The kiss came so suddenly that An Ke’s eyes widened in shock, and she struggled to push him away. But when she saw reporters with cameras nearby, she gave up struggling and actively wrapped her arms around his neck. She didn’t know why, but she believed Pei Xuanyan must have a reason for doing this. This belief was unconditional, like trusting a family member – something she could never do with Jun Hao.
With Pei Xuanyan’s protection and An Ke’s unusual disguise, the reporters did not recognize her, and they successfully left the hotel. However, the newly appointed Pei Group CEO kissing an unidentified woman would still become a headline gossip, adding a splash of color to his previously blank personal life.
When they sat in the car waiting outside the hotel, An Ke noticed a faint blush on Pei Xuanyan’s face. He straightened his slightly disheveled clothes and cleared his throat: “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Looking at him, An Ke burst into laughter, her thick makeup almost falling off: “I know you’re not that kind of person. It’s just that seeing you blush makes me want to laugh.”
Pei Xuanyan’s blush deepened at her words, and he stammered: “Although you’re made up like this, you still look beautiful when you laugh.” It wasn’t because her laugh was particularly attractive, but because this genuine, heartfelt laughter touched every nerve of his being.
If Sakai Kensei doesn’t want to die miserably, he should shut up.” Jun Hao stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the city illuminated by lights. The distant street lamps were like blinking stars. To him, they were painfully glaring, as if mocking him. Memories flashed before his eyes; he would never forget the words the woman he once cherished said to another man: “I love you, I always have, and I’ve never loved Jun Hao.”
Kensei crossed his legs, leaning back in the chair, feeling at a loss: “You know where they are, so why don’t you go find her yourself?”
Jun Hao withdrew his gaze, turning to look at Kensei, a devilishly charming smile playing on his lips as he asked, “Do you think she’s worth me personally going to find?”
“You’re avoiding it. Others may not know what you’re thinking, but I do.”
“Pei Xuan Yan wants to play with me? I’ll play with him to the end. He wants to rescue An Hong from prison, but I won’t let him have his way.”
“Hao… don’t be impulsive. Doing this will hurt An Ke.” Kensei stood up excitedly, facing him. After knowing him for so many years, he might not understand him 100%, but at least 80%. If he said something, he would do it.
“There are two types of women: those to be cherished and those to be played with, and she belongs to the latter.” A faint smile remained on his face, but his deep black eyes were like a cold pool: “I’ll make her understand the consequences of her actions and regret everything she’s done today.”
“An Ke is not Xuan Ling. You need to think carefully.” If Jun Hao hadn’t revealed the truth while drunk, he would have forever carried that pain, a pain that belonged to him alone. Since then, Kensei had never seen any expression on Jun Hao’s face except a smile. A smile is an expression of joy, but when someone is used to hiding their inner feelings behind a smile, it’s more painful than crying.
“Prepare for me. I want to give my wife a grand wedding.”
“Jun Hao, no matter what you do, I won’t stop you, nor can I. I just hope you won’t regret it later.” Kensei spoke to Jun Hao with unprecedented seriousness.
“I know exactly what I’m doing. Have you ever seen the word ‘regret’ in my dictionary?” Jun Hao pointed to the door, asking, “Are you leaving or am I?”
Kensei turned towards the door, stopped, and pointed to the photo on the floor: “I don’t think I need to prevent this news from being reported.”
“Whatever.” Jun Hao collapsed into the large chair. Many things weren’t unknown, just unwelcome to think about. He feared he would never forget that shocking moment – he was merely someone else’s smokescreen.
The strong nicotine smell permeated the room, having emptied several packs of strong cigarettes. Jun Hao usually liked smoking XUN cigarettes, which had a light mint flavor that softened the tobacco taste. When tired, smoking one would make him feel refreshed. Recently, he had rarely smoked, because of her unconscious disgust when he did. He couldn’t give up his beloved cigarettes for her, at least not in front of her.
He picked up his mobile phone and dialed a number, his voice hoarse from smoking: “Prepare yourself. In three days, I’ll give you the most luxurious wedding in the world.” He didn’t care about the ecstatic response on the other end and quickly hung up.
… Lovers, happy Valentine’s Day. Those without lovers can spend it with me, haha…
027 Story
As the sun set, An Ke and Pei Xuan Yan arrived at their destination. As soon as they got out of the car, An Ke was stunned by the scene before her. No words could describe her joy. It was a sea of flowers, with various exotic flowers blooming in the middle of winter. An Ke walked through the flower garden, constantly asking Pei Xuan Yan about different flowers, occasionally stopping to smell them. Though she received no answers, she continued enthusiastically.
The garden was several hundred square meters, with a small wooden house at the center, resembling a treehouse in a forest. The words “Ling Ling’s Nest” caught her eye, and she unconsciously walked towards the small house. Pushing the small wooden door open, she found a bright, clean room with four windows. A small round table with an unfinished chess game sat in the center, with two small bamboo chairs on either side.
A Tang Dynasty lady’s portrait hung on the left wall, with a powerful-looking calligraphy piece on the right. “Xuan Ge, this beautiful place with such a warm name makes me want to meet its owner,” An Ke said, turning to see the sunset casting light on Pei Xuan Yan, a perfect smile on his lips as if lost in a beautiful dream.
He walked towards her, his angelic smile mesmerizing her. Gently embracing her, he whispered, “You’re finally back.”
An Ke struggled slightly, about to speak when he said, “Don’t move. Just let me hold you for a moment.”
She allowed him to hold her, her head against his chest, hearing his heavy heartbeat. She remembered how another man used to hold her like this, domineering and not allowing her to escape. In Singapore, when she once sprained her ankle, he had personally brought her warm water and massaged her swollen foot, scolding her, “I’ve never seen such a clumsy woman.” She hated her own weakness, and thinking of this made her nose tingle with tears.
When his cold lips pressed against hers, she quickly pushed him away: “No.
