Chapter 4: Chapter 4 The Joke That Goes Against One’s Wishes (4)_1 Chapter 4: Chapter 4 The Joke That Goes Against One’s Wishes (4)_1 At this point, Jing Haohao herself was still trying to process what had happened so abruptly, let alone figuring out how to resolve it.
So, Jing Haohao instinctively chose to avoid it. She swallowed the lump in her throat, her voice shaky, “No need, Liangnian, my throat is fine, it will get better after I sleep.”
After saying this, fearing Shen Liangnian might still insist on coming over, she quickly added: “I am very tired today, and pretty sleepy, I want to go to bed now.”
Shen Liangnian was silent for a moment on the other end of the line, then said: “Alright, you rest well.”
Only after hearing this did Jing Haohao let out a small sigh of relief. She said “good night” to Shen Liangnian, and then hung up the call.
In the quiet of the night, Jing Haohao lay in bed, tossing and turning — sleep eluded her.
Whenever she closed her eyes, she would remember the horrifying experience at the Four Seasons Hotel at midnight with that man. Her body shivered uncontrollably, as if that man was still pressing on top of her, never leaving.
…
Meanwhile, also in the Four Seasons Hotel, Shen Liangnian hung up the call and stood somewhat listlessly in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the hotel room, staring at the distance.
In front of him was the Ring City River, as it quietly flowed in the heart of Jiangshan City. Neon lights from the surrounding high-rises reflected on the river, the spectacle glittering with the vibrant nightlife.
Suddenly, a soft, fragrant body embraced him from behind, along with a sweet, melodious voice, “Liangnian, what are you thinking?”
Shen Liangnian blinked and came back to his senses. As soon as he turned around, the woman stood on her tip-toes, her arms circling his neck, her lips pouting, and said, “I’ve taken a bath…”
Shen Liangnian glanced at Qiao Wennuan, who was practically hanging on his body. He lifted his hand and gently pulled her arms off his neck, “You go to sleep first.”
“I don’t want to…” Qiao Wennuan pouted and continued to cling to Shen Liangnian, teasing him with flirtatious advances, while pushing him towards the bed not far away.
When it was over, Shen Liangnian was leaning back with a cigarette between his fingers, taking occasional puffs and blowing out perfect smoke rings.
Qiao Wennuan burrowed into his arms, her fingers tracing absent patterns on his skin. She lifted her face to him and said coquettishly, “Liangnian, will you go shopping with me tomorrow?”
Shen Liangnian didn’t respond. He took a puff of his cigarette and put it out in the ashtray next to the bed. He glanced at Qiao Wennuan, then finally spoke. “Nuan, in ten days, it will be Haohao’s 20th birthday.”
The smile on Qiao Wennuan’s face froze: “Liangnian, what are you implying?”
“Nuan, we said first, this is just a game. You know, I promised Haohao that I’d give her a legitimate status on her 20th birthday.” Shen Liangnian paused and then added, “I’ve already let her down, I can’t continue to do so after she fully commits to me.”