Song Xinya had a dream.
In the dream, she had turned into a completely naked fish.
A pair of large hands descended from the heavens, striking into the water with thunderous force.
She swam desperately, trying to escape.
But no matter which direction she swam, those hands, their veins standing out, could always catch her with pinpoint accuracy.
She was turned over and over, toyed with endlessly, wavering back and forth between overwhelming pleasure and pain.
As if it would never stop.
………
Her flight to Jingbei was scheduled for the following evening.
With less than an hour until boarding, Song Xinya still hadn’t woken up.
She slept so deeply that the world could have ended around her, until someone lifted her arm—and then her leg.
Her leg?!
A girl’s instinctive radar for self-protection came alive, jolting Song Xinya awake.
Before her mind could catch up, a slap came flying toward him.
Qin Yuhe was helping Song Xinya get dressed when her hand swung at him.
He caught her wrist, laced his fingers through hers, and pinned her hand above her head.
Then came his kiss.
He kissed her lips, his eyelids lowered halfway, his dark eyes fixed on her face. His voice was husky.
“Behave, or you’ll be punished.”
The punishment was being kissed by him.
A deep, forceful kiss.
Like rusty gears grinding painfully into motion, the fog in Song Xinya’s mind slowly cleared beneath Qin Yuhe’s kiss, and she gradually realized that she wasn’t in danger.
Though that wasn’t quite the right way to put it.
When there was no danger, he was the greatest danger of all.
Would she still make the plane?
But the selection for Gold Medal Lecturer was about to begin.
Her lifelong dream, after all these years of work, was to be chosen as a Gold Medal Lecturer.
Just before Song Xinya could push Qin Yuhe away, he released her lips.
His burning palm held her bare leg and lifted it, guiding it into her trousers before continuing to help her dress.
She leaned against his broad arm, enjoying his attentive service.
As Qin Yuhe fastened the button at her waistband, he said, “Since you’re traveling today, I didn’t put you in a dress. You’re wearing trousers instead.”
Song Xinya said, “Dresses really are more convenient.”
“For traveling, yes,” Qin Yuhe replied. “But at certain times, they’re not convenient at all.”
Too troublesome to take off.
Song Xinya said, “So whenever I see you, I’m always wearing a dress.”
A faint smile curved Qin Yuhe’s lips. “Thank you. You know I get especially impatient at certain times, so you’re being considerate of me.”
“If you know you’re impatient, then try to control yourself next time.”
Qin Yuhe gazed at her with his deep, captivating eyes. “That may be difficult. My wife is simply too charming.”
The moment she got out of bed, Song Xinya was already being coaxed into a state of delighted bliss.
………
At the airport, by the security checkpoint.
Song Xinya and Qin Yuhe stood facing each other.
She asked him, “Qin Yuhe, are you happy that I came to New York to celebrate your birthday with you?”
Qin Yuhe’s fingers brushed gently across her face, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Song Xinya, this was the happiest birthday I’ve ever had.”
Song Xinya’s eyes curved as she smiled happily. She knew that he had overcome the shadow left by his parents’ divorce on his birthday.
The dark clouds had been scattered by sunlight. From then on, every one of his birthdays would be bathed in sunshine.
Song Xinya rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips.
“Kiss & Fly—kiss first, then say goodbye.”
She lowered her heels and waved at him.
“I’m leaving. Goodbye—and I’m already looking forward to seeing you again.”
She pulled her suitcase forward, walking briskly. Then, all at once, she stopped and looked back at him, her smooth, lustrous hair floating through the air in a soft arc.
“You didn’t play the piano for me this time. By the time we see each other again, your hand should be completely healed. Don’t forget to play for me—and practice until you’re really good. I want to hear the most beautiful piano piece.”
Qin Yuhe looked at her tenderly. “I promise.”
Song Xinya turned around with easy confidence. Her thick, long hair swayed like flowing water as she strode forward on her straight, slender legs.
Even though she couldn’t bear to leave him, she had to make her departure look cool.
She hoped that by the time they met again, his hand would be healed, she would have been chosen as a Gold Medal Lecturer, and they would both have become better versions of themselves.
Qin Yuhe stood amid the crowds at the airport, watching her disappear into the distance.
Only after the plane carrying her had safely taken off did he leave.
………
There were no cramped seats or crowded aisles. Song Xinya sat in a Gulfstream G650 business jet, its seats spacious and luxurious.
A flight attendant and a male steward stood respectfully on either side of her. One squeezed fresh oranges into juice for her, while the other poured her red wine. Every member of the crew was there to serve her alone.
Qin Yuhe had contacted the aviation authorities in advance and arranged a private plane for her.
Everyone aboard—the captain, engineers, communications officer, security officer, and cabin crew—stood by for her and her alone.
When Song Xinya was hungry, a sumptuous meal, fragrant and beautifully presented, was brought to her.
When she was thirsty, freshly squeezed juice, red wine, and soft drinks were set out across the table for her to choose from.
When she was tired, a flight attendant knelt down to massage her legs and feet.
The service was first-class.
The entire air was thick with the scent of money.
She had barely slept the night before. Song Xinya lay down on the bed in the private jet and closed her eyes.
In an instant, memories of the previous night came flooding back.
One scene after another. One frame after another.
It hadn’t been a dream at all. Every bit of it had been real.
He had worn her out so thoroughly that she couldn’t lift even a finger, yet Qin Yuhe remained full of energy, enjoying himself without the slightest sign of stopping.
He had cradled her face gently between his hands, calling her Yaya, calling her sweetheart, calling her baby.
But nothing he did was gentle.
He was like a bloodthirsty beast.
She had been able to hold out through the first half of the night, but during the second half, her soul had nearly left her body, while her fingers clutched the bedding into layer upon layer of wrinkles.
She had been nailed through…
