When Chen Xin came out of the bathroom, his hair still damp, he saw Xiao Wan lying on the large bed, her back facing him.
She wore nothing, save for a thin silk sheet draped over her waist. Her alluring figure was like something out of a classic oil painting. Unable to resist, Chen Xin quickly walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and lowered his head, planting kisses from her slender waist to her smooth, rounded shoulder.
When his lips reached her neck, Xiao Wan instinctively shrank away, laughing softly. "It tickles."
Chen Xin climbed into bed, lying behind her. It was then he noticed she was holding her phone. While kissing her cheek, he asked, "What are you up to?"
Xiao Wan turned slightly, her gaze filled with post-lovemaking satisfaction. "You always said you didn't like my Instagram profile picture."
"…And?"
"So, I changed it. I think you'll love this one." She handed him the phone.
Curious, Chen Xin opened her Instagram page and noticed that her profile picture had indeed changed. However…
Why was her new profile photo of him? Specifically, a cropped shot of him showering earlier, the water cascading down his toned body? The photo intentionally captured his defined abs, stopping just before revealing anything explicit. The enticing image left much to the imagination.
Her followers had already noticed the update and were flooding the post with comments:
"OMG, she changed it! The old king is dethroned! Coldly has been replaced!"
"Wait, so this Chen Xin guy is the new official favorite?!"
"Heartbroken! I thought Nathan would be the chosen one. I'm his muscle fan!"
"Chen Xin's muscles are just as good. Honestly, I'm jealous of the goddess. All these elite rich guys are at her fingertips."
"No way! I'm team Coldly. Bring him back as the rightful king!"
"OMG, we demand the full version of this photo! Show us the rest—feed our imaginations!"
Chen Xin sighed helplessly as he scrolled through the comments. Finally, he pinched Xiao Wan's cheek and said, "You…"
Xiao Wan turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck with an innocent expression. "Aren't you happy? I made you my profile picture. You're officially my king now."
Chen Xin chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Happy, very happy. Okay?"
Only then did Xiao Wan smile with satisfaction, snuggling into his arms. She traced the tattoo on his chest and asked mischievously, "Chen Xiaoguai, how does it feel to lose your virginity?"
"Wonderful," Chen Xin replied, lowering his head to kiss her deeply. "So wonderful I want to go again."
Xiao Wan clung to his back, tilting her head to let him kiss her neck. Feigning protest, she murmured, "But you already went so many rounds in the shower… My waist is sore…"
"I'll give you a massage later." Chen Xin chuckled as he lifted her leg.
…
Much later, Xiao Wan lay on Chen Xin's chest, her forehead damp with sweat as she panted lightly. Chen Xin, meanwhile, held her close, gently massaging her sore muscles.
After a while, as if remembering something, he said, "Wait here. I have something to show you."
"Okay," Xiao Wan mumbled, watching as he went to a drawer and retrieved a heavy photo album.
Sitting beside her, he opened the album to reveal the first page—a family portrait.
Xiao Wan curiously examined the photo and quickly pointed to a young boy. "Is this you?"
"Yeah," Chen Xin said with a smile, pointing at each person in the picture. "This is my mom, dad, grandparents, and my older brother and sister."
"Wow," Xiao Wan exclaimed, "Your whole family is so good-looking. Hey, I think your brother's even more handsome than you! Do you have any recent photos of him? Let me see!"
Chen Xin pinched her nose playfully. "He's already married and has kids in preschool. Don't even think about it."
Xiao Wan giggled. "Silly Xiaoguai, I was joking. Of course, you're the most handsome."
Chen Xin leaned in to nibble her cheek, then continued showing her the photos. The album chronicled the Chen family's life over the years, from Chen Xin as a young boy to his university days.
"Wow, this graduation photo is so cool!" Xiao Wan pulled out a picture of him in a graduation cap, then frowned, pointing to a girl who was partially captured in the photo. "Who's this woman?"
"Huh?" Chen Xin leaned in, studying the picture. "I don't remember. A lot of people took pictures with me that day. Maybe she was in the same faculty?"
With a pout, Xiao Wan tore the girl's image from the photo, crumpled it, and threw it aside. "Not happy! You're not allowed to take photos with other women anymore!"
Chen Xin immediately kissed her to appease her. "Okay, okay, I'll listen to you."
"That's more like it." Xiao Wan wrapped her arms around his neck and said, "When I graduate, you have to come. Let's take lots and lots of pictures together."
"Of course," Chen Xin said, holding her close. "Do you know why I'm showing you these pictures?"
Xiao Wan poked his tattoo playfully. "Hmm… To show off how good-looking your family is?"
Chen Xin chuckled softly. "You clearly know I didn't mean that. I… I was thinking, if you're willing, I can take you back to my country and let you meet my family. How about it?"
Xiao Wan asked in confusion, "Why do men always do this? After sleeping together, you all want to take me home to meet your family?"
Chen Xin didn't get angry at her words. Instead, he looked down and seriously gazed at her, saying, "Because I love you."
Xiao Wan's heart skipped a beat under his intense gaze, and she couldn't help but turn her head, murmuring softly, "Flattery."
"It's not flattery; it's the truth," Chen Xin said as he placed the photo album on the bedside table, then hugged her. "Xiao Wan, I know that your past with Nathan has made you hesitant about meeting a boyfriend's family, so I won't force you. When you're ready, and you want to meet my family, I'll take you back. How about it?"
Xiao Wan looked at him for a moment before replying, "Okay. But… I want to wait until I tell you about that incident from my past before meeting your family. Is that alright?"
"Xiao Wan, trust me, I don't mind whatever happened in your past…"
"I know." Xiao Wan gently touched Chen Xin's face. "But… I do mind. Can you wait a little longer? Wait until my psychologist agrees, and then I'll tell you. It shouldn't be too long."
Chen Xin nodded. "Okay, I'll wait for you."
Xiao Wan smiled softly, yawned, and nestled into his arms. "Enough said, let's sleep now. I'm so tired."
"Alright." Chen Xin turned off the lights in the room with the remote control, pulled her closer, and they fell asleep in each other's embrace.
The next morning, Xiao Wan had planned to go to Chen Xin's company with him, but after she finished getting ready, she suddenly realized that she couldn't find the necklace she had recently fallen in love with.
"What's wrong? Are you looking for something?" Chen Xin, after finishing shaving, came out and saw Xiao Wan searching through the living room.
Xiao Wan touched her neck. "The necklace you bought for me a while ago, I can't find it. It's strange. I wore it yesterday, then I changed into a bikini and left it here."
Chen Xin walked over and said, "It's fine, I'll take you to buy the same one after work today."
"But I really liked that necklace," Xiao Wan said helplessly as she reached for his pocket. "Give me your wallet. I won't go with you to work today. I'm going shopping."
Chen Xin smiled and handed her the wallet. "Alright. I've taken a break for too long anyway. The company has a lot of backlog, so I won't go with you this time."
"Okay, no worries." Xiao Wan said, "I'll come by at noon to have lunch with you."
"Okay."
After breakfast, they went their separate ways. Chen Xin went to work while Xiao Wan drove to the bustling shopping street, hopping from one store to another.
By noon, the trunk of her car was packed with the things she had bought. Of course, she also managed to buy the limited edition necklace she had been eyeing. As she came out of the Van Cleef & Arpels store holding the shopping bag, she was about to open the car door when a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of her.
She took a step back, cautiously eyeing the muscular man. "What do you want?"
The man didn't speak, only bowed politely and then walked to the roadside, opening the door of a parked Cadillac.
As soon as Xiao Wan saw the familiar car, her eyes widened slightly, and she clenched the bag in her hand. Could it be…
Sure enough, when the car door opened, a stylish, elegant middle-aged woman with blonde hair gracefully stepped out. It was none other than Lance's arrogant mother.
Xiao Wan didn't want to speak to her and turned to leave, but Lance's mother called out, "Wait, Xiao Wan."
Xiao Wan stopped in her tracks, her face filled with suspicion as she turned to look at Lance's mother. Had she just called her… "Xiao Wan"? When did they become familiar enough for her to call her by her first name? Xiao Wan had no memory of it.
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Wan spoke, "Mrs. Maier, I've been keeping the promise between us and haven't interfered with Lance's life."
"I know."
"Since that's the case, I think there's nothing more to say between us. I still need to meet my boyfriend for lunch, so I won't stay any longer."
With that, Xiao Wan turned to leave, but unexpectedly, Lance's mother rushed forward and grabbed her arm, her expression anxious as she said, "Wait, Xiao Wan, can you give me a moment? There's something I need to tell you."
Xiao Wan was stunned, looking at the woman gripping her arm. She couldn't help but think that this woman must have lost her mind. The last time they met, this arrogant woman had looked at her with so much disdain. She wouldn't even let Xiao Wan come near her, as though she might catch some disease from her. But now, she was holding her so intimately. What was going on?
Xiao Wan wanted to reject her, but the pleading and helpless look in Mrs. Maier's eyes made her hesitate. She bit her lip and finally said, "You can say it here."
Mrs. Maier let out a sigh of relief when she heard that. "Let's find somewhere to sit and talk, okay? I promise I won't take up too much of your time."
Xiao Wan sighed and nodded. "Alright."
Mrs. Maier smiled at her excitedly and politely invited her to the car. On the way to the café, Xiao Wan gazed out the window, lost in her memories…
After injuring Lance in the studio, Xiao Wan had run away in a panic. However, she couldn't remember what happened next. When her memory returned, she found herself lying on a couch in Leng Qing's office. He was sitting beside her, making noodles as usual.
Xiao Wan sat up in shock, realizing what she had done to Lance. She hurriedly scrambled off the couch, trying to go back and find him, but Leng Qing pressed his hand on her shoulder and gently asked, "What are you going to do?"
"I… I stabbed Lance with a knife. I have to go find him! He's lost so much blood; if I don't save him, he'll die!" Xiao Wan said in a panic.
Leng Qing said, "You've been unconscious here for two days. Did you know that?"
Xiao Wan froze, her face turning pale. "Then… then is Lance…?"
"Don't worry. He's not dead. I had someone check. After you stabbed him, the security guards patrolling near the studio found him. He should be in the hospital now."
Xiao Wan immediately grabbed Leng Qing's arm. "Then you know which hospital he's at, right? Leng Qing, take me there! I need to see him!"
But Leng Qing didn't immediately agree. Instead, he said, "Xiao Wan, I'm not sure if it's a good idea for you to see him now. You haven't had an episode in a long time, but he's made you remember things from the past. You've been unconscious longer than ever before. I'm afraid seeing him will only make things worse for you…"
Xiao Wan shook her head frantically, clutching his hand tightly. "No, I promise I'll be fine! Please, Leng Qing, I just want to see him once. I'll feel at ease as long as I know he's okay! Please…"
Looking into her reddened eyes, Leng Qing finally sighed and gave in.
He drove Xiao Wan to the hospital where Lance was staying. However, before they could even reach the door of his ward, they were stopped by a few tall, muscular bodyguards.
It was at that moment that Xiao Wan first met Lance's mother.
She came out of her son's room, glanced at Xiao Wan with disdain, and said to the bodyguards, "Make her leave."
The bodyguards immediately moved to take action, but Leng Qing stepped in front of Xiao Wan, and a confrontation erupted. The bodyguards lunged at Leng Qing, but to their surprise, he knocked them down with a few swift punches and kicks.
Leng Qing brushed off the dust from his clothes and pulled Xiao Wan forward. He looked at Lance's mother and said, "Move aside."
Mrs. Maier, though startled by the cold, menacing aura from Leng Qing, still stood in front of the door, using her hands to block it. She turned to Xiao Wan and said, "I won't let you see my son! Xiao Wan, if it weren't for you, Lance wouldn't have been injured! Do you know, if Lance hadn't kept pleading for you, I would've called the police and had you arrested! How dare you come here to see him? Do you know he's the only child of me and my husband? We have so many hopes for him, and yet you almost ruined everything!"
Xiao Wan already felt guilty about hurting Lance, and now, hearing Mrs. Maier's words, she became even more uncertain. She lowered her head and said, "I… I didn't do it on purpose. I just want to know how he is now…"
"That's none of your business." Mrs. Maier said arrogantly, "Please leave immediately. Never come near my son again. I won't let a woman from the lower class, full of tricks, ruin my son."
Upon hearing this, Leng Qing immediately stepped forward, ready to stand up for Xiao Wan, but Xiao Wan quickly grabbed his hand and shook her head at him.
She bit her lip, looking at Mrs. Maier. "I just want to know how he's doing. As long as I know he's fine, I'll leave."
Mrs. Maier glanced at the bodyguards lying on the ground, paused for a moment, and realized she couldn't argue with them at the moment. After a brief silence, she said, "He's out of danger."
Xiao Wan couldn't help but let out a breath of relief, lowering her head. "Then… I'll leave now."
With a heavy heart, Xiao Wan left the hospital with Leng Qing. Despite her worry for Lance, she knew that even if his mother hadn't shown up, she could no longer be with him as she once had. She couldn't bring herself to tell him about her past, afraid that he would look down on her.
After that, even though Lance tried to contact her countless times, Xiao Wan never responded. However, half a month later, Lance's mother took the initiative to find her at school and said she wanted to talk.
Worried about Lance, Xiao Wan followed her. After they sat down in a quiet café, Mrs. Maier got straight to the point. "My son has been insisting on seeing you. I've agreed to let him."
Xiao Wan's eyes widened in excitement. "So I…"
Here's the translation of the passage you provided:
"Don't get too happy too soon." Mrs. Myers glared at her coldly. "I don't know what kind of woman you are, but my son was always obedient and listened to us, but now he doesn't listen to a word we say. He talks about going to Hollywood to become an actor! I know women like you are just gold diggers after money. How much do you want? I'll give it to you in one go, but you can never interfere with him again!"
Xiaowan was confused and asked, "But you just said you agreed to let me see him?"
Mrs. Myers sneered, "You women are all good at acting, right? I'll give you money to perform a scene so that my son can give up on you. Isn't that easy for you?"
Xiaowan finally understood. Mrs. Myers wanted her to be the bad guy, to make Lance despair and possibly return home to inherit the family business.
She held back the tears in her eyes and said, "I don't want the money—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Mrs. Myers snorted and pulled out a checkbook, coldly laughing, "Stop pretending. I've seen women like you around my husband. You always say you don't want money, but you just think the price isn't high enough. Don't worry, I can pay whatever you want."
"Hey, wealthy socialite! Can you let me finish?" Xiaowan raised her voice to cover Mrs. Myers's words, "I really don't want the money! I want something else."
Mrs. Myers raised her eyebrows, "What?"
"I want to give Lance time." Xiaowan said seriously, "To you, his dream of becoming an actor might seem ridiculous, but it's really what he wants most right now. You keep acting like you care so much about your son, but do you really love him, or do you just see him as a tool to inherit the family business?"
"How dare you say that to me? I love my son with all my heart!" Mrs. Myers slammed the table angrily.
"Then give him time and a chance!" Xiaowan shouted, "He wants to be an actor, and I didn't encourage him. It's been his dream for a long time! Let him try! If you really love him, shouldn't you respect his dreams?"
Mrs. Myers stared at Xiaowan for a while, and finally relented, "Fine, I'll agree to your condition. I'll let him try."
"Not only that, you need to convince your family to stop interfering with Lance's choices," Xiaowan said. "Don't purposely use connections in the entertainment industry to make his acting career harder. You can do that, right?"
Mrs. Myers nodded, "I can."
Xiaowan's tense body relaxed slightly, and she said, "Alright, then I'll agree to your condition. I'll make him give up on me."
That afternoon, she went with Mrs. Myers to the hospital. Lance's injuries hadn't fully healed, but his spirits were much better. When Xiaowan pushed open the door, she saw him lying in bed, staring at her Instagram absentmindedly.
Seeing Xiaowan enter, Lance immediately tried to get up. "Xiaowan! You finally came to see me, I—"
Xiaowan and Mrs. Myers quickly pushed him back into bed, and she said, "Lie down, don't get up."
Lance immediately nodded and obediently lay back down, but his deep blue eyes never left Xiaowan, and he held her hand tightly.
Xiaowan didn't look at him, just turned to Mrs. Myers and said, "Let me talk to him alone."
Mrs. Myers gave her a scrutinizing look, then turned and left.
Once his mother left, Lance immediately kissed her hand and said, "You haven't visited me for so long. Is it because of my mom? Don't worry, I've already talked to her. I won't break up with you."
"It's not because of your mother," Xiaowan coldly pulled her hand away.
Lance was stunned, then quickly said, "Then… it must be because of my injury, right? It's my fault, I shouldn't have taken you to the studio without warning. Something must have scared you, right? I'm fine now, don't feel guilty about it…"
"It's not because of your injury either." Xiaowan clenched her fist, struggling to keep a cold expression as she looked at the fragile man in front of her. "It's because I don't want to be with you anymore."
Lance froze. His face, which had regained some color, instantly turned pale. He forced a smile and said, "You're just saying that to upset me, right? Is it because I didn't come to see you these days? I wanted to, but my mom's bodyguards were watching me…"
Xiaowan slowly stood up, gently caressing his face. "Lance Myers, stop lying to yourself. You must have already figured it out, right? Why I'm breaking up with you. Because I'm a gold digger. Your judgment of me was correct from the start, I just fooled you with my tricks. And now, I've gotten everything I wanted from your mother. There's no need to waste more time on you. Do you know how boring it's been listening to your so-called acting dreams? Remember this lesson, don't let women like me deceive you again."
With that, she turned to leave, but Lance forcefully grabbed her hand, looking at her seriously, "I don't believe it."
Xiaowan tried to pull away, but Lance pulled her back in front of him, holding her shoulder with his other hand, and stared into her eyes. "I don't believe anything you just said."
"It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not. I've been lying to you all along." Xiaowan forced herself to look into his eyes.
"Fine, then lie to me one more time," Lance said. "Tell me you love me. After all, it's all lies. It should be easy for you to say, right?"
Xiaowan couldn't help but clench her fists. She couldn't say it. Not only because she had never said that to any man, but also because she knew that if she said it, Lance would see through her disguise.
So, she forcefully swatted his hand away, stood up straight, and said, "I've already gotten a lot of money from your mother. I don't need to keep playing this pointless game with you."
After speaking, she quickly turned and walked out, but just as she was about to close the door, she heard Lance shout from the bed, "Xiaowan, I don't believe it. I know you love me!"
…
At the thought of this, Xiaowan couldn't help but cover her eyes with her hand in sorrow.
Just then, the car stopped. She heard Mrs. Myers's voice beside her, "We've arrived."
Xiaowan calmed herself, then looked out the window, realizing they had arrived at a photography studio. She turned to Mrs. Myers and asked, "Why did you bring me here?"
Mrs. Myers looked at her with reddened eyes and said, "I know that what I'm about to say will make you think I'm despicable, but Xiaowan, I really don't know what else to do. Since Lance broke up with you, he's been burying himself in scripts, not talking to anyone, becoming more and more painful and closed off. I'm really afraid he'll do something foolish one day. I can't watch him like this anymore. Please, just go see him. I know you two love each other. I promise I won't stop you from being together anymore, okay?"