Her eyes fluttered shut, but she didn't forget to murmur, "Don't take advantage while I'm asleep, or I'll ignore you when I wake."
Recalling how she blushed crimson when asked for her ID at the hotel check-in, Lei Zhengyang couldn't help but grin. Even the receptionist had teased, "What guy makes his girlfriend register for a room?"
Lei hadn't wanted to, but he was broke—no ID, no cash. Liu Weiwei paid, earning him a scornful look from the clerk. Luckily, years with Third Uncle had thickened his skin.
Liu Weiwei was exhausted, dozing against Lei the moment they entered the room. Her faint, sweet fragrance filled his senses, intoxicating. She'd wanted to leave, but Lei insisted she stay. After over two months apart, both craved more time together.
Her soft breaths and silky skin felt like satin under his fingers, stirring warmth in his heart. Lei held her tighter, drifting into sleep himself.
At the Lei residence, Patriarch Lei Yunbao noted Lei Zhengyang's absence as the others arrived. "Where's Zhengyang?"
Lei Qiuping chuckled, "Don't worry, Dad. The kid's off wooing a girl. Just took a long nap—looked spirited. He'll be back later."
In the entire Lei family, only Zhengyang got such leniency from Lei Yunbao. Anyone else would've faced a tongue-lashing. But Zhengyang's playboy reputation was already infamous—no need to clean it up. Besides, it served as a perfect cover, keeping him safer.
Glancing at Qiuping, Lei Yunbao said, "Qiuping, tell me everything about this incident. Leave nothing out."
The X-substance leak had shaken the nation. As a top leader, Lei Yunbao felt the fury of the No. 1 Chief, who'd erupted at the executive meeting—a rare outburst in decades.
Though unaware of the full gravity, Qiuping recounted the training and its unexpected chaos in detail. "We'd been training in the Yilin Mountains for over a month. The special forces improved fast—some even broke their limits, awakening true qi. Then, out of nowhere, those international thugs invaded."
"Six soldiers died, seventeen wounded. But we took out twenty-three bandits. Dad, these were top-tier fighters. Especially the half-man, half-beast monster Zhengyang killed—terrifying. No wonder Hua Yunyue couldn't handle it."
At the mention of "half-man, half-beast," Lei Yunbao and Lei Chunping's faces twitched. Only they knew what that creature was.
Lei Yunbao didn't explain, leaning back wearily. "We'll talk when Zhengyang returns. Qiuping, this stays classified—no leaks, understood?"
Unsure why, Qiuping nodded at the patriarch's command, which carried the Lei family's weight.
Shifting topics, Lei Yunbao asked, "How's the special forces' training? They won't rank last in the year-end competition, will they?"
Qiuping lit up. Though not his achievement, he'd been there throughout, and the Fifth Military Academy's team represented him—or rather, the Leis. "Dad, don't underestimate us. With their current strength, we're guaranteed a top spot."
Lei Yunbao nodded, pleased. "Good. With that confidence, Xiaoli, prepare for Third Brother's wedding by year's end. The Lei family hasn't had a celebration in ages. Make it grand, understood?"
Xu Miaoli smiled, "Got it, Dad. I'll make it spectacular, ensuring Third Sister-in-Law joins the Leis in style."
After a deep daytime slumber, the hotel room's occupants stirred at dusk. Nestled in Lei Zhengyang's arms, Liu Weiwei didn't want to move. After two months of longing, she craved more moments of closeness.
But the newly awake Lei grew restless. His hand slipped under her blouse, pushing aside soft lingerie to claim her full curves, kneading with rough passion. Liu Weiwei pressed her hand to her chest, but his brazen advance overwhelmed her. Blushing, she protested softly.
"Zhengyang, you jerk! I haven't forgiven you for Song Yingfei. Don't touch me!"
Once the first barrier fell, the rest followed naturally. As Lei peeled off her top, her skirt was hiked to her waist, revealing stockings and black panties. Ignoring her squeals and resistance, he pressed down, igniting an intimate dance.
Nothing fused hearts like passionate love. A fierce storm swept Liu Weiwei to ecstatic heights, leaving her breathless before grounding her again.
Her bare arms clung to Lei, barring further mischief. Her face nuzzled his ear, voice soft. "Zhengyang, what really happened that day? Can you explain now?"
Relaxed after their release, Lei held her fragrant form, his tone apologetic. "Weiwei, it was an accident. When I took you, I didn't expect it to trigger the Golden Dragon true qi within me. It surged, pushing me to the fourth tier, craving energy I couldn't control. I knew you couldn't handle it, but I couldn't stop. Then Song Yingfei showed up—bad luck for her, or maybe our salvation. Without her, we'd have been in mortal danger."
"Golden Dragon power?" Weiwei asked. "Zhengyang, what's that? You're not tricking me, are you?"
"Silly, why would I lie?" Lei raised his arm, a silvery glow coiling around it. With a flick, a teacup from the distant table flew into his hand. A slight squeeze, and it shattered with a crack, crumbling to powder that dusted the floor.
Weiwei gasped, "That's incredible! That's Golden Dragon power? Can I help you cultivate it?"
Lei laughed, "That day, I only jumped from the third to the fourth tier—not even the peak. I don't know why, but you and Song Yingfei triggered it. Honestly, I owe her thanks."
Weiwei pouted, "I helped too! Why not thank me?"
"You're mine," Lei teased. "She's an outsider."
Her mood lifted, she pressed her bare body closer, blushing. "Zhengyang, you're so good to me. I can still handle it—if you need to cultivate, I'll help."
Lei burst out laughing, earning playful punches from her.
"What about Yingfei?" she asked. "I don't want you two as enemies. Your families match, and you suit each other. Since it's happened, why not make it real? Love's easier than hate, isn't it?"
Lei had considered it. "I'll give us a chance. Weiwei, talk to her, see if she's open. If she is, I'll have my family propose. I'm not the old Zhengyang, bound by fate. The Leis face heavy crises—I won't sacrifice my freedom for her. She can hate or retaliate, but if she harms the Leis, I won't hold back."
In another life, the Song family's revenge had jailed him, sinking the Leis. Reborn, Lei had vowed to avoid Song Yingfei, but fate tangled them again in this accident.
For any woman, such an incident was hard to accept—Song Yingfei or Liu Weiwei alike. Yet that mishap bound the three together, an intimate act under each other's gaze. If they could share that, what couldn't they reconcile?
"I'll look out for Yingfei," Weiwei said. "Your injury caused a rift when I left her. Zhengyang, she's pitiable, burdened more than me. I'm ordinary but free, unpressured. She carries her family's weight. Be gentle with her. Oh, and some guy, Lin Zhouwei, chased her but got rebuffed."
Lei hadn't expected Lin Zhouwei to pursue Song Yingfei. It wasn't young love—likely a family alliance. The Songs hadn't refused, suggesting the Lins sought to bolster their power through marriage.
Given the Lins' past harm to the Leis in his memory, Lei wouldn't let them thrive. He'd thwart this plan. Song Yingfei was his woman now, like it or not. As a man, Lei wouldn't let her choose another.