CHAPTER 249: HAS THE SECOND YOUNG MASTER EVER PURSUED A GIRL"_1

Her eyes were cold as she reproached him, "What do you mean, bringing me home only to be all over me?"

As she spoke, their gazes locked.

Zhou Luchen caressed her temples and said slowly, "Don’t play dumb. Haven’t my actions been obvious enough?"

Shen Jing simply watched him.

He wasn’t the type to be idle. Nor was she foolish. She could see what he had been doing lately.

In Manhattan, at the manor, flying back to the country to see her, giving red envelopes, walking with her the whole way, carrying her back to the courtyard house.

A noble young master, raised in luxury—perhaps this was his way of pursuing someone, limited to what he was willing to do.

Bowing her head, Shen Jing’s fingers hooked Zhou Luchen’s bathrobe sash, pulling it tighter for him in an attempt to appear composed.

There were times when Shen Jing wanted to pretend to be oblivious, to not see, to distance herself, to try and see if she could fall for another man and completely forget the name Zhou Luchen, but it was just so hard to forget.

Beijing was quite large, yet they would always encounter each other.

Zhou Luchen leaned in, seeking her current expression. "Turn around and follow me."

His voice was clear and husky.

After a moment of contemplation, Shen Jing slightly curled her lips. "Indeed, I am curious to see how the Second Young Master of the Zhou family pursues someone."

As she smiled, a smile also spread across Zhou Luchen’s lips. "Oh? So you haven’t agreed yet."

The wind and snow outside chilled her to the point her nose turned a bit red. "I’m not a little girl anymore. Do you think sweet words can easily soothe me?"

She wasn’t that easy to placate. If she were, she wouldn’t have broken up with him so decisively. Nor would a few sweet words make her trust him implicitly.

"But, has the Second Young Master ever pursued a girl?" Shen Jing asked.

She had never seen him do so. In the past, Wenxin was considered his official girlfriend, and he probably felt nothing for the other women he was with—just a lonely pastime.

Zhou Luchen simply said, "I don’t remember."

Laughing, she retorted, "Trying to deceive me won’t work." Shen Jing tugged at his bathrobe sash, completely exposing his chest.

Her actions were a tad suggestive, a bit bold, yet she was unaware. Zhou Luchen shifted his thighs and frowned slightly.

Seeing the redness around his eyes, Shen Jing halted.

He was indeed wearing nothing under the bathrobe. Shen Jing’s hands instantly withdrew, not daring to touch Zhou Luchen any further.

His bathrobe revealed the sculpted feel of his waist and abdomen, a palpable sense of his sexiness.

It was drafty here. What if someone happened to pass by? What if...

But the rules of the Zhou family were strict; no one would barge in.

The computer was still on, displaying the English interface of The New York Times.

Zhou Luchen lifted her into his arms and tossed her back onto the bed. She curled up under the covers, MUTTER, MUTTER.

At night, the sofa was empty. On the grand Italian-style bed lay two people nestled in each other’s arms, asleep.

Exhausted, she would sleep soundly once under the covers. Shutting her eyes, she then turned to the other side, loving to curl up in the blankets.

Observing her actions, Zhou Luchen remained still and didn’t pull her back, taunting, "Do you want to sleep under the bed?"

She liked to lie on her side. "Be quiet, it’s four in the morning. Don’t make me angry, alright?"

Zhou Luchen reached out to turn off the light. "Fine, you just have to command me."

「The next morning.」

Many business and government dignitaries visited the Zhou Mansion, but the Zhou family did not accept any gifts, closing their doors to all.

At the Zhou Residence, Shen Jing thought she would be the first to wake up, but discovered that Zhou Luchen was already in a video conference under the gazebo.

"Tsk, why so busy?"

He might have heard her, as his gaze shifted toward her, pausing for two seconds. "Dress properly, wash up, and come have breakfast."

Shen Jing looked down and realized she was only wearing his shirt, with just one button fastened. She quickly covered herself and hurried to the bathroom.

Fortunately, the early morning at Yilan Pavilion was as silent as the night before; no one was passing by.

Second Young Master Zhou had a notoriously bad temper, so no one dared to disturb him in Yilan Pavilion.

In the front courtyard dining room, breakfast was already prepared.

It was the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Since the Second Young Master had returned, an extra setting of bowl and chopsticks was naturally added to the dining table for him.

Shen Jing was led by Zhou Luchen into the dining room.

She walked around the screen at an unhurried pace.

Looking over, she saw the mahogany dining table set with red bean paste, milk cakes, and eight-treasure congee—all elegantly arranged and lightly flavored, yet exquisitely delicate.

Sister Fang stood to the side, ladling out the congee while muttering wishes for a safe and peaceful new year.

Having everything one could wish for, this family could probably only hope for peace and safety now.

At this moment, Zhou Xiangqun tightened his shirt cuffs and slowly took his seat. "Second Brother hasn’t woken up yet. It’s a waste for Auntie Fang to serve his portion now."

Hearing this, Shen Jing stood behind Zhou Luchen, slightly tense.

Perhaps noticing her shyness, Zhou Luchen took his hand out of his trouser pocket, firmly grasped her wrist, and in a low, husky voice, said, "Let’s go in for breakfast."

Then, he led her closer.

All these actions, he always managed to do with grace and nobility.

The Zhou family members gathered around the table hesitated slightly in their movements, including Zhou Xiangqun.

Sister Fang, observant as she was, set an additional place.

After a short while, everything was ready.

Old Master Zhou sat upright and emotionless before finally saying, "Let’s have breakfast."

Before Shen Jing could politely respond, Zhou Luchen pressed her shoulder down to take a seat, and only then did he sit down beside her.

From start to finish, Shen Jing complied without daring to breathe loudly; this was her second time eating at the Zhou Mansion.

The atmosphere was more serious than last time, perhaps due to the status of the Zhou Family or because Old Master Zhou was present.

Shen Jing sat upright and solemn, not looking at the master of the house at the head of the table. At that moment, she heard Zhou Luchen whisper, "Don’t be nervous."

She hummed in reply, burying her head to spoon up the eight-treasure congee. It looked extremely light in flavor, yet its sweet taste was indescribably delicious; one couldn’t say whether even a five-star hotel chef could make it so soft and delectable.

The two elderly people didn’t speak; they simply ate methodically, embodying the strict etiquette ingrained in their bones.

Opposite her sat Zhou Xiangqun, who looked the same as ever after a long absence, whispering something to Sister Fang.

"Did you all come back together last night?" Zhou Xiangqun quietly asked Sister Fang.

Sister Fang whispered back to Zhou Xiangqun, shaking her head, "Not sure. I didn’t ask the guard. Last night, I knocked on the door of Yilan Pavilion late, but it was locked from the inside, so I didn’t pay any attention."

Zhou Xiangqun said in a low voice, "Prepare some more dishes. We’re used to eating light, but she might not like it, having been accustomed to the cuisine in Suzhou and Shanghai."

Sister Fang nodded and left.

Then there was silence again.

After a short while, Sister Fang brought in more dishes as a gesture of hospitality.

During breakfast, there was no superfluous conversation, and even the clinking of utensils was gentle.

Old Master Zhou was the first to set down his chopsticks. "Second Brother, come to the study."

Zhou Luchen nodded slightly in agreement but didn’t rush to get up. Instead, his arm rested on the back of Shen Jing’s chair. "Eat well and then return to Yilan Pavilion to wait for me. If you don’t know the way, ask him."

She wiped her mouth with a napkin and nodded.

The ’him’ Zhou Luchen referred to—Zhou Xiangqun, who was sitting opposite—seemed to smile faintly.

「After breakfast.」

The old lady had already gone to the adjacent room to light charcoal and pray to Buddha.

Having honed her ability to charm, particularly with Zhou Luchen, Shen Jing possessed a sweet and persuasive tongue. Despite the formal atmosphere, she remembered her New Year’s manners and went to greet the old lady.

The old lady inserted incense into the burner and responded with a hum.

Shen Jing clasped her hands demurely and withdrew from the room.

Indeed, she did not know the way back to Yilan Pavilion, even though the paths were straight and orderly.

She happened to encounter Zhou Xiangqun, who was carrying a birdcage and about to enter the study. Noticing her, he paused his step and retreated.

He fumbled in his pocket as if looking for something. "Xiaozhang."

Xiaozhang came out of the study and pulled a red envelope from the inner pocket of his executive jacket.

"Give it to her," Zhou Xiangqun instructed indifferently.

Looking at the red envelope handed to her, Shen Jing smiled. "If I accept this, I won’t stand on ceremony with you, you know."