Chapter 22

The five of them stood before her, each wearing a mournful expression as they pleaded their case, as if she were their savior. Chu Tong found it satisfying at first, but after five minutes, the pleasure turned into boredom.

She told them to leave.

She stood frozen in place, a spotlight from the ceiling of the private room casting a soft glow over her. Her slender figure, illuminated until her complexion appeared somewhat pale, revealed the exquisite contours of her bone structure. She wore a form-fitting cream-colored knit top tucked into straight-leg jeans, her dark hair falling straight across her shoulders; she looked fresh and sharp.

No matter how one looked at her, she was still just a young girl.

Although she possessed a bit of wit honed over years of practice and a maturity that prevented her from wallowing in emotion, in Shao Yihuai’s eyes, she was still naive to the ways of the world.

The incident with the photos was neither big nor small, but it was clear that the sudden 180-degree turn in the attitudes of the five instigators had dealt her a significant shock.

Shao Yihuai remained composed, shaking a cigarette from a custom case and holding it between his fingers. He rested his wrist casually on the armrest without any intention of lighting it.

Chu Tong did not look at him. After a long silence, she said, "Mr. Shao, I would like to go out and get some air."

Her voice was ethereal.

Shao Yihuai said faintly, "Go ahead."

She knew that the way these people had knelt and begged for mercy was not a sudden awakening of conscience, nor was it out of fear of her; they were simply terrified of Shao Yihuai, who had brought her here.

She had thought that once the matter was resolved, it would be over, but she soon found herself plunged into an absurd sense of displacement, triggered by the sudden reversal of power and status.

Chu Tong threw on a jacket and went to the glass-roofed terrace on the first floor. There was a glowing ember in the corner; someone was already there.

It was Ding Xue.

Ding Xue looked her over, seemingly pondering something, and glanced toward the direction Chu Tong had come from, but she did not see Mr. Shao following.

She gave a sneer of inexplicable meaning, crushed her cigarette, and walked up to Chu Tong, letting out a sharp sound.

"...You're something else, Chu Tong. Did you really crawl into Mr. Shao's bed?" she sighed with genuine envy. "Quite the skill you have."

Ding Xue was unconvinced, still trying to put on airs even in the face of defeat. "Do you think I'm actually afraid of you? Just you wait. The day Mr. Shao kicks you to the curb, watch how I deal with you."

Chu Tong was calm. "You're telling me this now? I haven't forgotten how you knelt down and kowtowed to me just a moment ago, Ding Xue."

Ding Xue scoffed. "Do you really think anyone in this circle respects you? Stop dreaming. You're just a little plaything, you know? Do you want me to tell you how things work in this circle?"

She had said this too many times; Chu Tong had no desire to argue further and turned to leave. However, Ding Xue was the type who would never give up until she hit rock bottom. As she reached out to block her path, Chu Tong turned back and slapped her across the face.

"Have you said enough?"

Ding Xue looked stunned, clutching her face.

Chu Tong took a half-step back, finding a strength she didn't know she possessed. She said, word for word, "Whether Mr. Shao treats me as a girlfriend or a plaything, I know better than you do. No matter how much you emphasize your so-called circle rules, it doesn't change the fact that you don't even dare to fight back right now. The difference between us is clear, don't you understand, Ding Xue?"

Without waiting for further confrontation, Chu Tong turned and left the terrace.

Just as she stepped into the hallway, she saw a girl leaning against the wall in the smoking area, smoking in a leisurely manner.

Lu Zhiyun.

Why would she run into her here?

Chu Tong couldn't hide her surprise. "...Senior?"

Compared to her shock, Lu Zhiyun showed no surprise at all, as if she had known she would meet her here, and offered a casual smile. "What a coincidence."

Chu Tong couldn't help but look back. They were quite close; she must have heard the entire conversation. Feeling somewhat awkward, she said, "I'll head back up then. Goodbye, Senior."

Lu Zhiyun nodded, her gaze following Chu Tong's retreating figure as she went upstairs, her eyes filled with interest.

Back upstairs.

The room seemed a few degrees dimmer than when she had left. Shao Yihuai was still sitting on the sofa near the French doors, his legs crossed, his elbow resting on the armrest. One could faintly see the cigarette held between his naturally drooping fingers.

Chu Tong suddenly felt like a child returning to a parent after causing trouble. She shuffled to his knees, lowered her head, and said, "I just slapped Ding Xue."

It was a flat, factual report.

Shao Yihuai chuckled, parted his legs, and beckoned with his fingers, saying, "Come here."

Chu Tong didn't understand his intent. "Hmm?"

Shao Yihuai reached out, gripped her waist, and pressed her onto his lap without a word.

Chu Tong was startled and didn't dare to relax or sit fully, her whole body tensing up. She heard his deep laughter. "Relax, with your weight..."

She remembered how he had easily swept her off her feet earlier... Thinking of this, she slowly relaxed her body, her weight resting firmly on his thighs.

Her heart pounded like a drum, and she cautiously peeked up at him.

Shao Yihuai maintained his calm expression, leaning back against the sofa, composed. "Didn't you say it wasn't necessary? Why did you hit her anyway?"

"She insulted me," Chu Tong said immediately. "She said that in your circle, I'm nothing more than a plaything, and that when you kick me away one day, she’ll deal with me."

Shao Yihuai showed a rare flicker of emotion, his eyes narrowing slightly.

It seemed the lesson hadn't been harsh enough.

"How did you answer?" he asked in a tone as casual as if they were just chatting.

"I told her, 'Whether Mr. Shao treats me as a girlfriend or a plaything, I know better than you do.'"

Shao Yihuai laughed aloud, tracing the tip of her nose with his finger. "You're something else."

Chu Tong looked earnest. "Although I know in my heart that I was leaning on your influence, I've thought about it carefully, and it shouldn't matter. Handling the situation completely is what's most important."

Not involving anyone else, not wasting any time or energy—nothing could be better.

Shao Yihuai's eyes flickered with a hint of approval. "Good mindset," he paused slightly. "...That is how you should act in the future. The method that protects you and achieves your desired goal is a good method."

Chu Tong nodded vigorously.

Seeing her lack of psychological burden, Shao Yihuai couldn't help but find it amusing. "...Why do I get the feeling that being by my side will make you increasingly arrogant?"

"That definitely won't happen," Chu Tong said, looking at him sincerely, at his gentle brows and eyes. "...You are modest and measured, and with your influence, how could I ever become arrogant?"

It was meant to be a half-truthful, flattering remark, and Shao Yihuai knew it, yet his gaze deepened involuntarily. He tilted his chin to kiss her lips and chuckled. "Good girl."

Just as they were close, there was a knock on the room door, and it was pushed open.

Chu Tong reflexively tried to get up, but her waist was firmly gripped. "Don't move."

She could only turn to look, and seeing who it was, she was startled and tried to stand again.

It was Lu Zhiyun.

Following her was a man in a suit, about the same age as Shao Yihuai.

The man joked with a meaningful look, "I've come at a bad time."

Chu Tong stood up, feeling momentarily flustered, not knowing where to put her hands.

Shao Yihuai found it amusing. "What are you panicking about? Sit down."

Chu Tong had to sit back down next to him. Shao Yihuai held her, pressing her head onto his shoulder, and said in a low voice, "I'm going to discuss something with my friend. You and Zhiyun go play for a while; I'll send you both back later."

Chu Tong lay half-propped against his chest, clutching his suit jacket, and looked up to ask, "You know each other?"

Shao Yihuai tilted his chin to introduce them. "Lu Zhiwen, my friend. Lu Zhiyun, your senior from your department, Lu Zhiwen's younger sister."

Chu Tong looked in the direction he indicated. Mr. Lu Zhiwen had found a seat and was lighting a cigarette, while Lu Zhiyun leaned against the sideboard, looking at her with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

Still feeling a bit awkward, she said, "...I moved into a new dorm last night, and my roommate is Senior Lu Zhiyun..."

Shao Yihuai smiled. "I know, Zhiyun told me."

He patted her waist. "If you don't know what to do, call the waiter and have them arrange something."

He stood up. "Zhiwen, let's talk inside."

Lu Zhiwen stood up with his cigarette, and the two men headed into the inner room behind the French doors.

Only Chu Tong and Lu Zhiyun remained in the room.

Chu Tong was slightly reserved; she stood up and bowed. "Hello, Senior."

Lu Zhiyun smiled, found a seat across from her, and watched her for a moment. "...How long have you two been together?"

"Not long, just a few days."

"Incredible," Lu Zhiyun said meaningfully. "Did you seek out Brother Shao because of the Ding Xue incident?"

"No," Chu Tong quickly denied. "I hadn't intended to tell him at all; it was Liu Hao who told him."

Lu Zhiyun nodded, smiling. "Brother Shao isn't easy to approach, but he doesn't like to make things difficult for others either. He's made quite a scene for your sake this time."

She added mysteriously, "Do you know that you've already become famous in the circle?"

In just a few days, word had spread throughout the circle that Mr. Shao had been bewitched. A man who had always kept himself clean and detached had suddenly taken in a female college student.

It was strange enough that such a high-and-mighty, clean-living man would be involved in such a scandal. What was even more unexpected was that when this young girl was bullied by a few reckless juniors at school, Shao Yihuai had immediately sent people to handle it. The way he did it gave the impression that he was declaring her as his own.

For a time, those below were both terrified and full of curiosity: just who was this person who could influence Mr. Shao so much?

Chu Tong grasped the point that concerned her most. "A big scene? Will he offend people?"

Lu Zhiyun laughed aloud. "Him? Offend people? When he decides to teach someone a lesson, who dares to say a word? Others are just thankful if he doesn't offend them." She paused, looking at her with deep meaning. "...You still don't understand him."

"We've only been together for a few days. I'll understand him in the future," Chu Tong said.

"That's true," Lu Zhiyun nodded, sounding listless. "What shall we play?"

-

When Shao Yihuai and Lu Zhiwen finished talking and came out, they saw the two girls playing enthusiastically. There were several wine bottles on the table; Chu Tong was kneeling on the carpet, arm-wrestling with Lu Zhiyun.

Lu Zhiwen shook his head and joked, "Zhiyun, don't bully her. If you make your Brother Shao angry, even I can't save you."

Chu Tong lost, her forearm pressed down onto the table. She simply sprawled out and blinked as she looked at Shao Yihuai. "...Mr. Shao."

Her voice was sweet, sticky, and soft; it was clear she was drunk.

Lu Zhiwen glanced at Shao Yihuai and leaned in to whisper, "Have you not slept with her yet, or is this just a game? The way she calls you."

Shao Yihuai lifted his eyelids and looked at him coldly, saying, "...She's still just a kid."

Lu Zhiwen laughed, "You're only fooling yourself with that line."

*Only fooling yourself.*

He looked down at the figure kneeling on the carpet, the knit top and jeans hugging the curves of her slender waist and round hips. Shao Yihuai felt no waves in his heart, thinking with an almost cold indifference that he was probably unable to fool himself anymore.

He bent down to lift Chu Tong up, holding her halfway in his arms, and touched her cheek with the back of his hand. It was very hot, flushed; she was indeed drunk.

He looked up at Lu Zhiyun.

Lu Zhiyun immediately stood up to distance herself. "Don't look at me; who knew her alcohol tolerance was this low?"

Lu Zhiwen said, "She's this drunk, it's probably not a good idea to send her back to the dorm, is it?"

Lu Zhiyun waved her hands, the siblings acting in concert. "I don't know how to take care of her. It's better if you take her, Brother Shao."

"Don't they check the dorms?"

Lu Zhiwen asked, appearing nonchalant, while glancing at Shao Yihuai's expression.

"They do, twice a week, but they don't dare bother me. They've never checked my unit."

"That's perfect."

Lu Zhiwen had an expression that said, "Brother, I've laid it all out for you."

Shao Yihuai ignored the exchange between the siblings, had the waiter bring his overcoat, draped it over Chu Tong, and carried her out.

As they descended the spiral staircase from the second floor, everyone they passed had a very interesting expression.

Upon seeing Mr. Shao, they were first surprised and fearful, and then, catching a glimpse of the girl in his arms, they all tactfully averted their gazes. Not daring to look openly, they could only use their peripheral vision, catching only a few strands of long hair poking out from his arms and the long, shapely legs wrapped in jeans.

The waiters on the side kept their eyes fixed on their own noses, not daring to look up.

Uncle Zong had been slacking off in the driver's seat, but seeing this from afar, he hurriedly got out to open the door and greeted Lu Zhiwen, "Mr. Lu, when did you arrive in the capital?"

"Came to discuss something with Shubai. Please convey to the old man that I'll come to visit another day."

"Of course. How is Old Master Yu?"

"He's doing well, keeping us busy all day."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shao Yihuai placed Chu Tong in the back seat, patted Lu Zhiwen on the shoulder, and then walked around the back of the car to sit inside.

-

Chu Tong knew she was drunk; the sounds around her were indistinct, and she only vaguely caught a few phrases: something about "she's still a child," something about "discussing something with Shubai." She didn't have the energy to think about it.

The faint, crisp scent of cedar lingered in her nose, and she knew she was likely in Shao Yihuai's car. Before she even opened her eyes, she felt herself being lifted and placed onto someone's lap.

Shao Yihuai patted her cheek and whispered, "Tongtong, are you okay?"

Chu Tong opened her eyes hazily, instinctively burrowing deeper into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck, and said unclearly, "Shao Yihuai, why do you call him Shubai?"

Shao Yihuai's tone was obscure. "...You didn't want to sit earlier, but now you don't want to get down?"

As the conversation turned intimate, Uncle Zong in the driver's seat immediately raised the partition.

Chu Tong's thoughts were chaotic and incoherent. She said again, "Mr. Shao, I am not a child."

There was a hint of dissatisfaction in her tone, her mouth pouting.

Her warm, soft body sat entirely on him. She didn't know what she had been drinking, but her breath was sweet.

Shao Yihuai raised his hand, turned on the reading light, and the soft glow spilled onto her face.

Her face was porcelain white, her beautiful, alluring fox eyes closed tightly, her long lashes trembling, her cheeks flushed, and her lips glistening.

He clamped her jaw with his hand, like a hunter examining his prey, and in the light, his gaze traced her face inch by inch.

His thumb rubbed against her lip, and at this moment, Chu Tong slowly opened her eyes. Feeling that she was lying half-reclined in his arms, with no support other than his arms and legs, she instinctively reached out to grab something. Just as her hand reached into the air, it was caught by Shao Yihuai, then completely enveloped, kneaded, the force gradually losing its gentleness.

She wanted to protest, but Shao Yihuai lowered his head and kissed her.

Unlike the two kisses from the day before, this kiss was filled with heavy, lingering intensity, deep and slow, their breaths intertwined heavily.

The warmth in his arms, the body soaked in alcohol, radiated waves of heat; she was impossibly soft.

It was truly a scene of vibrant life.

That hot hand moved to her lower back, brushed aside the hem of her knit top, touched her spine, and moved up inch by inch until it reached the clasp.

Chu Tong had been crying out since just a moment ago, sweet, soft moans mixed with confused sobs.

Her mouth was covered. She opened her hazy eyes, meeting Shao Yihuai's dark, lowered gaze. His expression was calm, but his voice was deep and hoarse as he said, "...Don't call me that anymore."