Chapter 74 Coercion

Jiang Xia was pulled back and forth, slipped, and leaned back against Zhan Lintian. Wu Zhou was standing in front of him, and he was stuck in the middle and couldn't move.

The body heat of the men in front and behind him was transferred to his body, and the temperature in the cramped space suddenly soared.

Zhan Lintian chuckled, and the trembling in his chest made Jiang Xia's body tremble along with him.

"Why are you running? Are you going to eat us?"

"Let me get you the umbrella." With that, he grasped Jiang Xia's wrist, took the umbrella from him to shield him from the snow, and held it up for him to make sure no snow fell on Jiang Xia.

Wu Zhou frowned, tightened his grip, and pulled Jiang Xia's waist closer to him. Only after confirming that Jiang Xia was steady did he release his grip.

Wu Zhou looked coldly at Zhan Lintian: "Let him go."

Zhan Lintian didn't move, only asking, "Isn't it because I'm afraid he'll keep running?"

Jiang Xia explained helplessly, "I didn't hear it. I'm going to have dinner now."

Wu Zhou glanced at the time and looked at Jiang Xia: "I was originally planning to treat you to dinner. What would you like to eat? Let's go."

Zhan Lintian chuckled, which was taken as tacit agreement that he would also go eat with them.

Originally, when he and Wu Zhou were in the parking lot, they were each sitting in their own cars. When they saw the other's car next to them, neither of them said anything, and they were both vaguely angry with each other.

But when the two saw Jiang Xia sneaking away, they no longer cared about each other.

We can't let Jiang Xia hide like this forever...

The prerequisite for communication is finding the right people.

Zhan Lintian raised an eyebrow, his hand lightly resting on Jiang Xia's lower back, thinking to himself, "He's very thin..."

This person usually wears loose-fitting loungewear, so you can't see their waistline.

The formal attire was form-fitting, but even in the dead of winter, the clothes wouldn't be very thin. Even so, I could still feel that his waist was rather thin when I touched it.

Zhan Lintian tightened his grip. It seemed that Jiang Xia's appetite was not good. After being upset about Wu Ming's matter recently, he probably didn't want to eat anything even more.

If no one's watching during the day, maybe he'll just grab some coffee to stave off hunger?

So, the two of them, as if on cue, took him to a nearby restaurant and specially arranged a private room for him.

As soon as Jiangxia entered, he was forced to sit in the innermost seat.

The round dining table and small private room were perfectly suited for Wu Zhou and Zhan Lintian, who each sat on one side, blocking the way out.

They did it on purpose. Jiang Xia saw through it, but there was nothing he could do.

Zhan Lintian had already removed the plastic packaging from the tableware and placed it in front of him. The waiter came in with the menu, and the last menu was placed in front of Jiang Xia.

This is a small restaurant located in the innovation zone. Around 8 or 9 pm, it's peak dinner time, so it's very lively outside and the restaurant is doing quite well.

The taste should be pretty good.

Jiang Xia didn't know their appetites, so he ordered four dishes based on the waiter's recommendation. Then Zhan Lintian and Wu Zhou each ordered two more dishes.

Three people, eight dishes. Jiang Xia's eyelids twitched. Was this a small banquet?

The private room was very warm, and Jiang Xia was so restless that a few beads of sweat appeared on the tip of his nose. He could only put his long black down jacket on the coat rack for the time being.

The food was served rather slowly, and Jiang Xia sat there uncomfortably. He didn't want to sit there playing on his phone, and he didn't know what to say, so he just kept his head down and didn't speak.

Zhan Lintian moved his chair closer to him and asked, "Are you tired after a long day of work?"

"It's alright." Jiang Xia uses her brain when she's working, but now that she's off work, she doesn't dare to use her brain at all, afraid that she might say something that would make them have another good time...

Wu Zhou spoke up at the opportune moment: "When are you going to get your car back?"

"The day after tomorrow. It was supposed to be ready today, but I arranged for a thorough cleaning, so I'll leave it for two days first."

It's been snowing heavily these past two days, and the roads are icy, so I don't really want to drive.

Wu Zhou nodded and made arrangements for him: "I'll arrange a car for you these next two days. It's not very convenient for you to take a taxi these days, and it's also not very convenient to take the subway as you have to transfer."

Both of the people in front of him had studied abroad and were very experienced in life. Jiang Xia coughed, unable to find a reason to refuse.

Fortunately, the food was served one after another.

Jiang Xia was indeed quite hungry, so he ate and slept without speaking.

Fortunately, the other two people knew that Jiang Xia was particular about hygiene and health, so they used serving chopsticks when serving him food.

Jiang Xia buried himself in his food and finished it, feeling completely stuffed...

He rubbed his forehead, feeling that he was not steady at all.

Once outside the restaurant, he held his umbrella and looked at the two people in front of him.

Wu Zhou is on the phone.

Zhan Lintian stood to the side, his hand on his shoulder, and whispered in his ear, "President Wu is a very busy man, in the prime of his career."

Jiang Xia gave a soft "hmm".

He realized that Zhan Lintian was a conservative, wanting to ensure that the overall investment direction wouldn't go wrong, and that a single project wouldn't derail the entire funding chain; but Wu Zhou's large sums of money were all tied up in the technology sector of Jiusi Technology.

Therefore, Wu and Zhou rarely appear.

Jiang Xia rarely saw him come by during the day...

Zhan Lintian waved his hand and said, "You make the call first, I'll take Jiangxia back."

"Let's go." Zhan Lintian took Jiang Xia's hand.

He gently took Jiang Xia's hand, scooted under Jiang Xia's umbrella, and said, "Let's go together."

Wu Zhou glanced at the two of them, his eyes tacitly approving that he should see Jiang Xia off.

After Jiang Xia walked away, he couldn't help but look back. The restaurant was probably too crowded and noisy. Wu Zhou was making a phone call at the door, waiting for the driver to come over.

A few snowflakes landed on his shoulder, making him look somewhat lonely.

Jiang Xia lowered his eyes.

Zhan Lintian gently squeezed Jiang Xia's palm: "Are you full? Would you like some more late-night snacks?"

Jiang Xia snapped out of his daze and quickly said no need.

Not long after the two left, the driver pulled up in Zhan Lintian's car near them.

Jiang Xia hesitated for a moment but still got on the bus.

Without Wenwen tonight, Zhan Lintian didn't know how to stay at Jiangxia's house, so he was particularly mindful of the time spent in the car.

Inside the car, the partition was raised, and Zhan Lintian put down the small table and took out a juice: "Plum juice, it's good for cutting through the grease. Wenwen sometimes gets carsick, so Auntie prepares plum juice for her in the car. Let's sneak a little bit."

Jiang Xia chuckled and took a sip.

Zhan Lintian looked at him, without asking how it tasted, and said, "The weather in Mengcheng is cold this year, and it's snowing now. It reminds me of the years I studied in the Fog Country. The winters in the Fog Country are long and cold, and I could only stay at home alone."

Jiang Xia looked up at him and whispered, "Didn't you ask any friends to go out with you?"

Zhan Lintian said softly, "They usually come to my house for meals, and I rarely participate in their activities."

As he spoke, he touched Jiang Xia's warm fingers again: "Jiang Xia, I bought a few games this week, would you like to come?"

Jiang Xia replied, "What game?"

"Video games, gamepad games."

Jiang Xia shook his head: "I don't know how to play games."

Zhan Lintian said softly, "You can give it a try. Many things may not be that fun, but the novelty of trying them is the most exciting. I just want to make your life more vibrant."

Jiang Xia still had something to say.

Zhan Lintian added with a smile, "Wenwen is also looking forward to Uncle Jiang's visit. She's been clamoring to come see you this weekend."

Jiang Xia pursed her lips. This man was doing it on purpose. If she didn't agree, he would definitely bring his niece to her door and stand there pitifully. She would definitely soften and open the door.

It's impossible to let the children freeze together...

Jiang Xia lowered her eyes: "In the dead of winter, don't make the child travel back and forth. I... I'll go."

Zhan Lintian smiled and slowly stroked Jiang Xia's fingertips.

Jiang Xia realized what was happening and tried to pull her hand away... The other person gripped her hand tightly and changed the subject: "Jiang Xia... how did you usually celebrate your birthday?"

"I usually eat at home, but most of the time I eat out."

Zhan Lintian nodded: "Then I'll make the arrangements. Your birthday is a few days before the Lunar New Year. How about you come to my house for the New Year this year? My sister remarried, and her due date is this year. I'm in China, and I'll just have a meal with Wenwen and some of my distant relatives. I'd like to spend it with you."

Jiang Xia looked up at him.

Zhan Lintian continued to gently squeeze his fingers.

The two looked at each other, then Jiang Xia looked away.

Zhan Lintian's breath hitched, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice became hoarse: "Jiang Xia, you're acting like you're seducing someone."

That state of hesitation, that step that wanted to take the first step yet hesitated, seemed to be saying invisibly, "You can forcibly pull me into your arms."

Zhan Lintian was certain that regardless of whether Wu Ming or Wu Zhou provoked him, he liked Jiangxia. He liked her at first sight; it was definitely love at first sight.

Wu Ming's presence made Zhan Lintian even more certain of this idea.

Jiang Xia didn't put on airs, he didn't play hard to get, and he didn't try to cover things up; he had made himself perfectly clear.

He didn't wear heavy makeup; his attire was always professional: a dark suit, shiny leather pointed shoes that made a crisp clattering sound as he walked... He also wore a shirt buttoned all the way up, a neat tie, a long dark down jacket, and his hair was simply styled with hair gel in a messy three-seven part.

Dressed formally and neatly.

However, when the snowflakes fell on Jiang Xia's hair just now, Zhan Lintian only glanced at them and thought they looked like a veil... The red at the corners of her eyes resembled the joy of a newlywed couple.

Snowflakes landed on the emblem on his chest, like a wedding corsage.

Even when Jiang Xia stood under the cruise ship for the first time, tilting his head back and chuckling upwards, Zhan Lintian felt it was like an invitation.

At that time, it was impossible to see clearly above the Mingjiang Gorge.

Jiangxia enters his dreams every night.

Every night, Zhan Lintian places the second pillow on his bed vertically. The next morning, in his half-asleep state, he feels as if Jiang Xia is lying next to him.

The happiness he felt during that moment of confusion and disorientation could linger in his memory for a whole day; it was addictive.

Zhan Lintian suppressed the itch in his throat, his voice slightly hoarse, and said softly, "You don't have to rush to give me an answer, I will wait."

Jiang Xia took a sip of the plum juice and softly hummed in agreement.

I can't bring myself to say anything harsh, and I'm afraid of hurting their feelings by saying something I don't mean. But I have to swallow my promises after much hesitation. I'm past the age of acting impulsively.

Jiang Xia didn't know what to say, so he could only drink the plum juice in one go to ease his awkwardness: "It's delicious. I'd like to make some myself another day."

Zhan Lintian asked, "What does it taste like?"

Jiang Xia tilted his head: "What?"

"You haven't tried it?"

Zhan Lintian nodded and said, "Auntie won't make a lot of plum juice because Wenwen can't drink much, and Wenwen doesn't take this bus to school every day. This plum juice is something I specially brought before I left home, and I put less sugar in it."

Jiang Xia coughed softly: "It tastes very good."

Zhan Lintian moved closer, approaching Jiang Xia. The car was cramped, and Jiang Xia's body was pressed against the door, his hands being held captive.

Zhan Lintian's voice was hoarse: "I want to try the taste of plum juice. May I kiss you?"

He turned his head and lightly touched Jiang Xia's soft lips like a dragonfly skimming the water.

He pulled away slightly, his breath becoming heavier, and then he gently kissed her again...

Zhan Lintian's voice grew increasingly hoarse as he tightened his grip on Jiang Xia's wrist: "I know you're still considering it, so this kiss is me forcing you, it has nothing to do with you."

He seemed to be tentatively exploring and tasting, constantly touching her. Jiang Xia's whole body was burning hot, and her hands were tightly clasped by the man's fingers, unable to be pulled apart. The slight swaying of the vehicle seemed to help the two kiss.

Time flows more slowly.

Jiang Xia was about to struggle when Zhan Lintian forcefully kissed her.

The man used his tongue to forcefully pry open Jiang Xia's teeth, swirling it around in his mouth and licking every trace of the sour plum juice residue. Jiang Xia made a sound, his tongue twitching as if he wanted to speak, but he was instead entangled.

Jiang Xia's tongue was gently pulled outwards, then wrapped around his lips, their saliva creating a silvery thread. The next instant, the other person forcefully kissed him back in.

Zhan Lintian pulled Jiang Xia into his arms and made him straddle his lap.

Jiang Xia couldn't sit still, so he quickly braced himself against the back of the chair with both hands. Zhan Lintian took the opportunity to pull his knees up and make him kneel on the seat.

The car's interior was still too low, forcing Jiang Xia to hunch over slightly. Zhan Lintian pulled off his tie and continued kissing him, the sounds of water and his pleading mingling: "Jiang Xia, have pity on me... be my wife..."

Jiang Xia couldn't stand such words and wanted to hit him, but stopped mid-air. He should have hit Zhan Lintian when he first forcibly kissed him. If he had beaten him into submission and driven him away, there might not have been any further problems.

Fortunately, the car quickly stopped downstairs at my building.

Jiang Xia got off the bus, and Zhan Lintian followed behind to apologize.

Jiang Xia lowered his head and wiped his lips. This guy was always like this. He would apologize after crossing the line, and then continue to cross the line after apologizing. When asked, he would say that he knew the problem was all on him, and let Jiang Xia hit and scold him as if he would be willing to be stabbed twice.

Jiang Xia's cheeks flushed. What did it mean to be his wife? What did it mean to be pitiful?

He hurried upstairs, opening and closing the door. Zhan Lintian followed behind, looking helplessly at the umbrella in his hand: "You're not even taking the umbrella? Then I can come back to return it tomorrow."

Seeing the door close, Zhan Lintian smiled and, without disturbing Jiang Xia, turned and left.

After getting into the car, he sent a message to Jiang Xia: "Sweet dreams."

Jiang Xia thought to himself that whether he could get any sleep tonight was a problem.

About half an hour later, Zhan Lintian posted another message: "You left your umbrella in my car."

Jiang Xia looked at the message. Should she go get the umbrella tomorrow or not? If she didn't respond, the other party would definitely find an excuse to come over.

As he was agonizing over this, the doorbell rang. Jiang Xia thought to himself that the other party wouldn't even wait until tomorrow!

Jiang Xia sent a text message: "Just leave the umbrella at the door, I'll come out and get it in a bit."

Zhan Lintian replied: "What?"

Jiang Xia wondered if he had expressed himself inaccurately.

He got up and went to open the door: "I told you, just leave it at the door, I'll come out and get it in a bit, I won't let you in..."

Jiang Xia had just opened the door a crack when the sound abruptly stopped.

Wu Zhou stood outside the door, the snow in his hair had melted. He didn't know how long he had been on the phone or how long he had been soaked in the snow; water was still dripping from the tips of his hair.

Fable. His gaze was deep, and Jiang Xia's face showed embarrassment: "It's you..."

Wu Zhou's gaze fell on Jiang Xia's slightly swollen lips. Thinking of what had just happened, it was clear that Zhan Lintian had bullied him...

Wu Zhou gripped the doorframe, his voice heavy and unwavering: "Jiang Xia, let me in."

A note from the author:

After finishing the phone call, Mr. Wu went straight to Jiangxia's house.

Small theater.

In fact, Jiang Xia's outfits are very professional, and her occasional casual wear is always based on comfort and a pleasant appearance.

However, in the eyes of two individuals with ulterior motives: [heart eyes]

Jiang Xia wore a summer shirt, tucking the hem into his pants. After adjusting it, his waistline was clearly defined, which made President Zhan unable to move. That's why he always liked to put his hand on Jiang Xia's waist.

Wu Zhou had a particular fondness for Jiang Xia's legs. In the original concept, when the two were playfully fighting, Jiang Xia accidentally stepped on Wu Zhou's thigh, causing a reaction. Then, Wu Zhou would hold Jiang Xia's ankles with both hands and guide her...

Please!