Shen Qi was startled: "Chen Chen?"
A scream came from the other end of the phone: "You actually still remember me!"
Shen Qi rubbed her forehead and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to not keep in touch. You know my family situation."
Chen Chen sighed and said, "I know, but we're not here to mock you. Anyway, are you coming to the school reunion?"
Shen Qi immediately looked at He Yining.
He Yining heard the voice on the phone and merely nodded slightly.
Shen Qi quickly said, "Sure, when is the reunion?"
After Chen Chen gave the date, they exchanged a few pleasantries and hung up.
Shen Qi looked at He Yining: "Can I really go?"
"Of course. You're free." He Yining replied with a faint smile. "I married a wife, not a puppet."
Shen Qi smiled from the heart: "Thank you, He Yining."
"Let's go home." He Yining started the car and drove Shen Qi back.
Even though neither of them spoke for the rest of the ride, the atmosphere was surprisingly good.
Shen Qi watched the scenery recede outside—cars, pedestrians, everyone seemingly rushing home.
Home. At that moment, the word was filled with warmth and hope.
Once upon a time, the word "home" had been Shen Qi's nightmare.
But now, she had finally escaped that nightmare and could, like any ordinary person, look forward to the beauty of that word.
Though this marriage was a twist of fate, there was no denying that He Yining had given her a peaceful haven.
In Jinghua Manor, she had enough freedom.
For a man wielding immense power, controlling the lifeline of an economic empire, this was probably his way of showing goodwill, wasn't it?
Shen Qi stared at the scenery outside, lost in thought.
She didn't notice the car slowing down bit by bit.
He Yining was driving a multi-million-dollar supercar, but at the speed of a cheap compact.
He didn't want this beautiful moment to end.
For the first time, he felt that Fan Sheng and Fan Li's home was too close to Jinghua Manor.
If only this road had no end, so he could keep driving with her forever.
He Yining's long fingers rested on the steering wheel as he saw Shen Qi lean back in her seat, already lightly asleep.
He quietly reached out and gently took her hand.
Compared to his, Shen Qi's hand was so small and delicate.
Her tiny fingers in his palm brought a strange sense of calm.
He Yining had never felt anything like this before.
It was as if holding her hand meant holding the entire world.
This unfamiliar feeling was both novel and unsettling.
It also made him a little uneasy.
He knew that if he let go of Shen Qi's hand, the unease would disappear.
But he also knew he couldn't bear to let go...
He tightened his grip, holding her small fingers closer, a little tighter, just a little more...
Shen Qi was still asleep, letting He Yining hold her hand without any response.
Yet even so, He Yining felt deeply satisfied.
He couldn't help but ask himself: When had he started paying attention to her?
Was it that day of the torrential rain?
Or when she was burning with fever, unconscious before him?
Or perhaps at Mo Ge's place, when her silly antics made him laugh?
Or the first time she showed her true nature, laughing and joking with him?
Or when she stood stubbornly by his side, willing to face thorns and brambles with him?
None of that mattered anymore.
Because every smile and frown of hers had left a deep mark in his mind, each image vivid and alive, unforgettable.
Was this feeling love?
Was love really this wonderful?
Whether it was love or not, he didn't want to let her go anymore.
Because the moment he heard she was in trouble, his heart had truly clenched.
He had never worried about anyone like this before.
And now, finally, there was this person...
No matter how slowly the road stretched, they eventually reached home.
The car came to a gentle stop. He Yining stopped anyone from speaking, carefully lifted the sleeping Shen Qi in a princess carry, and walked toward the bedroom.
The butler, seeing this, immediately understood everything.
Everyone quietly withdrew, leaving the space to them.
Shen Qi was as peaceful as a little cat, curled up in He Yining's arms.
His movements were so light, so gentle.
Shen Qi felt no jostling at all.
When she opened her eyes the next day, Shen Qi was momentarily disoriented.
She remembered falling asleep in the car—how was she already home?
Turning her head, unsurprisingly, He Yining was sleeping beside her.
He hadn't woken yet, and Shen Qi took the chance to openly study his sleeping face.
Even in sleep, he was as noble and captivating as a prince.
His chiseled features were perfect and harmonious.
The unique masculine charm radiated fully.
This perfect man was sleeping right next to her.
Thinking about it felt like a dream.
Shen Qi carefully reached out and gently traced the outline of his lips.
His lips were thin and moist, with a deep pink sheen.
A man with such lip color would make countless men and women jealous...
Shen Qi felt herself growing greedy. Besides his lips, she wanted to touch other places, to see if they were as wonderful as she imagined...
But before her fingers could move, He Yining, still asleep, suddenly opened his mouth and bit down on her finger.
A tingling current shot from her finger through her entire body.
Shen Qi was mortified.
Was he already awake?
Had she woken him?
He Yining slowly opened his eyes.
The gaze in his phoenix eyes upon waking was an absolute killer.
Shen Qi thought no woman in the world could resist that look.
It was utterly intoxicating...
"Naughty." He Yining rolled over, pinning Shen Qi beneath him. "Disturbing my sleep early in the morning—are you testing your husband's abilities? If that's your wish, I'll gladly fulfill it!"
Shen Qi's face flushed crimson. Her hands instinctively pressed against his chest as she stammered, "I... I didn't... I'm not..."
He Yining's long neck bent slightly, his dark hair half-veiling his eyes. His morning voice was deeply magnetic: "Hmm? Didn't what? Not what?"
Shen Qi looked up at He Yining, who was now above her, and felt her heart race uncontrollably.
What should she do?
She suddenly wanted to bite him right now!
He was too bewitching!
Shen Qi felt torn.
She wanted to devour He Yining in that moment.
But a voice in her heart warned her that if something happened between them, she might not be able to leave smoothly after a year.
What should she do? So conflicted!
He Yining suddenly rolled off her and flicked her forehead. "No need to look at me with such a conflicted expression. You can devour me anytime. But Xiao Qi, once you give yourself to me completely, you can never leave my side for the rest of your life. Understand?"
Shen Qi froze: "How did you know..."
How did he know what she was thinking?
Why was he so indulgent with her?
"Because I, He Yining, don't plan on a second marriage in this lifetime." His voice was soft but utterly serious.
Shen Qi was truly moved.
Damn it, how could she not be moved?
An empire CEO with a face like a demon king, gently promising her a lifetime of monogamy—how many women in the world could resist such temptation?
Especially when her heart was already captivated by him...
But could she really entrust her entire life to him?
Would she truly have no regrets?
"Aren't you meeting your classmates today? Dress up beautifully. As the second young mistress of the He family, you can't be outshone!" He Yining looked at her dazed little expression, utterly charmed, and pinched her nose. "Come home early."
"Mm." A sweet wave seemed to ripple through Shen Qi's heart, a feeling she had never experienced before—not even with Zhan Bo.
Zhan Bo loved extreme outdoor activities. Most of his time was devoted to them, leaving little for her.
In all their years together, their time spent together was less than a tenth of his outdoor adventures.
Every meeting was rushed.
Though He Yining was also busy with work, he gave her a completely different experience.
It turned out that no matter how busy someone was, they could still make time to be with you.
After breakfast, Shen Qi indeed freshened up and left, looking radiant.
Not long after she left, a maid came to report: "Master, Madam Shen is here to see the second young mistress."
"Heh, interesting." He Yining's eyes narrowed. "Let her in. I'll see her in the side hall."
"Yes, Master." The maid obeyed and left.
Soon, Madam Shen entered, crying, and was led to the side hall.
Madam Shen was displeased.
She had come to see Shen Qi, yet Shen Qi made her wait in the side hall?
She had never been treated like this before!
When Shen Qi arrived, she would give her a piece of her mind!
Teach her some proper manners!
As Madam Shen grumbled inwardly, He Yining walked in from outside.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Madam Shen spun around, instinctively raising her hand to strike.
But just as her hand lifted, before it could fall, she realized it wasn't Shen Qi but He Yining.
Startled, she forced her expression from a scowl to a smile.
Her raised hand shifted from a slap to a gesture of smoothing her hair.
"Yi Ning, what brings you here? Where's Xiao Qi?" Madam Shen smoothly played the role of a loving mother.
He Yining hadn't missed her stiff expression and clumsy performance.