114: Chapter 114 Morning Warmth

May 17, 2025, Saturday, light rain, 22~34°C.

In the dim room, Qiao Yichen slowly woke up. He reached out a hand, felt for his phone on the nightstand, and lit up the screen to take a look—it was past ten in the morning.

He sat up slightly, leaning against the pillow, and turned his head to look at Liu Yanran beside him. She was still fast asleep, her breathing steady, with a few stray strands of hair scattered across her cheeks.

He reached out and gently tucked those few strands of hair behind her ear.

After leaning back against the bed and sending a few messages to Zhou Qian and Yu Peishan, he switched to a food delivery app. Without hesitating for long, he ordered two servings of porridge.

When eleven o'clock rolled around, he got out of bed quietly and went into the bathroom to wash up.

By the time he came out, the delivery had just arrived—the timing was perfect. Qiao Yichen glanced at the bedroom; Liu Yanran was still sound asleep, and he didn't wake her.

He went to the door to pick up the delivery, placed it on the dining table in the living room, took out his portion of black rice porridge, salted duck egg, fried dough sticks, and a few side dishes, and sat down to eat slowly.

Eating alone was quick; he finished it in about ten minutes.

He put Liu Yanran's portion of porridge into an insulated bag, carried it to the bedroom, and placed it gently on the nightstand.

Just as he set it down, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen—President Wu Guodong.

The ringtone was exceptionally clear in the quiet room, and Liu Yanran unconsciously furrowed her brows. Qiao Yichen quickly took his phone to the living room and answered the call.

"Mr. Qiao, long time no see." President Wu Guodong's voice came from the other end of the line, very polite.

Qiao Yichen smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries. President Wu Guodong didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point:

"I'm calling you mainly to congratulate you. Yesterday, I was having tea with Teacher Song, and I heard him talk about you—young, insightful, and lucky. It's not common to be able to buy a genuine piece at the price of a replica."

Qiao Yichen understood what was going on immediately and quickly said, "It was thanks to the opportunity you gave me last month, letting Teacher Song take me to the Auction House. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to find such a bargain."

President Wu Guodong didn't take credit, his tone indifferent: "This is the reward for helping Mengyao. One good turn deserves another. The opportunity was placed before you, and being able to seize it was your own skill."

Qiao Yichen wanted to say more, but President Wu Guodong continued, "If there's a chance another day, let's have a meal together."

Qiao Yichen nodded and followed up, "There's been a lot going on at the company lately. Once this busy period is over, I'll set up a meeting with you and Teacher Song."

President Wu Guodong gave an affirmative, "Alright."

After a few more words, the call ended.

Qiao Yichen stood in the living room holding his phone, dazed for a couple of seconds, then raised his hand and tapped his forehead.

Honestly, if it hadn't been for President Wu Guodong's call, he really would have forgotten about this.

Zhou Huaiming, who bought the antique cabinet, was introduced by Teacher Song. At the time, he had even mentioned inviting him for tea.

But once things got busy, it completely slipped his mind.

He sighed. With so much going on, his brain really wasn't enough. He needed to think carefully about when to arrange this gathering.

He tucked his phone into his pocket and turned back to the bedroom.

Liu Yanran had just woken up.

She looked around bleary-eyed, her gaze still somewhat unfocused. Qiao Yichen saw her eyes darting around and quickly walked over to sit by the bed.

"Awake?" He leaned in close. "How do you feel?"

Liu Yanran spoke, her voice incredibly raspy: "My whole body is a bit sore... it hurts a little down there."

Hearing her voice, Qiao Yichen's heart softened.

He leaned in, kissed her cheek, reached his hand under the covers, and gently pressed on her waist, soothing her for a moment.

"Better?" he asked in a low voice.

Liu Yanran didn't say anything, just stared at him intently.

Qiao Yichen felt a stir in his heart from her gaze and asked again, "Are you hungry?" He gestured with his chin toward the insulated bag on the nightstand. "There's some porridge I bought inside. Do you want to eat something to line your stomach?"

Liu Yanran nodded.

It was almost noon; how could she not be hungry?

Qiao Yichen first helped her into her pajamas, propped her up against the pillows, then opened the insulated bag, took out the porridge, and fed it to her spoonful by spoonful.

She ate slowly, and he fed her slowly. After finishing the bowl of porridge, the exhaustion on her face faded a bit, and her spirits recovered quite a bit.

Qiao Yichen set the bowl aside and looked down at her. "Does it still hurt?"

Liu Yanran shook her head gently.

After lying in bed for a long time, Liu Yanran prepared to get up, only to realize she was still wearing that pair of black glossy stockings from last night, a section of which was exposed.

She lifted her foot slightly, and Qiao Yichen, understanding her intent, leaned over to help her take them off.

Once the stockings were off, Liu Yanran spoke, her voice still soft: "My body is a bit sore; I want to take a bath."

Qiao Yichen nodded. "Alright, I'll go run the hot water." Having said that, he got up and walked toward the bathroom.

Liu Yanran stood up as well, walked to the bathroom door, and leaned against the frame watching him adjust the water temperature. As the water rushed out, she suddenly spoke:

"What are you going to do in a bit?"

Qiao Yichen looked back at her. "I'm planning to check out a nearby gym to work on my abs and endurance."

Liu Yanran's face flushed slightly as she nodded.

Qiao Yichen asked her in return, "And you? Do you have plans for the afternoon?"

Liu Yanran turned around and pointed at herself—her neck, shoulders, and collarbone were covered in red marks and spots left from last night. The meaning was self-evident: in this state, where could she go?

Then she said in a casual tone, as if speaking of something very ordinary, "I need to find some time to meet someone this afternoon."

Qiao Yichen turned off the faucet, walked over, and gently hugged her from behind. They both looked into the mirror—in the reflection, she was leaning in his arms; he was in loungewear, while she only had a thin robe draped over her, the marks on her neck clearly visible.

He looked at her eyes in the mirror and asked, "Who are you planning to meet?"

Liu Yanran also looked at him in the mirror, her tone calm: "My ex."

Qiao Yichen didn't speak; he just buried his head, his face against her hair, smelling the faint fragrance on her body.

After a few seconds, he finally spoke, his voice muffled, "Can you not go?"

Liu Yanran was stunned for a moment, then laughed. She turned her head, her cheek pressing against his, and nuzzled him gently, her tone softening:

"It's just a meeting, nothing major. I just need to make things clear."

Qiao Yichen didn't respond, just held her even tighter.

Liu Yanran was held so tightly she could barely breathe, but she didn't struggle. She patted his hand wrapped around her waist, her tone somewhat coaxing:

"Aren't you going to the gym this afternoon? Besides, Zhou Shiyu sent a message yesterday; the appointment is for 4:30 PM at a café."

Qiao Yichen looked up at her in the mirror. "Then I'll head over after I finish working out, okay?"

Liu Yanran's smile became more pronounced, her eyes crinkling. "That works too. Should I send you the address then?"

She turned her head slightly, looking up at him behind her.

Qiao Yichen nodded and added another sentence, his tone very serious: "But there's one thing I must emphasize."

"What?"

"These hickeys on your body," he gestured with his chin toward the marks on her neck, "don't cover them with powder."

Liu Yanran was stunned for a moment, then laughed in exasperation.

She turned around and poked his chest. "Are you being childish?"

Qiao Yichen let her poke him without dodging, just looking at her with a beaming smile.

Liu Yanran could do nothing with him and finally sighed, her tone helpless yet somewhat indulgent: "Fine, fine, fine, I won't cover them. Satisfied?"

Qiao Yichen nodded with a smile.

"Out, out, I'm going to take my bath now." Liu Yanran began to push him out.

Qiao Yichen was pushed out of the bathroom, and the door closed behind him.

Standing at the door, he heard the sound of rushing water from inside, as well as the sound of her softly humming a song.

He smiled, then prepared to start tidying up the room.