Chapter 4: Love Letter

Cheng Zhanya felt a heaviness in her head, her mind foggy and her breathing labored.

Lin Hanbing had someone else on the side.

That was why she was always going on business trips, growing more distant from her with each passing day.

Her eyes suddenly reddened. She pressed her lips together and stood there, glaring at that overly chummy pair.

Lin Hanbing had left home before dawn, preparing a simple breakfast for her wife. She’d been in back-to-back meetings since a little after eight, and this was only the third one finished for the day.

A faint pain began to stir in her stomach.

She swallowed a stomach pill, and the ache eased somewhat, but she knew she had to get some food in her.

It was nearing one o’clock. In the company, those still in meetings were occupied, while others were out or taking their lunch breaks. Snatches of quiet conversation drifted through the air now and then.

The click of high heels echoed against the floor in the stillness.

She returned to her office to drop off some files, grabbed her phone, and headed downstairs, intent on first soothing her acting-up stomach.

“President Lin.”

She had just stepped out of the elevator when someone called her name. Lin Hanbing turned her head slightly toward the voice.

It was the new intern, Liang Xiaotong.

Her expression remained cool and detached as she came to a stop. “Something you need?”

Liang Xiaotong was the younger sister of one of her classmates—not someone she knew well. The girl had studied hospitality management, adored Jiahe, and wanted to learn from her, asking for a backdoor entry.

Slipping in one person was no big deal. The company needed staff anyway, so she’d handed her off to Li Wenwen to train, easing some of the assistant’s workload in the process.

Fresh out of school, the girl was still a bit green, brimming with youthful energy and eager to learn. She’d quickly gotten along with everyone in the office.

Li Wenwen had fallen ill after a trip—un acclimated to the travel—and Lin Hanbing had given her two days off. Naturally, the work had fallen to Liang Xiaotong.

The young woman hurried over, her eyes downcast in shy delight. “Just now… thank you.”

Lin Hanbing recalled how Liang Xiaotong had nearly tripped, and she’d steadied her.

It had been a casual gesture, nothing more.

The corner of her mouth twitched faintly. “No trouble at all.”

Liang Xiaotong bit her lower lip, her big eyes shimmering. “Are you heading to lunch, President Lin?”

“Mm.”

“Could I join you?”

She added hastily, “There’s some work stuff I’m not clear on. I was hoping to ask for your advice.”

“If it’s too much trouble, forget I asked.”

“I don’t discuss work over meals.”

Lin Hanbing’s refusal was straightforward. “For anything you’re unsure about, just ask the seniors in the office. I’m sure they’ll be happy to help.”

With that, she ignored the disappointment on Liang Xiaotong’s face and turned away coolly.

She had barely lifted her foot when she spotted Cheng Zhanya standing in the lobby.

Her brows lifted slightly. With long strides, she approached her wife and asked softly, “What brings you here?”

Cheng Zhanya drew a deep breath and fixed her gaze on her. After a moment, she said, “Looking for you.”

“Looking for me? What’s up?”

Lin Hanbing was taller, so their positions were offset. Cheng Zhanya noticed the earlier girl approaching them, stopping beside Lin Hanbing.

Her roundish eyes brimmed with curiosity as she unabashedly sized up Cheng Zhanya.

Cheng Zhanya withdrew her gaze coolly and looked up at Lin Hanbing. “To have lunch with you.”

“Do you have time?”

Lin Hanbing nodded. “Have you been waiting long?”

Cheng Zhanya shook her head. “Just got here.”

She picked up the glass of water she’d been given and walked to the reception desk, smiling at the girl who’d helped her. “Thank you.”

The receptionist wasn’t sure of her connection to Lin Hanbing, but their vibe suggested they were close.

Blushing, the girl shook her head. “N-No problem.”

Lin Hanbing walked over, her dark eyes intent as she took Cheng Zhanya’s hand. “Let’s go.”

As their hands clasped, Liang Xiaotong’s eyes widened in surprise, her mind racing with questions about their relationship.

“Wow, she’s so gentle.”

After Lin Hanbing and Cheng Zhanya had walked off, the girl gazed at their retreating figures and sighed. “They look perfect together.”

“Who is she?”

“Could be President Lin’s wife.”

The other girls gasped in shock. “Her wife?!”

“You didn’t know? President Lin got married ages ago.”

Their voices weren’t loud—they even lowered them deliberately—but Liang Xiaotong still overheard. She gaped in astonishment.

Wife?!

She touched her waist, where the warmth seemed to linger from where Lin Hanbing had held her. It was still hot to the touch.

Cheng Zhanya said nothing.

As they stepped out of the lobby, Lin Hanbing spotted the familiar car right away. It was a bit dusty, uncared for recently. “Driving today?”

Cheng Zhanya murmured a soft “Mm.”

“You’re not happy?” Lin Hanbing sensed her low mood, gave her hand a squeeze, and led her toward her own parking spot. “There was an international meeting this morning. I rushed back to prepare.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Forgive me?”

Hearing Lin Hanbing’s explanation, any lingering grievance in Cheng Zhanya’s heart evaporated.

But she wasn’t upset about that. Her tone grew heavier. “What about that girl from earlier? You don’t plan to explain?”

Lin Hanbing blinked. “Hm?”

It only took her a second to catch on. She chuckled lightly. “Jealous?”

Cheng Zhanya frowned slightly, shooting her a look laced with accusation. She was dead serious about this question.

Lin Hanbing had no time for her, yet she was all smiles for another woman outside.

When had it started?

How far had it gone?

Lin Hanbing leaned in to buckle her seatbelt. They were close, her warm breath brushing Cheng Zhanya’s collarbone. Cheng Zhanya instinctively sucked in her stomach, holding her breath as her heart pounded.

They’d done far more intimate things—embarrassing positions, deep explorations—but every move, every breath from Lin Hanbing still set her heart racing.

Lin Hanbing laughed lowly, planting a kiss on her chin before pulling back. “Do you remember Liang Wenxuan?”

Cheng Zhanya drew a blank at first. It had been so long ago, and back then, her eyes had only had room for Lin Hanbing.

“Not really.”

Lin Hanbing prompted her. “Dance department.”

Now Cheng Zhanya remembered. She fell silent for a beat before asking flatly, “What about her?”

“That was her little sister. She wanted to come work here and learn.” Lin Hanbing said it casually.

“The one who sent you that love letter?!” Cheng Zhanya’s memory sharpened, and she stared at her in surprise.

Lin Hanbing laughed. “You still remember that?”

“I’d forgotten until now.” Cheng Zhanya pressed her lips together.

Lin Hanbing came from a good family, excelled in her studies, and was strikingly beautiful with a graceful figure. Naturally, someone so perfect drew admirers of all kinds. Even after two years together, suitors persisted. Liang Wenxuan had been the boldest, handing a love letter to Lin Hanbing right in front of her, saying anything was possible as long as they didn’t get married.

Cheng Zhanya had been stunned. In front of everyone, she’d grabbed Lin Hanbing’s collar, risen on tiptoe, and kissed her fiercely.

Staking her claim.

Amid the cheers and onlookers, Lin Hanbing had dragged her off to the quietest corner of campus, kissing her until her legs gave out.

The memory made her ears heat up, though her tone held a hint of displeasure. “You still keep in touch?”

“We ran into each other at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.”

“She’s married now. To Hua Second Miss.” Lin Hanbing’s voice was even, devoid of any other emotion.

Cheng Zhanya pursed her lips. “Don’t you feel a little regretful?”

Lin Hanbing slammed on the brakes.

Cheng Zhanya jolted in fright, clutching the seatbelt across her chest. Before she could react, her chin was gripped, and her mouth claimed.

Fierce and possessive.

She toyed boldly with her lips and tongue.

A wave of numbness coursed through Cheng Zhanya’s body, leaving her limp.

Lin Hanbing pulled back, her gaze dark and intense. “Regret what?”

“Don’t get jealous for no reason.”