After the Arranged Marriage, I Was Pampered by the Powerful Tycoon - Chapter 6

Stepping away from the previous clamor and excitement and returning to the apartment, the surroundings finally fell silent once more.

The bodyguards had been shut outside. At this moment, the living room was exceptionally quiet, to the point where one could hear the rustle of suit fabric rubbing against the sofa.

As his heartbeat continued to quicken, Cheng Ruan’s brain began to grow muddled. Taking advantage of the rising alcohol buzz, his entire body felt parched, his face flushed, and he felt so stifled he could hardly breathe. Consequently, he simply shed his suit jacket and loosened his tie and the buttons at his chest, attempting to breathe in some fresh air.

After leaning against the sofa to rest for a while in a blurred state of consciousness, Cheng Ruan finally realized there was still a man standing at the entryway.

That man was born extremely tall with an upright posture; his entire being exuded a hint of a solemn aura. Unfortunately, the lights were not on, and through the sporadic light visible outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, Cheng Ruan could not quite make out his face.

However, he could discern the indifference in the man’s eyes.

Cheng Ruan rubbed his temples and knitted his brows with some dissatisfaction: “You… who are you?”

The man did not speak.

Cheng Ruan did not intend to let it rest. Bracing his arms, he stood up unsteadily, intending to walk over and take a closer look.

But before he could reach the man, his legs went soft first. He instinctively grabbed onto a nearby cool wooden cabinet to pause for a moment.

The man still showed no reaction, standing silently in place as if he were watching a joke.

Cheng Ruan shot him a glare and, refusing to be outdone, stood up again. He staggered toward the entryway, and this time, he finally reached the man’s side.

He leaned in and asked with some impatience: “I’m talking to you. Who are you, and why are you in my house?”

Only then did the man lift his eyelids and say expressionlessly: “Mr. Cheng had people ‘kidnap’ me here. Don’t you remember?”

“Kidnap?”

The scent of ebony agarwood wafted into his nose, and a face suddenly flashed through Cheng Ruan’s mind. He struggled to focus his vision, squinting at the man before him: “Luo Mingzhi?”

Recalling this name, Cheng Ruan felt a surge of temper from nowhere. He reached out directly and grabbed Luo Mingzhi’s wrist. Regardless of whether he could get a firm grip, he intended to drag him into the bedroom, even if it meant pulling and yanking.

Just as they were about to enter the bedroom, Cheng Ruan’s calf went weak and he tripped on the carpet. In an instant, his center of gravity shifted, and he lunged toward the wooden floor.

Thump!

The dull sound of a body hitting the floor echoed in his ears. Cheng Ruan lay on his back on the floor, groaning a few times. The weight of another person suddenly pressed down on him, yet his the back of his head did not encounter the pain he had imagined.

A hand protected him, cushioned between the back of his head and the wooden floor.

In the dim bedroom, Cheng Ruan and Luo Mingzhi’s eyes met. Their breaths mingled, and Cheng Ruan’s chest rose and fell in sync with the other’s heartbeat.

Only now did Cheng Ruan realize that Luo Mingzhi’s gaze was formidably sharp. Clearly, he looked normal when he usually looked at him—one could call it gentlemanly or indifferent—but he had never looked like this before, as if he could see right through him in a single glance.

Cheng Ruan turned his face away, feeling guilty as he whispered a complaint: “Heavy, you’re so heavy. Why are you pressing down on me?”

Luo Mingzhi glanced at Cheng Ruan’s crimson neck, withdrew his hand, and stood up nimbly, successfully allowing the back of Cheng Ruan’s head to have an intimate encounter with the wooden floor.

“So cold!” Tears welled up in Cheng Ruan’s eyes as he questioned the composed Luo Mingzhi, “Why did you pull your hand away!”

Luo Mingzhi remained laconic. As the “click” of the switch sounded, the crystal chandelier overhead turned on, and the entire bedroom finally brightened.

Luo Mingzhi straightened the tie that Cheng Ruan had mussed with one hand and said coldly: “Cheng Ruan, in terms of biting the hand that feeds you, you are the first person I’ve ever met.”

Cheng Ruan’s eyes grew redder. He was desperate to get up but simply couldn’t muster the strength.

He gave up entirely, staring at the man above him: “Luo Mingzhi, pull me up.”

Luo Mingzhi did not react.

After Cheng Ruan’s tenth failed attempt, he finally extended a hand.

Having finally stood upright, Cheng Ruan’s face was already completely flushed. He rubbed his own ear and, “turning his back on his benefactor” once more, commanded: “Stand still. Don’t look at me with that kind of gaze.”

Luo Mingzhi withdrew his hand at his leisure and gave a light scoff: “How does Mr. Cheng wish for me to look at you?”

Cheng Ruan couldn’t come up with an answer. Instead, out of shame and anger, he grabbed Luo Mingzhi and pounced on him, pinning him to the bed with both hands resting on Luo Mingzhi’s chest.

Beneath him, Luo Mingzhi’s face was dark: “Do you know what you are doing?”

Cheng Ruan didn’t have time to pay him any mind; he focused intently on unbuckling his own belt.

Why was this belt so difficult to undo!

Propping himself up on his arms, he looked down dizzily at Luo Mingzhi, then grabbed Luo Mingzhi’s wrist in an attempt to restrain him.

Unfortunately, Luo Mingzhi’s wrist was a full size larger than the span of his hand. No matter how he tried, Cheng Ruan’s fingers couldn’t wrap around it. After an unknown number of failed attempts, he had no choice but to give up on that idea, barely managing to press his palm down against Luo Mingzhi’s hand.

Having finally intimidated Luo Mingzhi in terms of momentum, Cheng Ruan curled his lips in satisfaction and looked at Luo Mingzhi provocatively: “Beg me to be gentle with you, and I’ll let go.”

Luo Mingzhi’s gaze was complex. He broke free from Cheng Ruan’s so-called restraint with ease, startling Cheng Ruan so much that he sat on the bed and forgot to move.

“Cheng Ruan.” Luo Mingzhi leaned in toward him, a dangerous message transmitting from his eyes as his voice turned deep. “I suddenly remembered what you said at the wedding last time… who is pleasing whom?”

Cheng Ruan shrank back in fear, yet he remained stubborn: “You, you please me.”

Luo Mingzhi seemed to be laughing. He hooked Cheng Ruan’s chin, forcing him to see him clearly: “Cheng Ruan, I advise you to think carefully about your own positioning.”

Cheng Ruan shook his head and said dizzily: “I’m very clear about it. I am your husband; we are already married.”

Luo Mingzhi’s eyes darkened. He let go of Cheng Ruan and prepared to get up, but unexpectedly, before he could leave the bed, Cheng Ruan hugged his waist from behind.

“You’re not allowed to leave!” Cheng Ruan let out a whimper like a kitten. “Stay and keep me company.”

Luo Mingzhi’s voice was hoarse: “How should I keep you company?”

Cheng Ruan impatiently reached out to unbutton Luo Mingzhi’s shirt, demonstrating through his actions exactly how he needed to be “accompanied.” He unbuckled Luo Mingzhi’s belt, and just as he was about to succeed, his world suddenly spun, and he was forced to switch positions with Luo Mingzhi.

Luo Mingzhi’s arms braced above him, his breath right at Cheng Ruan’s ear.

He slowly reached out, pinched Cheng Ruan’s slender waist, and looked at that face full of passion.

The wind blew in through the gap in the window; the curtains, which weren’t pulled shut tightly, fluttered slightly, undulating and swaying in mid-air.

Luo Mingzhi looked down condescendingly at the flushed Cheng Ruan.

“Who is pleasing whom?”

Cheng Ruan never expected it would end like this. He rubbed his waist with some grievance, his voice carrying a hint of a sob.

“I’ll please you…”

A slightly rough fingertip brushed against his cheek: “Now, what should you beg me for?”

Cheng Ruan couldn’t help but shudder: “Beg you… to be gentle with me.”

Luo Mingzhi covered him once more.

Cheng Ruan walked into the company building through gritted teeth, feeling that even the carpet at the entrance was particularly abrasive today.

“Secretary Lu,” Cheng Ruan instructed, turning his head, his voice raspy. “Have someone change the carpet at the main entrance.”

The carpet at the entrance was quickly replaced. Cheng Ruan walked expressionlessly into the meeting room where the doors were pushed open; the executives waiting to report on work shivered, then greeted him somewhat restrainedly.

Cheng Ruan took in every subtle expression on the executives’ faces. He propped his chin up with his fingers, thinking he wasn’t actually that scary. However, a moment later, a wave of soreness radiated from his arm and his fingertips felt a bit numb; Cheng Ruan was forced to drop his hand, cursing that dog of a man, Luo Mingzhi, in his heart.

It was one thing to do it, but he had also grabbed his arms and pinned them down for so long. Usually, he looked so serious; one couldn’t tell at all that he was the type of person who played so “creatively.”

As expected, appearances are deceiving.

After an unknown amount of time, the surroundings fell silent. The executive on stage had stopped, holding the remote pen blankly as he waited for a decision.

Cheng Ruan cleared his throat and nodded: “Alright.”

Carrying his coffee back to his office, Cheng Ruan felt light-headed the whole way. Because he had stayed up late, a circle of dark bruising had surfaced under his eyes, and the tip of his nose was red, making him look rather pitiable.

He prepared to go to the washroom to wash his hands and clear his head, but as soon as he rolled up his shirt sleeves, he saw the red marks on his wrists.

That dog of a man!

Cheng Ruan prepared to head to the sofa in the lounge to catch up on some sleep, but just as he touched the soft pillow, Lu Ling called again.

He could only sigh and pick up the phone: “Secretary Lu?”

Lu Ling said: “Mr. Cheng, there is a negotiation meeting with the capital partners later. Mr. Luo will also be attending.”

Cheng Ruan kneaded the pillow in his hand with internal resistance: “…I understand.”

The headquarters of the Cheng Group and the Luo Group were separated only by a single street, yet this was the first time Cheng Ruan had entered the Luo building.

Different from Cheng Ruan’s flamboyant style, the environment of the Luo building seemed very much in Luo Mingzhi’s style—low-key, elegant, and not cliché. The interior color scheme consisted mostly of low-saturation tones, and in the center was a water feature pond built at a great expense, which served well to highlight the company owner’s refinement.

Cheng Ruan turned his nose up at this, turning his head only to see Luo Mingzhi’s secretary.

“Mr. Cheng, this way please. The President is waiting for you in the conference room.”

Cheng Ruan entered the conference room with his head down. At this time, Luo Mingzhi was deeply engaged in conversation with a CEO beside him. He sat diagonally across from Luo Mingzhi as guided; the latter’s gaze lifted slightly, seemingly noticing him, and his handsome brows quirked up.

Cheng Ruan squeezed his fists and turned his face away, refusing to make eye contact with Luo Mingzhi.

This meeting was related to the subsequent development of Muyao Town and also involved a field inspection in a few days. Because a lot of preparatory work had been done in the early stages, Cheng Ruan quickly entered the right state of mind, talking eloquently during the meeting and putting the previous unpleasantness out of his mind.

It wasn’t until he stood up as the meeting adjourned that he faced Luo Mingzhi again.

Cheng Ruan gave a cold huff, wanting to say a few sarcastic words, but unexpectedly, Luo Mingzhi spoke first.

“Is your body alright?”

If he hadn’t asked, it might have been fine, but the question caused Cheng Ruan’s face to flush instantly.

“I am perfectly fine; there’s no need for Mr. Luo to worry.” He kept his head down and walked quickly past Luo Mingzhi’s side.

Luo Mingzhi had long legs and easily stepped out to block Cheng Ruan’s path, seemingly wanting to keep him for a moment.

Cheng Ruan didn’t know what he meant and crossed his arms: “Does Mr. Luo have anything else?”

Seeing Luo Mingzhi’s gaze fall upon his neck, Cheng Ruan warily pulled his shirt collar tight and took a step back, saying: “I’m warning you, don’t let your eyes wander. Last night was just a matter of mutual need. We’re married; satisfying desires is normal.”

Luo Mingzhi did not respond. He continued to observe Cheng Ruan for a while, then turned around and said: “I’ve already had my secretary give the items to Lu Ling. Don’t force yourself.”

Cheng Ruan: “???”

Returning to the office, Lu Ling had indeed placed a delicate small black box on his desk.

Cheng Ruan’s right eyelid suddenly twitched. Without looking closely, he raised his hand to throw it into the trash can, but on second thought, he pulled his hand back and retrieved the small box.

After taking three deep breaths, Cheng Ruan opened the small box. Inside was a tube of exquisitely packaged ointment.

After clearly reading the English on the label, Cheng Ruan held his breath for three seconds, and the roar in his heart finally escaped his mouth.

“…Luo Mingzhi, are you even human!”