actly what she was like and what she was worth. Besides her beauty and decent personality, there wasn't much about her that could compare to those elite ladies in society. They were more knowledgeable...Facing her gaze, he knew he had to confess. He grabbed her small hand and gently rubbed it, his eyes becoming unusually gentle. His cold face, illuminated by the flickering candlelight, also took on a different kind of softness and warmth.

"Little one, this is my secret base. It's mainly where I contact superiors. Besides me, now there's you too who knows about this place. You have to keep it a secret, this can't be told to anyone."

She nodded slightly, a smile still playing on her lips.

He continued, “Carrying all these candles and flowers in secretly, then arranging each candle carefully so they don't fall over, and tearing off every petal to scatter them around the room... Little one, this is quite a chore!”

"Hmm," she responded, thinking to herself, This man is complaining to her again.

He kissed her little mouth, looked at her with a shockingly handsome smile, and deliberately lowered his voice, making it several degrees deeper.

"Now, little one, considering how hard I've been working, please forgive me, okay! I'm sorry for not letting you have a birthday. Please just forget about all that happened, okay From now on, I'll spend every birthday with you, alright"

She remained silent.

He kissed her softly, his big hand gently stroking her back.

"Little one... little one..."

Softly, he called out, one word at a time, both to beguile her and to win her over with his affection.

She hesitated, after all, she had walked this far with him today. How could she truly blame him! And as he said, he made this secret base so hidden, yet for the sake of pleasing her, he repeatedly entered and exited here to decorate it, and led her here, sharing this incredibly important secret base with her, seeking her forgiveness in this place, his sincerity, she received it, and was very moved. But—whether she was being stubborn or melodramatic, anyway, she just couldn't so easily agree to him after just one request. That way, she always felt that all her perseverance over such a long time seemed worthless.

Bitting her lip, she remained silent, thinking to herself, how could she put it so that she could at least delay things for a few days

Seeing this, the man let go of her hand and turned away. She watched in bewilderment as he pulled open a drawer and took out a silver box with both hands, walking towards her. His expression became somewhat solemn, and holding it up like this seemed unusual. It felt like there was something extraordinary inside the box.

"Next!" he said, holding the small box up to her face.

She also reached out with both hands to take it, curiously asking, "What is this!"

"Birthday present!" he smiled faintly, his eyes full of adoration.

This was about what she had expected, so she laughed along. However, she was still curious about what was inside that made it look so solemn. The silver-white box was slightly heavy, and she didn't dare shake it, afraid that it might contain something fragile.

I opened it.

"Open it," he smiled, reaching out a hand to help lift the small box so she could have one hand free. "The password is your birthday."

A sweet feeling filled her heart. Following his lead, she inputted her birthdate and then heard a sharp click - the unmistakable sound of a box being unlocked.

So solemnly, with both hands holding it, entering the code, and placing it in this secret base, she hesitated to open the box. She was afraid that if she acted too casually, she might inadvertently desecrate something sacred.

"Open it," he said with a smile, gesturing to her nonchalantly.

She then reached out and gently lifted the lid of the box. Her eyes were met with a shimmering gold. One medal after another, all predominantly golden, glittered before her eyes.

She held her breath a little. These were --

Just then, I heard him say in a low voice.

"For all my honor, I beg for your forgiveness, little one. Let's put the past behind us and live happily together, okay"

Her heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly raised her head to look at him. His profound gaze, like two pools of ancient wine, could intoxicate one just by a single glance.

"How are you" he asked again, his intoxicating dark eyes completely captivating her.

She nodded involuntarily, her nose a little sour. Then, her eyes blurred slightly, and two tears slid out of her eye sockets just like that.

He immediately frowned.

"Why are you crying"

He scolded her softly, reaching out to quickly wipe the tears from her face.

"Don't cry," he commanded in a domineering tone.

She hummed in response, but her tears wouldn't listen and a few more rolled down.

"I didn't cry, I was just happy. This isn't crying, this is happiness..."

She sniffed and smiled as she explained to him.

He was still a little unhappy. "Even if you're happy, don't cry so much!"

She hummed softly, letting him wipe away the tears on her face. Her heart ached with a bittersweet feeling, like it was about to burst. She hadn't expected the man to use this as a birthday gift, nor had she expected him to say such things.

With all my honor, I'll exchange it for your forgiveness, little one. Let's put the past behind us and be happy together, okay

The medals in this silver box are all the accolades he's earned over the past decade. For over ten years, he has lived a life on the edge, cautious and meticulous, dedicating his life and glory to various missions. He could never announce these victories to the world; they had to be kept hidden in the shadows, savored alone in the quiet satisfaction of each successful mission completed. These medals are all that represent his achievements, yet even those he has to keep concealed from sight.

This must be so lonely!

To be able to persist for ten years like this, how much resilience one must have!

She felt compassion for him, admiration for him, and worship for him!

She was deeply moved by him too!

With this unique status, all he could pass down to future generations would be these medals. But now, he was giving them to her, saying that he wanted to use all his honors to repay her forgiveness. How could she possibly deserve such a precious gift!

He looked at her with such intensity that she couldn't help but cry.

This man is too excellent, and he's been so good to her that she doesn't know how to repay him. Compared to him, her little pettiness is nothing!

"It's too precious, I don't want it..." She choked back a sob and sniffed.

But he was unusually domineering. "These are all yours now. You just promised me you would be happy and take my things, then cry to me, little obedient one, aren't you being very disobedient!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he clapped his hand over her head and kissed her. A good way to stop a woman from crying is to kiss her unconscious, so she doesn't have the energy to think about things that aren't real.

This five-minute French kiss, as it turned out, successfully stopped her tears. Her body softened and she leaned into his arms, using her last bit of strength to hold the small box.

After he let go of her, her eyes became slightly hazy, like a veil had been cast over them, but there were no tears. He watched, quite satisfied. Looking at her slightly flushed cheeks and the small, red lips that were slightly parted with a glistening sheen, his heart filled with a surge of joy. This redness was, after all, brought out by his kiss.

Lowering his head, he couldn't help but kiss her again.

"This year, I'm sorry you and Youyou had to celebrate your birthday together. Next year, I will definitely host a birthday party for you myself."

She only celebrated her birthday because her son asked her to, just going through the motions on the day of his birthday as a way to celebrate with him. He already knew this from what his son had told him.

He felt sorry for her!

My heart is aching!

"Little one, I'm sorry!"

It was his fault, ruining her last shred of hope.

How could she possibly know the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind She simply replied with a light, cheerful tone.

“Alright, it's all in the past now.”

All the little bumps related to birthdays have been smoothed out now.

"Next year, we can just have a family dinner together, there's no need to hold a birthday party. I'm not a child anymore."

She smiled, revealing a row of beautiful white teeth.

He smiled but said nothing, not agreeing.

At a glance, you can tell they have their own ideas.

Well, he can do whatever he wants. Anyway, he's a sensible person. And the surprises he gave her, to be honest, she really liked them.

Her eyes flickered, her gaze becoming slightly more alluring. Tiptoeing, she gently and softly kissed his chin.

"Honey, thank you."

Thank him for all of this, she really likes it, she loves it.

"I should really have a good look at my birthday present."

She giggled, her fair fingers delicately tracing the surface of the golden medal. The slightly raised contours made the corners of her mouth curve into an even wider smile.

All of these, I gave them all to her, they were all earned back by men.

I wanted to sit down and take a good look, but as soon as she tilted her head, she saw the two red hearts on the ground and took them to heart. When it comes to romance, women obviously have more experience in this area.

"Honey, hold that for me a moment."

She handed her the silver box. She raised her jade-like foot and stepped into the red heart, then knelt down carefully, moving the candle from where the two red hearts intersected.

As a husband, it was impossible for him to stand by and watch his wife work so hard all by herself. He was clever, and after a short while of watching Lin Meng working, he figured out what was going on.

"Are you going to clear the contents inside"

"Hmm."

She looked up and softly hummed "Mhm" at him.

He then put the silver box aside and walked in, helping with the cleanup. Soon, both candles inside the red hearts were moved outside, but it didn't affect the overall structure. From the outside, it still looked like two red hearts nestled together, pierced by Cupid's arrow.

Lin Meng was very satisfied. It was so big, enough for her and Rong Ling to sit inside.

"Honey, come sit here."

She called out sweetly, rarely calling him "husband" so repeatedly. Rong Ling's heart was extremely pleased, just by using his toes to think, he knew his wife's mood right now was exceptionally good. She smiled so sweetly, called him so intimately, at this moment, even if she asked him to die, he could agree.

He sat down in the middle, slightly between the two red hearts. She held the silver box close to her chest, like a little girl sharing her treasure, nestled into his arms, leaning against him. She opened the box again and one by one, she looked at each medal and touched them.

The candlelight illuminated her rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes, making her look like a little landlady guarding a chest full of gold and jewels. Of course, as a proper landlady, she naturally needed to know the detailed history of each of her treasures.

"Honey—" she snuggled into his embrace, lifting her face to look at him, one hand holding a medal aloft and waving it before him.

"There must be a story here, right Why were you given this medal Hehe, tell me about it, okay"

His face immediately flashed with embarrassment, masking it. "It's all in the past, I don't remember."

...but he is not good at explaining things in a boastful way.

Especially in front of her, he would feel embarrassed.

Of course she wouldn't agree. Didn't he even know her!

"Come on, just tell me! I want to know, I'm so curious. Honey, good husband, tell me..."

She acted coquettishly, rubbing her slender body against him in his arms, making his heart race and his whole body heat up. If she rubbed any longer, he wouldn't be able to resist taking her right here and now!

In this atmosphere, surrounded by candlelight and petals, she showed off her long, slender legs before him, dressed so lightly, so close to the ground. All he had to do was want it, and he could immediately press her down and take her, without even needing to remove her clothes. As she hummed seductively, he couldn't help himself.

"Good boy..."

He tenderly went to clasp her waist.

She twisted her waist like a water snake and pouted, "I want to hear, I want to hear, you wouldn't forget, would you I want to hear, I want to hear, husband—husband—"

She clung to his waist, pouting with her full lips, looking at him pitifully like a child who hadn't gotten what it wanted. It broke his heart, forcing him to relent helplessly.

"Alright, I said, I said."

She immediately laughed, tilting her head up and looking at him with such earnestness. Her eyes, they sparkled even more brightly than before. He felt like a god under her gaze – the god in her heart!

My heart, heated up, and then calmed down!

What had been too embarrassing to speak of, flowed out of his mouth so naturally, like water.

The way she listened was so devout.

Those intoxicated eyes, so mesmerizing.

He was a little drunk!

The story was over, and it felt like something had flowed out of his heart, yet something else had also flowed in. It was as if he and she were intertwined at the level of their very blood, becoming even more deeply connected.

She blinked with starry eyes, and exclaimed in a tone of near worship.

"Honey, you're so great."

That way, he was burning with desire. This woman seemed to be born knowing how to make him lose control. Or perhaps, she was his missing rib all along, so she always managed to touch his heartstrings.

He lowered his head, frantically sealing her lips, pushing aside the box of medals and pinning her beneath him. Crimson rose petals, like waves, enveloped her delicate body, making her look like a sacrificial maiden, so holy, so beautiful. And she was destined to be sacrificed to him. He pressed down, his powerful frame, dark and heavy, covering her completely, pinning her beneath him.

She murmured softly, like a rose petal beneath her, blooming the most vibrant red all around, releasing the sweetest scent. Then, little by little, she melted into water, softening under him...

***

****

The scent of roses, as if it were etched into her very bones. Even after she had taken a bath, the fragrance persisted. Inhaling that faint rose scent, she could recall the man's hands, how passionately they had caressed her entire body, and how domineeringly he had claimed her. Her face flushed uncontrollably, her lips feeling parched.

"Mengmeng, what's wrong with you You don't look well. Are you sick!"

As Mama Rong was looking through a hairstyle magazine, she casually looked up and saw Lin Meng like this. She walked over with concern and placed her hand on Lin Meng's forehead.

"Ouch, it's still a bit hot." Mom Rong was getting a little worried. "I hope you're not feverish. Let me get the thermometer."

Mom hurried to put down her book and stood up. Lin Meng quickly stopped her.

"Mom, don't bother getting it. I'm fine."

How could she tell her that her face was so flushed, all because of what his son had done to her last night. In such a romantic atmosphere, to do something so wild, to be pinned down like that by him... Just thinking about it made her blush and her heart race.

For some reason, last night's events were deeply embedded in her mind, leaving her unable to shake them off. Even thinking about it made her feel flushed all over, as if she were possessed.

Mom didn't listen to her and still went to get the thermometer.

"Maybe it's better to check your temperature just in case, so you don't get sick. In this world, health is the most important thing, nothing beats being healthy..."

With the experience of having gone through it herself, Mom murmured, her voice filled with nothing but loving concern for her younger generation.

"You should pay more attention to yourself. If you feel unwell, go to the hospital right away."

"Okay, Mom!"

Lin Meng replied obediently, placing the thermometer in his hand. Then she returned to the sofa and picked up a newspaper to read. But as she read, she couldn't help but daydream, and the corners of her mouth gradually curled higher and higher. Mom Rong raised her eyes and saw this, a smile passing through her heart. This Mengmeng, her attention was clearly not on the newspaper. You could tell from the fact that her eyeballs hadn't blinked in ages. What could possibly make her little face flush and smile like this Mom Rong shook her head, trying to call out to her softly. Seeing that she remained dazed and still smiling so sweetly, almost foolishly, she couldn't help but smile and look away.

This scene isn't unfamiliar, is it

This morning, Mengmeng was watching her own son, and he looked just like this with a flushed little face! She was shy as a newlywed. She kept blushing and looking down to laugh, her ears were pointy and rosy, just like a peach pastry. This kind of pink bubble-filled interaction between adults even caught the attention of the two children in the house.

"Daddy definitely gave Mommy a really, really good gift."

Xiaoyou secretly told her.

She was also quite curious, but she wouldn't open her mouth to ask.

It seems like the son and daughter-in-law have a good relationship. That's good, that's good. It's just that Li Lanqiu, ah --

Mom sighed inwardly, wondering when her son would finally break things off with that girl. Dragging it out like this, she couldn't help but feel uneasy, as if something was going to happen. Her good son Mengmeng, and her wonderful grandsons Youyou and Haohuo—she didn't want them to be torn apart because of Li Lanqiu. Rumors were spreading outside that her son was supporting Li Lanqiu, even buying her a house to live in. This just made her furious. She wondered if Mengmeng had heard these things.

"Mother worried, lowering her eyes. Then she secretly glanced at Lin Meng, looking at her clean and delicate appearance, innocent and naive, she felt heartache. This daughter-in-law, the more she interacted with her, the more she felt her goodness, just like her own daughter. So she couldn't bear to see her being wronged, but on her son's side, she had specifically talked to him about it. However, her son only said that he knew his limits. She had long been unable to control her son, and now that he was older, she could not control him even more. She only hoped that, as her son said, he would know his limits."

Mom couldn't help but let out another sigh.

This time, Lin Meng had come to her senses and turned to look at the sound.

"Mom, what's wrong" she asked with concern.

"It's nothing," said Mom, shaking her head.

Lin Meng put down the newspaper she was holding, leaned over, and secretly hugged Rong Mama's arm.

"Mom, do you miss your barbershop" She misunderstood, thinking she was sighing because of the hairstyles.

The mother couldn't bear to see her daughter heartbroken from thinking too much, so she naturally went along with what she said.

I've been thinking about it a bit.

“Well then, let Lao Xu send you back to J city for a look. The journey isn't that far, go and come back the same day, or even stay there for a day.” She thought about it and said again. “Or else, Mom, I’ll accompany you there. That way, we have company on the road, we can chat along the way, and before we know it, we'll arrive.”

Look, she's so caring, how could Rong Mama not love her

"It's nothing, Mom was just thinking out loud."

"I'll go with you," she said, "let's just think of it as going out for fun." But she insisted.

"No need, the situation outside is not good now. We should stay home as much as possible to avoid trouble and worry Rong Ling."

Mu Mu's incident just happened, and before that, there was Lin Meng's near-death experience with being shot. Rong Mama had to think about Lin Meng's safety. She herself absolutely couldn't have an accident, so as not to cause trouble for Rong Ling. She did miss her shop and old neighbors, but these things could wait. Besides, the rumors outside were swirling, she would rather have Lin Meng stay home every day, so as not to be hurt by those hurtful words.

People are clouds, clouds are people, it's the most hurtful thing. She has endured too much pain on this side.

Her persistence finally made Lin Meng give up persuading her and instead kindly nestled beside her, chatting with her about some hair-related things.

But Mother didn't expect that while she was trying her best to keep Lin Meng at home, Lin Meng said she wanted to go out for a while.

What are you going to do

"Go out and meet someone!"

Though she knew she shouldn't ask, Mama couldn't help but inquire. "Who are you going to see"

She was a little worried about her, and she didn't hide that worry.

Lin Meng didn't say anything. "Mom, I'll be back soon."

Since Mother was unwilling to answer any more, she could only instruct him in this way.

"Mengmeng, if you hear any nonsense outside, don't take it to heart!"

This is not her protecting her own son, so blinding Lin Meng's sight and hearing. Instead, the son is a piece of flesh that fell off her own body. Regarding Rong Ling, Rong's mother is still very confident. This son has been responsible since he was young, with a righteous mind. She believes that Li Lanqiu will definitely be handled by her son in the end. Only hope that during this period, the daughter-in-law doesn't quarrel with her son!

Lin Meng looked at Rong Ma's anxious face that she couldn't hide, and after a slight realization, she secretly apologized in her heart. She was sorry that she couldn't tell the truth to her, causing her to worry.

So, she tried her best to force a smile, making it as bright and cheerful as possible.

"Mom, I know, what they say outside, I won't believe it."

Mom let out a sigh of relief and immediately broke into a smile. "That's good, that's good. Go quickly and come back soon."

Lin Meng hummed in response and went out. But once she was outside, she picked three bodyguards who were at the top of their game and looked capable of keeping things under control. They followed her into the car.

Her heart was pounding with a thrill of excitement. She was going out because Rong Ling had called her and given her a mission. After being reprimanded by Li Lanqiu, she could finally vent her anger openly and righteously!

hee hee ---

She thought happily, he is still the most lovable husband to be honest and straightforward!my, they are rotten to the core, saying bad things about Mommy!"The little boy puffed out his cheeks, his black eyes cold and glaring, looking quite angry.Lin Meng chuckled again, this adorable son of...