Chapter 171 Talking to Su Wanqing!
Subsequently, Shen Anyu had Su Hongmian take a [Qi Nourishing Pill] and a [Essence Nourishing Pill], and through a secret technique, he helped her refine the medicinal power. Even for Shen Anyu, this process required extreme caution; a single lapse could injure Su Hongmian and cause her Breakthrough to fail.
[Location: Su Hongmian's Bedroom - The Bed]
The atmosphere in the room was thick, humid, and heavy with the scent of medicinal herbs mixed with the sweet, intoxicating musk of a woman's sweat.
"Focus, Mianmian. Don't let your mind wander," Shen Anyu's voice was low and husky, vibrating directly against her ear.
He sat behind her on the bed, his legs crossed, with Su Hongmian nestled between them. His large, calloused hands were pressed firmly against her back, directly over the Mingmen acupoint.
The potent energy of the pills was rampaging through her body like a wild river. Without guidance, it would tear her fragile meridians apart.
Shen Anyu's internal Qi, domineering and tyrannical, surged into her body. It didn't ask for permission; it conquered. It wrapped around the chaotic medicinal energy, forcing it to submit, guiding it through the twelve standard meridians.
"Ugh... hot... it's so hot..."
Su Hongmian threw her head back, her neck arching like a dying swan. Her damp hair clung to her flushed cheeks. She bit her lower lip so hard it turned white, trying to suppress the sounds that were threatening to escape—sounds that were dangerously close to moans of pleasure.
The sensation of Shen Anyu's Qi inside her was invasive yet euphoric. It felt like liquid fire coursing through her veins, scrubbing away impurities, widening her energy channels. Every time his Qi pulsed, her body jerked in response.
Shen Anyu wasn't having an easy time either. Dense, hot sweat seeped from Shen Anyu's pores, soaking his shirt. Guiding a breakthrough for someone else was taxing, especially when the subject was a delicate flower like Su Hongmian.
He could feel the softness of her skin, the heat radiating from her curves, and the trembling of her body against his chest. It was a test of his will.
In Su Hongmian's eyes, seeing Shen Anyu's sweat-drenched forehead and focused expression only deepened her heartache. Her beautiful eyes, misty with tears and heat, were filled with tenderness.
'He is working so hard for me... even though I was willful...'
[Ding! The Destined Heroine Su Hongmian is deeply moved, plundering +5200 Destiny Value!]
Gradually, under Shen Anyu's masterful control, the chaotic energy subsided. Su Hongmian successfully entered a deep meditative state. The martial arts true energy within her body circulated rhythmically, gradually condensing and transforming towards [True Qi].
A faint white mist began to rise from the top of her head—the sign of the Three Flowers Gathering. Once this transformation was complete, she would reach the [Innate Realm], becoming transcendent and extraordinary.
Time lost its meaning in the silent room.
Shen Anyu was also somewhat tired. His stamina was god-like, but his mental energy had limits. After a day and a night of high-intensity manipulation—first, the psychological warfare and physical conquering of Wang Qin, then driving through the night, and immediately spending hours regulating Su Hongmian's lethal Qi deviation—he was drained.
Even with his [God-level Steel Body], he would still feel mentally fatigued.
Seeing that Su Hongmian's breathing had stabilized and the breakthrough was proceeding on autopilot, Shen Anyu slowly withdrew his hands. He didn't leave the bed. He simply leaned back against the headboard, closed his eyes, and began to rest for a bit.
As for Su Hongmian's Breakthrough, it was now very smooth, so there was no need to worry.
...
He didn't know how much time had passed. The sunlight filtering through the curtains had shifted from the pale blue of dawn to the golden hue of morning.
Shen Anyu suddenly felt a stir in his heart; his instincts woke him before his body moved. He sensed a soft, fragrant body leaning in from the side, carefully pressing close to him.
It was a stealthy movement, like a kitten creeping up on a sleeping tiger.
With that familiar fragrance—a mix of high-end jasmine perfume and the natural milky scent of a young virgin—Shen Anyu knew who it was without much thought. Besides, who else could be in this room besides Su Hongmian?
It couldn't possibly be Su Hongmian's adoptive mother, Su Wanqing. (Though, the thought of the mature matriarch sneaking into his bed was an amusing scenario Shen Anyu wouldn't mind exploring later).
Shen Anyu didn't rush to open his eyes. He kept his breathing steady, feigning sleep, because he felt Su Hongmian gazing at him. He wanted to know what this little girl was going to do while he was defenseless.
Su Hongmian lay on her side, propping her chin on one hand. Her other hand reached out, her slender fingers hovering over Shen Anyu's face. She traced the sharp line of his jaw, the bridge of his nose, and his long eyelashes, careful not to touch him.
Her beautiful eyes were hazy, filled with a complex mix of emotions as she looked at Shen Anyu, who had his eyes closed.
"Bad guy... you're so unfaithful," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You have Liu Mi, you have others... I know it. I smell them on you sometimes."
"Yet... why are you so good to me? Why did you save me again?"
She felt both annoyance and tenderness. She wanted to hate him. She wanted to bite him. But looking at his sleeping face, seeing the fatigue etched there from saving her life, her heart melted into a puddle of goo.
She was very, very angry about Liu Mi's matter—the betrayal of her best friend stung. But there was nothing she could do.
Su Hongmian knew that she could no longer leave Shen Anyu; she had completely fallen for him. He was her demon, her savior, her world.
Just as she leaned in, puckering her lips to steal a kiss—
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The abrupt sound shattered the intimate atmosphere.
The door was gently knocked, and Su Wanqing's magnetic, mature female voice came through the wood:
"Mianmian, An'yu, are you two up yet? Breakfast is ready, and I have something I want to talk to you about."
"Ah~!"
Inside the door, Su Hongmian's surprised cry was heard. She jumped like a frightened rabbit, burying herself instantly under the silk quilt, covering her head completely.
"Mom! Don't come in!" she shrieked, her voice muffled.
Shen Anyu opened his eyes, a playful smirk on his lips. He looked at the lump under the blanket.
"Are you planning to suffocate yourself?"
"Go away! You go out first! I can't let Mom see me like this!" Su Hongmian kicked him through the quilt. She was still wearing her disheveled sleepwear, soaked in sweat, and the room smelled... intensely intimate.
Afterward, Su Hongmian refused to come out, seemingly too embarrassed to face anyone.
So Shen Anyu had no choice but to come out. He adjusted his suit—which was impeccably wrinkled—ran a hand through his hair to style it into a "casually messy" look, and opened the door.
[Location: Su Family Villa - Living Room]
The living room was bathed in bright morning light. The air smelled of freshly brewed coffee, toast, and the faint, elegant scent of sandalwood incense.
Shen Anyu walked out, enduring a smile as he said to Su Wanqing who was waiting by the dining table:
"Auntie, Mianmian won't come out; she's a bit shy. Please tell me what's on your mind."
Su Wanqing looked him up and down. Her gaze lingered on his disheveled appearance for a second too long, her cheeks coloring slightly. She wasn't a fool; she knew what young people did when left alone in a room for hours.
"Oh, you two..." Su Wanqing sighed, shaking her head. "Mianmian is still in college. You should... act with propriety."
Su Wanqing glared at Shen Anyu, a rare hint of complaint in her eyes. But a beauty's slight anger was quite charming—it lacked actual bite and looked more like a coquettish glance.
Shen Anyu chuckled, naturally not getting entangled in such a question or trying to explain the "medical" nature of their night. Misunderstandings were often beneficial.
He walked over and sat down, finally looking up at Su Wanqing properly.
And what a sight it was.
This legendary figure in the Modu tea industry, a seemingly weak woman who came to Modu with a child, an orphan and a widow, yet in just twenty years, she started from scratch and became the leader of the Modu tea industry, with a net worth of several billion.
It could be said that she was truly remarkable.
Even Shen Anyu, who viewed most people as ants, greatly admired such a strong woman. She had the capability, the grace, and the resilience that most men lacked.
At this moment, being at home, Su Wanqing was not wearing her usual formidable business suit. Instead, she wore a loose, comfortable purple long dress made of high-quality silk.
The fabric draped over her body like water, hinting at the lush curves beneath without revealing them explicitly. The purple color accentuated her fair, milky skin, giving her an air of nobility.
The dress had a slit on the side, and as she moved, it occasionally revealed a pair of fair, smooth calves that were perfectly shaped—not too thin like a young girl's, but possessing the soft, fleshy allure of maturity.
Su Wanqing had a plump figure, a classic pear-like physique that was the dream of any man with refined tastes. Her hips were wide and rounded, promising fertility and comfort. Her waist was soft, and her chest was full and proud.
She had an outstanding temperament—gentle yet authoritative—and was full of the unique charm of a mature woman. It was the charm of a peach that had ripened to the point of bursting with sweet juice.
Compared to Wang Qin, whom Shen Anyu had just "conquered" yesterday, both were beautiful mature women. But the difference was stark.
Wang Qin was delicate, pitiful, and submissive—a flower that needed a gardener to survive.
Su Wanqing had a stronger aura, more confidence, and an intellectual sharpness. She was a queen who ruled her own garden. Conquering her would require a different approach—not just force, but mental domination.
"Would you like something to drink?"
Su Wanqing walked towards the double-door refrigerator. Her movements were graceful, her hips swaying gently with a natural rhythm that drew the eye. She turned to ask Shen Anyu, pushing her gold-rimmed glasses up her nose.
"I'm not picky; I like various flavors and can drink anything, as long as it tastes good."
Shen Anyu said with a smile, his words carrying a double meaning that made Su Wanqing pause for a fraction of a second.
"That's quite good. Men shouldn't be too picky."
Su Wanqing smiled, ignoring the subtext. She took a bottle of homemade sweet rice wine, poured it into two crystal glasses, and added spherical ice cubes.
As a well-known strong businesswoman and great beauty in the Modu business world, she naturally did not lack suitors. The threshold of the Su Villa had nearly been worn down by men of distinguished status, superior conditions, and immense wealth proposing to her.
However, for the sake of her benefactor's daughter, Su Hongmian, she decided to remain single. She guarded her chastity and her daughter with the ferocity of a tigress.
"Although this rice wine isn't a famous brand, I personally brewed it, so it should taste good. It helps with fatigue."
Su Wanqing brought over two glasses of rice wine. She bent down slightly to place one on the coffee table in front of Shen Anyu.
From Shen Anyu's angle, the loose collar of her dress dipped slightly, revealing a flash of blinding snowy white and a deep, mesmerizing cleavage.
He didn't look away. He appreciated the view openly, his gaze bold but not lecherous—just appreciative.
He took the glass with a smile, his fingers brushing against hers. Her skin was cool and soft.
"Thank you, Auntie."
He took a light sip. The cold liquid slid down his throat, sweet and refreshing, with a hint of floral fragrance.
"It's delicious. Sweet, mellow, and with a lingering aftertaste. Just like the person who made it."
He praised it profusely, his eyes lighting up.
Hearing Shen Anyu's praise, Su Wanqing was also in a good mood. A faint blush dusted her cheeks. It had been a long time since a man of Shen Anyu's caliber had sat in her living room and praised her domestic skills.
But thinking of the worries in her heart, the smile faded quickly. Her brows were furrowed with sorrow, a shadow passing over her beautiful face.
"Auntie, what's wrong? Do you have something on your mind? You seem... troubled."
Shen Anyu asked considerately, putting down the glass. He leaned forward, adopting the posture of a listener.
"Sigh..."
Su Wanqing sighed softly. The sound was laden with years of hidden burdens.
She walked over to the single sofa opposite him and sat down. She straightened her back, trying to maintain her composure, and reached up to press her forehead with her slender fingers, her posture graceful and pleasing to the eye even in distress.
She looked at Shen Anyu. This young man had saved her daughter twice. He was powerful, mysterious, and seemed to know everything. Perhaps... he was the only one who could handle the truth.
"An'yu... you are a smart child. And you have investigated us, haven't you?"
She looked him in the eye, her gaze sharp behind the lenses.
"You already know that I'm not Mianmian's biological mother, don't you?"
Listening to Su Wanqing's direct words, Shen Anyu was slightly startled. He hadn't expected her to be so direct.
Then, he smiled calmly and nodded.
"I suspected as much. You two look nothing alike, and your temperaments are opposites."
In fact, he didn't need Su Hongmian to tell him; he already knew this from the intelligence his subordinates—specifically the network inherited from the [Golden House]—had investigated.
Moreover, what made Shen Anyu even more curious was that the true identities of Su Hongmian and Su Wanqing could not be uncovered for a while. Even the System's basic scan showed [Data Redacted] or [Insufficient Authority] regarding their origins.
This meant their background wasn't just "wealthy." It involved the Hidden World, or perhaps even the Ancient Martial Arts Sects.
This secret must be significant!
[Akarin Note:
Your Support Keeps This Story Alive!
If you're enjoying this novel, your support means the world to me. Simple actions like leaving a review, power stone, comment, or sharing the story let me know you're out there. It's the greatest motivation for me to keep updating until the very end and ensures this project continues.
For those who wish to support me more directly, you can join my Patreon at [patreon.com/AkarinTL]. As a thank-you, you'll receive access to 50 advanced chapters.
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]