Only when the sounds stopped did he look again to confirm she was truly dressed, still not quite fully awake.
Though originally much shorter than him, borrowing the bed’s height, she was now a little taller.
His line of sight was just level with her collarbone.
His gaze paused slightly—her shirt buttons had somehow come undone, two near the top.
“Buttons,” he uttered.
“Yes.”
Song Huaixu’s voice was low and authoritative. Miss Xu was slow to respond for two seconds, then obediently reached to button them.
But unlike when she was dressing earlier, the light was dimmer, and she still wasn’t fully awake. She only buttoned the top one; the others remained undone.
Miss Xu looked at him with watery eyes, her expression both obedient and pitiful.
Her family and friends all fell for this.
“Can’t button the rest?”
“Can’t.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know,” she answered seriously.
Song Huaixu laughed.
He helped button the difficult one for her.
He lowered his eyes.
“Still uncomfortable?” His tone softened.
“Of course not.” Miss Xu shook her head.
She felt comfortable, but he was still quite aroused.
Song Huaixu raised his eyes to her.
“Now do you know who I am?”
Miss Xu answered seriously, “Song Huaixu.”
Though she recognized him, she wasn’t as fully alert as he thought.
She was ready to lie down and keep sleeping.
Just as she sat down, unexpectedly, the man pinched her cheek and pressed down, instantly controlling her breath.
After a long while, he held back and stopped.
If she were fully awake, things might have ended differently.
The bedside lamp’s light was partly blocked by Song Huaixu’s tall figure.
Miss Xu sat up again.
Eventually, sleepiness won out.
She couldn’t keep her eyes open and shifted position to continue sleeping, completely ignoring the other person in the room.
Song Huaixu watched her settle down, emotions deep and unresolved in his eyes.
“Heartless.”
***
Miss Xu was woken by the ringing of a phone.
She fumbled for a while before grasping the phone, still unsure of the time. On the other end was A Li’s voice: “Pearl, you’re not home?”
One sentence instantly snapped Miss Xu awake.
She opened her eyes wide.
Above her was an unfamiliar ceiling, lacking her beloved bed canopy, the colors dull and bare.
This was Song Huaixu’s house.
Feeling guilty, Miss Xu lied: “I was out for a walk.”
Luckily, A Li was an utterly trusting little fool who never doubted her.
“No wonder neither I nor Madam saw you. It’s the first time seeing you take a morning walk. Why didn’t you tell me? What do you want to eat later?”
Miss Xu named a couple of dishes offhand, her eyes scanning the room.
The curtains were drawn tightly, very dark and opaque.
Once adjusted, she saw the man reclining casually on the sofa not far away, long legs draped there.
Miss Xu shifted her gaze away, then back after two seconds.
She was puzzled—she’d taken his bed, so why was he not in another room, instead lying on the sofa?
Her thoughts quickly refocused. She’d only worn two pieces of clothing.
Her face was full of suspicion and doubt.
Memories flashed intermittently, some forgotten, some remembered—like how she clung to him but forgot the rest…
The house was now tidy, probably thanks to his help.
So much happened last night?
Her eyes caught the clothes by the bedside.
She immediately pulled them close, quickly dressing under the covers, eager to jump back into bed.
She saw the man sitting awake on the sofa, his expression cold, and was startled.
“When did you wake up?”
He had been awake long before she spoke.
“Going back?” His voice was cold and low.
Could this man have morning moodiness?
Miss Xu suspected he was in a bad mood after being entangled by her for so long last night.
Thinking about it, a big shot like him helping her with these things was rare, so she was especially obedient now: “Why didn’t you wake me up last night?”
Song Huaixu glanced at her.
“I had someone send you.”
He didn’t answer further.
No wonder people say he’s cold and heartless.
Miss Xu was more than a step away but didn’t forget her purpose from last night: “Why did you wish me success in the exam and spend so much money buying those earrings?”
Only after she went downstairs did the man reply in a flat tone: “I already replied.”
Miss Xu was confused.
Waiting in her own yard, she checked her phone and found he had replied at midnight.
Though he quoted her question messages, the answers were brief two-word responses.
Regarding raising the price — [Gladly.]
Regarding advertising for her — [To appease you.]
Back home at the Xu residence, her family only expressed a few minutes’ curiosity about her sudden morning walk.
As for Song Huaixu’s “appease” reply, she never quite understood what it meant all day.
Finally, she asked him directly: [Why do you want to appease me?]
Miss Xu had a hundred thousand questions.
At that time, Song Huaixu was negotiating official business with Port Government officials. Only after finishing did he see the message and briefly replied.
[You seemed angry the day you left Ning City.]
Miss Xu almost forgot about that.
His reminder made her recall the unpleasant incident, and with a cold expression, she accepted his compensation.
Because she believed, for someone like him, everything was about interests.
They had no real connection.
She certainly couldn’t compare to his other interests—he was a businessman.
Though thinking this way made her uncomfortable.
At home and among friends, she was pampered.
In her parents’ eyes, she thought she was the only treasure.
During business discussions, Song Huaixu glanced over.
Sure enough, she was heartless—after getting the answer, all she said was thanks.
Tonight there was a social engagement.
After entering the room, he took off his suit jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves.
Someone’s eyes landed on the marks on his wrist and arm, still not faded.
They exchanged glances, surprised but then calm again.
Even if Mr. Song was ascetic, he was still a normal man. Not all rumors were true.
Looking at those marks, it seemed he had been pushed to the limit before he lost control and fought back.
For two days afterward, Miss Xu didn’t see Song Huaixu again, but the media kept reporting on him at formal events.
He seemed very busy, always either with Port Government officials or with group leaders like Lin Shitang.
Miss Xu took time to flip through medical books, finding a prescription Lin Zhijun had wanted for a long time.
Since she studied Chinese Medicine, and the family had prepared a pharmacy for her, they had collected some common Chinese herbs.
Miss Xu directed A Li to pick the herbs according to the exact measurements on the prescription, then packaged them on the table.
“Do these medicines really help them grow strong here?”
A Li carefully measured and said, “Good thing Miss Lin wouldn’t cause a medical dispute.”
“If it works, it works,” Miss Xu folded a double paper packet.
“I see several here, Sand Yuanzi, Dodder Seed, and the like—they’re all tonics, sounding more like kidney supplements,” A Li whispered.
She had helped manage the pharmacy for years, absorbing some knowledge of herbal effects.
Miss Xu smiled, “You can’t look at them in isolation. These are formulated to dredge the meridians, but definitely not like surgery.”
A Li clicked her tongue. “As long as it works. I wish there were a cure for your Craving Skin Syndrome, Pearl.”
She was surprised, “You haven’t had many episodes recently.”
Miss Xu’s fingers paused slightly as she tied the knot. “A Li, imagine if there was a really effective medicine—”
She compared Song Huaixu to a medicine.
A Li stared at her without blinking.
Miss Xu composed her words: “But this medicine is only available in Port City for a short time, then it’s gone.”
“Gone? What does that mean?”
A Li didn’t understand.
“Are the raw materials for making it lacking?”
“No. The finished product is only in the mainland,” Miss Xu shook her head. “It won’t be in Port City anymore.”
“Then we just buy it directly.”
“We can’t.”
“Port Government forbids that kind of medicine?”
A Li was outraged.
“It’s for curing illnesses! If they don’t allow it, I’ll complain to the Health Bureau, organize protests or petitions.”
Miss Xu opened her mouth to stop her excitement.
“I’m just hypothesizing. Port Government probably can’t control this.”
“Then can we stockpile it?”
“No.”
A Li half-understood.
“If there really were such medicine, people would definitely make the most of it while it’s available here, then later sneak to the mainland to get more.”
Her “make the most” and “sneak” were literal.
But swapping the medicine for a person added another layer of meaning.
Make the most of the medicine, make the most of the person.
Miss Xu already felt uneasy asking this, now feeling a little hot all over, fanning herself.
The temperature didn’t drop but rose.
A Li didn’t feel the heat. Port City was used to setting the air conditioning low.
“Pearl, what do you think of my idea?”
“Makes sense,” Miss Xu admitted without objection.
In fact, deep down she was somewhat in favor of it.
After all, Song Huaixu was from Ning City and wouldn’t stay in Port City long.
Maybe he wouldn’t come back at all—who knew?
She could use it… it wouldn’t hurt, right?
Miss Xu’s acceptance came from the fact that in all their somewhat intimate encounters so far, she was the one benefiting.
She didn’t need to think much. If it had been the likes of Zheng Yuze or Song Tingchuan, heirs with admirers throwing themselves at them, they’d accept and their minds would be full of unspeakable thoughts.
Those who could resist either had great self-control or…
Suddenly, Miss Xu thought: was Song Huaixu impotent?
Then she shook her head.
Both last time and the night before, he never hid his reaction.
So physiologically, she could affect him.
Many in Port City were Catholic, with countless churches and church-run schools.
Some didn’t allow premarital relations.
Maybe Song Huaixu was one of them?
But he didn’t act like a believer at all. When he was cold-faced, he could have demolished a church.
Miss Xu’s thoughts wandered.
She heard few people in the mainland were religious.
A Li waved her hand.
“Pearl, what are you thinking? Your face is all red.”
Miss Xu tapped her face with the back of her hand, feigning calm.
“Am I? I’m just tired from packing.”
She contacted Lin Zhijun.
“The prescription you wanted—I’ve already packed enough for five doses. You can decoct it or make it into a plaster.”
Lin Zhijun screamed.
“Better to drink it! Plasters smell on the body. Pearl, you’re amazing. It doesn’t have to be much, just like Liang Jiamin’s.”
Miss Xu accepted the praise and casually asked, “You haven’t been looking for me these days, what are you up to? Is Brother Shitang forbidding you to go out?”
Lin Zhijun only dared to vent to her close friend.
“Big brother’s too busy to care about me, always tied up with business. Today, he seemed to have dinner at the Jockey Clubhouse with several people.”
Several people… Jockey Clubhouse.
Miss Xu caught the key points.
The Port City Jockey Club was famous.
Occasionally when there were horse races, she and Lin Zhijun would go watch.
But races paused in August; the next would be in September at the earliest.
As for the Jockey Clubhouse, ordinary people couldn’t get in. Membership was required and by invitation only.
Annual fees were shockingly high, and even dining inside had strict entry requirements.
As Xu Tianshi’s daughter, Miss Xu had everything and naturally had access.
Dining there had dress codes.
She picked a simple satin white blouse with a skirt, loosely tied her hair, and paired it with pearl jewelry—gentle and elegant.
Her outings were no secret.
Since the charity gala a few days ago, Miss Xu had hidden at home for several days.
The media said Zheng Yuze couldn’t compare to Song Huaixu.
Zheng Yuze wanted to call and stop the media from spreading falsehoods, but his father forbade it, so Zheng Yuze had to hold back.
Finally released, he saw Miss Xu going in the direction of the Jockey Club and immediately chased after her.
He showed no restraint, speeding in his sports car.
Outside the club, the two crossed paths. He shouted to her as she got out of the car: “Pearl! Wait for me!”
Miss Xu didn’t look back and kept walking.
Others nearby looked over but weren’t surprised to see who they were.
Their news had been hot these days.
“The Zheng family’s kid really won’t give up.”
“The Xu girl is so perfect in every way. No wonder he won’t leave her alone.”
“The news also mentions Mr. Song…”
Someone whispered, “But there’s no sign of any relation with Miss Xu. The media’s just making it up.”
Zheng Yuze parked and caught up to Miss Xu. “Why come here alone? I’m free. I can keep you company.”
Miss Xu said bluntly, “Don’t follow me.”
Zheng Yuze thought she was mad about the charity gala.
“Pearl, I didn’t mean not to photograph your earrings. It’s just that that Mr. Song suddenly appeared!”
He lost face and was locked at home by his father for two days.
Miss Xu was serious.
“It has nothing to do with that. Zheng Yuze, I told you before—I don’t like you.”
Zheng Yuze smiled.
“No worries. As long as I like you.”
He looked at her, his face lightly made up.
Finally free from her engagement, he wouldn’t miss the chance to snatch this Port City gem.
To be fair, he wasn’t a bad person, just a bit arrogant. Miss Xu didn’t hate him.
And with outsiders around, and the Zheng family backing him, she couldn’t be too harsh.
Miss Xu asked, “Is there anyone you like who’s like you?”
Zheng Yuze was confident: “Of course! What else?”
In the spacious, luxurious hall, everyone present was of high status.
Even they listened to gossip, let alone these two heirs.
A little farther off stood a few even more distinguished people.
Zhuang Qifeng glanced back at the man with a calm face, having heard about the recent news.
So he didn’t believe a word.
During these days accompanying him, Zhuang Qifeng had come to understand Song Huaixu’s character—he was indifferent to these matters.
He sighed helplessly, “These young folks think about nothing but love all day. Hope I’m not disturbing your mood.”
“No harm,” Song Huaixu replied evenly.
“I wanted to listen too.”
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