Zhou Luchen's kiss was too domineering, like a hungry wolf tearing at flesh. Her nude-colored fingernails dug into his muscular arm before he finally laughed and released her.
Shen Jing touched the corner of her mouth in pain, her fingertips staining with crimson blood. Her lips had been bitten by Zhou Luchen.
They looked into each other's eyes.
Zhou Luchen half-knelt on the swan bedding with one long leg. Shen Jing grew nervous as he forcefully pushed her knees apart with his thigh. As she leaned back, his shadow fell over her, easily trapping her.
He found her skin too tender, unable to withstand much.
In pain, Shen Jing propped herself up on the swan bedding. "Playing so intensely, have you fallen for me?"
"Shen Jing." He sneered ambiguously. "You know the answer, so why ask?"
Shen Jing knew he clearly didn't like her; that kiss held only momentary desire, devoid of any genuine emotion.
Shen Jing asked, "Was that three million for a loveless arrangement, or to pay for a clean break from me?"
Zhou Luchen gazed down at her with aristocratic disdain. His fingers hooked a strand of her hair, twirling it playfully as his low, merciless voice sounded, "Either do it, or take the money and never see me again."
Direct, and to the point. Coming from his lips, it didn't sound frivolous in the slightest.
Below his prominent Adam's apple, the collar of his white shirt was open. The fabric clung tightly to his chest, outlining his firm, taut pectoral muscles; the buttons looked as if they were about to burst. The air crackled with a potent, sensual tension.
Shen Jing was stunned.
Quickly, Zhou Luchen picked her up and changed their positions, seating her on his thigh.
His long, well-formed fingers gently touched the bruise at the corner of her mouth. He indifferently quirked his own lips. "What, you want to be with me?"
His voice was low, his eyes clearly revealing his inner indifference and cold-heartedness.
Shen Jing moved closer, her nose almost touching his. She blinked her moist eyes. "Are you willing? To be in a relationship?"
Zhou Luchen looked at her as if she were a boring, idle person. "What do you like about me?"
That was Shen Jing's intention. She wanted love and romance, not some sponsorship. Perhaps Zhou Luchen would have laughed at her foolishness then. But emotions and desires are innate to humans; this was undeniable.
At that moment, she was more candid than anyone else. "A secret crush." For four years.
Zhou Luchen found it amusing, but he merely thought Shen Jing was making excuses.
Shen Jing raised her head. "Do you remember me from the hospital four years ago?"
What was there to remember?
Zhou Luchen didn't react. "Your tricks are too crude."
"You're so heartless," she said.
A phone rang—Zhou Luchen's.
He glanced at the name on the incoming call, instinctively got off the bed, and grabbed his car keys and phone.
Shen Jing watched his back. Without a single glance back, he seemed all the more cold.
The call was from Lu Siyuan. "Second Young Master Zhou, are you having fun over there? Hasn't dawn broken yet?"
"Stop with the nonsense," Zhou Luchen's lips curved faintly. "Call me Boss."
The other end cooed, "I've joined the crew. Won't the Boss say congratulations?"
CLACK.
The door shut completely.
It was 5:30 in the morning, and dawn was about to break. He was gone, leaving no trace.
Zhou Luchen perfectly embodied the life of a wealthy playboy.
Room service staff brought her an ointment and a plate of cut fruit.
Shen Jing leaned against the headboard, looking out the floor-to-ceiling window.
It was a woman's voice on that phone call, very soft, very sweet. But Shen Jing couldn't understand why Zhou Luchen had brought her to the hotel.
She licked her lips, forgetting the bite mark, and suddenly felt a sharp pain.
"Ow!"
She grabbed the ointment from the bedside table and hurried into the bathroom.
「Noon.」
A courier delivered a package; it was her household register.
The hotel staff, who also delivered her lunch, informed her, "You can stay here anytime. The room charges are all under Mr. Zhou's name."
He didn't think she had nowhere to live, did he?
"It's no trouble. I'll check out later."
「That same day.」
Shen Jing returned to Suzhou Teahouse. It was close to Shanghai.
Nestled in a small alley was the teahouse.
It was tourist season. The teahouse was packed with guests who came to listen to pingtan, the seats having been full since early afternoon.
The decor was antique and exuded charm. On stage, her senior sister and senior brother were singing "Qinhuai Scenery," full of Jiangnan flavor.
Upstairs, Xing Fei hurried to the entrance upon learning of her return, eagerly greeting her, and soon noticed the wound at the corner of Shen Jing's mouth.
"Are you suffering from too much internal heat?" Xing Fei asked. "Shall I brew some chrysanthemum tea for you?"
Shen Jing replied irritably, "Bitten by my lover."
Xing Fei paused for a moment, then offered her some sunflower seeds. "Can you still crack these?"
Shen Jing declined the seeds. She leaned against the railing, listening to the music.
Xing Fei cracked seeds while remarking admiringly, "So what if he bit your lip? Your lover seems quite skilled."
"What?" Shen Jing turned back.
Xing Fei said frankly, "Zhou Luchen. By my estimate, he must be at least 190cm tall."
How could she not know who it was? Chen Yao had come looking for her, saying Shen Jing was drunk. Then it all made sense. Tsk. So she had slept with Zhou Luchen.
"I never realized you were such a player," Xing Fei said.
Shen Jing's eyebrows twitched slightly. "I'm no match for him in these games."
Xing Fei knew Shen Jing wouldn't be able to win him over. She should have retreated in the face of such difficulty. Why play with fire like that, getting involved with those wealthy playboys? She'd be devoured without a trace.
As her senior sister came off stage, she suddenly called out, "Ajing, it's your turn!"
Shen Jing had always been the youngest girl in the troupe. She had come here at eighteen, while she was still in college. Although she had a stipend, she still relied on supporting herself through work-study.
People had often asked Shen Jing how she sang so well. Her posture and the way she plucked the strings showed a profound skill and familiarity that seemed impossible without years of practice since childhood.
She simply said, "I did learn when I was young."
Did that old man Feng Jian really have the money to send her to learn the pipa?