Chapter 114: The Bedroom, A Brief Separation After the Wedding

Liang Meng’s voice resonated like the deep, sonorous tones of a cello, gently gliding through the heart and striking the most obscure corners of the soul.

He exhaled heavily and uttered four words:

“Do not provoke!”

Each word weighed like lead, pressing heavily upon the heart, evoking an involuntary reverence, as if warning against some mysterious existence or unknown event.

Then, shifting his tone, he softly added:

“Boundless future!”

These words, like the first rays of dawn, warm and bright, instantly illuminated the hearts of everyone present, filling them with infinite hope and anticipation for what lay ahead.

Two simple sentences, yet they struck like thunder on a clear day, instantly igniting the entire scene.

President Xiao, a seasoned veteran navigating the turbulent seas of commerce with ease, let a faint smile curve his lips—a smile tinged with cunning and composure.

He nodded slightly, his sharp, eagle-like eyes seeming to perceive everything, encompassing all worldly matters within their gaze.

...

The scene shifted to another location.

Inside a luxurious Mercedes, the atmosphere was starkly different.

Liu Dan, the decisive and resolute businesswoman known for her unyielding demeanor, now appeared like an inquisitive child, her eyes fixed intently on Li Chao beside her, filled with confusion and curiosity.

As time passed slowly, her gaze never wavered from him.

“Are you staring at me like that because you’re afraid I’ll run away?”

Li Chao chuckled lightly, breaking the silence within the car.

His smile carried both confidence and a hint of nonchalance, as though Liu Dan’s scrutiny had long become familiar.

Liu Dan finally spoke, surprise tinging her voice:

“I suddenly realize I hardly recognize you anymore! This feeling is so strange, so unreal.”

Her eyes reflected astonishment at Li Chao’s transformation and a subtle unease at this newfound unfamiliarity.

Hearing this, Li Chao turned his gaze to the window, the distant, profound sky becoming a confidant for his thoughts.

“Sometimes, even I find all this hard to believe.”

He spoke slowly, his voice carrying a barely perceptible resolve.

“But no matter what, I am still myself. No matter how my strength changes, that will never alter.”

Li Chao stopped the car steadily in front of an adult education school.

From the outside, the school appeared modest, small in scale with simple facilities—like a secret garden tucked away in a corner compared to the glamorous universities.

But despite its humble appearance, it attracted a fair number of unique individuals.

Upon entering the campus, Li Chao noticed the sparse student body, yet many of the girls were quite attractive—some lost in thought, others whispering softly, each bearing their own story upon their faces.

Li Chao speculated these people, like Liu Dan, might have come here driven by a specific goal.

“The environment here might be average, but as long as you gain something real, nothing else matters.”

Li Chao told Liu Dan, his eyes resolute.

What he didn’t know was that behind this school lay many secrets—many students weren’t genuinely here to study but sought to polish their resumes, making it easier to navigate careers or life.

These “students” often possessed secret skills or special identities and needed formal academic credentials as cover, making this adult education school their ideal choice.

At the admissions office, Li Chao and Liu Dan were overwhelmed by the plethora of course descriptions plastered across the walls.

The school’s flagship was an intensive one-month program, with tuition costing eighteen thousand yuan, promising students the ability to master professional knowledge quickly and graduate swiftly.

Liu Dan initially wanted to find a more affordable course, but Li Chao promptly chose the intensive class for her and even paid the tuition on the spot.

“Xiao Chao, I can’t just spend your money like this!”

Liu Dan whispered, her tone a mix of gratitude and unease.

Li Chao smiled warmly, relaxed and easy:

“We’re close enough that there’s no need for formalities! Besides, you’re studying finance—you’ll be able to help me later. Think of it as me investing in you ahead of time.”

His words bore a playful tone but also conveyed deep trust and support for Liu Dan.

Though Li Chao wasn’t wealthy by any means, his finances were comfortable enough that this sum was negligible.

Upon hearing this, Liu Dan’s resistance melted away instantly.

She knew Li Chao’s gesture was sincerely for her benefit, so she accepted graciously without further hesitation.

The registration process went smoothly, and they quickly completed all formalities.

Then Li Chao took Liu Dan on a tour of the entire campus—from the teaching building to the library, the cafeteria, and the dormitory—no place was left unexplored.

At the supermarket downstairs, Li Chao carefully picked out bedding and toiletries for Liu Dan, carrying everything up to her dormitory.

The dormitory was quite comfortable: single rooms with private bathrooms, clean and tidy.

Li Chao didn’t idle either; he tidied the room a bit while Liu Dan busied herself making the bed.

Since the room wasn’t dirty to begin with, they finished quickly.

Once everything was arranged, Li Chao sat across from Liu Dan, quietly watching her bend over to make the bed.

Every movement she made was so natural, so elegant, it stirred a ripple in Li Chao’s heart.

A soft thump—it seemed to echo the beat of his heart.

His Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily, as if teased by the subtle atmosphere permeating the air around them, and a flush of heat rose from deep within, indescribable.

He cautiously scanned the surroundings, ensuring that the mottled shadows outside the window and the occasional footsteps passing by could not spy on the secret within this small room.

Only then did he rise slowly, like a predator poised to strike, silently moving behind Liu Dan.

She was bent over, organizing the books in her hands. The sudden shadow made her pause involuntarily, her whispered voice tinged with mild reproach:

“In broad daylight, what are you trying to do?”

Though there was displeasure in her tone, it was laced with subtle anticipation.

Li Chao curled a mischievous smile at her, leaning close to her ear, his voice low and seductive:

“This is the women’s dormitory. Don’t you want to taste this forbidden thrill?”

His warm breath brushed her earlobe, instantly coloring her cheeks with a rosy blush.

“This is a school! Aren’t you afraid of being caught?”

Liu Dan’s voice trembled slightly, a mixture of fear of the unknown and yearning for excitement.

Li Chao skillfully caught the delicate shifts in her expression, inwardly pleased, chuckling softly, about to make his move when Liu Dan hurriedly interrupted:

“First... lock the door!”

Her tone was urgent, her inner turmoil evident.

Li Chao complied, swiftly rising to bolt the door tight, as if sealing the entire world out.

Returning to Liu Dan’s side, their eyes met with a tacit understanding beyond words.

Inside the dormitory, tinder met flame—igniting instantly.

...

The air was thick with the scent of desire, and the mirror hanging on the wall added an intangible hint of allure and excitement.

Their entwined reflections in the glass seemed to perform a silent dance, every gesture charged with tension and temptation.

Time lost all meaning in that moment, leaving only their endless entanglement.

Over an hour later, when calm returned, Liu Dan lay on the bed, drenched in sweat, her eyes dreamy, breath coming in heavy gasps, a satisfied smile playing at her lips.

“You scoundrel!”

She teased, voice laced with affection.

“You’re going to wear me out eventually!”

Her words carried both reproach and boundless fondness and dependence.

Li Chao’s smile grew even more triumphant as he silently vowed to treasure and prolong such moments for a lifetime.

He chuckled slyly, eyes sparkling with mischief, and asked:

“Already can’t handle it?”

Liu Dan rolled her eyes in mock annoyance but nodded:

“Who could handle a body like yours?”

Her tone was a blend of helplessness and sweetness.

Seeing this, Li Chao seized his chance:

“Can’t manage alone? Want me to find you a helper later?”

His words were teasing but reflected his genuine thoughts.

Liu Dan pinched Li Chao playfully, feigning anger:

“Hmph! I knew you had no good intentions!”

Then her gaze grew complicated:

“You’re planning to have Yu Xin join us, right?”

Li Chao grinned unabashedly:

“Did Yu Xin tell you?”

Liu Dan nodded:

“Once.”

“Alright, I’ll think about it after I finish my studies!”

His tone brimmed with anticipation.

This was a clear declaration of their mutual feelings, and the atmosphere between them grew more intimate and nuanced.

...

They lingered in the dormitory a while longer, savoring the rare tranquility and warmth.

At five o’clock sharp, Li Chao’s phone rang—it was Liang Meng.

“Hello, Li Chao, I’ve booked a banquet at the city’s most luxurious Jiangshan Hotel. You must come!”

Liang Meng’s voice was unusually enthusiastic over the phone.

After hanging up, Li Chao pondered quietly.

He had wanted to bring Liu Dan along, but she felt it was a man’s affair and that she might be uncomfortable attending.

So Li Chao set off alone toward Jiangshan Hotel.

Along the way, his mind replayed his conversations with Liu Dan and the blissful life they envisioned together under a dual-star moon.

His heart brimmed with expectation and excitement, as if the future had already unfolded before him, ready to be enjoyed.

Meanwhile, Liu Dan privately muttered that her legs felt weak and she could hardly move.

That enemy’s strength had left a lingering impression on her.

Still, thinking of the upcoming banquet, she mustered her resolve and pressed on.

Thanks to GPS, Li Chao arrived at the grand hotel in just over forty minutes.

Looking up, the four glowing characters “Jiangshan Hotel” hung high atop the building, visible from afar, majestic and imposing.

The hotel covered vast grounds, designed like a palace, its surroundings ablaze with lights, dazzling and splendid.

In front stood a towering statue of a general on horseback, sword raised, imposing and majestic; behind it lay an intricately crafted, costly artificial mountain.

From a distance, the entire hotel exuded an aura of commanding the rivers and mountains, overwhelming and grand.

As dinner time peaked, luxury cars arrived endlessly.

Though Li Chao’s Mercedes was fine, it was hardly noticeable here.

Around him were the powerful elite, their laughter and cheers rising and falling, starkly reminding Li Chao of the world’s disparities.

After all, a single meal here could equal many people’s months of wages.

Those less fortunate didn’t even have the privilege to park here.

At the same time, some struggled desperately just to afford three meals a day;

while others could lavishly spend thousands and engage in lofty conversations, reveling in opulence and ease.

Reality was indeed harsh.

Yet Li Chao knew he could not dwell on such thoughts.

He must work hard, improve himself, and strive to one day stand at the pinnacle of this world.

After parking steadily, Li Chao put his hands in his pockets and strode lightly toward the hotel entrance.

Suddenly, a woman in a gorgeous evening gown, heavily made up, hurried past him.

Wearing high heels, she walked briskly, not noticing Li Chao ahead, and the two collided abruptly.

The woman stumbled and fell to the ground.

Li Chao instinctively reached out to help her up.

But before he could touch her, she snapped sharply:

“Take your dirty hands off me! Who do you think you are? Can’t you see where you’re going?”

Her words froze the smile on Li Chao’s face.

He sneered inwardly, thinking:

“You ran into me, and when I kindly try to help, you disdain me? Do you really think you’re some international socialite?”

Unwilling to argue with such unreasonable people, he turned to leave.

But the woman persisted, shouting behind him:

“Country bumpkin, stop right there! You hit me and want to run? Pay up!”

Li Chao halted, narrowing his eyes icily, and asked coldly:

“What do you mean?”

The woman stood, straightened her gown, and taunted, raising her eyebrow:

“My custom-made gown has a few tears now! Worth over ten thousand! Pay up immediately, or you won’t have a good day!”

Li Chao burst out laughing, surprised by her arrogance.

He sneered:

“I hit you? You bumped into me first! And your dress is torn—what does that have to do with me?”

This woman was truly interesting—causing the accident but turning it around on him.

Li Chao shook his head with a wry smile, muttering:

“I’ve seen people scam cars before, but never seen anyone scam people! You must be crazy for money.”

The woman grew even more relentless:

“What do you mean by scamming? You knocked me down and didn’t even apologize, just wanted to walk away? Are you even a man?”

Her sharp voice drew the attention of the doorman and security guards nearby.

They hurried over to investigate.

Even some diners glanced curiously at the sudden commotion.

At that moment, a bald man approached from a distance.

He was stocky with a beer belly, short, appearing about fifty years old, his face marked by the rot of countless drinking bouts.

Seeing him, the woman who had been berating Li Chao suddenly seemed to find her backbone, running to him and shifting from anger to feigned victimhood.

She gripped the man’s arm tightly, trembling and tearful:

“Director Chen, I was knocked down by a bumpkin! My dress is torn! I’m bleeding on my leg! And that guy didn’t even apologize! Boohoo!”

She cried pitifully, as if grievously wronged.

Director Chen glanced at the woman’s scraped leg, adjusted his trousers, then narrowed his eyes at Li Chao, his voice brooking no argument:

“What’s going on? You dare to bully my sister? Apologize and pay up! Or I’ll make sure you can’t set foot in Huaxi City!”

“Sister?”

Li Chao looked at the heavily made-up woman, then at the bald man, and secretly smiled.

If seen on the street, one might think they were father and daughter.

That title was likely just a thin veil, understood by those in the know.

He shook his head and replied:

“There’s always reason in everything. It wasn’t my fault, so why should I apologize or pay?”

He then pointed upward to the surveillance cameras and said to the nearby security guard:

“Pull up the footage from earlier, let everyone see what happened.”

The head of security hurriedly operated his phone to retrieve the video.

The woman and Director Chen looked stunned, clearly unprepared for Li Chao’s defiance.

Nearby diners and the doorman gathered, eager to see how the dispute would unfold.

When the footage played, Director Chen’s face darkened with embarrassment.

The video clearly showed the woman, who was beside him, was the one who collided with Li Chao first, yet she falsely accused him.

“Enough, stop making a scene! Let’s go!”

Embarrassed, Director Chen scolded the woman softly.

But she remained unhappy, pointing at Li Chao and continuing her tirade:

“Even if I bumped into you firstI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.