Chарtеr 19: Аn Аmbiguous Title, Му Little Girlfriend
Тhe man bеfоrе hеr wаs еxtrеmеlу tall, еstimatеd to be аrоund 190 cеntimetеrs.
Нis shоulders wеrе broаd, his аrms аdоrnеd with lеаther slеevе gаrters that outlined thе cоntours оf his musсlеs thrоugh the thin fabriс.
A purе blасk shirt аcсentuаted his cоld, dеtасhеd allurе, while the gold-rimmеd glаssеs аddеd a touch оf rеfinеd elеganсe.
Thоugh hе арpeаrеd like a grаceful nоblеmаn, аn oррressive aura of a ruffian еmanаtеd frоm him.
…Dаmn!
Тhe slеazy man widеned his еyеs in shoсk, never expecting her words to be true.
He forced a few awkward laughs and took a step back.
To mask the inexplicable unease rising in his heart, he flicked a few strands of his bangs with unwarranted confidence. “So this is your boyfriend? Not much to look at.”
Qiao Zhiyang: ?
Where did this jerk get his confidence from!
He looked creepy and greasy, like unfiltered garbage oil—what right did he have to criticize her Mr. Cen (an angry face)!
The Little Lamb was thoroughly riled up.
She stormed out of Cen Zhou’s embrace.
Taking the initiative to loop her arm through his, she lifted her chin slightly and glared fiercely at the man. “That’s right, this is my boyfriend. You’re not even worthy of fetching his foot-washing water!”
Sleazy Man: ?
His pride wounded, he grew furious and raised his hand to strike. “Damn it, you bitch dare insult me? I’ll teach you a lesson… Ouch!”
Just as his palm was about to descend, a large, veined hand abruptly seized his wrist.
Cen Zhou stood in front of Qiao Zhiyang, shielding her behind him.
Looking down at the man’s terrified gaze, the corners of his lips lifted slightly, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Sir, please show some respect to my girlfriend.”
The man’s pupils instantly contracted.
Though this person didn’t seem to be exerting much force, the area where he was gripped erupted with unbearable, intense pain.
His face paled slightly, and his trembling gaze lifted.
Suddenly meeting the cold, emotionless eyes of the man before him, he couldn’t help but think of the most brutal and ferocious wolf in the jungle.
“…Let go of me!”
The man shuddered and hastily yanked his hand back.
He shot a resentful, humiliated glare at Qiao Zhiyang, who was shielded behind Cen Zhou, and spat crudely on the ground. “Wearing such provocative clothes to a bar when you have a boyfriend—how shameless! Damn it, wasted my time.”
Cursing under his breath, he rubbed his throbbing wrist, his face flushed red as he turned and walked away.
As if feeling guilty, he couldn’t resist glancing back after a few steps.
He saw the tall, broad-shouldered man still standing there, as composed and elegant as ever, showing no trace of aggression.
The man curled his lip disdainfully.
Hmph.
Thought he was something.
Turns out he’s just a flashy, empty vase.
If only I hadn’t backed down earlier—I should’ve touched his girlfriend right in front of him.
Damn it, what a loss.
After the troublemaker left, Cen Zhou turned around, his gaze softening back to the gentleness he reserved only for her. “Don’t worry, it’s all over now.”
“Don’t be afraid,” his voice was low, mellow, and tender, so captivating it was intoxicating.
The overwhelming sense of security gradually eased Qiao Zhiyang’s still-tense emotions.
Her heart fluttered inexplicably once more in his tenderness.
She lifted her small face, her bright eyes shimmering as she looked at him gratefully. “Thanks to Third Brother showing up in time and chasing away that bad guy. Thank you.”
Cen Zhou lowered his gaze and chuckled softly.He gazed at the arm still held by the girl, his eyes curving slightly as scattered starlight-like amusement danced in his gaze. “You’re welcome. After all, protecting my girlfriend is the most important duty of a boyfriend.”
Qiao Zhiyang: !!!
Following his line of sight, the invisible little lamb horns on her head instantly trembled.
“Sorry!”
She immediately let go as if shocked by electricity. “I—I didn’t mean to! I wasn’t trying to take advantage of you on purpose!”
The soft, gentle sensation of the girl vanished from his arm in an instant.
Cen Zhou raised an eyebrow. “Use and discard?”
He lazily rested his palm on the small table beside her, his tall frame leaning slightly toward her.
The cool, pleasant scent of sandalwood spread like an enticing net, magnifying endlessly before her.
His lowered eyes, gazing directly at her through his glasses, grew deep and captivating. “Who taught you to be so mischievous? Hmm?”
The surrounding lights were hazy and dreamy.
They added a seductive huskiness to his already deep, magnetic voice.
It was so alluring that it made one’s heart warm and pulse quicken uncontrollably.
Qiao Zhiyang felt her heartbeat skip a beat.
Due to their height difference, his slightly warm breath was right in front of her, heating her cheeks until they flushed.
“I…”
Her long lashes lifted slightly, easily meeting the man’s profound gaze.
The retort that had already risen to her throat suddenly faltered, its ending tone softening. “I didn’t…”
The man’s thin lips curved into a faint smile.
His deep phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as he whispered mischievously, “Little Zhiyang, am I your first boyfriend?”
Tricked by the big bad wolf disguised as a gentleman, the Little Lamb couldn’t help but feel a bit dizzy as she fell into the trap.
She blinked in confusion, nodding instinctively. “Mhm.”
Huh, wait!
Something doesn’t seem right!
Suddenly realizing, Qiao Zhiyang’s entire face flushed a rosy pink.
She hurriedly added, “My first pretend boyfriend!”
“Mhm.”
Cen Zhou nodded, his tone casual as if asking offhandedly. “So no one else has pretended before?”
“Of course not!”
Qiao Zhiyang’s earlobes turned bright red as she muttered softly, “Not even pretending, let alone a real one.”
Since birth, she had been a genuine single lamb.
Hearing this, the smile in Cen Zhou’s eyes deepened.
The faint traces of jealousy lurking in his gaze vanished instantly with her words.
He had long been captivated by this Little Lamb of his.
So he couldn’t bear to see another man by her side.
Even if it was just pretend—absolutely not allowed.
The distance between the two was quite close.
The soft chuckle that escaped the man’s throat shot straight into her ear like an electric current.
Qiao Zhiyang thought he was laughing at her for being nineteen and never having been in a relationship. Puffing her cheeks slightly, she huffed, “What are you laughing at?”
“What a coincidence.”
Cen Zhou’s lips curved slightly, his affectionate and profound gaze seeming to melt into her. “Your brother is also a first-timer.”
He bent slightly, maintaining a measured distance as he leaned close to her ear. His low, magnetic, and seductive voice struck her eardrum like a tempting spell.
“My little girlfriend.”
Boom—
A pink mushroom cloud instantly exploded above the Little Lamb’s head.
Meeting his unusually deep gaze, Qiao Zhiyang’s heart suddenly trembled violently.
She couldn’t help but avert her eyes in a fluster, gently nudging him with her little lamb horns. “Third Brother, you’re teasing me again.”The girl’s voice was always clear and sweet, but now it carried an unintentional hint of coquettishness, sounding as if she were acting spoiled with him.
Cen Zhou’s fingertips suddenly tingled with a numbing sensation.
His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, long eyelashes veiling the turbulent darkness swirling in his eyes.
Tsk.
This was too pathetic.
Just this much could stir a reaction in him.
Cen Zhou’s brow lifted slightly, followed by a soft chuckle.
But he savored it willingly.