The car was quiet, with blurred streams of light and shadow flowing outside the window. The entire bustling city seemed muted at this moment.
Wen Xuxue felt as if sitting on pins and needles, silently tightening her scarf.
She glanced at the dignified man beside her, remained silent for a moment, then asked, “Why did you come?”
Zhou Shijing’s gaze briefly lingered on her, countering, “Don’t want me to come?”
Seeing her expression devoid of any joy, instead somewhat restrained, his eyelashes trembled slightly, and he added, “You still prefer to share a room with your boyfriend, right?”
Wen Xuxue stared at him blankly.
He seemed to be questioning, yet he was also gentle.
She said, “No.”
Zhou Shijing’s stern face suddenly softened.
Wen Xuxue continued, “Compared to you guys, I’d rather share a room with my best friend.”
Zhou Shijing’s expression darkened slightly, his thin lips tightening, and he said, “You and your best friend have a good relationship?”
Wen Xuxue glanced at him, seemingly surprised, “We’re best friends, of course the relationship is good.”
Zhou Shijing: “…”
Even the answer was identical.
His slender fingertips tapped on the armrest, the expensive silver watch on his wrist particularly dazzling under such dim lighting.
For the rest of the journey, neither spoke again.
Wen Xuxue opened her phone and found Jiang Jing had called her several times.
There was also a message: 【I was busy earlier and didn’t get your call. What’s up?】
Wen Xuxue: 【I’ll tell you later.】
Jiang Jing: 【Okay.】
As these messages exchanged, the Bentley drove into the underground parking lot.
Just after parking, Zhou Shijing got out first, Wen Xuxue following behind him.
He still lived in that same luxurious mansion.
This residence was extravagantly opulent, a place of indulgence and luxury.
Even the parking garage perpetually carried a pleasant citrus fragrance.
Wen Xuxue looked up at the man’s stern back, her heartbeat suddenly quickening.
She… how did she just follow him home?
This was like a lamb entering a tiger’s den.
But, if she didn’t follow him home, he might fire her.
Lost in her wild thoughts, Wen Xuxue didn’t notice the man ahead had stopped walking, and thus bumped into his back with a “thud.”
First smelling a steady woody scent, then feeling pain in her nose.
Zhou Shijing slowly turned back, holding a set of keys, his voice calm, “Older Brother is opening the door, don’t rush.”
Clearly, she hadn’t watched her path and bumped into him, yet in his words it became trivial.
Wen Xuxue’s heart softened slightly, whispering, “Got it, Older Brother.”
Zhou Shijing quickly opened the door.
As before, Wen Xuxue entered first, Zhou Shijing then closing the door securely.
Years had passed, yet his home remained unchanged.
The ceiling was high, a chandelier composed of hundreds of natural crystal pieces hung from the dome, dazzling and brilliant.
When Wen Xuxue looked up like this, she could see her own face clearly through the crystals.
Zhou Shijing watched her and said, “Like this lamp?”
Wen Xuxue asked, “How much is this lamp?”
Zhou Shijing casually replied, “2 million.”
Changing his shoes, he added, “Xiao Xue likes it? If you like it, Older Brother will give it to you.”
Wen Xuxue’s eyes brightened, “Really?”
Zhou Shijing raised an eyebrow, “Really.”
Wen Xuxue said, “Can it be cashed out?”
Zhou Shijing: ?
Wen Xuxue grabbed his sleeve and began to act coquettishly. “Moving the lamp away is too much trouble. It would be much easier if Older Brother just transferred 2 million directly to my bank card.”
Zhou Shijing subtly freed his hand from her grasp and looked at her with an inscrutable expression in his eyes. “Running short on money?”
“Yes,” Wen Xuxue lied without hesitation. “I also want to buy a few pretty bags.”
In truth, she didn’t actually want to buy bags, nor was she that short on money—she hadn’t even used what Zhou Shijing had given her last time.
She just wanted to save up a little more money.
After all, ever since returning to the country, her father had stopped sending her living expenses.
“Alright,” Zhou Shijing said. “Older Brother will give it to you.”
So Wen Xuxue sat side by side with him on the sofa, watching as he took out his phone, entered the amount without hesitation, and typed in the password.
2 million was transferred directly into her account.
Wen Xuxue smiled brightly. “Older Brother is so handsome.”
Zhou Shijing turned to look at her, his gaze calm. “Do you like Older Brother?”
Wen Xuxue said, “I do.”
Zhou Shijing’s eyes curved slightly, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes, remaining as detached as ever. “Then, does what Xiao Xue said to Older Brother this afternoon still count?”
Wen Xuxue’s smile froze, and she stammered, “P-punishment?”
Zhou Shijing’s expression remained cool. “Mm.”
The two of them were sitting close together now, Wen Xuxue’s thigh pressed tightly against his. The man’s body heat radiated toward her, scorching and intense.
She swallowed nervously, feeling a bit flustered, and cautiously took his hand, whispering, “Then, after it’s done, can Older Brother not treat me like before?”
Zhou Shijing feigned ignorance. “Like what?”
Wen Xuxue’s ears turned red as she stammered, “J-just like that.”
What she couldn’t bring herself to say, Zhou Shijing understood perfectly well. He didn’t press her further and instead asked, “Why?”
Wen Xuxue suddenly looked up, her eyes glistening with moisture. “I, I… have a boyfriend now.”