"Don't do it here," Lin Xingwan pressed the man's large hand, her eyes shimmering with a tender gaze.
Even though only a sliver of light from the streetlamp penetrated, her luminous eyes were like the finest glazed porcelain.
"You're so bold, are you inviting me to your place, hmm?" Zhou Jinbai's gaze deepened slightly. He used one hand to cup Lin Xingwan's full, rosy lips. Due to the dim light, his face was obscured, yet it exuded a dangerous aura.
Lin Xingwan softly hummed in agreement. "To my place. I don't want to do it here."
"But I... refuse to grant your wish." Zhou Jinbai's tone was a little wicked as he swiftly pinned Lin Xingwan's small hand, which was pressing against his, above her head.
With her legs pinned and her hands restrained, Lin Xingwan felt like a piece of fish ready to be cooked.
It was a position that offered no sense of security, especially with the sound of voices and footsteps from people passing by on the street. Lin Xingwan couldn't help but feel nervous.
"Stop playing around, Zhou Jinbai." Lin Xingwan had always thought of him as calm and collected, but when he went wild, she was utterly unable to cope.
The man answered her directly with his actions, showing whether he was playing around or not.
Her lips were sealed once more, and the tempestuous kisses rained down upon her like droplets.
Even though Zhou Jinbai was usually extremely gentle with her, he was far from tender in this regard. He was domineering and direct, like a rough fellow.
Especially the words he whispered into her ear made Lin Xingwan blush furiously.
The sounds of surrounding conversations and footsteps had disappeared at some point. When the man's calloused palm pressed against Lin Xingwan's waist, a moment of clarity returned to her blank mind.
Her innocent, bewildered eyes held a look of fear at what the man was doing.
"Don't be afraid," Zhou Jinbai chuckled. Seeing Lin Xingwan's hesitant expression, he felt both love and pity.
Tonight, Zhou Jinbai appeared exceptionally assertive.
All of Lin Xingwan's resistance was ignored by him. Only when Lin Xingwan was crying and begging for mercy did he wipe his hands with a tissue and then cradle her.
Only after Lin Xingwan had completely relaxed did Zhou Jinbai lean close to her ear again.
"Wife, you're weaker than I imagined, and easily satisfied."
Shameless!
How could he say such a thing with such a proper, handsome face?
Lin Xingwan buried her head, burying herself in the man's embrace. "Can you please stop talking?"
Zhou Jinbai's hearty and contented laughter echoed in the confined space of the car. With a wife like this, what more could a man ask for?
She was too adorable. How could his damn wife be so adorable?
"Alright, I won't say anything more."
Lin Xingwan was carried back home in Zhou Jinbai's arms like a princess.
Although the man left soon after, Lin Xingwan, lying on the bed, felt his clean, fresh scent all over her.
She recalled what had happened in the car with Zhou Jinbai. Even though it was over, she couldn't help but feel her heart race and her temperature rise.
It was too daring, too thrilling!
The act of potentially being discovered at any moment was something she had never experienced with Gu Shaoting.
And yet... she didn't reject it.
Lin Xingwan fell asleep in a state of extreme pleasure and excitement. She had a strange, fantastical dream.
The dream was filled with tender intimacy, a dream that belonged only to her and Zhou Jinbai.
Had it not been for the sudden ringing of her phone, Lin Xingwan might have remained lost in that dream.
She picked up her phone and glanced at the caller ID. It was Qin Jie.
"Hello, Qin Jie?" Lin Xingwan's voice was a little hoarse.
On the other end, Qin Jie's voice was full of gossip. "Tsk tsk tsk, why is your voice so hoarse? Did you indulge too much last night? That Zhou Jinbai, he's really not being gentle with you, is he?"
Lin Xingwan felt her cheeks flush. "Qin Jie, don't talk nonsense. We haven't officially been intimate yet."
"Haven't officially been intimate? So you've had unofficial intimacy?" Liu Mengqin's tone was teasing. Lin Xingwan didn't know how to respond. Liu Mengqin continued, "Zhou Jinbai, that man, looks like he's all about the meat. You're just a little white rabbit in front of him, destined to be gobbled up. But as someone who's been through it, I'll tell you, don't get too lost in love. A woman's life can involve occasional infatuation, but more importantly, she must constantly progress. Be disciplined and diligent, and love will naturally blossom."
"I know." It wasn't just Liu Mengqin advising her; even Lin Xingwan felt that the development of her relationship with Zhou Jinbai was too rapid.
In just one month, from meeting him to getting married and then almost having a mishap last night, everything she had done surpassed the years she had known Gu Shaoting.
"Qin Jie, why are you calling so early? Is something wrong at the company?" Lin Xingwan asked.
"Of course, something big has happened at the company!" Liu Mengqin paused at the right moment, making Lin Xingwan's heart immediately tense.
"What big thing?" Lin Xingwan's voice became anxious.
"Because Ge Xuan Si is going to star in 'Immortal Path,' many brands want him as their spokesperson. From midnight until now, my phone has been ringing off the hook. Hurry to the company and help me handle it, or I'll be worked to death."
"Okay, I'll be right there."
After quickly getting ready, Lin Xingwan drove to the company.
On the way, several former brand representatives she had worked with called her, wanting to collaborate again.
Lin Xingwan responded to them one by one while driving. Upon arriving at the company, she worked with Liu Mengqin to select suitable endorsements for Ge Xuan Si.
The morning passed quickly with all this busyness.
By the time Lin Xingwan could catch her breath, it was already noon.
Lin Xingwan drank honey water while Liu Mengqin frantically scrolled through her phone.
"I never imagined Ge Xuan Si would be chosen, and as the second male lead! This is a direct slap in the face to Lin Shirou and Gu Shaoting. When I was still at Huanyu, Gu Shaoting was constantly buying press releases, praising Lin Shirou to the heavens. I didn't expect she wouldn't even get a maid's role. The entire internet is mocking Lin Shirou."
Liu Mengqin could perfectly imagine Lin Shirou's contorted face. Lin Xingwan also smiled, "Lin Shirou was absolutely certain she would get a role in 'Immortal Path,' and she mocked me repeatedly for it. When they found out the results last night, their faces turned green."
"You were with them last night?" Liu Mengqin was very good at extracting key information.
So, Lin Xingwan recounted everything that had happened last night to Liu Mengqin.
"Holy cow, that was satisfying! Ahhh, why wasn't I there? What a shame. Those drama queens from the Lin family, and that scumbag Gu Shaoting, well done!"
Liu Mengqin's mood became uncontrollably excited just from Lin Xingwan's description.
It was more exciting than a TV drama.
"I also think they deserved it. If these people had been kind from the start and hadn't made things difficult for Jin Bai and me, and if everyone had gotten along, none of this would have happened. They brought it upon themselves." Lin Xingwan's face showed disgust. Thinking about how they had tried to frame her, she felt the people at Yunhai Hotel should have been a bit harsher.
"A wild ginseng king worth tens of millions, the imperial banquet at Yunhai Hotel. I'm really curious, who is this wealthy friend of Zhou Jinbai's? What kind of deity is he?" Liu Mengqin's tone was full of envy. She also wished she had such a rich friend.
"I don't know either," Lin Xingwan shrugged helplessly.
"I checked a few days ago. The seaside villas are all assets of the Dongfang Corporation. Even if they were sold, they would be sold to acquaintances. In my opinion, your man's friend must have some connection to the Dongfang Corporation. Why don't you have your man build a bridge, and we can find a major investor to sponsor Dingfeng Entertainment?" Liu Mengqin suggested.
Lin Xingwan disagreed with Liu Mengqin's suggestion. "His friend has helped us so much indirectly. Dingfeng Entertainment is not on the same level as his friend. All cooperation is based on mutual benefit. Let's consider this issue after our company develops better. Otherwise, they'll laugh at us for overestimating ourselves."
"That's true. Dingfeng Entertainment now can't even compare to Huanyu. We still have to work harder. But seriously, Xingwan, you've changed a lot in the past month." Liu Mengqin sighed.
"Changed to be more heartless and cruel?" Lin Xingwan raised an eyebrow.
"No, you've become more decisive and bolder in love and hate. Even I, a woman, want to marry you." As soon as Liu Mengqin finished speaking, Zhou Jinbai's voice came from the doorway.
"I advise you to dismiss that immature thought as soon as possible. Xingwan is mine."
Liu Mengqin and Lin Xingwan simultaneously turned their gazes to the doorway and saw Zhou Jinbai walking in, carrying a handbag.
"Jin Bai, why are you here?" Lin Xingwan's face lit up with joy.
"I tried calling you several times, but you were on the phone, so I guessed you were busy with work. Grandma specifically made chicken soup for you and asked me to bring it over."
As the man spoke, he opened the handbag and took out an antique-looking food container.
A note was attached to the container, with elegant handwriting: "Lunch made for my granddaughter-in-law. Please don't hesitate to give suggestions. This old lady will definitely improve."
Lin Xingwan chuckled. "Grandma is so cute. She must have had many suitors when she was young."
"No, even when she's old, she has many old men pursuing her. The flowers at home are all from old men who receive their retirement pensions," Zhou Jinbai said, making Liu Mengqin and Lin Xingwan laugh.
The food container was opened, revealing six layers, each with different dishes. At the top were meticulously cut fruits.
The chicken soup was rich and appetizing.
Zhou Jinbai served a bowl to each of them. The chicken was tender, and the soup was fragrant and delicious. The two women began to eat heartily.
"This is too delicious! I've never had such delicious chicken. And this rice is so soft and fragrant. Everything is so good!" Liu Mengqin was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. She had never imagined that ordinary food could be so delicious.
Seeing Lin Xingwan and Liu Mengqin gobbling down the food, Zhou Jinbai couldn't help but recall the first time Lin Xingwan ate his cooking. It probably wasn't this exaggerated, was it?
She secretly glanced at Zhou Jinbai. The man spoke, "Grandma called you for dinner that time. At first, you refused, saying you had already eaten. Later, you ate two large bowls and still wanted more..."
Lin Xingwan was so embarrassed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
I didn't!
I didn't!
Don't talk nonsense!
"I'm going to take a call. You two eat slowly." Zhou Jinbai walked out with his vibrating phone.
Liu Mengqin immediately picked up a piece of chicken. "I've been eyeing this piece of chicken for a long time. I feel shy eating it when Zhou Jinbai is here."
"Qin Jie, I've been eyeing it for a long time too. You'll gain weight if you eat this much." Lin Xingwan also picked up her chopsticks.
"You can eat it every day, but I can only have this one meal. Why can't you be more generous and let me have it? You've already gotten enough!" Liu Mengqin's eyes held a hint of resentment.
"Qin Jie, you're acting like a white lotus."
The two women were engaged in a battle of wits over a piece of chicken in the office. Meanwhile, Lin Shirou, who was at home, was too angry to eat.
She smashed everything breakable in her room. Her agent, long accustomed to such scenes, continued speaking.
"The entire internet is mocking you for not getting a role in 'Immortal Path.' I advised you not to be so high-profile, but you didn't listen. Several brands you endorse are about to expire, and the brand representatives have clearly stated they don't want to continue the collaboration. I heard they all want to work with Ge Xuan Si. The head of Artland Jewelry also called me. They were already dissatisfied with you, and your recent performance has greatly disappointed them. If this continues, Huanyu Company will have to compensate them for reputational damage and breach of contract."
"So what if it's just a few lousy endorsements? Who cares? If they want to terminate the contract, let them." Lin Shirou said, then looked in the mirror. Even with makeup, her face was still swollen and red, looking incredibly ugly.
In a fit of rage, she swept everything off the dressing table.
She had never been so ugly or so pathetic, and all of this was thanks to Lin Xingwan.
She hated that woman to death.
Gu Shaoting walked in from outside. Seeing the mess on the floor, he gently persuaded, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. You'll only suffer if you get too upset."
"How can I not be angry? I've become like this now. My sister is so heartless. She's definitely doing this on purpose. She just dislikes me and wants to take everything from me." Lin Shirou cried, hugging Gu Shaoting.
"Your parents have already gone to find the lawyer from that day. My family has also returned from vacation abroad. My sister and I have discussed it. She'll go find Lin Xingwan later. After everything is done, you can film whatever you want and take whatever endorsements you want. Just sit at home and count your money. And within half an hour, Dingfeng Entertainment will be in trouble."
Although Gu Shaoting was comforting Lin Shirou, his heart couldn't help but flutter.
If their plan succeeded, they would be flying high.
Lin Shirou's expression improved slightly after hearing this.
"Shaoting, it's so good to have you."
From Gu Shaoting's angle, he could see the scenery of Lin Shirou's camisole nightgown.
He even shamelessly reached inside in front of the agent.
Lin Shirou let out a soft moan. The agent quickly left.
...
Zhou Jinbai was on the phone for over an hour. When he returned, Liu Mengqin informed him that Lin Xingwan had gone for a nap.
The man tiptoed into Lin Xingwan's resting room. The woman was asleep on the bed. The blanket covering her had fallen aside, revealing her long, slender legs.
Zhou Jinbai locked the door and carefully lay down beside Lin Xingwan, wrapping his arm around her waist. He planted light kisses on her cheek.
"Why were you on the phone for so long?" Lin Xingwan didn't need to open her eyes to know it was Zhou Jinbai from his scent.
The man unbuttoned Lin Xingwan's shirt, skillfully found his favorite spot, and began to play with it, varying the pressure.
"Because I need to find a job to support my wife." Zhou Jinbai deliberately lowered his voice. The warm breath he exhaled made Lin Xingwan tremble.
"Do you remember that lawyer from when we went back to the Lin family?" Zhou Jinbai asked.
"I remember. What's wrong?"