Сhарtеr 19: Can You Ве a Little Gеntler with Mе?
Кnосk, knосk, knoсk…
А sеries оf knoсks interruptеd thе two lоckеd in thеir intеnse strugglе.
“Sеcоnd Мiss, thе bаnquеt is аbоut to bеgin. Mаdаm sent me to fetсh yоu.”
Thе twо ехchangеd a glanсе—bоth dishеvelеd, faсes flushed with еithеr еmbаrrаssment оr anger. Onе’s gоwn wаs tоrn, whilе the other’s ехрosеd skin borе scratсh mаrks.
Сhi Нen relеаsed her, finаlly lowеring hеr slеndеr leg, аnd swiftlу slipped out through the window.
Shеng Shuran’s lеgs gаvе wау as shе slid down against thе cаrved сabinеt. Clearing her throat, she said, “Tell Madam my dress is soiled. I’ll change before coming out.”
Sheng Shuran changed into a new gown and made her way to the banquet hall.
The grand hall was already filled with distinguished guests. Aside from political and business elites, reporters from major news outlets were also present.
Sheng Shuran approached Shen Manlian, who sighed with regret. “What a pity. The chance for such a talented and handsome pair to appear together is lost.”
Sheng Shuran could only smile, offering comforting words offhandedly. “Auntie, there will be other opportunities.”
No sooner had she spoken than she noticed Chi Hen standing not far away, staring at her. He had tied a black silk scarf around his collar to conceal the scratches she had left earlier.
Just then, a commotion arose at the entrance of the banquet hall. The crowd instinctively parted, creating a pathway.
It was Fu Lin, the eldest son of the Fu family.
He wore a deep brown tailored suit—not the one Shen Manlian had sent over.
By his side was a woman in a wine-red gown, her arm linked with Fu Lin’s as she entered the venue with graceful, deliberate steps.
“Father, happy birthday. This is my friend, Shi Jiaxuan,” Fu Lin said calmly and gently.
“Uncle, happy birthday,” the woman chimed in with a radiant smile and a sweet voice.
Sheng Shuran stared blankly at the perfect couple before her.
Wine-red and deep brown.
The two looked exceptionally well-matched, as if wearing matching outfits.
Fu Zhenchuan’s expression darkened. He shot a reproachful glance at Shen Manlian but maintained his composure in front of the crowd. “Thank you,” he said.
It was widely rumored that the orphaned Sheng girl was the Fu family’s child bride for their eldest son. Yet today, at the birthday banquet of the Fu patriarch, Fu Lin had arrived with a female companion.
The reporters, like cats catching the scent of fish, swarmed forward, surrounding Fu Lin and Shi Jiaxuan.
“Young Master Fu, is this your girlfriend?”
“How did the two of you meet?”
“What message are you sending by bringing Miss Shi here?”
A few reporters who couldn’t squeeze their way to Fu Lin spotted Sheng Shuran in the crowd and took an alternative approach, thrusting their cameras toward her.
“Miss Sheng, do you know Young Master Fu’s girlfriend?”
“Miss Sheng, is your marriage arrangement with Young Master Fu…” The reporter’s question trailed off mid-sentence.
His wrist was seized by Chi Hen, who gripped it so tightly it felt as though it might snap backward.
“If you have questions, ask over there,” Chi Hen said in a low, icy tone, his gaze sharp as he tightened his grip.
“Chi Hen,” Sheng Shuran whispered urgently.
But those two words were enough to make Chi Hen release his hold.
Fu Zhenchuan watched the chaotic scene with the reporters, his face darkening with irritation. He cleared his throat heavily.
The reporters wisely fell silent.
The nearby host quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Now that everyone is here, let’s invite Mr. Fu to cut the cake!” As he spoke, a hostess wheeled out a lavish five-tiered cake trolley, bringing it before Fu Zhenchuan.Only then did Fu Zhenchuan show a hint of a smile. Picking up the cake knife in front of the many reporters and guests, he called out:
“Ah Hen, come here.”
Everyone present was astonished.
Rumors in the circles said Fu Zhenchuan loved playing with women, but he had always kept things clean and left no loose ends. Yet he had been tricked by a woman who climbed into his bed and bore him a son, which enraged the then-powerful head of the Fu family, who immediately stripped Fu Zhenchuan of half his authority.
Thus, Fu Zhenchuan never allowed this illegitimate son to appear in public.
Everyone avoided mentioning him as well.
But now, he was calling him over.
The young man wore a tailored, high-end suit with a V-neck white shirt, a black silk tie at the collar. He had the freshness of youth and the dignified elegance of a young master. The spotlight shone on his fair face, making his features appear even more defined and striking.
Chi Hen walked to Fu Zhenchuan’s side. As he passed Fu Lin, he said to him:
“Brother, make way.”
Fu Lin remained silent and stepped aside to give him space.
Chi Hen moved past Fu Lin and stood beside Fu Zhenchuan.
Fu Zhenchuan took Chi Hen’s hand, and together they held the knife handle, making a cut into the cake. The reporters’ flashes dutifully captured the moment.
The guests raised their glasses one after another, toasting Fu Zhenchuan’s birthday.
Sheng Shuran stood among the crowd, watching Chi Hen under the dazzling lights. He no longer had to live only in the dark corners.
He could now be legitimate.
Sheng Shuran felt genuinely happy for him.
But soon, her gaze was inadvertently drawn to Fu Lin nearby. He was leaning close to Shi Jiaxuan’s ear, whispering something, and Shi Jiaxuan smiled radiantly—a perfect match of talent and beauty.
Sheng Shuran lifted her head and drained the champagne in her hand.
When their eyes met again, it was Chi Hen looking at her with a dark expression.
Oh no, she had been caught. He was going to be angry again.
Sheng Shuran pretended not to see him, turned, and disappeared into the crowd.
The banquet was nearing its end.
Chi Hen extricated himself from one flattering group after another and finally found Sheng Shuran lost in thought on a sofa in the corner.
She was clearly tipsy, her cheeks flushed as she leaned slightly against the sofa.
Guests had already begun to leave, with Fu Zhenchuan and Shen Manlian seeing them off.
Chi Hen helped Sheng Shuran up, and she slumped bonelessly into his arms. Looking up, she noticed two faint pink scratches on his chin.
“Oh, Xiao Hen, how did you get hurt here?”
Chi Hen stared into her eyes, glistening from the alcohol, and tightened his voice. “A cat scratched me.”
Sheng Shuran laughed. “Don’t think I don’t know you’re calling me a cat. You’re the dog here.”
Chi Hen didn’t want to engage with her and helped her out of the banquet hall.
Once they left the hall and turned a corner where no one was around, Chi Hen simply scooped her up in his arms.
“Hey, Chi Hen, put me down,” Sheng Shuran said, her drunkenness fading slightly.
“Keep your voice down. Aren’t you afraid someone will see?”
“But why are you carrying me?” Sheng Shuran’s voice rose at the end, sounding almost coquettish.
The little cat in his arms let out a soft “meow.”
“This way is faster,” Chi Hen replied distractedly, quickening his pace.
Back in Sheng Shuran’s room, Chi Hen laid her on the soft bed.
“How much did you drink?” Chi Hen sat on the edge of the bed, brushing aside the hair at her temple with his fingertips.
“Not much.” Drowsiness washed over her, and Sheng Shuran wanted to sleep. She kicked off her high heels, pulled a blanket over herself, and draped it over her stomach.
“Drinking to drown your sorrows?”
“Sorrows? I have no sorrows.” Sheng Shuran lay on the bed, blinking up at Chi Hen.”No?” Chi Hen’s tone rose at the end as he lowered his head, meeting Sheng Shuran’s eyes.
“Fu Lin didn’t wear the clothes Shen Manlian gave him, and he even brought a companion. Aren’t you upset?”
Sheng Shuran didn’t want to answer, her gaze flickering slightly. But Chi Hen’s posture as he leaned over and stared at her was too oppressive, so she pushed him away and sat up.
“Sheng Shuran.” Chi Hen’s voice was so cold it made Sheng Shuran shiver, forcing her to answer honestly:
“Yes, I am quite upset…” Sheng Shuran sounded a bit resentful. “Why do you have to force me to admit it?”
Chi Hen straightened her body, his eyes fixed on her with an obsessive intensity. “Just because Fu Lin didn’t choose you?”
This time, Sheng Shuran was straightforward and nodded directly.
“You don’t actually like Fu Lin.” Chi Hen’s voice was low but spoken with absolute certainty, clean and decisive.
He seemed completely confident, as if stating a simple fact.
“I don’t know…” Sheng Shuran’s drunkenness was taking over, and she was extremely drowsy, but Chi Hen held her tightly, not letting her collapse.
She drooped her head and looked at Chi Hen, her words slurred with alcohol as she murmured:
“Since I was little, everyone said I was the Fu family’s child bride, that I was meant to marry into the Fu family. So I just naturally assumed he and I were a pair, that we should be together.”
Sheng Shuran could no longer hold herself up. She tilted her head back and rested it on Chi Hen’s shoulder, suddenly finding his broad, sturdy shoulder quite comfortable.
Chi Hen’s cold voice sounded in her ear:
“The Fu family doesn’t only have Fu Lin as a man…”
He turned his head to look at Sheng Shuran, her lips almost touching the tip of his nose.
“If he won’t marry you, I will.”
Sheng Shuran’s pupils widened, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as she abruptly lifted her head from Chi Hen’s shoulder, staring at him in disbelief.
“I’ll marry you.” Chi Hen repeated, afraid she hadn’t heard him clearly in her drowsy state.
Sheng Shuran suddenly couldn’t hold back anymore. Her nose tingled with emotion as she hugged Chi Hen’s arm and began to cry:
“Wahhh, Little Hen, you’re so good! Wahhh…”
In Sheng Shuran’s eyes, Chi Hen was willing to sacrifice himself just so she wouldn’t lose face!
“You’re so good! Your sister hasn’t doted on you for nothing, wahhh…”
“Then, sister…” Chi Hen’s voice suddenly softened. He gently cupped Sheng Shuran’s delicate face and whispered:
“Can you dote on me a little more?”
“Haven’t I doted on you enough?” Sheng Shuran squinted her eyes in confusion.
“Not enough.”
His voice was too soft, his tone tender and lingering, stirring up an ambiguous atmosphere in the air.
“I don’t even dare to spend my own salary—I give it all to you. And you still…” Sheng Shuran felt truly wronged.
“I don’t want your money. I want…”
“What do you want?”
Chi Hen’s gaze fixed openly on Sheng Shuran’s lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke in a low voice:
“I want you, Sheng Shuran.”
“Okay…”
“Okay?” Chi Hen repeated in disbelief, his eyes surging with turbulent emotions.
Sheng Shuran looked at the young man’s captivating peach-blossom eyes, slowly leaned closer, raised her hand, and on his fair face, still marked with scratches…
She patted it…
“Let’s wait until I wake up tomorrow.”
Unable to hold on any longer, she pushed Chi Hen’s hand away and collapsed back onto the bed.
The emotions in the young man’s eyes dimmed by half.
Tomorrow?
When you wake up?
You’d better take responsibility on your own tomorrow.