. What if he ended up with alcohol poisoning?
Sure enough, Long Yang couldn't hold back, letting out a furious roar as he charged forward. The three of them soon found themselves in a chaotic scuffle, much like a Spanish bullfight.
The next morning, Sunny woke up, deliberately taking her time washing her face and getting dressed, trying not to think about facing Long Yang at breakfast.
After entering her room yesterday, she had slumped against the door, utterly drained. When Bai Haoran called her for dinner later, she had declined, claiming to feel unwell. Thus, she had spent almost the entire night awake, replaying the earlier scene in her mind, until sheer exhaustion finally lulled her to sleep.
Sunny couldn't understand why Long Yang had suddenly become so domineering. In the time they had spent together, she had only known that he was a significant figure internationally and a tough, hard-hearted character in the business world.
However, none of these aspects had ever been directed at her. She suddenly realized that even though she had been angry yesterday, the fearless Sunny had begun to feel intimidated by his coldness.
She couldn't fathom how she had managed to remain calm and brave enough to walk back to her room confidently in front of him.
As Sunny walked into the dining room, Long Yang, Bai Haoran, Lei Jie, and the others were already sitting at the table, casually sipping coffee and reading newspapers, clearly waiting for her to show up.
Sunny quietly said, "Good morning," as she slipped into her seat.
Long Yang watched her, his focused gaze sweeping over her small face. He noticed the dark circles under her eyes but said nothing.
Lei Jie got up to grab a bottle of milk from the fridge, pouring a glass for Sunny. "How about some toast with ham and eggs this morning, Sunny?" He had come to know her excellent appetite during these days together.
"No, I just want milk, thank you," she said quietly, her head lowered.
Bai Haoran huffed in dissatisfaction. "At least have a piece of toast! Sunny." This was the first time he had seen her so quiet since they met—damn, it was unsettling.
"No!" Sunny firmly refused. She didn't have much of an appetite today.
"Sunny," Bai Haoran said, teasingly, "are you planning to keep your head down and not look at us?"
"No." As if to prove her point, Sunny lifted her head, only to be taken aback by the sight of the three injured men before her. The milk in her mouth nearly sprayed out like a fountain.
She finally smiled for the first time that morning, wondering why she hadn't noticed their condition when she walked out of her room.
"What happened to you all?" Sunny asked, struggling to hold back laughter. "Did you get caught in the elevator door, or did you fall out of bed last night and end up with a face full of bruises?" She teased, unable to contain herself, leaning against the table with laughter.
Bai Haoran shot Long Yang a fierce glare before turning to Sunny, sarcastically saying, "I'm so glad you find our injuries amusing. But the truth is far from what you imagine; if we were to trace this back, it's all your fault for messing with us."
"Me?" Sunny widened her eyes in surprise. "What does this have to do with me?"
"Ugh! If it were really because of the elevator door or falling out of bed, we'd accept our bad luck. But…" Hearing Sunny's laughter again only deepened Bai Haoran's grievance, "the cause of our sorry state is a massive jealous man, so we can't help but feel wronged." He lamented dramatically.
Sunny nearly laughed until she gasped for air. Just as she managed to regain some control, she glanced up again and saw their pitiful expressions, prompting her to burst into laughter once more, tears spilling from her eyes.
"Is it really that funny?" Bai Haoran grumbled.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh so loudly," Sunny choked out.
"I can see that," Bai Haoran said, exasperated. "Well… I'll just take it as a lesson. In the future, you can mess with anyone, just never provoke a drunkard. Goodness! They can hit hard!"
Thinking back to the previous night's chaos, it wasn't an ordinary brawl. The three of them had fought for a solid two hours before they were too exhausted to continue. Honestly, except for their days in the underworld, they hadn't fought so freely in a long time.
"Do you need me to help you with ointment?" Sunny asked, wiping her eyes, trying to calm her emotions. Though it was a bit late to offer help, it still represented her goodwill.
"No, it's fine. We've already treated our wounds," Bai Haoran pretended to look fearful. "And even if we hadn't, we wouldn't dare ask you for help, lest someone gets jealous again, and then Lei Jie and I wouldn't stand a chance. We wouldn't have the courage to fight again," he said cautiously.
"Yeah! We helped each other out all night. If we keep going, we might end up losing a layer of skin," Lei Jie nodded in agreement, hinting at something else. "Besides, you should focus on that person who didn't get ointment last night instead." He joked, though his gaze was fixed on Long Yang, who was staring intently at Sunny.
Seeing this, Bai Haoran and Lei Jie exchanged knowing smiles.
"Uh… Long, Lei Jie and I are full, so we'll leave the rest for you and Sunny to enjoy," Bai Haoran said with a sly grin. "Remember! The slower you eat, the better!" he warned, glancing mischievously between them.
Once they left, the dining room fell into silence.
After a moment, Long Yang broke the quiet, moving in front of Sunny and pulling her up.
"Are you still angry?" he softly probed, his expression complicated.
Sunny shook her head, remaining silent.
"Forgive me, Sunny. I know I behaved poorly yesterday." Although it was his first time apologizing, it wasn't as difficult as he had imagined.
Even though Sunny felt a bit wronged and resentful, seeing his melancholy handsome face made it hard for her to stay upset.
"It's over now; I'll forget about it after a good night's sleep. But…" She paused, hands on her hips, brow furrowed. "Why were you so angry yesterday? Was it just because I made a friend?" This was something that had troubled her all night, and she needed to clarify.
Long Yang pondered for a long while, gazing thoughtfully at Sunny. Then, as if making a decision, he suddenly asked, "Do you… like me?" He wanted to be clear; he needed Sunny, this emotional novice, to understand his feelings so that he wouldn't always be anxious about it.
Sunny was taken aback by his question, thinking, what does this have to do with anything? She felt confused and irritated.
"How is it?" Long Yang looked at her anxiously. Oddly enough, for someone usually confident with women, this was the first time he felt so uncertain, flustered, and uneasy.
"I've never thought about this question," Sunny said thoughtfully. She only knew that ever since she met him, her heart would inexplicably race whenever she saw him. Was this feeling considered liking someone?
Long Yang fixed his gaze on Sunny's small, beautiful face, watching as her brows furrowed and her lips were lightly bitten. Waves of tenderness surged within him. She was so young, so delicate, so pure. Every taut nerve in his body screamed for her, especially her soft, pink lips, looking so warm and inviting, just a lean down away.
He licked his lips, unable to resist the temptation, and finally pressed his own lips against her rosy ones.
Sunny, lost in thought, was startled at first, then felt her heart racing. She opened her big, bright eyes, astonished at Long Yang, who was leaning in, kissing her.
Long Yang didn't close his eyes. Instead, his gaze deepened, seeming to burn with two flames hidden within, casting a hypnotic glow as he stared into her eyes.
Sunny felt a bit unsteady, her hands instinctively finding their way to his broad shoulders, warmth spreading throughout her body. Under the enticing touch of his lips and tongue, Sunny felt lightheaded, the intense joy was so comforting that it completely swept away her rationality, leaving her in a daze.
It wasn't until Long Yang shifted his focus, kissing her neck and then her delicate earlobe, that Sunny finally caught her breath, burying her flushed face against his strong chest.
"Is this a kiss?" Sunny asked, lifting her face, feeling her cheeks burning, as if she had a fever.
"Mm!" Long Yang watched her blushing face and shy demeanor with rapt attention, unable to resist leaning down again to peck her lips. "Do you like it?"
"Uh…" Sunny blushed so much she couldn't speak. This was her first kiss. The thought that she had never known how intimate the connection between a man and a woman could be, aside from spending all her time in the lab, made her feel like she was losing her mind. "I guess you've kissed many people, right?" she asked curiously.
"What do you think?" Long Yang countered with a smile that appeared rather mischievous, and he pecked her lips again, feeling an insatiable thirst.
"Definitely!" Sunny wrinkled her nose, her feelings mixed. How annoying! Just the thought of him being intimate with other women made her heart twinge with discomfort.
In response to her words, Long Yang shrugged with a smile, neither confirming nor denying.
"Then can I kiss others too?" Sunny shot back defiantly.
"You dare!" Long Yang's expression changed instantly, anger boiling within him. This was a thunderbolt to him; he felt his body heat up like fire yet freeze like ice.
He possessively held Sunny's face, not allowing her to turn away. Through gritted teeth, he spoke slowly, each word dripping with intensity. "You'd better get that thought out of your head! If you dare let another man kiss you, I swear I'll kill him. Do you hear me?" Long Yang's dark expression was filled with an ominous coldness.
Sunny was his! Ever since he decided she was the treasure he had long waited for, she was to be his for life. Anyone daring to touch Sunny would face his wrath.
Sunny was stunned by his strong reaction. She reached out, touching his face, which fluctuated between pale and flushed. "Long Yang, you…"
Before she could finish her sentence, Long Yang suddenly pulled her into his arms, kissing her fiercely, completely invading and possessing her, as if to declare to the world that this enchanting girl was his.
Sunny tried to struggle against his assertiveness, against his unreasonable behavior, but the deeper kiss that followed made her lose her senses, forgetting everything.
Long Yang kissed his beloved wildly and passionately, pouring out his infinite love through their kiss. It gradually intensified, drawing them into a world that only they could share, surrounded by a blazing fire, melting together.
"Oh my God! Finally, our bruises weren't in vain," Bai Haoran, hiding in the gap of the door, tried desperately to stifle his laughter, not letting it escape.
He never expected that their leader, the esteemed head of the "Dragon Gate Society," could be as jealous as a woman. Bai Haoran couldn't help but admire him, conceding defeat. If he didn't tease him about this later, life would be dull and colorless!
"It seems we should be sensible today and keep our distance to avoid getting in their way," Lei Jie said, teasingly, still watching the couple lost in their passionate moment.
Bai Haoran smiled wickedly. "Well… I do have a suggestion."
Lei Jie turned his gaze to him. "What suggestion?"
"Didn't Manager Chen's two big-bosomed secretaries invite us to visit them? Don't you want to go?" Bai Haoran said with a suggestive grin.
"Go to hell! How could I forget?" Lei Jie rolled his eyes, grumbling. "If you want to go, feel free! I don't want to be caught in that suffocating situation, feeling like I'm about to choke!"
Bai Haoran chuckled in agreement. Just thinking about those two voluptuous secretaries made him shudder. He suspected they hadn't seen a man in hundreds of years, otherwise, how could they stick to him and Lei Jie without regard for decency?
Although they weren't exactly innocent and enjoyed female company, it was terrifying to have women practically wanting to swallow them whole! Besides, not every man liked such prominently endowed women. He certainly wasn't a naive child or a brainless man still in need of maternal nurturing.
Watching the passionate scene before them, Bai Haoran and Lei Jie both sighed, lost in thought…
"Long, the investigators from Minglun have already come," Lei Jie said seriously, looking at Long Yang, who had just taken his seat, handing him a glass of whiskey while he sipped vodka.
Long Yang's gaze sharpened. "How is it? Who's behind this?"
"It's Fang Yongsheng, the chairman of the Qingsheng Group," Lei Jie stated. "Years ago, he colluded with the underworld boss Jiang Kunhong to sabotage your stepfather's car, all for a multimillion-dollar land development project. He promised Jiang two-fifths of the profits from the project in exchange."
"Humph!" Bai Haoran scoffed, lazily dropping his feet from the table. "What a despicable scoundrel. Truly shameless."
"Long, I heard Fang Yongsheng, facing financial difficulties, is once again collaborating with that insidious Jiang Kunhong to smuggle a large batch of heroin from Thailand, intending to sell it domestically for huge profits. Do you think we should…" Lei Jie looked at him meaningfully.
"Immediately call the headquarters in Canada. Have the Samsung team prepare their gear and come quickly. Also, tell the Minglun investigators to stop their inquiries; I'll handle the rest personally," Long Yang commanded swiftly, his soft features hardening. The imposing presence of the "Dragon Gate Society" leader was now fully revealed.
"Great!" Bai Haoran snapped his fingers. "Finally, we have something to do after such a long wait." He was excited, having anticipated this moment for days.
"This matter must remain confidential; Sunny must not know," Long Yang instructed coldly.
"Why?" Lei Jie asked in confusion.
Long Yang cast a casual glance at him. "Based on what you guys have learned about Sunny these past few days, do I really need to say more?" A smile that was hard to conceal tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Of course not!" Bai Haoran chuckled. "If Sunshine knew about this, with her extremely curious nature, she would definitely want to get involved, and then it would be a hassle." He accurately understood her personality.
"Exactly! However, that's not why I don't want her to know," Long Yang said, his gaze thoughtful as he looked at them. "The main reason is that I don't want Sunny getting involved in this dangerous matter. I don't want to take that risk." His tone was firm, carrying an undeniable authority.
"What are you guys talking about? What kind of risk? Can I know too?" A curious voice interrupted their conversation.
"Sunny!"
"Sunshine!"
Long Yang, Bai Haoran, and Lei Jie almost sprayed their drinks out in surprise. How could this little girl appear out of nowhere? If a healthy person encountered her, they would surely be scared sick.
"What's going on?" she asked curiously, noticing the strange expressions on their faces.
Uh-oh! Sunny suddenly felt a jolt of fear. Could it be that they had discovered her secretly connecting with the 23rd-century computer system using the wrist controller she had while hiding in her room?
"It's nothing! There's no issue at all," Lei Jie said nonchalantly. "You might be overthinking it."
"Is that so?" Sunny asked, still suspicious.
"Why would we lie to you?" Bai Haoran said with a playful tone. But seeing her doubtful expression, he raised an eyebrow. "What? Do you want us to provide proof to show we're innocent?"
"But why does it look like you all have guilty expressions?" Sunny laughed mischievously, though she felt reassured. "You wouldn't be hiding something from me, would you?" Her expression was sly, and since she hadn't been discovered, she felt safe enough to joke with them.
Long Yang found her both amusing and exasperating; she could only be described with one phrase: impossible to outsmart!
"Sunny, come here." He waved her over from the doorway.
Ignoring the strange looks on Bai Haoran's and Lei Jie's faces, Sunny obediently walked into Long Yang's warm embrace.
"Oh my, how affectionate!" Bai Haoran shook his head, making exaggerated sounds as he laughed.
Lei Jie joined in, though he wasn't as dramatic.
Sunny felt embarrassed and shot Bai Haoran an indignant look. "Bai Haoran, put away that lecherous gaze! Stop laughing like a crazy old fox." She knew exactly what the sparkle in his eyes meant—trying to mock her? Not in this lifetime!
"Ha! An old fox?!" Bai Haoran threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Impressive! You guessed it right! My nickname happens to be 'Silver Fox.'"
"Really?" Sunny's eyes widened. "What about Lei Jie?" She turned to him.
"Thunder Lion," Lei Jie replied with a faint smile.
"How come I only just found out today that you both have nicknames?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she turned to Long Yang excitedly. "What about you? You must have a nickname too, right?"
Long Yang shook his head with a smile. "No, I'm the only one without one." His soft breath brushed against her ear.
Remembering the familiar kiss they shared that morning, Sunny's cheeks flushed, and she felt a warmth spreading through her.
"Why don't you have one?" she asked, her face reddening.
"That's because his last name is his best title," Bai Haoran chimed in with a grin.
"Last name?" Sunny was momentarily puzzled.
"Right, 'Long' is how people refer to him outside," Bai Haoran explained simply.
Sunny nodded in understanding. "Good thing 'Dragon' is a highly esteemed creature." She made a silly face and smiled at Long Yang. "At least it's way better than the old fox, who doesn't even rank in the zodiac! Don't you think so?" She intentionally directed her last sentence at Bai Haoran, who was rolling his eyes, then couldn't help but burst into laughter against Long Yang's chest.
Long Yang found her utterly charming and exasperating. "Alright, Sunny, stop being mischievous! Do you want to hear some good news?" He asked, trying to change the subject.
Sunny eagerly lifted her face. "What good news?"
Long Yang teased her with a smile. "Tomorrow, you'll finally get to meet the Samsung team you've been dying to see." He gently stroked her silky hair, smiling as he spoke.
"The Samsung team?!" Sunny's eyes widened, and she swallowed excitedly. "You're not lying to me, are you?"
Long Yang couldn't help but feel both amused and annoyed. She was the first to question his words—she had some nerve!
"Don't you want to meet them?" He raised an eyebrow, his intense gaze locked onto her.
"Of course I want to!" Sunny answered without hesitation, nearly screaming with joy.
"Ah! Lei Jie, I think we need to seriously reflect on this," Bai Haoran suddenly sighed dramatically.
"What do you mean?" Lei Jie didn't understand his point. What was this guy up to now?
"Ugh," Bai Haoran sighed again. "I never thought that in Sunny's eyes, our popularity wouldn't compare to three strangers she's never met. Isn't that just sad for us?" He wore a pained expression.
"Hmm! I feel the same way after hearing you say that," Lei Jie nodded in agreement, playing along and pretending to be heartbroken.
Long Yang and Sunny couldn't help but laugh, and soon Bai Haoran and Lei Jie joined in, filling the room with uncontrollable laughter…