Savage Kiss - Chapter 70

It was the sympathy ploy again.

And it struck right at Xu Qingyi’s weak spot, both physically and emotionally, she couldn’t resist.

Still, she clung to her rationality and stated upfront, “We don’t have any condoms at home.”

They had run out last time and hadn’t bought any since.

Shen Yanzhou let out a low, hoarse “Mm” from his throat. “Then we won’t go to the bed.”

…

Lingnan Villa.

Shen Yaoyao knew he disliked lingering intimacy, so she had already dressed. “Should I go now?”

Shen Yuqiao didn’t even lift his eyelids. “Mm,” he acknowledged. “The money is on the console by the door.”

Every time, he would give her money.

Shen Yaoyao had refused once, and he never contacted her again after that, so she didn’t dare refuse anymore.

The doorbell rang downstairs.

At the same time, Shen Yuqiao’s phone buzzed.

Shen Yaoyao watched as the man, who had been completely still just moments before, got up and went downstairs in his robe.

The manager had personally come at noon to deliver the purchase slip, along with an itemized list.

Shen Yaoyao followed shortly after. When the manager saw her, he slightly lowered his head, careful not to look where he shouldn’t.

She had intended to see what Shen Yuqiao had bought, but as she passed the doorway, he took the list, and she couldn’t see it anymore, so she had to leave first.

Shen Yuqiao skimmed the list. “Was the blue dress excluded?”

There were many blue items in today’s batch. The manager tried to confirm, “The fifth model in the first batch?”

That was the one Xu Qingyi had worn.

“Miss Zhuang said the bust didn’t fit, so it wasn’t included.”

Shen Yuqiao nodded. “Deliver it here tomorrow.”

The manager paused. “That one… was already taken by the second young master today. Should I arrange to have another one sent to you from-”

Shen Yuqiao glanced up slightly.

“No need.” His tone remained indifferent, revealing nothing.

Closing the door, Shen Yuqiao turned and went upstairs, his tall, aloof figure as cold and dignified as ever.

…

Xu Qingyi had already forgotten about the evening gown by the bedside. When Shen Yanzhou carried her back to the bed, he asked, “Do you like it?”

Her heart jolted awake, and she could only pretend not to hear, keeping her eyes closed.

“I was afraid you’d be upset, so I specifically bought it for you. It’s a bit pricey, I’ll be broke for the next two months.”

Xu Qingyi suddenly opened her eyes suspiciously. “You bought it?”

Shen Yanzhou was about to speak but then lowered his gaze to her. “Who else could it be?”

Only a few people had seen her wearing that dress today.

Xu Qingyi’s heart tightened, afraid of giving herself away. She pursed her lips. “I thought… maybe it was one of the male models.”

Shen Yanzhou’s fingers traced lightly, his tone tinged with sarcasm. “So popular.”

“What kind of luck did I stumble upon at the bar that day? To be chosen by you.”

Xu Qingyi was genuinely affected by him tonight and almost blurted out that she had skin hunger syndrome.

“Can it be returned?” she asked about the gown.

It was too expensive. He really was being extravagant, and she had no occasion to wear such a dress at the moment.

Shen Yanzhou suggested returning him instead, frowning as he looked at her.

Xu Qingyi chuckled. “I meant the dress.”

Shen Yanzhou answered irrelevantly, “It looks good on you.”

Then he added with unusual seriousness, “Don’t you dare secretly return it yourself, or else…”

She lifted her face to look at him. Or else what?

Shen Yanzhou truly couldn’t think of what he could do to her. “Just don’t. You can deal with it whenever you get tired of me and want to replace me.”

It was already very late, and Shen Yanzhou prepared to leave as usual.

Xu Qingyi hesitated for a moment, then pointed to the small adjoining room. “Why don’t… you stay in that room for the night?”

She had cleared out the room. Though small, it was just enough to fit a 1.6-meter bed and a small desk and stool over twenty centimeters wide, perfect for sleeping, at least.

Of course, she hadn’t actually bought a bed, so he’d have to make do with sleeping on the floor.

Shen Yanzhou stood at the door and glanced back at her. “Is this for me?”

Xu Qingyi returned to her own bedroom. “Apart from you, no other man has ever stayed here.”

She said it without thinking, but he took it to heart.

Zhou Shengjing had mentioned that she wanted to move out and find a two-bedroom apartment. Could it be that she had been preparing this for him all along?

Even though she had never admitted it outright or agreed to let him pursue her as his girlfriend, to Shen Yanzhou, this felt like another green light she was giving him.

The next day, Xu Qingyi woke up late.

Faint noises from outside caught her attention. She cracked the door open and saw two workers just leaving.

She froze for a moment. Why were there strangers here?

Then Shen Yanzhou emerged from the room and turned to look at her. “Awake? Let’s go have breakfast.”

Only then did Xu Qingyi realize that Shen Yanzhou had bought a bed and placed it in the small room.

He had also purchased a small bedside table and a chair, effectively turning the space into a proper guest room.

Xu Qingyi was at a loss for words. She had only intended for him to crash there occasionally when it got too late.

Over breakfast, the more she thought about it, the stranger it felt. She shot him a look.

“Are you a lotus root spirit or something? So good at finding loopholes?”

Shen Yanzhou grinned shamelessly. “More like a rat spirit. Like father, like son…”

Xu Qingyi caught his meaning, her cheeks flushing as she shot him a glare.

After breakfast, as Shen Yanzhou was about to leave, Xu Qingyi’s phone kept ringing.

It was Shi Qing calling her on WeChat.

Shen Yanzhou saw it and gave her a meaningful look. “Earning money from others while sleeping with me?”

He had tried to refuse last night, telling her not to give him money anymore, but she had insisted.

“That’s two separate matters,” Xu Qingyi said, not answering immediately. She glanced at him. “Aren’t you leaving?”

Shen Yanzhou raised an eyebrow, then stepped back, took her phone, and hung up the call for her.

His expression turned serious. “Last night, we only talked about me. Let’s talk about you. Why are you working so hard to earn money? What do you want to do?”

Xu Qingyi smiled. “Lots of things. Buy a car, buy a house, fill up my bank account, and never worry about running out of money.”

“Then why are you splurging on me?” he asked. “How about you help me save money from now on? I tend to spend recklessly…”

“No.” Xu Qingyi refused outright.

Nothing much had happened yet, but after the previous incident with the lack of protection, the secret photos, and last night, it felt like he was taking big strides, or at least had a strong desire to.

She preferred to take things slow and wasn’t keen on letting Shen Yuqiao achieve his goals too quickly.

After seeing Shen Yanzhou off, Xu Qingyi called Shi Qing back.

Shi Qing’s voice sounded forcedly energetic. She casually asked, “Are you sick?”

Shi Qing paused before replying, “Yeah… I’m sorry…”

He apologized again. “You must still be upset with me.”

Xu Qingyi sat on the sofa. “Not anymore. You helped me pass my business card to the CEO of Tianhua last time. Let’s consider it even.”

At the mention of that, Shi Qing perked up.

“If I help you a little more, can we go back to how we used to be?”

Never mind what his “little more” entailed. Xu Qingyi chuckled. In her eyes, what was the difference between their past and present relationship? Hadn’t it always been simple?

“How about I arrange a dinner with Chairman Tianhua for you?” Shi Qing dropped the bombshell directly.