Chapter 429| Chapter 430| Chapter 431
Chapter 429: Discussion
Xu Guihua shook her head frantically. What objections could she possibly have?
“We are cooperating to achieve a win-win result,” Sheng Wanyan added.
“Yes, yes, absolutely!”
Xu Guihua was in complete agreement. It was an undeniable truth that a partnership could only endure if both parties benefited equally. She understood these principles of business and human relations perfectly. More importantly, she knew that when you found a reliable pillar of support, you held on tight.
“Now, let’s discuss the setup of the shop and the workshop, along with our respective shares and dividends.”
Hearing this, Xu Guihua instantly perked up. “Um… I don’t know much about financial contracts. Do you mind if I bring my mother over to listen and help me analyze the details?”
Sheng Wanyan nodded in agreement. She had already prepared three different dividend models for Xu Guihua to review. Whichever option the woman chose would be her own final decision, bound by contract without any room for later regrets. Since Xu Guihua wanted someone with more life experience to look over the fine print, Sheng Wanyan naturally had no objections.
“Of course.”
Xu Guihua let out a long breath of relief, having worried that her request might offend her guest. But profit-sharing contracts were entirely foreign territory to her; she understood none of the terminology and felt completely out of her depth. Her mother, however, had lived through decades of shifting tides and was vastly sharper than she was.
Xu Guihua dashed across the neighborhood to her parents’ house and dragged her mother out the door. Caught completely off guard by her daughter’s frantic, impetuous behavior, Aunt Xu grumbled the entire way.
“What do you think you’re doing? Are you trying to give your mother a heart attack?”
“You reckless girl, where is your respect for the elderly?”
“I was just in the middle of a wonderful chat with your Aunt Huang next door, and you barge into my house like a whirlwind to drag me out to my death!”
Aunt Xu muttered continuously, huffing and puffing as she struggled to keep up with her daughter’s swift pace. She was simply getting too old to be running through the streets.
Yet, the moment they crossed the threshold and she realized there was a guest in the living room, Aunt Xu instantly smoothed down her rumpled clothes and rearranged her face into a warm, pleasant smile. It was impossible to trace any remnant of the frantic, grumbling old lady from a moment ago.
“Oh, hello there, young lady!” Aunt Xu beamed, her eyes lighting up the second she looked at Sheng Wanyan. She stepped forward warmly. “My goodness, you are stunning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a girl quite as beautiful as you.”
Xu Guihua possessed a fierce pride and hated losing, which meant she had very few genuine friends. For her to physically drag her mother over to meet someone meant she deeply respected and cherished this guest. Naturally, Aunt Xu intended to show the utmost enthusiasm; a good woman would only lift her daughter up, never tear her down.
“Hello, Auntie. I am Sheng Wanyan.”
Sheng Wanyan introduced herself with a polite smile, and Aunt Xu quickly took her by the hand, guiding her down onto the sofa.
Aunt Xu possessed a remarkably stout frame and a pair of razor-sharp, perceptive eyes. It was clear at a glance that this old lady was a formidable matriarch who had navigated her fair share of life’s complexities.
“Mom, sit down, let me explain,” Xu Guihua said, hastily mapping out her proposed business venture with Sheng Wanyan.
As Aunt Xu listened to the blueprint, the casual warmth completely vanished from her face, replaced by a cool, calculating shrewdness. My daughter… since when did she develop such massive ambitions?
Aunt Xu shared the same view of Xu Guihua that she’d held since the girl was an infant: her daughter was a simple, straightforward creature who happened to be blessed with extraordinary luck. Xu Guihua had been fortunate enough to be born into a stable family and had grown up comfortably, even if she wasn’t a natural academic. Under her mother’s careful tutelage, she had mastered the unique art of reading people and gathering neighborhood intelligence.
Aunt Xu had never demanded grand corporate success from her daughter; she merely wanted her to live a comfortable life with a harmonious family and a steady household. It was exactly why she had meticulously screened local bachelors years ago before hand-picking Captain Fang, who was a stable battalion commander in the Bing City military at the time. It ensured her daughter remained close by, with a secure military position to rely on if anyone ever tried to mistreat her.
She had never expected her simple daughter to be such a magnet for fortune. Xu Guihua had been born into a good home, married an exceptional man, and now, she had somehow managed to stumble right into the path of a powerful benefactor.
Looking through the thick stack of garment sketches, Aunt Xu was deeply moved, understanding exactly why her daughter was so spellbound. Furthermore, she had already learned about Sheng Wanyan’s elite family background through her daughter’s previous letters. This young woman was an ironclad pillar of strength. She couldn’t quite fathom why such an extraordinary intellectual had chosen to partner with a simple character like her daughter, but she wasn’t about to question their bond. She cared only about securing her family’s future.
“Young lady, may I hear the specifics of your proposed models?” Aunt Xu asked, rubbing her hands together as she focused on Sheng Wanyan.
Sheng Wanyan laid out her cards transparently. “The first option carries the absolute minimum risk. I will retain complete ownership of the dividends, and I will pay Guihua a fixed corporate salary. We’ll start at a baseline of one hundred yuan a month, with gradual increases to match future market inflation.”
Aunt Xu rejected the first option without a second thought. She recognized that Sheng Wanyan wasn’t merely courting her daughter’s labor; she was indirectly seeking an alliance with the Xu family’s localized influence in the Bing City. This young woman was clearly built for grand corporate achievements. While she was partnering with Xu Guihua on the surface, a deeper look revealed she was anchoring her northern supply lines through the Xu family network. Once the operation scaled, the partnership would inevitably grow to involve their entire lineage.
More importantly, Sheng Wanyan was the granddaughter-in-law of the prominent Gu family. Aunt Xu couldn’t entirely parse why this girl chose to bypass the central authority of the Gus in favor of the localized Xu family, but she kept her questions to herself. She focused strictly on the metrics of negotiation.
“The second model,” Sheng Wanyan continued smoothly, “positions me as the majority shareholder with a sixty percent stake, while Comrade Xu Guihua retains forty percent. Any operational risks or liabilities down the line will naturally be distributed according to that exact ratio.”
“As for the third path… I am entirely open to hearing whatever terms you and Aunt Xu feel are fair. As long as they remain within the realm of reason, we can negotiate.”
Sheng Wanyan locked eyes with the elderly matriarch. Aunt Xu understood immediately that this third option was an official olive branch extended directly to their family.
“I will be returning to the capital in a few days,” Sheng Wanyan explained, mapping out the corporate timeline. “Therefore, I will be delegating the daily execution and oversight of the Bing City branch entirely to Comrade Xu Guihua. Once the infrastructure here is stable, I will launch our primary brand headquarters in the Capital.”
Sheng Wanyan wasn’t taking a passive role; she simply required a highly trusted lieutenant to manage the heavy lifting on the ground during the volatile early stages. Moving forward, she would remain solely responsible for the high-level corporate planning in the Capital, alongside the creative design and global direction of the entire fashion house.
Aunt Xu ran the numbers in her mind and decided a forty percent operational risk was simply too steep. Her daughter lacked the executive experience to shoulder that kind of burden alone. She turned to whisper with Xu Guihua, who readily agreed. Xu Guihua possessed a clear, grounded understanding of her own limitations. She knew that to make this work, she would ultimately have to rely heavily on her mother’s local connections and resources to secure manufacturing permits and smooth over supply disruptions.
Still, Sheng Wanyan had zero intention of drafting the extended Xu family directly onto the contract. She didn’t know the other members of their lineage well, and she had no desire to invite corporate gridlock or internal family drama into her business just to secure a localized favor.
After a prolonged, quiet deliberation, Xu Guihua looked up to deliver their counter-proposal.
“Wanyan, my mother and I have reached a decision.”
“I only want a twenty percent stake in the business. If we face operational losses or setbacks in the future, that’s a threshold I can safely absorb.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded in approval. It was clear Xu Guihua felt uncomfortable entering a lucrative partnership relying solely on her time and labor; if the brand exploded into massive success, she would feel like a parasite reaping rewards for nothing. To solidify her commitment, Xu Guihua reached into her drawer and produced a savings passbook. It held exactly two thousand yuan—her entire dowry combined with every cent of the salary she had painstakingly saved over the years. She slid it across the table.
“I am investing two thousand yuan into our starting capital. Please don’t look down on it as a small sum.”
Sheng Wanyan smiled warmly. In the late 1970s, two thousand yuan was an incredible fortune. “I would never look down on it. It’s a deal. However, I have a few strict non-negotiable clauses to add—provisions that will govern both your conduct and mine moving forward.”
Chapter 430: Partnership Sealed
Xu Guihua nodded, leaning in closely to listen to the next terms.
“Once we officially form our partnership, all stores and workshops that open under our brand will adhere to a strict rule,” Sheng Wanyan stated. “No relatives or friends of either party will be allowed to hold any positions within the company. This applies to all future expansions as well.”
The condition caught both Xu Guihua and Aunt Xu off guard. Wouldn’t it be more trustworthy to have family members helping out?
“This is non-negotiable,” Sheng Wanyan continued firmly. “I refuse to let a business I’ve worked so hard to build devolve into a tangled web of nepotism and personal favors. In the long run, allowing that kind of dynamic could ruin either me or you.”
She paused, offering a faint smile. “Of course, if there are any specific conditions you want to add to protect yourself, you’re free to bring them up now.”
Xu Guihua exchanged a quick glance with her mother. Aunt Xu remained silent; she knew this was her daughter’s venture, and it was her decision to make.
“I agree to it,” Xu Guihua said, realizing the rule actually protected her as well. After all, her resources couldn’t possibly compete with Sheng Wanyan’s influence. If Sheng Wanyan started packing the company with her own people, Xu Guihua would eventually be marginalized. A true partnership required boundaries that protected both sides.
“Excellent. Here is the contract I’ve drafted. Take your time to review it.”
Sheng Wanyan pulled out two crisp copies of a contract she had prepared well in advance. Every detail was meticulously laid out, including the exact twenty-percent profit-sharing model they had just verbally agreed upon.
Aunt Xu’s eyes widened slightly as she read over the documents. It dawned on her that this young woman had anticipated the entire negotiation; every potential outcome had been within her calculations from the start.
This girl is far from simple, Aunt Xu thought to herself. She’s even more formidable than I initially guessed. As long as Guihua follows her lead and works hard, she might truly become a woman of substance.
The contract not only specified the dividend ratios but also detailed operational boundaries, non-compete clauses, and management protocols. Sheng Wanyan seemed like a born entrepreneur—everything was systematically controlled.
With the terms agreed upon, the contracts were signed in duplicate, officially sealing the partnership.
“Should I start looking for a storefront tomorrow, then?” Xu Guihua asked eagerly.
Sheng Wanyan nodded. Securing a prime location and renovating it would take considerable time. “If you can’t find a suitable commercial storefront immediately, a small courtyard house will do. We need to secure a location for the production workshop and a warehouse first. But ideally, try to find a property that has both a courtyard and a street-facing shop.”
“What’s our monthly budget for rent?”
“We’re not renting. We’re buying.”
Xu Guihua gasped. “Buying?! How much is that going to cost?”
“As the business scales, we’ll need permanent infrastructure,” Sheng Wanyan explained calmly. “I will be purchasing the real estate outright with my own capital.”
Xu Guihua let out a quiet sigh of relief. She certainly couldn’t afford to contribute to real estate acquisitions. Her twenty-percent stake applied strictly to the retail profits from the clothing sales, not the underlying property assets. On the flip side, having Sheng Wanyan own the properties privately meant they would never have to worry about a landlord hiking the rent or refusing to renew a lease.
“How many properties do you want to buy?”
“Look around and see what’s available. Ideally, find a few locations spread across different districts; it will make opening future branch stores much easier. If the location is good and the price is right, buy it. Real estate will always be a valuable asset moving forward.”
Xu Guihua and Aunt Xu were genuinely stunned by the scale of her ambition. What else is she planning to do? Isn’t launching a clothing empire complicated enough?
“Here is a bank passbook,” Sheng Wanyan said, handing over a small booklet. “Once I settle in the Capital, I’ll send you my new mailing address. If you need more funds for property acquisition, send me a telegram.”
Xu Guihua accepted the passbook with trembling hands. When she opened it and saw the balance, she nearly fainted.
There was exactly thirty thousand yuan deposited inside—specifically allocated for her to purchase courtyards and storefronts.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll just take the money and run?” Xu Guihua whispered, completely overwhelmed by the level of trust.
Aunt Xu shot her daughter a look that clearly said, Are you an idiot?
Run where? Aunt Xu thought furiously. Her husband’s entire career is tied to the military! Her father’s pension is tied to the state! Could you run? Could your husband run? Could you abandon your entire extended family over thirty thousand yuan?
“You can’t run,” Sheng Wanyan replied with a serene smile.
Xu Guihua quickly snapped her mouth shut. It was true. Sheng Wanyan knew her entire background, her husband’s rank, and her family’s location. There was nowhere to hide.
“This capital is strictly for purchasing real estate. As for the two thousand yuan you’re investing, we will allocate that entirely toward renovating the first storefront,” Sheng Wanyan instructed, shifting back to logistics. She pulled out another set of papers. “These are the interior design blueprints for the shop. Ensure the renovations match these exactly.”
The design was striking in its clean, modern simplicity: bright white walls, two rows of plush seating in the center for waiting customers, and sleek clothing racks lining both side walls. The layout included three spacious fitting rooms and a highly organized back-stock warehouse. The entire focus was on creating a bright, elegant, and convenient shopping experience.
“We will need to hire two female sales associates for the storefront, which will also lighten your daily workload,” Sheng Wanyan continued. “The starting salary will be thirty yuan a month, plus a commission of ten cents for every garment sold. Prioritize hiring young, presentable women who can wear our brand’s clothing while they work. Seeing the garments modeled in real life will naturally draw in more customers.”
Xu Guihua scrambled to pull a notebook from her drawer, frantically scribbling down the instructions. Seeing that the business meeting was going to stretch on, Aunt Xu quietly slipped into the kitchen to start preparing lunch so the two women wouldn’t go hungry.
“Make sure you sign formal employment contracts with the staff. Require a one-month notice for resignations. Include strict clauses regarding theft or embezzlement: any employee caught stealing will be required to pay double in restitution and will immediately be reported to the police. These terms must be written clearly, and they must sign and affix their fingerprints to the document. Additionally, you will be responsible for tallying the daily sales inventory and balancing the cash register every night after closing.”
Xu Guihua nodded furiously, her pen flying across the page. She had no idea retail involved so many intricate details and safeguards. If it weren’t for Sheng Wanyan laying it all out, she never would have thought of any of this.
Sheng Wanyan spent the next several hours detailing operational protocols, while Xu Guihua filled over ten pages of her notebook. That simple notebook would eventually become the foundational playbook for her future wealth.
“Lastly, there’s employee training,” Sheng Wanyan emphasized. “The core philosophy is simple: absolute patience, humility, and politeness. Every customer must be greeted with a warm smile.”
In this era, state-run store clerks were notoriously rude, often looking down their noses at customers and acting as though they were doing the public a favor by doing their jobs.
“Customers are the lifeblood of our business. We cannot afford to offend them with poor attitudes. However, that doesn’t mean we tolerate abuse. We will not be intimidated by unreasonable individuals who enter the store with the sole intention of causing trouble.”
Xu Guihua underlined the last point heavily. By the time Sheng Wanyan finally stopped talking, her mouth was dry, and the clock on the wall read past one in the afternoon.
Xu Guihua let out a massive breath, finally realizing the time. “Oh no! I need to start lunch!”
She rushed into the kitchen, only to find that Aunt Xu had already prepared a lavish spread of dishes.
“Mom, you’re the best,” Xu Guihua grinned.
“Get out of my way,” Aunt Xu grumbled. Even while cooking, she had kept an ear trained on the living room conversation. It painfully highlighted how inexperienced her daughter was; Sheng Wanyan had to meticulously spoon-feed her every single detail of the operation. How did a sharp woman like me give birth to such an empty-headed girl?
Frankly, Aunt Xu felt Sheng Wanyan was being overly generous by offering a twenty-percent stake. If she were in Sheng Wanyan’s shoes, she wouldn’t have given up a single percentage point. Her daughter was basically riding the coattails of a genius.
“Bring the food out!” Aunt Xu ordered.
“Right away!”
Xu Guihua quickly washed her hands and helped carry the platters to the dining table. Just as they were setting down the last dish, the front door swung open, and her three children piled inside.
The eldest boy froze the moment he saw Sheng Wanyan sitting in their living room. Thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him, he actually took a step back out the door, looked at the apartment number to confirm he was in the right place, and then slowly stepped back inside.
Chapter 431: Gu Tingxiao’s Love and Attention
“Auntie Gu, you’re here!”
Xu Guihua’s three children greeted her politely the moment they walked in, and Sheng Wanyan beamed at the sight of them.
“My goodness, I haven’t seen you guys in a few months. Look how much taller you’ve all grown!”
The three children smiled shyly before scurrying into the kitchen to help carry out the heavy serving platters.
“Come, come, Wanyan, sit down and eat,” Xu Guihua insisted, pulling her down into the seat right next to her and immediately piling the choice cuts of meat onto her plate.
The children stared at the table, utterly dumbfounded by the lavish feast. What on earth had gotten into their mother today? Still, they knew better than to look a gift horse in the mouth. They ate greedily, not daring to utter a single question, terrified that if they asked, their mother might just snatch the food right back.
After lunch, Sheng Wanyan stayed a while longer to chat with Xu Guihua before reaching into her bag to pull out three thick red envelopes she had prepared earlier.
“What are you doing?” Xu Guihua gasped, instantly reaching out to block her hand. Why on earth was she giving the children cash?
“These are New Year’s red envelopes I prepared for the kids in advance,” Sheng Wanyan explained, sidestepping her grip. “They’re not for you, so don’t get involved. Come on, take them, guys. Consider it an early Lunar New Year blessing from Auntie Gu and Uncle Gu. The holidays are right around the corner; use it to buy yourselves some candy.”
Hearing that it was a formal holiday blessing, Xu Guihua relented. The children glanced at their mother, and only after Xu Guihua gave them a firm nod did they eagerly accept the envelopes.
“Thank you, Auntie Gu!”
“Thank you, Uncle Gu, too!”
Sheng Wanyan smiled warmly, gently patting each of their heads. She checked her watch and realized it was already three in the afternoon. If she didn’t leave now, it would be pitch black by the time she reached the base.
“I need to head back first. I’ll get in touch with you once everything is moving forward.” She turned to the older matriarch. “Auntie, I’ll see you next time.”
Aunt Xu clasped her hand tightly, looking thoroughly reluctant to let her go. How could such a brilliant, sharp girl not be her own daughter? “Alright, alright, drive safe, sweetheart. We’ll have a proper, long chat next time.”
As she spoke, Aunt Xu stealthily jabbed her daughter in the ribs with her elbow. Why is this idiot still just sitting there?
Xu Guihua scrambled to her feet with an awkward laugh. “I’ll walk you to the station. Wait up for me!”
She ducked into her bedroom, hastily stuffed a clean ten-yuan bill into a red envelope, and hurried out to press it into Sheng Wanyan’s palm. “For your little girl.”
Sheng Wanyan didn’t refuse the courtesy. She pocketed the envelope and walked alongside her toward the bustling bus stop.
“Make sure you write to me the absolute second you touch down in the Capital,” Xu Guihua called out as they neared the platform.
“I will, I will, I will,” Sheng Wanyan laughed. She wasn’t used to seeing this normally boisterous woman look so vulnerable and sentimental; it was practically giving her goosebumps.
This woman truly is a piece of work when she wants to be… No wonder Captain Fang dotes on her so much.
Sheng Wanyan gave her a final wave, boarded the bus, and found a seat for the long journey back.
With the partnership officially locked in, a massive weight was lifted from Sheng Wanyan’s shoulders. She had engineered this entire venture for a singular purpose: to secure her own independent financial leverage. She refused to rely entirely on the political goodwill of the Gu family. In the grand scheme of things, if a true crisis ever struck, the high-ranking Gu family might not be willing to sacrifice their reputation to shield a granddaughter-in-law. To truly feel secure in this life, she had to hold the reins of her own destiny.
The regional bus ride from the metropolitan center back to the remote military base took over four hours. By the time the vehicle finally groaned to a halt at the camp gates, it was already 7:30 in the evening.
Gu Tingxiao was already waiting at the snow-laden platform, clad in his heavy uniform, holding a long flashlight in one hand and a thick military overcoat in the other.
The second she stepped off the platform, he stepped forward, shaking out the heavy coat and draping it securely over her shoulders. The dark mountain road was entirely deserted, enveloped in a profound, frozen silence.
“Are you cold? Did you miss dinner?” he asked, his deep voice thick with concern. “Let’s get you inside first before the chill gets into your bones.”
He reached down to gather her hands in his broad palms. Only after verifying that her skin was warm did the tight lines around his eyes finally relax.
“Eat this first to settle your stomach.”
He reached inside his uniform jacket and pulled out a plump, parchment-wrapped meat bun. He had known she wouldn’t have eaten on the long bus ride, so he had kept the bun pressed against his chest the entire evening, using his own body heat to keep it from freezing.
Sheng Wanyan accepted the warm bun and took a grateful bite. Gu Tingxiao flicked on the flashlight, its powerful beam cutting a path through the darkness as he guided her toward the residential quarters.
“Step exactly where I step so you don’t lose your footing.”
Gu Tingxiao forged ahead, breaking the trail. The fresh powder on the path easily reached his calves, making it dangerously easy for a person to plunge into a hidden rut or pothole if they weren’t careful.
Sheng Wanyan let him wrap his large hand around hers, using her free hand to eat her dinner as she studied the towering, immovable silhouette of the man clearing her path. A sudden wave of affection washed over her, and she tightened her grip on his fingers.
Sheng Wanyan clutched him firmly, and sensing the sudden pressure, Gu Tingxiao paused and turned around to look at her. Her lips were slightly shiny from the rich filling of the meat bun, looking soft and incredibly inviting in the moonlight.
“Your face is dirty,” he murmured, his voice dropping an octave.
“What…?”
Before she could finish the question, his shadow fell over her, and her lips were firmly blocked. Gu Tingxiao’s massive palm slid behind her head, securing her in place as he deepened the kiss.
“There,” he breathed against her lips, pulling back slightly. “All clean.”
Sheng Wanyan stared at him, utterly stunned. This man was usually a stickler for military decorum and dreaded displaying affection in public, yet here he was, boldly kissing her right in the middle of the camp avenue.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed, her face flushing crimson. She frantically looked left and right, terrified someone might walk by. “What if someone sees us?”
Amused by her frantic, bashful reaction, Gu Tingxiao felt a fierce urge to squeeze her right into his bones. “There’s no one out here. Besides, we’re a legally married couple.”
Without another word, he scooped her clean off the snow, settling her effortlessly against his powerful arm as if she weighed nothing at all. He pulled the edges of his heavy military coat around her, completely shielding her from the wind.
“Put me down!” she gasped, her heart hammering against her ribs. “Someone is going to walk past!” She kicked her legs, trying to scramble back down to the snowy path.
“Nobody is coming. Only a reckless little creature like you would be wandering around the mountains in the dead of winter.”
Sheng Wanyan blinked. Did she just detect a distinct note of petulance in his voice? Was this grown commander actually sulking because she had stayed out past dark?
“Are you scolding me right now?”
“I was worried about you,” Gu Tingxiao replied bluntly. He gave her backside a firm, grounding pat, warning her to stop squirming, and continued marching toward their block.
What kind of wife was so fearless that she casually commuted across provinces alone after nightfall? He had spent the last two hours sick with worry, imagining every possible transit accident. Only his wife possessed such a reckless streak—she was like a wild alley cat that loved running off to explore whenever his back was turned.
Seeing that resistance was futile, Sheng Wanyan finally went limp against his chest, terrified that any loud struggle would draw the attention of the sentries at the nearby guard towers.
“I’m not a child,” she muttered defensively, burying her nose into his collar. “I know how to find my way home.”
“I know,” his low chuckle vibrated against her chest. “But if you ever do get lost, just stay exactly where you are. Don’t run around. I’ll always come find you.”
His deep, gravelly voice echoed right against her ear, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine. Sheng Wanyan tightened her arms around his neck, resting her cheek in the crook of his shoulder. “I’m so exhausted.”
The frantic pace of the day had finally caught up with her. If she hadn’t been braving the elements, she would have passed out hours ago.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered tenderly. “Close your eyes and rest.”
Sheng Wanyan’s lips twitched with a secretive, mischievous smile. Fine. She closed her eyes, determined to play along. She wanted to see exactly how this high-ranking commander planned to carry his fully grown wife past the residential sentries without causing an absolute scandal.
She relaxed her weight against him, fully intending to feign sleep, but the rhythmic crunch of his boots against the snow combined with his familiar, comforting scent acted like a sedative. Long before they even cleared the perimeter gates, she had drifted into a genuine, deep slumber.
Gu Tingxiao listened to the steady, soft cadence of her breathing and glanced down. Noting the faint trace of sleep dampening his shoulder, his expression softened with absolute adoration. He tightened his iron grip around her, holding her securely against his chest as he navigated the final dark corridors of the base.
Sheng Wanyan had absolutely no memory of entering the apartment or being tucked into bed. When her eyelids finally fluttered open, the moonlight streaming through the window pane indicated it was already midnight.
She had been starkly awakened by the furious growling of her empty stomach. Sitting up in the darkness, she felt a bit disoriented. She looked down at herself; her skin felt completely clean and fresh, and she had been changed into her soft cotton pajamas.
Gu Tingxiao must have given me a sponge bath and changed my clothes while I was out, she realized, a warmth blooming in her chest.
She turned her head to check the other side of the mattress. Gu Tingxiao wasn’t there, though Yiyi was sleeping soundly at the foot of the bed, clutching her little plush rabbit.
Sheng Wanyan quietly slipped out from under the covers, pulled a warm robe over her shoulders, and padded silently out into the dark living room.
