It was nearly midnight.
But for City A, this was the most brilliantly lit and bustling time of night.
The night had just begun.
When Song Li Sheng pushed open the door to the private room, Li Jiao was leaning against Li Shiyun’s shoulder, her face slightly flushed as she held a wine glass.
Her alcohol tolerance had improved somewhat, but only marginally compared to her former one-drink-and-she’s-down state.
So, in the short half-hour between Song Li Sheng receiving the message and rushing to his own bar, Li Jiao had already gotten quite drunk.
The door was shoved open violently, and the dim, dazzling colored lights fell upon Song Li Sheng’s cold, unyielding, yet exquisitely sculpted face.
Instantly, the room fell into complete silence, a stark contrast to the noisy music outside.
“S-Song… President Song…” someone suddenly called out in a trembling voice.
Song Li Sheng paid no attention, only sweeping his gaze—once tender and affectionate, now icy and piercing—across the men and women in the room.
Everyone touched by his frosty stare was so frightened they dropped their glasses and sat up stiffly.
Finally, his eyes settled on Li Shiyun and Li Jiao, who was resting her head on Li Shiyun’s shoulder.
Li Jiao’s gaze was dazed. The moment her eyes met Song Li Sheng’s, she struggled to widen them.
Somehow… he looked a little different from usual.
Her mind muddled by alcohol, Li Jiao’s thoughts and reactions had slowed considerably, and she remained completely oblivious to the almost frozen atmosphere around her.
Slowly, she straightened up.
As the weight on her shoulder disappeared, Li Shiyun felt Song Li Sheng’s gaze—which had seemed almost capable of tearing her apart—gradually shift away.
She couldn’t help but sigh in relief, shifting carefully to distance herself from the “battlefield.”
A classic line came to mind: if looks could kill, she would have died ten thousand times over just now.
Li Jiao rubbed her eyes but still couldn’t see clearly. “Why are you here?”
Why would a man come alone to a place like this so late at night?
No sense of safety awareness at all!
But to Song Li Sheng’s ears, her words took on an entirely different meaning.
He casually sat down beside Li Jiao, a faint, indifferent smile curling his lips. “Can’t I come? Am I interrupting something?”
As he spoke, he lowered his gaze to Li Jiao’s full, glistening red lips, his eyes dark and unreadable.
In the time it took Song Li Sheng to approach Li Jiao, the others in the room had already sensed the strange tension, as if they were witnessing a scene of infidelity…
They hurriedly scrambled out of the private room, even thoughtfully closing the door behind them.
“This isn’t a place for you to come,” Li Jiao frowned, looking up into his eyes. “You’re so good-looking. Don’t you know it’s dangerous to go out so late at night?”
Song Li Sheng let out a cold laugh, amused by her audacity. So, Li Jiao knew it was unsafe to be out so late—shouldn’t he be the one saying that?!
How could she turn the tables on him like this?
“And what about you? Is it suitable for you?” he retorted.
Li Jiao was displeased. Song Li Sheng was being very disobedient today. “So uncooperative.”
Seeing Li Jiao’s stubborn expression and her apparent belief that staying out all night was perfectly justified, Song Li Sheng could barely contain the fury boiling inside him.
He gritted his teeth, the storm in his eyes threatening to swallow the woman before him whole.
Then, Li Jiao placed a hand against the side of his face.
The cool touch sent a slight shiver through Song Li Sheng’s body.
“You…” He was about to speak when Li Jiao suddenly leaned in close.
A softness touched his lips, carrying a hint of moisture.
Song Li Sheng’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the person mere inches away. The raging fury within him was nearly extinguished, leaving only shock.
His hands hung helplessly at his sides, not daring to move a muscle.
But Li Jiao brushed her hand past Song Li Sheng’s ear and wrapped it around his vulnerable, trembling neck, deepening the kiss.
Their thighs pressed tightly together through the fabric of their pants, rubbing against each other.
Song Li Sheng felt subtle changes occurring in his body.
He momentarily lost control of his strength, his body swaying, and they both tumbled onto the sofa together.
His previously aimless hands instinctively wrapped around Li Jiao’s waist, assuming a protective posture to prevent her from rolling onto the floor.
But his lips were cut by her teeth.
The taste of blood spread between their lips and teeth before Li Jiao finally pulled away.
She braced her hands on either side of Song Li Sheng’s ears, looking down at the spot of red on his thin lips from her superior position.
Beneath her, the corners of his eyes trembled, his breathing uneven, yet his gaze remained fixed unwaveringly on Li Jiao’s neck.
This leaning position caused the diamond ring that had been hanging around her neck but tucked inside her clothes to naturally fall out due to gravity.
Freed from the concealment of her clothing, it was exposed to the air.
And to Song Li Sheng’s eyes.
Li Jiao reached out and smeared the slightly oozing blood droplet, her movements not particularly gentle as she asked: “Does it hurt?”
Song Li Sheng’s face showed unconcealable astonishment and delight. He shifted his gaze slightly and gently shook his head: “It doesn’t hurt.”
Not getting the answer she wanted, Li Jiao leaned down again and kissed the wound, sucking on it.
Just as the already clotted wound began bleeding again under her suction, his lips even turning slightly pale, Song Li Sheng finally gasped in pain.
Hearing his whimper, Li Jiao stopped tearing at the soft flesh and instead gently licked the spot twice, as if comforting him: “If it hurts, remember this. Don’t come to places like this anymore, understand?”
Song Li Sheng looked up at her, his eyes glistening with faint moisture. He lifted his neck stubbornly and asked: “What about you?”
“Me?”
“Is it okay for you to come to places like this?” He licked the cut on his lip, and the hand that had been resting cautiously on Li Jiao’s waist applied slight pressure, pulling her closer against him.
“You reek of alcohol and other people’s perfume.” Song Li Sheng took two deep breaths near Li Jiao’s shoulder, sniffing the scent, and immediately frowned.
Li Jiao braced her hands against the upper part of his chest. Hearing Song Li Sheng’s plaintive accusation, she turned her head to smell her own scent.
It was indeed overwhelming.
She couldn’t help feeling somewhat guilty, so her tone softened: “Alright, next time I’ll try to pick a quieter place.”
Next time?
Song Li Sheng’s eyes darkened imperceptibly.
He slipped his other hand into the space between them, feeling the ridges of the necklace.
Trying to rely on the natural coolness of this recovered wedding ring to dispel his dissatisfaction with Li Jiao’s answer.
But it was far from enough.
The implication that there would be a next time made him very unhappy.
He wanted more…
So he released the necklace and moved the hand that had been pressing against her waist away as well.
He simply wrapped his arms around Li Jiao’s neck and took the initiative to kiss her lips.