Chapter Fifty-Six: Darling, You Didn’t Leave Me a Single Bite?

The first rays of dawn broke through the horizon, bathing the eastern land in golden light, just as Qin Mengxue’s phone began to ring. But half an hour before the ringtone sounded, Qin Mengxue was already awake.

She had not slept well that night. Each time she recalled how Xue Tian’ai had pushed her onto the dining chair and everything that followed, shame and anger washed over her. That scoundrel had teased and bullied her, humiliating her! Clearly nothing but a lecher, a twisted pervert!

With a cold snort, Qin Mengxue sat up in bed, hastily washed, and stepped out of her room. When she saw Xue Tian’ai’s door still tightly shut, her anger flared.

That scoundrel kept her up all night, yet now he was sleeping soundly. No, she couldn’t let him get away with it so easily!

Fuming, Qin Mengxue pushed open Xue Tian’ai’s door, intending to wake him the same way as yesterday morning. But as soon as she entered, she was stunned. The bed was utterly empty, the quilt folded neatly, the sheets unwrinkled. There was no sign of Xue Tian’ai anywhere in the room.

Where had that scoundrel gone? Why wasn’t he here? Based on yesterday’s routine, he should have been sleeping like a dead pig!

Qin Mengxue’s plan for revenge fell flat, leaving her frustrated. Yet strangely, not seeing Xue Tian’ai that morning left her with a faint sense of loss.

Could he have spent the night elsewhere, sneaking out to meet a woman while she was asleep? Why was the room so spotless—almost as if no one had slept there at all?

The thought tangled her mind even further.

Just as Qin Mengxue was lost in speculation, the sound of a door opening downstairs snapped her back to reality. She hurried out of Xue Tian’ai’s room, only to run into him as he was coming up the stairs.

Seeing him, Qin Mengxue was momentarily entranced.

Xue Tian’ai stood bare-chested, flawless muscles glistening with beads of sweat that caught the sunlight, sparkling like crystal. One hand gripped a bottle of sports drink, which he drank from in gulps, while the other held a corner of the shirt slung over his shoulder.

Qin Mengxue felt as if her heart had been struck. It wasn’t the first time she saw him like this, but she had to admit that his physique was extraordinary. At that moment, with sweat accentuating his explosive muscles, he exuded a masculine allure.

Why was this scoundrel so well-built? Even the champion of a bodybuilding contest would pale in comparison!

Xue Tian’ai noticed Qin Mengxue emerging from his room, squinted, set aside his drink, and grinned mischievously.

“Wife, what are you doing in my room so early? Have you finally come around to launching a morning ambush?”

“Who… who would ambush you? You pervert!” Qin Mengxue snapped herself out of her daze, cheeks burning as she realized she’d been staring at his muscles.

The thought that she’d been so mesmerized made her face flush even hotter.

“Oh, so that’s it? I thought you wanted to continue last night’s activities,” Xue Tian’ai nodded with feigned enlightenment, his eyes roaming over her.

Xue Tian’ai was also struck by her beauty. Qin Mengxue wore loose, pure white pajamas, but they could not conceal her figure. Combined with her blushing cheeks and evasive gaze, she was temptingly beautiful.

“…!” Teased like this, Qin Mengxue’s face grew even redder, but she quickly steadied herself and asked, more seriously, “Where did you sleep last night?”

“Where? At home, of course. What kind of question is that?” Xue Tian’ai was momentarily baffled.

“Then why are you coming in from outside?”

“I went out to exercise. Can’t you see I’m drenched in sweat? My dear lady, you’re the president of Menghua Group—how can you not notice something so simple?”

“Hmph… I… Of course I can see it, I just wanted to check if you were telling the truth!” Qin Mengxue replied, a bit flustered.

“Oh? Is that so?” Xue Tian’ai stepped closer, smiling wickedly.

“Of course… And you smell! Don’t come near me!” Unable to bear his teasing grin and playful tone, Qin Mengxue longed for an escape, shoved him aside, and darted back to her own room.

Watching her retreat, Xue Tian’ai shook his head with a smile, then entered his bathroom to shower away the sweat of morning exercise.

“Scoundrel! Rogue! Always making me look foolish!” Qin Mengxue, furious and embarrassed, flung the pillows and quilt about her bed, then buried her blushing face in the soft mattress.

Half an hour later, Qin Mengxue finally showered, calmed herself, applied a light touch of makeup, dressed, and stepped out of her room.

Xue Tian’ai seemed ready as well, dressed in casual sportswear and waiting for her on the sofa downstairs.

“Let’s go. It’s time for work.” Qin Mengxue glanced at him, then headed straight for the door.

“Wife, wait a moment.” Xue Tian’ai stood up as she was about to leave.

“Hm? What is it?” Surprised, Qin Mengxue paused and turned to him, puzzled.

Xue Tian’ai pointed toward the dining room and smiled. “We still have time—let’s have breakfast before we leave.”

“Uh… Eh?” Qin Mengxue was momentarily confused. Breakfast? What breakfast?

“Eh what? Come, let’s eat breakfast first.” Xue Tian’ai walked over, nudged her toward the kitchen.

“But I never eat breakfast!”

“That’s exactly what I need to correct. Your secretary, Yu Xiaoxiao, told me yesterday that you usually skip breakfast and just drink coffee. That’s terrible for your stomach!” Xue Tian’ai lectured her in the tone of a model husband, persistent and earnest.

He guided Qin Mengxue to the dining table, seating her firmly before it.

When she saw the steaming cup of coffee milk and the breakfast sandwich, she couldn’t help but swallow.

“Did you make these?” Qin Mengxue asked, pointing to the food.

“Of course. Breakfast made by the young master himself—now eat up,” Xue Tian’ai boasted, thumping his chest.

Qin Mengxue nodded, picked up the coffee milk, and took a sip. Warmth flowed into her mouth—a hint of coffee’s bitterness mingling with the fragrance of milk. With a gentle swallow, the warmth slid down her throat and spread from her stomach outward, enveloping her whole body in comfort. She took a bite of the sandwich and froze.

The chicken was perfectly grilled, juicy and tender, with tomato juice blending beautifully on her palate.

Not only could this scoundrel cook delicious Chinese dinners, he could prepare Western breakfasts just as flawlessly!

Qin Mengxue’s eyes sparkled as she ate bite after bite, pausing only to sip coffee milk when she felt a bit choked.

Xue Tian’ai, meanwhile, rested his chin in his hands, watching her eat in silence, feeling ripples stir within him.

Once, he too had known such happiness—lighthearted and joyful. Once, he had watched another girl eat, just like this.

But back then, he lacked strength, had no means, no way to protect that happiness amidst the flames.

All he could do was curl up in a corner, pressing the girl’s eyes shut, watching helplessly as those people—those bastards…

Gradually, Qin Mengxue’s image blurred in Xue Tian’ai’s eyes, mist rising to his lashes.

When Qin Mengxue finished the last sip of coffee, ate the final bite of her sandwich, and looked up in satisfaction, she was startled to see Xue Tian’ai’s eyes reddened, his face clouded with sorrow, a few clear tears tracing the contours of his handsome face, glimmering in the morning sun.

Qin Mengxue’s heart skipped a beat. She had never seen Xue Tian’ai like this before.

He’d always seemed a carefree, shameless rogue—how could he make such an expression?

“Hey, Xue Tian’ai, what’s wrong?” Qin Mengxue asked, feeling an inexplicable tug at her heart.

Xue Tian’ai snapped out of his reverie at her call.

What was happening to him? Why had he lost control of his emotions since arriving in Huaxia? Last night, too, drinking with Gan Bingning, he’d felt the same.

Whether as Phantom Butterfly or Sirius, if he couldn’t control his own emotions, what was the point?

“Xue Tian’ai, what’s going on? Why are you crying?” Qin Mengxue pressed, seeing his silence.

Xue Tian’ai quickly composed himself, but his face remained pitiful as he spoke, “Wife, you didn’t leave me any breakfast at all. I’m so sad!”

Qin Mengxue’s mouth twitched uncontrollably at his words.