After Flirting with the God-Tier Beautiful Tycoon - Chapter 25

In the bathroom, there was a shower stall and a round bathtub.

A three-tiered solid wood shelf stood by the bathtub. The first shelf held bath bombs of various shapes, the second, all kinds of scented candles, and the third, many boxes of the same brand of women’s cigarettes.

There were a lot, about forty or fifty boxes by estimate.

Shen Xiaojiang’s brow furrowed unconsciously.

Did Chen Yi smoke all of these cigarettes?

Why would she smoke so many?

“Interested?” Chen Yi’s slippers made no sound, or perhaps, Chen Yi walked very lightly.

Shen Xiaojiang’s hand trembled, and the cigarette box she was holding dropped into the bathtub.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’ll fish it out for you,” Shen Xiaojiang said, reaching in to retrieve the box as if fishing.

“Oh no, if it’s wet, can you still smoke it?” Shen Xiaojiang cursed “What a stupid question” silently in her heart.

“Hmm… what do you think?” Chen Yi placed her change of clothes on the clothes rack, pulled down two clean white towels, and walked over gracefully.

“I know I can’t smoke it, I was just joking.” Although Shen Xiaojiang said this, she still used her hand to wipe the water stains off the cigarette box.

“This brand of mine is quite expensive,” Chen Yi knelt on the bath mat in front of the tub, resting one arm on the edge and dangling the other in the water, as if testing the temperature, “How do you plan to compensate me?”

“Huh?” Shen Xiaojiang was stunned.

She had never bought cigarettes and didn’t know how much an expensive pack cost.

“How about this, I’ll buy you a pack, or, I can transfer money to you?” Shen Xiaojiang’s eyes were sincere, she didn’t seem to be joking.

Chen Yi stopped paddling the water. “Oh?”

In the small, enclosed space, Chen Yi’s voice sounded ethereal.

You could even hear an echo.

“Have you ever bought cigarettes?” Chen Yi rested her head on her arm, tilting her face to look at Shen Xiaojiang.

“No.” Shen Xiaojiang couldn’t lie.

“Then…” Chen Yi’s face was flushed by the steam, and her voice became softer, “Do you know the price of a pack of cigarettes?”

“No.” Shen Xiaojiang answered honestly.

At that moment, Chen Yi suddenly pulled her hand out of the water and flicked water onto Shen Xiaojiang’s face.

“Then why did you say that, you silly girl,” she laughed as she spoke.

Perhaps because of the steam, Shen Xiaojiang felt hotter and hotter.

The water splashed on her face provided a slight cooling effect.

She shivered and chuckled under her breath, looking down.

“Shen Xiaojiang,” Chen Yi lifted Shen Xiaojiang’s chin with her damp hand; the flickering light reflected in the water cast shadows on her fair, flawless cheeks, “Shen Xiaojiang.”

Time seemed to slow down, Chen Yi’s single movement lingering for a very long time.

So long that Shen Xiaojiang felt she was frozen.

Shen Xiaojiang didn’t know what the other person was doing, her body was stiff and she dared not move.

“Who named you, and what does your name mean?” Chen Yi squinted slightly, her gaze like a star breaking into her eye socket.

“My name is…” Before Shen Xiaojiang could finish, she felt a tingling sensation on her chin.

Chen Yi’s finger was playfully scratching the soft flesh under her chin.

Shen Xiaojiang felt ticklish, but she didn’t want to move away.

Because at this moment, Chen Yi’s fingers were warm, and Chen Yi’s smile was genuine.

“My name doesn’t really have a meaning. When my mom gave birth to me, she was craving ginger, so she gave me the nickname ‘Xiaojiang’ (Little Ginger). Later, maybe she was too lazy to think, so they just registered it as my official name.” Shen Xiaojiang’s face was very red, and her expression was unnatural.

“Interesting.” Chen Yi’s “interesting” was said without much emotion, but Shen Xiaojiang felt that she wasn’t being perfunctory, but sincere.

“Xiaojiang.” Chen Yi’s hand moved upwards, stopping just below Shen Xiaojiang’s lips.

“Hmm? Aren’t you going to answer me?” Chen Yi asked with a hint of playfulness.

Shen Xiaojiang was incredibly pleased, a dense, ambiguous current flowing through her heart.

“Oh, sorry.” She bit her lower lip.

Chen Yi’s gaze was slightly casual. “Does anyone in your family smoke?”

In Shen Xiaojiang’s memory, the women around her didn’t smoke.

But her father used to occasionally.

Her parents had a very good relationship and rarely argued; the few times they did were because her mother found out her father was secretly smoking.

“Used to occasionally, not anymore?” Chen Yi followed up.

It wasn’t a secret, and Shen Xiaojiang answered truthfully: “Once my dad was smoking secretly in the car, and my mom got very angry and took me to my grandma’s house. My dad was heartbroken when he found out, and begged my mom to come back. Since then, he hasn’t smoked again.”

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, not interrupting.

“Some of my relatives say mean things, making fun of my dad for being a wimp.” Shen Xiaojiang smiled faintly, “But my dad never took it to heart, always using the universal formula ‘Wife doesn’t let me’ to laugh it off. Everyone says Dad is afraid of Mom, but I know, Dad respects Mom.”

Chen Yi lowered her eyes, her gaze fixed on the empty space, looking like she was listening intently, yet also lost in thought.

The light flickered, reflected on her face like scattered, brilliant diamonds.

“Mhm, your father is really good,” Chen Yi paused, speaking slowly, “Your mother is very happy, and you… are very happy too.”

This time, Shen Xiaojiang saw the sadness on the other person’s face.

She suddenly recalled the last time at the pet store when Chen Yi’s expression changed dramatically when “mother” was mentioned.

“Your father is really good,” “Your mother is very happy,” “You are very happy” why did these three sentences sound so bitter?

Could it be that Chen Yi’s family life growing up wasn’t harmonious?

Why wouldn’t she mention her mother or want to talk about her, yet she was exceptionally kind to He Zhong’s mother and even Meng Jie, who had just become a mother?

Shen Xiaojiang was full of questions inside, but it seemed she wasn’t in a position to discuss such a profound topic with Chen Yi yet.

She always felt that Chen Yi carried many secrets unknown to others.

Like a vast abyss.

And like a mysterious puzzle box that evoked curiosity.

Chen Yi’s gaze fell on Shen Xiaojiang’s hand, and she chuckled softly, “Well, do you smoke?”

Shen Xiaojiang shook her head vigorously.

“Never even once?” Chen Yi asked again, taking the cigarette box from Shen Xiaojiang’s hand.

“I… when I was little, I secretly smoked once with a friend,” Shen Xiaojiang looked up at Chen Yi, then quickly moved her gaze away, “Ah no, I just took a secret taste.”

Chen Yi opened the cigarette box, took out a half-damp cigarette, and looked at Shen Xiaojiang. “How was it?”

Shen Xiaojiang thought back seriously, “Not good, very harsh.”

Chen Yi smiled at Shen Xiaojiang with her eyes, placing the half-damp cigarette between her lips. “How harsh?”

The three words were spoken very softly and slowly.

Shen Xiaojiang looked at Chen Yi, feeling the scene before her stained with a blurred pink layer.

Chen Yi moved a little closer to her.

Shen Xiaojiang’s mind, which had been cluttered just a moment ago, was now blank and clean.

“Huh?” she said dumbly.

Chen Yi lit a scented candle with a candle lighter, then raised the candle with one hand and held it in front of her.

The flame flickered, illuminating her face.

Chen Yi used the candlelight to light the cigarette in her mouth.

The tip of the cigarette glowed orange-red, and soon, the smoke obscured Chen Yi’s eyes, and Shen Xiaojiang’s too.

The smell of tobacco mixed with the scent of the candle wasn’t as unpleasant as she’d imagined.

“I just asked you, how harsh was it?” Chen Yi repeated her question.

Shen Xiaojiang paused for a moment, then slowly said, “It was… quite harsh, I can’t describe it, but I was coughing and my nose was running at the time.”

A string of silvery laughter rang out in the smoke filled air.

Intoxicating.

Chen Yi laughed and moved closer once more.

Shen Xiaojiang’s chest rose and fell with tension.

Chen Yi stopped, used her finger to move the women’s cigarette aside, opened her soft lips, gently exhaled a puff towards Shen Xiaojiang’s face, and smiled, “Want to try?”

Shen Xiaojiang blinked slightly, her eyelashes seemingly feeling the faint warmth of the smoke.

Two seconds later, she nodded woodenly.

Chen Yi held the cigarette butt between two fingers, carefully delivering it to Shen Xiaojiang’s mouth.

As she let go, she unconsciously brushed Shen Xiaojiang’s face with her finger and whispered, “So cute.”

Shen Xiaojiang took a strong inhale, and a thick taste of tobacco rushed in.

Her lungs twisted in an instant; she arched her back, removed the cigarette from her mouth, and coughed hard.

This time, she felt like her entire lung was going to be coughed out.

It was truly uncomfortable.

At that moment, the cigarette was taken from her hand and tossed into the trash can.

She used the back of her hand to wipe her mouth, quickly straightened up, and looked up.

She saw a flash before her eyes, and Chen Yi cupped her face with both hands.

Before Shen Xiaojiang could react, a warmth spread across her lips.

Her heart shook violently.

Her pupils dilated quickly, and she tightly pressed her lips together.

She could feel her heart racing and her body temperature rising.

She never expected her first kiss to be taken in this way.

Sensing Shen Xiaojiang’s stiffness, Chen Yi’s closed eyes curved only very slightly.

Her hand caressed the corner of Shen Xiaojiang’s mouth, a gesture of probing, and also of teasing.

“Open up,” Chen Yi said.

Shen Xiaojiang thought she was hallucinating.

“Huh?”

Just as she questioned it, Chen Yi’s tongue slipped inside.

Shen Xiaojiang was startled by the sudden wetness, and a current of electricity spread from the corner of her lips throughout her body.

A layer of fine goosebumps covered her back.

A strange feeling gradually intensified.

With Chen Yi’s more passionate kissing, Shen Xiaojiang felt like her bones were turning to jelly.

She didn’t know how to adjust her breathing, and her clumsy state forced the other person to break the kiss.

“Should I stop?” Chen Yi’s voice was very soft, almost a breath, yet it was like an intoxicating poison, making Shen Xiaojiang want more.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know how…” Shen Xiaojiang’s ears were flushed crimson.

After a few seconds, Chen Yi let go of her face.

Shen Xiaojiang’s mind was in a state of meltdown, but she knew clearly that she didn’t want to stop now.

She carefully pulled the other person closer to her, and taking the initiative, she kissed her again.

The air became ambiguous and humid.

She loved this feeling.

She loved the feeling of exchanging breath with Chen Yi.

She felt like she was on fire, kissing forgetfully as if about to melt.

Suddenly, Chen Yi pushed her away hard, and the two were forced to separate a little.

Chen Yi’s face was much redder than before, and upon closer inspection, even the back of her neck was tinged with pink.

Shen Xiaojiang was breathing with her mouth open; the sudden rush of cold air made her sober up for a moment.

What was wrong? Did Chen Yi not like this?

Did she bite Chen Yi’s tongue?

While Shen Xiaojiang was lost in thought, Chen Yi, with red-rimmed eyes, looked up at her, her eyes glistening with tears, and her voice slightly hoarse: “I can’t breathe, I’m sorry…”

Shen Xiaojiang was stunned, and the world in her ears fell silent.

It wasn’t because she disliked her.

Thank goodness, thank goodness.

Chen Yi touched her lips, her amber eyes darting quickly. “Was that truly your first kiss?”

Shen Xiaojiang was taken aback, and after a few seconds of composure, she shook her head vigorously, “Auntie, I’m telling the truth, I didn’t lie to you.”

Chen Yi raised her hand and tucked Shen Xiaojiang’s stray hairs behind her ear, narrowing her long, almond-shaped eyes, her voice tender, “I wasn’t saying you lied to me. I mean, you’re a very good kisser.”

Shen Xiaojiang, who had just calmed down a bit, became flustered again, her face completely flushing once more.

She tightly covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide.

Chen Yi’s eyes curved upwards, and her soft lips pressed against the back of Shen Xiaojiang’s hand.

The faint warmth traveled through the skin, spreading throughout her limbs and body.

Chen Yi’s eyes stared straight into Shen Xiaojiang’s a look of extreme temptation and aggression.

Shen Xiaojiang’s head was buzzing, and her heart felt heavy.

Desire was like a beast, slowly awakening from its slumber.

The moment their eyes met, Shen Xiaojiang only wanted to embrace her, cherish her, watch her smile, stay with her when she cried, and give her everything she had.

“I…”

Just as Shen Xiaojiang was about to say something, the phone outside the bathroom rang.

It wasn’t hers.

Chen Yi’s eyes flickered, and her expression froze.

“Don’t answer it.” Shen Xiaojiang couldn’t believe those words had come out of her own mouth.

Chen Yi also showed a brief look of surprise.

The next second, her attention returned to Shen Xiaojiang’s face.

Their gazes met, and the intimacy escalated.

Damn it, she thought, I don’t care. What’s said is said, I definitely can’t take it back.

So, Shen Xiaojiang repeated with conviction, “Auntie, don’t go. Can you, can you not answer the phone?”

Chen Yi felt a sense of helplessness for the first time.

She tilted her head to look at a small, indefinable spot beside her, then chuckled softly.

Then, she slowly turned her head, looking back into Shen Xiaojiang’s eyes, and said gently, “Okay, I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stay here with you.”

Perhaps moved by these words, Shen Xiaojiang wrapped her arms around Chen Yi, passionately touching her eyes, the tip of her nose, her cheek, and her ear.

Soon, the phone stopped ringing.

Shen Xiaojiang could hear Chen Yi’s rapid heartbeat and chaotic breathing.

A certain kind of even more intense obsession surged within her.

Chen Yi’s hands also wrapped around her, lifting her T-shirt.

Just then, the phone rang again outside.

Shen Xiaojiang clearly sensed Chen Yi’s irritation.

Despite the irritation, Chen Yi showed no intention of getting up to answer it.

She was keeping her promise.

This time, the ringing stopped quickly, followed by the urgent sound of the room’s doorbell.

Ding dong…Ding… dong

There was also knocking on the door.

It started gently but quickly became rough and frantic.

“Seventh Mistress, Seventh Mistress, are you there?” It was He Zhong’s voice.

He Zhong was a sensible person; at a time like this, he would never be so impolite unless it was something extremely important.

Chen Yi released Shen Xiaojiang’s T-shirt and slowly moved back. “Wait a moment, I’ll go see.”

Chen Yi’s voice was soft, like she was coaxing a child.

Just as she was about to stand up, Shen Xiaojiang squeezed the hand that was hanging naturally at her side.

Chen Yi looked back at her.

Shen Xiaojiang didn’t speak, her eyes filled with reluctance.