Chapter 36 Peak Return
◎“I’ve let you go too many times, this time I’m saying no!”◎
The heating in the private room was on full blast, and Lin Yu took off her coat after a short while, now standing in the corridor wearing only a knitted dress.
The draft through the room, combined with Chen Jingshu's excessive exertion, caused her calves and waist to ache.
There was also the sudden closeness between the two of them, and when he spoke, his breath carried a strong smell of alcohol.
"Let go." Feeling both physical and psychological coercion, Lin Yujing instinctively resisted.
Such resistance only shattered Chen Jingshu's last shred of reason.
He knew best where her body was sensitive, so he pressed his broad, hot palm against her slender waist. The huge difference in strength between men and women trapped her firmly in his chest filled with the fragrance of ebony and sandalwood, leaving her with no strength to resist.
Chen Jingshu stared at her lips with bloodshot eyes, his cold reply uttered slowly and deliberately, "I've let you go too many times, but this time I'm saying no!"
Before she could finish speaking, Lin Yujing's chin was grabbed by him.
The next moment, a burning kiss pressed against her lips, consuming all her breath without warning.
The man who was usually gentle and tender towards her was now filled with a strong possessiveness, as if he wanted to make her into a second rib in his body.
At the same time, Lin Yujing also felt that his heart was beating very heavily, as if it was mixed with surging hatred, or as if he could not suppress his love.
All the feelings he had suppressed for so long—love that he couldn't have, hatred that he couldn't bear to part with—were released all at once through this kiss.
She clenched her teeth, and he bit her lip, determined to break through her defenses.
It was as if that tongue had breached not only her lips, but also her hardened heart.
Lin Yujing looked up and watched helplessly as Chen Jingshu vented his anger.
Along with the unspeakable grievances that had been building up in her heart, they also broke down and burst forth.
Tears slid down their cheeks and rolled between their lips and tongues.
Instantly, bitter, salty tears spread uncontrollably, making their tongues tingle with a sour taste.
At the same time, that tear seemed to awaken Chen Jingshu's rationality. His hand trembled, his whole body paused, and he suddenly realized what he was doing.
At this moment, inside their mouths.
There was salty, fishy blood, bitter tears, and a tongue churning and sucking.
Chen Jingshu gasped, his rationality returning completely.
Lin Yujing, as if all her strength had been drained, slowly slid down into his arms.
He finally, once again, crumbled because of her.
Lin Yujing's voice was trembling as she raised her hand and pushed him away, saying, "A-Shu, you've had too much to drink."
Chen Jingshu knelt down in front of her, one hand holding her palm and pressing it against his heart. "I know my alcohol tolerance. Those three glasses of fruit wine weren't enough to get me drunk."
Lin Yujing lowered her head and shook her head helplessly.
"Jingjing, look up at me." Chen Jingshu carefully cupped her face, making her look into his own eyes. "I beg you, look at me. Look at how I've become so ill because of you."
"Ever since we met, I've been at your beck and call, afraid that you might be even slightly displeased. I suffer from being a gentleman, and I have to be careful about being a villain."
Lin Yujing met his eyes and saw him desperately trying to remain calm, yet his pent-up grievances were overwhelming.
"Ah Shu, what do you want me to do?" she countered. "I'll give you the initiative too. Just tell me, and I'll make sure you do it."
"Do you want me to be your secret lover, or do you want me to wait for you, and how many years are you prepared to make me wait?" She spoke calmly, as if she were talking about something that had nothing to do with her.
Of course, there were also things she didn't say aloud, but which they both knew perfectly well.
That is, no matter what achievements she makes thereafter, her most prominent title will always be that of the third party who interfered in the marriage of Hua Ren's son.
If they are lucky, they will indeed become a couple, and their children will also have to bear some complicated and tangled scandals between men and women.
"Or, I could be kept in a gilded cage by you for the rest of my life. In Beijing? Penghu? Or America?" This time, it was Lin Yujing's turn to follow his gaze, "Waiting for your favor for the rest of my life."
"Hmm?" Lin Yujing smiled slightly, like a condemned prisoner suddenly relieved before his execution.
Chen Jingshu's brow twitched, and even the hand that touched her body felt a stinging pain.
After a long while, he looked up at the sky and sighed, "Jingjing, you always know best how to defeat me with the calmest words."
Lin Yujing's nose also tingled. She didn't understand psychological language at all; she was just taking advantage of his love and being fearless because of his favor.
"I'm sorry." Chen Jingshu shrugged, helped her up from the ground, his eyes still filled with tender love. "I scared you just now."
Lin Yujing sniffed, reached out and smoothed his disheveled collar, and shook her head, saying, "I'm sorry."
Their unbreakable bond originated from her.
Therefore, whether Chen Jingshu hated her or loved her, Lin Yujing had long ago warned herself to bear it all.
Chen Jingshu looked at her eyes, which were about to burst into tears, and finally threatened, "Jingjing, you'd better live a prosperous life from now on. If I ever see you unhappy again, I will definitely keep you by my side. I'll make sure you cry in my arms."
"Jingjing, you must have a bright future!" After saying that, Chen Jingshu waved his hand and turned to leave.
Lin Yujing braced herself on her knees with her arms, bent over, and gasped for breath.
She wanted to say that she also had countless moments when she wanted to abandon the shackles that the world saw her as needing to bear and accompany him in seeking a doomsday carnival regardless of everything.
-
Lin Yujing quickly composed herself, making sure to touch up her makeup before returning to the private room.
When Su Xinyang saw that she had finally returned, he asked with concern, "Why did you take so long? Were you feeling particularly unwell?"
Lin Yujing lied and said, "I probably didn't eat much today. I just ate some fruit and that's when my stomach suddenly started hurting."
Looking at the ice cubes used to keep the fruit fresh in the fruit platter, Su Xinyang said, "I'll go to the front desk and get you a hot drink. Do you prefer fruit juice or dairy?"
"Juice is fine."
As soon as Lin Yujing finished speaking, before Su Xinyang could even get up, Chen Jingshu pushed open the door and entered.
He walked with one hand in his pocket, exuding a dashing air, while holding a cup of hot orange juice in his other hand, which he handed directly to her.
"What's this?" Su Xinyang asked in surprise.
After all, in his eyes, Chen Jingshu had always been an aloof and arrogant person, let alone someone who would take the initiative to care about girls.
"They gave me New Year's Eve drinks as a gift to my guesthouse guests, hoping to attract repeat customers."
Perhaps it was because the two had just had a hysterical argument, but Chen Jingshu finally seemed to have figured something out.
Even now, the way he looks at her is much more peaceful and gentle.
"Thank you." Lin Yujing raised her hand, accepting his invitation to make up.
-
"What's going on? Are we even going to play anymore?!" The game was still going on, and it was unclear which round it was.
The organizer urged, "Hurry up and sit back down, it's starting!"
The game started again, and this time Su Xinyang was cheated by his friend. He got the King card, while Lin Yujing got the lowest card, and he could freely instruct her to do anything.
"Then I'll... ask you a question from the heart." Su Xinyang always felt that she had a lot of stories to tell and that she had a strong sense of boundaries with the opposite sex, so he was afraid to be too aggressive. "If you were given a chance not to worry about the consequences, what would you most want to do?"
Immediately, someone retorted with exasperation, "Old Su, your answer to this question is... incredibly cowardly!"
Lin Yujing was holding the hot juice that Chen Jingshu had just given her when she suddenly looked up and met his gaze. A string of reason in her heart was gently plucked.
She pursed her lips, and amidst the crowd, cast a thousand tender glances into his eyes, saying, "If I don't have to worry about the consequences, I'll give up my future and my reputation, and go back to my ex-boyfriend to get back together with him."
The private room was already very quiet, and everyone was watching her, waiting for an answer.
These words, once spoken, were like ice crystals falling into a lake, instantly freezing everything for miles around.
But then, out of nowhere, Chen Jingshu suddenly picked up a glass of wine and said to her, "My temperament, I'd like to toast you."
Lin Yujing put down her hot juice, picked up a cocktail from the coffee table, leaned over and clinked glasses with him, saying, "Let's get to know each other, Lin Yujing."
Chen Jingshu touched his cheek with the tip of his tongue, squinted his eyes, and chuckled, "Chen Jingshu."
It's like burying the hatchet with a smile, or like using this unspoken understanding over a glass of wine to give each other a fresh start.
Just then, someone shouted, "The countdown to midnight has begun! Come and see the fireworks!"
Lin Yujing was led to the first row by Su Xinyang, and watched as the clock tower at Pengbin Bay began to display a countdown.
Inside the private room, everyone counted down together.
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
"Happy New Year!"
Suddenly someone behind her said, "Quickly make a wish, the wishes made at the fireworks in Pengbin Bay are very effective."
Lin Yujing clasped her hands together and silently prayed in her heart.
When she turned around again, Chen Jingshu was already standing behind her.
"Happy New Year, Lin Yujing," he said.
Lin Yujing slightly curved the corners of her lips and replied, "Happy New Year."
After that, Lin Yujing seemed to have completely let go of herself, drinking one glass of wine after another.
Su Xinyang pulled her, who was still quite drunk, and said, "You said you don't know how to make friends, but you're clearly having a great time."
After getting drunk, Lin Yujing's face was filled with a cheerful expression, but in reality, her brain was no longer under her control. "I'm so happy!"
She hasn't had a happy and lively New Year like this for seven years.
"I'm also very happy to have met you." Su Xinyang looked at her, pondered for a long time, and said, "Lin Yujing, actually, I've always felt that there's a very sad story hidden in your eyes. When you answered my honest question just now, was it because you were unhappy with your ex-boyfriend?"
Lin Yujing's expression froze for a moment, but she still stubbornly shook her head, "No, my ex-boyfriend is a very nice person."
Su Xinyang smiled silently, "Is there still any possibility of you two getting back together?"
Lin Yujing's mood immediately darkened, and she shook her head again, "I guess...it's over..."
Su Xinyang scratched his head, as if gathering all his courage, and asked, "Then...would you be willing to give it a try, to try dating me?"
Lin Yujing stared blankly at Su Xinyang, her eyes devoid of any mockery, yet she said with utmost sincerity, "I don't want to."
"Why?"
“He’s so dazzling that even if I’m not with him, I can’t see anyone else.”
As she spoke, a deep voice suddenly came from behind her, "Really?"
Lin Yujing looked up at the illusory figure above her head.
As the hazy light gradually focused, Chen Jingshu's face appeared before her eyes.
Lin Yujing blinked, pointed at him, and said, "You look just like my ex-boyfriend!"
After saying that, her head sank and she fell into his arms.
-
The New Year's Eve gathering ended around midnight, and everyone prepared to go home.
Drunk, Lin Yujing leaned against Chen Jingshu's chest, waved to Su Xinyang, and said drunkenly, "Don't worry, Lao Su, he looks a lot like my ex-boyfriend, he'll definitely be able to take me home safely."
Su Xinyang was still a little unwilling, after all, it was the younger sister he brought, but in the end, she was held in Chen Jingshu's arms.
However, even Chen Jingshu was acting strangely today, echoing her, "Don't worry, she's a guest of my guesthouse after all, I'll definitely get her back safely."
Su Xinyang wanted to make one last effort, but then he thought that this girl had too many stories to tell.
Moreover, after getting to know her, he discovered that she was probably not simple, and the social circle she belonged to was one that he couldn't fit into.
"Okay, then be careful." Su Xinyang finally gave up, got into the car, and drove away.
The two left behind, Chen Jingshu put his arm around Lin Yujing's shoulder and prepared to go back to his car to go home.
Lin Yujing, however, absolutely refused and insisted on walking back.
When people drink too much, they lose their rationality and logic, and eventually they stop talking about anything reasonable.
Chen Jingshu explained it to her again, "If we walk back, it will be dawn."
Lin Yujing squatted on the ground, her cheeks flushed and burning. She looked at the person in front of her and shook her head aggrievedly, "No, I have to walk back."
"Lin Yujing, why are you as stubborn as a mule?"
"Chen Jingshu, you simply don't understand. We have too little time to spend together. Walking can slow down time."
There was a time when all she wanted was to take aimless walks with him.
Two shadows are reflected on the ground, whether it's wasting time or squandering life.
It doesn't even need to be a romantic location; a school playground, a path home from get off work, or New Year's Eve are all fine.
As long as it's with him, as long as there's a chance to have a calm and peaceful conversation face-to-face, it's a precious moment.
"Okay, I'll do as you say," Chen Jingshu conceded.
A small coastal town in the north, the night of Lunar New Year's Eve.
The two walked side by side on the pebbly path where the waves crashed, and there was a strange sense of destiny about them.
It's like a slow-motion coming-of-age art film.
They are the male and female protagonists who love each other but cannot stay together for life, and this will be their last meeting.
When the New Year's bells fall, we will all go our separate ways.
"Jingjing, I've never asked you, why did you come to Pengzhen alone for the New Year?"
She squinted and walked straight along the bright yellow blind line, only to find that her feet felt unsteady. "I have no relatives in Yijing. I must find a place where you are not here, but where your shadow is still there, to spend the most lively yet lonely New Year."
"I just didn't expect you to come back..." After all, normally he should be spending the New Year at the Chen family home in Yijing, entertaining guests and finalizing the marriage arrangements.
Chen Jingshu stood beside her as she swayed, walking very slowly to match her pace. "In previous years, I was alone in America. This year, I was thinking that I could finally spend the New Year with you, but who knew that a long-dormant engagement would suddenly appear. I need to find a place where my heart can beat peacefully."
"..." Lin Yujing fell silent, lowered her head, and continued walking in a straight line.
Chen Jingshu suddenly chuckled and said, "I've noticed you're quite well-behaved when you're drunk; you answer all my questions honestly."
"Really?" Lin Yujing asked blankly, her tone even carrying a touch of coquettishness. "I just said whatever was on my mind."
"So, you were the one who came upstairs to see me yesterday?" Chen Jingshu asked. He wanted to test her again to see if she would answer any question honestly.
Lin Yujing nodded, "Yes, I heard the sound of glass breaking, and I was worried something might have happened to you."
Chen Jingshu: "You took my camera too?"
Lin Yujing: "That camera was originally a gift from you, it's mine."
Chen Jingshu: "I even gave myself to you before, why didn't you take me with you?"
Lin Yujing: "You are a human being, and you can't take a human being with you."
Chen Jingshu: "People are willing to leave with another person. If you ask me, I will definitely leave with you without looking back."
Lin Yujing shook her head. "No."
It was something etched in Lin Yujing's heart that she couldn't allow him to overstep his bounds or make any mistakes.
Even when drunk and losing their instinctive awareness, they would still firmly refuse when they heard him say those things.
Chen Jingshu sighed, "So what did you wish for tonight?"
Lin Yujing counted on her fingers and replied obediently, "My first wish is for A-Shu to be healthy, my second wish is for A-Shu to have a successful career, and my third wish is for A-Shu to have all his wishes fulfilled."
When Chen Jingshu looked at her again, his nose turned red. He grabbed her hand and put it in his pocket, as if he were treasuring an invaluable treasure.
She slowly said, "Do you know what I want? Just wish me all my dreams come true."
Lin Yujing first shook her head, then nodded.
"Then tell me, what do I want?"
Lin Yujing's eyes reddened, and her voice choked slightly as she said, "You want to be with me."
Chen Jingshu laughed out loud, then sighed even more heavily than before, "That was before. Now I just want to be quietly happy."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yujing suddenly squatted down on the ground, unable to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes. "But I'm not happy."
When Chen Jingshu saw her crying, his heart clenched instantly. He asked, "Why are you unhappy? Tell me, and I'll help you sort it out."
Lin Yujing shook her head, "You can't solve it."
"Then you have to say it." He knelt down in front of her like he was coaxing a child, wiping her tears and snot while gently coaxing her.
Jingjing likes Ashu so much. But Ashu is engaged, and I can't be with him. Jingjing is unhappy.
Chen Jingshu looked at her, his heart aching as he cried, then he laughed, "Because of this?"
“Yes.” Lin Yujing nodded repeatedly. “A-Shu is particularly stubborn. I’m afraid that if I tell him, he will give up everything, and I can’t hurt him. Besides, I promised Aunt Chen Xuan, and I can’t break my promise.”
Chen Jingshu's brows furrowed, tears streaming down his face as he sobbed, "What did you promise her?"
Lin Yujing opened her mouth, then suddenly seemed to regain some clarity, "No, nothing at all."
Chen Jingshu couldn't remember how many times he sighed that night, and he even wished he could open her head to see what heavy thoughts were inside. "Lin Yujing, can't you not carry too much burden and live a little easier in life?"
Lin Yujing got drunk again. "A-Shu, don't make me break my promise, okay?"
After saying that, she closed her eyes and her head crashed into his heart.
Seeing that she was completely drunk, Chen Jingshu had no choice but to carry her back the way he came and drive away.
It was already four in the morning when the two arrived home.
Chen Jingshu escorted her to the first floor to sleep, and looking at the layout he had deliberately changed, he realized that his past memories were still vivid and clear.
He reached out, wanting to touch her face, but then, remembering something, he silently withdrew his hand.
"Happy New Year, Miss Stubborn." Chen Jingshu tucked the blanket around her before getting up and leaving.
-
Columbus, the capital of Ohio, United States.
Jiang Yingli, as usual, was wearing a red imperial dress and sitting barefoot in front of the French windows reading a book. She was usually this quiet.
He wouldn't talk to anyone, just stayed in his room, immersing himself in various Shakespearean literature.
Jiang Yingzhi stood in the courtyard, talking to the nanny for a while, and then the nanny took the red envelope and left.
He turned around again and looked up at her.
Jiang Yingli has become even more silent lately since he was detained for three days last time.
But in his eyes, this was very well-behaved.
"Today is the Chinese New Year, what would you like to eat?"
Jiang Yingli reacted slightly, turning to look at him, "Can I drink?"
"..."
"If you can't, you can do whatever you want, it doesn't matter."
Ever since the last time the two of them got drunk and lost control of themselves, Jiang Yingzhi has been terrified of alcohol, the only thing that can help him relax.
But perhaps seeing that she was in a bad mood recently, and thinking of her brokenness over the years, Jiang Yingzhi nodded, "It's okay to drink a little."
Jiang Yingli put down the book, and a smile and color finally returned to his pale face. "Then I still want an iPad to play games."
"Okay." Seeing her happy, Jiang Yingzhi smiled as well. "If you continue to be this good, I'll grant you even more requests."
Jiang Yingli nodded, his smile suddenly turning faint, and he murmured with a self-deprecating smile, "Except for two things."
First, she cannot break off her engagement with Chen Jingshu.
Secondly, he can only ever exist in her world as her older brother.
The two remained silent, neither wanting to spoil the moment.
Jiang Yingzhi turned and went to the kitchen, while Jiang Yingli returned to the bedroom.
By the time Jiang Yingzhi had set the table, Jiang Yingli had already put on full makeup and was wearing her favorite sexy little dress.
"So happy?" Jiang Yingzhi was somewhat surprised by her reaction.
Jiang Yingli twirled around like a nimble swallow and asked, "Brother, am I pretty?"
Jiang Yingzhi crossed his arms, looking at her rare display of girlishness, and replied, "Beautiful."
"Let me pour you some wine." The young lady rarely lowered herself to such a high position; her hands, which were usually only used to flip through poetry books, took the corkscrew and twisted the cork.
Even her usually lifeless eyes sparkled with a spring-like radiance because of this New Year.
Jiang Yingzhi took the wine, and for a moment he didn't think to look away.
"Brother, is my wedding date after the New Year?" she asked.
Jiang Yingzhi's hand holding the wine glass suddenly paused. "Yes, there's a rare auspicious day in the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, which is very favorable for your birthday."
Jiang Yingli rested her chin on her hand, watching him tilt his head back and drink the entire glass of red wine in one gulp.
"Brother, what if I get married? Then I won't be able to celebrate my birthday with you anymore." Her birthday is in December every year.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yingzhi felt the red wine taste even more bitter than usual, and frowned. "After getting married, how can I still be with my brother?"
Jiang Yingli's face showed a hint of girlish grievance, and then she quietly got up.
Barefoot, she walked slowly to him, took his hand, and snuggled into his arms.
The girl's misty eyes made her even more pitiful.
“That’s why I want to spend more time with you, brother.” Jiang Yingli faced him and boldly straddled his lap, her slender arms encircling his neck, alluring yet self-aware. “Brother, can I ask for my birthday presents from many years to come in advance?”
Jiang Yingzhi smelled the fragrance on her body, and his eyes inexplicably began to redden. "Even if you're married, it won't stop me from delivering the gift to your home."
“No, you can’t give him this gift.” As she spoke, Jiang Yingli leaned closer and left a light kiss on his lips. “This is the 23rd birthday present I want this year.”
Jiang Yingzhi frowned and quickly tried to create distance between them, "Stop fooling around."
Unexpectedly, Jiang Yingli's legs were wrapped around his waist. As he tried to push her away, the momentum only made him hold her even tighter.
Jiang Yingli pressed herself tightly against him, resting her head on his shoulder, her lips landing right next to his ear, her soft murmurs seeming to transport them back to their childhood.
She would lie in his arms every day, and the two of them would hug each other even tighter as they listened to the fighting and cursing between the man and woman in the living room.
Back then, she was just like she is today, crying out in a pitiful and low voice, "Brother, I don't want much, just your presence is enough."
Jiang Yingli felt his body temperature rising steadily, and his hand, which had initially been pushing her away, gradually moved to protect her waist, where it began to caress her tenderly.
"Brother, can you carry me back to my room?" Jiang Yingli asked tentatively.
Jiang Yingzhi's breathing became erratic, and as soon as he spoke, his hot, deep breath brushed against her earlobe, "Aren't you going to eat?"
Jiang Yingli brought her lips closer to him again, boldly inserting her tongue into the man's teeth, her voice carrying a hint of ambiguity and teasing, "Brother, I'm eating."
The tension that had been building in Jiang Yingzhi's mind finally snapped, and he carried her toward the bedroom.
The room was immediately locked, along with the fate that the two had unintentionally set in motion.
"Xiao Li, you're in too much of a hurry." Jiang Yingzhi's pupils seemed to change color, and his response to the kiss became even more passionate.
“Brother, you’re anxious too.” Jiang Yingli smiled, his cheeks flushed with emotion.
Between light and shadow, the sky unconsciously changes from thick ink to pale dawn.
Jiang Yingli opened her eyes to the sound of the man's even breathing and carefully climbed out of bed.
First, I checked the iPad hidden behind the book; the camera was still pointed at the princess bed.
She packed her luggage and found the house key in his pocket.
She glanced one last time at Jiang Yingzhi, who was still fast asleep, and kissed the corner of his lips. Only then did she reluctantly place the bottle of medicine from the bedside table next to his pillow, leaving him with an explanation for his infatuation.
“Brother, I love you very much, but you won’t love me back.” Jiang Yingli took off her necklace, which was a gift from him for her eighteenth birthday. She had worn it for five years, and she had loved him for five years. “I have to fly away now.”
-
The next day, Lin Yujing was awakened by the incessant ringing of the telephone.
The hangover left her mind a mess, and her voice was hoarse. "Hello?"
"Sister, why are you still sleeping!" Qi Woxue's voice came from the other end immediately.
"What's wrong?" Lin Yujing asked.
"Something terrible has happened! Quick, check out the news link I forwarded to you!"
Lin Yujing hung up the phone and immediately opened her chat with Qi Woxue, only to see a huge headline: [Shocking Scandal Exposed: The Jiang Siblings!]
A sex video of just over ten minutes was circulated and known worldwide.
The comments section was filled with all sorts of comments, including one that topped the trending list: "Isn't the young master of the Chen family being cheated on by his fiancée and brother-in-law?"
Lin Yujing, disregarding the fact that she was still wearing thin pajamas, her cheeks were swollen, and her hair was messy, hurriedly put on her shoes and ran out of the room.
To everyone's surprise, as soon as they pushed open the door, they saw Chen Jingshu standing in the courtyard practicing Tai Chi.
"What are you doing?" Lin Yujing asked, puzzled.
Chen Jingshu first calmed down, even his tone had a slow, Tai Chi rhythm, "After learning that my fiancée cheated on me, I'll celebrate by playing Tai Chi."
A note from the author:
Ah Shu: I... (omitting ten thousand words of my inner feelings)
-
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2023-09-27 23:40:32 and 2023-09-28 23:54:34!
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: I can drink without getting drunk, and I'll give you a bottle of "Smell the Roses";
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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