In the end, three parties separated in front of Zenith-O. Mo Wenbin volunteered to take Hw.a.n.g Meilin home, Chen Linyun and Xue Jinxu would be dropping off Kang Sola first in the university dormitory, while Teng Man Rui was left under the care of Zhu Li Qiang. They used the black sedan which the ladies earlier utilized as their service, equipped with a chauffeur.

In all honesty, Xue Jinxu was not at all comfortable with this setup.

"Are you sure he can be left with Man Rui? I mean, he's a wreck himself. How can he possibly look after another person who's not being herself?!" The opinionated Xue Jinxu spoke up before Chen Linyun revved his car.

"Give the guy some credit. He's not an imbecile, Jinxu. Among all of us, he's probably the most suited to take care of Man Rui despite his condition. Trust me."

"What do you mean?"

"Just trust me on this." Chen Linyun looked at her inquisitive eyes solemnly. His gazes were mellow and had defined traces of his melancholy, probably something he got from his friend, Zhu Li Qiang. He reached out his hand and stroked his wife's pinkish cheeks with the back of his index finger.

"We're so fortunate, Jinxu. Not all people – lovers – can be as happy as we are."

Xue Jinxu's brows twitched as she was engulfed with much more interest.

Chen Linyun tore his gaze and retracted his hand as he proceeded in igniting the car's engine.

"You okay back there, Sola?" He looked at the rearview mirror, at Kang sola who was seated at the backseat.

"Yes, Linyun-ge!" She answered cheerfully although bashfully at the attention she had been given. 

"Did you somehow enjoy today, before your little misadventure, Misis Chen?"

"Ahh yeah, a bit." The lady shrugged it off.

"How about you, Sola?" He glanced at the rearview mirror again. This time, he had already started the engine and had entered the highway.

"Yes, it was fun and exciting. It was relaxing at first, and then at the bar… It was quite the adrenaline rush…"

"You better take in only the good stuff from your Jie-Jie's." He advised.

"Linyun!" Xue Jinxu protested. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing, honey. Hehehe." He pushed his eyegla.s.ses instantaneously with his finger as he tried to hide his embarra.s.sment. He took a left turn.

"Are you saying that we are a bad influence on her?"

"I didn't say that."

"Don't spout nonsense. Just concentrate on driving!"

"Now, now, Jinxu. Your temper. You're getting worked up over nothing. Sola might get traumatized by your reactions, honey." He let out a chuckle, more like a sight gibe.

Kang Sola who was witnessing some unexpected dogfood right before her eyes looked away. "Linyun-ge, Xu-Jie, I can just take the bus home… There's a bus stop near the university. You can drop me on the next bus stop a few meters away from here…"

'I don't want to cause any more burden to them.'

'They're probably uncomfortable trying to filter their naturally sweet actions because I'm here.'

"No, it's alright! We won't be able to sleep tonight if we cannot be sure that you're home safely." Chen Linyun responded calmly.

"Yeah, Sola. Don't think too much of it." Xue Jinxu seconded her husband.

"Oh, If you say so… Thank you… Hehe." 

"Say, Sola, how old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"When is your birthday?"

"March fifth."

"Ooohh…" Xue Jinxu exclaimed. "Same with Guangxi."

"S-Same? Our birthdays are the same, Xu-Jie?"

"Yeah. You don't know?" 

"No. We haven't talked about our birthdays." The girl retorted, quite surprised by this information, herself. "There's no opportunity that would open the topic."

"Hahahaha!!" Xue Jinxu was caught in her fit of laughter. "How can the universe be so playful?" She smirked as she threw a knowing side-glance to his husband who had kept silent the whole while.

"Right, hubby?"

"Yeah…"

Xue Jinxu was still chuckling.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself, Jinxu." The husband observed rather smugly.

The wife did not answer but smirked rather meaningfully.

Chen Linyun took a right turn and entered the premises of the university where Xue Guangxi and Kang Sola were enrolled. They traversed the paved asphalt roads until they reached the university dormitory. 

Kang Sola disembarked and waved good-bye to the good Samaritans [1].

Meanwhile, the chauffeur had safely dropped off Zhu Li Qiang and Teng Man Rui in the former's penthouse. The latter, who dozed off during the whole trip back to the penthouse, was carried like a princess in Zhu Li Qiang's arms. She naturally curled her arms around him and pulled him closer.

"Mhmm… Warm…" She mumbled as she pursed her lips together. She was still in deep sleep.

When she was laid down on her bed, she clung onto Zhu Li Qiang's arm. "Don't go. Don't leave. Please stay… I'm scared." She whimpered quietly but she was still amid her slumber.

"Are you having nightmares?" Zhu Li Qiang whispered. He lied down beside her, allowing her to cling to his arm a little bit tighter. He propped his elbow on the bed and rested his head on his palm for support.

"Hmmm… Hmmm… Hmmm…." Zhu Li Qiang was surprised by himself as he hummed a familiar lullaby. It was the same lullaby that he had learned during his early childhood – the one his nanny, or rather, her mother hummed to him before he could fall asleep. He rubbed his nose mildly, almost barely touching, onto the sleeping beauty's hair, and closed his eyes, savoring this moment.

"I love you. I really do." He whispered through her hair, and during the interlude of his lullaby.

Teng Man Rui slowly opened her eyes.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

Zhu Li Qiang froze.

"I'll get going." He said.

Eyelids still drooping low with sleep, Teng Man Rui tightened her hold onto his arm that she was holding like a koala bear.

"No. Stay here with me." She murmured under her breath. Her soft breath tingled Zhu Li Qiang's skin upon contact. She further touched her cheek onto his arm. "Li Qiang, stay with me, I'm scared."

"It's alright, go back to sleep, my angel."

But Teng Man Rui had other things in mind. Rather than obeying, she propped the heel of her left palm and sat up. With her right delicate fingers, she stroked Zhu Li Qiang's cheek amorously as she studied his face closely under the moonlight. The moon was full and high in its glory.

"Can I ask you a favor?" She whispered softly, meekly.

"Mhmm?" 

"Can you…" The lady's eyelashes flickered coyly as she felt her cheeks grow warm. "Can you help me erase… erase the… the marks… Re-write…"

"Man Rui…" His eyes almost popped out from her unexpected request. He shook his head. "What are you asking?"

Teng Man Rui lowered her face onto his level and closed their gap as she laid her soft supple lips onto his. She cupped both hands on his cheeks, both thumbs rubbing on it lovingly. Slowly, she bit his lower lips.

Zhu Li Qiang, mirroring her earlier actions, cupped both her pink lovely cheeks with his strong hands, but in reverse, he gently put a safe distance between them, pulling himself from her sumptuous lips with much difficulty. 'She isn't well. She might regret it later on.'

"Man Rui… You need some more rest, my love."

"No, I need you, Zhu Li Qiang. Help me, please." Her face contorted with agony. She laid her lips onto his again.

This time, Zhu Li Qiang did not fight back nor push her away. Rather, he cradled her in his warm protective, loving embrace.

The impartial, humungous, full moon, high and mighty at its glorious peak, stood witness to their sweet tenderness and affection.

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