Turning around, Zhong Wanqiu saw the Old Master standing in the living room with a beaming smile. The smile was somewhat irritating—very irritating—but Wanqiu had no time to dwell on it. She was pulled into a room on the second floor. With a “thud,” Leng Muxun dragged her down onto the large bed in the room…
“Wanqiu, what did Grandfather say to you?” The dim wall lamps cast a particularly romantic ambiance in the room, yet in such an atmosphere, Leng Muxun asked a question entirely unrelated to romance.
“Nothing, just casual chat.” Steadying herself, she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong. She was an honest, good girl—something her teachers had instilled in her since kindergarten.
“That’s not true, Zhong Wanqiu. Tell me the truth—what exactly did you say to Grandfather?”
“We talked about the weather, movies, sports, and such. Isn’t that what you told me to say?” Flashing a pair of utterly innocent eyes, Zhong Wanqiu stared intently at Leng Muxun, showing no intention of backing down.
“Fine, I’ll believe you this once. Go take a shower.” Slowly rising from the bed, Leng Muxun looked down at her from his height.
“What about you?” She didn’t get up, instead lying lazily on the bed and staring back at him. She didn’t want to share a bed with him.
“Silly girl, of course I’ll shower after you’re done.”
“A Xun, I don’t want to sleep in the same bed as you.” If it weren’t for Grandfather inviting her to stay, she would never have agreed to sleep here. Moreover, she still remembered what Grandfather had said to Leng Muxun. She had clearly told Grandfather she wasn’t Leng Muxun’s real girlfriend, so why did he bring up the topic of children? A string of questions swirled in her mind, but she couldn’t directly confront Grandfather. If Leng Muxun found out, he would surely accuse her of violating their agreement.
Because she had indeed violated it—telling Grandfather was a breach of their contract.
“Wanqiu, this room has no hidden doors or connections to other rooms. There’s only one bed here. If you don’t sleep in the same bed as me, you’ll have to sleep on the floor.”
“What did you say?” Her mouth formed an “O” shape. Had she heard correctly? He was a man—how could he make her sleep on the floor?
“Zhong Wanqiu, I think you’ve been up to something. Don’t let me find out, or else…”
“Or else what?” She wrinkled her nose, disdainful of his expression and words.
“What do you think?” Crossing his arms, he knew Zhong Wanqiu’s weak spot.
“Leng Muxun, then I’ll immediately tell Grandfather that you hired me.” She retorted with a smile, determined not to let him threaten her. She trusted that Grandfather wouldn’t betray her—a man in his seventies would never lie to her.
“You…”
“Leng Muxun, you sleep on the floor.” Circling back, she returned to the main point.
He let out a heavy sigh, as if having made a tremendous resolution, and said, “Fine, I’ll agree for Grandfather’s sake, Zhong Wanqiu. But don’t let it happen again.”
Sticking out her tongue, she thought to herself that she was also agreeing for Grandfather’s sake. Grandfather was truly adorable—she liked him.
Choosing the most conservative nightgown already prepared in the room, the size fit perfectly, but it still felt slightly revealing. When she stepped out of the bathroom, Zhong Wanqiu wrapped a towel around herself to cover the embarrassment the nightgown caused.
Pulling the covers tightly over herself, she acted as if she weren’t sharing the room with Leng Muxun but with a wolf.
Zhong Wanqiu lay with her back to the bathroom door. First came the sound of running water, then soft rustling footsteps, followed by the sound of a quilt being thrown onto the carpet. Leng Muxun had obediently taken to sleeping on the floor. The room was so quiet that she couldn’t shake off her nervousness no matter how hard she tried. One minute, two minutes—soon an hour had passed. When Zhong Wanqiu heard the man’s soft snoring, she finally relaxed her tense nerves. Closing her eyes, she fell asleep.
Morning arrived, and the clock in the room ticked steadily. Zhong Wanqiu rubbed her eyes—she had slept soundly and felt wonderfully refreshed.
The bed beneath her was incredibly comfortable. The Simmons mattress truly lived up to its reputation, allowing her to sleep through the night without a single dream.
As she looked around, her consciousness gradually returned. But then, a frightened cry escaped her lips: “Ah…!” At the same time, she quickly withdrew her hand from the man’s private area. Damn Leng Muxun—not only did he sleep naked, but he had also climbed into her bed.
Just as Zhong Wanqiu froze in disbelief, the man beside her reached out and placed his hand on her waist. With his eyes still closed, he murmured, “Baby, be good. Sleep a little longer. Don’t make a fuss.”
She grabbed his ear and pulled. “Leng Muxun, wake up! Tell me, who said you could climb into my bed?”
His ear stretched from the tug, and he finally woke up. Glancing at her, he replied nonchalantly, “Miss, this is my bed. You’re the one who climbed into mine.”
“You…” Zhong Wanqiu was at her wit’s end. Thankfully, her pajamas were still intact. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, determined to get away from sharing the same space with him.
Rushing into the bathroom, she quickly washed up, changed her clothes, and prepared to leave. The man on the bed lazily sat up and casually remarked, “Zhong Wanqiu, you’re coming downstairs with me.”
“No.” Remembering where her hand had accidentally touched earlier, her face flushed red.
“Wanqiu, you must. You can’t go down alone. I don’t want Grandfather to be upset.” The man had already gotten up and stood behind her. Naturally, he wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her hair and inhaling softly. “So fragrant.”
“Leng Muxun, if you want me to go downstairs with you, give me a reason—one that can convince me.His lips continued to brush against her hair, the gentle friction sending shivers through her body as if an electric current had passed through her.
“Sweetheart, I want a child.” The man’s magnetic voice whispered seductively in the morning air.
An indescribable feeling washed over him. Just holding her made Leng Muxun suddenly want her to be his woman. Perhaps his heart had been lonely for too long. He loved the feeling of embracing her—calm, natural, and free from any need for calculation.
Her body trembled, and she shook her head, still unwilling to let herself sink deeper. “I’m sorry, I’m not ready yet.”
“But I want you by my side,” he declared domineeringly.
“Aren’t I by your side right now?”
“But your heart isn’t.” He murmured, his lips still nuzzling her fragrant hair.
“Leng Muxun, have you forgotten what you once said?” This man was asking for too much—he didn’t want her to fall in love with him, yet he demanded her heart be entirely his. Wasn’t that a contradiction?
“I just want you to be more sincere, Wanqiu. I want Grandfather to feel at ease.” His low voice struck at her heart, stirring up confusion.
“What…”
“Grandfather is ill. He might not have much time left…”
Her hands abruptly pried his away from her waist as she turned to face him. “What did you say?” She truly couldn’t believe it. Grandfather was so wonderful – she had liked him from their very first meeting. If what Leng Muxun just said was true, then everything she had previously said to Grandfather must have hurt him. Her heart was in turmoil. She genuinely adored Grandfather.
“I’m not lying to you. I have his medical report. So, Wanqiu, I want you to take this matter seriously. I don’t want Grandfather to become suspicious.”
She froze, her gaze fixed on Leng Muxun in stunned silence. She couldn’t process this sudden realization. She had messed everything up. She had wronged Grandfather. She was mistaken.
“Wanqiu, what’s wrong?” The man waved his hand before her eyes. “Zhong Wanqiu, wake up. What’s happening to you?”
“Ah…” She snapped back to awareness instinctively. Looking up into Leng Muxun’s concerned eyes, she suddenly felt she had wronged both him and Grandfather. She really shouldn’t have crushed Leng Muxun’s filial devotion. But now, everything had been said – spilt water couldn’t be gathered back up. There was no way to undo it.
“What’s wrong? Look at you, scared stiff?”
Wanqiu began to cry. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing such a wonderful grandfather. Leaning sideways, she buried herself in Leng Muxun’s embrace, tears flowing freely. She couldn’t bear to lose Grandfather. She loved him. Having had little contact with elderly people since childhood, she particularly cherished interactions with the older generation.
If she had known earlier, she would never have spoken those words. But everything was truly too late now…
Leng Muxun gently patted her back. “Wanqiu, I want Grandfather to be happy in his remaining days. Wanqiu, I just want our comings and goings here to feel natural. Be my woman.”
His words made Zhong Wanqiu lift her head. Wiping her tears, she looked at him. “Leng Muxun, I’ll play my role well. But I won’t be your woman.” She refused without hesitation. What did he take her for? A pet?
“Wanqiu…” Slightly taken aback, Leng Muxun hadn’t expected her to refuse so decisively.
“You have plenty of women already, don’t you? If you need someone, you can always invite them to your apartment. I don’t mind.” Actually, he didn’t just have women – he had men too. She had seen it with her own eyes.
“Sigh…” Leng Muxun sighed softly and said nothing more. “Let’s go downstairs.”
Zhong Wanqiu wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes again. She seemed to be crying particularly easily lately. Then her arm naturally linked with Leng Muxun’s. Fine, she would try to make up for everything. As long as Grandfather could be happy. Opening the door, they walked out together.
“A Xun, Wanqiu, come quickly for breakfast, or you’ll be late.” Just as they reached the stairs, Grandfather called out to them from the dining room.
He was probably just choosing not to expose her. Zhong Wanqiu walked down the stairs feeling guilty, quietly joining the meal. She remained so still she might as well have been absent.
“Child, has A Xun been bullying you?” The old man put down his bowl and asked with concern.
“Ah, n-no… he hasn’t.”
“Why aren’t you happy? Look at you, with tears in your eyes. A Xun, if I see you bullying Wanqiu again, I won’t let you off.”
Leng Muxun looked confused. “Grandfather, I really didn’t.” He had only asked her to be his woman, but he was the one who got rejected. Shouldn’t he be the one feeling upset?