Chapter 18

Did Liu Hao tell him everything about the photos?

Chu Tong felt a tinge of frustration. She had originally planned to use dinner as an opportunity to test Mr. Shao’s attitude before deciding whether or not to ask for his help. But now, the situation had suddenly shifted, leaving her entirely on the defensive.

She stammered, but Shao Yihuai did not press her. He brushed the matter aside and asked about her recent studies.

"I’ve just been busy with assignments, reading a lot of books, and occasionally finding some part-time work through Meng Jie."

"Meng Jie?" he inquired.

"Yes, Shang Yunmeng. She’s the one who helped me get the job at the exhibition last time." Chu Tong recounted how she had met her. "...Meng Jie has helped me a lot. Whenever there are older men harassing me or things like that, she steps in and teaches me how to deal with them."

"And how do you deal with them?"

"Mostly by playing dumb. You can't go head-to-head with those kinds of people. You just have to play along, be evasive, and then find a chance to run away."

At these words, Shao Yihuai lifted his eyelids to look at her with a calm, discerning gaze. If a girl has beauty but no family background, the slightest carelessness can turn that beauty into a disaster. It was the same at the exhibition; she hadn't cried even when faced with that kind of harassment, which suggested she had likely encountered similar scenarios many times before. Thus, she had forged a set of self-preservation skills and a bit of cleverness.

Speaking of this, Chu Tong suddenly remembered, "Oh, right. You’re with the Zhuoyi Group, aren't you? I had a tutoring job a while ago. It was supposed to be with the lady of the house, and everything was fine until it switched to the husband. He told me he was a senior executive at the Zhuoyi Group and could help me arrange an internship, even promising me a full-time position after graduation."

Shao Yihuai listened to her without changing his expression.

"...I felt he was the type to use his wealth and power for illicit motives. The way he looked at me made me feel sick. The second time I went to his house, he started making physical contact."

She even giggled as she recounted this. "Guess how I got out of it?"

"...How did you do it?"

"I lied and told him I had an uncle who also worked at the Zhuoyi Group. His expression changed immediately. Just in case, I even recorded the audio. Then, I made an excuse about needing to catch a taxi and ran off. The day before yesterday, I called the lady of the house and quit the job; I didn't dare go back."

Shao Yihuai fell silent for a moment, then gave a faint smile. "Quite clever."

Chu Tong had only been hoping for his praise. Having received it, she couldn't help but smile, her eyes curving into crescents.

Shao Yihuai asked casually, "What’s his name? That husband."

"Zhan Yi," Chu Tong said, suspecting nothing. "...Perhaps you know him?" After all, Zhan Yi claimed to be a senior executive; if Mr. Shao were a few ranks above him, they might have had professional dealings.

Zhan Yi. What kind of results could such a person possibly achieve while staying in the group?

Shao Yihuai took his phone, opened his notes, and pushed it toward her. "Type the name."

Chu Tong entered the name. Shao Yihuai took the phone back and sent it to Su Jingwen.

Chu Tong watched his movements and demeanor in silence. His expression was so calm and detached, like a monarch holding the power of life and death. A thought flashed through her mind like lightning: Could Mr. Shao possibly have the authority to fire this person?

...She shook her head. She was overthinking. Even if he did, he surely wouldn't actually do it. It would be too dramatic.

"...Are you looking for an internship?"

Chu Tong was stunned. She pursed her lips and asked tentatively, "...You aren't going to help me, are you?"

Shao Yihuai smiled slightly but said nothing.

"I don't want that, I don't," she said, shaking her head vigorously. "What would that be? I only want to date you. If you even arrange my internship, then..." She didn't finish the sentence. She didn't have a clear word for it in her mind, but she felt a vague sense of unease, like losing her sense of direction in the dark.

Shao Yihuai looked at her. "You are a top student; you don't need me to help you with these things." He cut the roasted asparagus side dish into small pieces and pushed it toward her. "Eat."

Previously, she had never been to a proper French restaurant. She had always heard in various places online that French dining was all style and no substance, but now that she was actually there, she found the food surprisingly good. It was delicate and lingering; she had expected not to like the foie gras, but it was perfectly fragrant.

Seeing her pick up her wine glass, Shao Yihuai said, "It has a bit of a kick. Just take a sip to taste it."

"Mm." It was a little bitter.

"Come with me to one more place after you finish."

"Okay."

She assumed it was the next part of their date, so she didn't ask further. Although the wine tasted bitter at first, she found herself craving more after a few sips, and before she knew it, she had finished it.

The final dessert was a black truffle chocolate soufflé.

After finishing, they stood up. Shao Yihuai draped his overcoat over his arm, walked over, and reached out to straighten the collar of her wool coat. His movements were always so relaxed and natural, giving Chu Tong a genuine sense of what it felt like to be between lovers.

As they walked out, they passed by the tall Christmas tree, and she couldn't help but linger on it.

Shao Yihuai noticed and paused. "There's a little ritual here. Want to try it?"

Chu Tong’s eyes brightened. She looked up at him excitedly. "How does it work?"

Shao Yihuai signaled the waiter, who immediately understood and presented a hazelnut with both hands. Chu Tong took it.

The ambient lights in the room were dimmed, turning the already dimly lit environment into the hue of dusk. Shao Yihuai loosely circled her wrist, pulled her in front of him, and then guided her hand to place the hazelnut on a specific spot on the Christmas tree.

The next second, all the lights and ornaments on the tree lit up at once, flickering like a dream. It made one think of a lit-up forest cabin in a fairy tale.

Chu Tong let out a small gasp, looking up at him in disbelief before quickly turning her head back to the tree, as if afraid to miss a single second. The warm light reflected in those fox-like eyes, seemingly igniting an energy that could make all things grow.

This vulgar, boring commercial trick to please people had, with her reaction, suddenly turned into the most lovely and heart-stirring scene.

This French restaurant was booming with business and rarely cleared the room for guests. The waiter, who had only recently started, couldn't help but observe the two distinguished guests. The man was breathtakingly noble, his every gesture carrying the nonchalance of someone raised in a family of high standing. The girl looked like a college student, excessively beautiful, her eyes filled with childlike spirit when faced with the surprise.

The waiter felt infected by that happiness. When he looked at the man, he was stunned by the gaze the man had fixed on the girl. He had never seen eyes so profound. The brilliant lights of the Christmas tree seemed to pass through the girl's eyes and reflect into his own. There was a sudden, violent tremor that shook his soul, like a long-parched prairie unexpectedly hit by a spark, instantly igniting a wildfire. The waiter witnessed this moment.

-

Once in the car, Chu Tong fastened her seatbelt and said, "I feel like I've already celebrated Christmas." She smiled and said earnestly, "Mr. Shao, thank you."

She still hadn't changed how she addressed him. Shao Yihuai didn't press the issue at this moment.

Traffic was smooth. The Bentley drove into the underground garage of an apartment complex near A University. Chu Tong realized, "...This is?"

"The apartment Uncle Zong mentioned to you," Shao Yihuai said. "I brought you here to familiarize yourself with the way." If he didn't bring her here once, she would likely never come here on her own.

The elevator opened directly into the unit. Stepping out of the cabin and passing through the foyer, Shao Yihuai looked down at her. "Did you bring the key?"

She shook her head.

Shao Yihuai smiled and said, "Then remember the password." As he spoke, his thumb brushed over the keypad, and the buttons lit up. He pressed six digits; Chu Tong only clearly saw the last four.

"0115," she tilted her head and thought. "...Your birthday?"

"Yes."

"What about the year?"

"Ten years before yours." Shao Yihuai opened the door as he spoke. He turned back to look at her and, seeing she seemed a bit dazed, couldn't help but laugh. "...Are you drunk?"

"I think it went to my head a little." She said, subconsciously reaching up to touch her cheeks, which were starting to feel hot.

The apartment was a spacious three-bedroom, two-living-room layout. In the center of the living room was a floor-to-ceiling window. Chu Tong shielded her eyes and looked into the distance, saying in surprise, "I can see our school! It's so close."

Shao Yihuai took off his overcoat, tossed it onto the sofa, and leisurely rolled up the sleeves of his black sweater. "Feel free to look around."

He turned the corner and headed toward the bedroom.

Chu Tong took off her coat and wandered around. There were even fresh ingredients in the refrigerator. Did he stay here occasionally?

After a round, she poured herself a glass of water, pulled the white sheer curtains over the floor-to-ceiling window, and, feeling bored, sat in the corner of the sofa to scroll through her phone. She had just taken a picture of that Christmas tree, but looking at the photo now, it didn't seem nearly as stunning as it had looked to the naked eye.

Before long, Shao Yihuai emerged from the direction of the bedroom and headed toward the west kitchen. Chu Tong watched him tinkering at the counter; a moment later, he returned with two drinks.

He handed one to her. She brought it to her nose and sniffed. "What is this?"

"Honey water. To help with the alcohol."

She leaned over to look at his glass. "And what's this one?"

"Red wine."

"I'm sobering up and you're drinking?"

Shao Yihuai sat cross-legged beside her, took a sip of wine, and tilted his head to look at her, as if he were about to start settling accounts. "...When are you going to change how you address me?"

She fell silent, not knowing what to say.

Shao Yihuai leaned over slightly, propping his head with an elbow on the back of the sofa, watching her.

Silence.

Chu Tong keenly sensed a hint of pressure radiating from him. Reflexively, she scooted backward until her back pressed against the corner of the sofa, creating some physical distance from him.

Shao Yihuai lowered his eyelashes, slowly looking her up and down, then let out a faint scoff. He stared at her, unhurriedly saying, "...At the hotel in the outskirts of Beijing, you were leaning into me, but now you're starting to avoid me?"

Chu Tong held her breath and shook her head.

"Too late." He said.

She didn't quite understand. " ...What's too late?"

Shao Yihuai didn't answer. He switched the Burgundy glass to his other hand, freed his hand to reach into the space between her back and the sofa, and his large palm hooked her lower back, pulling her down.

Chu Tong let out a soft cry, losing her balance and falling back onto the sofa. A few seconds passed before she realized how delicate that sound had been, and her face flushed bright red, even her earlobes beginning to burn.

Shao Yihuai faced her, one leg pressing onto the sofa cushion, the other planted on the carpet, his knee pressed tightly against the side of the sofa as he leaned over her.

The first thing she felt was his body temperature and breath drawing near—extremely close, so close that she shivered, completely unable to move.

The panic in her eyes was obvious. Shao Yihuai remained almost motionless, savoring her panic. Perhaps before this, even he didn't know he could have such a wicked side.

Their breaths intertwined, carrying the sweet scent of honey. Shao Yihuai propped himself up with one hand beside her, staring into her shimmering eyes, and lowered his voice to coax her. "...Say my name."

His voice was sexy.

Chu Tong had no defense. She moved her lips and called out softly and obediently, "...Shao Yihuai."

His name, spoken from her own lips, felt as if it had been through a round of intimacy with him, making her dizzy.

"Mm," he said in the tone of praising a good child. "Good."

Her lips were full, glistening with a faint, moist sheen. She had been drinking, and it had likely gone to her head. Under these circumstances, whatever he did seemed immoral and inappropriate.

But...

But...

Shao Yihuai’s thumb rubbed against her lower lip, each stroke heavier than the last. The air seemed to be filled with intoxicating, out-of-control factors colliding in chaos.

Chu Tong called to him in a small voice, "Mr. Shao..." Her voice trembled, sounding like a plea or a request for mercy. She didn't even know what she was begging for. Perhaps the current situation was too agonizing, making her instinctively seek release, or perhaps...

Shao Yihuai’s Adam’s apple bobbed. In the end, he covered her mouth with his palm and leaned down to kiss her eyes gently.