He turned his head to look in the direction of the kitchen.

The sound of water "whooshing" could be heard from the kitchen.

Chen Yan wrapped his arms around Yang Rou's waist, speaking softly, "Nuan Nuan has been living here, and I know you're suffering because you miss me. That's why we can only stay far apart."

Women are such strange creatures.

Even though she knew Chen Yan was lying, Yang Rou still felt a sweetness in her heart.

She slapped his hand away, and despite her cold demeanor, she said with a hint of shyness, "I have no choice. It's definitely inconvenient with Nuan Nuan living here."

Chen Yan's mind whirred, then he whispered, "Or else... you could come to mine in the middle of the night? Or perhaps in the morning after getting up?"

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Yang Rou's mind cleared, and she looked at him in surprise, reflexively exclaiming, "Are you crazy?"

After saying that, however, Yang Rou inexplicably felt that... the plan seemed to have no major issues...

After all, Yang Nuannuan always slept deeply. If she left in the middle of the night and was quiet enough, Yang Nuannuan wouldn't likely wake up.

As long as she came back early, she wouldn't be discovered.

And it would be even easier in the morning.

Ever since she had been unwell for a period, Yang Rou had started jogging every morning.

After jogging, she would eat something and then head to work early.

At that time, Yang Nuannuan would mostly still be in bed.

So, where Yang Rou went in the morning, Yang Nuannuan would have no clue.

Even if Yang Rou stayed at Chen Yan's house too late, and Yang Nuannuan went to the company first and didn't find Yang Rou, she could simply say she had gone out for a collaboration talk.

Thinking it over, Yang Rou actually started to feel that the plan was truly feasible...

And maybe because she was doing this behind her daughter's back, meeting secretly, she oddly felt a thrill in her heart.

This made her heart, which had gradually grown warmer, beat fiercely.

Perhaps because she had repressed herself too much in her youth, over the years, she had always been cold to others, not realizing she actually harbored some rebellion deep down...

Therefore, in the end, she slowly nodded her head, agreeing to it.

Seeing Yang Rou agree, Chen Yan couldn't help but smile.

To be honest, Chen Yan really knew her better than she knew herself.

Maybe it was because of the appraisal given by the system, or the intuition about Yang Rou from Zhao Ying, but through interaction, Chen Yan gradually discovered that Yang Rou truly was a woman unlike any other.

In her youth, because of that incident, she had devoted her heart entirely to her career, which also caused her to suppress herself for many years.

Under such circumstances, though she appeared cold, her heart was incredibly hot.

And... she had a strong rebellious streak.

This could be seen when they played some "tricks"; she was very curious and compliant...

That's why Chen Yan dared to propose such a bold request tonight.

And the result did not disappoint Chen Yan.

Yang Rou agreed...

Just as the two of them were each thinking about this matter, footsteps could suddenly be heard from the hallway—Yang Nuannuan carrying fruit and walking outside.

Though they had been chatting all along, both were very alert. So as soon as they heard the sound, Chen Yan and Yang Rou quickly separated reflexively.

However, no matter what you do, some clues will be left behind.

The two separated, but there was something a little off in their posture and expressions.

This made Yang Nuannuan, who was sensitive in mind, instantly suspect something.

Seeing Chen Yan and Yang Rou's somewhat strange demeanors, she stopped at the end of the hallway and asked them, "Mom, Chen Yan, what are you doing?"

Hearing Yang Nuannuan's words, Yang Rou, who was always cool and composed, felt a bit of panic inside.

But it was Chen Yan, the man accustomed to misdeeds, who handled it more naturally.

Without changing his expression, he turned and looked at Yang Nuannuan, asking, "Nuan Nuan? What are you talking about?"

Chen Yan's counter question indeed stumped Yang Nuannuan.

She didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Because she hadn't actually seen anything specific.

She just noticed that Chen Yan and Yang Rou looked a bit flustered, that they sat closer than before she had walked away, and that their bodies were turned towards each other.

But... as for what she actually saw. There really was nothing.

So, after hesitating for a bit, she finally smiled and said, "Oh. It's nothing. Nothing. I thought I saw something just now."

With that, she briskly walked over, placed the fruit on the table, and said to Chen Yan, "President Chen. You eat."

Chen Yan "Hmm-ed" in response and said nothing.

By this time, Yang Rou had also regained her usual calm.

Women are the best actors, so she, as if nothing had happened just moments before, called Yang Nuannuan to sit down, and started chatting with Chen Yan while eating fruit about the company's matters.

After chatting for a bit, she let Yang Nuannuan keep Chen Yan company while she herself got up and went inside to fetch the New Year's gift she had prepared for him.

The gift wasn't expensive, just some simple boxes of meat and nuts and so on.

After bringing them out, she handed them to Chen Yan as a reciprocal gift.

Since they had already said all they wanted to say just now, Chen Yan didn't stay much longer. After a few more words, he picked up the items and left.

Yang Rou got up to send Chen Yan out.

At the door, Chen Yan gave her a quick wink.

Yang Rou's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded slightly. Then, facing away from Yang Nuannuan, she mouthed the words, "Tomorrow morning."

Chen Yan nodded in understanding, then raised his voice to say a few words of farewell and encouragement before leaving Yang Rou's house.

After closing the door, Yang Rou calmed herself down.

She found that now, just seeing Chen Yan made her heart especially prone to disturbance.

She, who was always composed in front of others, felt unusually rich emotions whenever she faced Chen Yan.

Could this be... love?

Thinking this, Yang Rou calmed her emotions and then went back inside.

Inside the house, Yang Nuannuan was cleaning the table.

Seeing her mother come back, Yang Nuannuan casually remarked, "Mommy. You seem a bit different tonight."

Hearing Yang Nuannuan's words, Yang Rou felt a jolt in her heart and became a bit panicky.

After all, it was Yang Nuannuan who first fell for Chen Yan.

If one were to really argue, Yang Rou would even be suspected of stealing her own daughter's love interest.

Thus, the last thing Yang Rou wanted was for Yang Nuannuan to find out about her relationship with Chen Yan.

She truly couldn't imagine what Yang Nuannuan's feelings would be after discovering all of this.

So, when she heard Yang Nuannuan's question, Yang Rou couldn't help but feel anxious.

She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and asked, "Really?"

Though her voice remained cool and steady, those who listened carefully could detect a slight tremor when she spoke.

But whether Yang Nuannuan truly didn't notice, or had just said something carelessly just now, she nodded her head with her back to Yang Rou and said indifferently, "Yeah."

"You've been particularly busy tonight."

"We had agreed to go wish President Chen a happy new year earlier, but I got caught up and lost track of time."

"You never used to forget such important matters before."

Relieved by her daughter's words, Yang Rou managed a faint smile, then coolly explained, "I did have a lot to do today."

"After all, the Spring Festival period is already the busiest time for the entertainment industry."

Yang Nuannuan hummed a reply, carrying a plastic bag full of trash toward the end of the hallway to the kitchen, "Then... Mommy, you should rest early too, and don't get too tired..."

........

An uneventful night passed.

The next day, Chen Yan was awakened by a warm, moist sensation.

When he came to, he realized that at some point, his blanket had bulged up, hiding within it a familiar figure.

Chen Yan was stunned for a moment, remembered the agreement from last night, and couldn't help but smile as he reached in and gently touched Yang Rou's beautiful cheek...

Half an hour later, Chen Yan lay back satisfied while Yang Rou, covering her mouth, rushed to the bathroom.

After a while, she returned to the bedroom, rinsing her mouth with honey water.

Honey water can eliminate the smell of meat, something Yang Rou had discovered, and since then, Chen Yan had kept some ready at home for her.

Perhaps because both were career-driven people, pragmatic Chen Yan naturally started talking about work, "I called Qin Ming last night."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Yang Rou swallowed the honey water and asked coolly, "And then?"

Chen Yan rested his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling and said, "I asked him to start spreading some rumors."

Yang Rou showed no surprise upon hearing Chen Yan's words. Clearly, this plan had been discussed with her and not told to anyone else.

She was silent for a moment, then said, "I should also get ready."

The plan was a large one, with "turning against one's own camp" just being the first step.

But, Chen Yan seemed in no rush at all.

Seeing her say that, Chen Yan sat up laughing, and said, "No rush. You still have other things to do first."

As he emphasized "do," his tone grew decidedly more significant, causing Yang Rou's eyes to shimmer with a hint of movement.

However, she still replied coolly, "I'm not like you, always thinking of strange things."

Chen Yan laughed at Yang Rou's response, then asked, "Is that so?"

As he spoke, he reached out to grasp Yang Rou's delicate hand and pulled her into his embrace amidst her startled cries.

Then his hand moved downward.

After a moment, he laughed and said, "Sister Rou, your mouth says no, but your body is quite honest."

Yang Rou struggled a bit, saying, "You, you've misunderstood."

"Let me get up, I need to prepare."

Chen Yan, however, laughed and said, "I said there's no rush. Let Qin Ming put out some feelers first. Let's do something else..."

And so, beneath Yang Rou's feeble struggles, the room once again filled with bursts of immortal music...

.......

As wealthy Qin Dong families with close relationships, the Chinese New Year was customarily a time for frequent visits.

While the older generations socialized with each other, the younger ones certainly gathered privately to network and make connections.

In the past few years, these gatherings were mostly centered around He Mengxue, the young mistress of the He family, along with children from the Wang Family, Shi Family, and several other top five wealthiest families of Qin Dong.

However, this year's gatherings were different from the past.

In recent days, the most glorious, popular, and sought-after person at these gatherings had been Qin Ming.

Even at gatherings without He Mengxue, he had managed to push aside other children from the top five wealthy families to take the prime seat.

It's worth noting that at previous gatherings, his seat was at most on the periphery, or in an insignificant position.

This change was all because he was favored by Chen Yan, placed in charge of the potential internet giant: Headline Technology, and had proven his capabilities in the traffic battle over the holiday period.

Everyone knew that Chen Yan had set his sights on him when he was a nobody, assigning him an important role.

Now that he had proven himself, his position at Headline was even firmer than ever.

Moreover, the He family had now embraced him, publicly acknowledging him as a direct relative.

Therefore, his status among the second-generation elite of Qin Dong had soared, progressing at an incredible speed.

Tonight's gathering was specifically organized by the second generation to honor him and establish closer ties...

As the drinks flowed, everyone at the table was slightly inebriated, including Qin Ming.

Though he could hold his liquor, the relentless toasts from everyone had left him utterly drunk.

As the alcohol took its toll, some second generations began to goad Qin Ming into talking about Chen Yan.

After all, they had been bombarded with stories about the legendary figure Chen Yan for two years and were incredibly curious.

Qin Ming lived up to expectations.

He rambled on about Chen Yan's rise to wealth. Naturally eloquent, the dull stories became fascinating in his telling, wrapped in a cloak of legend.

After he finished, a second generation member slurred from the table, "Brother Qin, you've made President Chen sound too godlike. Aren't you exaggerating a bit?"

Hearing the words of the second generation, Qin Ming became irritated and slammed the table, retorting, "What are you talking about! I'm telling you, Brother Chen is that amazing!"

"Don't you doubt it!"

Then, with a drunken smirk, he announced, "I'll tell you something that will drop your jaws, then you'll see how perceptive he is, how deep his strategies run!"

Seeing Qin Ming act so mysteriously, everyone's attention at the table was immediately captivated.

He then said quietly, "You know about Zhang Yonghao who has been making a big fuss with my Brother Chen recently, right?"

The feud between Zhang Yonghao and Chen Yan had almost become well-known throughout the wealthy circles nationwide, even some ordinary people had heard about it, so when Qin Ming mentioned it, everyone at the table nodded.

Then Qin Ming, still drunk, said, "Haha. Let me tell you. Actually... Zhang Yonghao is one of Brother Chen's men!"

Upon hearing Qin Ming's words, the table fell silent.

After a moment, several stifled laughs broke out.

Obviously, this was too incredible, and with Qin Ming clearly talking drunk, no one believed him.

Of course, even if they didn't believe, they wouldn't want to offend Qin Ming's pride.

Quickly, someone stood up to smooth things over,

"Brother Qin, you're drunk, you're drunk. You're talking nonsense."

"Yeah, Brother Qin, you've had too much."

"Drunk, you're drunk."

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