Chapter 38: Having Fun, Are You?

A lone seagull swept across the horizon as the brilliant sunlight danced upon the waves, weaving a scene of serene and breathtaking beauty.

How could she have let herself fear such a magnificent sight for so long? Because of the accident ten years ago, she had missed out on so much splendor.

Leaning against the railing and gazing at the shimmering sea, she felt a surge of joy, yet tears spilled uncontrollably from her eyes. The ocean was the final resting place of her parents; they were there to watch over her. How could she have been so afraid of the sea? She had lived in terror for a decade, not even daring to come and pay her respects.

Behind her, Nalan Che stood silently. Watching her stand tall and bravely face the ocean she had feared for ten years, a gratified smile touched his lips. The little girl from a decade ago had finally grown up.

He walked over slowly and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

She turned and buried her face in his chest, letting her tears soak his shirt. His large hand stroked her back with tenderness, and his deep, resonant voice carried a hypnotic power as he coaxed her, "Go ahead, cry to your heart’s content."

The suppressed tears and pain of ten years were finally breaking free. It was time. He would no longer let her live such a difficult life; he wanted her to be happy—truly, deeply, and genuinely happy.

This man, he had planned this all along.

She didn't want to show weakness in front of him, but in this moment, she could not control the tide of emotions sweeping over her. She cried—loudly, heart-wrenchingly, earth-shatteringly. It was as if she were making up for centuries of unshed tears, finally letting it all out in one cathartic release.

Nalan Che’s brows furrowed so tightly they could have crushed a fly. He had intended to let her cry, but was it really necessary to be so dramatic? He worried that she would strain her voice or damage her eyes from all the weeping.

He patted her back and said with a touch of anxiety, "Tong Xiaoman, that’s enough. Stop crying."

Tong Xiaoman clung to his waist, her head pressed firmly against his chest, continuing to sob as if she hadn't heard a word.

Nalan Che’s concern deepened. "Tong Xiaoman, if you keep this up, you’re going to cause a flood. Stop it. I said no more crying."

His tone grew authoritative, but it had no effect; if anything, it only made her cry louder. He was forced to soften his voice. "Alright, if you still want to cry, why don't you take a break and continue later?"

*Continue later?*

Tong Xiaoman, who had originally intended to defy him, couldn't help but burst into a giggle at his words.

Nalan Che immediately took her chin in his hand and lifted her face, only to realize that the tears on her cheeks had long since dried. This little girl had been playing with him.

His expression darkened, and he narrowed his eyes with a dangerous glint, staring at her intensely as he gritted out, "Do you find this amusing?"

"I do. Being able to make the CEO of the Disha Group worry about me—that feeling is truly wonderful," Tong Xiaoman blinked, looking smug and blissfully unaware of the trouble she was courting.

He had spent the better part of the day worrying about her, and yet she…

It was the first time Nalan Che had ever been toyed with like this, but strangely, he wasn't angry. No matter how fierce he tried to look on the outside, there wasn't a spark of genuine irritation in his heart.

Suddenly, he lowered his head. Since he had no other way to handle her, he sealed her lips with his own, kissing her with a forceful, overbearing intensity that left her unable to utter another smug word.