Chapter 24: A Passionate Kiss (Part Two)

Guan Yueyue did not deny it. This misunderstanding was even more delightful than she had imagined. However, what she could not fathom was why Shen Zhi would suddenly begin to doubt Ming Ziluo without any apparent reason. Wasn't she his "sweetheart," his "white moonlight"?

Confirming his own suspicions, Shen Zhi cast aside all restraint and pulled Guan Yueyue into his arms, holding her tightly as if he had recovered something lost. Guan Yueyue pushed against him, fearing he might harm the child in her womb, but then her chin was gripped by Shen Zhi, forcing her head up as a searing kiss descended upon her.

With her lips and tongue ensnared by his, Guan Yueyue had no choice but to yield, her body softening under his touch. Just as they were lost in the intensity of their embrace, a loud thud echoed through the room, as if something had fallen to the floor.

Startled, Guan Yueyue immediately pushed Shen Zhi away. Turning her head, she saw their housekeeper, Mrs. Yu, standing frozen in place, a mop dropped from her hands. Guan Yueyue felt as though she had been caught in an affair.

Shen Zhi straightened his disheveled shirt and walked toward the housekeeper, his voice as alluring, rich, and gentle as ever. "Mrs. Yu, please, do not speak of this to anyone. I beg you."

Mrs. Yu finally regained her senses. "Young Master, how could you do such a thing? You know full well that the Third Miss is the Second Young Master’s girlfriend. To do this... it is highly immoral."

Shen Zhi frowned. "I will explain this to Ziyu, but now is not the time. Please, keep this a secret for us for the time being."

"I will not say anything," Mrs. Yu said, picking up the mop again. "It is clear to see that the Second Young Master cares for you deeply and trusts you implicitly. I implore you, Young Master, do not break his heart."

After Mrs. Yu finished mopping and left, Guan Yueyue approached Shen Zhi. "I should go back now, too."

Shen Zhi took her hand, his fingers interlaced with hers. "Once the matter with Ming Ziluo is resolved, we will get married."

Hearing the word "marriage" sent a flutter of excitement through Guan Yueyue. After a moment, she replied, "Then I shall wait—wait for you to come and marry me."

What Guan Yueyue did not know was that this wait would span an entire decade.

...

After sending Guan Yueyue home, Shen Zhi called Ming Ziluo. "Come to my place."

Ming Ziluo replied, "Zhi, I am in a meeting right now. Can we do it later? If it's urgent, I can come over right now."

Shen Zhi simply said, "Come over when the meeting is finished," and hung up.

Ming Ziluo sensed from the call that Shen Zhi was in a foul mood. She hastily concluded the meeting and, in less than twenty minutes, arrived at the Xu residence. "Zhi, I'm here."

She was clearly in a rush, breathless.

Shen Zhi asked, "Didn't I tell you to come after your meeting?"

Ming Ziluo smiled. "I was afraid you would be impatient waiting for me." As she spoke, she smoothed her hair. "What is it?"

Shen Zhi pulled out a photograph and handed it to her. "Take a look."

"What photo?" Ming Ziluo took it with a smile, but when she saw herself in the picture, her smile gradually froze. "What... is this?"

Shen Zhi watched her closely. "Is the woman in this photo you?"

"This..." Meeting Shen Zhi's gaze, Ming Ziluo hesitated. "Zhi, I..."

"Is it you?" Shen Zhi asked again.

Ming Ziluo suddenly sank to her knees before him. "Zhi, I was wrong. I had a momentary lapse in judgment. I... it won't happen again, I promise. Besides, I only gave Shang Meixiang a warning; I didn't do anything excessive to her. Her being raped has nothing to do with me."

"It has nothing to do with you?" Shen Zhi questioned.

Ming Ziluo clung to his legs. "Zhi, please believe me."

Ming Ziluo loved Shen Zhi. From the very first moment she saw him, she had been captivated. Shen Zhi was not only outstanding in appearance but possessed a deeply kind heart. She had seen him multiple times pick up stray cats and dogs from the roadside to treat their wounds.

She had pursued him relentlessly until she finally made him love her. She wanted to provide him with the best—money, power, status. She had struggled and climbed the social ladder by any means necessary, just to give him the best and satisfy his needs. Yet, she never expected that he would dismiss her efforts with the excuse that his ambitions lay elsewhere.

Then, what had all her efforts over these years been for?