Chapter 35

Slightly Sweet You (05)

Chapter Thirty-Five

Why take a shower?

Hos Heng pursed his lips, lost in thought. This was a normal physiological reaction for a man in the morning, indescribable, and naturally he couldn’t answer her truthfully. He lightly cited the room being a bit warm and having sweated as a reason, smoothly turning the page.

Previously, Mu He had slept over at his place and found it cold, so he had raised the temperature. She didn’t think too deeply about the reason he gave.

After a night of good sleep, every bone in her body felt relaxed, unwilling to move. From today on, Xi Heng was her pursuer; her seduction plan was officially scrapped. She didn’t need to do anything—just wait for him to chase her.

How would he pursue her?

Mu He looked forward to it, secretly reminding herself that his face alone was enough to enchant, not to mention his exceptional skills. She had to stay alert at all times, not let his beauty cloud her judgment as it had the night before.

Fortunately, there was a way to “take it back” if necessary.

Mu He also wondered: now that they had “broken up,” if she came to sleep with him again, would that be improper?

No, that wasn’t the logic.

Now that Xi Heng liked her and wanted to chase her, she could do whatever she wanted. Could he control her?

No wonder people said those who are loved are fearless.

Mu He buried her face in the blanket. She liked his scent—it was like walking through a pine forest after fresh snow under winter sunlight, the air crisp and naturally fragrant, unforgettable.

It was still early and she had no work, so she took a nap, waking only when the sun was high. She lazed in bed a bit before washing up.

After a night of light snow, the ground and tree branches were covered in pale white. Cold weather didn’t stop people from visiting friends, gathering, or going outdoors. Tire tracks marred the snow near the parking exit, the corners of the tiled ground peeked through the snow, now lightly covered again by new flakes.

Mu He had planned not to leave home for three days. She had asked Tan Mian to prepare plenty of ingredients in the fridge. She found a bag of frozen dumplings, boiled a pot of chicken soup, put the dumplings in, stirred, then repeated with fresh chicken broth three times. Each dumpling was intact, no skins broken.

Her father had taught her this.

In the past, every New Year’s Eve, her father would go visit families, and she would wait anxiously at home, always overcooking the dumplings. Later, she learned the method, and father and daughter finally enjoyed perfect dumplings together.

Steam reddened Mu He’s eyes. She looked up, water glimmering in her gaze, slowly smiling and silently thinking, “Another year, Dad. Happy New Year.”

A few minutes later, Mu He composed herself and carried the dumplings out. Knowing Xi Heng observed everything, her flushed eyes couldn’t be hidden, so she explained: “I just thought of my dad.”

Years ago, Hos Heng had stayed in her home for half a month but never met her father, only seeing old photos on the wall. The man matched his name, exuding uprightness. As for his true character, one could judge by his daughter.

How had she managed these years since her father passed?

If he hadn’t returned, how would she have spent this family reunion holiday?

“I’m fine,” Mu He sat beside him, handing over a pair of chopsticks. “Eat the dumplings.”

Hos Heng took them but didn’t move otherwise, lost in thought. She nibbled her dumpling, leaning against his shoulder, softly saying, “From now on, I have you.”

Hos Heng’s previously shadowed eyes brightened slowly, a faint light shimmering. His throat felt dry as he gave a low, slow, “Mm.”

He had her, too.

Two lonely, desolate lives had met across a vast sea of people; even back-to-back, they could warm each other.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, gradually gaining warmth.

Celebrities had strict body management rules. Mu He had only four dumplings in her small bowl and was full after three. Previously, she hadn’t wanted him to eat her leftovers—but now they had shared a kiss… their relationship was different.

She directly placed dumplings into his bowl, saying, “New Year gift.”

Hos Heng accepted it, pointing to her bowl: “Drink the soup.”

Mu He mumbled: “Chicken soup has too many calories.”

“Then don’t drink it.”

Hos Heng didn’t insist, leisurely saying, “Then I won’t take you out today.”

Going out?

Was this a date?

Was he starting to pursue her?

“Actually…” Mu He lifted her bowl, “it’s not that high in calories.”

Drinking this bowl would be about 200 kcal at most; walking forty minutes would burn it.

She sipped the soup in small mouthfuls. “Where are we going to play?”

Hos Heng took her to Qiandao Lake in the nearby suburbs, one of the Hos Group’s properties. More than half the islands were fully equipped and open to the public; a small portion was still under development.

Southeast was a crescent-shaped private island, developed but closed to the public, registered under Hos Heng. He and Mu He landed there.

The island was beautiful and pleasing to the eye, but after walking for a long time, they saw no one—no staff, not like a typical scenic area. Mu He felt puzzled.

“Xi Heng,” she pointed to a distant island with fluttering flags that looked lively. “Did we go the wrong way?”

Hos Heng looked. “You want to go there?”

“Yes.”

Mu He nodded, surveying around. “This place is beautiful but lacks people.”

On festive holidays like the New Year, she preferred lively, bustling places.

Hos Heng only thought of being alone with her. He took her slightly red hand and slipped it into his coat pocket: “Then we’ll go there.”

As a public figure, Mu He usually wore a mask when going out. She had forgotten this time, but she grabbed a scarf from Xi Heng while choosing her outfit, covering her face except for her eyes and eyebrows.

Disguised perfectly, even in the crowd, no one recognized her.

The island was bustling with people of all ages. Ample recreational facilities included a Ferris wheel, carousel, roller coaster, and various themed pavilions—ocean, dinosaur, and primitive forest. These were not real animals but 3D reproductions, highly realistic.

Time and space traveled; she walked from deep blue seas to forests, witnessing volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, dinosaurs growing from eggs to giants, their rise and extinction, human evolution, and advanced civilization.

She then entered a space exhibit, wandering among stars, feeling black holes’ infinite pull, experiencing the world’s vast changes: “Observing change, heaven and earth cannot be captured in an instant.”

The universe’s mysteries and humanity’s greatness and smallness.

Exiting the last pavilion, the cold wind hit her face. Her cheeks cooled slightly. Her eyes sparkled: “Xi Heng, I really like this place.”

Unlike other themed pavilions, which exploited animals for profit, she believed the designers here had conscience and great wisdom.

Hos Heng enjoyed her praise, a faint smile hidden: “As long as you like it.”

Mu He hugged his arm: “Let’s keep walking.”

After a few dozen meters, she noticed a novelty: a photo booth with a sign reading “Self-service photos, ready instantly.” She pulled him inside, discovering it was a playful booth—not changing clothes but using filters.

Mu He scanned the code, paid, selected an ancient style. Standing in front of the camera, she became a traditional costume beauty with a deep red forehead flower ornament, and he was a scholarly gentleman, elegant and refined.

Mu He had an idea and swapped positions. In the photos, she was a handsome young scholar; he was breathtakingly beautiful, impossibly attractive. Truly, his looks suited any style—even women’s costumes.

Thinking ahead—if they had children, they would be stunning.

Hmm, perhaps thinking too far…

She took another traditional photo. The Republic-era beauty and handsome officer shots couldn’t be missed. Hos Heng cooperated with the photoshoot. He glimpsed a line of text on the system page, tapped, and quietly asked, “Shall we do a set of this?”

“What?”

She saw in the image: she in a white veil, he in black formal attire—a wedding photo. Her cheeks warmed; he hadn’t even proposed, yet imagined marrying her?

Dreamily optimistic.

Hos Heng pressed the shutter; the shy bride and handsome groom were frozen in a timeless moment.

Seven sets of photos were taken. Reviewing them, Mu He was careful with angles; her camera sense was excellent. As for him, he kept a single expression, cold and dignified throughout.

Her gaze paused on the last wedding photo: his lips slightly curved, peach blossom eyes forming a clear arc, warm yet strangely intense, striking deep into her heart.

Mu He knew exactly: this was the look one gives only to the beloved.

What should she do? She felt like she couldn’t hold back, about to completely give in.

Voices came from outside. Mu He snapped out of her daze, quickly stuffed the photos into her bag, and pulled her scarf up to cover her face again. A young couple pushed the door open, saw someone inside, and retreated.

Mu He called after them: “We’re fine.”

She and Xi Heng stepped out.

Sensing the girl’s gaze, Mu He felt a little nervous, afraid of being recognized, and even prepared to fake a cough to “explain” why she was wrapped up so tightly. Unexpectedly, the couple’s attention was entirely on Xi Heng, staring at him without looking away. Her boyfriend seemed unfazed by this, and helplessly dragged her back into the photo booth.

Mu He recalled the two women on Christmas Eve who pretended to ask for directions but were really flirting, and she felt a pang of jealousy. She lightly poked his arm: “Mr. Xi, it seems no matter where you go, you attract attention from other women so easily.”

Hos Heng smelled the sourness in her tone and felt a surge of good mood. Not wanting to smile too obviously in front of her, he squinted slightly under the bright sunlight. A faint smile crept from the corners of his eyes as he said calmly: “You mean those ‘flowers’?”

Mu He lifted her eyes and saw a vast peach blossom grove come into view. She was thrilled and ran over. Snow lay thinly on the branches, leaves were light green, and only the peach blossoms were in full bloom, blazing like fire.

The island had a train specifically for tourists, running along the ten-mile peach grove for a scenic loop. They booked an entire carriage—six seats in total—private and comfortable.

Mu He chose the window seat, took off her scarf, and watched as the train slowly moved through the peach grove. Her eyes were filled with flowing crimson blossoms.

The breeze from the moving train shook the peach trees on both sides, petals dancing in the air.

Spring was radiant, warm sunlight reflected on the glass windows, forming colorful halos.

Her rosy face matched the blossoms. Immersed in softness, even the tips of her long eyelashes caught the light, her clear eyes sparkling with charm.

A thought surfaced in her heart: don’t waste such beautiful springtime… if only… she could do something.

Hos Heng’s gaze never left the person beside him. In his eyes, even the most splendid peach blossoms outside the window paled compared to her radiance. His heart stirred slightly: “Yangyang.”

Mu He instinctively tilted her head.

Then, her lips were captured by his kiss.