178: Chapter 178 Tina's Invitation

After finishing his shower, Mr. Cao came out and changed into the bathrobe provided by the hotel.

White Lotus Flower was still sitting by the bed, her hands clutching the hem of her bathrobe, looking as nervous as an elementary school student.

The room was very quiet, with only the sound of rain.

Mr. Cao sat down beside her.

The distance between them was less than half a meter.

"Lotus," he spoke softly.

White Lotus Flower looked up at him.

Under the light, his eyes were very gentle, like a bottomless pool of water.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

White Lotus Flower knew what he was asking.

She took a deep breath and nodded gently.

"I'm sure," she said, her voice trembling but her gaze firm. "It's not because of gratitude. I... I really like you."

Mr. Cao looked at her, his gaze growing softer and softer.

"You know," White Lotus Flower continued.

"From the day you appeared at my door and told me the truth, I... I haven't been able to forget you. Later, when you went to find those kinds of people, did those kinds of things, and helped us get our money back... I knew then that in this lifetime, I would never meet another person like you."

Her eyes turned red.

"I know you have a girlfriend, and I know I shouldn't be like this, but... but I can't control myself."

She looked at him, tears sliding down. "So, tonight... let me be selfish just this once, okay?"

Mr. Cao didn't say anything.

He simply reached out and gently wiped the tears from her face.

Then, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.

White Lotus Flower closed her eyes and responded passionately.

This kiss carried the dampness of the rainy night, long-suppressed emotions, and a tacit understanding between the two of them.

The bathrobe slipped off.

The lights were dim and yellow.

Outside the window, it was still raining.

Inside the room, the temperature was rising.

Mr. Cao was very gentle, as if treating a piece of precious porcelain.

White Lotus Flower was nervous at first, her body stiff, but she slowly relaxed under his guidance.

She could feel his kisses falling on her forehead, eyes, lips, neck... every touch felt like an electric current passing through her body.

"Brother Kun..." she called him softly, her voice carrying a tremor of emotion.

Mr. Cao didn't speak, only responding with his actions.

That night was very long.

White Lotus Flower had never experienced such a feeling before.

It wasn't just simple desire, but the feeling of being cherished, cared for, and treated with tenderness.

When the final moment arrived, she held him tight and whispered in his ear, "Thank you... thank you for appearing in my life..."

The rain stopped at some unknown point.

The ancient town outside the window sank into a dream.

And inside the room, the two of them slept in each other's arms.

...

Early Morning

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting golden spots of light on the floor.

White Lotus Flower woke up first.

She opened her eyes and found herself lying in Mr. Cao's arms.

His arm was around her waist, his breathing steady, sleeping deeply.

She watched him quietly.

Thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, a straight nose, and thin lips.

Asleep, he looked like a big boy.

White Lotus Flower smiled and gently planted a kiss on his lips.

Mr. Cao stirred and opened his eyes.

Their eyes met.

"Morning," he said, his voice raspy.

"Morning," she replied, blushing.

Mr. Cao glanced out the window. "The rain stopped."

"Yeah."

They looked at each other and suddenly both laughed.

"Hungry?" Mr. Cao asked.

"A little."

"Get up, let's eat."

White Lotus Flower nodded and sat up. As the bathrobe slipped, she quickly covered her chest, her face turning red again.

Mr. Cao smiled and got up to get dressed.

White Lotus Flower looked at his tall, straight back, a complex feeling welling up in her heart.

Sweetness, satisfaction, and a little bit of... bitterness.

She knew that last night was just an accident.

He had a girlfriend and his own life.

She couldn't truly possess him.

But at least, last night belonged to her.

That was enough.

...

After breakfast, the two of them drove back to Zhongzhou.

It was quiet in the car, with only the sound of the navigation.

White Lotus Flower drove, stealing glances at Mr. Cao from time to time.

He leaned back in the passenger seat, looking at the scenery outside the window, lost in thought.

"Brother Kun," she suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

"About last night... thank you."

Mr. Cao turned to look at her. "Thank me for what?"

"Thank you... for being so good to me," she said softly. "I've never been cherished like that before."

Mr. Cao was silent for a second. "You deserve to be cherished."

White Lotus Flower's eyes welled up, and she quickly looked forward to hide her emotions.

"In the future..." She bit her lip. "Can I still see you?"

Mr. Cao looked at her, his gaze gentle. "When you want to see me, send me a message."

White Lotus Flower nodded and smiled.

That was enough.

She didn't ask for more.

At least, she had a small place in his heart.

Even if it was just a tiny bit.

The car entered the city area.

Familiar streets, familiar tall buildings.

Everything returned to reality.

But White Lotus Flower knew that some things were already different.

...

The second day after Mr. Cao and White Lotus Flower parted ways.

He suddenly received a message from Tina.

"Mr. Cao, are you free tonight? I really want to treat you to a meal. Please don't refuse me, okay? (◕‿◕)"

It was followed by a pitiful-looking emoji.

Mr. Cao looked at the message and couldn't help but smile.

After Tian Ningning and White Lotus Flower, Tina had indeed come as well.

These three women were like they had planned it, coming to find him one after another.

He replied: "Sure, what time? Where?"

Tina replied instantly: "Really?! That's great! Seven tonight, I'll send you the address! Waiting for you!"

Mr. Cao put down his phone.

But he couldn't help but wonder: what would Tina be like?

Tian Ningning was gentle with a touch of shyness, and White Lotus Flower was soft-spoken with hidden deep affection.

What about Tina? Her personality should be more extroverted and direct, right?

Tonight should be very interesting.

...

At five in the afternoon, in Tina's apartment.

She had already tried on several outfits.

The first set was a sexy camisole dress.

She felt it was a bit too revealing.

The second set was a casual hoodie and jeans.

She felt it was too casual, like going out to buy groceries.

The third set was a French floral dress.

This one seemed okay, but she felt it was a bit too ladylike; she didn't usually wear this style.

The fourth set was a black tight-fitting dress.

Perfect!

It showed off her figure without being exaggerated, and it had a bit of sexiness.

Tina stood in front of the mirror, turning around, and nodded with satisfaction.

But she felt like something was missing.

Right, makeup.

She sat down and began to carefully apply her makeup.

She chose a gentle rose-bean paste color for her eyeshadow, and her lipstick was this year's most popular rotten tomato red.

What about her hair? Leave it down? Tie it up?

Finally, she decided on a half-up princess hairstyle, which made her look gentle and elegant.

After getting dressed up.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

She was very satisfied.

...

At seven in the evening, at a French restaurant in the city center.

Tina arrived ten minutes early and booked a window seat.

Exquisite tableware was laid out on the table, candlelight flickered, and the city's night view was outside the window.

She was a bit nervous, constantly checking her phone and adjusting her sitting posture.

At exactly seven, Mr. Cao appeared at the restaurant entrance.

When Tina saw him, her heart rate instantly accelerated.

He was dressed very formally today.

A dark blue shirt and black trousers; he looked tall and refined. The restaurant lights shone on him, and those eyes were still calm and deep.

"Tina," he walked over and smiled.

"Mr. Cao!" Tina stood up, a bit flustered. "You're here. Sit, please sit."

The two took their seats, and the waiter handed them the menus.

Tina pushed the menu toward Mr. Cao. "You order, don't be polite."

Mr. Cao looked it over and ordered steak, foie gras, snails, and a bottle of red wine.

"Do you often eat French food?" Tina asked.

"Occasionally," Mr. Cao said. "And you?"

"I... I've actually never had it," Tina said, a bit embarrassed. "Usually it's takeout or hot pot. I rarely come to high-end restaurants like this."

Mr. Cao smiled. "Then try it today."

Tina felt a warmth in her heart as she looked at his smile.

This man looked really good when he smiled.

The dishes came out one after another, with exquisite presentation and tempting aromas.

Tina followed Mr. Cao's example, using a knife and fork to cut her steak.

But she wasn't very skilled and cut it a bit clumsily.

"Like this." Mr. Cao reached out, gently holding her hand that was holding the knife, and demonstrated the correct way to cut.

His hand was warm and strong, and as his fingertips touched the back of her hand, it felt like an electric current passing through.

Tina's face turned red. "Thank you..."

Mr. Cao let go and continued eating his own food.

But Tina's heart rate couldn't settle down for a long time.

...