Night falls, and beneath the shroud of darkness the whole Northern City glitters with lights.
This city, belonging to the northern fortress of Country G, shines with dazzling lights at night, beguiling the heart.
The whole Northern City is boundless in beauty, especially after nightfall when its snowy world stands unique—an exquisite sight.
From the unique mountaintop hot spring, one can see the distant Northern City’s night lights—misty and resplendent.
Wen Li lay by the edge of the pool, squinting at the distant mountains below. The water’s temperature was just right, and many nourishing herbs had been added within.
Soaking like this, the gentle fragrance of herbs spreads, with a lulling effect that draws one to sleep.
After spending so long in the Northern Mountain, she naturally knew she had to dispel the dampness in her body, so upon coming down she gave herself two packs of medicine.
At this moment the fragrance of medicine fills the air—it is precisely the time for it to take effect.
She let out a comfortable hum. The open‑air hot spring worked wonderfully, and the hotel had used the principle of elevation drop to connect the top floor with the mountaintop’s natural spring.
Here one can soak in the hot spring while it snows, and also overlook the Northern City’s night view below—it counts as a hotel with the finest choice of location.
Nothing is more romantic than soaking in a hot spring amidst ice and snow.
The woman in the pool wore a specially made black lace bustier and short skirt. Her figure was well‑proportioned, with a slender waist and graceful hips, and in the water her skin appeared even fairer, alluring.
Half of her back was exposed, while her black hair, like seaweed, floated and spread gracefully in the water.
Droplets beaded upon her back, like morning dew, falling one by one—tempting to be plucked.
When the man entered, this was the scene he saw: she lay by the pool’s edge, gazing with ease at the distant, shimmering lights of the Northern City.
Fu Yuxiu walked across the soft carpet, stood at the glass doorway, removed his black bathrobe, and stepped down into the water along the submerged stairs.
Wen Li kept her eyes closed, as if dozing, yet she could feel the water in the pool ripple slightly.
A slightly cool hand reached over, gently drawing her into an embrace.
Wen Li, eyes closed, leaned against his chest, graceful as a languid cat.
"Finished the meeting?"
The man lowered his head, kissing her cheek again and again: “How long have you been soaking?”
"About half an hour or so."
Fu Yuxiu kissed her face and said, “Stay in a little longer, then we’ll go up—too much soaking can make you dizzy.”
Wen Li opened her eyes, a trace of languor in the upward tilt of her gaze, like the most precious Persian cat.
"Doesn’t your room have a hot spring too—what are you doing running over to mine?"
The man chuckled softly, lifted his hand to smooth her wet hair, and said, “It’s not like I don’t have a wife—why should I sit alone in an empty room?”
In a room like this, what man would not be accompanied by a beauty?
If he stayed alone in his room, others would think he had some dysfunction.
Besides, his wife is right here, just a wall away—no man would willingly deny himself like that.
"Just today we came down from the northern mountains—you’ve been exhausted for days. Back there, every night you slept in my arms. Now without me, I worry you won’t be used to it."
This was probably the most shameless line Wen Li had ever heard up to now.
But she had grown used to it; the adjustments over this time had already made her accustomed to the man’s presence.
Back in the northern mountains she was well cared for—when tired someone carried her, when hungry someone prepared food, she hardly needed to think of anything at all.
The others seemed to be on a survival trip in the wild, but Wen Li looked as if she were on vacation.
This man was frighteningly thorough, meticulous in everything, never once leaving Wen Li anything to worry about.
“We’ll stay here for two days before returning to the Imperial Capital,” Fu Yuxiu whispered close to Wen Li’s ear.
“Why?” Wen Li glanced at him side glance.
The man lifted his hand, his fingertips brushing through her hair. Over these months, it had grown much longer than when they first met.
“The northern mountains are bitterly cold, and you’ve stayed there for days. It’s not good for a girl to be chilled like that. The hot spring here is quite nice—let’s soak a few more days before heading back, to drive the cold from your body.”
Speaking, Fu Yuxiu held her and stepped down another tier, sinking them deeper into the water.
At this moment, beneath the water, their bodies were entwined—Wen Li was seated entirely on the man.
One arm wrapped around the girl’s waist, drawing her against his chest; the other rested on the pool’s edge, his movements languid.
As the steam rose around them, the heat between their bodies grew ever stronger.
“Just as well—your body still isn’t fully recovered from the detox. You can soak these two days too,” Wen Li said.
In the northern mountains she was cared for tenderly—after she rested, he would tuck her icy feet into his arms to warm them, and dry her soaked shoes and socks.
His care was meticulous, but if anyone carried the deepest chill, it was probably this man.
“Not so good?”
At Wen Li’s ear there rose an extremely dangerous voice.
Her body was forcibly turned to face him, and Wen Li stared wide‑eyed at the man’s half‑smile lingering at his lips.
His long fingers slid beneath the girl’s arm, tracing across her back, then pressed hard at her nape, holding her immobile.
The chill, sharp and biting, invaded her mouth; Wen Li clung to him tightly, bit by bit consumed.
Ripples stirred across the water; Wen Li’s tongue went numb, and that damned man clung to her, refusing to let go.
One hand pressed her down with force—that was one thing. But beneath the water, the other hand pinned her legs, binding them around his waist.
At this moment she hung on him like a sloth, her whole body draped over his.
Their breaths tangled together; Wen Li felt the skin beneath her palm grow hotter, inch by inch.
By the time he let go, Wen Li’s breath was already uneven—whether from the hot spring or something else, she couldn’t tell.
The girl’s once‑fair skin was now tinged with a faint blush, delicate as a lotus rising from water.
In the man’s narrow eyes, dark as ink, a heavy desire shimmered.
“Not okay?” he lowered his head, his voice hoarse.
Wen Li lay against his shoulder in silence, while Fu Yuxiu’s ragged breathing sounded at her ear.
Receiving no answer from the girl, Fu Yuxiu lowered his head and bit hard at her slender neck, his breathing heavy.
“Wait a little longer…” His words sounded as if spoken to himself.
This little thing had just turned twenty—old enough, yet still far too young.
“Soak by yourself.”
Fu Yuxiu ground his teeth, released her, rose from the pool, and went into the bathroom.
Wen Li watched his movements, a faint smile touching her lips as she gently raised her hand to the spot he had bitten.
The man’s willpower was impressive—every flame he stirred, he managed to extinguish himself.
After soaking enough, Wen Li rose from the pool, dried herself, and slipped into soft pajamas.
Just as the phone rang, she had finished changing her clothes.
It was Su Jingjing’s call; since arriving in Beicheng, Wen Li hadn’t had time to reach out to her.
“So you’ve forgotten your old home, haven’t you? All this time you never contacted me—off with Young Master Fu, living sweetly together like a pair of lovebirds.”
From the phone came Su Jingjing’s voice.
Wen Li poured herself warm water and replied, “What, are you jealous?”
The moment she heard this, Su Jingjing burst into loud mockery on the other end.
“Good heavens, your voice is so soft it’s practically dripping—don’t blame me for the bad thoughts. Are you two lying together right now?”
Su Jingjing spoke while glancing at the time—it was only 7:30 p.m., still quite early.
Mr. Fu really is formidable.
“No wonder he’s the famous young master of the Fu family—he’s already conquered you, the ice rose, so quickly. Shouldn’t I marvel at his speed?”
This girl’s temperament was cold—in plain words, a little too old‑fashioned.
Having gone through much, she seemed detached, without desire—yet her face was strikingly beautiful, and in Evans everyone called her the Ice Rose.
A rose with a cold temperament but dazzling beauty—quite possibly with thorns.
“If you’ve got something to say, say it. If not, I’m hanging up.”
Su Jingjing hurriedly spoke to stop her, “Wait, don’t! This is serious business.”
Wen Li held her cup of warm water, waiting for the person on the other end to continue.
“All the contact addresses taken from Wanta have been tracked. I’ve sent messages over there too. Qingya will be staying in Continent D for a while. Also, Nangong Ye asked about how you’re doing—do you want to give him a call back?”
After Wen Li withdrew from Evans, she handed the position to Nangong Ye—in other words, Nangong Ye is now the commander of Evans.
This girl could be called ruthless—nearly a year, and she hadn’t made a single call. When Nangong Ye finally got her message, he chased her with so many questions she almost couldn’t answer.
She really is a ruthless girl.
“That’s all?”
Su Jingjing went on, “Also, as you asked, I’ve thoroughly investigated the Li family’s network and business dealings over the years. Li Langhua is indeed capable, with an iron hand—the Li family has been managed well. I’ve also contacted related organizations, and I’m still waiting for their response.”
Back when the Wen family was wiped out, the medal found at the scene pointed to a rather small organization at the time.
A small assassin organization, tasked with taking on shady, unspeakable contracts.
But after so many years, that organization has already merged into others, and the case files from back then are likely destroyed.
“Which organization?”
“Viper.” Su Jingjing said, manually sending the file from her computer to Wen Li’s phone.
“I heard this organization merged under the Ning family five years ago, becoming part of them—now they belong to the Nings.”
Ning Muzhang and Wen Li have a grudge. To get information from the Ning family, ordinary methods probably won’t work.
“Got it. You keep watch on your side.”
Su Jingjing nodded, “Many in the capital had dealings with your parents. Your mother’s first exhibition there was held in a Fu family gallery—said never to be lent out, yet she was the first. More importantly, half the paintings from that show were bought by Ning Yeqing, the Ning family head at the time. After that, your mother held twenty‑seven exhibitions in the capital, and nearly half of her works were purchased by the sons of the city’s powerful families.”
Back then, it was also a romantic farce—a laughingstock of fleeting charm.
That woman who painted covered in pigments—her beauty was breathtaking, though she was a foreign painter of unknown origin and family.
Yet she could make all the noble sons of the capital empty their purses, just to win a beauty’s smile.
This also made Hua Yan, for a long time, the thorn in the eyes of the capital’s socialites and noble ladies.
“Then how did she come to the capital?” Wen Li asked in puzzlement.
Su Jingjing thought for a moment, “I heard the one who signed the name to let your mother hold her first exhibition in the Fu family’s gallery was Fu Dingfeng.”
That is, Fu Yuxiu’s grandfather.
Everything seemed so enigmatic, shrouded in confusion.
It’s been more than twenty years—trying to investigate clearly now, with the people involved gone, is no easy task.
Wen Li’s fingers rubbed against the cup, and she fell into deep thought.
“If you want to understand these matters, you’ll likely have to speak with Li Langhua—perhaps she knows something.”
Even without direct contact, Hua Yan is still Li Langhua’s daughter‑in‑law—the woman her son married. Li Langhua surely wouldn’t be completely in the dark.
“Got it. You handle the D‑continent matters first. For now, don’t tell them where I am.” Wen Li raised her hand to press her temple.
Su Jingjing nodded, “Then I won’t disturb your spring‑night moment.”
Just as her words fell, the bathroom door opposite Wen Li opened, and a man stepped out, hair wet, short, with a bathrobe tied at the waist.
Water dripped from his tousled hair, sliding down along his collarbone—the scene was irresistibly alluring.
“Li girl! Where have you been? I’ve been injured for days and you never came to see me—you heartless thing!!” Lu Zhizhou’s voice came through the phone.
Neither too loud nor too soft—just enough for the man who came out to hear clearly.
“Why haven’t you rushed back to see me? If I die, who’ll serve you tea, massage your shoulders, and pound your legs!” Lu Zhizhou’s heart‑rending cry rang out from the other end.
“I don’t care! If you don’t come back soon, I’ll sleep in your room and wait for you!”
Before Wen Li could hang up, the man’s still‑chill hand reached out and took the phone from her.
“She’s busy right now.”
Lu Zhizhou froze, while beside him Su Jingjing struggled to hold back her laughter.
“Who are you?”
Fu Yuxiu chuckled lightly, “Her man.”
As the words fell, the man cut off the call and lowered his gaze to Wen Li.
Su Jingjing looked at Lu Zhizhou, still stunned like a wooden chicken on the carpet, and waved her hand in front of him.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you?”
He was scared silly by that man, that’s what it was.
Lu Zhizhou gave a snort and started redialing. “What kind of man stays in someone’s room instead of sleeping? What if Li girl gets tricked!”
After the call he made was hung up, Lu Zhizhou sat on the floor looking rather dejected.
How did it end up like this?
“Stop struggling. If you don’t make the call, probably nothing will go wrong. But if you keep dialing, well… who knows.” Su Jingjing said with a cheerful smile.
Lu Zhizhou tossed the phone aside, looking thoroughly dejected.
“Don’t be like that, let me change your medicine.”
Su Jingjing felt a pang of sympathy—after all, the man was still injured, and Wen Li had only left some medicine before leaving.
She hadn’t even taken the time to come back and check on him—Lu Zhizhou was truly upset.
“Not changing.” With a huff, he got up from the floor and stormed upstairs.
Su Jingjing closed the medicine box. “Fine, if you won’t change it, then don’t.”
Once he gets some sleep, he’ll be fine—Lu Zhizhou is just like that, carefree and thick‑skinned.
“Hopefully Wen Li won’t meet too tragic an end—her official husband clashing with a suitor dialing in, tsk tsk…”
Su Jingjing gave a snort—by the usual script, she’d probably be stuck in bed for three days and nights.
But that man is rather bewitching—it’s just unclear what he’d be like in such a moment.
Don’t be all show and no substance—looks good but useless.
..........
On the hotel’s warm‑white bed, the neatly folded sheets and quilt were now full of wrinkles, right at the center.
The man, freshly bathed and dressed, now pressed down hard on the young girl beneath him, refusing to let go.
The damp traces from his short hair spread across the white pillow, heavy breaths rising and falling.
“Are you angry?” Wen Li lifted her hand and brushed against his handsome profile.
“Mm.” He gave a grunt, holding tight to the person beneath him, refusing to let go.
Just hearing the phone was enough to make him this angry—no wonder her decision to move out of the villa back then was so right.
“It’s getting late. Aren’t you tired after these past few days? Go get some rest.”
Wen Li began to drive him out.
The man’s room was right next to hers. After all the commotion these past days, Wen Li now needed sleep.
Fu Yuxiu propped himself up on one hand, gazing at the person beside him. “You’re my girlfriend—why shouldn’t I sleep in the same bed with you?”
Wen Li thought for a moment, then suddenly hooked his chin with her hand. “If you can hold yourself back, I’ve got no objection.”
In the end, the one who suffers is still him.
Fu Yuxiu leaned closer, kissed her while holding her tight. “If I can’t hold back, then I simply won’t.”
This little thing showed not the slightest sign of pity for him.
Wen Li chuckled softly, gave him a little push. “Move over a bit, I’m going to sleep.”
The man tightened his grip on her hand, shut his eyes with unreasonable stubbornness. “Sleep like this—or don’t sleep at all.”
Wen Li could guess why he was so angry—Lu Zhizhou’s remark about sleeping in her room had unsettled him.
Su Jingjing once said: no matter how powerful a man is, in love he will always act a little childish.
Once a third party appears, this childishness becomes all the more obvious.
In the past, Wen Li hadn’t believed it—now she did.
The man holding her had already closed his eyes; on the vast bed lay only the two of them.
Fu Yuxiu held her tightly, even taking care to pull the quilt over her.
With this human‑shaped pillow, Wen Li felt quite comfortable, wrapping her arms around his lean waist and resting against his chest.
Wen Li spoke softly: “You don’t have to hold back.”
The man opened his closed eyes, lowered his gaze to the girl in his arms, and spoke softly.
“This is enough.” He lowered his head, lips grazing her pale ear. “It’s not the time yet—our darling deserves nothing less than the very best in this world…”
Wen Li kept her eyes closed, the corners of her lips curving faintly.
Enough. This is sufficient.
He could understand all her pain, love her with empathy—and that was enough.
“Go to sleep, be good—I’ll be here keeping watch over you.”
Outside, at some unknown moment, snow began to fall in flurries—the whole Northern City had quietly entered its first snow of winter.
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