Love Falls
Zhou Jianxing's back could almost be described as fleeing in panic, and soon disappeared at the end of the lush greenery in the courtyard.
Wen Lingyi stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, her fingertips still unconsciously twisting the cold C-shaped spring, until the sharp edges of the metal dug into her flesh, bringing a distinct pain, and she suddenly came to her senses.
The living room was silent. She walked to the entrance and her eyes fell on the ring finger of her left hand.
The huge diamond ring, with its perfect cut and dazzling brilliance, reflected a cold and expensive light under the soft light of the entrance.
Like an invisible yoke, it announced her identity as a married woman, a tacit agreement between her and Su Zhe that existed only within the confines of family interests and social situations. There was no love, no warmth, no companionship, only precise calculations and the exhaustion of playing along.
Without the slightest hesitation, Wen Lingyi removed it neatly, as if removing an ordinary, out-of-place accessory. The ring slid into the open velvet jewelry box on the low cabinet with a slight clang, then was swallowed up by the dark velvet, as if sinking to the bottom of an icy lake.
She closed the lid, her movements even showing a hint of barely perceptible disgust.
Why did she deliberately wear it when facing Zhou Jianxing?
A hint of self-mockery crept up the corner of Wen Lingyi's lips. Bad taste. She defined herself as such. A condescending, dangerously probing bad taste.
Watching Zhou Jianxing, timid and dodging under the dazzling diamond light, yet irresistibly drawn closer to her, seemed to temporarily numb the vast hole in her heart called "emptiness." This ring was her shield against a cold world, and also her spear against her innocent prey.
At the same time, she also needs this ring to remind the other party that no matter how far their relationship develops, there is a huge, insurmountable gap between them. If she is afraid of getting hurt, she should leave the game as soon as possible.
Later on, she began to realize why she had such thoughts when she first met Zhou Jianxing.
Zhou Jianxing's smile stung her like the gleam of a diamond, sending a desire for destruction bubbling up in the dark and twisted corners of her heart.
Her little bit of boring fun.
But now, this "fun" seems to be starting to change a bit.
·
Back in the study, the air still seemed to be filled with the scent of engine oil, metal, and Zhou Jianxing's clean soap mixed with a faint scent of sweat.
Wen Lingyi forced herself to sit at the large desk, turn on the computer, and deal with the pile of work emails.
After stripping off the disguise of "Mrs. Wen", her identity is revealed to be a highly-regarded art curator.
On the screen was the planning for the upcoming avant-garde art exhibition: artist background research, work insurance valuation, venue lighting layout, VIP client list screening, media release polishing...
She has done this so many times, and she handles every job with precision, efficiency, and impeccable manner.
His fingertips flew across the keyboard, replying to emails with rigorous and elegant wording, and adjusting the plan carefully.
This was the persona she relied on to survive—a distinguished family, exceptional taste, exceptional ability, and a graceful composure. Her family demanded this honor, her social circle recognized this value, and she was accustomed to wrapping herself in this perfection.
However, deep down in my heart, a huge feeling of boredom would come up like a vine from time to time.
How much of this so-called "art" is tainted with the taint of capital and the calculations of speculators? How many of those well-dressed guests truly understand the soul behind the works?
The clinking of glasses and the flattery day after day were like a gorgeous masquerade ball that never ended, and she was the most dazzling puppet in the center of the dance floor.
Boring as hell. This thought suddenly pierced her perfect appearance clearly and sharply.
Wen Lingyi's gaze drifted involuntarily to the quiet antique writing machine in the center of the desk. Just now, Zhou Jianxing had been leaning over it, beads of sweat dripping from his temples, his eyes so focused that it seemed as if the only things in the world were those precise gears and levers.
In a sense, Wen Lingyi even envied Zhou Jianxing. She could understand Zhou Jianxing's genuine love for his job, although in the eyes of the public, maintenance was just a trivial job.
What is love? She has no love.
Wen Lingyi's fingertips seemed to still retain the touch of the pulse beating vigorously under Zhou Jianxing's skin when she held his wrist, so vivid that it seemed to hurt her.
The suppressed, trembling hum of hers, enveloped by his breath, seemed to still linger in his ears.
The mark on her earlobe, deliberately stained by his lip gloss, which shone startlingly brightly in the sunlight, and her ear, red and bleed-like, as she fled in panic...
Why does Zhou Jianxing always look like she's running away when she leaves? It's not like I'm going to eat her.
When I'm working, anything other than work becomes particularly interesting.
Every detail of her time with Zhou Jianxing played over and over in Wen Lingyi's mind like a slow motion, with astonishing clarity and indescribable sensory impact.
She stopped typing, leaned back in the wide chair, and turned toward the French window. Outside, the meticulously tended garden grew freely in the summer sun, but it seemed to lack some of its former meticulous order.
The branches of some rose bushes were a little slanted, and the edges of the lawn were a little rough.
"Hasn't anyone taken care of the garden recently?" She frowned slightly, a trace of displeasure passing through her heart.
She was so busy with the "Desire Realm" exhibition that she seemed to have forgotten to ask a gardener to come.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a habit ingrained in her bones. Any imperfection beyond her control is like a tiny thorn, piercing her nerves of striving for perfection. She needs order, and everything needs to run on a preset track, just like her life.
His thoughts quickly returned to Zhou Jianxing. Wen Lingyi began to analyze calmly, like a scientist dissecting an experimental subject.
Zhou Jianxing's body language was stiff as she approached, but he didn't retreat in resistance.
It was a tense, guarded acquiescence.
Thinking of the word "tacit consent", Wen Lingyi curled the corners of her mouth upwards, and then swirled her tongue around her periodontal tissues.
Blushing face, red ears, rapid breathing, dodging eyes, trembling fingertips... These physiological reactions can't be deceived. Every unintentional touch, every brush of his breath, is like a spark splashing on Zhou Jianxing, provoking a violent reaction in her.
This is not how a worker would react to an ordinary employer.
Wen Lingyi was almost certain that Zhou Jianxing had feelings for her.
A kind of ignorant, helpless throbbing that is seized by a strong attraction, a physiological liking.
She is quite confident in her personal charm.
Wen Lingyi pictured Zhou Jianxing in her mind. His clumsy sincerity, his awkward, almost innocent reaction to her teasing, the unconcealable emotions in his eyes...
"Emotionally, it should be quite simple, right?" She whispered, her tone was questioning, but her heart was more certain.
Having met all kinds of people, people like Zhou Jianxing are likely to be honest and even reliable in relationships.
Thinking of the words "honesty" and "reliability", deep in the depths of Wen Lingyi's heart, a corner that even she herself could not understand, suddenly felt a very faint but real sense of security...?
Flash by.
This feeling was so unfamiliar that it startled her. How long had it been since she had experienced this kind of peace of mind, a sense of security that didn't require any defense or calculation?
This realization made her irritated. Wen Lingyi abruptly shook off these thoughts, as if trying to escape some dangerous temptation. She needed more "objective" evidence to support her "hunter" stance.
Moving her mouse, Wen Lingyi activated the study's surveillance system. The high-definition footage replayed every moment of the morning in crystal clarity. Like a discerning viewer or a voracious collector, she reviewed, magnified, and froze each frame.
When she approached, Zhou Jianxing's body stiffened instantly, and the taut lines of his spine trembled as if an electric shock had occurred.
When her breath brushed past his ear, Zhou Jianxing's small earlobe turned crimson at a speed visible to the naked eye, and even the red mole behind his ear seemed to be burning.
When her fingertips "accidentally" brushed against the back of her hand, Zhou Jianxing suddenly retracted his hand with a panicked expression.
When she almost hugged her to light her, Zhou Jianxing tightened her body, like a closed umbrella, or like a mimosa that was afraid of being touched and kept curling inward.
What she recalled most repeatedly was Zhou Jianxing's uncontrollable, slight trembling in her arms when he was trying to free his stuck finger.
The surveillance camera clearly captured her instantly red eyes, which were filled with shame, panic, and an indescribable, depraved sense of vulnerability.
Delicious. Very delicious.
Looking at the surveillance footage, Zhou Jianxing, who was obviously tall and capable, but looked as pitiful, aggrieved, shy and innocent as a little animal in front of her, this strong contrast was like the strongest liquor, burning Wen Lingyi's nerves.
The corners of Wen Lingyi's lips unconsciously raised in a happy arc, and her eyes were full of obsessed appreciation.
However, when this smile was clearly reflected in the light of the computer screen, she was startled, as if she had been scalded. She quickly restrained her expression and her eyes became cold and scrutinizing again.
"It's just interesting." She emphasized to the screen and to herself, "This body, this face, this reaction... are interesting. That's all." She even began to list in her mind the "points" that attracted her to Zhou Jianxing.
The young and lively body, the unique charm she exudes when concentrating on work, the awkward but real reactions, the sense of purity that is incompatible with the flashy world... She tried to use these "points" to strengthen her psychological defense as a "pure hunter", repeatedly telling herself: This is just desire, the desire to conquer, and a diversion from boring life.
The surveillance footage switched to clips of the audio-visual room and living room.
When Zhou Jianxing was repairing other equipment, he also looked clumsy and nervous when she was watching or approaching him.
Looking at Zhou Jianxing's beautiful body curves in the video, and her forced calmness but inadvertent inner shyness, Wen Lingyi felt a primitive and brutal force growing and colliding wildly inside the cold fortress she had carefully built, trying to tear apart that elegant and perfect shell.
This power made her feel a little panicky and out of control, but also accompanied by instinctive and thrilling excitement.
Just as she was immersed in the complex sensory storm brought about by the surveillance footage, the shrill ringtone of her cell phone suddenly rang.
It's an unfamiliar number.
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