"What happened? What's going on?" Long Yang walked in to see Sanni, her face pale and eyes red, sitting stiffly on the sofa, lost in a daze. His heart tightened, and he approached her with a slightly pale face. "Sanni! What's wrong?" His voice was hoarse, filled with concern and urgency.
What on earth happened? How could she change so much in just one morning?
Sanni seemed not to hear him, her expression still one of bewilderment and despair.
"Sanni!" He called again, desperate, pulling her into his embrace, holding her gently and affectionately, as if cradling a precious treasure.
At that moment, Sanni finally reacted. Seeing Long Yang, she could no longer contain her despair and fear, bursting into tears.
Long Yang watched her heartbroken, allowing her to vent in his arms, gently patting her and softly stroking her silky hair, whispering comforting words.
All this time, Sanni had always been a cheerful person, carefree and happy. He never knew she had such a sorrowful side; it nearly terrified him.
He didn't like this. He didn't want the Sanni he loved to be sad and crying. He couldn't bear to see her tears, nor her sorrowful eyes. No matter the reason, he couldn't allow it.
Seeing Sanni's tear-streaked face made his heart ache, uneasy, fearful... No! He didn't want these feelings, none of them. He just wanted his Sanni to smile for him, lively and bright, like a little sun—never having worries or sadness. He would even sacrifice his precious life for that, just to ensure the Sanni he loved would always be happy.
"Alright, stop crying now. If you keep crying, you'll make yourself sick," Long Yang whispered softly in her ear, lifting her tear-stained face to gently kiss away her pearl-like tears.
"Long Yang..." Sanni called through her sobs, her cries gradually turning into soft whimpers under his tender whispers.
"Can you tell me what happened?" He needed to know what made her cry; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to rest easy.
"I... I... can never go back," she cried, her eyes brimming with tears.
Long Yang's expression changed, his face going pale, his heart aching like it was being squeezed. "Go back? Where do you want to go back to?"
He whispered softly, tightening his embrace, holding her tightly. No! Sanni was his; she belonged to him for this lifetime. Even though he didn't know where she wanted to go back to, he could never let her go—never.
"I... I..." Should she tell him? Should she tell him that she came from the future, the twenty-third century? Sanni's heart was in turmoil.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Long Yang pressed gently.
"If I tell you I came from the twenty-third century, would you believe me?" she asked, biting her lip tentatively. What if he didn't believe her? What would she do then?
Long Yang pondered for a moment, then smiled bitterly. "I believe you."
Sanni's eyes widened in disbelief. "You believe it?" This time, she was the one who couldn't believe it.
"Yes, I believe what you say." He smiled calmly.
Strange things exist in this world, and the mysteries of nature abound with many incredible phenomena. He was never one to be close-minded. After years of experiencing the ups and downs of life, he could only face this bizarre time-traveling matter with a calm heart.
"No doubts? Why?" This wasn't the usual reaction one would expect! Sanni was utterly taken aback.
"No reason, just because I believe you wouldn't lie to me." Long Yang gazed deeply into her eyes, revealing his profound love for her.
Hearing this, Sanni's red-rimmed eyes filled with tears again. Oh my! Who could tell her what kind of extraordinary man she had encountered? She thought, filled with a love for him that words could hardly describe.
How fortunate she was in this life—not only did she arrive in this unfamiliar era through the time converter, but she also met someone who loved and cherished her right away.
Reflecting on this, her heart felt as if a bright window had opened. Could it be that her destined romance was meant to happen in this past era for her? This question echoed repeatedly in her mind.
But the twentieth century! Oh no! Sanni's face paled. She had never considered staying in this era for a lifetime, even though she shared a deep bond with Long Yang. She had never thought about it, nor dared to…
Suddenly, Long Yang's voice brought her back from her reverie.
"What? What did you say?" Sanni looked at him with a pitiful expression.
"I said, it's time," he spoke calmly, with a meaning that suggested more.
"Time for what?" She didn't understand.
Long Yang smiled lightly, "Don't you think it's time for you to explain what you owe me?" He gently cupped her face, gazing at her with tenderness.
Seeing the resolute look in Long Yang's eyes, Sunny blinked her large eyes, bit her lip, and after a moment of hesitation, recounted everything that had happened since she invented the time converter and arrived here.
"So, the reason you were crying earlier was because you lost the controller?" Long Yang narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah! Without the controller, I can never go back to the twenty-third century." Sunny choked out, and at this thought, the tears she had just managed to stop began to flow again.
"Can't you just make another one?" While Long Yang hoped Sunny would never have to go back, seeing her so heartbroken made him wish he could bear her pain instead, even if it meant living a soulless life.
Sunny shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "This isn't the twenty-third century. While technology is advanced here, I can't find the precise parts I need. Unless I find the controller I brought, I'll never have another chance to go back." She couldn't help but start crying again.
Long Yang felt a wave of pain in his heart but could only hold her gently and comfort her.
It wasn't until she cried herself out and rested weakly in his embrace that Long Yang softly asked, "Sunny, stay with me." As he spoke, he kissed her soft cheeks. He had already given her a chance, and since she had no way to go back, he was determined to keep her by his side forever.
"But my… family and friends… they…" Sunny became lost in her thoughts, the light kisses on her face making it hard for her to speak.
"Sunny, promise me!" Long Yang continued to speak tenderly, his hot breath trailing over her ear, softly moving to her sensitive neck, igniting all her will and reason.
Sunny found herself unable to think, let alone respond. She gently wrapped her smooth arms around his neck, slowly returning his kiss, feeling her body tremble slightly.
It seemed she was destined to stay in this era and never return, thinking of her dad, mom, and older brother…
Damn it! Yesterday, they only managed to arrest Fang Yongsheng, but that cunning and malicious Jiang Kunhong escaped. What kind of world is this! It made her period of house arrest get extended again, which was infuriating.
Sunny cursed under her breath, her long legs stomping on the carpet in frustration.
"Sunny, you're overreacting! Who gets this worked up?" Bai Haoran lazily leaned against the sofa, watching her pace angrily, teasing her.
"Sunny, since Long announced your house arrest extension, you've been pacing back and forth for half an hour. You should take a break," Lei Jie frowned, a hint of worry on his face.
"Yeah, if you don't stop soon, the carpet will wear out under your feet," Lan Feng said, glancing at the poor carpet on the floor, which looked like it was about to give up.
"Want me to get you a glass of iced tea to cool down?" Xia Yun asked with a hint of mockery in her tone.
"Ugh, just accept it!" Even the usually quiet Hei Ying couldn't help but chime in.
Sunny finally stopped, her face looking worse than ever.
"Damn it! You're not the ones on house arrest, so you can just sit there and make comments!" Sunny muttered under her breath, glaring at them with a fierce look, a murderous impulse stirring within her.
"Alright! Alright! Even if you're really angry, you don't need to walk around like that. Don't you feel tired? Our eyes are suffering," Bai Haoran clearly wanted to end his life early; this was the only consensus among everyone after he said such a thing.
Sunny narrowed her eyes dangerously, "Are you saying I don't even have the freedom to walk?"
Seeing her reaction, Bai Haoran finally realized the danger, "No, no, I didn't say that." He shook his head vigorously, laughing nervously; an angry woman was the scariest.
At that moment, Long Yang, who had been quietly sitting aside, spoke up, "Sunny!"
"What?" she replied fiercely.
"Don't be like this. Just hold on for one more week, alright?" Long Yang gently coaxed her.
"Even half a day is unbearable for me; another week is out of the question." Sunny scoffed, "It was supposed to be four days, but now it's extended by another week. Do you think I'll listen to you? Hmph, you're completely untrustworthy." She expressed her dissatisfaction, ending by kicking the sofa in frustration, inadvertently kicking Bai Haoran's foot, which was lazily resting nearby.
"Damn it! Sunny, I didn't provoke you, so why take it out on me?" Bai Haoran cried out, holding his injured foot.
What's this about? Even those who sat quietly were swept up in her fury. What on earth had he done to deserve this?
Seeing this scene, everyone except Sunny and Long Yang, who couldn't hide a smile, burst into laughter; however, they quickly moved their feet from the floor to the coffee table.
Although their posture wasn't particularly graceful, it was forgivable to be a little rude to avoid becoming the next victim of a woman's wrath after Bai Haoran.
"Sunny, this is really unavoidable. Just listen to me one more time, okay?" Long Yang continued to persuade her.
"No! No! No!" Sunny shouted repeatedly, her face flushed.
Ever since she learned she could never return to the twenty-third century, this sudden blow had become nearly unbearable. Now, after enduring those painful four days, she had to face another week of house arrest. Even someone with the best temperament and high self-cultivation would find it impossible to endure.
"Sunny—" Long Yang called out, utterly at a loss for how to help her.
What had happened a few days ago still lingered in his mind. Although the "Dragon Gate Society" was powerful and prestigious worldwide, making it unlikely anyone would dare provoke them, he understood that if the ruthless Jiang Kunhong had even the slightest chance to see Sunny, the consequences would be unimaginable. He wasn't willing to take that risk! Even without seeking revenge for his father, he had to consider Sunny's safety. Until Jiang Kunhong was captured, he wouldn't feel at ease about anything that posed even the slightest danger to her.
"I don't care! From today, anything related to Jiang Kunhong is none of my business. If I want to go out, I will go out, and whoever dares to stop me will end up like this—"
Sunny angrily kicked the feet blocking her path on the coffee table with all her might, ignoring the series of pained cries that followed as she stormed back to her room.
"To be honest, Sunny, when you called me to pick you up, I was really startled," Meng Wei said, opening the fridge and pulling out two cans of drinks.
When he had impulsively called her a couple of days ago, wanting to invite her over for roast duck, he was shocked to hear about her house arrest, nearly laughing uncontrollably.
"What's wrong? Don't you want me to come?" Sunny raised an eyebrow, taking the drink from him with a disgruntled expression.
Recalling how angry she had been that day when Long Yang not only ignored her demands but also stationed Bai Haoran, Lei Jie, and others to keep her from stepping out the door, she had refused to talk to him for a whole day. Fortunately, she managed to sneak out while Xia Yun was distracted, allowing her to stand freely here. But it came at a cost to the roast duck; fearing its quacking would alert Xia Yun and ruin her secret escape, she had to abandon it, leaving it to suffer alone.
"How could I? It's an honor to have you visit my humble abode; I'm thrilled you're here!" Meng Wei replied humorously.
Sunny huffed, "That's more like it! A beauty like me, with looks that could topple cities, gracing your modest home—you don't know how lucky you are. Make the most of this opportunity!"
Meng Wei laughed heartily. "Alright! Since the great beauty insists I seize this chance, may I have the immense honor of asking you to be my girlfriend?" Although he smiled, there was a serious look on his face.
Sunny thought he was joking and playfully made a face. "Ha! If you want me as your girlfriend, you'd be dead from anger within a day."
Hearing this, Meng Wei shook his head and laughed softly, "That's alright; there aren't many who can die from anger, and I'm happy to be one of them." He gazed at her eagerly.
Sunny's heart raced at his words; was it possible he had feelings for her?
"Uh… Meng Wei, you… you…" Sunny hesitated, unsure how to express her thoughts.
Meng Wei looked surprised. "What's wrong? Did your tongue get tied?" he teased.
"Uh… no, I… it's just that…" She still didn't know how to continue.
"Stop being so shy; it's not like you," he said, trying not to laugh.
He was right! Stumbling over her words was not Sunny's usual straightforward nature; it felt awkward.
"Fine! I'll say it outright, but don't be shocked!" She put on a serious expression. "Meng Wei, honestly, do you like me?"
Meng Wei paused for a moment, then nodded openly, "Yes, you're the first girl I've seriously liked. I won't deny I want to take our relationship further; would you be willing?"
"I'm sorry, I can't agree," Sunny said without hesitation, as she already had Long Yang.
"Why not? Am I not good enough? Or do you not like me?" Meng Wei furrowed his brow.
"No, it's neither." Sunny replied calmly.
"Then what is it?" Confusion filled his face.
Sunny smiled sincerely, looking into his eyes. "Meng Wei, friendship doesn't have to be measured by romantic relationships. You're great, truly! I like you, but my feelings are purely those of a good friend, not romantic."
So it was just his one-sided affection; he had misunderstood everything! Meng Wei thought dryly.
"Are you alright, Meng Wei?" Sunny asked, concerned at his slightly unnatural demeanor.
He forced a smile. "Sunny, can I ask you a question?" As long as she had no close romantic interest, he believed there was still a chance; he was not someone who gave up easily.
Sunny playfully stuck out her tongue. "Go ahead!"
"Can you tell me if you have someone you like right now?" Meng Wei asked seriously.
"Yes!" Sunny replied without hesitation.
"Who?"
"Long Yang."
"Long Yang?!" Meng Wei's eyes widened in surprise. "The president of the Dragon Gate Society?" A figure so well-known.
"Mm!" Sunny smiled softly.
Meng Wei accepted defeat gracefully, not because of Long Yang's power and status, but because of the shy glow that naturally lit up Sunny's face when she mentioned him—the expression of a woman immersed in happiness—made him realize he never stood a chance.
Perhaps he and Sunny were destined to be just good friends.
When Meng Wei parked his car at the entrance of the Dragon Gate Society building, it was already five o'clock in the afternoon, four hours since she had snuck out.
"We've arrived, Sunny." Meng Wei walked around the car to open the door for her, flashing a wild, sunny smile.
"Um, thank you for bringing me back. Meng Wei, do you want to come up to the top floor for a bit? I think Long Yang and the others would welcome you," Sunny said. Although she spoke those words, she wasn't entirely sure about Long Yang's unpredictable personality.
Meng Wei shook his head with a smile. "No, I have a surgery waiting for me at the hospital tonight. I'll come visit you another day." Sighing inwardly, he realized that a wounded heart doesn't heal quickly; to be honest, he was returning to lick his wounds.
"Alright then! But next time you come, you have to bring some ham and fried eggs with you. I'm sure the roast duck would miss them," she insisted.
"What? Are you saying that ham and fried eggs are the main guests, and I'm just a transportation tool to bring them? I could not come at all, right?" Meng Wei exclaimed dramatically, making exaggerated expressions of having suffered a serious blow.
Sunny couldn't help but burst out laughing. "How rare! It's not every day you meet someone like you who knows their place so well; you realize you're just an afterthought—truly remarkable!"
"Now I finally understand what you mean," Meng Wei said with a knowing look. "Good thing you didn't agree to be my girlfriend, or I really would end up dead from anger someday, just as you said." He wiped his face, pretending to have escaped a disaster, which made Sunny laugh even harder.
"Alright," Meng Wei glanced at his watch, his expression turning serious. "It's getting late; I need to go. But before I leave…" He gently took Sunny's soft hand and placed a gentlemanly kiss on the back of it. "I wish you all the best."
"I wish you the same," Sunny replied with a cheerful smile. "I hope you find a girl who won't drive you crazy." She hinted at something.
Meng Wei nodded with a smile, opened the car door, and sped away.
Watching the car disappear, Sunny turned around with a smile, ready to step forward when her eyes brightened at the sight of someone leaning against the left side of the entrance.
"Long Yang!" Sunny joyfully waved and dashed to him.
Long Yang was holding a roast duck, his expression cold and silent as he looked at her.
"What's wrong, Long Yang?" Sunny asked, feeling puzzled. Was he upset about her sneaking out at noon?
Long Yang maintained his icy demeanor.
Sunny couldn't figure out what he was upset about, so she furrowed her brow and met his gaze, standing there in a tense silence.
"Did you ignore my orders and sneak out just to see him?" Long Yang finally spoke, his voice unnervingly calm.
Wow! His voice was so cold it sent shivers down Sunny's spine. She recognized the angry Long Yang, the frenzied Long Yang, and the expressionless Long Yang, but this man, as cold as ice, was a stranger to her.
"Is he your latest lover?" he asked ominously, raising her chin with a cold hand.
"No, no!" Sunny quickly replied, swallowing hard. "He's just a friend." She realized she shouldn't have let Meng Wei park at the entrance. Look where that had led—so many misunderstandings.
"You're lying!" Long Yang accused through clenched teeth, the veins on his forehead standing out. His mind was filled with the image of that baby-faced man gently kissing Sunny's hand.
"No, I'm not lying." Sunny's color drained from her face, leaving her pale. "You saw him outside the clothing store last time, didn't you? I just went to see him about the ham and fried eggs. We're just friends; it's nothing more."
"He's the one who gave you the roast duck?" His tone was icy.
Sunny paled and nodded silently.
Long Yang's expression darkened further. He stood like a statue, his eyes coldly fixed on Sunny, not uttering a word.
"Long Yang—" Sunny bit her lip, nearly in tears. The way he looked at her made her believe he wouldn't trust her words even if she laid her heart bare; he wouldn't even glance her way.
Suddenly, Long Yang threw the roast duck to the ground and turned, striding away.
The atmosphere in the living room was heavier than at a funeral.
Bai Haoran, Lei Jie, Xia Yun, Lan Feng, and Hei Ying exchanged glances, looking from Long Yang to Sunny, their eyes meeting each other in confusion. They still didn't understand what the problem was. Wasn't it about Sunny sneaking out? Why did it seem like there was more to it?
However, having learned from their last experience, they thought giving the couple some alone time might resolve their issues. Finally, Bai Haoran stood up from the sofa and looked at Lei Jie and the members of the Samsung group.
"How about we drive to Nangang? I heard a new club opened there, and it's supposed to be pretty good."
But before they could speak, Long Yang interrupted, "I'm going with you."
Sunny's face paled at once, and she quickly looked down at the roast duck nestled in her arms, her eyes wide.
Since coming to the twentieth century and meeting Long Yang, this was the first time she felt so helpless, so scared and completely at a loss. If only the controller for the time travel device were still around, it would be wonderful. Then she could return to the familiar twenty-third century, where her beloved parents, older brother, and friends could comfort her. She wouldn't feel so lost and alone.
When Long Yang returned, it was already midnight. He quietly opened Sunny's bedroom door. The room was dark and silent; he leaned against the door, gazing at the only person he had ever loved in his life, illuminated by the moonlight.
Before Sunny entered his life, he had countless women. Each time he played games with them, it wasn't completely satisfying, but it lightened his mood and relieved his needs. But tonight, he felt exceptionally lonely, with his heart in desolation.
Looking at the angelic girl on the bed, Long Yang realized that although his actions tonight were meant to retaliate against Sunny, her figure had followed him out, lingering in his heart. At this moment, he suddenly understood that his heart had never left her side.
Long Yang gently approached her bedside, standing quietly, his eyes tender as he watched her in thought.
Sunny had hidden his heart away, refusing to return it, while the memory of that doctor kissing her delicate hand was locked deep in his mind, twisting his heart and furrowing his brow.
Long Yang slowly sat down at the edge of the bed, unable to resist playing with her cloud-like hair.
Unexpectedly, Sunny turned over and half-sat up, her eyes red as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her soft pink lips pressed against his cold ones.
Long Yang instinctively pulled her into his arms, breathing in her sweet, fragrant scent. However, the pain and unease in his heart overshadowed the intimate joy of the moment. His wandering lips brushed against Sunny's earlobe as he whispered, "Are the things you said this evening true? That doctor who brought you back is just your friend?"
Sunny lifted her face, meeting his focused gaze. "Yes, he's just a friend. My feelings for him are purely those of ordinary friends. Don't doubt me; I can't like him in any other way because the only person I like is you." She had never been this serious before.
This was a side of Sunny that Long Yang had never seen, leaving no room for further doubt. He kissed her, expressing his trust in her, gentle and tender…
After a while, Long Yang cupped her delicate face with both hands. "Sunny, forgive me; I think I've wronged you." His voice was barely audible, but his eyes were filled with sincere emotion. "When I snuck out for you, not knowing if I would face the same danger as last time, I was terrified. I hurried downstairs to find you and wait for you. So when I saw you laughing and joking with that doctor, letting him kiss your hand, I lost my temper and my heart went cold. This is all my fault; please forgive me for my inhumane behavior tonight?"
Sunny didn't answer, instead tightening her arms around his neck and giving him her usual sunny smile. Long Yang felt a sense of relief.
As his lips returned to Sunny's, she let her eyelashes fall gently, responding softly, giving all her love and trust, completely lost in his eager desire. All that filled her heart was a joyful rainbow, two beating hearts colliding, tightly connected and leaning against each other, unable to distinguish which was hers and which was his…
"Cough… cough…" Sunny felt a bit dizzy and dull, her limbs weakly leaning against the bed, her whole body almost limp.
"Haha! I knew it! No wonder it's so quiet in the hall today; our little witch is sick," Bai Haoran said, leaning casually against Sunny's door, a smug grin on his face.
"Little witch? Who's the little witch?" Sunny's eyes widened. "You look so pleased to see me sick!" she said through gritted teeth.
"Of course! I'm not just happy; I'm overjoyed! It's rare to have you quiet like this, giving our ears a break for a few days. Should I cry instead?" Bai Haoran laughed, showing his teeth.
Upon hearing this, Sunny huffed. Taking a roasted chestnut from the bedside table, she made a standard throwing motion—aimed straight ahead and hurled it.
"Fire!"
Hit right on target—Bai Haoran's proud nose. Serves him right!
"Ouch—" A cry of anguish rang out as Bai Haoran covered his nose with one hand, pointing at Sunny with the other, jumping in frustration. "It's over, it's over! My perfect nose is ruined. You're so cruel, Sunny! Just a little joke, and you throw a hard object at me with such precision. Don't you know how painful it is to be hit by something like that?" His face was a picture of agony as he cried out.
"Hmph! You brought this on yourself," Sunny clapped her hands, grinning smugly. "Don't think I'm an easy target just because I'm lying in bed sick. When needed, my throwing skills are spot on. But don't worry; I only used about fifty percent of my strength just now, so your nose won't collapse—at least not yet. But if you keep provoking me, I can't guarantee that your perfect nose won't flatten next time," she teased, picking up a remaining bag of chestnuts and tossing them playfully in the air.
Seeing this, Bai Haoran quickly put on a flattering smile. "Uh… Sunny, you're such a generous person. Let's forget what I just said; everything's negotiable."
Just then, Long Yang, who had brought in some food for Sunny, couldn't help but find it both amusing and frustrating. "Sunny, you little rascal! Even when you're sick, you can't sit still. Are you bullying Ah Rao again?" He laughed as he placed the food on a small table.
"No way! I'm just lying here, aren't I? How am I not sitting still?" Sunny protested, pouting.
"It was Bai Haoran who came in first and provoked me, so I just retaliated a little. How can that be considered bullying? If you don't believe me, I can ask him directly." With that, she turned to Bai Haoran, her eyes mischievous. "Bai Haoran, did I bully you?"
His face changed instantly. "No way! Who said you bullied me? It was my own mouth being too restless, so this is my fault—can't blame anyone else," he said, looking defeated.
"Oh? Is that so?" Long Yang was skeptical.
"Yeah," Bai Haoran nodded.
Although he wanted to shake his head, he felt he had no choice but to comply. Still, Long Yang, the boss, clearly sensed he wasn't being sincere and didn't completely believe him.
"Alright, Sunny, eat this food." Long Yang gently fed her from the tray.
Bai Haoran, watching, felt envious and quickly forgot his earlier lesson, his mouth again getting out of control.
"Wow, Sunny, you're so lucky! Not only do you have someone preparing food for you, but you also have someone serving you, feeding you. Sigh—when will I ever have this kind of fortune?" Bai Haoran said, mostly teasing.
As she swallowed a mouthful of porridge, Sunny's clever eyes sparkled with mischief, and she smiled slyly. "Hmph! If you really want to lie down and sleep, and have someone serve you while you eat, I can teach you how to do it."
Bai Haoran's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Sunny flashed a cute smile. "Well, as long as you follow my instructions, I guarantee you'll not only be able to lie in bed eating and drinking whatever you want, but you'll also have a group of beautiful women waiting on you. Isn't that the ultimate joy in life?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Alright, tell me how," Bai Haoran replied, looking thrilled.
Long Yang, while feeding Sunny, couldn't help but chuckle at Bai Haoran's eager expression. It seemed he was sacrificing himself to be the target of Sunny's teasing, probably because he was worried she would be bored while sick.
However, Long Yang was also quite curious. What kind of luck was it to eat and drink well, accompanied by beautiful women? It wasn't like he was an Arab sheikh! But seeing Sunny's serious expression, it looked like there might really be something to this. Based on his understanding of her, could it be—
Ha! When Sunny continued speaking, Long Yang couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, as he had guessed right. He didn't know whether to say Sunny was too mischievous or if Bai Haoran, the vice president of the "Longmen Society," known as the "Silver Fox," was truly willing to go all in. Otherwise, how could he be so easily fooled?
"It's simple; you only need a brick," Sunny said nonchalantly.
"A brick?" Bai Haoran was confused.
"Exactly, just a brick. You just need to go outside and find any brick on the ground. I promise that in less than five seconds, your wish to lie around and eat, drink, and be served will come true," she explained.
"How does that work?" Bai Haoran asked curiously, feeling something was off.
"Haven't you heard that a small soldier can achieve great things? You just need to take that brick and smash it on your head—how hard you hit matters. If you want the wish to last for a few days or weeks, just hit it lightly, around fifty to sixty percent of your strength should do."
"But if you want it to last for a year or more, don't hold back! Use all your strength to smash it. The best way is to hit it so hard that you're bleeding and your face is a mess. Then when you're taken to the hospital, you can lie there as long as you want. No one will dare to say you're lazy; instead, they'll admire your courage for doing whatever it takes to achieve your wish," Sunny finally finished in one breath, biting her lower lip, clearly trying hard to hold back her laughter.
After a moment of shock, Bai Haoran helplessly groaned, "I give up!"
Seeing this, Long Yang finally burst out laughing along with Sunny, the laughter they had been holding back finally escaping.
Just then, Rejie poked his head in from outside. "What's going on in here?" he asked, looking curious.
"Nothing! What could possibly be happening?" Bai Haoran quickly put on a nonchalant expression.
"But your face tells me otherwise," Rejie said with a knowing smile.
Long Yang and Sunny laughed even harder.
"Aren't you discussing something with Xia Yun and the others in the hall? Why are you here?" Bai Haoran shot him an annoyed glance.
Rejie then remembered why he came in and turned to Long Yang. "Long, Jin Haini is outside. She says she has something important to discuss with you."
"Jin Haini? Who is she?" Sunny asked, her curiosity piqued even while lying sick in bed.
"Oh, she's someone from Long's past…" Rejie's voice trailed off under Long Yang's fierce glare.
"What's wrong? Why did you stop talking?" Sunny questioned, though she had already guessed most of it in her mind.
"You just lie there and don't worry about it," Long Yang softly warned. "I'll go see her for a bit and come back to feed you, okay?" He gently kissed her nose.
"No need; I'm not so sick I can't lift my hands. I can eat by myself," Sunny pouted playfully, secretly planning something fun.
"Yeah, Long, she was just strong enough to throw a chestnut at me, which proves she has the energy to eat. You really don't need to—ow! What did I do to you this time?" Bai Haoran complained, rubbing his nose, which had just suffered a second attack.
Sunny shrugged helplessly. "Can't help it; I got a bit too carried away! Who told you to be such a chatterbox?"
Rejie said nothing, just chuckled to himself.
Bai Haoran was utterly exasperated; it seemed his masculinity was completely undermined by her antics.
Long Yang shook his head, still smiling. "You two stay here and keep Sunny company; I'll go take a look."
As soon as Long Yang stepped out, Sunny immediately gestured for Bai Haoran and Rejie to come closer.
"What's up?" They both looked at her with suspicion.
"Don't you think it's boring? Want to play a stimulating game?" Sunny's bright eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, and before they could refuse, she eagerly shared her idea.
Bai Haoran and Rejie exchanged glances, each with a different expression.
"Well? What do you think?" Sunny grinned, full of mischief.
Rejie furrowed his brows tightly. "Can I opt out?" he asked, still holding onto a sliver of hope.
Bai Haoran crossed his arms, having long since given up any expectations.
"Hmph!" Sunny scoffed. "Clearly, you seem to have forgotten that you still owe me a favor from last time? At least Bai Haoran is more sensible."
Rejie looked exasperated; after all, he had asked Sunny for help getting rid of the persistent Secretary Wang, which left him in her debt. However, he glanced at Bai Haoran, and it was obvious he was stuck in the same predicament, feeling just as helpless.
"Yang—why haven't you contacted me for so long? I've missed you so much!" Jin Haini cooed as she wrapped her arm around Long Yang's, gazing at his strikingly handsome face with infatuation. Despite having seen Long Yang many times due to business dealings through her father and having shared an intimate moment, she still couldn't control the fiery desire that surged within her every time she saw him. He was the most handsome, charming, and captivating man she had ever encountered, and she was determined to have him! No matter what, she wanted the position of the "Longmen Society" president's wife.
The members of the "Three Stars" group seated in the bar couldn't help but chuckle at the scene.
Long Yang shot them an annoyed glance, then turned his cold expression back to Jin Haini, gently brushing her off as he settled into a sofa beside her.
"Speak up! What do you need?" Long Yang casually lit a cigarette and took slow drags.
"Yang—don't be like that. Can't we chat a bit first? You're so serious right away. It's not urgent; let's talk about it later! First, take a look at me. Do I look beautiful today?" Jin Haini licked her full lips, her revealing outfit almost causing nosebleeds as she pressed herself against Long Yang, trying to entice him.
Long Yang shot her an impatient glance, wondering how he had ever been involved with such a reckless woman.
"I don't have time to waste with you. Just tell me why you're here," he replied, his voice cold and devoid of any emotion.
Jin Haini shivered slightly but still managed to show her most charming smile, trying to seduce Long Yang.
"Yang, I actually came here today not just because I missed you, but more importantly, I want to invite you to my birthday party," she said in a soft voice, leaning even closer to him, sensually whispering in his ear. She was confident that her stunning figure would ignite his desires.
To Jin Haini's surprise, Long Yang replied flatly, "If you're done, you can leave. I'm busy lately and don't have time to attend."
Jin Haini was taken aback and quickly pleaded, "No! Yang, even if you don't want to come to my birthday party, please don't rush me to leave. It's not easy for me to see you; at least wait until we finish tonight's meal before you go." She pressed her bright red lips against Long Yang's tightly closed mouth, her hands wandering up and down his body, trying to stir up his passion and desire.
Long Yang felt utterly repulsed and was about to push her away when—
"Ahem! Ahem!" Bai Haoran and Rejie cleared their throats loudly, suppressing their laughter and interrupting Jin Haini's advances.
"Long, if you want us to serve something for Miss Jin, we're all ready," Rejie said calmly, his expression as steady as ever.
At that moment, the utterly bored members of the "Three Stars" group—Xia Yun, Lan Feng, Hei Ying—perked up, moving over to the sofa, ready to watch the drama unfold.
Long Yang raised an annoyed eyebrow. "When did I say you should…"
Bai Haoran quickly interrupted, "Didn't you say that to make up for neglecting Miss Jin and making her feel wronged, we should have the chefs downstairs prepare two famous dishes for her?" He shot Long Yang a knowing glance.
What on earth were these two up to? Long Yang's face darkened as he furrowed his brows, silently glaring at them.
To Jin Haini, Long Yang's expression meant something entirely different. She thought he was genuinely feeling shy about admitting he wanted to treat her well, and seeing him maintain a stony face only made her more excited, almost moved to tears. It seemed her hard work was finally paying off.
"Yang, you're so good to me! I'm really touched!" Jin Haini cooed, snuggling up to him, feeling reassured that Long Yang still valued her.
"Miss Jin, you should finish the two famous dishes Long asked us to prepare, or you'll be wasting the president's kind intentions," Bai Haoran said with a playful grin.
He was already looking forward to Jin Haini's reaction when she discovered the dishes had been specially prepared by Sunny. Not just him, but even Rejie and the other members were excited.
"Yeah, I definitely won't waste Yang's good intentions," Jin Haini said, her eyes sparkling with infatuation for Long Yang. "Where are the dishes? Why hasn't anyone brought them out?"
Impatient, Bai Haoran chuckled and clapped his hands, and a slender figure appeared, carrying a large round platter.
Long Yang's expression soured further. Hadn't he specifically told her to rest in bed? Why was she not listening and insisting on coming out? He was going to have a serious talk with her later; she was so restless even while sick.
As Sunny set the dishes down, she looked up at Jin Haini and shyly smiled. "Miss Jin, please enjoy."
"Who are you?" Jin Haini asked, her expression displeased as she stared at Sunny. "I didn't see you last time I came here." She felt an unsettling sensation, as if this beautiful girl, who made her uneasy, posed a significant threat to her chances with Long Yang.
Hearing this, Long Yang's face instantly turned cold. No one had the right to speak to Sunny in that tone.
Noticing Long Yang's anger, Sunny quickly gave him a look, signaling him to stay calm; otherwise, her hard work in preparing these rare dishes would go to waste.
"Miss Jin, to be honest, I… I'm a girl from the mainland who came over illegally," she said, lowering her head and pretending to be pitiful, evoking sympathy from those around.
"A girl from the mainland?" Jin Haini's eyes widened in disbelief. "How did you end up here with Yang?" she asked sharply, barely holding back from shouting, "Why don't you hurry back to the mainland?"
The nearby Bai Haoran, Rejie, Xia Yun, Lan Feng, and Hei Ying nearly burst into laughter. Goodness! A girl from the mainland? Sunny's quick thinking was impressive; they were thoroughly entertained.
Long Yang appeared deep in thought.
"Ah! Miss Jin, it's a long story. I lost my parents at a young age and have no siblings, so I was bullied wherever I went. Fortunately, I overheard someone from the mainland saying, 'In Taiwan, money is abundant,' and that if I ever made it to Taiwan, I could eat and drink well every day. So, I spent three years collecting scraps to save enough money to arrange my own smuggling here.
"I thought once I arrived in Taiwan, I'd be able to eat well, sleep early, and wear beautiful clothes. Little did I know, within half a day of arriving, I was caught by a group of pickpockets. They trained me to steal wallets and valuables in public places, but I refused to comply. As a result, they not only denied me food but also beat me until I was covered in bruises and barely recognizable.
"Luckily, a kind-hearted brother couldn't bear to see me suffer. He secretly freed me one night when the guards were less vigilant and told me to run far away so I wouldn't be caught again. I took his advice and ran with all my might. After I had covered some distance from the pickpocket gang's territory, thinking my days of hardship were finally over and I could start planning for my future, I faced even worse misfortune.
"I was captured by two middle-aged men who had been following me for a while and sold to a madam in an underground hotel for a low price. At first, she treated me kindly, providing good food and dressing me nicely. Unfortunately, this good fortune didn't last long; when I refused to take clients, she locked me in a stuffy room and had people beat me daily, denying me food.
"Fortunately, one day, I managed to knock out the guard when he wasn't paying attention and escaped. I ran for about three hours, and when I reached a traffic light to cross the street, a black luxury sports car sped toward me. I thought my tumultuous life was about to end under that expensive car, but suddenly, the vehicle screeched to a halt. However, I was so exhausted from running that I fainted from fear.
"When I woke up, I found myself in this luxurious building, one I had never seen in my life. So, when Mr. Long learned of my entire experience, he kindly decided to keep me here. Miss Jin, that's why you see me here today." Sunny concluded her story with a pitiful expression.
When she raised her head to seek their sympathy, it wasn't just Jin Haini—Long Yang, Bai Haoran, Rejie, and the members of the Three Stars group all stared at her in shock, their mouths agape, as if they could have fit an orange in there.
"Y-You guys okay? Did I say something wrong?" Sunny feigned panic, but inside, she was laughing at their reactions.
Goodness! They were so easy to fool! Even this made-up story had left them dumbfounded. She couldn't decide if she was a genius or if they were just incredibly gullible.
Lan Feng was the first to regain his composure. "No, you spoke beautifully. It was very touching." He said this while being utterly amazed by her earlier tale.
Not just him; even Rejie and the others, having come back to reality, looked at her with admiration.
Heavens! What on earth is in Sunny's head? They were all curious! To spin such a lengthy myth in just a couple of minutes was something that warranted their respect.
If Long Yang hadn't told them about Sunny's strange background the day before, they might have believed her story was real! It was clear that the brain structure of twenty-third-century people was vastly different from that of the twentieth century, which clearly still needed evolution.
Long Yang remained silent, but his expression revealed the depth of his love for Sunny, which seemed to know no bounds.
Jin Haini's eyes were filled with disbelief. "Is everything you said true?" Was this a real story? It could easily be made into a movie.
"Don't you believe me?" Sunny pretended to be pitiful and quickly changed the subject. "Oh, by the way, your food is getting cold! You should eat while it's still warm; don't waste Mr. Long's good intentions!" she said with a sly grin.
Long Yang's lips pressed together tighter.
Jin Haini nodded smugly, lifting the lid off her dish, only to turn pale as her eyes widened in horror. "W-What is this black, lumpy stuff?"
"This dish is called 'Ants Climbing a Tree,' and it's great for skin care, making your skin smooth and delicate. It tastes delicious!" Bai Haoran explained, nearly bursting into laughter. He had spent a lot of time catching the "ants" from the bonsai on the balcony. According to Sunny, it was a freshly-prepared dish meant to prank her.
"W-What about these little squishy bits?" Jin Haini mustered her courage to ask, her legs beginning to tremble.
"Oh—that dish? It's called 'Braised Earthworms.' It has excellent flavor, and I guarantee you'll want more after tasting it," Rejie said seriously, his smile barely contained. He was almost in stitches from the prank.
Jin Haini's expression was that of someone who had seen a ghost, her eyes bulging like lychee fruit, her face alternating between green and white.
Everyone else couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter, while Long Yang continued to suppress his amusement, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.
"You're all deliberately pranking me, aren't you?" Jin Haini's eyes burned with resentment and anger, realizing she had been made a fool of.
Who would have thought that the daughter of a wealthy conglomerate would end up in such a humiliating situation? She was furious.
"Was it your idea?" Jin Haini turned to the mischievous-looking Sunny, her teeth clenched.
Sunny's bright eyes danced with excitement. "Wasn't it fun? These two prank dishes aren't something ordinary people could come up with." A smile tugged at her lips, her face radiating uncontainable pride.
Jin Haini's face twisted in rage. "What's your relationship with Yang?" Although she dared not provoke the Longmen Society, she would make Sunny pay double for this humiliation.
"He…" Sunny didn't have a chance to speak before someone else chimed in.
"Sunny is about to become the president's wife of Longmen Society," Long Yang finally declared after a long silence, looking deeply into Sunny's clever eyes with love, feeling that even if he gave all he had, he would never love her enough.
Seeing the exchanged glances filled with affection, Jin Haini trembled with jealousy, glaring daggers at Sunny, her eyes full of malice.
Who would have thought that her long-awaited hopes would be dashed, and the root of all this misfortune was none other than this detestable girl named Sunny.
Jin Haini gritted her teeth, clenching her fists. She vowed that if she didn't get even with Sunny for this humiliation, she would never rest!