Jiayu Pavilion.
As one of Modu's high-end residential communities, its overall architectural style was inspired by French Neoclassicism.
Combined with modern technology, it was particularly luxurious.
Driving to such a prosperous area for the first time, Lin Shen was a little nervous.
Fortunately, the security guard was very friendly. Not only did he not ask too many questions, but he even showed concern for Qin Yuenan in the passenger seat.
"Hello, President Qin! Please take care of yourself. Don't drink too much."
"Mm."
Qin Yuenan nodded. After Lin Shen drove into the complex, she directed him into the underground parking garage.
"Did that security guard think I was a designated driver?"
Lin Shen only realized after he parked the car, which made the corners of the usually expressionless Qin Yuenan's mouth curl up slightly.
"You could take off the designated driver's vest and they'd still recognize you."
"Looks like your foot is almost better, Nan. You're even in the mood to joke around."
Lin Shen had originally planned to carry Qin Yuenan home on his back again, but she insisted on walking by herself.
Left with no choice, he could only help her into the elevator and up to Apartment 1602 in Building 5.
The moment he walked in, Lin Shen was stunned by the clean and tidy apartment before him.
The black-and-white decor was exquisite and elegant, simple yet grand.
Although it was only a two-bedroom, two-living-room apartment, the space was extremely spacious. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows on the balcony offered a panoramic view of the tightly packed skyscrapers.
"How much must this cost?"
Lin Shen couldn't help but sigh in admiration as Qin Yuenan hopped on one foot to pour him a glass of warm water.
"The monthly rent is thirty thousand. To buy, it's ninety thousand per square meter right now."
"So you paid in full...?"
"I'm renting."
Qin Yuenan cut him off before he could finish.
"The environment here is nice, it's close to the company, and the property management is good."
"Rich lady."
Lin Shen did some quick math. With his daily income of four thousand yuan, it wouldn't be impossible for him to move in and become Qin Yuenan's neighbor.
'But it's not the right time.'
"Here, take this."
Qin Yuenan brought out a bottle of red wine from the kitchen, casually put it in a plastic bag, and shoved it into Lin Shen's hands.
"It was a gift from someone. I don't drink."
"This bottle looks really expensive..."
Lin Shen was stunned after glancing at the wine's label.
'Le Pin?!'
It came from the Pomerol appellation on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, France—one of the most famous wineries in the world.
Its wine was the progenitor of "garage wines," the absolute king of reds!
The bottle in Lin Shen's hands had to be worth at least twenty thousand yuan!
"This is too valuable."
Just as Lin Shen was about to refuse, Qin Yuenan fixed him with an icy stare.
"I told you to take it, so take it."
"Alright."
Lin Shen didn't protest further. He accepted the wine and made a phone gesture by his ear before leaving.
"Nan, call me if you need anything."
"Mm."
After watching Lin Shen leave, Qin Yuenan inexplicably let out a soft sigh of relief, and her pounding heart gradually calmed.
She sat on the sofa to rest for a moment, then took off all her clothes and stepped into the bathroom to shower.
WHOOSH—!
Qin Yuenan closed her eyes and tilted her head back, letting the warm water stream over her entire body—except for her left hand—as her thoughts drifted away.
She recalled all the little moments with Lin Shen from today, especially the final stretch when he carried her down the mountain, a memory she cherished immensely.
SLAP—!
Qin Yuenan slapped her own cheek, snapping her slightly dizzy mind back to clarity.
She turned off the shower, opened the door, and stepped out from the billowing steam.
After toweling herself dry, Qin Yuenan casually wrapped herself in a bathrobe and went to the kitchen.
She opened the refrigerator, took out an unfinished bottle of red wine, filled a wineglass halfway, and carried it to the living room.
Sipping her wine, Qin Yuenan sprayed her ankle with Yunnan Baiyao as the doctor had instructed.
The cold sensation made most of the swelling subside.
Qin Yuenan stared blankly for a moment before coming to her senses and rubbing her aching brow.
'I must be really tired. Why do I keep thinking about Lin Shen?'
Qin Yuenan took her laptop out of the bedroom, planning to deal with this week's work and keep herself as busy as possible.
Because as soon as she had a free moment, her thoughts would involuntarily turn to Lin Shen.
'There's definitely something wrong with me!'
A few minutes later, Qin Yuenan irritably snapped her laptop shut, drained her wine, and walked to the refrigerator, intending to drink another half-glass to help her sleep.
'It's the weekend tomorrow anyway. Whatever!'
'Time for bed!'
*
*
"What time is it?"
In the dim forest, Qin Yuenan felt like Lin Shen had been carrying her on his back for a long time, but they still couldn't find the way down the mountain.
This immediately sent her into a bit of a panic.
"Shouldn't we call the police?"
"My phone's dead."
After Lin Shen set her down, Qin Yuenan said reproachfully.
"I'm sorry. If it weren't for me..."
"Is just saying sorry going to help?"
Lin Shen suddenly snapped, making Qin Yuenan's heart tremble.
The next second, she felt herself enveloped in a sphere of warmth. The dark figure before her grew larger, and then his lips captured hers fiercely.
!?
Qin Yuenan's mind went blank. She shoved Lin Shen away forcefully and said angrily.
"Are you crazy? We're in the middle of nowhere! What do you think you're doing?"
"Doing what you want to do."
Lin Shen chuckled, leaving Qin Yuenan baffled.
'What I want to do?'
Before Qin Yuenan could react, Lin Shen lifted her up, pinned her against a thick tree trunk, and, cupping her face, continued to kiss her with wild abandon.
Such a rough and forceful act ignited her desire to resist.
However, faced with the vast difference in strength between a man and a woman, her struggles were futile.
'Wait!'
*
At 2:30 AM, Qin Yuenan's eyes flew open in bed.
She was panting heavily, the gentle breeze from the air conditioner, set to 25°C, caressing her sweat-drenched cheeks.
'A dream?'
'Was that just a dream?'
Qin Yuenan sat up and buried her face in her hands. Instead of calming down, she felt herself starting to lose her mind.
'Am I sick in the head?'
Qin Yuenan turned on the nightstand lamp, picked up the glass of water on it, and drained it in one gulp.
GULP!
As the cool liquid flowed down her throat and into her stomach, she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, her restless heart finally settling.
"Phew—!"
Qin Yuenan thought about getting out of bed to go to the kitchen for another glass of water, which finally helped her calm down a little.