The place where Gong Hengye stayed last night was at least half an hour’s drive from the company.
But now it was getting late, and driving in a thunderstorm was quite dangerous.
Besides, he had drunk quite a bit today. At first, he didn’t feel it, but now that he had relaxed, the effects of the alcohol were slowly creeping up on him.
So he had Feng Yang drive him to a hotel near the company.
It was a hotel under the Gong family’s umbrella, and he had a dedicated suite there. Whenever he worked overtime and didn’t feel like going home, he would rest here.
Daily necessities, fresh clothes, and everything else were readily available, making it very convenient for Gong Hengye.
But Wen Yue didn’t find it convenient.
Staying in a hotel with a grown man was her first time in her life… or rather, her “ghost” life.
She was shy, okay!
However, Gong Hengye clearly wasn’t shy.
Wen Yue often felt that she might as well be invisible in front of Gong Hengye.
Because he always ignored her.
When they arrived at the hotel room, he didn’t arrange a place for her to stay, nor did he ask if she wanted to share the room with him. He simply opened the door, walked in, and casually closed it behind him, acting as if she didn’t exist. He didn’t even ask for her opinion or check if she had followed him inside.
Wen Yue puffed her cheeks slightly. After all, she was a girl. As an elder, how could he be so careless?
Once inside the room, he casually tossed his suit jacket onto the sofa and began unbuttoning his shirt as he headed toward the bedroom, seemingly preparing to take a shower.
He didn’t seem to worry about her peeking at him either.
Was he always this casual? Did he act this way with other girls too?
If so, he must have been through this countless times already.
But he was the male lead of a romance novel!
How could a romance novel male lead be so lacking in male virtue?
Wait, that wasn’t right. This novel was male-centered, so maybe he didn’t need to uphold male virtue?
After all, there were plenty of male leads who were womanizers.
Thinking of this, Wen Yue’s mind filled with messy images.
What would someone as cold, aloof, and arrogantly superior as Gong Hengye look like when rolling around in bed with a woman?
Hmm, he was probably the type who would say, “Woman, if you want it, do it yourself!”
With that thought, the images in Wen Yue’s mind became even more vivid. She could even imagine the wicked smile curling at the corners of his lips.
Wen Yue’s lips twitched, and she couldn’t help but giggle softly.
Just as Gong Hengye had unbuttoned two shirt buttons and reached the bedroom door, he turned around to remind Wen Yue to stay in the living room and not enter the bedroom: “?”
He was puzzled. “What are you so happy about?”
Could it be that she was planning to sneak in later to see him after his shower?
This little female ghost really had no sense of restraint.
She must have gotten used to watching Gong Chen and thought he was as casual as Gong Chen!
As he was thinking this, Wen Yue suddenly said, “Uncle, when you sleep with girls… ahem!”
Before she could finish her sentence, Wen Yue snapped back to reality.
She cleared her throat, feeling so embarrassed that her scalp tingled. For a moment, she couldn’t think of how to explain herself.
“When I sleep with girls?”
Gong Hengye was momentarily stunned and didn’t quite understand. “What are you so happy about?”
What, was peeking at him after his shower no longer enough for her? Did she actually want to sleep with him now?
Gong Hengye couldn’t help but frown. “Wen Yue, didn’t I tell you? You and I are separated by the boundary between humans and ghosts.”
Wen Yue, “?”
Although he seemed to have misunderstood something, she really didn’t know how to continue this conversation with him.She suddenly pointed to the corner, letting out a startled cry, “There’s a ghost!”
Gong Hengye glanced over indifferently—there was nothing there.
When he turned back, Wen Yue’s figure had indeed vanished.
But Gong Hengye could sense that she was still in the room.
Quite capable, playing hide-and-seek with him.
Was it just because he had exposed her dirty thoughts?
He narrowed his eyes and sneered, “You’d better never come out.”
No one answered him. With a cold expression, he turned and entered the bedroom, slamming the door shut with a sharp thud.
Wen Yue patted her chest, truly frightened. How had she let her inner thoughts slip out?
And Gong Hengye—he wouldn’t think she actually wanted to sleep with him, would he?
And that nonsense about humans and ghosts being different.
Who wanted to be a woman who had to do everything herself!
Besides, she was his white moonlight, but he wasn’t hers!
Wen Yue pouted and snorted softly.
If he ever truly fell in love with her in the future, he could beg all he wanted—she wouldn’t even consider it.
Wen Yue amused herself with these fantasies.
But for now, she was still just a rather pitiful white moonlight, so of course, she didn’t dare enter his bedroom.
She stayed in the living room, ears perked up high, listening for any movement from the bedroom.
Until she saw the light dim through the crack under the door.
He had gone to bed.
Wen Yue blinked.
He had been drinking today, and from the looks of it, quite a lot, so he would fall asleep quickly.
She estimated the time and waited for nearly twenty more minutes before quietly drifting into the bedroom.
Outside, the wind was bleak and the rain cold, but his bedroom was warm.
Wen Yue particularly loved his presence.
It was something special—though she couldn’t smell it or touch it, just being near him made her feel warm and safe.
He was indeed asleep, lying quietly on his side in light gray pajamas. A deep blue silk blanket was casually draped over his chest, and half his face was buried in the soft pillow. He looked so comfortable.
Wen Yue pouted.
She wanted to sleep in a warm bed too.
Wen Yue quietly approached, kneeling by the bedside and watching the man as he slept.
Gong Hengye seemed less cold when asleep. Though the dim light made the contours of his profile more defined, it also seemed to soften him a little.
His high nose bridge, thin lips, sharp jawline, and the sexy Adam’s apple visible when she glanced down… Truly the male lead, even asleep he looked like a painting, with no hint of awkwardness.
Wen Yue gazed at his handsome face and whispered softly, “Actually, romance novel male leads are better off being virtuous. Little Uncle, you were born in Tomato, so don’t learn from those shameless harem protagonists on Po, okay?”
Of course, he didn’t answer her.
The alcohol had made him sleep more deeply than ever.
Wen Yue fell silent too. She lowered her head, resting it on her arms, and simply watched him from the bedside.
His long eyelashes were lowered, and his lips were slightly pursed.
For some reason, Wen Yue felt like plucking one of his eyelashes to see whose were longer—his or hers.
Just as her finger touched his lashes, his brow twitched slightly, as if he were about to open his eyes.
Wen Yue quickly withdrew her hand.
Why was it that around him, her body and mouth always reacted faster than her brain?
If she dared pluck his eyelashes, he’d probably toss her out to be struck by lightning.
Wen Yue didn’t dare move recklessly anymore. She simply watched him quietly until she grew tired and closed her eyes.
The wind and rain lasted all night, gradually subsiding as the sky began to lighten.
When Gong Hengye opened his eyes, he was met with a pale little face.
She seemed to be asleep, lying obediently beside him.
Her eyes were closed, her eyelashes resting peacefully.Gong Hengye silently watched her for a moment, his gaze lingering on her eyelashes for two seconds before his hand suddenly felt a bit itchy.
Was there any difference between a soul’s eyelashes and a human’s? How could they make someone’s heart itch like this?
Thinking this, he gently raised his hand. However, just as his fingertips were about to touch her eyelashes, his phone rang.
Wen Yue opened her eyes.
Then, she saw Gong Hengye’s hand hovering in front of her.
His hand was also quite beautiful—slender with distinct knuckles, clear veins, and a strong sense of power.
But the problem was, this beautiful and powerful hand was about to touch her eyes.
Did he think she had sneaked in to spy on him and wanted to poke her eyes out?
Wen Yue widened her eyes in surprise.
Meanwhile, Gong Hengye calmly withdrew his hand. “You have sleep in your eyes.”
Wen Yue immediately sat up straight and covered her eyes.
A second later, she realized something was off.
Wait, she was a soul. Besides, she hadn’t even been sleeping—how could she possibly have sleep in her eyes?
“You’re the one with sleep in your eyes!”
Wen Yue let go of her hands and glared at him in embarrassment, scrutinizing his eyes carefully to find any trace of sleep.
He calmly let her look.
Wen Yue: “?”
Damn it!
What kind of overpowering existence was the male lead? Why did he still look so good right after waking up?
Not only was there no sleep in his eyes, but his face was also completely clean, without a hint of oiliness. His skin remained fair and smooth, making one want to touch it.
Apart from his slightly messy hair, he was practically perfect.
Heaven was truly unfair.
Just as she was speechless, Gong Hengye asked again, “So, what are you doing here?”
“!”
Wen Yue’s expression changed slightly. “Huh? Yeah, why am I here? Did I drift in while sleeping? How strange…”
As she spoke, she stood up and turned to run.
Gong Hengye quietly watched her performance.
Only after her figure disappeared did he curve his lips slightly.
In her eyes, he really was a fierce tiger.
Picking up the still-ringing phone on the bedside table, the caller ID showed the Gong family’s landline.
The butler said the old master wanted him to return to the old mansion immediately.
Wen Yue’s parents had already learned about her situation and had shown up early in the morning.
The old master told him to handle it himself.
After all, this matter involved his son and grandson. For the old master, it seemed inappropriate to side with either, so he simply chose not to get involved.
After hanging up, Gong Hengye rubbed his temples irritably.
The headache from his hangover was quite noticeable.
He still couldn’t understand why he, as someone so busy, had gone out to drown his sorrows last night.
Perhaps he was still too idle.
Or maybe Li Rui was too capable. If things continued like this, would he try to usurp his position?
Gong Hengye suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
He quickened his pace, needing to hurry to the Gong family and then to the company.
Once ready, he went to the living room, where Wen Yue was crouching in front of the fish tank, whispering to the little goldfish.
Gong Hengye said, “Your parents are at the Gong family’s place. I’m heading back now. Do you want to come?”
Wen Yue turned around in surprise. “What do they want? Are they also here to claim my body?”
Gong Hengye was adjusting his cufflinks. Hearing this, he tilted his head. “Perhaps. If you want me to give your body—”
“No.”
Wen Yue quickly stood up, cutting him off without hesitation. “I’m not their biological child. I’m not part of the Wen family. You can’t give my body to them.”
Gong Hengye looked at her. Her tone was harsh, but her eyes were as clear as melting snow.
The way she looked at him was soft, with a hint of pleading.
She was trying to please him.
She was afraid he would give her body to someone else.Gong Hengye hadn’t expected her to be so resistant to the Wen family. It seemed her parents had treated her poorly as well?
All these years, he had thought she was still that happy little frog, but in reality, he seemed to have overlooked many things.
He nodded slowly, “Alright.”
Truthfully, he hadn’t planned to give it to them anyway.
Seeing him answer so decisively, Wen Yue grew hesitant again, “You really won’t give my body to them? But what if they cause trouble for you…”
“Wasn’t it already cremated? Do you expect me to conjure another one out of thin air?”
Gong Hengye put on his suit jacket. The deep blue tailored suit accentuated his tall, noble figure, radiating an imposing aura.
He casually curved his lips, revealing an arrogant demeanor, “Besides, what can the Wen family possibly do to me?”
Though his words were undeniably cocky, Wen Yue believed him.
To the male lead, everyone else was nothing but ants.
However, to both Gong Hengye and Wen Yue’s surprise—and perhaps even Grandpa Gong’s—the Wen parents had come knocking so early in the morning with ulterior motives.
By the time Gong Hengye arrived, the Wen parents had just gotten to the main point.
“Yueyue was an unfortunate child. We never imagined she would choose to end her own life when she had such a good life ahead of her.”
“I couldn’t sleep all night after hearing the news yesterday, which is why we came so early. We hope you don’t find us impolite, Grandpa Gong.”
“We also heard that Old Jiu helped cremate Yueyue’s body. We must thank him for taking care of that.”
“It’s all because our Yueyue was so thoughtless. We don’t know how she dared to trouble Old Jiu with this. Thankfully, Old Jiu didn’t blame us.”
After much polite small talk, Gong Yuanren responded half-heartedly, waiting for the couple to state their true purpose.
He had initially assumed they were here to cause trouble.
After all, his own Old Jiu had directly cremated their daughter’s body. By any standard, that was hardly justifiable.
But as the couple spoke, there wasn’t a hint of blame in their words—instead, they seemed almost grateful?
Gong Yuanren was puzzled.
Still, it was clear that this couple had no affection whatsoever for Wen Yue. There was no grief over her death, only complaints in every word.
Recalling what Old Jiu had told him, Gong Yuanren momentarily felt like a wicked old man aiding and abetting a tyrant.
Seeing Grandpa Gong’s expression growing impatient, Wen’s mother, He Lihua, cleared her throat and finally revealed their true intention. “Actually, aside from Yueyue’s matter, there is one more thing we’d like to discuss with you, Grandpa Gong.”
Gong Yuanren nodded faintly, “Go ahead.”
He Lihua exchanged a glance with Wen Gou and smiled. “Well, after discussing it with my husband, we thought that even though Yueyue has passed away, the marriage alliance between the Wen and Gong families still stands, doesn’t it?”
Gong Yuanren raised an eyebrow, “What are you suggesting?”
Wen Gou, always a smooth talker, wore an ingratiating smile. “We don’t mean anything else. We just thought that since the marriage alliance is still valid, perhaps Xixi could take Yueyue’s place and marry A Chen. What do you think, Grandpa Gong?”
The old man fell silent.
So this was the Wen couple’s scheme.
He Lihua added, “After all, those two children have been close since they were young. You must have seen how A Chen treats our Xixi—he clearly likes her. And Xixi, she gives her whole heart to A Chen.”Yesterday, I heard A Chen was sick. Despite not fully recovering herself, she insisted on rushing back and is now taking care of A Chen in the hospital. We’ve seen all of this with our own eyes.
Before, with Yueyue around, it was hard to say anything. But now that Yueyue is gone, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief. We thought, since they like each other, why shouldn’t we, as elders, support them? It seems this is fate, after all.”
He Lihua always spoke gently, but her words never failed to pierce Wen Yue’s heart.
Gong Hengye stopped the butler from speaking up. Leaning lazily against the doorway with his arms crossed, he listened to what this couple had to say.
Until now.
His gaze shifted slightly, turning to Wen Yue beside him.
Wen Yue kept her eyes lowered.
She was already used to it, and besides, as a soul, she shouldn’t be able to feel sadness anymore.
Yet for some reason, hearing these words still hurt.
So her death was something that brought her “parents” relief—a matter of fate.
She remained quiet, and it was impossible to tell if she was upset.
But Gong Hengye could sense the sorrow emanating from her.
After all, they had been her parents for 21 years. Before she turned 18, they must have genuinely cared for her.
And now, Gong Hengye finally understood why she had taken her own life.
His gaze turned cold, and he suddenly chuckled softly. “It’s alright.”
Wen Yue looked up, her bright eyes shimmering with unshed tears. The lingering hurt and confusion were still evident. “What?”
He curled his fingers and gently brushed her long lashes, as if wiping away her tears.
The gesture wasn’t particularly tender, but his voice softened inexplicably. “From now on, your uncle will take care of you.”