Chapter 71: Let Me Lean on Your Shoulder for a Moment

“Sister Cao, you can’t say that! If you’re considered past your prime, how are other women supposed to survive?” He Tian stared, his eyes wide in shock and disbelief.

Cao Xiaomin burst into laughter.

Every woman loves to hear words of praise, especially when they come from a man she has feelings for. That makes the compliment all the sweeter.

Right now, that’s exactly how Cao Xiaomin felt.

“Tell me then, compared to Xinmeng, Rongrong, and Liman, who do you think is more beautiful?” Cao Xiaomin asked with a gentle smile.

“Sister Cao, isn’t this an impossible question for me? If I say you’re the most beautiful, you’ll be happy, but you’ll think I’m not being sincere, since Sister Wang, Sister Shi, and Sister Zhu are all stunning and just as beautiful as you. If I say you’re all equally beautiful, I’ll be honest, but you won’t be pleased,” He Tian spread his hands helplessly. “You’re really putting me in a tough spot.”

“Tough spot? You’ve already given me the answer,” Cao Xiaomin laughed, charmed by He Tian’s clever response.

“Did I answer? My answer is that you, Sister Cao, are the most beautiful, the most unique, the one who makes my heart beat fastest.” He Tian’s face grew serious, his gaze steady and intense as he looked at Cao Xiaomin, his eyes like sharp swords piercing straight into her soul.

Cao Xiaomin was not a young girl. She was a woman of the world, a truly sophisticated and mature lady.

Yet, at this moment, some instinctive defense within her collapsed in an instant—so involuntary, so complete. A wave of worry and fear swept through her, but mingled with a thread of anticipation and excitement, as if an electric current passed through her body, leaving her tingling and lightheaded.

“I’m tired... Can I borrow your shoulder for a moment?” Cao Xiaomin lowered her head slightly, her voice soft.

“No problem... This is your safest haven,” He Tian patted his arm, speaking with gentlemanly assurance.

Cao Xiaomin rested her head on He Tian’s shoulder.

Inevitably, she leaned her whole body against him.

All she needed was an excuse.

But in that moment, nestled in He Tian’s arms, Cao Xiaomin felt a peace she had never known before—

Like a wanderer finally finding a harbor.

Cao Xiaomin was surprised at her own reaction.

She had only known He Tian for less than forty-eight hours, yet she already felt this way about him? The more she thought, the more incredulous it seemed.

But the feeling was undeniable, and she couldn’t fight it.

He Tian’s handsome appearance was impossible for any woman to ignore, and the “credentials” that Liman’s personal designer had seen in him as a man... Especially after she had reached her lowest point, desperate and helpless, and boldly asked He Tian for money...

His actions following that request were more striking than his looks.

Just as now, her heart had melted completely into He Tian’s gaze in a single moment.

Cao Xiaomin had to admit, she had hopelessly fallen in love with He Tian.

She could even sense the stirring deep within her heart—a sign that emotions pent up for more than twenty years were about to erupt.

Still, Cao Xiaomin was worried.

Worried that He Tian might think her feelings were only a result of his help.

She didn’t want him to think that.

So she tried hard to suppress her emotions, needing to calm herself and think about her true feelings after all this was over. If she still felt the same, she would be prepared to throw herself into He Tian’s arms without hesitation.

There was no doubt that Cao Xiaomin was a rational person.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought Mengrou Fashion Group to its current scale, nor become the executive vice president.

But when such people, after much rational deliberation, finally let their emotions take over, the enthusiasm and passion they unleash is intense and powerful.

While these thoughts churned in Cao Xiaomin’s mind, the sense of security she felt in He Tian’s embrace soothed her worries about her brother. Gradually, exhaustion took over, and she drifted into sleep...

She was truly spent.

Ever since she received her brother’s message, she had been tormented every moment...

First, weighing whether to borrow money from Xinmeng, Yongrong, and Liman, then making the decision to ask He Tian, preparing herself for any sacrifice, and finally the anxious wait after He Tian agreed—right up to boarding the plane.

Every moment, her heart was in turmoil.

But now...

Cao Xiaomin could finally relax.

Nestled in He Tian’s arms, she felt as if this was her entire world.

Here, all worries could be dissolved.

With her mind at ease, sleep came naturally.

He Tian looked at the sleeping Cao Xiaomin, a faint smile on his lips...

Even though He Tian was now living as He Long, it was only a change of appearance.

His heart was still He Tian’s.

The idea that a new identity could fundamentally change him was, at its core, just self-deception.

Just as Cao Xiaomin melted into his arms, it was a powerful moment for He Tian as well.

He Tian was no stranger to female admiration.

In fact, he had received far too much of it...

But the affection from women like Lan Ji was always forceful.

If women are water, their love was frozen water—heavy, hard.

But Cao Xiaomin was different.

Right now, she was the gentlest of waters.

No matter how tough she could be elsewhere, now she was soft as water.

And as He Tian broke free of inner restraints, letting go of his caution, this was the first time he saw such a result.

It stirred him deeply.

He Tian’s attitude was changing without him realizing it...

Having left behind a life of constant danger, always on the edge of death, his heart was slowly evolving.

This change felt novel to him—like a curious child wanting to explore further.

He gently stroked Cao Xiaomin’s hair, breathing in its delicate fragrance.

He Tian closed his eyes, as if intoxicated...

The plane landed at Qingdao Airport.

He Tian and the now-awake Cao Xiaomin left the terminal together.

Darkness still shrouded the earth.

It was only four in the morning.

At this time of year, autumn had arrived but winter’s touch had not yet descended. Four in the morning was the darkest hour before dawn.

Cao Xiaomin naturally took He Tian’s arm.

He Tian smiled and chatted with her as they walked out of the airport.

A white van pulled up silently in front of them.

The window rolled down, and a man in his mid-twenties with dyed blond hair revealed his face.

“Mr. He? Miss Cao?”

“That’s us.” He Tian nodded, wasting no words as he led Cao Xiaomin into the van.

Cao Xiaomin was a little nervous—more than a little frightened.

She was, by any measure, a successful woman, but her experience was rooted in the legitimate world. No matter how cutthroat the business world seemed, it was only a resemblance. She had never truly encountered its darker side...

Her anxiety was entirely natural.

He Tian gently patted her hand, drawing it into his own and squeezing it tightly.

Cao Xiaomin looked at He Tian, felt the warmth of his palm, and relaxed almost instantly. Her tension vanished in a heartbeat.

“Drive,” He Tian said to the driver.

“Mr. He, Miss Cao, aren’t you forgetting something? The money?” the blond driver said coldly.

“Twenty-three million, brother. Have you ever seen that much cash? Do you know how big a pile that is? Carrying it isn’t just inconvenient—it’s unsafe!” He Tian leaned toward the driver and smiled. “Bank cards are easier, transfers are even easier... Unless you’re worried about leaving a trail?”

“Cut the nonsense...” The driver gave He Tian a cold look, stepped on the gas, and the van sped off.

He Tian leaned back, holding Cao Xiaomin’s hand.

Then he reached out, pulling her into his arms.

Cao Xiaomin stiffened for a moment, but ultimately surrendered, nestling against him.

She felt her face grow hot, her heart racing...

Yet she loved every moment.

He Tian’s initiative brought a wave of sweetness.

Women are truly complex creatures—their inner world is endlessly rich.

He Tian wasn’t trying to seize this chance to win her over.

He was only putting on a show for the blond driver.

After all, if he treated Cao Xiaomin with polite distance while bringing so much money to help her, it would raise suspicion.

He Tian wanted to avoid any accidents.

Especially since Cao Xiaomin’s brother was still in the hands of the other party.

Money could avert disaster...

As long as Cao Xiaomin was safe, twenty-three million was nothing...

He Tian, having recently made a substantial profit, had the means.

Of course, even if he wasn’t intentional, he noticed every reaction from Cao Xiaomin.

A faint smile crept onto He Tian’s lips.

The blond driver glared at He Tian in the rearview mirror with jealousy.

He was filled with envy and resentment.

Both were men—how could the difference be so vast?