Wanyi arrived at the meeting point promptly at eight in the morning.
Everyone boarded the same coach bus headed for the resort—a journey of about three hours.
As soon as they got on, Xiaoyou naturally took the seat beside her.
She glanced over and saw Wanyi already absorbed in a book—An Illustrated History of Porcelain Development.
This girl was frighteningly diligent. If she wasn’t working, she was reading. There was barely a moment when she allowed herself to slack off.
“Stop reading for now—you’ll get carsick,” Xiaoyou reminded her as the bus rattled through the city streets.
Wanyi closed the book and nodded.
She had been sleeping poorly these past few days; it was probably a good idea to rest. Lately, she’d felt a faint dizziness lingering in her head. She rubbed her forehead lightly.
Leaning back into her seat, she soon drifted off to sleep.
When she woke again, the bus had already merged onto the highway.
Beside her, Xiaoyou was scrolling through her phone.
“Awake?” she asked.
“Mm.” Wanyi blinked, trying to shake off the haze of sleep.
“See that group in the back? They’ve been gossiping nonstop,” Xiaoyou muttered, glancing over with mild annoyance.
“What about?”
“They spotted the boss’s car up ahead—won’t stop talking about it. Limited edition this rare license plate…” Xiaoyou rolled her eyes. “Saying you couldn’t even buy that plate with money.”
Wanyi looked up.
Sure enough, the familiar Bentley was driving steadily ahead of the bus.
Its sleek lines, dark paint, and tinted windows gave it an air of quiet mystery.
She took out her phone and noticed several unread messages.
At the top was one from Shen Yuxun, sent ten minutes ago.
“Wait for me at the rest stop ahead.”
“Okay.”
She had just replied when the bus slowed and turned into a service area.
“Bathroom?” Xiaoyou asked, tugging her along.
“Yeah, let’s go.” Wanyi nodded, deciding to go first.
They entered the restroom one after the other.
When Wanyi came out, Xiaoyou was still inside.
“Wanyi.”
She turned. It was He Hao, an intern from another team.
“Hi.” She responded politely. They only interacted at work, nothing more.
“Waiting for someone?” he asked, stepping closer, a little awkward.
“Xiaoyou’s still inside.”
“Nice weather today. Good for activities,” he said with a shy smile.
“It is.” Wanyi replied casually, glancing toward the restroom entrance. Still not out yet?
Just as she reached for her phone, it rang.
Shen Yuxun.
“Hello.” She gave He Hao a small nod before stepping aside into a quieter corner.
“Where are you?” His low voice came through—familiar, steady.
“In the restroom.”
“Come over. Turn right after you exit, walk to the end.”
“Okay.”
She sent Xiaoyou a quick message telling her to head back to the bus without her.
Then she followed his directions.
The deep sapphire-blue Bentley was parked in a secluded corner, away from the crowd.
Wanyi opened the rear door and got in.
Only Shen Yuxun sat inside.
Today, he looked less formal than usual. A light camel suede jacket over a crisp white shirt, paired with pale trousers and matching oxford shoes.
There was something effortlessly refined about him—youthful, yet unmistakably distinguished.
“Boss,” Wanyi said with a small smile. “What brings you to our team-building event?”
“My girlfriend refuses to see me,” he replied, turning slightly toward her, his tone leisurely. “So I had to make use of my position.”
“I’ve just been busy lately.” She lowered her gaze, fiddling with her fingers, a trace of guilt in her voice.
“If you’re tired, then rest,” he said softly. He knew how hardworking she was—but he didn’t want her pushing herself too far. After all, he could take care of everything for her if needed.
He took her hand where it rested on her knee, his gaze intent.
For a fleeting moment, something like concern flickered in his eyes.
Leaning forward, he pulled her gently into his arms.
Her head came to rest against his shoulder.
And in that quiet instant, something inside her softened—
For the first time, she felt it clearly—
Perhaps, in this world…
She was no longer alone.
“Come with me,” Shen Yuxun murmured softly in her ear. “I’ve already told Anna.”
Not long after, Uncle Chen returned to the driver’s seat.
The car eased out of the service area, continuing toward their destination.
An hour later, the Bentley was the first to arrive at the resort.
Mountains surrounded the place, lush and quiet—a natural sanctuary of fresh air.
The resort was built along a hillside, composed of dozens of villas, each with its own private hot spring. There was also a shared bathing area for guests.
Wanyi followed Shen Yuxun into the largest villa at the very top.
It had already been prepared in advance—spotless, every detail in place.
On the table sat an exquisite arrangement of fruit and delicate pastries.
She casually picked up a Shine Muscat grape. It burst with sweetness.
“Good?”
His voice came from behind her, low and close.
“Very sweet,” she replied, about to pick another to feed him—
Before she could move, a sudden force pulled her backward.
That familiar ocean scent enveloped her again, tinged with the faint trace of aftershave.
The next moment—
Her lips were captured.
The kiss came without warning, like a sudden storm, overwhelming and impossible to escape.
Her mind went blank. She could only respond instinctively.
His hand pressed firmly against the back of her head, drawing her closer, holding her in place.
There was nothing gentle in it—
It was fierce, consuming, as though he wanted to claim her entirely.
Wanyi could only surrender to it.
Just as they were lost in the intensity of the moment, a phone rang.
She snapped back to herself—it was hers.
Quickly, she pushed him away and answered.
“Hello? Where are you?” Xiaoyou’s voice came through the line.
“I just arrived at the resort. Where are you?” Wanyi tried to steady her voice, though her breath still hadn’t fully calmed.
“We’re at the front desk checking in. You’re sharing a room with me—I already got your key.”
“Okay.”
As she spoke, she felt Shen Yuxun’s arms slide around her from behind.
His breath brushed against her ear, sending a ticklish shiver down her spine.
She shrank slightly, an involuntary sound escaping her lips.
“Are you okay?” Xiaoyou asked, concerned.
“I—I’m fine.”
“Room 8802. Come quickly.”
The call ended.
“…It tickles,” Wanyi said softly.
Just two words—but the faint hint of complaint in her tone made something stir in him.
“Where are you going?” he murmured, still teasing her ear.
“I need to find my colleagues.” She tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t budge.
His body pressed firmly against hers, his warmth inescapable.
“No.”
His arms tightened, as if he meant to pull her into himself completely.
“They’re waiting for me—”
Before she could finish, he kissed her again.
Her words dissolved into silence.
This time, she closed her eyes—
Letting him take what he wanted from that moment.
When the kiss finally ended, she was left breathless, her breathing unsteady.
She leaned against him, half-sitting on his lap, her body angled gently into his embrace.
One hand rested lightly on his shoulder, her face lowered, hiding the flush spreading across her cheeks.
“It’s not your first time sitting like this,” he murmured hoarsely.
“…What?”
“At the club—you sat here before. Don’t you remember?”
That night, when she had been working as a server.
“…Thank you, for that time,” she said softly. She hadn’t realized how much he had helped her along the way.
Her head rested lightly against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
“A thank-you shouldn’t just stay as words.”
Her soft hands rested against him, fingertips brushing lightly over his shoulder.
“At your disposal,” she whispered.
There was something almost bewitching about her in that moment—like a siren, soft and dangerous, drawing him closer without effort.
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
Just as he was about to act—
Wanyi slipped out of his arms.
Before he could react, she grabbed her bag and fled out the door.