He Seemed to Have Been Scalded

Seeing this, Shen Heng hurriedly reached out to steady her.

Chu Tianqing didn't want to fall flat on her face, so she strained backward, crashing straight into her dear big brother's arms.

Shen Heng's hand unexpectedly touched her lower back. Her skin felt cool, smooth and delicate; he glanced down and caught sight of the hollow along her spine and a tantalizing glimpse of lace trim.

As though scalded, he hastily looked away, gripped Chu Tianqing by both arms and pulled her steadily upright.

Still shaken, Chu Tianqing saw that one of her high heels had stayed where it was and was so angry she laughed. "I never should have come out looking for you. This is karma."

"That's right. Why did you come out? You said you were apologizing, but I didn't feel any sincerity from you." Shen Heng supported her as she put the high heel back on.

Once she had her shoe on, Chu Tianqing tugged the heel free, pulled away from Shen Heng's arm and walked back on tiptoe.

After two steps, she couldn't resist turning around to say angrily, "Fine, I was the one who presumed too much, all right? I was afraid you'd be angry, big brother, but now it seems you just love being angry. I apologized, and you still had to pick it apart."

Shen Heng's lips curved slightly. Not wanting to argue with her anymore, he changed the subject. "I've been meaning to ask you, aren't you cold wearing that out? I know Mingchen; he's not a shallow person. Remember to wear more next time you go out."

He had put it tactfully, but what he really wanted was to spell it out: Ye Mingchen was looking for a girlfriend, not a one-night stand. She didn't need to dress so frivolously.

Chu Tianqing wasn't stupid. She heard what her dear big brother was getting at and glanced back at him again. She wanted to explain, but in the end, she gave up.

Of course she knew the dress was a little revealing, but she had no choice if she wanted to save money.

If she told him she was saving money, he wouldn't understand. He would only think she was being inexplicable and making herself suffer for nothing.

A few days ago, her bank account manager had called to ask why her credit card spending had dropped so sharply that month, whether there was something lacking in their service, and to request her valuable feedback.

Only then did Chu Tianqing learn that the Shen family hadn't canceled her credit card. She could still use it to make purchases.

Come to think of it, in the original story, Shen Xixi had caused so much trouble, yet the Shen family still hadn't canceled her card. Even the money she had used to hire a killer at the end had been drawn from her credit card.

Shen Xixi's monthly pocket money had often amounted to hundreds of thousands and occasionally reached a million. Ms. Jiang and Father Shen had never said a word to her about it; they had truly spared no expense and spoiled her to the heavens.

Thinking about these things, Chu Tianqing wrapped her shawl tightly around herself and answered in a muffled voice, "I know. I'll definitely wear more next time, and I won't walk on a gravel path in high heels!"

Shen Heng heard the barb in her words and shook his head helplessly, saying no more about it.

The two went in through the side door. Shen Heng had only smoked half his cigarette, so he went to the smoking room to finish it.

Chu Tianqing hesitated for a moment, but still wanted to explain. She followed him in, sat down and said pleasantly, "Actually, I don't want a boyfriend at all right now, but Brother Chen, well, he's your friend, so you must know him. If he seriously wanted to date someone, who could possibly turn him down?"

Shen Heng held his cigarette between his lips and narrowed his eyes in thought. That was indeed true.

Ye Mingchen was the fourth child, and his family doted on him, giving him a sunny, cheerful disposition.

The fact that they had become good friends also owed much to Ye Mingchen's dogged persistence.

Shen Heng turned his head and gave her a long look, suppressing the distracting thoughts in his heart. He spoke calmly. "Then don't turn him down. Give it a proper try. Mingchen is the fourth child in his family, with two older brothers and an older sister. He's protected by his family and doesn't have to shoulder its responsibilities. You won't be under any pressure if you marry him. Both his eldest and second brother already have children."

Chu Tianqing was speechless. Her dear big brother had actually thought so far ahead that he had even considered her life after marriage.

"Brother, you're so eager to set me up with your good buddy, but what if we get together and then fight and break up, or even get divorced? Whose side would you take then?" Chu Tianqing was deliberately making things difficult for him.

Shen Heng remained perfectly calm. "I'd side with whoever was in the right, not whoever was closest to me."

"I don't believe that. What makes you good buddies? You've carried guns together and visited prostitutes together." Chu Tianqing grew more agitated as she spoke. "You went to the Deercall Club together and even stayed the night there. You must have had plenty of fun together before, right?"

Shen Heng's expression darkened, and he warned her, "Stop being unreasonable. I forced you to marry him; I only suggested you try dating. Why attack me?"

"I..." Chu Tianqing drew a sharp breath and nearly choked on it.

She couldn't say why herself; she simply felt uncomfortable and kept wanting to lose her temper for no apparent reason.

Shen Heng glanced at her and stubbed out his cigarette on the trash can beside him.

After a moment of silence, he abruptly spoke. "Go home when you have time and have a meal with Mom and Dad. They're very worried about you."

Chu Tianqing turned her eyes toward him without speaking, just looking at him gloomily.

Shen Heng leaned back, draped an arm over the back of his chair and raised a hand to prop up his forehead. He said helplessly, "I know what you're worried about. Tell me when you're going back, and I guarantee you won't run into Bufan."

"Bufan. How very close you sound," Chu Tianqing couldn't help muttering.

"What's so close about that?" A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Shen Heng's mouth. "Don't I call you Xixi just the same? You two don't get along, but leave me out of it."

Chu Tianqing pursed her lips, her expression full of snide sarcasm.

Shen Heng raised his hand as if to flick her again, frightening Chu Tianqing into jumping to her feet. "All right, all right, I know. I'll go back, okay? I've noticed your temper's been getting worse lately. You used to just scold me, but now you're getting physical too."

"You blame my temper, but why don't you reflect on how good you are at making people angry?" Shen Heng stood up as well and headed outside. "Come on, don't stay here. Breathing less secondhand smoke is bad for your health."

Chu Tianqing followed him, sorely tempted to retort, So breathing it firsthand is healthy? What standing do you have to lecture me?

They went back and sat for a while longer, but Chu Tianqing was truly exhausted and signaled to her dear big brother.

Shen Heng understood and said he had something else to do, that he'd had enough fun for the day and they could meet again another time.

Ye Mingchen and Qiao Ruhai naturally had no objection. After settling the bill, they headed outside.

Chu Tianqing spotted Shen Heng's car pulling up and said with a grin, "Brother, give me a ride home."

Without waiting for his answer, she opened the rear door and climbed straight in.

Shen Heng frowned. Afraid Ye Mingchen would feel awkward, he quickly picked up the conversation. "Mingchen, I'll take her home. You must be tired after a whole day out, so go home and get some rest. Come to the office early tomorrow."

Ye Mingchen's gaze moved back and forth. He had originally intended to take Shen Xixi home, but once Shen Heng spoke up, he said nothing more. Smiling, he waved goodbye to Shen Xixi.

The group parted ways. Shen Heng went around to the other side and got into the car, instructing the driver to take Shen Xixi home first.

The car started and set off smoothly.

Shen Heng held back again and again, but still couldn't resist scolding the person beside him. "If you're not interested, just turn Mingchen down cleanly and decisively. If you create another awkward situation like that next time, I absolutely won't clean up after you!"

Chu Tianqing silently turned to look at Shen Heng. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly clasped her hands together, her eyes shining. "Brother, why don't you tell him for me? I really can't bring myself to turn him down. He's such a nice person!"

Shen Heng froze, feeling only a headache coming on. "What bullshit are you talking about now?!"