Chapter 26: A Man’s Beauty, His Wife’s Pride!

Xia Yuan’s heart pounded a few times with intensity.

She started to feel that Qin Mohuai was different from the crazed male lead in the original book. It seemed like his eyes were only on her…

Of course, they were. After all, she was the one dating Qin Mohuai now, so his attention naturally belonged to her.

If all of this were real, Xia Yuan would probably indulge in his tender care. But she wasn’t sure if she could handle his overwhelming possessiveness.

Xia Yuan’s health was frail. A simple cold could leave her groggy for half a month, so Qin Mohuai had agreed to only be intimate during her ovulation period if they were trying for a child.

That night, Qin Mohuai held Xia Yuan close as they watched a crime thriller in the basement theater. The suspense and twists in the movie kept her on edge, but Qin Mohuai seemed uninterested in the film, his gaze instead fixed on her.

Her delicate face was as smooth as porcelain, a testament to her youth—after all, she was only 22. Her long, ink-black hair was pinned up with a hairpin, and the pink, form-fitting cheongsam she wore accentuated her graceful, full figure. While the movie played out its gunfights, Qin Mohuai buried his head in her pale neck, nibbling at her skin.

Xia Yuan was shocked, not just by the film’s unexpected twists but also by Qin Mohuai’s insatiable energy. Though the original author had made him out to have a strong physical drive, wasn’t the domineering CEO supposed to pride himself on his self-control?

I’m not catnip! Why are you always clinging to me?

Xia Yuan had no choice but to change seats, eyeing Qin Mohuai warily, her expression mirroring the disbelief of the female detective on-screen.

“You already broke our agreement yesterday, and now you want to break it again today? Even if you want to, I can’t handle it.”

She clutched at the jade buttons on her cheongsam, which had been tugged open by Qin Mohuai. With only one hand to fasten them, her movements caused two more buttons to come undone, revealing a small patch of her snow-white skin, smooth like jade.

Qin Mohuai’s phoenix eyes narrowed, a fierce, vengeful look lurking at the corners of his gaze, as if anyone who displeased him would become a victim beneath his dark trousers.

“Baby, I won’t touch you tonight. Just come over and let me kiss you,” he said, his voice husky, thick with an indescribable longing.

Inwardly, Xia Yuan cursed him as a tyrant. Thankfully, they lived in a law-abiding society. In the dark days of feudal rule, with Qin Mohuai’s ambition and desires, he’d surely have become a real tyrant. If he held absolute power, who knew the terrifying extent of his control? He definitely wouldn’t be negotiating with her like this.

Knowing better than to resist, Xia Yuan returned to her seat, only to be pulled into Qin Mohuai’s arms halfway.

“Don’t struggle. I’m going on a business trip tomorrow, probably to stay in for about seven days, ten days at most. Is there anything you want? Think about it and let me know—I’ll bring it back for you.”

“Oh.”

The thought of being apart for ten days softened Xia Yuan’s heart, and she gave in.

The next day, when she woke up at noon, Qin Mohuai had already boarded his flight.

Cradling a white porcelain bowl, Xia Yuan took small sips of the lamb soup that the kitchen had carefully prepared. Her slender, fair fingers were clean, her nails smooth and healthy. Qin Mohuai had truly taken good care of her.

“Uncle Wang, I need to head back to school today. My professor said my thesis can be improved and that it’s more efficient to receive guidance in person. I might also have dinner out tonight.”

Butler Wang replied, “Understood, Miss. I’ll arrange for a driver to take you.”

Xia Yuan smiled lightly, “No need, I’ll drive the white Maybach.”

Butler Wang understood immediately. The young lady had just received a precious gift, and it was only natural that she wanted to show it off. He supported her sentiment wholeheartedly.

After all, it wasn’t as if Xia Yuan was dating Qin Mohuai because of his personality—who could possibly like his temper? If she didn’t care about his wealth, Butler Wang believed this relationship wouldn’t last long. And if Miss Xia ever decided to break up with him, the young master would probably lose his mind.

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At Xiangzhou School University.

Xia Yuan parked the flashy white Maybach outside the campus gate and walked in to meet her professor about revising her thesis.

With Professor Li’s guidance, she corrected several formatting issues—each university had its own standards—and noted down his suggestions in her memo.

Li Zhiyuan adjusted his glasses. “I had planned to take you all out for a meal today, since this is my first time guiding students through their thesis, but two of them had urgent matters and couldn’t make it. Let’s reschedule for next time.”

Xia Yuan nodded in agreement.

Perhaps out of concern, Professor Li subtly remarked, “Xiangzhou Chinese University is a prestigious 985 institution. With your degree, your starting salary after graduation will be around eight to nine thousand. Even if you don’t pursue a career in your major, you’ll excel in any industry. You’ve read so many books; you must know that cultivating your character is more important than looks. Though cosmetic enhancements are prevalent now, truly interesting souls are one in a million.”

Xia Yuan caught the underlying message. It seemed her professor thought she had undergone plastic surgery. When she first arrived in this world, the body of ‘Xia Yuan’ had been frail and gaunt, nowhere near resembling a beauty. But with proper care, her natural good looks began to shine through.

Looking at her reflection, Xia Yuan saw a girl with striking, lively features and porcelain-like skin—truly a beauty that was one in a million.

Indeed, this was not a face anyone could grow, nor could it be artificially created through technology. It was a gift from the heavens.

Xia Yuan was a natural beauty, and when she first arrived in this world, she was equally surprised by how much this supporting character looked like her.

“Professor Li, I’m scared of needles, let alone flying to South Korea for plastic surgery. My family have a really good genes. If I messed up my face, I’d be the clown in our family.”

She showed Professor Li a family photo on her phone’s lock screen. His eyes landed on Xia Yi, who stood out in the picture. Dressed in a black t-shirt, Xia Yi’s broad shoulders hinted at his fitness, and his chiseled face carried an air of elegance.

Professor Li was momentarily struck by Xia Yi’s beauty. “Who is this?”

Xia Yuan replied, “That’s my dad.”

Over forty years old, yet still possessing the youthful handsomeness of a man in his prime.

“The boy standing behind my dad is my younger brother. When this picture was taken, neither my brother nor I had fully grown into our looks.”

Even in the family photo, their stunning father outshined them.

Of course, the one who suffered most from this was Xia Yuze. Now a celebrity with a professional styling team, he still couldn’t escape being overshadowed by Xia Yi in photos.

Xia Yuze had a strong partnership with a magazine and wanted to feature his father on the cover alongside him. They had even met with the photographer, who was excited to capture Xia Yi, a man who perfectly combined the essence of a devoted father and youthful vitality. The entertainment industry was in need of someone like Xia Yi!

However, Xia Yi declined in the end. He didn’t want his wife, Liang Min, to feel insecure, nor did he want to steal the spotlight from his son. Becoming a star held no appeal to him.

Xia Yi only wished to stay by his beloved Liang Min’s side, enjoying the warmth of family life.

Professor Li handed the phone back to Xia Yuan, his expression complicated. “A truly interesting soul may be rare, but beautiful appearances are even rarer.”

When Xia Yuan first met Xia Yi, she had the same thought.

A man’s beauty is his wife’s pride.

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As Xia Yuan left the campus, ready to retrieve her car, two bodyguards dressed in black approached her. They nodded respectfully, their tone polite.

“Miss Xia, the Old Master wishes to see you. Please come with us.”