Roses in Flames

Xiao Lin looked down at her, and the moment their eyes met, the air seemed to become thick and humid.

Their breaths mingled, and their eyes revealed restraint and forbearance.

Although Ye Yuntang had been by his side for some time, his health was deteriorating, and they had no feelings of intimacy towards each other.

This was the first kiss after two years apart.

Having not touched each other for so long, they were both a little nervous and cautious when they got close.

His long, well-defined fingers lifted her chin, and his calloused fingertips gently caressed her delicate skin.

A hint of trepidation and unease flickered in his dark, deep eyes. "I haven't recovered to my former appearance yet. Do you think I look ugly?"

Ye Yuntang stared at his thin cheeks and deep, sculpted features.

He is indeed still very thin, but with his superior facial features, how ugly can he be?

Moreover, after surviving this ordeal, his cool, composed, and extremely masculine aura became even more pronounced.

Maybe beauty is in the eye of the beholder; anyway, she only liked his type.

No matter what he becomes.

"It's not ugly, I like it very much."

He kissed her lips as soon as he finished speaking.

The moment their lips touched, both of them froze.

It's been so long since I've kissed anyone; the tingling, numb sensation is like a tiny electric current running through my limbs.

He kissed her gently, first sucking, nibbling, and grinding, then prying open her lips and teeth, and going deep inside.

All the love and longing in my heart were expressed through this belated kiss.

Ye Yuntang wrapped her arms around his neck, closed her eyes, and responded to his kiss.

They kissed for an unknown amount of time, and both of them were a little out of breath.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms tightly.

The force was so great that he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

He once thought he would never be able to hold her like that again.

He thought he would be separated from her forever, never to feel her warmth again, never to be able to have such intimate contact with her again.

And at that moment, she was in his arms.

His heart was pounding violently in his chest, and the unusual palpitations made him feel extremely dizzy.

"Yun Tang, I'm alive. I'm back. You're still in my arms. This isn't a beautiful dream, is it?"

Ye Yuntang was a little breathless from his embrace. She gently patted his arm and said, "It's not a dream, it's real."

……

Xiao Lin went back to his apartment and gave Ye Yuntang the gift she had returned to him before.

He also took several sets of clothes to Ye Yuntang's apartment.

After they finished showering, they lay down on the same bed. Xiao Lin hugged her from behind, and Ye Yuntang thought he wanted to do something more intimate, so she leaned into his chest.

The man took her fingers and intertwined them, but didn't do anything inappropriate. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and asked, "When will we go public?"

Ye Yuntang turned and glanced at him. "Lu Yu brought me back, you saw that?"

The man nodded. "He's still after you."

Ye Yuntang smiled. "I only see him as a younger brother. By the way, you're going back to work in Beijing, right?"

The thought of the two of them having to be in a long-distance relationship made her feel a little disappointed.

Noticing the change in her emotions, he lowered his head and kissed the top of her head. "I'm not going to work in Beijing. I thought I didn't have much time left, so I didn't officially start working. Now that I'm getting better, I've discussed it with my grandfather and declined the job offer in Beijing. I'll go back to work at the Yecheng Police Station. I don't want to be separated from you."

Ye Yuntang's beautiful eyes lit up instantly, her radiant face filled with surprise. She turned her head sharply and leaned closer to the man, "Really?"

Seeing the smile on her face, his heart softened, and he nodded emphatically, "Yes, I never want to be separated from you again."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Yuntang tilted her head up and kissed the corner of his lips.

Her slender, soft hands reached inside his pajamas, following the hem of his shirt.

The moment my fingertips touched his warm skin, my wrist was gripped tightly in his large hand.

He used restrained force to firmly stop her movement.

Ye Yuntang blinked at him, "What's wrong? You won't even let me touch you now?"

A hint of embarrassment flickered across the man's cold, handsome face. He lowered his long, dark eyelashes and said awkwardly, "I'm too thin now. I don't even have the abs you used to like. I'll let you touch them again once I've worked out."

Ye Yuntang was taken aback at first, then a pang of sadness welled up in her heart. She stared into his dark eyes and asked softly, "Is your sex life... still normal? Has it had any impact?"

When she asked that question, her own face turned red, much to her own surprise.

Xiao Lin's breath hitched, his facial features tensed, and his dark eyes darkened. "What do you mean?"

Ye Yuntang bit her lip with her delicate white teeth, her voice barely audible, "I just wanted to ask... do you want to do *that* right now?"

Looking at her flushed cheeks, his Adam's apple bobbed violently, and his low, husky voice, filled with restraint and suppressed emotion, asked, "Can't you feel whether I want to or not?"

He held her hand, letting her feel it firsthand.

Ye Yuntang's face turned even redder.

It seems that it really didn't have much of an impact.

"Do you have any condoms here?" he asked in a low voice.

Ye Yuntang shook her head. "I threw away the ones I didn't finish using before, they expired."

"Shall I go buy it now?"

Ye Yuntang hugged him again, "Never mind, we'll buy it tomorrow. You must be tired after rushing back all day."

Xiao Lin lowered his head and kissed her lips. "Okay, I'll listen to you."

……

The next day, Xiao Lin returned to the police station and re-registered for his new job.

Everyone was happy to hear that he had returned to work at the police station.

Director Shao instructed Xiao Lin to focus on resting during this period and not to overwork himself.

Cheng Lei and Song Che were moved to tears when they saw their beloved leader return.

Even Qin Feng, who didn't have a good relationship with Xiao Lin before, had tears in his eyes for the first time ever.

Who wouldn't admire Xiao Lin's bravery and fearlessness?

After get off work, Ye Yuntang received a message from Xiao Lin, who asked her to have dinner together.

He booked a high-end Western restaurant, and after the two finished their meal, they went shopping at a supermarket.

He bought her favorite fruit, and when he paid, he took two more boxes from the cashier.

Ye Yuntang already knew why he went to the supermarket, so she stood aside early and didn't check out with him.

On the way back, she glared at him several times, "Captain Xiao, you still need to take care of your health, why did you buy two boxes? Don't overindulge in sex."

The man glanced at her. "I'm perfectly healthy. I made you stay alone for two years, so I have to make it up to you."

Ye Yuntang clenched her fist and punched him on the shoulder. "Don't make it sound like I'm some kind of predator."

Back home, I don't know who started it.

They started kissing while they were changing into slippers in the entryway.

He supported her lower back with his large hands and lifted her up, and she instinctively wrapped her legs tightly around his waist.

"Can you carry me?" she asked with some concern.

He stared intently at her with his dark eyes. "Underestimating me? I could carry two of you without any problem."

Their kisses spread from the living room all the way to the bedroom.

He didn't release her until she was almost out of breath.

"Shall we go take a shower together?" she asked softly.

His breathing quickened. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "It's been a long time since we showered together."

He chuckled softly, "You're still as bold as ever."

She smiled back, "If I weren't bold, how could I possibly win you over?"

The bedroom's electric curtains were closed, leaving only a dim, yellowish wall lamp in the room.

The sound of running water and kissing could be heard from the bathroom.

……

Xiao Lin was a late bloomer when it came to matters of the heart.

It wasn't that girls hadn't sent him love letters or expressed their affections before, but he hadn't been interested in any of them.

When I was in school, I only wanted to do well in my studies. After I started working, I devoted myself to criminal investigation and solving cases.

Because of Xiao Lin's matter, he never had any other thoughts about making up for the time he spent with Bai Chuwei.

He thought he was indifferent in this regard.

Until he met Ye Yuntang.

It seems his sexuality has been developed, and it's become unstoppable.

His feelings for her were not only emotional, but also physical.

In the bathroom, warm water from the showerhead cascaded down, soaking the two of them completely.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her from her eyebrows and eyes down her neck.

Gentle yet crazy.

After an unknown amount of time, he wrapped her in a bath towel and picked her up in his arms.

He placed her on the large, soft couch and began kissing her again, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world, his movements devout and careful.

While Ye Yuntang was dazed from the kiss, she heard a slight rustling sound and lifted her long eyelashes to look.

The man knelt on the bed, his long, well-defined fingers holding a thin package. He tore it open deftly, his movements restrained yet revealing a long-suppressed desire.

In the dim light, the man's smooth shoulder and neck lines were outlined. Ye Yuntang's gaze slowly moved down. Even though his chest and abdominal muscles were no longer as firm and strong as before due to his thinness, they had gained a unique sense of fragility and strength.

Like distant mountains after a rain shower, they are serene and cold, yet brimming with the urge to burst forth from the earth.

Seemingly noticing her gaze, he glanced at her.

Those eyes were dark, deep, and burning, like sparks that could ignite a wildfire.

Ye Yuntang's long eyelashes trembled suddenly, and her ears turned red. She lowered her eyelashes, not daring to look at him again.

He bent down and kissed her again.

The long night was just beginning for them, their sweetness was just starting.

……

weekend.

Xiao Lin received a call from Old Master Xiao, informing him that the entire Xiao family had come to Ye City to personally thank Ye Yuntang's father.

Xiao Lin told Ye Yuntang about his family's visit.

"Oh? So suddenly? I'd better tell my mom right away."

Ye Yuntang made a phone call to Song Xuan.

After hanging up the phone, Ye Yuntang said to Xiao Lin, "Let's go to the seafood market and buy some seafood."

Xiao Lin frowned slightly. "Auntie's going to cook this herself? That's too much work. Why don't we eat out?"

Ye Yuntang shook her head. "My mother said that your family made a special trip to thank us because they value our family. They cooked a table full of dishes at home, which was more heartfelt than what you would get at a restaurant."

The two didn't dare to delay and quickly went to the seafood market to buy seafood.

He hurried home, and soon the Xiao family arrived carrying large and small bags.

Even Madam Xiao came along for this visit.

When Madam Xiao saw Ye Yuntang, her eyes were filled with guilt and self-reproach.

She had almost broken them up back then, and she took the initiative to apologize to Ye Yuntang.

Grandpa Xiao and Xiao's father shook hands with Ye Bainian, expressing their immense gratitude for Ye Bainian saving Xiao Lin.

Since Dad came back, things at home have gotten better and better.

No one in the neighborhood dared to bully my mother and brother anymore.

With her father's support, Ye Yuntang felt increasingly confident.

"Tangtang, we're out of soy sauce at home. Go to the supermarket and buy a bottle right away," Song Xuan instructed.

Xiao Lin wanted to go with Ye Yuntang, but Ye Yuntang stopped her, saying, "You stay here with your family."

Ye Yuntang jogged out the door.

After buying soy sauce, she was about to head back when Grandpa Xiao called out to her, "Xiao Ye."

Ye Yuntang was stunned, not expecting Old Master Xiao to come out.

"Grandpa Xiao, why are you out here?"

Grandpa Xiao looked at Ye Yuntang, his tone tinged with guilt, "I came out to talk to you alone for a few minutes."

Ye Yuntang immediately stood up straight. "Grandpa Xiao, what do you want to say?"

Grandpa Xiao sighed, "When I first learned that Ah Lin was with you, I was prejudiced against you. If Ah Lin hadn't insisted, I wouldn't have really agreed with it."

"You've come this far, and your father even saved him. He's been kind to our family. I was wrong to think that way before, and I've always wanted to apologize to you."

Ye Yuntang shook her head and said softly, "Grandpa Xiao, it's all in the past, there's no need to mention it anymore. We should all look forward."

Seeing Ye Yuntang's composure and open-mindedness, Old Master Xiao nodded in satisfaction, "Good, it's all in the past. You and A-Lin must be happy from now on."

On the way back, Grandpa Xiao chatted with Ye Yuntang about the interesting things that happened when Xiao Lin was a child.

In the past, Ye Yuntang always felt somewhat reserved when he met Old Master Xiao, after all, Old Master Xiao held a high position and naturally exuded a sense of distance.

But after this interaction, she found that the old man was quite kind and talkative in private, and she gradually relaxed, her eyebrows and eyes relaxed, and her face was full of smiles.

In an inconspicuous spot, a pair of eyes witnessed this scene and quietly took a photo.

……

on Monday.

As soon as Ye Yuntang stepped into the office building, she sensed that something was wrong.

She has always been perceptive, and along the way, she could always sense subtle gazes falling on her.

Those eyes held a mixture of scrutiny, speculation, and a strange, indescribable quality.

She suppressed her doubts and walked towards the forensic room.

Xiao Wei glanced at her several times. Ye Yuntang touched her face and asked, "Xiao Wei, is there something on my face?"

Xiao Wei shook her head, her eyes darting around, hesitant to speak, "N-nothing."

Ye Yuntang wanted to say something more, but Director Shao called everyone to a meeting in the conference room via the group chat.

When Ye Yuntang entered the conference room, she found that her colleagues, who had been talking, had instantly fallen silent.

Everyone's eyes turned to her, but when she looked up, they all lowered their heads again, pretending to be busy with their work.

Even the usually composed Director Shao glanced at her as he entered the conference room.

That look in his eyes was meaningful, mixed with complex emotions.

Ye Yuntang sat down next to Cheng Lei and asked in a low voice, "Lei Zi, what happened? Why are everyone looking at me strangely?"

Cheng Lei had just arrived at the office and was unaware of what had happened. He scratched his head and said, "I don't know."

Just then, Chu Yu's sarcastic voice came over, "No wonder you were able to become the head of the forensic department when you were transferred to our unit. Turns out you have a powerful backer."

Ye Yuntang looked at Chu Yu, who looked at her with disdain, her eyes filled with blatant contempt.

"What do you mean?" Ye Yuntang asked coldly.

"So you mean there's something wrong with your conduct?" Chu Yu looked at Director Shao. "Director Shao, I suggest we investigate forensic doctor Ye's conduct. We can't protect and condone her just because she has powerful backers."

Ye Yuntang was completely bewildered.

Could it be that everyone in the police station already knows Xiao Lin's true identity?

Just as Ye Yuntang was filled with doubt, Xiao Lin, dressed in a police uniform, strode in from outside.

He walked straight up behind Ye Yuntang, ignoring the strange looks from the crowd, and took her hand. "I am dating Dr. Ye. Chief Xiao is my grandfather. The day before yesterday, my family visited Dr. Ye's home. Someone secretly took a picture of my grandfather and Dr. Ye standing together talking, took it out of context, and said that Dr. Ye and my grandfather had an ambiguous relationship. They even sent the photo to the unit's email address to maliciously smear Dr. Ye and my grandfather."

Xiao Lin gripped Ye Yuntang's large hand, tightening his grip slightly. His gaze towards the crowd grew even colder, and his voice was deep and resolute, each word ringing with conviction: "I will not let this matter rest. I will immediately investigate those who spread rumors, secretly took photos, and posted them online. It won't be long before they are brought to justice, and none of them will escape the responsibility they are to bear."

As soon as Xiao Lin finished speaking, the conference room fell silent.

Everyone was stunned.

Xiao Lin's words just now revealed two important pieces of information.

First, Xiao Lin is Chief Xiao's grandson.

Second, the person Ye Yuntang truly associates with is Xiao Lin, not Old Master Xiao.

God.

This is absolutely amazing.

His colleagues always thought Xiao Lin was just an ordinary criminal police captain, but they never expected that he was actually Chief Xiao's grandson.

Furthermore, they had never associated Ye Yuntang and Xiao Lin together; they never expected that the two were actually in a romantic relationship.

Lu Yu had always been curious about who Ye Yuntang liked, but he never expected it would be Captain Xiao.

He stared in disbelief, his jaw nearly dropping.

Didn't the two of them act like complete strangers at the last cruise dinner?

When exactly did you start dating?

day.

Captain Xiao is amazing in every way, even his background is so impressive. He really lost completely.

Chu Yu, who had been speaking sarcastically to Ye Yuntang, suddenly had her pupils contract violently and her body trembled uncontrollably.

It's over.

She never expected that Ye Yuntang's boyfriend was Xiao Lin.

Even more unexpectedly, Xiao Lin turned out to be Old Master Xiao's grandson.

Xiao Lin quickly discovered that Chu Yu was the instigator of this slander and defamation.

Chu Yu, as a police officer, knowingly broke the law by taking advantage of his position to secretly photograph internal personnel and maliciously spread rumors by forging emails, causing extremely negative internal impact.

Director Shao gave him the maximum penalty and dismissed him.

"Sister Yuntang, I knew you wouldn't be that kind of person! I never imagined you and Captain Xiao were a couple!!!"

Xiao Wei was still in shock and couldn't recover. "You guys hid it so well!"

Ye Yuntang didn't want to make her relationship with Xiao Lin public before, but after experiencing so many things, she has come to terms with it.

He can go public if he wants; after all, she's made up her mind about him and will never leave him again.

After learning about Ye Yuntang and Xiao Lin's relationship, their colleagues all sent their blessings.

Xiao Lin booked a high-end Western restaurant and treated his colleagues to dinner that evening.

Everyone changed into their nicest personal clothes before going to a high-end Western restaurant.

Ye Yuntang called Xia Wan, and Xia Wan sent Ye Yuntang a white evening dress.

Xia Wan drove Ye Yuntang to the Western restaurant.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Ye Yuntang found the lobby empty. "Wanwan, we haven't gone to the wrong place, have we?"

Xia Wan said, "They probably aren't. They might be on the rooftop. You go to the rooftop first, and I'll come over after I take this call."

Ye Yuntang lifted her skirt and walked towards the rooftop.

Pushing open the rooftop door, she saw rose petals scattered all over the ground, as well as an archway made of flowers.

The dreamlike scene stunned Ye Yuntang.

Suddenly, a melodious piano tune rang out. She slowly walked forward and saw that familiar figure sitting in front of the piano.

The man wore a well-tailored black suit, shedding his usual cold and sharp demeanor. At this moment, his handsome features exuded a noble and elegant air.

Realizing what he wanted to do tonight, Ye Yuntang's heart suddenly started pounding wildly.

After the man finished playing the piano, he slowly stood up, holding a bouquet of flowers, and walked towards her.

He walked up to her and spoke in a deep, magnetic voice, "Yun Tang, before I went undercover, I made a promise to you that I would come back alive and marry you. I once thought I would not be able to keep my promise, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better, and I am still alive."

"During the period when I felt like I was about to die, I was actually filled with immense fear and dread. I almost lost you, and I almost lost myself."

"Having experienced life and death, separation, and misunderstandings and pain that almost tore us apart, I finally understand that the one thing I least want to lose in this life is you."

He slowly knelt on one knee, looked up at her, and his dark, deep eyes were filled with the burning love of someone who had lost her and found her again. "Tonight, I'm not just proposing, but also fulfilling all the promises we made to each other."

"Yuntang, my baby, I want to be with you for all eternity. Let's hold hands and walk through the rest of our lives together."

"will you marry me?"

On the rooftop, the lights were soft, and a gentle evening breeze was blowing.

Ye Yuntang's eyes welled up with tears, and she almost couldn't hold them back.

Looking at the man whose eyes were full of her, she almost choked up and couldn't speak.

She nodded vigorously, extending her slender, white fingers towards him. "I do!"

Xiao Lin took out the ring and excitedly put it on her finger.

"Give me a kiss, give me a kiss!"

The lights around the rooftop suddenly came on, and cheers erupted from all directions.

Ye Yuntang's family and friends, Xiao Lin's family and friends, and colleagues from work all came over.

Xiao Lin reached out and pulled Ye Yuntang into his arms.

He lowered his head, she raised hers, and they kissed each other tenderly and solemnly.

The evening breeze carries the fragrance of flowers, and the lamplight brings warmth.

Two people in love embraced tightly, never to be separated again.

From then on, through the everyday joys and sorrows of life, he and she journeyed together through life.

……

The main story is finished, and there's an extra chapter too!