Chapter 111: Loving Lunch (Two-in-One)

After a whole week of busy work, the art exhibition finally opened.

By the time Gu Yan arrived, a long line had already formed at the entrance. She wore a mask, pulled down the brim of her hat, and slipped into the crowd to get inside.

There were quite a few people in the exhibition hall; she walked along the wall, pretending to look at the paintings.

"This piece, 'Floating Light Leaping Gold', is just too incredible..."

"The standard of Yan's new collection is so high."

"I heard one piece has already been reserved by a mysterious buyer, with an eight-figure bid."

Gu Yan stood not far away, unable to suppress the corners of her mouth beneath her mask.

Her phone vibrated.

Lin Wei: 【Where are you?】

Gu Yan: 【Southwest corner, listening to people praise me.】

Lin Wei: 【... Narcissist.】

She walked forward with her eyes curved into crescents, and just as she turned a display wall, she saw Lin Wei standing there, holding an insulated bag in her hand.

"Where did you go just now? What is this?" Gu Yan walked over.

Lin Wei raised the bag in her hand: "My lunch."

"It's only eleven o'clock."

"He doesn't have class this morning and insisted on coming." Lin Wei complained, but her expression screamed "I'm very happy," "He said he was afraid I'd go hungry."

Gu Yan raised an eyebrow: "The sports student younger brother?"

Lin Wei nodded, looking smug.

Gu Yan looked at her appearance and suddenly remembered something.

Come to think of it, she hadn't delivered a loving lunch to Shen Yanhui yet. Since she was in a good mood today, she would begrudgingly deliver one to him; he would definitely be moved to tears.

However, it was naturally impossible for a Fairy to cook for herself, so she took out her phone and sent a message to the housekeeper at home.

Half an hour later, Gu Yan walked into the Shen Corporation building carrying a food container. The food in the container was made by the housekeeper; she was only responsible for plating it.

Just as she reached the lobby, she saw a familiar figure.

Zhou Shuyao.

She was standing at the front desk, saying something, her complexion not looking very good. Her hair was a bit messy, and her makeup couldn't hide the haggardness under her eyes; she was a completely different person from the one wearing a cheongsam at the old mansion that day.

The security guard was blocking her from entering.

Gu Yan paused her steps.

She stood not far away, watching this scene, and suddenly felt that the weather was truly lovely today.

Zhou Shuyao seemed to sense something and turned her head abruptly.

Their eyes met.

Her expression changed; she pushed past the security guard and rushed to Gu Yan in a few steps: "You're very pleased with yourself, aren't you?"

Gu Yan looked at her, her expression very innocent: "Why would I be pleased with myself?"

Zhou Shuyao sneered: "Do you think Shen Yanhui is sincere with you? Do you know when he started collecting Yan's paintings?"

Gu Yan blinked.

"Four years." Zhou Shuyao gritted her teeth, "He started buying them four years ago, almost never missing a single piece. A while ago, the two of them were even vacationing in Paris together. You think you're that special woman? You're nothing but a shadow!"

Gu Yan was stunned.

Started four years ago, almost never missing a single piece...

She suddenly remembered in the study of the Paris manor, she was curled up in his arms saying someone was secretly collecting her paintings, and he actually wasn't jealous at all.

She had thought it was strange at the time.

Now she understood.

That person was him.

From beginning to end, it was him.

Gu Yan's heart suddenly skipped a beat, as if someone had tapped lightly on her chest.

It was also as if light had leaked in through some crack, illuminating those corners she had never noticed before.

Gu Yan curved the corners of her mouth.

Zhou Shuyao was still saying: "You think he loves you? All he loves is that painter—"

"Thank you." Gu Yan interrupted her.

Zhou Shuyao was taken aback: "What?"

"Thank you for telling me these things." Gu Yan smiled very sincerely, "Miss Zhou, you are a truly good person."

After saying this, she bypassed Zhou Shuyao and headed toward the elevator.

Zhou Shuyao stood where she was, her expression as if she had swallowed a fly.

The first time she thanked her, it could still be considered the other party deliberately playing with her, but the second time she thanked her so earnestly...

Was there something wrong with her?

Gu Yan didn't care what Zhou Shuyao was thinking; she felt so good right now she felt like she was floating in the sky, even happier than when she first won an award for her painting.

However, she wouldn't tell Shen Yanhui that she already knew; she wanted to wait until he went to collect the painting to give him a big surprise.

Thinking this, Gu Yan took out her phone and sent a message to Chang Su: 【I've reached the elevator, you didn't tell Shen Yanhui I was coming, right?】

Chang Su: 【Rest assured, Madam.】

When the elevator reached the top floor, the doors opened, and Chang Su was already waiting there.

"Madam." He nodded slightly, "Sir is in a meeting; would you like to wait in his office first?"

Gu Yan nodded.

Chang Su led her to the office entrance, pushed the door open, and said, "If you need anything, call me at any time."

Gu Yan walked in and looked around.

The office was large, with the city skyline visible outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. The deep gray tones were simple, cold, and rigid, just like him.

She walked over to the sofa, sat down, and placed the food container on the coffee table.

After a moment of thought, she hid behind the door.

Meanwhile, over at the conference room, Shen Yanhui pushed the door open and came out, loosening his tie as he walked toward the office.

Chang Su stepped up to meet him, paused, and said in a low voice, "While you were in the meeting, Madam came."

Shen Yanhui's footsteps faltered.

"In the office?"

"Yes."

He nodded and continued walking forward.

Chang Su added in a low voice, "Madam said not to tell you, so... you should act as if you don't know."

Shen Yanhui glanced at him, then looked away.

Chang Su felt a bit uneasy.

"Your bonus for this quarter will be doubled."

Chang Su was stunned for a moment, joy spreading across his face. Just as he was about to thank him, the man had already strode away. He thought about it and decided not to disturb the young couple's intimacy.

By the way, he also had to instruct everyone in the secretary's office not to let anyone in to disturb the master and mistress.

Shen Yanhui pushed open the office door. It was very quiet inside; there was no sign of Gu Yan on the sofa or the office chair.

He raised an eyebrow.

Suddenly, a soft body pressed against him from behind, wrapping around his waist.

Warm, soft, and fragrant.

They had been intimate so many times that his body recognized her faster than his consciousness did.

"Sir," the person behind him said in a soft voice, with deliberate coquetry, "you're back?"

Shen Yanhui didn't move.

"Are you tired from the meeting?" She rubbed against his back, her face pressed against his spine, "Shall I give you a massage?"

He lowered his eyes, looking at the pair of hands wrapped around his waist, but still didn't move.

Gu Yan circled around to his front, looking up with a face full of mischievous laughter: "I'm the new assistant. Does Sir not recognize me?"

Shen Yanhui looked down at her.

She was wearing a creamy white knit sweater today, paired with an apricot-colored long skirt, her hair loose. She looked soft, making one want to make her cry.

And those eyes of hers were excessively bright, clearly saying: "I'm acting, hurry up and play along."

"New?"

She blinked, her eyelashes fluttering: "Yes, I just started, I don't know anything yet. Sir, please teach me."

He raised his hand, pinched her chin, and his thumb brushed across the corner of her lips.

"Teach you what?"

"Anything is fine..." Her voice grew softer, leaning closer to him, her breath brushing lightly against his lips, "For example..."

She paused on purpose, whispering against his lips: "How to serve Sir."

Shen Yanhui's eyes darkened.

He lowered his head and kissed her.

He held the back of her neck, pulling her entire body into his embrace, kissing her deeply and heavily. Gu Yan was left a bit breathless by him, yet she still remembered to act, asking vaguely between his lips: "Sir... is this okay?"

He stopped for a moment and looked at her. Her lips were red from his kisses, her eyes were watery, yet she was still stubbornly maintaining that innocent expression.

"What's not okay about it?"

"What if..." She bit her lip, her eyes darting, "What if Madam finds out?"

He watched her act.

"Is Madam very fierce?"

"Yes." She nodded, looking very serious, "I heard she's especially fierce, jealous, and likes to scratch people."

He curled the corner of his mouth; she was quite good at creating a persona for herself.

"Then why do you still dare to come?"

She leaned into his ear and whispered: "But... I like Sir."

Her soft breath brushed against his earlobe, sending a faint tingle through him. He was amused by her appearance, and his eyes darkened further.

He picked her up and pressed her onto the sofa to continue kissing.

Gu Yan was pressed into the soft leather sofa, sinking into it, and could only wrap her arms around Shen Yanhui's neck. His kisses moved from her lips to her cheeks, then to her earlobe, which he bit lightly.

She trembled slightly, shrinking in his arms, her mind a bit dazed, yet she continued to act professionally.

"Sir..." she gasped between his lips, "don't do this... I'm scared..."

His hand reached under her hem, his warm palm pressing against her waist, his thumb gently stroking that delicate skin.

"Scared of what?"

"Scared of Madam..." She grabbed his hand, her voice dripping with softness, "You should just let me go..."

He looked at her.

There was laughter in his eyes, but his expression remained cold.

"It's too late to leave now."

He lowered his head to kiss her neck. Her neck was very sensitive; he had known that for a long time. Sure enough, she was kissed until her legs went weak, her fingers clutching his shirt, yet she was still struggling to act: "Sir... I really can't..."

He raised his head to look at her.

"No?"

She nodded, her eyes wet, with a hint of tears even hanging on her eyelashes, looking pitiful.

He suddenly stood up and scooped her up horizontally.

"Eh?" She was stunned, subconsciously wrapping her arms around his neck.

He carried her toward the lounge.

"Sir? Sir, what are you doing?"

He did not speak.

She panicked and began to struggle: "I'm not acting anymore, I'm not! Put me down!"

"Keep acting."

"I'm not acting!"

He had already pushed open the door to the lounge, placed her on the bed, and leaned over to press down on her.

She was pinned down and unable to move, so she could only glare at him: "Shen Yanhui, stop messing around..."

But a scorching kiss had already fallen, easily stealing her breath and carrying her to drift and sink in the tide of passion.

Forget it, forget it.

She was in a good mood today, and she was enjoying it too, so she would just let him be.

She simply gave up struggling, closed her eyes, and prepared to let him have his way.

Yet unexpectedly, the person on top of her suddenly stopped moving.

Then, a low chuckle rang out.

Gu Yan opened her eyes and understood at once. He was playing with her again; he hadn't intended to do anything at all, he was just teasing her on purpose.

Last time in Lagos, he had already teased her once; why didn't she ever learn?

"Shen Yanhui!" She pushed him hard, "You lied to me again!"

"What do you mean 'again'?"

"You know yourself!" Gu Yan continued to push him, but still couldn't move him.

She was even angrier: "Shen Yanhui, do you have some kind of problem! Is it really that fun to lie to me like this every time!"

He raised his head, looking at her puffed-up appearance. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were wide, and her lips were still a bit swollen from his kissing; she looked adorable no matter how he looked at her.

"It's fun."

She glared at him.

He lowered his head and kissed her on the lips.

She turned her face away.

He kissed her again.

She still kept her face turned away, but the roots of her ears were already red.

He pulled her into his embrace and rested his chin on the top of her head: "Are you angry?"

She did not speak.

He rubbed against her hair: "Are you really angry?"

She said sullenly: "No."

He let out a laugh: "No?"

"... A little bit."

He scooped her out of his embrace and looked into her eyes: "Then what should I do?"

She looked at him, her eyes still carrying a bit of lingering anger, but the corners of her mouth were already starting to turn down: "You are not allowed to lie to me in the future."

He looked at her and said nothing.

She glared at him.

He curved the corners of his mouth: "That won't do."

Gu Yan didn't want to deal with him anymore, pushed him away, and turned over to get off the bed. He reached out to grab her, and she broke free. He grabbed again, and she struggled again.

In the midst of the struggle, her hand swung out somehow...

Slap.

The air suddenly went quiet.

Gu Yan froze.

Shen Yanhui tilted his head, a red mark on his chin clearly visible; it had been quite a hard hit.

Gu Yan blinked, then blinked again: "... I didn't mean to."

He didn't speak, just looked at her, his eyes deep, with no discernible emotion.

She felt a bit uneasy.

After all, hitting someone in the face was indeed quite excessive. A person like him, ever since he came into power, probably no one had dared to touch a single finger of his.

Those subordinates who trembled before him, those opponents he had crushed until they couldn't lift their heads—who would dare to strike his face?

"That... I..."

He suddenly leaned his face over, bringing it right in front of her, his voice carrying a smile: "Do you want to hit me again?"

Gu Yan was stunned: "... Are you a masochist?"

He looked at her, his mouth also curving up: "Who told me to make my wife angry."

Gu Yan stared at him for two seconds, turned her face away, and muttered softly: "... Crazy."

He wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder: "Are you over it?"

She did not speak.

He rubbed against the crook of her neck: "Hmm?"

Gu Yan gave a soft hum, leaning into his embrace, and was quiet for a few seconds. Her gaze fell upon that red mark; no matter how she looked at it, it was an eyesore.

She reached out a hand to touch it; it was a bit hot: "Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt."

Although he said it didn't hurt, Gu Yan felt guilty no matter how she looked at the mark. It was a bright red streak, exceptionally conspicuous; if others saw it, what would they think?

"Let me apply an ice pack for you?"

As she spoke, she had already turned over and gotten out of bed. She took ice cubes from the refrigerator, then took a towel from the bathroom and wrapped them up.

She sat down beside him and pressed the towel gently against his chin: "It's a bit cold, bear with it."

Shen Yanhui gave a low response.

She applied it very seriously, her eyes fixed on the red mark, her eyelashes lowered and trembling slightly. Her fingers pressed lightly through the towel, using very little force, afraid of hurting him.

Occasionally she looked up to check his reaction: "Is this okay? Is it too hard?"

"It's not."

She continued to apply it.

After applying it for a while, she suddenly said in a low voice: "Look at you, you didn't even know to dodge."

"Why would I dodge? If you hit me, I'll just take it."

The tips of Gu Yan's ears turned red again.

This damn man, she didn't know where he learned it, but he had one sweet nothing after another. Yet she was particularly susceptible to it, and her heartbeat quickened a few beats against her will.

She moved the towel away; the red mark on his chin had indeed faded a bit, and it certainly wouldn't be visible from a normal social distance.

"Alright... let's eat!"

Gu Yan broke free from Shen Yanhui's embrace, walked to the coffee table, and opened the food container that had been sitting there the whole time.

Several dishes were arranged neatly, and the color coordination was quite nice. Stir-fried seasonal vegetables, sweet and sour pork ribs, and a bowl of pear soup stewed until soft and glutinous.

"A lunch of love." She pointed at the food container, looking smug, "I personally..." she paused again, "... had the housekeeper make it, but I personally plated it."

Shen Yanhui walked over, stood behind her, and looked at the box of food: "Thank you for your hard work, Madam. In that case... will you feed me?"

Gu Yan: "It would be more like you feeding me."

Shen Yanhui: "Okay."

He pulled her to sit down, picked up the chopsticks, picked up a small piece of sweet and sour pork rib, and fed it to her lips.

Gu Yan bit down without standing on ceremony.

Shen Yanhui picked up another chopstick of stir-fried seasonal vegetables and fed it to her; he was so serious about feeding her that it made the young lady feel embarrassed instead.

Gu Yan snatched the chopsticks from his hand: "Now it's my turn to feed you."