Chapter 172

The two women bustling in the kitchen, Yang Zixi and Lin Xia, were no different to Wang Yan beyond their technical skill and physical feel—both were just little sparrows.

By now, he'd slept with at least eight hundred women, if not a thousand; let alone the others, just the two from Wujian Dao and Xinshijie had barely left his bed empty, so where was the time for all that useless romance? He used to recall Liu Sihui, Gong Er, and his children, think back on pleasant memories. Now? They were like dreams, bubbles, foam—all just energy, all just the fusion of spirit and flesh; calling him heartless wasn't an exaggeration.

After a while, Yang Zixi brought a dish to the dining table: "Honey, everything's ready, go wash your hands and eat."

Wang Yan grunted in response, stood up, washed his hands, and sat beside the table; the two women followed, bringing up the rest of the dishes until the entire table was full.

Yang Zixi fetched a bottle of dry red wine and sat on either side of Wang Yan with Lin Xia, pouring wine as she said: "I practiced for ages—taste it and tell me how it is."

Lin Xia said nothing but blinked her eyes at Wang Yan.

Under the two women's gazes, Wang Yan picked up his chopsticks and sampled each dish: "Fine, better than last time. Enough—let's eat."

Yang Zixi's skill had indeed improved, but only marginally; Lin Xia's cooking was noticeably better, since she lived alone, earned little, and cooked to save money.

Yang Zixi puckered her lips, wanting to ask which dish was hers and which was Lin Xia's, but wisely stayed silent.

Lin Xia felt a quiet disappointment—after all her effort, the dishes hadn't earned the reaction she'd hoped for. But seeing Yang Zixi say nothing, she stayed quiet too. She wasn't stupid; she understood Yang Zixi, and this situation—after all, the woman had been with Wang Yan for half a year. Who knew this man's nature better than her?

Wang Yan understood their thoughts perfectly—he was just maximizing the effect of a slight setback before praise. He pointed his chopsticks at the dishes: "This one… you made it. Much better than before—salt's perfect, seasoning and heat control still a bit off, but very good. This one… Lin Xia made it. Her skill is far beyond yours—you still need to work hard."

As expected, though beaten by Lin Xia, Yang Zixi was delighted that Wang Yan recognized her effort—she smiled warmly and clinked her glass against his: "Then eat more."

Lin Xia smiled too, picking up a bite of her signature dish and placing it in Wang Yan's bowl, then sipping her wine.

Wang Yan chuckled, steering the conversation, easing the atmosphere—Lin Xia was attending her first family dinner as a "little bee," and her identity had shifted too fast; he helped her adjust.

The quiet warmth of daily life and the intense intimacy of night were the two most efficient ways to help her integrate into this small family—one gave a lonely, homeless soul a home, a sense of belonging; the other brought scorching warmth to a cold, numb, corpse-like body, welcoming the hopeful, budding spring.

Indeed, without realizing it, Lin Xia—who had merely smiled at Wang Yan before—began talking more. She was naturally chatty and lively, but inner unease and a faint self-disappointment had suppressed her nature. Under Wang Yan's masterful charm, the unfamiliar distance was slowly melting away.

Before their intimate contact, the more Lin Xia learned about Wang Yan, the more magnetic and mysterious he seemed, drawing her to explore. Now that she understood him clearly, beyond his obvious physical prowess, a thread of infatuation was spreading through her heart.

Wang Yan didn't know what Lin Xia felt—if he did, he'd only have one outdated catchphrase to describe it: Don't fall for me, I'm just a legend.

If even Yang Zixi, who only wanted money, had now developed feelings, how much more so Lin Xia, who'd been moved by him? It was just a matter of time.

The meal passed in laughter and chatter; though both women's cooking was mediocre, Wang Yan ate nearly everything—especially Yang Zixi's Ten-Ingredient Tonifying Soup…

After finishing every last bite, Wang Yan sat on the sofa digesting. Yang Zixi, ever thoughtful, brewed a pot of tea he'd left behind and brought it over, then went to wash dishes with Lin Xia.

After they finished cleaning, they sat one on each side of Wang Yan.

Wang Yan wrapped his arms around both women; Yang Zixi immediately snuggled in, while Lin Xia stiffened slightly, then gave in and leaned against him.

"What do you want?"

He asked bluntly—there was no point hiding it; he knew himself well, and he understood Lin Xia.

Lin Xia, having had no hope with Cheng Feng, had been shown the beauty of life by Yang Zixi, then encountered him—a man who grew more addictive the more she learned—and had developed feelings without resisting. Of course, his own lethal charm played a role, but the beauty of life was an undeniable factor too.

Knowing he was asking her, Lin Xia buried her face in his arms and shook her head silently.

It was a difficult question. If she said she wanted nothing, neither Yang Zixi nor Wang Yan would believe her—not even she herself. If she said she wanted something, she didn't even know what it was anymore.

Seeing her silence, Wang Yan said nothing. He withdrew his hand, stood up, exchanged a glance with the two women, walked to the coat rack by the door, took his jacket, pulled out his wallet, and found a card.

He placed the card on the coffee table in front of Lin Xia, then sat back in the middle, wrapping his arms around both and caressing them: "I don't play favorites. There's over three million on this card. What kind of car do you like? I'll arrange one for you in a few days."

Staring at the thin bank card before her, Lin Xia couldn't process it—its number was something she'd heard of but never imagined would land on her. Her emotions were tangled; chaotic thoughts flooded her mind, leaving her dazed.

Hearing no reply, Wang Yan knew she was stunned. He didn't care what she thought—he squeezed her thigh hard: "Speak up?"

"Huh? Ah… what?"

Yang Zixi rolled her eyes at Lin Xia's country-bumpkin look and snapped: "He's asking what kind of car you like!"

She was still a little jealous—Lin Xia got all this after just one night. She couldn't help feeling unfair. After all, how many jobs had she done to get this? The car, the shop, the renovation, everything else… it wasn't fair, not fair at all…

Yang Zixi's eyes darted around, thinking how to get Lin Xia to perform—she wanted to see what that looked like. She'd once criticized Lin Xia's every move; now, wasn't she just the same? Let the little slut have her turn.

"Ah, I… I'm fine with anything…" Lin Xia started to say "whatever," but the hand on her body made her sigh softly.

Wang Yan whispered close to her ear: "What do you like?"

"I like… off-road…"

"Do you have a driver's license?"

Lin Xia clenched her thighs tightly, her voice trembling: "Ah… yes… last year… I got it last year."

Wang Yan nodded, said nothing more, and caressed each woman until they were nearly undone…

Meanwhile, far away at the bar, Cheng Feng—drunk on release and self-numbing—met a generous, wild, very Sihai new friend…

The next day, exhausted from last night's late-night exertions, Wang Yan didn't wake until just after nine.

After washing up and getting dressed, the two women opened their sleepy eyes and looked at him.

"I'm going to work. You two rest well."

Saying that, Wang Yan turned to leave, then remembered something and returned to the bedroom, typing an address into WeChat as he spoke: "I'm sending you an address. Live there from now on. When you're rested, go check it out—buy whatever you need. I'm off."

After giving those instructions, Wang Yan left the building, got in his car, and drove to the company.

Actually, the address was for his own house—he'd felt the bed there was too small, cramped for movement. Unlike his place, where the main room had a heated brick bed or tatami, topped with a custom-made mattress of perfect firmness—only there could he truly be a dragon in the sea… yes, spinning, leaping, eyes closed.

He hadn't brought Yang Zixi there before because she lacked self-awareness and tended to cause trouble. Now that he had her firmly under control, no issue. As for Lin Xia—she might not be as sharp, but she was far better than Yang Zixi, so no need to change beds; she'd be more comfortable staying there.

Three days passed. On Saturday afternoon, Wang Yan drove the two women to Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng's house as promised.

As previously arranged, today was a day off with nothing else to do.

He hadn't planned to bring Yang Zixi and Lin Xia—until Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng learned about Yang Zixi and told him to bring her along. Since Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng said so, he had no problem—not only did he bring Yang Zixi, he brought Lin Xia too. A little surprise for Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng—to show him how corrupt rich people really are…

As for the impact on Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng, whether he could still hold firm—none of his business. As always: he only guaranteed Shen Bing wouldn't leave first. What Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng chose was his own affair—no conflict with Wang Yan's "fatherly duty."

"Dong… dong… dong"

"Coming, coming!"

After knocking a few times on the old door, an immediate reply came from inside.

Soon, the door opened. Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng grinned: "You're here, Brother! Oh, why are you bringing gifts again? Zixi, Lin Xia… huh? Lin Xia?"

Seeing Lin Xia, Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng froze—he hadn't invited her. What was going on?

Watching Lin Xia's slightly unnatural nod, Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng realized something—he turned stiffly, staring in shock at his life's lighthouse, his guiding path, his most revered Wang Ge…

Wang Yan regarded him calmly, smiling and nodding.

"Ah… hahaha…" Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng's face stiffened for a moment, but the smile stayed on his lips: "Look at me, oh dear, let's not stand at the door—come in, come inside." As he spoke, Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng stepped aside to let them enter.

"Shen Bing."

Lin Xia entered and saw Shen Bing in the kitchen; she happily went over to greet her.

"Why are you here?"

"I came to help you…"

"No need, no need, you all sit down, it'll be ready soon."

"It's fine, we'll get it done faster together."

Seeing Lin Xia helping, Yang Zixi stayed in the kitchen too—otherwise she'd have nothing to do.

Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng led Wang Yan to the small sitting room, served him tea, then sat beside him and asked: "Brother, what's going on?"

"Exactly what you think it is."

Wang Yan had already nodded earlier, so Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng merely couldn't believe it and habitually wanted to confirm again.

Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng shook off his daze, holding up two fingers: "Two?"

"Mm."

After thinking for a moment, though it was awkward, Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng couldn't hold back: "Together?"

"Of course."

Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng said nothing more, only raised his thumb: "Awesome, you're the one."

That look, that expression—clearly carried double meaning. One: he'd taken two, both aware of each other, and they seemed close. Two: he could even have them together—that was the kind of admiration every man understood.

After drinking more tea, Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng accepted this shocking situation: "Wait, brother, are you seriously competing with the people around me?"

Wang Yan shook his head, smiling as he gave him a general account: "It's all fate. She was disappointed in Cheng Feng before, so…"

Meanwhile, the group in the kitchen were chatting too.

Shen Bing asked curiously: "Hey, Lin Xia, I didn't invite you, did I? Did you just happen to run into Wang Ge and Zixi?"

Lin Xia felt embarrassed: "Ah, no…"

Yang Zixi, not one to let things slide, stepped in to explain: "We came together."

"Came together? Did Lin Xia come to visit you?"

"What? Don't you know my situation? Didn't Shi Shi Xiaomeng tell you?"

Shen Bing hesitated, then nodded. After all, gossiping behind someone's back was improper, and hearing it from Yang Zixi made her feel awkward.

Yang Zixi didn't care about that; she pointed at herself, then at Lin Xia: "She's the same as me."

"Same? What do you mean—" Halfway through, Shen Bing realized, staring at Lin Xia in shock: "You too…"

Lin Xia shot Yang Zixi an annoyed look and sighed: "Didn't see that coming, did you?"

When Wang Yan first mentioned it, she hadn't wanted to come—she felt such things were too embarrassing to publicize; in the eyes of the world, women like them were called shameless.

But who had a better sister than Yang Zixi? That shameless woman chattered nonstop, laying out all those arguments and hammering them into her again. She'd once dismissed them outright, but after experiencing it herself for a few days, she'd reluctantly accepted a tiny bit.

Besides, she'd never cared much about others' opinions anyway—when she'd clung to Cheng Feng, she'd heard every cruel thing they said, and she'd endured it. So what were these new rumors?

"I really didn't expect it," Shen Bing recovered herself and shook her head: "So you've been brainwashed by all those flashy material things? You let your guard down, surrendered your weapons? Captured by reality, bowed to your ideals? Got something for nothing?"

What was she even talking about? Lin Xia didn't understand, frowned, then remembered—it was exactly what she'd said to Shen Bing back when she'd first arrived in Jingcheng, taking her out shopping and showing her the city.

"What ideals? They've long since worn away. This life is fine now," Lin Xia smiled. "Besides, I have a job—I get salary and social security every month. The one who really gets something for nothing? That one."

People adapt, change with their environment. Lately, she'd felt it, tasted it. Honestly, except for not being able to marry, everything was quite good—as long as Wang Yan didn't abandon them. But from her shallow understanding of him, as long as she didn't cause trouble and lived normally, that was unlikely. Her faint smiles at Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng and Shen Bing? Just because she couldn't let go, felt too shy. As for other thoughts? Absolutely none.

In truth, if they behaved themselves, they truly could live together until Wang Mou left this world—otherwise, he wouldn't have let them move into his house.

Seeing Lin Xia point at her, Yang Zixi didn't care at all—if she'd cared about that, she wouldn't be Yang Zixi today. Not only did she not care, she smirked: "You with your measly little things dare to mention it?"

"At least I have something," Lin Xia rolled her eyes, then turned to Shen Bing: "Let's talk about us, ignore her."

Lin Xia and Shen Bing chatted and laughed; Yang Zixi barely spoke, just listened, playing with water at the sink, perfectly content. She wasn't close to Shen Bing anyway—she didn't need to be.

Soon, dishes were placed on the table, and everyone sat around it.

As the male host, Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng raised his cup: "I'll propose a toast—thank you all, Wang Ge, Zixi, Lin Xia, for coming today."

Wang Yan said nothing, raised his cup, and drank along with a smile.

He'd just set his cup down when Shen Bing raised hers again.

Wang Yan teased: "What, you two are trying to get me drunk?"

"How could we?" Shen Bing spoke before Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng could: "Everyone knows Wang Ge has an endless capacity. This cup is my tribute to you—for all your support of Shi Shi Xiaomeng. Without you, we wouldn't have this peaceful life. You don't have to drink—I'll down it."

Earlier, when Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng toasted, she'd only sipped. Now she truly drank it—downed the full two and a half taels in one gulp.

Seeing this, Wang Yan couldn't let her outdo him—he tilted his head and drained his cup too.

After drinking, Shen Bing forced back her discomfort: "Wang Ge, Zixi, Lin Xia, please eat—try my cooking."

Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng, concerned for Shen Bing, replied: "Yes, yes, eat up, Brother. I'll tell you, Shen Bing's cooking's way better than six months ago."

"Then I'll have to taste it properly…"

Wang Yan chatted with Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng while the three women gossiped, occasionally bursting into laughter together…

They ate happily, drank comfortably; after the meal, they bid farewell to Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng and Shen Bing, and Wang Yan took a chauffeur back to his mansion.

Over dinner, he noticed some changes in Shen Bing. Most obvious: the faint rustic air she'd had when first arriving in Jingcheng was gone—she'd adapted, even blended in.

Her feelings for Shi Shi Shi Xiaomeng—confirmed by their occasional glances, the effortless intimacy they showed—left no doubt that nothing unexpected had occurred.

Beyond that, he didn't care—it had nothing to do with him.

Back at the mansion, he saw the two little sparrows—faces flushed from wine, looking especially radiant…

A light drink tonight, perfect mood—why not share the bed together…