Сhарter 8: Hmm, Indееd Nоt Smаll Аnymore
Аs hе suddenly lеaned in, thе gоld-rimmеd glаssеs рerсhеd оn his tall, strаight nosе bridge lightly brushеd аgainst hеr soft еаrlоbe.
Тhе cооl tоuсh mаdе hеr eуelаshеs tremble involuntarilу.
But bеforе shе соuld reaсt, the man bеfоrе hеr had аlreаdy straightеnеd uр, еvеn retrаcting his fingertip with а nаturаl mоtiоn.
It seemed аs thоugh this sеries оf aсtions was mеrеlу thе plaуful tеasing of аn elder trуing tо lightеn thе moоd.
Withоut any hidden mischievous intent.
Qiаo Zhiуаng blinkеd slоwlу, the invisiblе little sheeр horns оn her hеad flushing rеd belatedly. “Third Brother, you just now…”
Were you joking?
What kind of talk was that—where you like, you bite…
How could such improper, roguish words come from the mouth of Mr. Cen, who was as pure as a clear breeze and bright jade?
The girl’s flustered and shy expression was fully captured in his gaze.
Cen Zhou rubbed his fingertips, still lingering with the soft sensation from the girl’s lips.
The darkness in his eyes was perfectly concealed, skillfully returning to his usual noble, aloof, elegant, and restrained demeanor.
He chuckled softly, “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore.”
Then, he took out a few exquisitely wrapped candies from his suit pocket and gently placed them in her hand. “This is a reward for the brave little Zhiyang.”
Huh? What’s this?
In her palm lay a blackcurrant-flavored crystal candy.
On its beautiful wrapper was a line of elegant English:
Coisini.
Heart-fluttering.
Qiao Zhiyang’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
It was her favorite candy from before!
But she remembered that the factory of this brand had closed down long ago. How could it still be produced?
Just as she was puzzled, her head was once again gently ruffled by the man’s large hand, his deep, magnetic voice utterly captivating.
“These candies have been enchanted with Happiness Magic. Eat them, and the monsters that make you unhappy will disappear.”
His phoenix eyes gazed directly at her, his thin lips curling slightly. “That’s what a little girl once told me.”
Huh?
Qiao Zhiyang looked up and met his gaze.
Though they were deep, cold phoenix eyes, they resembled charming, affectionate peach blossom eyes, effortlessly pulling people into their profound vortex.
As he spoke these words with a lingering tenderness, his gaze remained fixed on her.
Somehow, she had the illusion that she was the little girl he was referring to.
Qiao Zhiyang’s heart stirred, but she quickly dismissed the thought with a smile.
How could that be?
She had always lived in Hong Kong and had never been to Jingbei before.
Even if she had been fortunate enough to meet him at a banquet in the past, someone as handsome, elegant, and distinguished as him would surely have left an impression on her.
So how could that little girl possibly be her?
This wasn’t a TV drama—there couldn’t be so many coincidences.
Qiao Zhiyang didn’t dwell on it further. She lowered her head, unwrapped a blackcurrant-flavored crystal candy, and placed it in her mouth.
Mmm, so sweet~
It was the long-lost familiar taste!
Tasting something delicious, the girl couldn’t help but squint her beautiful eyes in happy satisfaction.
Her soft, faintly pink cheeks puffed up slightly as she chewed the candy.
Cen Zhou lowered his gaze, his deep pupils fixed on her delicate and charming face, a wave of scorching, molten obsession quietly rising in his eyes.
The girl didn’t know—
Back then, this small candy was like the most dazzling beam of light shining into the life of a boy trapped in darkness.
A tiny beam.
Yet enough to be etched into his heart forever.But much time had passed, and she no longer remembered him.
It didn’t matter, though.
He had found her again, and she was now completely locked in his sights.
This grand, meticulously planned scheme was prepared by him, exclusively for her.
He would make her fall deep into it, with nowhere to escape, only to be seized and possessed by him.
The car slowly drove along the main road of the hotel.
“Third Brother, thank you.”
Qiao Zhiyang smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons as she parted her lips slightly, carrying a faint sweet scent of candy. “You helped me twice today and patiently cleared up the confusion that had been weighing on my mind for a long time. If you ever need my help, as long as it’s within my capabilities, anything will do.”
Hearing this, Cen Zhou raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Oh?”
He rested his arm on the car window, lazily tapping his temple with his fingertips, and slowly emphasized a certain key word. “Anything will do?”
Qiao Zhiyang nodded earnestly.
Today, she had completely formed a new impression of Cen Zhou.
He was clearly a kind-hearted, gentle, and upright gentleman who followed Buddhist teachings.
Nothing like the cold-blooded, ruthless, and unyielding figure he was rumored to be in their circles.
Someone as good as Mr. Cen would surely not take advantage of her or make unreasonable demands.
Bathed in the Little Lamb’s bright, trusting gaze, Cen Zhou couldn’t help but let out a low, amused chuckle.
Tsk.
He couldn’t be blamed for this.
It was the Little Lamb who had dug a pit for herself and then obediently jumped right in.
He was merely standing there, catching her.
“Alright.”
Cen Zhou curled his lips with interest, his long lashes veiling the depth in his eyes. “Then Third Brother will let you know when he thinks of something.”
After the final turn.
They arrived at the entrance of the hotel apartment.
Just as Cen Zhou was about to step out of the car, Qiao Zhiyang gently stopped him. “Third Brother, there’s no need. I can go in by myself.”
“Besides, with so many people in the hotel, if someone recognizes you and writes misleading articles, it could damage your reputation.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Cen Zhou raised the corner of his eyebrow. “Damage my reputation?”
He couldn’t hold back a soft chuckle from his throat.
Then, leaning slightly forward, he abruptly closed the distance between them.
His gravelly, deep voice resonated seductively by her ear. “Then Little Zhiyang can take responsibility for it, can’t she?”
The crisp, pleasant scent of cold wood unexpectedly filled her senses.
Qiao Zhiyang couldn’t help but blush.
Meeting the man’s slightly curved phoenix eyes, she puffed out her cheeks in slight annoyance.
Hmph, was he teasing her like a child again?
“Give me your phone for a moment,” he suddenly said, extending his hand toward her.
Qiao Zhiyang was taken aback for a second before unlocking her phone and placing it in his hand.
He took it, tapped a few times on the contacts, and then his pocket vibrated with an incoming call.
“This is Third Brother’s private number. The same number is used for WeChat.”
The cunning old man began his new round of gentle persuasion. “Remember to let Third Brother know once you’re back in your hotel room, so I know you’re safe. Understood, Little Zhiyang?”
He didn’t forcefully demand that she save his number or add him on WeChat.
Instead, he used a natural and comfortable approach to make her accept it, thereby achieving his own goal.
“Alright.”
Qiao Zhiyang nodded after taking her phone back, puffing out her cheeks just a little in mild defiance.
Hmph╭(╯^╰)╮.
She wasn’t some little kid.
Just as she loosened her grip on the car handle, she suddenly turned around.A face as beautiful and delicate as a rose suddenly appeared close before him.
Cen Zhou couldn’t help but freeze for a rare moment.
“Third Brother, I’m already nineteen years old.”
Qiao Zhiyang’s cheeks flushed slightly as her clear, tea-brown eyes gazed directly at him with a young girl’s shyness and innocence. She hummed softly, “I’m not little anymore.”
After saying this, as if afraid of being held accountable later, Little Lamb quickly opened the car door and dashed away in a flash.
Cen Zhou watched the girl’s retreating figure as she hurried off, unable to hold back a soft chuckle as he rested his forehead against his hand.
Hmm.
Indeed… she wasn’t little anymore.
Xu Kang, sitting in the driver’s seat, removed his earplugs and was shaking his ears while turning around.
To his surprise, he saw his boss still sitting there and couldn’t help but ask in astonishment, “President Cen, aren’t you going to accompany the young madam—”
Before he could finish, Cen Zhou calmly interrupted him, “No rush.”
His gaze remained fixed, his eyes gleaming with the confidence of one who holds everything under control. A faint smile touched his lips as he murmured, “We’ll take it slow.”