"Su Daonong's son, that idiot Su Qingkun, has been kneeling at my villa's gate all afternoon," Xiao Shixiong said respectfully. "He says he's willing to give me all of the Su Family's assets if I'll spare them. Sir, what do you think I should do?"

Lin Xiao sneered. "In his dreams. Tell him to get lost. He thinks he can bully my wife for so long and then buy a peaceful future with a bit of money? He must be dreaming!"

Xiao Shixiong understood Lin Xiao's intentions. "Sir, I understand. Rest assured, I'll send him packing right away!"

"Good. Also, tell him that if Su Qingfeng dares to divorce that beggar or bully him, the entire Su Family had better watch out, or they'll be annihilated!"

"Understood!"

"One more thing. Get a Range Rover over to the bar and give the keys to Pei Donglai."

To Xiao Shixiong, a luxury car worth millions was a drop in the bucket, so of course, he was more than happy to oblige. "Got it!"

After hanging up, Lin Xiao turned and re-entered the bar.

Su Qingning looked at the completely renovated bar, a wave of emotion washing over her. She'd almost thought her bar was finished, that it could never reopen.

Back then, she had truly believed Su Qingfeng was going to marry into a powerful and wealthy family from Shengjing, and she had spent her days in a state of constant dread.

But who would have thought? Su Qingfeng ended up marrying a beggar. The bar was saved, and suddenly, her own life didn't seem so bad after all. Yes, right now, Su Qingning was in an excellent mood.

She wandered all over the spacious bar, everything feeling fresh and new. Eventually, she made her way into her office. Everything was as she had left it, only now it all looked brand new from the renovation. Sinking into her chair, Su Qingning was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions.

Just as she was lost in thought, Lin Xiao walked in.

"Wow, this renovation is so luxurious! It looks like Shao Mei'er is very efficient," Lin Xiao said with a laugh.

Su Qingning nodded. "Indeed. It turned out even better than I expected."

Lin Xiao walked right up to her. "Honey, mind if I try out your chair?"

Su Qingning stood up to make room for him. She was about to move to the sofa, but Lin Xiao suddenly pulled her into his lap.

Startled, her pretty face flushed an alluring crimson. It wasn't just her cheeks; even the tips of her ears turned red. She tried to squirm away, but his hands were wrapped firmly around her slender waist.

Honestly, Su Qingning didn't understand herself. Before Su Qingfeng's wedding, when she was at her most desperate, she hadn't resisted being close to Lin Xiao at all. Yet, as soon as the wedding was over and she was safe, she started feeling this aversion to him.

No, not aversion, she corrected herself. It was just... awkwardness. Discomfort.

She didn't realize that in her previous state of utter despair, she had been extremely vulnerable and desperate for comfort. Now that the crisis had passed, it was only natural to feel awkward. Their relationship hadn't truly progressed to this stage yet; everything from the night before until now had been a special circumstance.

"Honey, what's wrong? You don't like me holding you?"

"I..."

Instinctively, Su Qingning wanted to say yes. But for some reason, being held in his arms also gave her an inexplicable sense of peace and security.

"Actually, you don't have to say it. I already know," Lin Xiao said softly. "Starting last night, you were on the verge of a total breakdown, so you needed me. Now that you're okay, it's only natural that you'd push me away. After all, our relationship hasn't really reached this level of intimacy yet."

Su Qingning's heart skipped a beat. Once again, she was astonished by his insight. How can he see through me so easily? She desperately wanted to ask how he knew, but the words wouldn't come.

Lin Xiao held her waist and sighed helplessly. "Honey, I know our relationship hasn't reached the point where we can kiss whenever we want, but I don't know what happened... That kiss you gave me on the highway last night seems to have unleashed something in me. Now all I want to do is hold you and kiss you. Tell me, am I sick?"

Su Qingning looked at him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Just as she was about to speak, he continued, "How about this? From now on, I'm only allowed to kiss you five times a day. Okay?"

"What? Five times a day?" she said, blushing. "No way!"

"Then three times. How about it? Any less is non-negotiable. It would kill me!"

Su Qingning was speechless. This man was such a rogue.

"Alright, honey, I'll take your silence as a yes. Time for the first kiss!"

Su Qingning quickly put a hand up to stop him. "No, wait! You've already kissed me several times today!"

"Honey, I said *starting from now*, not *starting from today*," Lin Xiao said with a sly grin.

Su Qingning's eyes widened, round like green apricots, as if scolding him for his shamelessness.

Lin Xiao hugged her tighter. "Honey, just one kiss, please? I promise, just one."

She didn't know what to say. They had been married for some time, and she knew that when Lin Xiao set his mind to something, he was relentless. If she didn't agree to this kiss, he would never let it go. Realizing this, she sighed in defeat.

"Just a light peck, that's it. If you dare... Mmmph—"

Before she could finish, his mouth descended on her moist lips.

Her beautiful eyes, usually like peach blossoms, widened once again until they were round like green apricots. Lin Xiao kissed her feverishly, as if trying to devour her whole. He couldn't help it; he wanted to kiss her so badly. If it were possible, he would have soldered his lips to hers.

Her eyes had glazed over and she was panting softly by the time she finally managed to push him away. She looked at him with a resentful gaze.

"Liar! You promised it would just be one kiss!"

"It was, honey," Lin Xiao said innocently. "I only kissed you once!"

"You... You're lying! One kiss doesn't last that long!" she retorted, flustered and annoyed.

"Honey, my definition of 'one kiss' has nothing to do with time. As long as my lips don't leave yours, it counts as one!"

"You... you shameless rogue!" Su Qingning was too exasperated for words.

Lin Xiao just chuckled and scooped her up into his arms.

Su Qingning panicked, afraid of what he might do next.

"Don't be scared. I'm taking you out to properly relax," he said softly.

At his words, her panic subsided. "Relax?" she asked uncertainly. "What do you mean?"

"There's a hot spring nearby. Come on, let's go soak together!"

Su Qingning's face turned beet red. The thought of going to a hot spring meant she'd have to wear something revealing, and this shameless rogue would undoubtedly take the opportunity to tease her mercilessly.

"I'm not going," she said, pouting.

Lin Xiao smiled. "Then let's go to Chu Xiangxue's concert instead!"

Su Qingning considered it for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

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