During Xie Junting’s business trip, Xia Yiyan ate to her heart’s content. Even though most of the meals were light, Auntie Lin was an incredible cook. The food was delicious and tasted like home—something Xia Yiyan had never experienced. If she hadn’t been an orphan, home-cooked food probably would have tasted just like this.
With nothing to do all day except sleep, eat, and watch dramas, life couldn’t have been more cozy or relaxing. She had never known such ease in her past life.
Good times are always fleeting, however. Though the business trip was supposed to last half a month, Xie Junting returned on the afternoon of the seventh day. To wrap up his work quickly and see the person closest to his heart sooner, he had been running on overdrive all week. His sharp eyes carried faint shadows of fatigue beneath them, though his spirit remained entirely unwearied.
When he returned to the villa, Xia Yiyan was in the dining room, happily holding a bowl of coconut milk with taro balls, enjoying every bite. Auntie Lin had made them for her; the taro balls had just the right amount of sweetness, and the coconut milk was rich and fragrant. Xia Yiyan wore a look of pure satisfaction, as gleeful as a little guinea pig that had stumbled upon the ultimate feast.
After several days of recuperation, her body was much better, and her voice had fully returned. Today, craving a bit of coolness, she wore a pink short slip dress. Her long, slender legs, lovely face, and expressive eyes combined to create a vibrant, youthful aura.
Seeing her, Xie Junting revealed a trace of indulgence he didn’t even realize he possessed. He felt that the current Xia Yiyan was like a completely different person compared to before, yet he much preferred this vibrant version right in front of him.
Auntie Lin was the first to notice Xie Junting. In pleasant surprise, she exclaimed, “Young Master, you’re back!” It had only been a week, after all.
Xia Yiyan felt no pleasant surprise whatsoever—only sheer terror, though she didn’t dare show it. Setting down her spoon, she stood up and walked over to greet the man standing at the dining room entrance. Lifting her delicate, alluring face into a sweet smile, she obediently called out, “Brother Junting, welcome home.”
Reading the room and pleasing others were survival skills deeply ingrained in Xia Yiyan from her time as an orphan.
The string of reason in Xie Junting’s heart snapped completely, shattered by that radiant smile and the intimate title of “Brother Junting.” For the first time, he heard her use such an affectionate address.
With the absolute, possessive posture of someone in total control, he pulled her into his arms, bent slightly, and buried his head into the crook of her neck, deeply inhaling her faint fragrance.
“Is your throat better?” “Any discomfort anywhere else?”
The warm air of his voice brushed against her ear, lingering and tender, making her earlobe tingle and her cheeks flush.
“I’m… I’m better. Everything is fine.” The closer he got, the more nervous she automatically became.
“Then accompany me to a banquet tonight.”
A banquet? In the novel, the Xie Junting of the original story had never brought Xia Yiyan to any banquets.
Xia Yiyan nodded in agreement. “Okay.”
“Help me take a bath first.”
With that, the man swept her up into his arms and carried her straight to the upstairs bedroom. The sudden loss of balance made Xia Yiyan panic and instinctively wrap her arms around his neck. Feeling her inner resistance and slight physical struggle as he carried her toward the bathroom, he gave her backside two sharp smacks, instantly curing her of any further defiance.
Xia Yiyan wailed inwardly: Oh Heavens, this devout believer is willing to eat vegetarian for the rest of her life and forgo all wealth—just let Xie Junting go on 365 days of business trips a year!
The process of bathing was, naturally, a scene of enchanting scenery. Fortunately, Xie Junting exercised some restraint and didn’t go all the way. It had only been a week; the bite marks he had left before his trip hadn’t completely faded. Now, those faint marks were covered over once more with a chaotic patchwork of fresh red traces, stark against her snow-white skin and leaving much to the imagination.
While they were bathing, Xie Junting’s assistant delivered the custom high-end evening wear: a white, new-Chinese off-the-shoulder long dress and a men’s suit set. The dress and the men’s white dress shirt were cut from the identical fabric, lightly embroidered with intricate, understated handmade patterns, radiating couple-style vibes.
By the time they emerged from the bathroom, dusk was settling. Xia Yiyan slipped into the gown. Its simple, atmospheric design and luxurious fabric accentuated her graceful figure and gentle, alluring temperament. The only jewelry adorning her slender, snow-white neck was a delicate solar diamond pendant that Xie Junting had personally selected. His own accessory was a matching brooch shaped like a lunar diamond.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Xia Yiyan thought she looked lovely, but she was also utterly speechless. It was off-the-shoulder. And everywhere skin was exposed, there were marks left by this jerk of a man. Even with thick skin, a person has some pride! Xia Yiyan grabbed a high-coverage foundation. Let’s just patch it up—who can possibly out-blend me?
She applied a light, subtle makeup look. Her hair needed no styling; she left it long and loose to help obscure the less-than-subtle marks on her neck. She chose a pair of light-colored high heels that complemented the dress.
It was absolute torture. She had never worn high heels in her twenty-two years of lonely existence, preferring whatever was comfortable and never touching thin stilettos. After practicing in the walk-in closet for quite a while, she managed to master them well enough not to hobble every step.
When Xia Yiyan came downstairs, Xie Junting was already dressed and waiting in the living room, though goodness knew how long for. Watching her step down the stairs with a swaying gait, her skirt fluttering and her appearance peerlessly gorgeous, Xie Junting’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His eyes burned with a dark, consuming possessiveness. Suddenly, he didn’t want to take her to the banquet anymore; he just wanted to hide her away, keeping her beauty safe from anyone else’s covetous eyes.
Yet, remembering the purpose of tonight, he forced himself to hold back.
Xia Yiyan walked down gingerly in her high heels, her entire focus locked on the steps ahead. Noticing her unfamiliarity with heels, Xie Junting strode over and picked her up, refusing to let her walk another step.
The driver was already waiting at the door. He carried her straight into the car. Once inside, Xia Yiyan consciously curled up in his arms, finding a comfortable spot to close her eyes and rest—mostly to avoid the awkwardness of keeping them open.
The drive took a little over half an hour.
Inside the brilliantly lit banquet hall, groups of men and women clinked glasses and exchanged pleasantries. Glasses chimed, and the scent of wine and pastries drifted through the bustling crowd.
Xie Junting held Xia Yiyan’s hand, walking leisurely into the high-society gala. The noisy room slowly quieted down as they entered, every eye converging on the exceptionally matched pair.
After a brief hush, a wave of whispers erupted.
“What’s going on? The Young Master of the Xie family actually brought a female companion to a banquet?” “Does anyone know her?” “Never seen her, looks fresh, but gorgeous.” … “This is the first time Young Master Xie has ever brought a woman. Is she his girlfriend?” “Miss Lin is going to cry her eyes out tonight.” “Heh, I bet every socialite in B-City is crying tonight.” …
Xia Yiyan felt intensely uncomfortable under the weight of everyone’s stares. Sensing her unease, Xie Junting tightened his grip on her hand and soothed, “Relax, just stay close to me.”
Xia Yiyan nodded softly.
The elderly patriarch sitting in the seat of honor caught sight of the fashionably late Xie Junting and stood up to greet him, not daring to show the slightest negligence.
Xie Junting handed over the gift, his thin lips parting. “Elder Lin, apologies for arriving late. Wishing you health and longevity.”
The elder, dressed in a celebratory Tang suit, accepted the gift and passed it to his eldest son, laughing heartily. “Not late at all, not late. As long as you made it.”
He then looked at the woman beside him, his expression turning somewhat displeased. “And this is?”