After picking up Su Yue, she and Jiang Ci headed toward the Song family estate. Jiang Haoyan had been staying there for several days, and Su Yue worried the little guy would miss his parents. He was still so young; being away from home for too long wasn’t good for his sense of security.
On the way, Su Yue’s phone buzzed with a call from Jin Mingyuan. Her friend spoke only a single, heavy sentence: “Yueyue, no matter what others say, I will only ever believe you.” Then, she hung up.
Su Yue understood the weight behind those seemingly cryptic words.
Unlike Xu Xue, Mingyuan had practically grown up alongside Su Yue; she knew her heart and her true character. Even if Su Yue hadn’t voiced the ugly details of Xu Xue’s betrayal, Mingyuan had already made her choice. If forced to pick a side, she would stand unconditionally by Su Yue now.
Su Yue had severed her own ties with Xu Xue, but she hadn’t demanded that Mingyuan do the same. She wasn’t one to interfere in the friendships of others, yet hearing Mingyuan’s declaration made the bitter disgust she felt toward Xu Xue’s treachery soften significantly.
This was Su Yue’s second visit to the Song residence. The house was still expansive, decorated with a simple, solemn elegance that felt somewhat cold and austere [Su mu – 肃穆: A formal, respectful, and slightly intimidating atmosphere often found in old-money Chinese households]. Su Yue knew Grandma Song’s history—the loss of her eldest son and the daughter who moved away. With only the housekeeper and a few servants for company in such a sprawling mansion, it was no wonder the old lady felt a persistent loneliness.
As they entered the grand hall, the tender, clear voice of little Jiang Haoyan drifted toward them. “Great-Grandma, when are Mommy and Daddy coming to get Haohao?”
“Does Haohao not want to stay with Great-Grandma anymore? Are you starting to dislike me?” Grandma Song teased, feigning a look of deep sorrow.
“No, no! Haohao likes Great-Grandma!” Panic-stricken, the little guy scrambled off the sofa and pressed a quick, wet kiss to her cheek. “I love Great-Grandma, but I have to go home now. I’ll come back during the holidays, I promise!”
The little guy truly missed his parents.
“What a good boy.” She hugged his chubby little body affectionately and handed him a peeled orange. “I know, I know. Your parents will be here any minute.”
As if on cue, Haohao’s round eyes widened. “Dad! Mom!” He spotted the two figures in the hall and shrieked with joy. “Great-Grandma, they’re here!” He lunged forward, ready to sprint.
“Yes, they’re here. Don’t rush, finish your orange first.” Grandma Song settled him back down and turned a sharp, disapproving eye toward Jiang Ci. “Finally decided to pick up your son, have you?”
“It was Yueyue’s idea,” Jiang Ci replied, sinking lazily into the sofa. His meaning was clear: if it hadn’t been for Su Yue, he would have left the little troublemaker here much longer. Having finally secured some peace and quiet in his own house , why would he be in a hurry to bring back the “third wheel”?
“Hello ,Grandma,” Su Yue greeted her warmly.
Grandma Song gave Jiang Ci another look of mock-annoyance before beaming at Su Yue. “I heard you finished your filming today. When it’s released, Grandma will be the first in line to watch it.”
Her own daughter, Song Xiaoqing, had come complaining that her daughters-in-law were “bringing shame” to the Jiang name by entering the entertainment industry. Grandma Song, however, had spent her youth managing a corporate empire and knew the value of passion. To her, having a career you loved was a blessing, not a disgrace.
“I’ll definitely let you know the date, Grandma,” Su Yue promised with a smile.
“I’ll be waiting.” The old lady’s wrinkled face glowed with pleasure when she heard it. She handed Haohao a tissue to wipe the orange juice from his dimpled hands. “Haohao has been an angel. Ao’ao [Jiang Ci’s childhood nickname], do you remember your ‘base’? This child found it and has wanted to go there every single day.”
“Little base?” Su Yue turned to Jiang Ci, blinking in curiosity.
“When Ao’ao was a boy, he was quite the loner. He turned the attic into his private sanctuary. Every time he visited, he’d lock himself away up there,” Grandma Song explained, her eyes softening at the memory.
Seeing Su Yue’s intrigued expression, Jiang Ci squinted lazily. “I’ll take you to see it.”
“Haohao wants to go too! Haohao wants to go too!” The little guy waved a sticky, orange-covered hand in the air, desperate to join.
“Stay here and eat your fruit,” Jiang Ci commanded, ignoring his son’s longing gaze as he led Su Yue toward the stairs.
“I’ll have lunch started early! You two aren’t leaving until you’ve eaten with me!” Grandma Song called out after them.
“Understood.”
Jiang Ci strode ahead with his long legs, his large hand firmly enveloping Su Yue’s as they ascended. The Song house was a massive three-story structure, with the attic built as an independent unit on the rooftop.
As Jiang Ci unlocked the door and stepped back for her. Su Yue found that while it was technically an attic, the space was generous. It was a time capsule of a boy’s life, decorated in Jiang Ci’s signature cold, minimalist style.
Exercise equipment, basketballs, and vintage models were scattered about. A hammock hung in the corner, and a single bed sat beneath a large, angled skylight—perfect for stargazing at night or basking in the sun by day.
“This was your base?” Su Yue felt a pang of tenderness, imagining a younger, lonelier Jiang Ci hiding away here.
Jiang Ci shut the door and clicked the lock with casual finality. He crossed his arms, his dark eyes tracking Su Yue as she stood in the center of his monochrome world. Against the black-and-white decor, she looked fresh, vibrant, and devastatingly beautiful. “It was.”
Su Yue wandered over to a shelf filled with books and intricate models. “Did you build these when you were little?”
“In elementary school. I stopped touching them once I grew up.” In middle school, his interests had shifted toward the iron weights and basketballs littering the floor.
Su Yue looked at the heavy, black workout machines. She finally understood why the man was so unnaturally strong; even as a teenager, he had been tempering his body like cast iron.
“Did you put up this hammock?” She was fascinated by every detail. No wonder Haohao wanted to come here; it felt like a secret kingdom.
“Yeah. Want to try it?” He stepped toward her.
“Help me up then.” She turned her head, her dark, watery eyes shimmering with anticipation.
Jiang Ci bent down and effortlessly swept her into a princess carry, settling her into the mesh hammock.
“Ao Ao, give me a push!” Su Yue lay back, feeling a rare burst of playful excitement. But a second later, the hammock lurched violently as Jiang Ci climbed in beside her.
“Why are you getting in too? It’s too small!” The hammock was designed for one. With his massive frame covering her, the space became instantly narrow and breathlessly cramped.
Jiang Ci’s lips curled into a smirk. Did she really think he brought her all the way to his private rooftop sanctuary just to look at old basketballs?
He shrugged off his black trench coat and tucked it behind her head like a makeshift pillow so the rough ropes wouldn’t chafe her. “Don’t be afraid,” he murmured, his voice dropping into a dangerous, velvet register. “I’ll be gentle this time.” He knew he’d been too rough before as her allure was a drug that made him lose all self-control.
Su Yue’s face flushed a deep crimson. “Jiang Ci!” She shoved at his chest. “We have to go down and eat with Grandma soon! Are you insane?”
He caught her hand and gave it a playful, sharp nip with his teeth. “It won’t delay the meal.” He lowered his head, his lips sealing hers and swallowing her protests before she could utter another word.
The hammock began to sway.
With every rhythmic movement, Su Yue felt the bite of the ropes against her back, but the sensation was drowned out by the waves of heat surging through her. Her face burned a feverish red. As the swaying grew more violent, she gripped his shoulders so hard her delicate pink fingernails nearly snapped.
Around noon, lunch was served. The butler pulled out a chair for little Jiang Haoyan and asked Grandma Song, “Shall I send someone to call the Young Master?”
“No need. Wait a moment.” Grandma Song smiled. The two of them surely had much to “discuss” in private.
A few minutes later, Jiang Ci led Su Yue downstairs. His hand wasn’t just on her waist; it was a protective, half-embrace.
“Everyone is here. Sit, let’s eat,” Grandma Song greeted them, her smile broadening at the sight of them.
Jiang Ci pulled out Su Yue’s chair, and once she was settled, he sat beside her. “What do you want? I’ll get it for you.”
Su Yue kept her head low, her voice sounding uncharacteristically soft and slightly hoarse. “Anything is fine.”
Grandma Song watched with delight as Jiang Ci meticulously deboned a piece of fish for Su Yue. She had always worried his cold, arrogant nature would leave him a bachelor for life. Seeing him so attentive and grounded by his wife brought her immense peace.
“I had the kitchen prepare a special soup—it’s excellent for the complexion and bu xue [补血 – Blood nourishing; a TCM concept for vitality and health],” Grandma Song said. “Yueyue, have a bowl.”
“Thank you, Grandma.” Su Yue picked up the fragrant bowl, blew on it, and took a small sip. Suddenly, she hissed in pain.
“Is it too hot?” Grandma Song asked worriedly. “Did you burn yourself?”
She looked closer. Su Yue’s fair face was glowing with a deep, rosy flush, and her dark eyes were unnervingly bright and watery. Her mouth was a vivid, swollen red—more beautiful and ripe than the cherries on the table. Grandma Song couldn’t help but think her granddaughter-in-law was truly a peerless beauty, a perfect match for her grandson.
“No, I’m fine,” Su Yue stammered, looking mortified. Her lips were actually stinging—not just from the heat of the soup, but because they were raw and swollen from Jiang Ci’s relentless, hungry kisses in the attic.
Jiang Ci knew exactly why she was hurting. He had spent the last hour nibbling and tasting her lips until they were tender. He calmly took the bowl from her shaking hands. “Eat your rice first. I’ll blow on this until it’s cool enough for you.”
Su Yue didn’t say a word, but under the table, she desperately wanted to kick him. She could only pray that Grandma Song hadn’t noticed the “true” cause of her beautiful, swollen pout yet.
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