Currently writing about Lisa's death with tears in my eyes, for all the poor innocent souls we lose in daily life.
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{Chapter: 373: Wrapped in Ribbon, Bound by Love}
Noticing this, Lin Yuan quietly guided Qiu Wanxi, Jiang Rou, Chen Yu, Xiao Lian, and Xiao He back to the villa. He didn't say much along the way, just stayed close, occasionally glancing at their expressions.
Once they were safely inside, Lin Yuan stepped out again, pulling out his phone.
In the shadows of the veranda, he made a few short but decisive calls.
First, he summoned a clean-up team. Professionals who specialized in quiet removals and non-traceable work. They would take care of the unconscious gangsters near the river.
One call. One order. No questions asked.
Next, he called the Tang family to finalize some details about the shareholder meeting the next day.
His voice remained calm and businesslike as he reviewed the agenda, anticipated problems, and gave precise instructions.
After that, he dialed Mei Yuxian.
Their conversation was longer, tinged with playful undertones, but still focused on business.
Lin Yuan had a sharp mind when it came to strategy. Whether it was corporate power plays or street-level cleanup, he was never caught off guard.
By the time he returned inside the villa, the clock was already brushing against midnight.
The first floor was quiet, dimly lit, with only the occasional flicker from the hallway chandelier.
Lin Yuan silently climbed the stairs to the second floor.
As he stepped onto the hallway, he heard soft giggles coming from the lounge area. Turning the corner, he saw a cozy scene unfold before him.
Qiu Wanxi, Jiang Rou, and Chen Yu were all gathered on the couch, chatting softly with cups of tea in their hands. Xiao Lian was holding a deck of cards and energetically waving them around while Xiao He leaned forward, her expression curious and excited.
As soon as they spotted him, Xiao Lian broke into a bright grin.
"Young Master! We're going to play some mini-games to lighten the mood. Come join us!"
She was practically bouncing with energy, trying to recapture the earlier cheer.
Lin Yuan smiled faintly. He could see right through her efforts.
After what had happened by the river, Xiao Lian was clearly trying to lift everyone's spirits.
He appreciated the gesture.
But he shook his head gently and replied, "You all go ahead and have fun. I have some things I still need to prepare for tomorrow. I'll be back later."
With that, he turned and walked back downstairs, leaving the soft hum of conversation and laughter behind.
He sat down in his study on the first floor, going over notes and shareholder briefs for the upcoming board meeting. His thoughts moved quickly—formulas, contracts, predicted responses. It was a different battlefield, but no less cutthroat.
After handling everything, Lin Yuan leaned back in the leather chair, rubbing his temples. It was already past 1 AM.
Finally, he decided to call it a night.
He stood up, stretched slightly, and made his way back up to the second floor.
As he turned the hallway corner, his steps slowed.
Right outside his bedroom door stood Xiao Lian and Xiao He.
Or rather, the two girls were tiptoeing out of his room like a pair of mischievous cats trying not to get caught sneaking cookies.
Their movements were exaggeratedly quiet, but as they turned and saw Lin Yuan standing right there, both girls froze mid-step.
Their eyes widened. Guilt was written all over their faces.
"Um… Young Master!" Xiao Lian blurted out.
"We weren't doing anything bad!" Xiao He added quickly, her voice two octaves higher than normal.
Lin Yuan arched an eyebrow.
"Oh? Then why do you two look like thieves sneaking out of my room in the middle of the night?"
"W-We were just… leaving you a surprise!" Xiao Lian said, placing both hands behind her back like a child caught stealing candy.
"Y-Yeah! A little gift… just a harmless prank! Nothing big!" Xiao He followed.
Lin Yuan narrowed his eyes, but the amusement tugging at his lips betrayed his real mood.
"Yes! There's a surprise waiting for you!" Xiao Lian chirped with a mysterious grin, her eyes twinkling.
"A surprise?" Lin Yuan raised a brow with a smile, clearly intrigued.
Xiao Lian gave a sly giggle, leaned closer, and whispered, "You'll know in a while..."
With that, she grabbed Xiao He's hand, and the two girls hurried downstairs toward their shared room. Their skirts fluttered as they moved like mischievous sprites.
As they passed by Lin Yuan, he suddenly raised a hand and gave each of them a playful yet firm pat on the butt.
Smack! Smack!
"Ahh! That hurts!" Xiao He squeaked, her cheeks reddening.
"Young Master is being mean again!" Xiao Lian pouted, clutching her backside with mock indignation.
Lin Yuan only laughed. "What kind of surprise keeps secrets from me? You two are getting more and more audacious. Looks like I'll have to teach you a proper lesson soon."
Giggles echoed down the hallway as they scampered off like naughty kittens.
Downstairs, Xiao Lian, Xiao He, and Chen Yu would settle into their rooms for the night.
Jiang Rou's room was on the second floor. As she was about to retreat for the night, she caught sight of Lin Yuan walking toward his room.
She hesitated for a second before approaching. "Young Master Lin… it's getting late. Good night."
Lin Yuan nodded warmly. "Good night, Doctor Jiang. Rest well."
"Mm." She opened her lips again, as if she wanted to say something more… but the words never came. Instead, she gave him a soft, thoughtful smile and walked away into her room.
Lin Yuan watched her go for a moment, then turned toward his own room, remembering Xiao Lian and Xiao He's cryptic smiles.
Surprise, huh? he mused, amused. He was curious now.
As he opened his door and stepped inside, Lin Yuan's movements slowed. His eyes widened, a flicker of astonishment passing across his face.
He hadn't expected this.
The lights were dimmed, casting a warm golden glow across the room. And there, sitting quietly at the edge of his large bed like a vision from a dream, was Qiu Wanxi.
She wasn't just sitting—she was waiting.
Her long, silky hair flowed over her shoulders, cascading like a dark waterfall down her back. She looked up at him with soft, shimmering eyes full of emotion—an intoxicating mix of love, nervousness, and anticipation.
But it wasn't just her gaze that stunned him.
She was dressed in a sheer pink tulle dress that hugged her delicate frame, translucent enough to hint at the perfection beneath. The hem barely reached mid-thigh, and it swayed with the slightest movement. It was innocence and allure woven together in the form of fabric.
And tied around her entire body was a long red satin ribbon, looped gently around her ankles, her wrists, her waist—finally tied in a big, elegant bow atop her head.
She was... a gift.
Wrapped, offered, trembling—but willing.
"Young Master…" Qiu Wanxi's voice was barely above a whisper, tender and shy. "This is my punishment… I lost in the mini-games with Xiao Lian and Xiao He…"
Lin Yuan blinked. "So… this is the surprise they mentioned?"
She nodded, cheeks burning pink. "They said the loser had to offer herself as a gift to the Young Master…"
He chuckled softly, stunned by how adorable—and suggestive—the entire scene was. "You really didn't have to go this far. I should call them back up here to untie you…"
Qiu Wanxi flinched, her eyes widening in panic. She quickly shook her head, the ribbon's bow bouncing slightly.
"N-No! Please don't…" she said quickly, and then added more softly, "Actually… I don't hate this. I…"
She glanced down at her own trembling hands bound with ribbon, then slowly raised her gaze to him. There was courage now in her eyes.
"I want to be your gift, Young Master."
The words were like a spell—simple but powerful.
Lin Yuan's heart stirred. The sight of her vulnerable yet sincere, wrapped in ribbons and affection, moved something deeper than desire within him.
She looked so beautiful. So earnest. So completely his.
"Wanxi…" Lin Yuan said, stepping closer.
She smiled gently, her cheeks glowing. "Thank you, Young Master… for everything. For saving me, for letting me chase my dreams, for letting me live again. My life, my joy… it all came from you. So please…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Please accept this gift. Accept me."
Then she added with a soft but passionate whisper, "I love you... so, so much…"
Lin Yuan knelt on the edge of the bed in front of her, one hand brushing the silky bow atop her head, the other gently cupping her cheek.
"I like you too, Wanxi. I've liked you for a long time," he said sincerely.
She closed her eyes as his thumb traced her lower lip.
The air between them thickened—full of warmth, unspoken promises, and growing hunger.
"You just got discharged from the hospital," he murmured, his voice low and seductive. "I should check how your body's recovering…"
"Hnn..." Qiu Wanxi blushed deeply, her breath catching.
Lin Yuan leaned in and pressed his lips to her forehead.
Then her cheek.
Then her neck.
Soft, reverent kisses that made her tremble.
His hands began to slowly undo the ribbons, not with haste, but with care—unwrapping her inch by inch, like she truly was a precious gift he'd waited to open for a lifetime.
The satin slipped from her shoulders.
One loop fell from her waist.
Her breathing grew shallow.
The moment hung between them, ripe with anticipation and devotion.
Wanxi's heart pounded wildly in her chest, but she didn't pull away.
She had waited for this.
For him.
And in his arms, she felt safe—adored—desired.
"Let me make you mine," Lin Yuan whispered into her ear.
Qiu Wanxi nodded slowly, her voice barely audible. "I already am, Young Master. I've always been yours…"
And that night, under the soft glow of golden lights, in a room filled with quiet laughter, deep emotion, and the lingering scent of rose petals…
The wrapped gift was finally unwrapped.
And the love between them was sealed—wordlessly, intimately, tenderly—through shared warmth, shared breath, and a rhythm that only the heart could follow.
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Qiu Wanxi was very satisfied with the examination and treatment that night. Lin Yuan was also very satisfied.