CHAPTER 244: WHY BOTHER ARGUING RIGHT OR WRONG WITH HIS WOMAN_1

Shen Jing settled in comfortably, anticipating how the woody fragrance from his suit would soon cling to her, impossible to wash off. "Xihe Bay. I’m afraid Second Young Master will have to act as a driver once again."

He didn’t respond, not even half a word.

Along the way, Zhou Luchen drove with focus, occasionally accelerating to overtake other cars.

Even with his daring driving skills, Shen Jing wasn’t the least bit panicked; a cup of water placed beside her likely wouldn’t have spilled a drop.

Realizing Zhou Luchen wasn’t speaking to her, the atmosphere in the car grew exceptionally silent, utterly soundless.

That’s right, the young master’s typical capriciousness, alternating between hot and cold, is the norm.

Unsure why he was silent, Shen Jing’s eyelids grew heavier. She curled up and slumped onto the seat to sleep, her mind empty.

Before long, the car braked to a stop in front of the Shen Family’s mansion.

Zhou Luchen turned his head, his thin lips moving slightly. Seeing her sleeping peacefully in the passenger seat, he chose not to make a sound.

Truth be told, my anger from being left in Manhattan hasn’t subsided. But Shen Jing is adept at playing the victim; I can’t bring myself to bully her. The explanation I demanded ultimately yielded her words: ’one-night stand.’

He lit a cigarette; nicotine could indeed soothe many emotions. He suppressed his temper. After all, why bother arguing about right and wrong with his woman?

If I make Shen Jing cry, I’ll be the one coaxing her in the end.

After finishing the cigarette, he still wasn’t in a hurry to wake her. With a lift of his finger, he touched the central control panel, adjusted the heat to a comfortable temperature, then sat beside her, playing with his phone.

Occasionally, he glanced at her.

For the outing, Shen Jing had deliberately applied makeup—not heavy, but it made her a few degrees more captivating than her bare face.

He tried to recall how long ago it was—back in Shanghai, whenever he took Shen Jing out, she would always dress beautifully according to his preferences. She would cling to his arm, accompanying him to play cards on the 82nd floor, or to have fun at the tea garden, or to socialize at the racetrack.

Obedient and sensible, always indulging him and speaking sweetly, never causing a fuss.

Indeed, when she was by my side, I truly felt at ease.

—Can this fish be called Luchen?

—Can’t you love me a bit more, Zhou Luchen?

—I don’t like puppet shows; I just like the person watching them with me.

—Will you take me to Nathan Road again in the future?

—If I leave, will you help me take care of my cat?

—Zhou Luchen, marry me. If you marry me, I’ll come back. I’m really, really easy to coax; just a little coaxing will do, okay?

At this moment, Zhou Luchen found himself unconsciously looking at Shen Jing, his gaze deepening.

She slept soundly, her long, curled eyelashes slightly lowered.

She’s no longer a young girl, no longer the innocent songstress who only sang in teahouses. Is this fleeting affair over? he thought. It ended long ago. Yet, I dislike other men touching her, dislike her smiling at other men. If another man were to taste her goodness and sweetness, I might become jealous. She’s clearly my woman, the one I’ve protected all this way. I, Zhou Luchen, am no great philanthropist; I wouldn’t cultivate roses just to let someone else pick them.

The Shen Family’s housemaid came out. Since the windows of the black sedan weren’t open, she recognized the car by its license plate. It was marked with an ’A’.

This type of license plate wasn’t common in Imperial City. Recognizing it meant knowing it was a special chauffeured vehicle for a family member of significant status—a clearer indicator of standing than any multi-million-dollar luxury car.

Not wanting to disturb them, the housemaid simply opened the two large gates and returned to the house to inform Old Master Shen, "The Zhou Family’s car is here. Second Young Master Zhou has likely brought Miss Xiaosi back."

Old Master Shen, who was about to go to bed, got up again, dressed, and went downstairs.

He asked, "How long has the Second Young Master been here?"

The housemaid replied, "He’s been sitting in the car for quite some time. I thought it was just a passing vehicle and didn’t open the gate in time."

In the darkness of the night, the black sedan was parked beside the stone lions.

Seeing Old Master Shen emerge, Zhou Luchen, out of good breeding, unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car.

"Old Sir," he said calmly.

Dressed in a pure white shirt, he stood tall and lean beside the car.

Old Master Shen was surprised for a long moment. He really brought her back himself! He then invited him in, "Xiaosi has troubled you again. It’s so late, Second Young Master, would you like to come in for some water?"

The word ’trouble’... I haven’t heard it directed at me in a long time. It feels foreign now, as if I’m always the one handling every bit of trouble Shen Jing causes.

He declined Old Master Shen’s invitation. "I have matters to attend to tonight. I shall visit another day, junior."

Old Master Shen didn’t insist. "Very well. You’re busy, yet you still made this trip. We appreciate it."

Their voices rose and fell in conversation, but Shen Jing remained sound asleep.

Left with no other choice, Zhou Luchen bent down and carried her inside.

She seemed to cherish such a broad embrace, clutching tightly the moment she settled into his chest, with hardly any hesitation, as if reluctant to let go.

Ascending the staircase, Zhou Luchen had to tighten his arms, holding her even closer.

The housemaid dared not even breathe too loudly, walking ahead to lead the way and open doors.

Her room lacked the dreamy pink often found in young girls’ rooms. It was simple, predominantly in shades of off-white. Yet, the Shen Family hadn’t been neglectful; even a plain-looking table was made of valuable golden Phoebe nanmu wood.

He placed her on the bed. A stuffed toy lay there, and as soon as she was near it, she hugged it to her chest and fell asleep.

Zhou Luchen did not stay, despite Old Master Shen’s courteous and repeated invitations for him to remain for tea. He nodded politely and turned to leave.

Old Master Shen saw him out, quietly watching the black sedan drive away.

The Shen family had toiled for generations in Sifang City, but their efforts couldn’t compare to the instant rise in status that aligning with the Zhou Family could bring. Old Master Shen, however, harbored no such ambitions.

No one could fathom Zhou Luchen’s thoughts, Old Master Shen included.

Zhou Luchen was no ordinary man.

Did he love her? It didn’t seem so. Did he not love her? Yet he always took exceptional care of Shen Jing, constantly considering her needs and providing for her.

Was it out of guilt? The Second Young Master of the Zhou Family, whose power rivaled that of princes, would never feel indebted to anyone.

Yet, that was precisely how he treated Shen Jing.

***

「After the Little New Year came New Year’s Eve.」

Shen Jing wasn’t busy. She knew Zhou Luchen had returned to Shanghai.

Shanghai? I have no reason to go back there anymore.

Her grandfather wanted to arrange a marriage for her. She knew he was thinking of the Sun Family.

She hadn’t agreed.

"Xiaosi, you’re 27 now."

"I know, but I don’t want to get married."

Her grandfather loved to watch the Spring Festival Gala and stay up late on New Year’s Eve. She had no interest in watching.

Uncle Liang was hanging lanterns in the front yard, capturing all of Shen Jing’s attention. She slipped on her fuzzy slippers and walked out to the front yard.

Her hands tucked into the pockets of her wool sweater, she watched the heavy snow falling outside.

A text message arrived. She casually took out her phone.

Zhou Luchen: "Happy New Year."

It was followed by a digital red envelope.

Zhou Luchen’s way of transferring money was always a direct deposit into her account, giving her no option to refuse or return it.

Shen Jing leaned against the doorframe, her fingers flying across her phone as she texted teasingly, "Are you trying to woo me?"

She sent the message.

Zhou Luchen didn’t reply.

He must be in Shanghai for Wei Sulin’s wedding; it’s only right that he’s there.

Wei Sulin had sent her an invitation, but Shen Jing hadn’t attended. She had merely sent a gift and money to convey her blessings.

Uncle Liang, standing on a stool, called out, "Miss Xiaosi, can you see if the lanterns are straight?"

Looking up, she noticed one lantern was higher than the other. She asked Uncle Liang to come down, and she climbed onto the stool herself to adjust them.

Behind her, a black sedan pulled up at the entrance. Its headlights illuminated her back for two or three seconds before switching off.

For some reason, I had the strange feeling it might be that car with the Beijing A plate. But it wasn’t.

It was the Xie Family’s car; their little niece had insisted on coming to see her.

"Auntie, Happy New Year!" chirped the little girl, her voice soft and sweet.

Shen Jing finished hanging the lanterns and dusted off her hands. "I knew Jia He would come. Auntie prepared your red envelope early."

The little girl, who had learned to babble and speak, loved to cling to her.

"Jia He likes Auntie the most! I want Auntie’s Paopao..." she cooed.

Shen Jing couldn’t help but dote on the little girl too. She enjoyed having her around; it was a good way to pass the time.

The little girl, after her New Year’s visit to the Shen Family, insisted on being personally escorted back to the Xie Family by Shen Jing. She demanded hugs and cuddles, clinging to Shen Jing from start to finish.

"Auntie smells so fragrant..."