Hidden in a Golden House
The royal blue roller blinds swayed with a creak.
The blinds had been deliberately left partially open. The window, however, had a faulty lock; it had been closed yesterday, only to be blown open again in the middle of the night.
Thus, the room looked just as it had when they first rushed in last night. The blinds covered half the window, and the thin morning light filtered in, casting a blue-tinted mist over the pale-yellow wallpaper.
Cheng Jiqing squinted against the light. As she instinctively turned her head to avoid it, the person in her arms let out a displeased whimper. Her movements paused, and she lowered her head slightly.
Bai Xin’s cheek was pressed tightly against her neck, so she couldn’t see the omega’s full face. All she could feel was softness, heat, a small bundle clinging to her.
Like a weak, sleepy cat.
Perhaps because they were holding each other tightly and sleeping soundly, she didn’t feel cold, even though the window had been open all night.
Cheng Jiqing thought back to the final time last night. The rain had subsided to its quietest, and the space was filled with damp air. She had looked down and stroked Bai Xin’s face, watching tears stream from the corners of her eyes onto the pillow.
The spreading stain was dark, yet more dazzling than any tumi flower1.
“I… I can’t take it anymore…”
Bai Xin whimpered as she looked at Cheng Jiqing, not even having the strength to hold her. Her eyes were hazy, her gaze bewildered, powerless, and filled with devotion.
Cheng Jiqing had looked forward to seeing Bai Xin beg for mercy, but when truly faced with it, she found that even then, she couldn’t necessarily stop right away.
The more Bai Xin pleaded, the more mournful her voice became, the hazier her tears. The more agitated Cheng Jiqing grew, the more her alpha’s dominance and possessiveness surged…
This was perhaps a result of her baser instincts; a sense of brokenness could bring about an unhealthy excitement.
Bai Xin prayed for mercy, yet adored Cheng Jiqing’s frenzy.
Cheng Jiqing’s heart ached for her, yet that same begging made her want to fight as if her life depended on it.
The torrent finally came to an end.
It wasn’t an unbearable cruelty, but a broken, intermittent rhythm—giving, then withdrawing, until finally, she left no space, no path of retreat.
There was nothing Bai Xin could do but endure it, right until the very last second.
Cheng Jiqing scooped her up with one arm.
Bai Xin collapsed against her shoulder. She stroked her smooth, sweat-drenched back. Even her bones were trembling, shaking at the slightest touch, the aftershocks yet to subside.
Cheng Jiqing’s voice was dark and hoarse as she deliberately teased, “Now that you know your own limits, watch what you say next time. Don’t be so arrogant, understand?”
Bai Xin didn’t answer, as if that way she could pretend she hadn’t heard.
When no response came, Cheng Jiqing’s hand traveled slowly down from her back and landed with a light but firm smack.
It was like a punishment.
“Understand?” Her voice was hoarse, too. It carried an indefinable sexiness.
Stimulated, Bai Xin hitched her hips and let out a soft cry.
Then she went limp again. “Mm…”
Though she had complied, that light slap had sparked a faint interest in her.
The thought vanished in a flash. Her body truly couldn’t take another round.
Right now, she couldn’t withstand it; her very soul felt like it was about to dissipate. One more time and she would probably pass out—Cheng Jiqing had never been as wild as she was today.
If she hadn’t spoken up, she wouldn’t have stopped.
Bai Xin flexed her wrists. The bones still ached from when Cheng Jiqing had pinned them above her head with a single hand.
Torment and pleasure coexisted like twin blossoms2.
Cheng Jiqing carried her to the bathroom, cleaned her up, and then they returned.
A cool breeze blew in, and the sight of the open window frame reminded them of the source of the earlier creaking sounds.
The marking had been done in the bathroom. Most of the pheromones had mixed with the water, while some had dispersed, absorbed by the world outside the window.
The window was closed, but a small crack was left for ventilation.
Bai Xin didn’t like complete darkness. The room had no lamp, so Cheng Jiqing had simply not drawn the blinds—this way, she could steal a little bit of the light from outside.
But even after the window was closed, that creaking sound and Bai Xin’s breathing still lingered in Cheng Jiqing’s ears.
That sound was unique and special, destined to exist in Cheng Jiqing’s memory for a long time.
And in Bai Xin’s memory, too.
Cheng Jiqing glanced at the weather outside. It wasn’t exactly bright. The light would dim intermittently; she could imagine dark clouds being blown past, only to be replaced by another set.
She reached for the phone on the table. It was past ten in the morning.
They had only fallen asleep in the latter half of the night. Bai Xin probably wouldn’t wake up until the afternoon.
She could see strands of hair curled across her own collarbone and shoulder, a belated itchiness creeping up on her. She hooked a finger, and her smooth nail grazed Bai Xin’s chin, eliciting another dissatisfied noise from her.
Cheng Jiqing let out a soft ‘tsk’. When Bai Xin was awake, she could still suppress her temper, but her fierce nature was laid bare in her sleep.
She didn’t move again.
She lay there, thinking she would just go back to sleep for a while, when a text message popped up on the phone.
The phone still belonged to Lu Xi.
After things had ended last night, she saw a string of missed calls and finally remembered to call the production team to report that they were safe, briefly mentioning the accident.
But since she’d taken so long to contact them, she’d have to apologize properly when she got back. Making people worry for nothing was also a sin.
The text messages hadn’t just been sent; the signal was delayed.
Several popped up at once.
One was from Yuan Sheng. She had messaged him yesterday to ask if he had any connections in this area.
Yuan Sheng: 【I happen to have a business partner in that area. She knows a very reputable local lawyer who is also familiar with the local police department. Whenever you need her, you can just call her directly.】
Following that was a recommended contact card.
Cheng Jiqing saved the number.
She couldn’t just let what Bai Xin suffered last night go. She had to find a way to track down those two men.
Then she checked the other messages.
Director Yuwei: 【Chengcheng, how are you two? Can you make it back by noon? I’ll send someone to pick you up.】
That was from two hours ago.
Cheng Jiqing replied to Yuwei: 【Sorry, I still have some things to take care of. We’ll be back in the afternoon.】
It had been decided beforehand that there was another livestream tonight. The announcement had already been made, so she had to go back no matter what.
Cheng Jiqing put down the phone. After a moment’s thought, she tried to pull her hand out from under Bai Xin’s head.
The moment she moved.
“Sleepy…” Bai Xin murmured, shrinking toward Cheng Jiqing’s waist.
A tingling numbness spread across Cheng Jiqing’s waist. She raised her hand and poked Bai Xin’s tender pink cheek.
Then, she grasped Bai Xin’s arm and nudged her upwards from her waist. “You sleep. I’m going to make a call.”
Bai Xin was incredibly tired but still managed to open her half-lidded eyes on pure instinct. “Who?”
“Finding someone to deal with last night’s incident.” Cheng Jiqing successfully pulled her hand out this time. “Go to sleep. I’ll be right back.”
“How long?” Bai Xin’s eyes were already closed. She really couldn’t keep them open, and her voice was barely audible.
Hearing her, Cheng Jiqing inexplicably felt like smiling, a long-lost joy blooming from the bottom of her heart.
It was like how, in the past, she disliked sleeping with the curtains open. But last night, with the curtains only half-drawn, she found it acceptable. Even the creaking noise had become something special, existing in a moment that needs to be deeply remembered.
Cheng Jiqing said, “I’ll definitely be here when you wake up.”
And so, Bai Xin drowsily closed her eyes again. She felt as if her bones had fallen apart. Cheng Jiqing always did what she said she would do…
Except for that one time, on her birthday.
By the time Bai Xin had this thought, she had already sunk into a deep sleep, only the space between her brows was slightly furrowed, as if she were still fussing over the matter in her dreams.
Their clothes hadn’t been changed. Fortunately, the room had bathrobes. They were a bit old, the cotton fabric stiffened from disinfectant, and they carried the smell of being washed in bulk.
She put on the white bathrobe and threw her watery-blue trench coat from yesterday over it. It was damp from the rain and had been crumpled on the floor all night.
Cheng Jiqing closed the window again, afraid of waking Bai Xin. She went out into the hallway. There was heating outside too, just not as warm.
She took out her phone, one hand tucked into her coat pocket.
She wanted to find those two men quickly. Besides wanting to deal with them, there was also a hint of a conspiracy theory in her mind, because Fu Rongjun had said she wanted to see her but then never showed up—of course, this was unlikely, because using such a tactic against her was a bit too stupid.
Now that her phone was broken, she had no way of knowing if Fu Rongjun had sent her a message explaining why.
In any case, she had to find the men first.
About half an hour later, Bai Xin woke up.
She sat up and looked at the empty room.
When Cheng Jiqing was there, she hadn’t noticed. Last night, the warm lighting had seemed incredibly romantic, the window frame uniquely charming, the sound of the rain moving, and the incoming breeze carrying a special, refreshing scent.
Now that Cheng Jiqing was gone, the place just looked shabby and dilapidated.
A chair was next to the bed, with a bathrobe draped over it, which Cheng Jiqing had prepared for her in advance.
She slipped it on. The material was coarse and chafed her skin.
It felt like Cheng Jiqing had been gone for a long time. With no phone to contact her, Bai Xin frowned at the door.
Opening it, she glanced down the hall and saw Cheng Jiqing at the very end, talking to a middle-aged woman.
The hem of her watery-blue coat was covered in wrinkles. It draped over Cheng Jiqing’s tall and graceful figure. Half of her hair was tucked behind her ear. Standing by the window, she was somewhat backlit from this angle.
Her profile was all the more profound, more captivating.
The wrinkles didn’t make her look the least bit messy; instead, they added a unique kind of mystery.
Bai Xin stood for half a minute before her legs felt unsteady.
Perhaps sensing something, Cheng Jiqing turned her head at just the right moment.
Two minutes later, Cheng Jiqing bid the woman farewell and walked back toward the door.
“It’s cold out here.” Cheng Jiqing pulled her back inside.
Bai Xin leaned softly against her. Cheng Jiqing gently pushed the door shut with her heel and led her to sit on the bed. “That was the lawyer Yuan Sheng introduced. I’ve handed last night’s matter over to her. Once they find the men, you’ll just have to identify them online. You don’t have to worry about the rest… Does it hurt?”
“Why don’t you try it?”
“…” That’s not something I should try.
It hadn’t been so obvious when she was curled up under the covers, but now, with the bathrobe slightly open at the collar, several clear marks were visible on her neck and collarbone. Pink and tender.
Bai Xin hugged her again, burying her face against her chest, and said hoarsely, “Have I ever told you that I especially love it when you’re fierce?”
The tips of Cheng Jiqing’s ears grew imperceptibly warmer. She was silent for a moment before saying calmly, “Miss Bai, do you happen to have any special… tastes?”
“Do I?” Bai Xin’s voice was muffled. “Then, did you like the way it felt last night?”
Cheng Jiqing: “…”
Bai Xin lifted her head and met Cheng Jiqing’s eyes.
Their gazes lingered for a long time. They were already so close, but only now did they truly feel a semblance of a return to the past.
It was as if they had pierced through a tremendously thick fog, had crossed rainforests, mountains, and seas, to finally see a sense of security on the other’s face.
A very peaceful smile.
Cheng Jiqing leaned down and kissed Bai Xin’s forehead. Her voice was low and hoarse. “Addictive.”
Before the lawyer arrived, they had asked her to bring two sets of clothes.
After they both changed, things turned out to be simpler than Cheng Jiqing had expected. Yuan Sheng’s side had likely spent a fair bit of money. It was a little past one in the afternoon.
Bai Xin was still in her heat, but due to the temporary marking last night, she wasn’t having any major reactions aside from physical exhaustion. Bai Xin needed to rest now, or she wouldn’t have the strength when the next wave hit.
It was the production team’s car.
On the way back.
The ground was already dry. Only in some deep puddles by the roadside was there still any sign of rain.
Looking up at the sky, it was, as expected, half-sunny and half-overcast.
“Can we discuss something?”
“What is it?”
“Why don’t you sit out the next two days of recording? In your condition, you might give yourself away. And there’s a livestream tonight. You should just rest well in the room,” Cheng Jiqing said.
She didn’t feel at ease letting Bai Xin out by herself. Although there were many people at the villa, she could at least control who went up and down the stairs and have a clear picture of the situation.
Bai Xin leaned against the car seat, turning her head to look at Cheng Jiqing. “Cheng Jiqing, I’m not afraid of being exposed. I’m telling you the truth.”
“I know. But keeping it a secret is safer for you,” Cheng Jiqing replied gently.
For a 3S omega, as long as the core personnel weren’t exposed, and as long as there were no issues with the official secrecy department, the risk of exposure was lower.
The main issue was her being an omega. The pheromones emitted during a heat were different from usual, making it easy to be exposed. The slightest facial expression would be magnified on camera, and anyone with a little experience could easily detect the symptoms of a heat.
After a moment of silence, Cheng Jiqing turned to glance at Bai Xin.
Only then did Bai Xin say, “Is our Little CEO Cheng planning to hide me in your golden house3 for a lifetime?”
Her hoarse voice had lost its usual coolness, replaced by a coquettish tone.
Cheng Jiqing smiled.
She understood Bai Xin’s intention. Being unknown was indeed discreet and safe, but it was also like a flower bud blooming in the dark; hiding from the sun, yet always yearning for the light.
The car stopped at a red light.
Cheng Jiqing turned her head. “If we’re really talking about hiding a beauty in a golden house, shouldn’t it be you hiding me, President Bai?”
Bai Xin paused for two seconds. “You know what I mean.”
Hearing this, Cheng Jiqing reached out and squeezed Bai Xin’s hand. “Then let’s wait until this heat passes… There’s too much going on online recently. I’m afraid you’ll be affected. We’ll take it slow and steady. Hmm?”
The internet was a mess right now. Whether it was revealing Bai Xin as an omega or them being together, either could push Bai Xin into the center of a storm.
And since Bai Xin was in her heat, her emotions were unstable. She didn’t want Bai Xin to be subjected to random criticism, or for her mood and even her normal life to be affected.
Cheng Jiqing raised her hand again, the back of her fingers brushing against that smooth cheek. “Ten more minutes. If you’re tired, take a nap.”
“Mm,” Bai Xin replied.
Although it was all reasonable, she still felt a faint sense of disappointment. It was probably because she was more proactive about this matter than Cheng Jiqing was.
But at least Cheng Jiqing was back.
Her sunlight had returned.
Her nights were finally no longer completely dark.
Bai Xin’s mood brightened slightly. She watched for a while before listlessly closing her eyes. She mused that they had barely rested at all last night, yet Cheng Jiqing didn’t look the least bit tired.
“Aren’t you tired?” Her legs were still trembling.
Cheng Jiqing didn’t know what was wrong with her own brain, but a retort came out smoothly, “Why don’t you try it?”
After saying it, Cheng Jiqing: “…”
She immediately realized what a huge mistake that retort was; she’d dug her own pit.
It had the exact same effect4 as when she had asked Bai Xin if she was in pain—the process was different, but the purpose of the conversation ended up being directed back at her.
It was too late to take it back. Bai Xin’s mind was exceptionally gifted in these matters; not taking an advantage was as good as taking a loss5.
She curved her lips. “Alright. I’ll definitely try.”
“…”
Bai Xin didn’t really sleep. She couldn’t help but open her eyes every so often to look at the person driving.
A glance, then a short nap.
She never tired of it.
Cheng Jiqing asked, “What are you looking at? It’s not like I can run away.”
Her voice held a smile, like the sudden arrival of a spring breeze, forcing even the winter to retreat.
The sign for the production team’s location was already visible up ahead.
Bai Xin turned her head from Cheng Jiqing’s face to look at a dark cloud in the distance outside the window. The car was moving forward, the cloud was moving backward.
One going forward, one going back.
But that was okay. She and Cheng Jiqing were in the same car.
She murmured, “Cheng Jiqing, let’s be good to each other from now on, okay?”
The engine was cut. Outside, withered branches and evergreen plants swayed in the wind. Inside the car, the warm air felt like bathing in the morning sun.
“Okay,” Cheng Jiqing answered.
There were two other cars in the production team’s parking area. The one in front was a Rolls-Royce. She parked her car behind it.
Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin got out of the car. As they passed the black Rolls-Royce, they glanced at it.
Before they could get a clear look, the car door opened from the inside.
A woman in a black overcoat greeted them formally, “Little CEO Cheng, Miss Bai.”
Cheng Jiqing was taken aback. “Secretary Liu?”
It dawned on her a moment later. Cheng Jing was here.
The author has something to say:
Bai-jie: That business with the birthday, I still remember…
Chengcheng: …
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