Chapter 27: Springtime Temptation

She took the initiative, but Li Huaidong remained composed.

He subtly leaned back, maintaining a distance of about half a fist between them. He didn’t say anything positive or negative; he simply watched her quietly. His gaze carried a hint of scrutiny as if he found her behavior today somewhat unusual.

Song Qingyu, afraid he might notice that she had already developed feelings for him, quickly lowered her head, about to sit back down in her original position.

“I was going to thank you, but if Mr. Li doesn’t accept it, then forget it.”

“Who gave you permission to forget it?”

Li Huaidong pulled her back into his embrace and kissed her lips.

The taste of tea lingered between their lips, the same sweet fragrance of the tea they had just shared in the pavilion at the estate.

Song Qingyu’s breath grew heavier.

She was truly worried that Chu Yu, in the driver’s seat, might hear the sounds from the back, but in reality, the car offered excellent privacy. With the partition raised, the front and back were entirely separate spaces.

They kissed for a long time until the car finally came to a stop at the entrance of Taoyuan.

As soon as Li Huaidong got out of the car, he told Chu Yu, “You can clock off for the day.”

After speaking, he grasped Song Qingyu’s wrist and led her inside.

It was around dinnertime, and Uncle Kang was standing at the door, smiling as he waited for them.

“Young Master, dinner is ready. Would you like to eat now?”

“No, thank you.”

“What about Young Madam…?”

“She won’t eat either.”

Uncle Kang let out an “Ah,” and then watched as Li Huaidong led Song Qingyu upstairs.

The two of them walked one after the other, saying nothing. The atmosphere was awkward.

Had they argued?

Uncle Kang felt a bit worried. They had seemed fine when they left, so how did things turn sour after just a short time? However, the young couple was always composed, at least knowing to go to their room and close the door if they were going to argue.

After Li Huaidong pulled Song Qingyu upstairs and closed the door, the first thing he did was pick her up, pressing her against the wall as he kissed her fiercely.

“I… my hand,” Song Qingyu reminded him.

“I know; I’ll be careful.”

Li Huaidong’s shirt and tie, which had already been wrinkled from her rubbing against him, were quickly discarded. He then carried her to the side of the bed…

Song Qingyu felt that today’s intimacy was more in sync than any they had shared before. Perhaps it was because of her feelings, as the desires that had once been about mutual need now held a deeper significance.

The two didn’t finish until midnight.

Dinner turned into a late-night snack.

Uncle Kang had been waiting downstairs, worried that their disagreement might be irreparable. He even planned to act as a peacemaker when they came down. However, it was clear he had overthought the situation.

When they came downstairs, both seemed to be in a good mood, especially Li Huaidong. During dinner, this young master, who usually didn’t lift a finger, even peeled a plate of shrimp for Song Qingyu himself.

Uncle Kang finally relaxed and went to bed.

The next day, the assistant to Director Zhang Zhongji sent the script and contract to Song Qingyu’s email.

Song Qingyu wanted a quiet and comfortable environment to read the script, so she sent a message to Li Huaidong asking, “Mr. Li, may I borrow your study?”

Li Huaidong quickly replied, “Of course.”

“Thank you.”

“Which kind of thank you is this today?”

Song Qingyu blushed as she stared at the screen. She could hardly imagine what expression Li Huaidong must have had when he typed that message at the company. His employees would never have guessed that their cold, indifferent boss could be so fiery in bed, like a completely different person.

She entered Li Huaidong’s study.

The last time she had been in his study was the night her mother’s accident occurred. Back then, she had put on what she thought was the most seductive white camisole nightgown, entering his territory with ill intentions. Because of her unease, she hadn’t even had the chance to properly observe the layout of the room.

It was only today that she realized his study was so spacious. Two large bookshelves stretched from the floor to the ceiling, filled with books of all kinds, resembling a small library.

Song Qingyu had printed two copies of the script and bound them into booklets. To make annotations, she wanted to find a highlighter. Unsure if Li Huaidong’s study had one and not daring to casually rummage through his drawers, she decided to go downstairs to ask Uncle Kang. His storage room was like a treasure trove, full of everything.

But just as she pushed the leather chair back, she accidentally bumped into a cabinet behind her. The cabinet door, not fully closed, swung open, and a few sheets of paper fell out.

Song Qingyu bent down to pick them up, and as her hand brushed against one of the drawings, a chill swept through her entire body, as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

She had finally come face-to-face with the portrait of the woman that Shen Mengli had referred to as Li Huaidong’s “white moonlight.”

The woman in the painting did resemble her—her eyebrows, eyes, nose, and even the curve of her smile were identical. But she was also certain that this woman was not her, because the woman in the painting had a tear mole beneath her eye, and she did not.

No matter how much she resembled the woman in the painting, she was not her—she was not the person in Li Huaidong’s heart. Even if he found some solace in her, she could never replace his Wushan clouds.

It turned out that what Shen Mengli had said was true. She would ultimately become the next “her.”

Song Qingyu found herself almost laughing at how far she had fallen these past few days. Li Huaidong had merely sought comfort through her face, but she had foolishly mistaken his affection for someone else as love for herself.

Fortunately, today she had seen this painting.

The painting was like a cold, sharp slap that completely woke her up.

She truly shouldn’t have forgotten the pain once the wound had healed. She had only needed to experience the bitterness of being the “white moonlight” once.

**

When Li Huaidong returned home, the sky had just begun to darken.

As soon as he entered, Li Huaidong saw Song Qingyu sitting on the living room carpet, leaning against the sofa, asleep. She was covered with a thin blanket, and her script, marked with colorful notes, lay beside her.

“How did she fall asleep here?” Li Huaidong asked Uncle Kang.

“The young mistress was reading the script there all afternoon. She must have been tired.”

“She didn’t go to the study?”

“She did. She said your chair was uncomfortable and came down again.”

Li Huaidong’s study chair was designed by a specialist to be ergonomic, and he could sit in it for hours without feeling tired. Did she find it uncomfortable?

“How long has she been asleep?”

“About half an hour.”

Li Huaidong took off his suit jacket and handed it to Uncle Kang before walking over to her. He bent down and gently lifted her in a horizontal position. His movements were light, but the sudden shift in her balance woke Song Qingyu.

She opened her eyes, and perhaps because she hadn’t fully woken up, her gaze toward him felt a bit distant.

“What are you doing?”

“Carrying you back to the bedroom. The living room is too cold.”

“I can walk on my own.”

She slipped out of his arms, her feet landing on the ground. With quick steps, she hurried upstairs without looking back.

Li Huaidong felt a bit confused. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about her that day.

He followed her upstairs and, in the hallway, wrapped his arms around her. He leaned down to kiss her lips, but she turned her head to avoid it.

The atmosphere was delicate.

“You…”

“Can I negotiate something with you?” Song Qingyu spoke before Li Huaidong could continue.

“Go ahead.”

“I want to go back and stay with my mom for a few days.” As if afraid he would disagree, she quickly added, “I couldn’t go back earlier because of my hand injury. I didn’t want her to worry, but now that my hand is almost healed, and with the filming schedule coming up, I won’t have time to be with her. So, I want to take these few days to spend some time with her.”

Li Huaidong hadn’t expected that she would treat something so simple with such seriousness, using the word “negotiate” as if she were asking for permission in a place that restricted her freedom, and he was some kind of domineering tyrant.

“Of course, when do you plan to go?”

“Now.”

“Now?”

She nodded and walked into the room, pulling out two suitcases from the wardrobe, looking as if she had already prepared everything.

Alright.

Now he understood why she had used the word “negotiate”—he had indeed entertained the irrational thought of trying to keep her from leaving.

“I’ll take you.”

“No need, Driver Xiao Liu is finishing his shift and will be passing by the neighborhood where my mom lives. I’ve already arranged with him to take his car.”

Her thoroughness made it seem as though every plan was deliberately designed to avoid him.

Li Huaidong felt a hint of displeasure, but Song Qingyu didn’t pay it any attention. She simply grabbed her suitcase and started heading downstairs.

Unable to watch any longer, he walked over and snatched the suitcase from her.

“Mrs. Li, I’m not sure what I did to upset you, but surely I still have the right to carry your suitcase?”

Li Huaidong carried her suitcase downstairs.

“Thank you.” Song Qingyu followed him, and as he turned around, she quickly added, “Just a verbal thank you; don’t read too much into it.”

Li Huaidong was almost laughing in frustration. With her attitude, even if she didn’t go back to her family’s house tonight, she would surely draw the line in their bed.

“Uncle Kang, call Driver Xiao Liu and have him pick up a document from the company for me,” Li Huaidong said.

“Yes, young master.”

Song Qingyu furrowed her brows. “What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what you think it means. Driver Xiao Liu still has work to do, so he can’t drive you. I’ll take you instead.”

This person knew how to shamelessly justify his actions!

Song Qingyu was extremely reluctant, but with Li Huaidong “kidnapping” her suitcase, she had no choice but to get into his Maybach.

Throughout the drive, she kept her head turned towards the window, barely acknowledging him.

As they neared her mother’s neighborhood, Song Qingyu called for the car to stop. “I’ll get out here.”

“I’ll take you inside.”

“No need. What if the neighbors see? How would I explain to you?” If her mother saw, that would be even more troublesome.

“Tell them I’m a ride-hailing driver.”

Song Qingyu was speechless.

What kind of ride-hailing service could get a Maybach? And which platform could summon the CEO of Li Corporation to be a driver?

“Really, no need. I’ll get out here.”

Li Huaidong couldn’t argue with her and had no choice but to pull over.

Song Qingyu unbuckled her seatbelt and was about to open the door to get out when Li Huaidong suddenly grabbed her shoulder.

“Where did I upset you?” He gently pushed her hair back, looking at her seriously. “Qingqing, there has to be a reason, right?”

His gaze was gentle, but with a hint of coaxing, and Song Qingyu couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.

“Qingqing, talk to me.”

Song Qingyu didn’t know how to begin.

Should she ask him who the woman in that painting was? Or should she ask him why he was treating her like a substitute?

She had no right to ask any of that.

At first, the reason they ended up getting married was because she had drunkenly provoked him, and later, due to her mother’s situation, she sought his help. Li Huaidong had never said he married her because he loved her. Since she had known from the start that it wasn’t love, what right did she have to feel hurt over him having someone else in his heart?

“You didn’t upset me. It’s just that my period is coming soon, and my hormones are out of balance, causing random irritability,” she said.

This reason was far beyond Li Huaidong’s understanding. He couldn’t tell whether it was true or not, so he just let her get out of the car.

Song Qingyu grabbed her suitcase and walked away.

Li Huaidong’s car remained parked by the side of the road, waiting for a long time, but she never once turned back.

He sighed deeply. He had only ever heard that women were difficult to deal with during their period, but he didn’t know that the days leading up to it could be just as hard to handle.

Li Huaidong was filled with an obvious sense of disappointment when he saw it was not Song Qingyu but Huo Siqi calling.

“What’s up?” Li Huaidong answered the call.

“Hey, buddy, I’m in a bad mood. Come out and drink with me,” Huo Siqi’s voice came through the phone, loud and clear.

Li Huaidong thought to himself, just what he needed—a drink.

“Where?” he asked.

“My winery,” Huo Siqi responded, referring to his private vineyard located in the southern part of the city.

Li Huaidong made a quick turn at the intersection and headed straight for Huo Siqi’s winery.

When he arrived, Huo Siqi had already finished a bottle of rum. He was slightly drunk, lounging lazily at the bar.

Li Huaidong had a pretty good idea of why Huo Siqi was drinking to forget.

Recently, gossip had been circulating within their circle that the Huo family had arranged a marriage for Huo Siqi with Cao Jingshi, the daughter of the Cao family.

It was said that Cao Jingshi had secretly admired Huo Siqi since middle school. To win his heart, she went from over 200 pounds to a slim figure, a remarkable transformation that was quite inspiring.

“You know, Miss Cao has silently harbored feelings for you, and she’s gone through such a huge change for you, losing all that weight. Don’t you think that’s a pretty big gesture?” Li Huaidong teased.

“You don’t understand,” Huo Siqi responded, his voice filled with frustration. “That Cao Jingshi is a complete lunatic! She liked me; she lost weight for me—fine, that’s her business, right? But now, she’s trying to guilt-trip me with it. She says because she did all this for me, I should love her, marry her, and belong to her! I’m a person, not her trophy for weight loss! And she’s crazy. The engagement is nowhere near official, and just because I went out for drinks with a female friend, she had someone strip my friend in public! You tell me, has she lost so many pounds that her brain shriveled up too?”

Li Huaidong was genuinely surprised by how extreme Cao Jingshi was.

“Well, if that’s the case, why don’t you just call off the engagement?” he asked.

“I wish I could, but my dad won’t allow it,” Huo Siqi replied with a sigh.

The Huo family was currently facing a transformation, and the Cao family was offering help. Huo Siqi’s father saw it as a perfect opportunity, believing it to be the best arrangement.

“So, what are you planning to do?” Li Huaidong asked.

“What else can I do? If they force me into this engagement with that Cao girl, I’ll have no choice but to flee the country. I’ll make sure my dad loses me as his son for good.”

Li Huaidong raised an eyebrow at Huo Siqi’s comment.

“Since you’ve already prepared for the worst, there’s no need to drown your sorrows in alcohol,” he said, a bit irritated.

“I’m not just upset about the engagement,” Huo Siqi replied, popping open a bottle of red wine and pouring himself another glass. “What really pains me is that because of that crazy Cao woman stripping people in public, all my close female friends are scared off. Now, even a fly wouldn’t come near me—everyone’s afraid of getting their wings clipped by that lunatic. I’m telling you, it’s so lonely and miserable. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to drink with you!”

Li Huaidong couldn’t help but snap, “So, I’m just your backup, huh?”

Huo Siqi chuckled and grinned. “Well, speaking of which, you look like you’re in a bad mood too. What’s going on with you?”

Huo Siqi raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the question. He leaned back in his seat and took a slow sip of his wine.

“It means she’s playing games with you, man,” he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Either she’s testing you, or she’s genuinely unsure about what she wants. But with women, you never really know. It could also mean she’s just not that into you, or maybe she’s waiting for you to make the first move. But, of course, that’s just my two cents.”

Li Huaidong’s eyes darkened slightly as he processed the words. “What if she’s someone who’s been in your life for a while, and you thought you understood each other, but then suddenly, everything feels off?”

Huo Siqi leaned forward, sensing the deeper undertone of the question. “Now that’s a different story. Sounds like you’re tangled up in something more complicated than just playing games. If you’ve been close, and things suddenly change, maybe there’s something beneath the surface you need to address. Has she said anything? Or is it all just in the air?”