CITM - 65

Stepping out of the hair salon again, Ye Yun seemed like a changed person. Her fashionable curls made her look stylish and pretty, and her striking features and soft contours, bathed in the sunlight, were captivating with every expression and smile.

Bai Wenfu’s gaze lingered on her. His palm cupped the back of her neck, pulling her closer. “Where are you going next?”

Ye Yun’s slender, onion-white hand rested on his chest. “Mr. Yu’s goods are arriving today, so I need to rush to the factory.”

Bai Wenfu lowered his gaze and paused for a moment before saying, “I’ll go take a look too.”

“You want to go to our factory?”

“I’m the guarantor; can’t I visit your place for inspection?”

He invoked his identity as the guarantor, and Ye Yun, of course, couldn’t stop him.

Today was chaotic at the factory due to the unloading. Zhou Zeyang hadn’t expected Ye Yun to bring Bai Wenfu along. He and the workshop director came out to greet him and invited him to the office. Bai Wenfu declined, following Ye Yun to the warehouse instead, truly acting like a guarantor. He sat aside, personally overseeing the progress.

He didn’t say much, which was a hardship for the workers coming and going. Seeing Factory Director Zhou’s attitude towards him, they assumed Bai Wenfu was some important high-ranking leader from above, there to supervise their work.

Bai Wenfu’s gaze was calm and sharp when he looked at people, his handsome profile commanding. Coupled with Luzi, a burly man, standing behind him, it created an invisible, terrifying sense of oppression, making everyone nervous.

Ye Yun noticed that the workers’ atmosphere was different from usual. She glanced towards where Bai Wenfu was sitting and immediately noticed the anomaly. She took two bottles of water and walked towards Bai Wenfu, realizing his gaze was on Xiaofu, who was carrying goods.

Xiaofu had been going in and out, moving goods, and had passed Bai Wenfu more than a dozen times. He wore a thin jacket and was strong and healthy.

Ye Yun handed a bottle of water to Bai Wenfu, playfully remarking, “Sitting there, you look like a big brother collecting protection money. Our workers are too scared to even speak.”

Bai Wenfu didn’t hear anything else, only her calling him “big brother,” and his temples throbbed.

Ye Yun then handed the other bottle of water to Luzi. Luzi took it and politely said, “Thank you, Sister-in-law.”

Ye Yun glanced left and right, then shushed Luzi.

Luzi looked helplessly at his boss. Bai Wenfu drooped his eyelids and chuckled softly.

Ye Yun went to check samples on the other side. There were only a few packages left from this batch of goods. Ye Yun told the workers to quickly unload another truckload, leaving Xiaofu to help her.

After she finished checking, she waved her hand at Xiaofu. Xiaofu picked up a package and ran off. Ye Yun simply joined in the moving.

Bai Wenfu saw her carrying a large package, furrowed his brow, put down his water, stood up, took the package from her, and asked, “Where does this go?”

“Over there, there’s a number.”

She led the way, and Bai Wenfu swung the package onto his shoulder, following her into the warehouse.

“You’re personally moving goods?” he asked from behind Ye Yun.

Ye Yun stopped in front of a row of goods and replied, “When we get a big order, everyone has to come to the factory to help, and I’m no exception. Put it here.”

Bai Wenfu placed the package from his shoulder neatly as instructed, straightened up, and asked, “Do you do this often?”

Ye Yun marked the inventory sheet, lowering her head, and said, “When we’re short-staffed, I have to do all sorts of odd jobs. It’s much better now.”

Ye Yun turned, her footsteps hurried as she walked out. Bai Wenfu followed her. “I’ll hire more people to help you.”

She stopped abruptly and turned around. “As a guarantor?”

Then her eyes curved into a smile. “Do as much as you’re capable of. When the scale increases, I’ll naturally hire people.”

She turned back, facing the light, and plunged back into her busy work.

Bai Wenfu smiled and caught up to her, casually taking off his coat and throwing it onto a chair. Ye Yun bent down to pick up a package, and Bai Wenfu immediately took it from her hand. “Your hands are for drawing designs and making clothes, not for carrying goods. Just tell me where to put it.”

Ye Yun was concerned about his leg and was about to stop him when he said leisurely, “As your man, it’s not too much to do the work for you.”

Bai Wenfu hoisted the goods and walked into the warehouse. The passing workers looked on in disbelief. They wondered why Boss Ye would order around a leader whom even Factory Director Zhou didn’t dare to offend, so they secretly ran to ask Xiaofu.

Xiaofu knew the reason, but he had been with Ye Yun for so long and had never heard of her having a partner. He naturally couldn’t speak carelessly about something he wasn’t sure about.

Luzi saw his boss getting hands-on and also joined in moving the goods.

The several men worked quickly and efficiently. In a short while, all the remaining goods were moved inside.

Ye Yun was making records among the piles of goods when she heard footsteps and looked up to see Bai Wenfu with his shirt sleeves rolled up to his arms, revealing his strong, capable forearms. It used to be like this, too; when Tong Mingfang made her carry water, he never wanted her slender arms and legs to do such heavy labor. His identity had changed, but he was still the same, helping her move goods in his respectable clothes, regardless of what others thought.

When he approached, Ye Yun put down her notebook and naturally raised her hand to brush off some dust for him.

“Look at you, your clothes are all dirty.”

Bai Wenfu propped his hands on a box, bending down to make it easier for her to tidy him up. His eyes held an inscrutable light as he asked her, “Why did you hire a man who looks like me to be by your side?”

“Who?” Ye Yun raised her eyes, meeting Bai Wenfu’s slightly darkened gaze.

“You mean Xiaofu? He’s strong and willing to work, and as you can see, I often need to move things here.”

“Don’t change the subject. There are plenty of strong men. Why find one who looks like me?”

Ye Yun’s eyelashes lowered slightly. She couldn’t explain why. In the early days, she dealt with many men, was too busy to handle everything, and also had to run to school. Zhou Zeyang brought a few people for her to choose an assistant, to run errands and help her with miscellaneous tasks. People value first impressions. She had instantly taken to Xiaofu, a subconscious choice, without thinking deeply about the reason.

Ye Yun looked up and smiled softly. “His personality is nothing like yours. I never even thought about it that way. Now that you mention it, he does look a bit like you.”

Bai Wenfu’s eyes held deep meaning. “Have you never wondered why he’s called Xiaofu?”

“Because that’s his name, Xiaofu, Yang Fu, his parents gave him that name.”

Bai Wenfu raised his hand and unbuttoned his collar. His every movement was sensual and natural.

“Let that young man go back to the factory. I’ll let Luzi work for you.”

“Comrade Xiuhua?”

Ye Yun couldn’t help but laugh out loud. A faint glow of sunset came through the factory window, illuminating the clear veins on her fair neck, so sweet it made one want to bite.

“He really told you his name.”

His Adam’s apple slowly bobbed. He lowered his head and gently bit the delicate, throbbing vein. Ye Yun secretly inhaled, letting out a sensitive hum. The bite turned into a kiss.

Everything was moved. Xiaofu came looking for Ye Yun and first saw a man’s broad profile. He recognized him as Boss Bai. Just as he was about to approach, he saw that the woman circled by his arm was Boss Ye. Xiaofu didn’t dare to disturb them and dutifully waited outside, preventing others from approaching.

Bai Wenfu caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye. He turned his body, shielding Ye Yun’s disheveled collar from view. After pulling it straight, he lowered his head and asked her, “Did you completely forget something you said?”

Ye Yun’s body was pressed against his chest, with faint love bites visible on her collarbone.

“What did I say?”

Bai Wenfu’s gaze drew closer, his eyes narrowing as he stared at her. “You said you’d have my baby.”

A faint smile blossomed on Ye Yun’s lips. “You take drunken words seriously?”

Bai Wenfu tilted his neck. Ye Yun immediately felt constrained by a powerful force. Her waist was abruptly lifted. His eyes were wild. “I’m serious.”

Xiaofu was far away and didn’t know what they were saying, but he saw a rare girlish demeanor on Ye Yun’s face, an expression no one else had ever seen. Xiaofu awkwardly turned his back, now truly believing that Boss Bai was her man.

Zhou Zeyang and the others finished with the other batch of goods and came over, intending to invite Bai Wenfu to rest. However, they saw that he had also taken off his coat and was helping unload goods. They profusely apologized for neglecting him and offered to treat him to dinner as thanks.

Bai Wenfu rolled down his sleeves and took his coat from Luzi. “I just lent Xiao Yun a hand; there’s no neglect.”

These words inevitably invited speculation, and everyone instinctively looked towards Ye Yun, who was giving instructions in the distance.

By the time Ye Yun finished her tasks and came over, Zhou Zeyang and the others had already left. She looked up and asked Bai Wenfu, “You just sent them away like that? You didn’t let them treat you to dinner?”

“I didn’t come here for them. If anyone should treat me, it should be you.”

“Then I’ll take you somewhere only locals can find.”

Bai Wenfu asked for the restaurant’s name. Ye Yun told him, “It’s called Baoxing Restaurant. Have you been there?”

A smile appeared in Bai Wenfu’s eyes. “No, I haven’t.”

Ye Yun continued talking to herself, “I figured you hadn’t been there. This restaurant hasn’t even been open for two years in total.”

Upon arriving, a brand-new facade and elegant decor greeted them. The restaurant was full of guests, and business was indeed thriving.

The two found an empty table. Ye Yun handed the menu to Bai Wenfu. “Don’t be polite with me.”

Bai Wenfu flipped through the menu and laughed, “Boss Ye is so generous, I’ll have to make you wince a bit.”

Ye Yun picked up the teapot and refilled his cup. “It won’t be easy to make me wince with just one meal.”

Bai Wenfu took the teacup, cleared his throat, and called a waiter to order.

Ye Yun sat opposite him, holding her teacup. The more she listened, the more she felt he was ordering the dishes like a regular, seasoned customer, all of them being the restaurant’s signature dishes.

After the waiter left, Ye Yun put down her cup suspiciously. “You really haven’t been here before?”

Bai Wenfu truthfully stated, “First time.”

Ye Yun praised him, “Then you’re quite good at ordering.”

Waiters continuously brought dishes to the table. They thought the food was mostly served. Finally, a clay pot was brought out. The pot looked old and out of place with the other dishes.

Ye Yun looked up and asked, “What is this? We didn’t order it.”

The waiter explained to Ye Yun, “This is Zao Ti Tou (braised pork head with fermented grains). It’s not on the menu. Our boss specifically asked for it to be served.”

Just as Ye Yun showed a puzzled expression, she immediately saw the waiter lean down and say to Bai Wenfu, “Boss Zong sends his regards.”

Bai Wenfu replied, “Tell him I’ll be over in a moment.”

After the waiter left, Ye Yun raised an eyebrow. “You said this was your first time?”

“It is my first time here.”

She glanced at the clay pot. “What’s going on? The boss is giving you special treatment?”

“I’ve never been to this restaurant before, but I’ve been eating dishes cooked by this boss for several years. Back then, he didn’t have a physical store; he had a stall at the fork in Songgang North Road, and I used to frequent it.”

“More than ten years ago?”

“Roughly. We were both young then.”

Bai Wenfu told her, “This boss is named Zong Baoxing.”

Zong Baoxing, Baoxing Restaurant. So, when he asked Ye Yun for the restaurant’s name, he probably already guessed.

Ye Yun chastised him, “Then why didn’t you tell me after you sat down, watching me praise it endlessly? So, it’s all your leftovers, then.”

Bai Wenfu suppressed a smile. “It’s been a long time since I last saw him. I wasn’t sure if the boss would still remember me, and I didn’t want to trouble him over a meal.”

He scooped a spoonful of Zao Ti Tou into Ye Yun’s bowl. “Once, I went too late, and he was about to close up. Seeing I was hungry, he invited me home to eat. That’s when I learned this dish was made by his wife. His wife wasn’t in good health, so this dish wasn’t often available. Try it.”

With that, Bai Wenfu stood up and told Ye Yun, “I’ll go say hello, I’ll be right back.”

Ye Yun nodded. After Bai Wenfu left, she picked up her spoon and took a bite. The rich aroma of fermented grains filled her nose. The moment the flavors spread on her taste buds, a peculiar sensation enveloped her mind. The present her and the younger him shared a connection, briefly intersecting in the fabric of time and space, experiencing the same taste in different eras in the same place.

Just then, a group of people entered through the door, interrupting her enjoyment of the meal.

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Chapter 65

Yan Shihua spotted Ye Yun, and his steps, which were leading him further inside, suddenly turned. He swayed unsteadily to Ye Yun’s table and greeted her sarcastically, “Well, isn’t this our celestial-looking Boss Ye? What’s wrong, eating alone and feeling lonely?”

Ye Yun couldn’t be bothered to respond. She picked up her teacup and gazed out the window, her expression aloof.

The people accompanying Yan Shihua noticed the tense atmosphere and tried to pull him away. Yan Shihua shook off his companions, showing no mercy to Ye Yun. He loudly questioned her, “Did you tell Boss Bai to remove us from the list?”

Ye Yun’s expression subtly faltered. She turned her head and asked, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

At that moment, people eating nearby turned to look at the commotion.

Yan Shihua was determined to cause trouble for Ye Yun today. He pointed at her and said, “Stop your damn acting. Relying on your good looks, you quickly got involved with Boss Bai. I was wondering why you pretended to be so high and mighty. Turns out, you just thought my temple was too small and wanted to climb higher.”

No matter how pure a beautiful woman is, once her reputation is tainted with romantic rumors, others’ interpretations immediately become varied, especially for a woman like Ye Yun, who is young and has achieved some success.

Yan Shihua’s single sentence could easily destroy all her efforts of the past few years, making outsiders believe she gained her position by selling her body and clinging to men.

By now, many people were whispering. Ye Yun’s face instantly turned cold. She raised her head, about to speak, when her peripheral vision caught sight of Bai Wenfu emerging from the back.

The waiter had already informed the owner immediately that there was trouble in the front hall. Along with Bai Wenfu, the owner of this restaurant, Boss Zong, also came out.

Yan Shihua saw Ye Yun stop herself from speaking, leaning back in her chair and calmly staring at him, which infuriated him.

“You’re not speaking, so you’re admitting it. Where’s Boss Bai? Call him out now. I’ll ask him face-to-face why he removed us from the list.”

Bai Wenfu’s deep, powerful voice rang out. “Our staff sent a very detailed explanation to all rejected units, listing the specific reasons for rejection. Did you not receive it?”

Yan Shihua suddenly spun around, his face stiffened. “Boss, Boss Bai?”

Bai Wenfu strode back, his tall and imposing figure standing before Ye Yun, looking down at Yan Shihua.

“Why the surprise? Weren’t you looking for me? If you didn’t receive it, I can have someone send another copy to your unit.”

Yan Shihua’s arrogant demeanor from earlier vanished, and his voice softened slightly. “I received it.”

Bai Wenfu’s lips curled slightly as he sneered, “Since you received it, then you must be illiterate. If you could read, would you still be making trouble for my wife in public?”

Yan Shihua was instantly dumbfounded. “Your wife?”

The surrounding crowd erupted in an uproar. Those who knew their identities were already agape, and those who didn’t recognize them were also buzzing with discussion due to the sudden turn of events.

Not to mention Yan Shihua and his group were shocked; even Ye Yun herself looked up in surprise.

Bai Wenfu’s hand rested on Ye Yun’s shoulder, gently squeezing it. Meeting Yan Shihua’s incredulous gaze, his tone was quite cold. “You insisted on getting an explanation in front of so many people, so I might as well make it clear to you. Personally, you spoke disrespectfully to my wife and deliberately made things difficult for her to cooperate with others. You know your own dirty intentions. Allowing you to walk out of here with your hands and feet intact is already my greatest mercy. Publicly, your factory had two unreasonable transactions last year and the year before, and also an incident of malicious competition. Do I need to continue explaining the specifics?”

Yan Shihua’s face changed drastically. If Bai Wenfu continued, it would involve crossing red lines, and Yan Shihua would probably end up having to get an explanation from the bureau.

Yan Shihua had indeed read that explanation letter, but the rejection was phrased meticulously, and he hadn’t understood it, thinking the organizers had just found a random excuse to dismiss him. Little did he know that Bai Wenfu was strict in his qualification review of cooperating enterprises and had long since uncovered all of Yan Shihua’s past wrongdoings.

Now, Yan Shihua realized the seriousness of the situation. He was greatly alarmed, disregarding his pride, and lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Boss Bai. Perhaps my subordinates made a mistake and didn’t read it clearly. I’ll go back and talk to them. I’ve caused you trouble.”

Bai Wenfu glared at him, his voice laced with a warning. “If I hear a single word defaming my wife outside, I’ll make an example of you.”

He spoke harshly, not only for Yan Shihua’s ears but also to warn everyone present not to spread gossip.

Boss Zong waved his hand. “Show them out.”

The waiters escorted Yan Shihua and his group out, making it clear they wouldn’t serve their table. The group left, humiliated, without having eaten.

________________________________________

After being agitated by Yan Shihua, Ye Yun lost her appetite. After leaving the restaurant, her eyes lifted slightly. “Calling me your wife in front of so many people, you’re leaving me no room to retreat, are you?”

He lowered his head and bit her lip—quick, decisive, with a hint of punishment.

“What retreat do you need?”

By the time Ye Yun reacted, he had already straightened up. A tingling sensation lingered on her lips, continuously affecting the softest part of her heart. Even after Ye Yun got into the car, her emotions were still stirred by him. When she finally came to her senses, she realized the route seemed incorrect.

She turned her head and asked him, “Aren’t you taking me back?”

“I am going back,” he replied, as if it were obvious.

The car drove into Jian Shan Road, as if suddenly turning from a bustling commercial area into a park. Wisteria-entwined pavilions, towering camphor trees providing ample shade, Western architectural styles merged with Chinese aesthetics, and a flowing marble fountain stood in the center of the private courtyard. The harmony between the natural landscape and the architectural style made one fall in love with it at first sight.

Ye Yun got out of the car and looked up at the impressive Western-style house before her. “Didn’t you say I couldn’t come in?”

“I also said I’d throw you into the water. Did I?”

Last time Ye Yun didn’t get a good look at the place before Bai Wenfu carried her directly upstairs. This time, she followed the stairs into the entrance hall, where neat and tasteful furnishings met her eyes. The spacious living room had a reception room and study to the north. On the other side were the dining room and kitchen. From the kitchen side door, one could exit to a side garden, which was pleasantly landscaped, planted with banana trees, Podocarpus, camellias, white magnolias, and other flowers. Warm lighting diffused throughout, creating a cozy and leisurely atmosphere.

Bai Wenfu’s voice sounded from the stairs, calling her name. “Xiao Yun, come up.”

Ye Yun followed the sound up the stairs to the second floor. Bai Wenfu had changed out of the shirt he wore during the day and handed it to Ye Yun, slipping a button into her hand.

“It came off when I was moving goods.”

Ye Yun looked down at it and asked him, “Do you have a needle and thread?”

“Follow me.”

Bai Wenfu led her into the bedroom and pointed to the rosewood dressing mirror. “There’s some in the drawer. I’m going to take a shower. Sew it on and bring it in for me.”

Ye Yun agreed, sat in front of the dressing mirror, and pulled open the embossed drawer. Inside lay a brand-new sewing kit.

She lightly touched it, joy filling her eyes. In the past, when she collected his clothes, she would find a loose button and would have to huddle in their dim little room, finding scraps of thread to sew it back on for him.

Memory was like a constantly shuttling train. Sewing clothes for Bai Wenfu again, her heart was no longer filled with livelihood concerns and uncertainty, but with life and a future.

Ye Yun deftly tied a knot, cut the thread, and knocked on the bathroom door.

A moment later, Bai Wenfu pulled the door open. His hair was wet, and drops of water ran down his face onto his strong chest.

Ye Yun’s eyes darted, unsure where to look.

“Want to see?” Bai Wenfu noticed her gaze and asked her.

“What?”

The heat enveloped her. This sudden question seized her thoughts. She thought Bai Wenfu was offering to show that part of him.

In the past, when she ran the tailor shop on Ocean Lane, the married women who came to Ye Yun’s shop would gossip about all sorts of things: Mrs. Huang’s daughter-in-law stealing a man, Old Master Shen keeping a mistress outside. Sometimes, these women would even discuss intimate matters, even men’s sizes.

As a tailor, Ye Yun was sensitive to measurements, and she had thought all men were roughly the same. It wasn’t until she heard these jokes among the women that she realized what she had endured in the past.

When he suddenly asked her that, she truly felt a curiosity to find out, and her gaze unconsciously lingered on his waist and abdomen.

Bai Wenfu’s lips curled slightly. “Didn’t you say this morning you wanted to see the scar on my leg? What exactly did you want to see?”

Ye Yun felt her shameful thoughts exposed, and a visible blush crept onto her cheeks. Bai Wenfu chuckled softly, raised his hand to grip her wrist, pulled her inside the door, tossed the clothes aside, and cupped her head. His long, narrow eyes glowed with heat. “Look.”

The surrounding air was thick with steam. Ye Yun felt as if she had been thrown into a giant steam cage. He was right there, a hideous knife scar crisscrossing his strong abdominal muscles. Scars, both large and small, deep and shallow, were like hellish messengers from the abyss, singing hymns in the darkness, tempting one to slowly fall into his trap, finding it sweet.

This was the first time he had been so vulnerable with her, presenting his entire self, even digging out his scarred heart.

Ye Yun saw the ugly scar, like a terrifying giant centipede coiled on his right leg, filled with a murderous aura. Although there wasn’t a single unblemished spot on his body, every inch of his muscle was brimming with a terrifying sense of power, creating a strong visual impact that constantly encroached upon her emotions. She was entranced by him, her body growing hotter, and a captivating flush of desire gradually appeared in her eyes.

He leaned down, his tongue intertwining with her lips, his voice muffled in his throat, carrying an intoxicating tenderness. “Disgusted?”

She raised her hands and wrapped them around his neck. No more words were needed; her body gave him the answer.

He felt her response. His burning arms wrapped around her waist, molding her into him. Ye Yun clung to him, her lower abdomen tightening repeatedly.

He took her once in the bathroom. The enclosed space was filled with steam. Her hair was damp and loose, her fair, jade-like body hazy and alluring, intoxicating him.

The continuous stimulation was too intense. She gasped for air, almost breathless, her body slick and damp from the exertion. When he set her down, her legs trembled uncontrollably.

He turned on the water, picked her up, and washed her again. As the water streamed down, he cupped her chin and kissed her. His nostrils were filled with the intoxicating scent of hormones. Ye Yun once again tasted the feeling of being dragged into a delicious abyss by him.

Ecstasy, intoxicating, utterly captivated.

Ye Yun had originally planned to stay for a short while and then go back, but her clothes were wet and impossible to wear out. Her body felt soft and pliant as he carried her onto the bed.

Bai Wenfu, filled with pleasure, was somewhat exhilarated. He pulled Ye Yun into his embrace, kissing her forehead one moment, then holding her hand and tracing the lines on her fingers the next, not letting her sleep.

Ye Yun simply rolled over in his arms. “Tell me what happened after I left.”

Bai Wenfu’s relaxed expression slowly hardened. After a long pause, his voice, tinged with gloom, reached her ears.

“I couldn’t find you. I searched everywhere I could, and asked everyone I could, but he couldn’t find you either.”

Ye Yun’s heart was pulled, aching faintly.

“I didn’t pay attention to him for about half a year. People at the entrance said he was sick and avoided him. He wasn’t doing well.”

“Once, when I returned from Jiangcheng, he had an accident and disappeared. After searching for two days, he was finally found in a dry well, barely alive when he was discovered. He was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment and wasn’t allowed out once he was admitted. He recovered from his injuries and received treatment for his illness simultaneously. It wasn’t very smooth at first, but after moving to two other places, he finally stabilized. Mom accompanied him for a year of treatment in Suicheng. After coming back for a while, he still decided to live in Suicheng.

Currently, he’s doing a small business there, and his life is quite stable.”

His voice was like ancient spring water, slowly gathering from towering peaks, traversing winding and rugged rocks, little by little flowing into her heart, filling the blankness of that dream.

But Ye Yun still caught the omitted parts in his words.

“How did he fall into the well? Was it deliberate?”

Bai Wenfu’s gaze fell, intertwining with Ye Yun’s.

“What happened?” She looked up, searching for his eyes.

He didn’t speak, his brows deeply furrowed.

Ye Yun looked into his eyes. “Don’t hide it from me.”

She was no longer the naive young girl she once was, who could be easily placated with a few words.

Bai Wenfu no longer concealed it. “Someone told him they saw you in that area, tricked him there, pushed him into the well, and held him captive, demanding money from me.”

The group of scoundrels around Wen Bin knew he had an older brother who was a businessman and had set their sights on him. At that time, Bai Wenfu no longer bothered with Wen Bin’s affairs. He rarely even returned to Erwei Alley. Even when he visited Tong Mingfang and found Wen Bin at home, he never showed Wen Bin any kindness. After Ye Yun left, the two brothers had practically broken ties and hadn’t spoken for half a year.

Wen Bin had warned those people that his older brother wouldn’t care if he lived or died. When he was trapped in the well, he didn’t expect to get out alive. Until the well cover was opened, and Bai Wenfu’s figure, silhouetted against the light, reached down for him...

Perhaps everything in this world was predetermined in the shadows, and no one could cross the dark currents of time.

Life is like fireworks; every step is a necessary journey, leaving a bitter aftertaste, but ultimately, a sweet lingering flavor.

Ye Yun wrapped her arms around Bai Wenfu’s waist and rested her face on his chest, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat, which was the most healing sound in the world.

The brass chandelier above them emitted an even glow. He gazed at her, his eyes focused and hazy.

“I looked for Fang Lizhen,” he suddenly said.

“Twice.”

Bai Wenfu raised his hand and gripped her small chin, his thumb caressing her moist lower lip.

“She lied to me twice.”

Ye Yun’s eyes darted away. Back then, she had instructed Fang Lizhen not to reveal her whereabouts to Bai Wenfu, intending to completely cut ties with him, leaving no hope for either of them.

Bai Wenfu stared at her expression, discerning her resolute decision at the time, and his eyes gradually clouded over. He was just a door away from finding her, but she had locked that door herself.

He lowered his head, his brutal kiss pressing down, intense and thorough. Ye Yun was enveloped by his body. He seized her hands and pinned them to her sides, his suppressed emotions gushing forth.

An indescribable tremor made her sensitive again. She was awed by his intensity, recoiling slightly, only to be yanked beneath him. Her emotional defenses instantly crumbled. He gave her no time to buffer, forcefully occupying all her senses, making the night breathtaking.