Chen Zan lowered his gaze, trying to slip past her as quickly as possible, silently praying over and over, don’t recognize me… don’t recognize me…
His clothes were suddenly tugged. He didn’t notice at first and kept moving briskly.
He was moving too fast. Jiang Youwei, wearing 15 cm high heels, was pulled forward, her steps unsteady after just a few strides.
Instinctively, Chen Zan reached out to steady her.
Once again, she fell straight into his arms.
A faint scent of alcohol drifted from her body into his nose.
Her soft warmth pressed against him, and Chen Zan’s throat tightened as his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.
It had been so many years since they parted. She probably couldn’t recognize his voice anymore.
“CEO Jiang, you… have you been drinking?”
Jiang Youwei tilted her head up, her eyes shimmering with moisture, quietly leaning against him without answering.
Chen Zan glanced around. The two of them standing here like this wasn’t appropriate. People could pass by at any moment. If Jiang Youwei were seen in such a vulnerable state, it would only give others more reason to attack her.
“CEO Jiang, should I help you to the lounge?” Chen Zan asked.
This time, Jiang Youwei nodded obediently and followed his steps.
“Are you afraid of others finding out about us?” the woman asked, her red lips parting slightly.
Chen Zan’s heart tightened. “You make it sound like we have some kind of improper relationship.”
She tilted her head and looked at him, leaning in slightly. The distance between them grew so close their noses were almost touching.
She raised her arms and looped them around his neck. Her warm fingertips slowly traced the back of his neck as she murmured, “Do we really not have anything to hide?”
Chen Zan instinctively leaned back. “Of course not.”
There was nowhere to retreat.
With just a little force, Jiang Youwei pulled him closer until their bodies pressed together.
It seemed she had recognized him. Holding his face, she leaned in, trying to remove his mask.
A surge of panic hit Chen Zan, and his first instinct was to run.
But in their struggle, the mask slipped off.
Chen Zan froze completely.
He hadn’t managed to escape.
Jiang Youwei tightly gripped his wrist, feeling the pulse beneath her fingers. Her voice turned soft and clingy, almost like a coquettish plea, “Chen Zan… I’m out of power.”
Chen Zan’s eyes widened slightly.
Those words struck straight into his heart.
At the beginning of their relationship, they had once played a little game.
The heavy academic workload and endless part-time jobs often left Jiang Youwei physically and mentally exhausted.
She accepted Chen Zan’s kindness, yet she couldn’t allow herself to only accept his kindness. Get faster updates on novelping.com.
When she realized she had feelings for him, she also knew she couldn’t yet offer an equal love in return. So she tried her best to keep the balance between them.
She worked tirelessly, pushing herself relentlessly. No matter how much Chen Zan tried to persuade her, she continued to raise funds and build her business. She was saving her brother, and also saving herself.
Back then, she had told Chen Zan, who always worried about her, that whenever she felt tired, he could “recharge” her.
A hug was slow charging.
A kiss was fast charging…
Facing Jiang Youwei as she softened in his arms, Chen Zan couldn’t help but raise his hands several times, wanting to wrap them around her waist like before.
His fingers spread, then clenched tightly into fists.
No.
He couldn’t.
He mustn’t.
He refused to fall so easily into Jiang Youwei’s gentle trap again.
Her soft fingertips traced slow circles over his chest. Her eyes shimmered, filled with a hazy warmth as she gazed at him.
It was suggestive.
Inviting.
Subtle, yet openly tempting, as if words lingered unspoken.
“Chen Zan…”
“Won’t you recharge me?”