Chapter 67 Terrible This is the taste of your love for me, so sweet.
Outside the window, a violent storm raged, and branches and leaves were in disarray.
The room was damp and filled with mist.
It's so hot.
It's so hot.
Ning Jiu felt like she was melting.
The heat in the air crept up little by little, making even breathing feel sticky.
My mind felt like it was being steamed, my thoughts churning and dissipating into a white mist.
Unable to tell whether it was the heat or panic, she stretched out her sweaty hand and pressed it against the man's hard chest, saying no, but for what seemed like the umpteenth time, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back into a chaotic mess.
"Hiss, don't rush, take your time."
Ning Jiu felt like an orange that had been squeezed and burst, its juice scattering everywhere, being peeled and swallowed segment by segment by someone, who then turned around and accused her of being too impatient.
Who on earth has been clinging to her since last night until dawn, refusing to leave her side for even a moment?
"Baby, look what we're doing."
His long, slender fingers, soaked with sweat, brushed aside the stray hairs damp with sweat on her forehead, gently straightening her chin, half-forcing her to look directly at herself in the mirror.
"Don't be shy, you're very pretty."
A thin mist floated on the mirror, softening the light and shadow. Her fair and slender figure appeared and disappeared in the mist, rising and falling as if breathing.
Jobel's fingers slid gently down her chin, his expression as focused as if a paintbrush were freely painting along her smooth contours.
To some extent, that seems to be the case.
"Your legs are weak? Poor thing. Let me pick you up, okay?"
Ning Jiu cried and said she didn't feel well, but Qiao Bolin kindly told her not to be polite. The moment he actually picked her up, her calves trembled uncontrollably, and she pushed against his chest, trying to get away. Unfortunately, after a night, her strength was pitifully weak, and not only did she fail, but he also held her even tighter than she had expected.
Once the tap is turned on, the water flows uncontrollably.
The steam in the bathroom seemed to have gotten thicker.
It was as if Qiao Bolin had opened all the valves in her body; her resistance turned into acceptance. Ning Jiu felt his pulse pounding and softly asked Qiao Bolin if she could stop doing it here.
"No...not here," her body was already sensitive, and the stimulation of all her senses caused tears to stream uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes. "Let's go somewhere else?"
"Another place?" George Blaine chuckled. "Anywhere will do?"
"It will be all right."
Ning Jiu only wanted to escape this shameful situation and didn't bother to ask where the place he mentioned was.
Where could it be? It's limited to a few places, what else—
"Okay, you said it yourself."
Every inch of her body bore his kiss marks. Physiological saline solution spread to the corners of her eyes, blurring Ning Jiu's vision with tears, which were then slowly sucked clean by Qiao Bolin.
“Baby, do you know why the price of villas in Jinshan is so high? It’s not because of the location, but because of the privacy.”
He maintained the position of holding her, but Ning Jiu couldn't stand it and kept struggling with her legs. He patted her lightly.
“Each mirror is single-sided, and the mirror surface is kept at a constant temperature, so it won’t be very cold.” He lowered his head and blew into her ear, which tickled. “Let’s try it later, baby.”
What is he even talking about...?
Ning Jiu sensed something was wrong and began to struggle more violently, but then suddenly realized something was amiss.
After coming out of the bathroom, George Blaine walked in the opposite direction from the bedroom, and now he had reached the stairwell...
Take a step, step out.
He went down the first step of the stairs.
When he left, his body was only sore, which was still bearable. But now, a sudden feeling of falling came over him, and the soreness spread from the soles of his feet all the way up, like a tidal wave washing over his whole body. Ning Jiu felt as if all his strength had been drained away.
"You, no, ah..."
She seemed completely broken. She couldn't speak.
One step, two steps, three steps.
The man descended the stairs steadily, but he couldn't resist the extreme feeling of weightlessness that tormented Ning Jiu's nerves time and time again.
The staircase is made of dark teak, and the handrail is polished to a warm, smooth finish, so it doesn't feel cold against the skin.
Ning Jiu felt as if every second was stretched out, almost to the point of bursting, as he held her waist.
The time it took Qiao Bolin to climb each step was uncertain, and this sense of uncertainty was like a weightless string, sometimes tight and sometimes loose, keeping her nerves constantly on edge.
Another step.
Ning Jiu trembled all over, letting out intermittent groans, and could only barely count the remaining steps.
There are only six spaces left, just six more spaces and we'll be free.
Five squares left, four squares, three squares, two squares... we're almost at the first floor.
When there was one square left, Joel Bolton stopped.
Ning Jiu was celebrating the end of her ordeal, but he suddenly stopped, leaving her at a loss. She could only wrap her slender, fair arms around the man's throbbing neck and act coquettishly towards him.
"You, you get down here right now—"
"Ah, I remembered it wrong."
Caught off guard, the man pinched her fair and delicate waist hard, causing her waist to tremble almost immediately.
Ning Jiu heard Qiao Bolin pause, his voice tinged with laughter, yet the words he uttered were so cruel.
"The temperature-controlled glass should be on the third floor."
"......"
This person did it on purpose.
Ning Jiu discovered that Qiao Bolin was even more skilled at using psychological suggestion than she was.
He deliberately dragged out those few steps downstairs, and just when she thought she saw hope, he found a legitimate reason to do it again.
How annoying!
With long, slender legs, the steps that were going downstairs suddenly turned into steps going upstairs.
The destination that had just symbolized liberation is now so far, so very far away from Ningjiu.
Water dripped down the stairs, not to mention them. In the end, Ning Jiu could only bury her face in Qiao Bolin's chest, refusing to look at the chaotic mess before her eyes.
The sensation of my back against the third-floor glass was indeed not cold, just as Qiao Bolin had said.
But she could see trees outside the window, and occasionally people would walk by. Shame crept up on her like vines, and Ning Jiu bit her lip as she watched Qiao Bolin press her against the glass, her head lowering little by little.
"don't want......"
She couldn't understand why Qiao Bolin was so persistent about this; if it were her, she would never have done it.
He tried to grab Qiao Bolin's hair, but his hands were too weak to hold on. He could only limply hold on, and his slender arm sank down little by little with his movements.
"Why not? This is the taste of your love for me, it's so sweet."
Qiao Bolin's voice remained gentle, his tone so calm it was almost innocent.
If you ignore the heat emanating from his breath and the occasional swallowing sounds, anyone who overheard him would likely assume he was talking about something as mundane as food.
Ning Jiu felt as if she had been swept into a seemingly calm deep sea, sinking little by little, letting the lurking tides around her seize the opportunity to swallow her up.
In the instant she was engulfed, pleasure surged uncontrollably throughout her body, and she heard him praise her in the clearest and gentlest voice.
"Baby is so amazing."
-
Ning Jiu stayed at Qiao Bailin's villa for a whole week.
She spent that week in a daze, unable to distinguish between day and night.
Whether he woke up in the morning or went to sleep at night, Qiao Bolin would become anxious and insecure as long as Ning Jiu was not in front of him.
She was at a point where she could relax after revising her thesis and successfully passing her defense, but Qiao Bolin was not. Despite having so many things to do at the company, he preferred to bring his work home rather than be separated from her, not even for a second.
She lost count of how many times she had come out of the restroom, and as soon as she opened the door, the man in the casual suit would hug her tightly. The pleasant scent of sandalwood mixed with the Jo Malone fragrance from the office wafted past her nose, and he would bury his head in the crook of her neck like a big dog, inhaling her scent.
"Qiao Bolin, are you...?" The words "separation anxiety" circled in Ning Jiu's mouth, but she swallowed them back down. "You're being a little too clingy."
"The door wasn't locked. I was afraid that if I was gone for too long, you would disappear."
"Is this why you come to the bathroom and wait for me as soon as you get back from work?"
"Baby."
He didn't want to continue the topic, so he deliberately lowered his voice and called her in a sticky, insincere way.
Knowing that Ning Jiu couldn't stand his coquettish tone, Qiao Bolin mastered this technique to perfection.
Ning Jiu indeed felt her ear bones getting hot from his calling, and the next second, she felt a sticky, wet sensation as he bit her earlobe.
"It's too slow for me to get back from the company in the afternoon. I'll move all my work online so I can have breakfast with you in the morning, okay?"
Ning Jiu endured the fine, damp sensation coming from her earlobe and nudged Qiao Bolin's shoulder.
"This is inconvenient for you and your colleagues. You can come back for dinner now, it's all the same."
Besides, I won't be living here forever.
Ning swallowed the last sentence.
"They're all the same?"
Qiao Bailin looked into her eyes and repeated what she had said.
Despite his calm and gentle tone as usual, Ning Jiu felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze and could only turn around and put her arm around Qiao Bolin's lean waist.
“What I mean is—” her mind raced, “I’m thinking of catching up on sleep lately, so I might wake up very late. Don’t you always wake up early? I’m worried you’ll have to wait for me.”
Joe Bolin did seem to be in a hurry; his shirt collar wasn't buttoned up properly, and his tie was a little loose.
Ning Jiu instinctively straightened his tie. At first, it looked familiar, but when her fingertips touched the silky texture, she suddenly remembered that it was the same tie he had tied around his ankle on the first night in bed.
This person has such a twisted sense of humor.
"Ning wine".
Just as I was thinking this, a cool, snake-like sensation brushed against my skin, slowly creeping deeper into my clothes.
The way he called her name sounded especially pleasant. Although she had noticed this in high school, over the years, his voice had become more magnetic than a clear, youthful voice, like sandpaper rubbing against her ear.
"Do you know how obvious it is when you lie?"
It's over.
Instead of comforting her, I ended up making her even worse.
Having spent so much time together these past few days, Ning Jiu now knows what Qiao Bolin is up to with just a glance.
Reaction was faster than thought; Ning Jiu hurriedly retreated, and a long shadow loomed over her.
"But you are right about one thing."
Over the past few days, Qiao Bolin had become familiar with every sensitive spot on her body. His well-defined fingers found the right spot and pressed it gently. Ning Jiu let out a muffled groan and quickly lost her strength. She was picked up by him, her legs trembling.
"It's perfect time to come back and eat now."
That night, the candy wrapper was peeled off, and the sugar syrup turned into a dark stream, and he ate her clean inside and out.
-
Even the most comfortable place can become boring after a while.
After spending a full week in the villa, Ning Jiu finally couldn't resist the urge to go out for a walk.
The next morning, after arranging to meet Pei Yueli on a commercial street near the school, she turned off her phone, looked up, and met Qiao Bolin's gaze.
Even though they had a deep "discussion" in bed last night, he still insisted on waiting for her to get up so they could have breakfast together before he left.
"Why is breakfast so lavish today?"
Ning Jiu pulled out a chair and looked down at the dining table, which was almost entirely filled with exquisite pastries.
During their stay at the villa, Qiao Bolin actually prepared all the meals. Sometimes the highly-rated Jiangnan restaurant in the city would deliver the food directly, and other times Uncle Tong would buy the groceries and he would cook for them.
Ning Jiu always eats breakfast casually. For the first two days, she would often only eat a few bites and then put it down. Later, she told him to prepare something simpler, so he followed her tastes and mostly prepared fruits and light snacks that she liked and that were also nutritious.
I never expected it to be such a grand occasion today.
The steamer was filled with mist, the crab roe xiaolongbao were glossy and translucent, the osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root was sweet and delicate, the porcelain plate was warm white, the soup bowl was light gold, and the whole table of dishes was clean in color but extremely exquisite.
Just as Ning Jiu picked up a steamed bun, Qiao Bolin reached out and pushed the steaming basket of buns in front of him, then replaced it with a cooler one.
"Be careful, it's hot."
He still remembers the time in high school when Ning Jiu burned her skin while eating xiaolongbao. He observed her expression and placed his palm on her chin.
"If it's too hot, just spit it out into my hand."
Listening to his tone, Ning Jiu felt as if he really treated her like a porcelain doll, the kind that would shatter with a slight bang or disappear with a gust of wind.
She shook her head slightly and poked his forearm with her finger, signaling him to just focus on eating.
By the time Qiao Bolin finished having breakfast with her, it was already quite late, but he stayed with her and showed no sign of leaving.
Ning Jiu was worried that he would do what he said yesterday and not even go to the company anymore. She wiped her mouth with a tissue, stood up, hooked her finger around his tie, and pulled it slightly to signal him to come closer.
The man then leaned over, his smiling eyes so deep they seemed to engulf her entirely. Ning Jiu's heart trembled at his gaze. She steadied herself slightly and leaned down to kiss him on the cheek.
Qiao Bolin was clearly stunned for a moment. He exerted force with his forearm, wanting to pull her into his arms. Ning Jiu smiled and stepped back, tracing the pattern of her tie with her fingertips in a circle, feeling an itch in an instant.
"Hurry up and go to work, you're going to be late."
She had thought she was prepared to keep putting him off, but to her surprise, after kissing her for a while, he actually agreed to leave.
It seems this tactic works quite well for him?
After Qiao Bolin left, Ning Jiu couldn't wait to go back to the bathroom, cover the dense hickeys on her neck with powder puffs, change her clothes, and prepare to meet Pei Yueli.
The shopping street they chose was one they used to frequent during their university days. The street was lined with cafes, bookstores, and niche jewelry shops. Upbeat indie bands played outside the shops, and groups of college students carrying canvas bags laughed and joked all around.
Although the memories of university are still vivid, once I actually entered society, I found myself longing for the simple days of university.
They first went to the newly opened flower shop, and then strolled into the vinyl record shop they used to frequent. Ning Jiu's legs had been a bit weak these past few days, and she couldn't stand it after a while. So the two of them, carrying a lot of bags and things, sat in the dessert shop on the street corner.
After ordering, Ning Jiu saw a certain clip on her phone, raised an eyebrow, and showed it to Pei Yueli.
"The winter fashion season is about to start, and there are many bloggers and celebrities on the runway. Look at that person sitting in the center, isn't that your boss?"
Accompanied by upbeat background music, the show's lights shimmered, and the seats were filled with handsome men and beautiful women. Even so, the mixed-race man with a high nose bridge and deep-set features easily became the focus of everyone's attention with his well-tailored haute couture suit and casually reclining posture.
Ning Jiu looked at the comments below with great interest. Half of them were marveling at Yu Kelin's good looks, while the other half were frantically asking for information about what kind of identity allowed someone to sit between an Oscar-winning actress and a pop star.
"His face is alright, but everything else about him is infuriating."
According to those who have met Yu Kelin, someone who looks like that has a face that is a ready-made work of art, and it doesn't matter if his personality is a bit bad, there are plenty of people willing to tolerate him.
Pei Yueli, however, felt that this wouldn't work.
Even the most beautiful ruby, if it has been poisoned, must have its surface scraped clean before you dare to hold it in your hand.
She feels like she's suffering from lingering effects. Before, she could appreciate handsome men, but now, even when she sees a handsome mixed-race face, all she wants to do is stomp on him with her high heels.
"Let's not talk about that anymore, let's talk about you."
"I?"
"uh-huh."
The soufflé was served, and the aroma of milk slowly filled the air. Pei Yueli picked up a small spoon, scooped up the softest part, and held it to Ning Jiu's lips. As Ning Jiu opened her mouth, she smiled and moved back a little.
"You've made up with him?"
"who?"
Ning Jiu pretended to be stupid, while Pei Yueli narrowed her eyes and continued to smile calmly.
"Come on, I can see the hickeys on your neck. Even with such a thick layer of powder, it still can't be covered. How long did you kiss them?"
"......"
Ning Jiu guiltily adjusted her sleeves.
I should have worn a turtleneck today.
"Although I didn't have the chance to be a part of your high school life, from an outsider's perspective, the chemistry between you two...tsk, it doesn't look like you two had a relationship before breaking up."
Pei Yueli couldn't help but recall the first time she met Qiao Bolin at the Potsdam cocktail party. At that time, she had gone up to the second floor to check on Ning Jiu because she was worried about her.
He was such a cool and aloof male god, the kind of guy you'd be afraid of bothering if you tried to strike up a conversation on the street. But when he kissed Ning Jiu, it was like he was on drugs. The contrast was just too great.
"Do you think he's too clingy?" After thinking it over, Pei Yueli could only come up with this reason. "I couldn't reach you on your phone for the past few days, and I was really worried. If you hadn't contacted me today, I would have thought something had happened to you."
Recalling the scene from a few days ago, Ning Jiu's face flushed. Before Pei Yueli noticed anything amiss, she coughed and changed the subject.
"Didn't I tell you about him and me?"
"You said back then that we broke up because we didn't share the same ideals and applied to different universities. You sounded so official. I really thought it was just a normal campus romance." Pei Yueli smiled and exposed her. "And what happened? After being apart for so long, you were so eager to kiss each other to death the moment you met.
"It seems this relationship has had quite an impact on you, Sweet Wine."
"......"
Pei Yueli was actually right.
In this relationship, there is no winner.
When she was young, Ning Jiu thought about everything very simply. She and Qiao Bolin may have experienced a beautiful and unforgettable relationship, but their backgrounds, futures, and directions were different. After walking together for a while, they separated at a turning point in their lives. Such a plot plays out every day. No one can live without anyone else, and they were no exception.
But are they really the same?
"He made so many changes for me."
After thinking for a long time, Ning Jiu put away the smile on her lips, and the expression in her light eyes also became serious.
“He could have had a better life, but he got hurt because of me, because of me he backed down, and even almost changed his college application because of me. This is just not right,” Ning Jiu said so frankly for the first time. “There’s always something between us. If one of us wants to get closer, we have to weigh things and make sacrifices. That distance is like the scar on the back of his hand, which can never be erased.”
Pei Yueli looked at Ning Jiu and asked the question.
"But how can you define that he will have a better life if he leaves you?"
Ning Jiu remained silent.
Pei Yueli didn't get an answer. She blinked, then took another bite of soufflé, her mouth bulging.
"I don't know how he feels about you right now, but when it comes to life decisions, you have to listen to the person involved, right?"
“Of course,” she smiled, the gemstone necklace on her collarbone sparkling in the clean light of the window. “You were involved too.”
"So don't ask your reason, ask your heart what it chooses."
The air was filled with the sweet aroma of soufflés, and the sunlight outside the window was just right. Ning Jiu and Pei Yueli ate for a while longer when the former suddenly remembered something and thought to herself that something was wrong.
"What time is it now?"
"It's only 3:30." Pei Yueli looked up at her with a puzzled expression. "It's still early, what's wrong?"
Ning Jiu: "I might have to go back first."
"???"
It takes an hour to drive from University Street to Jinshan Villa. Qiao Bolin had been coming home around 4 PM the past few days. If he came back and found her not there...
These past few days have been exhausting enough for her, and Ning Jiu really didn't want him to find any more excuses to torment her.
Pei Yueli was initially confused, but quickly realized what was happening. Her expression was a mixture of curiosity and unspeakable teasing.
“I never would have guessed, Sweet Wine,” she teased. “You’ve got yourself completely outmaneuvered.”
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Just as they were bickering, Pei Yueli's phone suddenly rang. She looked at the number on the phone, which was from France, chuckled coldly, and gestured for Ning Jiu to go to the bathroom to make a call.
After Pei Yueli left, the once lively atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Ning Jiu leaned back in her chair, picked up her phone and glanced at it, but there were no new messages.
Just as she breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief, the next second, a text message notification rang out, and Ning Jiu almost dropped her phone.
【Null】Are you bored at home? What do you want to eat today?
Any kind of Ningjiu is fine; just bring some back if you're busy with work.
[Null] The last meeting is about to end. Have you not eaten much fish these past few days? I'll ask Uncle Tong to buy some tomato fish, okay?
Great, everything is under control.
Qiao Bolin's meeting wasn't over yet. She just needed to wait for Pei Yueli to come back before leaving. Judging by the time, she would definitely arrive before him.
Thinking this way, Ning Jiu didn't realize how closely her relieved expression matched the image described by Pei Yueli.
"Ning wine?"
A somewhat familiar voice pulled her back from her thoughts.
Ning Jiu looked up, stunned for half a second, not expecting to meet Su Ming here.
He was wearing a formal suit, and a girl in a little dress was holding his arm. She looked at him with a curious gaze.
Ning Jiu quickly composed herself and greeted him with composure and ease.
"haven't seen you for a long time."
"It's been such a long time, almost half a year, hasn't it?"
Compared to Ning Jiu's composure, Su Ming initially seemed a little uncomfortable, but quickly adjusted and introduced Ning Jiu.
"This is my girlfriend, Lin Jing, whom I met at an academic conference a while ago."
Ning Jiu smiled gently and extended her hand to shake hers: "Hello."
"Hello, you must be Ning Jiu, right? I saw you on the list of outstanding graduates before." Lin Jing smiled sweetly at Ning Jiu. "You're even prettier in person than in photos."
"Thanks."
After chatting for a while, Lin Jing suddenly remembered something and lightly patted her forehead: "I think I left my scarf in the car."
Su Ming immediately looked towards the door: "Shall I go get it for you?"
"No need," Lin Jing gently hugged Su Ming's waist, her voice soft. "I parked the car just now, I know where it is, it'll be quick to go get it."
After saying that, he got up and left.
For a moment, only Ning Jiu and Su Ming remained at the table.
A brief silence fell between the two, and the atmosphere became inexplicably awkward.
“Your girlfriend seems to love you very much,” Ning Jiu broke the silence first, sincerely congratulating him, “Congratulations.”
Just as Su Ming was about to speak, he saw her gaze suddenly pass over him and look in a certain direction behind her. Then she got up to pick up the bag that was placed opposite her.
Ning Jiu's gaze was fixed on Pei Yueli, thinking only of grabbing her bag so they could leave together. But just as she reached out, another hand reached out as well, their fingertips lightly touching the bag's opening, and they both paused simultaneously.
After finishing her call, Pei Yueli walked towards Ning Jiu and saw a familiar figure standing next to Ning Jiu from afar.
Just as he was about to greet Su Ming, his gaze inadvertently glanced at him, and in an instant—
pace.
Pause.
In the end, Su Ming got the bag first. Ning Jiu took the bag, thanked him crisply, and wanted to go find Pei Yueli, but found her standing not far away without moving.
What happened? Did the phone call just now go wrong?
Ning Jiu looked over in confusion, only to see Pei Yueli staring wide-eyed, mouthing words to her.
She stared at it for a few seconds before she could make out that the sentence roughly meant "Don't—go—back—".
Why are you all still standing here like idiots?
Before the last word could be fully deciphered, the bell on the dessert shop door suddenly rang.
The moment Lin Jing pushed the door open, a gust of wind rushed in through the crack, bringing a slight chill.
Ning Jiu subconsciously turned around and immediately saw a tall and slender man leaning against a car on the street. His posture was casual, but it still attracted frequent glances from passersby.
His wispy hair obscured his prominent brow bone, but it couldn't hide the intense gaze in his eyes.
Separated by a floor-to-ceiling window, the instant Ning Jiu met those clear, distinct black eyes, her mind went blank.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Next chapter: Office play [sunglasses]
This chapter combines two updates; there will be no update tomorrow, but the update will be at 11 PM on Saturday.
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