Zhan Yan Chen gazed at Yan Qing, who was trying to hide her flustered state, then suddenly lowered his head and captured her lips. Between their lips and teeth, a sentence escaped, “How could I possibly let the ball hit you?”
It was an ordinary sentence, yet Yan Qing sensed an overwhelming sense of care in his words.
But she still replied truthfully, “You just hit the coach with no less than fifty balls.”
A cold glint flashed in Zhan Yan Chen’s eyes. “Haven’t played for a few days; my skills are rusty.”
“Let’s go home!” Yan Qing abruptly pushed him away. “Tonight isn’t suitable for playing squash.”
Zhan Yan Chen: “…”
After several minutes of coaxing and reassurance from Zhan Yan Chen, Yan Qing finally dared to play with him.
When playing squash with Yan Qing, Zhan Yan Chen controlled the strength and direction of his shots with exceptional precision. The ball seemed to have a life of its own under his command, never straying from his or Yan Qing’s racket.
Playing with Zhan Yan Chen made Yan Qing feel her skills were improving rapidly. Previously, she often had to retrieve the ball, but today she didn’t have to pick it up even once.
Just as she was getting into the rhythm, Yan Qing felt a warm flow from her lower body and suddenly froze.
Zhan Yan Chen’s pupils contracted. He threw down his racket and rushed to her side, shielding her as the ball flew over and struck his back.
As if he hadn’t been hit at all, he worriedly held Yan Qing’s shoulders. “Qing Qing, what’s wrong?”
“I…” Yan Qing’s face flushed bright red with embarrassment for the first time. “My period came…”
Zhan Yan Chen took off his sports jacket, bent down, tied it around her waist, then scooped her up in his arms and hurried away.
Arriving at the restroom entrance, Zhan Yan Chen gently set Yan Qing down and pointed to his jacket. “There’s something in the pocket.”
Yan Qing looked puzzled. “What is it?”
“Something for your period.”
Yan Qing was stunned. “You actually carry feminine hygiene products with you?”
Zhan Yan Chen nodded. “Now that I have a wife, I have to keep them handy.”
Yan Qing’s heart skipped a beat. She stared intently at him, whose ears had turned red, and after a few seconds, silently turned and entered the restroom.
A few minutes later, Yan Qing emerged. Zhan Yan Chen stood obediently at the door, looking very much like a loyal puppy waiting for his wife to come home.
The two walked toward the locker room.
Zhan Yan Chen held her slightly cool left hand. “Wife, if it hurts, tell me.”
Yan Qing chuckled softly. “If I tell you, can you take the pain for me?”
“No,” Zhan Yan Chen said quietly. “But your feelings are connected to mine.”
Yan Qing’s calm heart felt as if someone had tossed a stone into it, sending ripples spreading outward.
“Okay.”
Master Bedroom, Large Flat.
Moonlight gently bathed the room, and the night breeze rustled the white curtains.
Yan Qing held the hand resting on her abdomen. “Little brother, your sister doesn’t have painful periods.”
Zhan Yan Chen pulled her hand away and continued massaging her abdomen, his cheek pressed against her hair. “Qing Qing, are your parents good to you?”
Yan Qing nodded happily. “They’re the best parents in the world.”
As if he had made the right decision, Zhan Yan Chen smiled, the corners of his lips lifting. “You have another pair of the best parents.”
“My in-laws?” Yan Qing thought to herself while looking at Zhan Yan Chen: What kind of exceptional parents could raise such an outstanding and perfect child?
“When are they returning to the country? Should I go meet them?”
Wait, Su Qianqian had mocked her for being unworthy of Zhan Yan Chen, but she was more than a match for him.
Yan Qing imagined a scene of a wicked mother-in-law and a suffering daughter-in-law, then suddenly declared, “Forget it, I’m not going.”
Zhan Yan Chen smiled helplessly, his tone full of affection. “Alright, let them come to see you.”
Yan Qing smiled and reached out to touch Zhan Yan Chen’s face. “Little brother, I didn’t realize you were such a smooth operator—both doting and charming.”
Zhan Yan Chen understood her implication. He helped her sit up and confessed his romantic history. “Qing Qing, before you, I never dated anyone. I only had a crush on one girl.”
Yan Qing frowned slightly, feeling both sour and annoyed. Her little puppy actually had someone he secretly liked?
If he liked someone else, why did he marry her?
“Wait, what kind of girl could make someone with a face like yours resort to a secret crush?” Yan Qing couldn’t believe it and teased his chin. “When did this crush start?”
Zhan Yan Chen gazed at Yan Qing, the image of her delicate, doll-like childhood self flashing before his eyes. He curved his lips into a smile. “When I was seven.”
Yan Qing twitched her mouth. “A kindergarten crush?”
She almost misunderstood the whole thing!
“Mhm.” Zhan Yan Chen gently stroked her ear, his voice unbearably seductive. “Baby, that night, you were in pain, and so was I.”
He had endured that pain alongside her.
“Stop talking!” Yan Qing lay back down, pulling the blanket over her flushed face. The sourness in her heart faded, and a smile crept onto her lips.
Zhan Yan Chen lifted the blanket and snuggled into her arms. After some playful teasing, the room finally quieted down.
Yan Qing wondered silently: these past two days, Zhan Yan Chen had teased her to the brink of losing control every night. Why was he so well-behaved tonight?
Could it be because of her period?
Tsk, such a flexible little puppy.
A mischievous smile appeared on Yan Qing’s face. Her soft little hand trailed down from Zhan Yan Chen’s throat, and when it reached his abs, she began to stroke them slowly and suggestively.
Zhan Yan Chen’s breath hitched. His smile was restrained yet doting, his voice hoarse. “Baby, you’re going to be the death of me.”
“Hmm?” Yan Qing looked at him innocently, her hand moving lower. “Yan Chen~ Your reaction is so intense, I thought you liked it.”
A vein throbbed on Zhan Yan Chen’s forehead. He grabbed her hand, suddenly flipped over, and kissed her lips fiercely.
Their eyes met. Yan Qing smiled brightly, while Zhan Yan Chen’s breath grew scorching hot. He planted a kiss on her forehead.
“Yan Qing, when you finally fall for me, I’ll make you beg for mercy through tears.”
Yan Qing felt a twinge of cowardice inside, but she refused to show weakness. “Alright then, I can’t wait to beg for mercy through tears.”
Zhan Yan Chen nearly lost his composure. He rubbed his forehead against hers, then got up for his usual trip to the bathroom.
By the time he returned, Yan Qing was already asleep.
Zhan Yan Chen lay down beside her, slipped his arm beneath her neck, and pulled her into his embrace. He stared intently at Yan Qing nestled in the crook of his arm.
After twenty years, his Qing Qing had finally found her way into his arms.
The next day.
Yan Qing arrived at the company wearing a white puff-sleeve blouse and black wide-leg pants, looking stylish and radiant.
“Good morning, Vice President Yan!”
“Morning.”
“Good morning, Vice President Yan!”
Yan Qing nodded. “Good morning.”
Her waiting assistant approached. “Vice President Yan, Fang Lin, the Investment Department Director of Lantao Group, is waiting for you in the reception room to discuss cooperation.”
Yan Qing raised an eyebrow in surprise. Why had Lantao Group suddenly decided to cooperate with Yuerong? Had her husband, who brought her good fortune, started working his magic again?
“Did he mention what kind of cooperation?”
“No.”
Yan Qing went upstairs to the reception room.
“Hello, Director Fang. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Fang Lin stood up and nodded with a smile. “Vice President Yan, I’ve long heard of your reputation.”
Yan Qing sat down opposite Fang Lin, her beautiful eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence.
“Vice President Yan, Lantao hopes to form a strategic partnership with Yuerong…”
Meanwhile, at Zhan Corporation.
Zhan Yan Chen was discussing matters with Fu Zhan Yu. Just as they were about to finish, Zhan Jiu knocked and entered, “Young Master, Su Qianqian arranged for Fang Lin from Lan Tao Group to approach the young mistress to discuss cooperation.”
Zhan Yan Chen acted as if he hadn’t heard and continued talking with Fu Zhan Yu.
Zhan Jiu grew anxious, “Young Master, this is clearly a trap. Aren’t you going to stop the young mistress?”
Zhan Yan Chen lifted his eyelids and glanced at Zhan Jiu, his voice cold and deep, “Do you think my wife is just a pretty vase?”
Zhan Jiu spoke bluntly, “When Cheng En proposed cooperation, the young mistress didn’t refuse.”
“My wife values character most when discussing cooperation. Cheng En is a genius at attracting investment—why should she refuse?” Zhan Yan Chen, smiling confidently, suddenly sneered, “That Su woman sent over some worthless hack. No matter how tempting the conditions, my Qingqing won’t easily agree.”
As he finished speaking, the phone on the coffee table rang. When Zhan Yan Chen picked it up, a bewitching smile appeared on his face. As he answered the call, his voice softened, “Wife.”
Fu Zhan Yu suddenly turned his head, looking at his longtime friend with shock.