His Beloved Treasure

She thought, there would always be a day like this.

Jing Qing was gone.

A few people stood in the airport lounge, watching the plane take off into the night sky, all silent.

”Let’s go back, too!”

Jing Feng was the first to leave, driving away on his own.

Jiang Zhiyuan had come in the same car as Zhao Huai; the two of them lived in the same neighborhood.

But on the way back...

”How about I call my own ride back?”

Xiaomei stood to the side, glancing at Jiang Zhiyuan sitting in the passenger seat. Somehow, she felt like a third wheel, intruding on the private time of the two men.

”Does your arm not hurt anymore? You even have the energy to call for a cab?”

Zhao Huai grabbed her arm and walked her to the front, opening the passenger door and yanking the man who was about to buckle up out of the seat. In Jiang Zhiyuan’s disbelief—his eyes practically popping out—Zhao Huai shoved Xiaomei into the passenger seat instead.

”What the hell!”

Jiang Zhiyuan glared at him in disdain.

Zhao Huai shut the car door for Xiaomei, then rested a hand on Jiang Zhiyuan’s shoulder. ”How about you ride with Qiao Yi? We all live close enough anyway.”

Jiang Zhiyuan...

”I’ll go drop off Xi Meng. You guys go ahead and leave first!”

As Qiao Yi’s car pulled up beside them, both Jiang Zhiyuan and Zhao Huai turned their heads in surprise—only to see Qiao Yi roll up his window and drive off without a second word.

”Son of a b—”

Jiang Zhiyuan clenched his teeth and barely stopped himself from swearing aloud.

Zhao Huai awkwardly scratched the back of his head. ”How about you jump in, and I’ll drop her off first? Then we’ll head back together.”

”Forget it. I’ve got other places to be!”

Jiang Zhiyuan shot him a fierce glare, snapped in irritation, and refused to look at him again.

”Thanks, man, you’re the best!”

Zhao Huai suddenly flashed him a sly smile.

”Weren’t you the one who said it was just a ’bro thing’...?”

Jiang Zhiyuan still felt a lump of frustration lodged in his chest. But when he turned his head again, Zhao Huai had already gotten in the car.

Jiang Zhiyuan: ”...”

In his head, he cursed them all. Just you all wait, every single one of you! Not taking me seriously, huh? Hmph.

Jiang Zhiyuan wasn’t going to call a cab. Instead, he immediately dialed that woman who had left earlier. ”Are you home yet?”

”Mm!”

The girl clearly was already home—it had been so long, after all.

”Do you believe me if I say I can’t get a cab here at the airport?”

Jiang Zhiyuan sighed helplessly, lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, wondering how she could possibly buy such a ridiculous excuse.

”I believe you.”

To his surprise, her voice came through the phone calm but firm, just one simple word.

Jiang Zhiyuan froze completely, his hand slowly lowering from his nose. Then, out of curiosity, he asked, ”Uh... so...”

”So what? Do you want me to pick you up?”

Her voice remained composed, unruffled.

Jiang Zhiyuan felt as if something had grabbed hold of his heart—pinching it tightly. Agitated but helpless, he scratched his head, looked around, and finally forced himself to say, ”Yeah! Are you free?”

”I am.”

On this cold autumn evening, with the chilly wind leaving him shivering slightly, Jiang Zhiyuan suddenly felt as if it were spring, warm and comforting.

Holy sh*t.

It didn’t feel real!

Jiang Zhiyuan raised a hand and slapped himself hard across the face. The sting made him wince in pain.

Not a dream.

——

When Jing Feng got home, Helian Hao was still waiting for him. Seeing the dull look on his face, she got out of bed, grabbed his coat, and asked, ”Was she sent off? Did Jing Qing put up any resistance?”

”I conveyed what Yichen said to her this morning. She obediently boarded the plane.”

Under so many pairs of watchful eyes.

Helian Hao nodded. ”I’ll run you a bath. Have a soak and then get some rest.”

”No need. I’ll just take a quick shower. Wait for me.”

He was clearly exhausted but didn’t want to take a bath. Seeing the worry in Helian Hao’s eyes, he finally managed to force a small smile.

As if no matter how soothing a soak in the tub might be, it couldn’t compare to holding her in his arms and sleeping peacefully for a single night.

Helian Hao climbed back into bed, waiting for him.

In the meantime, she picked up her phone and sent Qin Mu a message.

Helian Hao’s mood was heavy, partly because of her mother-in-law, partly because of Jing Feng. She knew that both he and Jing Qing loved Jing Qing.

Jing Qing’s father had used a ”business trip” as an excuse to avoid returning home these past few days—it was merely a way of sidestepping the awkward situation between Mu Yichen and his daughter. He had long foreseen this outcome and didn’t want to face the inevitable separation after a short reunion.

Qin Mu was lying in bed, scrolling through gossip on her phone, when a WeChat message popped up, pulling her away from the gossip circle.

Dr. Good: ”She’s been sent off. Jing Feng just got home.”

Big Mumu: ”Mm. You should get some early rest, too.”

Dr. Good: ”Mumu...”

Helian Hao wanted to tell her how Jing Feng’s mother was actually feeling rather down tonight, but after thinking about it, she deleted the words she had typed and simply replied, ”Goodnight!”

After receiving Helian Hao’s goodnight message, Qin Mu turned over in bed.

Mu Yichen had just stepped out of the bathroom. Lying on his side of the bed, she peered at his well-toned physique and couldn’t help but sigh. ”Do men with such great bodies have a secret?”

”Mm. Lots of exercise.”

Mu Yichen answered succinctly as he climbed into bed.

Qin Mu doubted his definition of ”exercise,” unsure which kind he meant.

”Xiaohao said Jing Qing has left.”

Qin Mu spoke softly. As soon as he lay down, she moved closer to him.

”She just up and left like that!”

Qin Mu suddenly laughed, though there was a hint of sadness in her tone. Thinking back on everything, the memories were deeply painful.

It felt like a thorn in her heart—one you didn’t notice until you touched it, and then the pain was sharp enough to make you want to scream.

”Isn’t that better?”

”Of course it’s better!”

But that night, she couldn’t seem to fall asleep, tossing and turning with insomnia.

”If you keep tossing around, I might act again.”

Mu Yichen pulled her close, holding her tightly to stop her from moving.

Resting in his broad embrace, with warmth enveloping her entire back, and feeling the contrast in temperature below, she suddenly licked her lips and rolled over. ”How about one more time?”

Mu Yichen...

”Can you still manage?”

Qin Mu looked up at him with a flirtatious yet teasing gaze.

Mu Yichen...

What man could handle such provocation? Especially since tonight, he had been holding back, seeing that she was upset and wanted to finish quickly.

”Still manage? Mrs. Mu, why not reach out and see for yourself?”

Mu Yichen flipped over, half-pressing her down as he spoke in a low voice.

Qin Mu...