The feeling of being newly married after a brief separation filled the room as she returned from her shower; only a wall sconce was lit, casting a soft, not-too-strong light that carried the intimate hue of night. Lan Lingyan had already finished bathing and was lying on the bed, absorbed in a file folder. Seeing Ning Yunhuan emerge wrapped only in a bath towel, he tossed aside what he was holding and pulled her fiercely into his embrace.

The scent of steam and post-bath freshness clung to her; holding her felt as if his entire heart had finally clicked into place. The former Lan Lingyan would have scoffed at such vague sentimentality, but with the reality laid bare before him, he had no choice but to believe.

“Don’t go abroad anymore, and stop taking those photos,” he murmured. If it weren't for Ning Yunhuan’s desire to have something of her own to pursue, Lan Lingyan would never have agreed to let her go. She had been gone on that trip abroad, and now it was already August. In a few days, classes would resume atUniversity. Although Ning Yunhuan was now a senior and her course load wasn't as heavy as before, given her nature, if she had nothing else to occupy her, she would still head to school, leaving him even less time to be with her.

He picked up the hairdryer and began to dry her hair, his fingertips weaving through the strands. The sensation was so comforting that Ning Yunhuan let out a soft sound of pleasure. She still hadn’t fully adjusted to the time difference, and she hadn't slept soundly on the plane; now, back home, she was completely relaxed, swaying drowsily in Lan Jiu's arms.

However, the hand Lan Lingyan had resting beneath her neck gradually changed its intention, sliding smoothly toward her shoulder. Ning Yunhuan shivered, a shadow descending as her lips were suddenly captured. She passively opened her mouth to accept his kiss. Lan Lingyan, who had been patient for nearly ten days, could hold back no longer. He flipped over, intending to press her down beneath him. Ning Yunhuan felt a different emotion stirring within her this time. Recalling their previous intimate encounters, where she would either evade or merely endure, now that she understood Lan Jiu’s feelings, a wave of tenderness washed over her. She struggled fiercely, but Lan Lingyan, afraid of hurting her if he used too much force, still backed off slightly.

They were both breathless from their struggle. Lan Lingyan’s sleep robe was yanked askew, hanging loosely on either side, but his gaze was fixed dangerously on the pair of softly white, yielding mounds peeking through—fleetingly visible with the subtle tremor of her breathing.

“Don’t move…” Ning Yunhuan gasped softly, trembling, as the intense pressure beneath her made it clear that Lan Jiu was on the precipice of breaking.

Recalling tactics she’d seen in novels and on television, she reached out and lightly placed her hand on Lan Lingyan’s chest. Merely this much was enough to make Lan Jiu almost lose his restraint: “Baby, once we start, there’s no turning back.”

His look was dangerous, and his expression had long since shed the usual coolness. His words seemed pointed, but Ning Yunhuan wasn't listening; she assumed Lan Lingyan was referring to their intimacy, so she simply nodded: “I won’t retreat.” As she spoke, her face dipped down toward Lan Lingyan’s chest. Lan Jiu stroked her hair, savoring her rare compliance and the feeling in that moment that she wasn't fleeing, but earnestly trying to please him.

His lips traced a path downward from her chest, igniting heat along the way. Ning Yunhuan kissed his firm, chiseled abdomen, finally reaching out with a trembling hand to draw away Lan Jiu’s last barrier, releasing the desire he had suppressed for so long. Before she could even touch him, Lan Jiu could endure no more. He sat up and pulled her onto him, pressing her down even as he said through gritted teeth, “We’ll try that part again next time.” As he spoke, he was already somewhat breathless. Ning Yunhuan felt herself being stretched open inch by inch, her body aching with fullness. But since the arrow had left the bow, there was no turning back. In all the years they had been together, her unprecedented passion momentarily caused Lan Lingyan to forget restraint.

The physical pain mingled with a wondrous sense of being filled, accompanied by a feeling of needing to grasp something, made Ning Yunhuan want to cry. Yet, her soft gasps and whimpers only provoked a more fervent response from Lan Lingyan.

Like a reunion after a long separation, Ning Yunhuan, now free of inhibitions, was utterly captivating in their intimacy, leaving Lan Jiu unable to get enough.

The advertisement filmed overseas was soon broadcast in Huaxia, as the brand naturally entered the Chinese market. Instantly, Lin Min and Ning Yunhuan eclipsed many celebrities and idols, becoming the hottest figures of the moment. Ning Yunhuan began experiencing the treatment of being recognized on the street and having people ask for autographs—a distinction that used to belong solely to the female lead, Gu Yingxi!

After a while, Ning Yunhuan grew weary of it. On a sweltering afternoon trip to the company, she had to wear sunglasses and wrap a scarf around her head and face, only being recognized once she was inside the building.

Once on her own turf, Ning Yunhuan naturally breathed a sigh of relief. She owned an entertainment company, and they were hardly short on idols and stars. Everyone there was accustomed to seeing celebrities and wouldn't react with the astonishment of the general public. Still, when she entered, the security guard’s eyes betrayed a flash of excitement as he nodded: “Miss Ning.”

Ning Yunhuan nodded back. Just then, another figure, completely wrapped in a scarf just like Ning Yunhuan, who had been sitting in a corner of the lobby sofa, sprang up at the sound of the guard’s voice. The hands that had been tucked into her embrace suddenly shot out, spraying something toward Ning Yunhuan. The receptionist standing by the service desk went pale. Gu Yingnuo, who had been following silently behind Ning Yunhuan like a shadow, swiftly grabbed a small, delicate figure nearby and thrust it in front of Ning Yunhuan as a shield.

“Ah…” A sharp scream pierced the air, followed by a pungent odor assaulting everyone’s nostrils. The strange figure was quickly subdued by the momentarily stunned security guards. Gu Yingnuo pulled out her phone, dialing both the police and an ambulance.

“Damn it!” Seeing that Ning Yunhuan was unharmed, the person’s veil was ripped off, revealing a defiant, arrogant face. Their eyes burned with malice. It was a young man, quite thin and with a rather grim expression: “Bitch, you escaped this time, but you won’t get away next time!”

Ning Yunhuan watched with a cold smile as the small figure shielded her, clutching their chest and crying out in pain, before being helped away by others. Seeing the young man detained and still trying to look as if he wanted to spit on her, Ning Yunhuan stepped back slightly:

“Whether I run or not is one thing, but right now, for assault, you are not running anywhere. The men in prison are waiting for free labor like you.” As soon as her words fell, the young man’s face twisted into deeper hatred. Before he could struggle further, a guard muffled his face with something, forcibly twisted his arms behind his back, and shoved him away.

Only then did Ning Yunhuan realize the injured girl was an artist from her company named Ning Lianlian. Coincidentally, they shared a surname. More coincidently, this was the same girl with the frank, straightforward demeanor and baby face whom Ning Yunhuan had met once when entering the company, offering comfort to Gu Yingxi.

“Are you conscious?” Ning Yunhuan asked the girl who was quickly being lifted onto a stretcher. Gu Yingnuo glanced over and reported without a hint of remorse: “Madam, this is Ning Lianlian, from Nandu, Huaxia. She is nineteen years old, a first-year student in the Film and Television department at University. Besides her parents, she has two older brothers. More importantly,” Gu Yingnuo leaned close to Ning Yunhuan’s ear, “her family seems to have some connection with your maternal family, Madam.”

Gu Yingnuo had stayed by Ning Yunhuan’s side as promised after her surgery. However, she was capable in her own right and studied diligently. Lan Ning was Ning Yunhuan’s company, and Gu Yingnuo knew she would have to interact with Lan Ning while serving Ning Yunhuan, so she diligently memorized all the relevant personnel and information.

When Ning Yunhuan heard the possibility of a connection to her own family, her eyes flickered: “Who said that?”

“The Master mentioned it.” Since Lan Jiu had said it, Ning Yunhuan knew it was likely true. She concealed her doubts, coldly ordering everyone to send Ning Lianlian to the hospital before heading upstairs herself. She didn't speak further to the receptionist; the staff, knowing they had erred and feeling anxious, were summoned upstairs, paid three months’ salary, and dismissed.

After spending some time at the company, Ning Yunhuan couldn't sit still any longer and drove directly to where Father Ning and Madam Ning were currently residing. Due to the previous issues involving the Ning family, the Brooklyn residence had not yet been secured by the Lan family, so Father and Madam Ning were temporarily staying at a small estate Lan Lingyan owned in the center of the capital. Though this property was smaller than the mountain villa used for advertising, its location in the city center made every convenience easily accessible. Furthermore, since Lan Jiu never shared residences with others, there were no other tenants in this small estate. Father Ning could exercise and fish there daily, finding contentment, and his health appeared even better than before.

As the car drove in, the guard at the main gate recognized Ning Yunhuan’s vehicle and allowed her easy entry. It was August, and the weather in the capital was pleasant. Although still somewhat warm, because the estate was sparsely populated and the landscaping was excellent, Ning Yunhuan didn't feel the heat uncomfortably when she stepped out of the car.

Father Ning and Madam Ning were not in the villa. The servants in the compound pointed respectfully toward a distant pavilion. They escorted Ning Yunhuan over. There was a small pavilion by a lake where they usually rested during the heat; a gentle breeze blowing around it was quite cool. When Ning Yunhuan approached, she unexpectedly saw a figure who shouldn't have been there at this hour, and her expression immediately darkened:

“Mom, Dad.” She had been abroad recently and had only returned the previous evening, so she hadn't called them. She knew her parents kept regular hours and went to bed early, so rather than disturb their rest with news of her return, it was better to visit during the day.