Jessica was dressed in the pure-white raiment of an elven goddess.
Her ears had even been fitted with delicate elf tips.
Deep-set features and a radiant face, faintly brushed brows and spring-bright eyes.
Skin so fair it seemed smooth as warm jade, softly aglow.
Golden hair spilled loosely down her back.
Two slender strands at her cheeks danced lightly across her face as she moved.
Her lively gaze, clever and bright, locked onto Jiang Cheng—utterly bewitching.
Seeing Jessica, near-perfect before him, Jiang Cheng's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
Watching her flaunt herself like this, he suddenly tasted the ancient pleasure of an emperor.
To claim he felt nothing would be a lie.
In this mood, all he wanted was to seize her and have at it.
His touch was rough, yet Jessica dared show no displeasure, only humble submission.
The wealth he'd flaunted today had utterly stunned her.
It had shattered every last shard of her pride.
Tonight was her final battle with him; she had to leave him satisfied, whatever it took.
If she could make him remember her, even if this were the last night, possibilities would remain. When she woke next day, pain had caught up with her.
She soaked in the tub, trying to ease the ache.
Jiang Cheng stretched, yawned, and told the suite butler to pack his things.
It was time to head back.
Wang Congcong had scheduled the jet for two in the afternoon.
A quick breakfast, a light lunch, then off to the airport.
Hearing him outside, Jessica tried to rise from the bath at once.
The slightest movement sent a sharp twinge through her.
She winced, sucking in a breath.
Last night Jiang Cheng had certainly not spared that tender place.
Still, that mule-like part of him had left her feeling torn.
Clenching her teeth, she stood, slipped into a robe, and stepped out of the bathroom.
Seeing him already dressed to leave, she asked, reluctant, "You're going?"
He nodded, pointing to a silver case by the bed. "Eight hundred thousand dollars—all yours."
Jessica meant to explain he'd misunderstood, but the words died when she heard the sum.
She walked over and opened the case; thick bundles of cash lay inside.
Yet the sight of all that money brought less joy than she'd expected.
"Thank you. Will you come again?"
He shrugged. "Who knows? If I've time, maybe."
Recalling the past days, he felt he'd been rather decadent.
Beauty and idleness—nothing but ruin!
Eat, hotel room, repeat; he'd barely gone out.
Next visit, he'd actually see the place properly.
Jessica stepped close, arms circling his neck. "Then contact me when you return."
Her wistful eyes surprised him; either genuine or Oscar-worthy acting.
He paid her words no mind—he'd never planned a long-term partnership.
A fling was a fling; catching feelings would ruin the game.
His hands roamed her hips in slow circles. "Sure—if fate brings us together again."
She pulled out her phone, tapped a bit, and showed him a QR code.
"You're on wechat?" he asked, surprised.
"Downloaded it yesterday," she said. "Saw Wang Congcong add girls with it, so I got it too. Scan me."
Amused, he took out his phone and added her on wechat.
Soon it was time to part.
They all said casual good-byes to their companions—no tears, no fuss.
After lunch, each with his Bodyguards, they headed for the airport.
As before, Wang Sheng and the others took the commercial flight first.
Jiang Cheng waited with Wang Congcong for the private jet.
Soon they were airborne.
Unlike the excited outbound trip, they now sported comical dark rings under their eyes.
After days of "combat," they all dozed in unspoken agreement.
The eighteen-hour flight passed in sleep and idle chat, not unpleasant.
They touched down in Su Province at eight the next morning.
Wang Sheng and Xia Li were already at the exit with Jiang Cheng's luggage.
He climbed into the waiting rolls-royce, sent Wang Sheng an address, and closed his eyes to rest.
The drive to Xia Meng's hometown would take at least twelve hours.
Since his return was late, Xia Meng had already left the city for her family home.
Tomorrow was Mid-Autumn Festival.
Though he'd promised to spend it with her, she'd never hurried him or even mentioned it these days.
Even with the festival tomorrow and him still absent, she stayed understanding and silent.
Yet even without her asking, he meant to go—time was tight, but he wanted to.
After all, fulfilling the Mid-Autumn promise would earn him the system's special wishing card.