“Your little boyfriend?”
Zhou Suisui was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized that he had mistaken her for someone in an online relationship.
Meeting his cold, stern gaze, she remained perfectly composed and flashed him an innocent smile.
“He’s very well-behaved. He’d never get jealous.”
The moment the words left her mouth, the hand gripping her wrist suddenly tightened.
“Ouch! You’re hurting me!”
Jiang Zongyan’s handsome face darkened almost visibly, his jawline drawn taut.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as though he were suppressing some powerful emotion.
He released her wrist, but instead took a step toward her, coming so close that their clothes were almost touching.
“D-don’t stand so close.”
Zhou Suisui even breathed cautiously, afraid that one careless inhale would press her chest against his.
“You have a boyfriend…”
He lowered his head. His sharp eyes, like those of a hunting leopard, fixed on her. Each word came out cold as ice.
“Zhou Suisui, you have a boyfriend, and you still dare to flirt with me?”
His stare made Zhou Suisui feel terribly guilty. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let go of me. I’m leaving.”
She tore herself free of his grip and instinctively placed both hands against his chest, trying to push him away.
But the man’s body was as solid as a wall.
Her feeble strength didn’t move him even an inch.
“Why are you running? Explain yourself. Do you have a boyfriend or not?”
Jiang Zongyan’s impossibly handsome face loomed larger and larger before her.
He leaned closer until the tip of his nose was almost touching hers. Their breaths mingled, and his gaze turned fierce.
“Think carefully before you answer. Otherwise…”
The threat in his voice was unmistakable.
With nowhere left to run, Zhou Suisui stomped her foot in exasperation. “No! I don’t have a boyfriend. I was lying to you!”
The instant she finished speaking, she regretted it. She glared at him angrily. “Now can you let me go?”
They were far too close.
She hated the feeling of being suppressed by him, as well as the indescribable emotions roiling in his eyes.
Her heart was pounding wildly. Afraid that he would keep questioning her until she accidentally revealed something she shouldn’t, she hurriedly raised her hands to push him away.
She pressed both palms firmly against his chest and shoved with all her might.
He didn’t budge.
Zhou Suisui froze. Only then did she belatedly realize that the sensation beneath her palms was not quite right.
Through the thin fabric of his shirt, she could feel the scorching warmth of his skin.
Wait…
Her two little paws were currently pressed against his…
His chest muscles?
The firm, burning flesh was clearly defined beneath her palms, every contour distinct.
Her mind instantly went blank.
Reason told her that she should pull her hands back immediately.
But her hands seemed to have developed a mind of their own. Not only did they fail to retreat, they actually gave another mysterious squeeze.
Her fingers curled slightly as she felt the curve beneath them.
She sighed inwardly, “Wow. They’re huge.”
The feel of them was simply too good.
Then she met Jiang Zongyan’s utterly stunned gaze.
“…”
Damn it. Nothing was more terrifying than the sudden silence that followed.
Zhou Suisui belatedly realized that she seemed to have said her thoughts aloud.
“I-I-I-I was just talking nonsense! Oh, Aunt Jiang is calling me!”
She yanked her hands back and darted out from beneath his arm like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Without looking back, she sprinted toward the other end of the hallway as if a starving wolf were chasing her.
Only after running a considerable distance did she stop and lean against the wall, one hand pressed over her chest.
Her heart was pounding hard and fast beneath her palm.
Thump, thump, thump—it was like a war drum, loud enough to make her eardrums vibrate.
Ugh. She had actually flirted with Jiang Zongyan just now, acting like some shameless womanizer.
Where on earth had she found the courage?
She smacked her own useless hand. Sure enough, lust was a blade hanging over one’s head.
After taking two deep breaths, she shook her muddled thoughts away.
Thankfully, the injury on his face didn’t seem serious. After only one night, it was almost impossible to tell that he had been hurt.
Without even realizing it, she quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Downstairs.
When Jiang Ruitian saw Zhou Suisui’s flushed little face, she asked curiously, “Suisui, what’s wrong? Your face is as red as an apple.”
Zhou Suisui awkwardly rubbed her nose. “I just ran down from upstairs. I’m a little hot.”
As someone who had been around the block, Mrs. Jiang naturally understood exactly what was going on.
She didn’t let Jiang Ruitian continue questioning her. Instead, she said with a warm smile, “Suisui, would you like this photo album?”
“Are you really giving it to me?”
Zhou Suisui accepted the thick album, her eyes lighting up. “Yes! I want it!”
This was practically a complete collection of his embarrassing childhood history. She wanted to see whether he would still dare threaten her in the future.
Thinking of his nasty tone and behavior just now, she puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, but the tips of her ears betrayed her by growing even hotter.
On the second floor, on the spacious viewing balcony, Jiang Zongyan stood beneath the shade of the trees with both hands in his pockets.
From this angle, he had a perfect view of the entire living room.
His indifferent gaze settled on the petite figure below, and the corners of his lips slowly curved upward.
It was obvious now. This little schemer who loved setting traps for others was also a little pervert.
“…”
For some reason, Zhou Suisui suddenly felt a chill run down her back. She turned toward the balcony opposite them and happened to see the man walking away. Her spine shivered.
“Aunt Jiang, I’m going home. I’ll come visit you again another day.”
Thinking about having to face Jiang Zongyan later, Zhou Suisui picked up the album and wanted to leave immediately.
Mrs. Jiang was reluctant to see her go. “You only just finished eating. Surely you’re not that busy?”
“Next time. Next time I’ll definitely stay and keep you company all day.”
Hugging the album, Zhou Suisui scurried toward the door, worried that she might run into Jiang Zongyan.
Seeing that she couldn’t persuade her to stay, Mrs. Jiang could only say, “I’ll have Zongyan drive you home.”
“No, no, it’s fine. I drove here myself.”
Zhou Suisui refused outright and opened the car door, climbing into the driver’s seat.
“You drove here yourself?”
Mrs. Jiang was startled. She said worriedly, “Suisui, you only just got your license. Is it safe?”
“Don’t worry. I’m fine.”
Zhou Suisui thought Mrs. Jiang was being overly concerned. From the top floor of the Jiang residence, one could see the Zhou family’s house. It was only a ten-minute walk away.
She had driven over that morning when she went to buy pastries for Mrs. Jiang.
“All right, then. Drive slowly.”
Mrs. Jiang still wasn’t entirely reassured and reminded her again.
Zhou Suisui started the car, but then suddenly remembered something and turned off the engine.
“Aunt Jiang, I’d like to discuss something with you.”
“What is it? Go ahead, Suisui.”
Seeing the serious expression on Zhou Suisui’s face, Mrs. Jiang couldn’t help becoming serious as well.
Zhou Suisui pressed her lips together. “I want to take you to the hospital for a physical examination tomorrow.”
It was all Jiang Zongyan’s fault for throwing her into such a mess that she had nearly forgotten something so important.
In her previous life, Aunt Jiang had been diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer a year later. She had to take her to the hospital for a comprehensive examination. There could be no further delay.
“A physical examination?”
Mrs. Jiang was surprised. “My chest has felt a little tight lately, actually. Look at you, Suisui—you’re so thoughtful. I’ll ask Dr. Li to come over and take a look when I have time.”
“A family doctor? No! You need to go to a major hospital, somewhere that can perform a CT scan.”
Zhou Suisui said anxiously, “Tomorrow! We’ll go tomorrow. I’ll go with you.”
