Falling After Marriage - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: I Drugged Myself

The elevator in the upscale apartment complex continually played the soaring melody of a saxophone.

However, in the spacious area, Cheng Sangluo deliberately kept a distance from Lin Jin.

Her mind was in a daze, confused as to why she had once again believed the crazy woman’s nonsense. No cash? She could have used a mobile transfer, but then the woman claimed her phone was dead.

She knew well that this woman specialized in lies, and she had fallen for them countless times, yet here she was, repeating the same mistake.

Perhaps the hate shouldn’t only be directed at Lin Jin, but also at the cursed money and herself for having to be so calculating over it.

Cheng Sangluo squeezed herself into a corner, unable to resist taking a deep breath, but immediately held it.

Everything around her made her uncomfortable. The painful memories made the surrounding scented air take on a hint of nausea.

Yet, returning to this high-value locale, her mindset underwent a subtle change. In just under a month, she felt a sense of displacement, as if separated by a generation.

She suddenly remembered the downpour on the day she was released from prison, remembering herself soaked by the rain, shrinking in the corner like a spiky hedgehog, wary of everything around her.

She recalled a black, vintage qipao, a wisp of hair falling by the temples, and the cedar scent filling the air—all as clear as if it were happening in the present.

The only thing she couldn’t clearly recall was Lin Jin’s exquisite face. It was blurred, leaving only the superior lines of her profile, filled with mysterious silence.

Lost in thought, Cheng Sangluo stepped out of the elevator, following silently behind Lin Jin.

It wasn’t until she heard the clear sound of the electronic lock that she realized she was standing in the hallway, instinctively shivering and even secretly swallowing.

She likely had a psychological barrier about this luxurious, sprawling apartment, so she didn’t intend to step inside, as if standing still guaranteed absolute safety.

Cheng Sangluo stood foolishly by the door, like an unmoving guardian deity.

Compared to her previous pretense of false kindness, Lin Jin’s reaction today was more genuine.

She didn’t rush her but went straight to the shoe cabinet and took out a brand-new pair of cotton slippers.

The slippers were a khaki-colored puppy design, echoing the wheat-colored skin of the person standing before her.

She held the slippers up and wiggled them in front of Cheng Sangluo, teasing: “Your exclusive slippers. Don’t they look exactly like you?”

Cheng Sangluo was disgusted and refused to accept the goodwill.

Lin Jin then offered a new deceptive rationale: “Since you’re already here, why don’t you come in and have a cup of tea? We can discuss the matter concerning Xu Songheng.”

She played the long game, using money as bait, then throwing out the topic Cheng Sangluo cared about most, tempting her step by step into the trap.

This method was more sophisticated than the previous coercion, subtly inserting itself into the situation—all in details that were hard to grasp.

Cheng Sangluo mumbled a refusal, but her body was more honest than her mind, and she ended up accepting the offering of the slippers.

“Tsk, where do they look like me?” She voiced her displeasure, but her fingertips secretly caressed the sole of the shoe, betraying an almost imperceptible sense of cherished ownership.

Cheng Sangluo tilted her head, wondering why she felt this strange sense of affection.

It was likely an illusion created by poverty. She had few decent private possessions. Suddenly owning something exclusive to her made it feel precious.

Cheng Sangluo stared down at the slippers, feeling somewhat torn between tears and laughter.

The crazy woman might have handed her more than just a pair of shoes. Compared to the cold apartment key card, this item better fit the image of a knocking brick—a foot in the door.

At least it felt warm, at least it wasn’t cruel.

“I picked them out specifically. You must like them,” Lin Jin insisted with her usual dominance.

After putting on her own slippers, she placed her slender foot next to Cheng Sangluo’s.

Her slippers were a black cat design, perfectly matching the puppy ones. The strong sense of domesticity masked her aloof demeanor and quietly hinted at how much she yearned to live under the same roof as the person she loved but couldn’t have.

Lin Jin wiggled her toe, hoping to hear a few nice words from Cheng Sangluo, but suddenly noticed that the other person’s size was much larger than hers, and she frowned.

Cheng Sangluo seemed to notice her concern, so she wiggled her toe in the new slippers too: “They fit just right.”

“As long as they fit,” Lin Jin pretended not to care and walked straight into the living room.

Cheng Sangluo stood awkwardly in the foyer, just like the first time she visited, repeatedly looking around the spacious apartment, and eventually forced herself to walk toward the sofa.

Lin Jin, craving alcohol, was standing in front of the liquor cabinet, carefully selecting and fiddling with bottles.

One hand held tongs and two stemmed glasses, the other held red wine. Seeing Cheng Sangluo still not seated, she mocked: “It’s not your first time here. Why are you so shy?”

“I just want to get the money, talk business, and leave immediately.”

“Then help me decant the red wine. I’ll go get the cash. Once you’re done, come find me in the study. Business talk, you know, a serious setting is better.”

With that, Lin Jin withdrew to the bedroom.

She changed into a short, sexy nightgown, posing provocatively in front of the mirror, but then decided the puppy wouldn’t be tempted by this. She complained irritably: “She’s like a tough-as-nails green bean, as unyielding as if she joined the Party!”

She looked at herself in the mirror again. The lustful, deep red in her eyes easily stirred up evil thoughts.

Lin Jin squinted her eyes with a smile. Since she had successfully lured the person home, why not seek pleasure during the long night? It would be a shame not to.

But what clever way could she use to subdue that wary person?

Sure enough, this woman had no good intentions. All she wanted was still to conquer that stubborn soul.

Perhaps due to a deep-seated obsession with sleeping with the puppy, all kinds of wicked ideas flooded her mind like a spring.

Lin Jin didn’t hesitate for long before she hatched a brilliant plan to play with the puppy tonight.

She hummed an unknown tune excitedly, swaying as she walked to the study.

The study was spacious. When the curtains were drawn, one could admire the neon-lit night view of the wealthy district.

To create an ambiguous atmosphere, Lin Jin only turned on the small desk lamp and lit an essential oil diffuser for relaxation and contemplation.

She took a wad of cash from a drawer—far exceeding the so-called designated driver fee—then swallowed an unknown pill, and finally smoothed out the chair, which concealed a hidden mechanism.

The lighting was dim and warm, laced with a faint, intoxicating fragrance, setting the stage for tonight’s chaos.

In the living room, separated by a wall.

Cheng Sangluo sat on the sofa tinkering with the wine bottle.

She didn’t drink, so she had never handled one before. She looked very clumsy trying to uncork the bottle with the opener.

After struggling for a long time, she collapsed onto the soft sofa, letting out a tired sigh.

This day couldn’t merely be described as fulfilling. Aside from the soreness in her body, being tormented by the crazy woman alone was enough to make her drink several pots of bitter wine.

She stared at the chandelier on the ceiling, hugging a fluffy pillow. The comfort felt so unreal, like a dream.

She lifted her hand to shield her forehead. The fragmented light from the crystal chandelier pierced her eyes through her fingers, causing a stinging pain.

The comfortable environment induced intense drowsiness. As her consciousness grew hazy, a light call came from the study, scattering her rising sleepiness.

Cheng Sangluo carried the red wine toward the study, her steps light as a cat in the dark.

Reaching the door, she didn’t enter immediately but peered through the crack, observing the scene inside the study.

Lin Jin, sitting behind the office desk, saw the shifting shadow at the door and smiled: “Come in. Stop sneaking around.”

Cheng Sangluo pushed the door open, immediately freezing in place. Seeing Lin Jin’s attire, her heart involuntarily tightened.

The camellia-patterned silk nightgown was etched deep in her memory. Even a second glance made her choke up. Paired with the red wine in her hands, everything took on a different meaning.

How could Lin Jin not notice her alertness? She wiggled the money: “Come and get it.”

Cheng Sangluo felt this posture contained an element of humiliation, yet why shouldn’t she take what she earned through labor?

As she approached, Lin Jin suddenly stood up, yielding the seat: “Sit.”

Cheng Sangluo pondered. Did that tone sound like she was commanding a pet dog?

She should have remained vigilant, but the atmosphere created in the room was too relaxed, quietly dissolving her tension.

Thinking that she hadn’t drunk anything offered by the crazy woman this time, she tentatively sat down in the soft CEO chair, resting her hands naturally on the armrests.

Taking advantage of her moment of mental relaxation, Lin Jin swiftly sat on her lap, commanding softly: “Don’t move.”

“This trick again? Don’t you ever get tired of it?” Cheng Sangluo instinctively struggled. Just as the arm resting on the armrest was about to lift, a tight pain suddenly struck.

She looked down at her arm in shock, realizing it was locked by some kind of transparent, elastic mechanism.

The device was similar to a cable tie; the more she struggled, the tighter it cinched, completely immobilizing both her arms.

Lin Jin placed her hands on Cheng Sangluo’s shoulders, tilting her head and smiling: “No, never tired of it. Ever.”

“Lin Jin!” Cheng Sangluo’s roar erupted in the quiet study: “Why do you have to be like this? Why won’t you let me go, again and again?!”

Lin Jin knew the puppy would be furious but didn’t respond. Instead, she grabbed the red wine bottle and took two ferocious gulps.

The dark-red wine spilled from the corners of her mouth, carrying a rich wine aroma, creating an oddly beautiful spectacle.

“Don’t worry. I told you, I won’t use the same trick twice,” she pressed her fingertip against Cheng Sangluo’s chin, abruptly changing the subject: “Will you marry me?”

Cheng Sangluo was exasperated: “Now of all times, are you still having delusions?”

Lin Jin threatened softly: “If you don’t agree, the next topic won’t be on the table~”

Cheng Sangluo realized she couldn’t break free immediately and quickly regained her composure: “Even if I agree to marry you, then what? What difference would it make?”

“Then I’ll be your wife~” Lin Jin wiggled her waist happily as she said “wife,” and stated arrogantly: “Isn’t that satisfying enough? Me, Lin Jin! So many people want to chase me but can’t.”

Cheng Sangluo retorted mentally, I don’t care. She mimicked Lin Jin’s tone: “You, Director Lin, so many people want to chase you but can’t. Why do you insist on throwing yourself at a convict like me?”

“I forbid you to speak about yourself like that,” Lin Jin placed her fingertip on Cheng Sangluo’s lips, saying seriously: “Since I established Senyao Capital, every investment has yielded substantial returns. Do you know what that means?”

“It means you’re rich. So what?” Cheng Sangluo replied dismissively, cursing the crazy woman in her mind for being so cryptic.

“Shallow,” Lin Jin sneered, cupping Cheng Sangluo’s face to ensure their gazes met: “I want to tell you that my vision is keen and discerning. That’s why I can see you.”

Meeting that deep, serious gaze, Cheng Sangluo was momentarily lost.

She didn’t know if she was trapped by Lin Jin’s eyes or by this affirmation from an investor.

Lin Jin’s eyes became increasingly seductive, laced with a crimson sparkle, and even her exhaled breath grew hot.

She buried her head in Cheng Sangluo’s neck, inhaling deeply, and made a sincere invitation: “Cheng Sangluo, let’s get married… You know Xu Songheng fears me… I can even help you dig out the real perpetrator, but the condition is, I must be your wife… otherwise, this revenge… you won’t be able to get it…”

Cheng Sangluo endured the wet, hot breath on her neck. It was at this moment that she realized something was wrong with Lin Jin.

Her voice wasn’t just intermittent; her breathing was rapid and scalding, accompanied by full-body tremors.

“What… what’s wrong with you?” Cheng Sangluo asked, her tone containing a hint of genuine concern.

“Can’t you tell… what’s wrong with me…” Lin Jin could barely hold back. She had to bite fiercely into Cheng Sangluo’s neck: “This time… I drugged myself… to experience the same kind of torment… as you…”

“What did you take? Untie me immediately! Let go! I’ll take you to get your stomach pumped!” Cheng Sangluo’s pupils dilated in shock. She knew this woman was crazy, but she hadn’t expected her to be crazy without limits.

“You’re worried about me… aren’t you…” Lin Jin’s slender back subtly trembled. She kissed the puppy’s head passionately: “It’s too late… the drug is different this time… If I don’t vent… it will be unbearable…”

Cheng Sangluo felt Lin Jin’s scorching skin and struggled desperately: “Love and affection should be consensual! Why torture yourself, and why torture me?!”

The warm light cast the intimate figures of the two into a silhouetted scene of overlapping mountains, and the night grew thicker.

Lin Jin rested her forehead on Cheng Sangluo’s nose, murmuring uncontrollably: “That’s right… I certainly won’t just torture myself… Soon… you will feel the torture of wanting something you can’t have…”

With that, she reached into the drawer and pulled out two long lace ribbons, her gaze settling on the puppy’s neck: “You didn’t like the collar last time, was it because it was too hard? I’ve switched to this style. It will be very comfortable to wear~”

“Be good. Put it on for me to see.”

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