Can following the rules be called rebirth?

Chapter 273, Section 271: A Swelling of the Chest, Clouds Rising

Having just finished exercising, Shen Yunrong was covered in sweat. Of course, she only took a simple shower and did not immerse herself in the jacuzzi.

The sound of water still emanated from the bathroom inside, and the graceful shadows of the woman moved swaying gently.

Zhou Mingyuan even stopped and watched with great interest for a while.

Despite her always dignified appearance, Ms. Shen actually possesses a wonderfully plump and curvaceous figure.

Even through the frosted glass, you can see a magnificent view.

It stands tall in front, forming a bright white curve.

After it becomes plump and full, it appears even more alluring under this hazy veil.

The man gently pushed open the bathroom door.

Vast expanses of white skin seemed to melt into a misty haze of steam.

Shen Yunrong wasn't even wearing a wig today; her hair was soaked through and fell across her cheeks, making her skin appear even more pristine in the mist.

The collarbone, neck, thighs, and pelvis—all the necessary protrusions beautifully present a sense of nature and harmony.

The most beautiful scenery in the world is right here.

Of course, there is an old saying that practice makes perfect.

But when Shen Yunrong saw him come in, she froze on the spot, never expecting him to be so shameless, and subconsciously made a gesture to cover herself.

But it only lasted for a few seconds.

What are you doing?!

"Get out of here!!!"

The whimpering was also dispelled by the sound of water, and the man immediately responded with one of the four classic Chinese proverbs.

"Since we're already here..."

Zhou Mingyuan's skin was thicker than a brick wall; he leaned in with a wide smile.

Without hesitation, he reached out and grabbed her hand, then wrapped his other arm around Shen Yunrong's waist and kissed her.

"."

It was as if he had wrapped Shen Yunrong's entire body in his arms, leaving her in a disheveled, outstretched position.

boom!
With a sudden sound, this plump and beautiful older sister was bumped into the frosted glass wall on the side of the bathroom.

Water splashed everywhere, leaving a small red mark on her smooth skin. Shen Yunrong even felt a slight pain, her brows furrowed, and she let out an unexpected whimper.

It's a bit like anger, a bit like begging for mercy, and a bit like surrender.
It also feels a bit like an invitation.

The water from the shower head continued to flow.

The rain lashed down on the two of them, face to face, seemingly merging into one in the mist.

Although their night run was very short, it was difficult to determine who was better at running.

However, in this little confrontation in the bathroom, it was Shen Yunrong who was the first to collapse to the point of almost losing consciousness.

Only after the man dried the other's body and they each wrapped up their towels did they leave the room, enveloped in a misty haze.

Zhou Mingyuan sat on the sofa in the bedroom, took out a bottle of sparkling water from the freezer, poured two glasses, and handed them to the increasingly voluptuous and charming beauty wrapped in a bath towel.

But Shen Yunrong beside her no longer cared.

Her eyes were smiling, and her face was radiant with happiness.

She gulped down half a glass of sparkling water in one go, loosened her bath towel, and, in front of him, rustled and swayed as if it were an ordinary yet slightly erotic performance, put on her clothes one by one.

A small, dark purple triangle of fabric peeked through a pair of pink, rounded thighs.

The same pure cotton bra, although without any lace or openwork decorations, is a testament to its size by wearing a pair of large D-cups on the back.

What more decorations are needed to enhance its appearance?

Then, she simply got up, folded the yoga pants neatly, and called the front desk to request that they be washed immediately.

I changed into the disposable bathrobe provided by the hotel, and tied my still-dry hair into a ponytail with dewdrops on it.

Just then, another elegant and beautiful young woman, in the prime of her life, appeared before him.

However, once dressed, Shen Yunrong naturally appeared much more shy.

But she still obediently came over and let Zhou Mingyuan hug her, moving her up and down through her clothes for a while.

Such post-coital cuddling is, of course, also very intoxicating.

But more than anything, he showed gentle approval of his older sister's body.

"Oh, right, Rongrong."

While sipping his sparkling water, Zhou Mingyuan pulled out a small, unbranded black velvet envelope from some pocket.

Its size is even smaller than a typical jewelry box, giving it an understated yet mysterious look.

"A little gift for you."

The man's tone was calm and natural, as if he were simply handing over a note rather than a gift.

Merry Christmas!

"what?"

With anticipation and curiosity, Shen Yunrong took the light, almost weightless bag, feeling a delicate touch on her fingertips.

Pulling aside the delicate velvet cord, what slid out was neither jewelry nor any kind of key or card.

It was a single sheet.
Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be an extremely thin metal composite plate.

Or rather, it's a card with a metallic feel and weight.

Its entire body is a serene silver, with the edges outlined by an almost imperceptible shimmer, inlaid with extremely fine rose gold lines.

In the center of the card, there is no logo or ostentatious pattern, only a line of foreign script characters engraved with laser micro-engraving technology.

La Clairière is incomprehensible.

Below is a more slender and unique member code, ending with the initials SYR, highlighting a unique and exclusive feel.

There was no address, no phone number, and no lengthy terms and conditions.

Extreme simplicity often implies extreme exclusivity and arrogant self-confidence.

What is this?

It lay quietly in Shen Yunrong's palm, completely unlike any Christmas gift she had ever imagined.

She looked up at Zhou Mingyuan, her eyes filled with curiosity.

It wasn't flowers, perfume, or any typical holiday gift.

The gift was too abstract and beyond her usual understanding.

Zhou Mingyuan seemed to appreciate her confusion at that moment.

He didn't answer immediately, but instead strolled back to the coffee table, poured himself another glass of water, and then spoke slowly and deliberately.

"I heard you mention something the other day, that you've been working overtime late into the night to process data, and your skin is a bit unstable, easily sensitive, and it's tiring to put on makeup."

The man smiled and pointed to the small card in Shen Yunrong's hand.

"You probably go to those same treatments at regular beauty salons occasionally, so they certainly wouldn't give them to you as a small gift."

He gently swirled the sparkling water, and a beautiful arc appeared on the glass.

"This organization called La Clairière is quite interesting."

"The owner is Korean. He used to only accept long-term appointments from minor celebrities in the industry, and he provided skin care for people who needed to maintain their stage presence year-round."

"It just so happens that the only store in the Central China region is in Jiangcheng."

"."

Shen Yunrong's eyes widened, and she vaguely guessed what it was.

"They don't advertise, they don't have a public storefront, they operate on an appointment basis, and they only serve one member at a time."

"The philosophy is very radical, opposing all excessive and invasive methods. The main focus is on precise monitoring and cellular-level stability maintenance."

Zhou Mingyuan continued, using two very technical terms.

"It is said that this store has a scanning system independently developed by a foreign laboratory that can quantify the microcirculation, moisture distribution, and even the condition of the dermis in your skin into data."

"Then, their nurses will use those laboratory-grade vials of serum to create a customized treatment for you on the spot, just like mixing chemical reagents, based on your real-time data for the day."

"The purpose is..."

Zhou Mingyuan cleared his throat, considering his words.

"It's not about making you look 18 again overnight, but about keeping your skin condition consistently at its optimal level."

"It looks like you've been sleeping eight hours a day for six months straight, in a good mood, eating a balanced diet, and have never experienced any hardship."

"Really?"

Shen Yunrong couldn't help but raise her voice.

As long as you're female, there's no one who isn't interested in beauty and skincare to become more beautiful.

Especially after the age of 25, it becomes an essential need.

"Really."

Zhou Mingyuan spread his hands: "Although time never defeats beauty, sometimes the best and most effective skin care can extend the years indefinitely."

A master is a master.

He had a different way of dealing with each girl.

In front of Shen Yunrong, he would never say things like, "I hope you stay young and beautiful forever." Such sweet talk is, in fact, meaningless.

Making grand promises at work is enough; in private, we should be more down-to-earth and romantic.

This is how you can maximize your emotional fluctuations.

Just by looking at the appearance of this card, you can tell it's quite valuable.

However, its value is not limited to the expensive annual fee, but also lies in the scarce access qualification it represents.

And the technological barriers behind it.

Every detail is designed in a high-end and elegant way to provide girls with beauty solutions.

Here, take it and try it out.

"Although it can't compare to a face transplant at a medical aesthetic clinic, they did promise me that they would guarantee to adjust my skin to its best condition."

After the words were spoken, a strange silence fell over the room. The distant neon lights outside the window still shone on the horizon.

"."

This is really good stuff.

Shen Yunrong held the card and bit her lip almost imperceptibly.

It is light, yet feels incredibly heavy.

For a moment, Shen Yunrong was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

He's so thoughtful?
They even noticed a casual remark she made and provided a solution that was practically perfect and impeccable.

The rarity and sophistication of this gift are enough to move any woman.

He even has resources in beauty salons?

But thinking about it, it makes sense.
With its million-follower-level livestreamers, Jieyou Media's dealings with these businesses are a natural progression.

After spending a lot of time with Zhou Mingyuan, my initial amazement gradually turned into a sense of normalcy.

Perhaps that's how wealthy people are; they always have access to lifestyles and resources that ordinary people can't even imagine, and they can easily connect with others.

He actually...
He can actually see his own anxiety?
After a thousand emotions intertwined, the final result was that the man had precisely struck a chord with the anxiety deep within her heart.

That feeling about being twenty-eight, about the golden age, about one's irretrievable bloom.

He wrapped up everything she cared about in the most considerate way.

"Thanks."

"I didn't expect to receive a Christmas present."

Thank you so much!

"I love so much."

Shen Yunrong narrowed her eyes, her cheeks still flushed with the afterglow of the previous encounter.

Her clothes were already quite neat, but she clung to Zhou Mingyuan's arms, reluctant to leave, still like a little kitten.

"This is an annual pass, so you don't need to worry about the balance or the number of passes. As long as you feel that your skin needs adjustment, you can go without worry."

Zhou Mingyuan added with a smile.

"Yeah, I've been pretty busy lately. I won't be free for Christmas and New Year's Day. Maybe the weekend after next will be the only time I'll be free."

"Maybe not even the weekend after next."

Shen Yunrong blinked and counted the time on her fingers.

"what?"

Zhou Mingyuan didn't quite understand what the other person meant, but couldn't help but make a teasing remark.

Why are you reporting your itinerary to me?

"You can come anytime you're free."

"Oh~"

Shen Yunrong drew out her voice.

"correct."

The man seemed to remember something and turned his head to ask.

How did you do on the national civil service exam?

"I ranked third in the written test and made it to the interview stage."

Shen Yunrong slightly raised her chin, and couldn't help but become serious when talking about her future plans.

"Well, I didn't have high expectations. I just signed up casually to take the test, but I didn't expect to actually get an interview."

"So, what are your plans for the future? To study hard?"

Zhou Mingyuan was indeed a little confused when he heard her seem to want to say something but hesitated.

"Not ready yet."

Shen Yunrong smiled awkwardly, her voice becoming soft and sweet.

"I'm a bit conflicted right now."

"What are you struggling with?"

Zhou Mingyuan still couldn't understand.

"Should I work hard to prepare for the exam and return to the system as a civil servant, or should I completely let go of everything I used to care about, not be bound by the old rules, and enjoy a free and happy life?"

"."

Shen Yunrong simply lowered her head, as if talking to herself.

"Yes, actually, I've thought about and learned a lot during this period, including at work."

"For example, data-driven approaches, efficiency-first work methods, and..."

"Thank you for all of this."

Shen Yunrong pursed her lips, then leaned in again and gave him a soft "pop" kiss on the cheek.

"Since we've come this far..."

"I also have something important to discuss with you."

Zhou Mingyuan sat up and met Shen Yunrong's eyes.

"Ok?"

"If you choose to stay with Jieyou Media, I plan to make you the operations director."

"."

"Salary is negotiable, but it will definitely be more than a fraction of the market rate, starting at 20,000."

"Twenty thousand?"

Shen Yunrong was taken aback, and her expression began to change.

“In many people’s eyes, a civil servant’s salary of 4,000 is roughly equivalent to 20,000 in a private company. Of course, I will offer you a competitive salary.”

Zhou Mingyuan smiled and brought out that classic salary comparison from later generations to make a joke.

"How can you even compare them?"

Shen Yunrong frowned, completely baffled.

"So you want me to keep working at the company?"

"Yes, but not entirely."

Zhou Mingyuan shrugged, his expression indifferent.

"."

Faced with his ambiguous response, Shen Yunrong did not reply.

"Rongrong, I want to be more clear with you about what's on my mind."

"Well, I think whether it's studying hard to become a civil servant or working at Jieyou Media, my advice is selfless."

"You said."

Shen Yunrong bent her legs, rested her chin between her knees, and gently hugged herself.

"So, which department did you apply to again?"

The man continued to ask.

"Jiangcheng Municipal Government Office"

“What a great place. You see, having worked within the system, you know better than I what the value of this place is and how promising its prospects are.”

"."

"You're currently ranked third, and there's only one person needed for this position, right?"

"Yes."

Shen Yunrong nodded in affirmation.

"Whether you can participate or not is uncertain, but you're currently experiencing internal conflict and indecision."

"If you're preparing for the exam, you might have less energy to focus on your work. You won't have time to work overtime or think, and the harmonious relationships you've just built with your colleagues might go to waste."

"."

"Actually, this is already quite remarkable. I mean it, and I'm not just flattering you. The provincial government doesn't recruit people directly. For places like this run by the Jiangcheng municipal government, only the most outstanding talents from the surrounding provinces can pass the exam."

"."

"But you also need to think clearly about what you really want."

"."

Shen Yunrong remained silent for a while before forcing a smile, "Okay, I understand what you mean."

"Rongrong, you don't need to feel guilty. I said the decision is definitely yours."

"As long as you decide to prepare for the exam, it doesn't matter whether the company comes or not."

Shen Yunrong rubbed her stiff cheeks: "I know, I will seriously consider it."

Does he really want to stay?

The girl seemed a little unwilling. She pursed her lips, forced a smile, and said softly.

"What if I'd rather ask for your opinion?"

"."

Zhou Mingyuan was taken aback; he hadn't expected Shen Yunrong to have already learned to turn the tables on him.

He was smiling and about to speak when Shen Yunrong, seemingly in a fit of pique and with a touch of sadness, uttered an even more absurd remark.

"For you, is it better to take a step back and become a junior clerk in the government office, or to stay and work as your female subordinate, Shen Yunrong, at Jieyou Media?"

"Which identity do you find more enjoyable to sleep in?"

Perhaps it was because the crescent moon had just passed through the clouds.

The light filtered through the gaps in the villa's curtains, casting a shadow on Shen Yunrong's delicate features.

(End of this chapter)