Su Qingning was very light, almost weightless. Lin Xiao effortlessly pulled her out of the pool.

The moment Su Qingning stood on the shore, Lin Xiao wrapped her tightly in a bath towel without a second glance.

She had thought Lin Xiao would take the opportunity to cop a feel, but she never expected him to be so proper. A warmth spread through her heart, and she was genuinely moved by his gentlemanly behavior.

"Thank you," Su Qingning said softly.

Lin Xiao feigned displeasure and asked, "Hmm? What did you say to me? Am I still your husband, Su Qingning?"

Su Qingning pouted, her voice low. "Not for long!"

Honestly, he wasn't the least bit depressed. He knew perfectly well that he would never divorce Su Qingning, at least not in the short term. He had only agreed to it today because the situation with Su Qingfeng had tormented her to the point of exhaustion. Besides, after tomorrow, Su Qingning would no longer be fixated on it and naturally wouldn't bring up divorce again.

The two lay down on the loungers under the sun umbrella.

"Want something to drink?" Lin Xiao asked.

Su Qingning shook her head. "I'm not thirsty!"

"Not even milk tea?" Lin Xiao asked with a laugh.

Su Qingning was taken aback. Milk tea. It felt like something from a distant past. She couldn't remember how long it had been since she'd last had it. The last time, her father was still alive. She never thought Lin Xiao would suddenly mention it.

"Do you want some?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Su Qingning's eyes, but she still shook her head. "Forget it, it's too much trouble!"

"Who says?" As he spoke, Lin Xiao pulled out a cup of milk tea from behind him as if by magic. He had bought it on a whim on his way back.

Su Qingning's eyes lit up, a look of delighted surprise bursting forth. She truly hadn't expected Lin Xiao to buy her milk tea. After tiring herself out swimming, nothing could be more pleasant than a sweet cup of milk tea.

"Thank you!" Su Qingning said cheerfully. It was clear she was in a good mood.

Lin Xiao chuckled. "Thanking me again?"

Su Qingning stuck out her pink tongue with a flash of mischief.

Watching her, a rather wicked thought popped into Lin Xiao's mind: he wanted to kiss that playful tongue of hers. The taste would probably be incredible. After all, it felt amazing the last time he kissed her.

After drinking half of the milk tea, Su Qingning placed the cup on the table.

"Can't drink anymore?" Lin Xiao asked.

Su Qingning nodded, even rubbing her smooth, flat belly.

"What do you want for dinner?" Lin Xiao asked again.

Su Qingning's brows furrowed in protest. "You scoundrel! I just filled up on tea, and now you're asking about dinner? I'm not a pig!"

Lin Xiao smiled. "Of course you're not a pig. Pigs aren't nearly as charming as you!"

Su Qingning's heart suddenly sped up, her fair cheeks flushing red. To hide her embarrassment, she turned her head away.

Lin Xiao noticed but didn't continue to tease her, and they sat in silence for a while.

Su Qingning seemed to remember something and suddenly spoke up. "There's something I don't know if I should tell you or not."

"What is it?" Lin Xiao asked curiously. From her serious demeanor, it seemed like no small matter.

"This afternoon, I chatted with Shao Mei'er about our marriage, and she gave a really good suggestion."

"What suggestion?" Lin Xiao pressed.

"She said that if I'm truly afraid of Su Qingfeng taking revenge on you, we should get divorced. Then, you could get a marriage certificate with her. Shao Mei'er said it would just be a sham marriage. If I can get through this crisis, she'll divorce you, and then we can get married again."

While saying this, Su Qingning didn't dare to look at Lin Xiao, obviously feeling extremely embarrassed herself.

Lin Xiao was utterly speechless. Yet, amidst his speechlessness, he felt an inexplicable emotion, hearing the profound worry in her voice.

"Qingning, are you really that afraid of Su Qingfeng retaliating against me?"

Su Qingning nodded. Her expression dimmed, and a shadow fell over her breathtakingly beautiful face. Her entire being seemed enveloped in a faint sadness.

"Although our marriage is a sham, the days we've spent together have made me realize you're a good person. The grudge between Su Qingfeng and me existed long before we married; you're not the cause of it. Therefore, I have no reason to let her humiliate you along with me."

"Then aren't you afraid that after you make it through this ordeal, Shao Mei'er won't divorce me? What will you do then?" Lin Xiao asked deliberately.

Su Qingning's expression turned even more somber. After a moment of silence, she said, "If that really happens, then I'll have no regrets. At least, marrying her would give you an easier and more comfortable life than being with me."

"How do you know being with her would be more comfortable than being with me? What if I like being with you? What if I think being with you is more comfortable?"

Su Qingning was rendered speechless by Lin Xiao's barrage of questions, truly not knowing how to respond. But as she listened to his words, a sweet sensation began to blossom in her heart.

Yet, she said aloud, "Shao Mei'er comes from a powerful family, and besides, she's gorgeous. Forget men, even I, as a woman, think she's beautiful. You'd definitely be comfortable with her!"

"No, Su Qingning. Shao Mei'er is indeed very beautiful and charming, but I find you more beautiful. You're the one who attracts me more," Lin Xiao declared emphatically.

BOOM!

This quasi-confession sent Su Qingning's heart into a frenzy. She didn't know what was happening to her, only that her heart was hammering against her ribs. She couldn't stay with Lin Xiao a moment longer. She was afraid her heart might actually burst.

And with that, Su Qingning fled into the villa without looking back, her hurried steps looking as if she were running for her life.

Lin Xiao didn't follow. He simply picked up the half-full cup of milk tea she had left behind and took a few sips before his brows furrowed.

This is way too sweet. Why do girls like this stuff?

He was mumbling to himself when his phone suddenly rang. The call was from Huang Xingcheng.

Lin Xiao answered it.

"Boss, are you busy?" Huang Xingcheng asked respectfully. Ever since offering to be Lin Xiao's "dog," his attitude had become extremely reverent.

"What's the matter?"

"Yes," Huang Xingcheng affirmed. "I was hoping to ask you for a favor."

"Go on."

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