A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 110: Miss you, had a drink_1

"There’s the smell of alcohol on you," Shen Jing said, sniffing, just a second later.

He wasn’t drunk; one wouldn’t have noticed he’d been drinking without scrutinizing him. Zhou Luchen bent down, his forehead resting against hers, their noses touching, their breaths intertwining. He gazed deeply into her eyes.

A playful, affectionate smile lit up his eyes, and the corners of his lips curved up whimsically. "Missed you. Had a drink."

The words "missed you" were so low as to be almost inaudible.

His tone was so playful that Shen Jing smiled and leaned close to his ear.

"Are you lying to me?"

Zhou Luchen’s hand wandered beneath her sweater while the other pressed her into his embrace, his head lowering to catch her delicate, pink lips. Shen Jing hadn’t anticipated it. As she looked at him, she saw his eyes close, his fine hair falling slightly, revealing a hint of fatigue on his deep-set, refined brow.

He kissed passionately, his hands just as engaged, giving her a wonderful sensation. His kisses were always intense, bold and ardent, stirring her heart. This was Zhou Luchen—the very essence of his most potent desires.

...

Shen Jing wanted to see a puppet show.

Zhou Luchen indulged her.

The puppet show was arranged in the grand theater, with hardly any audience. On a night like New Year’s Eve—traditionally spent staying up late to welcome the new year—Shen Jing had no idea how much money Zhou Luchen had spent to coax the performers from their homes. Whatever the sum, Zhou Luchen was always generous. He had asked the veteran artisans if they were willing to earn this fee, and they were more than happy to come out and perform, especially since so few people appreciated puppet shows anymore.

She watched like a devoted fan. It wasn’t that she loved puppet shows, but she had seen one in Hong Kong and couldn’t forget it.

It was an exclusive viewing for her and Zhou Luchen. On stage, puppets enacted tales from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Shen Jing watched quietly. This counts as a date, right? She didn’t like movies or amusement parks—not that Zhou Luchen would accompany her to such places anyway. She preferred things with historical charm.

Zhou Luchen, looking thoroughly bored, played with his phone. "Satisfied now?"

Shen Jing leaned on his shoulder. "What does ’satisfied’ even mean? Isn’t this just to teach you a lesson?"

It wasn’t a big deal, but she needed to be coaxed, needed a sense of security. She didn’t want to ruin the New Year’s atmosphere.

"Don’t make a fuss every time, understand?" Zhou Luchen stroked the back of her head, his voice soft. "I don’t have the patience for it. If you overdo it, it becomes annoying."

Shen Jing heeded his warning.

He could make the most intimate gestures and yet say the coldest words. See? He just likes them docile and obedient; they’re less trouble to deal with.

"Whether I make a fuss or not depends on your performance, Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Luchen countered, "Have I treated you poorly, Shen Jing?"

Shen Jing couldn’t quite put her finger on it, couldn’t articulate his emotionally detached nature.

"You’re pretty good," she answered.

Zhou Luchen tilted his head to look at her. "Where’s my New Year’s gift?"

"I already gave it to you in the car." Shen Jing lifted her chin, indicating her swollen lips.

Zhou Luchen chuckled. What else could she possibly give him anyway? He decided not to press the issue.

After a moment, Zhou Luchen propped his cheek on his hand and watched with her.

She had a lot of desserts, scooping and eating them bit by bit, and even shared some with the little kitten.

Zhou Luchen had never liked cats. They shed. Unless they were exceptionally well-behaved. She, on the other hand, seemed to know how to raise them to be perfectly docile. Chen Yao’s cat had destroyed countless expensive ornaments and crafts.

Zhou Luchen deigned to accompany her for two hours before finally taking her back to Yunding.

「Early in the morning.」

He had to attend to matters at the Zhou Family estate and didn’t stay with her. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Zhou Family home was bustling with guests; his presence was indispensable.

Shen Jing sat on the sofa, opening red envelopes and counting the money. The crisp, new cash felt good in her hands, rustling softly. In keeping with the festive spirit, she wore a bright red silk pajama set, with nothing underneath, the sash at her waist tied securely.

As Zhou Luchen grabbed his car keys, his gaze inadvertently swept over her. The vibrant red made her look like a siren. Her posture, half-reclining on the sofa, her jade-like legs shifting subtly, was utterly captivating.

When Shen Jing looked up, she realized he was watching her.

She tilted her head, her crimson-painted lips curled up slightly. "Do I look pretty today?"

"Pretty," Zhou Luchen replied perfunctorily, then headed out.

Shen Jing met Xing Fei for morning tea, and then the two of them strolled around, looking for something fun to do. Once they grew tired of the usual sights, there wasn’t much else that seemed entertaining.

They went to feed pigeons.

Shen Jing’s palms were full of pigeon feed. Two pigeons landed and pecked at the grains in her hand.

Xing Fei watched her and suddenly asked, "He didn’t take you back with him?"

Shen Jing looked back at Xing Fei. "Back where?"

"To the Zhou Family estate, of course," Xing Fei said. "It’s such an important holiday. Didn’t you ask him to take you?"

Zhou Luchen hadn’t brought it up himself. And what would she do at the Zhou Family estate anyway? It’s not like she had prepared any lavish gifts for a formal visit.