Love for You

"It's been a few years since we last met, and you've learned to hit people now—slapping me twice in a row. Did it hurt?"

"Take me back." Miao Jing frowned deeply, her chest heaving violently. "Take me back to the company."

Chen Yi chuckled again, his smile wild and shameless. He urgently needed relief, his entire body dry and blazing like a roaring fire. Suppressing his impatience, he nudged Miao Jing aside, ignoring her dark, furious expression, and opened the car door to step out.

Outside, the rain had eased slightly. Chen Yi shut the car door, glanced down at his nearly explosive crotch, and knew he couldn't just jerk off on the roadside. Leaning his tall frame against the car, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back, letting the cold rain drench him. Gradually, the fire within him subsided, and he felt some relief.

Rubbing his face with both hands to wipe away the water droplets, Chen Yi reached into his pocket for a cigarette. Lifting the lapel of his trench coat, he created a dry space under his lowered head and shoulders to light up. The lighter's flame was weak, but he managed to ignite the cigarette after some effort. Greedily taking two deep drags, he squinted and peered through the window crack at Miao Jing—she had curled up in the passenger seat, hugging her knees. Her clothes were disheveled, and the exposed skin flushed pink. Stubbornly, she turned her head toward the window, yet the black glass reflected her captivating face, her faintly visible eyes silently meeting his.

Chen Yi grinned again.

After finishing the cigarette, he had completely cooled down. Dripping with moisture, he slid back into the car, started the engine, and spoke in a lingering tone. "Heading home?"

"Back to the company."

"Aren't you getting your things?"

"I'll buy new ones."

The car turned back onto the main road, heading toward Miao Jing's company.

Chen Yi was mostly soaked, water trickling from his hair, clothes, and fingertips. Miao Jing, curled in the passenger seat, sensed the dampness beside her and parted her lips slightly. "Drop me off by the roadside. You go back... to shower and change."

"Why not come back with me?" He curled his lips, speaking lightly. "I'll drive you to the company tomorrow morning."

"No!"

He laughed again, his eyes dark and intense.

"After all that happened today," Chen Yi mused casually, his tone ambiguously sincere or teasing, "I'm alone now, and that blockhead Lu Zhengsi has no brains... Miao Jing, how about we have an affair?"

Miao Jing's lips twitched, her fine brows tightening. Her expression wasn't exactly gloomy, but it was cold and detached, her cherry lips pressed tightly together.

When the car stopped at the company entrance, she got out and slammed the door shut with a cold, resounding thud, not saying a word. Her back was proud and aloof as she walked toward the company without looking back.

Chen Yi rolled down the window, watching her graceful figure fade into the rain.

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Chapter 22: Isn't the Medicine Delivered Right to Your Door?

In such heavy rain, Miao Jing had been out for over an hour and returned empty-handed to the dorm. Her roommate, absorbed in watching TV, hadn't noticed a thing. Wrapping her coat tightly around herself, Miao Jing went straight to the bathroom. After her shower, large red bruises from nail scratches were visible on her fair neck.

"What happened to you? Your neck is so red."

"Maybe an allergy. The clothes just came out of the closet, and they felt itchy."

"The rain's really heavy outside. I tried calling you, but you didn't answer."

"I didn't hear the phone. I went to see a friend earlier and talked for a bit."

Miao Jing didn't elaborate, turning on her computer to work overtime. Scratching her neck, she got up and changed into a high-necked sweater.The heavy rain had left Chen Yi somewhat disoriented. He wasn't sure why he hadn't restrained himself—perhaps it was purely because Miao Jing had angered him. In the few months since she returned, her quirks kept surfacing one after another. He wasn't mentally prepared and simply couldn't handle it.

The billiards hall had a small workshop for repairing cues. Initially, it was exclusively used by Chen Yi, but later he let Bo Zai learn the craft as well. Repairing cues wasn't difficult, and having this skill was always useful. In the mornings, when the billiards hall was quiet, Bo Zai would be in the workshop maintaining the cues. Chen Yi usually sat there too, smoking a cigarette, watching him work, and exchanging a few casual words.

Bo Zai treated this billiards hall as his own career. With no other ways to make money and his leg no longer in good condition, he knew Chen Yi wouldn't treat him poorly. Nowadays, he was the closest person around Chen Yi. Seeing Chen Yi in a bad mood lately, Bo Zai assumed it was because of the breakup with Tu Li and urged him to find another girlfriend.

At their age, most people seeking stability were thinking about settling down and building a career. Bo Zai knew Chen Yi never wanted to get married—perhaps because of his past family issues or simply because he was used to a carefree life. But finding a girlfriend was still easy. When Wei Wei and the others found out Chen Yi was single, they were quite excited.

Chen Yi held his cigarette, his eyes drooping with little interest.

"Lily posted two photos on her social media—her figure is just too hot. Have you seen them, Yi Ge?"

"Haven't seen them," he yawned. "What photos?"

"Dancing, of course. All the drooling comments are from people we know." Bo Zai couldn't help but ask, "Yi Ge, did you really break up with Lily? To be honest, she's really beautiful."

After kicking Tu Li out of his home that day, she hadn't bothered him much, but they had run into each other a few times—at KTVs and bars. When they passed each other, her expression was cold and elegant, and she threw a few sharp, indifferent remarks his way, even mocking him about Miao Jing.

Chen Yi had been drinking at the time and replied impatiently, "You know I'd never marry you. Since there's no marriage, there's no future for us either. We were just having fun—why take it so seriously?"

Tu Li's face instantly darkened. It was an unspoken understanding between them. For Chen Yi, on one hand, she was too clingy, and on the other, switching partners was troublesome. They had spent two years together harmoniously, but after sleeping together for two years, shouldn't there be at least some feelings?

Chen Yi didn't bring up emotions. He had spent a lot of money on Tu Li and felt no guilt—things measurable by money didn't require emotional investment. As for him and Miao Jing, what could a single dress prove? Who the hell seduces someone by wearing another person's dress? Miao Jing had been back for over three months, and nothing had happened between them. He hadn't cheated or been unfaithful—even Detective Conan couldn't find fault.

After hearing his few dismissive words, Tu Li's face turned icy. She walked away with her chin held high, her back straight and elegant, but her hands trembled faintly. If only he had said he still liked her a little or remembered her kindness, she might have let it go, finding some other excuse. But how could she swallow this bitterness?