0030 Showdown

Song Ning hadn't slept so soundly in a long time. She opened her eyes, and the surroundings made her feel disoriented for a moment.

Is this Shen Yuxiu's home?

Song Ning looked down; she was wearing Shen Yuxiu's pajamas, and—

His black briefs.

It's not a dream.

The clear hickeys on her body and the intense pleasure she felt proved that the two of them had indeed made love last night.

Song Ning got out of bed and went to the living room, where she immediately saw Shen Yuxiu watching the morning news.

Shen Yuxiu was wearing the same style of pajamas as her, only in different colors; hers was black, and his was white.

Shen Yuxiu turned his head, his face free of his glasses, and his expression was calm, as if nothing had happened last night: "You're up? Breakfast is on the table."

Song Ning walked to the dining table, sat down facing Shen Yuxiu, and asked casually, "How did I get here?"

“I carried you back last night,” Shen Yuxiu said frankly.

"Those clothes?" Song Ning took two slices of toast and put them into the toaster.

“I changed it. But last night I went to your dorm and had Qianqian take one of your clothes. It’s in your closet; you can see it when you open it.” Shen Yuxiu was looking at the news.

He was so open and honest, yet Song Ning felt inexplicably guilty, she thought to herself.

It wasn't her fault, so why is she feeling guilty? He was the one who lied to her first, so he should be the one to apologize first.

Have you eaten?

She chickened out.

Shen Yuxiu turned his head, his eyes curving slightly: "Yes, I ate."

bite--

The toast bounced up, Song Ning took it out, spread some sauce on it, and took a bite without really tasting it.

The only sound in the room was the news anchor's announcement of the latest news. It wasn't until Song Ning finished the toast and coffee on the table that she heard Shen Yuxiu speak slowly.

"Is there nothing you want to ask me? Or are you afraid to ask because you're worried I'll get angry?"

"You're the one who's wrong, what's there to be angry about!" With this mindset in mind, Song Ning spoke with righteous indignation.

Shen Yuxiu turned off the TV, stood up, walked to Song Ning, leaned against the edge of the table and looked down at her with sincere eyes: "I didn't let her monitor you, but she's not a difficult person to understand, so I did make a mistake."

He spoke succinctly, but Song Ning understood what he meant.

He didn't ask Lin Qianqian to monitor her, but he knew that if something really happened to Song Ning, Lin Qianqian would definitely tell her, which was no different from monitoring her, so he admitted his mistake.

"Good to know, but don't let it happen again." Song Ning looked away.

Shen Yuxiu's long, narrow eyes lifted slightly: "Okay."

"What about Chen Yue..." Song Ning asked knowingly.

“Yes, I did it.” Shen Yuxiu made no attempt to hide it. “He’s not good enough for you.”

“You’ve always been like this, ever since.” Song Ning stared at Shen Yuxiu’s clean, slender fingers resting on the table.

In the past, whenever someone caused her trouble or maliciously provoked her, he would know, and those people would learn a lesson to some extent.

At first, Song Ning thought it was a coincidence, but gradually she realized it wasn't; she wasn't stupid.

Shen Yuxiu bears a great deal of responsibility for her developing this twisted personality.

"Not everyone."

Seeing Song Ning in a daze, Shen Yuxiu raised his hand and brushed the bangs from her forehead.

He had removed her makeup last night, and her delicate skin had a faint rosy glow. In fact, her natural features were even more beautiful than her exquisite makeup.

She always liked to wear makeup that didn't suit her age, not because she couldn't do it, but because she didn't want to. He knew very well why she didn't want to.

I've always known.

"So by allowing Cheng Yanchu to stay by my side, you're tacitly acquiescing to him?"

Song Ning seemed angry. Shen Yuxiu wanted to laugh. She didn't care that he had arranged someone by her side, but she did care that he had tacitly approved of Cheng Yanchu.

She was the one who chose Cheng Yanchu, took the initiative to approach him, and even went to a hotel with him, yet now she's blaming him.

“If you like him, I can help you. I know his family plans to enter this business district. What they need most isn't money, but connections.” Shen Yuxiu withdrew his hand and returned to the dining table.

"I don't dislike him. He's rich, handsome, and treats me okay."

Song Ning tilted her head back, as usual, with a cautious scrutiny, trying to figure out his feelings.

Shen Yuxiu's face was calm, expressionless, and even his eyes were peaceful.

Song Ning seemed oblivious, looking annoyed.

She cared about him too much, so she could never discern his thoughts and emotions.

Shen Yuxiu waited patiently for Song Ning to give him an answer.

In fact, he wasn't as calm as he appeared; he was nervous too, nervous that she would choose Cheng Yanchu.

Cheng Yanchu had been around her for quite some time. He had investigated Cheng Yanchu and found her to be outstanding in every way, and he genuinely liked her. If she chose him…

He wasn't sure if he could really do what he said he could do to help them.

“But I said I didn’t want him.” Song Ning stared straight at Shen Yuxiu.

Shen Yuxiu's throat was dry, and his voice was low and hoarse: "Then who do you want? I can help you with anything you want."

"Is anyone okay?"

"Yes, whoever it is, as long as it's what you want."

The meaning of this promise was already quite clear, but she still tentatively tested him.

Song Ning lowered her eyelashes, her voice trembling: "Shen Yuxiu, you know that things shouldn't happen more than three times, right?"

Shen Yuxiu lifted her chin, making it impossible for her to avoid him. "Tell me, who do you want?"

Song Ning's eyes were slightly red and moist, as if she felt very wronged: "I also have self-respect. I can only tolerate you hurting me three times. So, Shen Yuxiu, if you reject me again this time, I will never love you again, even if I die."

Shen Yuxiu's heart trembled; he knew how deeply he had hurt her the previous two times.

But she was too young then, how could he take her for himself?

She had relied on him since she was a child, and he was the only one in her eyes. But what about the future? After she met all sorts of people and experienced more new and interesting things, and discovered that there were many more people, things, and events in the world that were worth her attention, he was afraid that one day she would hate him for having her too early.

Moreover, she became an orphan because of him, or at least indirectly because of him.

Can--

Some things, once they break the restrictions, can never be contained.

Neither guilt nor the guilt of watching her grow up could restrain his willingness to give it a try with her.

"Explain yourself clearly." Shen Yuxiu wouldn't allow her to be vague; he needed her to tell him explicitly.

Song Ning grabbed Shen Yuxiu's hand: "I want you, can you help me get you?"

Shen Yuxiu chuckled: "Otherwise, why do you think I would lay my cards on the table with you? Didn't I already say? It doesn't matter who it is, including me."

"Shen Yuxiu, I feel like you want to kiss me, but why won't you?" Song Ning's eyes shone brightly, sparkling with dazzling light.

"Do you want me to kiss you?" Shen Yuxiu's eyes darkened, and his fingertip brushed against Song Ning's lips.

"I want to, I really want to." Song Ning couldn't wait any longer. She stood up, hugged Shen Yuxiu, and kissed him.

Still like a little wild animal, kissing haphazardly, only knowing how to devour and gnaw.

"Close your eyes." Shen Yuxiu turned them around, lifted her onto the dining table, kissed her lips again, and explored her mouth to savor the fragrance of the coffee.

She didn't want to close her eyes; she wanted to watch him, and he could close them if he wanted.

Song Ning stuck her tongue deep into Shen Yuxiu's mouth, mimicking his movements and teasing him.

She saw the smile in his peach blossom eyes deepen, along with the indulgent doting. His tongue lingered deeply, making her heart race and leaving her breathless.

After a long period of embracing and whispering sweet nothings, Song Ning gently pressed her forehead against Shen Yuxiu's chest, panting heavily, "Shen Yuxiu, can we do it again? Last night felt so good."

"You have Professor Zhang's class later. Do you want to fail the final exam?" Shen Yuxiu lifted her face and kissed away the saliva from the corner of her mouth.

"I don't care." Song Ning hooked her arm around Shen Yuxiu's waist and couldn't help but hug him and kiss him for a while.

Shen Yuxiu's body reacted, and he released Song Ning, saying in a hoarse voice, "I'll pick you up tonight after your elective class."

How did this person know so much about her schedule? It made it impossible for her to lie and say she didn't have any classes.

"You invited me to your house last time, but you wouldn't even give me the key. I squatted outside your door until my legs went numb."

Since she couldn't get the person, she had to get something else. Taking advantage of the situation, Song Ning hooked her arm around his waist even tighter.

"There's only one. I'll give it to you after I've completed the matching process," Shen Yuxiu chuckled.

"Can't we really do it again now?" Song Ning was still unwilling to give up and practically clung to Shen Yuxiu.

"I can't answer that," Shen Yuxiu said, supporting her.

"Then kiss me again." Song Ning finally gave in, knowing that his self-control had always been extraordinary.

This time, Shen Yuxiu did not refuse her and kissed her again.