Captivating Beauty 111P1

Chapter 111 – End of Main Story p3

…

Upstairs, Xu Jinnan checked the kitchen, then prepared a simple dinner of boiled fish, cold beef salad, and stir-fried potatoes with green peppers.

Shen Shu emerged from the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a pink towel. With the colder weather, Xu Jinnan had bought them new, thicker robes, to wear over their pajamas. Hers was white, Shen Shu’s pink.

“Shu Shu, come try this,” Xu Jinnan called out.

Shen Shu walked over, and Xu Jinnan held out a piece of beef.

“It’s good,” Shen Shu said after tasting it, glancing at the boiled fish and potatoes. “Xu Jinnan… you did this on purpose, didn’t you?”

“It’s not oily or spicy. Just a little something to nourish you. You’ve been eating like a rabbit lately,” Xu Jinnan replied, placing a serving of poached chicken on a plate.

“I haven’t,” Shen Shu retorted.

Xu Jinnan leaned closer, her lips brushing against Shen Shu’s ear. “You’ve lost weight, babe. Don’t get any skinnier. I’m starting to feel your bones,” she whispered, her voice a husky murmur.

“Oh, so now you’re disgusted with me? Then find someone fleshier,” Shen Shu said, her voice playful, though her earlobes flushed slightly at Xu Jinnan’s words.

Xu Jinnan chuckled, pulling Shen Shu closer. “No way. I like… touching you,” she said, her voice a low growl.

Shen Shu’s earlobes turned a deeper shade of pink.

“I’m not dieting! That movie I’m auditioning for requires a more… athletic physique. I’ve been working out. I can’t just… indulge myself,” she explained. It was a big-budget production with a star-studded cast, a period drama she really wanted to be a part of.

Xu Jinnan released her, her expression softening. “I thought you were just teasing me. Okay, I’ll just have a little of the beef then. Seeing you not eating… it worries me,” she said, her voice gentle.

Shen Shu’s hand rested on Xu Jinnan’s arm. “It’s fine. I’ll just have a little… just a little. You really thought I was teasing you?” she asked, as if it were a preposterous notion.

Xu Jinnan, seeing her relenting, smiled and pulled her closer, her hand playfully tugging at the belt of Shen Shu’s robe, which loosened, the pink fabric falling open slightly, revealing a glimpse of bare skin beneath.

Shen Shu, caught off guard, her earlobes burning, quickly adjusted her robe. “Let’s eat,” she said.

Xu Jinnan, who hadn’t intended to be suggestive, her earlier action purely accidental, now felt a flicker of arousal, her fingers toying with the belt of Shen Shu’s robe, the soft fabric strangely rough against her skin.

“You didn’t tell me you were working out,” she murmured, her gaze fixed on Shen Shu’s face.

“Couldn’t you tell?” Shen Shu retorted, her eyes meeting Xu Jinnan’s for a brief moment.

“Oh, so you wanted me to… discover it myself?” Xu Jinnan asked, a playful smile on her lips.

Shen Shu, rolling her eyes, turned to leave, but Xu Jinnan pulled her back, her hip bumping against the kitchen island, the sound a soft thud in the quiet apartment.

“Then let me… feel it,” she whispered, her voice husky, her body close to Shen Shu’s, her warm breath on her skin.

—

Shen Shu’s face burned, her body tingling at Xu Jinnan’s touch.

Xu Jinnan was different during these moments, her words bolder, her touch more demanding, her kisses deeper, her passion a consuming fire.

And Shen Shu enjoyed it, her own inhibitions melting away, her responses matching Xu Jinnan’s boldness, their playful banter a subtle dance of seduction.

But Xu Jinnan was always the one in control, her movements more precise, her timing perfect, Shen Shu’s own reactions always a step behind, her body responding instinctively to Xu Jinnan’s touch, her desire a flame ignited by the slightest spark.

Even now, just standing here, Xu Jinnan’s hand on her waist, her gaze intense, her breath warm against her skin…

And if she kissed her…

She would melt.

–

The next morning, Xu Jinnan left for work before Shen Shu woke up. She had a meeting with government officials.

And Li Lan had messaged her last night, so she decided to stop by the Special Ward first.

She adjusted the passenger seat, then drove to the Special Ward.

Upstairs, Shen Shu woke up after Xu Jinnan left.

Her legs felt slightly weak as she got out of bed, the lingering soreness from their lovemaking a pleasant ache. Since their reconciliation, they had become less restrained, their intimacy more frequent, more intense. She could still feel the warmth of Xu Jinnan’s body against hers, the memory of their tangled limbs a sweet, lingering sensation.

Their dinner had been delayed by an hour, the food reheated, but it had had its benefits.

You always have a better appetite after… exercising, Xu Jinnan had said, her voice a husky whisper, her words a playful tease.

Shen Shu went to the bathroom, glancing at her reflection in the mirror, the faint pink mark on her neck, near her scent gland, a reminder of last night’s passion.

Since their first time, their lovemaking had become more uninhibited, their bodies more attuned to each other’s rhythm.

She got dressed, then, as she was about to leave the bedroom, she saw a notification on her phone.

Xu Jinnan: [Good morning, beautiful wife. Loving you always.]

A smile touched her lips, her gaze lingering on her wedding ring, the diamond sparkling in the morning light.

[Good morning. Loving you and missing you always,] she replied.

–

Xu Jinnan, who had taken a call during the drive, saw Shen Shu’s message when she arrived at the Special Ward.

“Wipe that smile off your face,” Li Lan said, her voice dry, as Xu Jinnan stepped out of the elevator.

Xu Jinnan, her smile widening, retorted, “Officer Li, are you jealous?”

Li Lan: “…”

Having successfully silenced Li Lan, Xu Jinnan felt a twinge of guilt, remembering Li Lan’s unrequited feelings for Xu Yincheng.

It was a low blow.

Li Lan had called her in to sign some documents and to present her with a… certificate of commendation.

“There’s something I wanted to ask. That video of me being held hostage by Xu Lian… where did you get it?”

“There was a hidden camera in the courtyard, separate from the Xu family’s security system. We only discovered it later,” Li Lan explained. “It took us a while to review all the footage, which is why we only released it yesterday.”

“And the video of Bai Xiao’s fall?”

“You’ll have to ask your brother about that one,” Li Lan replied, then told her Xu Yincheng had gone to great lengths to find evidence that would clear Xu Jinnan’s name.

“He’s leaving again soon. Did he tell you?”

Xu Jinnan paused, shaking her head. “When?”

“Ask him yourself.”

Xu Jinnan nodded, then asked about the Xu family.

“The old matriarch is still refusing to cooperate, but the others have confessed. We have witnesses and evidence. It’s just a matter of sentencing now. The ones with the most serious charges will get life sentences, at least. While Xu Tao wasn’t directly involved, he funded their operations for years, so he’s an accomplice. As for the matriarch, Xu Lian, and Liu Yong, they’re the main culprits. They’ll likely get the death penalty,” Li Lan explained.

Xu Jinnan was relieved. This world’s justice system was harsh, but fair.

If they had only received a few years, or even ten, the victims would never find peace, their trauma a lifelong burden.

–

The temperature in North City had dropped significantly, and as Xu Jinnan stepped out of the Special Ward, the cold air was a shock, a chilling contrast to the warmth of the building.

Her phone vibrated, and she saw a message from Shen Shu.

[Babe, are you cold? I put a thicker coat in the trunk. Wear it if you need to.]

The wind whipped at her face and hair, but her heart felt warm, a comforting glow amidst the coldness.

Justice had been served.

And she was surrounded by people who cared about her.

And most importantly…

The person she loved, loved her back.

In that moment, she felt a sense of peace, a quiet contentment.

.

After a meeting at the government building, where the authorities, after a thorough investigation, confirmed there had been no financial transactions between the Xu Corporation and the Xu family, which relieved both Xu Jinnan and the authorities, though Xu Tao’s shares in the Xu Corporation would still be confiscated, as per ABO regulations, they had decided, after careful consideration, to allow Xu Jinnan to remain in control of the company, given its importance to North City’s economy and its involvement in the three major construction projects.

.

Xu Jinnan tried calling Xu Yincheng, but he didn’t answer, and when she arrived at the villa, she learned he had already left.

The housekeeper gave her a note, a single sentence scrawled in his messy handwriting: Gone.

Despite the curtness of the message, she could almost hear his voice, the underlying humor, the playful arrogance.

He probably thought he was being cool.

She smiled faintly and sent him a message.

[Brother, be safe.]

.

The storm had passed, and life, for everyone, seemed to be returning to normal.

Christmas Day.

And the final Into the Dream fan meeting.

Shen Shu woke up to a flurry of birthday messages.

Xu Jinnan hadn’t celebrated Christmas before, but now, with Shen Shu, it felt different, the festive atmosphere more… present.

Hearing Shen Shu stir beside her, she put down her phone and turned to her, pulling her into a hug. “Happy birthday, babe,” she murmured, her voice a husky whisper against Shen Shu’s ear.

Shen Shu giggled, her neck tickling from Xu Jinnan’s warm breath. “Happy birthday to you too,” she replied, her voice sleepy.

The more she tried to pull away, the more Xu Jinnan nuzzled against her, until finally, Shen Shu, laughing, pushed her away, their bodies rolling across the bed, a playful wrestling match.

Then, her foot connected with Xu Jinnan’s leg, and Xu Jinnan, caught off guard, tumbled off the bed, landing on the floor with a thud.

They both froze for a moment, then Shen Shu burst out laughing, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Xu Jinnan: “…”

She looked up at Shen Shu, her voice mock-accusing. “You kicked me off the bed, and you’re laughing?”

Shen Shu’s laughter subsided slightly, and she reached out to help Xu Jinnan up. “Okay, I’m sorry,” she said, still smiling.

Xu Jinnan, however, refused to move, her body limp, and Shen Shu couldn’t pull her up. She knelt down beside the bed, her hand gently cupping Xu Jinnan’s face as she leaned in and kissed her softly. “A kiss from Jiejie will make it all better,” she murmured.

“Are you treating me like Little Crescent Moon?” Xu Jinnan asked, her voice muffled against Shen Shu’s lips.

“Of course not,” Shen Shu replied, gently poking Xu Jinnan’s cheek, which was still slightly puffed out in a mock-pout. “Call me ‘Auntie,’ and I’ll treat you like Little Crescent Moon.”

Xu Jinnan: “…”

She suddenly sat up, pushing Shen Shu onto the bed. “You kicked me off the bed, and now you’re teasing me? You’ve become so naughty! Who taught you these things?”

Shen Shu’s lips curved into a smile. “Teacher Xu, you should be more confident in your… influence.”

Xu Jinnan clicked her tongue. “Blaming me again?”

“Who else?”

Xu Jinnan sighed dramatically. “What can I do? I’m completely under your control,” she said, her words a playful surrender.

Shen Shu’s smile widened, her heart warming at her words. She felt a surge of affection, a playful dominance, emboldened by Xu Jinnan’s unconditional love and indulgence, her own occasional attempts to resist quickly forgotten, her desire a flame ignited by the slightest touch, the slightest glance.

She wrapped her arms around Xu Jinnan’s waist, pulling her closer. “Does it still hurt?” she asked softly.

“It does,” Xu Jinnan replied, her voice a husky whisper.

Shen Shu’s lips brushed against the sore spot on Xu Jinnan’s hip, a soft, warm kiss. “I love you,” she murmured.

Xu Jinnan: “…”

The pain vanished, replaced by a warmth that spread through her body.

.

Thanks to Xu Jinnan’s… enthusiasm, Shen Shu almost missed her call time that morning.

After their shower, Shen Shu, her arms weak, couldn’t even fasten her bra, and Xu Jinnan had to help her.

“Are you coming today?” Shen Shu asked as she sat on the bed, adjusting her clothes.

“Coming where?” Xu Jinnan asked, handing her a camisole, then, seeing Shen Shu’s raised eyebrow, she smiled faintly. “Do you want me to come?”

“Yes,” Shen Shu replied without hesitation.

Xu Jinnan’s mood lifted. “If you want me to come, I’ll come,” she said, her voice soft.

Shen Shu smiled. “I saved you a seat. And I have an extra ticket.” She tilted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a playful glint, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders, like a kitten playfully batting at a toy, then looking up for approval.

Xu Jinnan gently ruffled her hair. “Shouldn’t family members have… backstage access? Why do I need a ticket?”

“You do,” Shen Shu said firmly.

“Okay, thank you, wifey,” Xu Jinnan said, bending down to kiss Shen Shu’s forehead.

As Shen Shu was leaving, Xu Jinnan wrapped a scarf around her neck. “Let me know when you arrive,” she said.

“I will,” Shen Shu replied. “And drive safely.”

“I will,” Xu Jinnan said. “I have lunch with Mr. Cai and a few business partners today. I’ll come over this afternoon. Don’t skip lunch, okay?”

“I know, Auntie Xu!” Shen Shu retorted, her voice playful.

“Hmm?”

Shen Shu dodged her hand and hurried out the door, her heels clicking against the floor. “Bye, Auntie Xu!” she called out.

Xu Jinnan: “…”

She leaned against the doorway, watching Shen Shu’s retreating figure, a smile playing on her lips.

.

Xu Jinnan had lunch with Mr. Cai and Mr. Chen.

After the last incident, they both knew about her low alcohol tolerance and shielded her from the other guests’ attempts to toast her, especially Mr. Cai.

She only had a single glass of wine at the end of the meal.

As she was leaving the private room to go to the restroom, she saw Tan Jie standing in the hallway.

She quickly looked away.

Tan Jie, watching her go, heard her assistant’s voice, low and slightly bitter. “Looks like Shen Shu has found herself a new… protector.”

Tan Jie didn’t reply, and her assistant continued, “You took those photos of Shen Shu and Xia Chun, didn’t you? Even if there’s nothing between them, the netizens will…”

“Forget it,” Tan Jie said, her gaze shifting from Xu Jinnan’s retreating figure to her assistant. She wasn’t interested in such petty schemes anymore.

Besides, she had chosen not to interfere when Shen Shu and Xu Jinnan were having marital problems; why would she get involved now that they had reconciled?

“Don’t mention it again,” she said firmly.

Shen Shu’s career had taken off in less than six months, her popularity almost rivaling Tan Jie’s, while Tan Jie herself was struggling to secure roles, even with her connections…

She suddenly felt a sense of… futility, her earlier ambition, her desire to climb the social ladder, now a distant memory.

She took out her phone, found the photos of Shen Shu and Xia Chun, and deleted them, the act a symbolic gesture, a release from the past, from the envy and resentment that had been consuming her.

…