After Flirting with the God-Tier Beautiful Tycoon - Chapter 74.1

A single drop of water fell from the faucet into the basin, making a tiny sound that only Chen Yi could hear.

She turned abruptly and bolted away.

With a “click,” the door opened.

Shen Xiaojiang looked up, but saw only a blurry, flickering afterimage.

Even though she hadn’t actually used the toilet, she still needed to wash her hands.

Just as Shen Xiaojiang stood before the basin, she caught a faint scent.

She suppressed the thousand tangled thoughts in her mind, forcing herself not to think about what that smell was, or who had just been standing there. She reached out tremblingly to grasp the faucet handle.

Why did the handle feel so far away? No matter how she reached, she couldn’t seem to touch it.

The black halter-neck qipao, the lace fabric with its subtle patterns, the fair and slender shoulders, the waist that could be held in one hand…

Everything was so real, so vivid.

The brilliant imagery forced its way into her head uncontrollably, causing her confusion and pain.

That coward had run away again.

Clearly, so much time had passed, yet she still chose to flee.

Heartlessly, without a shred of sentiment…

Just then, behind Shen Xiaojiang, there came the slow, muffled sound of high heels crossing the floor tiles.

The restroom lights were bright, reflecting off the white basin with a crystalline glow.

It was very quiet here, a sharp contrast to the boisterous dining room. Though some laughter could still be heard, it wasn’t annoying at all.

It was like background music for the night continuous and soft.

Shen Xiaojiang almost didn’t dare to blink. She held her breath.

She was waiting, she was also confirming.

She had thought she would never forget this scent, but at this moment, she felt a deep sense of self-doubt.

Suddenly, a bony, elegant hand reached into her field of vision. It was accompanied by a woody fragrance that was slightly stronger than what was in the air.

Within the wood, there was a faint floral scent mixed in.

It was steady and reserved, yet not without a touch of playfulness and sweetness.

The hand was very white and beautiful. The veins were faintly visible at the wrist, and the wrist bone protruded with just the right amount of roundness.

On that wrist sat a white jade bracelet of exceptional quality. As the light spilled down, it was impossible to tell for a moment which was more tenderly white the hand or the translucent jade.

This hand looked as if it would break with a single squeeze, or shatter with a single touch.

It was exactly like the fine rain outside the airport that had melted into Shen Xiaojiang’s palm.

The faucet was turned on, and the hand withdrew from her sight.

Shen Xiaojiang’s hands were drenched in the clear water, her thoughts pulled back by the sudden chill.

She bit her back teeth hard, the muscles in her jaw tensing visibly.

She turned off the faucet, and the world plunged back into a boundless silence.

Shen Xiaojiang slowly looked up, meeting the eyes of the woman standing to the side in the mirror, arms folded.

She was as quiet as the air, as cold as an ice sculpture.

Her eyelids were lowered, but the moment she felt Shen Xiaojiang’s gaze, her lashes fluttered, and her brow furrowed ever so slightly.

Then, she quietly smoothed it out.

“Thank you, Chairwoman Chen.” Shen Xiaojiang’s voice sounded as if it came from far away. Every word carried an echo, and every echo was like a hammer striking the softest part of Chen Yi’s heart.

What thin, cold words.

What terrifying words.

What murderous words.

Chen Yi’s fingers dug hard into her palm, scratching it until it was red and hot.

Chairwoman Chen?

Who?

Oh, her.

Shen Xiaojiang had actually called her “Chairwoman Chen.”

Chen Yi had once dreamed of this title, but now, she loathed hearing those three words come from Shen Xiaojiang’s mouth.

They were like three knives every stroke drew blood, every stroke was fatal.

After a long pause, she finally, very slowly, raised her head.

The moment her eyes met those dark, clear ones, Chen Yi’s heart skipped a beat.

Her gaze flickered. She summoned all her courage just to maintain eye contact with Shen Xiaojiang.

“You’re welcome.” Her voice was so small, so lacking in confidence, that it felt as if she were merely talking to herself.

This time, Shen Xiaojiang was the first to look away.

Her heart was also beating very fast.

She didn’t know what she had just said.

Her mind was a jumble one moment and a blank the next.

She hid her trembling right hand behind her back, pretending not to care as she turned to leave.

“Shen Xiaojiang!”

Chen Yi raised her voice slightly, but it remained soft, as if she had no strength left, or perhaps as if she had already used it all up.

Shen Xiaojiang stopped, her back toward her.

Perhaps if she didn’t look at her, she wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed.

“Are you… okay?” Chen Yi dug into her palm with force, as if she were determined to tear the skin.

Shen Xiaojiang was no fool, she could hear the tremble in Chen Yi’s voice.

She tilted her head back slightly, swallowed hard, and turned around with a flat tone. “I’m quite well.”

Her gaze swept over the thin woman’s delicate, sharp features, but she pointedly ignored the deep sorrow hidden there.

“And you?” she added, her tone almost entirely devoid of concern.

Chen Yi’s pupils dilated slightly. Her gaze froze. Her red lips parted slightly, and the corners of her mouth twitched a couple of times, but no words came out.

This one sentence from Shen Xiaojiang held no emotion and none of the wildfire-like passion of the past.

That feeling where Chen Yi was the only thing in her heart and eyes had vanished.

Like plain water that had gone cold in a glass.

Chen Yi lowered her eyes. When she slowly raised them again, the corners of her mouth hooked into a forced smile: “I am… also quite well.”

Shen Xiaojiang gave an “Mm” and pointed toward the dining room. “Alright then, I’ll… head back first.”

Chen Yi’s head felt heavy, buzzing. She didn’t know how to make the person in front of her stop again.

She really didn’t know.

Her heart ached so much; her tears were surging wordlessly in the depths of her soul.

But she could only nod quietly and obediently.

After Shen Xiaojiang’s silhouette had completely vanished, Chen Yi moved her legs to give chase, but she stopped at the doorway.

Her fragile palm finally tore open at this moment.

Bright red blood seeped from the capillaries, spreading unchecked across her broken palm.

“Actually… I’m not doing well at all.”