A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 106: New Year’s Eve_1

Because of a sentence from Zhou Luchen.

Shen Jing went to Yonghe Palace to offer incense and pray.

The day was bright and sunny, with a dense crowd. Luckily, Shen Jing’s tall figure stood out; otherwise, Xing Fei would have almost lost track of her.

At Zhaotai Gate, Shen Jing offered her incense. She held three sticks of pure fragrance, raised them to her eyebrows in respect to heaven, knelt, and worshipped Buddha.

She blindly believed Zhou Luchen’s words, believing them to be effective.

This was her first time setting foot in a temple.

There was a moment when she wished to ask the Buddha for Zhou Luchen himself, for his whole life and devotion. But when the three inches of incense ash fell before her eyes, she asked the Buddha for wealth instead.

Given the fickle heart of the noble Zhou Luchen, the gods probably couldn’t grant him to her alone.

Such a wish was difficult; she wouldn’t trouble the deities with it.

Shen Jing stood up and placed the incense into the urn.

When making a wish, she only wished for wealth.

Xing Fei had gone somewhere to buy prayer beads, which she said had been blessed for safety, and put them in her pocket.

Shen Jing glanced at them and realized that Xing Fei was only there to pray for someone else’s safety.

Xing Fei took her hand as they left. "You should have made him bring you here personally. How romantic would that have been?"

What a dream.

Shen Jing’s hand slipped into her sweater pocket. "He’s gone back to Shanghai."

Chen Yao’s social media had been all about parties lately, posted in the dead of night. His photos not so subtly included Zhou Luchen’s pure black suit left on the sofa. Another prominent figure in these posts was Wenxin.

As the two women walked away, Xing Fei suddenly asked, "Where exactly is the Zhou Family’s home?"

Shen Jing couldn’t remember at all, only that it was in an alley.

"Is it like a luxurious villa?"

Shen Jing shook her head. The ancient charm and mystery of that large family home were even more extraordinary than a villa.

"His family has an imperial chef," Shen Jing said. "His surname is Li. While the dishes aren’t lavish, one taste and you know they’re far from simple. For instance, even peanut sprouts are meticulously trimmed to uniform neatness before being plated. She had only taken two of them at the time."

She had never eaten food prepared like that in her life, as if every element was measured to perfection.

Xing Fei was indeed very curious, blinking as she asked, "What did you drink?"

Shen Jing replied, "Guyan Tea from the ’90s."

"Then I have an idea of their background—descendants of political nobility," Xing Fei said, not daring to speak too freely. "We weren’t even born in the ’90s."

Shen Jing didn’t reply. Instead, she wandered to a neighboring city to continue her travels.

The salary Zhou Luchen gave her was more than she could ever spend. This made Shen Jing’s travels grow increasingly uninteresting, so she decided she might as well ask Chen Yao which stocks to watch.

Probably because of her online presence, a media company specifically sought her out, wanting to sign her to become a social media sensation.

Manager Fang promised fervently, "We can turn you into the number one beauty influencer on short video platforms."

They were trying to capitalize on her beauty, but that promise was too grand.

"You already have some fame, and internet users are more interested in your private life. If you post more videos, our company can package you—whether as ’Jiangnan’s Qipao Beauty’ or ’Shanghai Circle’s Wealthy Socialite’—you’re guaranteed to be a hit."

She looked at the contract terms: any video had to go through the media company before it could be released.

The deal didn’t go through. The terms offered by the other party were too poor, full of unequal conditions, and demanded she give up her current profession.

She only liked Pipa music and storytelling. Relying solely on her looks wouldn’t get her far online.

Manager Fang, in response to her rejection, was somewhat mocking. "You really don’t know what’s good for you."

Shen Jing stated calmly, "If I decide to become famous, I won’t need your company’s packaging at all."

Manager Fang packed up the contract and left disdainfully.

「That New Year’s Eve.」

Shen Jing bought a plane ticket back to Su City.

The plane landed late, so she didn’t return to Shanghai to be with her grandmother.

Su City was rich with New Year’s spirit.

Red lanterns and festive red knots hung in the alleys.

The teahouse was already empty of customers.

Shen Jing didn’t know where to go, so she decided to watch dramas in the teahouse. She sliced up a plate of strawberries and mangoes and ate by herself.

Xing Fei stayed by her side. Although she wasn’t into dramas, she had made it a habit to join her every year.

In the cramped space of the sofa, Xing Fei rested her head on Shen Jing’s thigh and played games.

"Wild King, come to the mid lane and help me push the lane!"

Shen Jing shuddered at the coquettish tone.

She had no interest in the game Xing Fei was playing, so much so that she couldn’t understand what exactly was going on.

At that moment, her phone rang.

Chen Yao was looking for Xing Fei, who had blocked him.

When he called Shen Jing’s phone, she could only reluctantly hand it over to Xing Fei.

See? If he truly misses you, he’ll find a way to contact you no matter what.

Xing Fei chatted on the phone while crushing chips, whispering sweet nothings. An entire large bag of chips had gone stale.

Shen Jing’s hand reached out, stunned.

Not only was Shen Jing being subjected to their lovey-dovey display, but the poor chips had suffered too.

Xing Fei pushed the door open, leaned on the railing, and gazed at the Pingjiang River, softly asking the person on the line, "Why are you calling me? Ajing doesn’t even have a phone to watch her shows now."

Chen Yao didn’t blame Xing Fei for blocking him, especially not on New Year’s Eve. He didn’t want to argue with a girl. He was a man, after all, and it always paid to be more forgiving, he thought.

He cheerfully asked, "Do you want to see the fireworks?"

Xing Fei, looking at the passing boats, couldn’t resist looking up. "Where are they?"

Chen Yao laughed heartily, likely because he imagined her looking up at the sky.

How foolish. It’s not a fairy tale; you can’t see fireworks just by looking up, especially when they’re banned in major cities.

He declared confidently, "I’ll take you to a place where, if you want to see them, you can."

Xing Fei looked down, a hint of shame in her voice. "Where?"

"I’m coming to pick you up."

Those four words were followed by an inexplicable silence from both sides.

As the call remained peacefully silent for a long while, Xing Fei took a deep breath. "Don’t come."

"My family’s driver is already halfway here," Chen Yao stated firmly. "We have to meet. I want to spend tonight with you."

He sounded so sincere.

Xing Fei suppressed her emotions. "Aren’t you spending New Year’s Eve with Second Young Master Zhou and his friends?"

Chen Yao’s voice softened. "I just want to be with you."

"Chen Yao," Xing Fei hugged her slender arm, "I’m under a lot of pressure."

She had forgotten to put on a coat when she went out, and it was getting a bit cold.

But hearing his voice on the other end, she somehow didn’t feel cold anymore.

Chen Yao always gave her a warm feeling.

As they chatted, neither of them wanted to hang up.

"Feifei," Chen Yao said, "I’m at the intersection."

Xing Fei hung up, went back to the teahouse, and pulled Shen Jing with her to the intersection.

In the deep, quiet night, a sleek black Rolls-Royce parked at the intersection was an instant eye-catcher.

Standing next to the car door, Young Master Chen held a bouquet of red roses. The trunk was full of New Year’s gifts—seemingly Hermès bags and C Brand clothes.

Was she moved?

Not really.

The young master was wealthy; spending money was easy for him, almost effortless.

There was no reason to be overwhelmed by a few luxury items. But the effort—he was genuinely making it, showing Xing Fei that on New Year’s Eve, she was the only one on his mind. This was a truly unique gift.

This provided a true sense of security.

Once again, Shen Jing was forced to endure their public display of affection.

The rumors, it turned out, were true: Chen Yao would do anything to be with someone he truly liked.

Before the two departed, Chen Yao made a point to open the car door himself and invite Shen Jing, "Want to come watch the fireworks and ring in the New Year with us, Sister Jing?"

Shen Jing scoffed, waved her hand, and walked back to the teahouse alone.

She was afraid she’d be stuffed to bursting tonight.

Chen Yao called out to her retreating figure, "I can take you to see Luchen; he’ll also be at my gathering tonight for the countdown."

Shen Jing smiled faintly. "We quarreled."

Despite Xing Fei’s earnest invitations, Shen Jing declined.

She wouldn’t disrupt their private time together; being a third wheel was impolite.