Kyoto Night Kiss

Qu Yun hadn't used the unfamiliar title "Dr. Cheng" in a long time.

When she first arrived in Vancouver, she encountered months of continuous rain.

She hadn't even had a proper postpartum confinement period since giving birth. Alone and adrift in a foreign land, without family to care for her, she ate nothing but cold leftovers for every meal.

That's roughly how my body got damaged. It went from low-grade fever and chills to feeling weak all over all day, and even breaking out in a cold sweat at night while lying in bed.

She didn't want to use the money Lu Junhe had given her. With her only savings, she had to pay rent and make ends meet, so she endured the pain.

When you reach the most painful moment, you might even feel a sense of satisfaction.

One day, after finishing her work, she developed a high fever and collapsed on the street near her rented apartment. She was rescued by Cheng Tongzhou, who was out on a medical call.

He not only paid for her medical treatment in advance, but also helped her treat the chronic illnesses she developed after childbirth.

Perhaps we are both Chinese people trapped in a foreign country.

Qu Yun gradually began to open up to him, revealing some of her past stories, including the loss of her child. Cheng Tongzhou then used the excuse that he was in the midst of a lawsuit with his ex-wife to entrust Cheng Chongchong to her care.

Over time, the child, who had no blood relation to him, suddenly uttered the word "Mom," which subtly changed the relationship between her and Cheng Tongzhou.

At least, she changed her address from "Dr. Cheng" to his name.

But this will not generate love.

Love doesn't come this way.

Qu Yun couldn't deny that without Cheng Tongzhou's repeated help and guidance back then, she definitely wouldn't have made it this far.

Therefore, she will always be grateful to him.

Cheng Tongzhou's eyes softened slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Let's talk about it when we get back. Chongchong is still in the car."

Qu Yun didn't refuse, "Okay, then I'll take over when you get tired of driving, don't push yourself."

She also wanted to be someone her family could rely on.

As dawn broke, they returned to Beijing.

After the car came to a stop, Cheng Tongzhou opened the back door, carefully picked up the still-sleeping Cheng Chongchong, and slowly walked into the house.

He gently placed Cheng Chongchong on the bed, pulled over the blanket from the side, and tucked it under the little guy's shoulders and to his feet.

Qu Yun, standing to the side, adjusted the height of Cheng Chongchong's pillow, then gently brushed the stray hairs from his forehead, her eyes unconsciously filled with tenderness.

In her sleep, Cheng Chongchong unconsciously moved her hand, grasped Cheng Tongzhou's fingertips, and softly called out, "Mom."

Cheng Tongzhou paused for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face.

Qu Yun and he tiptoed out of the bedroom together.

The lights were off inside; only a faint ray of daylight filtered in through the windows.

Cheng Tongzhou stood in the corridor, turned his head to look at Qu Yun beside him, and said in a calm and gentle tone: "It seems that in Chongchong's heart, you are the person he relies on the most."

He saw Qu Yun smile faintly and remembered what she had said at the service area: she had something to say.

Cheng Tongzhou lowered his gaze slightly. "Yunyun, I understand that you didn't have to say those things."

"But that would be too unfair to you." Qu Yun raised her head.

Cheng Tongzhou almost blurted out, "It's okay."

The next second, Qu Yun's gaze hardened: "I still love him."

She didn't want to deceive anyone who was kind to her.

If Cheng Tongzhou could let go sooner, he could find true happiness sooner.

Qu Yun slowly raised her head and looked directly into the eyes of the man beside her.

Cheng Tongzhou's reaction was beyond her expectations.

He showed no embarrassment or disappointment, and spoke gently as before: "Yunyun, I can give you plenty of time to sort out your feelings. Whatever your final choice, I'm willing to wait."

"I'm willing to be your backup option."

Qu Yun's nose stung with tears. "Cheng Tongzhou, I'm not worth you doing this."

You deserve it.

Cheng Tongzhou gazed at her with unwavering eyes, "Don't belittle yourself like that. You deserve all the tenderness and love in the world."

"You are the most deserving one, more than anyone else."

*

During the few days that Qu Yun was away from the hotel, the atmosphere inside was unsettled.

She even overheard her colleagues gossiping in the restroom that a new general manager was going to be parachuted in and replace her.

It's actually quite nice that all the rumors and gossip revolve around her alone.

At least no one is talking about the video that was unexpectedly played at the wedding that day.

The finance manager submitted a compensation plan, stating, "Mr. Lu previously damaged the electronic screen in our banquet hall, and I have calculated the repair cost and listed it here."

"Manager Qu, if there are no problems, I'll go to Mr. Lu's company and give it to him."

Qu Yun nodded, and when she handed over the document, she didn't let go of it.

The finance manager tried to pull it, but couldn't budge it.

Just as she was looking puzzled, Qu Yun took the document back and whispered, "I'll go there myself. Mr. Lu has always been a major client of our hotel."

"We need to appear more sincere."

After finishing her sentence, Qu Yun took the documents and left the office.

She called Lu Junhe several times, but the man didn't answer.

Now, she needs to see him on business.

She also wanted to reiterate her sincerity.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows stretched rows of bustling city buildings. Sunlight fell on the man's tall, straight profile. Lu Junhe stood silently, one hand in his trouser pocket, watching the traffic below.

Behind him, on the sofa in the reception area, Yan Suling lightly touched the rim of her cup with her fingertips and slowly sipped some warm water.

"I've taken care of everything." Yan Suling put down her cup, her tone relaxed. "You can stay away from Qu Yun now; she's no longer of any use to you."

Lu Junhe's back stiffened slightly as he slowly turned around.

Yan Suling spoke condescendingly, "Otherwise, with my methods, it wouldn't be difficult for me to pin the blame on her."

"Even if she is eventually exonerated, the stock price of the hotel she manages will probably plummet. With a little effort, she will likely have no place in this industry anymore."

The threat in these words was all too obvious.

Lu Junhe, who was usually calm and composed, now showed a hint of uncontrollable fatigue in his eyes.

For the first time in his life, he seemed to humble himself before his mother, pleading, "Mom, I'm begging you this once, please let her go and grant my wish."

"I truly love her."

Yan Suling's expression suddenly turned cold. She remained unmoved: "Any love will only become your weakness, and in the end, it will only drag you down and destroy the entire Lu family."

Yan Suling moved forward a bit, her threat blunt and biting: "If you dare to secretly help Qu Yun even once, I will ruin her life."

"So, the choice is now yours: to be law-abiding or to watch her fall into the abyss."

The atmosphere in the office froze, and Lu Junhe fell silent.

Suddenly, there was a regular knocking sound at the door. The secretary walked in cautiously, bowed her head and said, "Mr. Lu, the front desk called. General Manager Qu of Lanting Hotel is here in person. He says he has business to discuss with you and would like to meet with you."

Yan Suling raised an eyebrow, not expecting that the devil would appear so suddenly.

She turned her gaze to Lu Junhe, who was still standing by the window.

I await his answer.