19

Aside from a few complex tests that would take a couple of days for results, all the other routine data came back normal. Hearing the doctor praise Jiang Fu's good health, Shi Yue felt her worries finally dissipate.

As it approached noon, the three of them had a meal at the sanatorium's restaurant. In the afternoon, Leng Yanmi led them to experience some of the sanatorium's wellness services. When Shi Yue lay in a room filled with the scent of aromatherapy, enjoying a professional head massage alongside her mother, she couldn't help but sigh with contentment, "Mmm, this feels so good..."

Jiang Fu, next to her, reminded, "We've troubled Miss Leng a lot today. Make sure you find an opportunity to thank her properly."

Shi Yue turned to look at her, smiling warmly, "Don't worry, Mom. I will."

The lovely day ended quickly, and the three of them returned to Shi Yue's apartment around 8 PM.

As Shi Yue and Jiang Fu were about to head upstairs, Leng Yanmi also got out of the car, leaning against the door and watching them. Seeing her standing there alone in the night, Shi Yue leaned toward Jiang Fu and whispered, "Mom, you go on up first. I have something to ask Auntie."

Jiang Fu nodded, "Okay."

She hadn't noticed anything unusual yet. In fact, she found Leng Yanmi to be more warm-hearted than she'd initially thought. Leaving Shi Yue with such an elder made her feel at ease, so much so that she even sided with Leng Yanmi, reminding her daughter, "Don't keep her for too long. She's had a busy day. I'm sure Miss Leng wants to go home and rest."

"Got it~" Shi Yue winked at her, then watched Jiang Fu enter the apartment building before turning to find Leng Yanmi still waiting by the car.

They exchanged glances under the streetlight without saying a word.

Leng Yanmi reached out and brushed Shi Yue's nose.

The light touch made Shi Yue's nose itch. She rubbed it and puffed her cheeks, "What was that for?"

Leng Yanmi rubbed the finger that had touched her skin, "It's soft."

Under the yellow light, she could see a fine layer of down on Shi Yue's face, like the most luxurious cashmere blanket that made you want to touch and feel its softness.

Shi Yue simply stepped closer and bumped her nose against Leng Yanmi's face.

With the car right behind her, Leng Yanmi had nowhere to retreat and was "bullied" by Shi Yue's nose.

Seeing her goal achieved, Shi Yue grinned smugly, "Is it soft like this too?"

Leng Yanmi grabbed her shoulders, her breathing becoming a little shallow.

She lowered her head to look into Shi Yue's eyes, leaning in slowly as if about to do something. But just then, a stray cat suddenly meowed loudly nearby, startling her and cutting off her next move.

Shi Yue looked down, thinking to herself that she'd never open a can for that stray cat again.

Leng Yanmi withdrew her hand, her face flushed.

She cleared her throat and changed the subject, "About Shi Wen... Can you handle it?"

Shi Yue replied, "Of course."

"…Are you sure?" Leng Yanmi hesitated for a moment. "He's been running Shi Nuo for many years; he might not be easy to deal with."

"If he were really capable, the company my father left behind wouldn't be in such a sorry state," Shi Yue said sharply at the mention of that despicable man. "I didn't expect him to be so shameless, harassing my mom for so long. Now that I'm on guard, I won't let him have his way again."

Leng Yanmi nodded, "It's good that you're prepared... I mean, you've just stepped out of school, and your opponent has been around for a long time. Some of his tricks might be hard to anticipate."

Her eyes were brighter than usual, like they were filled with starlight, as she gazed at Shi Yue.

Unfortunately, in some areas, Shi Yue was too dense to understand what she meant. "Auntie..."

She pouted, "Why do you think so highly of my uncle? Do you think I'll get tricked by him?"

Leng Yanmi: "..."

She cleared her throat and almost spelled it out, "You don't have to face everything alone. Sometimes it's good to have a helping hand..."

"Right." Shi Yue nodded. "I've been keeping in touch with Wu Quan—the new CEO of Shi Nuo."

Talking about this uncle made her feel much lighter. "I knew I was right about him. Wu Quan has been with the company for a long time. Not only does he have strong feelings for Shi Nuo, but he's also very capable. If the company hadn't fallen into Shi Wen's hands back then, Shi Nuo wouldn't be what it is today.

"With him taking the lead, Shi Wen won't be able to stir up much trouble. As for his underhanded tricks, well, soon enough, he'll be the one avoiding us."

For the first time, Leng Yanmi felt completely useless, "..."

Taking a deep breath, she spoke with a tinge of bitterness, "You're quite impressive."

She couldn't understand how the same little girl who had nearly cried in jealousy when hearing about her helping Leng Mingchuan with his funding issues could now be so oblivious to the underlying message in her words.

Was she being too subtle?

"It's all thanks to your help back then!" Shi Yue said, smiling as she hugged Leng Yanmi's arm, offering sweet words. "Finding a new supplier, planning international trade... Those are things I never would have thought of on my own. If you hadn't stayed up all night helping me sort through everything, I wouldn't have been able to pull him down at the shareholders' meeting."

Leng Yanmi turned away, "It's nothing."

She muttered under her breath, "I'm not really useful anymore."

"What?" Shi Yue didn't catch it.

"Nothing." Leng Yanmi snapped back to her usual aloof demeanor.

Shi Yue tilted her head, looking at her.

A night breeze swept through, and Shi Yue glanced at the time on her phone, "It's almost nine. We've had a long day. I guess it's time to say goodbye."

"Mm." Leng Yanmi made a soft sound in response.

"Then you should rest early." Before Leng Yanmi could react, Shi Yue quickly stood on tiptoe, leaned in, and planted a light kiss on her cheek. "Sweet dreams, and dream of me."

Leng Yanmi caught the retreating figure and asked with dissatisfaction, "Is that it?"

Shi Yue blinked innocently, "What else…"

Before she could finish her sentence, Leng Yanmi's lips and tongue were on hers. At first, Leng Yanmi teased her lips gently. Noticing Shi Yue's complete lack of resistance, her slightly parted lips clearly inviting her in, Leng Yanmi deepened the kiss without hesitation.

She pried open those vivid lips, past neat teeth, reaching the softest part, leaving Shi Yue's tongue tingling.

Under the moonlight, their shadows intertwined, clinging tightly together.

"Xiao Yue—" Suddenly, Jiang Fu's voice called from behind them, "Come help Mom."

They froze, and in the next moment, Shi Yue had taken two steps back, maintaining a respectful distance from Leng Yanmi.

She turned to see Jiang Fu holding two large bags of trash, having just come out of the elevator.

"Oh dear, look at me, I forgot to take these out in the morning."

Shi Yue smiled wryly, "Mom… there's no rush."

Though she complained, she quickly wiped away the lingering moisture on her lips and went forward to take the trash bags.

As she passed by Leng Yanmi, she glanced up at her, unsurprised to find the lingering desire in her eyes. That desire was so intense that it brought a rosy tint to her cheeks.

Shi Yue instinctively licked her lips, savoring the taste of their kiss.

Jiang Fu greeted Leng Yanmi, "Miss Leng, you're still here? Oh dear, has my Xiao Yue been bothering you with questions all this time?"

"…It's fine." Leng Yanmi replied politely, "I'm heading out now. You two should go upstairs."

She looked at Shi Yue, her voice still a bit hoarse, "It's chilly at night. Don't stay outside too long."

With that, she got into the car.

Before starting the engine, she saw Shi Yue pressing her face against the car window, "Auntie."

Leng Yanmi: "Mm?"

"Goodnight~" Shi Yue grinned, lowering her voice, "See you in my dreams~"

Just when Leng Yanmi was starting to cool down, her face nearly ignited again at Shi Yue's words.

She pressed her lips with her hand, clearing her throat. Only after confirming that Shi Yue and Jiang Fu had entered the elevator did she finally turn the key and drive away from the apartment complex.