Life's Warmth

Night fell, and the neon lights of Jing City flickered back to life.

Li Xingruo finished her day's schedule and leaned wearily against the back seat of the explosion-proof off-road vehicle.

Though the ever-present feeling of being watched had vanished completely today at the company and several event sites because of Qi Lie's presence, this game of "acting like strangers" was utterly exhausting.

All day long, she could only look at his cold, stern profile, and even handing him a bottle of water had to go through Xiaoya. In front of the media and staff, he was nothing but a emotionless, icy security machine.

"Xingruo, we're here," Xiaoya whispered.

The car stopped in the underground garage of "Yunding Tianchen."

Qi Lie, still in his business-like manner, got out first, inspected the surroundings, and then opened the door for Li Xingruo.

"Director Qi, you've worked hard. Go home and rest early," Li Xingruo said, playing along with their script in front of Xiaoya.

"It's my duty. Take care, Miss Li." Qi Lie slightly bowed his head, his sunglasses hiding the emotions in his eyes.

Watching Li Xingruo and Xiaoya enter the elevator, Qi Lie turned and walked toward another private elevator.

Ten minutes later, at the top-floor duplex apartment.

Li Xingruo had just changed into her home clothes and hadn't removed her makeup yet when she heard a familiar chopping sound from the kitchen.

She walked to the kitchen doorway.

Qi Lie had already taken off the oppressive black suit. He wore a white cotton T-shirt and an absurdly mismatched floral apron, his back to her as he skillfully chopped tomatoes on the cutting board.

His broad, sturdy back was faintly visible beneath the white T-shirt.

This cold man, who during the day could dislocate a burly man's arm with one move, was now immersed in the homely warmth of kitchen life, preparing dinner for her.

Li Xingruo's heart trembled violently, and all her fatigue vanished at that moment.

She tiptoed over, reached out her arms from behind, and tightly wrapped them around his lean waist.

"Was it tiring to play the iceberg today?" Li Xingruo pressed her face against his broad back, her voice soft and coquettish.

Qi Lie's chopping hand paused slightly.

He turned around, his deep black eyes devoid of the daytime coldness, replaced by overwhelming affection and hidden desire.

Without a word, he reached out, pinched her chin, lowered his head, and fiercely kissed her lips.

The kiss carried the possessiveness he had held back all day—passionate and domineering, with a faint scent of tomatoes, leaving Li Xingruo dizzy.

"Daddy! Mommy!"

A crisp child's voice suddenly rang out at the kitchen door.

Startled, Li Xingruo pushed Qi Lie away, her face as red as a ripe apple. She guiltily tidied her slightly disheveled hair.

Qi Lie, however, remained perfectly calm. He turned around and looked at the little bunny in a teddy bear pajama, rubbing her eyes as she stood at the doorway.

"Awake?" Qi Lie put down the knife, wiped his hands, walked over, and scooped up his daughter with one arm. "Hungry? Daddy will have dinner ready soon."

Xiaolu wrapped her arms around Qi Lie's neck, rubbing her little face against his cheek. "I'm hungry! Daddy looks so handsome today. Xiaolu saw Daddy on TV!"

Li Xingruo was taken aback. "On TV?"

"Yeah, yeah! Auntie Jin showed me." Xiaolu waved her hands excitedly. "Daddy was wearing black clothes, like a big monster, and 'wham'—he sent the bad guys flying!"

It turned out to be the video from this morning at the Xingyao Media lobby, where he had dealt with Zhao Manman's bodyguards, posted online by some nosy paparazzi.

Li Xingruo looked at Qi Lie worriedly. If his exposure increased, could it affect his concealed identity?

Qi Lie seemed to read her concern. He pinched Xiaolu's nose and said casually, "Don't worry. They won't find anything. I'm just an ordinary security captain."

His tone was so calm that Li Xingruo actually believed him. What she didn't know was that the network technology department of Black Feather Security had already applied extremely precise blurring to Qi Lie's facial features in the video the moment it went up. Netizens could only see a god-like back view but couldn't piece together his true appearance.

After dinner, they finally managed to get the excited Xiaolu to sleep.

Li Xingruo took a shower and walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a bathrobe.

The bedroom's main light was off; only a dim reading lamp on the bedside table was lit.

Qi Lie sat against the headboard, holding the "Level One Security Plan," his deep eyes fixed on her.

"Come here." His voice was low and husky, carrying an irresistible command.

Li Xingruo's heart skipped a beat. She knew the daytime game of "playing strangers" was over. Now, he was the one in control—the domineering, strong-willed husband.

She obediently walked over and sat down beside him.

"Why didn't you report that you were going to a meeting on the eighteenth floor at the company today?" Qi Lie waved the plan in his hand, his tone stern, as if scolding a disobedient recruit.

"It was an impromptu meeting..." Li Xingruo defended herself guiltily.

"Impromptu meetings still need to be reported. What if there was an ambush in the elevator?" Qi Lie suddenly leaned in, his hot breath spraying onto the tip of her nose. "Li Xingruo, are you ignoring my words?"

Li Xingruo looked at his face so close to hers, those black eyes swirling with dangerous light.

She knew he was using this as an excuse, but his serious anger was truly intimidating.

"I was wrong..." Li Xingruo bit her lip, reached out, and wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to muddle through with her gentle voice. "Director Qi, Captain Qi, honey... don't be mad."

Hearing the word "honey," Qi Lie's Adam's apple bobbed violently.

He tossed the plan aside and abruptly pinned her down on the soft bed.

"Too late."

Qi Lie uttered two low, hoarse words.

"Since you broke the rules, you have to accept punishment."

His large hand stroked her waist, his gaze turning extremely deep and dangerous.

"Outside, you are the high and mighty superstar. I listen to you."

"But here, in this room. You only listen to me."

Li Xingruo wanted to say something more, but his domineering and burning kiss sealed her lips completely. All her protests and excuses dissolved into soft whimpers under his highly aggressive conquest.

——————————

The night was still long.