Сhaptеr 5: “Ве Gооd, Say It Agаin”
А rich, deеp voiсе sоundеd unhurriеdlу, as if whisреring intimаtelу by hеr ear.
Qiао Zhiyаng’s heаrtbеаt skipреd a bеаt unсоntrоllаblу.
Cаll him “brothеr”?
Нer eyelаshes trеmbled slightlу, аnd а fаint blush inexрlicablу sрrеаd aсross hеr snow-white fасе.
Wаs shе ovеrthinking it?
Why did it feel еvеn mоrе intimаte than cаlling him “Littlе Unсle”…
Аs if seеing right through her innеr turmоil аnd hеsitation.
Веfore shе could sоrt оut hеr thоughts, his thin lips сurvеd slightly, his jade-like voice сarrуing а fаint trасe оf amusement. “Сould it bе that in Мiss Qiaо’s heart, I’m already old?”
“Miss Qiao is nineteen this year, while I’m twenty-six—a full seven years older than you.”
The scheming man sighed softly, lowering his gaze. “Indeed, I am quite old.”
The head of the Cen family, who was always in control no matter the time or place, now lowered his eyes, his thin lips curving with a hint of helplessness.
He looked… a little aggrieved.
Xu Kang, standing to the side and dutifully playing the role of a third wheel: “…”
With three parts confusion and seven parts shock, he tilted his head and stared at his boss in horror, completely surrounded by question marks.
Huh?
Was this still his decisive, cold, and ruthless President Cen??
His image had changed, and what’s more, he had absurdly switched to a soft, coaxing tone in an instant…
Xu Kang patted his forehead, feeling dizzy and utterly bewildered.
Could it be that in just a short while, his boss had been possessed by someone else??!
“It’s fine.”
As if not noticing his assistant’s trembling lips, Cen Zhou sighed softly again.
Raising his deep eyes once more, his voice noticeably lowered further. “Just go with what you think. Don’t worry about me…”
“No, that’s not it!”
Before he could finish, Qiao Zhiyang hurriedly shook her head.
His wounded, dejected tone made the simple-minded girl completely forget how to spell the words “human hearts are treacherous.”
She clumsily tried to comfort him, flustered to the point of forgetting to use honorifics. “You’re not old, really! They say men are like flowers at thirty—you’re only twenty-six, still a vibrant, youthful, and beautiful blossom!”
…?
As soon as the words left her mouth, the Little Lamb fell silent for a moment.
A flush of embarrassment quickly crept up to the tips of her ears.
Ahhhhh!!!
Help!!!
What was she even saying!!!
“Youthful and beautiful,” “blossom”—were these words even appropriate to describe a man?!
This was it.
Mr. Cen was definitely going to be angry.
Qiao Zhiyang, oh Qiao Zhiyang, how did you ever manage to score full marks in Chinese before? ( )
Knowing she had said the wrong thing, the girl hung her head low, like a fluffy little lamb burying its face in its own wool, unwilling to come out.
Cen Zhou looked down at her blushing, flustered expression and felt a sudden thirst in his throat. The color of his eyes, hidden behind his glasses, deepened imperceptibly.
Tsk.
There it was again.
He really wanted… to tease her.
He raised his hand and lightly adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on his tall nose bridge, concealing those hidden, mischievous thoughts.
By the time he lowered his hand again, he had regained his composed and refined demeanor.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly. “A blossom, you say?”
The Little Lamb in front of him lowered her head even further.Just as she was filled with regret and about to apologize, the man’s deep, amused voice already sounded above her head, “This is the first time I’ve heard someone address me like that.”
“Not bad.”
Cen Zhou nodded, his gaze resting on her with a hint of deeper meaning, “I like it.”
Hearing this, Qiao Zhiyang looked up at him in surprise.
Huh?
He actually wasn’t angry?
Meeting the girl’s astonished gaze, Cen Zhou’s smile deepened, resembling a gentle elder indulging a child, “Cen Jiaohua? Mm, let’s call me that from now on.”
Qiao Zhiyang: ?
Xu Kang: ?
“No, no, no.”
Qiao Zhiyang’s cheeks flushed pink as she quickly shook her head, nearly flinging off the little lamb horns on her head, “That’s not good, we can’t call you that.”
“Hmm?” The man let out a light, muffled hum that carried a seductive tone.
He looked at her with a faint smile, like a perfectly patient and gentle gentleman, softly guiding her, “Then what would you like to change it to?”
Qiao Zhiyang lowered her head again, thinking seriously.
She had heard that Cen Zhou was ranked third among his peers in the Cen Family.
Ding.
A bright little lightbulb popped up above her head.
Got it.
She had an idea.
Qiao Zhiyang lifted her moist, soft eyes, her cheeks still tinged with a faint, lingering pink blush, and looked at him earnestly and sweetly, gently calling out to him, “Third Brother.”
Her voice naturally carried a soft, sweet charm, and with that one utterance, it was particularly captivating.
The color in Cen Zhou’s eyes behind his glasses suddenly deepened.
The unexpected address made his fingers, which had been lazily resting on the car door, abruptly tighten, his emotions churning in an instant.
Suppressing his nearly uncontrollable expression, he continued to calmly play the role of a trustworthy elder, his voice slightly hoarse, “Good girl, say it again.””
Qiao Zhiyang suspected nothing.
Tilting her beautiful, clear, and charming face, she obediently and softly called out again, “Third Brother.”
Xu Kang, who continued to dutifully play the role of a third wheel nearby: “…”
He looked at the noble and elegant man before him, wanting to speak but holding back.
He couldn’t help but feel that this scene resembled a suspicious old man luring a naive and innocent little girl.
So scary (_)
Xu Kang shuddered and couldn’t help but speak up, “President Cen, should we return to the company now or…”
Before he could finish, Cen Zhou interrupted him calmly, “To the hotel.”
Xu Kang: ?
Huh???
Now???
Ignoring his assistant, whose lips were trembling again, Cen Zhou looked at her and softened his tone, “Which one did you book?”
To ensure she had a place to stay as soon as she arrived in Yun Jing, her friend had already booked accommodation for her in advance.
Qiao Zhiyang intended to take her phone from the small bag at her side but suddenly remembered something and silently put her hand back down, “Imperial Garden Hotel.”
This was a famous five-star apartment-style hotel located in the prime area of Yun Jing.
Not only were the living facilities complete, but the security management and various services were also top-notch.
Just across the way was a commercial district filled with all kinds of delicious food, and a few steps further would lead to the prestigious Yun Jing University.
Cen Zhou pondered for a moment, “Alright.”
For the first time, he mentally gave a small, rare compliment to that niece of his whom he often forgot about.
At least she knew what was practical.
She hadn’t booked some random, messy place for his Little Lamb.
Otherwise, this month’s allowance would be waiting to be completely deducted.Cen Zhou gazed at the delicate young girl before him. She happened to look up with her bright, gentle eyes, meeting his gaze with an untarnished, innocent expression.
So utterly obedient.
It made one want to hold her in the palm of their hand and cherish her dearly.
His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, a flicker of dark light passing through his eyes.
Tsk.
Someone was still too savvy about practical matters.
Otherwise, he would have had the chance to lure this soft little lamb back home.
What a pity.
So, he’d better deduct some of her allowance for this month.
“Achoo—”
Far away abroad, Cen Jinhuan suddenly felt an itch in her nose and couldn’t help sneezing. “Damn, who’s talking behind my back?”
She huffed, picked up her phone again, and tapped on the little lamb avatar on WeChat.
Cen Jinhuan: 【Sweetie, have you arrived at the hotel yet?】
Staring at the screen, she couldn’t help but sigh worriedly.
ε=(′ο｀*))) Sigh.
She wondered if her little sweetie had made it back to the hotel safely.
Her precious little lamb was so delicate and adorable—she hoped no bad guys had taken notice.
Over here, Xu Kang was also troubled.
After mechanically closing the car door, he returned to the driver’s seat with stiff, awkward movements.
His entire face was filled with disbelief.
Shocking, folks!
President Cen, who usually kept his distance from women and prioritized his career above all else, had actually abandoned billions in business to personally rush to the airport to pick someone up.
Faced with the girl’s innocent remarks, he had even looked at her with indulgence, showing no signs of anger.
And now, before evening had even arrived, he was already in a hurry to head to the hotel to nurture their relationship.
Was this still the President Cen he knew!?
Suddenly, he remembered something an old-timer had once told him—
If a boss who has always been abstinent and never shown interest in romance suddenly has an obviously ambiguous relationship with someone of the opposite sex, don’t hesitate, don’t overthink it, and boldly make a prediction: this person is your future CEO’s wife!
Xu Kang: !!!
So that’s it!
He understood now!
This little beauty was President Cen’s future wife!
No wonder they say even heroes struggle to resist a beauty’s charm.
Even a pure-hearted monk is still a normal man.
And as a man, he couldn’t escape worldly desires.
It’s just that this pretty girl was still a bit too young.
Could it be…!
Xu Kang’s eyes widened as he took a sharp breath.
Could it be that this time, President Cen not only planned to stop being a monk but also intended to stop being human altogether?!