Chapter 38: Takeout

The car drove quietly down the street, with streetlights flickering by and casting brief shadows inside the car. Through the rearview mirror, Zhao Siyuan glanced at the two people in the back seat, then silently looked away.

“I’m meeting a few partners in the film industry tonight. Xu Yan is the actress they chose for the lead role,” Li Qingji finally spoke after a silence.

Jiang Nai looked at him, surprised: “So, were you originally going to invite me along tonight?”

“No, if you didn’t have your friend’s birthday to celebrate, we would’ve gone out to dinner, just the two of us.”

“Then what about this business meeting…?”

“I’d reschedule.”

So, he hadn’t come to Wan Li specifically to introduce her to anyone but had come because their dinner plans were canceled.

Jiang Nai’s small sulk suddenly eased a bit, and she said, “Today’s Xue Lin’s birthday. Pei Xuan is her friend; she invited him.”

Li Qingji looked over.

Jiang Nai continued, “Just now, I only stepped out into the hallway for some air after drinking a bit.”

“And did you talk to him?”

Jiang Nai: “What?”

Li Qingji: “Tell him and his friends not to mention our relationship at Siningte.”

Jiang Nai: “Of course I told him. Now you’re getting anxious… but you didn’t hold back earlier.”

Li Qingji, remaining calm: “I have nothing to be anxious about—only you. I don’t care if people at the company know or not.”

Jiang Nai: “…”

Not long after, Zhao Siyuan parked the car in the underground garage, and Jiang Nai and Li Qingji headed upstairs.

Jiang Nai had drunk quite a bit of beer tonight, and her clothes picked up the scent of alcohol and other people’s perfume in the private room, so she headed to the walk-in closet first, wanting to grab some pajamas and take a shower.

As she reached for her clothes, Li Qingji appeared as well, wearing the dress shirt, his jacket draped over his arm. Jiang Nai noticed him from the corner of her eye but kept looking for her pajamas without turning around. She remembered buying two new sets of pajamas recently, stored in the bottom drawer, but couldn’t seem to find them… She crouched down and opened the lowest cabinet.

Li Qingji entered, setting his jacket casually aside.

“Jiang Nai.”

“Hmm?”

She didn’t turn around, busy rummaging through the drawer. Li Qingji picked up a box from a nearby shelf and seemed about to say something, but his gaze lingered, and he paused. He stood behind her, slowly taking something out of the box while watching her.

She was wearing a pair of fitted jeans that accentuated her curves, especially as she crouched, and a short-sleeved shirt, which had ridden up slightly, revealing a hint of pale skin at her waist. 

After their recent time apart, her unintentionally enticing posture stirred something in him. When Jiang Nai found the pajamas and stood up, she turned and met Li Qingji’s gaze. She hadn’t noticed his intentions at first, until he stepped closer, suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist, and lifted her onto the shelf behind her.

“Ah…”

Startled, Jiang Nai tried to climb down, but he had settled between her legs, firmly blocking her path.

“What are you doing?”

Before she could finish, she felt a cool sensation around her neck. His hands moved deftly behind her, as if fastening something. Jiang Nai blinked and looked down to see a new necklace hanging over her collarbone, a delicate silver chain with a brilliant sapphire pendant, gleaming with exquisite clarity.

“A jeweler friend in New York just opened a new store. He said this piece would suit someone young, and it’s not too flashy.” He finished securing the necklace, glanced down, and looked into her eyes. “What do you think?”

Jiang Nai: “…For me?”

“Since I put it on you, who else would it be for?” Li Qingji’s gaze was intense. His thumb brushed over the sapphire pendant, tracing along the chain, lingering as if he wasn’t sure if he was caressing the necklace… or something else entirely.

The warm touch sparked a tingling sensation, and Jiang Nai’s breath hitched. “It looks beautiful… thank you.”

Xiao Zhao had told him that every time he returned from a business trip without bringing a gift for his girlfriend, she would get angry,” Li Qingji said, bending slightly to match her eye level as she sat on the edge of the wardrobe. “I thought, just in case, I should get you something.”

Their breaths mingled effortlessly, and she could almost feel the warmth of his words.

She shrank back slightly. “That’s just how young couples are, isn’t it?”

Li Qingji reached out and pinched her cheek. “And how old are you, exactly? Xiao Zhao is about your age.”

Jiang Nai muttered, her response instinctive: “Well, you’re not exactly young yourself…”

No sooner had she spoken than she noticed Li Qingji’s narrowed eyes. Her throat went dry, realizing she might have said something she shouldn’t have.

He moved closer, his face drawing nearer. She had no choice but to push her hands against the wardrobe behind her to stop herself from toppling back. “I— I want to go take a shower!”

“Wait a bit,” Li Qingji replied.

“No, I smell like alcohol,” she insisted.

Unable to muster strength, she panicked and bent her leg, intending to push him away so he wouldn’t be so close to her. But as soon as her foot touched his waist, he grabbed it, pulling her in tighter, pinning her firmly against the wardrobe.

This position brought back memories from last time, and Jiang Nai’s face burned, her breathing thrown off-kilter by the closeness of their bodies.

“Li Qingji!”

He gazed at her with unhurried admiration, showing no intention of letting go. “I think I should have gotten a red gemstone.”

“Huh?”

With one hand gripping her ankle, he held her by the nape with the other, his voice hoarse. “A red gemstone would look more like your skin now, blending better.”

Because it was flushed.

With that, he lowered his head, skillfully capturing her lips and entering her mouth.

Jiang Nai couldn’t comfortably kiss him here, her face flushed as she tried to evade him. But he was relentless, kissing her deeply, letting go momentarily to tease her with the illusion of freedom, only to draw her back in, pressing his lips and tongue harder against hers.

She felt her clarity of mind slipping, replaced by an overwhelming tingling that made it impossible to stay composed. She leaned back instinctively until the hanging clothes were bunched up behind her. She had nowhere to hide. Finally, Li Qingji’s warm breath brushed against her ear, and she shivered, letting out a small whimper before clamping her lips in embarrassment.

“What are you afraid of? There’s no one else at home,” Li Qingji said, his breathing slightly ragged, his movements even bolder.

Jiang Nai knew they were alone, but her heart still raced, the act of doing this in such a familiar spot making her feel as if they were breaking some rule.

“Stop…” she said.

“Stop what?”

She gritted her teeth, trying to control every reaction in her body.

“I really want to take a shower. I’m uncomfortable, I smell terrible…”

Lifting his head from her neck, Li Qingji took in the faint, enticing fragrance on her skin. It wasn’t perfume but a subtle scent emanating from her, intoxicating. He restrained himself, gazing down at her. It had only been a short while, but she looked thoroughly flustered. Her clothes were disheveled, her hair tousled, the corners of her eyes tinged with red, on the verge of tears.

In that moment, Li Qingji felt a hint of softness in his heart. And it was precisely in that moment that Jiang Nai, seizing her brief window of freedom, delivered a swift kick! She didn’t hold back, catching him off guard as he stumbled back a step. Seizing the opportunity, she jumped off the wardrobe, grabbed her clothes, and dashed out.

Li Qingji, feeling the sting, hunched over slightly. “Jiang Nai!”

“You clean up the clothes in the wardrobe!” 

Before he knew it, she had disappeared. Standing up straight, Li Qingji took a deep breath, unable to contain a hint of laughter, his lips curving slightly.

That woman—she’s got guts.

Jiang Nai hurried to the bathroom, standing at the sink to catch her breath as she lifted her gaze to the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen, and her eyes damp and glistening. She couldn’t stand the sight of herself like this and quickly looked away. Walking over to the shower, she began to undress. 

Jiang Nai ran into the bathroom first, stood in front of the sink, and took a breath, looking at herself in the mirror.

Her cheeks were flushed, her lips were swollen, and her eyes were watery…

She couldn’t stand seeing herself like this and immediately turned her head away.

She walked to the shower, taking off her clothes.

When she came out after her shower, Jiang Nai had calmed down, and it was very quiet outside.

She walked out and saw Li Qingji lying on his side on the sofa. She had taken so long to shower that he had already finished, changed, and was now asleep on the sofa.

Jiang Nai slowed her steps, walked over to him, and seeing that he was sleeping soundly, she carefully took a blanket from the side and gently covered him.

Suddenly, a hand reached up from under the blanket and grabbed her.

“Ah!” 

She yelped as she tumbled onto the sofa, and the person lying there easily wrapped her up in his arms.

“You…”

“Did you just spend an hour in the shower?” Li Qingji asked, his eyes still closed.

Jiang Nai replied, “What… I always take my time in the shower.”

“If you were taking a bath, I’d have to pry the door open every so often to make sure you hadn’t drowned.”

Jiang Nai: “…”

Li Qingji hugged her tightly and rubbed his jaw on her head. “Sleep with me for a bit?”

His voice was low, with a slight rasp.

At first, Jiang Nai wanted to push him away, but then… seeing him like this, she felt a little sorry for him.

He had just returned from abroad, was probably still dealing with jet lag, and had gone straight to a social event not long after his flight. Even someone with boundless energy would feel drained. No wonder he’d fallen asleep on the sofa. Jiang Nai’s heart softened, and she stayed quiet. Before long, she could hear the soft, steady rhythm of his breathing.

Li Qingji really fell asleep this time.

Jiang Nai didn’t leave, afraid that she might wake him up again, so she just lay there. As a result, she ended up dozing off too. Perhaps because of the alcohol, Jiang Nai slept deeply. The next day was the weekend, and without an alarm, she naturally woke up past ten o’clock. 

When she woke up, she found herself wrapped in a blanket, sleeping on the sofa, with the warm sunlight shining in.

Li Qingji was already awake and wasn’t beside her.

She sat up from the sofa, remembering that they had slept together on the sofa all night…

She got up and walked toward the bedroom. As she passed by, she vaguely heard some sounds from the study, so she changed direction and went to check. It was Li Qingji in the study. He had a business trip coming up, and there were many things to handle domestically, so he was holding a video conference at home in the morning.

He really is busy…

Li Qingji glanced up and said, “You’re awake?”

Jiang Nai didn’t dare to make a sound.

Li Qingji said, “The microphone is off now.”

“Oh… I don’t have anything to do, just… taking a look.”

Li Qingji responded with an “mm” and suddenly said, “I just ordered takeout. It will be here soon. I can’t leave, could you pick it up for me?”

Jiang Nai nodded and returned to the master bedroom to wash up. After a while, the doorbell rang. It was the property management from the community.

“Miss Jiang, your takeout.”

“Thank you,” Jiang Nai said, taking the bag inside.

It was a shopping bag, and she couldn’t see what was inside. Not intending to open it, she walked to the study door. At that moment, Li Qingji was speaking to his computer, looking serious, with cold brows and eyes, appearing somewhat unapproachable.

It was hard for her to reconcile this version of Li Qingji with the one from the previous night in the closet…

Her cheeks grew warm, and she shook away those random thoughts. She walked in and placed the bag on the desk.

“Don’t put it here, you can take it back,” he said, glancing over at her from his computer screen.

Jiang Nai made sure he had turned off the microphone again before asking, “Is this for me?”

Li Qingji leaned back in his chair and gave a faint smile at the corners of his mouth, “Not really.”

Jiang Nai looked at the bag. Li Qingji didn’t say anything else and returned his attention to the computer screen, turning the microphone on again. Jiang Nai, suspicious, stood still and opened the bag. 

Inside, she found three boxes. She casually picked one up—long-lasting, energizing, large size.

She froze for a moment, then immediately tossed the box back into the bag.

“Li Qingji—”

The sound from the computer suddenly stopped. Jiang Nai realized that he had turned the microphone back on. She immediately shut up, but didn’t move the bag, instead turning around and leaving.

In the video conference, Hengchuan’s team had been discussing matters when they froze for a moment upon hearing her shout “Li Qingji.”

It wasn’t until Li Qingji calmly said, “Continue,” that they snapped out of it, but still couldn’t help stealing a few glances. Did… did President Li just smile?

—

Jiang Nai angrily went to the kitchen and found some breakfast. After finishing, she remembered something and ran to the master bedroom. She opened the drawer beside the bed and, sure enough, the box of condoms that had been there was gone.

“The size didn’t fit, so I threw it away.”

She heard Li Qingji’s voice behind her. His meeting had ended. Jiang Nai turned around and saw him walking over with the three new boxes he had bought, placing them in the drawer.

“Have you eaten enough?” he asked.

Jiang Nai’s ears turned red, and she turned her head away. “I’m full.”

“Not going out today?” 

“Today’s Saturday.”

“Mm, that’s just right.”

Jiang Nai eyed him suspiciously. “What’s just right…”

Li Qingji hooked his arm around her neck and lightly rubbed his fingertip against her cheek. “Try the new ones I bought.”

Jiang Nai’s heart skipped a beat. “It’s daytime right now!”

Li Qingji tilted his head slightly. “I was too tired last night, but now, it’s just right. I have the energy.”

Jiang Nai thought to herself, *You have energy, but I don’t.*

She had slept enough, and still felt tired!

However, Li Qingji clearly wasn’t going to let her off the hook now.

After a moment of him staring at her, Jiang Nai gave up on resisting but began bargaining. “Can you be more gentle…?”

“Gentle? In what way?”

“I’m afraid of pain.”

Li Qingji understood and said in a low voice, “Okay.”

A sensual and ambiguous atmosphere seemed to envelop the bed. He held her hips and lifted her.

She was higher than him.

The reversed height difference gave her a sense of security, as if she could control the whole situation.

He kissed her, comforting her and giving her enough time to adapt.

This gentleness naturally put Jiang Nai at ease…

Until—

She could only see the unlit bedside lamp in the distance, half of her face buried in the quilt, her nostrils filled with the fresh and gentle scent of laundry detergent, yet she was crying so hard. It was only then that she realized his gentleness was an illusion.

The gentle and delicate Li Qingji was a fake. The cool and composed Li Qingji was a fake. The cold and desireless Li Qingji was also a fake!

Only the ruthless Li Qingji at this moment was real.

Jiang Nai wasn’t someone who cried easily, but at this moment, she couldn’t control herself, both physically and mentally.

“Li Qingji, you bastard…”

After it was over, she curled up, muttering curses.

Li Qingji lay there, feeling completely satisfied. When he heard her, he turned to look at her.

Her eyes were closed, and the hair on her forehead was slightly damp.

He finally felt a little guilty after they were done. He hugged her and reached out to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “Does it still hurt?”

Jiang Nai: “It hurts…”

Li Qingji: “Besides the pain, do you feel anything else?”

Jiang Nai’s eyes snapped open, but she refused to admit it. “…No.”

Li Qingji hummed, looking calm. “Then go rest in the second bedroom for a while.”

Jiang Nai: “The second bedroom?”

“Yes, the second bedroom.” Li Qingji looked at her with a deep gaze and said, “The sheets on this bed won’t be usable for a while.”

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