Chapter 62: At Cao Xiaomin’s Home

When He Tian finally stepped out of Wang Xinrou’s room, it was already two in the morning.

The broken door still lay across the floor, but Lan Ji had already hung a curtain in its place. It barely managed to shield Wang Xinrou's room from view.

After hours of heartfelt persuasion, He Tian had exhausted every ounce of his eloquence. Only then did he finally untangle the knot in Wang Xinrou’s heart.

Yet, watching her as she slept, the pain would still flicker across her face from time to time, and He Tian’s own heart ached for her.

No matter what, this news had dealt Wang Xinrou an overwhelming blow.

At the same time, He Tian now truly understood how much Dragon Fang, her father, meant to Wang Xinrou—his place and weight in her heart.

“How is she?” He Tian came downstairs to find Wang Xinmeng, Old Hu, and Lan Ji all still awake, waiting for him.

Seeing him, Wang Xinmeng’s face was etched with worry.

“It’s nothing serious now. Her feelings found release, and she understands everything. But it will take some time for the wound to heal,” He Tian said with a gentle smile. “However, given Xinrou’s character, she won’t let you see her inner scars healing. Tomorrow, you’ll see the same familiar Wang Xinrou you’ve always known.”

“Thank heavens!” Wang Xinmeng said, her face full of remorse. “Seems telling her everything was a mistake in itself.”

“I wouldn’t say that… She would have found out sooner or later, and she had a right to know. It’s better to endure brief pain now than endless suffering later. If you hadn’t told her, she would have kept guessing and imagining things, which would have been even more painful,” He Tian said, waving his hand so Wang Xinmeng wouldn’t blame herself.

Still, Wang Xinmeng did not look relieved. Instead, she asked, “Are you sure she’s really all right?”

“Don’t worry, she won’t do anything foolish,” He Tian assured her.

Seeing the sincerity in He Tian’s eyes, Wang Xinmeng finally seemed to gain some confidence and sat down.

“All right, tomorrow—well, it’s already today!” He Tian chuckled, glancing at Lan Ji. “Lan Ji, stay with Xinrou and keep her safe. I’m guessing she’ll want to check out the commercial shoot. I have a dinner to attend tonight, so make sure Xinrou is well prepared. Also, Xinmeng, move the family tomorrow. A change of environment will do Wang Xinrou good.”

“I understand, I’ll get it arranged,” Wang Xinmeng replied with a nod.

———

“I didn’t expect you to be so good not only in print ads, but also on television! I’m genuinely impressed,” in the moving business van, Cao Xiaomin glanced at He Tian, now in his He Long persona, and smiled playfully.

“I didn’t do much. I just followed the director’s instructions. I know you’re always busy, so I tried my best to save you time,” He Tian replied with a grin.

“You’re really something, aren’t you?” Cao Xiaomin laughed.

The driver was startled by Cao Xiaomin’s demeanor—she was notoriously known throughout the company as the cold-faced “Iron Lady.” It was rare, if ever, to see her laugh.

Now, watching her so cheerful, how could he not be surprised? Secretly, he thought, clearly good looks really do have their advantages. He couldn’t help but speculate further—maybe He Long and Cao Xiaomin shared some unspoken secret. Everyone said Cao Xiaomin was single and led a clean life, but was that really true? If it was, then He Long was certainly in luck.

Of course, neither He Tian nor Cao Xiaomin knew what the driver was imagining as he drove them.

Still, Cao Xiaomin was genuinely in high spirits.

He Tian could tell that at heart, Cao Xiaomin was lively and bold, with a hint of fiery spirit. Her ice-cold persona in front of the company staff was just a managerial necessity—it didn’t reflect her true self.

But He Tian couldn’t be sure why Cao Xiaomin seemed so interested in him. Was it because she had seen him naked the day before and his impressive physique had caught her attention? Or was it his talent during the shoot that piqued her curiosity? Or maybe it was simply the allure of a handsome man…

Whatever the reason, her enthusiasm was unmistakable.

“To celebrate the successful shoot, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight. What do you say?” Cao Xiaomin looked at He Tian with a beaming smile.

“I couldn’t ask for more!” He Tian had no reason to refuse.

Now, he was in the role of He Long. After deciding to let go of his inhibitions and crossing a certain threshold in his heart, He Tian’s innate nature had been unleashed, burning brighter than ever.

In short, this new identity allowed him to be completely at ease. He even mused, if Cao Xiaomin really did try to take him by force, perhaps he’d just pretend to resist a little before giving in.

“Stop the car. You go back to the office and tell Director Shi I’m treating our hero to dinner,” Cao Xiaomin instructed the driver, her tone cold and stern.

The driver dared not protest. As soon as Cao Xiaomin and He Tian got out, he sped off toward the company.

“Are you always like this with your staff?” He Tian asked with a smile.

“Everyone has their own management style. My way is to make sure everyone’s a little afraid of me. It makes things run very smoothly,” Cao Xiaomin replied, cheerful again.

“So, what are we eating and where?” He Tian asked, smiling.

“How about I show you my cooking skills?” Cao Xiaomin winked at He Tian.

“You can cook? Now that’s a treat for me!” He Tian was delighted, though inwardly he wondered—had he guessed right? Did Cao Xiaomin really want to seduce him?

Should he resist, surrender, or just take the initiative?

He Tian was conflicted.

“As long as you don’t mind if it doesn’t taste great,” Cao Xiaomin replied with a mischievous smile.

She flagged down a taxi, and the two of them headed straight to her apartment.

“Nice place you have here!” He Tian said, a bit surprised when they arrived.

Cao Xiaomin lived in a studio apartment, less than eighty square meters, with just a master bedroom, a study, a modest living room, kitchen, and bathroom.

Given her position, status, and wealth, she could easily have lived in a villa. This was unexpected.

“It’s just a little nest. Make yourself comfortable, I’ll get started on dinner,” Cao Xiaomin said, inviting He Tian to sit down as she tied on an apron and transformed into the picture of a homemaker, busying herself in the kitchen.

He Tian watched her, laughing softly—he’d never expected this side of her.

After all, Cao Xiaomin was an elite among elites, second only to Wang Xinmeng—highly ranked and powerful—yet she still had this domestic side. It made He Tian see her in a new light.

Still, he thought to himself, “Isn’t this moving a bit too fast? Oh well, if I have to suffer a little loss, so be it… Giving up my pure body to such a beauty isn’t the worst fate.”

Soon, Cao Xiaomin brought out four dishes and a soup—all Shandong cuisine.

“Are you from Shandong, Cao?” He Tian asked with a grin. “Just looking at this makes me hungry!”

“I’m from Qingdao! Dig in… Oh, I’ll get some wine. White, beer, or red?”

“Whatever you like. I’m your guest, after all.”

“Let’s have some white wine, then.” She poured the drinks herself.

“I never would have guessed—you’re a true heroine!” He Tian gave her a thumbs-up.

“Heroine? It’s all just business—no choice but to be tough,” Cao Xiaomin replied with a slight smile, filling his glass.

“Cheers!” she said, raising her glass.

“Cao, let’s go easy, that glass is at least two shots! You’re not trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me, are you?” He Tian joked, but when he saw Cao Xiaomin down the entire glass in one gulp, he had no choice but to do the same.

“What, scared?” she teased, her cheeks flushed from the wine, making her all the more alluring.

“Me, scared? If a delicate beauty like you isn’t afraid, how could I be?” He Tian replied with a laugh.

“Good! Come on, another!” Cao Xiaomin downed another glass.

This time, He Tian hesitated.

“What’s wrong? Looking down on me?” she teased.

“It’s not that. I was just waiting for you to seduce me! But I guess that’s not it—Cao, if you have something to say, just say it. I can take it,” He Tian replied, realizing he’d guessed wrong. Cao Xiaomin had another purpose, not to take advantage of him.

Cao Xiaomin set her glass down, looked at He Tian, and sighed. “I know Xinrou signed you to a thirty-million-a-year top contract, and you must have received part of it already. I want to borrow some money from you… I know we’ve only just met and aren’t close, and this is very abrupt. But I truly have no other way.”

“Borrow money? You must be joking,” He Tian said, astounded. He’d imagined all sorts of reasons for her invitation, but not this.

“It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?” Cao Xiaomin’s smile was self-deprecating. She poured herself another drink and downed it.

He Tian finally understood—she’d been drinking so fiercely to give herself courage.

“It really is hard to believe! But if you need money, why not ask Sister Wang, or Shi, or Zhu?” He Tian was genuinely puzzled.

“I have no face left to ask them,” Cao Xiaomin replied, her face clouded with pain and anger.

He Tian was even more confused.

“What’s going on, Cao? Tell me.” Strictly speaking, it was none of He Tian’s business, but seeing her like this, how could he ignore her—especially when she was such a beauty?