Chapter 104: It’s Quite Sensational When in Heat!

"I hope my father's case ends here. This should be enough." Mo Shaoxing set the envelope down in a leisurely manner, his expression one of indescribable calm and composure.

"Heh. Stone, know when to quit. The wise submit to circumstances; that is what you should be doing. Don't you think that even if your wings have hardened, you still cannot escape my grasp?" Luo Youcong smiled without any warmth. This was something he did often, but Luo Youcong was never a man to do things without certainty.

"...I am begging you, Mr. Luo. Please, I ask that you agree to this." This was the first time Mo Shaoxing had spoken to Luo Youcong in such a subservient way, even when he had once obeyed his every command.

But things were different now. He had new goals and new aspirations. He wanted to protect someone. He wanted to cherish every moment of his life, to live well, and to break free from this humiliating predicament.

"I will accept this. I have already completely destroyed the files regarding your father's case. But don't you think staying by my side would be much better than being with Shen Yanlie? For instance, I can handle your father's case from years ago entirely for you. For another, your father could regain his former status in the business world, or even thrive more than before. Or, I could ensure your younger brother has better opportunities... Of course, there is much, much more. Stone, I call you that because I care for you just like family. So, take back those things you said earlier, and I will pretend as if nothing has ever happened."

Mo Shaoxing could guarantee that this was the first time Luo Youcong had spoken such a long passage in front of him. Luo Youcong merely raised his eyebrows slightly; though subtle, it was a shift in his facial expression.

"Truly, Stone. I can do what I say." Finally, Luo Youcong added, glancing at Mo Shaoxing. He did not look particularly heavy, serious, or solemn, but Mo Shaoxing heard every word clearly.

How high-sounding Luo Youcong’s words were, claiming it was for his own good—for the good of his father and brother. Others might actually believe Luo Youcong was looking out for Mo Shaoxing.

However, in this context, coming from Luo Youcong’s mouth, it was a blatant threat. He was using those closest to him as a stake in a gamble. He still refused to leave him even a shred of room to breathe.

How truly touching this hypocrisy was.

Mo Shaoxing stopped speaking. He should have anticipated this result. Having been tainted by such matters and knowing so many of Luo Youcong’s secrets, leaving would never be simple or easy. Yet, now that he knew it was truly so, he could not hide the trace of loss and disappointment in his heart. He still could not live a good life, doing what he wanted to do...

[Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, and be who you want to be. Because you only have one life, and one chance to do all those things you want to do.]

These words were meant for Mai Xijun, but in the end, he never said them aloud; instead, he whispered them to himself.

Yet, nothing had developed in the direction he had hoped for...

***

Italy.
Venice, the city of water, filled with a romantic atmosphere.

This was the second time Mai Xijun had come to this place. In such a short time, her life had undergone earth-shattering changes, and now there was someone else by her side.

Mai Xijun wore a bohemian-style maxi dress, her fingers interlaced with Shen Yanlie’s as they strolled through the water town of Venice.

Her first visit had been hurried, but this time they had already stayed for over ten days. She could finally feel the essence and the flavor of this place. It was sweet, steady, and peaceful.

Mai Xijun glanced sideways, stealing a few looks at Shen Yanlie. She suddenly noticed that his eyelashes were truly long. With his narrow, double-lidded eyes and neatly shaped, sword-like brows, he looked like a handsome, god-like creature stepped out of a fantasy.

If bad love is: "Because of you, I can discard the whole world," then good love is: "Because of you, I love the world even more."

Once, she felt her world—and the entire world—was nothing but gray. But now, she felt enlightened. The world was so beautiful, so wonderful.

Shen Yanlie’s lips were always curved in a slight arc, a hint of a smile. She didn't know what he was happy about, but she knew he was enjoying this moment. He enjoyed the feeling of her by his side. Even if she didn't speak and just followed behind him, he felt happy.

Shen Yanlie raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight, squinting at the boats on the horizon. "Speak up. I’m in a good mood now. I’ll agree to whatever you ask."

"Really?" Mai Xijun feigned surprise, pretending to be overjoyed, as if a thought had just flashed through her mind.

These days, the two of them were like naughty children, clinging to each other every day, inseparable whether eating, sleeping, or going out. The emptiness in her heart, which had persisted for years, was filled to the brim in an instant.

"Of course." Shen Yanlie’s lips curled. His straight, perfect nose bridge was flawless.

"Uh..." Mai Xijun placed her right index finger on her chin, then rested her cheek on her hand, appearing to be seriously weighing whether to voice her thought. She gently bit her lower lip.

That gesture—it was that gesture again... This woman was always like this, so... unbridled in front of him.

"Mm..." Before Mai Xijun could react to what was happening, Shen Yanlie, with a speed that caught her off guard, pulled her shoulders toward him and kissed her lips deeply. His nimble tongue skillfully pried open her teeth.

So sudden... Mai Xijun frowned slightly. They were on a street in Venice!

Forget it, she thought, letting go. No one knew her here anyway. But even if they did, so what?

Thinking of this, Mai Xijun tried to take the lead, parting her lips to catch the tip of the tongue Shen Yanlie had just inserted into her mouth, and gave it a gentle bite. Shen Yanlie’s body stiffened slightly, but he quickly adapted, clearly enjoying her initiative, though the dominance remained his, leading her with an overbearing grace.

This version of her—passionate, shy, sexy, yet bold and slightly naive—was adorable. He felt he liked her more and more. He loved this feeling; this vibe was very good.

In Shen Yanlie’s world, aside from a few close friends like Yu Wensi and Mo Shaoxing, and his now-defunct relationship with Xie Yunting, his world was a blank slate regarding family. Thus, his encounter with Mai Xijun was destined by fate.

Love can happen in an instant, but true affection requires time to nurture.

Love at first sight is always about appearance; love that grows over time is always about habit. They were so similar, yet in some ways, they were moving in opposite directions. Whatever one thinks will eventually manifest as a result. Mai Xijun had that confidence because she loved him. She wanted to continue on with him.

Mai Xijun did not believe in fate or happiness, but she believed in him.

Shen Yanlie kissed her, lingering and tangled, as if he had endless demands on her just like in the nights past, as if he wanted to break her down into his very bones. Their obsession with each other had already gone deep into their marrow; they were each other's pillars, never to collapse.

"You’re getting more and more daring." Shen Yanlie pulled Mai Xijun tightly into his arms and gently pinched her chin. The intensity in his eyes was the same as when he first appeared before her after returning to the country, only now, there was more tenderness in his gaze.

"Are you this uninhibited when we're in bed, too?" he whispered, leaning close to her ear. His warm breath brushed against her earlobe, tickling her, making Mai Xijun shrug her shoulders and furrow her brows. "Shen Yanlie, do you dare to be any more wicked? If you do, I might just strip you naked on the street."

Mai Xijun was never one to suffer in silence when it came to a war of words. This had been witnessed and proven by He Jingjing and Yu Wensi, and it worked every time. It was just that Shen Yanlie was more of a "rogue," so she feared the odds were against her.

Shen Yanlie couldn't help but laugh out loud, his scorching breath warming the silky, smooth skin of Mai Xijun’s collarbone. Indeed, Mai Xijun had never been very proactive in bed; she was always awkward, like a child experiencing forbidden fruit for the first time, shy and hesitant. But that tightness was something that drove him mad with love.

Originally, he had been moved today and wanted to give her a promise. But she had changed the subject and even "teased" him so brazenly. Fine, he would indulge her, tolerate her, let her be, pamper her, spoil her, dote on her, and let her be. If there was no other man in the world who could endure her like he did, then from now on, she could forever, securely, follow behind him.

"You can't strip me here, but when we get back, you can do whatever you want. My body belongs only to you; only you are allowed to look." Shen Yanlie raised his hand to gently scrape the bridge of Mai Xijun’s nose, his overbearing tone laced with a hint of doting.

Shen Yanlie forcibly pulled Mai Xijun’s arm to hook around his elbow, leaving her no room to resist. A faint, lingering smile remained on his lips, a dominance that couldn't be ignored or refused.

"Narcissist. Who wants to look?" Mai Xijun retorted, her cheeks flushed pink. It was already well past spring, yet this guy still spoke so... uh... provocatively.

"You’re being hypocritical." Shen Yanlie didn't change the subject, piercing straight through Mai Xijun’s true feelings. During this time, he seemed to have boredly taken a liking to bickering with her. He also felt that his own nonsense had increased significantly, and the trend was still on the rise.

"Pfft~" Mai Xijun scoffed, raising her voice, but it was clearly a case of "the thief protesting his innocence."

"Don't make those noises at the end of your sentences; it makes me think you’re in heat..."