novelraw Chapter 753: Childish
Chapter 753: Childish
Night had spread across the heavens.
Within the vast domed library, light and shadow dappled the space.
Outside the windows flowed a river of golden lights, while inside, mahogany bookshelves and leather sofas enclosed a private world.
The air was thick with the aged fragrance of old book paper, interwoven with the scent of expensive leather, catalyzing a fermentation of ambiguity.
This kiss, at first, was restrained.
Like a confirmation that had been delayed for far too long.
Gentle, carrying a hint of timidity.
But within mere seconds, all those suppressed longings and desires shattered every defense line.
Tang Song's hand slipped through her soft hair, firmly cradling the back of her neck, deepening the kiss with an undeniable insistence.
In her mouth was a faint fragrance of mint and white peach.Very subtle, yet refreshingly sweet.
That warmth and softness made him instinctively crave more.
"Hmm..."
Secretary Jin let out a low hum, her fingers tightening slightly as she closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling intensely.
The air grew lighter, the world vanished.
Only the sound of each other's heartbeats remained, echoing and intertwining within the quiet domed hall.
Deafeningly loud.
There was no rough plundering, only an intimacy so profound it reached the depths.
As if all the emotions suppressed over many years were being unfolded one by one.
Crushed, then fused together.
After a while.
"Mmm—"
Secretary Jin let out an uncontrollable soft moan, like a drowning person finally grasping air.
Yet she flustered because of its unfamiliarity.
Clearly, even Ms. Smile, who commanded respect on Wall Street,
seemed somewhat clumsy and unpolished when facing the advanced topic of a first kiss.
She simply didn't know how to breathe properly, or even where to place herself.
Her breathing became erratic and rapid, her full chest heaving violently;
the dizziness from lack of oxygen made her almost unable to stand steady.
Only then did Tang Song reluctantly raise his head, their lips slowly parting.
A wisp of lingering warmth seemed to still connect them;
each other's scorching breaths lingered longingly on the other's lips.
He looked at her quietly.
His slender fingers unconsciously combed through her fluffy brown hair, caressing the burning skin behind her ear.
Secretary Jin leaned back against the heavy mahogany bookshelf, lowering her gaze, the corners of her eyes tinged with a captivating blush.
Her lips, softened and glossed from the kiss, were slightly parted.
As if she were struggling to steady her reason, or as if she had forgotten how to form words.
In this moment.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, and unprecedentedly, vulnerably real.
Tang Song was momentarily stunned.
A long while later.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she lifted her hazy eyes to look at the man so close at hand.
His hand still hadn't left;
a continuous stream of warmth transmitted through her skin, making her whole body go weak, yet she craved it intensely.
"Secretary Jin," Tang Song called softly.
Her lips moved slightly, but only a warm, chaotic breath escaped.
"Secretary Jin, regarding the matter of kissing, you seem quite inexperienced. That doesn't quite match your character that pursues perfection. How about... we continue practicing? I'll teach you how to breathe."
Hearing this.
The dazed look in Secretary Jin's eyes instantly cleared a few degrees.
Her breathing gradually steadied as she raised an eyebrow faintly.
"Thank you for your kind offer, President Tang. However, judging from your performance just now, you are indeed quite experienced. Not only are your techniques proficient, but you also understand how to proceed step by step. It seems you've accumulated quite extensive practical experience in mastering this skill. Truly admirable."
Tang Song: "..."
This sentence didn't contain a single swear word, yet it made him feel like an arrow had struck his knee.
Wisely, he chose to keep quiet.
Seeing his speechless expression, a flicker of amusement passed through Secretary Jin's eyes.
She glanced up at the retro wall clock and composed herself: "It's getting late. The shareholders' meeting is tomorrow. I need to ensure sufficient sleep to maintain optimal decision-making condition."
Having said that, she reached out and carefully straightened his slightly disheveled shirt collar.
The movement was gentle, meticulous, carrying an undisguised possessiveness.
Those clear, spirited eyes appeared exceptionally bright, the corners still holding a lingering trace of the earlier passion, but her gaze had already regained clarity and intelligence.
Immediately after, she gracefully slipped out of his embrace.
Bent down to pick up the book "Invisible Cities" from the carpet.
Brushed off non-existent dust from its cover and slid it back into the gap on the mahogany bookshelf.
"Well then, Director Jin, before you leave, I have one more question." Tang Song looked at her retreating figure and suddenly spoke.
Secretary Jin turned around. "Please go ahead."
"For you, what is the meaning of my existence?"
Tang Song looked at her, the emotions in his eyes complex and profound.
She was so perfect.
Her personality, preferences, body measurements, appearance, IQ, EQ...
were all "perfect settings" he had materialized through the [Dream Character Recruitment Card (UR)].
She was a miracle granted by the system.
Precisely because of this, facing her, Tang Song had always been uneasy.
He didn't know how she viewed the current him, nor what he meant to her in her eyes.
Therefore, he equally urgently needed this answer.
Seeing the flickering light in his eyes, Secretary Jin seemed to understand his rare moment of unease.
The corners of her lips curved into an extremely faint smile.
It was the mischievousness of someone who had seen through the answer but deliberately wouldn't say it.
Suddenly, she rose slightly on her tiptoes, leaning her body forward.
"That's a good question, President Tang. Next time we meet, ask me face-to-face, and I'll tell you."
Tang Song instantly realized she was mimicking his past self.
Secretary Jin picked up that crocodile leather briefcase.
Turned and walked towards the spiral staircase.
Tang Song followed behind her. One after the other, they descended slowly along the deep red steps.
The staircase railing gleamed with a warm luster under the lights;
their footsteps echoed in the vast, high-ceilinged space, each step seemingly landing on the rhythm of each other's heartbeat.
Unlike the classical artistic atmosphere of the domed library upstairs,
the 18th floor was a typical French court-style residential layout.
A spacious living room connected to four independent suites, the corridors covered with thick carpets.
Secretary Jin's gaze lingered for a moment on the Steinway piano in the living room, as if thinking of something, but she didn't stop.
Arriving at the corridor outside the master bedroom door, she halted.
Then, out of habit, she started to give a slight bow in farewell—a muscle memory from being "Secretary Jin."
However, her waist had just bent halfway when she suddenly stopped.
Straightened up, lifted her eyes slightly, and looked at Tang Song with a faint, knowing smile.
The air quieted for a second.
Looking into her suggestive eyes, Tang Song's eyelids twitched slightly.
Instantly understanding her meaning.
Now, she was Director Jin, and he was Representative Tang.
These were the rules of the game, and her little amusement.
Tang Song straightened his back and cooperatively nodded in acknowledgment: "Good night, Director Jin."
Secretary Jin nodded with satisfaction, her tone light: "Good night."
"Click—"
Secretary Jin pushed open the heavy wooden door to the 18th-floor master bedroom and walked in.
"Thud—"
The door closed gently behind her.
She didn't leave immediately.
Instead, she leaned back against the door, hands tightly gripping the briefcase handle, listening intently.
Outside, there was no sound of departing footsteps.
Meaning, he hadn't left yet.
She didn't leave either.
Separated by a door, in the deep night atop New York, they silently confronted each other, yet it also felt like a silent embrace.
The corners of Secretary Jin's mouth uncontrollably turned upward.
"You are the most perfect woman in this world... I want to have you. Whether in dreams or in reality... it has to be you."
His words were like a brand on her heart, struck again and again by her heartbeat.
She had never imagined the truth could be so beautiful, so perfectly fitting.
For her, the three words "I love you" were certainly thrilling.
But his confession was the highest affirmation of the meaning of her existence.
And it made her understand she was not alone.
"Thump, thump, thump"
Her heartbeat accelerated, then accelerated again.
The heat that had just receded from her face surged back.
Outside the door, he still seemed to be there, as if keeping watch.
She lifted her head, leaning against the door, let out a soft sigh, and was just about to say something.
"Knock, knock, knock—" A sudden, clear knocking sound came from behind her.
Secretary Jin smiled gently, placed the briefcase aside, raised her hand to tidy her hair and expression.
Paused for a moment, then pulled the door open.
Outside, Tang Song was still standing there, posture unchanged.
She feigned confusion as she looked at him. "President Tang? Aren't you going upstairs to rest? It's very late now, tomorrow's meeting..."
Before she could finish.
Tang Song suddenly took a step forward.
One hand reached past her head, bracing against the doorframe.
His tall frame leaned down slightly, enveloping her in his shadow.
"Secretary Jin, I'm very pleased we meet again. So, can you tell me the answer now?"
Secretary Jin was momentarily stunned.
Looking at the man before her who was acting spoiled.
Her breath hitched for a moment, yet regained composure in an extremely short time.
In their locked gaze.
She raised an eyebrow slightly, glancing at him sideways;
her clear, spirited eyes shimmered with rippling light.
"President Tang, you're being very childish. What? Do you want me to praise you for being cute?"
Having said that, the corner of her mouth secretly quirked to one side, the arc as light as a willow leaf brushed by the wind.
Her expression held three parts elegance, three parts helplessness, and four parts disdain.
But this disdain was exceptionally vivid, exceptionally beautiful, exceptionally enticing.
As if gently teasing.
A surge of warmth rose in Tang Song's chest.
He didn't argue. Instead, he directly reached out and pulled her alluring body into his embrace.
Cheek to cheek, body heat transferring.
Then, he drew back slightly and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Tonight, I'll stay in the secondary bedroom opposite yours. If you have a nightmare, or feel afraid, call me anytime. After all, as your most important strategic partner, it's my responsibility to ensure Director Jin maintains her best condition for tomorrow's big meeting."
Before Secretary Jin could react.
Tang Song had already lowered his head again, kissing her closed eyelashes, lingering for two seconds.
Devoid of any lust, only pure comfort and affection.
"Good night, my dear Ms. Smile."
Having done this, he turned around gracefully, without a hint of lingering attachment, and walked towards the secondary bedroom opposite.
The door closed.
The entire corridor fell into silence once more.
She slowly raised her hand, gently touching the eyelid he had just kissed.
Looking at the closed bedroom door.
"Good night, my dear Mr. Tang Song."
A moment later, she turned and walked into the bedroom.
Her entire being was like a handful of clear moonlight, impossibly gentle.