Chapter Eight: Su Rouxue’s Luxurious Grand Villa

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Xia Shu would never have dared to imagine just how wealthy Su Rouxue's family truly was.

The scorching heat made it unbearable outside, so after checking out of the hotel, he followed Su Rouxue home. One after another, exquisite villas with a touch of rural charm nestled amid verdant trees, creating an atmosphere that seemed to whisk one far from all the bustle and dust of the city—an oasis of serenity and tranquility that stirred the soul.

Upon entering, his gaze was immediately drawn to the grandeur of the hall: lavish furnishings, intricate light fixtures casting a cold brilliance, and tall walls throwing somber shadows across the soft carpeting. As he walked through spacious, yet somewhat chilly corridors, the eyes of famous figures in the paintings seemed almost able to capture one's spirit.

The vintage décor was saturated with artistic flair. Though Xia Shu couldn't quite understand the purpose of each item, it was clear to him that everything in the house was of exceptional value.

“I’m just an ordinary painter,” he recalled Su Rouxue saying when they first met—a simple introduction that now, in this opulent environment, struck him as a touch of ironic modesty.

This was unmistakably the home of a wealthy woman.

For a moment, Xia Shu was at a loss—should he feel secretly pleased, or uncomfortable? After all, having such a beautiful, well-built, and wealthy girlfriend was enough to make countless men envious.

Yet, for Xia Shu, just starting university, it filled him with pressure. His parents were ordinary civil servants in a small county town, earning modest wages. Over the years, they’d managed to save enough just for a modest apartment in the county seat.

If he and Su Rouxue were truly determined to spend their lives together, surely he couldn’t expect her to move back with him to his small hometown?

At the very least...

Xia Shu’s feelings were complex.

Noticing the change in his expression as he entered her home, Su Rouxue seemed to sense what was troubling him.

She washed an apple for Xia Shu, and with a gentle smile, sat beside him. “Xia Shu, don’t overthink things.”

“Rouxue, I honestly never expected your family would be so well-off,” he responded. “With your exceptional qualities, you could easily find someone more accomplished, wealthier than me… I shouldn’t say this, but…”

His mind was in turmoil; he hardly knew what he wanted to say.

“The man I need doesn’t have to be wealthy or powerful in his career. What matters is responsibility, integrity, ambition, and that when I’m with him, I feel happy and relaxed. That’s the most important thing!” Su Rouxue placed the apple before his lips, slipped off her slippers, and sat cross-legged on the plush sofa.

Xia Shu stared blankly at the glossy, ripe apple in front of him, hesitated for a moment, then took a bite.

His gaze grew distant, unsure why he couldn’t feel truly happy despite having such an outstanding girlfriend.

Su Rouxue wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, leaned on his shoulder, and whispered softly in his ear, “Really, don’t think too much, Xia Shu. If I’d known bringing you home would put you in this mood, we might as well have just stayed at the hotel.”

“It’s fine,” Xia Shu replied, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He turned to look at Su Rouxue’s beautiful, expressive eyes and her enticing red lips, and found himself kissing her.

Su Rouxue was momentarily surprised, then closed her eyes, setting the apple aside as they embraced tightly on the sofa.

She knew Xia Shu wanted to express a lot in that moment, but didn’t know how, so she tried to soothe his complicated emotions through their closeness.

This time, their actions became far more intense.

It was a feeling completely unlike before.

Xia Shu seemed transformed, and Su Rouxue couldn’t help but utter cries of passion…

Afterwards, Xia Shu let out a long breath, gazing affectionately at Su Rouxue. He cupped her cheeks, kissed her brow, and said, “I’m sorry, I lost control.”

“It’s all right. As long as it helps you feel better, it’s fine.”

“Okay, I won’t dwell on it anymore. Do you have any ingredients at home? I’d like to cook for you.”

“Yes!”

“Alright, then you rest for a while. I’ll make lunch.”

Xia Shu stood, drenched in sweat, his mind a little blank after his release, but it wasn’t too much to handle. He felt much better than before.

Sometimes, necessary intimacy between lovers can indeed deepen affection and calm the heart.

Watching Xia Shu in the kitchen, focused on preparing a meal, Su Rouxue fetched her drawing board from the room. A radiant smile curved her lips as she admired the young man before her—the one she hoped to spend every day with in such beautiful harmony.

A man who can cook possesses a unique charm.

At least for Su Rouxue, Xia Shu was a remarkably attentive boyfriend.

From afar, the aroma wafting from the kitchen stirred her appetite.

She quickened her movements with the brush, swiftly capturing Xia Shu’s most captivating posture.

As she sketched the lines of his figure on the board, her smile grew ever brighter…