Chapter 18: The Promise That Could Not Be Kept

Xianyu kept a few million in cash on hand; the rest were luxury goods and jewelry. These would need to be sold back home and exchanged. There was also a card given by Liang Youjia, but she had no idea how much could be withdrawn from it. However, unless something serious happened, she wouldn't touch it.

Liang Youjia returned at noon, bringing her some desserts. “I waited in line for a long time; I heard they limit the quantity every day.”

Xianyu took them with a sweet smile. “Thank you, husband.”

“Why be so polite with me?”

She offered him the first bite as a reward. “Open your mouth!”

The man obediently complied. Xianyu watched him expectantly. “How is it?”

“Tastes great,” Liang Youjia’s phoenix-like eyes sparkled, as if a gray, starless sky suddenly glittered with countless diamonds.

Just his eyes alone stirred an uncontrollable wave of emotion in Xianyu.

Suppressing her sadness, she asked, “Did everything go smoothly with the matter?”

“All resolved.”

“That’s good.” She devoured the rest of the dessert bite by bite—flavored with yangmei and lychee, something she hadn’t tried before.

When Liang Youjia wanted more, Xianyu had already finished. He smiled helplessly and pinched her nose. “Little greedy cat.”

Sitting on the sofa, Xianyu wrapped her arms around his waist. “Are you hungry? Should I make you some noodles?”

He hadn’t eaten much in the morning and rushed off to work.

“No need, I’ve eaten.” Liang Youjia squeezed her soft hand affectionately.

“Oh, by the way, are the photos retouched yet?”

Liang Youjia hesitated. He hadn’t spent much time editing them in the morning. He pursed his lips and teased, “Not yet. Are you eager to collect them?”

“Your skills are so good, of course I want to keep them.”

“You have such a sweet mouth.”

Xianyu lightly kicked him, teasing playfully. “Hurry up.”

After Liang Youjia went to the study, Xianyu sat dazed, the day bright and clear with vast stretches of a crystal-blue sky, like a flawless sapphire.

She squinted slightly, shielding her face with her fingers. Sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting a gentle, tranquil glow on her cheek.

If only time could freeze at this moment.

But sadly, it was all a fragile bubble that could burst with the slightest prick.

Xianyu braced herself to say goodbye to a world with Liang Youjia.

“Pick three, okay?” Liang Youjia transferred the photos to his phone, letting her choose from five.

“Okay.”

He didn’t know that she had seen his camera archives; her photos were pitifully few, while Du Ruanduan’s were numerous.

Suddenly, Xianyu asked, “Your friend is pregnant—where is her husband?”

It was a sharp slap—right across Liang Youjia’s face.

Xianyu scrutinized his expression, unwilling to miss a single detail.

Liang Youjia didn’t even blink. The lie slipped out effortlessly: “He’s not here. He’s abroad.”

---

“Otherwise, why would you need my help? Silly, are you jealous?”

His laughter carried a faint indulgence and affection. Just by his expression, one couldn’t tell he was lying.

Xianyu shook his arm. “I’m jealous. How do you plan to make it up to me?”

“Hmm… don’t you like pink diamonds?” Liang Youjia paused thoughtfully. “What about that Lulo Rose? Do you like it?”

A jewel of dazzling color, from the now-closed Argyle mine, its price exorbitant and invaluable.

Xianyu had once liked and bookmarked a video showcasing the “Lulo Rose.” Rumor had it that it wouldn’t be auctioned until October.

By then, they would probably have parted ways.

Her heart ached as if bleeding. She held her breath for a moment before smiling, “I like it. Will you really give it to me?”

Liang Youjia was generous as always; this time, he wasn’t just saying it.

His phoenix eyes were shrouded in a mist, inscrutable and mysterious.

“I’ll give it to you. I’ll take you there.”

The words “take you there” caught Xianyu off guard.

She wondered if Liang Youjia had lied so much he had begun to fool himself.

She didn’t dwell on it and replied half-heartedly, “Okay.”

Liang Youjia rubbed her waist; his palms were hot, his breath warm against her face.

Xianyu’s body softened, and she obediently leaned into his embrace. His long fingers swiftly undid a few buttons.

Her pale, soft skin was exposed, a smooth mirror before her, a solid chest behind her.

Her cheeks flushed as her long nails left red marks on his back.

“Do you like this pressure?”

Xianyu bit her lip, her voice barely a whisper. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

They hadn’t done anything, yet he spoke in ways that made others envious.

His arms tightened around her like iron chains.

Xianyu looked at the layers of fabric at her waist, fluttering and dazzling.

“I’ll make it up to you tomorrow,” Liang Youjia whispered in her ear.

“Got it.” Her ears burned red.

When he pulled away, Xianyu stared at the transparent flow beneath her skirt’s hem and exhaled deeply.

Not only was he suffering; she was too.

As usual, Liang Youjia was not home that night.

She had harbored hope, longing for some sign of reluctance from him.

But in the end, there was none.

That morning, she ate breakfast alone.

Du Ruanduan sat opposite her. “Don’t wait. Youjia won’t show up today. He went to another city on business. By the time he returns, the vacation will be over.”

Xianyu’s heart trembled, but her face remained expressionless.

She nibbled her sandwich quietly.

She felt no anger toward Du Ruanduan; it was pointless.

---

Liang Youjia returned in the afternoon.

The moment he came back, he pinned her against the wall.

Her wrist was tied with a loosened necktie; a lace ribbon blindfold covered her eyes. She had no idea where he got it.

“Light or hard?” His voice was hoarse.

Magnetic and seductive.

“Light… Ah—”

Her voice was fragmented and uncontrollable.

Xianyu couldn’t fathom where his sudden surge of passion came from. They were against the wall once, twice on the bed, and he wanted to continue in the bathroom. She was too tired and took care of him in other ways.

“If you don’t behave, I’ll become a vegetarian.”

Xianyu was both embarrassed and annoyed. She leaned in to silence him, almost igniting the flame again.

In the end, she feigned fainting to escape.

The last day.

When she woke, white curtains fluttered with the wind, a gentle sea breeze drifted in, and soft sunlight poured down.

Rustling sounds whispered nearby.

Following the sound, she saw Liang Youjia packing his luggage.

Seeing her awake, he smiled warmly.

“Awake, you little lazy cat?”

“Mm.” Xianyu replied lazily. “Are we leaving now?”

“No rush. Sleep a little more. You must be exhausted from last night.”

A lazy, smug smile curled at Liang Youjia’s lips.

Her cheeks flushed. His words made her feel a dull ache between her legs. She was in a safe period, and though Liang Youjia hadn’t taken precautions, it probably wouldn’t matter.

As she thought this, he sat beside the bed and reminded her, “I didn’t prepare last night. I just went downstairs to buy some medicine. Take one later.”

Xianyu was stunned. After a long moment, a chill swept through her like snow covering the ground.

His smile felt like a sting from a venomous bee.

Knowing she had “irregular menstruation,” he still insisted she take medicine?

Her previous fondness for his understanding vanished instantly.

She lowered her head, forcing a bitter smile to hide her unhappiness. “Okay.”

Liang Youjia stroked her hair, sensing her resistance. He wanted to say something but ultimately said nothing.

“My flight’s in the afternoon. I’ll leave a bit later and have the driver take you there.”

Xianyu was unsurprised, clenching her fists. “The same as when we arrived?”