“Didn’t you sleep well?”
Seeing him with his head lowered, Wen Lan asked again.
Cradling the bouquet in his arms, Lu Zhixing looked up at her. His lips moved, but after a long pause, he quietly answered,
“…No.”
He had actually missed his date with Wen Lan today.
He would rather have gone without sleep than let something like this happen.
Unable to stop himself, he frowned in regret.
Still holding his hand, Wen Lan led him all the way to the parking lot before finally letting go.
Seeing that he still looked gloomy, she reached up and gently ruffled his hair.
“It’s alright. Next time I’ll drive you there again, and then I’ll pick you up afterward.”
Lu Zhixing pursed his lips. Hearing her coax him like that left him both embarrassed and unable to suppress the joy bubbling inside him.
“Mm. Thank you, Wife.”
After opening the car door and waiting until he was seated, Wen Lan briefly told him about meeting Yi Luo that afternoon.
“I figured Yuannian Company needed someone who could really draw attention. Yi Luo seemed like a good choice. She’s Yi Yi’s older sister, so she already has plenty of public attention. Her looks have this unique balance of righteousness and mystery, and her voice is very distinctive. So I signed her. Zhixing, what do you think?”
It was rare for Wen Lan to speak so much at once.
She turned to look at Lu Zhixing, only to find him staring blankly into space.
Unable to resist, she lightly tapped the center of his forehead with her fingertip, teasing,
“What are you thinking about?”
Lu Zhixing came back to himself and turned to look at her.
Most of his face was bathed in the warm yellow glow reflected from the streetlights outside the window, while the rest remained hidden in shadow, accentuating his refined features.
The tips of his ears gradually turned red.
For some reason, he suddenly remembered what Wen Lan had said that morning.
“I was thinking about you.”
Wen Lan had not expected the words she had teasingly used on him earlier that morning to be turned back on her.
Raising an eyebrow, she looked at the shy yet unexpectedly bold Lu Zhixing, amusement filling her eyes.
“What about me? Tell me.”
She leisurely watched him blush until he became too embarrassed to speak.
Apparently, Lu Zhixing rarely flirted with anyone. The moment she pushed back, he became like a startled little rabbit, completely at a loss.
Wen Lan chuckled inwardly.
Slowly, she leaned closer, satisfied to see his long eyelashes trembling nonstop.
“Hm?”
Shadows intertwined within the cramped, enclosed space of the car. The faint fragrance lingering in the air made Wen Lan’s blood run hotter.
Perhaps it was because of this body’s instincts, but she found herself becoming more and more mischievous.
She kept wanting to tease him, to strip away his cool, refined exterior and reveal the incredibly soft, vivid person hidden beneath.
“So?”
“What were you thinking about when you thought of me?”
For some reason, Wen Lan suddenly felt her mouth grow dry.
Her gaze dropped to the section of his neck exposed above his collar.
Almost imperceptibly, she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue.
It was so fair and smooth, tender like a piece of soft tofu.
Wen Lan was momentarily dazzled. With a slight lift of her long fingers, she raised the man’s chin.
The smooth, warm texture beneath her fingertips felt like the finest jade. Unable to resist, she stroked it a few more times, the corners of her eyes curving as she watched his face flush crimson in an instant.
Hidden within his sleeves, Lu Zhixing’s hands gripped the leather seat cushion tightly.
Even breathing became difficult.
His entire mind and heart were filled with Wen Lan’s face, so close before him. The cool fingertips beneath his jaw wandered absentmindedly over his skin, carrying a casual gentleness that left him utterly unable to escape.
He gazed at Wen Lan in a daze, his mind completely blank.
His wife was asking what he thought about when he thought of her.
She probably had no idea that she was his entire world.
He wanted everything about her.
He wanted to keep all of her for himself.
Seeing that the man had become so nervous he could barely speak, Wen Lan laughed inwardly and withdrew her hand.
“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore.”
She fastened her seatbelt, glanced at the road ahead, and started the car.
The night breeze drifted in through the window, carrying the coolness of the evening along with the lively scents of the city.
Turning to Lu Zhixing, she asked,
“Are you hungry?”
Lu Zhixing nodded.
The night wind tousled his hair, leaving him looking nothing like the polished executive he had appeared to be during the day.
After driving for only a short while, Wen Lan reached the city center.
The streets were brilliantly lit, neon signs glowing as crowds bustled back and forth. Men and women, young and old, streamed through the shopping malls amid the lively evening atmosphere.
Finding a parking space, Wen Lan brought the car to a stop and prepared to search for a good restaurant.
Leaning slightly closer to Lu Zhixing, she showed him her phone.
“What do you want to eat?”
After a brief thought, Lu Zhixing tapped on Su Garden.
The restaurant specialized in light, fresh Su-style cuisine. Its signature dish was steamed gudu fish, renowned for its tender flesh that practically melted in the mouth and its excellent nutritional value.
Wen Lan nodded and put away her phone.
“Let’s go.”
Neither of them had eaten dinner, and she was feeling hungry herself.
“Mm.”
When they arrived at Su Garden, Wen Lan discovered there was already a long queue outside.
Just as she was about to suggest finding another restaurant, Lu Zhixing instead intertwined his fingers with hers and led her inside.
“President Lu?”
Lu Zhixing gave a slight nod, immediately returning to his usual cool and distant demeanor in front of others.
“Manager Li, do you have a table?”
“Yes, of course! You’re one of our honored guests. We’ve always kept your private room reserved.”
Li Mu smiled broadly.
Lu Zhixing was a generous spender and an extremely valuable customer, though he rarely dined out. Seeing him today truly was a rare occasion.
With a cheerful smile, she led them down a quieter VIP corridor, all the while secretly wondering about the woman accompanying him.
Rumor had it that the head of the Lu family and his wife were not in love and almost never appeared together in public.
So could the woman dining with President Lu tonight be…
Li Mu discreetly tried to steal a glance at the woman beside him.
The moment she saw her clearly, she froze.
This woman was simply… far too…
Li Mu couldn’t even find the right words.
She possessed a uniquely ethereal aura that instantly brought to mind the phrase the bright moon above the boundless sea.
She was tall with long legs, her pale complexion carrying a fragile, almost sickly beauty.
Her temperament was cool and aloof, giving the impression that she was difficult to approach.
Her eyes were dark, framed by thick raven-black lashes. The elongated corners of her eyes curved like blades. Whenever she looked at someone, her lowered eyelids allowed those lashes to veil her gaze, yet despite that, a faint trace of restrained gentleness still escaped through her eyes, making it feel as though you alone were her most treasured possession.
And if those pale lips were to curl into even the slightest smile…
Li Mu hurriedly shook her head, refusing to think any further.
That single casual glance the woman had cast her way moments ago still left her entire body tingling.
She felt completely shaken.
Damn.
No wonder the head of the Lu family had brought his little lover here for dinner.
With a face like that, even if the woman never smiled, Li Mu felt she could still eat three bowls of rice just looking at her.
Standing behind them, Wen Lan looked curiously at the manager, who suddenly seemed to be avoiding her as though she were the plague.
Just moments ago, Manager Li had been standing quite close to them, but after Wen Lan absentmindedly glanced at her, the woman had hurried away almost as if fleeing.
…I don’t look that scary, do I?
Touching her cheek, Wen Lan suddenly felt rather uncertain.
Noticing her small gesture, Lu Zhixing turned toward her.
“Wife, what’s wrong?”
His voice was soft, deliberately lowered.
Wen Lan quickly lowered her hand and shook her head.
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
Lu Zhixing was about to ask more when Li Mu interrupted from ahead.
“President Lu, this is your private room.”
“Mm.”
Lu Zhixing acknowledged her quietly.
After they were seated, Li Mu smiled and asked,
“The usual?”
Lu Zhixing looked at Wen Lan and handed her the menu, intending for her to choose.
Wen Lan placed the menu back on the table without even opening it.
“Our tastes are the same, and it’s getting late. Let’s have the usual. What do you think, Zhixing?”
Listening nearby, Li Mu visibly shuddered.
That completely confirmed her suspicions.
Zhixing.
How intimate.
If these two weren’t involved, she wouldn’t believe it even if someone beat her to death.
“Alright. The usual, then.”
Lu Zhixing nodded.
After the door closed, Wen Lan relaxed.
She poured two cups of warm tea, handed one to Lu Zhixing, and took a sip herself.
The delicate fragrance of tea lingered around her nose, and she contentedly narrowed her eyes.
After finishing her cup, she glanced at the man beside her, who was taking small, elegant sips, and smiled.
“How about we keep a cat at home?”
Lu Zhixing looked up in surprise.
He had no idea why his wife suddenly wanted to raise a cat, but he had no desire to oppose her. It was rare for her to want a pet.
“Sure.”
Then another thought occurred to him.
The villa was so large. If there was only one kitten and it hid somewhere, wouldn’t Wen Lan have trouble finding it?
Thinking of that, he quickly added,
“Should we get two?”
Wen Lan looked at him and shook her head.
“No. One is enough.”
After all, there was already a cat at home.
One that was spoiled, clingy, and constantly attached to her.
Lu Zhixing felt a little uncomfortable under his wife’s gaze. He carefully thought back over what he had said, but he could not figure out what he had done wrong.
Looking at the man’s innocent, oblivious expression, Wen Lan quickly turned her head away. It felt as though a cat were lightly scratching at her heart, leaving it pleasantly itchy.
Her husband was unexpectedly adorable.
Before long, there was a knock at the door.
“President Lu?”
Lu Zhixing gave a quiet hum, signaling for them to come in.
Once the dishes had all been served, Li Mu quietly withdrew.
Wen Lan was the first to move, picking up a piece of fish and placing it into the man’s bowl.
“Eat.”
Only after seeing him lower his head and eat with refined, graceful movements did Wen Lan begin eating herself.
She glanced over the spread before her. Every dish was exactly the kind of light cuisine she liked.
She thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
One particular dish caught her attention. It was vibrantly colored, carried a delicate fruity fragrance, and was coated in a glossy caramel-colored glaze.
Wen Lan cautiously took a bite.
To her surprise, it was mildly sour and sweet, with a faint…
…taste of fruit wine.
The small bite was already in her mouth, so she swallowed it anyway.
Looking at the unfamiliar dish, she suddenly noticed a slight numbness spreading across her tongue, followed by warmth filling her mouth.
Could there actually be alcohol in it?
She immediately drank several mouthfuls of tea.
She had never tolerated alcohol well, just like her father. She could not handle even a single drop.
Very quickly, her body began reacting.
Feeling the abnormal heat rising to her cheeks, Wen Lan frowned in distress.
How am I supposed to drive home later?
“Wife, what’s wrong?”
Lu Zhixing looked up at her worriedly.
Her face was flushed far more than normal.
Wen Lan gave a light cough.
“It’s nothing.”
She answered vaguely before asking,
“Have you finished eating?”
Lu Zhixing nodded.
“Mm.”
“Then let’s head back. Dudu is still at home.”
Wen Lan stood up and reached for Lu Zhixing’s hand.
The coolness of his hand brought her immense relief.
“We’ll just call a designated driver later. Today…”
“Wife, are you tired?”
Lu Zhixing thoughtfully interrupted.
“I can drive too. There’s no need to call one.”
Wen Lan had not expected him to know how to drive.
She could only nod.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
Feeling the scorching warmth of the woman’s palm, Lu Zhixing instinctively curled his fingers as though he had been burned.
Before leaving, he cast one final glance at the Drunken Fruit Banquet still sitting on the table.
Then, calmly, he closed the door and left with his wife.
Even the breeze blowing through the corridor seemed tinged with warmth.
Wen Lan quietly loosened her collar with her free hand and let out a relieved sigh.
“Wife, are you very hot?”
The man beside her asked with genuine confusion.
Wen Lan glanced at Lu Zhixing, whose skin remained cool and free of even a trace of sweat.
Without blinking, she answered,
“No.”
Lu Zhixing nodded.
Lowering his eyes to the carpet beneath their feet, a fleeting smile flashed across his lips.
She’s lying.
She’s obviously very hot.
The tip of his tongue lightly brushed across his pale lips, making the small bead at the center appear even redder.
His gaze fell upon their intertwined hands.
Warm.
Lingering.
Just like that forbidden night.
Back then, his wife had also been drunk.
The heat radiating from her body had nearly melted him.