285— The Next Day

*****

"Boss, the news we received has been confirmed. They have really found the child from back then and are preparing to welcome her back after all these years."

The room was dark, but faint outlines and shadows could be made out due to the light of the moon streaming in from the window.

The room looked like an office with an executive chair and desk, but those were the only pieces of furniture in the huge room. The near-emptiness would have been eerie, but the two men in the room somehow felt even more terrifying than mere shadows.

A man in black sat down on the black chair, almost blending into the darkness. His face was hidden from sight and when he spoke, only his voice could be heard, making it sound as if the words came from thin air,

"So they have decided to go against us, is that right? I didn't think Gao Zhipeng and his brother-in-law would be so foolish." The voice sounded rather high-pitched, making it difficult to determine the gender and age of the speaker.

"Apparently, it's his wife and son that have been pushing for the reunion and reintroduction into their circles. They're even planning a banquet as we speak." The man who was standing stated respectfully.

The man in black let out a short laugh that sounded chilling in the dark night.

Swiveling in his chair, he said, "Since they want us to show them what we can do, I guess we shouldn't disappoint them, right? When would the banquet take place?"

"In three weeks, Boss."

The man addressed as Boss said in an almost wistful tone, "It would be fun to crash the party, wouldn't it?"

The man that was standing trembled slightly in spite of himself. He naturally knew that the man in black wasn't asking for his input, so he didn't speak.

Sure enough, the man continued, "But before then, we should be true gentlemen to the end and send them a prior notice, just so that they can expect us. We would not like people to say we're bad party guests now, would we?"

"Yes Boss."

"Get Ex1 to send them the calling card. Even if they forgot to send us the invitation, we would be polite. Get on it."

"Yes Boss."The man respectfully replied, his body hunched as he waited for any further instructions.

"Is that all you came to report?"

"Yes Boss."

"So you're still here because —"

That indeterminate voice sounded almost childish, but it scared the other man who had witnessed its toxicity into a cold sweat.

"Nothing Boss. I'll take my leave now." He almost ran out as he said so, leaving the man in black to rub his chin. To no one in particular, he said into the darkness, "Am I that scary?"

Then he responded to himself a few moments later, "But of course not. That one is just an idiot."

*****

The rays of the morning sun announced the arrival of a new day, but Pei Yueran slept soundly on, undisturbed.

Li Chuanmo gently arranged the wisps of hair away from her face so that she could sleep better, but the slightly ticklish sensation woke her up.

Pei Yueran cracked an eye open, feeling the memories accompanied by aches rush to her head. Thankfully her head wasn't hurting, she just felt like she could still sleep for a week more.

She let out a groan, akin to the sound of rusty machinery when cranked up. Li Chuanmo smiled at the comparison and kissed her, "Good morning my Ran."

"Good morning Chuan." Her voice was just as rusty, Li Chuanmo mused.

"Yesterday was—for lack of a better word—indescribable. Thank you Honey."

It was the first time in a long time on his birthday that it was all about him, that someone went out of her way for him, and he couldn't adequately describe how it made him feel.

If nothing at all, he had also been able to see his wife in a new light, and refresh his understanding of her several times.

Pei Yueran muttered something unintelligible as she tried to change her posture, eliciting another groan.

To comfort herself, she focused on Li Chuanmo's pleasant voice. It definitely rang extra pleasantly this morning, or maybe she was just hearing things.

Her first waking thought was that she was glad birthdays happened only once a year. A day like yesterday absolutely couldn't be allowed to happen frequently. Else, she could just forget about walking—that is, functioning— normally.

Next was that another one of her negligees were gone again. Why did he like tearing them so much?

Then she realized that they were in their bedroom, meaning he must have carried her back here sometime this morning. The silk canopies had been let down to stop the rays of the sun from disturbing her sleep.

Pei Yueran opened her eyes fully and tried to avoid Li Chuanmo's eyes as she looked around. She couldn't help that slight embarrassment she felt for her atypical boldness yesterday.

Although she had always known that she had it within her, now that she had actually put it into practice, she found it innovative.

She could tease him too, render him speechless and make him all hot and bothered. It was an amazing revelation ah.

Since she could do all that, it meant that she could do anything. This realization definitely had to put to more use in the future.

It didn't take a genius to figure out what she was thinking, and Li Chuanmo smiled wryly. It was very difficult to reconcile this blushing bride with the woman who played him like a fiddle yesterday and rode him like an—.

He shook the thoughts and images away. In short, his precious wife was an enigma.

Lifting up the tray he brought in case she had woken up, he said, "I made breakfast." Then pointing to the roses on the bedside drawer, he added, "and flowers."

That brought Pei Yueran's attention to him. He was dressed in a shirt and casual slacks, handsome as usual and looking for all the world like an immortal with a touch of tenderness.

She shook her head to clear her brain and gave him a thank you. At least one of us looks ready to take on the day, she mused.

"Now say ah."

She rolled her eyes but did as he asked,

As he fed her the bowl of porridge, they chatted.

"Oh, it's chicken porridge."

"Yeah, with ginseng and other herbs. To replenish your energy."

The mouthful of goodness suddenly felt hard to swallow. She almost glared at him as she ordered, "You're not allowed to mention my energy or lack thereof, especially today."

It would have been more convincing if she didn't look like she still needed more sleep.

Apparently, less than five hours of sleep could do that to a person.