A red light lit up on the wide-open road, and the car came to a lonely stop by the roadside.
Zhou Yushen’s long fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel as he tilted his head slightly.
The streetlight slanted through the windshield, leaving half his face hidden in shadow.
He looked like a breathtaking male demon lurking within a forest—dangerous yet irresistibly alluring.
Did he truly like her?
Of course not.
He simply needed a marriage certificate to appease his elders.
Marriage itself held little importance to him, though because of his mother, it carried a somewhat sacred significance in his mind.
Which was why he would never divorce lightly.
As for love— His pupils reflected Shen Nanyue’s beautiful and flamboyant face.
Unbidden, his thoughts drifted back to that lingering intimacy in the car that night.
Compared to her sharp personality, her body had been far softer.
Feelings could be cultivated.
But a wife who suited his tastes so perfectly was rare.
“I…”
“All right, no need to say it.”
The moment Zhou Yushen opened his mouth, Shen Nanyue lost interest and turned back to sit properly.
Her gaze passed through the windshield and settled on the countdown ticking away at the traffic light ahead as she spoke casually,
“Feelings are the most useless thing in this world. Even if someone likes you now, it doesn’t mean they’ll still like you later.”
Just like her parents.
They had entered marriage because of love, yet they hadn’t even survived the so-called seven-year itch before their relationship completely fell apart.
The light turned green, and Zhou Yushen pressed down on the accelerator.
The car slowly began moving again, accompanied by his low, emotionless voice.
“There are always exceptions.”
Shen Nanyue laughed softly.
“Mr. Zhou, don’t tell me you think you’re the exception? It’s hard for people to remain unwaveringly loyal to another person forever. I don’t believe in love either, but I do believe in my own persistence.”
“What persistence?”
“My persistence in marrying you.”
While driving, Zhou Yushen spared her a glance.
Her cool eyes were filled with determination.
Shen Nanyue fell silent again.
She truly had understood Zhou Yushen’s persistence now.
The car stopped outside an upscale residential complex.
Just as Shen Nanyue was about to get out, Zhou Yushen grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
“So? Have you made your decision?”
At last, the question she had been waiting for.
Shen Nanyue looked at him, pondered for two seconds, then smiled as she answered,
“To be honest, Mr. Zhou, your looks are exactly my type. But unfortunately, I refuse.”
“Reason.”
Zhou Yushen’s tone remained calm, but his grip around her wrist tightened slightly.
“Unlike you, I don’t trust myself. I’m afraid I’d cheat.”
The moment the words left her mouth, a flash of astonishment crossed Zhou Yushen’s face.
Once he processed her meaning, the calm expression he had maintained finally froze, dark and sinister emotions surging deep within his eyes.
Shen Nanyue didn’t notice.
She patted his hand lightly, signaling for him to let go.
“Stop focusing your attention on me from now on. I’m not cut out for pure romance.”
She pushed open the car door.
But just as she was about to step out, a sudden powerful tug yanked her back into the seat.
The overwhelming masculine scent rushing toward her wrapped around her layer upon layer.
The cramped space instantly filled with oppressive tension.
Zhou Yushen leaned over her slightly, his cool fingertips gently stroking her chin.
“Not cut out for pure romance? Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for Meng Yan?”
The coolness in his voice made Shen Nanyue realize that Zhou Yushen was in a very bad mood right now.
She forced herself to stay calm.
“No.”
“Then is it that my appearance still isn’t enough to satisfy your tastes?”
Zhou Yushen moved closer, his warm breath brushing against her face, instantly causing her cheeks to flush pink.
“Or maybe… eighteen centimeters isn’t enough to satisfy you anymore either?”
As he spoke, Zhou Yushen’s face drew even nearer, his lips grazing the corner of hers.
A shiver ran through her, and she instinctively raised a hand to push him away.
But the man swiftly caught her wrist and pinned it behind her back.
The next second, he lowered his head fiercely and captured her soft lips in a kiss.
Shen Nanyue wanted to struggle.
Yet his movements were gentle, and the clean, refreshing scent surrounding him enveloped her completely.
It involuntarily reminded her of that night, and her body honestly responded to his touch.
Who knew how much time passed before Zhou Yushen finally pulled back slightly, the corners of his lips raised as he admired Shen Nanyue’s flushed face and soft breaths.
“Looks like you’re still quite satisfied with me.”
In an exceptionally good mood, he released her and leaned back into his seat.
Shen Nanyue secretly gritted her teeth.
This was all because of her weakness for good looks!
Even she found herself shameless for it.
Zhou Yushen raised a hand and covered the back of her head, his fingers gently combing through her seaweed-like hair until it became slightly messy beneath his touch.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear your rejection. Even if not for feelings, then for the sake of my body, think it over again.”
Shen Nanyue turned her head and glared fiercely at him before getting out of the car.
Only after her figure disappeared into the apartment entrance did Zhou Yushen drive away with a smile lingering on his lips.
After returning home, Shen Nanyue threw herself heavily onto the sofa.
She had originally thought Zhou Yushen was a gentleman—handsome and polite.
Who would’ve thought he was actually a seductive fox spirit disguised as a human?
What did he mean by pretending not to hear her rejection?
Wasn’t he basically saying he simply refused to accept rejection at all?
Had she basically cornered herself into a situation where she couldn’t advance or retreat?
She let out a long sigh and sank deeper into the couch.
The phone in her pocket vibrated again.
She pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
After a moment, she finally answered.
“Grandpa.”
On the other end of the line came the worried voice of Old Master Shen.
“Yueyue, are you all right?”
“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about Mom either—someone’s taking care of her. Get some rest early. I’ll bring your clothes back tomorrow.”
Old Master Shen had no intention of blaming Shen Nanyue.
After hearing her words, he merely sighed softly.
“Yueyue… your mother actually does care about you. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have held this birthday banquet at the Shen family residence this time. She doesn’t want to hurt you either.”
A cold smile curved Shen Nanyue’s lips.
The living room lights were off.
Cool moonlight and the colorful glow of the bustling city outside poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The enormous living room was wrapped in silence, and sitting there alone made her seem especially lonely.
“I know, Grandpa,” she replied obediently.
She knew her mother chose to hold the banquet at the Shen residence because the Shen family was more influential than the Lin family, making the event look more prestigious.
She also knew that announcing her engagement to the Meng family on Shen family territory was more appropriate, which was why the venue had been changed at the last minute.
Those comforting words from earlier were only her grandfather trying to keep her from feeling hurt.
She could act willfully.
But she could never fail to appreciate her grandfather’s kindness.
Forcing out a smile, Shen Nanyue gently comforted Old Master Shen.
“Grandpa, you should get some rest. I’ll come see you first thing tomorrow morning.”
“All right. Yueyue, you must be tired too. Go to bed early.”
The grandfather and granddaughter only exchanged a few more words before ending the call.
Shen Nanyue stood up and walked into the study.
Though calling it a study was somewhat inaccurate—it was more like her personal mini studio.
The room was filled with design sketches and clothing patterns, while an entire row of garment racks nearby held all kinds of outfits.
On the rack closest to her workspace hung a red traditional Tang-style jacket.
It featured a front-opening design with a mandarin collar, tailored neatly and impeccably.
The entire outfit radiated solemn dignity and grandeur.
She was a designer.
And the very first design she had ever truly created was this outfit for her grandfather.
She lifted a hand and gently stroked the fabric, traces of sorrow surfacing in her eyes.
Perhaps… it would also be the last time.
— The end of the Chapter–
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