Free Web NovelChapter 194: Chapter 194: Storm and Kiss
The dense rain hammered against the car’s roof and windows. The muffled sound was like an inescapable net, trapping them on a desolate island forgotten by the world.
In the quiet, enclosed space, their breathing was close.
The chill of the night rain lingered on the girl’s cheeks, spreading from where they touched and seeping into every inch of his skin.
Qin Muye felt her lips curve into a slight smile, and her voice was muffled.
"Thank you, Qin Muye."
It was the first time Qin Muye had heard her speak in such a tone since their relationship had deepened.
A pang went through his heart.
Qin Muye suddenly realized that he had only ever seen Jiang Qingli’s happy, gentle, and optimistic side.
Only now did he realize that she had moments when she was down, too.
The kind of place Qin Muye grew up in—and the Imperial Palace—was all about survival of the fittest. No one would ever reveal a vulnerable side to others. Like everyone else, he believed such fragile emotions served no purpose.
But as he held the girl in his arms and saw her brow furrow...
his heart suddenly clenched with a dull ache. A sharp, poignant feeling washed over him, and he couldn’t help but pull her even tighter.
For the first time, Qin Muye blamed himself for his carelessness.
He’d been busy with trivial matters lately, failing to pay attention to her and leaving her all alone.
And yet, he was glad he’d found her just before the downpour started.
Otherwise, she would have been the one to get soaked.
He held her, his hand supporting her back, and emphasized in a clumsy tone,
"Anyway, no matter where you go, I’ll find you, just like I did now."
"Don’t even think about shaking me off."
Jiang Qingli didn’t say a word, but her fingers, wrapped around his waist, tightened.
Qin Muye hadn’t been looking for an answer. He lowered his head, burying his nose in the crook of her neck for a moment. His lips traveled up her skin, gently brushing against her earlobe and cheek, like a large dog affectionately soothing its master.
The rain outside gradually subsided.
Qin Muye watched Jiang Qingli’s expression. Seeing it soften a little, he suddenly asked, "Want to go for a race?"
Jiang Qingli blinked, not quite processing his words. "Hm?"
"I race when I’m feeling annoyed. Didn’t you say you thought it was fun last time?" Qin Muye said. "Perfect timing, too. The car you liked has been modified and is ready."
The change of subject was a bit abrupt, but that was just Qin Muye’s style.
Jiang Qingli hesitated. "So late at night... isn’t it a bit dangerous?"
Qin Muye scoffed. "If you get so much as a scratch, I’m all yours to punish."
Jiang Qingli blinked. "Are you sure that wouldn’t be a reward?"
Qin Muye: "..."
He gave her waist a light pinch and urged, "You in? One word."
"In!"
The rain was still falling.
In the dark of night, a silver sports car shot forward like a bolt of lightning, flames spitting from its undercarriage as it sped, almost crazed, along the empty, winding mountain racetrack.
They had disabled the rain shield, letting the fine rain and wind batter their faces mercilessly.
Adrenaline surged as they drifted around the bends, blood rushing to their heads, hearts pounding wildly.
In that instant, all worries were left behind, just like the scenery flashing past them.
Jiang Qingli looked up, a smile gracing her lips as she faced the wind.
Qin Muye glanced at her, one eyebrow raised. "Feel good?"
Jiang Qingli reached out to feel the wind, shouting back, "It feels amazing!"
They drove all the way to the mountaintop, then started back down.
On the way back, Jiang Qingli was the one driving.
The wind was stronger than on the way up, but by now, Jiang Qingli had forgotten all her troubles.
She felt a little nervous as they approached a bend.
Just as she was about to slow down, Qin Muye spoke. "Floor it."
She slammed the pedal to the floor, and the car shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
At that very moment, Qin Muye grabbed her hand, and together they cranked the steering wheel all the way.
Sparks flew as the tires screeched against the pavement. Jiang Qingli’s breath caught in her throat, every nerve stretched taut.
Suddenly, she heard a faint CLICK from beside her.
The next second.
Qin Muye unbuckled his seatbelt, cupped the back of her neck with one hand, leaned over, and crushed his lips against hers.
In the distance, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, as if it were the end of the world.
In the eye of the storm, they exchanged a tender kiss.
...
「The Jiang Family Residence.」
In the brightly lit living room, two figures sat facing each other.
One in black, one in white.
The young man in the black shirt lifted his wrist for the umpteenth time to glance at his watch.
The hour hand pointed to one in the morning.
Jiang Youchen’s dark eyes were brooding, his thin lips pressed into a tight line. The atmosphere around him was dangerously heavy.
Compared to him, Baili Jing, seated across from him, was far more relaxed.
The White Fox Actor was dressed in pristine white casual wear, his legs crossed as he leaned back against the sofa, leisurely flipping through a fashion magazine.
Noticing the other man’s movements, Baili Jing’s lips curved. His tone was mild. "Your patience has grown thin. If you can’t wait, you can go to bed first." freewёbnoνel.com
Jiang Youchen shot him a look and sneered, "You’ve only turned two pages in three hours. Drop the magnanimous act. Great performance, though."
Baili Jing just smiled.
Just as he was about to speak, the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.
Yi Nuo, standing at the entrance, took a step back, making way for the person behind them.
The girl in his arms was fast asleep as Qin Muye entered the room, his steps light.
His button-down shirt was long gone, replaced by a black tank top that clearly outlined the muscles beneath.
His silver hair was soaked through and slicked back, revealing his forehead and a widow’s peak. An earring glinted sharply under the lights.
But what drew the most attention was the faint, smudged redness around his thin lips.
As for the girl he held, the lipstick she’d been wearing was gone.
Anyone who wasn’t a fool could guess that the two had just been kissing.
Jiang Youchen’s brows furrowed. His gaze swept over Qin Muye’s wild attire, his eyes filled with criticism and distaste.
As he stared, Qin Muye met his gaze without flinching.
Baili Jing spoke, a smile on his face. "Muye, this is Xiao Li’s brother." Then he turned to Jiang Youchen. "Youchen, this is the Prince, and also Xiao Li’s Beast Husband... He rarely makes public appearances. So, I suppose this is your first time meeting?"
’He sure knows how to put on an act for outsiders.’
But given the other’s status, Jiang Youchen said in a low voice, "Good evening, Prince."
Though it was a greeting, his tone was dismissive, and his gaze remained glued to the sleeping girl’s face, not once looking at Qin Muye.
Baili Jing walked over to Qin Muye’s side and reminded him casually, "Muye, you should probably call him ’Big Brother’."
In truth, Qin Muye didn’t need Baili Jing to tell him. He had already recognized the other male in the living room as Jiang Youchen.
He just wasn’t sure for a moment whether he should ignore him.
Qin Muye was notoriously arrogant. He couldn’t even be bothered with his own half-siblings unless he saw them at a public function.
But this was Jiang Qingli’s brother.
Qin Muye frowned, holding it in for a moment before finally replying, "...Good evening."
He paused, then unnaturally forced out two words: "Big Brother."
Jiang Youchen: "..."
Qin Muye wasn’t sure if it was a trick of the light, but he thought Jiang Youchen’s expression looked especially dark.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Jiang Youchen stepped forward, his presence overwhelmingly oppressive. "Give her to me. You may leave."
Perhaps it was a case of like poles repelling, but Qin Muye’s first impression of Jiang Youchen was not a good one. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
’This guy really oversteps his bounds.’
’She’s sleeping perfectly fine in my arms, what’s he getting involved for?’
Qin Muye sidestepped his outstretched hand. "Don’t wake her up."
With that, he hugged Jiang Qingli closer and strode quickly toward the stairs.
After taking a few steps, he looked back at Yi Nuo. "Take me to her room."
"Are you planning on staying the night, sir?" Yi Nuo asked, their gaze flickering almost imperceptibly toward Jiang Youchen.
Meeting his brother-in-law’s dagger-like stare, Qin Muye retorted,
"I’m her husband. If I don’t sleep with her, who should?"
