The apartment by the river was worth every inch of its land; it could almost be called a mansion, not an exaggeration. One elevator per unit, the elevator goes straight up. As soon as the elevator doors opened, Yun Lu, wearing a small dress, stood at the door waiting. Seeing Su Hao, she immediately stepped forward: “Su Hao, you’re here.”
Her voice was soft. Su Hao handed her the gift bag. “A little gift.”
Yun Lu took it and looked inside.
“Embroidered from Huijiang, ah, I really like it, very special, thank you.” Saying that, Yun Lu grabbed Su Hao’s hand. Yun Lu’s hand was soft, Su Hao’s slender and smooth, only the area between thumb and index finger had a bit of callus, caused by years of holding knives. The first floor was lit, but empty; faint sounds could be heard from the second floor.
“Let’s go upstairs, everyone’s there, Zhou Yang too.” Yun Lu smiled at Su Hao and winked; Su Hao smiled slightly, knowing Yun Lu just wanted to tell her Zhou Yang was there so she could feel at ease.
They climbed the spiral staircase. Upstairs there was only one large entertainment room. Yun Lu twisted the door open; music was playing, the smell of alcohol strong.
“Ding ding ding, guess who’s here?” Yun Lu deliberately teased.
A group sitting on the sofa chatting looked over in unison; it was the same people as last time, but tonight there was no Meng Ying or Xu Dian. There was a woman smoking and a female actress, Su Hao recognized immediately: Li Yuan Er, plus another man, quite refined.
Yun Lu introduced: “Liu Yan, Li Yuan Er, and Li Yao.”
“Hello.” Su Hao greeted me.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhou Yang sitting on the coffee table, holding a chocolate stick. He turned to look; his shirt collar was wide open, careless, showing an air of worldliness. In that glance, time seemed to fly; Su Hao felt as if she saw him in senior year, only this person was more mature, full of charm.
Su Hao remembered.
No wonder recently Zhou Yang’s frivolous attitude felt familiar; back in college, when she pursued him, he had that same lighthearted, charming demeanor, impossible to tell real from fake.
“Come on, Su Hao, sit with us.” Yun Lu invited Su Hao to the women’s side. Su Hao walked over and sat beside the birthday girl Yun Lu.
Across were Li Yi and Jiang Yu, holding cards, slightly raising their chins to greet Su Hao.
Li Yi withdrew his gaze, glanced at Zhou Yang.
Jiang Yu also pushed some fruit in front of Su Hao.
It was hard to tell if they were being extra friendly or just convenient. Liu Yan poured a glass of alcohol for Su Hao; as her hand reached, a big hand took it away. Zhou Yang handed over a glass of cantaloupe juice, pushing it into Su Hao’s palm. “Drink this.”
Liu Yan clicked her tongue: “Zhou Yang, what are you doing? Can’t even let her drink?”
“Who are you to her? Mind your own business.”
Zhou Yang stood, long legs resting on the coffee table bar, leaning forward, elbows on knees, smiling: “I brought her, I’m responsible.”
“Tch.”
Liu Yan drew a puff of smoke, not bothering to reply.
She glanced at Su Hao; Su Hao smiled and quietly replied: “I can’t drink alcohol, but that doesn’t mean I’ll obey him. I just don’t want to get drunk.”
Liu Yan instantly felt this beautiful, gentle woman was also highly intelligent socially.
She looked at Zhou Yang, a bit provocative.
Zhou Yang pulled over a sofa chair, sat down, his gaze boldly sweeping Su Hao, then lazily smiled, picked up a cigarette, tapped it against Liu Yan’s lighter to borrow fire. The entertainment room was dim, men and women spoke quietly; combined with smoke, alcohol, and fragrance, it was quite a suggestive atmosphere.
Su Hao had never been in such a seductive environment, but she vaguely sensed it. Occasionally looking up, her eyes met Zhou Yang’s sharply defined face. In this environment, he merely bit his cigarette lightly, eyebrows seeming hooked. Li Yuan Er, the actress, said something.
Zhou Yang raised his eyebrows, glancing: “What? Still thinking about my tie?”
Flirtatious, teasing. Li Yuan’er rolled her eyes hard; everyone laughed. Su Hao saw the actress’s ears turn red.
At that moment, the door opened; a nanny came in, placed a box of cookies on the table, seemingly the chocolate cookies Zhou Yang just held.
The nanny also placed a small transparent box with what seemed like paper balls inside.
After the nanny left and closed the door, Zhou Yang pulled the small box to the center of the coffee table: “Let’s play a game. Everyone draws a paper ball; if the numbers match, you have to eat this chocolate stick together.” His knobby fingers held a chocolate stick, raised in hand.
“How do we eat it?” Li Yuan’er asked.
Zhou Yang smirked slightly: “How do we eat? You all say how.”
“Pfft, just say it, each bites one end.” Liu Yan crossed long legs: “Playing this game, no wonder Xu Dian and Meng Ying didn’t come. Xu Dian would make Meng Ying bite with you guys? Tch tch.”
Jiang Yu spat a grape seed: “Do you think I’d let my wife play?”
“You replace her.” Li Yi lounged in the sofa corner.
“Hmph.”
Never having played this before, Su Hao hesitated, but Yun Lu took a paper slip and smiled, giving one to Su Hao; she instinctively reached out and took it.
Yun Lu whispered to Su Hao: “It’s fine, just play. With so many people, it may not even be our turn.”
That made sense. Su Hao glanced at Yun Lu; suddenly relaxed, thinking, she’s already here, awkwardness would be worse; better just play boldly.
The first number was eight.
Liu Yan drew it with Li Yao. Before Li Yao reacted, Liu Yan bit the chocolate stick, walked over, bent down, giving Li Yao the other end to bite.
Li Yao coughed slightly, intimidated by Liu Yan’s dominance, reluctantly biting the other end.
Then, everyone watched; the chocolate stick grew smaller and smaller.
Last bite.
Snap.
Liu Yan bit it off, pushed Li Yao away, turning, hands raised.
“Hahaha, brilliant.” Zhou Yang led applause; others cheered, someone nudged Li Yao: “Why let her go first? Another round, you go bold.”
Round finished.
Next round drew new slips; Su Hao always prepared, expecting her turn, but it never came, not even from Zhou Yang leading.
After two more rounds, Su Hao drew a paper slip, unexpectedly drawing two.
She hesitated, looking at Zhou Yang.
Zhou Yang sipped wine, smiling: “Two?”
“Yes.”
“Keep them, what if it hits?” Zhou Yang twirled his slip, collar now more open, slightly unruly.
Su Hao: “Alright.”
She sat next to Yun Lu; the spot was actually a bit secluded, but she kept moving back, sofa full, legs together, quietly watching others play, lips with a faint smile. Occasionally leaning forward, her skirt riding up to knees, hair falling onto the skin there, like a dragonfly skimming water.
Zhou Yang snapped, biting a mint.
He looked at her two slips, shouted a number:
“6.”
Everyone opened slips to check. Su Hao looked down: first 7, second clearly a 6.
Even prepared, her heart skipped. She scanned left to right for the next 6, but everyone remained normal, no stir. Su Hao thought maybe they would call another number.
A glass clinked on the table. Su Hao looked up; Zhou Yang put his slip on the table, smirked: “6?”
Su Hao blankly: “Yes.”
Two sixes faced each other, strikingly clear in dim light.
The man with knobby fingers held a chocolate stick in his mouth, came over, pushed Li Yao aside, and sat beside Su Hao.
He smelled of fir, especially noticeable. Sitting, his knee pressed against hers, elbows on knees, watching her.
His narrow eyes are bottomless.
Su Hao vaguely heard sighs, glances all around; she paused, biting one end of the chocolate stick under their gaze.
Biting, she dared not move.
Zhou Yang’s nose was sharp, close; his thin lips moved, shifted forward slightly. Seeing her unpainted soft lips, like a peach.
He bit twice; she still didn’t move.
Zhou Yang tugged her arm; Su Hao moved forward passively, chocolate melting in her mouth, teeth biting a section, moving closer. She remembered Liu Yan’s boldness, so she took control, speeding up, biting off over half, lips brushing his thin lips.
Snap.
Broken.
She exhaled, turned head away, and swallowed the chocolate in two bites.
Hair disheveled.
Zhou Yang squinted, watching her chew, next second took the half chocolate in her mouth, cupped her face, lifted, leaned down, blocking her lips.
Su Hao was stunned.
Next second, struggled; he grabbed her waist, pulled close, tongue intruding, soft entangling.
Warm, scorching.
Su Hao pushed his chest, each move only emboldening him.
Dim light.
Sighs around.
Zhou Yang never lost control like this; at the touch, the intrusion, he was almost uncontrollable.
Even her struggling became a catalyst.
“Damn, Zhou Yang, you’re crazy!” Jiang Yu shouted.
Time unknown, Zhou Yang finally left, forehead against Su Hao’s. Her eyes watery, dazed, feminine; they stared; he wiped her lips, massaged her red lips.
Su Hao regained composure, saw his playful smile, still frivolous.
She pushed him: “I’m going to the bathroom.”
Under everyone’s gaze, she grabbed her phone, walked to the bathroom. Steps are a bit light, but rational. In the bright bathroom, she bent over, splashed water, washing face; icy water fully woke her, supporting herself on the sink.
Looking in the mirror.
Her face flushed from his kiss, eyebrows and eyes with unknowable charm.
Frowning, she patted her face, leaned on the sink, dazed. Bathroom large, bright, unlike the dim seduction outside. She didn’t want to leave yet, picked up the phone, checked messages.
Li Xiu sent two WeChat messages, the last shoe compensation matter unresolved. She opened.
Reading: “Zhou Yang always spoils his girlfriend like this.” She paused; below was a video, blurry cover, a delicate hand with nail polish holding a man’s tie. Video opened with sound.
A beautiful, sharp face, pouty, arrogantly tugging his tie: “Zhou Yang, you’re not honest. Why didn’t you take me on the trip?”
“Do you have another woman?”
He saw only profile, covered the video with hand, voice teasing: “Guess?”
“What would taking you on a business trip do?”
“I don’t care. You’re too much, long trip no contact, tonight take me to the movies.”
“Okay, besides movies, what else?”
Camera shifted to his face: sharp, handsome, narrow eyes smiling at video, finger pressed phone: “Stop filming so often.”
Light, careless tone.
“Fine, you never appear, can’t I record a keepsake?”
Woman acting cute, secretly moved phone aside, no longer filming.
Zhou Yang chuckled; the video ended. Familiar watch flashed by. Screen black, Su Hao’s face. From the video, Zhou Yang liked women like Li Xiu, interaction shows she liked him more; he is still aloof, confident he can make anyone fall.
Su Hao tilted head, glanced at the vanity mirror.
Face flushed, charm cooled, mind clear.
His playful smile and recent frivolity—was he beckoning her to fall for him?
Su Hao squinted, clenched phone, straightened, washed face again, rubbed lips slightly harder.
But the man had bitten her lip.
A little pain.
She let go, stopped torturing herself, and turned to leave.
At the door, heard voices outside:
“Zhou Yang, you bastard! Su Hao is that girl from Huijiang who chased you!”
“You watched her like that, liked her, chased her, you didn’t even care, now you care?”
“Watch out, you’ll crash eventually.”
Two men’s voices, one Jiang Yu, one Li Yi. “Crash” was Li Yi. Zhou Yang stubbed out smoke, tone helpless: “Ah, you guys…”
Old grudges…
Before finishing, the bathroom door pulled open. Three men stared; Su Hao at the doorway, calm. Zhou Yang straightened; face showed a flash of panic. Su Hao lightly glanced, walked out.
Calm, no emotion. Walked to the coffee table, sipped juice, and wiped my lips.
She thought Zhou Yang didn’t like her type.
Turns out, he still watched coolly.
No liking.
Normal. No liking.
Then his kiss was just beckoning, waiting for her to bite.
Man grabbed her wrist, body pressed close, low voice: “Come, let’s talk.”
Su Hao glanced at his hand. One look sent shivers; Zhou Yang frozen, she tapped a juice cup on his fingers.
“Let go.”
Zhou Yang tightened. Jaw tense, no more playful look.
People around were stunned. Jiang Yu and Li Yi leaned on the bar, expecting a show. Su Hao stepped back against his chest, soft. Zhou Yang’s Adam’s apple moved, looked down to speak; Su Hao spoke:
“Will you let go, Zhou Yang?”
A gentle woman with a sting, silk wrapped around a needle.
Tone soft, peaceful. Yet that one word made him shiver.
Zhou Yang instinctively loosened.
Su Hao withdrew, stepped forward, told Yun Lu: “Checked time, a bit late, must go home. Happy birthday.”
Yun Lu, dizzy from Su Hao’s gentleness, nodded: “Okay, I’ll call the driver.”
“No need, I’ll take a cab.” Su Hao patted Yun Lu’s hair; Yun Lu, more dizzy, walked her out. Everyone saw Yun Lu holding Su Hao’s arm, heading to the door.
Zhou Yang statue-like.
Seconds later, he turned, followed. Watched Su Hao take a taxi, and dialed Zeng’s number.
At this hour, Zeng just lay down, puzzled: “President Zhou?”
“Tomorrow, remember to talk to Su Hao, adjust salary, and let her resign.”
“Uh? Why?”
“Did you hear?” Yellow taxi left, Zhou Yang called the driver to follow. Zeng dared not ask more: “Okay, heard. How much raise is proper? Salary can’t exceed others, right?”
“Do I need to ask? Keep her, don’t let her resign, just do it.” Tone serious.
Zeng didn’t ask further. Thought: What is he doing? Zhou Yang slept with Su Hao?
Black Porsche arrived, Zhou Yang got in. Told driver: “Follow the taxi ahead.”
With Xu Dian’s precedent, nothing could happen here. He didn’t notice, putting Su Hao in the same place as Meng Ying.
“Okay.” Driver started the car, followed.
Su Hao dozed in the car, surprised at a late hour, yawning. Reached the community gate, bought instant noodles at a convenience store, and saw a familiar Porsche, window down.
Su Hao met Zhou Yang’s narrow eyes.
Pursed lips, turned upstairs.
At home, tired; boiled water, cooked noodles with leftover lettuce for taste. Checked phone, typed:
Su Hao: Why follow?
Su Hao: Get lost.
Su Hao: Afraid I’ll run?
Su Hao: Not sad, just seeing you clearly.
Zhou Yang: …
Su Hao ignored, switched to Li Xiu:
Su Hao: Zhou Yang downstairs, come get him.
Li Xiu: What do you mean?
Li Xiu: What are you saying?
Su Hao didn’t reply; slurped noodles, discarded cups, got pajamas, and showered. Usually disliked late noodles, but they were tasty. After washing, lay down, then check the photo album.
No Zhou Yang in photos, only her and Liao Yun, but memories with Zhou Yang mixed in. Thought, didn’t delete.
Delete what? Deleting means caring.
Lay down, pull the blanket, quickly asleep.
The Huahui community had no parking, a nearby supermarket had two spaces, one occupied, Porsche took the other. Night wind gentle, Zhou Yang leaned on the car, still unruly, eyes on the third-floor window.
Tongue brushed teeth, watching her messages. Woman straight to the point, guessed everything.
Seeing the master bedroom lights off, Zhou Yang opened the car, the red sports car stopped, Li Xiu got out, incredulous: “Zhou Yang!”
“Really here? Why here?” Li Xiu glanced at the shabby complex.
Zhou Yang frowned: “How do I know I’m here?”
“Su Hao said, she… lives here?”
“Su Hao said? She sent you?”
“Yes.”
Man glanced at the third-floor window, then sat, door shut.
Bang.
Li Xiu felt uneasy, rushed, held the window, stared: “Why come? Why here?”
Zhou Yang leaned back, tilted head, and smiled: “Looking for a woman to sleep with.”
“Who?” Li Xiu was shocked, screamed.
“Looking for Su Hao?”
Zhou Yang elbowed close, hand pushed her aside: “That’s it, I refuse you.”
“Too controlling.”
Li Xiu dropped hand, stepped back in disbelief. Thought persistence enough.
Who knew…
“Nothing much, just wanted to ask what kind of cuisine you like.” His thin lips brushed against her ear; the scent emanating from her was the same as the one on her tongue.
Zhou Yang gritted his teeth, determined to get her.
“Oh, besides that, what else does President Zhou want?” Su Hao remained calm, her mind filled with the man’s cold gaze.
Zhou Yang whispered, “You like me, so why can’t I like you back?”
Su Hao replied, “Of course you can, but I haven’t liked you in ages.”
Zhou Yang: “!!”
“You think you can hook me with a flick of your finger? You must be dreaming.”
Each sentence was more hurtful than the last.
President Zeng on the other side couldn’t believe it.
“Get lost!” Su Hao said softly, her voice gentle.
Zhou Yang’s grip on her wrist tightened.
Author’s Note: Gentleness is sometimes a double-edged sword.
Zhou Yang, prepare to die! Guess what he’ll end up with. Hahahaha, oh my god, 200 red envelopes for this chapter! The next chapter will still be at midnight tomorrow night. The first few chapters before the VIP chapters will all be at this time. After that, updates will resume at 6 PM.
Also, there are two novels in my author page waiting to be added to your collection.
The first one, “Pretending Not to Care,” is also part of a series by Li Yi, about a super-A man paired with a fairy-like woman.
The second book, *Overly Flamboyant*, is a strong-strong romance novel with a love-hate relationship. The male lead is charmingly roguish, and the female lead is incredibly assertive and charismatic—a fresh genre with a guaranteed exciting story.