Chapter 12: The Habitual Tease

Not far away, the bodyguard responsible for Shen Suinian’s safety watched the scene unfold and swallowed nervously.

Shen Suinian took a sip of his drink and glanced at the bank card the young girl handed over. “I’m quite expensive.”

Jian Tang’s alcohol-clouded mind stirred slightly at his words.

She thought to herself that she shouldn’t squander the inheritance left by her mother, at least not so recklessly on a man.

So, quietly, she took back the bank card.

“Forget it, then. You can go.”

Shen Suinian was speechless.

Jian Tang packed away the card, lifted her glass, and took a hefty gulp. The sharp sting ignited her mouth and unsettled her stomach. She slumped over the table, head drooping.

Shen Suinian’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke coldly, “You’re still a habitual flirt when drunk.”

Eighteen years old, and now twenty-two—the pattern remained.

Leaning on the table, Jian Tang couldn’t understand his words. She tilted her head, scrutinizing him, then muttered, “You actually look like someone quite annoying.”

Shen Suinian’s narrow eyes narrowed further. “Annoying?”

Jian Tang nodded. He was the one who had facilitated her stepmother Shen Chunmei’s remarriage to her father, causing her to lose the love of her biological mother and then her father.

He had also made her live a life of disgust under Shen Chunmei’s family.

They even dared to covet her mother’s inheritance, her family’s assets.

She would never let them have their way—no one would bully her.

At that moment, Shen Suinian, whose calm demeanor was usually as still as a lake, clenched the wine glass tightly. He waved for his bodyguards to come forward and quietly ordered, “Hangover soup.”

Fifteen minutes later, the drink in Jian Tang’s hand was replaced by the soup. She was tricked into drinking a large cup, and her muddled mind began to clear.

Then…

She clearly saw the unmoving figure sitting beside her, long legs lazily crossed—Shen Suinian.

Jian Tang’s spine stiffened instantly; she straightened up rigidly. “U-uncle.”

The surrounding noise and commotion continued unabated. Shen Suinian leaned back into his chair, tall and aloof. “Sober now?”

Jian Tang’s lashes fluttered; she nodded.

Had she just… taken out her bank card, intending to buy… Shen Suinian for the night?

Seeing her cowering there like a frightened quail, Shen Suinian didn’t press her further. “I’ll take you home.”

Jian Tang felt the awkwardness of being caught drinking. “N-no, it’s fine. I… called a driver. I drove here myself.”

Shen Suinian seemed to ignore her refusal, glanced down at his watch, and stood. “It’s unsafe for a girl to be drunk at night.”

Jian Tang pinched her fingers. Was he… insisting on escorting her?

While her thoughts churned, Shen Suinian already took a step away, and one of his bodyguards respectfully gestured for Jian Tang to follow.

She had no choice but to steel herself and comply.

A Rolls-Royce Cullinan with a San Di license plate was parked illegally in front of the bar, watched over by a dedicated attendant.

Shen Suinian settled into the back seat, and the driver opened the door on the other side for Jian Tang.

Biting her lip, she sat stiffly beside Shen Suinian, her breath shallow. “…Thank you, Uncle.”

The car moved smoothly, merging into the night’s bustling traffic.

“Do you hate me?”

The sudden question in the quiet car made Jian Tang tense as if facing an enemy.

“N-no, I don’t.”

She fidgeted with her palm, feeling that denial lacked conviction, then added, “I… respect you very much, Uncle.”

Shen Suinian’s voice was clear and steady. “Is that so?”

Her throat dried; she swallowed nervously and nodded quickly. “Yes.”

His dark, bottomless eyes held a hint of reckoning. “How much were you planning to spend to buy me for one night?”

The driver in front watched his nose, afraid to breathe.

Jian Tang was so frightened she nearly cried. “I… I didn’t.”

Shen Suinian said, “There are already over a million AIDS patients in the country.”

Jian Tang was confused. “W-what?”

“Promiscuity leads to disease.”

Jian Tang felt terribly wronged but dared not argue in his presence. After a long silence, she muttered, “I’ve never done that.”

Whether Shen Suinian believed her or not was unclear, but he merely glanced at her briefly and then averted his gaze.

Jian Tang sulked quietly, “I really haven’t.”

Shen Suinian looked down at her round little head and raised his hand to gently ruffle her hair as if soothing a small animal.

Jian Tang looked up in surprise.

His expression was normal, showing no hint of impropriety. His casualness made her feel embarrassed for overthinking, so she awkwardly lowered her eyes.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Shen Suinian’s lips.

Indeed, he did it on purpose.

At midnight, just as the car was about to reach Jian Tang’s home, the driver braked suddenly.

Ahead was a Maybach, belonging to Chen Bozhou.

Shen Feiyu gracefully stepped out of the car, then suddenly leaned in, kissing the man inside.

Under the cloak of night, the car swayed slightly, and it seemed one could hear the sounds of their passionate entanglement.

Jian Tang peered through the windshield, her clenched hands causing her nails to dig painfully into her palms, a prickling sensation far less sharp than the ache in her heart.

“The car ahead… do you know them?”

Shen Suinian asked quietly.

Jian Tang’s lashes trembled, but she didn’t answer. Instead, she pleaded, “Uncle… could you please park at the back door?”

Shen Suinian’s breath darkened, his aura chilling. “Reason.”

Jian Tang couldn’t reveal her plan. She only wanted to avoid the scene.

To Shen Suinian, her evasiveness was like grinding teeth inward and willingly becoming a weak, pushover.

He said, “I wouldn’t have guessed you have the patience of a chancellor.”

Jian Tang had no mood to analyze his displeasure. When he refused to move the car, she planned to push open the door and avoid the situation on her own. Just as she pressed her fingers to the door…

Suddenly, the Cullinan’s high beams flashed on.

In an instant, the dim street was bathed in bright light.

The Maybach ahead was similarly illuminated.

Chen Bozhou and Shen Feiyu, locked in their embrace, were blinded by the sudden glare and instinctively shielded their eyes.

Jian Tang froze, instinctively looking toward the driver who had turned on the lights.

He hurriedly apologized, “Sorry, Mr. Shen, I… accidentally hit the switch.”

Shen Suinian said nothing.

Jian Tang tried to get out, but it was too late. Shen Feiyu, still entangled with the driver’s seat, straightened and looked over.

Chen Bozhou hadn’t yet stepped out but had already opened his door.

When Shen Feiyu saw the San Di license plate on the Cullinan, she hesitated.

Chen Bozhou caught a glimpse through the rearview mirror and guessed whose car it was. His movement froze, unaware of how much Shen Suinian had seen.

The two cars sat about ten meters apart.

Neither side moved.

Until the door of Jian Tang’s residence swung open, and Jian Suishan, clad in pajamas and a coat, hurried out. He had received Shen Suinian’s message and came specially to greet him.