CHAPTER 145: I’M NOT HAPPY TO SAY GOODNIGHT_1

The meals were vegetarian, without meat, a dietary habit Zhou Luchen was accustomed to from his usual light fare.

The food and drinks Zhuang Ming brought included several cups of milk tea and coffee in different flavors.

Not knowing which she preferred, he had simply ordered the most expensive of everything in the store.

After dinner, Shen Jing left the courtyard for a walk to aid her digestion.

The area was deserted and quiet, bringing an exceptional serenity to the heart.

To the left, a Bodhi Tree stood, its branches festooned with red ribbons.

It was impossible to know whose wishes hung there, or if they had ever come true.

Shen Jing hadn’t made a wish. Why would she see the Buddha and burn three incense sticks just to make one?

She looked at the man playing on his phone on the stone bench. "Have you ever made a wish?"

Zhou Luchen’s tone was, as usual, indifferent. "Wish for what?"

Shen Jing truly felt she had asked the wrong person.

Chen Yao had been lying; he hadn’t come to pray for love.

The Abbot had prepared two adjoining rooms for them in the rear courtyard lodgings, one for her and one for Zhou Luchen.

As they climbed the steps together, Shen Jing pushed open the door to her room. Before stepping inside, she turned her head to look at Zhou Luchen. "Good night, sweet dreams."

Just as she finished speaking, she saw Zhou Luchen’s hand, poised to open his door, freeze. The veins on the back of his hand stood out, his knuckles white.

Shen Jing sensed a flicker of danger and felt an urge to flee, but Zhou Luchen suddenly grabbed her wrist, yanking her into his room.

There was pushing and pulling.

Closing in, Zhou Luchen backed her into a corner. "I’m not happy with ’good night.’"

Shen Jing tensed, tears welling in her eyes and beginning to stream down her face. "Just because you’re not pleased, you’re going to bully me?"

Zhou Luchen extended a finger, gently wiping the corner of her eye, and raised an eyebrow.

"Damn it, crying before I’ve even done anything?"

She was only crying because he had frightened her.

Suddenly, Shen Jing wrapped her arms around his neck. Tiptoeing, she still couldn’t reach his height. She looked up at him tearfully and murmured softly, "I’ve missed you so much, Zhou Luchen."

BANG—

He kicked the door shut. Zhuang Ming, caught in the gust of wind from the door, was left standing outside, dumbfounded.

From inside the room came a CLATTER and a CRASH, as if something had been swept to the floor, followed by the young woman’s reproachful voice.

Zhuang Ming turned his head, feigning ignorance. He hadn’t heard a thing.

"Zhuang Ming, where is Achen staying?"

A familiar voice spoke.

Zhuang Ming abruptly straightened up, turning to look down the corridor.

Seeing Wenxin approaching with several bags of coffee, Zhuang Ming remained silent for a long moment.

"Are these for you all to drink?" Wenxin handed the bags to Zhuang Ming. "Take them and share."

Zhuang Ming was instantly flustered. "Ah... we’ve already had some."

Wenxin glanced around. "It’s so early, has he gone to sleep already?"

Expressionless, Zhuang Ming turned and knocked on the door. "Miss Wenxin is here."

Inside, the two, deep in a kiss, instantly separated. Zhou Luchen’s expression froze.

Shen Jing rubbed her lips, a wave of panic washing over her. She quickly ducked under the desk, hiding as if she’d been caught doing something terribly wrong.

Zhou Luchen lowered his eyes and smiled.

"Achen."

Wenxin’s voice had its usual distinct, crisp tone.

The door opened.

Wenxin’s gaze swept forward.

Jade Rite Scriptures lay scattered on the floor; the inkstone and brushes had also been knocked over.

Zhou Luchen sat before the desk, raising his hand to button his shirt. One of the middle buttons was undone, revealing a glimpse of his firm chest, the muscles defined, radiating an almost palpable heat.

His movements were unhurried, exuding an air of noble indifference.

Wenxin was briefly mesmerized, her eyes nearly unable to look away. Fortunately, her self-control wasn’t too poor, and she managed to shift her gaze to Zhou Luchen’s face.

He seemed to be chiding something beneath the desk, his eyes lifting slightly, a hint of an enigmatic, lingering smile playing on his lips.

Wenxin couldn’t figure it out. Holding a cup of iced coffee, she placed it in front of Zhou Luchen. "Iced coffee, to help you stay awake."

The moment Wenxin spoke, Shen Jing, hidden under the desk, held her breath. She looked up at Zhou Luchen with a pitiful expression, tugging at his trouser leg.

Zhou Luchen coldly withdrew his gaze, pointedly ignoring her tug.

Wenxin said softly, "Isn’t it stuffy in here? Grandma Zhou means well, you know. If she didn’t keep an eye on things, and scandalous news spread, it wouldn’t just affect Grandpa Zhou’s reputation—how would you take over United Bank in the future?"

The lingering intimacy had barely faded when Zhou Luchen’s voice emerged, excessively hoarse. "It’s fine."

Wenxin bent down to pick up the scattered brush and inkstone, setting them right. "Angry again? Need help with the copying?"

The woman under the desk, ignored, grew restless. Her lips moved, forming the words, "You two, get out and talk." Finding no response, her fingers grew bolder, caressing Zhou Luchen’s thigh.

His breathing deepened, and an involuntary "Hmm" rumbled in his throat.

That sound, laced with desire—though Zhou Luchen was clearly trying hard to suppress it—sounded increasingly off to Wenxin. She knew all too well the state he’d be in to produce such a flustered, desire-laden, hoarse tone.

The more she thought about it, the more Wenxin’s smile faded. She subtly scanned the room but noticed nothing unusual. "Have you caught a cold? Should I have Zhuang Ming get you some medicine?"

"Maybe," Zhou Luchen said, his gaze lowered. His eyes briefly sweeping over Shen Jing as his lips formed the silent words, "You naughty thing."

Shen Jing giggled, then it dawned on her: the one standing and talking was his ex-girlfriend, so why was she the one hiding under the desk with an aching back?

Why hide?

She had thought Wenxin would leave. She hadn’t expected her to stay and instruct Zhuang Ming to buy medicine.

How much longer would she have to hide?

Wenxin rested her hand on the desk, as if making small talk. "What did you have for dinner? I originally wanted to bring you dinner, but Grandma Zhou mentioned you’re abstaining from meat, so I ended up feeding it to a stray cat. It’s good to eat vegetarian here and take care of yourself, anyway."

"Stir-fried carrots and shredded potatoes," he said casually.

That sounded odd to Wenxin, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint why. Was it the carrots or the shredded potatoes?

Not dwelling on it, she reached into her trench coat pocket and pulled out several packs of Hetianxia. "I snuck some cigarettes for you. Nobody saw."

Zhou Luchen slowly raised his eyes to her. "You came all this way just to bring cigarettes?"

"To see you, of course. I just brought them along," Wenxin said with a smile, moving closer to Zhou Luchen.

He was clearly looking under the desk; his fingers resting on the tabletop twitched slightly.

"Why do you keep looking under the desk? Is something wrong?" Wenxin tilted her head.

Zhou Luchen calmly pulled the yellow tablecloth further down, obscuring the view beneath. His eyes downcast, he replied with utmost composure, "I just like looking."

Wenxin only saw the yellow cloth move. She withdrew her gaze and teased, "I almost thought you were hiding a woman under there."

Zhou Luchen leaned back in his chair and suddenly chuckled.

Of course, Wenxin didn’t actually believe Zhou Luchen would hide a woman under his desk. If he had a woman with him, he’d hold her openly, never fearing discovery.

Looking at Zhou Luchen again, a faint, rakish smile touched his lips. "Not heading back yet?"

Wenxin paused, leaning against the desk to meet his gaze, a bright, captivating smile on her face. "You have the heart to send me away?"

Zhou Luchen raised an eyebrow slightly. "It’ll be difficult to leave once it gets dark."

He always spoke disingenuously; not a hint of genuine concern could be detected in his voice. Wenxin’s lips quirked. "Worst case, I’ll just find a guest room here."

Zhou Luchen said leisurely, "Suit yourself."

The temple had plenty of rooms. Wenxin glanced around. The decor was simple and elegant, with a charming, antique feel. Staying here to calm her mind and nourish her spirit seemed quite appealing.

"I still had to come thank you in person, for the investment in the Wei Family and for Tong Village, my dear ex-boyfriend."

Zhou Luchen averted his gaze, merely humming in acknowledgment.

Unsure what she’d said wrong to make Zhou Luchen suddenly lose interest, Wenxin didn’t dare press him further. There had to be a limit to how much one pestered an ex after a breakup.

Too much, and it would become desperate harassment.

Clearly, Wenxin didn’t want him to see her that way.

Wenxin waved. "I’ll come by again tomorrow."

Zhou Luchen didn’t reply.

Wenxin turned. "I’m off."

Shen Jing, under the desk, finally let out a breath. She lifted the yellow curtain, shifted, and then let her head fall into Zhou Luchen’s lap, a torrent of complaints tumbling out.

Zhou Luchen’s gaze shifted from Wenxin’s retreating figure. He reached out to pinch the cheek of the mischievous little fox in his arms and murmured in a low, captivating voice, "Having fun?"

"Achen." Wenxin, who had just stepped over the threshold but hadn’t yet closed the door, suddenly turned back.