In the next days, Iris finished all matters concerning her tentative deal with the Bauer siblings. They needed to wait until everything was ironed out before signing a contract to build the company, Orchidia Beauty.
She also connected them with Amanpio Kileksky and Theresa Blipsburg to help build the equipment Alric needed and to verify the new compounds he developed. Fortunately, Theresa was kind enough to spare some time despite her busy schedule.
As for Amanpio, he was unwilling at first but when he heard what kind of equipment were needed, his curiosity won out and he accepted the project.
"Fine, but you'll have to pay for everything. My monthly funding from the academy is for my own projects, not to mention that three-fourth of my funds is cut off for a whole month as punishment because you smacked my handsome face."
"Of course, I'll fund the development of the equipment. It's for my company after all," she replied.
"Good! I need this change of pace because building the lovememometer is not going well. I don't have enough funds!"
Then he complained about how his punishment was so unfair compared to her "lighter" punishment. Iris had no time to listen to his nonsense, so she quickly said goodbye and hung up.
So far, she had already completed two out of ten requests from the academy. They were moderately challenging but nothing too difficult for her skill level, at least for now. She wanted to complete her punishment as soon as possible but could only wait for the academy to send requests.
Finally, Iris didn't have a reason to stay in Munich any longer. She was ready to go home to China. The others already left, leaving only her and Jin Liwei behind.
Grandpa Lu returned ahead of them to run Jin Corporation in Jin Liwei's stead. Professor Kalisha Schwarz went to Berlin to visit her relatives. Enrique Valdez flew to America to record an album with a famous diva. Maestro Ludovico De Luca flew to Austria next for another concert.
"You'll know soon, baby."
She was unsatisfied but didn't force him to tell her.
"Let's go home, then," she said.
"Not yet."
She tilted her head to the side, confused. "Why? Do you still have something to do here?"
"Not here but somewhere else. We're leaving tomorrow."
He wouldn't tell her anything more. Of course she could just search it up and try to discover what he was hiding from her, but her love for him was greater than her curiosity. She just had to trust him to reveal it to her when he was ready.
The next morning, Jin Liwei's private jet picked them up at the airport. Iris didn't know where they were going. Surprisingly, the flight was quick. It only took a little more than an hour.
When they disembarked, her eyes widened as she recognized the language. She looked at Jin Liwei with a mixture of confusion and excitement.
"Okay."
###
Stresa, Italy.
They spent the first day enjoying Milan before travelling by car to Stresa. They arrived at a beautiful palatial villa standing on a hill overlooking a great lake. The Alps could be seen from a distance.
Iris discovered that the villa belonged to Maestro De Luca. It seemed that this was the reason why the two had been talking a lot behind her back. Jin Liwei borrowed the property from the maestro. However, she still didn't understand why they had to act so secretive.
The town was very quiet at this time of year. There weren't a lot of tourists. Jin Liwei wasn't kidding when he said that he wanted them to relax for a few days. Many of the attractions in the place were closed down because it was low season, but there were still good places they visited like family diners and the local market.
For the most part, the two just stayed in the villa enjoying each other's company.
It was on the third day of their stay that Iris felt something weird. The household staff looked busy. She also caught a glimpse of delivery trucks outside. It looked like they were preparing something.
"What's going on?" she asked.
She had the strongest urge to pinch his cheeks for acting so mysterious and not telling her anything. Feeling a bit annoyed, she went ahead and pinched both of his cheeks hard.
He just grunted but didn't make any move to stop her. He even bent down a little to give her easier access. He just stood there like a good boy and let her hurt him until his cheeks turned red.
Her annoyance was quickly replaced by guilt. He released his poor cheeks and wrapped her arms around his waist instead, hugging him.
"Sorry," she said against his chest.
"It's okay, baby," he said, stroking her hair with his fingers.
She lifted her head and touched his cheeks. "Painful?"
He was about to say no but changed his mind. He deliberately put on a sad expression. "Yes. They hurt so much."
"Really? I'm sorry, Liwei." She gently massaged his cheeks, a concerned look in her eyes.
"They're so painful. I think I need some kisses to feel better."
"Ow! Baby, stop! Please…ah! It hurts…"
She harrumphed but let go of his poor cheeks. They looked tender and redder than before. Annoyance, guilt and love all mixed together within her.
"You're a bad boy," she said, wrapping her hands around his neck and pulling him down so that their faces were only inches away from each other.
"Yes, I'm a bad boy. I deserve to be punished. Are you going to punish me?" His eyes began darkening with desire. He held her waist and pulled her against his body.
A giggle escaped from her lips. "I already did. You want me to pinch your cheeks again?"
"If it makes you happy."
"Oh, Liwei."
Then she kissed him, thoroughly exploring his mouth. She lightly bit his lip when he tried taking over the kiss.
"Be good boy," she murmured while fighting against him for control of the kiss.
Iris could feel his erection against her stomach. It only intensified her desire for him. Her hands crawled down from around his neck to his chest, down his abs…lower…and lower…
"Baby, wait…not now…"
Jin Liwei caught her naughty hands. He was panting. His expression looked pained as he restrained the wild beast inside him. It never failed to amaze him how his baby girl was becoming more and more skilled in seducing him.
He wanted her, of course. So much. However, he still needed to do something special tonight. He needed to think with his heart and head for now and not with his d*ck.
Seeing her frustration, the corners of his lips couldn't help but lift into a smug smile. Her expression showed that she also wanted him as much as he wanted her.
"You've changed a lot, Liwei," she said, pouting. She still looked annoyed and frustrated, but there was also approval in her eyes.
"I've changed for you, baby. Only for you," he told her in a serious tone.
She tried to stop it but her mouth twitched and a big smile broke out of her face. She buried her face against his chest, grinning like an idiot.
Of course, Jin Liwei was also grinning like an idiot. He hugged her, inhaling her scent that he loved so much. Then uncertainty clouded the smile on his face. He forced himself to calm down because he was starting to feel nervous.
'Whatever happens tonight, I'll always love you,' he told her in his mind. He tightened his arms around her, not wanting to let her go.