Chapter 486: The Serenity and Beauty of a Dream

As his voice faded, a pale mist swept in, separating the two of them.

As if pushed on the shoulders by a pair of large, invisible hands, Jiang Qingli stumbled back and fell into a cool embrace.

Pale, slender fingers wrapped unerringly around her waist, lifting her and placing her to the side.

Without so much as a glance at Baili Jing, Ye Linyuan took Jiang Qingli’s hand and started walking toward the conference room.

’Hey, this snake is way too bossy!’

Just as Jiang Qingli was about to speak, Ye Linyuan scoffed, "If you want to be late, keep it up."

Jiang Qingli was speechless.

Baili Jing said gently, "Baby, the meeting is what’s important. I’m fine."

As the one whose declaration of affection had been interrupted, Baili Jing showed no sign of dissatisfaction. He simply smiled, walked to Jiang Qingli’s other side, and took her other hand, lacing their fingers tightly together.

Jiang Qingli’s lips curved into a smile for him.

Ever since they were young, Baili Jing had never made her feel uncomfortable, no matter who they were dealing with.

Sometimes, they didn’t need to say anything. A single look was enough for them to understand each other.

As they neared the conference room, Jiang Qingli heard voices talking. She had just glanced down at the two men holding her hands when Baili Jing preemptively let go.

"Behaving like this in public isn’t good for Advisor Jiang’s professional image." Baili Jing glanced at the possessive snake next to him. "Linyuan, don’t you agree?"

Ye Linyuan frowned in displeasure but didn’t object, releasing her hand.

Just then, Zhong Tongyun saw Jiang Qingli and hurried over with another high-ranking official. It wasn’t appropriate for the two men to linger, so they went into the room first to take their seats.

In truth, today’s meeting had nothing to do with Ye Linyuan, but considering his special status, Zhong Tongyun had arranged a seat for him as well.

As they entered the conference room, Baili Jing suddenly said, "Linyuan, you’ve changed a lot."

Ye Linyuan glanced at him, his vertical pupils cold and dark. He was clearly annoyed by Baili Jing’s "primary husband" tone.

Baili Jing didn’t explain further. He simply nodded at Ye Linyuan and walked to his own seat.

Not long after he sat down, Jiang Qingli also entered the room.

Ye Linyuan had been lounging languidly, but the moment he saw Jiang Qingli, his vertical pupils found their focus, and he stared at her without blinking.

Taking in the scene, Baili Jing tapped his fingertips on the tabletop.

’In fact, when he and Jiang Qingli came downstairs earlier, Ye Linyuan was already at the other end of the corridor.’

’He must have been waiting for Jiang Qingli.’

’Baili Jing had thought that the moment Ye Linyuan saw Jiang Qingli showing concern for him, he would rush over and interrupt.’

’But Ye Linyuan had actually managed to restrain himself.’

’If this had been when he first joined the family, Ye Linyuan would never have had such patience. This was... a sign of growth, perhaps?’

Baili Jing looked toward his Xiao Qing Mei, who was taking her seat at the front, and his lips curved into a smile.

’He had been quite hostile toward Ye Linyuan before, but now it seemed Ye Linyuan wasn’t a lost cause like Baili Chengyan, who needed to be scrapped. He was capable of correcting his flaws and clearly had feelings for Jiang Qingli.’

’Besides...’

’Just as Jiang Qingli had said, he had been by her side since childhood.’

’He had seen her cute side, her immature side, and had even spent a long time in a world of just the two of them... He had received far more than the other Beast Husbands.’

’So, he had to be more considerate of her than the others.’

’It didn’t matter if some unsavory youths wanted to join the family. As long as his Xiao Li was happy, he could manage the household for her and put her mind at ease.’

Light from the window streamed into the room.

As Jiang Qingli spoke, the sunlight made her fair skin seem to glow.

Behind her, a vast expanse of lush, dense greenery created a scene of vibrant prosperity.

Baili Jing gazed deeply at the figure of his beloved, his eyes shimmering with emotion.

He recalled his first meeting with Jiang Qingli.

Back then, he had thought of ending his own life countless times to resist the Baili family’s exploitation. There wasn’t a single second he didn’t feel the world was a dim and absurd place.

Until Jiang Qingli appeared.

Before, Baili Jing had only known that love could give one the resolve to rush toward death. But after meeting Jiang Qingli, he finally understood that love could also give one the courage to struggle out of the mire of death.

Gazing at her figure, Baili Jing’s heart suddenly surged, a million emotions swirling in his chest.

When the meeting ended, after exchanging pleasantries with the others, Jiang Qingli looked toward Baili Jing as if she had sensed something.

In the brilliant morning light, she broke into a smile. Just like that first time, she walked toward him and held out her hand.

Pulling him up from his seat, Jiang Qingli asked, "Why were you spacing out?"

"It’s nothing." Baili Jing looked into her eyes, the corners of his own turning red. "Xiao Li, thank you."

Thank you for walking toward me.

Thank you for coming back.

Thank you for being willing to love me.

"What are you thanking me for? I barely used any strength." Jiang Qingli ruffled his hair. "Everyone’s gone. Let’s go get something to eat—"

Before she could finish, her face was suddenly cupped in his hands.

Baili Jing lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to hers, whispering solemnly, "Xiao Li, I love you."

"I know." Jiang Qingli smiled and kissed him back. She had never doubted it for a moment. "I love you, too."

Outside the window, birds chirped.

This was the peace and beauty he had dreamed of.

...

By working overtime, all the urgent matters were quickly resolved.

「Three days later, they prepared to depart.」

The day before their departure, it was Xie Youchen’s turn to spend the night with her.

That morning, Gu Nian woke up early and began pacing outside Jiang Qingli’s room.

He hadn’t been there for long when Qin Muye also arrived, with Yi Nuo trailing behind him.

Gu Nian asked, "What are you two doing here?"

Qin Muye snorted. "Don’t play dumb. I’m here for the same reason you are."

Gu Nian was speechless.

’So they were also here to cut in line.’

For the past few days, Xie Youchen had been lying in the medical room downstairs.

Jiang Qingli would visit him every day, leaning by his bedside to talk with him for a while.

But his complexion had never seemed to improve, and he had the look of a sickly invalid who couldn’t be left alone.

Today was the day before their departure, and Jiang Qingli had no work. She was planning to go out and relax.

’Gu Nian figured that in Xie Youchen’s condition, he definitely wouldn’t be able to properly attend to her.’

’Better to give the opportunity to someone who was prepared!’

’He was still young and had plenty of stamina.’

So, Gu Nian had gotten up at the crack of dawn to look for his chance.

He just hadn’t expected that besides him, there were two others looking for the same chance...

’In that case, may the best man win!’

The three of them formed a stable triangle, standing at the door without a word, each determined to outlast the others.

Before long, the door was opened from the inside.

Jiang Qingli, who had changed into casual clothes, was a bit stunned to see two Beast Husbands and a butler standing outside her door. "Are you... here to see me about something?"

"Qingli, I saw on the Star Network that there’s a special snack in Zone C. I’m sure you’ll love it~" Gu Nian was the first to speak, flashing a sweet smile.

’This rabbit reacts way too fast!’

Qin Muye was just about to open his mouth when a cold, deep voice sounded from behind him. "Thank you for the recommendation. My female master and I will be sure to try it."

The three men waiting for their "opportunity to strike" were all stunned.

Xie Youchen stepped forward.

Though he said "thank you," he clearly didn’t mean it.

In fact, as the young man’s gaze swept over them, it carried a hint of mockery. "Any other recommendations, Your Highness?"

Qin Muye was speechless.

’Wait a minute. Just a few days ago, this guy looked like a sickly invalid on the verge of kicking the bucket. But the moment his turn comes around, his face isn’t pale anymore, he’s not coughing, and he’s just walking around out of bed!’

’That son of a bitch! He must have been faking it all along to get Jiang Qingli’s sympathy!’

’How did I not realize this old bastard was so damn cunning?’

The Prince ground his teeth in silent fury.

Jiang Qingli, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised. "Are you better?"

"Yes. The doctor confirmed it."

"That’s good." Jiang Qingli noticed he was wearing a formal suit and found it odd. "Are you going out?"

"Yes." Xie Youchen caressed Jiang Qingli’s cheek. "Ah Li, I came to tell you that I can’t have breakfast with you this morning. I have to go out for a bit."

Listening to this, Qin Muye and Gu Nian nearly rolled their eyes out of their heads.

’Heh. So he can go out now.’

’A true medical miracle.’

With her back to them, Jiang Qingli couldn’t see the looks of contempt on the two Beast Husbands’ faces. "Where are you going?"

Xie Youchen, however, paid them no mind and simply said to Jiang Qingli in a low voice, "I’m going to the temple."

Jiang Qingli was worried about him going alone. "I’ll go with you!"