Sparkle: Fu Xuan, Let's Get Down to Business!

The pool water rippled gently, reflecting the soft glow of the light streaming down from the ceiling.

Fu Xuan leaned against the edge of the pool, the cool water enveloping her, yet it couldn't quell the unfamiliar heat rising within her.

She deliberately cast her gaze toward the shimmering water in the distance, trying to ignore the almost boiling area behind her.

The faint sounds that reached her ears were like feathers, constantly tickling her nerves.

Just then, a soft splash of water was heard, and a warm and soft body approached from the side, its arms, still wet with water droplets, affectionately encircling Fu Xuan's shoulders.

It's Sparkle.

"Hiding here all by myself... how boring!"

The sound of Sparkle was languid and husky.

Her damp hair brushed against Fu Xuan's neck, her tone full of seduction.

"Look, being pampered... isn't that wonderful? That feeling... is like flying on a cloud, forgetting all your troubles..."

"... Fu Xuan, give it a try. Open your arms a little and hug him. You'll experience unimaginable joy, and... power too."

Fu Xuan stiffened slightly, neither pushing her away nor responding.

Sparkle's words seemed to possess a magical power, striking the most vulnerable part of her heart.

The Elation she had just glimpsed, which had almost burned her eyes, was now presented to her, inviting her to savor it.

Seeing Fu Xuan remain silent, a sly glint flashed in Sparkle's eyes.

Like a nimble fish, she quietly slipped away from Fu Xuan, submerged into the water, and swam behind Lin Hai, who was stretching his body in the water.

Lin Hai seemed to sense something. Just as he slightly turned his head, Sparkle used all her strength and, laughing, gave him a sudden shove from behind!

Lin Hai drifted forward and was carried by the current to Fu Xuan's side.

The two almost touched nose to nose.

As the water rippled, Lin Hai's gaze fell on Fu Xuan's somewhat flustered face.

He looked at the Xianzhou governor before him, who was usually aloof and self-possessed, seemingly untouched by worldly affairs, but whose eyelashes trembled slightly and whose cheeks were flushed with an unnatural redness.

Like a startled crane.

Lin Hai didn't speak, but slowly raised his hand and grasped Fu Xuan's cool and slender wrist in the water.

His palms were warm and strong, moistened by the pool water.

It felt like an electric current surged through me instantly!

Fu Xuan's body trembled violently, and he subconsciously tried to pull his hand back, but the force was like an iron clamp, gentle yet irresistible.

An unprecedented surge of heat, a mixture of shyness, panic, and a secret longing, swept uncontrollably through her body.

It made even her fingertips tremble slightly.

Fu Xuan could even clearly hear his own heart pounding like a drum.

Lin Hai made no further move, simply watching her quietly.

His gaze seemed to pierce through her feigned composure, reaching the deepest turmoil within her heart.

A moment later, he leaned forward slightly.

A gentle kiss landed on Fu Xuan's smooth forehead.

The warm kiss, carrying the unique scent of the Lin Hai, was like a brand.

Fu Xuan closed his eyes, his long eyelashes trembling, his mind blank.

The wisdom that usually allows one to strategize and predict the future vanishes without a trace at this moment.

She didn't know whether to push him away or... accept him.

He could only stand frozen in place, letting that unfamiliar thrill coursing through his limbs and bones.

"Pfft..."

Seeing Fu Sparkle's flustered state, Fu Xuan couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Laughter echoed in the pool.

With a sense of satisfaction at having successfully pulled off a prank.

The laughter was like a thunderclap, jolting Fu Xuan out of his daze!

She suddenly opened her eyes, and what came into view was Lin Hai's face so close to hers, and Sparkle's mischievous gaze.

Overwhelmed by immense shame and a panicked feeling of being seen through, Fu Xuan was consumed by embarrassment!

"I... I'll go up first!"

She uttered those words almost incoherently and forcefully broke free from Lin Hai's grasp.

Forget about decorum, she scrambled ashore on all fours, forgetting even to grab her towel, and ran frantically toward the changing room, soaking wet.

His back looked disheveled.

Like a startled fawn.

"Hey! Wait for me!"

Seeing Sparkle, Hanabi called out with a grin, jumped ashore, and quickly followed after them, her clothes still wet.

By the pool, Lin Hai was once again left alone.

He watched the two women disappear one after the other, then raised his hand to wipe the water droplets from his face.

The ripples gradually subsided, reflecting his solitary figure, as if the small disturbance had never occurred.

Night deepened.

The corridor outside the hotel suite was completely silent.

Fu Xuan stood in front of a guest room door, his fingers unconsciously curling up, his mind in turmoil.

She had already arranged another room, intending to spend the night alone and sort out her chaotic thoughts.

However, Sparkle's invitation was still ringing in my ears.

"Fu Xuan, don't stay cooped up by yourself~ The night is long and boring, why don't you go sit by the Lin Hai? Don't worry, it'll just be the two of you, I promise I won't bother you!"

After Sparkle finished speaking, she winked at her, the meaning in her eyes couldn't be clearer.

At this moment, Fu Xuan stood outside Lin Hai's door, his cheeks burning uncontrollably.

Accepting such an absurd invitation would be contrary to her usual reserve and principles.

Yet deep down, there was an indescribable curiosity and... a faint sense of anticipation.

It grows quietly, like a vine.

It was swirling around her reason.

Ultimately, with mixed feelings, Fu Xuan chose to acquiesce, letting Sparkle half-heartedly bring her here.

Just as Fu Xuan hesitated and was about to turn and flee, the door in front of him clicked open from the inside.

It was Sparkle who opened the door!

With a bright smile on her face, she gently pushed Fu Xuan's back without saying a word.

"Go on in! Let's have a good chat!"

After saying that, she slipped away from Fu Xuan like a gust of wind, closing the door behind her.

Fu Xuan stumbled and fell into the room.

The door closed behind him, isolating him from the outside world.

She steadied herself somewhat awkwardly, and looked up to see Lin Hai sitting on a single sofa in the corner of the room, with an ultra-thin laptop on his lap.

The cold light from the screen illuminated his profile.

Hearing the noise, Lin Hai slowly raised his head and calmly looked at Fu Xuan, who was standing at the door looking somewhat at a loss.

Only a few ambient lights were on in the room, creating a dim lighting effect.

An indescribable stillness filled the air.

Mixed with Lin Hai's faint, reassuring aura, and a hint of... the lingering warmth of Sparkle.

A lone man and a lone woman are alone in a room.

The atmosphere inevitably became somewhat awkward, and a hint of budding ambiguity crept in.

Lin Hai closed his laptop, placed it on the coffee table beside him, leaned forward slightly, rested his elbows on his knees, and broke the silence.

"Is it... a little strange?"

Fu Xuan subconsciously avoided his direct gaze, lowered his eyelids slightly, stared at the intricate patterns on the carpet, and spoke in a voice so low it was almost inaudible.

"... Yes, that's right."

She felt more than just unaccustomed to it; she felt her heart beating very fast.

Lin Hai looked at her embarrassed appearance, which was completely different from her usual aloof demeanor, and a very faint smile flashed across his eyes.

He changed the subject abruptly. "Since you're here, let's get things done."

"Work?"

Fu Xuan suddenly raised his head, a hint of panic flashing across his face, "What... what do you need to do?"

Countless possibilities flashed through her mind, each one making her cheeks burn even hotter.

Lin Hai took in her reaction, seemingly finding it somewhat amusing, and explained unhurriedly:

"Don't be nervous. I mean, it's about time. Let's set off now for Xianzhou Luofu. Didn't you already arrange a meeting with Jing Yuan?"

So that's what it meant!

Fu Xuan instantly breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense shoulders relaxed as well.

But what followed was a sense of shame at having one's thoughts exposed.

She actually... thought of somewhere else.

Fu Xuan tried his best to remain calm and nodded.

"... Everything is arranged, and we can depart at any time."