Chapter 55: Night Filled With Love.
She did not know when he became so bold, but then the images of his lips on hers flashed in her mind and a faint blush crept up her cheeks. She took a deep breath and calmed her heart before she said, "Ren, I am not ready for that step yet."
It takes a lot of courage for a lady to express her stance on intimacy aspect of the relation. Hao Ren already knew this, but he was still surprised to think that Han Lingshi was so vocal that it made him look dense. He smiled and said, "I will never force you about anything Lingshi, as soon as you feel like I am reaching out a bit too much you can smack my hand and give me a dress down."
Han Lingshi shook her head and said, "I know that you won\'t force me. It\'s not that I don\'t like you, but I feel like we are progressing a bit too fast. I don\'t know a lot of things about you even now. I like you, definitely, and just want to know you more before we reach the final step."
Hao Ren nodded and said, "You can take your time and I will always wait for you. However, do you know how much I have missed you this whole month? You being away is not the problem, but the video calls and the urge to feel you in my arms was like a smoldering burn to me. Can you really not stay the night?"
Han Lingshi sensed that by the end of his dialogue, Hao Ren\'s shoulder has slumped and his voice had become very disheartened. She did not expect Hao Ren to have such a strong sense of attachment with her. However, when she realized the things he had done for her, they were nothing short of capturing stars in his palm.
Han Yuntian and Maria died, and Han Ming lost his mind. This was probably the best outcome of this situation.
She had gained a lot in this, and from what the police told the Han family, Only Han Ming was responsible for the actions, when Yue Shenlong told her about his infiltration stint she was shocked, she did not know what this guy was capable of, and when she heard him say that he gained the inheritance of an old medicine professional she could not believe him but then again, Magnificent Cosmetics would not stake on their prestige on the word of a young man without any capital right?
Hao Ren before her was a man whom she thought she knew very well, but at the same time there was a mysterious halo around him. She could not help but want to peel off the layer and find out who is the real Hao Ren.
After all these thoughts in her mind, she nodded, and said, "Fine, I will stay, but you are not allowed to take advantage of me."
Hao Ren looked at her and smiled as he nodded his head in submission. Han Lingshi sighed and said, "I will get my clothes from Aunty\'s room."
Hao Ren nodded and said, "I will be in the balcony, call me when you are done showering."
Han Lingshi nodded and the young man left.
...
In the balcony, Hao Ren\'s eyes were flickering with a cold glint. He held his phone as he watched the twinkling lights of the city, "Xiao Mei, did you find out who is holding the consignment of the herbs?"
Xiao Mei replied, "Boss, I have gathered the information half an hour ago."
Hao Ren said, "Alright, tell me."
Then the AI began to narrate the story and the deeds of the local gang leader. This guy knew a lot of things about a few strong people in the city administration, and these secret evidences were his capital to rule over these people.
Hao Ren thought for a bit and said, "Xiao Mei, what do you think I should do? Earlier, I wanted to use this gang leader to deal with Ye family, but since you have found that this guy is linked to the Ye family, won\'t it be better if we use the officials to enact their revenge on this guy? We will gain quite a lot of favor.
After all, these people made small mistakes and only the weak officials have been trapped and targeted."
Xiao Mei replied, "It is true, Boss, you will be able to gain leverage on these people and have them do your bidding. After all, they have been pushed a bit too much by this guy and they did not gain even a cent."
Hao Ren nodded and said, "Contact these people one by one for me. I would like to have a call with them."
Xiao Mei replied positively and then Hao Ren began to make calls to the leaders. He did not hide his identity but revealed the secrets he knew about them and also told them where the local gang leader was keeping these things.
He assured them that if they managed to get those things, they will be free of their burdens, and in return he only wanted the consignment released. Not only that but Magnificent Cosmetics would go public and thank them for their help.
The officials in the administration wanted nothing more than fame and support. Hao Ren showed a great degree of humility when talking to them. Also, with his sooth-saying skills it was not hard for him to get them on his side.
The officials promised him to get things done before the morning. Hao Ren had introduced them to each other, and since they suffered the same disease they sympathized with each other.
Hao Ren was thinking about the future when Han Lingshi appeared beside him. She was wearing a casual night t-shirt and pajamas, with her damp hair resting on her shoulder, her face lit up under the moonlight as if she was a fairy who descended to the mortal world.
She looked at him and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Hao Ren looked at her and after a few moments he said, "I was thinking how much more do I need to work in order to achieve the goal you have set for me."
Han Lingshi saw that his brows were furrowed as he spoke, she raised her hand and massaged his brows as she said, "If you stress out about this, then when you achieve the goal, I will be left with a bald Hao Ren. Do you want to go on dates with me like that?"
Hao Ren smiled and his brows relaxed, as he asked, "You will take me for a date?"
Han Lingshi nodded and asked, "Why? You look good enough to sit by my side and peel fruits for me."
Hao Ren chuckled and pulled her in his embrace. Han Lingshi did not say anything and she did not struggle either. It would be a lie to say that she did not miss him at all. The young man had become an integral part of her support system and she genuinely liked him.
The two enjoyed the embrace. Hao Ren felt calm as Han Lingshi felt cold against him, similarly, Han Lingshi felt relaxed as she leaned on his warm chest.
They stood in the balcony for a few minutes, when they heard a clattering sound from the inside. Hao Ren turned around and said, "I\'ll be right back. Mom probably needs water."
Han Lingshi nodded, but then she decided to follow Hao Ren. The two of them reached the kitchen and found Mrs. Hao looking for some stuff in the kitchen cabinets. Hao Ren asked, "Ma, what are you looking for?"
Mrs. Hao replied, "Flour, to make noodles."
Hao Ren smiled and said, "I will get you flour in the morning. Get some sleep for now."
Mrs. Hao walked up to him and placed her hands on her waist as she asked, "Why are you so careless?..."
She began to nag Hao Ren, and the young man took it all with a smile, not only that even Han Lingshi ganged up on him. The young man sighed and after sending his mother back to bed, he looked at Han Lingshi with a narrowed gaze. The lady chuckled and asked, "Why are you looking at me like a villain? What do you want?"
Hao Ren approached her step by step and said, "Thou shalt be punished."
Han Lingshi chuckled and ran while Hao Ren chased her. Their voices filled the house with joy. Mrs. Hao was laying bed with her eyes closed but her lips were curled up. After a few minutes, she mumbled, "Mei, bless your brother to stay happy."
...
After an hour, Han Lingshi and Hao Ren were laying in bed, while the lady was panting, Hao Ren looked a bit pale. He had been chasing after the lady for an hour and although he did not push himself too much, his body was not used to the sharp turns and twists inside the house and his ribs were strained.
Han Lingshi was regained her breath after a few minutes, and then she looked at Hao Ren, who was also feeling better, his physique had improved, and it was helping him heal quicker too. Hao Ren turned to the side to look at her and found her looking at himself. They both were laying so close that they could sense the slightest of movement from each other.
Han Lingshi asked softly, "How did you get inside the Yue Mansion? Shenlong was so scared."
Hao Ren smiled, he knew that she would ask him something like this and said, "I used Xiao Mei to plan the path of entry and exit, and I only followed that. With Xiao Mei beside me, it is not a big deal for me to walk in and out through the front door."
Han Lingshi thought about it and believed him, she knew that Xiao Mei was a powerful AI. The two talked a lot and discussed a lot of things, unknowingly the distance between them had closed up, whether it was the bed or their hearts.
The love between them was akin to a seed that was being nourished slowly and the bud was taking deeper roots.