So that's it, Jiang Liuyue thought to herself with a silent "oh."
He was a snake himself, so of course he would like this kind of thing.
No need for pretense, no need for explanations—one look and they both knew what the other was up to.
Just as she was thinking this, Cen Yuan suddenly leaned in closer.
Closer than before, close enough that Jiang Liuyue could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck.
It was warm, carrying a faint trace of mint and tobacco.
It tickled, and she wanted to shrink back, but she refused to show any sign of weakness in front of him.
"Liuyue."
His voice dropped low, so low it felt like only the two of them could hear it.
"You're the same, you know."
Jiang Liuyue froze for a moment, then leaned back slightly to create some distance, looking at him with confusion.
"What?"
Cen Yuan narrowed his eyes, those peach blossom eyes deep as still water.
Then he spoke slowly, deliberately.
"I looked into how you met Hanzheng."
"You were pushed too far by Fei Le and wanted to fight back. You're clever—you found her fatal weakness: Song Hanzheng."
"Get to know him, get close to him, and use him to get back at Fei Le."
"Am I right?"
His gaze settled on her face.
The smirk on his lips shifted from teasing to something almost like confirmation, as if he already knew the answer.
Jiang Liuyue knew perfectly well he was testing her.
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, her expression calm.
Her voice was unhurried.
"Mr. Cen, with imagination like that, it's a shame you're not a screenwriter."
Seeing her denial, Cen Yuan didn't get angry. Instead, it was as if he had expected this answer.
His tone was leisurely, unhurried.
"You and Song Hanzheng haven't even been together a month yet, have you? Sure, it's the honeymoon phase, but it's also when trust is most fragile."
"I wonder what he'll think when he finds out about this?"
Jiang Liuyue wasn't intimidated at all. Her almond-shaped eyes met his gaze with a smile, her gaze so clear it showed almost no cracks.
"Song Hanzheng isn't stupid—he won't believe just anyone's words."
"Mr. Cen, if you want to drive a wedge between us, just say it directly."
Cen Yuan curled his lips, his handsome face the picture of innocence.
His peach blossom eyes widened just slightly.
"Now you're just making things up. I'm just a good friend who cares about Hanzheng."
He paused, and his tone suddenly grew earnest.
But the amusement hidden beneath that earnestness was impossible to miss.
"And you, too."
"Enough with the jokes. Since we're already at the gym, don't you want to go a round?"
Jiang Liuyue gestured toward the boxing ring.
Cen Yuan's tone turned arrogant. He lifted his chin slightly and nodded toward the people sparring fiercely in the ring, his eyes full of disdain.
"They can't beat me."
Jiang Liuyue blinked, the corner of her mouth curving into a mischievous arc, her voice light and quick.
"So can you beat Song Hanzheng?"
Cen Yuan fell silent, his mouth opening and closing.
A faint trace of embarrassment flickered in those peach blossom eyes.
"…"
Jiang Liuyue let out a teasing laugh.
"See? Whenever you run into a tough question, you just clam up."
Cen Yuan clenched his teeth, pressing his thin lips into a line.
Yes! Song Hanzheng was damn impressive!
Top grades since childhood, one award after another, building a successful company as an adult, and even excelling at boxing.
He was talented enough to go pro, but he just didn't want to.
Countless times in the ring, Cen Yuan had tried to vent his frustration during sparring, pushing himself to the limit, but every single time, he ended up flat on the ground after being beaten.
Song Hanzheng never even smiled after winning. He just stayed cold and stoic.
Playing nice, he'd reach out a hand to help him up.
"You seem distracted today. Your reaction time's slow."
Hearing that only made Cen Yuan want to kill him even more!
Bro, you've got talent, but do you think everyone's like you?
Those careless, truthful words hurt far more than any deliberate insult.
Only someone with Li Xinle's personality could put up with Song Hanzheng!
Cen Yuan curled his lips, trying to salvage a little of his dignity.
"Back in the day, Xinle and Sun Hao couldn't beat me either."
"Oh, forever second place."
Jiang Liuyue's single remark nearly made Cen Yuan lose his composure again.
He ruffled his hair irritably, shoving his fingers into the strands and tugging hard.
His already unruly black locks became even messier.
A flicker of undisguised displeasure flashed through his handsome peach blossom eyes.
"Jiang Liuyue, why are you so sharp-tongued? Does Song Hanzheng even know this side of you?"
Jiang Liuyue's tone was slow, carrying a hint of playful amusement.
"What does it matter if he knows or not? The private words between me and my boyfriend are none of an outsider's business, are they?"
Damage ×2!
Cen Yuan had always prided himself on his patience. Growing up, he'd long gotten used to being compared to Song Hanzheng, used to that "you're not as good as him" look and tone.
But just a few words from Jiang Liuyue could send his emotions spiraling.
Good. Sharp-tongued, highly aggressive.
He licked his lips, and the fire lit within him didn't die down—instead, it burned even brighter.
Tough was good. He liked tough women!
Cen Yuan had some pent-up energy to burn. He pointed at a guy in the ring who seemed familiar to him.
"Xiao Tan, come on, let's go a round!"
Xiao Tan flinched at the words and quickly pointed at the two other people beside him, his voice full of obvious self-preservation.
"No way, Cen! I can't beat you. How about you go with them instead?"
The other two waved their hands too, their faces full of forced smiles.
"No, no, Cen, we've already done our training for today. It's getting late—time to head home. Next time."
Jiang Liuyue raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with undisguised schadenfreude.
"Oh! Looks like Mr. Cen can only vent his anger on the punching bag now."
Cen Yuan let out a light snort, the sound coming from his nose.
Then he suddenly had an idea. He turned his head and glanced at Jiang Liuyue, a sly glint in those peach blossom eyes.
"Watch closely."
With that, he turned his back to her and pulled his white jacket—along with the black tank top underneath—up over his head.
The motion was neither too fast nor too slow, almost deliberate.
His wheat-colored skin was revealed inch by inch under the warm yellow lights. His firm muscles were as sharply defined as if carved by knives, the groove of his spine extending from his shoulder blades all the way down to his waist. Every muscle was perfectly in place.
A second later, the clothes were completely off and tossed carelessly onto a nearby bench.
His hair was a little disheveled, strands falling over his forehead, making him look even more roguishly handsome.
A certain glimmer of expectation burned in those peach blossom eyes.
He turned his head and lifted his chin slightly.
"Like what you see?"
Jiang Liuyue commented calmly, "It's average."
Cen Yuan let out a sharp "tsk," then broke into a grin.
"Then why are you blushing?"
