Tender Affection

Xun Yuan's chopstick hand paused, but her expression remained unruffled.

Yun Tang also saw them pass by. Worried about Xun Yuan's mood, she stole a look at her. Her expression was as usual; she was even more composed than Yun Tang.

Xun Yuan smiled at her. "What are you looking at?"

Yun Tang said, "Seeing if you're upset."

Xun Yuan smiled. "Hardly."

The woman beside Zuo Tingyue was carrying documents, so it was probably work. If there was anything inappropriate about her, it was perhaps that her neckline was a little too low, with the buttons below her collarbones left undone.

But beauty required willingness on both sides. Regardless of gender, the one in the higher position was the deciding factor; everything else was merely an enticement.

So Xun Yuan was not flustered at all. She would simply see how he handled it.

Xun Yuan focused on breakfast, neither deliberately avoiding them nor paying them much attention.

Later, as they walked out of the restaurant, Yun Tang looked at Xun Yuan's calm expression and could not help asking, "Xunxun, do you really not mind at all?"

Xun Yuan lightly gathered the shawl around herself, her gaze settling on empty space, her voice cool. "It would be a lie to say I don't mind at all. But I wouldn't say I care that much, either."

"Tangtang, in this world, the human heart is the hardest thing to fathom. I don't want to make trouble for myself over nothing."

Xun Yuan was not someone who liked making things difficult for herself. She could not control the future or know what Zuo Tingyue would do. She only wanted to live in the present and let things take their course. If it worked out, everyone would be happy; if not, they would part gracefully.

Her voice was quiet, yet it struck straight at the heart.

Yun Tang was momentarily dazed. This was probably the first time Xun Yuan had expressed her thoughts so plainly.

It was also at this moment that Yun Tang truly realized how strong Xun Yuan was, not just in her career, but mentally as well. She was unyielding and independent.

It was not independence defined by avoiding relationships, nor independence defined by being in one. It was that she always had the confidence to face anything and any consequence.

At least at this moment, Yun Tang felt she looked up to Xun Yuan. She was so wonderful.

The hot spring resort was named for its hot springs, but that did not mean hot springs were its only entertainment. On the contrary, it offered plenty of activities. The grounds were extensive, with a swimming pool, an indoor skating rink, a golf course, and more.

Xun Yuan and Yun Tang had come here to have fun, so of course they intended to enjoy themselves to the fullest.

The two went to play golf that morning. The course was outdoors, and the sun shone brightly. Partway through, both found it too sunny, the sunlight dazzling their eyes, so they changed venues and headed for the pool.

While changing into her swimsuit, Yun Tang saw the marks on her body, mostly on her upper half. She changed into a conservative swimsuit that covered them completely.

By the time she came out, Xun Yuan was already in the pool, wearing a black swimsuit and moving with practiced ease.

Yun Tang got into the water too, swimming after Xun Yuan. After a little while, she no longer wanted to move. Tired, she climbed out, wrapped herself in a bathrobe, and sprawled like a corpse on a chair.

Xun Yuan had not been in the water for a long time. Taking a swim again on a whim, she was quite enthusiastic and swam several laps.

Her figure was slender and graceful, her black swimsuit making her skin look whiter than snow. Her ink-black hair streamed through the water like splashed ink, poetic and picturesque.

Once Xun Yuan had swum enough, she emerged from the water. The moment she broke the surface, she truly was a lotus rising from clear water, naturally free of ornament. She was someone who could look breathtakingly beautiful even barefaced.

Ink-black hair, snow-white skin, red lips-the collision of colors delivered a powerful visual impact.

Her features and bone structure were perfect, mingling with her unique bearing and charm to create a radiance no one could imitate.

One glance was enough to recognize Xun Yuan.

She was born to be the center of attention, regardless of how many people were around.

Zuo Tingyue came through the doorway, his gaze falling straight on Xun Yuan. He watched her bloom, watched her breathtaking beauty. Her figure settled into his dark eyes, his heart as deep as the sea.

Zuo Tingyue stopped at the edge of the pool, looking down at Xun Yuan in the water.

Hearing his footsteps, Xun Yuan looked up and met his gaze. Her lashes were wet, a watery gleam in her eyes. She looked directly into his eyes, her gaze as serene as ever.

Serene, yet brimming with tender affection. The emotion lingering in her eyes was complex and mysterious, piercing straight to the heart.

Xun Yuan had been about to get out. She climbed up the pool ladder and stepped barefoot onto the edge. Water cascaded from her as she moved, her ink-black hair dripping wet. Clear droplets clung to her skin, refracting the light into a halo.

Without a word, she walked aside and picked up a towel to dry herself. The soft white towel swept inch by inch over her skin; it was hard to say whether the towel was whiter or she was.

Swimsuit and skin, deep, inky black and pure, flawless white, intertwined. Her back was turned to Zuo Tingyue. The swimsuit was open at the back, held together by just two thin straps.

Xun Yuan dried off and wrapped herself in a bathrobe, her wet hair hanging down her back, casual and natural.

"Like swimming?"

Zuo Tingyue's deep, magnetic voice sounded, resonating low in her ears.

"It's all right."

Xun Yuan tied her bathrobe belt and answered mildly, her cool voice showing little inflection.

Xun Yuan asked, "Finished talking business?"

Zuo Tingyue looked at her with a faint, indifferent almost-smile. "Mm."

Yun Tang sat to one side, pretending she did not exist. Really, whenever these two appeared in the same space, that fated pull between them seemed to draw the very air into silken threads. They came with a protective barrier of their own; unless they stepped out, no one could get in.

A hint of elusive amusement in her eyes, Xun Yuan simply tilted her head slightly back and looked at him.

That soft allure, as though she had something to say but held it back, neither clingy nor aloof, truly struck a man's heart.

Xun Yuan had pride buried deep in her bones. She did not deliberately display it, yet glimpses of it showed everywhere, especially challenging a man's desire to conquer. Any man would have a possessive streak, those in power all the more so. Men accustomed to being hunters were used to holding the initiative. They wanted this, and that, and more besides.

Watching them, Yun Tang grew excited. Xun Yuan had a charm that truly captivated people. Even knowing it was poison, they could not help sinking into it.

If she were a man, she would want to give Xun Yuan everything. Even as a woman, she liked her. At that moment, Yun Tang thought it would defy all heavenly justice if Zuo Tingyue did not like her.

"Was breakfast good?" Xun Yuan asked him with a bright smile.

Zuo Tingyue's smile was faint. She asked casually, and he answered just as languidly. "So-so."

Xun Yuan smiled and nodded.

After sitting there a while, Yun Tang could no longer bear their thick, clinging atmosphere. She quietly slipped away and went back to her room to change.

Xun Yuan walked barefoot toward Zuo Tingyue, her snow-white, jade-like feet drawing together on the smooth poolside floor, carrying a flavor of sensuality and desire.

"Aren't your feet cold?" His voice was low and rich.

"Not at all."

Xun Yuan answered softly, drawing out the last syllable a little, sweet and playful.

Xun Yuan reached out to pull Zuo Tingyue's shirt free of his dress trousers. Most people would simply grab a corner and tug it out. Not her.

She insisted on touching his muscles. Through the thin layer of fabric, she could feel their vigorous strength beneath her hand, firm and sexy.

Her fingertips hooked lightly, pulling his shirt out. In an instant, it had that loose yet crisp look. His physique was superb, with broad shoulders and a wide back, his muscles all honed by discipline. Calling him walking hormones was no exaggeration.

Zuo Tingyue cupped Xun Yuan's waist and drew close, his voice low and deep. "Playing with fire?"

A little smile spread over Xun Yuan's face, light and faint, tugging at the heart.