Tu Li smiled brightly as she lifted the takeout container in her hand and placed it on the table. "It's almost eleven. You haven't eaten yet, have you? I packed some of your favorites. Want to try them?"
Chen Yi sprawled lazily, his long legs stretched out arrogantly on the chair. His dark, piercing eyes narrowed at her, as if seeing right through her intentions. "If you want something, go get it yourself."
His tone was languid, his posture slack. "We parted on good terms. Neither of us owes the other anything, and there was never any clear expectation of where things were headed. I’ve spent plenty on you over the past two years—even as compensation, it’s more than enough."
Tu Li’s smile twitched slightly before she smoothed it into a sweet grin. "What did I even say? So eager to cut ties?" She giggled softly and handed him a pair of chopsticks. "Eat something first. There’s no rush. I brought some wine too. Care for a drink?"
Chen Yi curled his lips into a faint, cold smile. "What? A farewell dinner?"
"Exactly. A clean break, right?"
They began to eat. After a few bites, Chen Yi set down his chopsticks. As Tu Li stood to fetch a bowl from the kitchen, her skirt brushed against the table, knocking over a bowl of oil-splashed beef. The greasy liquid splattered onto Chen Yi’s clothes.
"Oops, my bad," Tu Li chirped with a laugh. "Go change your clothes."
"Take what you came for and leave. I need to open the billiards hall soon, so I won’t see you out."
Chen Yi tossed his chopsticks aside and headed to wash up and change. When he emerged from the bathroom, the dining table had been cleared. He walked into the bedroom to find someone rummaging through the wardrobe—a slender figure in a pale, flowing dress. Her eyes lit up at the sight of him, and she beamed. "How do I look?"
Chen Yi’s gaze sharpened.
Her rosy lips, shimmering eyes, pearl earrings, and loosely pinned hair complemented the dress that hugged her figure, hinting at both fullness and delicacy.
It was one of Miao Jing’s often-worn dresses, hanging on the balcony—sleek, lightweight, and elegantly tailored. Tu Li twirled the skirt and blinked. "Looks good, doesn’t it? My clothes got dirty, so I borrowed one of Miao Jing’s dresses."
His brow furrowed as he studied her in silence, his expression heavy.
Tu Li chuckled softly, swaying her hips as she approached. A wave of perfume accompanied her as she pressed her alluring figure against his back, her voice dripping with seduction. "Chen Yi..."
Her chin nuzzled against him, sending a tingling shiver down his spine. Her laugh was utterly bewitching. "This dress doesn’t look like much on the hanger, but it fits quite nicely. It’s especially tight around the waist and chest. Miao Jing is so thin—she has no curves there at all. And I’m not wearing anything underneath. It’s practically squeezing me."
Chen Yi’s eyes drifted shut, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
Her delicate hands wandered. "Seems like you’re feeling spirited, huh?"
She guided one of his hands to her curvaceous hip. "See? Miao Jing’s dress is really snug."
Her red lips brushed his ear. "It’s been so long... It’s not like we haven’t done this before... Let me help you cool off, okay?"
Chen Yi’s eyes snapped open, dark and intense, his face flushed. He shoved her hand away abruptly, but Tu Li wrapped herself around him, tumbling them both onto the bed. The thin, soft fabric of the dress slipped and tangled, revealing tantalizing glimpses of skin. Disheveled strands of hair veiled her enchanting eyes, leaving only her parted red lips and the tip of her pink tongue visible. With just one glance at that half-hidden, exquisitely alluring face, his breath turned ragged, his body taut as a bowstring. Entwined by her slender arms around his neck, he crashed down heavily.In the heat of a passionate kiss, Chen Yi’s back was drenched in sweat. Tu Li tugged at the hem of his shirt, hearing the click of his belt buckle. She reached into the drawer for a condom and moved to put it on him, but Chen Yi’s body suddenly stiffened. Beads of sweat burst from his scalp as he pushed her away, staggering back a step. His face flushed crimson, then turned heavy and desolate. Staring at the woman on the bed with her skirt hitched up, his vision blurred with white light as he rasped, "Get out."
Tu Li’s face paled with anger. She bit her lip and rolled her eyes skyward.
His chest heaved violently, his eardrums throbbing with a restless buzz. "Change out of that skirt," he commanded.
Tu Li stripped in front of him, changing into her own clothes, her voice cool and laced with sarcasm. "Chen Yi, what exactly is your relationship with Miao Jing? It can’t be ordinary, can it? You’re this hard, and the moment she returns, you’re acting like a widower?"
Chen Yi’s eyes instantly turned dark and menacing. He stared coldly at Tu Li without a word, then forcibly shoved her out of the house.
Chapter 18: The Man’s Lips Suddenly Descended
Miao Jing and a group of colleagues went to a local coworker’s suburban hometown for a BBQ. The rustic farmhouse, with its playful children, golden retriever, and vegetable patches, exuded a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. Lu Zhengsi took on the role of grill master, while Miao Jing sat nearby skewering ingredients. In such social settings, Miao Jing never blended in as seamlessly as others—her aloofness often stemmed from an inability to empathize fully. Her appearance and demeanor gave little away, making it hard to guess her experiences or thoughts, leaving an impression of enigmatic reserve.
After a day of fun, Lu Zhengsi drove Miao Jing home. Noticing a hint of melancholy and faint worry in her serene expression, he shared the day’s group photos with her. Even amidst the smoky grill, she stood out as the most composed and graceful, her lips curved in a subtle smile—neither overly cheerful nor entirely detached.
"Are you going back to your hometown for Chinese New Year? I think you mentioned your mom lives there," Lu Zhengsi asked sincerely, recalling earlier conversations. "If you are, we could drive back together—just the two of us and another colleague from the workshop."
The Spring Festival was still months away.
Miao Jing smiled and shook her head. "Probably not."
"Staying in Tengcheng for the holidays?" Lu Zhengsi pressed. "When was the last time you visited home?"
"The year I started working," she replied, resting her chin on her hand. "I was on a business trip to Z Province and dropped by since it was on the way. I hardly recognized many places."
Even Wei Mingzhen’s face had grown hazy in her memory. Miao Jing had calmly addressed her as "Mom," while Wei Mingzhen wept freely, overwhelmed with emotion. Miao Jing stayed briefly for a meal before leaving.
"Engineer Miao, where have you spent previous Spring Festivals?"
"Either working overtime on company projects or one year with my ex-boyfriend’s family. Customs vary so much by region—some places have a wonderful festive atmosphere."
They chatted about different New Year traditions until they reached her destination. Miao Jing bid Lu Zhengsi goodbye, noting the late hour and everyone’s exhaustion. Since he had colleagues to return to the company with, she didn’t invite him to stay in the city.
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