A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 74: United Chief Zhou really spoils his wife_1

Shen Jing had booked an outdoor pavilion at a private kitchen. The sound of gurgling water flowing past artificial rockeries made the approaching winter feel even colder. Colder, perhaps, than Zhou Luchen’s heart.

A small bridge over the stream connected to a hexagonal pavilion, where the wind lifted the white curtains draped at its corners. The setting was quaint and antique.

Knowing how picky he was, she had chosen this place—a haunt for Shanghai’s elite. She had genuinely managed to snag a VIP reservation through Chen Yao; otherwise, they wouldn’t have accepted her booking.

A large, round table made of red pearwood stood there. Shen Jing was seated next to Zhou Luchen.

Zhou Luchen rested one hand on the armrest of her chair, his other gracefully reaching for his tea. Every movement exuded the distinguished air of a young master from an aristocratic family.

"How much is your salary?"

Shen Jing sipped her tea, her cheeks puffing out slightly. She held up a finger. "Twelve thousand."

She knew it wasn’t even enough for one of Young Master Zhou’s entertainment outings.

He didn’t mock her. Instead, he gave her a thoughtful look, a composed smile playing on his lips. "I’ll pay you a salary too."

"Really? How much will you give me?"

For Shen Jing, it wasn’t just about an extra salary; she was more interested in indulging Young Master Zhou’s elegant pursuits.

He didn’t specify the amount. Slowly, he set down his teacup and picked up his phone from the table with one hand, his long, slender fingers with their prominent knuckles sliding across the screen.

A moment later, a sum starting with a ’2’ followed by a long string of zeros landed in her account. Shen Jing counted until her head spun. Young Master Zhou was incredibly generous to his female companions. He gave as much as he pleased.

The man sitting beside her wasn’t someone others could easily invite for a meal; he was the Crown Prince of the world’s number one bank, soon to ascend his throne.

Shen Jing leaned into his embrace, inhaling the pleasant woody fragrance from his expensive suit. "Will you pay on the fifth of every month?"

Zhou Luchen looked at her. Even under makeup, her alluring, fox-like face seemed to glow with a translucent fairness and was implausibly tender. "Yes." He paused, a faint, teasing smile touching his lips. "It depends on how long you stay with me."

Shen Jing gently tugged at the hem of his clothes. "I won’t leave you unless you make me angry."

Zhou Luchen kept his arm around her waist. He lifted his teacup with one hand, took a sip, and slowly set it down again.

He didn’t answer.

Shen Jing tilted her chin up. "Can I still get paid even if I don’t stay with you? I’d definitely be richer then."

An indulgent smile played on his lips, his voice particularly low and smooth. "I can’t pay you if I get married."

"Why?" Shen Jing even wanted to ask him who he was marrying.

"My wife."

He stopped mid-sentence.

Zhou Luchen’s hand cupped her shoulder, pulling her closer. He leaned in, lowering his head, his thin lips nibbling her earlobe. His hot breath caressed her carotid artery. "If I paid you a salary, she would deal with me."

Though Shen Jing’s expression remained unchanged, her eyes visibly dimmed with disappointment. She forlornly picked up a piece of pastry but didn’t eat it. Lowering her head, her fork gently prodded the springy surface of the milk jelly. "With a wife, that really wouldn’t do. So, CEO Zhou truly does dote on his wife after all."

Her tone was sour.

He couldn’t sense her emotions, or so Shen Jing thought. Stupid, wasn’t it? A man would surely cherish the beloved woman he marries. But it wouldn’t be her. Their ending wouldn’t be a good one, she mused.

This was something Liang Yingning often said:

—How could you expect him to fall in love with you? We know him so well.

—He must treat you very well, but it won’t ever be love.

Shen Jing believed it.

The cold air seeped in. The wind, blowing through the open-sided pavilion, made it even cooler. Shen Jing took Zhou Luchen’s suit jacket and slipped it on without asking.

The dishes were served. She ate in silence while he drank his tea coolly beside her.

Zhou Luchen suddenly realized she was quite thin. His oversized suit jacket enveloped her, making it somewhat difficult for her to reach for food.

Zhou Luchen picked up the serving chopsticks and placed a piece of butterfly crisp meat into her bowl.

Shen Jing took a small bite. "More."

Zhou Luchen’s brow furrowed imperceptibly, but he reached out and gave her another piece.

Looking at the quiet surroundings, Shen Jing remarked, "I’ve noticed, how come no one else is eating here? There aren’t even any guests in the main hall."

Zhou Luchen stated, "Reservations must be made a month in advance, and they only serve two tables a day."

"Then how did I..." She had clearly made the reservation just two hours ago.

Young Master Zhou glanced at her. "And you call this treating me to dinner?"

It was obvious Chen Yao had arranged it for her.

Shen Jing picked up a slice of fish and held it to his lips. "Take it or leave it. When I get paid next month, I’m not treating you again."

The two of them, nestled close and teasing each other, hardly looked like they were actually there for a meal.

"Boss."

Shen Jing looked up at the sound.

The exquisitely dressed Superstar Lu was walking towards the pavilion.