A little after 9 a.m., the Long family arrived for a visit.
As they stepped inside, Man Mingzhi made a show of standing up to greet them, but Mrs. Long quickly waved her off. “We’re all family here—stay seated, we’re just here to chat.”
Man Mingzhi smiled as she sat back down. “You’re too kind. You didn’t need to bring anything.”
“It’s long overdue,” said Mr. Long, dressed in a sporty tracksuit from his own brand. He was in good shape and looked younger than his age. “Just some health supplements—good for the body.”
Everyone took their seats in turn. Long Zhu hesitated briefly, then pulled her shawl tighter and sat down next to Kong Wenyu.
“I heard things got pretty intense yesterday. Thank goodness for your help,” Man Mingzhi said. “I told Kong Wenyu this morning—he should pick a time to visit and formally thank you. We should also finalize the guest list for the engagement banquet and get the invitations ready.”
Mr. Long waved it off with a warm smile. “We’re all one family. No need to be so formal.”
He didn’t carry himself like an elder, always smiling and approachable. “I’ve been thinking about what Wenyu said yesterday. It does make sense for a nephew and aunt to share an engagement celebration. But if it’s a wedding we’re talking about—well, the younger generation shouldn’t steal the spotlight. Especially when it’s the same group of guests.”
He nodded at Kong Wenyu, then looked at Man Mingzhi. “Good thing we haven’t sent out the invitations yet. Easy to adjust. So, shall we set a date today?”
Man Mingzhi turned to Kong Wenyu, throwing him a sharp look with her eyes, but maintained a polite smile. “What do you two think?”
Kong Wenyu stood up. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
“You should go stretch your legs too,” Mrs. Long said to Long Zhu.
Long Zhu got up as well. Kong Wenyu had planned to head upstairs, but seeing her following him, he changed course and walked outside instead.
Beyond the doors was a round fountain, and just past that, the flowerbeds. When Kong Wenyu lived alone, the garden was filled with a wide range of plants—he let them grow freely as long as they were healthy. But since Man Mingzhi had moved back in just two days ago, the flowerbeds had been trimmed and flattened into uniform rows.
Long Zhu picked up a watering can and began watering. Kong Wenyu said, “Careful. Your skirt’s going to get wet.”
He always managed to be courteous and attentive at the most inappropriate times—but his expression stayed distant, unreadable.
Long Zhu set down the can, looked around, then pointed toward the east wing, where people came and went. “What’s over there?”
“Doctors, lawyers, tech staff. That side,” Kong Wenyu answered.
“Wow,” Long Zhu said. “At my place, they’re all in the main house.”
“I don’t like too many people around. Just the housekeeper and the maids.”
“Figured as much. You probably spend a lot of time alone,” Long Zhu said, turning to glance at a row of two-story buildings on the west side. “What about over there?”
Kong Wenyu followed her gaze, and the usual indifference in his eyes was replaced by a flicker of interest. “Guard quarters.”
Long Zhu asked curiously, “Is Hai Ming there? The one who beat Beta that day—your team captain?”
She was referring to that night at the Fuxi Group’s gathering, when Hai Ming fought Beta in the ring and Kong Wenyu had left early to catch Nie Jun at the airport.
Sure enough, she followed up, “You left early that night—was something urgent going on?”
“Yeah,” Kong Wenyu replied, still staring at the guard station—not like he was looking at a building, but like he was searching for someone. “Had to find someone.”
“Who?” she asked.
Kong Wenyu glanced at her but didn’t answer.
The question crossed a line. He suddenly remembered—Long Zhu was about to become his fiancée.
He frowned slightly.
Inside the guard station, Hai Ming set down his cup and waited cautiously for a moment. When he saw that Kong Wenyu and Long Zhu had no intention of coming in, he relaxed.
Nie Jun was at the sink rinsing his hands, then splashed some water on his face. He stood by the window, staring out.
“I mean seriously—who arranges a date at the guard post?” Hai Ming muttered. “No missions today. You can go home.”
“Nothing to do at home either,” Nie Jun replied.
“This morning the boss asked why you’re always on duty. Maybe ease up a bit?” Hai Ming sighed. “Otherwise, people will think I’m bullying you at work.”
Nie Jun tilted his head with a faint smile, rinsed out the towel again, and hung it on a rack where the sun could reach it.
Hai Ming felt like all his earlier comments had gone to waste. He opened his mouth, then sighed, “…You just don’t seem like the same guy anymore.”
Nie Jun’s brows shifted slightly, but he quickly returned to his usual calm demeanor.
“You seeing someone?” Hai Ming asked, eyeing Nie Jun’s clear, refreshed look—his relaxed features, clean skin. “You look… sharper than before. Like you’re glowing.”
Nie Jun didn’t want to talk about that. Instead, he glanced out the window, where Kong Wenyu was still walking around the garden with Long Zhu.
“They’re getting engaged next month,” Nie Jun said, watching the two outside. “Do you know the date?”
“Might change,” Hai Ming said, following his gaze. “He’s been saying he doesn’t want to go through with it.”
Nie Jun paused, surprised, and turned toward him.
Hai Ming looked back at him, puzzled. “You didn’t know? Man, what kind of bodyguard are you if you don’t even know this stuff?”
Nie Jun thought for a moment, then said hesitantly, “If he calls it off… won’t Miss Long say he’s going back on his word? The Long family did step in to help with that Yun Jian Hotel incident.”
“Oh, she’ll say it for sure,” Hai Ming answered like it was obvious. He let out a sigh. “But don’t worry about it. This isn’t the first time he’s pulled something like this. Still, with Madam Man around, she’s not gonna let him get too out of line.”
Nie Jun often felt like the Kong Wenyu Hai Ming talked about was a different person entirely from the one he knew.
At the very least, he’d never seen those particular flaws in him.
A moment later, Kong Wenyu and Long Zhu started walking back toward the house.
“Done playing?” Mr. Long stepped outside with his wife, coming down the steps and calling out from a distance.
Long Zhu immediately picked up her pace and happily rejoined her parents.
Man Mingzhi was also wheeled out by the butler, seated in her chair.
Kong Wenyu stepped forward and took the wheelchair’s handles, pushing her along.
“No need to see us out,” Mr. Long said in high spirits. “We’ll get started on the invitations once we’re back. That’ll give the kids time to get their outfits custom-made.”
Man Mingzhi smiled. “We should’ve kept you for lunch.”
“We’re family—no need to be so formal,” said Mrs. Long warmly, patting her hand. “We’ll have a proper meal next time.”
Man Mingzhi agreed with a smile, and mother and son stood outside the gates, waving as the Long family left.
Once the convoy disappeared down the road, Kong Wenyu asked, “So what did you two talk about?”
Man Mingzhi didn’t answer right away. She was still staring off into the distance.
Sunlight fell across her skin—rarely exposed to the sun—and her veins were almost visibly glowing beneath the surface.
“You live alone,” she said quietly. “And I’ve never seen a girl spend the night here.”
Then she added, calmly and without pause, “So how do you go through all those condoms in your room?”
Kong Wenyu froze, his hands tightening around the wheelchair handles.
“No one’s spying on you. I couldn’t be bothered to care that much,” she said, preempting any objections. “Since you didn’t like Ao Qingqing, I assumed it was Long Zhu. But judging from today, she doesn’t seem familiar with this place—looks more like it’s her first time here.”
Kong Wenyu released the wheelchair. After the initial shock passed, irritation crept onto his face.
Man Mingzhi looked slowly around the courtyard, like mentally reviewing every staff member. “There aren’t really any age-appropriate women in this house. Most of the maids are way older than you. So, tell me—who is it?”
“Stay out of my business.” Kong Wenyu’s face was cold. “If you’re that bored, find something useful to do. Go out with your friends or take a trip. Just stop watching my every move.”
“You think I want to keep an eye on you?” Man Mingzhi shot back. “Why did you tell the Longs to change the engagement date without a word to me? Was it because of her?”
Kong Wenyu turned away in frustration, clearly wanting to walk off.
Man Mingzhi knew that, scoundrel or not, he wasn’t the type to just leave her sitting out in front of the gates. She stiffened her tone:
“Your father stayed faithful his whole life. He never attended any social gatherings past ten at night. After he passed, I never once considered remarrying—didn’t even have a single male friend. Wenyu, I may let a lot of things slide, but not this. You don’t get to hide some mistress in a gilded cage. And you’re definitely not hiring prostitutes.”
Kong Wenyu said nothing. He started pushing her wheelchair back, doing so with noticeably less care than before.
“Linru’s incident should’ve been a wake-up call for you. The moment someone gets dirt on you, what happens to all the family assets you worked so hard to get back? Even if you don’t feel ashamed, I will.”
She glared at him.
“You have two days. Clean this up before the Longs find out. If I catch wind of you keeping a mistress again, I’ll deal with it myself.”
Kong Wenyu spotted Aunt Zhu passing by and called out, “Take over. It’s too windy—get Madam inside.”
Aunt Zhu looked at him, flustered. Man Mingzhi snapped, “Kong Wenyu!”
He drew in a sharp breath, turning his head—and noticed a window in the guardhouse was halfway open. Hai Ming was standing inside, watching the scene unfold.
“Tell Nie Jun to come in,” Kong Wenyu said, pointing toward the guardhouse. Then he brushed past his mother and walked inside without looking back.
“Yikes.” Hai Ming shut the window and gave Nie Jun a sympathetic glance. “Collateral damage, man. You’re up.”
Nie Jun said nothing and headed out.
Just as he was crossing the foyer, Man Mingzhi stopped him.
“Wait.”
He halted, and she asked, “You follow him around every day. Has Kong Wenyu started seeing someone?”
Nie Jun thought for a moment. “No.”
Man Mingzhi studied his expression. She seemed to believe he wasn’t lying or covering anything up, and continued,
“Is he keeping someone on the side?”
Nie Jun paused. Technically, what he had with Kong Wenyu didn’t count as that. “No.”
Man Mingzhi frowned—clearly still skeptical.
She was just about to press him further when Kong Wenyu’s voice rang out from the second floor. He was leaning over the railing:
“Nie Jun, what the hell are you dragging your feet for? Get up here.”
Nie Jun gave Man Mingzhi a polite nod and quickly headed upstairs.
Kong Wenyu threw open the bedroom door with a bang.
He strode out onto the balcony, grabbed a cigarette from his pack, and bit it between his lips.
Nie Jun picked up the lighter, lit the cigarette for him, and opened one of the balcony windows.
Kong Wenyu inhaled sharply, his brows furrowed. He didn’t bother exhaling the smoke theatrically—it stayed tight in his chest.
Nie Jun set the lighter down on the table, waiting for an explanation. But instead, Kong Wenyu grabbed him by the collar and kissed him—transferring the second pull of smoke straight into his mouth.
A kiss laced with tobacco and the crisp scent of mint body wash.
It was fierce, possessive, and unapologetically aggressive.
Just as Nie Jun was about to wrap a hand around the back of his head, Kong Wenyu pulled away, turning back to his cigarette like nothing had happened.
“She saw the missing condoms. Don’t go into my bedroom for a while.”
He stubbed out the cigarette in the rarely-used ashtray. His face was calm, unreadable.
“If I need you, I’ll come to your place.”
Nie Jun said nothing. His lips still carried the bitter trace of smoke.
Kong Wenyu was always like this—whenever he gave something generously, he would take back even more the next moment.
“Okay,” Nie Jun said. “I’ll wait for you at home.”
Kong Wenyu turned around and leaned against the windowsill, looking at him.
Nie Jun stood in silence.
After a long stretch of quiet, Kong Wenyu walked over, rested his arm on Nie Jun’s shoulder, and wrapped it around his neck—then kissed him again.
It was a gentle, unhurried, lingering kiss, full of tenderness, like water flowing over stones.
Nie Jun thought, He’s going to take back even more this time.
Sure enough, during a pause in the kiss, Kong Wenyu began speaking in a halting, fragmented voice:
“Kong Lingru and that driver were just a mismatch in status—and that alone led to all this. What happens to us will be worse. Until I get what I want, you have to stay hidden.”
Nie Jun slid his hand around Kong Wenyu’s waist, slowly tracing along the curve.
He said nothing. The silence stirred a rare kind of unease in Kong Wenyu—something he didn’t know how to deal with. Instinctively, he leaned in and coaxed softly,
“If I lose to Second Aunt and get completely kicked out, what then?”
“You’ll still have me.”
Nie Jun looked at him, gaze dark and steady, like the deep end of a well.
“You can go to a concert every day if you want. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”
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