CHAPTER 28: CHAPTER 28: JIAYIN, WHAT’S WRONG WITH BEING WITH ME?

The soft yellow light cast by the luxurious crystal chandeliers enveloped the elegant and tranquil space, with the gentle music of the piano adorning it, bringing a sense of peace and harmony to one’s soul.

This is a high-end restaurant.

At the second floor’s window-side seat, there was a meticulously crafted pearwood square table, the tablecloth clean and pristine without a single impurity or crease. A handsome man and a beautiful woman sat facing each other, the scene exuding an indescribable sense of beauty and harmony.

Sheng Qianchi gracefully cut the steak on his plate, then took a small piece into his mouth, chewing slowly. Occasionally, he would raise a glass of red wine and take a sip, his every movement perfectly exhibiting the nobility and grace of the most prestigious noble son in Licheng City.

He seemed to have a good appetite and was very satisfied with the food at this restaurant.

However, opposite him, Gu Jiayin was not as interested. She sat quietly, watching the man dining quietly in front of her, without taking a single bite.

With a third of the steak eaten, Sheng Qianchi elegantly placed down his knife and fork, and then slowly lifted his eyes, looking at the delicate woman with deep, clear eyes before him. The corners of his lips curving slightly, a faint smile gradually appeared, "What’s wrong, not to your taste?"

His voice, like the last notes of a cello, sounded in the silence, carrying a unique low and magnetic beauty.

This is an extraordinarily excellent man.

His handsome looks were striking, his wealth as unreachable as the sky. A woman with him could indeed become a darling of heaven overnight.

Unfortunately, this man is heartless, his elegance and smile hiding indifference. His affection for women was merely a whim, not from the heart.

If money is the goal, then it is logical to cling to him. If not, it’s best to stay away.

Gu Jiayin is a smart woman, not easily beguiled by him. His favoring and pampering of her at this moment were only because he had taken an interest in her.

It’s like a child captivated by a toy; one day, he will grow bored and tired of her. At that time, her fate will be no different from Qin Yishu’s.

No, perhaps not even as good as Qin Yishu, because Qin Yishu had done him a favor. Even if he discarded her, he would compensate and protect her, but Gu Jiayin was different. When he abandoned her, it would definitely be like throwing away a rag.

After being tempered by bitterness for seven years, she had already become somewhat numb to emotions. If she were to choose someone in this life, she would rather stay with Pei Nianchen, because they had the purest beginnings.

But unfortunately, this relationship had also become mixed with too many impurities, and it was no longer the same as it used to be.

However, since she agreed to get back together with Pei Nianchen, she would remain faithful.

As for what the future holds, she would leave it to the future to decide. Who could predict such a distant future anyway?

Gu Jiayin retracted all her sharp edges, quietly looking back at the elegant man, "Young Master Chi, you are a high and mighty king, with all kinds of women at your disposal. I am just a woman with no support. Isn’t it better if you let me go?"

Sheng Qianchi was clearly taken aback, then he laughed, his smile shimmering like brilliant starlight. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it with a lighter, and elegantly puffed out smoke.

Amidst the swirling smoke, his voice lightly permeated the air, devoid of any anger, "Jiayin, what is wrong with being with me, hmm?"

He held the cigarette between his fingers, his arm resting on the couch’s armrest. As the smoke cleared, his chiseled, sculpture-like handsome face shone brilliantly under the light.

His eyes, black and white and distinct, quietly fixed on her, saying, "Am I not handsome enough? Not wealthy enough? Or say, that night in bed, didn’t satisfy you?"

The straightforward and vulgar words, coming out of this man’s mouth, inexplicably conveyed elegance.

Gu Jiayin lightly pressed her red lips, silent for a moment, then calmly expressed her view, "You have all the characteristics that drive women crazy around the world, but I am not one of the women who admire you. What I want, you can’t give."

"What do you want?"

"I want love."

Love?

Sheng Qianchi became noticeably silent, seemingly deep in thought.

She wanted love, which indeed is a luxury item. He didn’t have it; he never knew what it was like to love someone, nor did he intend to try loving anyone.

Perhaps because Pei Nianchen could give her the love she wanted, even if he had touched her enemy, she still chose him?

Time passed silently, roughly for a minute.

The cigarette in Sheng Qianchi’s hand had burned halfway, ashes falling unconsciously, wisps of smoke rising above the two, then silently dissipating.

"Apart from that, I will give you anything you want. I said, as long as you don’t provoke other men, I will pamper you no matter what, as my woman, I will spoil."

Gu Jiayin remained very calm, her voice mingling with the smoke, "What you can give me, is nothing but money, power, and the enviable position of the king’s woman. But Pei Nianchen can give me all of this, plus the love and trust that I desire."

She gave a smile with an indefinable meaning, "So why should I abandon him and choose you?"

The cigarette in Sheng Qianchi’s hand was already about to burn out. He extinguished it in the ashtray with a raised hand, "Jiayin, you are a smart woman, knowing there is a difference between power and status. With me around, you and Pei Nianchen won’t happen."

Anger slowly rose in Gu Jiayin’s heart, her face expressionless, she sneered coldly, "Sheng Qianchi, is it interesting to use power to bind a woman who doesn’t love you?"

"It is, I don’t love you either, so I don’t expect you to love me."

"What are you after?"

"Though I don’t love you, I am willing to pamper you. You fulfill my needs and desires to pamper a woman."

Gu Jiayin, "..."

How perverse is this?

"Sheng Qianchi, do you know that you need to see a psychiatrist?"

"Ha!" Sheng Qianchi laughed lightly.

He lit another cigarette, but didn’t smoke it, just held it between his fingers, seemingly liking the feeling of it burning in his grasp.

Such a person is truly lonely.

"Jiayin, although I cannot give you love, I am willing to pamper my woman. As long as you become my woman, I will indulge you and satisfy your every wish, and won’t easily abandon you."

"Is it non-negotiable?"

"Mm."

"Why?"

"I’ve taken a liking."

Gu Jiayin, "..."

Talking reason with a domineering man is futile; everything is based on his preferences.

She chuckled lightly, her eyes and brows full of sarcasm, "Young Master Chi, don’t make promises you can’t keep, you wouldn’t want to embarrass yourself."

Sheng Qianchi raised an eyebrow, his tone still flat, "As a man, I do what I say and do not allow anyone to embarrass me, nor will I embarrass myself."

"What if I killed Qin Yishu?" Qin Yishu was his lifesaver after all.

Sheng Qianchi remained calm and unruffled, his voice indifferent, intensely procedural, "She saved me, I must repay that debt, so no matter the situation or reason, I would save her once, just once, then all debts are cleared, and if after that you killed her a thousand times or ten thousand times, it wouldn’t concern me."