This dinner wasn't as extravagant as the previous one with the three women. The bill came to over 20,000 yuan, which made Xiao Cailing reluctant to part with it. She kept mumbling about how generous Guan Xing was for a long time.
There was only one car. Qin Yunluo quickly claimed the front passenger seat, and Sun Yiran made no particular objection. She simply glanced at Guan Xing and then got into the backseat with Xiao Cailing. She even purposely said, "Today, we'll trouble Dr. Guan to take us all home."
Anyone else might have missed it, but Guan Xing could immediately tell that his wife was jealous. He couldn't help but feel helpless, and he didn't dare to meet Qin Yunluo's eyes, just starting the car without saying a word.
Xiao Cailing was from Kyoto, and her home was nearby in a residential area. She was the youngest in her family, so making money wasn't a major concern. During dinner, Guan Xing had heard Sun Yiran mention that her parents were both government employees with decent salaries.
"Yiran, when you get home, give me a call so I don't worry," Xiao Cailing said as she got out of the car, but her gaze lingered on Guan Xing, filled with some distrust. Guan Xing nearly choked on his breath. He couldn't believe that Xiao Cailing, of all people, would be worried about him—when it was his wife in the car!
Sun Yiran, ever charming, smiled seductively. "Cailing, you're getting smarter, aren't you? But don't forget who I am. No one's going to take advantage of me without my consent."
After finally dropping Xiao Cailing off, Guan Xing asked, "Manager Qin, where do you live?"
Qin Yunluo chuckled softly. "I live quite far, so how about you first drop Miss Sun off, then take me home? It'll save time."
Guan Xing was about to refuse, but Sun Yiran spoke up, "Sure, Guan Xing, you can take me first. I'm really tired and want to go home and take a bath, relax a bit."
She stretched lazily in the car, her perfect body briefly revealed in the motion. Her curves, especially her ample chest and supple waist, were hard for Guan Xing to ignore. He couldn't help but feel a surge of desire, and the car sped up instinctively.
"Dr. Guan, you better go home early tonight. A good man needs to have a woman who likes him," Sun Yiran added, her words only for Guan Xing's ears. She was clearly warning him, knowing Qin Yunluo had a soft spot for him.
"Good night, Miss Qin. Sleep well," Guan Xing waved as he dropped Qin Yunluo off, leaving her with a calm, serene expression under the city's neon lights. She looked somewhat melancholic, her usual vibrant youthfulness replaced by a sadness that seemed out of place.
"Dr. Guan, turn around. I've passed my stop," Qin Yunluo said, though her place wasn't too far off. She wanted to speak to him, to ask him something she couldn't sleep without knowing.
If it weren't for Cheng Yunya's matchmaking, she might have remained at peace, but now her heart was stirred. She couldn't ignore her feelings anymore; she had fallen for him.
Guan Xing glanced at her, a little confused, and turned the car around. "Do you have something to ask me?"
Qin Yunluo smiled, and for a moment, her beauty seemed to shine even brighter under the night sky. She looked like a timeless beauty, her expression soft yet full of deep meaning.
"Miss Sun is really beautiful, and her figure is incredible. Any man would like her. Dr. Guan, I really admire you. To have someone like Miss Sun's favor, even I feel a bit jealous."
Her words were casual but carried an understanding that seemed to have pierced through everything. Guan Xing could sense that she knew more than she let on.
"You don't need to worry. I won't tell Ruobing anything," Qin Yunluo continued. "Miss Sun is well-known, but few truly understand her. I can tell that, while she's seductive and seems carefree, she isn't a bad woman. In this city, women have to wear a mask to protect themselves. From her eyes, I can tell she really likes you."
"Women like her, with difficult pasts, once they fall for someone, they'll love them for life. They're too strong to fail, so even if they endure suffering, they keep a smile on their face. A man with a woman like that is truly lucky."
It sounded like she was speaking to herself more than to him, but Guan Xing didn't interrupt. Her words gave him a deeper understanding of Sun Yiran, and he couldn't help but feel sympathy for her struggles behind that alluring exterior.
Half an hour later, they arrived at Qin Yunluo's place, not far from where Hua Ruobing lived. It was an area popular with white-collar workers.
"Dr. Guan, thank you for the ride. I won't ask you upstairs. Ruobing is a good woman, I hope you don't hurt her." These were her final words as she got out of the car.
As Guan Xing watched her leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that tonight, Qin Yunluo felt like a different person, someone he didn't quite recognize.
After she left, Guan Xing called Hua Ruobing.
"Guan Xing, you didn't go to work today. Where have you been? Are you home yet?" Before Guan Xing could speak, Hua Ruobing's warm voice came through, filled with concern. "I was about to call you, but I didn't want to disturb you. How are you?"
The tenderness in her voice made Guan Xing's heart flutter. After five years of drifting, this warmth was exactly what he had been seeking. But now, within a few days, he found himself caught between two women, both bringing him happiness in different ways, and he didn't know how to choose.
"Ruobing, I'm driving back now. I went to the hospital today to clear up some details about the last surgery. Everything's fine now, and I was invited to attend an international medical conference next Wednesday. It's nothing too big, but I really miss you. I just wanted to hear your voice."
Hearing her voice was all he wanted, and that's what he told her.
Her laughter reached his ears, sweet and playful. "Guan Xing, you're starting to flatter me. We see each other every day, what's there to miss? Anyway, be careful while driving. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
She hung up, worried about him driving and talking at the same time. Though she wanted to speak with him longer, she put his safety first and ended the call. The phone remained pressed to her cheek as she lay on her bed, smiling with a sweet, satisfied expression.
Guan Xing arrived home at Tianbi Garden, and as he opened the door, he heard a soft melody drifting from the bath. The dim lights made the atmosphere feel mysterious, like it was shrouded in mist. The beautiful figure reflected in the glass doors was seductive, with a fiery, perfect body. Every curve, every inch, exuded an irresistible charm.
"Hubby, you're back. Do you want to join me for a bath?" Sun Yiran's voice, sultry and inviting, reached his ears. Her beauty was her strongest weapon, and she intended to use it to keep him forever by her side.
In the midst of his rising desire, Guan Xing also felt a tinge of sorrow. The words Qin Yunluo had whispered earlier made him think of Hua Ruobing. Yes, Hua Ruobing was a good woman. He had never doubted that.
As he stood there, caught between the two women, he couldn't help but wonder: if he were with Hua Ruobing, would he still think about Sun Yiran?
He shook his head, trying to push away the conflicting thoughts. He stripped off his suit, pulled down his pants, and quickly headed toward the bathroom. He needed to focus on the present—on his desire for Sun Yiran—before the storm of emotions swirling in his mind took over completely.
Inside the bath, the air was thick with the scent of desire. Sun Yiran's curves, her perfect body, and her deep, seductive gaze were all waiting for him.