Chapter 22 He didn't understand, nor did he want to hear, he wanted to…
Zhu Meng's usually calm demeanor, which was usually composed in the face of numerous complex work reports, suddenly became chaotic, like a giant ship crashing into a calm lake, instantly creating a turbulent storm.
A subtle emotion flickered in his eyes as he lowered his head to adjust his sleeves, rolling up the sleeves that concealed his muscular physique.
"I'm available anytime if you'd like."
Jiang Shan stared at Zhu Meng's strong forearm, his desire to get down to business soaring higher than a kite flying against the wind on a spring lawn.
It must be difficult to train to this level, right?
However, someone as wealthy as Zhu Meng should be able to afford a personal trainer for one-on-one diet control and posture correction. If that's the case, it should be quite easy for him...
Zhu Meng squatted down next to the trash can, his knees bent, peeling potatoes. His well-defined knuckles moved rhythmically as he peeled away less and less potato skin.
It was as if he wasn't peeling potatoes in a tiny rented room, but playing the piano in a magnificent golden hall.
Amidst the turmoil of the situation, I didn't forget to enjoy the visual feast.
From her vantage point overlooking the landscape, she could glimpse the mountains and valleys through the slit at the top of Zhu Meng's white shirt.
Yes, to reach this level, he must have practiced a lot.
...It should feel pretty good, right?
Jiang Shan was half-obsessed with admiring the results of Zhu Meng's years of consistent training when her phone suddenly vibrated. She snapped out of her daze and frantically pulled out her phone. It was a message from "Chen Feng".
Scaling a New Height: Don't forget to invite your colleagues tonight; I've already bought three cruise tickets.
Jiang Shan tightened his grip on his phone.
She just couldn't understand it. It was just a view of the Huangpu River, wasn't it enough that she accompanied Chen Feng alone? Why did Chen Feng insist that she bring Zhu Meng along?
When Zhu Meng said "I'm free anytime," it was just like the Chinese saying "Let's have dinner together next time" when saying goodbye—it was definitely a humble statement.
He has endless meetings and business trips, how can he possibly have that much free time?
Let's not bother him.
Jiang Shan silently typed: He's busy.
Sigh, if he's busy, I'll call my aunt.
Jiang Shan's blood pressure spiked, she felt dizzy and her vision blurred. Her hand trembled, and she almost dropped her phone, which she hadn't replaced in three years and was starting to lag.
It all comes down to her mother.
But if she gets close to her mother, she gets close to pain; if she stays away from her mother, she stays away from happiness.
She just wanted to be in a safe place, neither to break down in pain nor to be so happy that she wanted to cry.
Why did Chen Feng insist on disrupting this balance?
Jiang Shan took a deep breath and looked down at Zhu Meng.
Her voice was very soft, like pencil marks that could be erased with an eraser, ready to leave quietly without crying or making a fuss if rejected: "If you're free tonight, could you come with me for a cruise on the Huangpu River?"
Zhu Meng's eyes were lowered, and his sharp phoenix eyes held emotions that Jiang Shan could not fathom.
She stared at Zhu Meng for a long time, and he seemed to sense something. He raised his head slightly, and in the instant their eyes met, Jiang Shan noticed that his slightly amber pupils were not only devoid of malice, but also as gentle as the misty rain in Jiangnan.
"Okay... I'll work until 7:30, and then it's up to you."
That's great, Zhu Meng has agreed.
Jiang Shan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to leave the kitchen, he remembered that they weren't the only two people on this trip, so he turned back and added a sentence.
"Oh right, my cousin is going too."
Zhu Meng swung the peeler down sharply, and the knife, which had been hovering between the skin and the flesh, sliced off a piece of potato flesh in one go.
He remained silent for more than ten seconds, chewing over the words that were about to come out of his mouth several times, and finally just nodded slowly, like a sculpture slowly taking shape from flowing cement.
"...Okay, I understand."
After having lunch, Jiang Shan took a short walk around the house to digest his food before going to bed to rest.
Having replenished her nutrition and energy, the aches and pains in her body temporarily disappeared, and she finally had the strength to throw down the hot water bottle and hum a song as she picked out clothes from the wardrobe.
True to his word, Zhu Meng returned to his rented apartment promptly at 7:30.
He changed into a different suit than the one he wore in the morning. The difference wasn't significant; the only difference was that the color had changed from black to gray. But strangely, he not only changed his clothes but also combed his smooth, black hair back, creating a slicked-back hairstyle typical of business settings.
Like a peacock about to spread its tail feathers, exuding its full aura.
Jiang Shan glanced at Zhu Meng's exquisite haute couture suit, then at his own two-hundred-yuan casual floral dress, and fell into a ten-second silence.
Zhu Meng conjured a woman's shawl from who-knows-where and gently draped it over Jiang Shan's slender shoulders.
"It's cool at night, wear an extra layer."
Jiang Shan had more to say about the coat.
She looked up and met Zhu Meng's gaze. The embarrassment between her brows vanished like water, replaced by a playful teasing that was as lively as a deer leaping and twirling in the forest.
"Mr. Zhu, I would like to wear my coat, but didn't I already take it from you?"
“…Call me Zhu Meng.” Zhu Meng coughed lightly. “Has Gao Ming not sent you the new one yet?”
"Not yet." Jiang Shan tightened her shawl, instinctively feeling its silky smooth texture. She touched it and realized it felt very similar to the cashmere scarf she had reluctantly bought last winter.
Her short, narrow scarf costs four figures; if you make such a large shawl out of pure cashmere, the price would probably be several times higher.
"But this shawl is quite nice, it feels great."
"...It's a gift for you." Zhu Meng's Adam's apple bobbed. "It's a Hermès."
Having finally discovered that Jiang Shan liked this brand, he stopped Xu Qing from buying her the flashy but impractical handbag and instead picked out a practical shawl that she could use regularly.
Jiang Shan's memory isn't bad, but it's not great either; it depends on the specific situation.
When she was cramming for her final exams, she could remember the key points for several days, but she forgot the little lies she had told Xu Qing, who was insignificant to her.
Jiang Shan tugged at his shawl, covering part of his neck and revealing his sharp canine teeth.
"That's quite expensive, thank you!"
She made no attempt to hide her joy. Zhu Meng, a seasoned veteran in the business world, could easily tell that she was quite happy, and the tension in her heart finally eased: "You're welcome."
That's great, she doesn't dislike it... she likes it.
The banks of the Huangpu River were packed with people, each holding their own boat ticket, squeezing through the side passages onto one colorful cruise ship after another.
Zhu Meng's temples throbbed.
He knew Jiangshan's salary was low, so he gave her a check specifically to help her with her immediate needs.
Yet she remained frugal, not exchanging her money for so long. She finally decided to repay his favor by booking boat tickets for a night cruise on the Huangpu River, and she was still so… frugal, it was really a bit…
If she wants to take a night cruise on the Huangpu River, he has plenty of yachts.
"Did...you book the tickets?"
It was hard to imagine how much unbearable physical contact he would have to endure rubbing against hundreds of other people as he squeezed onto the colorful cruise ship. Zhu Meng hesitated before asking Jiang Shan.
Jiang Shan hadn't expected the ship to be so crowded.
She shook her head vigorously and turned the conversation directly to Chen Feng, who was following Zhu Meng around excitedly: "No, this was decided by my cousin."
Oh, Chen Feng made the decision?
That's it! No wonder he looks so shabby! How much money could he possibly have?
The oppression in Zhu Meng's heart vanished, and a slight smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.
Compared to young men like Chen Feng, although he is older, he has lived those extra years not in vain, and his assets are still more substantial.
Since Jiang Shan didn't book the boat tickets, he didn't need to lower himself to that.
Zhu Meng turned his head to look at Chen Feng and gestured for him to proceed.
"There are too many people up there, don't get sick from the crowd. If you don't mind, cousin, you can ride on my yacht."
"How could I dare to complain? How could I dare to complain! It's my honor!" Chen Feng had lived for twenty-eight years and had only heard of and seen private yachts, but had never actually ridden one. Although his ticket was now invalid, he was already drooling as he watched the luxurious yacht slowly approaching from afar.
The yacht was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate Jiang Shan, Zhu Meng, Chen Feng, and their bodyguards.
Jiang Shan ran up the gangway to the deck, spread his arms, and took a deep breath of the night river breeze in the pose of the famous Titanic poster's heroine.
It's cool and a little sweet.
Oh, it's the feeling of freedom.
Her hometown is in the southern coastal area, and even from the city to the seaside, it's only a few kilometers by bicycle.
Having grown up gazing at the endless horizon and listening to the roar of giant ships docking morning, noon, and night, she grew tired of seeing the landscape and the sea. This narrow Huangpu River simply didn't catch her eye.
But looking at the dark sea, the giant ships coming and going, and the towering buildings lining both banks, she inexplicably found a sense of belonging.
Hmm, is this what they call homesickness?
Zhu Meng stood behind Jiang Shan, and several times he wanted to reach out and take her back to the cabin.
It's so windy on the deck, won't she catch a cold?
But the scenery here is really beautiful...
Zhu Meng hesitated for a long time, staring at the minute hand of his Patek Philippe for eight circles. Finally, he couldn't help but whisper a reminder to Jiang Shan that it was windy here and that it would be easy to get a headache if he stayed in the wind for too long. Just then, someone behind him suddenly exclaimed "Hey!"
Turning around, I saw Chen Feng.
Ha, Chen Feng actually dares to come close to him? Isn't the disgust on his face obvious enough?
Zhu Meng raised an eyebrow: "What's wrong, cousin?"
Chen Feng narrowed his triangular eyes. His eyes were already small and long, and now they were almost invisible. He bowed and offered a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes with both hands, fawning like a squinting Japanese Shiba Inu: "President Zhu, may I have a word with you in private?"
Oh, "General Manager Zhu," what a familiar title.
No wonder this "cousin" completely changed his attitude towards him; it turns out he knew who he was.
Gao Ming stepped forward at the opportune moment and coldly retreated from Chen Feng.
"I hope Mr. Zhu doesn't smoke."
Chen Feng's face turned pale: "I'm sorry, Mr. Zhu, I didn't know..."
Zhu Meng gently raised her hand, stopping his incoherent apology.
"We don't discuss business during our private time."
Chen Feng's face flushed red and then turned purple. He glanced at Jiang Shan, who was embracing freedom in the distance, and stammered, "President Zhu, please, for the sake of me being Jiang Shan's cousin..."
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned the country; the moment he did, the fire in Zhu Meng's heart was ignited as if a bucket of oil had been poured on it.
In an instant, Zhu Meng's reason was shattered.
What, does this unreliable Chen Feng think he can threaten him with the country?
If you're a man, be upright and honest. What's the point of taking shortcuts?
If it weren't for the fact that he was Jiang Shan's cousin, he would have already... But since Chen Feng himself came to him, he couldn't be blamed for being impolite.
"I have high hopes for Miss Jiang."
Zhu Meng glanced one last time at Jiang Shan, who was enjoying the breeze on the deck, beckoned to him, and headed towards the cabin without looking back: "Bring him in."
The free wind blew across the land for almost half an hour.
Perhaps because she was in a good mood, or perhaps because she had been eating and sleeping well these past two days and her immunity had improved, she only felt a slight headache, not to the point of sneezing.
Unfortunately, the weather turned against them, and a rumbling sound began to drive away the visitors.
Jiang Shan looked up and saw that the sky, which should have been pitch black, had turned dark purple under the city lights, and he could vaguely see the clouds rolling.
Oh, it's probably going to rain.
Jiang Shan then reluctantly turned around, wanting to return to his cabin.
She glanced left and right, but didn't see Zhu Meng, who was supposed to be beside her. Instead, she saw several bodyguards dressed in black and wearing sunglasses.
"Where is President Zhu?" Jiang Shan asked the bodyguard closest to her.
"Miss Jiang, Mr. Zhu is waiting for you in the cabin." The bodyguard was very accommodating. Seeing Jiang Shan take a step forward, he immediately bent down slightly and led the way for her. "I'll take you there."
Jiang Shan nodded and followed in his footsteps.
Along the way, she toured almost the entire yacht, but strangely, there was no sign of Chen Feng in such a large area.
Could it be that Chen Feng is also in the cabin?
Jiang Shan took out his phone and started typing as he walked.
"Chen Feng, where are you?"
Instead of Chen Feng's reply, a red exclamation mark appeared.
Hey, Chen Feng actually blocked her!
Jiang Shan laughed in anger for a moment.
What's going on? Is Chen Feng really that fragile?
He shamelessly insisted on staying at her rented apartment and even threatened her with her mother. Before she could even block Chen Feng, he blocked her. It was truly a case of the wicked accusing the guilty first and then turning the tables on her.
...Wait, could something have happened to Chen Feng?
"Miss Jiang, please." The bodyguard in black opened the cabin door for Jiang Shan, but made no move to follow her inside.
Jiang Shan glanced inside and saw a tall, slender man in a suit standing by the window, quietly enjoying the sea breeze, lost in thought.
Perhaps sensing Jiang Shan's gaze, he turned his head and met Jiang Shan's eyes.
It is a blessing.
Whether it was because only half the lights in the cabin were on, making the light rather dim, or something else, his eyes were hazy, even more so than the rolling dark clouds in the night sky, making it difficult for Jiang Shan to see clearly.
"Zhu...Meng," Jiang Shan swallowed unconsciously, his mouth a little dry from the wind, "Have you seen Chen Feng?"
Chen Feng, it's Chen Feng again.
Is Chen Feng the only person she sees?
Zhu Meng pursed his lips into a perfectly straight line drawn with a ruler, like a string stretched to its limit, ready to snap at any moment from the slightest external force.
"...Who?" He felt a lump in his throat, but he asked the question knowing the answer already.
"That's Chen Feng, my cousin."
Jiang Shan was puzzled. The cabin wasn't as windy as the deck. Was Zhu Meng hard of hearing? He couldn't even hear this.
She gestured with her hand, her round almond-shaped eyes reflecting the dim candlelight in the cabin, which was filled with an ambiguous atmosphere. It was like the clear, transparent lake water in the mountains, making one want to bend down, scoop up a drop with both hands, close one's eyes, and gently taste it.
Zhu Meng felt his anger burn even more intensely when he heard her constantly mention that name.
He couldn't understand, and didn't want to listen; he wanted to kiss.
"I messaged Chen Feng, and he blocked me. Did you see... um!"
Zhu Meng suddenly grabbed Jiang Shan's wrist and pulled him towards himself.
Jiang Shan was caught off guard and, propelled by inertia, stumbled into the embrace Zhu Meng had prepared.
He sprayed cedar perfume on his silky shirt, the wisps lingering around Jiang Shan's nose, as crisp and cool as the snow in the north.
However, his heart beneath his shirt was quite vibrant, pounding rhythmically, even more so than a musical beat.
Zhu Meng took a deep breath, trying to soothe the inappropriate restlessness in her body and mind with the cool night breeze that was blowing in through the window.
But I smelled the scent of Jiangshan ginger shampoo.
She smells so good, she's so soft... and she's so spicy.
Like a beautiful and cunning cat, it took a liking to him, a human, and unconsciously rolled over on its belly, captivating him completely.
He couldn't stand it any longer and, risking being scratched, he reached out to touch her. Would she scratch him with her claws...?
"...President Zhu?"
Jiang Shan's face was buried in Zhu Meng's full and muscular chest, his vision blurred and hazy. The respectful address he unconsciously uttered sounded somewhat dull.
This guy's pectoral muscles are not only soft, but also quite warm!
He was holding her a little too tightly; her nose was pressed against his through the shirt... there was nowhere to escape.
Although she didn't want to escape.
The experience of a man throwing himself into your arms is quite good.
If you can take the initiative to be below her, give her...
That would be even better.
But what's wrong with Zhu Meng? Wasn't he always restrained and aloof, gentle and considerate towards her, a true representative of all married men?
Why is he resorting to coercion now? With global temperatures rising, is his iceberg melting?
Zhu Meng placed his left hand on Jiang Shan's neck, while the back of his right hand politely yet forcefully rested on her waist. He rested his chin on the top of Jiang Shan's fluffy head and rubbed against it restrainedly.
Why didn't she struggle?
Hmm, I want to kiss you even more now.
He stared into the distance, his eyes unfathomable.
"Jiang Shan, are you... looking for your cousin?"
Jiang Shan nodded subconsciously.
She buried her head in Zhu Meng's chest muscles, and her bangs brushed against his chest twice as she nodded.
Zhu Meng bit her lip hard to keep from letting out a soft moan.
Although he didn't really want Jiang Shan to see Chen Feng, Jiang Shan said she wanted to, so he decided to let them meet, hoping that Chen Feng, that toad, would give up his ambitions and stop coveting the swan.
Zhu Meng's posture in imprisoning Jiang Shan was gentle, but his strength was forceful, making it impossible for her to break free all at once.
His gaze fell on the tightly locked hatch not far away. He raised his chin slightly, like a tiger in a zoo, lazily raising his paw and smashing the glass used for viewing.
"Brilliant! Let him in."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com