CHAPTER 274: ACTION 273 IS SO HASTY THAT IT’S A BIT AWKWARD, DON’T LEAVE_1

Finally, she spoke. "Don’t be angry with your family; I haven’t taken it to heart."

Indeed, she was acknowledging that she had overheard the conversation in the president’s office. As for whether she cared or not, she didn’t show him any signs of it; she hid it away.

Zhou Luchen stared at her bent back for a long time, seeing through her. "You clearly care a lot."

Shen Jing, holding the watering can where Zhou Luchen couldn’t see, smiled to herself. Of course, she cared. She cared for him under the fireworks, the jealous him who angrily kicked her out until she cried.

"Did you give me the house hoping I’d live with you in New York often?"

"No," Zhou Luchen’s lips moved slightly. "It’s for your convenience when you’re on business trips. You seem to enjoy coming here, and you have many friends."

"Blaire, the NS CEO, and those people are your business friends," Shen Jing added. "You asked them to guide me."

The watering can was empty; she shook it and subconsciously handed it to Zhou Luchen to fill.

He paused for a moment, then calmly took the watering can from his trouser pocket and filled it for her, speaking slowly, "Our Jingjing has worked hard. They aren’t capitalists who deal with just anyone. Becoming friends with them through work is your own skill."

"Achen."

Zhou Luchen hummed in response.

Watching him fill the watering can, Shen Jing finally mustered her courage. "I’ll give you time to think it over carefully: whether I’m worth your defiance of the Zhou Family, whether it has to be me. I won’t force you, nor do I want to. But those three years apart were just too hard, and I couldn’t forget the feeling of being let down with no outlet for my frustration. Every day in Beijing was tough for me. Even when my grandmother passed away, I let you carry me back to the car, just to spend a few more minutes by your side."

"I got completely drunk at GT, hugging the toilet bowl and throwing up. Even so, I could still recite your number by heart. If someone hadn’t stopped my drunk self, I probably would have caused a scene for you several times."

Shen Jing didn’t remember making a scene while drunk, but he did.

Taking the watering can, she felt no mood to water the plants—fearing she might drown them. She set the can down on the plant stand, sidestepped Zhou Luchen, and stopped. "If I’m worth it, I’m willing to stay. If not, let’s wish each other well."

She admitted how hard it was for her to let go of the name Zhou Luchen.

Another argument, and it would really be over. But this relationship was already like a teetering skyscraper. Wouldn’t knocking on it just cause it to collapse?

Zhou Luchen didn’t listen to Shen Jing’s words verbatim. He focused on the important point, stating directly and simply, "No need to think. I won’t consider it. I just want you." Fearless and free-spirited, just like him.

No consideration necessary; he just wanted her.

After a long moment of reflection, Shen Jing looked at Zhou Luchen. His eyes bore no trace of the ravages of time, only the calm and dark depth of experience.

Moved, she had to admit, the spoiling and domineering ways of the Second Young Master Zhou caused her heart to leap, as if it were stoked by a blaze.

"But we’re not young anymore," Shen Jing said. "We don’t have many more three-year periods to spend in this ambiguity. After another three years, I’ll be thirty. I won’t be waiting for love anymore then."

Zhou Luchen leaned forward slightly. "You say you’re giving me time to consider, but that’s just an excuse. In your heart, you’re planning to leave me, am I right?"

"You’re unsatisfied with what I do and want me to change for you. You’re afraid of ending up like my mother. You’re afraid. You don’t trust me. You don’t dare to commit to me. Is that it, Shen Jing?"

Calming herself, Shen Jing stepped past him. "Yes. I can’t take that risk. I don’t trust you. I don’t dare. I’m scared. I admit it. I’ve had my fill of your four years of philandering, your indifference, your fickleness, your aloofness, and the Zhou Family’s calculating nature." Their shoulders brushed as she passed his arm.

Zhou Luchen quickly caught her wrist, his movement urgent and a little clumsy. "Can’t you just stop leaving me?" He stepped forward and embraced her. "Jingjing, please be good."

For a moment, his voice was hoarse.

The bone structure of his face was no different from usual, his thick brows still firm and meticulous, but now there was a hint of weary sadness.

Whether it concerned his career, status, or emotions, for the Second Son of the Zhou Family, who had never experienced failure, his entreaties were, at most, an impulse born of a heated moment.

Shen Jing suddenly pushed him away. "You should change into a clean shirt first. Zhuang Ming has prepared one for you; he surely didn’t dare to tell you directly."

Her tone turned cold, and she even shot the black shirt a self-mocking look.

Zhou Luchen lowered his gaze to study her expression. He sensed her jealousy—a familiar sight—and held her even tighter.

"You have to promise first."

His grip was so tight it felt like her waist would break. Shen Jing exhaled, her face pinched with discomfort, feeling so wronged she wanted to cry.

"You first... go back and see your grandmother."

Shen Jing didn’t say she would accompany him.

Zhou Luchen was stubbornly insistent. "You have to promise first."

Shen Jing gritted her teeth. "I’ll be in New York. I can’t breathe! Stop squeezing me!"

In the silence that followed, Zhou Luchen watched Shen Jing for a long time, then restrained himself and let her go. Without a word in return, he turned and walked away, a sullen expression that wouldn’t fade clouding his features.

「...」

Zhou Luchen returned to Shanghai to see Old Madam Zhou.

Old Madam Zhou was truly aged. Decades ago, however, she had been one of Shanghai’s earliest veteran financiers from 1995, making her mark and distinguishing herself among many male capitalists.

She had fallen the night before and been taken to the hospital for an examination. Though the injury from the fall was not serious, her advanced age made it difficult for her to stand and walk. Coupled with a heart condition, she had become morose and joyless. The Zhou Family had to be extremely careful, fearing that a single moment of negligence could cost her life.

The collateral branches of the Zhou Family in Xiangshan and the younger generation took turns caring for her, never leaving the main Xiangshan villa.

The Second Son of the Zhou Family hurried back to Shanghai and entered Xiangshan.

The courtyard leading to Old Madam Zhou’s duplex villa was packed with members of the Zhou Family, a clan whose lineage had been prominent for generations. Old Madam Zhou had always been the most authoritative figure and strategist. Since her retirement, her primary concern had been everything related to this second grandson.

Intricate patterns of light and shadow played across the vast, high-gated courtyard.

Old Madam Zhou, feigning fatigue, refused to see Zhou Luchen, who had been standing outside Yuhe Garden all night.

The butler reluctantly relayed the message, "Old Madam says you’re busy, so there’s no need to come back and see her. A couple of days’ rest and she’ll be better. You don’t have to worry."

Zhou Luchen nodded slightly but didn’t move an inch. Faced with such a standoff, Old Madam, who had always doted on her beloved grandson, couldn’t bear it any longer and had someone help her up. "Let him in."

The butler glanced back into the room, pushed open the door, and turned on the bedroom light.

The elderly woman, already dressed in brocade, was sitting in the outer hall. Her mobility was compromised, so she was seated in a wheelchair. She gestured for the servants to leave.

Only when the pearwood doors of the hall were securely closed did Old Madam speak. "Achen, do you hate me?"

Zhou Luchen pursed his lips. "I wouldn’t dare. You are my elder."

Seeing her beloved grandson, travel-weary but standing before her unbowed and dignified, Old Madam’s heart ached. Her wrinkled eyelids drooped, yet she was irritated by his obstinacy. "Since you’ve made up your mind, why didn’t you bring her to Xiangshan?"

Zhou Luchen gave a dry laugh, both clear and faint. "She wouldn’t come, and you wouldn’t see her anyway."