Chapter 63: No Limits
Wen Bairan ultimately didn't get to watch *Titanic* with Qiao Yi.
Song Xu said offhandedly, "I need to borrow her," and unceremoniously bundled her into the car.
It was rush hour, with crowds flowing in and out of the office building. Under the deep blue-purple sky, the streetlights glowed like stars along the roadside.
Qiao Yi stood there, dumbstruck, as the Maserati in front of her slowly pulled away, her hands trembling as she made a phone call.
"Ye... Ye Zhe? Come down quickly, I need you. Yes, I'm downstairs. No, I can't wait any longer. If I wait any more, I suspect we might break up. Come down right now, we're going to watch *Titanic*!"
After hanging up, she still couldn’t snap out of her daze for a long time.
Song... Song Xu seemed to have dropped his formal act.
/
The new car smelled distinctly of leather, and the car diffuser emitted the same fragrance as in Song Xu’s car.
He remembered she liked it.
Wen Bairan was still somewhat bewildered. Why was he suddenly giving her a car?
She had just gotten used to driving that Audi.
Song Xu didn’t say anything, just glanced at her sideways.
The narrow corners of his eyes, softened by the warmth inside the car, curved slightly into a faint smile.
Wen Bairan suddenly understood.
Director Song’s rewards for Director Wen had limits and boundaries.
Song Xu had none for Wen Bairan.
He had just figured out his feelings for her, so of course he was eager to show her how he felt.
But... but this car was too expensive......
Wen Bairan felt a pang of guilt. She didn’t want to accept it, but clearly, he had no intention of asking whether she wanted it or not.
That watch from last time was still sitting in her car.
He had said: once a gift is given, it’s not meant to be taken back. Whether she used it or destroyed it, or even sold it for cash—the item was hers. Next time, he’d just give her something she couldn’t possibly refuse.
This car truly was impossible to hide or sell.
Wen Bairan steadied herself, deciding not to bring it up for now.
She changed the subject and asked, "What did you do today?"
"There was an issue at Shenzhen University’s lab this morning, so I had a call with Old Guang. After handling that, I went to pick up the car."
Just then, they reached a red light.
The car came to a stop.
It seemed to be raining again; the air was damp, and the still street scenes outside seemed to shimmer with flowing light in the flickering rainy night.
The dark purple car body stood like a silent gem in the congested intersection.
The windows inside the car fogged up, a thin layer quickly dispersed by the defogger.
The person in the passenger seat was unusually quiet.
Song Xu turned to look.
"......"
Wen Bairan’s stunned, shocked expression met his inquiring gaze. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her brow furrowed. "Why are you telling me all this?"
"Why not?"
Song Xu rested his left hand on the steering wheel, not quite understanding. She had asked, so he answered.
Was that wrong?
......She had asked, but she hadn’t expected an answer.
The things Xiang Sun said in the breakroom might not have truly stirred any waves in Wen Bairan’s heart. She just wanted to divert their attention.
She knew Song Xu never accounted to anyone about his actions, nor did he explain himself. Anyone trying to extract useful information from him had to expend great effort, often paying a price higher than what they gained.
She thought he would evade.
If he evaded, she could avoid losing her head in the moment.
But somehow, she felt dazed now.
No deflecting; no playing dumb; no tactfully dodging the question.
Song Xu’s direct and concise answer gave her an inexplicable sense of frustration, as if she had tried to catch him off guard but failed.
Maybe because she had always been able to pin down Zhou Lin so easily, she suddenly found herself at a loss when faced with this level of honesty.
How should she continue?
Ask him if he had met Xu Lanjun? Or say she was just joking, that she hadn’t even noticed whether he was in the office today?
Heavens, she realized she seemed to have lost the ability to interact normally with a romantic partner.
She didn’t even know how to speak anymore.
Song Xu could roughly sense her struggle from her gradually tightening lips. He generously overlooked her initial probing and didn’t expose her current embarrassment. Honestly, navigating a relationship was unfamiliar territory for both of them at this stage.
"Don’t be nervous. You’re off work now. I’m not in work mode either."
He reached for her hand, his palm broad and his temperature just right.
The gentle friction against the cool skin of Wen Bairan’s thumb webbing had a genuinely soothing effect.
"If you think communicating somewhere else would be better, I have no objections."
Somewhere else?
Where?
Her eyelashes lifted as she looked at him.
The traffic light turned green at the intersection.
The car smoothly glided past the stop line.
The faint drizzle cast shimmering reflections on the window, dazzling his eyes.
Wen Bairan was taken aback.
/
Yulan Estate and Lingang Bay were separated only by a park.
The duplex penthouse units here had once sparked a wave of excitement in Shenjiang’s real estate market. Prospective buyers first had to verify their assets just to view the property, then queue up to place orders. Within fifteen minutes of sales opening, all eight top-floor units were sold out.
While marveling at how many wealthy people there were in the world, Wen Bairan learned that Zhou Lin had someone reserve a unit for him. Without even asking, she knew it was because the place was so close to her—convenient whether he went to her or she came to him.
She was aware of his intentions and naturally disagreed with him moving there.
She never expected that Song Xu would also choose this place.
The nearly 200-square-meter spacious flat offered the luxurious experience of a villa while boasting the convenience of an urban location and the advantage of a high-rise river view.
It seemed he had hired someone to renovate it again—the overall dark, minimalist design suited his elite persona perfectly.
Wen Bairan asked him how much the apartment cost.
Song Xu was taking off his jacket as he walked into the open kitchen. He took out a bottle of brandy and an ice bucket from the wine cabinet, gripping two hefty crystal glasses with only his ring and pinky fingers—so steadily it was almost frightening to imagine what he might do to her with that hand later.
"Not much. Within budget," he said, walking over and glancing at her as if to ask, *Shall we drink here?*
What a perfect "within budget."
What was his budget?
Five million?
Ten million probably wouldn’t be a problem for him either.
What about a hundred million?
See, this was the art of his words.
He answered, yet it felt like he didn’t.
It wasn’t exactly evasive, but it certainly didn’t give away the real answer.
This way of communicating was profound—and sometimes infuriating.
A calm smile touched Wen Bairan’s lips as she gradually regained her usual composure around him.
The living room had no main light. A nearly 150-inch white projection screen stretched to the floor, casting the illusion of a warm fireplace against the massive floor-to-ceiling window. A soft cashmere carpet covered the floor, and the flickering shadow of flames danced on the glass. He knelt on one knee, the sudden tension in his muscles stretching the fabric of his suit pants.
He set down the glasses, then the ice.
The mere way he held the bottle was intoxicating enough.
Her gaze fell on the exposed forearm where his sleeve was rolled up, the prominent veins faintly reminding her of those chaotic nights in the suite.
Swallowing imperceptibly to moisten her dry throat, Wen Bairan shifted slightly on the carpet to make room for him.
After pouring the drinks, he sat beside her, his bent knee brushing against her fingertips resting at her side. As he handed her the glass, his shoulder leaned against hers, intentionally or not. Wen Bairan’s curled hair tips brushed against his white shirt, soon disappearing into the black vest beneath.
His dress etiquette was always so impeccable.
"Thank you."
She didn’t know why she said thank you.
But now she understood why he suggested changing locations.
They were ghosts escaping into the night—only in enclosed, dim, secret spaces where both could shed their disguises could they return to their true selves.
With desire and authenticity.
Wen Bairan took a sip of the chilled liquor, but the burning in her throat refused to subside.
Song Xu’s intense, deep gaze followed her like a shadow.
She no longer avoided it, turning instead to look into the depths of his eyes.
"Want to kiss?"
She said.
He didn’t speak.
A faint flicker of firelight danced in his eyes.
The crackling sound of a burning match seemed to emanate from right here.
Unconsciously, Wen Bairan licked her dry lips, the pink tip of her tongue glistening with moisture—tempting like dew on a cherry, fragrant and waiting to be picked.
Song Xu narrowed his eyes slightly and leaned in.
She was like a fledgling bird waiting to be fed—the moment he drew near, she eagerly pecked at the corner of his mouth, slipped past his teeth, and gently touched his tongue. She didn’t know what this action would provoke, yet faintly felt that this was exactly what she had been waiting for.
But he didn’t move.
Uneasy, she lifted her eyelashes, brushing lightly against the tip of his nose.
Song Xu hadn’t intended to get straight to the point so soon, but his self-control seemed to have failed him.
That subtle, precise itch dug three feet deep straight into the heart beneath his chest.
His eyes darkened abruptly.
Shenjiang was a very humid city.
It rained in summer, rained in autumn, and rained in winter too.
But inside, it felt as though a real fire was burning.
The dryness ignited every inch of the air.
Song Xu was someone who knew how to control the pace, and Wen Bairan was more than willing to surrender her rhythm to him at times like this. Soon, she was too weak to straighten her waist.
But he wouldn’t let her surrender just yet.
His large hand gripped her slender neck, forcing her to lift her head. The growing height difference allowed him to possess her more deeply. The sound of her difficult swallow was muffled by his palm.
He sucked until her soul ached.
He knew her body too well.
He knew what she wanted better than she did.
Feeling the heat rising from her skin, he paused.
Wen Bairan’s delicate chin was cupped in his hand, her fair face blushed with arousal in the dim firelight. She opened her eyes, her gaze hazy and seductive like silk, wrapping tightly around him, her eyelashes trembling faintly, puzzled why he didn't continue.
“Song Xu...”
He was painfully hard, his brows furrowed in agony, yet he held her waist and said wait.
Wait for what?
She lifted her hands, hooked them around his neck, her waist went soft as water on the carpet, wanting to flow toward him.
They hadn't done this in a while.
Song Xu gave her a soothing kiss, his heavy breaths seeming to fight restraint. “Xu Lanjun came to see me.”
Wen Bairan froze.
Of course, he knew how much of a buzzkill it was to bring up a third person at a time like this.
Watching the desire in her eyes recede rapidly, he noted how much quicker she regained composure than her body cooled.
“And then?”
His arms felt empty as she pushed herself back to her original position, putting distance between them, her fingertips not touching him at all.
Song Xu’s eyes showed surprise briefly, followed by a light laugh. “Why so far away?”
Wen Bairan wasn’t in the mood for jokes. She knew he lied in the car.
She should have seen it coming.
He excelled at this.
The lab; getting the car; and in between, he met with Xu Lanjun.
He’d omitted the most crucial part, making her think he was open.
“Did I ever tell you I hate lies?” she said coldly.
Song Xu watched the caution and alertness grow instantly in her eyes, twining around her usual softness like vines, sprouting thorns ready to hurt him.
His gaze darkened.
“I didn’t lie to you,” he said.
Wen Bairan: “Omitting part of the truth is also a form of deception.”
If not the full truth, she preferred ignorance.
Her face was cold, the earlier blush nearly vanished. She was really mad.
Strangely, Song Xu didn’t seem nervous, nor did he show any guilt over exposure.
He looked intensely at her, as if seeing into her deepest self.
But Wen Bairan didn’t want him reading her now.
She turned her face away, breaking eye contact. Firelight shadows played on her face.
Xu Lanjun was a devoted professional, just as professional as Song Xu.
Their public behavior showed no ambiguity.
Wen Bairan knew inwardly Xu Lanjun’s interest in him was purely professional.
But that declaration of war from the other day had still caused ripples in her heart.
Besides...
Maybe she really wasn't fit for serious relationships anymore. She always unconsciously fell back into old habits.
Testing him, doubting him.
Disappointment was minimal.
After all, he was Song Xu.
She never had high hopes for him from the start.
The hall was silent awhile.
The fire continued to burn.
Wen Bairan took a deep breath, steadying her emotions, and withdrew her gaze from the vague darkness outside the window.
“I’m leaving first.” She didn’t look at him, her voice calm and detached, almost cold.
As she got on her knees, preparing to stand, he yanked her wrist.
Caught off guard, she fell forward, falling against Song Xu’s chest.
Tsk.
Her shoulder throbbed with pain.
She frowned.
“Why didn’t you ask what we talked about?” Song Xu held her arm with one hand and gripped her waist with the other, pressing her firmly onto his lap. His fingers slipped under her clothes, pinching her soft skin.
“I don’t want to know!”
Wen Bairan’s current position felt humiliating—she was practically lying in his arms, and the faintly amused gaze above her felt mocking, stoking her anger.
“Let go of me!” She struggled, but it was useless.
After a while of futile resistance, he remained unmoved. As she tired herself out, he lifted her even higher, holding her more securely.
...This bastard clearly had no intention of letting her leave unless she asked what he wanted to hear.
Jerk!
So domineering!
A long moment passed.
She finally grew tired, closing her eyes, resigned to her fate, and gritted her teeth to ask, "What did you talk about?"
Hah.
When she got stubborn, she was like a little wild horse. He almost couldn't bear to rein her in tightly.
Song Xu lowered his head to peck at her eyelids, his voice tinged with laughter.
"She said she wants to compete with you fairly."
"I told her that probably wouldn't be fair."
Wen Bairan paused, opening her eyes to see his amused expression first, then frowned. "Meaning what?"
Was he really this happy that someone was coming to compete for him?
And what did he mean it wasn’t fair? What's unfair about it?
Would it be fair if they ended up fighting like he and Zhou Lin did?
She wanted no part of that.
"Song Xu, I thought humility was one of your virtues. How did you become so crass now?" She scoffed mockingly and tried to push his hand away again. "Let me go, now! I'll bite you again, I mean it! You know my bites hurt! Let go! Song Xu!"
Her cheeks were puffed out in anger, and she glared at him threateningly, as if about to bare her teeth.
Song Xu raised an eyebrow, then without warning, lowered his head and kissed her.
The lingering desire from earlier was still there, and before long, she had melted into a puddle in his arms.
He said with a chuckle. "Well? Are you going to listen properly to what I have to say now?"
...Wen Bairan had no fight left in her. How did their argument suddenly turn into flirting?
Afraid that opening her mouth would give away how flustered she was, she sulked and buried her face in his chest and stayed silent.
Song Xu took it as acquiescence, his smile deepening.
"Alright, listen to me."
"If there’s ever a so-called battlefield between you and Xu Lanjun—no, between you and anyone—"
"You will never lose."
Wen Bairan nestled in his arms, breathing in his familiar scent. The warmth of his body, mixed with the brandy's warmth from earlier, made her feel a little dizzy.
Hearing this, she lifted her head.
"Why?"
Above her, Song Xu’s lowered eyes shone with an unreadable light—like fire or starlight.
She froze.
In her daze, he kissed her lips deeply.
"Because."
"I am already your weapon."