A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 109: Ajing, Happy New Year_1

Shen Jing cast a sidelong glance at him. He obviously has no intention of agreeing with me. He’s a man with possessive desires, yet he also possesses enough self-control to keep his heart from leaning even a fraction towards me.

Really.

Zhou Luchen is someone who looks down on everything.

That incident in Beijing... I provoked his arrogant, noble temper. What will happen when we meet? What will he do? He’ll probably want to make me cry on the spot.

Just like now—whisked away upon meeting, locked in the car, at his mercy.

Fortunately, he hasn’t done anything to me. He’s busy with work, ignoring me.

For a long time, no one spoke.

Zhou Luchen lifted his pen cap and flipped open the contract again. Starting from the third page, he continuously marked issues related to investment and shareholding without signing.

The light from the lamp was hazy. He didn’t look at her, his expression indecipherable.

No matter what his true thoughts were, Shen Jing knew his mood was bad at the moment.

The air conditioning was too cold, a biting sensation seeping into her skin, and Shen Jing wrapped her arms around her shoulders.

"There’s a blanket," Zhou Luchen finally spoke.

Shen Jing opened the storage compartment, took out the blanket to cover herself, and the little cat too.

The silence was unbearable.

Shen Jing couldn’t escape either. She bowed her head to pet the cat, noticing his phone light up; she didn’t know who was texting him.

With all this commotion, it must be the New Year already.

He, the center of attention, must have plenty of people timing their flattery just right for the New Year.

"Happy New Year."

Looking at the cat, she spoke to the man beside her, who was flipping through the contract.

After a long pause, he replied, "Happy New Year."

So, the New Year had truly arrived. And I’ve spent it with him like this, without things getting too ugly.

"Do I get a red envelope?"

Zhou Luchen capped his pen. "Here."

Shen Jing thought for a moment. "The little one needs one too; it’s only meaningful if she gets one."

Zhou Luchen’s lips tightened slightly, and he only uttered a sound of agreement.

Cars aren’t usually stocked with things like red envelopes, nor would he carry cash. He probably didn’t remember to prepare red envelopes for anyone; who would he even remember to give them to? But I asked for one, a red envelope.

"I don’t want to go home." Shen Jing’s voice was very low. "Why don’t you spend New Year’s Eve with me?"

The person beside her said lightly, "Not being melodramatic anymore?"

I can’t afford to be melodramatic. In this game of love, whoever falls first, loses. The one who is cherished more always holds the reins.

Her eyes crinkled at the corners in a slight smile. "Grandma said not to quarrel during the New Year; it’s a tradition."

For New Year’s Eve, she wanted to be out having fun. Every year, she either spent it with her grandmother or watched the New Year’s Gala at the teahouse. She definitely wouldn’t seek out Feng Jian.

This time, my makeup is perfect. Going back to Yunding would be such a waste of all this effort on my face.

These requests were not difficult for Zhou Luchen. He freed a hand to use his phone and dialed a number.

He gave simple instructions to the person on the other end.

Shen Jing’s mood began to lift. She leaned against the window, enjoying the cold breeze and looking at the bustling urban nightlife.

After Zhou Luchen ended the call, the car stopped on the most prosperous street in the entertainment district.

Another car pulled up behind them.

A man in a suit got out and walked over, carrying a black paper bag, which he handed to Zhou Luchen.

"All new bills," the man said.

Zhou Luchen slowly and methodically put several stacks of brand-new cash into red envelopes. He then held them out to her.

Just as Shen Jing reached out to take them, he withdrew his hand.

She looked at Zhou Luchen, her eyes filled with bewilderment.

He wants something in return; he won’t just give them to me for free.

Shen Jing put down the cat and snuggled into Zhou Luchen’s embrace, hugging him for warmth. Her face pressed against his fine dress shirt, feeling the heat of his muscles through the fabric, and she unconsciously hugged him tighter. "Isn’t this enough?"

Zhou Luchen’s reaction was lukewarm. His neck was slightly tilted back against the headrest, eyebrows arched slightly, maintaining an utterly noble posture.

Shen Jing reached out to snatch the red envelopes, but Zhou Luchen lifted them higher.

Sitting on Zhou Luchen’s lap, her soft, lovely arms wrapped around his neck, she said in a warm, gentle voice, "Give them to me, President Zhou. Am I not your little darling anymore?"

Zhou Luchen’s eyes lowered slightly. "What do you want?"

"Don’t be insatiable, Zhou Luchen. There are so many people walking by."

Shen Jing looked up at him.

The corners of his mouth curved slightly as his low, magnetic voice teased her, "Do you want money, or do you want to be spoiled?"

I didn’t mishear. He didn’t say, ’Do you want *me*.’

The Zhou Luchen of that time... you could desire anything from him, just not *him*. He didn’t like that kind of burden. free𝑤ebnovel.com

Shen Jing blinked. "Give me the red envelopes first, then we can talk about anything else."

This time, Zhou Luchen stopped teasing her. He took out eight or nine envelopes from the paper bag and gave them all to her.

She kissed one of the red envelopes, utterly delighted. "Thank you, President Zhou! It’s been so long since anyone gave me a red envelope."

Zhou Luchen couldn’t quite share her joy. He simply raised an eyebrow, looking at her.

She squeezed it several times; it was exceptionally thick.

Her happiness made her forget how wretched she felt.

Her sweater had been torn by him, exposing her porcelain-white, jade-like bare shoulder. Zhou Luchen reached past her for a tissue, deliberately not touching that shoulder, which felt incredibly cold.

"Hold on tight," he commanded.

Shen Jing made a questioning "Hm?" sound. Following Zhou Luchen’s words, she shifted slightly, snuggling even closer into his embrace. "Finally, someone is with me for New Year’s Eve."

Zhou Luchen’s palm embraced her back, caressing it gently. His chin rested on her tender shoulder, nuzzling it as he gradually pressed closer, warming her.

"You haven’t had anyone before?"

She clung to him, a slightly bitter laugh escaping her throat. "Before, it was with my family—my father and my grandmother. They doted on me incredibly. Among all the children in the family, I always received the biggest red envelope. They would even specially arrange for performances at our home, like stage plays, just for me. But... they’re gone."

Zhou Luchen lowered his gaze, pressing his chin down a little harder, not asking about her family matters.

"I’ll buy you the house. When I’m not around, you can live there by yourself."

Shen Jing shook her head. "I’m afraid of the dark."

Zhou Luchen let out a soft scoff, then chuckled lightly.

"If you ever really run off, go to that hotel I often take you to. They’ll make an exception and let you check in with your pet, so you wouldn’t end up wandering the streets with your cat."

At least I wouldn’t be homeless on the streets with the cat.

"I won’t go," Shen Jing lifted her head, licking her lips. "The manager there knows we’re involved."

His mouth corners stretched involuntarily. "Don’t want to be involved with me?" After a pause, he whispered in her ear, "What are you afraid of?"

Shen Jing asked, "So, how many others have you brought there before me?"

Zhou Luchen’s lips curled slightly. "Am I that kind of person?"

"I don’t know." Shen Jing raised her small face. "I’m not one to pry into your private affairs."

As for which number she was, Zhou Luchen didn’t answer. He wasn’t inclined to discuss such things with her.

Shen Jing didn’t delve into his past.

I want his present. His past is irrelevant to me. But that past cannot intrude on my present; I’m not one to tolerate rivals or deceit.

Shen Jing rubbed her hair against his chin, exceptionally quiet in his arms, like a languid Persian cat shifting its position.

Zhou Luchen lowered his gaze, watching the little kitten on the wool car mat. It was rubbing against his leather shoes, playing. Then he looked at her.

She was fiddling with the buttons of his shirt, her luminous white fingers mischievously undoing one, then gently fastening it again.

She said, "When you wear black, you’re aloof and indifferent. In grey, you’re noble. In white, you’re just a hypocrite."

Zhou Luchen’s brows furrowed slightly. "And now?"

She said calmly, "The fickle and heartless Zhou Luchen."

I like the noble Zhou Luchen. I’m also addicted to his different facets: the one who works seriously, the one who picks me up from the Liang Family’s villa to take me home, and the one who would go to great lengths to satisfy my desires.

But the very next second, Shen Jing sniffed. "You smell of alcohol."