Chapter 107

Kong Xiyan went upstairs and found Chi Wanzhao lying on the bed, seemingly asleep.

She stepped closer and saw that Chi Wanzhao had already changed, her eyes tightly shut, a thin blanket pulled over her.

Kong Xiyan stood by the bed, tucking the blanket around Chi Wanzhao, then looked down at her deeply.

She knew these past few days had been exhausting for Chi Wanzhao—not only had she had to deal with the aftermath of Chi Chao's death, but she also had to soothe the grief of just losing her father. Although the man had done terrible things, he was still her father, and now that he was gone, it would be a lie to say she wasn't sad.

Xie Dan and Chi Xuan could weep openly in front of everyone, but given Chi Wanzhao's strong-willed nature, crying in public was harder for her than climbing to the heavens.

Kong Xiyan's hand unconsciously moved to Chi Wanzhao's face. When they first met, she had seen this face—delicate and beautiful, but also cold, distant, seemingly hard to get along with. That was fine; after marriage, they could each live their own lives, not bothering the other.

But unexpectedly, it was this icy person who brought her countless moments of warmth and happiness, who let her experience a love she had never known before.

It was a strange feeling.

So strange that even now, seeing this cold face even in sleep, she felt a warmth inside.

Kong Xiyan's fingertips traced the contours of Chi Wanzhao's face. The delicate skin under her touch softened her gaze. She stared for a long while, and then Chi Wanzhao suddenly turned over. Kong Xiyan quickly shifted to the side, but just as her hand fell to her side, Chi Wanzhao caught it.

Their fingers intertwined.

Without opening her eyes, Chi Wanzhao asked in a lazy voice, "All settled?"

She looked tired, rubbing the bridge of her nose with her other hand before slowly opening her eyes to see Kong Xiyan sitting at the head of the bed.

Kong Xiyan pursed her lips and mumbled, "When did you wake up?"

Chi Wanzhao replied nonchalantly, "When you touched me."

Kong Xiyan: ...

Did she have to put it that way? Why couldn't she just talk normally?

She shot Chi Wanzhao an annoyed glance, her eyes full of reproach.

Seeing this, Chi Wanzhao sat up halfway and looked at her. "All done?"

"You agreed?"

Kong Xiyan looked at her in surprise. "You knew?"

Chi Wanzhao shook her head. "No, but I guessed a bit. Before she came to Country A, she asked me for Brother's phone number. She wouldn't do that without reason."

Kong Xiyan lowered her eyes. "So, you never thought she might be planning to return the shares to you?"

Chi Wanzhao stared at her. "If that were the case, she wouldn't have come to Country A herself. She's afraid you'll be bullied in the Chi family in the future."

"Xiyan, I admit Wang Haining is truly a special presence in my eyes."

"You're right, she's nice to everyone."

"Especially to you."

Kong Xiyan said proudly, "Of course, she's my sister."

Chi Wanzhao pursed her lips. "Maybe change the way you address her."

Kong Xiyan: "Huh?"

Chi Wanzhao relaxed her brow. "I don't want to commit incest."

Kong Xiyan: "Huh?"

Then she understood what Chi Wanzhao meant, and she laughed, "Can't you talk properly?"

Chi Wanzhao smiled at her, reaching out to hug her. "Don't you like it?"

Kong Xiyan quickly said, "Who likes it?"

"No decency."

Chi Wanzhao pulled her closer, rubbing her head against Kong Xiyan's chest. "I was afraid if I were too proper, you wouldn't like it."

"You!"

Kong Xiyan bit her lip, glaring at Chi Wanzhao in annoyance, but softened when she saw her pale face. Chi Wanzhao nuzzled, found a comfortable spot, and lay down with Kong Xiyan in her arms.

"Let me up."

"Keep me company for a bit."

"I'm not sleepy!"

Chi Wanzhao pulled the thin blanket over both their heads and said in a faint voice, "When it's dark, it's time to sleep."

Kong Xiyan: ...

What the hell, it's not even dark.

But Kong Xiyan was indeed tired. These past few days she had been busy taking care of Chi Xuan and worrying about Chi Wanzhao in her heart, so she hadn't slept well. Now that everything had settled down, she could finally breathe easy and get a good night's rest.

Soon, the one who claimed she wasn't sleepy began to breathe steadily. Chi Wanzhao slowly opened her eyes, looking at the face so close to hers, falling into silence. Her bright eyes were dark and clear, her expression complex. In the end, she just looked for a while longer, then pulled Kong Xiyan closer into her arms.

Kong Xiyan, uncomfortable, tried to back away, but Chi Wanzhao held her waist firmly. She murmured and frowned.

The thin blanket had long been pushed down to their stomachs. When Chi Wanzhao heard Kong Xiyan's faint sound, she pulled the blanket back up, covering them both snugly.

The room gradually fell silent.

After some time, moonlight spilled in through the gap in the curtains. Wang Haining, standing outside the door, hesitated for a moment, then smiled softly and returned to her own room.

No snow fell that night.

The next day was a rare sunny day. Kong Xiyan hadn't expected to see the sun before leaving Country A.

She seemed to have slept too long; her whole body ached, and even a slight movement was uncomfortable. Chi Wanzhao, already dressed, stood before her and asked, "What's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan looked at her with dazed eyes. "My body aches all over."

Chi Wanzhao returned an even more puzzled look. "But I didn't touch you last night."

Kong Xiyan: ...

Because of Chi Wanzhao's words, Kong Xiyan ignored her all morning. During breakfast, she kept her head down and ate in silence. Wang Haining, seated across from them, asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"Xiyan, didn't you sleep well?"

Kong Xiyan looked up. "I slept well."

Chi Wanzhao took over, "She's fine, just says her body is a bit sore. Maybe it'll pass soon."

Kong Xiyan didn't respond, just lowered her head and continued eating.

Wang Haining nodded knowingly, eyeing the two with a peculiar look.

Chi Wanzhao continued eating calmly, her expression unchanged, unaffected by Wang Haining's gaze.

Kong Xiyan, however, noticed Wang Haining's eyes and felt uneasy under the scrutiny. She looked up at Wang Haining. "What is it?"

Wang Haining shook her head. "Nothing. Just thought you might need to exercise more."

Kong Xiyan tilted her head and glanced at her arms and legs. "I do need more exercise."

Wang Haining paused, then smiled. "Exercise is good, exercise is good."

Kong Xiyan felt a little baffled. She hastily finished a few more bites and put down her utensils, just as Zhou Sheng's car arrived.

They were heading to the company.

Along the way, Kong Xiyan and Wang Haining whispered to each other. Chi Wanzhao sat in the passenger seat, leaning back against the seat. Zhou Sheng caught a glimpse of her in the rearview mirror—she looked like she really wanted to eavesdrop.

That expression was so rare, at least Zhou Sheng had never seen it in all his time by her side.

Zhou Sheng couldn't help but let out a sudden laugh.

Chi Wanzhao glanced at him coolly. Zhou Sheng coughed lightly and quickly straightened up in his seat.

Kong Xiyan looked up at the two in the front, then turned back to Wang Haining. "Haining, I still think this isn't quite right."

Wang Haining patted her hand. "Don't worry too much. Mr. Chi has everything arranged."

Seeing her firm gaze, Kong Xiyan had no choice but to hold back and nod.

Soon, the three arrived at the company. Zhou Sheng opened the doors for them. Chi Wanzhao got out, but saw Kong Xiyan still sitting in the car without moving. She opened Kong Xiyan's door and asked, "What's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan tilted her head to look at her. "I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing."

Chi Wanzhao leaned in a little. "Or I could ask Brother to change the time?"

"So you can think it over?"

Wang Haining patted the back of Kong Xiyan's hand.

Kong Xiyan turned to glance at Wang Haining, then smiled at Chi Wanzhao. "No need, let's go."

Chi Wanzhao held Kong Xiyan's hand as they got out of the car. As they entered the building, she ran her thumb over Kong Xiyan's tiger's mouth, as if to soothe her.

Kong Xiyan sensed her thoughtfulness and tapped the back of Chi Wanzhao's hand with her finger, signaling she was fine.

Chi Wanzhao kept her expression calm.

Inside the company, as Wang Haining had said, Chi Yifan had already prepared everything. The shareholders' meeting went smoothly without any hitches, and they signed their names without incident.

At the moment of signing, Kong Xiyan saw Wang Haining let out a breath of relief, revealing a smile she hadn't shown in a long time.

She couldn't help but smile as well.

After handling the shares, Wang Haining seemed much more relaxed. She talked more, her whole demeanor changed. At lunch, she told Kong Xiyan she wanted to leave that evening. Kong Xiyan turned to Chi Wanzhao—before going to sleep last night, she had mentioned it to Chi Wanzhao, who only said she'd have Zhou Sheng arrange it, but hadn't given her the result today.

When Chi Wanzhao met Kong Xiyan's gaze, she said, "Come with us."

"Leave tomorrow."

"If you don't mind, come over to our place tonight and have dinner together."

Wang Haining paused, seemingly surprised by the invitation. Then she looked at Kong Xiyan, who was also looking at her with hope in her eyes. She said, "Alright."

"If it's no trouble."

Kong Xiyan smiled. "No trouble."

Then she turned to Chi Wanzhao. "Wanzhao, what do you say?"

Chi Wanzhao put down her utensils, her expression calm, and said with her thin lips parting, "Naturally, whatever my lady says."

Kong Xiyan: ...