A certain color floated before Song Hanzheng's eyes.
His other hand instinctively wrapped around her waist, fingers tightening as he pulled her closer into his arms.
His voice dropped low, carrying a restrained warning.
"It’s daytime. Don’t say things like that."
"Then I’ll say it when we get home tonight."
Jiang Liuyue gazed up at him with a teasing smile, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with delighted defiance, as if to say, "What are you going to do about it?"
Song Hanzheng surrendered completely. He had no way to handle her. Stumbling over his words, he tried to change the subject, even as his ears flushed red.
"You—didn’t you bring me dinner? Come on, let’s go upstairs and eat."
He took her hand and strode toward the elevator. As they passed the front desk, he stopped deliberately.
His tone returned to a CEO’s crisp efficiency as he announced with solemn seriousness:
"From now on, whenever Jiang Liuyue comes to see me, she doesn’t need an appointment. She can come straight up."
"Understood, Mr. Song."
The receptionist nodded, then turned to Jiang Liuyue with an apologetic smile.
"My apologies, Miss Jiang."
Right there in front of the receptionist, Song Hanzheng tightened his grip on Jiang Liuyue’s hand, interlacing their fingers as if marking his territory.
He corrected her, his voice quiet but each word striking like a hammer.
"Remember this. She is my girlfriend."
…
Inside the CEO’s office.
Several soft lamps cast a warm glow over the room.
Song Hanzheng’s eyes fell on the takeout containers she was carrying.
He paused for just a moment, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth—a rare joke from him.
"Chicken in a clay pot?"
Jiang Liuyue curled her lips and leaned closer.
The faint fragrance she carried mingled with the aroma of the food, drifting into Song Hanzheng’s senses.
She dropped her voice, her tone mischievous.
"Guess again."
Song Hanzheng’s gaze settled on her lips as they parted and closed, his eyes holding a fondness he hadn’t yet realized himself.
"No, it’s not."
"Congratulations, you’re right. But no prize."
Jiang Liuyue laughed and began unwrapping the packaging, layer by layer, revealing the steaming hot goji berry and pork stomach congee inside.
The congee was thick, the rice grains cooked until they bloomed. Finely shredded pork stomach was mixed in, with goji berries scattered throughout—a beautiful contrast of red and white.
Alongside it were refreshing cold mixed eggs and cucumbers, and crispy fried peanuts. Just looking at it was enough to whet anyone’s appetite.
They ate and chatted together, their chopsticks occasionally bumping against each other before parting.
Jiang Liuyue mentioned that The Cat’s Tale was nearing its end, and she would soon start shooting Falling Star.
That was the youth campus idol drama.
Her schedule was already set—back-to-back, without even a moment to catch her breath.
Song Hanzheng nodded, but his chopsticks froze mid-air for a split second.
As though he was hesitating over something.
That brief pause did not escape Jiang Liuyue’s sharp eyes.
"What’s wrong? Afraid I’ll be drawn to one of the other actors?" she teased deliberately.
"No."
Song Hanzheng shook his head and set down his chopsticks.
"The company has a very important project. I need to go on a business trip for a week..."
"Can’t bear to leave me?" Jiang Liuyue smiled, her lips curving playfully.
"Not at all."
As stubborn as ever, Song Hanzheng turned his face away and picked up a peanut, crunching it noisily.
Seeing this, Jiang Liuyue lowered her head.
Her lashes fell, casting shadows beneath her eyes, and she feigned a pitiful tone.
"How unlucky I am. My boyfriend’s leaving for a whole week, and not only is there no comfort, but..."
Before she could finish, Song Hanzheng leaned down and kissed her talkative little mouth.
Their first kiss was gentle—just a light brush.
Lip touched lip, carrying the warmth of the congee and the familiar scent of one another. But as they kissed, things began to slip out of control.
Song Hanzheng’s fingertips roamed, sliding from her waist to her back. Through her clothes, his thumb traced the line of her spine, his pressure neither too light nor too heavy, yet laced with restraint.
An unnatural flush bloomed on Jiang Liuyue’s face.
That rosy color spread from her cheekbones down to her ears.
She leaned close to his ear, her voice dripping with deliberate provocation.
"Mr. Song, office play?"
Song Hanzheng flinched as if scalded. He pulled his hands away instantly.
He turned and strode to the window, throwing it open.
Cold wind rushed in, carrying the night air of the city, dispelling the stifling heat in the room.
Standing by the window, he gasped for breath, his chest heaving.
Jiang Liuyue, like a bewitching little fox, silently followed him.
She pressed against his back, wrapping her arms around his waist, her cheek resting on his broad shoulders. Through his shirt, she could feel the tension in his muscles and the pounding of his heart.
Her voice carried a seductive softness.
"You’re leaving for a whole week. Don’t you really feel a little reluctant to leave me?"
Song Hanzheng pressed his lips together, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
Through the spotless glass window in front of him, he could see their clear reflection.
Behind him, the woman holding him was stunningly beautiful, especially with that light blush on her cheeks.
Under the interplay of night and lamplight, she looked both pure and alluring. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a few rebellious strands tickled the shell of his ear.
With every breath she took, a faint, tingling sensation spread through him.
His Adam’s apple moved again. He could no longer force himself to say “not at all.”
Finally, it came out as a barely audible reply.
"Just a little."
"What?" Jiang Liuyue pretended not to hear, continuing to tease him, her eyes brimming with mischievous delight.
A hint of embarrassment and bashfulness flickered across Song Hanzheng’s face—an expression that seemed utterly absurd on the usually aloof and dignified Mr. Song.
He turned his head slightly, as if trying to shake off her hold.
Jiang Liuyue seized the moment. She released her arms from his waist and, rising on her tiptoes in a motion as fluid as if rehearsed countless times, looped her hands around his neck.
They stood face to face, their noses nearly touching.
She tilted her head slightly, the corners of her eyes lifting. Those almond-shaped eyes were filled with sly triumph.
Her voice dragged out, slow and long.
"What? I can’t hear you."
Song Hanzheng had absolutely no way of handling her. He finally conceded.
Honestly, he uttered those three words.
"Can’t bear it."
But he quickly added,
"But you have your own career. I can’t just keep you by my side—that wouldn’t be fair."
Jiang Liuyue froze for a moment. She suddenly felt that Song Hanzheng was truly different from other men.
Wouldn’t the typical CEO type want his girlfriend to stay obediently at home, to be a virtuous wife and mother raising children?
As if sensing the question in her eyes, Song Hanzheng lowered his head.
Jiang Liuyue thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he buried his face in the crook of her shoulder.
Like a traveler who had walked a long, long road and finally found a place to rest.
He lingered there for a few seconds, as if drawing some kind of strength.
— Chapter 41 has been posted. Everyone can go back and take a look.
I honestly feel so dumb—I posted chapters 41 and 42 in the wrong order T_T
Today’s update came a little early; from now on, it’ll still be at six o’clock every day.
