Chen Die was forcibly pulled up from the chair by him, then pushed back down to sit on the small stool beside her.

She was unwilling, feeling he was being mean to her, and twisted her body in resistance, causing her skirt to unconsciously slide up further.

Wen Liang’s face darkened as he looked down at her and said coldly, “Sit properly.”

Chen Die paused, looking up at him, and this time obediently sat on the stool without moving again.

Ultimately, she was still afraid of Wen Liang. Although she was spoiled by his favoritism, when he truly turned cold, Chen Die could only obediently listen.

Wen Liang placed the fruit plate in front of her: “Just sit here and eat. Be a little obedient.”

Chen Die secretly pouted, sitting quietly at the side eating fruit. After a while, she became drowsy, rested her hand on the edge of the table, and lay down on her arm, chewing fruit while watching Wen Liang type on the keyboard.

Recently, school coursework has been heavy. Chen Die had been studying art courses, so naturally, she couldn’t keep up with some subjects. The assigned homework took her much longer to complete than others, sometimes even requiring her to stay up late.

Wen Liang didn’t speak to her, and Chen Die unknowingly fell asleep by the desk.

Wen Liang only looked to his side after finishing the report.

The young girl was sleeping with her face turned toward him, her ponytail brushing against her fair neck. Wen Liang’s eyelid twitched, and his breath, which had just calmed down, suddenly tightened again.

Speaking of which, those young masters his age were often surrounded by beautiful women, but Wen Liang found them annoying and had always been disinterested.

Yet the young girl being raised in his home was blossoming more radiantly day by day. He hadn’t noticed before, but today it suddenly struck him as if a revelation.

Wen Liang frowned slightly, silently looking at her for a while, then reached down to pull the turned-up corner of her pleated skirt back down before kicking the leg of the stool.

The stool wobbled, and Chen Die woke up, rubbing her eyes as she sat up.

“Go back to your room to sleep,” Wen Liang dismissed her.

“Are you finished?” Her voice was still drowsy from just waking up, with a soft tone at the end.

“Almost.”

Chen Die leaned forward to look at the time in the bottom right corner of his computer, her hair brushing against the back of his hand.

It was already quite late, and she still had some homework to do. Chen Die had no idea what Wen Liang, who now appeared very impatient, had been thinking earlier. She only felt that staying longer would annoy him, so she quickly returned to her bedroom.

It took Wen Liang another hour to finally finish. He closed his computer and went to bed.

The study was at the end of the second-floor corridor. On his way back to the master bedroom, he would pass by the guest room where Chen Die was staying. The light was still on in her room.

Wen Liang initially wanted to go in and check on her. His hand was just raised to knock when he suddenly remembered something and ultimately decided against it, returning to the master bedroom.

This incident, apart from lightly plucking at a string in Wen Liang’s heart, caused no other changes.

After resting at home for two days, Chen Die returned to school to begin another week of boarding.

Sometimes she would especially want to chat with Wen Liang, sending him messages from her dormitory after lights out, but the man always replied very briefly, leaving her unsure of how to respond, and the conversations always ended very quickly.

While she secretly complained about Wen Liang, she also couldn’t help her girlish feelings.

She kept all the love letters she received without throwing them away, earning her the titles of “collector” and “shameless” from Chen Shu Yuan. But only Chen Die knew that she wanted to use these proofs of others’ affection as evidence that she had the confidence to like Wen Liang, adding weight to her girlish feelings.

During the week’s break before the college entrance exam, she had a meal with Wen Liang.

“Brother Wen Liang, when I’m on summer break, will you still be very busy?”

He raised an eyebrow: “Why?”

“Just asking.”

“I shouldn’t be busy. Want me to take you out to play?”

Chen Die’s eyes immediately brightened, like a puppy seeing meat: “Really? Where?”

Wen Liang was amused by her reaction. He tugged her ponytail down a couple of times, either coaxing or warning her: “We’ll talk after your college entrance exam. If you don’t do well, get ready to repeat a year. Who’s going to take you out then?”

“…”

With Wen Liang’s words, while other classmates were extremely nervous about the college entrance exam, she was eagerly looking forward to it every day.

Chen Die was especially happy on the afternoon the college entrance exam ended.

Although as an art student, her academic results could only be considered mediocre, she felt she had done well on the exam. That afternoon, after finishing the exam, she joined a group of students who threw all their textbooks and test papers away in celebration.

Everyone was celebrating wildly, with test papers floating down from the third floor, covering the flower beds below.

Despite becoming somewhat spoiled during her days living under Wen Liang’s roof, Chen Die had never gone through a rebellious phase typical of adolescence. Throwing away test papers might be considered one act of rebellion.

However, the department head soon came with a dark face and fierce demeanor to scold them. The other students were clever enough to hear the news early and quickly slipped away, but Chen Die was caught red-handed.

The few unfortunate ones who didn’t escape were required to clean up all the test papers and textbooks from the flower bed before they could leave.

Chen Die’s rebellion had lasted less than an hour before she was put back in her place, accepting her bad luck and going downstairs to clean the flower bed.

Some so many people had thrown papers, yet only a few were punished, making the cleanup naturally slow.

The weather was hot during these college entrance exam days. Chen Die didn’t even have an appetite for lunch. Now as the sky gradually darkened, she felt even hungrier. It was then that Wen Liang finally called, asking when she would be back for dinner.

“You eat first.”

Chen Die’s good graduation mood had diminished considerably, and she complained to Wen Liang about being punished.

He showed no sympathy and even laughed: “Serves you right. Why throw test papers around?”

Chen Die snorted, bending down to pick up papers that had fallen into the bushes while grumbling: “I don’t want to talk to you anymore. I’m busy. Hanging up.”

That was the first time she had hung up on Wen Liang.

After everything was cleaned up, checked by the department head, and followed by another lecture, she was finally free to graduate.

Chen Die didn’t even bother to organize her backpack, just went back to the classroom, threw her water bottle and pencil case into her bag, and left directly.

The school gate was empty; everyone had already gone.

And she was… very hungry.

Chen Die rubbed her stomach, thinking it was too late to go back home for a meal, so she decided to go to the noodle shop across from the school. There weren’t many people, but fortunately, it was still open.

Chen Die ordered a bowl of beef noodles.

Seeing that she was still wearing her school uniform, the shop owner especially gave her extra beef, piling on a thick layer.

Chen Die thanked him, added a spoonful of vinegar and a spoonful of chili sauce to the noodle soup, and ate for a while before receiving another text message from Wen Liang.

[Brother Wen Liang: Not done yet?]

[Chen Die: Done. Having dinner now.]

[Brother Wen Liang: Where?]

Chen Die instinctively looked up toward the outside of the noodle shop. The street light at the school gate wasn’t very bright, making it hard to see clearly.

She didn’t answer but asked another question: Where are you?

[Wen Liang: Just arrived at your school.]

[Chen Die: I’m at the beef noodle shop across the street.]

Soon after, Wen Liang walked in.

Recently, Wen Huai Yuan had fallen seriously ill, and now all matters of the Wen Yuan Group had to go through Wen Liang. He no longer dressed as casually as before, just wearing a T-shirt when going out.

Now in his suit, with a straight back and tall stature, he looked quite out of place in this small noodle shop, like a gleaming golden Buddha statue in a dilapidated temple.

He pulled out the chair across from Chen Die and sat down, looking up at her: “Eating noodles makes you sweat this much?”

Chen Die weakly glanced at him: “It’s sweat from cleaning up earlier.”

He laughed softly.

“Have you eaten?” Chen Die asked again.

“Ate at the company, came by to pick you up.” Wen Liang asked, “How did the exam go?”

Chen Die’s heart skipped a beat, remembering Wen Liang’s promise to take her out: “I think I did well. Should be able to get into a university.”

He laughed and mocked lightly: “Your goal setting is quite high.”

“…”

Chen Die finished her noodles in a few mouthfuls and got up to pay.

Wen Liang had already walked outside, standing on the steps, taking out a cigarette box, and putting a cigarette in his mouth. The crimson light suddenly flared as he exhaled a breath of smoke.

Next door was an internet café. Three boys passed by, and one of them glanced into the noodle shop, suddenly paused, elbowed his friend, and nodded toward the inside: “Hey, isn’t that the beauty from the third year?”

The other two also looked over: “Damn, it is. After Chen Die graduates, the looks of the girls at our school will drop a whole level.”

“And she has a nice figure too. Look at the cultural and recreational committee member in our class, she’s pretty but too flat.”

The boys talked rather shamelessly in private.

Some of their words reached Wen Liang’s ears. He frowned and looked up at them. One of the boys noticed his gaze, and although Wen Liang didn’t say anything, his demeanor clearly showed he wasn’t someone to mess with, so they quickly pushed each other away.

Soon after, Chen Die came out.

She had been sweating earlier and had just eaten a steaming bowl of noodles, so her sweat hadn’t dried yet.

The school’s summer uniform shirt was a very thin short-sleeved shirt that clung to her body, even faintly showing the innermost layer of fabric, which was white and different from the shirt.

“Let’s go,” Chen Die said.

Wen Liang followed behind her, remembering what those boys had said, inexplicably irritated, and clicked his tongue.

Chen Die walked toward the car. After a few steps, Wen Liang suddenly threw his suit jacket at her. She barely caught it and asked in confusion, “Huh?”

“Hold it for me.”

Chen Die straightened the suit, crossed her arms over her chest, holding the jacket in the crook of her arm, but said, “Why do I have to carry your clothes?”

Wen Liang lowered his gaze, his eyes downcast, with a look that was both mocking and sarcastic.

Chen Die looked at him, not understanding, but Wen Liang clearly had no intention of explaining that look and simply got into the car.

For some time after the college entrance exam, Wen Liang didn’t mention taking her out to play.

Chen Die thought that perhaps he wanted to wait until the results came out and her university was confirmed before going on a trip, so she didn’t think much about it. She matched her answers with the answer key and waited for the results full of expectations.

However, before the results came out, she received some “bad news” — Wen Liang had been arranged for a blind date by his family.

Chen Die deflated like a punctured balloon, quickly becoming dejected.

Recently, Wen Liang had indeed been arranged for a blind date by Wen Huai Yuan and Fu Wan Mei. The reason was simple, mostly instigated by Fu Wan Mei — because of Wen Huai Yuan’s serious illness and Wen Liang taking over the company, she had to find ways to create obstacles for Wen Liang. The young lady she introduced was her niece.

He had never gotten along with Fu Wan Mei and didn’t go to the meeting, leaving the group waiting in vain.

After handling company matters, Wen Liang returned to the villa in the western suburbs.

As soon as he entered, he saw Chen Die standing next to Zhang Sao, asking something, looking very downcast, quite different from how she had been just after graduation. When she saw him return, she only glanced at him once before continuing her conversation with Zhang Sao.

It wasn’t until dinner that Chen Die finally asked about the blind date.

Wen Liang didn’t think there was anything worth mentioning and casually dismissed it with a few “no”s and “it’s not like that”s, making the young girl look even more dejected.

However, Chen Die’s temperament had been indulged by him to the point that she would sometimes throw tantrums with him. Most of the time, he didn’t know what she was angry about and thought this time was just another tantrum that would blow over in a few days.

A week later, on the day of Shen Yun Shu’s death anniversary, he visited the Linqian Cemetery to pay respects to her. After returning, he didn’t sleep well, often recalling the scene of Shen Yun Shu committing suicide in front of him.

While half-asleep, his bedroom door was pushed open a crack, and Chen Die walked in.

Wen Liang sat up: “What are you doing here so late?”

She shuffled in her slippers to his bedside, paused for a second, then climbed onto his bed, kneeling there, looking at him with clear eyes: “I watched a movie this morning and am afraid to sleep alone. Can I sleep with you?”

Wen Liang’s throat tightened as he frowned, looking increasingly fierce: “No, get out.”

But Chen Die seemed to have gained unusual courage from somewhere. Having come of age, how could she not know better, yet she dared to suggest sleeping together with him.

Wen Liang tried several times to make her leave the bed, but Chen Die refused to listen, making him somewhat irritable.

Just as he was about to lash out, she suddenly called without warning: “Wen Liang.”

Just those two words.

Not Brother Wen Liang.

He remained cold-faced for a while, then surprisingly laughed: “Getting brave, aren’t you, Ling Ling?”

To be honest, the young woman had grown into a graceful beauty, her thick, glossy black hair cascading over her chest, outlining a curve. Her pajama pants had slid up, revealing a section of her calves. Though her face was flushed with embarrassment, she forced herself to appear calm, her doe eyes staring at him without blinking.

Finally, Chen Die promised him, with quite subtle implications: “Wen Liang, don’t always look down on me. When I say I can, I mean it seriously.”

The thread of Wen Liang’s humanity suddenly snapped.

At 18 years old, she should be responsible for her own words.

He reached out to grip her neck, pushing her down onto the bed.

Chen Die was caught off guard, her eyes instantly widening, her heart almost leaping into her throat.

Wen Liang’s expression was calm, made excessively profound by the darkness, his eyes like deep pools, quietly looking at her as he deliberately unbuttoned her collar.

He patted her face, asking hoarsely: “Since you say you can, do you know what comes next?”

How could Chen Die know these things? She could only grip the sheets tightly to keep from blocking Wen Liang’s hand as he unbuttoned her.

Wen Liang was satisfied with her reaction, smiling rather roguishly: “Then just do as I say.”

That night, Wen Liang learned what it meant to be addicted to pleasure and somewhat understood why the young masters around him were so enthusiastic about such matters.

But Chen Die suffered terribly, having dug her own grave. By the late night, she was crying so much that her tears soaked the pillow, deeply regretful but with nowhere to escape.

The next morning, Wen Liang woke up first.

It had been two years since he brought Chen Die back, and this was the first time she had slept in his bed.

Last night, because it was Shen Yun Shu’s death anniversary, and Chen Die had entered his room while he was half asleep, there was still some haziness. It wasn’t until he saw Chen Die still sleeping in his arms in the morning that he confirmed all those things that happened last night were real.

Her skin was very smooth. Wen Liang held her shoulder, caressing it, then curled a strand of her hair around his finger, playing with it, lost in thought.

Wen Liang had always been casual by nature. Since this had already happened, and it wasn’t a misunderstanding or accident, and the experience had been good, he readily accepted it.

After lying there for a while without seeing Chen Die wake up, he noticed her brow was still slightly furrowed in her sleep, looking uncomfortable.

While she hadn’t awakened, Zhang Sao came to knock on the door, saying from outside: “Young Master, I just went to Miss Chen’s room, and she’s not there. Did she not come back last night?”

Wen Liang replied indifferently: “She slept here with me.”

There was sudden silence outside the door.

Chen Die had woken up and could hear the conversation, but her eyelids were heavy, and her body ached, leaving her without the strength to open her eyes. However, after hearing Wen Liang’s reply, she became anxious and immediately opened her eyes.

“How can you say that!” she blurted out.

Wen Liang looked down, his expression gradually becoming playful and teasing as he raised his eyebrows, his voice even: “You’re awake.”

“…”

Chen Die quickly realized how cool it was under the blanket and instantly felt the blood rush to her head, almost wishing she could die. She was still embracing Wen Liang like this, which was too… much.

She quickly pushed Wen Liang away. Her inner thighs hurt like they were cramping, but she ignored everything else, wrapped herself in the blanket separately, and buried her face in it, like a small bread roll, showing only a head of messy hair.

Wen Liang knocked on her head with his knuckles, as if knocking on a door, teasing: “It’s too late to be shy now. What came over you last night?”