A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 99: Ambiguous ends_1

Shen Jing’s voice was tinged with fatigue. "The pipa performance is to honor the troupe, designated by the leader."

After a long while, Zhou Luchen finally stood up, lazily leaning on the sofa as he buttoned his shirt, covering the fingernail marks on his chest.

Shen Jing sat beside him, knees hugged to her chest, draped in a thin silk blanket for cover; he loved to turn the air conditioning up too high.

Occasionally, she glanced at the man beside her.

He picked up the cigarette case from the coffee table, tapped out a cigarette, held it to his lips, and tossed the lighter to her.

Shen Jing struck the flint wheel, and the flame leaped up. She moved it in front of Zhou Luchen and quietly lit his cigarette.

He took a deep drag, inhaling into his lungs, then suddenly grabbed the back of her head and maliciously blew the smoke into her face.

Shen Jing waved her hand through the air.

Through the haze of smoke, the depths in his eyes grew darker.

Zhou Luchen’s heart was like a limitless dead sea where not a single ripple could be stirred by a tiny pebble.

She couldn’t see through Zhou Luchen. The more she looked, the colder he seemed.

Zhou Luchen flicked the ash from the cigarette clamped between his fingers into the ashtray. "I’m leaving for a few days."

"I don’t know anything about it. I just follow the troupe’s arrangements."

Shen Jing picked up her coat and hair clip from the ground and held them in her hands.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand; she didn’t say anything because she wanted to make him a little anxious.

He yanked her back by the wrist. "Can’t be coaxed anymore, can you?"

Zhou Luchen’s attitude was take-it-or-leave-it; if he didn’t wish to coax, he simply wouldn’t bother.

Suddenly, she remembered what he had said.

——— "Can you handle it, Shen Jing?"

——— "Be a little obedient; that’s what makes you lovable."

Shen Jing looked at him, feeling a sudden tight pain in her wrist as she struggled.

After a while, he released her, grabbed his suit jacket, draped it over his arm, cigarette slanted in his mouth, and uttered a curse.

He didn’t look back.

The door closed automatically, and he was gone.

The kitten sleeping on the carpet suddenly woke up, looked around, and meowed.

Shen Jing stretched out her arms, letting the kitten pounce into her embrace. "You have to be good, eat your food, sleep well. If he doesn’t come back tonight, don’t wait up for him."

She was originally supposed to go to Beijing on the 1st to train in advance.

Liang Yingning’s engagement banquet was something she couldn’t miss, and she had put off mentioning it to anyone for a day.

The leader had signed her up, wanting her to bring honor to the teahouse.

When she had gone to Madam Xu to beg for technical guidance, it was for this day that she had waited.

The competition in Beijing this time was very important. The leader had entrusted all the heavy responsibilities of the troupe to her.

She could not let down the mission given to her by this larger family.

「On the 2nd, at 8 PM.」

Beijing’s snow was heavy.

Shen Jing never thought she would return to this land in such a manner.

She was a true Beijinger, born here.

She couldn’t recall the last time she had seen snow. After stepping out of the DiDi car, Shen Jing stood by the roadside, set down her suitcase, and rubbed her hands together for warmth, reaching out to try and catch a few snowflakes.

They melted quickly, just like Zhou Luchen’s affection.

In the blink of an eye, it was gone.

Oddly, she thought of him again; she still hadn’t received a single text or call from him.

What difference would it make if you lowered your head once, Zhou Luchen? What difference?

Xing Fei, who was dressed lightly, helped her with her suitcase and urged in a low voice, "Let’s go. After the competition, I’ll stay with you and play in the snow as much as you want."

Shen Jing murmured an acknowledgment and followed Xing Fei.

The accommodation provided by the organizers and the competition venue were just a few floors apart. The hotel was downstairs, and the competition venue was upstairs.

Upon entering the elevator, she hadn’t expected to encounter Zhou Xiangqun.

He stood upright in the corner of the elevator. He was clearly a high-ranking figure, yet he inexplicably stood discreetly in the corner. If you didn’t pay attention, his style was subdued and not at all conspicuous. But if you looked closely, his physique was imposing, taking up half the width of the space.

A few assistants and a representative from the event organizers were following him.

Shen Jing had intended to greet him, but upon hearing the words uttered by Zhou Xiangqun, she’d rather pretend she didn’t know him.

"Sister-in-law?"

Zhou Xiangqun looked Shen Jing over, not surprised by her presence.

Even though she knew he was addressing her, Shen Jing looked left and right, feigning ignorance.

Who was his sister-in-law? She wouldn’t dare claim kinship with the Zhou Family. They were still in a cold war anyway; maybe in a few days, Zhou Luchen would kick her out.

The elevator slowly ascended. In the sudden silence, Shen Jing coughed lightly. Not knowing who was squeezing past, she involuntarily moved two steps to the right.

She was clutching her pipa, leaving little room around her. She nearly lost her balance.

Zhou Xiangqun sighed and reached out to steady her suitcase. "So jittery. And I’m the judge here; I could give you zero points."

At that, Shen Jing laughed. "Mr. Zhou, don’t be shy. Feel free to give me any score you like."

Zhou Xiangqun touched his nose and pondered for a moment. "So, you’re expecting me to bend the rules for you, eh? Impossible."

I know you’re incorruptible.

Shen Jing tossed her hair playfully, smiling generously. "I’m the direct disciple of your master’s wife. If I end up last, you’ll have to share the embarrassment with me."

She spread her hands, as if to say, "Bring it on."

Mr. Zhou Xiangqun, in his executive-style jacket, now smiled agreeably.

Oh boy. This cheeky girl. Her little mouth is more devastating than a mouse nibbling on corn. How does Zhou Luchen manage with her? Has she ever rendered Zhou Luchen speechless? Zhou Luchen being put in his place would definitely be amusing.

Zhou Xiangqun, though puzzled, smiled and gestured for her to exit the elevator first. "After you, please."

An older gentleman does have manners. He was indeed the product of an aristocratic family’s grooming.

Shen Jing smiled broadly. "Don’t mind if I do," she said, and walked triumphantly ahead of Zhou Xiangqun.

"Commissioner Zhou..."

Zhou Xiangqun, with his hands behind his back, signaled his assistant not to interject.

He generously acknowledged, "My sister-in-law. It’s proper for elders to show consideration for the younger ones."

The assistant seemed to somewhat understand. "Oh..."

"Weren’t you going to give her zero points?" the assistant asked curiously.

"Just scaring her," Zhou Xiangqun said, tapping the assistant’s head with the document folder in his hand. "We upright people need to conduct business properly."

"Oh...."

Zhou Xiangqun took out his cell phone and texted a certain number: 「How about considering saying something nice to me?」

The other party was busy in a meeting and had no time to deal with Zhou Xiangqun.

The assistant carried documents to the organizers’ office.

「Formerly.」

Mr. Zhou Xiangqun took his work very seriously, always adhering strictly to principles. He didn’t drink, didn’t flirt with women, wasn’t fond of spending money or socializing. He was content with a few bucks’ worth of fried dough sticks and tofu brain from the Beijing region. His most lavish expenditure was donating to rural primary schools, giving away all of his annual public grain. Since he didn’t have much money on him anyway, he was truly a model of an honest, good man.

You really couldn’t find such a decent man throughout Country Z; he was truly unique.

In private, he was just a little reserved and coy.

No woman had taken a fancy to him, the poor man.

A 36-year-old man like him truly was a splendid flower in full bloom. If no woman picked him soon, he’d only get older.

The Zhou Family had thought about having him go into business and take over the conglomerate, fearing this line of work would be too tiring for him.

Don’t kid yourself; he doesn’t want the conglomerate, he doesn’t like money.

Zhou Luchen’s older brother also understood him. Thus, he deliberately stirred up trouble, causing the board of directors of the conglomerate to be biased against the eldest son and not support him taking over.

On the surface, it looked like two brothers being modest about their positions.

Behind the scenes, each had the other’s best interests at heart.

It was something outsiders couldn’t comprehend.

Often, people simply cannot empathize with one another. What some spend their entire lives striving for, others simply disdain.

He just sought a duty-filled, down-to-earth, unremarkable life.

Oh, but don’t provoke him. He can be quite caustic.