Chapter 40: Heartbeats More Vigorous

Ji Zhen Tang found it difficult to describe whether Zhong Yu Bai’s kiss was gentle or intense, but he indeed fulfilled her request in a way that conquered her effortlessly. It made her heart tighten for a moment, then relax, when she let her guard down, thinking it was about to end, it surged back in forcefully once again.

The intimacy deepened bit by bit. Like the rising tide, one wave after another.

Kissing was not a matter of rational rules, but under his manipulation, it seemed to become a well-planned arrangement.

When to be gentle, when to be intense, he deployed it well, knowing how to make someone surrender, quickly capturing a hostage who lacked fighting power.

She had mentioned that her kissing skills had improved, so she mustered some courage and responded fervently.

However, her fingers, which were tightening as if trying to grasp something, still showed a slight nervousness, a feeling of being dominated by the flow of water, unable to anchor and settle.

Yet, she particularly enjoyed this excitement.

Unfortunately, his suit was too neat, neatly pressed against his powerful shoulder blades, making it impossible for her to grasp anything.

In the end, her sweaty hands grasped nothing but air, only able to clench into fists.

As the night deepened along with the kiss, when she was pressed against his chest, she felt like he was a hungry beast, tearing off the mask of civility, greedily seizing her lips, his actions filled with desire.

The early spring moonlight streamed in from the window, shining on her smooth collarbone.

Ji Zhen Tang didn’t know when, but the adjustment buckle of her dress’s left shoulder strap had completely loosened, and the soft snow-like fabric had changed shape against his chest. Two velvet lines, one in front and one behind, if it weren’t for this tight embrace, she might have already been exposed.

A gust of wind from outside made her shoulder hairs stand up.

“My-dress.”

Ji Zhen Tang suddenly realized something was wrong.

If nothing unexpected happened, he wouldn’t usually retreat suddenly.

But he couldn’t retreat too far either.

Ji Zhen Tang was afraid the shoulder strap would completely fall off, hastily leaning against him, lifting the front string, and awkwardly searching for the back string in a twisted posture.

“Let me do it.”

Zhong Yu Bai gently pressed her waist with his fingers, letting her rest assured. Ji Zhen Tang stretched out her arms to hug him tightly, feeling the slightly cool fingertips inadvertently rubbing against her shoulder, causing a shallow tingling sensation, making her heart still thump-thumping, a needle-like palpitation.

Ji Zhen Tang’s cheek was pressed against his somewhat pristine suit fabric. After waiting for a dozen seconds, Zhong Yu Bai adjusted the tie.

A cool breeze seeped in through the small gap in the window, lifting a corner of the curtain. Outside, it was a starry moonlit night, casting a shimmer on her light-colored pupils.

Watching the shifting trees, Ji Zhen Tang grumbled, “You don’t even say where we’re going, just dragging me around haphazardly.”

Zhong Yu Bai noticed her shivering and closed the window tightly. He said, “Back to the Zhong residence.”

Ji Zhen Tang paused, “What if I say I don’t want to go?”

Looking at her, he asked slowly, “Why?”

She spoke frankly, pouting, “There are many people in your family who don’t like me. Going there would just be asking for trouble.”

She had tasted bitterness before.

Zhong Yu Bai replied casually, “Those who don’t like you can leave.”

She was surprised again, amazed at how he could express “leave” so gracefully.

She asked, “But what if no one likes me?”

After a moment of thought, he said frankly yet cruelly, “This family can do without anyone.”

Ji Zhen Tang narrowed her eyes and laughed, “You know what? You have a feeling of defying the world for me.”

Zhong Yu Bai smiled, still being candid, “It’s not quite defying.”

He said, “Only the children are home today.”

Ji Zhen Tang thought of the children in the Zhong family, “Your niece?”

“Yes.”

Because Chi Ying was traveling far today, invited to attend a fashion show abroad, her daughter, Zhong Danting, was alone at home. Although there was a chauffeur to pick her up and drop her off, and there were servants at home to take care of her, as a mother, Chi Ying was still worried. The Zhong family was sparse in members, and the house was large. The little girl said she was afraid, so Zhong Yu Bai decided to go back and accompany her.

“You’re quite considerate,” Ji Zhen Tang said.

He said, “I’ve always been fond of children.”

Falling to the ground, an old sketch fell out of her small bear backpack. Zhong Yu Bai kindly picked it up, dusting off the dust on it. Glancing at the blank back page with “Naked Man” written on it, his wrist hesitated as he turned the page.

Ji Zhen Tang quickly blocked it with her hand, smiling at him with a hint of relief in her eyes.

Zhong Yu Bai brushed her hand aside, examining for a few seconds, and asked, “Is it me?”

“What do you think?”

He commented, “There’s some deviation.”

He didn’t specify where the deviation was. Ji Zhen Tang rubbed her chin, pondering, it might be proportions.

Her hand acted up, reaching over through the clothes, and pressed against his chest, still smiling mischievously. This time, the smile meant no good intentions, “My imagination is poor, like a blind person feeling an elephant.”

Zhong Yu Bai didn’t push her hand away, allowing her mischief.

He said, “No one has ever painted me.”

Ji Zhen Tang pointed to her drawing, saying, “That won’t do, it’s too amateurish. Let me draw you a good one later, how about that? One without any deviation.”

The car entered the Zhong mansion.

Zhong Yu Bai lifted his finger, pinching Ji Zhen Tang’s cheek, seeing through her wicked intentions, “Scheming.”

—

The weather in spring was very unpredictable, sunny for most of the day, and soon it seemed like a mountain rain was coming.

In the Zhong family living room, there was a fresh bouquet of baby’s breath on the table. But the flowers seemed to be placed randomly, looking disheveled and pitiful.

Zhong Yu Bai noticed it first, glancing at the flowers, then looking at Xiao Tao who came over, “Is Ah Heng back?”

Xiao Tao, seeing the gorgeous beauty following behind Zhong Yu Bai, was momentarily stunned, feeling a sense of familiarity, then quickly remembered. The astonishment in her eyes turned into surprise. Meeting Zhong Yu Bai’s deep gaze, she suddenly realized, looked away from Ji Zhen Tang, and hurriedly replied, “Yes, the young master’s mood isn’t too good.”

Zhong Heng was actually here! Just hearing this name, Ji Zhen Tang felt a bit irritated.

Zhong Yu Bai said, “No need to worry about him, he’s never in a good mood anyway.”

No one knew why Zhong Heng was in a bad mood today, not even Zhong Heng himself probably understood why he was barred from watching a performance today.

But Zhong Yu Bai understood it all too well.

He asked Xiao Tao again, “What about Tingting?”

“Auntie just managed to coax her to sleep.”

Zhong Yu Bai nodded and didn’t inquire further, leading Ji Zhen Tang upstairs.

The staircase in the Zhong mansion’s foyer was modern yet retro, with intricately carved railings. On both sides, there were walls with a corridor winding upwards, finally converging on the large platform on the second floor.

Walking through the corridor toward the front, they passed by various rooms. Some Victorian-era retro oil paintings adorned the walls. Because she had studied them, she knew these works were quite valuable, unexpectedly serving as decorations in his home. It didn’t quite feel like a home; rather, it resembled an art gallery.

The Feng Shui layout of a wealthy household was particularly important, with the head of the household usually occupying the bedroom on the east side, akin to the ancient prince’s eastern palace.

At the door of a large room, Ji Zhen Tang looked up at the exquisite arched doorway, assuming it was the master bedroom.

“Young master’s room. Should we greet him?” He noticed her gaze and spoke. Although it was a casual remark, it made her feel vaguely sarcastic as he didn’t mention Zhong Heng by name, giving her a sense of mockery.

She was surprised, “Huh? This room has excellent Feng Shui. You actually don’t want it and choose to live in the corner.”

He chuckled, his eyes indifferent, “I don’t want everything.”

Entering Zhong Yu Bai’s bedroom, Ji Zhen Tang noticed that regardless of which room he was in, the layout was quite similar. There were exquisite decorations and flowers placed in every nook and corner, but it was all very neat and clean, devoid of dazzling colors, showing the habitual orderliness of the same person.

He entered the room, without any unnecessary movements. He took off his suit and got straight to the point.

Ji Zhen Tang watched him, still not understanding what he was up to. Zhong Yu Bai loosened his tie and, looking at her, raised his chin, asking, “Do you have paper and pen?”

“Oh!” She suddenly realized, “Yes, yes, do you want me to draw here?”

He thought for a moment and said, “Let’s start with one, I’ll see your skill.”

Zhong Yu Bai spoke with such clarity that it seemed like he genuinely wanted to see her draw. However, down that he wasn’t in a rush for a portrait, nor would he judge her skill.

He found an excuse to undress for her to see.

She found an excuse to watch him undress.

But Ji Zhen Tang’s gaze was too eager, staring at the shirt area where his chest muscles were slightly undulating, and her throat made a very obvious swallowing motion.

Zhong Yu Bai subtly raised the corner of his lips.

He leisurely unbuttoned his shirt, gently lifting it, and his handsome and strong male body entered her sight without any concealment.

Ji Zhen Tang sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze blurred as she fumbled for paper and pen. Holding the pen shakily, she suddenly remembered the two people on the Titanic.

Her composure was not enough. From the first second, her thoughts wandered, not focused on the drawing.

Zhong Yu Bai went to the balcony and found a seat. The balcony was open-air, without windows, and the wind from the depths of the night sky stirred the soft curtains in the bedroom, gently patting them against the wall.

A heavy rainstorm was brewing again, with sparse rain under the night, and frequent spring thunder.

He wore trousers and sat on the rattan sofa, leaning back lazily. His upper body was completely exposed, with a well-proportioned physique and just the right body muscle, making his muscles and flesh look even and firm.

The nearby green plants rustled, subtly concealing his clean body.

Under the night sky, with the moon faintly visible, the man seemed like a slender, ethereal shadow.

“What should I do?” Zhong Yu Bai interrupted her gaze.

Ji Zhen Tang said seriously, “You… just sit there.”

He nodded, then sat there watching her, exhibiting the demeanor of a perfect figure model.

While fantasizing in class, she wielded her pen with divine skill, but now, at this moment, she hesitated with the pen tip, not knowing where to start. Five minutes later, Zhong Yu Bai asked softly, “How’s it going?”

God knows why her pen hesitated for so long before sketching just an outline?

Ji Zhen Tang finally couldn’t bear it and threw the paper and pen aside. “I can’t do this anymore. I must kiss you.”

She blamed herself. How could there be such an unprofessional painter in the world? She had malicious intentions! She was defiling the model!

But faced with such a scene, she truly couldn’t draw anything.

And the kind-hearted model only raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise, smiled fondly, then generously said, “Please do.”

A man’s affection for a woman is shown when, even though the balance is unequal, he succumbs to her repeated requests without expecting anything in return.

This time, without discussing exchanges, he sacrifices himself willingly, allowing her to manipulate him.

The delicate and soft carpet under the rattan sofa did not hurt her knees.

Ji Zhen Tang lowered her gaze, achieving her wish. She kissed his mole slowly. Although she couldn’t see the man’s expression clearly, she felt the vein under his body subtly pulsating with tension.

His sudden rise in body temperature was like a wave of heat washing over her.

The cruelest feeling of being restrained is not due to oppression leading to psychological or emotional loss of control, but rather the most direct feeling, a kind of intolerable inability to move, yet unwillingness to surrender.

It’s an unbearable itch.

“That’s enough,” Zhong Yu Bai’s voice was hoarse, trying to interrupt her impulse to bite his skin.

But Ji Zhen Tang had already opened her lips and teeth, where was the logic in giving up now?

For the first time, she vividly felt someone’s order collapsing, and a certain defense line deep in her body slowly relaxing.

The muscles tensed slightly, the hand that touched the back of her head exerted a little more force, the fingers entwined in her hair were restraining, afraid of hurting her, yet urgently wanting to stop her.

Under her delicate fingers, there were signs of vitality that were a hundred times more vigorous than that day’s heartbeat.

Ji Zhen Tang rarely felt like she had won a round, but she couldn’t stop the rise in body temperature, which heated up along with him.

Zhong Yu Bai furrowed his brows, lifting her entire jaw with one hand, forcibly lifting her face that couldn’t resist his strength.

“That’s enough, darling.”

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