Captivating Beauty 94

Chapter 94

“Nothing,” Shen Shu replied calmly, pulling the book closer.

Xu Jinnan leaned against the doorframe, her posture relaxed, her gaze returning to Shen Shu’s hands. “Really? You seem a little nervous.” She took a step towards the bed, and Shen Shu said, “Go take a shower.”

“Then let me see what you’re reading,” Xu Jinnan said, a playful smile on her lips, her curiosity piqued by Shen Shu’s evasiveness.

Shen Shu slipped the book under the covers, then, as Xu Jinnan reached the bed, she stuck out her foot, trying to stop her from getting any closer. “Xu Jinnan.”

Xu Jinnan caught her foot, her fingers gently caressing Shen Shu’s soft skin. “Why are you kicking me?”

Shen Shu’s foot twitched, ticklish, but she couldn’t pull it away.

“You’re annoying,” she muttered, the words lacking any real heat.

Her slip dress rode up slightly as she moved, revealing her slender legs.

Xu Jinnan, her grip tightening slightly, pulled Shen Shu closer, her other hand reaching out to support her head.

“Kicking me and calling me annoying? Now I’m even more curious,” she whispered, her voice husky, her warm breath on Shen Shu’s skin, making her face flush, her body tingle. Only her expression, carefully neutral, maintained a semblance of composure.

“No,” Shen Shu said, trying to push Xu Jinnan away. “You haven’t showered yet. You’re covered in germs. Get off the bed.”

Xu Jinnan leaned in and kissed her softly. “Why so eager tonight? Constantly telling me to shower.”

Shen Shu: “…”

Her earlobes burned, knowing Xu Jinnan enjoyed teasing her like this. She bit her lip, her fingers lightly pinching Xu Jinnan’s side.

“Yes, so go shower,” she said.

Xu Jinnan looked at her for a moment, then stood up.

“Fine, I’ll shower,” she said, taking her pajamas and leaving the room.

As soon as she left, Shen Shu retrieved the book from under the covers and hid it in the bottom drawer of her nightstand, then touched her flushed cheeks, exhaling slowly.

A few minutes later, she heard Xu Jinnan call out from the bathroom.

Her pajamas were damp, and she needed a clean set.

Shen Shu opened the wardrobe, took out a pair of pajamas, and went to the bathroom, only to be pulled inside as soon as she opened the door.

–

Xu Jinnan carried Shen Shu to the bed, tucked her in, then slipped under the covers herself, her arm reaching out to pull Shen Shu closer, her hand resting on the back of her head.

The cool autumn night air did little to dispel the warmth in the room, and Shen Shu sometimes felt like a delicate flower, sheltered in a greenhouse, Xu Jinnan’s constant care and attention a warm, nurturing presence.

She remembered Xu Jinnan’s earlier kiss, her soft whispers, and her face burned.

After a while, Xu Jinnan said, “Wait here. I need to get something.”

She went to the guest room, returning a moment later with two pale pink slip dresses, identical except for the size, clearly a matching set.

Shen Shu’s hand reached out from under the covers, her fingers brushing against the soft, silky fabric. “When did you buy these?”

“That day… at the mall. I picked them up later,” Xu Jinnan replied.

Shen Shu remembered; she had been planning to buy Xu Jinnan a nightgown that day, but the… incident had interrupted their shopping trip.

And she hadn’t had time to go back since.

Her fingers lingered on the smooth fabric.

“I like them,” she murmured, a soft smile playing on her lips.

“Want to try one on?” Xu Jinnan asked, unfolding the dresses and letting Shen Shu choose. “If we don’t wear them, I don’t think either of us will be able to sleep.” After so long, their desire, like a dam finally bursting, was almost overwhelming.

They were both walking on a tightrope, their every touch, every glance, a spark that could ignite a fire.

But they never seemed to tire of it.

Shen Shu’s face was pressed against the pillow, her voice soft. “I’m too tired to move.”

“I’ll help you,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice a husky whisper.

“What else would you do?” Shen Shu retorted, a playful glint in her eyes.

Xu Jinnan, her heart melting at Shen Shu’s words, simply said, “Okay.”

She helped Shen Shu into the dress, then put on her own, before turning off the lights and slipping back into bed, pulling Shen Shu close, their bodies warm against each other.

They lay in the darkness, their breathing gradually slowing, their bodies relaxing.

“They found a new caregiver for Little Crescent Moon,” Xu Jinnan said, breaking the silence. “The director called yesterday. A kind woman in her fifties. I’m still planning to visit and meet her, though.”

“I should have some free time soon,” Shen Shu replied.

The unexpected success of Into the Dream had filled her schedule for the next six months, but Tong Jia, unlike other agents, hadn’t overloaded her, leaving some time for rest and personal matters.

And that was exactly what Shen Shu wanted.

While her career was important, so was her time with Xu Jinnan.

“Then we’ll go together,” Xu Jinnan said, kissing Shen Shu’s forehead. “It’s late. Go to sleep.”

–

In the middle of the night, Xu Jinnan woke up and, after taking her medication, carefully got out of bed, not wanting to disturb Shen Shu.

Shen Shu, sensing the movement beside her, opened her eyes slightly to see Xu Jinnan sitting on the edge of the bed, drinking a glass of water, a small bottle on the nightstand.

“What time is it?” she murmured sleepily.

Xu Jinnan immediately turned off the light and got back into bed.

–

The next morning, Xu Jinnan, despite having an early meeting, lingered in bed for a while, a new habit.

She usually woke up easily, but lately, she had been finding it harder and harder to leave the warmth of the bed, especially with Shen Shu beside her.

She left just in time for her meeting, having prepared breakfast.

As she got into the car, she sent Shen Shu a message: [Wifey, there’s red bean porridge and boiled eggs in the kitchen. Eat before you leave.]

Shen Shu, who had also woken up, replied almost instantly: [I will.]

Having left late, she was stuck in traffic.

Xu Jinnan, looking at the long line of cars ahead, sent Shen Shu a photo. [Traffic jam…]

Shen Shu: [Will you be late?]

Xu Jinnan: [Probably.]

Shen Shu: [I should have…]

The message was clearly unfinished, and Xu Jinnan assumed she was about to say, …left earlier.

A few seconds later:

Shen Shu: […stayed in bed longer.]

Xu Jinnan chuckled, about to reply, when her phone rang.

Seeing Lu Yun’s name on the screen, her smile vanished.

“Nannan, why haven’t you sent the money to the Xu family yet? You have to send it immediately,” Lu Yun said, her voice urgent. “Xu Lian called again. She’s getting desperate.”

“I’m stalling,” Xu Jinnan replied calmly.

“I hate them too, and they’ll be begging us soon enough. But just give them the money this time. We can deal with them later. I’m worried about provoking Xu Lian. She’s not someone to be trifled with. She can be quite vindictive,” Lu Yun said, her voice laced with a hint of fear.

Xu Jinnan agreed, then, after hanging up, messaged Li Lan, asking about the progress of the investigation.

Before she even reached the office, Li Lan called.

She pulled over to the side of the road and closed the windows, the car falling silent as Li Lan’s voice, cold and crisp, came through the line. “I was just about to contact you. We’ve identified three of the women on that photo with Lu Yun.”

“Tell me,” Xu Jinnan said.

“Two of them are married and living in Qucheng. And one… is in a mental institution.”

Xu Jinnan frowned. Another one in a mental institution.

“You said Xu Lian’s ex-wife was also in a mental institution.”

“Yes,” Li Lan replied. “And there’s something else, something you won’t believe. They’re in the same institution.”

Xu Jinnan’s eyes widened. “Are you suggesting this mental institution is also connected to the Xu family?”

A chilling thought crossed her mind. The Xu family used the drug to control those who disobeyed them, but the dosage wasn’t always precise, and those who suffered severe side effects, those who became… mentally unstable, were sent to this institution.

“Not the institution itself, but the management. They’ve been receiving regular payments from the Xu family, disguised as donations. And we both know where that money is actually going,” Li Lan said. “I suspect this is one of the reasons why the Xu family is so desperate for that money.”

That was precisely why Xu Jinnan had cut off their funding.

Xu Lian, with her gambling debts and her own network of “business partners,” was desperate.

And desperation led to mistakes.

“Besides the woman in the mental institution, one of the other two Omegas, the ones married and living in Qucheng, provided us with some valuable information, including the names of some of the people involved in the Xu family’s… trafficking operation, the ones connected to the gambling den,” Li Lan continued.

“So, we have witnesses now?”

“Yes, but it’s not enough. These are just small fry,” Li Lan said. “The Xu family has been operating in Qucheng for generations. They’re not easy to take down. While they might seem disorganized, they’re incredibly loyal to each other. It’s difficult for outsiders to infiltrate their community. My people have been working hard, but this is all we have so far…” They were cautious and easily spooked.

Xu Jinnan listened, then asked, “What do you need me to do?”

Li Lan paused. “We need to go to Qucheng, but we need someone on the inside to help us. Of course, you can refuse.”

“I’ll go,” Xu Jinnan said without hesitation.

No one wanted this to end more than she did. “But we need an opportunity,” she added, thinking. “Your grandmother’s birthday is next month, early December, I think. Your people can accompany me, disguised as my drivers or bodyguards.”

Li Lan had been right; waiting for leads, investigating from the outside, would take too long.

Once they were inside, they would have access to more information, and they could plant listening devices and cameras.

Li Lan was silent for a moment.

Xu Jinnan sensed something was bothering her. “Officer Li, is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” Li Lan replied, the sound of a lighter clicking in the background. It was the first time Xu Jinnan had heard her smoke.

“Oh, and one more thing. During Xu Li’s interrogation, we discovered that her biological mother might be involved, perhaps even the mastermind behind some of those schemes. We’re looking for her, but she’s disappeared. I’ll send you her photo. Be careful,” she said.

Xu Jinnan agreed, though she suspected that wasn’t what Li Lan had originally wanted to tell her.

After hanging up, she opened Li Lan’s message.

A photo and a name – Bai Xiao.

The photo, a passport photo, showed a woman in her forties with delicate features and a small, red mole above her eyebrow.

Li Lan: [This is Bai Xiao from ten years ago.]

Xu Jinnan studied the photo. [Okay,] she replied.

–

After a morning of meetings, Xu Jinnan, having a rare free afternoon, took a nap in her office, then, upon waking, messaged Shen Shu.

Shen Shu was filming on location today.

She saw a flurry of notifications in the group chat, mostly meaningless banter between Cai Ying and Tong Jia.

Cai Ying: [Look at the manicure I gave my senior!]

A photo of beautifully manicured nails followed.

Tong Jia: [Senior? The one from your Moments post? Little sis, are you two a thing now?]

Cai Ying: [No! We’re just friends!]

Then, a voice message from Cai Ying: “My dad wants me to learn how to manage the company, so he had me participate in a recruitment event recently, and my senior was there. I knew her by reputation; she’s incredibly talented. So, I hired her. My dad likes her too. She’s very capable, and she’s been helping me a lot at the company… And since I’m going abroad for training, my dad asked her and another assistant to come with me.”

Tong Jia: [I’m picturing a devoted senior becoming a personal assistant for her CEO crush!]

Cai Ying: […]

Cai Ying: “Jia Jia, you’re overthinking it. She was so formal and distant at first. But she’s actually quite fun, and a little shy. I told her I was feeling down, and she asked how she could cheer me up. I said, ‘Give me a manicure.’ Her expression was priceless, just like Xu Jinnan’s. But she still did it, and her face turned bright red every time I touched her hand. It was adorable.”

Xu Jinnan, reading the messages, chuckled. [Here we go again.] While the Han Wenling incident seemed to be over, Cai Ying was still hurting, and Xu Jinnan was worried she would be easily swayed again.

Cai Ying: [Don’t worry, even though she’s an Alpha, she’s not my type. I prefer someone more… assertive.]

Xu Jinnan: “…”

She felt like this group chat was becoming increasingly… suggestive, thanks to Tong Jia’s influence.

Tong Jia: [@Cai Ying But little sis, even shy Alphas can be assertive in bed~]

Cai Ying: [Hahaha! But this little sis is only interested in her career right now.]

Tong Jia: [Thumbs up emoji]

Xu Jinnan scrolled through the rest of the meaningless chatter, then closed the app, her thoughts drifting to Han Wenling. Mr. Han’s condition was worsening; he had been admitted to the ICU. The Han Corporation would likely be facing a power struggle soon.

Unlike the Xu Corporation, which was solely under Xu Tao’s control, the Han Corporation was divided between Han Wenling and Han Wenfang, and whoever won would likely purge the other’s supporters.

Then, her thoughts returned to her own situation.

The Xu family drama, once resolved, would inevitably affect the Xu Corporation, and by extension, Shen Shu.

She hadn’t considered this fully before, but the closer she got to the truth, the more she worried about the potential consequences.

Her work provided a temporary distraction, but her anxieties always resurfaced.

–

That evening, the living room was dimly lit, only a single floor lamp casting a soft glow.

Shen Shu emerged from the bedroom and walked over to the sofa, where Xu Jinnan was working on her laptop.

“You’re still awake?” Xu Jinnan asked, closing her laptop.

It was past midnight. Shen Shu had returned late, having filmed a night scene, and after her shower, Xu Jinnan had coaxed her into bed, then, remembering an unread report, had come to the living room to finish it, afraid of disturbing Shen Shu.

Shen Shu leaned against Xu Jinnan, her face buried in her shoulder. “I can’t sleep without you,” she murmured, the sweet scent of her pheromones and the faint fragrance of her shower gel filling Xu Jinnan’s senses.

Xu Jinnan put her arm around Shen Shu’s waist. “I’ll be done soon,” she said, continuing to type with one hand.

Shen Shu, watching her work, gently kissed her cheek, then sat down beside her.

“Take your time,” she said softly.

Xu Jinnan nodded, her typing speed increasing.

A few minutes later, she closed her laptop.

Just then, she felt a cool touch on her lap and looked down to see Shen Shu’s feet resting on her legs.

She gently caressed Shen Shu’s foot. “Your feet are so cold. Go to bed,” she said.

“Did you have something to tell me?” Shen Shu asked, looking up at her.

She had sensed it when Xu Jinnan returned home.

Xu Jinnan paused, then, pulling Shen Shu’s feet onto her lap and covering them with the hem of her shirt, said, “I’ll tell you later.”

Shen Shu looked surprised. “Are you crazy? Aren’t you cold?”

“Don’t move. Your feet are too cold,” Xu Jinnan said, holding her ankle gently. Shen Shu’s feet were always cold in this weather, unlike Xu Jinnan’s, which were always warm, which was why Shen Shu liked to snuggle against her in bed.

Shen Shu’s toes wiggled slightly against the warm fabric of Xu Jinnan’s shirt, her gaze shifting from her feet to Xu Jinnan’s chest, her toes moving upwards, brushing against her skin.

Xu Jinnan quickly grabbed her foot, holding it still.

“Shu Shu,” she said, her voice a mixture of amusement and warning.

Shen Shu, her lips curving into a faint smile, stopped teasing her. “Tell me,” she said softly.

Xu Jinnan looked at her, her gaze lingering on Shen Shu’s beautiful eyes, then said quietly, “I’m going to Qucheng next month.”

Shen Shu’s expression changed slightly at the mention of Qucheng.

They had silently avoided the topic of the Xu family and Qucheng since their reconciliation, a mutual understanding, a shared desire to avoid the unpleasantness.

But they both knew they couldn’t avoid it forever.

It was a small, but persistent, knot between them.

Shen Shu simply didn’t want to revisit her past, the trauma of her childhood, the nightmares that still plagued her, the memories of her biological mother, of the abuse she had endured at the hands of the Xu family.

Whenever she thought about it, she felt like she was back there, alone and vulnerable, a small, insignificant child lost in a world of darkness and cruelty.

Seeing the shadows return to Shen Shu’s eyes, Xu Jinnan gently pulled her feet away, then, moving closer, put her arm around Shen Shu, pulling her into a hug.

“We don’t have to talk about it now,” she murmured.

“Tell me. I want to know,” Shen Shu said, her face buried in Xu Jinnan’s shoulder, her voice muffled. “I need to know if you’ll be in danger.”

“I won’t. Li Lan is going with me. I’m just… showing them around,” Xu Jinnan reassured her, briefly explaining her plan with Li Lan.

Shen Shu was silent for a moment, and Xu Jinnan gently caressed the back of her neck.

Shen Shu’s arms tightened around Xu Jinnan’s waist. “I don’t want you to go, but I know you have to,” she whispered. Xu Jinnan would go, regardless of her fears.

Xu Jinnan pulled away slightly. “It’s late. Let’s go to sleep,” she said.

Shen Shu didn’t move, her gaze fixed on Xu Jinnan’s face.

Xu Jinnan chuckled softly and lifted Shen Shu into her arms, carrying her to the bed.

They lay down, Xu Jinnan’s feet warming Shen Shu’s.

Shen Shu’s face rested against Xu Jinnan’s chest, and she gently bit her, a playful nip that made Xu Jinnan’s breath hitch. She gently pinched Shen Shu’s earlobe. “Behave. You have an early call time. No more… activities tonight,” she murmured.

Shen Shu, also tired, had simply wanted to be close, and hearing Xu Jinnan’s words, she didn’t protest, snuggling against her and quickly drifting off to sleep.

But her sleep was restless, her mind replaying the events of the day, the fear and anxiety from earlier returning, like a wave crashing over her, pulling her under.

Like a wild beast baring its fangs, its shadow looming over her, the fear and panic chasing her through the darkness.

She was back in the courtyard, the heavyset woman throwing her to the ground, her fists and feet raining down on her, the pain making her eyes water, her cries muffled by the woman’s hand covering her mouth.

She lay there, sobbing, her vision blurred by tears, and she saw a little girl hiding behind the water tank.

She instinctively wanted to call out to her, to ask for help, even though the girl was just a child.

But in that moment, anyone, even a child, would have been a lifeline.

Help me, she thought, her heart pounding with fear and desperation. Please, someone, help me.

Just as she thought she was going to die, the little girl stood up, and the woman stopped hitting her, turning towards the child, her large figure like a monstrous beast, its heavy footsteps echoing in Shen Shu’s ears as it approached.

The sky darkened, a sudden downpour, the rain mingling with her tears.

She saw the woman lift the little girl and throw her into the water tank…

She knew the little girl had saved her, sacrificing herself to protect her.

She tried to see her face, but it was blurry, a hazy image she couldn’t quite grasp.

Then, the scene shifted.

She was in a cold, damp room, her body aching, her stomach cramping, the rain falling outside.

The door opened slightly, and she saw the little girl from earlier, silhouetted against the light, reaching out to her. “Get up. I’ll help you,” she said.

The girl led her through a maze of narrow alleyways, then through a crowded street, the rain falling steadily, the stone pavement slick beneath their feet.

At a deserted intersection, the girl let go of her hand.

“Go. Don’t look back,” she said.

Shen Shu ran, but halfway down the street, she turned back, wanting to remember the girl’s face.

She struggled to see through the haze, her mind straining, then, with a sudden burst of clarity, the image sharpened, the little girl’s face clear and distinct.

And at the same moment, Shen Shu’s eyes flew open, the image of the girl who had saved her merging with the memories of Xu Jinnan as a child.

Tears streamed down her face.

It had been Xu Jinnan who had saved her…

She knew Xu Jinnan had multiple personalities, that the current Xu Jinnan was different from the original, but somehow, she knew it had been Xu Jinnan.

The face in her dream was the same as the one she knew now.

.

Xu Jinnan stirred, a strange discomfort pulling her from her sleep.

“Shu Shu?” she murmured, her voice husky, reaching out for Shen Shu.

Shen Shu lifted her head from Xu Jinnan’s chest, her lips brushing against her chin.

“I want you,” she whispered.