Lan Die suddenly felt that staying today was a mistake.
Although He Canglan had just called her this morning, she hadn’t expected him to return home by noon.
Recalling his words on the phone, she felt an indescribable sensation stirring within her.
Just as she was thinking of finding an excuse to leave, she heard He Nanzhi beside her respectfully call out, “Uncle!”
Wang Shuyi next to her also greeted him, “I heard Director Canglan has brought glory to the nation, achieving great merits and returning triumphantly!”
Only Lan Di remained silent, lowering her head and cooperating with He Nanzhi as they rowed the oars together, slowly heading toward the shore.
On the shore, the man’s slightly elongated phoenix eyes reflected the graceful figure silently rowing the boat.
She wore a goose-yellow silk dress today, her long straight hair tied into a low ponytail, exuding a serene and elegant aura.
Her delicate skin was dazzlingly fair under the sunlight, and amidst the lush lotus leaves and blossoms, she looked as beautiful as a fairy in a painting.
With just a fleeting glance, He Canglan followed his elder brother and mother, Cui Mujin, chatting and laughing as they entered the main hall.
The luncheon was held in the banquet hall of Lanting Garden.
The room was entirely decorated in the antique architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with even a single carved flower on the rosewood chairs crafted with exquisite precision.
Listening to the lively discussions around her, Lan Die roughly understood where He Canglan had been for the past half-month.
She had thought he was merely the head of the National Security Agency, and she knew little about the mysterious agency.
Unexpectedly, he also held many social titles. Lan Die quietly picked up her phone to look up the two titles she had heard, paused for a moment, then put it down again.
After checking, she seemed to understand why she felt there was nothing he couldn’t handle.
She sat beside He Nanzhi.
Apart from exchanging a few polite words when He Wanlan and Su Wan thanked her for her dedicated guidance of He Nanzhi, Lan Die wisely remained silent throughout the meal.
The dishes were sumptuous, with flavors similar to the lunch Yi An had sent her that day.
The quick-tongued Nannan told her that the dishes were prepared by a renowned state banquet chef, and even the most authentic Beijing-style dishes from famous restaurants across the capital couldn’t compare to the authentic flavors from the He family’s kitchen.
She ate a few bites simply and then stopped, quietly sipping the freshly squeezed chilled watermelon juice in her glass.
Her phone vibrated, and she picked it up—it was a message from He Canglan.
Pretending to glance casually, she saw the man chatting happily with his elder brother, He Wanlan, beside him, not at all like someone who had just sent her a message.
Opening it, the message was brief: “No appetite? Still drinking something cold! Acupuncture again tonight?”
Lan Die couldn’t help the slight curve of her lips.
After three acupuncture sessions last time, she was afraid of the pain and even more afraid of the needles. She absolutely refused to go through with the third session.
It was that man who coaxed and threatened her, even uttering intimidating words, acting domineering and shameless, which frightened her into completing the third acupuncture session.
He Canglan must have noticed her subtle expression, as a second message followed immediately: “Lan Die, you’ve delivered yourself to my doorstep today!”
The young woman’s hand trembled, nearly dropping her phone on the table.
Not wanting to exchange any glances with him at the table and unsure how to reply, she simply tossed her phone onto the table—out of sight, out of mind!
Suddenly, He Canglan’s voice rang out: “I heard Nannan has made significant progress in ballet recently.”
He Nanzhi giggled, “Uncle, without any modesty, with the guidance of the ballet princess of the capital’s elite circle, the He family’s second ballet princess is just around the corner!”
Su Wan smiled, “This girl, where did she learn to be so immodest? Let me see how many layers of skin I can peel off that face!”
He Canglan chuckled lightly, “There’s Kunqu opera this afternoon, and there happens to be a ready-made stage. Nannan must show off her skills!”
After speaking, his gaze shifted toward Lan Die, “Master and apprentice performing together, gathering two ballet princesses. Teacher Lan, would you honor us with a performance?”
As soon as He Canglan finished speaking, a crowd around them chimed in, even Cui Mujin joined in agreement:
“Lan Die, stay. Enjoy a tune, dance a little, have dinner, and then let the driver take you back to school.”
Knowing she couldn’t refuse, Lan Die politely replied, “Alright!”
When she looked up, her gaze inadvertently swept past He Canglan, catching the triumphant, mischievous smirk at the corner of his lips.
She always had a bad feeling about this!
After lunch, Lan Die and He Nanzhi agreed to take a walk before their afternoon rest.
While waiting for He Nanzhi to return to his room to fetch something, she was suddenly pulled into the adjacent room.
It was He Nanzhi’s study.
The familiar Pine Scent, carrying a tidal wave of heat, spread intensely.
He Canglan embraced her from behind, his large hand lifting her chin, forcing her to tilt her head back. His sensual lips soon captured her tender, pink lips.
She couldn’t make a sound, her upper body trapped by his arm, and even her legs were pinned by his long legs, unable to move.
He seemed unsatisfied with a simple kiss, his free hand directly caressing the snow-white peaks.
Lan Die was overwhelmed with shame, whimpering softly in her mouth, yet unable to break free.
“Lan Die, where did you go?” He Nanzhi’s voice came from outside.
Inside the room, Lan Die was already lost in He Canglan’s passionate kiss.
She couldn’t even connect the man before her with the arrogant, composed, and authoritative figure who had stepped out of the car earlier.
During a brief moment of respite, she whispered urgently, “Let me go!”
He Canglan released her lips but didn’t loosen his grip.
Lan Die, flushed with anger, slapped his hand away, “You’re shameless!”
The man leaned close to her ear, teasing her earlobe, “I need to measure the size so I can buy you lingerie next time.”
Then, with a mischievous grin, he added, “Such a slender figure, yet surprisingly well-endowed!”
“He Canglan!” She turned around, swinging her fists at him, blow after blow landing squarely on his chest.
The man didn’t dodge at all, merely looking down at the little girl with reddened eyes, flushed cheeks, both delicate and fierce, as she earnestly struck him, a faint smile lingering at the corner of his lips.
When she finally tired herself out, He Canglan tidied her disheveled hair and casually handed her two oil-paper umbrellas, “Take these, go stroll around with Nannan. I’ll have the housekeeper take photos for you.”
Lan Die was still fuming, her face flushed as she ignored him.
He Canglan ruffled her little head, “If you feel wronged, then don’t come back! Hmm?”
Lan Die was furious. She pushed him with all her strength, grabbed the two oil-paper umbrellas, and stormed out of the study in a huff.
The man behind her chuckled softly.
Where had the gentle Lan Die gone? This was clearly a seductive, tormenting enchantress!
Two weeks of exhaustion and busyness vanished in that moment. An unparalleled sense of joy!
He glanced at his right hand, recalling the sensation, marveling at the Creator’s wonder—how such a breathtaking beauty could be crafted, exquisite in every way!
As Lan Die walked out, He Nanzhi was searching for her in the garden.
“Nannan, here!” She handed him an oil-paper umbrella, “Thinking about taking photos, I went to the study to pick this out.”
“Great, who’s going to take the photo?”
“I’ll be happy to help!” The Wang butler of Lanting Garden emerged from somewhere.
“Perfect, let’s go pick a spot then!” He Nanzhi took Lan Die’s hand and walked off excitedly.
As they moved a short distance away, Lan Die couldn’t help but glance toward the study.
That domineering man was standing right at the doorway, speaking with a tall, slender woman wearing a qipao dress.
It was Wang Shuyi!
…