The young woman wore a milky-white chiffon dress, its hem just past her knees. Her porcelain-white skin blended with the milky hue like gleaming jade.
Her features were exquisitely beautiful, as lovely as a small morning rose, with long, jet-black hair cascading like a waterfall—so stunning it was impossible to look away.
Huo Shengye, who had just settled back onto the sofa, narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips. He raised his hand and suddenly pressed a button on his phone. Instantly, the bright, office-appropriate lighting in the living room shifted to an ambiguous glow.
Thump-thump, thump-thump…
Wen Yuan could hear her own heartbeat quickening. Her steps slowed, and Huo Shengye, seated on the sofa, gave a slight, knowing smile.
Seeing this, Wen Yuan’s cheeks flushed crimson in an instant. She steeled herself and took another bold stride toward Huo Shengye.
As she drew near, the young woman lowered her lashes, seemingly gathering her courage. Suddenly, Wen Yuan bravely lifted the hem of her dress with both hands, revealing the snow-white, jade-like, milk-smooth legs beneath. Huo Shengye raised an eyebrow slightly.
In the next moment, the soft, beautiful little rose straddled his lap, her hands moving upward.
In the dim light, a flicker of surprise passed through Huo Shengye’s eyes, but in the very next instant, his composure began to waver—
Wen Yuan’s smooth, slender, luminous arms wrapped around his neck. Given his height, a mere downward glance would reveal boundless spring scenery.
Huo Shengye tilted his head back slightly, but Wen Yuan didn’t stop. Leaning forward, her pink, moist lips pressed against the side of his neck. Her fingers slowly traced the skin of his throat, gently parting the collar of his shirt.
Huo Shengye’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, his eyes darkening abruptly. He raised a hand and grasped Wen Yuan’s wrist.
At the same time, Wen Yuan’s ears burned bright red. She stiffened—the unmistakable change beneath her was far too obvious.
Wen Yuan could no longer keep up the act. The little rose who had just been pretending to be alluring now had red-rimmed eyes, looking pitiful and helpless. “I… I, Mr. Huo, you… you need to calm down.”
How could that be controlled so easily?
Huo Shengye was both amused and exasperated. Whoever started the fire should be the one to put it out—that was the principle…
But never mind. This little one wouldn’t understand, and he couldn’t bear to make her understand.
“Get down,” Huo Shengye said, his voice deeper but not exactly cold.
Wen Yuan hurriedly mumbled “Okay, okay” twice and quickly slid off, smoothing her skirt. Her cheeks and ears were so red they seemed about to drip blood.
What on earth had she just done? Thankfully, thankfully, Huo Shengye didn’t seem to be that kind of bad person after all.
“So, what good news will our family receive tomorrow?”
What kind of question was this to ask at a time like this? Huo Shengye was both amused and helpless. He beckoned to Wen Yuan, who was stepping away. “Want to know?”
Wen Yuan really did want to know—why else would she have asked? Of course she wanted to know.
But she belatedly realized her question was terribly ill-timed, because soon after, Huo Shengye gave her a deep look, then stood up and left.
He must have gone into the bathroom, as the sound of rushing water soon echoed from within.
Wen Yuan felt awkward and embarrassed. It seemed she had truly messed up this meeting.
Even she couldn’t help but think: Poor Huo Shengye, putting up with all this.
When Huo Shengye emerged, he was wearing a bathrobe, his body still damp with steam. Wen Yuan instinctively moved aside, then said to him, “Then… I’ll go take a shower too?”
“Yuan’er, you don’t need to report such things to me,” Huo Shengye replied, drying his hair as he spoke, his voice mesmerizing and alluring.
Wen Yuan let out an “Oh,” her cheeks burning. She quickly turned her head away, avoiding his gaze—
Freshly showered, Huo Shengye looked even more handsome than during the day. Whether intentional or not, his bathrobe wasn’t properly fastened.
A large portion of his strong chest muscles was exposed, droplets of water sliding down along the contours, seductive and alluring.
Wen Yuan turned around, and he was gone. A soft thud followed, then the sound of the room door being locked from inside.
Huo Shengye gazed toward where Wen Yuan had disappeared, his gaze blazing like fire, as if he wished he could burn through that door.
Such a little fox, Huo Shengye thought. She only knows how to tease, not how to quench the fire—sly, mischievous, but.
Only this once.
If she does this again next time, he won’t allow it.
Surprisingly, Wen Yuan slept quite soundly, waking up at dawn feeling a bit dazed.
Everything was as usual: the pajamas she wore were the disposable cotton ones provided by the hotel, the door remained locked, the slippers beside the bed were still in the same position.
The windows were locked shut, the air conditioner was still set at her usual 28℃, everything normal.
The room had an built-in bathroom and washroom, plus a laundry compartment equipped with a dryer and washing machine.
Wen Yuan got up to wash up, changed into the clothes she had washed and dried last night, and after tidying everything up, she stood before the door pondering what to say when she saw Huo Shengye later, then opened the door and went out.
However, the room that had seemed intimate and cozy last night was now brightly lit. Beautiful indeed, but lacking human presence, it felt cold and desolate, making her uncomfortable.
Wen Yuan walked around; all the room doors were open, and Huo Shengye wasn’t there.
A sense of disappointment rose in her heart, but Wen Yuan quickly thought that someone like Huo Shengye must be very busy.
Perhaps Huo Shengye was already at the company now.
The reality was close to her guess—Huo Shengye had indeed gone to the company. Wen Yuan had just opened the door, and outside stood two rows of guards who respectfully greeted her as “Madam,” startling Wen Yuan greatly.
The one closest to the door looked somewhat familiar to Wen Yuan; it was the person who had taken her belongings yesterday afternoon. He introduced himself to her, saying his name was Qiu Ye, then told her that Huo Shengye had already gone to the company.
He was to escort her back to the Wen family villa, and if she wanted any breakfast, she could tell him, and he would buy it for her along the way.
Wen Yuan declined the latter, asking him to just take her back to the Wen family.
Returning to the Wen family just in time for breakfast, Wen Yuan had sent a message to Song Huiyue on the way. As soon as Wen Yuan entered the house, Song Huiyue came forward, tactfully asking if she had been mistreated last night.
Wen Yuan shook her head and recounted yesterday’s situation. Perhaps seeing her in good spirits, Song Huiyue seemed to believe it. “That’s good, that’s good. It seems what’s said online isn’t accurate, but still, be careful. You’ve only met a few times.”
Wen Yuan thought the same, obediently agreed, and holding Song Huiyue’s hand, entered the house to sit down for breakfast.
Tomorrow morning at ten, Wen Yuan had an interview to attend. After breakfast, Wen Yuan returned to her room and began extensively studying interview tutorials and techniques.
Half a day passed like this. At noon, it was still the mother and daughter having lunch together, but unlike before, while eating, Song Huiyue suddenly received a video call.
It was from Wen Defeng.
Hearing Wen Defeng’s voice from the phone, Wen Yuan was slightly surprised, calling out “Dad” and looking at Song Huiyue. Clearly, the woman was also a bit surprised, smiling and saying, “Why are you calling? Have you eaten lunch?”
Affectionate and gentle.
Wen Yuan silently ate her vegetables, refusing to partake in this bowl of parental love’s “dog food.”
Just then Wen Defeng said, “It’s good news, isn’t it good news? I’m calling to tell you.”
Song Huiyue laughed, “What good news? Still keeping it a secret?”
“I just received an email from Huo Corporation. Mr. Huo said he wants to cooperate with us, with a profit split of 40-60, we get 60, they get 40, and the document has been stamped.”
Song Huiyue and Wen Yuan exchanged glances, and Wen Defeng continued on the phone, “Don’t worry, I looked at that document. It really is about cooperating with us, sincere, no tricks.”
Whether there were tricks in the contract, Wen Yuan and Song Huiyue didn’t really understand, but Huo Shengye offering these terms was indeed generous.
It’s important to know that the power of conglomerates is always strong. Ordinary contracts are usually split 50-50. Even though a 40-60 split seems like just one percent more or less, the money received at the end would be significantly more.
Wen Yuan couldn’t help but think of Huo Shengye’s “good news” mentioned last night. It seemed this was it.
But it wasn’t over yet. Wen Defeng added, “There’s another thing, dear.”
Hearing that “dear,” Wen Yuan silently continued eating.
Then Wen Defeng said, “Mr. Huo’s special assistant called, saying that the morning two days later, Mr. Huo will personally come to propose marriage. He mentioned there might be reporters coming, so, dear, you’ll have to work hard to decorate the house.”
Wen Defeng spoke to Song Huiyue with a gentle and warm voice. Song Huiyue smiled and said okay, indicating she would handle it with confidence.
Wen Yuan was stunned. Was she hallucinating? Didn’t they agree it was just “some good news”?
Wen Yuan blinked her eyes. Last night’s situation—Huo Shengye not only wasn’t angry but also gave an extra bonus?
Does that mean Huo Shengye liked her performance last night?
Wen Yuan felt a bit pleased. Well, then… next time, try again!