"Another one? Can't you have a little self-respect?" Shen Jianxi paused when she heard the voice, her hand hovering over the door she was about to open. She then proceeded to open it as if she hadn't heard anything and walked in.
As she was about to close the door, a hand propped against the frame, stopping her.
"What business is it of yours, Song Duanli?" Shen Jianxi said coldly, her grip on the doorknob as she stared at him.
Hearing her dismiss it as none of his business ignited a fire of anger within Song Duanli.
For the past two days, he had been consumed by worry over her disappearance. It was only after finally getting word of her whereabouts that he rushed over, only to find her just returning from a date with another man.
Her apartment building was close to the main gate, and the window on the side directly overlooked it. He had seen their every move.
Watching the two of them flirt outside the complex had filled him with an all-consuming jealousy.
His anger fueled his words, which dripped with venom, "When you were moaning in my bed, why wasn't it any of my business?"
Fu Yi, who was just about to exit, froze upon hearing this.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Song Duanli regretted them. The girl's face turned alarmingly pale, her once alluring and vibrant eyes dimming. He ached to reach out and stroke her head, but her step back pierced him.
Shen Jianxi's knuckles turned white as she gripped the doorknob. The memories of that night surged back like a tidal wave. She forced herself to speak, her face pale, "Mr. Song, you don't need to trouble yourself. Who I am with, who I am intimate with, that's my business, and I'm happy to do it."
"They are young, virile, and much better than you."
Hearing this, Song Duanli yanked the door open. Shen Jianxi, unable to match his strength, stumbled forward and was pulled into his embrace.
"Let go of me! Let go!"
She beat against his chest with both hands.
Song Duanli effortlessly restrained her with one hand and easily scooped her up.
He carried her into the bedroom and dropped her onto the bed. Frustrated, he loosened his tie and looked down at her, his eyes turning dangerous. "Who were you intimate with?"
"Your little boyfriend."
"Or the guy from just now?"
He leaned closer as he spoke.
Shen Jianxi retreated, her neck still stiff despite the man's extreme anger, goading him, "So what if we were intimate?"
"So what?" he sneered, reaching out to grab her ankle. Amidst the girl's screams, he easily pulled her back.
Seeing the fear in her eyes, Song Duanli let out a short laugh. He held her wrist with one hand, cupped her face with the other, and leaned down, kissing her.
77: "Fu Yi's mission: Make Fu Yi discover you kissing Song Duanli in bed. Mission complete."
Hearing this, Shen Jianxi's body suddenly relaxed.
Sensing she was no longer struggling, Song Duanli's kiss softened, his exploration slow and deliberate.
He released her after a long while.
Leaning his forehead against hers, he whispered, "Come back with me."
Shen Jianxi turned her head away, her actions a clear refusal.
Song Duanli sighed and got up from her, sitting on the side and looking at her.
"I can't rest easy with you here."
"Song Qi also told you before he left to live with me and let me take care of you."
"You don't listen to me, and now you won't listen to him?"
Shen Jianxi's head snapped up, and she glared at him, her tone stern. "Brother told you to take care of me, but he didn't say you could treat me like this, did he?!"
Song Duanli remained silent. He was indeed in the wrong regarding that incident.
"Give me a chance to make amends."
"Or I can marry you."
Shen Jianxi grabbed a pillow from the bedside table and threw it at him.
"Get lost!"
"Marry me? You wish!"
"Are you shameless, Song Duanli!"
"How old are you? How old am I? An old man chasing a young girl, aren't you afraid of choking to death?"
Instead of getting angry at her insults, Song Duanli chuckled.
"This is your true self, isn't it?"
"I knew you weren't the meek type from the first time I met you."
Shen Jianxi's chest heaved with anger. How dare he, while she was pouring out her fury, reminisce about the past!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She shot up and swung her hand.
*Slap—*
A clear sound echoed.
Five finger marks appeared on Song Duanli's face.
"Heh!"
Song Duanli touched his face, his gaze turning dark. Half his face was cast in shadow as he smiled languidly.
"Well struck, want to do it again?"
Shen Jianxi looked at him in surprise. Had she hit him silly?
If he was foolish, would her efforts to gain his affection still be valid?
"Dream on. It hurts me to hit you!" She turned away, no longer looking at him. Seeing that he wasn't leaving, she grumbled, "Aren't you going?"
"I said, come back with me."
Song Duanli stood before her, meticulously straightening his tie and clothes. Then, he looked at her with piercing eyes.
Shen Jianxi glared back, equally defiant. They remained locked in a standoff.
Outside the door, Fu Yi, witnessing this, pressed the pause button and quietly retreated.
He smiled silently at the recording on his phone. He hadn't expected such a surprise today. He wondered if Xie Shu would be as happy as he was to receive this "gift." With this thought, Fu Yi burst into laughter downstairs. He glanced back at the lit bedroom and left humming a cheerful tune.
He needed to think carefully about when to present this grand gift to Xie Shu.
77: "Beep! Affection +6, current affection for Fu Yi is 16."
Upstairs, the two remained locked in their stalemate, neither willing to yield. Finally, Shen Jianxi conceded.
She hadn't intended to stay out for too long. She still had to accumulate affection points with Song Duanli and couldn't possibly refuse to go back.
She put on a distressed expression and said, her voice laced with grievance, "I'll go back, but we need to set three rules."
"Alright." As long as she agreed to return, Song Duanli would agree to anything.
"First, you're not allowed to touch me."
"Fine, I won't touch you if you don't agree."
Shen Jianxi rolled her eyes at this, scoffing, "Don't worry, I'll never agree to that in this lifetime."
Song Duanli didn't argue. The future was uncertain, and he didn't want to quarrel with her over something that might not happen.
"Second, you can't confine me."
"Third, you have to go along with whatever I want and not force me."
Having finished, Shen Jianxi looked up at him, awaiting his response.
Song Duanli suddenly let out a soft chuckle, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
"I agree to all of them. Now, shall we go home?"
Shen Jianxi was silent for a few seconds. His accommodating attitude made it difficult for her to stay angry. The lingering frustration subsided into a barely audible "Mm."
Receiving her affirmative reply, Song Duanli immediately took her hand, ready to leave.
"Hey, hey, hey! First rule, first rule!"
Shen Jianxi pointed at his hand, reminding him.
Song Duanli released her hand and raised it as a gesture of compliance.
She packed the two dresses she had brought, glanced around. She had only stayed here for a day, and besides clothes, she had nothing else. After confirming there was nothing else, she sent a message to Xie Shu and then left with Song Duanli.
For some reason, despite it being a day off, Xie Shu hadn't contacted her. He hadn't replied to her messages either, which was a bit concerning.