Chapter 126 Since that's the case, then we can only stay in the car.

Lin Zaoyi blinked a few times in response, turned her head, and felt her face flush as she looked at the familiar buildings outside the window.

She protested, "No, I'm at work."

"So, I'm skipping work."

She was very principled: "No."

Tan Zhaojing pressed his palm against the back of her head, his voice low and deep, "Lying to me? You just said you wanted it."

Recalling what had just happened, Lin Zaoyi blushed and muttered, "Seduce me, that doesn't count."

"Since that's the case..."

The man trailed off, and her heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong with that?"

He smiled, placed his fingertip on her lips, and gently rubbed them back and forth. "Then we can only do it in the car."

His voice was low and slow, but the danger in his eyes was obvious.

Lin Zaoyi's collarbone was bruised from the stab wound. "Can't you be a decent human being?! Your assistant is still here!"

Tan Zhaojing chuckled softly, "They've already left."

They've left...

Lin Zaoyi seemed less embarrassed, but she remained firm: "No."

"Then let's go home."

Without a word, someone pushed open the car door, seemingly offering a democratic choice: "Hug or hold hands?"

After he finished, he gave her a half-smile and said, "Try running one yourself."

"...That's too much!"

Ultimately, the arm can't fight the thigh, and Lin Zaoyi could only let things escalate.

They lingered together, from daylight to dusk.

Lin Zaoyi thought it was okay, but when this person came out of the bathroom, he carried her to the living room, where there was a large floor-to-ceiling window in front of her. How could she do whatever she wanted?

Every part of my body, even my pores, is protesting.

She ran, but before she could reach the sofa, he scooped her up, held her waist, and sat her down. The next second, both of them couldn't help but make a sound.

Even after all this, Lin Zaoyi still wanted to escape. He wouldn't let her, biting her earlobe with his lips, "One-sided."

No, I don't want that either.

She struggled to kick her legs, but to no avail. Not only that, he also unreasonably turned her over, saying, "Don't be afraid, you can't see."

That's what I said, but I still felt the psychological burden. Unfortunately, that bastard was unreasonable, and I couldn't fight his strength, so I could only endure it, saying, "Hurry up..."

"good."

She agreed verbally, but it was only a verbal promise. She only felt relieved as the sun began to set. Just as she finished dressing, her mother called. Before she could make up an excuse, Tan Zhaojing snatched the phone away, saying, "It's me, Aunt Ming."

Lin Zaoyi was so frightened by his action that she jumped three feet high. She couldn't reach the phone, and her head was pressed against by two of his fingers. She was like a fool, flailing around in the air.

Mingxian on the other end of the phone paused for a moment, "Zhaojing? When did you get back?"

Tan Zhaojing changed the time slightly, "An hour and a half ago."

While talking on the phone, he teased the angry girl with his finger, "I'm taking Zaoyi back to Xiyuan in a bit. It's been so long since we last met, you won't mind if I meet with you in private, will you?"

Mingxian was speechless; he had already said everything, so what could she say?

"Waiting for you to eat."

The two arrived at Xiyuan around 7 o'clock. For a few moments, Mingxian felt as if she were seeing her daughter bringing her son-in-law home.

The father, standing to one side, also had this feeling, except that his son was with his daughter-in-law.

The couple exchanged a glance, and it was clear that Mingxian's eyes held more emotion. Tan's father understood, "Zhaojing will handle it."

Mingxian wasn't trying to reopen old wounds, "Have you forgotten what happened back then?"

Tan's father slightly raised his lips, "Back then, I was cowardly. Zhaojing was more capable than me. In this respect, I am not as good as him."

Even so, Mingxian wouldn't feel at ease until that moment. She knew very well how ruthless the old man's methods were, and she still couldn't fathom them.

...

It's New Year's Eve. Tan Jiani has plans with friends, so only four of them will be dining. Before they sit down, Mingxian dismisses the servants. Zhaojing's behavior is completely out of control.

Lin Zaoyi remained silent throughout. The atmosphere wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. Compared to usual, it was more... eerily calm.

She tried to minimize her presence, only picking at the food in front of her, but she still ate everything she wanted.

Someone's chopsticks kept appearing in the bowl.

He tried to stop her with his eyes, but she seemed not to see it. The next time, he moved his foot.

This time, he responded, "Why are you stepping on me?"

This person…

She vehemently denied it, saying, "It wasn't me!"

Mom looked over quietly, "That's me."

"..."

Uncle Tan's voice, tinged with a smile, came over, "Zaoyi, relax. What are you being so awkward about? It's Mom and I who feel uncomfortable."

Lin Zaoyi couldn't respond to that, and gave a dry laugh in response. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the person opposite her about to pick up more food, so she covered it with her hand. As she did so, she didn't forget to say a fake thank you, "Brother Zhaojing, I'm almost full. You can eat by yourself."

Mr. Tan chuckled and held out his own bowl, saying, "Give it to me, I don't mind."

Lin Zaoyi subconsciously replied, "Uncle Tan, I didn't mean to be disgusted."

The father laughed, "Does this mean you want me and Mom to make room?"

Lin Zaoyi was embarrassed; she shouldn't have made a sound.

"Uncle Tan, please stop teasing me..."

His gaze shifted to the other side, signaling, "No need to use it for me, I can do it myself."

Tan Zhaojing smiled slightly, "Okay, I'll listen to my girlfriend."

Lin Zaoyi: "..."

Mingxian: "..."

Tan's father: "..."

...

On the other side of the city, the Tan family's old house.

Old Master Tan leaned back in his armchair, holding a teacup, took a couple of sips, and looked at the butler standing to one side. "Zhaojing is back?"

The butler knew that the old man was just asking a perfunctory question, so he went along with it and said, "We arrived at Xiyuan in the evening."

The porcelain cups clinked together, making a clear sound. The old man covered the teacup and casually placed it on the wooden tea table to his right. "As far as I know, there is no project in the group that requires Zhao Jing, the person in charge, to personally handle."

Butler Zhao reacted quickly, and to appear thoughtful, he paused for a couple of seconds before replying, "Zhaojing naturally made this decision after weighing the pros and cons. Aren't you aware of his methods?"

After several seconds, the old man finally gave a deep "hmm".

Just as Butler Zhao thought the conversation had come to an end and was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the old man suddenly turned around and asked, "I heard that Zhaojing came back with that girl?"

He snorted, "He's quite attentive. He doesn't handle official business when he gets back from his business trip; he goes looking for that girl instead."

In the dead of winter, a layer of cold sweat broke out on Butler Zhao's forehead. It was really terrifying, but he tried his best to keep a calm expression. "It must be a coincidence."

He gave a plausible reason: "The group news was given to Zaoyi. This is the first time this girl has taken on such a big project. She was probably worried about not doing a good job, so she confirmed with Zhaojing as soon as possible."

After he finished speaking, the old man chuckled enigmatically, "Is that so?"

No matter how he answered, it wouldn't be appropriate, so Butler Zhao simply shut up and pretended to be confused. But the old man didn't let him off the hook, looking over indifferently, "What does it mean by not saying anything?"

Butler Zhao's smile was a little dry. "I mainly think you're overthinking it. I'm afraid that if I say something wrong, you'll think I'm biased towards Zhaojing."

The old man chuckled, "Isn't that right?"

Butler Zhao gave a slight bow, "Yes, yes, he's the child I've raised."

"So," the old man steered the conversation back on track, "in your opinion, will Zhaojing follow in his father's footsteps?"