Above the Roses

Siyao skillfully made her way to his private room, sidestepping the long bag. At the door, two companions who had come out with Xingjue winked and grinned, “Sister Yao, here to pick up Brother Jue?”

“Is it convenient now?” Siyao asked. Half a month ago, she’d forgotten to check before picking him up, barged in, and happened to interrupt Xingjue’s fun—he’d thrown a bottle at her, almost disfiguring her. She’d learned her lesson this time.

With their confirmation, she knocked and entered.

In his arms, Wen Sui, who’d been following him for a few months, looked thoroughly disheveled, while Xingjue was impeccably dressed in his suit, his eyes slightly glazed with drink, untouched by desire, lips curved in a tender smile, softer than usual.

But that gentleness was only a facade; the real Xingjue was fickle and, above all, cruel and hard to please.

Siyao paused at the doorway, her voice gentle, “Tomorrow is the family banquet. It wouldn’t be good to come home too late.”

Xingjue slipped his hand from around Wen Sui’s waist, but didn’t move, still seated with his legs propped lazily on the coffee table, his demeanor both indolent and gentle. “How late is late?”

“It’s already midnight.”

“A-Jue promised to spend the night with me—he’s not going anywhere,” Wen Sui interjected coquettishly, her voice mingling with Siyao’s.

Xingjue ignored her, leaning in to whisper softly to Wen Sui.

Siyao stood there watching for a moment, then, after some thought, turned to leave.

“Is it not late now?” Xingjue’s voice came, louder th