Volume One, Chapter 127: Shen Zhou

The next day.

When Song Qingyu woke up, she was lying in Pei Jingmo’s arms. Sensing a burning gaze fixed upon her, she looked up and met his gentle, deep black eyes.

"Good morning."
"Morning."

Recalling the events of last night, Song Qingyu flushed and hid beneath the covers, leaving only her eyes peeking out at him shyly. She thought of the marks she had left on his Adam's apple, and her mind involuntarily replayed him gently stroking her back to soothe her. "I made you hurt, so you must make me hurt, too. Harder. It doesn’t matter if you draw blood. There, there, don't feel bad for me."

She reached out a fingertip and lightly touched his Adam's apple. "Does it hurt?"
"Not at all. How about you?"

In truth, she still felt a bit sore, but she insisted stubbornly, "I don't hurt either." It was certainly strange for a couple to be discussing pain the morning after their wedding night.

Suddenly, Song Qingyu remembered something. "Oh no, I'm going to be late!" It was Wednesday; she had to go to work!

"I called in for you. You have the morning off, so you can sleep a little longer."
"What? How did you ask for leave?"
"I just told them you were too exhausted."

Song Qingyu blushed and tapped him. "What kind of excuse is that?" After drinking oxtail soup yesterday, having a nosebleed in the middle of the night, and now being unable to go to work—anyone could guess what had happened.

"Are you hungry? I made porridge."
"Yes, I am."

Pei Jingmo was even more attentive and tender than before. In the past, he would only prepare her mouthwash and squeeze toothpaste onto her brush; today, he insisted on brushing her teeth for her. Song Qingyu felt a bit helpless. "I've been brushing my own teeth since I was two. You don't have to do it."

"I want to."

His gaze was so sincere and earnest, and the moment so rarely warm, that she couldn't bear to see him look disappointed. "Alright then, go ahead." If her husband wanted to pamper her, what else could she do?

Pei Jingmo smiled, clearly happy. Her teeth were bright and translucent, like crystal and quite beautiful. He lifted her chin and brushed them with meticulous care. Song Qingyu was full of foam and couldn't help but laugh; one would think he was polishing jewelry rather than brushing teeth.

"Hold still, don't swallow the foam."

Because of his rugged and cold appearance, those who knew Pei Jingmo assumed he was a rough man who understood nothing. In reality, he was quite adept at cherishing his partner. Song Qingyu sat on a soft cushion, enjoying his facial care service. Fearing that the calluses on his palms might scratch her delicate skin, he used a cotton pad to apply her lotions. Even without makeup, her appearance was enough to leave him mesmerized. He couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her rosy lips; if she didn't have to go to work in the afternoon, he would truly want to—

"Gurgle..."

Song Qingyu’s stomach growled, and Pei Jingmo carried her to the dining room. During the meal, his phone kept ringing.

"Is there something important at the construction site?"
"Let me take this call."
"Alright."

The medical research project had finally been established after overcoming numerous obstacles, and there were many things waiting for his attention.

"Understood, I'll be there right away."

Unable to finish breakfast with her, Pei Jingmo had to leave for the office. "Eat a little more. See you tonight."
"Okay."

After he left, Song Qingyu saw there were two hours left before she had to head to work. She intended to sleep, but the moment she closed her eyes, her mind was filled with Pei Jingmo. She couldn't fall asleep at all. She took out her phone and sent a message to Xie Liuzheng: "Zhengzheng, I've finally taken the plunge! *blush*"

Seeing no reply, she sent another: "Did you find the owner of the Four-Faced Buddha?"

Still no response. Thinking that Xie Liuzheng must be busy with filming, Song Qingyu decided not to bother her further.

At that moment, the owner of the Four-Faced Buddha was holding Xie Liuzheng's phone, reading the message.

"Taken the plunge? I wouldn't have guessed that woman with the frigid face would say something like that."

Xie Liuzheng's face turned pale, then red. She was furious that Shen Zhou was looking through her phone, but pinned down by two bodyguards, she was helpless. The man was dressed in a black wool coat, sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed like a monarch surveying the world. That night, she hadn't seen his face clearly; now, face-to-face, she realized he was handsome—in a wicked, cold-blooded way. He was tall, about the same height as Pei Jingmo. Wearing a black stud earring, he possessed a cold, piercing gaze and a powerful aura. Even the simple act of smoking was inexplicably sexy. His voice was also deep and alluring, making one’s heart beat faster involuntarily. He had a lovely name, too: Shen Zhou.

Always day, never night; eternally bright.

Their gazes met, and she stammered, "Xiao Yu is the cutest girl in the world; you aren't allowed to talk about her like that. Also, looking at someone else's phone is rude. Please give it back to me."

Shen Zhou gave a light hum and tossed the phone to her. "I have no interest in your friend or your phone. I came to see you today to take back what belongs to me."

Xie Liuzheng’s eyes flickered. She played dumb, asking, "What?"

Shen Zhou curled his lips into a smile, though there was no warmth in his eyes. "The Four-Faced Buddha pendant. I know you have it."

Xie Liuzheng knew he was her savior; she shouldn't be so selfish as to keep his property. Yet, she knew perfectly well that if she handed it over, she would likely never have any interaction with him again. She couldn't bear the thought.

"I haven't seen any Four-Faced Buddha pendant."
"Hah—"

Shen Zhou stood up and walked toward her step by step, leaning down to envelop her in his shadow. He hooked her chin and blew a cloud of smoke directly into her face. "Woman, if I hadn't saved you that night, you would have been gang-raped. Is this how you repay a savior?"

She hadn't expected him to be so blunt. Xie Liuzheng gritted her teeth, feeling humiliated. Under the weight of his oppression, she stuttered, "Is that pendant... very important to you?"
"That is none of your business."

Xie Liuzheng gritted her teeth again. "I can give it to you, but can you promise me one thing?"

Shen Zhou remained silent. Under his intense gaze, her scalp prickled. Reluctantly, she handed over the pendant she had been carrying for days. After taking it, Shen Zhou pushed her aside and said coldly, "I hate greedy women most of all. You are not qualified to make me promise you anything."

With a wave of his sleeve, he turned to leave. Xie Liuzheng, unwilling to give up, chased after him but was stopped by his bodyguards. She called out anxiously, "I just wanted to add you on WeChat!"

He didn't look back, leaving just as he had that night. Would she never see him again?

"Zheng-jie—" Chen Xiaorou rushed in, looking worried. "Who were those people? Did they do anything to you?"
"Oh, the one in charge is a fan of mine. He just came to ask for an autograph."
"My god, such a grand display just for an autograph? That was terrifying."

Xie Liuzheng smiled, a bitter expression on her face. She had hoped so much to see him, only to find that he hadn't cared about that night at all.

Perhaps it was for the best. Let's just pretend nothing ever happened.