“I… I’ve never had a man treat me this well before. He saved me when I left Beijing last time and took care of me for two months. You know my experience. When you’ve been in the dark for a long time, it’s hard to resist when a ray of sunlight suddenly shines in.”
Zhu Yanniang hesitated for a moment, glanced at Cen Xi awkwardly, and explained.
"I see. With your past experience, it's easy to get caught up in it. He must have said something else, right?"
After a moment of realization, Cen Xi asked hesitantly, "Given Jun Jianchou's sense of responsibility, what else must he have said to win Zhu Yanniang's heart?"
"Yes! He said what I did was ridiculous, that I was belittling myself."
Zhu Yanniang spoke in a solemn and serious tone.
"That's something he could say, and it's for your own good. We've known each other for so long, don't you wonder why I haven't given you any advice?"
Cen Xi smiled, then thought for a moment and asked Zhu Yanniang.
"You said last time that you had no prejudice against me? You..."
Zhu Yanniang found it hard to believe that Cen Xi had asked her such a question.
"I don't have any prejudice against you, and I even admire your acceptance of some hurt women. However, your way of dealing with men is really inappropriate. You should still remember the scene when we first met. You... back then you were so eager to get me to join the Pure Maiden Sect. Now you should know why I didn't join. Even if you've turned to the dark side, you shouldn't do it yourself."
Cen Xi solemnly told her his thoughts.
"So you were prejudiced against me from the very beginning? Then why did you become friends with me later? And why did you support me in opening a brothel?"
Zhu Yanniang's chest heaved, her face pale, but the question remained in her heart.
“I’ve said it many times, I have no prejudice against you. It’s your freedom to do whatever you want. Even if you do something inappropriate, as long as it doesn’t affect me, it’s fine. That’s how we used to run a brothel together. That’s the mindset I have.”
"As for what you and Jun Jianchou are going to do, that's your business. I just feel you shouldn't tell me. The reason I haven't told anyone is not only because of my principles, but also because I genuinely feel it's awkward. Can we stop talking about this from now on?"
"Everything will return to normal. I'll pretend I didn't know anything, and you can pretend you never said anything, okay? Zhu Yanniang, are you still going to treat me as a rival in love?"
Cen Xi let out a breath and frowned deeply. In fact, she didn't know that her relationship with Zhu Yanniang would become so awkward.
Love can sometimes really be a poison.
"But I can't control my heart. I can't help but want to care about Jun Jianchou. I even want to be with him, even though I know I'm not worthy of him."
Zhu Yanniang was addicted to Jun Jianchou like she was under a sedative, and she knew she shouldn't say such things to Cen Xi.
But just like last time, she said it without any restraint.
"You're beyond saving! Wasn't Zhu Yanniang hurt once enough? Why do you want to jump into the fire a second time without hesitation? You know it's impossible for you? Why? Where is the chivalrous spirit of a chivalrous heroine?"
Cen Xi felt that the woman in front of her was even less reliable than Jun Xiaoqiao who had just run away. How could she possibly fall in love with another man like this?
She really wanted to yell at herself, "Don't you have any self-awareness?"
Why not just open a brothel?
"I... I'm sorry, Cen Xi, I'm already in love. Goodbye, I won't come looking for you again."
Zhu Yanniang's cheeks turned red from Cen Xi's retort, but some feelings had already been formed, and she really couldn't take them back.
"you!"
Cen Xi watched her turn and leave, her good mood of the past few days completely swept away by the two women.
Her chest heaved for a long time, and the frustration in her heart had not dissipated even when Shen Jinchen returned in the evening.
It seems that fate really doesn't approve of her. A woman who likes Jun Jianchou actually confesses her feelings to her rival in love.
What kind of logic is this?
She originally accepted the invitation to discuss with Jun Xiaoqiao what business plans they could implement.
As a result, everyone was preoccupied with their own love affairs, and she had no time to think about anything else.
I'm so angry I'm full of anger.
"What's wrong? Are you in a bad mood?"
When Shen Jinchen returned, he took off his clothes, got into bed, and wrapped his arms around Cen Xi's waist, preparing to dawdle.
Cen Xi's brows are now furrowed deeper than the ravines on mountains; how could she possibly handle a man driven by lust?
"Yes, don't bother me. They're all a handful. Go to sleep and don't do anything. If I get angry with you, don't blame me."
"From now on, you don't have to see those unimportant women, Ah-Xi. Seeing them will only make you feel bad. My women have the confidence to be unrestrained and flamboyant."
Shen Jinchen's eyes flickered before he smiled and dealt with Cen Xi.
"I can't just not see them. We used to be really close, but now they're all as stupid as pigs. It's really... Why did someone who likes Jun Jianchou have to be honest with me? Just because I suddenly became her rival in love, do I have to accept this kind of provocation from her?"
Thinking of Zhu Yanniang's face today, Cen Xi became increasingly angry.
"Wife, how about I tell Jun Jianchou about this and let him resolve his emotional debts himself?"
Seeing Cen Xi's agitated state, Shen Jinchen immediately suppressed his desires and smoothed Cen Xi's furrowed brows with his hand.
"No, if word gets out, what would I be? A big mouth who spills other people's secrets? Let them handle their own affairs. Why should I be the bad guy? This is disgusting, but what does it mean if this news comes out of our mouths? Don't give me any bad advice."
Cen Xi turned around, her brows still deeply furrowed, but she was unwilling to compromise.
"Alright, then tell me how I can make you happy? I'm willing to do everything I can."
Shen Jinchen touched Cen Xi's brow with a hint of heartache, his expression also very serious.
It seems that Zhu Yanniang deserves a severe lesson.
"I don't know, let me calm down. I don't want to talk right now, I want to sleep!"
Cen Xi tossed and turned, unable to sleep, clearly in a very bad mood.
“Then I’ll hold you. It’s not a big deal. Since Zhu Yanniang made you uncomfortable, don’t see her again. A woman who doesn’t know her place isn’t worth getting close to.”
Shen Jinchen held Cen Xi tightly in his arms, trying to calm her agitation; this was the only way he could help her now.
If she were willing, he would be quite happy to resolve Cen Xi's future troubles, but unfortunately his woman is too opinionated and he can't interfere at all.
Cen Xi was quite angry. At first, she wasn't used to Shen Jinchen's restraint. Perhaps it was because women are naturally drawn to the sense of security that comes from being held by a man, but she fell asleep without realizing it.
Shen Jinchen felt relieved as he listened to her even breathing; it seemed his reassurance had worked.
However, Jun Jianchou is truly annoyed. He's unknowingly provoked a woman—a woman who doesn't bother him but chooses to provoke him. It wouldn't be Chen Jinchen's style to not do something. Some things can't be done openly, but can't be guided subtly?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
