Chapter 153: Gu Yan × Shen Yanhui Honeymoon

Gu Yan and Lin Wei met at a newly opened French restaurant.

Before the food was served, Lin Wei stared at her for a long time, finally clicking her tongue.

"Little Gu Yan, have you been pampered by Mr. Shen a bit too much?"

Gu Yan was drinking water and nearly choked upon hearing this.

"What?"

Lin Wei pointed at her face: "Look at your complexion, it's glowing with health. Tell me, does Mr. Shen pay his 'public grain' every day?"

God-damned paying the public grain...

Gu Yan set down her water glass and said slowly: "You're not doing too badly yourself."

Lin Wei was stunned for a moment, then heard the other person's teasing tone: "Has your younger brother, the athlete, been working very hard lately? The amorous look at the corners of your eyes is about to overflow."

Lin Wei: "... Little Gu Yan!"

She just knew it; her pure and cute best friend was gone.

Gu Yan smiled, her eyes curving into crescents: "What, did I say something wrong?"

Lin Wei glared at her, glared for a few seconds, then laughed herself: "I can't win against you. But—"

The two bantered for a while, and the dishes were served one after another.

Lin Wei was cutting her steak when she suddenly remembered something and looked up at her.

"Little Gu Yan, although you are Mrs. Shen now and your husband is very rich, you must absolutely not let love cloud your judgment."

Gu Yan squinted at her: "Am I such a shallow person?"

"You are."

Gu Yan had nothing to say.

Lin Wei continued: "Don't slack off just because you're married; you must keep painting, and you must keep pursuing your career."

She reached out and pointed at Gu Yan.

"You are Yan, a woman whose painting can sell for eight figures. No matter how capable Mr. Shen is, that's his. Your own skills are the only things that are truly yours."

Gu Yan looked at her and suddenly smiled: "Lin Wei, why are you so serious today?"

"When am I not serious? I'm doing this for your own good. We need to be career-oriented women, you know?" Lin Wei rolled her eyes.

Gu Yan nodded with a smile: "Understood, Teacher Lin."

Lin Wei nodded in satisfaction, cut another piece of steak, and said while chewing: "That's right. In the future, when you hold an art exhibition, I'll be your agent. The two of us will make money together, and we'll earn more than your Mr. Shen."

Gu Yan's hand paused; she finally understood.

"After saying so much, bringing you along to make money is the real point, right?"

Lin Wei gave a shy smile: "Glad you know, no need to say it out loud."

Gu Yan: "Heh."

"Remember to find some inspiration while on your honeymoon, and when you get back, paint five, six, seven, or eight pieces. I'll handle the promotion for you then..." Lin Wei continued to wink suggestively.

"Honeymoon?" Gu Yan only caught the keyword.

"Yeah, if you don't go on a honeymoon after getting married, when will you? You haven't even thought about it, have you?"

Gu Yan thought about it.

It seemed... she really hadn't thought about it.

"He's been quite busy lately," she said. "He works overtime until the early hours every day before coming back, and I'm already asleep by then."

Lin Wei was not surprised: "Such a large corporation, he must be busy. But... aren't you a major shareholder too? Why don't you go help share the burden?"

Gu Yan looked at her gloomily: "Do I look like someone who can share the burden?"

Lin Wei frowned: "True, if you went, you'd probably just be a nuisance."

Gu Yan glared at her.

Lin Wei waved her hand with a smile: "Fine, fine, fine, I'm wrong. But seriously, you need to put the honeymoon on your schedule. It only happens once in a lifetime; you can't let him work it away."

Gu Yan didn't speak, but she started to ponder it in her heart.

——

That night, Gu Yan intended to wait for Shen Yanhui. But after staying up until twelve, she couldn't hold on any longer; her head tilted, and she went to meet the God of Dreams.

Whatever career, whatever honeymoon, it was all forgotten completely.

She had no idea that Shen Yanhui didn't leave the company until two in the morning that day.

The black Maybach drove into the night.

Shen Yanhui leaned back in the rear seat, closing his eyes to rest. His tie was loosened, the top button of his shirt was undone, and there was a faint weariness between his brows from working overtime continuously.

Chang Su sat in the passenger seat, holding a tablet and reporting in a low voice.

"The contract with Huayuan has finished the process, and someone will be sent to deliver it for signature tomorrow. The legal department has reviewed it, and there are no issues."

Shen Yanhui didn't open his eyes: "Mm."

Chang Su continued scrolling down.

"On the finance side, the quarterly report is wrapped up, and all data is within expectations. The candidates reserved by the HR department have already been scheduled for interviews next week; your absence won't affect the progress."

Shen Yanhui: "Mm."

"The follow-up procedures for the equity change of Shen Corporation have also been completed. The quarterly reports for those overseas projects have also been collected, and the data looks quite good."

Chang Su paused, then added: "Everything is going smoothly; you can leave with peace of mind."

Shen Yanhui finally opened his eyes and looked at the night scenery passing by outside the window.

"Is the flight path approved?"

Chang Su nodded: "Taking off from Jingzhou International Airport at seven tomorrow morning."

Shen Yanhui gave an "Mm." The car was quiet for a while, then he suddenly spoke again: "For the next month, no matter what happens, even if the sky falls, do not contact me."

Chang Su's hand paused, and he glanced at his boss through the rearview mirror: "Very well, sir."

Although he maintained his usual composed expression on the surface, he couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

What kind of reasonable person clears out an entire month just for a honeymoon? For this, he had already risked his life to keep his boss company, working overtime until the small hours for half a month straight.

Never mind, he was earning a double annual salary; suffering a little was to be expected.

At two-thirty in the morning, Shen Yanhui gently pushed open the bedroom door.

Only a bedside lamp was lit in the room, its warm yellow light falling on the curled-up figure on the bed. She had wrapped herself into a cocoon, the quilt was a tangled mess, and one hand was resting by the pillow, the phone screen still glowing.

He walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed.

On the phone screen was a page from some app, prominently displaying "Top Ten Recommended Destinations for a Honeymoon Trip."

He curved his lips, pulled the phone away, and placed it on the nightstand. He then tucked the corner of the quilt in for her and lowered his head to press a kiss to her brow.

——

Early the next morning, Gu Yan felt herself being picked up.

But the embrace was too familiar, the scent too familiar, so she only frowned and buried her face deeper into that warm chest.

In her groggy state, she could sense someone walking, the sound of car doors opening and closing, and the slight noise of a seat being reclined. But she was truly too sleepy, assuming it was just a dream.

The car drove out of Man Island, headed east, and drove toward Jingzhou International Airport.

Gu Yan slept in Shen Yanhui's arms the entire way, her breathing even, occasionally snuggling in to find a more comfortable position.

She didn't know how much time had passed when a sudden roar sounded in her ears.

The sound grew louder and louder, and she finally woke up with a frown.

Opening her eyes, she saw Shen Yanhui's chin.

Gu Yan blinked, then blinked again, before sitting up abruptly: "Where is this?"

Shen Yanhui looked at her dazed expression, his eyes filled with amusement: "On a plane."

Gu Yan was even more bewildered: "A plane? Where are we going?"

"Isla Serena." He raised his hand and tucked a strand of hair that had been bent from sleep behind her ear.

Gu Yan was even more confused: "Isla what?"

Shen Yanhui: "A small island in the Pacific Ocean, bought at the beginning of the year."

Gu Yan: "You bought it?"

Shen Yanhui: "Mm."

She opened her mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment. As expected of a capitalist, buying an island was as casual as buying jewelry.

"Then... what are we going there for?"

"A honeymoon."

"A honeymoon? So sudden?"

Shen Yanhui curled his lips: "How is it sudden? Weren't you looking at travel guides all night last night?"

Gu Yan pouted, remembering the pages she had been scrolling through in a daze until midnight. She asked coyly: "How did you know?"

He raised his hand, his thumb brushing over her cheek: "The phone was lit up, and you were sleeping like a little pig."

She glared at him.

He pinched her cheek and continued: "For the next month, it will only be us; no one will disturb us."

His voice was low, as if speaking only for her to hear: "Only me and you."

Gu Yan was stunned for a moment, then smiled, her eyes curving into crescents: "Alright, only us."

The plane passed through the clouds and slowly descended.

Gu Yan leaned against the porthole, watching the island that was drawing closer.

Looking down from the air, the entire island looked like an emerald embedded in blue velvet. A circle of snow-white beach surrounded the dense green vegetation, and sea waves crashed against the reefs, splashing white foam under the sunlight.

There was a small mountain in the center of the island, and there seemed to be buildings on the summit, though they were unclear.

The plane came to a stop, and the cabin door opened.

A gentle sea breeze rushed toward them, carrying a faint salty scent and the fragrance of flowers. The sunlight was much more intense than in Jingzhou, feeling warm on her body.

Gu Yan stood on the airstair, squinting for a while.

The sky was unrealistically blue, the sea was unrealistically blue, and everything was so beautiful it made her feel dazed.

Shen Yanhui walked behind her and placed a wide-brimmed straw hat on her head: "What are you staring at?"

Gu Yan smiled and hooked her arm through his: "I was thinking, how is my husband so amazing, finding such a beautiful place."

When it came to flattery, she was the best at it.

Shen Yanhui pulled her waist closer, leaning in: "Calling me 'husband' sounds very nice; call me that more tonight."

Gu Yan didn't take the bait: "Oh my, it's a bit sunny, let's go quickly."

The car picking them up was an open-top off-road vehicle; after it stopped, the driver got out.

Shen Yanhui opened the passenger door for Gu Yan to get in, then walked around the front of the car to the driver's seat.

The car drove along a small path deep into the island; on both sides of the road were dense tropical plants, blooming with unknown flowers of various colors, crowded together in a lively display.

Gu Yan looked around the whole way.

"Are those bananas?"

"Mm."

"What flower is that?"

"I don't know."

"There are things you don't know?" Gu Yan asked in surprise, "Looks like you aren't that amazing after all."

Shen Yanhui only chuckled, accepting her teasing without refuting it.

What is the point of gaining a verbal advantage? It is better to save your strength and use it where it should be used.

Before long, Gu Yan pointed to a certain spot and said excitedly, "There are fruits over there, can we pick them?"

Shen Yanhui glanced in the direction she was pointing: "Want to eat some?"

She nodded.

He then stopped the car, got out to pick a bunch, and handed it to the young girl.

Gu Yan took it, bit into one, and her brows instantly furrowed: "So sour!"

Shen Yanhui curled the corners of his lips.

Gu Yan: "You knew it was very sour, didn't you? You did it on purpose!"

He didn't speak, just smiled and continued driving.

Gu Yan stared at his profile for two seconds, then suddenly leaned over: "Stop the car."

Shen Yanhui raised an eyebrow and followed her request, stopping the car again.

As soon as it was steady, the young girl leaned over, grabbed his collar with one hand, pulled him toward her, and kissed him directly.

Shen Yanhui's smile deepened, and he immediately wrapped his arm around her waist, letting her pass this sour kiss over to him.

The tart taste instantly filled his mouth, yet he only felt sweetness.

Gu Yan finally let him go, licked her lips, and smiled slyly.

"Is it sour?"

Shen Yanhui held the back of her neck, his eyes lowered, resting on her red lips, and said in a low voice: "Not enough, taste it again."

As he spoke, he kissed her again, pried open her lips and teeth, drove straight in, and instantly deepened the kiss.

A private island, without any disturbances; he could kiss as long as he wanted.

Only when Gu Yan whimpered in protest did he pull away.

The young girl's red lips were glistening, the color even more vibrant than if she had worn lipstick. He reached out to wipe them, then lowered his head to harvest a bit more before saying with a smile: "It is indeed a bit sour."

Gu Yan: "..."

This damn man really knows how to secure benefits for himself!

She reached out, picked a small sour fruit, stuffed it into Shen Yanhui's mouth, and said crossly: "If you love sour so much, then eat more."

Shen Yanhui naturally accepted it all.

The car finally stopped in front of a white house.

The house was built halfway up the mountain, facing the sea. The courtyard was planted with flowers, and a small stone path led to the main house. In the distance was the boundless blue sea, as if the entire world consisted only of this small island.

Perhaps because there was no sea where she grew up, Gu Yan had a special longing for the ocean.

She looked at the man beside her and decided to forgive his earlier behavior. After all, the place this damn man chose was truly to her liking.

"Let's go." Shen Yanhui took the young girl's hand and pushed open the courtyard gate.

They walked through a lively sea of flowers and arrived at the main house at the end of the stone path. The door was open, and the white gauze curtains were gently fluttering in the sea breeze.

She toured the house and particularly liked the bedroom here.

The floor-to-ceiling windows of the bedroom faced the sea, and one could see the sunrise while lying in bed. In the walk-in closet, her clothes had already been hung up neatly, hanging right alongside his.

She stood at the entrance of the walk-in closet, looking at that row of clothes, and suddenly felt like laughing.

When did he arrange all of this?

The key was, he hadn't revealed a single thing to her.

"Shen Yanhui."

"Hmm."

"You've been working overtime so frequently lately, was it all for the coming month?" Gu Yan stood with her hands behind her back, tilting her head with a smile.

Shen Yanhui leaned against the door frame, looking at her little-fox-like appearance, and curled the corners of his lips: "I've been discovered."

Gu Yan: "Then why didn't you tell me?"

He walked over and stood still in front of her: "If I had told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."

She thought that made sense, but she still couldn't help wanting to tease him: "Then what if I didn't want to come today?"

He looked at her: "You would want to come."

She was choked for words.

How could this person be so certain?

She was unconvinced: "How do you know?"

He said: "Because I want to watch the sea with you."

Gu Yan was stunned, then laughed and reached out to wrap her arms around his waist: "Since you want to watch it, then I will reluctantly accompany you."

——

This really was a good place, isolated from the rest of the world.

Except for the morning of the first day, when Gu Yan struggled to get up to watch the sunrise, she basically never woke up in the morning after that.

Every day when she opened her eyes, the bright sun was hanging in the sky; sometimes there was someone beside her, and sometimes the spot was empty. But when Shen Yanhui wasn't there, there was always a glass of warm water on the bedside table, along with a black card with his handwriting left on it.

After waking up, Gu Yan would leisurely explore the island, and Shen Yanhui would follow by her side.

She would go to the beach to splash in the water, and he would watch her from the rocks not far away.

She would paint on the terrace, and he would sit nearby reading a book, occasionally looking up to glance at her.

When she woke up from her afternoon nap, she would find herself encircled in his arms, not knowing when he had come in.

The days passed as if they had been stretched out, impossibly slow.

This afternoon, Gu Yan was lying on the terrace railing, looking at the beach revealed after the tide went out, when her eyes suddenly lit up.

"Shen Yanhui!"

He walked out of the room, holding a glass of fruit juice in his hand, and held it to her lips.

"Hmm?"

Gu Yan took a sip subconsciously, then pushed it away and said excitedly, "Let's go beachcombing!"

Shen Yanhui's hand paused: "Beachcombing?"

"Yeah!" The young girl's eyes were bright, "The tide is out, there must be so many things on the beach! Little crabs, seashells, maybe we can even dig up some sea cucumbers!"

Shen Yanhui looked at her enthusiastic appearance and was silent for a second.

He really wanted to tell her that the area around this island was a reef zone, the beach was man-made, and it was impossible to go beachcombing at all.

But...

Forget it, let her play.

He had someone prepare a set of tools: a small bucket, a shovel, gloves, everything one could need.

Gu Yan changed into a pair of denim shorts, paired with a crop top, stepped into a pair of flip-flops, and was about to run to the beach in high spirits.

Shen Yanhui quickly grabbed her: "The sun is very strong, wear a hat."

As he spoke, he took out sunscreen spray and sprayed her all over, front and back, top to bottom, before letting her go.

The young girl ran far away in an instant, and he followed behind her at a leisurely pace.

For the whole afternoon, Gu Yan dug countless holes and overturned every rock that could be overturned.

Harvest:

Zero.

She squatted on the beach, looking at the fingernail-sized seashell in her hand, and fell into deep thought.

This... counts as a seashell, right?

She stood up, carrying the empty little bucket, and walked toward him listlessly.

"Nothing at all? As expected, the videos are all lying."

Shen Yanhui picked up the seashell in the bucket: "Isn't there one here?"

Gu Yan was annoyed: "You're making fun of me!"

"No." He carefully put the fingernail-sized seashell back into the bucket, "Going back?"

Gu Yan nodded; there was nothing, and it was meaningless to keep digging. Besides, the sun was about to set.

Shen Yanhui didn't move his feet, but just squatted down: "Get on, I'll carry you back."

"Why, trying to please me..." Gu Yan muttered, but she still climbed onto his back.

He stood up steadily and walked back with her on his back.

The setting sun dyed the entire sea a golden red, and the waves slapped the beach one after another. She lay on his back, swinging her legs, and suddenly felt that not digging anything up didn't seem so important anymore.

The two walked slowly along the beach, and before long, Gu Yan started to get restless.

The man's body emitted a pleasant cedar scent; she took a deep breath, but felt it wasn't enough. His neck was right in front of her, so she simply leaned over and took a bite of his neck.

It wasn't hard, like a puppy grinding its teeth.

Shen Yanhui's footsteps paused: "Gu Yan."

"Hmm?"

She answered innocently, but her hands had already started to get restless. She reached into his front placket, touched his firm pectoral muscles, and even gave them a pinch.

"It feels so good, how did you train it? Teach me."

Shen Yanhui stopped walking: "Have you forgotten where we are?"

Gu Yan continued to be innocent: "On the beach."

He turned his head to look at her, his gaze a bit dangerous.

Gu Yan grinned, and before she could speak, he suddenly loosened one hand, and she slid down a bit, scaring her into quickly hugging his neck tightly.

"Shen Yanhui! What are you doing!"

He supported her again, but took the opportunity to pat her on the butt: "Behave."

Gu Yan wouldn't have it, grabbed his ears, and spoke in a tone of accusation, though her face was full of smiles: "Big bad guy, who told you to hit me!"

Shen Yanhui didn't speak, but loosened his hand again, and Gu Yan immediately hugged him back.

However, her quietness usually only lasted for a while.

When they reached the road, Shen Yanhui wanted to put her down, but she wouldn't have it, patted his shoulder, and laughed loudly: "Giddy-up! My horse, run!"

Shen Yanhui: "... What?"

Gu Yan smiled slyly: "Giddy-up, I said run faster."

Shen Yanhui lowered his eyes and chuckled, continuing to walk forward.

She thought he didn't understand, so she leaned into his ear and said it again: "Shen Yanhui, giddy-up! Run fast!"

Shen Yanhui patted her butt again, signaling her to lie still: "Want to ride a horse?"

Gu Yan: "Mm-hmm!"

Shen Yanhui: "I'll let you ride enough tonight."

Gu Yan was stunned for a moment: "...?"

Driving again! Why does every little thing have to turn into driving!

——

Returning to the villa, the sky had already completely darkened.

After the two ate dinner in the dining room, Gu Yan hurried to take a shower; the sea breeze had been blowing all afternoon, and she felt salty and sticky all over, which was very uncomfortable.

After taking a comfortable bath, she came out wearing a camisole nightdress.

Returning to the bedroom, she didn't see Shen Yanhui's figure. She thought for a moment and walked toward the third-floor terrace.

The light on the terrace was on, casting a warm yellow glow over the wide lounge chair. The sea breeze blew in waves, carrying a salty, damp scent.

Shen Yanhui was indeed there.

He was leaning against the lounge chair, watching her as she climbed the stairs.

"Come here." His voice was a little hoarse, a little languid.

Gu Yan walked over and sat down beside him: "What are you doing here?"

He reached out, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her ear. "Waiting for you."

Gu Yan felt a bit ticklish and dodged to the side, leaning against his chest; the tip of her nose caught the scent of his post-shower skin.

Now, there were only the two of them left in the house.

All the service staff had already left; on the entire island, there was only this one lamp, and only them.

She suddenly felt a little nervous.

His hands had already begun to ignite a fire.

The strap of her nightgown was pushed down to her shoulder, and his kisses landed on her collarbone. The sea breeze blew over, a bit cool, but his lips were hot.

"Mm..." A sweet, cloying moan spilled from her mouth.

Gu Yan's body stiffened, and she bit her lower lip, but the next second, it was gently pried open by the man.

"Shen Yanhui..." She called his name with a trembling voice.

"Hm? What is it? Don't you like it?"

Moonlight fell on the young girl's face; her eyes seemed veiled in a mist of water, carrying a hint of panic.

He curled the corners of his lips: "What are you afraid of?"

Gu Yan hummed softly: "We're outside..."

"No one can see." He lowered his head and bit her ear lightly.

She shrank her neck, sensing that his hand had already reached into her nightgown, his warm palm pressed against her waist, stroking it delicately.

Her lips were kissed again, and she closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Until...

She couldn't help but bite the back of her own hand, struggling not to make a sound.

It was too quiet.

All around there was only the sound of the waves and the wind; she was afraid that if she made a sound, it would be amplified by this silence.

But he wouldn't let her hold it in, pulling her hand away.

"Make a sound." His voice was low, carrying a hint of wicked amusement.

Gu Yan shook her head.

He then deliberately stopped; Gu Yan only felt a strange sensation, and she didn't know how to relieve it. She could only open her eyes and look at the culprit with grievance.

But she only looked, unable to say anything more shameful.

"Don't want me to hear?" He asked, knowing the answer.

Gu Yan bit her lip and nodded.

He let out a low laugh and leaned down to peck at her.

"Shen Yanhui..." She called his name, her voice already becoming uncontrollable.

Shen Yanhui leaned down, pressing against her ear: "Call me what?"

She bit her lip and didn't answer.

"Call me what?"

"Husband—" She finally called out, her voice scattering into the sea breeze.

Shen Yanhui was finally satisfied.

The sound of the waves came in waves, and so did her cries.

Gu Yan didn't even know how much time had passed.

She only remembered him * her over and over, forcing her to call him husband. She remembered being unable to bear it, her screams erupting, drawing his low, hoarse laughter.