The man’s eyes were as dark as ink, a hint of refined mischief playing at the corners of his lips as he studied the little enchantress before him.
Soft arms wrapped around his broad, sturdy shoulders, and just as he lifted his gaze, Yu Wanwan’s sweet, moist lips willfully pressed against his.
Even with her inexperience, Yu Wanwan’s passion and intent brought Xie Tingnan a pleasant surprise.
In his eyes, the timid and clueless “fool” was kissing him with such initiative and fervor.
He simply tilted his head back, savoring the flawless, jade-like beauty of this peerless woman as she pressed against his lips…
………………
Her sweet lips were intoxicating as she whispered coquettishly by his ear, “Xie Tingnan, are you made of iron?”
The man curled his lips. “Feel free to inspect.”
The girl in his arms let out a delicate hum, her flushed, delicate face tinged with embarrassment…
The man gripped her arm firmly, scrutinizing her as if interrogating her. “Wanwan, I don’t want gratitude. It’s not pure enough.”
Yu Wanwan’s face burned like charcoal, filled with the awkwardness and unease of being exposed.
Suppressing his desire, Xie Tingnan helped Yu Wanwan up and wrapped her in his suit jacket.
The young girl seemed at a loss.
She truly did want to thank him.
All she could offer him was this body he currently found intriguing.
Xie Tingnan patted her shoulder. “Wanwan, I’m in no hurry.”
He wanted her infatuation and submission, not mechanical gestures of gratitude.
There was plenty of time ahead.
For some people, Xie Tingnan wouldn’t spare even a second. For others, he had endless patience, and Yu Wanwan was that exception.
Perhaps men always harbor a self-driven, protective instinct toward the women they fancy.
He thought she was naive, timid, and stubborn—practically a delicate “silly sweetheart.”
But deep down, Wanwan was clear-headed, wise, bold, and earnest, and she would repeatedly challenge Xie Tingnan’s perceptions.
Yu Wanwan felt utterly mortified.
Xie Tingnan said nothing more, simply calling Yin Ren on the phone to bring over Yu Wanwan’s clothes.
The journey passed in silence as Xie Tingnan busied himself with a video conference.
Yu Wanwan huddled by the opposite car window, careful not to let even a strand of her hair appear on camera.
Her cheeks felt as if on fire, her eyelids heavy as overwhelming drowsiness set in.
By the time Xie Tingnan finished the video conference, he noticed the young girl curled up by the window, fast asleep.
Her cheeks were flushed with an unnatural redness, and her breathing carried a nasal tone.
Frowning, the man reached out to touch her forehead—it was burning hot.
The repeated dives into the water, followed by the struggle in the car, had taken their toll. She was running a fever.
The man’s voice was low. “Change course to Jingqian Hospital.” (A designated sanatorium for high-ranking officials.)
Jingqian Hospital was renowned for its excellent environment.
Extremely serene and quiet, it catered to retired dignitaries or influential figures still in power.
The main road was lined with towering ancient trees, their dense canopies casting deep shade.
Each tree was so large it would take at least two people to encircle it, a testament to centuries of history.
Yin Ren deliberately took the relatively secluded narrow paths.
The Maybach’s license plate was particularly distinctive today, easily recognizable among the visitors as belonging to a prominent family in the capital.
Once the car stopped, Xie Tingnan frowned thoughtfully before gently shaking the sleeping girl. “Get up. Let’s get some medicine.”
Yu Wanwan let out a soft murmur, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.
A faint smile touched Xie Tingnan’s lips as he pulled her close and planted a light kiss on her lips. “Hurry up. I’m not waiting for you.”
Yu Wanwan quickly opened her eyes and glanced out the window. “Where is this? A park?”
It did indeed resemble a grand, tranquil park.
Xie Tingnan didn’t respond, only looking ahead. “Take her to see Professor Guan. Send my regards on my behalf.”
Yin Ren acknowledged and swiftly left the driver’s seat, opening the car door on Yu Wanwan’s side. “Miss Yu, please.”
Xie Tingnan kept his head down, already replying to messages on his phone, clearly with no intention of getting out of the car.
Yu Wanwan tactfully smoothed her stray strands of hair and quietly stepped out of the vehicle.
Inside the car, Xie Tingnan looked up at the slender figure walking with a slight, unsteady sway outside. His expression remained stern, and he fell into a long silence.
The sense of guilt he felt toward that young girl was something even he found unbelievable.
Burning up like that, she could barely walk steadily.
And here he was, unable to even give her the chance to accompany her to see a doctor.
Just take his sister Xie Nannan, for example. Even a minor cold would have several nannies taking turns caring for her, fetching water and medicine.
Lost in thought, his phone rang.
The name “Wen An’an” brought a flicker of irritation to his stern face. He muted the phone and ignored the call.
Just as the ringing stopped with no answer, someone lightly tapped on the car window.
Wen An’an stood outside the car, arm in arm with Madam Wen.
The car windows were tinted with privacy film, making it impossible to see inside from the outside.
Xie Tingnan leaned back in his seat, tossed his phone aside, closed his eyes to rest, and pretended not to notice.
Wen An’an recognized the Xie family’s license plate. Running into it at the hospital felt like a serendipitous surprise.
That was why she had done something she usually disdained—knocking on someone’s car window.
“An’an, let’s go. The car being here doesn’t necessarily mean Tingnan is inside. Perhaps he sent a secretary to handle some business,” Madam Wen said calmly.
“Alright then,” Wen An’an replied, her expression slightly unnatural.
She had come to realize a fact: the calls she made to Xie Tingnan were never answered.
Still, she didn’t mind.
When it came to well-matched families from prominent backgrounds, feelings were something that could be cultivated over time.
Solid backgrounds and equally matched social status were the real trump cards in marriage.
Yu Wanwan followed Yin Ren to an office door and knocked.
A deep male voice came from inside. “Come in.”
As the door opened, what came into view was an exceptionally spacious office that combined a laboratory and a pharmacy, complete with a private back door and a small garden.
The elegant physician in his fifties looked up and responded with a smile as Yin Ren politely greeted him.
Professor Guan Shan, a doctoral supervisor at a prestigious medical university, was also one of the top medical experts exclusively hired by Jingqian Hospital.
Professor Guan’s cool, penetrating gaze shifted abruptly when it landed on Yu Wanwan standing beside Yin Ren.
However, having experienced countless significant situations, Professor Guan quickly regained his composure.
Only his hand, resting on the medical documents on the desk, trembled almost imperceptibly.
It was just a simple case of wind chill, and Professor Guan quickly prescribed medication, which his assistant went to retrieve.
After inquiring about the well-being of the Xie family elders, he casually remarked, “Tingnan didn’t come?”
“Chairman Xie is busy and asked me to send his regards,” Yin Ren replied respectfully.
Guan Shan glanced discreetly at Yu Wanwan.
“Where is your hometown, young lady? Are you studying dance?”
Yu Wanwan, dizzy and feverish, didn’t think too much but remained polite. “My hometown is in Nancheng. I can dance, but it’s not my major.”
Nancheng!
“Nancheng is a wonderful place, an ancient capital of many dynasties, blessed with outstanding people and a prosperous land. The air there is much better than in the capital.”
“Mhm.”
Yu Wanwan felt an indescribable familiarity with Professor Guan, but she knew that sometimes, the more one speaks, the more mistakes one makes.
She tactfully stepped aside and remained silent.
The door opened, and two people entered.
The middle-aged woman was elegant and dignified, wearing a well-tailored black Xiangyunsha cheongsam.
The young woman holding her arm was tall and slender, with an extraordinary presence. She also wore a light-colored Xiangyunsha cheongsam, embroidered with lily of the valley flowers.
“Uncle.” Wen An’an walked over with her mother, but her eyes were fixed on the young girl standing upright.
The girl’s straight, slender, and radiantly fair legs, exposed beneath her shorts, caught Wen An’an’s attention the moment she entered the room…