Chapter 314: Changing the World
Night fell over Sakura, the air unusually crisp, revealing the sparkling Milky Way strewn across the sky.
After a light Japanese dinner, Yang Chen didn't join the group of women heading to the hot springs. Instead, he returned to his room, turned on his computer, and discussed plans for the upcoming Liu family wedding with Macedonia and Soren.
The two unscrupulous old men brainstormed numerous schemes to disrupt the event. Yang Chen realized he didn't need to contribute much; he left everything to them and focused on ensuring Macedonia protected Anxin and monitored the situation covertly.
Sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window, Yang Chen gazed out into the night, his mind wandering to the silhouette of Seventeen he had seen during the day.
Too many mysteries perplexed Yang Chen. Seeing that figure twice in a row, he faintly felt it couldn't be mere coincidence.
However, if Seventeen followed him because she saw him, then he should have noticed being followed. It wasn't about tracking skills but an instinct honed over many years. Yang Chen was confident that unless his pursuer was on par with him, he wouldn't fail to detect them.
As for why Seventeen only followed him but avoided meeting him, Yang Chen wasn't surprised. After all, considering their past, he had little face left to meet her. Her reluctance to see him was understandable.
Several hours passed, the chill wind outside causing the wind chimes on the balcony to tinkle.
Yang Chen's thoughts were interrupted. Glancing at the time, nearly midnight approached, yet no one had knocked on his door. Had Liu Mingyu forgotten to mention coming to his room? Or was she too shy to come?
Just as Yang Chen was pondering this, the door finally knocked a few times.
With a quick stride, he reached the door, sliding open the traditional Japanese wooden door. Sure enough, Liu Mingyu stood there.
Having bathed and changed, Liu Mingyu wore a yukata-like sleepwear provided by the resort. Her lustrous black hair was simply tied behind her head. The loose neckline of her off-white sleepwear revealed hints of her ample figure, and she wore no other intimate clothing underneath.
"Don't stare. Let me in quickly," Liu Mingyu urged impatiently and shyly as Yang Chen fixed his gaze on her neckline.
Yang Chen smiled, pulling her into his embrace and closing the door behind her.
Before Liu Mingyu could say much, he flipped her onto the soft tatami bed.
A fragrance filled the air between them as Yang Chen savored it, chuckling, "Darling, if you hadn't come, I would've gone to your room."
"Are you that impatient? Can't you wait a little longer?" Liu Mingyu teased him with a flirtatious glance.
"Being alone without a woman by my side, of course, I can endure it. But when the meat is right in front of me and you won't let me have a taste, isn't that too cruel?" Yang Chen remarked.
Liu Mingyu suddenly straightened her face and asked, "Yang Chen, am I just a lover to you?"
Yang Chen paused slightly. "Why ask so suddenly?"
Taking a deep breath, Liu Mingyu moved out from under Yang Chen and sat up, fixing her disheveled hair. She said, "I'm just curious about where I stand in your heart. That day, I had drinks with Minister Mo, or should I say Qianyi now. We talked a lot, mostly about you. I know you're not an ordinary man; you must have something extraordinary about you, otherwise you wouldn't have saved me back then. Though I was surprised to learn that even a woman like Qianyi is your lover. She told me you have other women too. I struggled with that revelation. Though I never expected us to have an open relationship, I wanted to know how you truly see me. I'm not a young girl anymore. Since I gave you my first time, I have no regrets. I want to hear your honest answer, whether you see me as a lover or just a plaything. I won't blame you for either, because this path was my choice, and without you, Minister Ma would have ruined me long ago. But at least I owe myself an explanation."
Yang Chen considered her words, reached out to hold Liu Mingyu's soft hand, and said, "Have you ever thought of leaving me?"
Liu Mingyu hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "No, despite resenting your many affairs, I've never thought of leaving you. It's strange even to myself."
"I feel the same way. I never thought of letting you go. Sometimes I hate myself for attracting women easily and finding it hard to refuse those I like. Especially since I have a strong possessiveness; I'd rather claim first and figure out how to handle relationships later. This is something I don't think I can change in this lifetime. 'The world can change, but nature remains the same.' I've never thought highly of myself. I told you that when we first met. That night when you said you wanted to be with me, I asked you to think it over for the same reason."
Yang Chen sighed and smiled, "You're not my plaything. I genuinely care about you. But I can tell you clearly, you're not the woman I love the most. We haven't known each other for long, and my understanding of you is limited. Qianyi and I share deeper emotions because we've been through a lot. But since neither of us is letting go, our understanding and feelings will deepen over time. Even if our relationship remains secret for a lifetime, as long as we're happy together, isn't that a life worth envying?"
Liu Mingyu gazed into Yang Chen's eyes, reflecting her slightly confused expression. She smiled gently, "I really don't know why I'm attracted to you. You're such an unpolished man, openly saying you have better relationships with other women in front of your woman. Can't you lie to me a little?"
Yang Chen chuckled wryly, "You asked for honesty."
"If I asked, then speak honestly. You're such a fool," Liu Mingyu said, slightly annoyed.
Seeing Yang Chen's helpless expression, Liu Mingyu covered her mouth and chuckled, "But I like you being this kind of fool."
Feeling teased, Yang Chen pounced like a wolf, embracing Liu Mingyu again on the soft bed, showering her with kisses. Liu Mingyu's almond eyes shimmered with affection, her allure intoxicating.
"Will you ever let me go?" Liu Mingyu softly murmured.
Yang Chen nodded. "You've said I'm not an ordinary man. If I can't even do that, wouldn't that make me too ordinary?"
Liu Mingyu's face showed a satisfied expression.
Yang Chen had been barely able to contain himself for a while now. Holding onto her soft and elastic body, and hearing her questions, was almost unbearable.
Over an hour passed before the soft murmurs in the room finally quieted down.
Liu Mingyu lay in Yang Chen's arms, her almond eyes half-closed with a languid and somewhat exhausted look, her sleepwear draped messily over her body.
Yang Chen, however, was still full of energy, clearly inclined for another round.
"I've figured out where you're not ordinary. You're very good at this kind of thing," Liu Mingyu said with some resentment. Every time she was with this man, it left her with the urge to sleep for days.
Yang Chen wasn't sure whether to be proud or embarrassed. His "innate talent" was something he couldn't entirely explain—whether it was due to his cultivation in the "Past Derived Scripture" or his near-death experience at age ten. Over the years, as his strength grew, despite the stubbornness of his brain, this physiological ability had only grown stronger.
Yang Chen was well aware of his fierceness on the battlefield. So even if he wasn't satisfied, he didn't insist that Liu Mingyu stay longer.
"Go to sleep, go to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow for the journey," Yang Chen said.
Liu Mingyu shook her head. "If I sleep here and Hongyan finds out, what will I do? I won't have any face left."
Yang Chen considered this. Despite saying he didn't care, everyone had their own dignity.
Liu Mingyu sat up, feeling a bit tired but managing to stand up with effort.
She tied the belt of her sleepwear around her waist and staggered to her feet.
But before she could steady herself, the entire room suddenly shook violently!
"Ah!"
Liu Mingyu swayed and fell back into Yang Chen's arms!
Following the tremor, the whole room began to shake continuously. The TV, the chandelier, books on the cabinet, doors, and windows—all began to tremble!
"Is it an earthquake?!"