Ruan Tang dried her face with a towel. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she jumped—through the reflection, she could see someone standing by the door just a few steps behind her.

And they were staring right at her!!!

Though I'm very familiar with that man...

Annoyed at being scared completely sober, Ruan Tang snapped, "Xu Lai, are you trying to scare me to death?"

Xu Lai looked helpless. "Honey, I made you some hangover soup."

His gesture touched her, and her anxious heartbeat began to calm. Her earlier unease and resentment melted away into a gentle whisper.

"I'm sorry, you scared me. Thank you for the soup."

"There's no need for that between us," Xu Lai said with a smile as Ruan Tang took the bowl from him.

She expected it to be bitter and astringent, but it was surprisingly sweet. It was also exceptionally fragrant, like being surrounded by a grove of sweet osmanthus after a rain.

The soup was indeed refreshing, clearing her head and helping Ruan Tang gradually remember everything that had happened after she got drunk yesterday, from babbling to Xiao Hei to hugging Xu Lai and declaring that "he's quite good."

As for Xu Lai's loving, gentle kiss... she ignored it completely.

Xu Lai looked at Ruan Tang. Her agitated movements had rumpled the hem of her nightgown, revealing her long, snow-white legs. He opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated.

"Um, honey..."

"Don't try to comfort me, just let me die!"

"But... you're exposed."

"..."

Panicking internally, Ruan Tang feigned nonchalance. "Don't make a big deal out of nothing. Is breakfast ready? I'm hungry!"

Xu Lai rubbed his nose and slipped into the kitchen.

Ruan Tang quickly straightened her skirt, feeling her face grow even hotter.

Damn it, she thought. I can never drink again. Good thing my daughter didn't see that embarrassing display. How could I ever act like a mother in front of her again?

Just then, Ruan Lan, who had woken up at some point, leaned over the second-floor banister. Looking down at her older sister in the living room, she said with a grin, "Sis, look outside. The white striped clouds against the blue sky, isn't it beautiful?"

Ruan Tang replied distractedly, "Oh, you're awake? Yes, it's quite pretty."

A sudden thought struck her. She whipped her head toward the window, only to see dark clouds blanketing East Sea City, threatening a downpour at any moment.

Where are the blue sky and white-striped clouds?

Ruan Tang looked at her sister's meaningful smile, then recalled what Xu Lai had just said, and immediately understood what she was laughing about.

Blushing, she grabbed a cushion and threw it at her. "Shut up!"

"Hehehe."

Ruan Lan, ever the rascal, easily dodged the cushion. She skipped downstairs, sat beside Ruan Tang, and whispered, "Sis, you're twenty-four! Your panties should be bolder. Lace, cutouts, leopard-print thongs... that's what makes a woman truly charming, don't you think—"

Before she could finish, Ruan Tang clamped a hand over her mouth.

A mix of shame and anger, Ruan Tang nearly gave her sister a beating to teach her a lesson about the dangers of a loose tongue.

Deep down, however, Ruan Tang knew her sister was right. Despite being a mother, she was still too conservative.

Ruan Lan pried a finger away from her mouth to add, "Besides, you run your own lingerie company! What happens if your business partners find out your own style is so... unsophisticated? Will your brand even sell?"

Excuse me?!

She reached out to teach her sister a lesson.

From the kitchen, Xu Lai, who was cooking, could hear Ruan Lan's pleas for mercy from the living room sofa, followed by Ruan Tang's exasperated voice: "Will you dare say that again?"

"I won't, I won't! I was wrong, Sis... Ah! Don't tickle my stomach, that's so itchy! Hahaha!"

"..."

Turning his head to see the Ruan sisters wrestling like a pair of children, Xu Lai couldn't help but chuckle.

This is what a real home feels like. It's so much warmer than handling official business in the Heavenly Court, sitting all alone above the Nine Heavens.

But just then—

Meanwhile, in the Heavenly Court, a drowsy Divine General jolted awake with a sudden sneeze, his eyes falling upon a mountain of official Jade Slips.

He slapped his cheek hard, roaring at himself internally, "The Supreme Emperor placed his faith in you, and you were sleeping? Taotie, you're a disgrace to his trust!"

I'll set a small goal for myself, First Divine General Taotie thought, trying to psych himself up. Just process one hundred million of these Jade Slips, and then I can sleep.

***

After breakfast, Ruan Tang and Xu Lai dropped their daughter off at kindergarten before Ruan Tang headed to the offices of Above the White Clouds.

She had rarely come to the company recently. But the company was running like a well-oiled machine. The atmosphere was positive, and its market performance was excellent, which was one reason she felt comfortable being a hands-off boss for a few days.

"President Ruan, the Three Cherry Company from Sakura Country wants to collaborate with us," the secretary said excitedly.

"Oh?" Ruan Tang was taken aback.

The Three Cherry Company was a high-end department store chain in Sakura Country specializing in international luxury brands. Few companies in Hua Country had managed to partner with them. Their proactive contact meant they were very optimistic about Above the White Clouds.

"Reply and tell them I'll go in person to discuss it tomorrow," Ruan Tang said after a moment's thought.

"Ah?" The secretary hesitated. "President Ruan, the business department can handle this..."

"I'm going to Sakura Country anyway, so it's on my way."

"On your way? How many days will you be gone? We have several meetings scheduled…"

"Probably three or four days. It's a family trip. I'll be back soon."

"I see." The secretary's eyes began to gleam with gossip. "President Ruan, the design department has come up with some very daring new pieces... they're perfect for couples..."

Ruan Tang cut her off with a dark expression. "Get out!"

"...Yes."

The secretary stuck out her tongue, sighing to herself. I've done all I can to help, but the boss herself isn't willing!

Ruan Tang gripped her pen tightly. First my sister, and now my secretary? Am I really that conservative?

Lost in thought, she said impulsively, "Wait."

"Ah?" The secretary looked at Ruan Tang cautiously. "President Ruan, do you have any other instructions?"

"Go get a set and put it in my bag. Make sure nobody sees."

"I understand. It's not for you; it's for me," the secretary replied with a knowing look.

"..."

Ruan Tang waved her hand feebly, indicating that the secretary could leave.

Ruan Tang, who had been nervous and even a little resistant to the family trip, now felt completely calm.

I have to go for work, she told herself firmly. This has nothing to do with promising Xu Lai I'd cosplay as a Magical Girl for him...

As she was pondering this, the young woman from the front desk knocked on the door. "President Ruan, there's a package for you."

SWOOSH—

The door flew open. Ruan Tang snatched the package with a quick "thank you" and slammed the door shut again.

Just as the receptionist was about to turn away, the door opened again. Ruan Tang peeked her head out, her tone grave. "You didn't open it, did you?"

The receptionist was stunned. A lowly employee opening the big boss's package? Is my bonus too high, or is my job too comfortable? I wouldn't dare, not even if you gave me ten times the courage!

The receptionist replied weakly, "No..."

Still, she couldn't help but wonder what was in the package that had her boss so on edge.

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