Early the next morning.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, scattering across the wooden floor like flecks of gold.
Chen Lin opened his eyes, a faint fragrance lingering around his nose.
The spot beside him was empty, but it still held someone else's warmth.
Water rushed in the bathroom.
A smile curved Chen Lin's lips as memories of last night's passion and abandon rose unbidden in his mind.
Especially Song Qiuya's reckless resolve at the end, and her awkward yet utterly earnest efforts...
This woman always managed to tug at the deepest strings of his heart.
Click.
The bathroom door opened.
Song Qiuya had changed back into the smart skirt suit she had worn yesterday.
But the lingering blush on her cool, pretty face and her darting eyes, which refused to meet his, completely betrayed the turmoil within her.
After last night, the final veil between them had dissolved.
"You're awake? Hurry... hurry up and wash. Drive me back to work."
Song Qiuya pretended to tidy her meticulously styled short hair, a hint of fluster in her voice that even she failed to notice.
Bare-chested, Chen Lin sprang out of bed, his firm muscles sharply defined in the morning light.
He came up behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her soft waist.
Song Qiuya's body instantly tensed, then softened against his warm chest.
"What's the rush?"
Chen Lin rested his chin in the crook of her shoulder, his warm breath brushing her ear.
"My second uncle and aunt aren't here yet. Have breakfast before you leave."
"N-no, I can't. There's work waiting at the store."
Song Qiuya's cheeks burned hotter. She felt as though his intense masculine presence was about to melt her.
"What work could be more important than your man?"
With a wicked grin,