Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
âMm,â Shen Chi responded.
Bai Man walked forward, helped Shen Chi take off his suit jacket, and gently hung it on the rack.
After Shen Chi sat down, she poured him a glass of champagne.
âTry this, the bar owner just brought back a few bottles from France,â Bai Man said with a smile as she looked at him.
When her gaze fell on Shen Chi, it carried an indescribable tenderness, like lake water that ripples with the slightest breeze.
Shen Chi also curved his lips into a smile, âYou invited me here just to drink?â
âMy flight was delayed yesterday, and I didnât see you. I missed you,â Bai Man said as she sat next to him, clinging to his arm like a delicate bird.
Bai Man always carried a faint fragrance of cherry blossoms; he knew she liked wearing the same perfume.
âWhat are you looking at?â Shen Chi asked gently, reaching over to pick up the magazine on the table.
âIâve been waiting for you for a while, just drinking and flipping through some ordinary magazines,â complained Bai Man coquettishly.
Shen Chi casually flipped through a few pages, his smile deepening at the corners of his lips.
âQuite recent,â he remarked lightly.
The magazine had even published the events of last nightâs dance; someone had stealthily snapped photos of him holding Xu Chaomu. It seemed that this magazine could be shut down.
He flipped through it some more and found photos of Bai Man being chased by entertainment reporters as she came down from the airport last night.
âThereâs nothing interesting to see,â Bai Man said as she took the magazine from Shen Chiâs hands, a hint of disappointment in her voice, âI called you several times last night, but you didnât answer.â
âI was too tired when I came back from the dance last night and accidentally fell asleep. Iâm sorry.â
Bai Man laughed, âI donât blame you. I know youâre busy with work and the company matters are important. Itâs fine. Just being able to sit here and chat with you is enough for me.â
She leaned on his shoulder, a look of contentment on her face.
Shen Chi didnât speak. Bai Man picked up the champagne glass and brought it to Shen Chiâs lips, âHere, have a taste. This wine is sweetly seductive, soft and matured. Itâs not something that can be compared to freshly brewed wines.â
Bai Man was smart, and so was Shen Chi. How could he not understand the underlying meaning in her words?
He took a sip and smiled faintly, âWhen it comes to wine, of course, the longer itâs stored, the more flavor it has, just like you.â
Bai Man giggled, âWho did you learn that from after a few months? Donât tell me youâve seen some elegant matron again?â
âAm I that common?â
Bai Man laughed even harder, âIâm joking, donât be angry.â
She put down her glass and picked up a box from the table, looking a bit petulant, âI brought you a gift. You have to accept it, whether you want to or
â not.
âWho wouldnât accept a gift? How could there be any reason not to?â Shen Chi replied with a smile.
âSee if you like the tie I picked out for you?â
Bai Man opened the box revealing a black Armani business tie with diagonal stripes. She carefully lifted it out, a gentle smile on her face.
âYour taste is always good,â remarked Shen Chi after looking at it.
âLet me put it on for you to see,â Bai Man moved closer to Shen Chi, reaching out to untie his tie in a rather suggestive manner.
Shen Chi stopped her, but still said with a smile, âNo hurry. What else did you want to talk to me about?â
âWhat else could there be? Havenât you missed me after months of not seeing me?â Bai Man pouted.
âThen this photoâ¦â Shen Chi opened the magazine and picked out a photo with his fingers.
The photo wasnât of anyone else but Zheng Lin. It was taken at the stadium, and she looked quite disheveled.
Bai Man snatched it from him, âMy cousin upset you, she deserves this punishment.â
âIt would be best if you think so,â Shen Chi said with a meaningful smile on his lips, âI knew you understand the situation best.â
Bai Man wrapped her arms around his, resting her head on his shoulder, half-pleadingly and half-coquettishly, âShen Chi⦠can you not let these photos get out? And the ones that have already been released, can you take them back, right?â
Shen Chi laughed lazily, âDo I have that much power?â
âIn this C City, you call the shots. Please, Iâm asking youâ¦â Bai Man snuggled against his shoulder.
How could she not know that Zheng Lin being dumped at the stadium had to be Shen Chiâs doing? In C City, besides Shen Chi, who else would dare do such a thing to Zheng Familyâs precious daughter?
She just couldnât understand, what was that girl to Shen Chi?
She had heard that she was just an orphan taken in from the orphanage.
âI wouldnât have the heart to make you ask me like this. Iâll get someone to seal those photos,â Shen Chi assured.
He only wanted to teach Zheng Lin a lesson; he didnât want to fall out with her since after all, Zheng Lin was Bai Manâs cousin. In C City, the Bai Family was also reputable.
âI knew you care about me,â Bai Man said with a joyful smile on her face.
It was already midnight by the time Shen Chi finished drinking at the bar. Bai Man wanted to plead with him to stay, but Shen Chi insisted on leaving.
When he drove back, it was past midnight.
At the Shen Familyâs villa, only the rows of street lights outside were still shining. As he looked up, he saw the light in Xu Chaomuâs room was also on.
He frowned, the girl was still not asleep at this late hour.
Xu Chaomu had her room door wide open; she was waiting for Shen Chi to come back. She didnât know why she was waitingâperhaps because she had seen the video of Zheng Lin at night, did she want to thank him?
Pacing back and forth in her room, Shen Chi saw her when he arrived; she was talking to herself while holding her stuffed rabbit.
A smile appeared on his face as he walked in.
âStill not asleep this late?â he asked with a hint of reproach.
âFourth Brother!â Xu Chaomu dropped the rabbit and walked up to him.
âHmm? You have something to say?â Shen Chi looked at her seriously.
Xu Chaomu was about to ask if he was the one who took revenge for her when she suddenly smelled a strong scent of alcohol mixed with a rich perfume odor!
âNothing!â Xu Chaomu huffed.
âWhy are you not sleeping if thereâs nothing?â Shen Chi frowned.
âI canât sleep⦠too excited. Today Lou Yanli took me on a date and gave me a lot of stuff; what do you think I should give him in return?â Xu Chaomu made a show of pondering deeply.
âIâve told you, no more dating boys!â Shen Chiâs face showed annoyance.
âIf you can date women, why canât I date men? Why are you being so unreasonable? Fourth Brother, donât forget, your last name is Shen, and mine is Xu.â
After all, you and I are not related. Why do you have any right to control me?
Xu Chaomu lifted her face defiantly.
Shen Chi looked down, patted her cheek, his face clearly smiling but his tone was domineering, âDo you believe I can make your name appear on the same household registration book as mine?â
Xu Chaomu blinked her large eyes, and before she could react, Shen Chi turned off the light in her room.
âGo to sleep early, and donât think about all that nonsense,â said Shen Chi, his voice cold and sharp in the darkness. Before leaving, he added one more thing, âNo more dates with boys!â
He closed the door behind him, leaving Xu Chaomu standing there stunned!
Damn it, itâs not okay to be so overbearing. Heâs reeking of perfume himself, yet he even wants to control her from going on a date with a boy!
Xu Chaomu felt it was incredibly unfair, and she was one to fight against injustice..