Shao ChengZe lifted her chin, looking at the charming blush at the corner of her eyes, and asked her, "How are you feeling?"
Cheng Jinlan felt soft and sore from her bones to her fingertips. Her mind was still lost in the dazzling fireworks just now and hadn't recovered yet. Her reactions were a little sluggish as she murmured, "Hmm?"
Shao ChengZe explained, "How much I charge depends on Ms. Cheng's feelings."
Cheng Jinlan felt it was a trap. She gave an ambiguous answer, "So-so."
Shao ChengZe hooked her leg over his lap with one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, lifting her off the marble table.
"Since this is a paid service, how can it be just so-so? It must be satisfactory for Ms. Cheng, or I won't be able to set a price."
With this posture, Cheng Jinlan felt the overture was over and the real show was about to begin. She struggled to get down, "I want to go back."
Shao ChengZe strode steadily under the crabapple trees without stopping.
The wind blew, and crabapple petals drifted down elegantly with the wind. Some fell on the jet-black long hair, some on the pink cheeks, some in the snow-white neck, and some on the cherry-red lips.
She was indeed more delicate than the flowers.
Shao ChengZe's unfathomable eyes concealed turbulent undercurrents.
Cheng Jinlan sensed the danger. She called his name, "Shao ChengZe!"
The harsh reprimand was meant to deter him, but her voice was soft and the forcefulness only revealed an unconscious charm.
Shao ChengZe answered her in a low voice, "I'm here."
He leaned in and first ate the petal lying on her neck, the moist sound mixed with subtle ambiguity. He slowly moved up and ate the petal on her cheek, finally accurately capturing the one on her crimson lips.
The petal lingered between their lips and tongues, carrying the sweetness of saliva, the taste of cream, desire and passion, hers and his.
Cheng Jinlan unconsciously tightened her arms, her dangling toes curled and stretched open again. Her heart seemed to be teased by a wisp of floating fire, the flames growing bigger with her hurried breathing, making her heart itch unbearably and her mind dizzy.
"I don't want it here," she mumbled indistinctly during the gasps.
There were stars, moon, insects chirping in the grass, and the hot wind caressing her body. She didn't want it here, too embarrassing.
Shao ChengZe pressed his lips against hers lightly again and again, wanting to reassure her, but unable to restrain his wicked thoughts. "Where does Ms. Cheng want? Back to the pavilion?"
Going back to the pavilion, Cheng Jinlan was annoyed. She tugged hard at the stubble on the back of his neck, "Why don't you just go up a tree?"
Shao ChengZe laughed hoarsely against her lips. "If you want, I will certainly satisfy you."
Cheng Jinlan was furious. She buried her head in his shoulder and bit down hard.
Shao ChengZe pressed his palm against the small of her back through her clothes, gently massaging. "Don't rush, we'll be back in the room soon."
Cheng Jinlan bit even harder. Was she the one in a hurry? What was she hurrying for?
As soon as they entered the brightly lit room, the sweat on her skin evaporated in the cool breeze from the air conditioner, and Cheng Jinlan couldn't help but shudder.
"Cold?"
Shao ChengZe held her tight, leaving no gap between them. He found the remote control and turned up the temperature in the room.
"Turn off the lights," she commanded.
Shao ChengZe turned off the main light, leaving only a few wall lamps on. Under the dim light, their shadows overlapped on the wall, more intimate. Cheng Jinlan closed her eyes tightly and continued commanding, "All off."
Shao ChengZe nibbled lightly on her neck, whispering, "Ms. Cheng has so many requests. I'll have to raise my price to ensure satisfactory service."
The darkness gave Cheng Jinlan a sense of security. Her tense body gradually relaxed, lazily leaning her chin on his shoulder. "Whatever you say."
As soon as she got into bed, he was on top of her, not forgetting to reach for the bedside table.
"You're really well prepared." In the intervals between breaths, she mocked hoarsely.
Shao ChengZe hmm-ed and didn't deny his ulterior motives. But he justified himself, "It's all prepared for Ms. Cheng. Of course I have to be fully equipped to ensure satisfactory service."
After so many years, who knows whether this night would come.
Cheng Jinlan only felt like a leaf drifting on the sea, rising and falling with the turbulent waves, from the bed to the misty bathroom, then back to bed.
She wrapped herself tightly in the quilt to stop him from approaching again. She was no leaf, but a fish thrown ashore, barely clinging to the last breath. She would surely die if tossed around more.
Shao ChengZe wiped the sweat from her forehead, looking at her moist eyes, and asked that question again, "How does Ms. Cheng feel?"
Cheng Jinlan conceded in time, breathless, "Quite satisfied."
Shao ChengZe repeated her words, raising his tone at the end, "Quite satisfied?"
Cheng Jinlan stared at him fiercely.
Seeing her look, Shao ChengZe sincerely said, "I'm quite satisfied with your answer."
"So I'll set my price, then we're even?"
Cheng Jinlan's gaze stalled for a moment, then she closed her eyes, tone nonchalant and lazy, "Go ahead."
Shao ChengZe replied, "I know Ms. Cheng is rich and can afford whatever price I set. And my satisfactory service isn't something that can be settled with money."
"Then what do you want?"
Shao ChengZe said slowly, "I want the place by your side as you sleep, from now on, every day." Then he added, "Or... a kiss from you will do as well."
Cheng Jinlan didn't hesitate. She hooked his neck and pulled him down, perfunctorily touching his mouth with her lips. "Even now?"
Shao ChengZe smiled. "I said a kiss, not a peck."
"What's the difference? They're the same."
"Huge difference."
Cheng Jinlan stared at him silently.
"You don't know? Let me teach you." Shao ChengZe's gaze softened. He was happy to impart his knowledge without reservation.
He lightly touched her lips. "This is a peck."
His lips sucked hers in, demonstrating what a kiss was.
The fading heat gathered again. Cheng Jinlan couldn't take it and slowly retreated, but the bed was so small. As she was about to fall off the bed, she was pulled back into his arms.
His lips against hers, he called her name huskily, "Miao Miao."
This time, he wanted her to come to him.
Cheng Jinlan didn't move, just unable to control her quickening breaths. Shao ChengZe was patient. If she didn't move, he wouldn't either.
But only their lips stayed still.
Wave after wave of heat dried up her moisture. Cheng Jinlan's mind grew blurry, only feeling extremely thirsty, unconsciously seeking the source of water.
A flash of pleasure shone in Shao ChengZe's dark eyes. He caught her approaching tongue and didn't let go again.
The night was long, yet short.
Cheng Jinlan opened her heavy eyelids, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, momentarily unaware of where she was until seeing the watch on the bedside table. Only then did she come to her senses, remembering last night. No one was beside her, only the pattering of water in the bathroom.
She wanted to get up, but her sore waist couldn't support her body and she flopped back into bed, nearly cursing out loud. Her clothes from last night were torn beyond repair. Fortunately there were new clothes laid out by the bed. She put on the skirt with shaky, sore hands and tiptoed out of the room with her shoes, like a ghost.
Shao ChengZe opened the bathroom door and went to the window, smiling as he watched her running figure in the yard.
The morning sun shone on her flowing hair and fair hands. The ring on her ring finger sparkled brightly.
Cheng Jinlan sneaked out of the neighboring villa and tiptoed back into her own, praying not to run into anyone. Cheng Jinchuan had left. Cheng LiQi was having breakfast with her grandma.
But things never go as planned.
Fei Zuhui was directing the cleanup of last night's mess. Cheng LiQi was in a pretty dress, asking grandma if it was suitable for school today. Cheng Jinchuan stumbled blearily into the living room, chicken nest hair and still hungover from last night.
All eyes turned to Cheng Jinlan. She had no choice but to pretend to be calm.
Fei Zuhui looked her up and down. "Where did you go so early without your phone?"
Cheng Jinlan casually lied unconvincingly, "I went for a run."
Fei Zuhui looked at her doubtfully. Who goes running in a skirt?
Cheng Jinchuan was still recovering from last night's drinking and couldn't remember something important, though she couldn't recall what.
Cheng Jinlan didn't care if her mom believed her or not. She kept up the act, fanning herself while hurrying to her room, "It's so hot today. I need to shower quick." Turning to Cheng LiQi, she said gently, "Did you sleep well last night, darling?"
Cheng LiQi followed her mom into the bedroom, even helping to close the door.
Looking up at her mom, she asked softly, "Mommy, did you go on a date with daddy? You're just coming home now."
Cheng Jinlan was shocked and immediately denied, "No, sweetie. Mommy really went for a run. Mommy has been eating too much lately and needs to lose weight."
Cheng LiQi blinked her big eyes which clearly said, I know mommy is lying but I won't expose her.
Cheng Jinlan was almost ashamed of herself. She had not thought of a reasonable explanation to give her daughter yet. Just then, Cheng Liqi exclaimed in surprise and grabbed her hand.
"Mom, is this the birthday present Dad gave you? What a beautiful diamond ring!"
Cheng Jinlan saw the ring on her ring finger. She was so flustered just now that she did not notice when a ring was put on her hand.
"Of course not. This was given by your Aunt Jiang." Cheng Jinlan wanted to take it off but could not get it off after trying.
Cheng Liqi asked, "Didn't Dad give Mom a birthday present?"
If Dad did not give one, she would scold Dad. How could he forget to give Mom a birthday present?
Cheng Jinlan squatted down and said to her daughter, "He gave other things, not this ring."
Cheng Liqi rolled her eyes and giggled behind her hand. Mom still claimed she did not go on a date with Dad. Without a date, how could she have received a gift from Dad?
Cheng Jinlan sighed helplessly and ruffled her daughter's hair. She whispered to her, "This is a secret. Little Liqi must not tell anyone else, okay?"
Cheng Liqi smiled sweetly and nodded obediently, promising to keep the secret between Mom and Dad.
Anyway, Cheng Jinlan managed to handle this shrewd little princess. She heaved a sigh of relief.
"Mom," Cheng Liqi moved closer to Cheng Jinlan and peered at her neck carefully, "You got bitten by mosquitoes again!"
The breath Cheng Jinlan just let out was sucked back in. "Yes, Mom got bitten by mosquitoes again. I'll take a shower and put on some ointment. Can my little Liqi help pick out clothes for me to wear today?"
Cheng Liqi was successfully distracted. She loved picking out clothes for her mother the most.
"Okay, I'll pick a beautiful dress for Mom."
She ran to the walk-in closet as she spoke.
Cheng Jinlan rushed into the bathroom. As the hot water poured down on her, she covered her face with her hands and could not help letting out a groan. She was really bewitched and foolishly fell for his tricks.
She looked at the ring on her ring finger again and wailed silently even more. She finally managed to take it off with the help of the slippery hot water after trying hard many times.
It was difficult to take it off, but even more difficult to return it.
The lights in the neighboring apartment had not been switched on since that day. Even the cleaning aunty had not shown up. Her calls went unanswered and her messages were not replied. The courier packages she sent within the city to Shao ChengZe and Qiong Miao were rejected and returned to her directly.
Cheng Jinlan tapped her fingers on the table increasingly faster. Tang Yicheng gently coughed to remind Madam Cheng that the hotel department manager had finished his report and it was time for her to give feedback.
Cheng Jinlan returned to the present. She gave a few simple but incisive points. The hotel department manager had thought Madam Cheng was spacing out just now, but it turned out she had not missed anything he said.
However, Tang Yicheng knew very well that Madam Cheng was indeed distracted, it was just that she was very adept at multitasking.
Madam Cheng had been rather restless these days. Tang Yicheng still had not figured out what was causing her restlessness. All he knew was that whenever he entered her office, he would see Madam Cheng fiddling with a sky blue box.
If he guessed correctly, that box should contain a ring. He could not help thinking, was it because Madam Cheng's marriage proposal got rejected that made her so restless? But he also felt this idea was too preposterous. In this world, who could possibly reject Madam Cheng's proposal unless they were out of their mind? Shao President seemed quite normal though...
Cheng Jinlan was unaware that her assistant was having all sorts of random thoughts because he was too free. As the meeting ended, she found the avatar of those two dogs in the WeChat group and sent an add friend request.
Shao ChengZe saw the red dot light up on WeChat and the corners of his lips curved up slightly. He put down his phone and gestured for Kong Yichan to continue.
Kong Yichan felt that the boss had been in an unusually good mood these days, to an extent beyond the norm. His good mood was so extreme that when a manager made an exceptionally low-level mistake, the boss did not even furrow his brows. He just clearly pointed out the mistake and reminded him not to repeat it again. That was it. Moreover, his tone was gentle.
Everyone felt that the boss must have been possessed by some god or bodhisattva these days. Otherwise, how could the same person not act like his usual self?
Kong Yichan had concluded reporting all the work matters. There was still one very important matter left.
"President Shao, Madam Cheng Jinchuan wishes to have a phone call with you."
This morning as per her routine, she called Cheng Corporation's secretary office. She had expected to be rejected as usual. After all, she had been calling them twice a day for nearly a month, and Cheng Corporation's secretary office always rejected her with the same excuse. Not a single word was different. Both sides understood the situation clearly but had to keep up this pretense. But today when she called, the other party told her to wait. Finally the call got through to Cheng Jinchuan herself, who said she wanted to speak with her boss.
Kong Yichan felt that the bosses must have taken the wrong medication recently. How else could the eternally icy bosses start acting out of character, with Cheng Jinchuan actually taking the initiative to request a phone call.
Shao ChengZe said, "Tell them I'm not convenient to talk over the phone. If Madam Jinchuan is willing to grace us with her presence, I will host a banquet at Changlong tonight to entertain her."
Kong Yichan nodded. "Yes, President Shao."
She felt that the boss was up to no good and did not seem to be planning anything decent.
Cheng Jinlan did not want to keep looking at her phone but could not resist the urge. He was definitely doing this on purpose. There was no way he had not seen her friend request after 6 hours. Even if he was in a lengthy meeting, it should have ended by now. Cheng Jinlan walked out of her office, pondering if she should just head over to Shao Corporation directly to return that heated potato in her bag.
Just then, her phone vibrated. The person who had been playing dead finally accepted her request and even called her.
Cheng Jinlan answered the call.
Shao ChengZe dispensed with any pleasantries and got straight to the point. "You were looking for me?"
Cheng Jinlan gave a cold laugh. "Who else could it be, a ghost looking for you?"
"That's not impossible either, but I'm not afraid even if a ghost came looking for me since I have a clear conscience."
Cheng Jinlan did not want to waste time chatting with him and asked directly, "Where are you now?"
Shao ChengZe replied, "What does Madam Cheng want with me?"
"To return something to you."
"What thing?"
He was deliberately feigning ignorance.
"The ring." Cheng Jinlan squeezed out the two words.
Shao ChengZe pretended to be puzzled. "Why return it? The ring was the price I asked for what happened that night."
"Didn't we settle it already?" She had kissed him after all.
Shao ChengZe asked, "Are you sure? You only pecked me once. That wasn't a kiss. Don't you remember what I taught you, a peck and a kiss are different. Since you didn't kiss me, I assumed you picked the first option, that you agreed to give me the position by your pillow, which means the second half of my life belongs to you. This ring serves as a witness to our agreement, so Madam Cheng can't go back on her words."
...
Cheng Jinlan reiterated, "I picked the second option."
Shao ChengZe was very agreeable. "The second option works too. If I remember correctly, we did it six times...or was it seven times that night?"
Where did he get six or seven times from?
Cheng Jinlan interrupted him, "It was just four times."
Only after she finished speaking did she realize she had fallen into his trap by recounting what happened that night with him.
Shao ChengZe chuckled softly. "Madam Cheng remembers so clearly?"
Cheng Jinlan kept quiet.
"Since Madam Cheng said four times, then four times it is. In that case, you owe me four kisses. I'll be away on a business trip tonight, probably for a week before I'm back. So, with compound interest, by the time I return, Madam Cheng will owe me a total of...512 kisses."
Cheng Jinlan could not help but take his bait. "May I ask how this compound interest is calculated?"
Shao ChengZe explained patiently, "It doubles every day. Since I'm the creditor, I get to decide how the interest is calculated. Isn't that right, Madam Cheng?"
Was he a bandit? Even bandits did not charge such exorbitant compound interest!
Seeing that she did not respond, Shao ChengZe continued suggestion options. "How about this, Madam Cheng. If you are still unwilling to give me the second half of your life for now, and feel that kissing me so many times would be a loss for you, we can compromise and find a solution that meets in the middle. I'll be your boyfriend for three months, you can consider it a trial period. After three months, you can decide if you want to officially date me. During these three months, no matter how many times you kiss me or I kiss you, it will help make up for your loss. What do you think, Madam Cheng?"
Cheng Jinlan: ...
Shao ChengZe's low husky voice was full of temptation. "Madam Cheng, will you be my girlfriend?"
