For one breathtaking second, metal nearly kissed metal. Then her Ferrari slipped through with barely a few centimeters.
The McLaren driver stared in disbelief. "She's not normal...".
Ruoxi burst into laughter. "Hahaha!".
The finish line finally came into view. Guo Min pressed the accelerator all the way down knowing someone was still hot on her trail, she surged forward.
Behind her, Ruoxi overtook two more racers.
Seconds later, the checkered flag waved. The Ferrari crossed first, then the GT-R crossed.
The crowd erupted into cheers. "They're back!"
Ruoxi climbed out first, throwing both hands into the air. "I feel so good". And everyone laughed.
Guo Min stepped out of her car too. "Finally released all that stress". She spoke only to Ruoxi while she waved politely to the crowd.
"Now let's go home, Zihan won't stop calling". She said as she looked at the 25th missed call on her screen.
"Oh, I totally forgot you have a husband at home". Ruoxi chuckled mockingly but karma was just behind her as she immediately got a call from their mother. "Oh shit".
She was the first to run back to the SUV as she picked the call. "Hello, mom". She spoke, her voice filled with flattery.
"Ruoxi, I just spoke with Qin Fen and she said she hasn't seen you today, where exactly are you?".
"I was..."
"Don't you dare lie to me I called the office too and your secretary said you gave yourself a day off, you didn't go and bother MinMin did you?, don't you want me to be a grandma, give those two some space, she just went back".
"Mom I don't think Guo Min wants to be a mother anytime soon". She paused as Guo Min started driving. "Besides, I went to Xiang's office, I wanted us to have a private time, I just left his place".
"...Really?" Yun Ai asked, still sounding unconvinced. "Then tell me about your day."
Ruoxi nearly choked. "My... my day?"
"Yes. Didn't you say you spent it with Xiang? Tell me what you two did."
Ruoxi's eyes darted around the car as though the answer might magically appear somewhere. "...Come on, Mom." She laughed shyly, deliberately lowering her voice. "That's... between Xiang and me."
She even added a little embarrassed giggle. Guo Min, who was driving, almost burst into laughter.
Yun Ai smiled from the other end of the call. "Oh? Since when did my daughter start keeping secrets from me?"
Ruoxi scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Mom..."
"Fine, fine. I won't ask anymore."
Ruoxi secretly sighed in relief.
"But," Yun Ai continued teasingly, "seeing you protect him like this, it seems the relationship is progressing well."
Ruoxi forced another laugh. "Haha... maybe."
"Mm." Yun Ai sounded pleased. "Come home early and get some rest."
"I will."
"And remember to greet Xiang for me next time."
"...I will, Mom."
"That's my girl."Then she hung up.
Ruoxi immediately dropped her head against the seat with a loud groan. "...I deserve an award for that performance."
Guo Min chuckled. "Really?".
Silence lingered for a moment before Guo Min glanced sideways at her.
"So..."
"Hm?"
"What's going on with you and Xiang?" she asked, raising a brow. "Didn't you two dislike each other?"
Ruoxi let out a long sigh. "It's... complicated." She rubbed her temples. "We...".
Her explanation was interrupted by another ringtone.
Guo Min didn't even need to look and as expected it is president Zhu.
She smiled before pressing the Bluetooth answer button. "...Zihan."
His calm voice came through the speakers immediately. "So... Are you still planning to come home?" There was a brief pause before he continued in a flat tone, "You went out to have fun with your sister and left your husband at home." Another pause. "Wow, Mrs. Zhu...Just wow."
Guo Min couldn't help smiling. "Why does it sound like you're pouting?"
"...Maybe I am."
Ruoxi snorted beside her.
Zihan continued without missing a beat. "Your jobless sister is always glued to you."
Ruoxi's eyes widened. "Hey!" she protested loudly. "That's offensive, Brother in law!"
"I was talking to my wife," Zihan replied indifferently. "Don't speak unless you're spoken to."
Ruoxi folded her arms. "Even when you're speaking badly about me?".
"..."
"What kind of brother in law are you?, you are being unreasonable".
"And you are being a third wheel".
Guo Min couldn't stop the laugh that escaped her lips but pinched the bridge of her nose, unable to listen to them anymore. "Enough."
Both of them went quiet. "Zihan, we're already on our way home."
"Mm."
"I'll be there soon."
"...Drive safely."
"I will."
Without giving the two another chance to argue, Guo Min ended the call. The car fell silent for a few seconds. Then Ruoxi clicked her tongue.
Zhu villa.
After dropping Ruoxi off at the Wang Mansion, Guo Min drove back to the Zhu Villa. By the time she arrived, dusk had already settled over the estate.
She stepped inside carrying several shopping bags from their afternoon spree. The living room was empty.
The dining room wasn't much different either, except for a few maids quietly setting the table and preparing dinner. "Welcome home, Young Miss."
Guo Min returned their greetings with a gentle smile before heading upstairs. Their bedroom door opened softly. "Zihan?" she called.
There he was, sprawled comfortably across the lounge sofa by the window. A half finished glass of red wine sat on the coffee table beside a tablet that had clearly been abandoned several minutes ago.
At the sound of her voice, he lifted his gaze. "...You finally decided to come home." There sounded a quiet complaint in his voice.
He set the tablet aside. "Ruoxi dragged you shopping?"
Guo Min smiled knowingly. "Yes... something like that." Walking over, she reached out and gently ruffled his hair.
He simply watched her without resisting.
"I'm going to freshen up first."
"Hmm."
She picked up a change of clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.
A while later, the bathroom door opened again.
Fresh from her shower, Guo Min stepped out wearing a pair of soft cream colored pajamas, her slightly damp hair falling loosely over her shoulders.
She noticed that Zihan hadn't moved an inch. He was still sitting exactly where she'd left him. Walking over, she tilted her head. "You're not going down for dinner?"
Zihan looked up from the phone in his hand before placing it quietly on the table. "I was waiting for you."
Before she could react, his hand slipped around her waist. With a gentle tug, he drew her closer until she was standing between his knees.
Then, without another word, he rested his forehead lightly against her stomach, his arms loosely encircling her waist.
His voice came out quieter than before, carrying a rare hint of playfulness. "You neglected me all day."
Guo Min blinked. "...Did I?"
"Hm. You disappeared with your sister."
Guo Min chuckled. "President Zhu... Are you jealous of Ruoxi?"
"...A little."
The answer came so naturally, that she looked at him sulky face and smiled. "So..." she asked, gently running her fingers through his hair, "how exactly am I supposed to make it up to you?".
Without lifting his head, Zihan answered almost immediately. "...Hmm... I'll be content with five pecks."
"Hm?" Guo Min blinked before smiling. "Okay then."
She leaned down to kiss him, but just before her lips touched his cheek, his arm around her waist tightened ever so slightly, stopping her.
"What now?" she asked, amused.
"The five pecks," Zihan said, the corners of his lips lifting mischievously, "have to be in five different places, Mrs. Zhu."
Guo Min rolled her eyes. "What exactly are you plotting, President Zhu?"
"Nothing, wifey." He smiled innocently. "Just start."
"Hmm." She shifted comfortably, settling sideways on his lap. "You're becoming more shameless by the day."
"And whose fault is that?"
"...Mine?"
"You finally understand."
She couldn't help but chuckle. "Okay, fine." Her fingers gently brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead before she leaned in.
The first kiss landed softly on his left cheek.
The second rested lightly against his closed eyelid.
The third touched the bridge of his nose.
For the fourth, she smiled to herself before leaning toward the small birthmark hidden just behind his right ear, pressing a gentle kiss there.
Each kiss earned the same reaction. The corners of Zihan's lips curved upward ever so slightly. Just a tiny smile that somehow made his usually cold features look unbelievably handsome.
Guo Min found herself staring. She silently thanked heaven that he didn't smile often. Otherwise... It would probably become dangerous.
"You haven't finished, Mrs. Zhu." His quiet voice pulled her back. He slowly opened his eyes, noticing her lips had disappeared from his face. "We agreed on five."
"I know."
"Then?"
Guo Min laughed under her breath. "You are so impatient."
She cupped his face with both hands.
This time, instead of another teasing kiss on his face, she leaned in and pressed a soft peck against his lips.
It lingered for only a brief moment.
Just as she was about to pull away, Zihan playfully caught her lower lip between his teeth in the gentlest of bites.
Her eyes widened.
"...President Zhu."
"Hm?"
"That's cheating."
"I don't remember agreeing to any rules."
She shook her head, laughing despite herself.
"Come on," he said, intertwining their fingers. "If we don't go downstairs now, dinner will get cold."
She squeezed his hand lightly. "Lead the way, husband."