Chapter 23: An Unexpected Encounter at the Guesthouse

The interview went exceptionally well.

Xu An’an and Bai Anhao hit it off immediately, talking as if they were old friends. Because of the time, Xu An’an had to leave early to catch the last bus, or she’d miss it altogether, so Bai Anhao could only regretfully see her to the door.

Seeing Bai Anhao regain his spirits made Xu An’an genuinely happy. During one of her own periods of despondency and helplessness, Xu An’an had stumbled upon Bai Anhao’s books, drawing encouragement and inspiration from them. To now have the chance to interview him in person, to meet her idol up close—Xu An’an felt both delighted and honored. Yet, seeing her idol lose his former radiance pained her deeply.

As she walked toward the bus stop, Xu An’an noticed the sky was darkening. Thick storm clouds were gathering overhead—a sure sign of an impending downpour. Xu An’an frowned. She feared she wouldn’t make it to the bus stop before the rain started, and there wasn’t even a sheltered spot in sight.

She had no choice but to run, sprinting toward the bus stop and barely making it as the first drops began to fall. But the rain only intensified.

A gust of wind, heavy with rain, swept through, drenching Xu An’an to the bone in an instant.

She craned her neck, holding her briefcase over her head for meager protection, silently begging for the bus to arrive. Otherwise, she had no idea what she’d do.

At that moment, a three-wheeled vehicle pulled up, driven by a middle-aged woman.

“Miss, do you want to come to my guesthouse? It’s the He Mei Guesthouse, just up ahead!”

Xu An’an recalled seeing He Mei Guesthouse on her phone’s navigation, so she got into the woman’s vehicle and headed for the inn.

The woman was very chatty, asking why Xu An’an had ventured to the outskirts alone. Upon learning Xu An’an was a journalist, the woman became even more eager, asking if she could be interviewed: “My name’s He Mei. My daughter insisted on coming back to start this business after graduating college. As her mother, how could I not support her, right?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not just boasting. Once you arrive, you’ll see for yourself how nice the place is.”

Xu An’an smiled and nodded. But the torrential rain outside pulled her memory back to the storm a month ago—when the person who’d “rescued” her had been Jiang Li.

Mentioning Jiang Li only brought her annoyance. He was not someone to be trifled with—truly, infuriating! And hadn’t he just turned hostile with her?

Xu An’an took out her phone and checked again. Still no reply from Jiang Li. Had he blocked her already?

Noticing Xu An’an constantly looking at her phone, the woman chuckled, “Waiting for a call from your boyfriend?”

Xu An’an shook her head. “Is this the place up ahead?”

“Yes, yes.” The woman drove steadily, but because of the rain, had to slow down. “Honestly, I like this stormy weather. I always get several young people like you looking for shelter from the rain. I just dropped someone off a bit ago, thought I’d try my luck again, and found you.”

Once inside, the woman called out, “Daughter, bring a clean towel—another guest has arrived!”

Soon, a young woman brought a towel over.

Xu An’an took it, draping it over herself. When changing her shoes, she noticed a very expensive pair of leather shoes in the cabinet—strikingly familiar, identical to Jiang Li’s.

Didn’t Jiang Li claim all his belongings were custom-made?

“Daughter, go find some of your clothes for the young lady to change into, or she’ll catch a cold in those wet things,” the mother reminded her daughter from the kitchen.

He Xiaomei quickly fetched dry clothes for Xu An’an, a bit shy. “I’ve worn them before, but they’re all clean.”

“Thank you,” Xu An’an said, grateful simply to have dry clothes. “Why not give me a room first?”

He Xiaomei thought for a moment. “Take the first room on the left upstairs. Change first, then come down to check in. No rush.”

Xu An’an carried her soggy briefcase, draped in the towel, and headed upstairs.

First room on the left, second floor.

The door was ajar.

Xu An’an pushed it open and locked it behind her. She couldn’t wait to peel off the damp clothes clinging to her skin and opened the bathroom door—

To her shock, there was someone inside!

A man was soaking in the bathtub.

Their eyes met.

Both froze.

“What are you doing here?” Xu An’an, after her initial shock, crouched down, her cheeks flushing crimson. “Don’t tell me this is your room!”

Jiang Li lounged there lazily, his fringe casually swept back. Beads of moisture clung to his brow, making his gaze even more intense. Water dripped from his jet-black hair onto his sculpted collarbone, then down his taut chest, tracing faint trails.

The sight of such a beautiful man bathing was truly a feast for the eyes.

But a gust of wind from the window made Xu An’an shiver. Having just been caught in the rain, now chilled by the draft, she was sure she’d have a terrible cold by morning.

“Come in,” Jiang Li ordered, brows knitted. “It’s not like you haven’t seen it before. Now you’re feeling modest? Hurry up.”

Embarrassment forgotten, Xu An’an blushed but climbed into the tub, easing herself into the warm water. The moment the heat enveloped her, she felt revived, though she couldn’t match Jiang Li’s relaxed posture. She hugged her knees, curling up on one side.

“If I’m not mistaken, you were brought here by Aunt He too?” Xu An’an tried to break the ice, desperate to ease the tension. After all, she was at a disadvantage—she couldn’t count on Jiang Li to make the first move to reconcile; that was plainly impossible.

Jiang Li’s damp face suddenly moved closer. A drop of water slid from his hair onto Xu An’an’s cheek; he reached out, wiping away the bead that rolled to the corner of her mouth. Then, gripping her chin, he forced her to meet his gaze.

Before Xu An’an could speak, Jiang Li lowered his head and kissed her fiercely.

He lingered on her soft lips with slow, deliberate pressure, restrained yet tinged with a stifled aggression, his hands never stopping their movement.

That passionate kiss was the spark.

Everything that followed seemed to unfold naturally, as if it were meant to be…

Lying atop Jiang Li, Xu An’an felt like a lone boat tossed on a stormy sea, battered again and again by the tempest.

She had no idea how much time had passed.

At last, that final moment burned through her—a searing current starting at her tailbone, electrifying her entire body, leaving her mind utterly blank.

Like a ragdoll, she was carried from the bathroom in Jiang Li’s arms.

Bone-tired, she collapsed onto the bed. To think she had only just finished her period, and now this—she could hardly believe it, too exhausted even to roll her eyes.

A thin quilt was draped over her. Jiang Li, moving unhurriedly, dressed himself in clothes fresh from the dryer.

In the blink of an eye, he was fully clothed, regaining his usual air of aloof nobility. He seated himself upright on the sofa.

“Well? Was it a coincidence, or on purpose?”