Chapter 81: Love at First Sight on the Bed

Yet at this moment, Shen Yanlie was simply too weary, and too guarded. It was as though he was perpetually on high alert, making it impossible to ignore his presence, and even less possible for anyone to approach him easily. He resembled a vigilant leopard, eyes ever-watchful, ready to pounce should she make the slightest misstep—a ruthless attack, swift and merciless.

Mai Xijun tried tentatively to sit up, but in the end, she gave up. She dared not draw closer to him. The depth and inscrutability of the man before her left her at a loss; his entire being radiated a chilling brilliance, or perhaps a fierce hostility. It seemed that if she even dared to approach, she would inevitably be wounded by him.

Thus, Mai Xijun became all the more cautious, striving to suppress the sound of her own heartbeat, while Shen Yanlie continued to lie with his eyes closed, as if the world had narrowed to just himself in that quiet.

Time ticked by—how long, she could not say. Mai Xijun blinked several times, pressed her lips together, and then, in a sudden movement, rolled over to pin Shen Yanlie beneath her.

He frowned deeply, startled, and placed his hands on her waist, intent on flipping their positions. But Mai Xijun pressed firmly on his shoulders, signaling her resistance.

He ceased his movement, fixing her with an unwavering gaze.

She cupped his face in her hands, regarding him with seriousness.

In his heart now, Shen Yanlie was shrouded in melancholy and wariness. His handsome, captivating features and indifferent expression only made the shadow over him more apparent to her. It drew her in, making it impossible for her to keep him at arm’s length.

Mai Xijun could not say what had happened. And that man called Shen Qian—if her instincts were correct, he must be someone very close to Shen Yanlie, perhaps even a blood relative.

Yet, when Shen Yanlie saw him, there was no great joy—hardly any exchange passed between them, just a brief moment of eye contact before they retreated into indifference.

Mai Xijun only felt more deeply that she did not truly understand Shen Yanlie, and her curiosity to unravel his mystery grew stronger.

Her long hair cascaded down on either side, brushing his cheekbones and ears, stirring him with its gentle touch and awakening deep, hidden emotions within him.

“Have you known the CEO of Haoli for a long time?” Mai Xijun asked after a brief blankness of mind. She felt somewhat conflicted, wondering why she was asking these questions—but…

She only wanted to change the subject, to have something to talk about with Shen Yanlie, so he would not remain so lost in his own world.

“Several years,” Shen Yanlie replied coolly, his voice smooth and unruffled. Under the dim, ambiguous light, his dark eyes gazed at her with intent.

“Oh…” Mai Xijun pursed her lips, nodding as if she half-understood. Her slender fingers toyed with the hair at his temples, seemingly absentminded, but the gesture made Shen Yanlie’s brows knit and his heart tighten.

Mai Xijun was seemingly unaware of the subtle change. She was only thinking how she might unlock the chains around his heart, lift the clouds, and let his soul return to normal.

But when she turned her head again, she found his gaze upon her—hot yet steadfast, though he made no move or sign to speak first.

“That Miss Mu must be an important person to you,” Mai Xijun ventured, her tone tinged with curiosity and perhaps a hint of jealousy. In truth, it was only her own desire to glimpse his inner world, to understand the deepest part of him, for she cared nothing for those others—they were from different worlds, after all.

Shen Yanlie was silent for a long time, so long that Mai Xijun held her breath, tense. Then, with a sudden smile, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and, as light as a dragonfly’s touch, playfully brushed her lips over his. Fleeting and quick.

“What’s wrong? Not in the mood to talk? Fine, then…” she murmured, half laughing, half nervous. In truth, her heart was suspended with anxiety—she feared she might overstep the boundaries Shen Yanlie had drawn, that she would offend him and provoke his dislike. She would not want that.

With a silly grin, she shifted, trying to climb off him, but Shen Yanlie caught her in his arms, holding her tight.

“…She once saved my life. Years ago, when Eurasia Customs was intercepted, it was she who handled everything for me. Without her, Eurasia wouldn’t be what it is today…”

He held Mai Xijun so tightly she almost found it hard to breathe, but she merely buried her face in the crook of his neck, letting him hold her as if she were his whole world.

“And now… is she alright?” If she had understood correctly, what they discussed in the office earlier hinted that this woman had vanished, was hiding, or had disappeared.

“I don’t know. I don’t know where she’s gone. I can’t find her… It rained that day. I sent people to search for her ten days and nights, but we found nothing…”

The sorrow in Shen Yanlie’s voice was so profound it stirred compassion and pain in Mai Xijun. She did not know what charm or quality this Miss Mu possessed to be so important to Shen Yanlie, but she was certainly special.

“Then President Ye of Haoli must be devastated…” Mai Xijun recalled the scene she had witnessed—it would move even the hardest heart. Such a man, tall and commanding, who could manipulate clouds and rain with a gesture, had broken down and wept like a child. Who could witness that and not feel sympathy?

“He’s never given up looking for her, not for a moment. All these years he has searched, day after day. Sometimes I can’t help but think, if Miss Mu could feel it, she’d try to return a little sooner…” And yet…

He, too, had searched so long without any news. Even the last shreds of hope in his heart were being worn away by time.

“We’ll pray for her. President Ye loves her so deeply and waits for her—I’m sure Miss Mu will sense it. Even if lovers are separated by half the world, fate will bring them together again,” Mai Xijun said, lifting her head from his embrace. Her eyes, dark as autumn water, seemed to hold endless strength, silently encouraging Shen Yanlie.

The events Shen Yanlie mentioned from years ago—the customs interception—must have been during the time Xie Yunting left him…

“Fool,” Shen Yanlie suddenly said with a chuckle, the gloom in his heart clearing away. He reached out to gently rub the back of Mai Xijun’s head.

She ducked her gaze, a shy smile playing about her lips, but then lifted her head again. “Shen Yanlie, do you truly like me?” she asked.

He remained composed, but a warm, springlike smile softened his features, dispelling the shadows. “And what makes you ask that?”

Mai Xijun scoffed at him, feigning indignation. “Why else would you spend so much money on me? First you sent me that evening gown anonymously as ‘Mr. Destiny’, then you spent ten million at the exhibition to buy my painting. You cook for me. You took me to the doctor when I was hurt. If that’s not liking me, what is?”

Her reasoning was impeccable, but it made Shen Yanlie laugh. “How do you know I’m ‘Mr. Destiny’? And am I really as fond of you as you say?”

She nodded solemnly, full of conviction. “If you don’t like me, what else could it be? Besides, even if the place I live in is like Jurassic Park, it wouldn’t fetch much even if demolished. So, if you’re getting close to me, apart from your bad temper and rough ways, I’m the one coming out ahead, aren’t I?”

Mai Xijun marveled at her own quick tongue. When had she become so sharp-witted? And, honestly, she wasn’t so worthless—though her living conditions were far beneath his.

Shen Yanlie’s face darkened, having caught two offending words—‘bad’ and ‘rough’—rolled off her lips as if they were nothing. Out of her whole speech, those were all he heard—and they were describing him.

Realizing her slip, Mai Xijun quickly offered a conciliatory smile. “Really, you’re a good person. You may be cold on the outside, but you’re kind, soft-hearted even. You help me every time. I should be grateful.”

Shen Yanlie chuckled. “Is that so? I didn’t quite hear the praise in that.”

“Mm-hmm,” she deflected, but then grinned mischievously, pressing her hands to his chest. “Did you fall for me at first sight?”

She was being outrageously vain, but Shen Yanlie only laughed, delighted. “Go on, tell me—how did I fall for you at first sight? Give me an example.”

As he spoke, his eyes roved over her with playful intent, and at last his lips curled in a wicked smile. “But you’re right about one thing. That night in Venice is something I won’t soon forget. Don’t forget—it was in bed that I fell for you at first sight…”