The night was thick and heavy in Shen Que's penthouse suite at the hotel.
Heavy curtains blocked out all external light and sound, leaving only the dim glow of a wall lamp to cast an ambiguous, intimate atmosphere across the room.
Shen Que lounged in a spacious armchair, his shirt hanging open and his casual trousers discarded on the carpet, exuding an air of lazy decadence.
His head tilted back slightly, his neck elongated, his Adam's apple bobbing as his breathing grew noticeably heavier.
Eyes fixed on the ceiling light, he slowly closed them, his expression a complex mix of intoxication and restraint.
One of his well-defined hands rested casually on his bent knee, while the other clutched a delicate swimsuit dress.
The soft, fragrant fabric contrasted sharply with the veins standing out on the back of his hand.
His mind churned with the memory of what he had just witnessed—the girl curled weakly in Gu Chengyu's arms, her lashes damp, lips lush and tempting, every detail oozing allure.
What if she were his instead of Cheng Yu's...?
Shen Que imagined her in the steam, eyes reddened at the corners, fragile and irresistible, her slender waist under his control, surrendering to his every whim.
A low, self-mocking chuckle escaped his throat, rough with excitement.
Here he was, indulging in the basest thoughts, coveting the woman in his best friend's arms.
His shoulders pressed into the plush back of the sofa, his jawline taut as he lost himself completely.
The shifting shadows from the wall lamp accentuated his already rakish features, lending them a dangerous edge.
...
Not far away, in another lavish master bedroom, the atmosphere was entirely different.
A small nightlight cast a soft glow, while beyond the window stretched an endless expanse of stars and sea, serene and magnificent.
Gu Chengyu reclined against the headboard, wide awake.
One arm served as a pillow for the girl beside him, while his other hand idly played with the silken strands of her hair spread across the pillow.
Su Qianqian had changed into a nightgown, the hem riding up to her thighs, revealing slender legs. A thin white blanket draped over her waist.
She lay curled on her side, facing him, already deep in sleep.
Gu Chengyu's gaze lingered on her peaceful face.
He lifted a hand, fingertips brushing over her forehead, the delicate bridge of her nose, his eyes brimming with tenderness.
Finally, he pressed a kiss to the crown of her head, gentle, careful not to disturb her dreams.
At this moment, Gu Chengyu had no idea that his Qianqian was the object of his best friend's desire.
Only a hundred meters apart, beneath the opulent facade, desire festered silently—manifesting in different forms.
On one side, the quiet devotion of possession.
On the other, the restless stirrings of forbidden fantasy.
...
Shen Que stepped out of the shower, washing away the lingering traces of his indulgence.
Wrapped in a robe, he picked up his phone and opened the chat with Shen Nian'an, typing swiftly.
Shen Que: Stay at the hotel tomorrow morning. Cancel your plans with your friends.
The reply came instantly, the typing indicator flashing.
A few seconds later, a clearly reluctant message popped up:
Why, ge? I already promised them we’d go shopping at the boutiques.
Shen Que smirked, easily picturing his sister’s pout.
He continued typing.
Shen Que: Gu Chengyu arrived at the resort late this morning.
A full minute passed with no response—just as he thought she might ignore him, a flurry of messages exploded onto the screen:
He’s really here?!
Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!
Which room is he in?
Is he alone?
Shen Que replied leisurely: Not alone.
He’s with a woman—the same one from Yunzhijing, the one who was with Qin Yuwei. Su Qianqian.
He paused, then emphasized:
The one he broke his own rules for. The one he took back to his penthouse and kept for months.
This time, silence stretched on.
Shen Que could almost see Shen Nian'an’s stunned disbelief.
Sure enough, minutes later, her reply came through, every word dripping with venom:
Su Qianqian? So it’s her? That little bitch!
Shen Que frowned at the crude language and typed a warning: Watch your mouth.
Cheng Yu likes her. A lot.
Right now, she’s his publicly acknowledged girlfriend.
But she’s an orphan. He won’t marry her.
If you want the Gu family name, you’d better start playing your part.
The message hit like ice water, instantly dousing Shen Nian'an’s fury.
Girlfriend?
Cheng Yu actually liked that orphan enough to give her a title?
This was the first time he’d ever admitted to having a girlfriend.
A sense of crisis surged within her.
Though she loved Gu Chengyu, status and power came first.
She took several deep breaths, forcibly smothering her jealousy.
When she replied again, her tone had shifted completely—calm, obedient.
Don’t worry, ge. I understand.
To outsiders, Shen Nian'an may be spoiled, but she’s deeply in love with Cheng Yu. Of course she’d humble herself for him.
I’ll accept whatever arrangements he makes.
He’ll play around, have other women—I know how it works.
It’s the norm in our circle.
I’ll be the perfect Shen heiress, gracious to his mistresses.
Shen Que studied the last message, satisfied.
The sister he’d raised might be petty and willful in daily life, but when it came to the big picture, she never faltered.
Besides, who was to say Su Qianqian wouldn’t choose a different path in the end?
