The baby slapped me, and I said, "Sit on my lap and slap me."

Wen Yu smiled and looked up, tapping the screen one last time before slowly putting his phone away.

The dim light in the private room fell on his relaxed brows, the gloom from before had long since dissipated, leaving only a lazy satisfaction.

He tapped his knees casually with his fingertips, then suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Jiang Shubai.

"By the way, Zhou Yibei, weren't you training at Jiang's company? How's it going lately?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shubai immediately made an exaggerated smirk.

"Zhou Yibei is really unlucky to have met you. First, you beat him up and he was hospitalized for more than a month. Just as his fracture was healed, you threw him to that godforsaken place in the clouds and made him eat dirt for a year. He was almost skinned alive."

"Grandpa Zhou finally agreed to let him come back, and you turned around and suggested to him that his own company couldn't train his real skills and that he needed to be released to see the world."

"Fine, just dump it at my house."

He clicked his tongue twice and looked Wen Yu up and down.

"Wen Yu, Wen Yu, although I knew you were ruthless, I never imagined you could be this ruthless!"

The smile on Wen Yu's lips suddenly turned cold, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"He deserved it."

"He coveted someone he shouldn't have touched, and he played tricks on me right under my nose, tricking me into writing him love letters, which made me misunderstand... I missed out on a whole year of my baby's life."

His voice was low and extremely cold, "If it weren't for our friendship with Old Master Zhou, do you think he'd still be able to strut around in front of you all day, perfectly healthy?"

Jiang Shubai shrank back, startled by the chill in his words, and asked in confusion:

"Then why don't you just keep them under your own nose? Wouldn't it be easier for the Wen family to manipulate them?"

Wen Yu shrugged, his tone nonchalant, "The Wen family doesn't support useless people."

"Gouwenyu, what do you mean?!"

Jiang Shubai instantly flew into a rage, slamming his fist on the table and standing up. "So, the Wen family doesn't keep useless people, but the Jiang family does?!"

Wen Yu slowly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Shubai from head to toe, as if he were assessing some object.

Jiang Shubai felt uneasy under his gaze and stiffened his neck.

"W-Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not a good-for-nothing! My dad praised me last week, saying I've improved and learned how to read quarterly reports!"

Wen Yu gently shook his head, a cryptic smile curving his lips. "Uncle Jiang's demands on you are truly... as always, a loving father's heart."

"What's wrong with that?!" Jiang Shubai retorted, "My brother's got the family's support. Even if the sky falls, the tall guy will hold it up!"

Wen Yu raised an eyebrow and nodded in agreement.

"That's true, sometimes fools have all the luck."

"you!"

Before Jiang Shubai could continue his outburst, Wen Yu quickly changed the subject, "Have you seen Zhou Yibei recently?"

Jiang Shubai rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"I ran into that guy at the company last weekend. He acted like he saw me as an enemy, giving me the cold shoulder. He even dared to call me 'Master' in front of me."

He paused, a sly yet relieved smile spreading across his face.

"I'm not one to suffer a loss. If you dare to show off in front of me, I'll give the project you're in charge of a little something extra."

He chuckled and said, "I guess you're too busy to even have a moment to spare. You've just started at Peking University and have a lot to do, so you won't have time to bother me or Qingyao anytime soon."

After listening, Wen Yu didn't reply and leaned back deeper into the sofa.

The silver lighter twirled nimbly between his fingers, and the pale blue flame reignited, illuminating half of his serene profile.

He would occasionally glance down at his watch, a coldness in his eyes that was hard for outsiders to detect.

Fifteen minutes later, he got up without warning and grabbed the coat that was draped to the side.

"I'm gone."

After uttering those two words, he strode out without looking back, his steps revealing an uncontrollable urgency.

Jiang Shubai watched his figure disappear quickly behind the door, then leaned back on the sofa and clicked his tongue several times.

Having known Wenyu for over a decade, I've never seen this guy so eager and impatient for anyone before.

That's really... rare and unusual.

He looked away, then turned his head and bumped into the Wen siblings, who were reluctant to part. He immediately felt a pang of jealousy and spat out a mouthful of that nauseatingly sweet and rotten love.

He took out his phone, opened his contacts, found the number he had memorized, and began typing it out word by word.

"Zhizhi, are you asleep? It's me, Shubai. The weather's nice today..." (deleted)

"Zhizhi, tomorrow..."

He kept revising and editing, but the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

Although Zhizhi doesn't add him on WeChat, he still has her phone number.

-

Su Qingyao neatly tidied up the lab bench, confirmed that all instruments were powered off, and then turned off the lights and locked the door.

The series of movements were swift and fluid, revealing an irrepressible urgency.

It's been three days since I've been able to properly see Wenyu.

Despite the constant messages and phone calls every day, the touch of the screen could not quell the concrete and surging longing in my heart.

She started to run, wishing she could rush into that embrace that carried that familiar, cold aura the next second.

The night breeze brushed against her slightly flushed cheeks, but it couldn't dispel the joy in her heart.

Her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, filled with tiny starlight, as she gazed directly at the open space in front of the laboratory building, its outline cast by the streetlights.

She knew that Wen Yu would be waiting for her there.

Sure enough, under the sycamore tree not far away, the familiar black sedan was parked quietly.

Beside the car door, a tall figure leaned against the railing, a metal lighter repeatedly opening and closing between his fingers, making a rhythmic sound that was particularly clear in the quiet night.

He lowered his eyes and stared at the briefly lit flame. His profile appeared particularly cold and aloof in the light and shadow, and he exuded an aura of unapproachability.

The moment Su Qingyao appeared, his finger movements abruptly stopped, and the flame went out.

As if sensing something, Wen Yu suddenly looked up.

The moment their eyes met, the icy indifference in his eyes cracked inch by inch.

A scorching heat, carrying a devouring desire, surged up from the depths, threatening to pierce through the air and completely engulf her in the next moment.

He didn't even put the lighter away before standing up straight and striding towards her.

Their steps were swift and steady, carrying an undeniable urgency.

Su Qingyao instinctively ran towards him, the night wind lifting her hair and the hem of her clothes.

The next second, he reached out and pulled her firmly into his arms.

The force was heavy and rapid. Su Qingyao gently bumped into his chest, let out a low groan, and was then completely swallowed by that familiar and refreshing scent.

Wen Yu lowered his head, resting his chin on the top of her soft hair, and took a deep breath.

The arms around her waist tightened, causing Su Qingyao a slight pain, but it was more like a silent declaration.

He missed her, missed her terribly.

Su Qingyao pressed her cheek against his chest, clearly hearing his heartbeat fast and heavy, a symphony of her own pounding.

The night wind was still blowing, and the sycamore leaves were rustling.

But at this moment, their world consisted only of this embrace.

Love and longing collided silently, filling my heart.