Cheng Yuan waited for Jiang Xiao for a whole week before she finally came back.
She was on the phone at that moment. Song Xuan had called to invite her to dinner.
Jiang Xiao spoke with a faint smile. “You helped me a lot with this collaboration. I can’t owe you another favor.”
There came the sound of pages turning from the other end, then a soft laugh. “Xiao Xiao, don’t say that. I did it willingly.”
“I heard you’ve been going on blind dates recently. How is it? Satisfied?”
“Not satisfied.” Song Xuan put down his pen, leaning back in his chair. “They’re all shallow women. I don’t like them.”
“President Song, don’t be too picky.”
“I’ve never been picky.” Song Xuan said, “How about we give it a try?”
His warm voice came through. Jiang Xiao was stunned for a few seconds, then laughed. “I’m not a good match. I’m even more shallow.”
“I like this kind of shallow from you.” Song Xuan continued to probe. “Really not considering it?”
“Let’s just forget it.” Jiang Xiao didn’t take the hint. “I see you as an older brother.”
“I already have three sisters. I don’t need another one.” Song Xuan said, “No rush. Think about it.”
Song Xuan gave off a very warm feeling. Jiang Xiao smiled. “Then I’ll be your fourth sister.”
She parted her lips and called out, “Brother.”
Song Xuan pinched his brow. “Naughty.”
Jiang Xiao was about to say something more when someone blocked her way. She slowly looked up and met the man’s eyes. Compared to Jiang Xiao’s good mood, Cheng Yuan’s mood was terrible.
He frowned at Jiang Xiao, veins bulging on the side of his neck. No one knew how long he had been waiting here or what he had heard.
Jiang Xiao said “Talk later” into the phone and ended the call.
Putting away her phone, she wiped the smile off her face and said lightly, “What are you doing here?”
Cheng Yuan stared at her, wishing he could devour her. His Adam’s apple slowly moved as he suppressed his desire. “I’m here to pick you up.”
“I have someone coming for me. I don’t need you.” Jiang Xiao tugged her suitcase to pass him, but Cheng Yuan blocked her again. “Xiao Xiao.”
Seeing that Jiang Xiao didn’t stop, he snatched the suitcase from her hand.
Jiang Xiao stopped and turned to look at him. “Cheng Yuan, are you sick? Why are you taking my suitcase?”
“I’ll take you home.” Cheng Yuan grabbed her wrist and forcibly dragged her forward.
“Let go, let go.” Jiang Xiao struggled but couldn’t shake him off, so she pinched the back of his hand.
Cheng Yuan seemed to feel no pain; he held on tight.
“Be good, don’t cause trouble. Let me take you home.”
“I don’t need it.” Jiang Xiao said coldly.
“Why are you always so disobedient?” Cheng Yuan took a deep breath. “Can’t you compromise just once?”
“No.” Jiang Xiao said, “This is who I am. If President Cheng finds it annoying, he can stay away.”
She clearly knew that he couldn’t stay away, not even for a second.
“Xiao Xiao, don’t be like this.” Cheng Yuan thought of that night. Although it had been mostly rough and he’d been hurt, he missed the feeling of her lying in his arms. He wanted that forever. “I’ve booked a restaurant. It’s your favorite Japanese place.”
“I don’t like Japanese food anymore.”
“Then let’s go for Western food.”
“I don’t like Western food either.”
“Do you want hotpot?” Cheng Yuan asked.
“With you…” Jiang Xiao slowed down her voice. “I don’t want to eat anything.”
“…?”
Things were not going as Cheng Yuan expected. He had thought that after that night, they would become very close, but it turned out they were even more distant.
“You weren’t like this when you bit me that night.” Cheng Yuan savored the memory. “You said you really liked me.”
In the heat of the moment, Jiang Xiao seemed to have said that. She smiled. “President Cheng believes what people say in bed?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, that night is in the past. President Cheng should just forget it.”
Cheng Yuan wasn’t as carefree as Jiang Xiao, and he couldn’t possibly forget. He hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, his voice husky and seductive.
“I can’t forget.” She was so wonderful; even if he died, he wouldn’t forget.
“Suit yourself.” Jiang Xiao said indifferently. “Anyway, I’ve already forgotten.”
Those words completely shattered Cheng Yuan’s composure. He cupped her face. “You forgot?”
Jiang Xiao deliberately provoked him. “Yes, I forgot.”
“…” Cheng Yuan’s eyes seemed to spit fire, his jaw tight. “It’s okay. I can make you remember.” And you must remember.
Before Jiang Xiao could retort, he scooped her up and stuffed her into the car by the roadside.