Chapter 73 The Puppy

◎Xu Ya, Jiang Mingzhuo◎

puppy

I have never seen Lu Qixi with such a serious and earnest expression.

She remained calmly out of place amidst the frenzied crowd around her, taking photos, then looking down to edit messages, her brows slightly furrowed—a demeanor completely different from her usual self.

Not only that, I also noticed that she would occasionally look up at where I was, as if she was very wary.

"Don't look." The boy suddenly pulled me into his arms, blocking Lu Qixi's view. His voice was deep and clear, completely different from his sharp and flamboyant style on the court.

Although to outsiders we seemed just like the young men and women at the party who couldn't help but kiss or hug each other, with an ambiguous and heated atmosphere, I knew he was being very restrained and polite, never touching me, his arm only loosely around my shoulder.

“…She’s my good friend,” I whispered to him, my heart pounding with nervousness.

Why did Lu Qixi take a picture of me? And who did she give my picture to?

I've always considered myself just an ordinary person. I'm somewhat pretty, with a decent figure, but I lack assertiveness and am not particularly bright. To put it nicely, I'm gentle; to put it bluntly, I'm easy to bully and not good at saying no.

Lu Qixi and I are completely opposite.

She is smart, beautiful, and extremely proactive. She aspires to be a successful person in the conventional sense, and she has been working towards this goal for the past few years of university.

If she really does follow someone's orders to secretly film me, she will always get something tangible in return from that person.

What exactly can the other party promise her? And what is my value? Why would she risk being discovered at any moment to continue reporting everything about me to that person?

My thoughts are like a ball of yarn tangled up by a cat; I can't find the end of the thread at all.

"Stop thinking about it, let's go out first." The boy's large hands, with his fingers slightly closed, pinched my chin.

Those who didn't know the truth probably thought he was going to kiss me. I looked up at him. He had thick eyelashes, thin, light double eyelids, and dark eyes. Judging from his pampered demeanor, he was probably a young master from a wealthy family.

Who should I believe, him or Lu Qixi?

Perhaps Lu Qixi was simply replying to the interview message after taking the photo, which is why her expression unconsciously became serious.

The man in front of me is the bastard who's trying to use this opportunity to flirt with me.

I decided to take a gamble, slowly got up, and stepped down from the bar booth.

Without saying anything, the boy had already followed me out of the noisy central area. We came to the back of a modern curtain wall. There was a distance of about an inch between us, which made it easy for things to escalate, but his expression was as calm as if he were in the school library.

I slightly raised my gaze, and the first thing I saw was the boy's angular and sexy Adam's apple. I was slightly taken aback, and suddenly realized that he might not be much younger than me.

Only the faint scent of sea salt on him reminded me that he hadn't completely shed his identity as a male college student. Otherwise, in terms of physique and aura, he was no different from those mature men.

I noticed he was just looking at me, not saying anything. So I simply raised my hand.

As I stroked his soft, short hair with my fingers, I felt like he was a well-behaved puppy, seemingly enjoying the caress.

I bit my lip, then simply wrapped my arms around his neck and forcefully pressed his head down so he would look at me.

"Do you want to kiss me..." I asked him in a gentle voice.

I wanted to test Lu Qixi, and I also wanted to test the boy in front of me.

He did not respond; something seemed to be lurking deep within his eyes. He neither acted nor spoke, his expression as cold as ever.

Perhaps I'm wrong.

Just as I was about to drop my coy expression, I suddenly felt a tightness around my waist. I lost my balance and instinctively pressed myself against him. In an instant, we were pressed tightly together. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and his arms were very hot.

Then.

I saw him lean down and kiss my lips deeply. I felt as if he had a fever, burning hot, relentlessly demanding me. I felt like I was about to suffocate, my fingers unconsciously gripping the hem of his leather jacket. He stroked my back and said, "Open your mouth."

Looking at him and hearing that cold voice in my ear, I felt like he had become a different person. Was he also testing me?

I didn't have time to think about it.

He pressed close to my ear, lowering his voice to its lowest whisper, "I want to kiss you, senior. This is the chance you're giving me."

I instinctively opened my lips, and he, like an insatiable beast on the field, launched another attack.

The barrage of kisses almost made me swallow, and my lips went numb. I raised my hand to push him away, but I didn't expect him to stop so quickly.

He pulled away slightly, slowly brushing away the strand of saliva that had clung to my lips. "Comfortable?"

“…No, that’s not it,” I lowered my head, but I couldn’t deny it, so I nodded again.

“If you don’t tell me, I don’t know how to satisfy you,” the boy said seriously. “Then I’ll continue.”

My eyes widened, and he choked me again. He kissed me while pressing me against the wall, but strangely, whenever I showed the slightest resistance, he would stop and quietly watch me.

Having tasted the sweetness, I couldn't help but hold him tightly; his body was firm and burning hot. His long, slender fingers slid into my hair, cupping the back of my head, and our lips intertwined.

He got permission and continued to use his methods to make me feel comfortable, his beautiful eyes filled with darkness.

It's like training a dog.

The puppy is of a fine breed, but it is obedient and well-behaved; it will do whatever I ask it to do.

Gradually, I could feel that his panting and groans were extremely rough and irritating.

The boy, who had just passed puberty, had not yet fully entered the ranks of mature men; it seemed intentional, yet also as if he couldn't help it.

"Senior, do you like it?" He asked me earnestly in that extremely low voice.

My ears probably turned red. Xu Ya stopped what he was doing and waited patiently for my answer. He looked like he was having a harder time than I was, panting as if he had just finished a great game of basketball.

His short hair was soaked with sweat, and he casually gathered it behind his head. His handsome and striking features gradually drew closer in my gaze. It wasn't just his handsome face; even the tip of his nose seemed to rub against me, making him look even more like a puppy.

“I want to make you happy,” he repeated, even gently brushing the hair that was sticking to my face. “If you’re willing…”

"Xiao Fu!"

Lu Qixi's scream pulled me back to reality from my dazed state.

I turned my head, and Lu Qixi ran over at almost top speed. She pushed Xu Ya away hard and put on a protective stance, shielding me behind her.

Lu Qixi looked at the boy warily, "Don't touch her, stay away from her..."

“I didn’t hurt her,” Xu Ya explained succinctly. “You’re the one who hurt her.”

A hint of unease, even guilt and annoyance, flashed across Lu Qixi's face, a complex mix of emotions. But she completely shielded me from Xu Ya. She nodded, "I just made too many friends at the party and forgot that Xiao Fu should be by my side. She's very innocent, don't lie to her."

Xu Ya raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Xiao Fu, you were outside just now, you probably didn’t know that Young Master Jiang was here,” Lu Qixi held my hand. I hesitated, perhaps because the kiss just now had made my brain dizzy and confused. I couldn’t tell Xu Ya and Lu Qixi who I should believe.

After Lu Qixi finished speaking, she began to cough violently. Seeing this, I quickly helped her back inside.

After Jiang Mingzhuo appeared, the entire club fell silent.

To be honest, his attire wasn't particularly outstanding compared to the other rich kids present—a simple black casual suit. However, because of his imposing presence and tall stature, the simple clothing still made him stand out from the crowd.

He only needs to sit there to create an aura of being surrounded by stars.

Jiang Mingzhuo's handsomeness is universally acknowledged. Even though his features are similarly sharp and fierce to Jiang Zhao's, as long as he slightly curls his lips, the displeasure and indifference in his eyes can be well concealed, and no one can tell whether he is in a good mood or not.

When Lu Qixi and I returned, Jiang Mingzhuo smiled and declined the solicitous advances of the people beside him.

"I'm leaving." His voice was pleasant, deep and elegant. Even though he was clearly expressing refusal, it seemed to give him some face, and he said it in a very comfortable way.

"Young Master Jiang, are you leaving so soon? Alex hasn't arrived yet."

"Ye Fenglin? Never mind, just tell him we'll get together another time." Jiang Mingzhuo stood up.

I noticed that Lu Qixi was coughing and seemed unwell, so I brought her a glass of juice and gently patted her back. I subconsciously pursed my lips, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of his long legs, followed by his custom-made, matte black leather shoes with sharp curves and spotless finish.

The pair of black leather shoes stopped at just the right spot.

Then, beautiful, perfect fingers reached out.

He also handed me a glass of freshly squeezed juice. I looked up slightly, and Jiang Mingzhuo's expression was gentle. "You should have some too. Look how red your face is."

I took it, but didn't dare look at him, my voice slightly tense, "When did you get here?"

"I saw your Instagram post on Qixi Festival and was a little worried about you, so I came to check on you." Jiang Mingzhuo gently reminded you, "Okay, look how drunk your friend is. Is it safe for two girls to be here? I'll take you home."

Xu Ya didn't move at first.

Only when Jiang Mingzhuo habitually reached out his hand did he take a step forward and say in a deep voice, "She doesn't want to go with you."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mingzhuo laughed, "You? Who are you?"

This statement was brimming with arrogance, showing no regard whatsoever for the cold-faced young man before him.

Jiang Mingzhuo smiled, his laughter neither too loud nor too soft. "She's Xiaofu's friend... I'm just taking her home. Don't be nervous, we're good friends."

After he finished speaking, he looked at me. Instead of feeling at ease, I had a strange feeling, but I couldn't find the source of it at all. So I nodded to Xu Ya, acknowledging my relationship with Jiang Mingzhuo.

Besides, Lu Qixi's cheeks were flushed, and her body was almost limp, leaning entirely on me. She should go home and rest.

Jiang Mingzhuo reached out and easily helped Lu Qixi up. Downstairs, he arranged for his driver to take Lu Qixi home in the Maybach. Then, Jiang Mingzhuo turned to make a phone call, "Financial Street, as soon as possible."

In less than ten minutes, a silver-gray Koenigsegg came into view at the end of the road.

This car is incredibly expensive, a sports car in the tens of millions. Even late at night, the surrounding area is bustling with people, mostly attending parties or going to nightclubs. No one can help but turn their head to look at this car.

"Get in the car." Jiang Mingzhuo's face showed no extra expression.

I hesitated before sitting in the passenger seat. Jiang Mingzhuo slowly adjusted his black cuffs, revealing a section of his fair wrist bone. The classic Rolex suited him perfectly, giving him a sophisticated look.

For Jiang Mingzhuo, luxury cars, limited edition watches, yachts... his hobbies are at the very top level, and he can afford to indulge in them; he wants the best of everything.

He didn't say anything, but instead gripped the steering wheel and drove very fast in the night. He saw a Ferrari next to him that was probably some rich kid who was having too much fun and started racing with Jiang Mingzhuo.

My breathing became rapid and quick. The eerie atmosphere terrified me. I kept turning my head to look at the man beside me, but he remained unmoved.

The Ferrari slammed on the gas, emitting a screeching and intense roar, and sped off like an arrow.

Before long, the two cars were driving side by side.

"Shh, it's such a waste to give you this car." The man in the Ferrari laughed a few times at Jiang Mingzhuo and drove off.

With the car windows down, the mocking voices and sarcastic remarks reached our ears without missing a single word.

Jiang Mingzhuo was not angry at all; instead, a smile appeared on his thin lips.

It is not gentle at all; on the contrary, it is full of hostility.

He floored the accelerator, and the roar intensified. The Ferrari driver turned his head and instantly turned pale.

Jiang Mingzhuo not only caught up with the car, but also smirked and rammed the man's car hard. He was cold and arrogant all over, and his car suddenly accelerated. As the distance between the two cars began to increase, he turned the steering wheel in the opposite direction, and the tires screeched and were terrifying as they screeched against the ground.

The car stopped sideways in the middle of the road, blocking the Ferrari.

The other driver slammed on the brakes, and the Ferrari stopped less than a meter from the Koenigsegg.

Jiang Mingzhuo rolled down the car window. "Want to keep playing?"

The man seemed stunned, staring at Jiang Mingzhuo's cold and arrogant face, speechless.

"My lawyer will contact you. You crashed my car and scared my girlfriend. How are you going to compensate me?" Jiang Mingzhuo smiled calmly and unhurriedly. The man seemed to finally recognize him. His lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a word of pleading.

My expression wasn't any better than the man who provoked him; I knew Jiang Mingzhuo was in a bad mood.

I bit my lip as Jiang Mingzhuo looked at me. I belatedly lowered my head, realizing that my bodycon skirt had already ridden up quite a bit, exposing the base of my fair and delicate thighs. The buttons on the neckline of my knitted top were also undone, revealing my pert buttocks.

Jiang Mingzhuo's deep voice came from beside him, and he seemed to chuckle: "You sneak a bite and don't even wipe your mouth, look at you."

His hand reached out and gripped my chin, his deep gaze lingering on my face for a long time.

The man first slowly rubbed my lips, which were red from being kissed, with his fingers. Perhaps realizing that the marks couldn't be removed, he simply grabbed the back of my head with his other hand, forcing me to tilt my head back to endure his greedy and forceful demands.

In an instant, he stole the breath from between his teeth.

If I was in control of the rhythm during my kiss with Xu Ya, then Jiang Mingzhuo gave me absolutely no chance. He kissed me urgently and forcefully, leaving me no way out. I pushed him away, and Jiang Mingzhuo curled the corners of his mouth, subconsciously revealing a contemptuous expression, "What, he enjoys it more than me?"

"No..."

Not only that, I felt my head getting hotter and hotter, and a strange sensation was coursing through my body. I stared at him blankly.

“I’m your boyfriend, Xiao Fu.” Jiang Mingzhuo told me without hesitation, “Do you understand? You can only do this with me, no other man can. Because I like you, I love you.”

It took me a few seconds to hear his confession clearly. I instinctively wanted to shake my head, but Jiang Mingzhuo didn't give me the chance. His hand was still on my cheek, his thumb tracing my lips as if he were maliciously teasing them. His movements were not gentle. "Promise me, answer me, yes or no."

The drowsiness in my brain is becoming more and more obvious.

"Xiao Fu, if you don't like me, why did you kiss me?" Jiang Mingzhuo's speech slowed down, each word ringing in my mind like a command. "If you don't like me, why did you sleep with me? You like me..."

He emphasized again, "No, you love me."

It seemed as if Jiang Mingzhuo had taken control of my breathing, heartbeat, and pulse. My rapidly beating heart suddenly stopped for a few seconds.

"Do you know what a girlfriend should do?" Jiang Mingzhuo's voice was deep and gentle, but it seemed to envelop me without leaving a trace. He emphasized each sentence, as if to strengthen his persuasiveness. "A girlfriend should be like you, obediently kissed by me, obediently cuddled by me. You can't let any other man touch you even a little bit."

His possessive words made me instinctively shake my head.

"No." My temples were throbbing, and the heat was churning inside me, making me a little delirious.

“You love me,” Jiang Mingzhuo probed further into my heart, “and I love you too. We fell in love at first sight. If you didn’t like me, you wouldn’t have talked to me for so long in the gallery, you understand, Xiao Fu… You’re naturally powerless against my face, we’re destined to be together…”

Is that so? I looked at him with difficulty, as if all the nerves in my body had been ripped out. I carefully recalled what Jiang Mingzhuo had said.

Gradually, perhaps because my reason had completely left me, I unconsciously began to think about what he had said. Jiang Mingzhuo held me in his arms, his dry, hot hands caressing me. I tried to open my eyes.

Just moments ago he was kissing my lips, but now he's kissing Pearl with great force. Pearl's color has turned from light pink to deep red, and tears are falling. The man kissing Pearl is enjoying it immensely; he's fallen in love with the feeling. He wants to deepen the color and even eat more tears.

He bent down again and picked me up.

In my apartment, in bed, he whispered in my ear, "You know, I watch you and him doing it every day from next door... I come to your bedside every night, wondering when you'll finally accept me like you do with him. Now, I'm finally sleeping in this bed..."

My breath felt itchy, and I couldn't help but cry.

Jiang Mingzhuo let out a soft sigh, kissed me again, and then began an endless barrage of attacks.

I fell into a deep dream once again.

It was still that amazingly large bedroom. I sat in front of the dressing table, wearing a black off-shoulder dress. My shoulders were slender and delicate, my collarbones were exquisite, and the pearl chains by my ears swayed gently. My curly hair was softly draped over my shoulders.

In the soft light and shadow, the man's hand gently rested on my shoulder.

I belatedly looked up at him. His dark eyes radiated arrogance and indifference; he looked down at me with the natural ease and ruthlessness of someone in a position of power. He wore a perfectly tailored bespoke black suit, exuding an air of supreme elegance, yet when he looked at me, he showed a newfound patience and gentleness.

I still tremble subconsciously at the thought of Jiang Zhao appearing in my dreams.

He sensed my fear and gripped my shoulder with slightly firmer fingers.

The wedding ring gleamed slightly on the man's long, strong fingers.

“Mingzhuo will accompany you and Bella to the banquet. I’ll be there later,” Jiang Zhao said to me, and I was taken aback.

“Bella…” I murmured.

Jiang Zhao said, "You haven't been out for a long time either. Why don't you go out for a walk with Bella?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Zhao raised his eyebrows slightly.

The bedroom door was opened, and Jiang Mingzhuo, dressed in a stylish silver-gray suit and white shirt, looked handsome and elegant. Although he resembled Jiang Zhao in appearance, his temperament was completely different, only his inherent nobility and arrogance remained.

"Mom." Jiang Mingzhuo was holding another girl with long, soft hair, like a doll. She was very well-behaved, tugging at Jiang Mingzhuo's sleeve and looking at Jiang Zhao: "Dad, Mom, my brother, and I are going out to play. What about you?"

"Dad will come to find you later." Jiang Zhao and Jiang Mingzhuo exchanged a silent glance.

Jiang Mingzhuo asked, "Don't you want to come with me, Bella?"

"No." The little girl shook her head. She climbed down from Jiang Mingzhuo's arms, hesitated, and came to me, lying down on my lap. "I want Mommy to be happier. If Mommy doesn't want to go..."

“Okay, let’s go.” I said to the girl, my eyes completely devoid of any light. Concealer covered the red marks that men usually left on her body. In the child’s heart, her mother was pure, beautiful, and gentle. She couldn’t imagine what it was like for her mother to be bullied.

Then, the scene began to change, as if in an instant, it transformed from a luxurious yet suffocating bedroom into an outdoor garden. My head sluggishly looked around, seeing completely unfamiliar men and women, and an upper-class gathering that I had never experienced before...

I can't find my direction, I can't even stay awake, I can only passively move forward.

I walked from the lawn to the other side of the garden and saw Jiang Mingzhuo with Bella, who was holding a light pink rabbit doll. "Brother."

"Didn't I tell you? Just call me Dad when no one's around." Jiang Mingzhuo doted on the little girl, stroking her head.

“That’s different,” the girl shook her head seriously. “My dad said I only have one dad.”

"Haha..." Jiang Mingzhuo's oppressive aura was too heavy. Even though he laughed with a charming demeanor, it still made the little girl instinctively afraid. After a while, Jiang Mingzhuo looked at the girl, and his silence was even a little eerie.

Jiang Mingzhuo squatted down and looked at the girl. "Bella, you were born because your father forced your mother to have sex with you."

"What is 'forced break'? But Dad said he and Mom love each other very much... What is love?" The girl turned her head away.

Jiang Mingzhuo patiently explained, "Bella, if Mom loves Dad, why do you often see Brother Xie Yong at home?"

"Enough...stop talking." I finally couldn't hold back anymore and shook my head at Jiang Mingzhuo.

How could you say such things to an innocent child? I looked at Jiang Mingzhuo, and a smile naturally appeared on his lips.

He coaxed the little girl to go play in the garden with the other children.

"Xiao Fu, I just wanted to explain to Bella what hybridization is."

"Hybridization..."

"Is she my brother's child?" Jiang Mingzhuo approached me step by step. "You're having an affair with Xie Yong, are you sure Bella is his child?"

"Xie Yong and I have always used protection. He's taking medication." I felt as if I hadn't spoken in a long time, so I spoke slowly, softly, and weakly. As Jiang Mingzhuo approached, I kept backing away.

The elegance and composure he had been trying so hard to maintain finally crumbled. He gripped my shoulders tightly, and asked me desperately and frantically, "Why him! You can accept anyone, except Xie Yong, and his lawyer, prosecutor, and psychologist, why can't I be the only one?"

I opened my eyes in fright.

The night was exceptionally quiet.

Jiang Mingzhuo was sleeping beside me, and a strange emotion welled up inside me. I gently pushed away his arm that was holding me, and my body made a popping sound. I was about to leave when Jiang Mingzhuo's hand quickly reached out from behind me, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, eerie, damp, and chilling.

He hugged me tighter. "Do you want some water, Xiao Fu?"

"Hmm..." I'm very clear-headed now, and I understand very well that I've crossed the line with Jiang Mingzhuo, and I have to take responsibility for him.

"What did you dream about?" he smiled, a smile that sent a chill down your spine. "I heard you calling my name."

“Maybe it’s because we got married,” I lied instinctively. “I dreamt about our daughter, but I didn’t hear her name clearly.”

"Jiang Shan." Jiang Mingzhuo gently stroked my soft neck with his fingertips as he spoke to me tenderly, "Your name is Shan'er, and your nickname is Bella... because you like kind people, and Bella is the heroine in the fairy tale you read when you were a child."

My back started to feel cold.

[Author's Note]

Every time I write about Jiang Mingzhuo, he gives off that cold, ghostly vibe.

Jiang Mingzhuo thinks he's dating Xiao Fu, but Xiao Fu doesn't. So, she's not two-timing; she's single throughout the third playthrough, and she'll gradually regain control of the relationship.