CHAPTER 170: CHAPTER 170: HE ACTUALLY KNOWS HOW TO SMILE

When Zane lay in bed, it was already past one in the morning.

Sophia’s hands were all sore and weak. This man’s physique was just too good, like a handsome man stepping out of a bath.

However, some places would suddenly grow, suddenly shrink, making one blush at the sight.

She tucked him in gently, lying on his broad chest, listening to his steady breathing.

And even in his drowsy state, he didn’t forget to hold her close.

The next day.

Sophia was awakened by the heavy numbness in her arm.

Zane was using her arm as a pillow, hugging her soft waist, lying in her embrace.

His rough stubble pricked her arm painfully.

His head was just too heavy, pressing down until her hand went numb.

"Zane..." she called softly.

Zane shifted slightly, holding her even tighter, moving his head from her arm to her front, continuing to rest on her.

"...damn..."

She tried to move her arm, now numbly pressed, and while her hand could move, her body couldn’t.

Sophia placed her hand on his firm shoulder.

A ray of morning sunlight refracted in, draping over his tan shoulder blade, sexy yet wild, forming a stark contrast with the white sheets.

Suddenly, she wasn’t sleepy anymore.

She was admiring the beautiful scene before her.

Running her fingers through his stubble, the corners of her mouth slightly curved up, her slender fingers gliding over his smooth back muscles, as if she could feel his muscles twitch.

Such a physique, one that haunts so many women’s dreams.

"Finally, the company is listed and I get some time to rest, and here you are, up so early."

"You’re awake?" she pinched his face.

"Mmm..."

*

Afterward, Sophia carefully tied his tie.

The man rested his hands on the woman’s waist, mischievously pinching it randomly.

"At the end of the month, I have to go abroad for a while; it might be more than half a month before I come back." Zane’s voice was a bit hoarse, a hint of satisfaction in his breath.

As soon as Sophia heard this, she began to feel reluctant in her heart.

After marrying him, the two seemed to always be together, and suddenly being apart for so long, she felt an empty void in her heart.

She responded with a soft hum, adjusted the tie, and carefully clipped the tie clip on the tie.

"This time, it’s a project with Steven, someone you know, so rest assured I’ll keep my belt tight, wouldn’t dare loosen it." Zane had seen the reluctance in her.

Sophia pursed her lips, warning him with a look, "If you dare loosen that belt, I’ll have someone cut it for you in the middle of the night!"

"So fierce, don’t worry, I definitely won’t." Zane pinched her waist.

A shiver ran through Sophia, tightening her abdomen.

She let out a sigh.

"I’ll make sure to call you every day, you behave and wait at home for me," he added.

"Got it." She dared not show too much of her reluctance.

Zane is a workaholic, she knew that, just that no matter how busy he was, he would make time to be with her, he had already done so perfectly.

"When I return, we can have a little baby." He curled his lips, "Take a good rest during this half month’s time..."

"You’re so annoying, not even gone yet and already talking about when you come back." Hearing this, Sophia’s ears turned red.

She didn’t know why, even after being together for so long, she would still blush.

"I really don’t want to leave you, if only you didn’t have unfinished projects, we could still take the chance for a honeymoon." He lovingly pinched her cheek, "Not eating meat for half a month would drive me crazy..."

"How did I not notice you’re so...," so gluttonous, she bit back the words.

He seemed to always have been this greedy.

"How am I? Hmm?" Zane laughed, tilting his head to observe her expression.

"..."

He leaned close to Sophia’s ear, whispering softly: "I really can’t help it, with a wife this beautiful..."

This man spoke lewdly without the slightest embarrassment.

Sophia gently pushed him away, if she listened any longer, even her ears were going to get pregnant.

"Alright, if we don’t head out now, we’ll be late."

Today was a family gathering, the dinner last night didn’t include The Sterling Family and The Lowell Family, so today was arranged at home as a celebration.

It was also considered the official meeting of both families.

She was a bit nervous, these two months both families had been preparing for their wedding, even though they’ve gotten the certificate and have been together for so long, a wedding of such a grand scale, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

This family banquet was still held on the lawn outside the Sterling family’s castle.

When they arrived, two long rows of tables had already been arranged on the lawn, and a few picnic blankets were spread under the kapok trees.

Fallen scarlet kapok flowers scattered across the grass.

The maids were busy, preparing for the afternoon tea and evening banquet.

The afternoon had already grown somewhat hot, most people had changed into short sleeves.

Sophia was wearing high-waisted jeans, paired with a yellow chiffon V-neck puff sleeve top, her slim waist seemingly fragile enough to break with a pinch.

"Mom!" As soon as Sophia got out of the car, she rushed to hug Zoe Walsh.

Autumn Lowell also approached from not far away, but she didn’t look too well.

Sophia let go of Zoe Walsh’s hand, walking toward Autumn Lowell, "Mom, what’s wrong?"

Autumn Lowell shook her head, her expression improving somewhat upon spotting Zane getting out of the car.

"Mom." Zane.

"Zane." Autumn Lowell smiled.

"Mom, you..." Sophia wanted to ask something but was interrupted by the arriving Grandpa Sterling.

"Oh wow, you two are back?" Grandpa Sterling chuckled warmly.

"Grandpa." The two of them called out simultaneously.

"Had lunch yet? If not, I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare something." Zoe Walsh held Sophia’s hand.

"We ate, had lunch before coming back." Sophia smiled, but her gaze lingered on Autumn Lowell.

Surely there was something Autumn hadn’t shared, her demeanor was off, and Sophia knew her best.

However, with so many people around, it wasn’t a good time to ask, and even if asked, she probably wouldn’t say.

"Sterling, Grandpa Sterling, Aunt Walsh, everyone’s here." Approaching was a twenty-two-year-old girl, a few months younger than Sophia.

Next to her were Ian Lynch and Willow Sterling.

She was Ian Lynch’s sister, Shelley Lynch.

She wasn’t seen during the New Year because she had graduated and gone on a global trip, heard she had good grades but was spoiled and difficult to discipline.

Mr. Lynch adored her the most.

Autumn Lowell’s face turned slightly gloomy upon seeing her.

Zane’s expression turned rather unpleasant upon hearing someone call him Sterling, he didn’t even bother responding.

He stood beside Sophia, asking her quietly: "Would you like some dessert? Secretary White sent over some at noon, something you like."

"No need, I’m not hungry yet." Sophia.

Everyone exchanged greetings, and with so many people, many didn’t notice whether Zane responded or not.

But Shelley had keen eyes.

Apart from Zane, Shelley’s gaze also fell upon Sophia.

In these few days back, everyone had been preparing for their wedding, and most talk was about them, she had learned quite a bit about Sophia too.

This woman was really extraordinary, they all said she was beautiful, and seeing her today, she found Sophia was even more beautiful in person than in photos.

And besides being beautiful, her capabilities were undeniable.

Shelley felt a bit uncomfortable.

Standing at a tall stature of 1.7 meters, beautiful and graceful, countless suitors pursued her, yet Zane treated her like cold water, giving her a sense of defeat.

When Ian Lynch and Willow Sterling got married, Shelley and Zane had crossed paths. Back then, he seemed indifferent to everything, now meeting Sophia, he seemed like a changed man.

He surprisingly even smiled.