Lin Xiao's heart fluttered, and he leaned in to kiss her.

Su Qingning had probably grown accustomed to Lin Xiao kissing her anytime and anywhere. It was also possible she simply enjoyed the feeling. Whatever the reason, she didn't refuse. In fact, she even responded, and they kissed for a long while.

Lin Xiao held Su Qingning tightly. Although the room was pitch black, their hearts were warm. Neither of them spoke, but in that moment, Lin Xiao felt that his heart had never been closer to hers.

While Lin Xiao and Su Qingning were discussing the opening date for the bar, a call from Tie Shankao came in. The renovations were complete, meaning the bar could open as early as tomorrow, but Lin Xiao wanted to postpone it until the day after. His reasoning was that Chu Xiangxue would be free then. If she could make an appearance at the bar, it would surely be a massive success. After all, the bar had been closed for so long that it needed a top celebrity like her to generate some buzz.

However, Su Qingning was clearly against the idea. She argued that Chu Xiangxue was far too expensive, and she simply couldn't afford her. As for asking her to do it for free, Su Qingning felt it would be too shameless. They were at a stalemate over the issue when Tie Shankao's call arrived.

Lin Xiao answered.

"Boss, it was a short circuit. Everything's taken care of, the other things included," Tie Shankao said, being deliberately vague. He knew Lin Xiao was with Su Qingning and feared that speaking plainly might frighten her. Word was that Lin Xiao cherished his wife dearly, and if she got a scare, there was no telling how he might punish him. Tie Shankao wasn't about to take that risk.

Lin Xiao smiled. "Great. Got it, thanks."

He hung up. "Honey, the power's back," he said with a smile.

Su Qingning nodded. "Should we turn on the lights?"

"Let's not. This is nice," Su Qingning said. She found that she quite liked lying in bed and chatting with Lin Xiao in the dark.

"Alright, lights off it is. Come on, let's get back to our discussion."

"Lin Xiao, I know you mean well, but I really don't think it's right to ask someone to make a promotional appearance for free," Su Qingning said softly.

Lin Xiao suddenly asked, "Honey, is it because of me that you don't want to ask Chu Xiangxue for help?"

"No, that's not it at all!" Su Qingning's pretty face flushed as she quietly protested.

But Lin Xiao was sharp. Though she denied it, her blush and hushed tone told him that was precisely the reason. It made sense when he thought about it. Su Qingning was a proud person. Since Chu Xiangxue had feelings for him, Su Qingning was naturally reluctant to have her involved. Of course, Chu Xiangxue's appearance fee was genuinely high, and with the money she had on hand, Su Qingning truly couldn't afford it.

"Are you sure that's not the reason?" Lin Xiao asked, a grin playing on his lips.

Su Qingning shook her head like a pellet drum. "No, it really isn't!"

Lin Xiao chuckled. "Alright, if you say so. But I still think we should ask for her help. Honey, trust me on this and let me handle it, okay?"

"But..."

Lin Xiao silenced her with another kiss. Su Qingning's beautiful eyes flew wide in surprise. There was nothing a kiss couldn't solve, and if one couldn't, a second one would. Su Qingning was left dizzy from the kiss, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

"Let me handle it, please?" Lin Xiao asked again.

This time, Su Qingning didn't dare refuse, afraid the scoundrel would just kiss her again. He had kissed her more than enough for one day; her lips were practically numb.

Just then, Lin Xiao's phone rang. The call was from Chu Xiangxue.

When Su Qingning saw the caller ID, her brow furrowed slightly, and an uncomfortable feeling settled in her stomach. She herself didn't even know why she felt that way.

Lin Xiao noticed her reaction. He pulled her closer and asked with a smile, "Jealous?"

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm not!" Su Qingning said stubbornly, but her words rang hollow.

Lin Xiao laughed. "Then I won't answer it." With that, he hung up.

"No, you should call her back! What if it's something important?"

Lin Xiao paid her no mind, saying with a smile, "Tonight belongs to the two of us. No one is allowed to interrupt."

Su Qingning suddenly sat up and looked him straight in the eye. "Lin Xiao, I'll be honest. When Chu Xiangxue calls you, I do feel a little upset. But I can't take away your right to answer your phone. If it's a real emergency, I'd feel terrible. So, please, call her back."

Seeing her anxious expression, Lin Xiao sighed helplessly. She really was kind-hearted. Even when she was feeling upset, she didn't want to make things difficult for others.

"Alright, I'll call her back."

Su Qingning nodded.

"But you have to give me a kiss first."

"You're impossible! Is this really the time to be teasing me?" Su Qingning chided, but despite her words, she leaned over and pecked his cheek.

"Honey, I wasn't talking about my cheek."

"Lin Xiao, stop fooling around and make the call!"

Unable to win against her, Lin Xiao reluctantly dialed Chu Xiangxue's number.

"My lord, are you and the lady in Jinhai City?" Chu Xiangxue's cheerful voice came from the other end.

"Yes."

"Are you here for my concert?"

"Mhm."

"Where are you now? I'll come find you!"

"Aren't you busy?" Lin Xiao asked doubtfully.

"Not at all! I wasn't that busy to begin with. I just had rehearsals, but they're already over."

"Then you should get some rest. Your concert is tomorrow," Lin Xiao said hurriedly. Frankly, he was reluctant to have Chu Xiangxue interrupt this precious time he was spending with Su Qingning. After all, Su Qingning had only just begun to open up her heart to him, and he wanted to use this chance to get closer.

"I'm not tired! Besides, I haven't seen you and the lady for days. I've missed you both," Chu Xiangxue said with a laugh.

"No, how about this: we'll come see you tomorrow morning."

"I don't want to wait! I want to see you both now!" she insisted stubbornly.

Lin Xiao knew exactly why she was being so persistent. She claimed she wanted to see both of them, but ultimately, it was him she wanted to see.

"Be good," Lin Xiao said, his tone growing firmer.

Chu Xiangxue paused on the other end. He expected her to continue pestering him, but instead, she replied cheerfully, "Okay, then! I'll listen to you. See you tomorrow!"

Lin Xiao hung up. He was about to turn back to Su Qingning and continue their evening when he saw her alluring eyes in the darkness, watching him with a resentful look.

Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat. Dammit. She's jealous.

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