{Chapter: 214 Reward?}
For now, there were things better left unsaid—questions that could wait, and full truths that didn't need to be voiced. He understood the value of silence in delicate situations.
At that moment, Mei Yuxian felt a gentle, lingering touch across her back—fingertips brushing softly, almost teasingly.
Startled slightly by the sensation, she turned to look at Lin Yuan, who met her gaze with a playful smile.
"Since I made a promise to you, Sister Yuxian," Lin Yuan said with a grin, "shouldn't I be rewarded for my good behavior?"
Mei Yuxian flushed immediately, a light pink rising to her cheeks. The mischievous glint in his eyes made her feel both embarrassed and flustered.
With a soft voice, she asked, "And what sort of reward are you hoping for?"
Without answering directly, Lin Yuan reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, turning her to face him fully. His hand moved to trace the outline of her lips with his finger, then pressed lightly against her soft cheek.
Mei Yuxian blinked in confusion, her eyes locking onto his with a puzzled but curious expression.
Instead of replying, Lin Yuan gently caressed her hair, his touch tender yet assertive. Slowly, he leaned closer, and her blush deepened as she lowered her gaze, heart fluttering.
Time passed in a blur.
About ten minutes later, the steam of their shared shower had settled. Lin Yuan stood at the sink, buttoning up his shirt with quiet efficiency, while Mei Yuxian stood beside him brushing her teeth, still recovering from the warmth and intimacy they had shared.
She had wrapped herself in a soft bathrobe, trying to maintain a semblance of calm and routine, but Lin Yuan had no such intentions.
Just as she placed the toothbrush down and reached for her towel, Lin Yuan swooped in without warning.
With a single smooth motion, he lifted her into his arms and tossed her onto the bed behind them.
"Lin Yuan! What are you doing?!" Mei Yuxian shouted in surprise, flailing slightly as she landed with a bounce on the mattress.
But he only grinned wider.
"S¡st£r Yuxian," he said playfully, approaching her with slow, confident steps, "since you're Qingtong's mother… does that make me her father now?"
"You…!" Mei Yuxian's voice caught in her throat, and she gave him an innocent, wide-eyed look that only made his smirk grow.
Her cheeks turned crimson again, but any words of protest were lost as Lin Yuan reached for her once more.
What followed was another passionate entanglement between the two—intense and overwhelming.
Before long, they had surrendered to one another again, lost in the heat of the moment, as they played out yet another round of their complicated bond. Many more rounds were to come.
---
Lin Yuan retrieved the detailed operation plan he had shown Mei Yuxian the previous day—the strategy to dismantle the Qingshan Gang's operations in the Xiling District. He placed the folder on the table beside them.
"About the plan I shared with you yesterday…" Lin Yuan began, his tone calm and composed. "Have you made the necessary preparations? The only thing the Mei family needs to do is cut off the Qingshan Gang's supply chain in Xiling and terminate all ongoing business transactions with them."
Mei Yuxian nodded slowly, but her expression was tinged with hesitation.
"Xiao Yuan, mobilizing our people wouldn't be a problem under normal circumstances," she said thoughtfully. "However, the Mei Group has a legally binding contract with the Qingshan Gang involving our Xiling District operations. If we suddenly breach that agreement, we could face a serious lawsuit for liquidated damages."
Lin Yuan smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth lifting into a relaxed curve that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"You don't have to worry about that," he said softly, with a tone of quiet certainty. "They won't get the chance to sue you. After tonight, the Qingshan Gang in Xiling will no longer exist. Dead men don't file lawsuits."
His words were chilling, but his tone was warm—almost reassuring.
Mei Yuxian's eyes widened slightly at the implications, but then her lips curved into a slow, confident smile. She understood the kind of man Lin Yuan was—bold, decisive, and utterly fearless. It both unsettled and thrilled her.
"I believe you, Xiao Yuan," she said softly.
With a gentle touch, Lin Yuan ran his fingers along the edge of her ear, tracing the delicate line of her temple. His caress was slow, affectionate, and strangely grounding. It was his way of easing her tension without needing to speak further.
Then, with a practiced tenderness, he adjusted the quilt around her body, tucking her in like one might a lover they treasured.
Just as he was about to leave the room, Mei Yuxian called out again.
"By the way," she said, "Qingtong sent me a message earlier. She said that once we finished talking, I should send you over to help her with her homework. You should go give her some guidance—otherwise, she'll pout and sulk again."
Lin Yuan chuckled lightly, the tension in the room easing a little.
"Alright then," he said, giving Mei Yuxian one last look. "Make sure you get some rest today. Don't overwork yourself. I'll help Qingtong with her studies for a bit, then I'll head out."
"Mm," Mei Yuxian responded with a soft smile.
It was a rare sight—this woman who normally carried herself like the powerful and self-assured matriarch of the Mei family now lay in bed, serene and radiant, her expression gentle and trusting.
Although Mei Yuxian had always maintained a strong and independent front, there had always been a part of her that longed to rely on someone—to let her guard down, if only a little.
Until now, she had never found someone she could trust enough to do so.
Lin Yuan might not be the person she imagined herself depending on, but she couldn't deny the growing sense of security she felt when he was near.
She hadn't surrendered completely—not yet—but her heart was moving in that direction.
This quiet yielding, this subtle submission, gave Lin Yuan a profound sense of satisfaction.
Without saying another word, Lin Yuan stepped out of the room, leaving the soft scent of warmth and closeness lingering in the air behind him.
He made his way to Gui Qingtong's bedroom, where he paused before the door. With a calm breath, he raised his hand and knocked gently, the soft sound echoing in the quiet hallway.
*****
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