The moonlight was as placid as water, a beauty by his side in a singles’ dormitory at Hangcheng No.1 Middle School.
Li Ruoshui wrapped her arms around Shen Fanyun’s neck and whispered story after story from their past into his ear. She spoke of their classmates and the different paths their lives had taken since graduation. Shen Fanyun remembered some names vividly, while others took him a long moment to place.
At one point, Li Ruoshui took out a notebook. Page after page was filled with Shen Fanyun’s name. Tucked inside was a love letter she had written as a girl but never sent, even after more than a decade. The paper had yellowed, bearing the marks of time.
Unfolding the letter, Shen Fanyun couldn’t help but sigh. The words overflowed with affection, warmth, and Li Ruoshui’s unique, playful personality.
He held the letter open, cleared his throat dramatically, and began to read aloud. "Hey, Shen Fanyun! I bet you’re surprised to be getting a letter from me, aren’t you?"
"Don’t get any weird ideas, though. It’s just a letter between ordinary classmates. I remember the first time I saw you, standing in the sunlight, wearing a white shirt and sky-blue jeans, so clean and simple."
"Ahh, don’t read it!" Li Ruoshui buried her face in his neck, shaking him vigorously.
This is so humiliating! He was actually reading her love letter out loud, right in front of her, and with so much dramatic flair! Li Ruoshui was so mortified her toes were trying to claw a three-bedroom apartment out of the floor.
"No way, this is great writing," Shen Fanyun grinned, his words strained as she shook him. The girl was about to shake his head clean off his shoulders.
"Please stop reading," Li Ruoshui pleaded.
Shen Fanyun’s eyes lit up. His voice dropped to a slow, suggestive drawl. "Then you’ll have to be a good girl. I’ll stop reading as long as you behave."
"What are you up to now?" Li Ruoshui asked, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
Shen Fanyun nodded. "I want to."
Li Ruoshui was speechless.
"You bastard! We agreed we’d just hold each other and sleep! That we wouldn’t do anything! You..." Li Ruoshui suddenly realized she’d walked right into a trap. A man’s promises are nothing but lies!
Shen Fanyun ran a finger over her shoulder. The teal silk, open-collared nightgown slipped off. He immediately turned on his side, pulling her tightly into his embrace.
Helpless, Li Ruoshui could only cooperate, kicking her legs to push the rest of the nightgown down and off.
Soon, the room was filled with the sound of Li Ruoshui’s long, soft breaths, rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
It was a night of unbridled passion.
Because she had work the next day, Li Ruoshui reluctantly crawled out of bed on time. "You can sleep in a little longer," she whispered. "I bought you breakfast. It’s on the table. I know you’re busy, so go do what you need to do. But if you have time, remember to come visit me, okay? That would make me so happy."
She whispered these tender words into his ear, kissed his cheek gently, and then hurried out of the dormitory.
「At ten in the morning.」
Shen Fanyun was woken up by a call from Su Xiyan. Eyes still closed, he fumbled for his phone, swiped to answer, and asked lazily, "What’s up?"
"Where were you yesterday?" Su Xiyan asked curiously.
Shen Fanyun dodged the question. "Get to the point."
Su Xiyan mumbled an "Okay" and told him about an upcoming business networking event in Hangcheng City. It wasn’t a high-profile gathering, but most of the attendees were locals with well-established businesses. Given their current predicament, the Su Family hadn’t been included on the invitation list. However, attending the event was crucial for them. So, Su Xiyan was asking if he could figure something out.
"I can," Shen Fanyun agreed without a moment’s hesitation, making Su Xiyan, who was sitting in her office, ecstatic.
She never expected his follow-up, though. "So, since I’m helping you, what’s in it for me?"
"What’s in it for you?" A second ago, Su Xiyan had been perfectly composed, but now she exploded. "You bastard! Haven’t you gotten enough from me already? I’ve given you everything, and you’re still not satisfied? You want *more*?"
She had given him her first time. She had done her best to please him and satisfy his every desire, even swallowing her pride to indulge his questionable tastes. And this guy still had the nerve to ask for more?
"Okay, okay, stop! My mistake. I shouldn’t have asked." Shen Fanyun quickly backed down, promising to handle the matter for her as soon as possible.
Only then was Su Xiyan satisfied.
"Hmph. You sound exhausted. Were you in some pretty girl’s bed all night? Worn out?" Su Xiyan taunted.
Shen Fanyun fell silent.
Spot on.
"Why don’t you come over and lie down for a bit? We could be a party of three. Explore some... new experiences?" Shen Fanyun suggested slyly.
Su Xiyan didn’t bother trading barbs with him. She switched to her CEO voice and commanded, "It’s a workday. Why aren’t you up and on your way to the office? Is my company’s Director of Security always this lazy? Get your ass back here. Now."
SLAM! Su Xiyan hung up, fuming.
A woman on her period really is no different from a tigress. Best not to provoke her. After that exchange, Shen Fanyun had no desire to go back to sleep.
「At ten-thirty.」
Shen Fanyun arrived at the company.
"Director, aren’t you clocking in? It’s already ten-thirty, almost time for lunch!" Lin Jia popped up from out of nowhere, smiling as she greeted him.
Shen Fanyun was speechless.
This girl really knows how to hit a nerve.
"I was out handling some business, that’s why I’m late," Shen Fanyun lied smoothly.
Not quite believing him, Lin Jia muttered under her breath, "The Security Department handles business deals now? Isn’t that the Sales Department’s job?"
"Ahem." Shen Fanyun cleared his throat, putting on a serious expression. "Lin Jia, aren’t you asking a few too many questions? Go make me a coffee. Low sugar, no milk." He added, his words carrying a hidden meaning, "I’ve had a bit too much milk lately. I need to take a break."
"Okay, okay!" Lin Jia scurried off to do as he asked.
「Meanwhile.」
Su Xiyan was in her office, meticulously touching up her makeup. She had chosen a woody perfume today. It wasn’t as sweet as she’d expected, but she loved the base notes. She was very pleased.
"Hey, beautiful, I’m here for work!" Shen Fanyun announced, pushing the door open.
Su Xiyan glared. "Don’t you know how to knock?"
"How can the Director of Security be so ignorant of basic etiquette? You’re supposed to be setting an example! What will the employees think?" Su Xiyan scolded him.
"A bit testy, are we?" Shen Fanyun frowned.
Can a period really change a woman’s personality that much? How is she any different from a tigress right now?
Su Xiyan sat bolt upright, adopting the imperious tone of a corporate queen. "So, is it handled?"