Chapter 37

“Love.”

Sheng Huaixi pressed her lips together, looking steadily at Jiang Chao. Her watery eyes, as if shattered into pieces, rippled softly with tenderness and sincerity.

No one who saw those eyes would doubt the truth of her words.

“Is that so?”

Jiang Chao murmured softly; her tone was light, her words like a breeze drifting in midair, gone as soon as they were spoken.

She drew back the wrist that had been hooked around Sheng Huaixi’s neck, studied her for a long moment, then curved her lips and gently placed her hand before Sheng Huaixi’s eyes.

A sly butterfly fluttered lightly in her palm, brushing past again and again.

The tranquil lake in Jiang Chao’s heart slowly rippled. A few formless, jumbled wave patterns flowed across it and sank back into silence.

Her quiet gaze swept over the flawless face in front of her. It passed over those crimson lips, red as peach blossoms, before she said the word love without hesitation.

Too easy, this love.

Whether the syllable she uttered was love or hatred, it did not reach the heart.

There was no ripple in Jiang Chao’s eyes, no tremor in her heartbeat at such boldness. It was as though a breath already dead still lay quietly beneath her thin skin.

Sheng Huaixi was equally quiet.

Hidden beneath that hazy cover, she waited intently for Jiang Chao’s answer.

A silent breath slipped out past a faintly furrowed brow. Jiang Chao applied a little pressure, forcing the false butterfly she felt beneath her palm to stop landing; its trembling wings abruptly stilled.

Sheng Huaixi was far too cunning.

Jiang Chao rubbed the soft skin beneath her hand. The coolness at her fingertips was absorbed by flesh and blood, and the words she gave came out gentle; her warm breath brushed Sheng Huaixi’s cheek.

“What a pity. I won’t fall in love with you,” Jiang Chao said with a soft laugh, her eyes fixed on Sheng Huaixi’s lips.

Just as expected, Sheng Huaixi received her merciless verdict.

The owner of those words was light and airy, smiling as she placed the most radiant peach blossom straight into her heart, only to leave and then viciously clutch at that fragile organ.

Pain bit deep and spread through the blood. Sheng Huaixi lowered her lashes; a warm palm swept over her eyelids, burning the moisture at the bottom of her eyes red, smoothing away that sting with a gentle touch.

Sheng Huaixi did not stupidly ask why. Instead, she leaned in from that position and wrapped her arms around Jiang Chao’s narrower shoulders. Heartbeat pressed against heartbeat, she answered calmly.

“Only for now.”

That was the only version of events Sheng Huaixi could accept: only for now.

As for the future, Sheng Huaixi had already decided it for herself.

Her voice was flat, lacking the thick tenderness she had just used when she said love. Yet the short sentence that reached Jiang Chao’s ears was still firm enough.

Sheng Huaixi was certain of the fate she would one day possess. Her voice tightened into a stretched white line, binding her thoughts down with unyielding force.

Too tightly bound; why not scare the person away.

Jiang Chao lowered her head and smiled. The waves in her eyes had stilled. In that not-so-comfortable posture, she rested her chin on Sheng Huaixi’s shoulder and idly wound a lock of hair around her finger.

She tapped her brow with a fingertip and asked curiously, “Your definition of unrequited love... is it like this? Giving you care like I am now doesn’t count as something possessed by love?”

Surrounded by wolves, having someone like her—someone who could still get along calmly after being battered and worn down—offering concern was a very good thing. Jiang Chao understood that.

She thought so herself, but the lashes brushing lightly beneath her hand gave her the answer in opposition.

Sheng Huaixi clearly did not think so.

“Greed makes people desire.”

Nestled in her arms, that fluffy sensation was enough to make one happy. Sheng Huaixi’s embrace tightened little by little; her voice was low, and between the words there seemed to be a faint trembling. Her eyelids actively rubbed against Jiang Chao’s palm.

Under those thin eyelids, the turning pupils were reflected against her soft skin. Jiang Chao could clearly feel each rotation caused by her closeness.

Sheng Huaixi was itching for more.

When Jiang Chao tried to let go of the cover over her eyes, the obedient eyes immediately followed, openly showing their greed right in front of her.

She had been given a sliver of initiative; even the small gesture of covering her eyes, Sheng Huaixi was unwilling to give up. She even hoped for more, proving the word greed true.

Fine, Jiang Chao thought.

Her throat moved faintly. She lowered her lashes to hide the smile in her eyes, pressed down with her hand, and let her featherlike lashes slide across her palm, once again indulging Sheng Huaixi’s little schemes.

Just as well; she did not want to look at those eyes right now either, so deep and so heavy.

The two of them hugged in that not-quite-comfortable posture, waiting for the restless feeling to slowly pass.

Sheng Huaixi absorbed the warm body heat, while Jiang Chao toyed with the fuzzy yarn on Sheng Huaixi’s pajamas.

What finally broke the quiet was Jiang Chao’s returning thoughts, and the answer she gave to the question Sheng Huaixi had first raised.

“Sheng Huaixi, if you really want to go all in on the forced-love routine, then you’d better not give me even a chance to catch my breath.”

Jiang Chao’s voice was clear and bright, with no hint of displeasure.

The vibration of her words passed through their tightly pressed chests. Sheng Huaixi’s lashes trembled against Jiang Chao’s palm, and at this thoughtful reminder, the corner of her mouth lifted with muffled pleasure.

Her chin rubbed over Jiang Chao’s shoulder; someone tugged her hair backward, revealing a trace of annoyance.

But Sheng Huaixi only curved her lips, unconcerned with such trivial pulling, and let Jiang Chao’s hair hurt her all by itself.

The shoulder and collarbone where their hair had been intimately tangled were deliberately tormented. Jiang Chao could not help letting out a muffled sound, and her fingers tightened on Sheng Huaixi’s hair even more.

As expected, a suppressed laugh drifted by her ear; Jiang Chao loosened her grip.

Sheng Huaixi spoke, the tip of her throat pressing against Jiang Chao’s collarbone, her voice visibly pleased.

“So you think I’d do that?”

“Who knows?”

Jiang Chao smiled lightly. She extended her wrist, pinched Sheng Huaixi’s hair, then let it go again. Black strands swayed and fell silently against her back, just like her words; light and drifting.

Neither of them said anything else. The heat from the air conditioner stirred the air, squeezing into the gaps between their close embrace.

Jiang Chao looked at the mouse cursor blinking on the computer; the Word document was stopped halfway through its revisions. She sighed inwardly.

Beauty is a troublemaker.

And Sheng Huaixi was especially infuriating.

*

“Ah—” Jiang Chao had lost count of how many times she had sighed today. She stared gloomily at the computer screen, her fingertip poking at the dinosaur figurine on the desk.

Poke, wobble; the dinosaur’s body was pressed flat, then sprang back up again, over and over.

Li Sensen sat off to the side. After listening for a while, she finally couldn’t stand it anymore. Turning her head, she poked Jiang Chao’s shoulder. “Honey, I have to object to the mental assault on poor working people.”

“Oh, sorry. I repent.” Jiang Chao answered gloomily, her expression unmistakably troubled.

The resentment around her was practically about to condense into substance, turning into a ghost that rushed at Li Sensen only to dissipate with a poke.

Li Sensen rarely saw her this down. The battery that was usually full of energy had, ever since she sat down for work today, seemed to step into a field of dangerous current; no power at all.

“What’s going on? It’s Friday, isn’t it? Why do you look like you’re about to be forced into unpaid overtime tomorrow?” Li Sensen leaned closer, patting Jiang Chao’s shoulder with concern.

Jiang Chao lazily lifted her eyelids to look at her. The resentment in her expression was thick and deep, her whole body almost turning into a mass of black bubbles that puffed upward.

Compared with what she had to do tonight, she would rather work unpaid overtime until dawn. That would at least only be exhausting.

“It’s because it’s Friday...” Her phone screen lit up, and Jiang Chao stopped speaking to glance down.

The familiar contact name was glaringly obvious; then several messages popped up in rapid succession, a string of exclamation marks revealing the sender’s urgency.

Jiang Chao sighed, pushing herself upright with a hand on the desk before finishing what she had been saying.

“It’s because Friday has a family gathering I can’t skip.”

A family gathering; Li Sensen understood. From the way Jiang Chao said it, it was probably either family nagging her about marriage or talking about work. Fresh graduates could never escape that.

In the few seconds Jiang Chao slid open her phone, the messages from the other side visibly multiplied again, flooding the screen.

After a rough glance, Jiang Chao’s brows and eyes drooped helplessly, looking even more wilted. Her fingertips quickly tapped out a reply and accepted the urging from the other end.

- I know. I’ll be there on time.

After confirming the time and place, Jiang Chao put down her phone, resting her face in her hand. Her gaze drifted unconsciously toward Sheng Huaixi’s office, and a ripple of gloom rose in her eyes.

She probably wouldn’t be able to come back tonight. Should she tell Sheng Huaixi?

As a roommate, that would be the proper thing to do, wouldn’t it? Letting her know she wouldn’t be home tonight so she wouldn’t worry.

Jiang Chao thought it over carefully. She glanced at the time on her computer; there were still thirty minutes left before getting off work. Going in to tell Sheng Huaixi should be fine.

Having made up her mind, Jiang Chao stood and walked straight toward Sheng Huaixi’s office.

“Knock, knock—”

After hearing the answer from inside, Jiang Chao pushed the door open and called out to her.

“Hm?” That familiar voice sounded. Sheng Huaixi turned her head and looked over steadily, her eyes brightening. “Plans after work?”

Jiang Chao’s lips parted, but before she could say anything, Sheng Huaixi’s line had already stunned her. She blinked in confusion. “How do you know?”

“There’s only half an hour left until you get off work. If you had nothing to do after work, you wouldn’t specially come in here.”

Sheng Huaixi looked at Jiang Chao darkly, the tip of her tongue pressing against the roof of her mouth, stopping the rest of the sentence from being spoken.

In the company, unless it was work, Jiang Chao only came to find her when she had no choice at all. She would never reveal that they knew each other privately.

The assistant Jiang Chao, who hated being tied to her, only came close when she had business.

After hearing Sheng Huaixi’s words, Jiang Chao thought back to the previous few times and scratched her cheek a little awkwardly, smiling with a dimple of embarrassment.

No smoke without fire; that described her pretty well.

Since Sheng Huaixi already knew she had plans after work, Jiang Chao wasn’t as nervous as when she first stepped in and smoothly said the rest.

“Yes. There’s something at home tonight, so I have to go back. I won’t be staying over tonight, so you should rest early.”

The smile in Sheng Huaixi’s eyes stiffened, and the corner of her mouth slowly flattened. She stared at Jiang Chao and repeated, “You’re not coming back?”

Jiang Chao nodded, not understanding. Seeing the change in her expression, she frowned in confusion. “Didn’t you just say you knew I had plans tonight?”

She had thought Yuan Bai had mentioned it to Sheng Huaixi when she asked for leave today.

Sheng Huaixi stared quietly at Jiang Chao. Emotions tangled in her eyes, and her fingertips under the desk kept worrying at the leather surface, pressing hard enough to turn white.

Again it was her own wishful thinking; again it was only her own idea.

She had thought Jiang Chao was taking advantage of Friday to invite her out tonight. In fact, Jiang Chao was going out, yes; she was going out alone and leaving her at home, and tonight she still would not be back.

“Sheng Huaixi, what’s wrong? You don’t look well.” Jiang Chao pressed against the edge of the desk and leaned forward, her brows furrowing with concern. “Are you uncomfortable?”

Those words drifted from before her. Sheng Huaixi shook her head to show she was fine, loosening her fingers from the palm she had scratched open. A breath slowly slipped past her lips, carrying away the restlessness in her chest.

She collected herself and asked hoarsely, “Did something happen? Is there anything I can help with?”

“No, nothing happened. It’s just a family gathering I can’t skip. It’s fine.”

That said, hearing Sheng Huaixi’s words made Jiang Chao suddenly remember something. Tonight’s banquet; Sheng Huaixi probably wouldn’t go, right?

Then again, Jiang Chao recalled what Yuan Bai had said last time:

“Sheng Huaixi broke ties with the Sheng Group six years ago.”

Since she had already broken ties, Sheng Huaixi probably wouldn’t receive an invitation. The worry in Jiang Chao’s heart slowly eased, and even the fingertip tapping the desk lightened until it stopped.

Sheng Huaixi kept watching Jiang Chao’s expression, clearly seeing the hesitation and conflict that flashed across her face, then the eventual relaxation.

So many emotions had crossed her face. Even though she was standing right in front of her, she was already thinking about someone else.

Sheng Huaixi bit down hard on the tip of her tongue. Her chest felt like it had been smashed by a huge boulder; dull and painful, every breath seeming to wrestle with someone else for air. It was unbearable.

“So tonight, you won’t be coming back, right?”

Sheng Huaixi asked, tasting blood on her tongue. Her lowered gaze fixed on the crescent-shaped nail marks, each one clear against her skin, a soft sting spreading slowly.

She stubbornly needed an exact answer, as if throwing herself straight to the bottom of the lake.

Jiang Chao was braced against the desk and could only see her curled lashes. Thinking of this matter again, she sighed and answered in a low voice, “Right. Actually, I don’t even know if I can come back tomorrow.”

If her mommy didn’t deliberately cause trouble, Jiang Chao thought it should be possible. But the problem was, she couldn’t be sure whether her mommy would suddenly get a wild idea and throw a fit, shamelessly insisting that Jiang Chao accompany her to the gathering.

Jiang Chao couldn’t refuse.

“Not even tomorrow...” Sheng Huaixi repeated softly, her eyes empty, a dead silence.

Jiang Chao nodded helplessly.

The noise outside the office had grown noticeably louder. Jiang Chao’s ears twitched at the sound of chairs being dragged and hurriedly leaned out to check the time.

It really was time to get off work!

“I still have to go back and change, so I’m leaving first. Rest well, and remember to eat. Bye-bye!”

Her sweet, lively voice flashed through the office and disappeared just as quickly.

Sheng Huaixi gave no response, only leaning forward and feeling the scent at the tip of her nose slowly drift away; the sweet fruit fragrance Jiang Chao had sprayed on herself before leaving.

“She left,” Sheng Huaixi murmured lowly. Her voice echoed emptily as her lashes lowered, and the quiet in the room slowly swelled.

Water filling a tank to the brim would eventually burst with a suffocating crack!

Bending down, Sheng Huaixi expressionlessly pulled open the drawer, took out a phone, turned it on, and waited without blinking for the screen to switch.

The screen changed again and again. Sheng Huaixi narrowed her eyes; the intersecting lines flickered back and forth in her pupils, while the red dot in the image moved along with the passage of time.

And the route it took was clearly not the familiar one she remembered.

“Not going back to our home, huh.”

Sheng Huaixi murmured to herself. Her light words came out softly as her fingers clenched hard against the phone screen, the backs of her fingers turning pale from the pressure.

A suppressed laugh rippled slowly through the air, low and unhinged; a terrifying aura spread out.

Sheng Huaixi’s lips split into a grin, her eyes deep and dark. She slid a finger upward, exited the page, and dialed an unlisted number.

“Check the banquet the Jiang family is holding tonight.”

Under the bright white light, Sheng Huaixi’s voice was cold and obsessive, her sinister gaze staring straight ahead in utter stillness.

If she wouldn’t come back, then she would go fetch her.

Don’t even think about abandoning her again.

*

Night remained bustling and prosperous.

Lights in the middle of the buildings flashed with dazzling brilliance. Colorful neon fell coldly over a glittering urban forest, traffic streaming endlessly, people moving without pause.

The boundless night seemed like a heavy bolt of cloth, covering all the city’s darkness and indulging the undercurrents churning within it.

A black Maybach moved through the traffic, slipping past one vehicle after another as it sped toward its destination.

Jiang Chao turned in her seat and looked at the Jiang mother beside her, who was dressed elegantly and gracefully. With a serious expression, she repeated once more, “Tonight you are not allowed to introduce me to anyone!”

“All right, all right, I know. I already said today is Grandma’s birthday banquet; how could I possibly introduce you to anyone?”

After a pause, Jiang Mother fiddled with the jade bracelet on her wrist and added calmly, “You can’t escape the business... talk, though; that’s something you have to face with me.”

The familiar lecturing rang endlessly in Jiang Chao’s ears. She decisively covered her ears, closed her eyes, and used her actions to show her refusal.

Though she knew this did absolutely nothing.

The car stopped steadily at Jingtai Hotel.

Jiang Chao hooked her arm around Jiang Mother’s and walked inside, already habitually wearing a gentle smile, responding one by one to the necessary greetings.

The deeper they went, the louder the crowd became.

The layered noise in her ears gradually sharpened. Jiang Chao lowered her eyes, silently letting out the discomfort in her chest, making sure her expression remained perfect.

As they entered the doors, the light suddenly brightened, and Jiang Chao instinctively narrowed her eyes.

The hall was ablaze with light. Rows of exquisite crystal chandeliers hung overhead, and the room was coated in a dazzling, decadent glow.

On the right side, a long banquet table was arranged with all kinds of beautifully shaped pastries.

If this were any other place, Jiang Chao would have rushed over without hesitation and devoured a pile of them. But not now.

Tall stemmed glasses were stacked into a beautiful pyramid; the crystal-clear red wine released an enticing aroma.

Under the glittering lights, daughters from various families chatted animatedly. Those she knew and those she did not all seized the rare opportunity to hold cups of long-untouched red wine and laugh as they talked.

“Be good; Aunt Bai is here. She’s a friend your mommy only recently made. Smile for me, okay?”

Jiang Mother’s voice was gentle. Jiang Chao restrained the irritability in her eyes, knowing exactly what expression she should wear now.

The corners of her eyes and brows lifted slightly as Jiang Chao came to a stop, playing the role of a perfect vase as she listened to Jiang Mother and Aunt Bai exchange pleasantries.

The woman standing beside Aunt Bai silently told her she would have her turn to speak.

“This is my child, Jiang Chao.”

Her throat moved. Jiang Chao gave a slight smile and nodded in greeting.

“Hello, Miss Jiang. Nice to meet you. I’m Bai Xiangshu.”

The woman standing to one side took the initiative to extend her hand. A faint smile touched her face, while the emotions in her eyes were restrained and quiet.

She wore a simple black long dress, her long hair loosely pinned up. A few strands hung softly by her ear, and a pearl earring chain dropped down. With a light smile, she gave off an unmistakably mature charm.

“Hello, I’m Jiang Chao.”

Jiang Chao reached out and shook her hand, curving her lips in a polite smile, with no intention of speaking further.

She simply stood at the side elegantly and quietly, accompanying them while listening to Jiang Mother make small talk.

Patiently waiting nearby, Jiang Chao appeared to listen earnestly, though her thoughts slowly drifted away.

She wondered what Sheng Huaixi was doing at home right now...

“Chaochao, tell Aunt Bai about your time in England. Her niece is going there later.”

Jiang Mother turned the topic toward her. Jiang Chao pulled her thoughts back, put on a well-behaved smile, and spoke gently and familiarly about her life in England.

Mostly, it was the usual questions elders asked:

Was it hard to get used to the food abroad? What was the weather like there? Was the degree you studied difficult? What were your plans after returning...

Partway through, Bai Mother unobtrusively steered the conversation toward Bai Xiangshu beside her, talking about how “Xiangshu also studied in England before; what a coincidence” and similar remarks.

Jiang Chao had already heard this sort of opening many times. Her gaze paused, and she tugged lightly at Jiang Mother from behind her back, a hint of unease flashing in her heart.

Why did that sound like she was about to be set up for a blind date too?

Taking advantage of the interval while Bai Xiangshu bent down to discuss the time for their next gathering with Bai Mother, Jiang Chao decisively and quickly pulled Jiang Mother around, her brows rising in anger as she whispered irritably,

“Mommy, you said there wouldn’t be any matchmaking tonight. Isn’t this exactly that again?!”

Jiang Mother raised a hand and patted her lower back soothingly, signaling her to calm down.

“It’s just a chat. If you don’t like her, do you think Mommy could force you to kiss her?”

Jiang Chao gave Jiang Mother a dark look, her eyes full of grievance and helplessness as she complained, “Liar.”

She had told her clearly before the banquet that there would definitely be no blind date today. They’d only been inside how long? Her body hadn’t even warmed up from the cold yet, and they’d already started with the first one.

She really should have just delivered Grandma’s gift and left immediately.

“Miss Jiang?” Bai Xiangshu suddenly called to her.

Her voice was low and slightly hoarse; perhaps due to her personality, she was used to keeping her voice soft when addressing people. Hearing it, one could not help but find it gentler.

Jiang Chao nodded. “What is it?”

“May I have a word with you somewhere private?”

A textbook line for striking up conversation rang in her ears. Jiang Chao blinked and glanced at Bai Xiangshu’s face. It was calm, as soft as moonlight, making one feel very comfortable.

Seeing her look over, Bai Xiangshu nodded lightly. Her lips curved, easily drawing people into intoxication with that tender smile.

Jiang Chao was willing to believe she meant no harm, and nodded in acceptance.

“Miss Bai, is there something you want to ask me?” Jiang Chao opened the conversation first.

Bai Xiangshu’s eyes curved slightly. With a touch of apology in her smile, her wrist relaxed at her side. Her warm, waterlike eyes blinked once as she asked in a low voice,

“I’d like to ask, if it’s not too presumptuous, do you currently have someone you’re seeing?”

After a pause, meeting Jiang Chao’s slightly stunned expression, Bai Xiangshu pressed her lips together and added, “I mean, a girlfriend.”

Jiang Chao’s mind went blank. Looking at the sincere expression in Bai Xiangshu’s eyes, the word no had only just left her mouth when someone interrupted.

“Of course she has a girlfriend.”

A faint reply drifted from behind her, splitting through Jiang Chao’s ears like a thunderclap.

She turned around instantly!

Her eyes met Sheng Huaixi’s half-smiling gaze. The displeasure in those eyes was hidden beneath surging flames of rage; the moment their gazes locked, it spread swiftly.

The fishtail dress on her body gleamed brilliantly. The fabric wrapped around her sensual figure, one half trailing to the floor and revealing her snow-white, exquisite shoulders.

How could Sheng Huaixi be here?!

Jiang Chao’s heart missed a beat in shock, then began pounding violently at once. Her eyes widened before she even realized it.

She had already forgotten that right now, she was in the middle of a blind date.