Love Contract with the Queen Actress - Chapter 42

The scent of irises cascaded over them, and Su Yuchen felt herself sinking into a gentle sea of flowers. Slender, jade-like arms wrapped around her, and the white sweater on her shoulders gradually loosened until, finally, the hands gripping the hem of the dress crossed and pulled it off in one fluid motion.

Skin as smooth and lustrous as mutton-fat jade, carrying a fragrant warmth, pressed tightly against another body just as fair.

The dim lighting made it hard to see much beyond the flames flickering in each other’s eyes, anything farther was lost in the faint glow of the nightlight.

Only fragmented glimpses, fleeting as snapshots, occasionally caught the eye.

A delicate sheen of sweat glistened on a pale neck, the tendons faintly outlined in the dim light. A stray lock of hair clung to the damp, swan-like curve, only to be dislodged by the relentless rhythm of movement.

Knees, pale as polished marble, curled inward only to be mercilessly parted.

The one who cherished flowers had finally fulfilled a fantasy played out countless times in her mind, ruthless and unrelenting, her grip only tightening as pleading whimpers spurred her on.

The corners of those peach-blossom eyes shimmered with a watery pink hue, mist clouding the usually bright gaze as if holding back tears. Even clenched teeth couldn’t stifle the soft, trembling cries.

A long pink bolster tumbled to the floor, its strawberry-patterned pajama top splayed open, shapeless against the edge of the fallen cushion.

Tiny plastic buttons scattered like scattered diamonds, their faint glimmer barely visible in the muted light.

That night.

The rain battered the blossoms, and before they knew it, a river of spring had surged toward Su.

Overwhelming. Ecstatic.

Even the climbing roses outside the window blushed, their buds bowing as if too shy to watch.

The vast Shen estate lay silent around the second-floor bedroom, not a soul stirring in its vicinity.

Leaving them free to indulge, playful whispers and breathless murmurs weaving together like a passionate poem, its verses lush and intoxicating.

The night deepened, but sleep never came for those inside.

…

By the time she woke, daylight had long since spilled into the room.

Sunlight slanted through the window, illuminating the disheveled bed.

The shifting rays had crept from the foot of the pink bed to the blush-colored sofa by the window.

The cream-colored lace cushion, warmed by the early spring sun, radiated heat.

It could hardly be called morning anymore, just barely clinging to its tail end.

Su Yuchen stirred, her face buried in the bedding, squinting as she shielded her eyes from the bright light.

Her fingers cast a lattice of shadows, but the sun still seeped through, making her almond-shaped eyes blink reflexively.

The fractured light divided more than just brightness, it framed an exquisite scene.

Her gaze, gradually illuminated by the sun, took on a lighter hue, pupils like deep ocean trenches fixed on the silhouette before her.

Shen Wu curled up on the pink sofa beneath the window, her shoulder half-bared where her clothes had slipped.

The sunlight bathed that alabaster skin, wrapping it in a hazy, golden glow.

Su Yuchen’s gaze pierced through the shadows between her fingers, finally revealing that what Shen Wu wore wasn’t any ordinary garment, but a snow-white bathrobe, hastily grabbed from the bathroom and carelessly draped over her body, loosely wrapped around her frame.

As a result, one shoulder had slipped down, exposing delicate skin to the air, while the robe hung halfway off her back, revealing the striking contours of her shoulder blades, so exquisitely shaped they could sear one’s vision.

Beyond the fallen shoulder, the bathrobe had also failed in its duty to properly conceal her form.

Shen Wu leaned lazily against the back of the sofa, one long leg bent, her skin glowing under the light, smooth and luminous. Yet, that same illumination made it impossible to miss the faint red marks above her knees.

Moreover, beneath the robe’s sleeves, the joints of her elbows bore a soft flush.

These were the remnants from last night, traces left behind when she had been forced to kneel and endure.

The aftermath of the “storm” had faded, the petals once battered by rain now restored.

Now, bathed in sunlight by the window, Shen Wu held something delicate between her fingers, her arm lifting slightly as she pulled a thin thread taut.

Su Yuchen narrowed her eyes, her long lashes tickling her fingertips, before she finally remembered to lower her hand.

Studying the breathtaking figure illuminated by the light, she realized Shen Wu, with her back turned, was carefully sewing something.

Her wavy, seaweed-like hair cascaded loosely past her ears, partially veiling the side of her face.

Under the sunlight, she looked like a child blessed by the light itself, draped in a soft, radiant gown.

Su Yuchen never would have guessed that Shen Wu was doing needlework.

Such a scene, such beauty, such perfect lighting, it was almost too good to be true.

Surely, beneath those elegant hands, the stitches must be neat and flawless.

Su Yuchen grabbed a towel, wrapped it around herself, and quietly slipped out of bed.

She stretched out her arms and embraced the mesmerizing figure bathed in light.

Fragrance filled her embrace, and the woman in her arms trembled slightly.

“Hmm?”

Startled, Shen Wu flinched, the needle in her hand pricking her fingertip.

“Ahh!”

Su Yuchen immediately caught Shen Wu’s finger, noticing the tiny puncture marks already dotting the pale skin.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Frowning, Shen Wu pushed her hand away and held up the little strawberry-patterned pajamas she had been working on, its buttons haphazardly sewn, a far cry from the neat, delicate stitches one might expect from such graceful hands.

“……”

Su Yuchen stared at the pajamas for a long moment before realization dawned. She buried her face in the strands of hair at Shen Wu’s neck.

“I’m sorry.”

Her voice was still a little hoarse, but her laughter could no longer be contained, warm breath tickling Shen Wu’s slender neck.

Her apology carried a double meaning, one for startling Shen Wu and making her prick herself, and another for her actions the night before.

Shen Wu held the needle and thread, glancing down at the disastrously sewn buttons.

“Think it’s funny?”

Realizing Shen Wu was a bit upset, after being teased so much last night, it would be strange if she weren’t angry.

Su Yuchen tightened her fair, smooth arms around Shen Wu, gently swaying her body as if acting coquettish. Her face remained buried in the slender, pale neck, her voice muffled as she spoke, “Not funny, my fault, my fault.”

Hearing her soft coaxing, the irritation in Shen Wu’s heart was already replaced by a sweet, honeyed sensation.

But she couldn’t let it show on her face right away. With a light “hmph,” she said, “You look so well-behaved, yet you’re truly capable of wreaking havoc.”

“Look at the mess you’ve made. How am I supposed to wear this outfit later?”

It was genuinely unexpected that Shen Wu treasured this buy-one-get-one-free pajama set, shipped for just 99 yuan, so much.

Su Yuchen, holding her close, couldn’t free her hands to brush away the stray hair tickling her cheek. Instead, she used the tip of her tall nose to nudge it aside, pushing Shen Wu’s cascading waves behind her neck, revealing a stretch of snow-white shoulder.

Then, Su Yuchen pressed her lips to Shen Wu’s shoulder, lightly savoring the shiver of her skin before chuckling softly.

“Then don’t wear it.”

“…”

“You’re really…” Shen Wu’s face flushed an unprecedented shade of red. “You’re such a little beast.”

“Whatever my baby sister says, I’ll be.” Su Yuchen, intoxicated by Shen Wu’s fragrance, let her lips brush deliberately against her skin as she spoke, intensifying the fine tremors rising beneath her touch.

“I’m happy to be baby sister’s little beast.”

“…”

As she spoke, her rosy lips parted slightly, and her white teeth gently nipped the pristine shoulder, heightening the shivering sensation to its peak.

“I never noticed before, I only thought you were mischievous, but I didn’t realize you were actually so…”

Shen Wu trembled slightly, nestled in the embrace, and eventually leaned into that warm, fragrant chest, finishing her words slowly: “I didn’t realize you were actually the most… lustful. All this time, I thought you were a restrained, disciplined little white rabbit.”

“I really… wronged you.”

“I’m sorry,” Su Yuchen murmured, her own ears tinged with red. Holding Shen Wu always sent her thoughts spiraling, tempting her to do something even more outrageous. A voice in her blood and bones clamored for possession, to conquer and claim every inch.

“I won’t be like this in the future.”

“Won’t be like what?”

Shen Wu raised an eyebrow, attempting to turn but finding herself still firmly encircled by those jade-like arms. The movement loosened the already-draped robe further, exposing more of her fair skin. One slender leg, lifted slightly, was nearly fully revealed to the air.

The elegant lines of her form, the arch of her foot, the purity of her skin intertwined with the lingering traces of desire, created a contradiction that was paradoxically, perfectly unified.

Su Yuchen’s eyes darkened, forcing herself not to look at the dizzying sight, and buried her face back into the crook of Shen Wu’s neck.

“Baby sister, I was wrong. I’ll try to hold back a little more in the future.”

“Oh?” Shen Wu shifted again, the collar of her robe now nearly slipping under the sunlight, revealing the beauty beneath. “How exactly do you plan to hold back? After last night’s excesses, how do you intend to restrain yourself?”

Around Shen Wu’s wrists, red marks marred her fair skin.

“I have to wear this outfit downstairs for lunch today. Or do you think Madam Shen Qiang would have anything pleasant to say about it?”

Shen Qiang’s personality was bold and straightforward, yet beneath that roughness lay a keen eye for detail, she would surely spot anything amiss at a glance.

Su Yuchen swallowed hard and buried her face even deeper, deliberately avoiding the alluring glimpse of skin that was neither fully revealed nor concealed.

“Mmm…” Her voice was muffled. “Sister Baobao, how long have you been sewing?”

“…”

At the mention of this, Shen Wu couldn’t help but feel exasperated. “Over half an hour. I don’t know why this is so difficult, just threading the needle alone took me more than ten minutes.”

“So patient,” Su Yuchen stifled a laugh, trembling slightly as she buried her face in the crook of Shen Wu’s neck. Her voice, however, betrayed her amusement. “Spending over ten minutes just to thread the needle and still not giving up, that’s really impressive.”

“…”

“Are you mocking me?” Shen Wu arched a single eyebrow, slanting a glance at Su Yuchen. “Is laughing at me that fun?”

Perhaps this was the flaw of a beauty, no one was perfect. Shen Wu seemed flawless in every way, but not only had God closed the window on her cooking skills, He had also firmly locked away any possibility of domestic prowess. It appeared Shen Wu couldn’t handle even the simplest household tasks without causing immeasurable damage.

Fortunately, threading a needle wasn’t particularly hazardous, or else Su Yuchen might not have woken up safely this morning.

At the thought, Su Yuchen couldn’t hold back another laugh, her breath warm against the fragrant strands of Shen Wu’s hair and the delicate curve of her neck. Her laughter came in soft, breathy bursts, her slender shoulders shaking slightly.

Shen Wu’s eyes narrowed almost into slits.

With a playful glint in her peach-blossom eyes, she turned her head, her lips brushing against Su Yuchen’s cheek. “Baobao, you really love laughing, don’t you?”

As she spoke, she tossed aside the garment in her hands, pivoting halfway to slide her fingers along Su Yuchen’s slender waist, tickling her mercilessly.

“If you love laughing so much, then laugh some more.”

Her long, elegant fingers sought out the spots that made Su Yuchen squirm the most, coaxing peals of laughter from her.

The white bathrobe slipped down to her forearms, revealing fragrant skin marred by faint red marks, traces left behind by someone’s mischief, along with the lingering imprints of slender fingers that had gripped too tightly. Against her jade-like complexion, they stood out starkly.

Suddenly, Su Yuchen stopped struggling. Pinned down by Shen Wu, her wrists pressed into the plush pink sofa, she lay sprawled beneath her.

Her loose chestnut-brown hair fanned out across the delicate white lace cushion, her bright almond-shaped eyes reflecting the hazy, spring-like allure of the woman above her.

Shen Wu’s cheeks were flushed, her arms braced on either side as she tilted her head slightly, her wavy hair cascading over her shoulders.

Though the strands merely hovered before Su Yuchen’s eyes, swaying gently without touching her skin, it was as if they had brushed against the softest, most ticklish part of her heart.

Gazing up at Shen Wu like she was the radiant moon, Su Yuchen suddenly recalled the emotions she had felt while staring at the night sky before.

Back then, the moon had seemed vast and distant.

But now, it was within reach, and she had left her own marks upon its luminous surface.

Admiration and reverence filled Su Yuchen’s eyes. She thought to herself, she had both worshipped the moon and defiled it.

And now, in this private, hidden space, that brilliant moonlight shone for her alone.

Shen Wu gazed deeply into those almond-shaped eyes, her lips curving into a smile. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Su Yuchen’s eyes shimmered like spring water, brimming with a longing so palpable it seemed to pull Shen Wu closer.

“Staring at me like this, do you like me that much?”

By the time the words left her lips, Shen Wu’s crimson mouth was already hovering just before Su Yuchen’s.

Her voice was low, laced with a tantalizing lilt.

“Yes…” Su Yuchen swallowed hard, her hands restrained, unable to reach out and touch. All she could feel was the intoxicating scent of irises drawing nearer, so close that the faint friction of fabric against skin became palpable.

“How much do you like me?” Shen Wu brushed the tip of her nose lightly against Su Yuchen’s temple, tousling the hair there playfully before whispering into her ear.

“I… I really, really like you, Baby Sister.”

How much? Enough to want to ravish her at the mere sight, wasn’t that a kind of affection too?

Moreover, in Su Yuchen’s eyes, Shen Wu was already perfection incarnate. If asked just how much she adored her, the simplest answer would have to suffice.

“I like you so, so much, Baby Sister.”

“…”

Shen Wu’s slender, porcelain-like body pressed against Su Yuchen’s once more, the haphazardly wrapped towel slipping to the floor unnoticed.

Bathed in the morning light, the two indulged in another shameless bout of playfulness.

Warm sunlight spilled over the pink sofa by the window, their long hair entwined, arms draped over one another.

Pale knees bore faint reddish marks, swaying gently in the dawn glow.

Exhausted from their antics, they curled up together and drifted back to sleep.

By the time they woke again, the morning had slipped away entirely, the sun now high in the sky.

Before heading out, the strawberry-patterned pajamas were hastily retrieved from the corner of the sofa where they’d been discarded.

Shen Wu sighed. “Forget it, maybe I should just change before going downstairs. Let Aunt Shen Qiang say whatever she wants.”

Though Su Yuchen had only met Shen Qiang the day before and knew little about her, even that brief encounter was enough to imagine the teasing remarks the older woman would make, bold, unfiltered words that would surely mortify Su Yuchen on the spot.

When she wasn’t wreaking havoc in bed, Su Yuchen still had some dignity to uphold.

With that in mind, she grabbed Shen Wu’s arm. “No, don’t. I’ll fix it.”

Shen Wu raised an eyebrow. “You know how?”

“It’s not that hard.”

To Shen Wu, such tasks seemed insurmountable, a chasm too vast to cross.

But what was daunting to her was child’s play for Su Yuchen.

Under Shen Wu’s astonished gaze, she deftly threaded a needle, removed the misaligned buttons, and sewed each one back into place with precision.

Shen Wu watched, chin propped on her hand, idly playing with the chestnut-brown hair cascading over Su Yuchen’s shoulder, twirling the ends around her fingers.

“You’re so capable, Baby.”

“…”

Su Yuchen glanced up at her with clear, bright eyes, tilting her slender neck to pull her hair free from Shen Wu’s grasp.

Unfazed, she continued her meticulous stitching. “Stop fooling around.”

Shen Wu furrowed her brows, determined to play with Su Yuchen’s hair, and tangled her fingers in it again.

“What’s wrong? Can’t I touch you now?”

“It’s not that…” Su Yuchen held a needle and thread, lowering her head and pursing her lips slightly, not daring to meet Shen Wu’s gaze directly. “I’m afraid if you tease me again, we won’t be able to leave the house today.”

“…”

Shen Wu knew all too well how Su Yuchen behaved in bed: wild, fierce, and utterly uncompromising. After a moment’s thought and a quick self-assessment, she realized her legs were still weak. Wisely, she refrained from touching Su Yuchen any further.

Finally, all the buttons on the pajamas were sewn back on.

Shen Wu put on the little strawberry-patterned pajamas and led Su Yuchen, who had changed back into her white knitted dress, downstairs.

Although breakfast time had long passed, Shen Qiang and Michelle were still seated at the dining table, their eyes only for each other as they clinked glasses and sipped quietly, murmuring to one another in French.

On the patterned plates before them lay sandwiches and large steamed buns, cold and hot dishes side by side, the buns still steaming faintly.

Out of the corner of her eye, Shen Qiang noticed the two descending the stairs. Seeing Shen Wu in yesterday’s clothes, she frowned slightly, but her expression warmed as she greeted Su Yuchen enthusiastically, “Hi, sweet! Good morning!”

Su Yuchen felt a little awkward responding to that “good morning.”

Right as Shen Qiang’s cheerful greeting landed, the antique clock on the floor chimed twelve times.

“Dong, dong, dong.”

The clock dutifully marked the hour, casting a somewhat ironic light on the “breakfast” spread across the Shen family’s table.

Bracing herself, Su Yuchen took a seat and nodded at the smiling Shen Qiang. “Good morning, both of you.”

Michelle raised her beloved square glass, the liquid inside sloshing slightly, releasing the fragrant aroma of soy milk.

“Morning, sweet.”

Shen Qiang set down her sandwich and wiped her hands casually with a napkin. “Honey, did you sleep well last night?”

She had only caught snippets of the night before, leaving satisfied once she confirmed they’d been arguing.

After all, if they hadn’t been fighting, why else would there have been such a loud commotion?

So afterward, Shen Qiang had dismissed the staff, leaving the two to “set things straight” in private.

Now, worried Su Yuchen might struggle to keep Shen Wu in line, she added pointedly, “Don’t worry, sweet. If she ever gives you trouble, you can always come to me. I’ve got your back. That temper of hers needs someone to straighten it out.”

Shen Wu’s face darkened, and she closed her eyes briefly, barely suppressing the urge to roll them. Taking a deep breath, she sat down and said flatly, “Let’s eat.”

A bowl of plain congee and side dishes were placed before her, and the butler and staff silently withdrew.

Su Yuchen watched as Shen Wu buried herself in her meal, then picked up a steamed bun and took a small, careful bite.

She chewed thoroughly, swallowed, and took a sip of milk.

After finishing the bun quietly and methodically, her glass of milk was now a little less full.

When she looked up again, she found Shen Qiang and Michelle resting their chins on their hands, watching her with amused affection.

“Um…” Su Yuchen instinctively dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “Did I get something on my face?”

“Oh, no, not at all.”

Shen Qiang smiled. “I’ve just never seen someone eat so adorably before.”

“…”

Shen Wu took a sip of soy milk, then thunked her bowl back onto the table with a loud clatter.

“Oh, can’t take the truth now, huh?”

Shen Qiang couldn’t help rolling her eyes when she looked at Shen Wu: “You’ve never been cute a day in your life. And look at you now, what’s with the bloodstains on your pajamas? You’re not even married yet, and you’re already this sloppy. This won’t do. Learn from your wife, studying leads to progress.”

Indeed, there was blood on Shen Wu’s collar, all from pricking her own fingers while sewing. Shen Qiang had sharp eyes, spotting it immediately, though she couldn’t discern the reason behind it.

“Did you get a nosebleed? There’s blood all around the buttonholes,” Shen Qiang mocked mercilessly.

Shen Wu, expressionless, stabbed a forkful of salad and chewed vigorously, as if the vegetables had personally offended her.

What could she say? Admit she’d stabbed herself while sewing buttons?

Obviously not.

Her silent protest made Shen Qiang narrow her eyes before shrugging.

“Okay, fine. What are your plans lately?” She then smiled at Su Yuchen. “Do you have time tomorrow? Let’s go try on wedding dresses.”

Wedding dresses…

Su Yuchen’s ears turned slightly red, her fingers gripping the glass until her knuckles whitened. Her chest tightened with waves of emotion, her breathing uneven. She could barely steady her voice to keep it from trembling noticeably.

“Wedding dresses?”

Was she really going to marry Shen Wu? It felt surreal. Her mind went blank, yet it also seemed filled with sweet, syrupy joy.

So sweet her heart melted.

“Of course,” Shen Qiang continued encouragingly, her peach-blossom eyes, so similar to Shen Wu’s, brimming with satisfaction. “Yuchen in a wedding dress, just imagine how stunning that would be.”

“So? Free tomorrow?”

Su Yuchen felt dazed. Without thinking, she glanced at Shen Wu.

Shen Wu caught the signal immediately, waving her fork and clearing her throat. “Tomorrow might not work. The dating show might need backup footage.”

“!!”

Su Yuchen jolted, suddenly remembering something and covering her mouth. “Right, tomorrow we’re filming home footage for Love or Marriage.”

Apparently, the show’s popularity had skyrocketed, and the production team wanted to film exclusive VIP content to boost subscriptions.

She’d been worrying about it since yesterday, but had completely forgotten until Shen Wu brought it up. Now, her expression darkened again.

Her apartment was in no state for filming…

Shen Wu deliberately gave her a sidelong glance. “You won’t even let me into your place, but you’ll allow strangers in now?”

“…”

Su Yuchen faltered. “No, it’s just… my place really isn’t suitable.”

Shen Qiang took a leisurely sip of juice before setting her glass down. “Easy fix. Just film at our place. Shen Wu doesn’t like her room anyway, use hers. She can crash in a guest room. Plenty of space, no problem.”

She didn’t ask about Su Yuchen’s living situation, she already knew.

Nothing escaped a woman who had weathered storms to safeguard her family’s honor, wealth, and status, unless she chose to pretend otherwise.

Compared to her, Shen Wu was still green.

“This… might cause trouble for Shen Wu…” Su Yuchen hesitated slightly. After all, this was the Shen family, and who knew what kind of gossip might spread if word got out.

“What’s there to fear?” Shen Qiang waved her hand dismissively. “We’ll be family soon anyway, why worry about such trivialities?”

“When choosing a daughter-in-law, I never care about family background. I only look at character. Yuchen, you’ve more than met my expectations. If anything happens, don’t be afraid, the Shen family will back you up.”

A wave of warmth gradually enveloped Su Yuchen’s heart, thawing the slight chill in her fingertips caused by anxiety.

Her heart felt so warm that her smile grew even brighter, like gentle sunlight.

“Thank you. I’ll continue to work hard and do my best not to disappoint you.”

Madam Shen Qiang looked at Su Yuchen with deep satisfaction and nodded. “Good child, the more I see you, the more I like you. Tomorrow, you must come with me to try on wedding dresses, it’s settled!”

“I’m really annoyed that you two have to interrupt our lovely family time just to film some boring variety show.”

At this, Shen Qiang pinched her temples again. “Honestly, you should just scrap that ridiculous show of yours. It’s all editing tricks, treating the audience like fools. And to think they’re trying to make that dull gourd from the Kuang family into some kind of popularity king, utter nonsense! How could someone that boring be so popular? And the idea that there’s something between him and Shen Wu? Pure fabrication!”

The “dull gourd” Madam Shen Qiang was referring to was undoubtedly Kuang Gong.

Clearly, in the eyes of the older generation, Kuang Gong shouldn’t even be on a dating show, let alone be crowned some kind of fan favorite.

Shen Wu toyed with a cherry tomato on her plate using a silver fork.

“So, you’ve watched it.”

“Mm,” Shen Qiang nodded indifferently. “Faker than fake. The only thing that felt real was that pot of porridge, pure psychological torture.”

“…”

It seemed she hadn’t just watched it but had seen it through to the end.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have caught the pot of porergy that made its grand finale appearance.

Shen Wu’s expression darkened as she impaled the cherry tomato with her fork.

Oblivious, Shen Qiang turned to Su Yuchen. “Sweetheart, your wish on the pumpkin was absolutely adorable. You must get me one someday, I’ll ship it back to France.”

Being reminded of the variety show in front of an elder made Su Yuchen’s embarrassment shoot straight through the roof.

“Well, the pumpkin… was just from the market,” she admitted honestly. “I never expected the production team to showcase it publicly… Before leaving, I even wondered why I had to bring a lucky charm. I should’ve thought more about it…”

“Hahaha!”

Madam Shen Qiang’s hearty laughter filled the dining room. After a while, she wiped the corners of her eyes. “Good, good, sweetheart. I knew you were a sincere girl, pure-hearted, just as I thought.”

“Alright, then I’ll invite you to our estate in southern France someday. I’ll treat you, honey, to pumpkins we grew ourselves.”

Su Yuchen’s eyes sparkled. “Really?”

“Really.” Shen Qiang patted her chest in assurance, then lowered her voice conspiratorially. “But first, you have to tell me the secret to making wishes on a pumpkin.”

Su Yuchen: “…”

…

Though Love or Marriage was dismissed as worthless in Madam Shen Qiang’s words, its ratings and popularity were anything but lacking.

On the day it aired, the show skyrocketed to the top, breaking several long-standing records in TV variety show rankings, with viewership surpassing competing programs by over ten percentage points.

So, when I arrived at the company this afternoon, the paparazzi swarming the entrance had doubled.

They formed an impenetrable ring, three layers deep inside and out, as if they’d all gotten wind that Shen Wu would be coming to the office today.

Shen Wu’s supercar roared to life, speeding past the paparazzi with a whoosh, leaving a trail of eager pursuers in its wake.

Unfortunately for them, their chase ended at the garage entrance, where well-trained security guards blocked them all. Left with no choice, they could only raise their cameras in frustration, sighing longingly at the retreating sports car.

Once in the garage, Fu Nan was already waiting by the private elevator.

The area was secure enough for privacy. The flashy car door swung open, and two tall, stunning women stepped out of the vibrant red sports car, a visual feast of the highest caliber.

“Let’s go,” Fu Nan pressed the elevator button first. “Legal is already here, but don’t worry, it’s confidential. They’re in the next room. We’ll sign the contract in my office.”

Su Yuchen’s heart pounded wildly as someone took her hand.

She turned to see Shen Wu beside her, lips curling into a smirk. “Baby, don’t be scared. Once we sign the contract, we’ll be getting our marriage certificate tomorrow.”

“…”

Fu Nan, standing nearby: “…”

Forced to swallow a mouthful of dog food, even Fu Nan wanted to calculate the extent of her psychological trauma.

And frankly, she wasn’t keen on consuming any more of it.

“Ahem,” Fu Nan faced away from the pair, staring at the ascending floor numbers on the elevator display. “Mind your image. You’re not married yet, keep the PDA to a minimum in public.”

Su Yuchen flushed slightly, but Shen Wu couldn’t care less. She deliberately raised their clasped hands, showcasing their intertwined fingers against the elevator’s reflective interior, ostensibly admiring it herself, but really flaunting it right in Fu Nan’s face.

“Oops, my bad. Who cares about image? Starting tomorrow, I’ll be a married woman. Guess some people will just have to suck on lemons.”

“…”

Fu Nan: “…”

At this point, even Su Yuchen wanted to calculate Fu Nan’s psychological shadow area.

She parted her lips slightly and whispered, “But… do we really have to get the certificate tomorrow? Isn’t it a bit sudden? I… have something else to do.”

“Hmm?”

Fu Nan didn’t turn around, but her ears perked up, eyes sneaking glances at the elevator’s reflective surface.

Shen Wu froze for a few seconds, as if suddenly remembering something. “Baby, didn’t we talk about this? Tomorrow’s the family interview segment for the show. We can film it at my place.”

Su Yuchen quickly clarified, “No, it’s not that. If we film the family segment tomorrow, I might not have time… There’s something personal I need to take care of.”

Shen Wu’s expression darkened. The earlier smugness vanished in an instant.

“What are you doing tomorrow?”

Su Yuchen pressed her lips together and shook her head lightly. “I can’t say yet.”

“…”

Shen Wu stared at her until a crisp “ding” sounded, the elevator had arrived at their floor.

The moment Fu Nan stepped out, Shen Wu hit the door-close button.

She pinned Su Yuchen against the elevator wall, leaning in close, her red lips inches away as she studied the other woman’s face with narrowed eyes.

“Baby, after how you wore me out last night… you’re not backing out on me now, are you?”

“Are you planning to be a heartless playgirl who tosses me aside after having your fun and not even getting a marriage certificate with me?”

Suddenly, a sweet fragrance filled the air. Su Yuchen, caught off guard, found herself firmly pinned against the wall.

Once she regained her composure, her almond-shaped eyes shimmered with a misty glow as she gazed over.

“Darling sister, I haven’t had enough fun yet.”

What a truly heartless thing to say.

After uttering those words, this seemingly innocent “little heartbreaker” wrapped her arms around Shen Wu’s slender waist and pulled her close.

Shen Wu collided against her, her long hair cascading in a glossy, beautiful wave.

Narrowing her eyes, Shen Wu exhaled a breath as sweet as orchids: “So you still refuse to tell me?”

Pressed against the soft, fragrant warmth of Shen Wu’s chest, Su Yuchen’s thoughts wandered, her voice coming out hoarse: “I can’t say. You’ll know after tomorrow.”

Shen Wu pinched Su Yuchen’s chin, causing her delicate, pale face to pout slightly.

“Darling, you’ve turned naughty, haven’t you? After last night’s mischief, you’re already keeping secrets from me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll do something bad to you tonight?”

A flicker of fire ignited in Su Yuchen’s eyes. “Tonight…” she murmured, “Will there be more tonight?”

Shen Wu: “…”

Shen Wu had initially considered the extent of her own wildness and wanted to say there’d be nothing tonight, not a chance.

But the words that left her lips instead were: “We’re about to be married. You’ll be living in my home. What do you think, will there be more tonight?”

“Not just tonight. Every night from now on.”