A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 105: Shen Jing, not following me?" _1

Zhou Luchen easily spotted the Band-Aid on her right hand at first glance; two of her five fingers were injured.

He knew. He knew why she was injured.

Her fingers were so tender; in the past, when he teased her, even just holding her little finger in his mouth to play would make her squirm, afraid he would bite too hard. If he bit down, she would genuinely feel aggrieved in his arms, tears falling like silver threads.

When she started competing, she was always bullied. Wouldn’t she have come to him to whine and complain back then? He was just a phone call away. Did she really think he couldn’t get her justice?

Zhou Luchen had been like that back then. Even if there wasn’t deep affection between him and Shen Jing, after they had been intimate, he always made a point of treating the women he’d been with well; he wouldn’t just stand by idly.

He had helped her get the surveillance video and had Old Master Zhao protect her a bit, ensuring she was treated a little more kindly during the competition. What if she lost? She would definitely hide in a corner and cry secretly. What was done, was done; there was no need to let her know. If anyone asked, it was just that they had slept together. Nothing more.

Zhou Luchen put out his cigarette, turned, and strode away on his long legs, leaving Shen Jing playing in the snow.

Where Zhou Luchen couldn’t see her, she bent over to roll a small snowball and deliberately threw it lightly towards his back.

She murmured softly, "Ignoring me, huh."

BANG. The snowball hit an ornate pillar and scattered into a spray of white.

Zhou Luchen clearly knew about her little stunt but didn’t turn back.

From the back kitchen with its glass doors, Zhou Xiangqun looked out across the large courtyard, with its red walls and white snow, and laughed aloud when he saw the scene.

Today was Little New Year’s Eve. He knew Zhou Luchen would come to Beijing to fulfill his filial duties to his Second Grandma.

In the kitchen, Li Bo was kneading dough. "I took one look just now and knew she was with Luchen," he said.

Zhou Xiangqun turned, puzzled. "How could you tell?"

"You wouldn’t bring someone to the Zhou Family home without a reason," Li Bo said. This Eldest Master isn’t usually keen on romance; how could he possibly bring a young girl here? Even if someone saved his life, he wouldn’t necessarily bring them to the Zhou Family home.

"Today is Little New Year’s Eve, and you’ve refused all other visitors, yet you’ve set aside time to receive her. She’s definitely not an ordinary guest," Li Bo added. This was no ordinary place; not just anyone could visit. Usually, the main gates were kept tightly closed, precisely to avoid unannounced visitors and disturbances. The Zhou Family, after all, preferred to be low-key and pragmatic. Still, their standing is immense, of course.

Li Bo tied his apron, lit the stove, and started stir-frying. "Right," he commented, "if she dared to throw a snowball at Luchen, he must have indulged her."

Zhou Xiangqun, who often stood with his hands clasped behind his back and chest puffed out, said, "It’s time for Achen to settle down. Then Second Grandma will stop hounding me every day and distracting me from my work."

While stir-frying the vegetables, Li Bo said, "What about you? You’re the eldest son."

"Me?" Zhou Xiangqun gave a self-deprecating smile. "I’m past that now. I’m content with a simple life. I’ll leave family matters to Achen."

Li Bo asked, "That girl, she’s from the south, right?"

"No," Zhou Xiangqun replied. "Her ancestors are from the Shen Family of Xihe Bay."

Li Bo had never heard of any prominent Shen Family in their circles. Perhaps they were in business. Xihe Bay was also a place where the wealthy lived. Here with this branch of the Zhou Family, it was considered good enough if a girl was willing to be with the Second Young Master; they weren’t picky. The Zhou Family in Shanghai, on the other hand, only considered marriages between social equals.

Zhou Xiangqun turned to take the food. "I’ll bring out the dishes."

Li Bo was plating the food. "Aren’t we waiting for the Old Master?" he asked.

"He goes out to pay respects to his old comrades during festivals. He won’t be back so soon," Zhou Xiangqun said.

Shredded meat, crispy shrimp—all simple, home-style dishes, yet exquisitely plated, exuding the subtle refinement of an aristocratic family.

Four people gathered around the table. As if by design, the seat left for her was beside Zhou Luchen.

It felt as if he had brought her home for the New Year’s meal—a completely misleading impression.

No one spoke during the meal; strict etiquette was observed. Even bowls and chopsticks were handled gently. It was the epitome of the ’eat without speaking’ rule.

Zhou Luchen ate little, wiped his fingers lightly with a napkin, and left early.

"Second Grandma, please take your time eating."

The elderly lady nodded with a gentle kindness. After Zhou Luchen had completely left the dining room, she too declared herself full and said nothing more. As the elderly lady passed by Shen Jing, her aura of dignified grace sent shivers down Shen Jing’s spine.

Shen Jing and Zhou Xiangqun were the last to leave their seats.

Zhou Xiangqun escorted her to the door, pointing to the black sedan behind the stone lion at the entrance. "He will take you back; I won’t see you out personally."

Shen Jing didn’t move, her gaze following his gesture towards the car.

She would rather have a chauffeur drive her than be with the cold Zhou Luchen.

"Next time you’re in Beijing, feel free to drop by here. You know the way now, don’t you?" Zhou Xiangqun added.

Actually, Shen Jing didn’t recognize it at all.

Zhou Xiangqun gave a slight nod, watching her get into the car.

The car was pleasantly warm inside. Shen Jing quietly sat in the passenger seat.

The man in the driver’s seat—Zhou Luchen—had his hand resting on the open window frame, fingers lazily tapping the car door, as if idly playing with the falling snow or the wind.

After a while, Zhou Luchen turned to look at her, then slowly spoke, "Where to, little sister?"

Shen Jing pursed her lips. "Drive into your heart."

Zhou Luchen laughed, started the engine, and steered with one hand.

"Have you received your salary?"

Shen Jing had actually forgotten to check. It was probably just the rich young master having too much money and nothing better to do with it. He was the type to always pay what he promised, but how much genuine feeling was there from his side?

"Mm."

He found the heating too warm and lowered the window halfway, letting in the cold air.

Shen Jing wrapped her coat tighter around herself, turning away to watch the retreating scenery outside the window.

They drove in silence.

She didn’t mention a destination, and Zhou Luchen didn’t ask. Instead, he just drove aimlessly around Beijing. Neon street lights passed by as the low-key black sedan weaved through the traffic on the main road, speeding up and slowing down intermittently.

Shen Jing really didn’t know where he was taking her; they had been wandering aimlessly for forty minutes.

Never again would she get into his blasted car! He was just toying with her, taking her on a pointless drive!

She had never been able to win against him. In a huff, she finally told him the name of her hotel.

Zhou Luchen glanced at her, his voice indifferent. "Not coming with me?"

Shen Jing’s delicate face tilted upward, still angry. "I want to go back and sleep."

He could tolerate a tantrum or two, but he wasn’t the type to patiently argue with her.

"Alright."

Zhou Luchen braked sharply and brought the car to a steady halt. "Don’t let me see you in Shanghai."

Shen Jing bit her lip. "I’ll make sure to steer clear of you, okay?"

Zhou Luchen was visibly impatient. He took his hands off the steering wheel. "Get out."

Shen Jing, annoyed, unbuckled her seatbelt, her long lashes lowered. "I have a temper too. Coax me or don’t; I don’t care."

With that, without waiting for his reply, Shen Jing pushed open the door and got out.

THUD. The moment the car door closed, Zhou Luchen, quite naturally, revved the engine and drove off smoothly.

When Shen Jing looked back again, the black sedan had already merged into the rush-hour traffic, leaving only two damp tire tracks on the road.

Xing Fei, who was just returning from the supermarket, watched the sulking pair with amusement.

One needed to be coaxed, and the other didn’t know how, Xing Fei thought. Just a typical lovers’ quarrel.

Xing Fei reminded her, "It’s very late. Go back and sleep."

Shen Jing took the drink from Xing Fei’s hand and walked into the hotel.

"I’m not going back to Shanghai. I’ll stay here, have some fun, and recover from my injuries."

She’d just spend the temporary salary Zhou Luchen had paid her on the 5th.