"Alright, then I'll speak." Meng Zhao looked up at him, her eyes clear and bright. "I was once your sister-in-law, and I have a responsibility to protect you. I hope you will have a bright future and a happy life. This is no different from how I treated Qingze and Qingyu."
"And what about the others?" Shen Qinghe took a step closer, a stubborn flame burning in his eyes, "What about feelings that aren't familial?"
Meng Zhao paused for a moment and then said, "Perhaps you've already discovered your advantage. Your face is indeed exceptionally beautiful. I admit, I've been mesmerized by it, and I've even felt desire for your body..."
Before Meng Zhao could finish speaking, Shen Qinghe suddenly leaned forward, his handsome face looming large before Meng Zhao's eyes: "Really? You like it?"
Looking at the handsome face in front of her, Meng Zhao was indeed lost in thought for a moment, then turned her face away and pushed his face away. "So what if it's true? These are just momentary feelings. Once I think about the consequences after it happens, those feelings will immediately disappear. I just want to stay far away from you."
"I don't care!" Shen Qinghe suddenly knelt down on one knee beside Meng Zhao's chair, then grabbed her wrist and said stubbornly, "As long as there's even a little bit of liking, that's enough."
Just as Meng Zhao was stunned, he placed her hand on his cheek, his voice low and hoarse, almost pleading, "Since you like it, why don't you touch it? You know you can do anything to me, even..."
Meng Zhao pulled her hand away, her voice filled with anger, "Shen Qinghe! Do you really have to debase yourself like this?"
The candle wax dripped silently, reflecting Shen Qinghe's pale face. Did he not know that using his looks to please someone was self-degrading? But what else could he do? He was not as wealthy as she was from her business dealings, nor was he knowledgeable enough to impress her. If he tried to use his official position to pressure her, she would probably disappear without a trace within the next day. After much thought, only his physical appearance could still win her a moment's attention.
Seeing the stubborn vulnerability in his usually aloof eyes almost softened her heart, but reason prevailed: "Do you think I lack men with my current wealth? If I wanted one, I could easily buy a well-behaved one. That would be better than the trouble you're causing me. You should just give up on that idea."
Shen Qinghe's body stiffened abruptly, his eyes instantly turning as cold as an icy pool: "You're comparing me to those people?"
"You don't even cherish yourself, so what right do you have to question me?" Meng Zhao retorted.
The room fell eerily silent. Shen Qinghe slowly straightened up, her earlier vulnerability seemingly nonexistent, replaced by a chilling calm: "Fine, very well. So, in your eyes, I'm not even worth those toys that money can buy."
Meng Zhao softened a little, "That's not what I meant. What I meant was that we're not suitable for each other. If we force ourselves to be together, it will only cause a lot of trouble."
Shen Qinghe chuckled softly, but the laughter was more heartbreaking than crying. "You're always like this, wanting to be ruthless but unable to, always giving me hope."
Meng Zhao was speechless for a moment. What kind of talk was this? It made her sound like a scumbag woman. She was so wronged. So she got up and walked to the door, as if to see her off. "Anyway, you should think it through yourself. It would be best if you could change your mind. That way, our two families can get along well in the future."
Shen Qinghe slowly walked to the door, but as he reached out to open it, he suddenly changed direction. His slender fingers precisely gripped her wrist, and with a swift twist, he pinned her arm behind her back. Before Meng Zhao could react, he had already pulled her into his arms.
"You—" Before Meng Zhao could finish her exclamation, Shen Qinghe had already lunged forward, forcing her to stagger backward until her back hit the cold door panel.
Meng Zhao struggled fiercely, the door creaking under the weight, but Shen Qinghe remained unmoved. Instead, he leaned close to her ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe. "Who wants to get along with you? I just want to be intimate with you."
His voice was deep and husky, his eyes filled with unspeakable obsession. Then he lowered his head slightly, his thin lips slowly approaching that rosy red.
"You dare!" Meng Zhao said coldly, her voice filled with unwavering resolve. "If you dare to kiss me today, there will be no possibility between us anymore!"
Shen Qinghe paused, their chests separating slightly, her voice tinged with a cautious probing, "If I let go now, will I have another chance later?"
"Tsk!" Meng Zhao glared at him angrily, "Of course not!"
Before he could finish speaking, the arms that were holding her tightened suddenly, and Meng Zhao was pulled to the tiptoe, almost suspended in mid-air. Shen Qinghe rested his chin on her shoulder and said, "Since there's no chance anyway, why should I listen to you?"
"Shen Qinghe!" Meng Zhao's voice trembled with anger. "If you let go now, at least you can preserve our past relationship. If you remain stubborn, then there will truly be no affection left."
But Shen Qinghe remained deaf to her words and showed no intention of letting go. Meng Zhao hated being controlled by others, but she couldn't break free no matter what she did. She became furious and said, "Shen Qinghe, what did you eat to grow up so strong!"
Shen Qinghe chuckled softly, "You forgot? I grew up eating your cooking. Back then, everyone in the academy envied me for having such a wonderful sister-in-law who cooked such delicious food."
These words instantly ignited Meng Zhao's anger. "You still know I'm your sister-in-law? What are you doing now? I really regret raising such an ungrateful wretch. If I had known this would happen, I should have put some arsenic in your bowl back then!"
"Who told you not only to not have me, but also to raise me? Now, even if you say I'm repaying kindness with enmity, I won't let go." Shen Qinghe nuzzled her head against Meng Zhao's neck twice, as if she were being affectionate.
Meng Zhao suddenly stopped talking and began to breathe heavily. Noticing that the person in his arms had suddenly stopped struggling, Shen Qinghe unconsciously loosened his grip on her arms a little, but still kept her in his arms. Seeing Meng Zhao clutching her chest and looking pained, Shen Qinghe's voice suddenly became tense, "What's wrong? Is your chest uncomfortable?"
In the instant he was distracted by the question, a cold glint flashed in Meng Zhao's eyes. He suddenly raised his hand, and a sharp "slap" rang out in the quiet room. The slap was so powerful that it made Shen Qinghe turn his head to the side, and a clear handprint immediately appeared on his fair cheek.
Meng Zhao raised his trembling hand and said, "You bastard, I spoke to you so nicely, and you just listened to what I said! Do I have to take action before you'll face reality?"
Shen Qinghe slowly turned his face back, his reddened cheek standing out sharply in the candlelight. He showed no anger, instead asking in a low voice, "Was your chest pain just now real or fake?"
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