Wang Xiaodong took Tuzi upstairs. At the end of the hallway was a vacant south-facing room that had been thoroughly cleaned.
The bedsheets were light gray, the wardrobe had been polished until it gleamed, and even the desk held a small potted succulent.
“You’ll live here from now on.” Wang Xiaodong pushed open the door, his tone casual. “All the daily necessities are ready. If you need anything else, just tell the housekeeper.”
Tuzi’s eyes immediately lit up. She rushed to the bedside in a few quick steps and dropped onto the mattress with a thump. The spring mattress gave a faint creak beneath her.
She felt the soft bedding, then opened the wardrobe to look inside. Several sets of casual clothes in her size were hanging there, along with two new pairs of military boots.
“Wow! This is so much better than the dormitory I used to be assigned!” Tuzi turned around and bowed deeply to Wang Xiaodong, her twin ponytails sweeping over her shoulders. “Thank you, Master!”
Wang Xiaodong leaned against the doorframe and watched as she tossed her pink backpack onto the bedside cabinet, then enthusiastically began unpacking the little things she had brought with her.
There were several packs of lollipops in different flavors, a miniature folding knife, and a stuffed rabbit with one corner missing.
“Don’t wander around at night,” Wang Xiaodong instructed. “If you hear any strange noises, ignore them. They won’t be directed at you.”
Tuzi was placing the stuffed rabbit beside her pillow when she looked up. “But a bodyguard is supposed to protect Master twenty-four hours a day.”
“There are surveillance cameras downstairs.” Wang Xiaodong paused before adding, “My bedroom is next door. If something happens, knock on my door.”
Tuzi immediately nodded. Like a little beast that had received its orders, she obediently sat back down on the bed. “Understood, Master! Can I change the color of the bed, though? I like pink.”
The corner of Wang Xiaodong’s mouth twitched. He did not respond and simply turned around, closing the door behind him.
The hallway lights fell across his figure, revealing an almost imperceptible softness in his expression.
The bodyguard sent by the system might be a little noisy, but compared with those silent Shadow Guards, she certainly brought more life into the house.
Zheng Yiyun was sitting on the living room sofa, gently swirling a glass of red wine. When she saw Wang Xiaodong coming downstairs, she looked up, the teasing glint in her eyes still lingering.
“Finally willing to come out?” She took a sip of wine. “Finished giving instructions to your little bodyguard?”
Wang Xiaodong sat opposite her and poured himself a glass of warm water. “She’s just from the sys… She’s just a bodyguard I hired. She’s highly skilled, looks harmless, and is convenient to keep by my side.”
“Oh?” Zheng Yiyun put down her wineglass and leaned forward. Her slightly open neckline revealed her delicate collarbones. “Hiring a little girl as your bodyguard? CEO Wang certainly has… unusual tastes.”
“Don’t overthink it.” Wang Xiaodong avoided her gaze and looked out the window. “Quite a few people have been watching me lately. With her appearance, she’s less likely to attract attention.”
Zheng Yiyun suddenly smiled and reached across the table. Her cool fingertips lightly traced the back of his hand. “What exactly am I overthinking?”
Her voice lowered, carrying a lazy huskiness. “Or are you afraid I’ll overthink it?”
Her fingertips naturally hooked around one of his fingers and gently swayed it. “Seriously, Xiaodong, how long has it been since we ate together? You…”
“I’ve been busy lately.” Wang Xiaodong withdrew his hand, lifted his glass, and took a sip of water.
“So busy that you don’t even have time to see me?” Zheng Yiyun raised an eyebrow and suddenly leaned closer, her breath brushing past his ear. “Or did you find something ‘fresher’ and forget about this old friend of yours?”
Her warm breath made the tips of Wang Xiaodong’s ears heat up slightly.
He turned his head and found himself looking directly into her smiling eyes.
Zheng Yiyun possessed the captivating allure of a mature woman. She was like a glass of rich, mellow wine, effortlessly stirring the heart.
“Stop messing around.” His voice dropped slightly. “Tuzi is only here because of work.”
“Fine, I understand.” Zheng Yiyun straightened and leaned back against the sofa. Her tone returned to its usual candidness, though a trace of teasing remained. “So, does CEO Wang have some free time now? Have a glass of wine with me. Consider it… a celebration of you finding yourself a good bodyguard.”
Wang Xiaodong looked at the red wine in her hand and eventually nodded.
The gentle clink of their glasses sounded unusually clear in the quiet living room.
Zheng Yiyun did not mention Tuzi again. Instead, she chatted about amusing things that had happened recently. Every so often, her gaze drifted toward him, carrying an emotion that was difficult to put into words.
Wang Xiaodong occasionally responded, but he understood perfectly well that there were some things he could never tell her.
The existence of the system was one of them, as were the threats lurking in the shadows.
Still, at this moment, the alcohol and the smile in her eyes brought a rare sense of warmth to the otherwise spacious and empty house.
The rich fragrance of red wine lingered in the air, while a faint drunken flush colored Zheng Yiyun’s cheeks.
Wang Xiaodong unconsciously ran his fingertips along the side of his glass.
The light fell across her slightly open neckline, outlining soft curves. Whenever she raised her eyes while speaking, her eyelashes cast faint shadows beneath them, lending her an alluring charm that made his heart tighten.
Zheng Yiyun leaned toward him, took the glass from his hand, and placed it on the table. Her palm casually settled over the back of his hand.
“You used to ask me how to socialize with people, yet now you’ve become the stern and unsmiling CEO Wang.”
Her hand was warm, carrying the faint heat of the alcohol.
Wang Xiaodong remained still as he watched her slowly move closer. Her breath brushed across his jaw, carrying the familiar fragrance of her perfume.
It was the perfume he had given her. Its opening notes were fresh and crisp, while its lingering fragrance was deep and lasting.
“Xiaodong…” Her voice was very soft, like a feather brushing across his heart. “Have you… missed me a little?”
His fingertips brushed her warm earlobe, making Zheng Yiyun tremble slightly.
Then she suddenly rose onto her toes and kissed him.
The kiss carried the sweetness of red wine and the uncertainty of feelings that had been suppressed for far too long.
Wang Xiaodong’s hand slid from her hair to the back of her neck, gently holding her there as he deepened the kiss.
The grandfather clock in the living room continued ticking, making the sound of their breathing seem especially distinct.
Neither knew who took the first step, but they continued kissing as they made their way toward the bedroom. Their coats fell onto the carpet, while Zheng Yiyun’s high heels were kicked into a corner.
Her hand hooked around his tie and pulled him against the door, her eyes shining as brightly as flames.
Wang Xiaodong chuckled softly, then turned the tables and lifted her into his arms before striding toward the bed.
Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the flushed corners of her eyes and the collarbones revealed as he undid the buttons of his shirt.
The moment her nightdress slipped away, all their restraint became meaningless.
Zheng Yiyun’s fingernails lightly traced his back with an almost retaliatory force. Wang Xiaodong turned her over and held her down before kissing her neck.
“Stop…” Zheng Yiyun laughed breathlessly, moisture glimmering in her eyes. “What if your little bodyguard sees us tomorrow…”
“She won’t hear anything.” Wang Xiaodong’s voice had grown extremely hoarse as his fingertips traced her waist. “This house is much better soundproofed than you think.”
“Wang Xiaodong, are you feeling very proud of yourself right now?”
[Detected that Dragon King Xiao Chunan’s romantic plotline has been completely severed. Destiny -100.]
[Female lead Zheng Yiyun has given her heart to someone. Favorability toward the host: 100. The host’s Destiny is increasing due to Zheng Yiyun. Host’s Destiny continues to rise.]
The night gradually deepened.
The ticking of the grandfather clock was replaced by softer, fragmented sounds. Moonlight slowly shifted across the floor like a silent witness.
Zheng Yiyun nestled in his arms, her fingertips tracing the scar on his chest. He had gotten it in his teens when he shielded her from a wine bottle. Now, it had become an unspoken secret shared between them.
Zheng Yiyun whispered, “I never expected someone who usually acts so innocent to have such an honest body.”
Wang Xiaodong said nothing. He merely tightened his arms and held her closer.
Outside the window, the city gradually fell silent.
Yet the warmth inside the bedroom quietly entwined itself around their heartbeats like creeping vines.