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Chapter 39

The underground parking lot was dimly lit, but Cheng Wanting’s sharp gaze precisely caught sight of the woman in the Bentley. She was smiling sweetly, her head poking out of the car window as she extended one finger toward him, the jade-like fingertip curling slightly in the air, teasingly alluring.

His polished leather shoes stepped onto the black floor as Cheng Wanting walked closer, bending down until his gaze met hers.

“Miss Lin, how much is the fare for this ride?” His thin lips curved slightly, his magnetic voice wrapped in honeyed tones with a hint of sweetness.

Lin Keying shrugged, the sapphire necklace resting against her beautiful collarbone swaying and glinting brilliantly. “Since Mr. Cheng looks quite handsome, I’ll waive your fare this time.”

“That would put you at a disadvantage, Miss Lin. I can’t let that happen — the fare must be paid.” Cheng Wanting lowered his head and gently bit her full, rosy lips.

…

With flushed cheeks, Lin Keying drove onto the highway with the man in the passenger seat. It felt as if his familiar yet foreign breath still lingered on her lips.

He insisted on paying the fare — but who really profited from whom?

Cheng Wanting became the first passenger in Lin Keying’s new car. Taking advantage of the fact that he was free tonight, they drove the Bentley Mulsanne southwards toward Victoria Peak.

As night fell, the garden restaurant at the mountaintop hotel offered an unbeatable view.

Dark brown wooden tables stood amid lush flowers, each spaced far apart for excellent privacy. In the center stood a wooden-framed piano of matching color, where a suited musician performed live.

But tonight, Cheng Wanting had reserved the entire venue.

Accompanied by the melodious notes of Autumn Whisper, waiters served course after course — delicately plated steak, foie gras, black truffle seafood, and finally, a creamy matsutake mushroom soup.

Lin Keying and Cheng Wanting sat together, with a side view of Victoria Harbour’s nighttime skyline from 500 meters above sea level.

From their vantage point, the harbor shimmered as the city lights began to glow. High-rises dotted the coastline in an elegant pattern, sparkling like stars.

In high spirits today, Lin Keying spoke to him over dinner about the renovation progress of Xitian Tower, even mentioning that she had invited several established gold shops, jewelry stores, and six major luxury brands to move in:
“Next, we’ll have to build up entertainment and cultural appeal. A mountaintop restaurant like this one isn’t bad — Xitian could develop a revolving rooftop restaurant.”

As Cheng Wanting listened to her speak eloquently, he could clearly sense her joy. He occasionally praised her ideas while offering suggestions.

Their voices intertwined with the piano melodies one after another.

When the meal ended, the two of them stood leaning on a parapet wall, gazing down at the panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. The scattered lights resembled stars in the sky, twinkling in response to the bright night above.

The night breeze stirred Lin Keying’s hair, her curls playfully brushing the man’s arm. Cheng Wanting’s forearm tingled lightly; the restlessness ignited back in the parking lot hadn’t faded. Lowering his gaze, her radiant smile filled his vision.

“Having fun?” For a man devoted to work, he’d never before indulged in such leisurely appreciation of the night view at Victoria Peak.

Lin Keying smiled and nodded. “Mm. Relaxing like this, of course I’m happy. No worries at all.”

His handsome profile was close at hand, his jawline sharp like it was carved by a blade. Remembering how he had pestered her to “pay the fare” in the garage, Lin Keying tiptoed to get her revenge. Clinging to his arm, she kissed his lips — a brush against the upper lip, followed by her teeth nibbling on his lower lip.

Just as the man’s large hand slid to her waist, ready to deepen the kiss, Lin Keying pulled away swiftly.

“Let’s go, time to head home~” She dashed off playfully, her fluffy hair swaying in graceful arcs like a fairy who’d wandered into a garden.

Cheng Wanting stared after her retreating figure — even her back was beautiful.

The black Bentley almost melted into the night, only its faint luster hinting at its luxury.

Lin Keying settled into the driver’s seat. As she fastened her seatbelt, she heard the passenger door open and the man sit down. She couldn’t help but tease him:
“Mr. Cheng, where’s the destination? I already collected the fare just now.”

Cheng Wanting’s gaze deepened as he looked at the woman whose smile reached her eyes. Grasping her wrist, he leaned over and kissed her:
“That fare wasn’t nearly enough.”

His lips claimed hers again. As she felt his heavy breaths, the seatbelt across her chest was unfastened by him.

Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted. The man’s large hands supported her waist and hips, and in an instant Lin Keying found herself seated on his lap in the driver’s seat.

The cramped cabin was completely filled with their presence.

Lin Keying straddled his strong thighs, her legs pressed tightly against his. Her arms pushed against his firm chest, yet her lips remained locked in his kiss.

“Kiss and run? You think you can get away that easily?” His voice was hoarse, wrapped in thick desire.

Her lips grew even redder and glossier from his kisses, glistening with moisture. She pursed them slightly, catching a sharp glint in his dark eyes.

It felt like a blade ready to pierce straight into her flesh.

His embrace grew hotter, his arms tightening around her. The small space felt even more suffocating from the rising heat. She sat unsteadily, the air thickened, and their breaths quickened.

“We’re not even married yet!” Lin Keying braced her hands against his chest, pulling him back to his senses.

The Bentley quietly idled by the roadside for a long while before slowly starting and driving away from Victoria Peak.

Only the driver had changed — Lin Keying, now weak-limbed, rested against the passenger seat, shocked inside.

Oh no. Her fiancé didn’t seem to have any “hidden ailments” after all…

—

The next morning, Cheng Wanting awoke from sleep, his complexion faintly flushed and a light sweat beading on his forehead. Lifting the thin quilt, he glanced down at himself intently.

Before walking into the bathroom, his gaze flicked to the wall calendar — there were three days left before they registered their marriage.

…

Hurrying to the office early, Cheng Wanting began his busy day. Yang Minghui reported the day’s schedule:
“Young Master, from 9 to 10 AM is the Huanyu shareholders’ meeting, 10 to 11 AM is a meeting with Jardine about Kowloon Wharf’s development, 11 AM to 1 PM is your lunch with the Vice Minister of Transport — we need their approval for this year’s shipping export business. From 1 to 3 PM, the chairman of Hongji Industrial invited you for golf, likely to discuss building projects. From 3 to 5 PM, there’s a briefing from Wanxin about the Shatin land plot. Also, three TV stations, five newspapers, and four magazines want to interview you…”

As he adjusted his cufflinks, Cheng Wanting strode toward the meeting room.
“Decline all interviews.”

Yang Minghui wasn’t surprised. The Young Master always refused media appearances — not even written interviews.

At lunch, Cheng Wanting dined privately with the Vice Minister of Transport from the British Hong Kong government at the Regent Hotel, discussing the shipping industry’s future prospects over a table of light dishes.

“Shipping has dominated transportation for many years; whoever controls the ships controls trade power.”

The Vice Minister, familiar with the Cheng family’s grip on half of Hong Kong’s shipping market, knew the stakes.

The other half of the shipping market still firmly belonged to the British.

“Vice Minister Gao, shipping is slowly declining. Compared to building real estate onshore, using maritime exports to amass wealth is no longer as fast.”

“So the Cheng family plans to abandon ships and move to land?” the Vice Minister asked knowingly.

Cheng Wanting smiled faintly and shook his head. “Wrong. The Cheng family wants both.”

“You sure talk big,” the Vice Minister teased, then added, “Aren’t you worried that while you’re busy buying land and building, Global Shipping might take a bite out of you?”

Global Shipping, backed by British capital, was the Cheng family’s rival, controlling Hong Kong’s maritime lifeline.

“We’ll see whether they swallow me…” Cheng Wanting tapped the table firmly with his fingertip, “…or whether I swallow them.”

The lunch lasted two hours. Yang Minghui had postponed later appointments but suddenly received news.

As Cheng Wanting exited the private room, Yang Minghui quickly approached and whispered:
“Young Master, Young Master Chen somehow learned Miss Lin’s license plate number and has asked Vice Minister Gao’s son to investigate the owner.”

Cheng Wanting’s expression darkened as he ordered Yang Minghui to handle the license plate issue. He then spoke a few quiet words to the departing Vice Minister Gao.

The Vice Minister’s face changed before he smiled broadly.
“My son’s been too bold, daring to meddle in your affairs, Brother Cheng. I’ll give him a good punishment!”

By day’s end, Gao’s son was harshly scolded. When he called Chen Songxian back, he lied:
“Chen Songxian, as if I could check a license plate? I was just putting on a show — you think I’m my dad? I don’t have that ability.”

Meanwhile, Lin Keying blinked at her car’s license plate — it had changed overnight.

She rubbed her eyes to confirm she wasn’t seeing things.

How had her original A6688 plate turned into A99?

When asked, Cheng Wanting casually explained,
“I asked Master Pang to calculate — the old plate wasn’t auspicious for you. This one is better.”

Lin Keying: “…”

Young Master, you’re so superstitious!

Yang’s secretary had told her he wasn’t the superstitious type, but she let it slide. The plate was changed — so be it. She could still drive the car.

But a random comment from him later left her stunned.

“Shall we register the marriage early?” Lin Keying calculated — it was only three days earlier than their agreed date.

“Mm.” Cheng Wanting’s temples throbbed faintly. Hong Kong wasn’t big, but with five million people, it was shocking that Chen Songxian had already spotted her new car and remembered the plate.

A deep unease weighed on him, heavy and suffocating like a sponge saturated with water.

“No way.” Lin Keying cherished her last three days of unmarried life. Though there might not be much difference, psychologically it felt distinct — especially since they’d picked an auspicious day in advance.
“You already said the plate wasn’t lucky and changed it; changing the wedding date too would be worse.”

Her sharp words left Cheng Wanting speechless.

He pinched his brow and compromised:
“Then just stay home these three days…”

“Why?!” She’d just gotten her new car and was itching to go out every day. No way would she stay cooped up.

“Hong Kong is pretty chaotic. You running around worries me.”

“There are police around.” She brushed off his strange concern and urged him to get to work.
“I’m meeting Tingting at the mall to pick outfits for our registration day~”

As her black car sped away, Yang Minghui gave his Young Master a sympathetic look.

“Young Master… Hong Kong is big. Young Master Chen can’t possibly bump into Miss Lin again… right?”
His words lacked conviction. After all, who could’ve predicted Chen spotting her new car and plate so soon?

Was this fate between childhood sweethearts and fiancé-fiancée?

“Young Master Chen, good luck — don’t cause trouble again.”

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