Chapter 28: Dreaming of Him

Lin Yiwei drifted into a dazed sleep the moment she got into the car.

She dreamed of Lin Xie. She dreamed she was surrounded by an impenetrable darkness, unable to see her own hand in front of her face, yet she could hear Lin Xie’s murmurs in her ears—his gentle voice calling her name, "Yi-yi."

"Yi-yi" had once been a name exclusive to Lin Xie, and later, it became exclusive to Xie Bo. Their classmates and friends rarely called her that; they all called her "Wei-wei."

She felt a pang of regret for that night when they were intimate... for letting Xie Bo call her "Yi-yi."

Ever since then, Lin Yiwei often dreamed of the scenes from that night. Because of that name, "Yi-yi," Xie Bo’s face would transform into Lin Xie’s in her dreams.

Sometimes, Lin Xie’s face would transform into Xie Bo’s...

It was all a chaotic blur.

Take this moment, for instance: as she opened her groggy eyes, the face she saw was unmistakably Lin Xie’s—gentle, with single eyelids, refined and handsome, reminiscent of an elegant intellectual from the Republic of China era.

In this regard, he was the polar opposite of Xie Bo.

Xie Bo possessed sharp, deep-set features and a piercing gaze, like the biting wind of a desolate wilderness. He shared nothing with Lin Xie, yet inexplicably... in certain unspeakable dreams, their faces constantly flickered back and forth before her eyes.

"Brother..." Lin Yiwei stroked his face, calling out to him, "Brother, where did you go?"

Xie Bo applied a fever-reducing patch to her forehead. "I just got back from the Chi family's place. You have the nerve to ask..."

He could have chosen not to go.

Lin Yiwei clutched his hand, not letting him leave her side. "I was looking for you just now, but I couldn't find you... I knew you were right there."

Xie Bo looked at the girl’s flushed, teary eyes. He could feel her helplessness and said with a huff, "I can’t always appear just in time; I have my own things to do. Can you exercise some judgment and stop going where you shouldn't?"

She pulled him into an embrace, whispering brokenly into his ear, "I'm sorry..."

Xie Bo let out a cold laugh. Only when she was delirious with fever would she be this gentle with him.

He tried to pull away, but Lin Yiwei took the initiative to kiss his thin, sharp lips.

Just like that night...

Xie Bo realized the girl’s consciousness was clouded by the fever; her soft lips and tongue were burning.

"Brother, is it you?"

"Yes," Xie Bo said softly. "I'm here."

The girl struggled to open her eyes, but tears blurred her vision. "I can't see clearly."

Xie Bo cupped her face, his dark eyes seemingly infused with golden sunlight, watching her with intense focus, urging her to look at him as well. "Can you see clearly now?"

"Yes..."

Lin Yiwei wrapped her arms around his neck and wept, "I want to go to the Royal College of Art in London. I want to succeed, to reach for the distance, but it’s so hard... I can’t do it..."

Xie Bo touched her burning forehead, feeling as though his insides had melted into a puddle.

In truth, he had been thinking about... how to scold her properly once she woke up.

Although the board meeting report this afternoon hadn't been delayed, she had cost him a beloved car—a supercar he had spent half a month modifying, specifically designing the suspension to prevent motion sickness...

In short, Xie Bo really wanted to give her a piece of his mind, or perhaps even a few sharp raps on the head.

But she was delirious with fever, acting like a clingy child upon waking, refusing to let go of him, calling him "Brother" over and over, cherishing him, relying on him, kissing his face, his lips, his Adam's apple...

Xie Bo did not hold back.

He had long since reached his limit, especially when the girl tried to pull at his clothes. He tapped her cheek firmly and asked her repeatedly, "Are you sure you want this?"

Lin Yiwei responded with deep, earnest kisses. "I like you."

Those words ignited Xie Bo. He held her face, sucking and biting, greedily savoring her passion. "Lin Yiwei, I like being liked by you, too."

"I know very well... that we are impossible." She cried again.

Xie Bo paused.

After a long silence, he kissed her eyes and licked away her tears. "I’ll find a way. As long as I have it, as long as I can give it..."

Xie Bo carried her from the bedside back to the room, took a thin condom from the drawer, and tore it open with his teeth.

Unlike his passivity that night, tonight, Xie Bo was like a wild beast, devouring her thoroughly.

...

The dream faded, and her consciousness slowly returned.

When she opened her eyes, she saw the man’s taut jawline and his rare, tender gaze, tinged with a mischievous smile, like light shining into amber, the deep black blended with a hint of gold.

At this moment, she was lying in Xie Bo’s arms, her body so soft she didn't have the strength to lift a finger.

Xie Bo sat on the bed with his legs parted, holding her in his arms, doting on her as if she were some rare treasure he couldn't bear to put down.

Lin Yiwei was fully awake now.

The soreness and heaviness in her body told her that everything that happened in the chaotic dream... was real.

However, the blurred face of Lin Xie had been replaced by Xie Bo’s.

They were two completely different types: one gentle and refined, the other unrestrained and wild. They had nothing in common, yet in her delirium, Lin Yiwei had mistaken one for the other.

The man who had been breathing rapidly in her ear, suppressing his voice as he called her "Yi-yi, give yourself to me" over and over, was not Lin Xie—it was Xie Bo.

After a brief moment of shock, Lin Yiwei quickly regained her composure.

No, how could she have such thoughts about Lin Xie?

No, no—it was because it was Xie Bo that she acted that way with him.

It wasn't Lin Xie. It definitely wasn't...

Lin Yiwei tried her best to convince herself that last night... she hadn't mistaken the person.

...

Xie Bo, unaware of the girl’s thoughts, pressed his forehead against hers to check her temperature. "You’re still running a fever. We shouldn’t have done that earlier."

Lin Yiwei said expressionlessly, "It’s a rare treat to hear something human come out of your mouth."

He laughed, his voice light and frivolous. "But the way you acted with a fever—you were incredibly seductive."

As expected, Xie Bo’s humanity didn't last past the second sentence.

Lin Yiwei broke free from his embrace and threw a pillow at him, only to have her wrist caught.

Too tired to move again, she glared at him while clutching a pillow. "You finally got what you wanted."

That remark sparked a bit of temper in Xie Bo. "Don't you dare act like I forced you."

He added coldly, "I don't know who it was just now, pulling at me, crying and calling me 'Brother'."

Lin Yiwei sat up in anger. "Don't say those two words again!"

Xie Bo assumed she was just embarrassed and angry, so he didn't argue. He went to the island counter, poured some water, and brought over a fever-reducing pill, holding it to her lips.

Lin Yiwei swallowed the small pill from his palm.

Her tongue was bitter, and she drank the water from his hand like a small kitten, a sight that made Xie Bo’s heart itch.

He had thought that getting what he wanted would satisfy him, that he wouldn't like her as much anymore, but Xie Bo clearly underestimated his own threshold for satisfaction.

It wasn't enough.

Of course it wasn't enough. Even doing it every day wouldn't be enough. His desire for her was a bottomless abyss; no amount would ever suffice.

He was insatiable.

He even wished he could lock her away by his side 24 hours a day.

As Lin Yiwei lay back down, she felt the soreness and fullness in her body... as if she were still filled with him.

She couldn't help but glance at Xie Bo. The skin on his long, pale neck was covered in red marks from where she had "ravaged" him—a shocking sight.

Everything she had done in her dream had bordered on violence; her long-suppressed desire had driven her to use every means to claim this man as her own.

The chain reaction was that Xie Bo had gone mad too, using several condoms.

But she was still running a fever, after all.

When it was over, seeing the unnatural flush on her fair face, as if she were half-dead, Xie Bo felt both frustrated and even more heartbroken.

After feeding her medicine, he used one hand to text Doctor Yi Shiqi for advice on how to bring down a fever quickly, while the other hand held her, patting her gently in a soothing, lullaby-like manner.

For a brief moment, Lin Yiwei felt a rare, understated tenderness from this man.

She closed her eyes, imagining once more that she was leaning in her "brother's" arms, and subconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck.

But this fantasy could not be maintained for long, because the scent on his neck... that sharp, bracing fragrance of pine and freesia, was unique to Xie Bo.

His presence was too overwhelming; she couldn't imagine anyone else while lying in his arms.

Xie Bo felt the girl’s lingering warmth as she nestled against him, his heart melting completely.

He set her down and got up to put on his coat. Lin Yiwei asked in surprise, "Are you going out?"

"To buy more condoms."

"..."

"Are you even human?"

Xie Bo laughed. "And fever patches. By the way, what do you want to eat?"

Lin Yiwei said casually, "Chicken soup."

"Doctor Yi says it’s best to eat something light right now, like white porridge."

"When I’m sick, my... family would always make chicken soup for me."

She almost blurted out "Brother," but luckily, she slammed on the brakes.

Xie Bo said irritably, "It’s nearly midnight. Where am I supposed to buy chicken soup at this hour?"

"If it’s too much trouble, don't ask then." She closed her eyes and burrowed into the quilt.

This stubborn temper...

Xie Bo didn't know how he managed to put up with her so much.

...

She drifted in and out of sleep, unsure how much time had passed, when she seemed to hear Xie Bo return. He was busy in the kitchen, and before long, the rich, fragrant aroma of chicken soup wafted over.

Lin Yiwei woke up, thinking in astonishment, *Is he actually making me chicken soup?*

The young master who had never lifted a finger to do housework—could he even cook?

Her curiosity was piqued, and she dragged herself to the kitchen entrance.

Sure enough, there was Xie Bo, wearing a small floral apron, holding a tablet, looking at a tutorial while stirring the clay pot with a spoon and tasting the broth.

It was rare to see such a domestic side of him, especially with that floral apron, creating a stark contrast to his usual refined elegance... it was overwhelming.

Lin Yiwei turned and saw the shopping bag on the island counter. She walked over and rifled through it; besides the fever patches, it was filled with a large bag of condoms.

"..."

Xie Bo covered the pot to let it simmer, took a fever patch from the bag, and stuck it right in the middle of her forehead.

Lin Yiwei, as if playing a game, tore one open and stuck it on his forehead, giggling.

Xie Bo loved it when she smiled at him. He carried her back to the bed, hovered over her, and cupped her face, kissing her for a long time.

"Mm..."

"Don't make a sound," he whispered, covering her lips. "Otherwise, it won't just be a kiss."

Lin Yiwei lifted her chin, meeting him with all her might.

She was not a dull woman; on the contrary, she was very sensitive.

She could feel Xie Bo’s love.

Even if it were only a momentary tenderness born from physical intimacy, it counted as a form of love.

Compared to Chi Xicheng, who only wanted to satisfy his own desires without regard for anyone else, Xie Bo was willing to be gentle, willing to make her comfortable, and even suppressed his own urges to prolong her pleasure...

"What you said earlier—does it still count?"

"What?" Xie Bo asked, nibbling on her lips.

"As long as you have it, as long as you can give it."

"You remember that quite clearly." Xie Bo didn't usually say such mushy things, but in that situation, his passion had surged... and he hadn't been able to control himself.

"So, does it count?"

He gripped her chin, looking closely at this girl who was ready to negotiate terms with him.

"What do you want?"

Lin Yiwei said immediately, "You cannot accept advances from other girls, you cannot flirt, and you must reject them."

All to satisfy Chi Xiyu.

Xie Bo smiled. "Fine."

She continued, "Don't buy me clothes or jewelry; I don't need them, and they might bring trouble. If you really can't help wanting to please me, you can take me out for good food. I love meat and fish, I love expensive seafood, and Michelin-starred restaurants or high-end Japanese places... I’ve never been to any of them."

"You’re that much of a glutton?"

"Yes."

"Alright." Xie Bo’s eyes were brimming with tenderness. "Anything else?"

She thought for a moment. "Not for now."

He knew she had no material desires and was completely indifferent to designer bags or clothes.

But she had mentioned in her delirium that she wanted to study at the Royal College of Art in London, that she wanted to reach for the distance, to succeed.

Xie Bo could help her achieve her wishes; for him, it was as simple as lifting a finger.

"Do you want to study abroad?"

"That’s none of your business!"

Lin Yiwei thought for a moment and added, "Also, in front of Chi Xiyu, you must act according to my discretion."

This was the one thing Xie Bo didn't agree to immediately. His eyes flickered slightly.

How could he not see that Lin Yiwei had ulterior motives for approaching Chi Xiyu?

If it were as she said... if she wanted to find a backer, he was more than enough. With Xie Bo protecting her, no one could touch her; she didn't need any Chi Xiyu at all.

"I’ll say it again, Lin Yiwei: I’ll act according to your discretion, but you must also know my boundaries. Don't do anything that puts me in a difficult position."

Regardless of her motives, if she harmed Chi Xiyu’s interests, she was harming Xie Bo’s.

That was something Xie Bo could not tolerate.

Lin Yiwei looked straight at Xie Bo, their gazes clashing.

Suddenly, she smiled, lying lazily on his pillow, her fingertips playing with his collar, hooking him with the corners of her eyes...

"I’ll be good."

Even though her smile was fake, Xie Bo felt himself tensing up again.

He couldn't resist this girl in front of him; he wanted her, at any moment.

Fortunately, at that moment, the lid of the chicken soup pot in the kitchen began to rattle. Xie Bo got up and left the room.

The smile vanished from Lin Yiwei’s lips. She covered the cross on her chest with one hand.

She had to find Lin Xie, no matter the cost.

...

A while later, Xie Bo stood at the doorway with the fragrant chicken soup. "Come out and eat."

"Bring it in here."

"You want to eat in my bed now?"

"I can eat you, why can't I eat dinner?"

"..."

Xie Bo tolerated her willfulness, brought the soup in, and sat on the edge of the bed to feed her. "If you dare stain the sheets, you’ll see."

"Can you stop with the habit of always threatening people?"

Xie Bo fed her a few spoonfuls irritably before taking the bowl away. "Stop once you're full."

"Are you full after just two sips of soup?"

"Doctor Yi said you shouldn't eat anything too greasy."

"No, I want more!"

Xie Bo held the bowl, smiling as he negotiated with her. "I really like hearing you call me 'Brother.' Say it again."

"..."