Limited-Time Attachment - Chapter 35

The sky had already turned pitch black. By the time Song Ming and Zhou Jibai stepped out of the apartment building, the streetlights outside were already lit.

Song Ming kept both hands in her pockets and said casually, “The issue with the designer is solved. Now, all we’re really waiting for is President Zhou’s funding.”

Walking ahead of her and without turning back, Zhou Jibai replied, “Once the process is complete, the money will naturally be credited.”

The corners of Song Ming’s mouth curled up. “President Zhou is generous.”

Before Zhou Jibai could respond, the phone in her bag rang. She naturally took it out to check, but her movements froze. After a moment, she hung up the call directly.

The light from the streetlamps poured down, landing on Zhou Jibai and casting a faint shimmer on the tips of her hair.

Falling slightly behind, Song Ming didn’t miss a single detail of Zhou Jibai’s unusual reaction.

“The marriage partner?” Song Ming stood still, her long, thick eyelashes drooping slightly, her expression unreadable.

Zhou Jibai’s hand tightened around her phone. She turned back to see Song Ming standing there lazily, hands in her pockets, watching her quietly.

Song Ming was tall with long legs, she wore her long trench coat well, her nonchalant air carrying a natural sense of sophisticated indifference.

Zhou Jibai asked, “What does it have to do with you?”

Song Ming’s expression didn’t change. “Just out of concern for a partner.”

“Then it’s quite unnecessary,” Zhou Jibai turned back around and took the lead toward the parking spot. “My private life does not affect my business decisions.”

Song Ming let out a low chuckle. “That, I certainly believe.”

Zhou Jibai’s footsteps paused. “Aren’t you the same?”

“Indeed,” Song Ming walked slowly toward Zhou Jibai. “We are two of a kind. That’s why I wanted to ask President Zhou, are you planning to abandon the past and return to the ‘right track’ for the sake of your assets…”

Song Ming reached Zhou Jibai’s back and leaned down slightly, whispering the rest of the sentence into her ear: “…and go live with some man?”

She emphasized the word “man” slightly, her clear voice, when lowered, possessed a specific, lingering intimacy that teased the heart.

Zhou Jibai stiffened. Her hands clenched at her sides as she suddenly turned around, staring at Song Ming. “And if I am, what of it?”

It was hard to say what would happen. Song Ming appeared calm, her grey-green irises reflecting Zhou Jibai’s image.

Under the heat of anger, Zhou Jibai’s eyes were incredibly bright. The usual coldness she maintained through self-restraint had vanished, her beautiful, soulful face was vividly alive. Her soft, pursed lips still bore the smudged traces of bright red lipstick that Song Ming had messed up hours ago, the current “proper” appearance was merely a thin veil to cover the traces of their absurdity.

Song Ming’s eyes flickered down, catching the graceful curves partially hidden beneath Zhou Jibai’s black coat. A hint of fair skin showed at the collar, skin Song Ming had also kissed.

Would she really let a woman like this, whom she had spent so much effort pursuing, be claimed by some random man just because of a “marriage” title?

Song Ming met Zhou Jibai’s angry gaze. “President Zhou, are you truly willing? Once you marry, everything in the Zhong family will inevitably have nothing to do with you. You surely know better than I do what Chairman Zhong is plotting.”

Zhou Jibai’s expression was icy. “This isn’t something President Song needs to worry about. Just mind yourself.”

They walked and stopped intermittently until they were near Song Ming’s car. Dropping those words, Zhou Jibai turned toward the SUV and pulled the door handle.

Just as the door opened a crack, before she could get in, a slender and powerful hand suddenly pressed against the edge of the door. The handle Zhou Jibai was holding brushed against her fingertips as it was forced back into place.

Song Ming, who had been quiet and calm, caught up and braced her hand against the door, trapping Zhou Jibai within the reach of her embrace.

“What are you doing?” Zhou Jibai looked up at Song Ming, her anger not subsiding in the least. “Song Ming, you’ve certainly grown bold. Or should I say, I should have gotten to know the real you sooner?”

Song Ming dithered for a moment, closed her eyes briefly, and withdrew her hand.

Two years ago, when she was with Zhou Jibai, she had indeed shown weakness at every turn. After all, Zhou Jibai was so proud, if she hadn’t played along, she never would have won her over.

“Don’t be angry,” Song Ming tucked her hands back into her pockets as if negotiating. “It was just a reminder. Do you really not care? Once you leave, Jiaxin will immediately fall into the hands of Zhong Xingzhou or Zhong Hexuan. They are calculating quite clearly to take your hard work for nothing.”

Zhou Jibai’s reaction was flat. “That also seems to be my own business.”

“How could it only be your business? We are partners, after all. It would be difficult for me if the CEO of Jiaxin changed halfway through,” Song Ming said calmly. “Setting aside old grudges, we do have some history. How about I do President Zhou a free favor?”

Zhou Jibai looked up at her. “Help me? What do you mean?”

“If you don’t want to fall out with Chairman Zhong, but lack an excuse to end this relentless pressure,” Song Ming smiled softly, “how about I become that excuse?”

Zhou Jibai froze, looking at Song Ming without speaking.

“You should realize I am the most suitable candidate,” Song Ming’s tone was steady. “I have a ‘bad reputation’ from the past. No matter what I do, no one will be surprised, and no one will suspect you. Moreover, Zhong Zhengcheng can’t do anything to me. If it were anyone else, they’d probably be cleared away as an obstacle by him before they could block anything.”

“How do you know I’m dissatisfied with the marriage?” Zhou Jibai watched her. “Marriage doesn’t seem so bad. My last relationship was my own choice, and the result was just as disastrous.”

Song Ming, the very subject of that “last relationship,” remained silent for a moment, her tone sounding slightly regretful. “That’s something I didn’t consider. If you truly feel the marriage is fine…”

Then I’ll just have to target the Zhong family and your fiancé directly.

“Wait!” Zhou Jibai called out to her.

Song Ming stopped and turned her head.

Zhou Jibai took a deep breath and asked, “What do you want?”

Song Ming went quiet, then looked at her with a smirk. “If I must say… to make the goal easier to achieve, can President Zhou share half of the house she’s currently living in with me?”

The night in City A was still bustling, with neon lights flickering on the skyscrapers and many cars still traversing the highway.

The SUV stopped in front of a high-rise residential building. Song Ming escorted Zhou Jibai to the entrance. Zhou Jibai stepped out, closed the door, and walked toward the building without looking back.

Song Ming rolled down the window, rested her elbow on the frame, and followed Zhou Jibai’s back with her gaze. “Hey…”

Zhou Jibai was elegant, every step up the stairs light and steady. “If you want to move in, just pick a time and come over. I won’t bother with any polite talk about picking you up.”

Hearing this nonchalant remark and seeing Zhou Jibai walk away without hesitation, Song Ming pressed her fingers to her brow and laughed in spite of herself.

“Oh, right.” Zhou Jibai suddenly turned around.

“What?” Song Ming lowered her hand and looked at her.

“Here’s the access card.”

A silver-bright keychain with the access card flew through the air. Song Ming sighed and unhurriedly reached her arm out the window, catching the metal object in her hand.

When she looked up again, Zhou Jibai was gone from the doorway.

She sure moves fast.

Song Ming withdrew her gaze and brought her closed hand in front of her face. Opening her fingers, the various metal letter charms spilled out, dangling from the keychain hooked around her middle finger. The square access card was nestled in the center, looking somewhat out of place.

Looking at the card that represented permission to enter Zhou Jibai’s home, Song Ming gave an unreadable smile. She tucked the card and keys away, turned the car around, and drove out of the complex.