Four o'clock in the afternoon.

International waters off the Côte d'Azur.

The originally glaring sunlight gradually took on an orange-red hue of dusk.

The entire sea surface looked as if a whole bucket of melted gold leaf had been poured over it.

Light shattered into thousands of fragments among the water ripples, with the advance of the Floating Dream yacht, they rippled out piece by piece, then extinguished piece by piece.

The entire ship was quiet yet opulent.

On the fourth deck, the owner's deck, in the outermost sea-view media room,

Xu Qing hugged a cushion, her eyes staring blankly at the projection screen in front of her.

But she hadn't taken in a single word of whatever movie was playing on it,

her thoughts had long since drifted to the other end of the corridor.

Because of this special outfit, she didn't dare run around on other decks, afraid of bumping into someone she shouldn't, which would double the social death, leaving no chance for explanation.

From the time Little Song carried Sister Xianyue into the master bedroom until now, two hours had already passed.

She had no idea what the situation inside was like.

Mainly because the scene when they came in earlier was just too impactful.

Especially Sister Xianyue's black bikini and that expression, replaying over and over in her mind.

Putting aside all those messy identities like shield, little maid, atmosphere group member...

She was also a veteran gossip enthusiast with a fiercely burning soul of curiosity!

That was Ouyang Xianyue.

Ms. Ouyang, whose public reputation was almost flawless.

Her reputation, integrity, dignity, status—all were firmly established in every aspect.

In her best friend Shen Yuyan's past "high-society circle tutorials," this dignified and sacred noblewoman was described as deeply devoted to her late husband.

They had known each other for many years and eventually came together. Unfortunately, shortly after their marriage, her husband passed away.

To fulfill her husband's dying wish, this seemingly delicate woman stubbornly shouldered the family business on the verge of bankruptcy, weathered storms, treaded over abysses, and eventually built the company step by step to what it is today.

Beautiful, strong, tragic, noble.

She was almost synonymous with loyalty, resilience, and deep affection, receiving endless praise and respect from the outside world.

But now...

This legendary "pure as ice and jade, heart as still as water" widow was having a private rendezvous with Little Song inside.

What exactly was their relationship?

How many unknown secrets were hidden inside?

This was a live, fresh, top-tier aristocratic family scandal.

Xu Qing swallowed her saliva, feeling as if tens of thousands of ants were crawling in her heart.

If she didn't take a bite of this juicy gossip, she definitely wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

Anyway, I'm the little maid. Cleaning in the master's territory is perfectly reasonable, right?

After giving herself a thorough psychological pep talk, Xu Qing finally furtively climbed up from the sofa.

Before leaving, she even professionally grabbed a cleaning cloth, pretending to hold it in her hand.

Then, like a little hamster, she pressed herself against the wall and inched her way toward the living room area.

The corridor was covered with thick handmade wool carpet, making footsteps almost inaudible.

The closer she got to the master bedroom, the faster her heart beat.

Finally, she shuffled up to that heavy double-leaf oak door carved with intricate patterns.

She stopped, held her breath, and pricked up her ears.

She couldn't hear anything.

Xu Qing blinked, somewhat disappointed.

The soundproofing of this superyacht was just too ridiculously good.

Probably even if someone held a concert inside, not a single sound would leak out.

Just as she was about to slink away in defeat, a sea breeze carrying a salty, damp scent suddenly blew in from the balcony at the end of the corridor.

Xu Qing's eyes instantly lit up.

Right! The balcony!

The master bedroom was connected to a huge wraparound balcony at the stern. She remembered clearly that the glass sliding door on the master bedroom side wasn't completely shut!

When it comes to juicy gossip, motivation is always endless.

The intense internal struggle lasted only a few seconds before curiosity thoroughly defeated fear.

Holding the cloth, Xu Qing hunched over, pressed against the wall base, and guiltily sneaked to the edge of the balcony.

Hiding herself behind a large potted plant, she carefully leaned her ear toward the direction of the master bedroom.

The howling of the sea wind was filtered out a layer.

The sounds from the room faintly seeped through.

After just one listen.

Xu Qing's face instantly flushed bright red.

That voice was... Sister Xianyue?!

Hoarse, trembling, like a taut string, ready to snap at any moment, yet never fully relaxing.

Real, suppressed, making one's scalp tingle.

Oh my god! Ms. Ouyang, you really are something else.

And... it seemed to be just behind that glass panel on the inner side of the balcony.

The cleaning cloth in Xu Qing's hand *plopped* to the ground.

She frantically bent down to pick it up, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would jump out of her throat.

After another while,

The faint, fragmented sounds inside suddenly stopped.

Everything fell quiet again.

It was over? That fast?

Xu Qing hurriedly took two steps back, trying hard to pretend she was just a diligent little maid passing by to dust, pretending to tidy up everywhere, even rearranging a few glasses in the liquor cabinet.

After waiting for almost half an hour, there was still no movement from the master bedroom.

Unable to resist, she hunched over and sneaked back again.

Still no movement.

Asleep? Or... passed out?

Just as she was hesitating whether to make a quick retreat, subtle yet clear sounds came through again.

Xu Qing's eyes widened in disbelief.

She was too familiar with this sound; her brain almost automatically completed the picture in one second.

Oh my god.

This was Ms. Ouyang.

So... before Little Song's palm, all beings truly were equal.

And not only was Ms. Ouyang not angry, she seemed to be murmuring something in a low voice.

That voice was soft and hoarse, as if holding a mouthful of water, spoken indistinctly.

Couldn't make it out clearly.

But the less clear it was, the more it fueled the imagination.

Immediately after, another series of more chaotic movements came from inside, the clearest among them being only two words.

"Sir."

"Madam."

These two forms of address were called out repeatedly, intermittently, their trailing tones carrying entirely different meanings.

Attachment, indulgence, submission, and that kind of blush-inducing sense of taboo.

Xu Qing froze completely, not daring to breathe.

Her hand tightly covered her mouth, her ears burning as if on fire.

After another while, she finally couldn't take it anymore, scrambling and stumbling back to the media room.

She pressed the cushion hard against her face, her ears so red they seemed about to drip blood.

Too terrifying.

Little Song truly lived up to being the Great Demon King.

Even someone as noble as Ms. Ouyang had been corrupted by him.

She tossed and turned on the sofa, burying her face in the cushions, her mind a jumbled mess.

Those sounds seemed glued to her ears, impossible to shake off. The more she thought about it, the redder her face got; the redder her face got, the more she couldn't help but think about it. Finally, she just pressed the cushion over her head and curled herself into a ball.

Dusk gradually sank away, and the light on the fourth deck softened accordingly.

She didn't know how much time had passed when the media room door was pushed open.

Xu Qing instinctively looked up and almost screamed.

Tang Song stood at the doorway, his hair still wet, as if he had just showered.

He wasn't wearing anything on his upper body, only a pair of loosely worn shorts. The edges of his Adonis lines were faintly visible.

The whole person looked lazy yet elegant.

Xu Qing quickly averted her eyes. "Why aren't you wearing clothes!"

"Hot," Tang Song answered casually, stepping inside. "I say, what are you hiding in here during such a fine time, little maid?"

"I-I was afraid of disturbing you discussing important matters!" Xu Qing swallowed, her strong survival instinct making her frantically build up defenses. "I don't know anything! Didn't see anything, didn't hear anything."

Tang Song was amused by this blatant "protesting too much" statement. He walked over to the sofa and looked down at her. "It's fine if you heard. Anyway... it'll be your turn to call out sooner or later."

"Ah! You, you, you!" Xu Qing's face instantly exploded in redness, and she literally bounced up from the sofa.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you." Tang Song straightened up, regaining a bit of seriousness. "Go prepare some light dinner, a fruit platter, and bring them to the master bedroom. Ms. Ouyang is a bit dehydrated now and needs to replenish her energy."

"O-okay! I'll go have the steward arrange it right away!"

Xu Qing agreed with unusual alacrity, turning around wanting to run out, just wanting to escape this den of trouble as soon as possible.

But as she passed by Tang Song.

*Smack*—a crisp sound suddenly landed on her perky little butt.

"Ah!"

Xu Qing instinctively covered her bottom, glaring at him with shame and indignation.

But the moment her eyes met Tang Song's gaze, she immediately shrank her neck, her momentum instantly halved.

Forget it, endure for a moment and enjoy peace.

After all, even the lofty Ms. Ouyang had been disciplined by him.

Compared to that, this one smack she received suddenly didn't feel so unjust anymore?

Thinking this, Xu Qing could only aggrievedly rub her bottom, resignedly turning to leave.

Watching her panicked retreating figure, the corner of Tang Song's mouth lifted slightly. He turned and sat down in the media room.

The huge projection screen was still on.

It was playing the classic film *The Legend of 1900*.

On the screen, 1900 sat at the piano, letting the entire ship rock violently with the waves. The piano music intertwined with the sound of the waves, as he and the piano slid back and forth on the floor.

Tang Song slowly let out a breath, relaxing his entire body into the sofa.

His body still retained her warmth.

His fingertips still remembered the feel of her skin.

He hadn't used the [Recovery Potion] from the warehouse.

Because between the two of them, it had been intermittent.

From the spacious bed linens, to the half-open glass door on the balcony, to the corner covered with wool carpet.

It was as if she had finally laid out all the restraint, dignity, and pretense that had been buried in her bones for years, piece by piece, before him.

Especially watching that graceful, magnificent face lose its composure time and time again before him, seeing all its perfect expression management scattered by emotion and desire time and time again.

Listening to that originally always calm and composed voice gradually become tremulous, soft, even carrying an undeniable attachment and loss of control.

That sense of conquest and achievement from pulling the noble lady down from her pedestal sent a shiver through Tang Song's soul.

To be honest, the saying "a woman at thirty is like a wolf, at forty like a tiger" definitely had its truth to it.

Once a mature woman truly lets go of all her locks and completely opens herself to you, that kind of fervor and richness is far more intoxicating than the shyness of any young girl.

And Ouyang Xianyue was the most dangerous, yet most enchanting kind among them.

Moreover, she was actually a first-timer.

Even now, thinking back, Tang Song still found it somewhat unbelievable.

This kind of thing, probably no one would believe it if told.

Back when he obtained this [SSR Character Card], he had already roughly understood Ouyang Xianyue's life trajectory.

She and her late husband could be considered childhood friends who had known each other since their youth.

Later, after she returned from studying abroad, the two families logically pushed for the marriage arrangement, engagement, alliance, until she formally married at the age of twenty-six.

From any angle, it seemed like a perfectly reasonable, dignified, almost flawless marriage.

But now it seemed, behind this marriage, there were clearly many unknown stories.

It's just that such matters were ultimately too personal.

Involving her past, her deceased husband, and her wounds.

Rather than questioning, what surged more in Tang Song's heart was a kind of difficult-to-suppress secret delight.

It was a kind of satisfaction almost originating from instinct, it was vanity, it was exclusivity, it was the possessive desire engraved in his bones.

...

Dinner was brought in personally by Tang Song.

Soft, rich, freshly cooked fish congee, perfectly pan-fried silver cod, crisp and refreshing stir-fried seasonal greens, and a plate of crystal-clear lotus root slices candied with osmanthus sugar...

Light, exquisite, with meticulous plating.

When he pushed the door open, Ouyang Xianyue was already sitting up against the headboard.

She had clearly recovered quite a bit.

At least on the surface, she had regained that composure and calmness habitual to "Ms. Ouyang."

Only a faint flush still lingered on her cheeks, as if something had slowly burned through from within, not yet completely receding.

She was casually draped in a loose, soft silk robe. The collar wasn't fastened tightly, her snow-white, delicate skin glowing with a soft luster under the light.

Her thick, jet-black long hair cascaded over her shoulders, making that already beautiful face appear even more lazily charming.

This dinner was eaten very quietly.

Tang Song didn't say much, just sat watching her eat slowly.

The fingers holding the cutlery were slender and fair, with well-proportioned joints. Her movements were unhurried, even the most ordinary actions like drinking congee or picking up vegetables exuded an almost instinctive grace and poise.

That kind of graceful, noble beauty, the calmer it was, the more it held one's gaze.

After finishing, Ouyang Xianyue didn't continue resting.

She leaned against the headboard and sat for a while, closing her eyes to rest. When she walked out of the master bedroom again, she almost looked completely restored to that flawless Ms. Ouyang.

The robe was changed for a more proper home dress. Her hair was combed smooth again, and the flush on her face had faded considerably.

Only between the corners of her eyes and the color of her lips did a hint of lingering moisture faintly remain.

Like the residual warmth that lingers long after the sea breeze has passed.

Xu Qing was originally sitting outside, pretending to arrange the fruit platter. The moment she saw her come out, her whole body almost reflexively stood up.

"Si-Sister Xianyue..."

Ouyang Xianyue acted as if nothing had happened, asking her gently if she was adjusting well, if she felt seasick, and casually discussing whether she wanted to watch a movie together later.

Xu Qing was made even more uneasy by this seamless display of normalcy.

She nodded repeatedly with her mouth, but in her heart, only one thought remained: Too terrifying.

Is this the emotional control of a top-tier powerhouse?

Clearly this afternoon... and now she could act as if nothing was wrong.

Simply terrifying to the extreme.

This acting skill feels almost on par with Sister Su Yu.

And under Ouyang Xianyue's gentle, rain-like approach, the awkwardness between them was lightly brushed aside.

When true night fell.

The entire Floating Dream seemed to have changed its face.

The sharp, expansive brightness of daytime was slowly smoothed away by the night, replaced by a kind of quietly flowing luxury.

The three of them stayed in the viewing room for a while.

Xu Qing huddled to one side, occasionally glancing at the screen, occasionally stealing glances at Tang Song and Ouyang Xianyue, her whole person exuding a strong sense of sneakiness.

Halfway through the movie,

Ouyang Xianyue suddenly got up, saying she wanted to get some air and look at the Mediterranean night voyage.

Tang Song accompanied her to the Starlight Lounge.

The lounge lights were dimmed low. Behind the bar was a whole wall of softly glowing liquor cabinets. Outside the glass was the unobstructed night view of the open sea.

There was nothing in the distance.

No shore, no lights, no human clamor.

Only the sea in the night, rising and falling layer upon layer, like an endless stretch of deep blue satin.

The ship's hull pushed forward unhurriedly, dragging a long white wake on the sea surface, which was swallowed mouthful by mouthful by the waves.

Ouyang Xianyue sat on a high stool, holding a glass of low-alcohol sweet white wine.

The wine in the glass gently swayed, reflecting her fingertips and profile, also reflecting that unique mature elegance, serene nobility,

and more, a kind of gentleness and composure that had settled only after weathering storms.

When she wasn't speaking, she always had a very special aura.

As if all emotions were neatly gathered by her, pressed beneath that graceful, proper exterior.

But precisely because they were pressed down so well, once a crack appeared, it became exceptionally captivating.

The two of them chatted idly.

From wine, to the sea, to the day's voyage and the upcoming arrangements.

The sea breeze stirred the strands of hair by her ears.

Ouyang Xianyue still spoke unhurriedly, occasionally turning her head to glance at him, a few more shades of softness washed by the night and wine lingering between her brows and eyes.

Looking at her, Tang Song suddenly felt that the noble lady who had lost control and sunk into passion in the pool during the day, and this quiet woman watching the sea now, could actually be the same person.

He didn't know how much time had passed.

Ouyang Xianyue gently swirled her glass, gazing at the vast, dark sea outside, and suddenly spoke softly, "Sir."

"Hmm."

"You... don't have anything you want to ask me?"

The night was quiet.

The sea breeze swept past outside the glass.

Tang Song looked at her, remained silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I do, but I'd rather hear you say it yourself."

Some things didn't need to be stated too clearly.

He knew the noble lady was finally about to truly open her heart to him.

And this, perhaps, was the deepest layer of meaning of the [String Moon Drifting] dungeon.

Ouyang Xianyue lowered her head and took a sip of the wine in her glass.

The night made her appear exceptionally soft.

"Lin Qiming, that is, my late husband, he was a very good man. Well-bred, gentle-tempered, not frivolous, nor harsh. From a young age, he was very clear about what he wanted, and he was exceptionally talented."

"He could almost be considered a flawless marriage partner."

She paused, as if telling someone else's story.

"But that we ultimately came together was more due to considerations of family and reality."

"In families like ours, what we are taught most from childhood is never the matter of 'liking.' It's responsibility, family, order, the future."

"I was like that, and Qiming even more so."

"At that time, I was still abroad. I originally planned to continue studying, even stay in academia later, because I most admired my grandfather and wanted to become a scientist like him. But then the situation changed. Both families needed a sufficiently stable bond to weather that not-so-calm period together."

"So we got married. Very hastily, yet very dignified, almost impossible to find fault with."

"But that wasn't love. At least, not for me."

"I didn't really have many feelings about it back then. Because I had known from very early on that I would eventually reach this step. It was just a matter of who the partner was, and when."

She placed the wine glass back on the bar counter.

"Qiming was a very proud man, and also a man who knew his limits."

"He knew that in this marriage, I didn't have love yet. So he didn't pressure me, didn't cross boundaries. He just wanted to use time, interaction, and his own way to make me slowly accept him, love him. Or rather, to conquer me."

"He always felt there was no hurry about this matter, because he had more important things to do."

"Xin Kaihang."

"At that time, it was already in decline. The old manufacturing system was aging, internal strife was severe, and the Lin family had many problems inside and out. He wanted to revitalize it, to truly achieve something."

"He had ambition for industry, and he hoped I could see his ambition."

"That was his ideal, and also what he most wanted to prove to me."

"Unfortunately... just half a year after the marriage, he had an accident."

When she reached this point, her voice suddenly softened.

The night seemed to grow quieter along with it.

She didn't specify the details of that accident, just gripped the wine glass a little tighter.

"For many years after, I thought I was heartbroken."

"And I thought I should complete some things for him, at least, not let him leave this world so harshly."

"So I took over Xin Kaihang, and also took on the Lin family's mess."

"On one hand, I told myself this was his dying wish; on the other hand, I was very clear this was also my own ambition."

"Because once I took it on, I was no longer simply 'Mrs. Lin.' What I could obtain was the entirety of the Lin family's visible assets, a portion of control, and a sufficiently large stage in reality."

She smiled self-deprecatingly.

"Looking back now, the me of that time probably mixed many emotions together."

"There was regret, responsibility, a sense of debt, and also... a kind of self-justification of using what he left behind to fulfill my own life's ambition."

"But if you ask me, whether I truly had love for him..."

"I think, probably not."

She finally turned her head to look at Tang Song.

The sea breeze swept past outside the glass, gently blowing a few strands of hair against her cheek.

She didn't brush them away, just slightly lowered her head.

"Most of the time, I regarded him as a person worthy of respect, a friend, an old acquaintance who hadn't yet truly entered the depths of my life before he left."

"But—"

Tang Song picked up his own wine glass and gently clinked it against the rim of hers.

Ouyang Xianyue also raised her glass and took a small sip.

The wine was slightly cool, sliding down her throat, yet unable to suppress those old matters that had just been stirred up from the depths of her heart.

Tang Song looked at her and said softly, "It seems my understanding of Ms. Ouyang is still too little."

Ouyang Xianyue gave a light laugh.

"These words, I'm also saying them to someone for the first time."

"I'm honored. And fortunate, that it was me who heard them."

Ouyang Xianyue was quiet for a moment, her fingertips gently rubbing the rim of the wine glass, round and round.

"Actually, telling you this isn't to sell misery, nor to justify myself. It's just been pressed down for too long, and I suddenly wanted to say it out."

"I understand." Tang Song nodded.

"However..." Ouyang Xianyue paused, a faint self-mockery at the corner of her lips, "It is indeed also hoping that after you know, you might feel more comfortable inside, like me a bit more, be a bit more willing to trust me."

Tang Song was slightly taken aback.

Seeing his reaction, Ouyang Xianyue suddenly smiled gently.

"Surprised?"

"A little. Didn't expect you to be so direct."

"This is a very realistic issue. If I truly still held heavy feelings for Qiming, then I would definitely retain enough partiality towards the Lin family, towards Xin Kaihang, towards that past. And the predecessor of Tang Yi Precision happens to be Xin Kaihang. Smile has always been wary of me; I can actually understand that."

When she said this, she gently shook her head.

"It's just that some things, she ultimately doesn't understand me."

Night and the effects of wine flowed across her face.

The next second, she put down her glass, got up, and walked over to stand before Tang Song.

Then very naturally, she sat sideways into his lap.

The fragrance on her became exceptionally clear at this moment.

Soft, mature, carrying a hint of warmth from the wine, mixed with the faint saltiness of the sea breeze.

Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder. Her soft bottom shifted ever so slightly on his leg, as if unconsciously, yet also as if with a hint of provocation.

"And you?" She lowered her head, the hair at her temple gently falling, brushing against his cheek, ticklish. "Sir, do you understand?"

Tang Song's palm settled on her waist, through the thin fabric, he could clearly feel the curve of that mature, soft waist gently rising and falling with her breath.

"I understand."

Ouyang Xianyue's breath hitched slightly, her chin tilting up a little.

Tang Song lowered his head and kissed her.

The wine, the night, the sea breeze, the old matters...

All slowly dissolved, melting into their intermingled breaths.

No one knew who lost their grip first.

The wine bottle was knocked over, rolled halfway along the bar counter, and finally came to a gentle stop.

The highball glass fell on the edge of the thick carpet, making a dull, soft sound.

The napkins, corkscrew, half-full bottle of untouched wine on the bar counter were swept into disarray.

Ouyang Xianyue was pressed against the cool bar counter edge by him, behind her was the entire unobstructed night view of the open sea.

Beyond that layer of cool glass was the boundless sea, the night, the waves layered near and far.

The Floating Dream was still sailing through the night.

Only the seawater surged up layer upon layer, crashing against the ship's hull, shattering into foam, then receding layer upon layer.

The rocking of the ship's hull gradually became irregular.

More chaotic than the waves.

Deeper than the night.