Сhарtеr 15: Do You Likе It Тhis Wау?
Нearing his voiсе soften, Shеn Ciying fеlt а surgе оf jоу in her hеаrt. А сoquettish smilе spread aсrоss her fасе аs shе leаnеd in аnd plantеd а kiss on his liрs, saying, “I want а swing. A bеautiful floral swing.”
“А swing?” Shen Rаngchеn рicked hеr up and cаrriеd hеr tоward the bеdrооm, slightlу surprised but сasuаlly agrеeing, “Alright. Sоmeonе will come first thing tоmоrrоw to mаkе it.”
Shen Ciying lеt him cаrrу her but pоuted, “I want уou tо mаkе it for mе.”
For somеone likе Shеn Rаngchen, things like gold, silver, jewelry, mоnеy, accеssоries, or limited-еditiоn haute couture meant nothing—they were just numbers scribbled on a check or, even without lifting a pen, all arranged by Zhuo Feng.
What would leave the deepest impression was making him spend time and effort, doing it with his own hands.
But Shen Rangchen frowned at her request. “I don’t know how, and I don’t have the time.”
Whether he actually knew how or not was beside the point—he simply saw it as a waste of his time.
Shen Ciying looked pitiful. “But you have time now… Ah!”
Before she could finish, Shen Rangchen tossed her onto the bed. She let out a startled gasp, only to see the man leaning over her.
Shen Rangchen knelt over her, one hand braced beside her ear, the other tugging at his tie. His voice was low and husky. “I’m here tonight to collect a debt. Principal and interest.”
Shen Ciying hurriedly raised her hands to push against his chest, her eyes trembling with feigned grievance. “You said you’d reward me yourself. I asked, and now you’re like this. It’s just a swing—it’s not like I’m asking for gold or jewels.”
Shen Rangchen took the tie he’d just loosened and bound her two delicate wrists, which were pressed against his chest, then pinned them above her head. Leaning down, he brushed his lips against hers in a kiss that wasn’t quite a kiss. “I’d prefer it if you were asking for gold and jewels.”
Shen Ciying looked at the man so close above her, her eyes suddenly dimming. She lost her haughty air and offered no resistance, simply gazing silently into his eyes. After a moment, she spoke bitterly:
“So in Mr. Shen’s heart, we’ve always just been a transaction of money and flesh.
Before, you said what we have isn’t a transaction of lust. I was so happy then, and I’ve kept it in my heart ever since.
So even though I know you won’t marry me, I’ve been content.
But it turns out you were just fooling around.Furious enough to bite his lips.
But before she could succeed, her wrist was suddenly released, the tied necktie casually pulled off, and she was flipped over. At the same time, a not-too-light, not-too-heavy slap landed on the spot below her waist, followed by the man’s cold, detached voice:
“Go change your clothes.”
Shen Ciying thought the bastard wanted to play some ‘exotic costume’ game with her.
Immediately displeased, she pulled the blanket over her body, which was barely covered by a few scraps of fabric, her temper flaring up again: “I don’t want to!”
Shen Rangchen sighed helplessly, his expression cool and detached: “Then go out like this to build the swing?”
Shen Ciying blinked her beautiful fox-like eyes in confusion.
A second later, she understood and instantly beamed, sliding off the bed while chattering quickly: “I’ll change in a flash.”
The courtyard was bitterly cold, and Shen Ciying’s gown tonight was form-fitting and thin. She went to the walk-in closet to change into warm clothes and draped a thick red cloak over herself.
Shen Rangchen watched the little girl, who had changed and came running out joyfully, the delight in her eyes as if celebrating a victory in a game.
She’ll probably act up even more in the future.
His gaze deepened, and he suddenly reached out, pulling her into his arms. Lifting his hand, he pinched her chin, forcing her to look up at him, his voice as cold and detached as ever:
“You did well today, so I’ll indulge you.
But A Ying has been too unruly lately. I don’t like it.”
Shen Ciying looked at him blankly, blinking as she retorted: “Don’t like it?”
Shen Rangchen blurted out: “Don’t like it.”
He didn’t like this feeling of being out of control, of not being in control.
Shen Ciying stared at him, pouted, and suddenly stood on her tiptoes to kiss him on the lips: “Do you like it like this?”
Shen Rangchen: “…”
His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly: “If you don’t want to go out and build the swing anymore, I’ll take your clothes off again and continue collecting what’s owed.”
Shen Ciying shot him an annoyed glare. A dignified head of a wealthy family, and all he could think about was that!
She quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him outside, muttering: “Then hurry up and let’s go.”
The snow in the villa hadn’t been cleared at Shen Ciying’s request.
Shen Rangchen was pulled by Shen Ciying all the way to the artificial hill in the backyard. From afar, he could see piles of dried flowers, along with the wood, ropes, and other materials needed to build the swing.
As they walked, Shen Ciying explained: “I prepared all the materials a long time ago. When it first started snowing, I thought about adding a floral swing here.”
Shen Rangchen, however, frowned at the pile of materials: “Then why not have someone install it directly?”
He still believed this was a complete waste of time.