Volume One, Chapter 15: This Isn’t Cold—It’s Pure Agitation!

“No.” He stretched his neck, clenching his molars until they nearly shattered. This wasn’t just applying medicine—it was sheer torture.

The two sat sideways, facing each other. She pressed her left hand gently to his neck while her right hand carefully applied the ointment, her focus absolute.

Her hands were soft and tender, gliding over him like the finest silk.

Where her touch brushed, a ripple of shivers stirred through him.

Their breaths mingled; with just a slight bow of his head, her thick, curled lashes, like a delicate fan, brushed against his heart.

Her skin was fair and flawless, her nose perfectly sculpted, her lips a rosy allure—he could never tire of looking at her.

When she concentrated, her cherry-red lips would unconsciously pout slightly, her breath fragrant and intoxicating.

The crystal chandelier overhead cast brilliant light, refracting around her as if she were encircled by a halo—a fairy descended among mortals.

Her subtle, elegant scent occasionally drifted into his nostrils.

They were so close that, through the glass reflection, it seemed her entire body was nestled against his shoulder.

Outside, thunder rumbled and rain fell unceasingly, but inside, the atmosphere was warm and serene, time itself seeming to pause.

Such a peaceful, harmonious scene was something Dongyan Ling never dared to dream of.

He endured and endured until he barely restrained the impulse to pull her into his arms.

“Are you cold?” Seeing goosebumps rise on his neck, Xinyan Nie glanced at the indoor thermometer—it was set to a constant temperature.

He wasn’t cold; he was just painfully sensitive.

Dongyan Ling swallowed hard, pulling his gaze away from her, and muttered, “A little.”

Hearing this, she thought he meant she was slow, so her hand moved faster. After applying the iodine, she carefully covered several more severe spots with band-aids before letting out a long breath.

“All done. Remember not to get it wet, and no scratching even if it itches. In a few days, it will heal.”

She was quite practiced at this.

“Have you done this before? Learned it somewhere?” The intimate, cozy atmosphere inside seemed to be fading, and Dongyan Ling felt reluctant.

Not wanting her to leave so soon, he asked.

Throwing the used cotton swabs in the trash and tidying up the medical kit, Xinyan Nie smiled faintly, “No need to learn—this came naturally. Leo’s always…” She suddenly stopped, her smile fading as she realized she’d said too much.

Dongyan Ling had heard it too.

Leo—a lion—clearly a man’s name.

His eyes flickered.

He was sharp and not easily fooled. “Who is Leo?”

Xinyan Nie twisted the iodine bottle cap tightly, expression unchanged. “My best friend’s nephew—a little rascal. Always covered in scrapes and bruises. Taking care of him is how I got this experience.”

Her explanation was flawless.

Dongyan Ling recalled that his best friend was the daughter of the Jin Disi company boss, and she did have a brother.

Whether she was married or not, he had no interest in knowing.

“A boy?” he asked.

Her fingers curled slightly. “Yes.”

“Seems he must be very special for you to remember him so fondly.” A pang of jealousy stirred within Dongyan Ling.

She was treating his wounds yet thinking of someone else—even if that someone was a child, it was intolerable.

But he dared not reveal his feelings, fearing to startle her.

Xinyan Nie’s eyes softened, unable to hide her warmth. “Kids are all like that. A boy that age even dogs avoid, but he’s just a bit too lively.”

The smile at the corner of her eyes suggested fond memories.

Suddenly disinterested in the topic, Dongyan Ling stood and reminded her, “It’s late; get some rest.”

In the underground garage, Yuán Mu waited nearly an hour before Dongyan Ling finally arrived.

He honked the horn twice, expressing his displeasure.

As soon as Dongyan Ling got in, Yuán Mu gripped his watch and said sharply, “Third Brother, could you please stick to the schedule? I invested in Youxing; I didn’t sell to Youxing and end up working like a mule for you every day.”

Dongyan Ling rubbed his neck and explained, “Applying the medicine took a bit longer.”

Yuán Mu, a shrewd man, immediately sensed something was amiss.

Thinking of who had been at his place today, and seeing Dongyan Ling’s strained neck, he understood this was showing off in front of him.

He spat disdainfully, “So that’s why someone didn’t let Liu Hong dress your wounds yesterday—they were waiting here?”

Clearly enchanted!

Yuán Mu raised an eyebrow. “Was it Sister-in-law who applied the ointment?”

Knowing full well, he asked anyway.

Somehow pleased by Yuán Mu’s words, Dongyan Ling replied with a warm “Mm.”

The warmth in his eyes was unmistakable.

Yuán Mu thought to himself that it wouldn’t be long before the sour scent of romance polluted this pure space.

“Third Brother, are we really going to talk business here?” Yuán Mu grumbled.

Sneaking something in and now discussing serious matters in the garage made it feel like a clandestine affair.

He was a genuine, bona fide straight man!

“Others say a man’s fury for a woman can drive him mad—I didn’t believe it, but today I’ve learned what ‘love blinds reason’ really means!”

Dongyan Ling let him complain while tracing the band-aid on his neck. “What’s the update on the investigation?”

Despite the complaints, Yuán Mu handed over a thick dossier filled with evidence. “You were right—there’s definitely something fishy.”

Feeling triumphant, his expression changed.

“Go to ‘Yanxi’.”

Without hesitation, Yuán Mu floored the accelerator toward the destination.

At the heart of Beijing North’s CBD stood a tranquil private courtyard amidst towering skyscrapers, purchased and converted into a clubhouse.

Though called a clubhouse, it was special.

Spanning several hundred square meters, it was not open to the public—reserved solely for the owner’s leisure.

Though he had visited many times, Yuán Mu always marveled at Dongyan Ling’s excellent choice of location.

The garden was a perfect replica of a Suzhou classical garden—elegantly refined.

Flowing water surrounded it, ensuring privacy for conversations without fear of eavesdropping or being photographed.

Yuán Mu lounged casually, jingling his car keys as he walked out, admiring the place.

“Third Brother, if your father ever found out how rich you are now, he’d probably turn green with envy.”

Dongyan Ling’s wealth had long surpassed the Forbes rich list, which was merely for show.

The real list was beyond outsiders’ reach.

With his current financial power and ability, he could make ten Jianfu Jewelry stores vanish with a snap of his fingers.

They ascended from the underground garage directly to the Yanxi courtyard hall.

A long corridor displayed an impressive wine gallery; any bottle taken was worth a fortune.

“Grab whatever you want to drink,” Dongyan Ling said in good spirits, unusually generous with these treasures.