Chapter 2 – In This Deserted Corner

Wen Lan Sheng affectionately held Fan Xia’s arm, his sweet smile tinged with shyness. “Yes, the wedding date is set for two months from now. CEO, you must come!”

There was a loud crash in Rong Xiu’s mind. He couldn’t hear anything Wen Lan Sheng said afterwards, only able to see his blindingly happy smile. The chopsticks in his hand were almost snapped in half.

“It seems the CEO doesn’t know about our engagement yet. Xia Xia, you didn’t tell him? After all, he’s your senior.” Wen Lan Sheng looked at Rong Xiu’s stiff face and hooked up a mocking smile.

Six years ago, he was no match for him. Six years later, it’s still the same.

Fan Xia glanced at Rong Xiu, her clear and gentle eyes filled with a spring-like soft light. “I haven’t had a chance to say it, and I didn’t bring the invitation either.”

“This is very simple.” Wen Lan Sheng said to Rong Xiu’s shocked and disbelieving face with a smile, “There are electronic invitations now. Senior, do you mind if I add you on WeChat and send you an invitation?”

Rong Xiu’s thin lips had completely lost their color. The hand hidden under the table clenched tightly, the veins on the back of his hand bulging and trembling slightly.

Wen Lan Sheng’s happy and smug smile was like sharp shards of glass, piercing his eyes, making his whole body tremble with pain. The treasure he had finally regained after losing it was once again easily taken away by someone else. And after this time, she would never come back. She would be someone else’s wife, having children with another man. He would completely lose her.

“Senior? Senior?” Seeing no response from Rong Xiu, Wen Lan Sheng called out in a low voice.

Rong Xiu came back to his senses in a panic, meeting Wen Lan Sheng’s smiling eyes, declaring how happy he was being nourished by Fan Xia, how blissful their life had been for so many years.

There was never a place for him in their world. Fan Xia’s eyes never had a trace of his shadow. He was just an insignificant secret admirer. Only he knew about the heartache and bitter despair of his teenage years.

“Can I add you on WeChat? I’ll send you the electronic invitation.” Wen Lan Sheng repeated his words, but it seemed to make Rong Xiu fall into a deep sea filled with ice shards, suffocating him.

“Lan Sheng.” A gentle voice, light and soft, shone like a beam of light, clearly speaking to Wen Lan Sheng, but it pulled Rong Xiu out of suffocation. However, the frozen blood in his body could not be warmed up again.

Fan Xia glanced at Rong Xiu, whose expression was unnatural, and whispered in Wen Lan Sheng’s ear, “Don’t say anymore. Don’t make it difficult for him.”

As the chairman and CEO of Shanhai Group, Rong Xiu couldn’t just casually add people on WeChat, let alone her being just an ordinary junior of Rong Xiu’s with little interaction. She didn’t expect Wen Lan Sheng, who was usually prudent, to suddenly take the initiative and make such an unreasonable request. She spoke up to stop him.

Wen Lan Sheng pursed his lips and said softly, “Understood. I didn’t consider it thoroughly.”

“It’s okay.” Rong Xiu lowered his head, his brows and eyes dull and lifeless, as if even the light in his eyes had burned into dead ashes. He took out his phone and pulled up the QR code, his eyes overflowing with unbeknownst sorrow, yet he still had to pretend to be happy. “Add me.”

“CEO?” Fan Xia’s eyes flashed with a slight surprise.

“On the wedding day… I will attend.” The hand hidden under the table was already suppressed into a hideous twist, the purple veins on the verge of bursting. His nails dug into the flesh of his palm, but he seemed to enjoy the surging pain as if self-torturing, watching the person he had admired for seven years show affection to another man. The tip of his tongue was bitten, and his reluctant thin lips stretched into a difficult smile. “Fan Xia… congratulations.”

*

CEO’s office. Zhuang Nian came out from inside in a dejected manner and whispered beside Fan Xia, “Chief Assistant Fan, the CEO’s mood is not very good this afternoon…… Good luck to you.”

Fan Xia looked at the documents in her hand that she was about to give to Rong Xiu for review and asked, “What is the CEO angry about?”

Zhuang Nian pouted. “Who knows? Men are creatures with unstable moods.”

Fan Xia was uncertain. She always felt that someone like Rong Xiu, who could turn the tide when Shanhai Group was in crisis, would not vent his emotions like ordinary people, let alone take it out on irrelevant people.

She knocked lightly on the door, and a low, hoarse male voice came out. “Come in.”

Fan Xia pushed the door and entered.

The light in the office was cold. Rong Xiu’s tall figure was hidden in the desolate light. His exquisitely tailored suit jacket was casually thrown on the guest sofa to the side, revealing a crumpled white shirt and a loosened tie. His handsome and unapproachable cold features rarely showed a trace of weary melancholy.

“Is there something?” Rong Xiu looked at her, his tone and emotion sounding without any abnormality, only his rimless glasses were casually placed on the desk. The thin lenses reflected a cold light, and the small wine-red teardrop mole under the corner of his left eye looked particularly fragile and shattered on his currently lonely face.

Fan Xia withdrew her stunned gaze and handed the documents to him. “These documents need your signature.”

“…… Okay.” Rong Xiu sat up slightly, his slender and fair fingers picking up a limited edition fountain pen said to be from a certain master in the city. The black leather arm band on his arm outlined the tight lines of his arm. The cuff rubbed slightly on the document as his pen moved, leaving a row of names. His handwriting was clear and powerful, more like a work of art than the fountain pen in his hand, unforgettable once seen.

After signing, Fan Xia hesitated for a moment and chose to leave.

Until getting off work, Fan Xia didn’t see Rong Xiu come out of the office again.

Zhuang Nian pulled Fan Xia, who was standing hesitantly in front of the office, and whispered, “Chief Assistant Fan, I know you’re worried about the CEO, but based on my experience of being by the CEO’s side for so many years, going in at this time won’t help him, but only make him more upset. If we could really help, he would have instructed us long ago. Let’s go!”

Zhuang Nian urged her to leave in a low voice. The moment she left the office, through the slightly open crack of the door, she saw Rong Xiu’s figure shrouded in the desolate light, the wine-red teardrop mole on half of his face as if sinking into the lonely night. A trace of concern flashed in Fan Xia’s eyes.

When she entered the underground garage, Fan Xia saw Wen Lan Sheng standing beside the car, wearing a simple white shirt made of cotton and linen. Seeing Fan Xia walking towards him, he pursed his lips and smiled faintly, his temperament fresh and clean. “Finally off work. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

Fan Xia hid Rong Xiu’s dejected and gloomy appearance in her heart and smiled slightly. “Something delayed me for a bit.”

Wen Lan Sheng opened the car door and leaned lazily on the seat, teasing, “It wasn’t the CEO who delayed you, right? He’s known as a lofty flower, an ascetic male god.”

“Don’t overthink.” Fan Xia smiled faintly and leaned over to fasten Wen Lan Sheng’s seat belt.

Her slender and delicate fingertips slid past his waist, her thick and smooth long hair falling from her shoulders, a familiar faint fragrance passing by his nose, rippling in his heart.

With a light click, the seat belt was fastened. Fan Xia raised her eyes, the corners of her mouth carrying a faint smile.

Wen Lan Sheng’s breath hitched. Even after being together for many years, he still sank countless times in Fan Xia’s affectionate gaze, like a gentle sea, making people linger and fall.

But he was not the only one coveting this gentle sea.

Wen Lan Sheng suddenly hugged her neck, his tongue skillfully unbuttoning the second button of her shirt, kissing her slender neck possessively, his breath ambiguous and heavy. “I don’t care. Although you two are just superior and subordinate, men and women are different. Don’t get too close to him.”

Fan Xia’s laughter was gentle and soft, rubbing his soft and slightly curly black hair, tenderly saying, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Wen Lan Sheng let go of his hand in satisfaction. “That’s more like it.”

“So what’s for dinner tonight?” Fan Xia asked while driving. “Let’s go to the vegetable market near the neighborhood. The dishes in restaurants are not hygienic. It’s healthier and more nutritious to make them at home. How about braised prawns, cold jellyfish salad, and seafood soup for you tonight?” Wen Lan Sheng said.

Fan Xia smiled gently, “Okay, but it will be hard on you, having to cook for me after getting off work.”

Wen Lan Sheng bit his lip, Fan Xia’s thoughtfulness making a shy and bright smile appear on his lips. “I’m just an ordinary little clerk in the company. My work is very easy. Most of the day, I’m just gossiping and slacking off. It’s not tiring at all. Besides, I like cooking for you.”

Fan Xia drove silently, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, filled with the warm glow of the sunset.

Wen Lan Sheng was about to say something more when an urgent phone ring sounded. He took the call, “Hello, Dad?”

“What?”

The smile on Wen Lan Sheng’s face froze, and the atmosphere in the car instantly became heavy.

“What happened?” Fan Xia asked.

Wen Lan Sheng put down the phone, his eyes panicked and urgent. “Xia Xia, my mom fell from the stairs and is in the hospital now.”

“It’s okay.” Fan Xia comforted and immediately turned the car around. “We’ll go to the hospital now.”

Love Stand Hospital, one of the private hospitals under Shanhai Group.

Fan Xia and Wen Lan Sheng hurried over. A man in his fifties was already crying like a tear person outside the ward.

“Dad, how is Mom?” Wen Lan Sheng asked anxiously.

Wen Lan Sheng’s father, Xie Cen, pinched the already wet tissue and sobbed, “Your mom fell from the stairs and injured her leg. The doctor said there’s no major problem, but she needs to recuperate well. You know, it takes a hundred days for tendons and bones to heal. I’ve said before that the old tenement building allocated by our work unit is too old. It’s inconvenient for us elderly to go up and down without an elevator. Something was bound to happen sooner or later!”

Xie Cen hugged Wen Lan Sheng and rambled on while crying. Fan Xia quietly leaned against the wall, her long lashes lowered slightly, her eyes dark and unclear.

After crying and complaining for more than ten minutes, Wen Lan Sheng pursed his lips and walked towards her.

Fan Xia raised her head, her eyes once again tinged with intoxicating gentleness. “How is it? Is your dad better?”

Wen Lan Sheng nodded, but his expression was still unpleasant, as if he had something on his mind.

Finally, as if making up his mind, he held Fan Xia’s hand and said, “Xia Xia, my mom broke her leg and can’t move around easily for a while. The house at home is too old, and it’s on the sixth floor without an elevator. My sister is abroad, and my dad can’t take care of her alone. Could… could you…” Wen Lan Sheng gritted his teeth and spoke with difficulty. “Could you let my parents stay at our place for now?”

After saying that, Wen Lan Sheng lowered his head, not daring to look into Fan Xia’s eyes.

They hadn’t registered their marriage yet, and even the wedding hadn’t been held. The small two-bedroom apartment they were living together in now was bought by Fan Xia herself and had nothing to do with him.

Since ancient times, it was always the husband who lived with the wife and the wife’s parents. No one had ever heard of the husband’s parents entering the house.

Moreover, the small two-bedroom apartment bought by Fan Xia was only a little over 60 square meters. It was cozy for two people, but adding two elderly would make it crowded and noisy.

He also knew that this request was too much, but he really had no choice.

The pungent smell of disinfectant in the hospital made Wen Lan Sheng feel suffocated and unable to breathe. Fan Xia’s silence was like torture to him.

Suddenly, he felt his face being cupped gently. Fan Xia smiled faintly. “Okay.”

Wen Lan Sheng’s eyes widened.

“Your family’s house is indeed a bit old and not suitable for the elderly to live in. Go back and clear out my study, and let your parents stay there with peace of mind.”

Fan Xia took his hand, the glaring white fluorescent light of the hospital shining on the side of her face, as gentle as a dream. “My current salary is quite good. With my previous savings, I can almost pay the down payment for a large flat. By then, we’ll move out and let your parents live in this apartment to enjoy their old age.”

“Fan Xia.” Wen Lan Sheng’s black, shiny, and moist pupils trembled in disbelief. He immediately hugged her, a bit of moisture spilling from the corner of his eye and disappearing into Fan Xia’s snow-white shirt. “Fan Xia, thank you.”

“We’re all family. Don’t mention thanks.” Fan Xia gently stroked his back, feeling his hot heartbeat. Her eyes showed no trace of emotion. “I’ll go back and clean up the study first. You stay here and take care of your mom.”

“But I haven’t made dinner for you yet.” Wen Lan Sheng tightly hugged her waist, unwilling to let go, his hands tightly clutching her clothes, his moist eyes filled with guilt.

But in the eyes of the passing nurses, they were just a loving couple, attracting attention.

Fan Xia gently stroked the loose hair on his forehead and said softly, “I’m an adult. Will I let myself starve? Besides, your mom’s health is important. I’m leaving first.”

Wen Lan Sheng reluctantly let go of his hands.

*

“Are you serious? Fan Xia really agreed to let us move in? And said that she would give us that apartment to live in in the future?” Xie Cen covered his mouth in disbelief.

Wen Lan Sheng’s mother, Wen Ming Yue, lying on the hospital bed, also couldn’t believe it. “Did Fan Xia really say that? You didn’t hear wrong?”

Wen Lan Sheng sat by the bed, peeling an apple, and said, “Xia Xia did say that. She’s already gone back to clean up the study. She still has to go to work tomorrow, so I didn’t let her stay at the hospital. I took a few days off to take care of Mom. When Mom can be discharged, you and Dad can move in together.”

“Great, great, great! An elevator apartment in the city center is not only convenient for living but also has a good neighborhood environment. Luckily Fan Xia bought it early. Now the market price must be five or six million! I never thought that one day I would be able to live in such an expensive house!” Wen Ming Yue’s worries about her leg injury disappeared, and she said with a smile.

Xie Cen stood up excitedly, clapping his hands and laughing. “When we were young, people in the work unit compound all praised Fan Xia for being smart and having a better future than your sister. I didn’t agree, but now I really like her more and more. No matter how smart she is, Director Fan is still raising children for us! Haha!”

“Dad!” Wen Lan Sheng’s face changed greatly. He stood up with a start and said sternly, “How many times have I told you not to mention Director Fan!”

“What are you doing, scaring me!” Xie Cen held his chest. “Fan Xia is not here. What’s wrong with saying a few words! She can’t hear it anyway!”

“You’re not allowed to mention her even if she’s not here!” Wen Lan Sheng slammed the fruit knife on the table with a bang and shouted angrily at Xie Cen. “From now on, don’t mention a single word about Director Fan!”

Xie Cen was frightened by his son’s rare outburst of anger and sat quietly to the side without saying a word.

Wen Ming Yue smiled and smoothed things over. “Our Lan Sheng is promising. He booked a potential stock in advance. Fan Xia is willing to give us the apartment to live in, isn’t it also for the sake of our Lan Sheng?”

Wen Lan Sheng sat down again, the micro-anger in his eyes lessening a bit.

Wen Ming Yue continued, “You and Fan Xia have been together for so many years. At first, I was a bit uneasy about handing you over to her. Now it seems she is indeed sincere to you.”

Wen Lan Sheng’s eyes softened, and his anger completely disappeared. He said in a low voice, “That’s why I don’t want to mention the past. Let’s not mention it, as if nothing ever happened.”

“Okay.” Wen Ming Yue said, “Your dad is just too happy. Don’t take him seriously.”

“Yes, Lan Sheng. Dad is just happy that you have a good home.” Xie Cen saw that Wen Lan Sheng’s anger had dissipated. His eyes turned, and he whispered, “You said before that she was going to buy a large flat. Is that also true?”

Wen Lan Sheng picked up the fruit knife again and peeled the apple, unable to restrain the smile on the corner of his mouth. “Mm, the salary of the chief assistant of Shanhai Group is very high.”

“That’s great! My son is so lucky! He can live in a large flat in the city center!” Xie Cen was overjoyed.

Suddenly, Xie Cen thought of something and pulled Wen Lan Sheng’s hand, saying, “But you have to be careful. Don’t let her buy it now. If she buys it now, it will be premarital property.”

The smile that had finally bloomed on Wen Lan Sheng’s face instantly cooled.

Xie Cen counted on his fingers, “Think about it, how expensive is the monthly payment for a large flat? Our family has no money to help you pay the monthly payment because we’re supporting your sister to study abroad. If you get divorced, you won’t have a share in the house!”

“Enough!” Hearing his own biological father curse his divorce, Wen Lan Sheng’s face turned pale with anger. He threw the apple in his hand and said irritably, “Dad, Fan Xia is not the kind of person you say she is. She loves me very much. All these years, she has been obedient to me and has never said a harsh word to me. She’s even willing to let you move into her home, yet you’re still guarding against her and calculating her.”

“Lan Sheng, Dad is also thinking for your own good.” Xie Cen said.

“Don’t say anymore. I want to be alone for a while.” Wen Lan Sheng left the ward angrily and went to the courtyard alone to clear his mind.

It was already late at night, and the gentle moonlight shone on Wen Lan Sheng. He looked up at the high moon in a daze, then left the hospital directly and took a taxi home.

When he got home, it was almost one o’clock in the morning.

Wen Lan Sheng took off his shoes and tiptoed into the bedroom. Only a faint warm yellow wall lamp was on in the bedroom. The faint light illuminated Fan Xia’s calm sleeping face, and the dark green silk thin quilt set off her jade-like fair skin.

Wen Lan Sheng’s gaze lingered. He took off his clothes, lifted the quilt, and crawled in. His hands wrapped around Fan Xia’s soft waist from behind, his forehead pressed against her back.

Fan Xia’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, startled awake.

She turned around and saw a familiar face. Her surprised tone still carried a hint of sleepiness, “Why are you back?”

Wen Lan Sheng took the opportunity to burrow into her arms, smelling her faint fragrance, his tone carrying a hint of coquettishness, “I missed you and couldn’t sleep.”

Fan Xia touched Wen Lan Sheng’s smooth skin under the thin quilt. His scorching breath sprayed, and his restless hands slid and caressed, climbing up to her robe tie. His bright eyes shook with burning desire.

She raised her hand, her slender and delicate fingers lifting Wen Lan Sheng’s chin, meeting his eyes filled with desire. The corners of her lips curved into a beautiful arc, “So impatient?”

Wen Lan Sheng’s eyes shyly avoided, “Xia Xia, you… don’t tease me.”

“I’m teasing you? Aren’t you the one throwing yourself into my arms?” Fan Xia’s tone was low and teasing. Her soft hair was like the soft tentacles of a jellyfish, entangling the prey. In the night, she shed her gentle and light daytime demeanor and became enchanting.

“Xia Xia……” Wen Lan Sheng’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and he shyly burrowed into her arms.

“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore.” A gentle laugh sounded in his ear. Fan Xia took the initiative to untie her robe. The night was long.