books44 Chapter 357 [Empire] The Most Important Thing
Chapter 357 [Empire] The Most Important Thing
Wen Ya's embrace remained as warm as ever, like a soft harbor, sheltering me from the wind and rain. After dinner, I snuggled in his arms, closed my eyes, and felt his steady heartbeat and gentle breathing. The air was filled with the aroma of food and the familiar fragrance of his body. For me, all of this felt like the most reassuring presence.
He personally prepared dinner for me that evening, simple yet full of warmth as always. Those handmade side dishes, though uncomplicated, always leave a satisfying meal. Every bite was a reflection of his care for me, each one carrying his warmth. I ate silently, saying nothing, savoring the tranquility of the moment.
After dinner, I leaned back on the sofa. He wiped my hair with a towel and smiled gently, "Your little mouth again, eating so fast." He always liked to tease me like this, though he wasn't actually angry. Instead, it seemed like he was doting on me. I knew he didn't care about my little flaws; he cared more about whether I was doing well and safe.
I leaned gently on his shoulder, feeling a little guilty, as if there were so many things I hadn't said yet, so many emotions I hadn't released. But at this moment, I didn't want to say anything, just quietly enjoying his peaceful comfort.
"How was your day?" Wen Ya asked me softly, her tone full of concern.
I forced a smile and said, "It's okay. I completed the mission." I didn't mention the difficulties of the mission or the turmoil in my heart. Because in front of him, I wanted to appear relaxed and didn't want to worry him.
Wen Ya gently stroked my hair and said softly, "If you have any difficulties or unhappy things, remember to tell me. No matter what it is, I will always be by your side."
I twisted my body awkwardly, as if trying to escape something. But in Wen Ya's embrace, I felt an irresistible sense of security. That feeling made me no longer want to escape, but instead wanted to let go of all my strength and rely on him for a while.
"Yeah, I know," I whispered, my eyelids growing heavy.
He smiled, as if he knew I was about to fall asleep, and hugged me gently, his warm breath surrounding me.
"Good night, as you wish. Sleep well and don't worry about anything." Wen Ya whispered in my ear. The voice was gentle and low, like the wind blowing through my heart, taking away all the heaviness.
I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of his embrace, and all my worries seemed to be diluted by this tranquility. I didn't say anything more, just nodded gently and slowly fell asleep.
The morning sun streamed into the room through the cracks in the curtains, warm and gentle. I opened my eyes and was met with Wen Ya's gentle face. His eyes, still adorned with a faint smile, stared intently at me, as if for a long time. He hadn't gotten up early, a rare occurrence, seemingly just to quietly accompany me, waiting for me to wake up.
"Good morning, lazybones." His voice was low and warm, with a hint of lighthearted teasing.
I froze for a moment, rubbing my eyes. I wasn't used to his gaze. Although Wen Ya was always gentle with me, it was still a little embarrassing to see him staring at my face so directly.
"Why... didn't you get up?" I asked in a low voice, with a hint of undisguised confusion in my tone.
"Because I want to stay with you a little longer." He said it casually, as if it was the most natural thing. But his eyes were still focused, making it impossible to avoid.
I felt a complex mix of emotions, unable to tell whether it was a feeling of being touched or a subtle sense of guilt. Wen Ya was always like this, treating me well in his subtle way that made me unable to resist or ignore it.
"Stay in bed a little longer." He gently pulled the quilt, wrapping me a little tighter. "It's a rare opportunity to not be busy, so just rest up today. Don't think about those tasks or where to go. Just spend the day in peace and quiet, okay?"
His voice was like the warm sunshine on a winter day, irresistible. I nodded, snuggled under the quilt, and sniffed the gentle, reassuring scent in the air.
"If you keep looking at me like this, I'm going to suspect that you're up to something." I couldn't help but make a joke, trying to ease my inner awkwardness.
Wen Ya smiled softly and didn't refute. She just reached out and touched my hair, like coaxing a child: "What are you planning? Don't I already have the most important thing?"
His words left me at a loss for words, but a strange warmth welled up inside me. I didn't say anything else, just lying there, taking in this rare peace and warmth.
Perhaps, his company is exactly what I lack most these days.
When I woke up again, it was almost noon. The air was filled with the familiar aroma of food, a scent unique to Wen Ya—simple yet always reassuring. This aroma seemed to have a magical power, making me relax involuntarily, as if I were being wrapped in a pair of warm hands.
I rolled over, feeling the softness of the bed and the cool air. The city simulation outside the window projected a vivid, midsummer scene. Intense sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting dazzling streaks of light on the floor. Though the scene was virtual, it still evoked a searing heat.
The air conditioning in the room made everything seem incredibly comfortable. Wen Ya had clearly already adjusted the temperature to just the right level, neither too hot nor too cold, a pleasant sensation. When I stood up, my toes touched the floor, and the cool sensation instantly dispelled the drowsiness I had just woken up from.
I left the room and walked down the familiar hallway, where, as expected, I saw Wen Ya busy in the kitchen. He wore a light-colored apron, and his movements were skillful and fluid, as if the kitchen were his own stage. His profile was particularly gentle against the sunlight, and a hint of a focused smile played at the corner of his mouth.
Hearing my footsteps, he turned his head and looked at me, smiling, "Are you finally awake? Lunch will be ready soon. I tried something new today, I think it will suit your taste."
I couldn't help but smile. "What new dish are you working on? Are you using me as an experiment?"
"Have some confidence, okay?" He raised his eyebrows in a serious tone, then smiled indulgently, "Hurry up and wash up, sit down and wait for dinner, lazy guy."
I nodded and went to the bathroom to wash up. The cool water splashed on my face, thoroughly washing away the remaining tiredness. Looking in the mirror, my hair was still a little messy, but my face seemed to have a long-lost sense of relaxation.
When I returned to the restaurant, Wen Ya had already served several dishes. He set the table with a methodical, elegant, and meticulous manner, just like him. On the table were several simple yet delicious home-cooked dishes, steaming rice, and a bowl of light soup on the side.
“It looks good.” I exclaimed sincerely as I sat down, picked up the chopsticks and started to taste the first bite. It was indeed delicious.
Wen Ya sat across from me, watching me eat and smiled slightly, "It seems my cooking skills haven't deteriorated."
"It's not that I haven't gotten any better, it's that I've gotten better," I mumbled, my mouth still stuffed with his stew. "How come you know everything?"
"Nothing special," he smiled and shook his head, "I just hope you can enjoy your meal."
His words made me feel strangely warm inside. It was just an everyday conversation.
After dinner, Wen Ya cleared the table. I leaned back on the sofa, lost in thought, staring out the window at the bright light. The city simulation depicted the distant scene with vibrant energy: cars streamed by, leaves swayed gently in the sunlight. Yet, the tranquility and coolness inside seemed like another world.
"Do you have any plans for the afternoon?" Wen Ya came over, sat down on the sofa, and handed me a glass of water.
I took the cup and shook my head. "Not yet. I want to relax for a while today."
He nodded, a faint smile still on his lips, "It's good to relax for a day, don't let yourself get too tired."
I leaned back on the sofa, looking at his gentle profile, and suddenly felt a sense of emotion in my heart. These days, I have been busy with various tasks and seem to have forgotten how precious these peaceful days are.