65: Chapter 65 Winning Over Xia Xiaotang

For a long while, Lin Yu finally released her, still feeling reluctant.

Xia Xiaotang's face was flushed, her chest heaving violently. She looked at him with dazed eyes, her lips kissed until they were moist and glossy, appearing exceptionally alluring.

"I'm hungry." Lin Yu said in a hoarse voice, his thumb gently stroking the corner of her lips.

Xia Xiaotang chuckled, pushed him, and tidied her messy hair. "Who was it that said they didn't want to eat just now? Now you know you're hungry?"

...

The two set off again with Xia Xiaotang driving, a lingering flush still on her face. They found a clean local restaurant by the roadside and ate a simple meal. Having been busy all afternoon without even stopping for lunch, they began to wolf down their food.

After eating and drinking their fill, Lin Yu had Xia Xiaotang drive straight to the Municipal Hospital.

Arriving at the ward, they happened to catch mealtime.

Chen Huihui was using a spoon to feed water to Fatty, and seeing Lin Yu and Xia Xiaotang enter carrying large bags, she quickly put down the cup and went to greet them.

"Brother Yu, Sister Xiaotang, why did you bring so much food!"

"It's dinner for you guys." Xia Xiaotang smiled and placed the lunchboxes on the table, returning to her usual cheerful self. "I brought some for Sister Tang Man and Sister Su Qingxue as well."

"Brother Yu! I want to eat braised pork! And that sweet and sour pork ribs!" Fatty shouted from the hospital bed with full vigor. "Huihui won't let me eat spicy food!"

"Alright, I'll bring it for you next time. And Huihui, Tang Man, Su Qingxue, go ahead and eat while it's hot." Lin Yu smiled and handed over the bags.

After the meal, Lin Yu looked at Fatty and said seriously, "Fatty, you've worked hard this time. The company has approved a month of paid leave for you and Huihui. You should rest and recover well at home, and your salary and bonuses will be paid as usual."

"Huh?!" Fatty's eyes widened in shock. "Brother Yu, a month? I just got stabbed in the back, do I need to lie down for a month? Won't I get moldy?"

Su Qingxue heard this and couldn't help but laugh. "Fatty, what do you know? Brother Yu wants you to fully recover before you go back to work. Actually, if you recover well, you can be discharged in a week, but even after discharge, you have to lie down at home; you can't do heavy labor or stay up late. This month is for you to 'recuperate,' not to 'play dead.'"

"Oh..." Fatty scratched his head and chuckled. "Well, that's great! I can just stay home and watch dramas with Huihui!"

Chen Huihui blushed and pinched him lightly.

The sky had turned completely dark.

Lin Yu checked the time and said to Su Qingxue and Tang Man, "Tang Man, Su Qingxue, you two should go back first. You've been busy all day, and there are elders and children waiting at home."

"Then you..." Tang Man hesitated.

"I'm fine." Lin Yu waved his hand, his tone unquestionable. "I'll just guard in the car downstairs. Yu Yi is in the hallway upstairs, and Yu Er is in the lobby downstairs. If Fatty needs anything, he just needs to shout. You can go back without worry."

Su Qingxue and Tang Man exchanged glances, knowing that Lin Yu intended to oversee things personally, so they didn't insist further.

"Alright then, get some rest early too." Tang Man gave a reminder, said goodbye to everyone, and left with Su Qingxue.

Only Lin Yu, Xia Xiaotang, Fatty, and Chen Huihui remained in the ward.

"Alright, we're heading out too." Lin Yu stood up, gave Xia Xiaotang a look, and said to Fatty, "We won't disturb your two-person world."

"Brother Yu, Sister Xiaotang, take care!" Chen Huihui obediently saw them to the door.

Walking out of the ward, Xia Xiaotang linked her arm with Lin Yu's and asked softly, "Are you really not going back?"

"Not going back." Lin Yu lit a cigarette and looked at the night outside the window. "Fatty did this for me, so I have to guard him. If any of Zhang Tieshan's remaining party or accomplices come for revenge, I wouldn't be at ease if I left."

The two went downstairs and returned to the Alphard.

Xia Xiaotang skillfully started the car and parked in a spot closest to the inpatient department entrance.

"Yu Yi, report the situation." Lin Yu said into his headset.

"Boss, I'm at the end of the third-floor hallway, visibility is good. There's nothing unusual at the entrance to Fatty's ward." Yu Yi's steady voice came through the headset.

"Yu Er, what's the situation downstairs?"

"Boss, I'm in the lobby, and I've called in two more team members. The car is parked and on standby, and we're taking turns on watch."

Lin Yu nodded with satisfaction and stubbed out his cigarette.

"Good, thank you all for your hard work tonight."

Xia Xiaotang leaned against the driver's seat, turning her head to look at Lin Yu's resolute profile, her heart filled with tenderness. This was the man she loved—loyal, righteous, and a true hero.

"Sleep, I'll be here with you," she said softly.

"Ding! Xia Xiaotang's Intimacy + 5"

"Current Intimacy: 76"

The night was deep, and a few dim streetlights below the inpatient department kept watch over the silence of the late night.

Inside the Alphard, the air seemed to have solidified, yet it was flowing with a certain thick and sultry atmosphere.

Xia Xiaotang didn't turn on the overhead light, only observing the man beside her by the light of the streetlamps filtering through the window. Lin Yu was leaning against the seat back, resting with his eyes closed; although his brows were relaxed, the fatigue under his eyes was still clearly visible.

"Are you tired?" Xia Xiaotang asked softly, her voice as soft and sweet as a marshmallow.

Lin Yu opened his eyes and turned his face, his gaze appearing exceptionally deep in the darkness. "I'm alright. What about you? You've been running around all day, aren't you tired?"

"Not tired." Xia Xiaotang shook her head, then suddenly leaned forward slightly, getting close to Lin Yu.

The distance between them closed instantly, close enough for Lin Yu to see her long eyelashes and feel her warm breath spraying against his chin.

"Lin Yu..." She called his name, no longer using her usual address of "Boss," but his full name, carrying a kind of solemnity and reliance he had never heard before.

"Hmm?" Lin Yu looked at her, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

"Today... I almost lost you." Xia Xiaotang's voice trembled slightly. She reached out, her fingertips gently brushing Lin Yu's cheek, sliding from his brow bone to his jaw, carrying a sense of cautious attachment. "If Fatty hadn't blocked that blow... if that knife had been..."

"There are no 'ifs.'" Lin Yu grabbed her hand as it wandered over his face, his palm burning hot. "I have a tough life, I can't die."

"But I'm scared!" Xia Xiaotang suddenly raised her voice, her eyes instantly reddening. "I'm scared that next time we won't have such good luck! I'm scared of you getting into trouble, scared of you getting hurt, scared that you... won't want me."

She said the last three words extremely softly, yet they struck Lin Yu's heart like a heavy hammer.

Lin Yu was silent for a moment, then suddenly backhanded her wrist and pulled with force.

Xia Xiaotang gasped, instantly losing her balance and landing directly astride Lin Yu's lap.

In the narrow cabin, the two held each other tightly. Xia Xiaotang could clearly feel the powerful heartbeat in Lin Yu's chest, one beat after another, striking against her eardrums.

"What are you afraid of?" Lin Yu's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of danger. His hands wrapped around Xia Xiaotang's slender waist, locking her tightly in his arms. "My woman, Lin Yu's woman, will only be pampered."

Xia Xiaotang's heart skipped a beat. This was the first time Lin Yu had so bluntly acknowledged her status.

She raised her head, looking into Lin Yu's eyes that seemed capable of devouring souls, and mustered her courage to take the initiative and kiss his lips.

This kiss carried hesitation, grievances, and even more, a desperate affection. Lin Yu's breathing instantly grew heavier.

He was no longer passively accepting it, but instead took the lead, deepening the kiss.

"Mmm..."

Xia Xiaotang let out a sweet, nasal sound, her hands clutching tightly around Lin Yu's neck, as if she were melting into his arms.

The temperature inside the car rose sharply.

Lin Yu's kiss was domineering and passionate, spreading from her lips to her earlobes, and then to her slender neck. He gently sucked on her collarbone, leaving an imprint that belonged to him.

"Xiaotang." He panted, his voice terrifyingly hoarse. "Do you know what you're doing?"

Xia Xiaotang felt her whole body go limp, her cheeks burning, but she didn't back down. She bit her lip, looking at Lin Yu with dazed yet determined eyes: "I know."

These three words completely shattered Lin Yu's last shred of reason.

He stopped restraining himself, pulling off her hair tie that was in the way, and her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, covering both their shoulders.

"You asked for this."

Lin Yu let out a low growl, turning over to press Xia Xiaotang onto the wide leather seat.

The night outside grew thicker, and the car windows gradually fogged up with a thin layer of mist, tightly concealing the spring scenery inside the cabin.

Only the occasional suppressed moan and the slight rocking of the car told the story of the romance and madness of this night.

...

I don't know how much time had passed, but the movement inside the car finally subsided.

Xia Xiaotang curled up lazily in Lin Yu's arms, covered by a blanket taken from a pillow. Her hair was messy, and her cheeks still bore a lingering flush, her eyes and brows filled with the allure of satisfaction.

Lin Yu leaned against the seat back, one arm around her, the other hand holding a freshly lit cigarette. He took a deep drag and blew out a smoke ring.

"Does it hurt?" He lowered his head and kissed her forehead gently.

Xia Xiaotang shook her head, burying her face in his chest, her voice muffled: "It doesn't hurt... I'm just a little tired."

"Sleep." Lin Yu stubbed out the cigarette and pulled the blanket tighter around her. "I'm here."

Xia Xiaotang nodded obediently, closed her eyes, a happy smile on her lips, and soon fell into an even rhythm of breathing.

Lin Yu looked at the sleeping woman in his arms, his gaze becoming incredibly tender.

Starting tonight, she was his.

Lin Yu pressed a light kiss to her lips, then picked up his phone and sent a message to Yu Yi: "Call me anytime if something happens."

After sending the message, he tossed the phone aside, held Xia Xiaotang tightly, and fell into a deep sleep in this night filled with both smoke and warmth.

...

The first ray of morning sunlight shone through the gaps in the car window, dappling Xia Xiaotang's face.

She moved groggily, feeling only a bit of soreness in her back and waist.

"Mmm..."

Xia Xiaotang instinctively tried to turn over, but discovered that her hands and feet were wrapped around a man like an octopus.

Memories came flooding back like a tide.

Last night's madness, the romance inside the car, the man's low growls, and her own unprecedented indulgence...

Xia Xiaotang's face instantly turned bright red, like a boiled shrimp. She stiffly raised her head to look at Lin Yu, who was right there.

Lin Yu was still asleep, his breathing steady and deep. His upper body was bare, revealing solid muscle lines, and there were several obvious scratch marks on his chest and shoulders—the masterpiece of her "loss of control" last night.

"Oh my god..." Xia Xiaotang covered her face, so embarrassed she wanted to crawl into a hole.

Just as she was trying to carefully move her leg off Lin Yu, his phone on the center console suddenly vibrated, followed by a harsh ringtone.

It was a call from Fatty.

Xia Xiaotang froze in fright, instinctively wanting to hang up the phone, but in her flustered state, her elbow accidentally jabbed into Lin Yu's ribs.

"Hiss—"

Lin Yu groaned, opening his eyes abruptly, a trace of lingering murderous intent still in his gaze.

"What is it? Enemy attack?" He instinctively tried to get up, but his movement was too large, directly pinning Xia Xiaotang beneath him.

Their posture instantly became extremely ambiguous—Lin Yu was propping himself up with one hand by her ear, the other pressing on her waist, while Xia Xiaotang's hands were against his chest, her clothes in disarray, and her face flushed red.

Just then, the phone rang persistently, with the name "Fatty" flashing on the screen.

Lin Yu paused, seeing clearly who was beneath him, and the murderous intent in his eyes instantly turned into helplessness and doting.

"Morning." He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his voice hoarse from sleep.

"Morning..." Xia Xiaotang's voice was as thin as a mosquito, her eyes darting around, refusing to look at him. "That... phone..."

Lin Yu finally reacted, reaching out to grab the phone, answering it, and turning on the speakerphone. He didn't get up, but remained pressing on Xia Xiaotang, lazily saying "Hello."

"Old Lin! Where are you?!"

Fatty's voice came from the other end of the line.

"I'm guarding downstairs, what's wrong? Something happened?" Lin Yu frowned.

"Nothing happened! It's just... that..." Fatty stammered on the other end. "I need to use the bathroom! But my back hurts, I can't squat down! Huihui isn't strong enough to help me! Can you have Yu Yi come over and give me a hand?"

Lin Yu's mouth twitched. "Fatty, you're an adult, you need someone to help you pee?"

"It's because I'm afraid of pulling the wound!" Fatty said with righteous indignation. "Also, I want to eat that... soup dumpling from the place at the entrance. Huihui says it's too oily and won't let me eat it. Hurry up and come up here and handle her!"

Lin Yu took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to throw the phone away. "Fine, fine, fine, I'll have Yu Yi go over. No soup dumplings, but there's plenty of plain congee. Bye!"

Hanging up, Lin Yu shook his head helplessly. Looking down, he happened to meet Xia Xiaotang's pair of watery, big eyes.

At this moment, their posture still hadn't changed.

Xia Xiaotang's collar was slightly askew, revealing a large expanse of snow-white skin, with several ambiguous red marks on it.

Lin Yu's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes instantly darkening. He reached out, his fingertips gently stroking the hickey on Xia Xiaotang's collarbone, his voice low: "Does it still hurt?"

Xia Xiaotang blushed, reaching out to pull his collar to cover herself, complaining coquettishly: "It's all your fault... how am I supposed to see people like this..."

"What are you afraid of?" Lin Yu chuckled, grabbing her hand and kissing it. "You're my woman, what's wrong with leaving a stamp?"