Chарter 21: An Invitаtion and а Нiddеn Теmрtatiоn, Веcоming Your Guаrdian
Outsidе, thе night grew dеeреr.
Аs her biоlоgicаl сlосk signаlеd bеdtime, Qiаo Zhiуаng couldn’t help but уawn, hеr beаutiful, сlеаr eyеs glistening with drowsinеss.
“Тirеd?”
Сen Zhоu loоked at hеr, his slightlу сurvеd brоws and еyes radiаting а tеndеrnеss that was utterlу саptivаting. “It’s getting lаte. Let mе tаkе уou baсk.”
“Нuh?”
Qiao Zhiуang loоkеd uр, аbout tо sрeak, when a familiar, sweеt voiсе suddеnlу drаwled frоm behind, “Ya~ang~, mу~dar~ling~”
Сen Jinhuаn’s pеach-blossom eyes were half-open, hazy and unfocused. She seemed to be treading on cotton, floating over drunkenly.
“Hmm…”
Sensing something, she turned dizzily and stared at the tall, imposing man before her, tilting her head in surprise. “Handsome, why do you look so much like that jerk of a Little Uncle of mine?”
Qiao Zhiyang: ?
Is it possible… that he actually is your Little Uncle?
She stopped mentally digging a hole to hide in and quickly pulled the little drunkard back. “Huanhuan, how did you get so drunk?”
“Mm, while dancing earlier, I ran into someone I know, so I accidentally drank too much, hic!”
Cen Jinhuan’s eyes were red at the corners as she waved a hand dismissively. “No, wait, I’m not drunk at all. I’ll walk a straight line for you right now, watch!”
Confidently, she placed her hands on her hips and, in her high heels, took a step as if strutting down a runway.
But as soon as she took that step, her alcohol-addled body swayed violently, instantly losing balance. Her arms flailed as she prepared to lunge toward the man beside her. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa?”
“……”
Cen Zhou expressionlessly sidestepped, deftly avoiding her.
Cen Jinhuan: ?
Thump.
Her gaze went blank as she face-planted straight into the nearby sofa.
“Huanhuan, you really are drunk.” Qiao Zhiyang hurriedly helped her up again, her fine brows slightly furrowed. “Let’s go back.”
“No! I’m not done yet, I still want to sing!”
Cen Jinhuan’s drunken eyes swept around the room before she casually picked up a toothpick holder from the table and began singing off-key, “Love till you die~~ Without pouring your heart out, it’s not satisfying”
She glanced up from the corner of her eye.
Then, she scrutinized the man who was now looking down at her with indifference.
“Listen, handsome, looking like that jerk of a Little Uncle of mine won’t get you anywhere.”
Completely unaware that her allowance for the year had already sprouted little wings and flown away, she said earnestly, “You should get plastic surgery.”
Qiao Zhiyang: “……”
“What should we do? Huanhuan is really too drunk.”
She looked helplessly at Cen Zhou. “Third Brother, why don’t you take her home? I can just take a taxi back myself.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a tall figure suddenly approached.
He wore simple casual clothes, his features rugged and handsome with a hint of roguish charm. In the dim light, his gray-blue wolf-cut hair stood out brilliantly.
Xie Lin nodded to the two of them, then walked straight over. With practiced ease, he lifted the little drunkard from the sofa in a single-armed princess carry, exuding a boyfriend-like strength.
“Mm.”
Suddenly airborne, Cen Jinhuan squirmed restlessly. “What are you doing? I don’t want to go back, I’m not done yet!”
Xie Lin raised his other hand and gently patted her head. Though his expression remained aloof, his voice was filled with tenderness. “Be good, miss.”
Cen Jinhuan pouted her red lips.She played with the man’s bangs, spoiled and willful, humming softly, “Then I want to tie your hair into little buns.”
“Mm.”
“And touch your abs.”
“Mm.”
She pouted again, even more coquettishly, “Really, anything goes?”
Xie Lin curled his lips, a hint of morbid amusement flickering in his eyes. “Anything goes.”
Hearing this, the little drunkard who had been fussing just moments ago finally settled down.
Cen Jinhuan obediently nestled into the man’s embrace, her eyes curving into crescents. “Okay then.”
Their figures gradually disappeared through the doorway.
Qiao Zhiyang looked toward Cen Zhou. “Who is he?”
“Childhood friend, and also a personal bodyguard.”
Cen Zhou smiled, lowering his gaze. “Alright, I’ll take you back.”
As if well aware of her tendency to avoid troubling others, he spoke gently again before she could even open her mouth. “It’s not safe for a girl like you to take a taxi so late at night. Besides, I happen to be heading the same way—it’s no trouble at all.”
His gaze resting on her was deep, as if filled with affection.
His gentle tone carried an air of noble elegance and a hidden allure.
“So, this pretty little friend, could you give this brother a chance to be your protector?”
Coincidentally.
A classic Cantonese song began playing from the dance floor—exactly “The Protector.”
Greedy evening wind, how dare you embrace and kiss her
Gently letting down every strand of her beautiful hair
Foul evening wind, you shouldn’t comfort her
I’ve decided to protect the one in my heart for a lifetime.
The lively rhythm of the music seemed to match the beat of her heart.
Qiao Zhiyang’s attention was successfully captured by him, completely unaware that she had once again fallen into his seemingly unintentional, subtle temptation.
Her ears flushed slightly. “Then I’ll trouble Third Brother.”
Cen Zhou smiled lightly. “It’s my duty.”
The silver-black Cullinan waited quietly outside the door.
Xu Kang, who had been waiting, respectfully opened the rear door for them. “President Cen, Young Mis… ahem! Miss Qiao, please.”
“Thank you.” Qiao Zhiyang gracefully stepped into the car, not forgetting to nod politely to him.
Just then.
“Buzz—”
A phone vibration suddenly sounded.
Cen Zhou took his phone from his trouser pocket and held it to his ear, his voice low and magnetic with a Beijing accent. “Mm, I know.”
“Xiao Zhiyang, sorry.”
After the call ended, he put down his phone and turned to look at her, a slight curve at the corner of his lips. “Third Brother forgot to retrieve something. Wait for me a moment, okay?”
Qiao Zhiyang placed her hands on her knees, sitting upright. Her beautiful, gentle amber eyes met his gaze, her voice clear and sweet. “Okay, I’ll wait here for you to return.”
So obedient.
Cen Zhou looked at the innocent, trusting softness on her face, his phoenix eyes suddenly darkening, the fingertips at his side twitching involuntarily.
The little girl was like a Pandora’s box.
Always able to effortlessly awaken the restrained desires within him.
He lowered his long lashes, a dark fire blazing in his eyes.
This unbearably obedient little face would surely look beautiful when crying, too.
How he wanted to fiercely… right now.
Cen Zhou abruptly turned around, breathing somewhat rapidly as he flicked the prayer beads on his wrist.
As if trying to suppress the overwhelming craving that threatened to burst forth.
He took a light, deep breath.
His expression returned to its previous refined and steady composure.
“Keep watch here,” he said to Xu Kang beside him with a faint glance.
The latter immediately understood. “Rest assured, President Cen.”
Beside the back door of the bar, there was a dimly lit alley.
“Damn it! Who sent you? What do you want, dragging me here?”The man, forced to the ground by several figures clad in black, lifted his bruised and swollen face, cursing furiously, “Do you bastards even know who I am? The young master of the Sheng family in Jingbei is my good friend. You’d better let me go now, or else—”
Before he could finish his sentence.
In the silent, dimly lit alley, the sound of leather shoes stepping on the ground suddenly echoed.
Each step was steady, unhurried and deliberate.
Chen Bin suddenly felt a chill surge up his spine, as if he were being watched by the fiercest beast in the jungle, sending a shiver through his entire body.
He looked up, his pupils abruptly contracting—