Zhou Beiming raised an eyebrow. “Something wrong?”
“Nothing at all,” Bai Xuan wouldn’t dare question him. He actually admired his young master. “These past two weeks, the old man has kept you locked up at home going on nearly a hundred blind dates. It’s a wonder your eyes haven’t gone cross-eyed and that you actually picked one out to carry on the family line.”
Zhou Beiming gave a cold laugh. “The old man himself sired plenty. Does he really need me to continue the bloodline?”
Bai Xuan had no reply. Old Master Zhou had six children; there was truly no fear that their young master’s bachelorhood would extinguish the family line.
At the entrance of the research institute, Su Haiping waited for Su Nian. He was not a man given to smiling; his expression was grave. “Niannian, from now on keep your distance from Yinchen. Your sister has feelings for him, and your Aunt Xiu and I hope to bring the two of them together.”
Ever since their parents divorced, his father had a daughter with his second wife, while his mother had a son with her new husband. Everyone had their own family everywhere Su Nian went, she felt like an outsider.
She was gentle by nature and chose not to dwell on grievances. “I won’t get in the way. Is there anything else?”
Su Haiping felt a twinge of guilt. Two years ago, when their family was desperate, he had persuaded Su Nian to become Zhou Beiming’s mistress. Now that Su Fu’s prospects had risen, he felt no regret for that decision only pity for Su Nian. After all, Zhou Beiming was famously a playboy in Imperial City; Su Haiping knew perfectly well that he treated Su Nian as nothing more than a plaything.
He patted Su Nian’s shoulder. “You’re such a good daughter you’ve never given your father a moment’s worry. Once Su Fu has settled in, I’ll make it up to you.”
Su Nian merely listened. “I should get back to work now. Professor Chen is expecting me.”
“Go on then.”
Su Haiping watched her walk away before getting into the car. Qin Xiu was waiting inside. “What did she say?” she asked anxiously.
“She’ll keep her distance from Gu Yinchen,” Su Haiping replied. He then added instructions: “Next week, at the celebration banquet for Feixiao’s art competition award Old Madam Gu and Yinchen will both be attending, remember. Have Feixiao’s prize-winning painting framed and present it to the Old Madam at the banquet. And dress Feixiao up properly; she shouldn’t look like a child.”
Qin Xiu had been worried that Su Nian, unwilling to accept the situation, might cause trouble which was exactly why she had sent Su Haiping to speak with her. Now that she knew Su Nian would not pursue Gu Yinchen, she felt relieved. “Don’t worry. When it comes to Feixiao’s future happiness, surely I care just as much as you do more, even.”
Seeing her in good spirits, Su Haiping took the opportunity to say: “Buy Niannian a decent gown. Something expensive. Stop dressing her in cheap market goods every banquet people whisper and point at her. She is, after all, still Su Haiping’s daughter.”
Qin Xiu’s expression darkened instantly. “Su Haiping, how can you say such things? All these years I’ve cared for her better than her own mother ever did. Food, clothing, shelter what has she lacked? Is it such a crime if her clothes come cheap? I wear bargains myself why don’t you ever feel sorry for me?”
Realizing he had touched a nerve, Su Haiping softened his tone. “That’s not what I meant. Niannian has been with Zhou Beiming for two years for the sake of our group. I’ve always felt terrible about it. I only wanted to make things a little fairer for her.”
Qin Xiu scoffed. “What do you have to feel guilty about? We had her taught the arts calligraphy, music, painting, chess. She’s studying for her doctorate now. We bought her an apartment too. It’s not as though she’s fending for herself like with her mother send her to stay a few days and she ends up wandering the streets, picked up by police and sent back like a little beggar.”
She gave a dismissive humph. “And besides you arranged for her to be with Zhou Beiming, not just some nobody. Even if one day he grows tired of her, they will still share a history. Won’t he come to her aid if she ever runs into trouble? To have ties to a man like Zhou Beiming how many people would give anything for that?”
Her words put Su Haiping’s mind at ease. “You’re right. It does leave her with a safety net.”
To be sure, he had groomed Su Nian with the intention of securing a profitable match but he had paid for her upbringing all the same. Had he not cultivated her so well, Zhou Beiming would never have looked twice at her. With his conscience thus soothed, Su Haiping drove away from the institute.
Several days later. Late autumn in Imperial City brought early nights the sky had already darkened.
Su Nian left the institute dressed simply: plain white T-shirt, sky-blue jeans, white sneakers. She walked ten minutes to the parking lot across the road. Zhou Beiming’s car was parked there; she did not want her colleagues seeing him and stirring up unnecessary talk.
She opened the rear door and climbed in. The driver’s seat was empty. It was dim inside. Suddenly, a large hand reached out toward her, seized her waist, and a tall shadow loomed over her.
Startled, Su Nian gasped but her cry was smothered. He seized her parted lips and plundered them wantonly, teasing her unmercifully. His kiss was deep, devouring, almost suffocating. Su Nian yielded beneath him, barely able to breathe.
When at last he drew back, he nipped her lip. Breathing ragged, he murmured: “Is this how I kissed you the first time?” His tone was mocking, his touch shameless his hands roamed freely beneath her shirt, doing exactly as they pleased.
Su Nian could scarcely endure his teasing. She clutched his shoulders, bit her lip, and pressed her face into the crook of his neck. He was displeased that she had made him wait.
Afraid of provoking him, she explained softly: “Your car is far too expensive. Parking it inside the institute grounds would draw attention. We’re supposed to keep a low profile better to avoid misunderstandings.”
Zhou Beiming released her his hands withdrew from her clothing, yet only partially. His fingers lingered, stroking and caressing her waist slowly. “All for show,” he scoffed. Whether he meant her or the institute, she could not tell.
She lowered her gaze. “Aren’t we dining at the Zhou residence? We should go soon.” He had told her as much the night before.
Zhou Beiming’s eyes swept over her outfit from head to toe. His lips curved into a half-smile. “Marching into battle without armor? Aren’t you afraid of being pierced full of holes?”
Was he saying she wasn’t dressed properly? Su Nian hadn’t thought about it. “Should I change into a gown? If you wish, I’ll go change.”
Zhou Beiming shook his head, unbothered. “This will do.” He handed her a jewelry box. “Put these on.”
Su Nian opened it to reveal dazzling, exquisite jewels ill-suited to her casual attire. Still, if Zhou Beiming wished her to wear them, she would obey. She fastened the earrings and slipped on the bracelet. But the necklace’s clasp at the back proved tricky.
Zhou Beiming leaned in. With long, elegant fingers he brushed aside her long hair yet he did not move her hands away. Their hands brushed against one another, cool warmth meeting soft warmth. He stayed close, bowing his head, moving slowly. His breath fanned lightly against her neck, sending shivers through her.
He noticed her reaction and chuckled low in her ear. “Already trembling? How easily undone you are.” Her body responded so readily to him it was why he always teased her for having no backbone.
Hot with shame, Su Nian shifted away, trying to put space between them. But Zhou Beiming slipped an arm around her chest from behind. His artist’s hands rested casually beside her breast long fingers grazing lightly down to her waist, touching her so faintly she could barely tell where skin met air.
His voice dropped to a seductive, arrogant murmur against her ear. “Where do you think you’re running off to?”
Su Nian froze. She swallowed softly. “Nowhere.”
Zhou Beiming delighted in tormenting her like this. He watched her blink rapidly, her lashes fluttering like soft butterfly wings and something in his chest stirred. Desire stirred too. He lowered his head to gaze at her delicate, porcelain profile and asked in a voice deep and resonant:
“Little rabbit… are you ready to come home with me?”
Just as he had that rainy night yet this time, beneath the playfulness lay a glimmer of earnestness.