Chapter 60
Little Sangzi, you'd better serve me well.
After a whole day of running around outside, the two finally headed home with a car full of their spoils.
A black Bentley sped across the sea bridge.
Cheng Sangluo looked up at the sky outside the windshield, then slowed down the car and gently lowered the window.
Lin Jin, who had been resting with her eyes closed, frowned slightly upon hearing the whistling wind.
She glanced lazily at the dog driving intently and asked softly, "Why did you open the window? You're disturbing my rest."
Cheng Sangluo let the wind ruffle the stray hairs on her forehead, and smiled with the corners of her lips: "Look outside, the twilight is the most beautiful."
Lin Jin paused for a moment, then dazedly turned her head to look out the window.
In the early autumn evening, the afterglow of the setting sun painted the clouds in the sky with great depth, resembling an endless koi carp reflected on the shimmering sea, making it seem as if the fish were flying in the sky or swimming in the water.
Lin Jin rarely pays attention to the scenery along the way; this is the first time she has focused her attention on the leisurely pace of time.
She rested her arm on the car window, rested her chin on her hand, and carefully observed the scene. As the cool breeze blew, she squinted her eyes, enjoying the moment of tranquility.
"Is it beautiful?" Cheng Sangluo asked proudly, and then explained in detail: "Before, I couldn't see any beautiful scenery in prison. There was only a narrow patch of sky above the high walls. When I was resting, I would look up at the sky and stare blankly. The clouds were the only scenery that helped me pass the time. They were most beautiful at dusk."
Lin Jin's brows furrowed as she listened to the words. She didn't like the little dog mentioning things in prison, even though the person didn't avoid it, she was still wary.
Perhaps it was an unspeakable heartache.
After a moment of silence, she withdrew her arm and searched for something in the car's music, until the intro to "California Dreaming" began, echoing the twilight outside the window.
Cheng Sangluo leisurely tilted her head, her fingertips rhythmically tapping the steering wheel, softly singing, "I'd be safe and warm..."
Lin Jin was surprised that the puppy's singing sounded even more ethereal in the howling wind, and she was also surprised by its standard pronunciation.
Yes, if it weren't for this tragic experience, this top student would probably have a bright future ahead of him.
Cheng Sangluo drove the car extremely steadily, as if pushing a shopping cart, or carrying Lin Jin on her back. She was always meticulous and steady, and the melodious music brought a sense of peace to the heart.
Lin Jin did not smile, but called out seriously, "Cheng Sangluo."
Cheng Sangluo turned the music down and responded with a contented "hmm".
"That day I stood in the rain and told you that I was there to help you. You should remember that, right?"
Cheng Sangluo asked in confusion, "Why are we suddenly talking about this?"
“Over the past month, I’ve done many things that seem unbelievable to you, so I understand why you don’t believe me.” Lin Jin said seriously, glancing at the puppy’s profile before pausing for a moment before continuing, “I entered your world to pull you out of the mud, do you believe me?”
The Bentley sped along for a while, then slowly pulled over to the side of the road with its hazard lights flashing.
Cheng Sangluo finally turned off the music, leaving that rare moment of relaxation and comfort behind in the twilight.
She didn't respond immediately, waiting for Lin Jin to finish explaining what she wanted to say.
“Cheng Sangluo, go and take revenge, just like you ruthlessly broke Cheng Xing’s leg. Go and get revenge on everyone who framed you.” Lin Jin smiled with an indescribable emotion. “Without me, you can’t move an inch, and you can’t even get past the class you hate the most. Once we get our marriage certificate, I can become your rightful backer.”
As she spoke, Lin Jin leaned closer and gently stroked the puppy's face, her eyes tender yet filled with a sense of heartbreak.
Cheng Sangluo's breath hitched, her heart felt as if it had been punched hard, and she even questioned whether the plan to use Lin Jin was too cruel, but such thoughts only lasted for a moment.
All the doubts returned to the day they first met: 'Why are you so kind to me for no reason?'
Cheng Sangluo hesitated for a long time before murmuring, "Lin Jin, have you known me for a long time?"
Lin Jin brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, letting out a soft sigh that easily disrupted the tranquility of the carriage.
With her eyes half-closed, her soft, luminous gaze fell like a kiss on the puppy's face, tirelessly and tenderly kissing every inch of its skin.
Cheng Sang swallowed a mouthful of bitter, shy taste, feeling extremely uncomfortable under the gaze of the alluring, madwoman. She could only slightly turn her head to avoid that overly ambiguous look.
A cool touch suddenly came over her chin, forcing her to half-raise her face to meet the blatant provocation.
The nut-colored nails deliberately scratched her lips. It didn't hurt, but it itched, an itch that lingered in her heart, a itch she wanted to scratch but couldn't reach.
Lin Jin smiled, leaned in and pressed his lips to her ear, whispering softly, "Do you really want to know?"
Whispers stirred up a humid breeze, accompanied by an itchy feeling in the heart, a tingling sensation that was uncontrollable.
No matter how skilled Cheng Sangluo was at controlling her emotions and desires, she was still just a person made of flesh and blood.
Her emotions were like a blank sheet of paper, unable to withstand Lin Jin's bold and captivating strokes, making it all the more difficult for her to suppress the turmoil deep within her soul.
She gently brushed away the fingertips that were playing tricks on her lips, her tone not harsh: "If you don't want to say, I won't force you. Anyway, you always love to keep people in suspense."
Lin Jin was expectant, hoping that Cheng Sangluo would be like a real puppy and dig up the secrets buried deep in her heart, but the response she received was that he would not force her.
She bit her lower lip and gave a disappointed smile, then bit the puppy's ear with resentment, "Can't you be a little more curious about me?"
How could Cheng Sangluo not be curious? She feared that if she took another step, she would fall into that obvious trap.
She moved her lips, but hesitated to utter a question, finally letting out a muffled breath.
"Never mind." Lin Jin's eyes dimmed completely, but she let go of the unmoving puppy and sighed wistfully, "Who knows what the past was like?"
...
Perhaps because she had spent so much time with Lin Jin these days, Cheng Sangluo was no longer as resistant to the large house in Linxi Terrace as she had been before.
As soon as she entered the house, she got busy sorting out the household items she had bought from the supermarket.
Lin Jin leaned lazily against the corner of the sofa, admiring the puppy's earnest tidying up, and couldn't help but laugh: "Do you have OCD?"
Cheng Sangluo was folding a new towel. He turned his head and glanced at her when he heard the sound. He explained, "Whether in the army or in prison, we value cleanliness and orderliness in our lives. It's a habit, not obsessive-compulsive disorder."
"That's good, a good habit," Lin Jin agreed, getting up to get a drink from the refrigerator. "What would you like to drink?"
Cheng Sangluo's body trembled, and a thousand traces of fear flashed in his eyes. "You're injured, so calm down. If you want anything, just tell me and I'll get it for you."
She outwardly expressed concern for the madwoman's injuries, but secretly she was panicked and fearful, afraid of being drugged again—a classic case of being bitten by a snake once and being afraid of a rope for ten years.
With that, she dropped what she was holding and ran into the kitchen like a madwoman.
Seeing the puppy's PTSD reaction, Lin Jin laughed heartily: "It can't be that bad, can it? Am I that scary?"
Before long, Cheng Sangluo gulped down bottled water and handed one to Chao Linjin as well.
After she finished the entire bottle of water, she breathlessly replied, "I...I won't be thirsty tonight..."
Lin Jin looked both amused and exasperated. "I told you I wouldn't use the same trick twice. There's no need to be so cautious. Besides, we're not living together for just a day or two. You're not going to post like this every single day, are you?"
Cheng Sangluo threw away the empty bottle and picked up a glass from the coffee table. "I'll use this glass from now on. Don't touch it."
"Whatever you want~" Lin Jin crossed her arms and looked at the cup in her hand, thinking, "If you want your own cup, I'll pick out a nice one for you when I have time."
"No need to waste money." Cheng Sangluo refused, then glanced around furtively before walking to the TV cabinet and placing her cup in the corner.
While Lin Jin wasn't looking, she secretly plucked a small strand of hair and threw it into the cup as a mark.
Lin Jin glanced at the time; it was past dinner time. With a touch of coquettishness, she said, "Little Sangzi, I'm hungry."
Cheng Sangluo returned to the sofa and continued tidying up. "I'll cook once I'm done with what I'm doing. We won't starve anytime soon, so please be patient."
"Wait? No one has ever dared to leave me waiting to go hungry." Lin Jin raised her eyebrows, treating it as a joke, and ordered, "Go, cook."
Hearing the crazy woman's imperious tone, Cheng Sangluo rolled her eyes and ignored her.
She casually put the folded items aside and prepared to start organizing the next batch.
Lin Jinxu narrowed his eyes, staring at the puppy with a sinister aura, and silently moved closer, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Upon seeing the sofa covered with neatly arranged items, she quickly pulled Cheng Sangluo aside and messed up the folded things.
"Hey! You..." Cheng Sangluo was too late to stop her, staring at the wicked, crazy woman with a bewildered expression, "What are you doing?"
"You wouldn't cook for me...you wouldn't cook for me..." (Crazy woman, petty and narrow-minded.jpg)
Cheng Sangluo glanced at the things she had painstakingly tidied up, then suddenly buried her head in her hands and collapsed onto the carpet, kicking her legs wildly and wailing, "Ah! I owe you from my past life... I owe you from my past life... you deserve to be cursed..."
"Get up!" Lin Jin didn't tolerate her, reaching out to grab her by the collar and shaking her repeatedly. "I'm hungry, make me some food!"
Cheng Sangluo wanted to grab the crazy woman's hand and bite it hard, but then she shook her head.
What's wrong? You've gotten so used to being called a dog that you're starting to become like one!
She was so angry that her nostrils flared, and she glared with eyes that seemed to devour people without spitting out their bones. But when she saw the crazy woman's thin waist, which could be pinched with one hand, she quickly deflated like a wilted balloon and compromised: "What do you want to eat?"
"What can you do?" Lin Jin patted the dog's head with satisfaction when he heard the puppy agree, and instructed, "Just make three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup, that'll do."
"What?! Three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup is considered a perfunctory meal?" Cheng Sangluo exclaimed, standing up impatiently and walking towards the kitchen. "I'll make whatever you want, you eat whatever I make. Why do you have so many choices? Eat it or don't, it's up to you."
The huge house was usually quiet and deserted, never as noisy as it is now. The liveliness that only two people could create was a lively one, full of warmth and life.
Cheng Sangluo quickly prepared the dishes, turned around and went to the refrigerator to get something. Seeing Lin Jin staring at her in a daze, she couldn't help but command, "What are you daydreaming about? Come and lend a hand."
“But I’m injured.” Lin Jin lifted her foot and said matter-of-factly, “You need to recognize your place. Since you’re living in my house, you should take good care of me.”
Cheng Sangluo snorted coldly, grabbed an apple from the refrigerator, walked to the counter to wash it, and then took three steps at a time to Lin Jin, saying, "Open your mouth."
"Ah—" Lin Jin actually obediently opened her mouth, then winced in pain, "Ugh!"
Cheng Sangluo shoved an apple into her mouth and pressed it down hard, saying with disdain, "If you can't help, go sit in the living room and don't get in my way."
On the surface, Lin Jin was displeased that the puppy was too reckless in its treatment of her, but in reality, she was secretly delighted and even fantasized about Cheng Sangluo forcibly putting her fingertips into her mouth so that she could taste the rough texture.
She took a big bite of the apple to fill the emptiness deep in her soul, her eyes filled with amusement, and she couldn't bear to look away from Cheng Sangluo.
Even with her back to the madwoman, Cheng Sangluo could feel the blatant gaze, and she couldn't help but slump her shoulders and let out a long sigh.
"Tomato and egg stir-fry, stir-fried bok choy, stir-fried pork, and seaweed and egg drop soup—that'll do." Cheng Sangluo casually changed the subject to change the increasingly ambiguous atmosphere, but feeling it was still too bland, she asked again, "These dishes are all very light. Are there any dietary restrictions?"
Lin Jin chewed on an apple, then slowly walked up behind her, resting her forehead against her broad back, and teased, "I want to eat steamed puppy, do you know how to make it?"
Cheng Sangluo shivered; the chill that swept down her back was even more irritating than the chills she felt when she had a fever!
Even if she were emotionally oblivious, she could still hear the double entendre in his words. So she turned around, leaned against the counter, and brandished the kitchen knife in her hand, threateningly saying, "Sashimi madwoman, do you want to try it?"
Lin Jin lowered her eyes, staring at the sharp blade, and stubbornly continued to move closer until the puppy had nowhere left to retreat, and could only raise its hands high and remain motionless.
Looking at the adorable surrender, she smiled and forcefully stuffed the apple she had left into the puppy's mouth, wrapping her arms tightly around its strong waist. "Don't move, puppy, you're surrounded."
Lin Jin pressed her ear against Cheng Sangluo's chest, listening intently to the rhythmic throbbing of his heart. The arrhythmic erratic beat brought a satisfied smile to her face.
Cheng Sangluo silently put down the kitchen knife and nodded to examine the beautiful face with her eyes closed.
She found that she didn't dislike Lin Jin's closeness. Even though she always verbally threatened to drive him away, she would always soften and accept his gentleness.
Cheng Sang, out of Lin Jin's sight, softened her usual sharp and aggressive demeanor, her expression unusually warm, even carrying a hint of an unconscious smile.
She asked herself silently, "Am I needed and relied upon?"
The sizzling sound of oil in a hot pan filled the entire house with the aroma of food, whetting everyone's appetite.
Cheng Sangluo's stir-frying of vegetables was skillful, and she would occasionally lift the wok and toss it, showing that she was an experienced cook at the stove.
Lin Jin rested her arms on the edge of the counter, turned her head to admire the little dog's serious cooking, her sparkling eyes filled with admiration, and couldn't help but praise, "I didn't know you could actually cook."
Cheng Sangluo glanced at her and smiled smugly: "Do you know which type of soldier is the most secretive in the army?"
"You want me to praise the special forces as the best?" Lin Jin smiled, squinting his eyes, imagining the little dog looking dashing in camouflage, and teased, "That's right, back then you took on a lot of people in Seventeen Port, and no one was afraid of you when they shot you, right?"
When the topic came up, Cheng Sangluo recalled the scene of being surrounded and beaten by a group of people, and felt somewhat embarrassed. She denied it outright, saying, "I'm not a fool. I'm afraid of guns."
As she spoke, she took the dishes off the stove and plated them, continuing her previous conversation: "The most unassuming people in the army are the cooks. They have to make sure the communal meals are not only nutritious but also delicious and visually appealing. It's a real skill, especially during field operations. Like us, they have to carry heavy loads and provide food for everyone in a short time. To avoid revealing their position, they have to cook without any smoke. Besides, they have to be ready to respond to surprise attacks at any time..."
Cheng Sangluo's life was bland and bitter. The years she served in the military were some of the few happy times she had, which is why she could talk about it so vividly.
Lin Jin listened to the puppy's incessant chatter without getting annoyed, and let her keep talking.
Seeing the puppy busy serving soup, she eagerly asked, "And then what happened?"
"Later... hehe... I was punished and worked as a handyman in the mess hall for a month. I didn't learn anything else, but I did learn a few home-style dishes." Cheng Sangluo's eyes lit up when she recalled a certain memory. As if afraid of being overheard, she deliberately covered her mouth with her hand and whispered, "When we were hungry in the middle of the night, a group of us would secretly cook for ourselves. I even secretly slipped some steamed buns to Bai Mu."
"Interesting." Lin Jin couldn't imagine what kind of joy a steamed bun could bring, but looking at the puppy's hearty laughter, she could tell that the steamed bun in the middle of the night must have been delicious.
"Give me a hand." Cheng Sangluo handed her two dishes, then picked her up and carried her in her arms. "Let's go sit in the dining room and wait. I'll wash the dishes and we can start eating right away."
This large, black-and-white apartment never exudes any sense of life; its coldness perfectly reflects its owner—respectable, luxurious, and utterly devoid of warmth.
In fact, this house is more like Lin Jin's private hotel. He only comes here for one night when he works overtime until late at night or when he is in high spirits after drinking.
However, from now on, this place, which can hardly be called home, will have colors other than black and white, and the aroma of cooking fumes.
As Cheng Sangluo carried the washed dishes and chopsticks toward the dining room, Lin Jin was secretly nibbling at the stir-fried pork on the plate, her pinky fingers delicately raised.
"Hey, hey, that's rude." The puppy caught her red-handed and scolded her irritably, then handed the bowl of rice to Lin Jin. "Can't you wait patiently? Eating together makes the food taste better."
In her words, she seemed to be reminiscing about the communal meals in the military camp, or perhaps she was longing for the lively atmosphere that is gone forever.
"Who told you to be so slow? I'm hungry, I can't wait any longer." Lin Jinli took the bowl, picked up some food with a self-righteous air, and as she chewed, she let out a satisfied murmur, "Mmm~"
Cheng Sangluo pulled out a chair and sat down. Seeing the person opposite her with a rather satisfied expression, she simply picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of meat, and put it in her mouth to taste the saltiness.
She was a little puzzled. It was just a few ordinary dishes, which shouldn't have made this crazy woman, who was used to Michelin-starred meals, look so delighted.
"What are you staring at me for? Is it because you're a feast for the eyes?" Lin Jin admired herself for a moment, then changed the soup bowl and sipped it slowly. Although she didn't want the little dog to get proud, she still praised, "Not bad, the taste is just right for my palate."
Cheng Sangluo's cooking skills were only average. Perhaps Lin Jin was tired of delicacies, which is why she made a simple home-cooked meal so delicious.
The true deliciousness lies in what makes it so special; perhaps only a lonely person can truly understand.
Cheng Sangluo is not the only one who longs for home. For Lin Jin, the word is more like the moon in the pond, visible but unattainable, and touching it would shatter the illusion that fills the pond.
Even though dinner is simple, the company of each other creates a warm and cozy feeling, adding a touch of home to the delicious meal.
A sudden, ticklish sensation ran through Cheng Sangluo's ankle. She paused in her chopsticks, looking at the person opposite her with a helpless expression. "Just eat, why are you making such a fuss?"
"Don't you think it would be fun to flirt a little while eating?" Lin Jin smiled smugly, her toes darting back and forth inside the puppy's trouser leg before gently stepping on the instep.
This feeling is very reassuring, yet it creates a deep, tantalizing ambiguity in the world beneath the table.
Cheng Sangluo silently withdrew her foot, and casually picked up a piece of vegetables with her chopsticks and put it in Lin Jin's bowl. "What are you flirting for? Food can't shut you up. Hurry up and eat!"
Lin Jin caught the two blushes that suddenly appeared on her face and teased her, "You haven't been drinking, why are you blushing?"
Cheng Sangluo held her rice bowl in front of her face, and even though she denied it, she couldn't hide the two blushes that rose on her face. "I didn't!"
"Is it so hard to admit it?" Lin Jin wrinkled her nose and poked the puppy's head with the end of her chopsticks. "You're so awkward."
The puppy rubbed its forehead in annoyance, its eyes gleaming with resentment. "What else can you do besides bully me? Oh, and you can even lay hands on me!"
Lin Jin rested her chin on her hands, her eyes sparkling. "I like you, that's why I want to tease you~ Silly~"
We were full and satisfied.
Cheng Sangluo's obsessive-compulsive disorder has started acting up again.
After meticulously cleaning the dining room, the man plunged into the kitchen and began endlessly cleaning.
Lin Jin grew impatient waiting in the living room, so she limped over to the kitchen to catch the puppy. "Are you destined to work so hard? Can't you just stop for a second?"
Cheng Sangluo didn't know how to operate the currently popular floor scrubber and was afraid of damaging the machine, so she was currently lying down and mopping the floor.
She cleaned with great effort, as if she were undertaking a difficult task.
Hearing the plaintive urging from the doorway, she didn't even look up and continued with her work, saying, "What's the rush? I'm busy!"
"It's such a long night, don't you want to have a heart-to-heart talk with me? Let's talk about things you want to know. If not, I'm going back to my room to rest." Lin Jin was a master at baiting dogs; he threw out the bait and then turned to leave, so decisively.
"Hey, wait!" The puppy, having taken the bait, quickly got up to rub the rag, then hurriedly followed behind the crazy woman. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Hmph, now it's your turn to wait for me~" Lin Jin always found a good way to appease the puppy, deliberately stalling for time. "I'm going to take a beauty bath now. If you want to know what I want to talk about, hurry up and help me to the bathroom. Little Sangzi, you'd better serve me well. Good service can offset your debts~"
[Author's Note]
My upcoming novel, "The Sinful Lover," is available for pre-order. Please add it to your favorites.
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