Chapter 18 — A Deepening Kiss

The air in the study gradually grew warmer and thinner.

Lin Keying felt herself short of breath and could only cling tightly to the man’s arm to keep from collapsing.

The bridge of the man’s tall nose brushed against hers, and his cool lips slowly pried open her own — as if seeking warmth, or perhaps stealing her breath away.

His movements were anything but gentle. There was a kind of forceful recklessness, boldly invading between her lips and teeth.

It wasn’t until their breathing grew heavy and Lin Keying’s lips and tongue nearly went numb — an electric shiver sparking in her chest — that she finally pushed against the man pressing on her and managed, with difficulty, to steal back some air, breathing heavily a few times.

A blush bloomed across her cheeks, and in Cheng Wanting’s eyes, she looked irresistibly alluring — even her gasping breaths now seemed adorable.

“How is your stamina so poor? You should go running on the mountain trails every day to build it up.”

Hearing the man’s righteous-sounding remark, Lin Keying shot him a glare. At a time like this, who cared if you meant well? Did he even realize what he was saying?

“My stamina isn’t poor — you’re just rough and overbearing!”

Her almond eyes, now tinged with a hint of crimson, held no real threat despite her delicate accusation. Instead, her glare made Cheng Wanting’s usually cold expression soften slightly, a rare smile touching his features.

“Then it’s my fault.”

“Of course it’s yo—” Lin Keying stopped mid-sentence, suddenly feeling awkward talking about all this after what had just happened. She quickly got up, saying, “I’ll be going now.”

Her face burned so hot that after going downstairs and running back to her room, she locked the door tightly and leaned against the wall in a daze, her hands cupping her face, still able to feel the searing heat.

She had originally thought dating such a handsome fiancé was a bargain, but being physically close to him like that had made her blush furiously… Especially in that instant when he’d shown such dominance and assertiveness, almost brooking no refusal.

Her heart pounded wildly. Lin Keying couldn’t help but wonder — was the fiancé in the original novel’s plot, the one who was annoyed with his child bride, really like this?

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Late that night, a fine drizzle began falling over Port City, washing away the dust of the metropolis. By morning, sunlight shyly peeked out from behind soft clouds, illuminating the dewdrops on the ground, making them sparkle.

Rainy days weren’t pleasant for the servants at the villa — there was more cleaning to be done everywhere, especially the outdoor swimming pool, which required careful water replacement and cleaning.

Cheng Wanting left early in the morning. Lin Keying woke up naturally, stretched lazily, washed up, and then sat holding a glass of milk in one hand and a crispy, fragrant toast in the other, watching the orderly cleaning work at the pool.

“Amei, does the swimming pool usually not get used? Does the young master swim?” she asked, since it didn’t really seem like it.

Amei shook her head. “The young master has never gone swimming, but we always have to keep it ready. Miss Lin, are you thinking of going for a swim?”

Lin Keying did know how to swim — she had learned in college. After starting work and dealing with stress, she would occasionally go swimming to immerse herself and forget her worries.

“I’ll try it out when I get a chance.”

After breakfast, Lin Keying met with the renovation team arranged by Yang Minghui. They were professional and efficient, listening attentively to her requests and presenting a plan that very evening.

Within a few days, the simple shop had been stripped of the previous tenant’s décor and equipment and underwent repainting, refurnishing, and installation of new tables and chairs.

Once Sister He had finalized all the ingredients for their desserts and confirmed purchase quantities and prices, and secured long-term suppliers, He’s Sweet Soup Shop officially opened.

The first three days of operation were a trial period Lin Keying had suggested — using promotions to attract customers and relying on excellent product quality to retain them.

Sister He’s husband, Ah Sheng, helped out after his regular job. Tingting and Ah Qiang came by after school, doing homework while helping to serve customers.

The shop’s five signature dishes, decided by Lin Keying after sampling Sister He’s skills, were: mung bean soup, red bean soup, double-skin milk pudding, peanut barley porridge, and black sesame paste.

The ingredients were sourced from the familiar vendors at the market Sister He frequented. Before, when she ran a small stall, the quantities weren’t large, but now even during the three-day trial run, business was booming.

Huo Huachen, despite his busy schedule, stopped by all three days — sometimes right after a night shift, sometimes before going to work in the afternoon. He even brought along some doctor colleagues, spreading the word and introducing customers to He’s Sweet Soup Shop.

The trial period gave the shop a strong start.

With the promotion of 20% off all items and a second 20% discount available after the first purchase, they quickly became the hottest shop on Fuhua Street.

Sister He, unfamiliar with marketing, worried a little. “Keying, can we keep giving discounts like this? Won’t we lose too much?”

After all, all the shop’s investment had come from Lin Keying — one person provided the capital, the other the expertise, splitting profits fifty-fifty.

Sister He didn’t want Lin Keying to lose too much money before the shop even officially opened.

“Sister He, don’t worry. This kind of short-term loss for exposure is actually worth it. Now that we’ve built our reputation, people will keep coming back.” Lin Keying understood modern marketing well. No matter how good the product, it’s useless if no one knows about it — especially in Port City, where sweet soup shops were everywhere.

Of course, once the word got out, keeping customers would still depend on top-notch quality.

On the final afternoon of the trial run, as the lunch crowd gradually thinned, Lin Keying, Tingting, Ah Qiang, and Dr. Huo finally had a chance to sit down and enjoy a bowl of sweet soup.

Sister He’s craftsmanship shone — the double-skin milk in front of Lin Keying was smooth and glossy, topped with a dozen sweet, tender red beans.

The two distinct milk skins delivered different layers of fragrance. The first taste was rich and aromatic, and the second layer’s silky smoothness was irresistible.

Especially in summer, when chilled, the coldness tightly wrapped around the blended milk and egg aroma — the texture was superb and unforgettable.

Lin Keying gave Sister He a big thumbs up, feeling all the more confident that investing in the sweet soup shop had been a wise decision — it was an absolute treat!

Around 4 PM, a few more customers trickled in, including some stylish young women.

“I’d like a bowl of mung bean soup,” Cheng Min said. Her university classmates had mentioned a new dessert shop on Fuhua Street with great flavors and current discounts, so she’d slipped away while out with her second aunt to try it.

Sister He busily ladled the dessert while Lin Keying came over to collect payment. “That’s two yuan for the mung bean soup — with today’s 20% discount, it’s one yuan sixty.”

“Thank you!” Cheng Min took her bowl, found a seat, and upon her first spoonful, the cool, refreshing taste immediately delighted her palate, washing away the day’s heat.

Thinking her elder brother worked nearby, she briefly considered bringing him a portion, but knowing he didn’t eat desserts or snacks, she dismissed the idea.

Lin Keying noticed her hesitation. “Miss, are you thinking of ordering another one?”

“Not for now, thank you.” Cheng Min’s smooth black hair barely brushed her shoulders, topped with a blue-and-white checkered headband, giving her a scholarly charm. “My brother doesn’t like sweet soup.”

“That’s because he hasn’t tasted ours — maybe just one spoonful and he’ll like it.” Lin Keying, finding the refined and gentle girl instantly likeable, smiled, “Tell you what, I’ll give you one to take to him. Let him try.”

A thoughtful sister — she might as well help her out.

Cheng Min politely declined multiple times and insisted on paying. In the end, Lin Keying persuaded her, “How about this — if you really feel you’re getting a freebie, just come back next time to eat again.”

“Your desserts are really delicious — even better than those I’ve had at hotels. I’ll definitely be back,” Cheng Min replied shyly, taking the packed dessert and heading to Huanyu Group.

As a naturally low-profile young lady, Cheng Min wasn’t well known among the employees at Huanyu Group. Fortunately, Secretary Yang quickly recognized her and escorted her upstairs. “Miss Cheng, the young master is still in a meeting.”

“Oh, I won’t disturb him,” Cheng Min smiled gently, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “I just tasted some delicious dessert today and wanted my brother to try it.”

Knowing her brother’s habits and that he never ate in the office, she left the dessert with Secretary Yang and prepared to leave.

Just then, the conference room doors opened and shareholders filed out, followed last by a tall man in a sharp suit — Cheng Wanting.

Seeing his sister at the office surprised him. “Amin, what brings you here? No outing with your classmates today?”

“Brother.” Since their mother’s passing, Cheng Min had relied most on her elder brother but also feared his stern demeanor, acting as well-behaved as a student before a strict teacher. “I went out — saw a movie with friends in the morning and accompanied Second Aunt and Second Brother shopping in the afternoon.”

She trailed behind her brother to his office, her sibling closeness outweighing her fear. “Cousin Songxian’s mother met with Second Aunt today — I think she wants to introduce you to a potential match.”

Hearing the name “Songxian,” Cheng Wanting stiffened. He’d almost forgotten he had sent his cousin off to Africa.

Back then, he had merely been angry that Songxian had presumptuously sent the child bride to his villa — but now…

“Brother…” Cheng Min noticed her brother spacing out and called him softly, then gossiped a bit. “Cousin Songxian’s mother spoke really enthusiastically to Second Aunt, and Second Aunt seemed interested.”

After all, their father’s earlier plan to marry Cheng Wanting to the daughter of HSBC’s director had been rejected by him — now with his marriage plans stalled, Second Aunt was starting to worry.

“My affairs are not for them to decide,” Cheng Wanting’s gaze turned cold, dismissing them easily. Instead, he asked, “Are there any boys pursuing you at school?”

“No!” Cheng Min, always shy about romance, blushed at even a simple inquiry. “I’ve always focused on my studies.”

“Men can be fickle, especially men in Port City. If anyone tries to court you, make sure I screen him,” Cheng Wanting said, slightly worried about his timid sister being taken advantage of.

Cheng Min didn’t linger long, knowing her brother bore the full weight of the Cheng family’s affairs and was busy. As she left, she set down the dessert. “Brother, this sweet soup is delicious — do try it.”

Cheng Wanting, who never liked desserts, paused when he noticed the “He’s” logo on the packaging. He changed his mind. “Leave it.”

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