Chapter 27: Satisfying Her

The dim, yellowish light outlined the man’s deep and defined features.

His face was indeed in line with Jiang Se’s consistent aesthetic preferences.

Those glasses were merely a disguise, used to conceal the inherent aggressiveness within him.

The glasses clattered onto the wooden floor with a loud “clang.”

His lips had already descended before that, devoid of any tenderness or lingering affection, prying open her teeth and plunging in without hesitation.

Everything about him was sharp and intense, even his soft tongue as it explored her mouth.

Fierce and direct.

He must have consumed something cold earlier, as his tongue carried a chill when it first entered, but it soon turned scorching hot.

Jiang Se’s tongue, from root to tip, ached from his relentless movements. As she neared the point of suffocation, she instinctively pushed against his shoulders.

He seemed to let out a low chuckle, the sound muffled in his chest and crushed between their lips.

Lu Huaichen released his grip on her lips and tongue, lowering his head to nibble on her earlobe. The soft jade beneath her ear, which he had caressed earlier, was now engulfed in his searing breath. The tiny piercing in her earlobe was teased by the tip of his tongue, his presence as menacing as a prowling wolf.

Though she could still breathe, the air grew increasingly thin.

Her body grew weaker.

Jiang Se unconsciously reached out, trying to grasp something, but her injured right hand had barely lifted before he firmly seized it, pressing it against the closet door through the soft fabric. His other hand gripped the loose tie at her waist and yanked it hard.

“Stand steady, Se Se,” he murmured, his lips roaming downward, capturing the droplets of water that had rolled from her hair onto her skin, drawing them into the growing heat.

Jiang Se’s dark eyes gradually misted over.

Across from her was a distant mirrored wall. Under the dim yellow light, her black robe had already slipped down to her elbows. The fingertips of her left hand were half-hidden in the sleeve, the other half buried deep in his hair, trailing downward with his movements.

The sound of fireworks by the river echoed from afar, but she couldn’t hear a thing.

Her consciousness was engulfed in a haze.

Accompanied by a sense of weightlessness.

When she was seventeen, Jiang Se had been dragged by Guo Qian to New Jersey to ride a roller coaster.

It was the most terrifying roller coaster in the world. In just a few seconds, they were propelled to a height of 139 meters, then plunged downward at a speed of 206 kilometers per hour. At the highest point, she caught a glimpse of Manhattan’s skyline floating in the distance.

And when the weightlessness hit, her soul felt as though it was being forcibly ripped from her body, all consciousness sinking into chaos.

In that overwhelming sense of freefall, she and Guo Qian screamed wildly together.

At this very moment, as countless fireworks burst into bloom in the night sky, that same sensation of falling from a great height returned.

Only this time, all the screams that might have escaped her lips turned into soft, rapid breaths.

In the dimly lit closet, Lu Huaichen stood up, his gaze falling on the girl with furrowed brows and trembling lashes. His eyes were dark, a blazing fire burning within them.

When his rough hand gripped her chin again, Jiang Se seemed to snap back to reality. She opened her misty eyes, trying to avoid him, but it was too late.

He kissed her fiercely.

His demeanor was domineering, his tongue plunging in with the same destructive intensity.

Jiang Se, angered, bit down hard on his tongue, and the taste of blood instantly spread.

Lu Huaichen let her bite him, but his grip didn’t loosen. The veins on the back of his hand, still holding her chin, bulged.

When the kiss ended, his nose brushed against hers. His gaze swept over her swollen lips, and his hoarse voice carried a hint of amusement: “So, you really do have a wisdom tooth.”

At a moment like this, any words spoken could send a sensory shockwave through her.

A single sentence made her recall how his tongue had explored her teeth, how it had pressed against the sensitive flesh behind her wisdom tooth.

Jiang Se stared at him with wide eyes.

His left hand still gripped her right wrist, but as if unable to endure the intensity of her gaze, Lu Huaichen released her wrist and took a step back. In a low voice, he murmured, “Stand steady, Se Se.”

“…”

Without the force of his restraint holding her up, Jiang Se felt her body grow even weaker, the muscles in her thighs aching as though she had just run a three-kilometer race.

She bit her lip, forcing herself to stand steady, but her arms hung limp at her sides.

The black robe slid down her drooping wrist and pooled on the floor. Lu Huaichen picked up the T-shirt she had chosen earlier from the side and, with deliberate care, helped her into it. He then gently tugged her fluffy hair, strand by strand, out from the collar.

The man’s clothes remained impeccably neat. Though his shirt and trousers bore a few creases, there was not a hint of disarray.

She had been tossed about in the turbulent waves several times over, while he remained composed and well-dressed, as if entirely in control.

But not entirely in control, perhaps.

Jiang Se lowered her gaze, sweeping over his belt, then slowly raised her eyes to meet his, which were filled with intense desire.

Lu Huaichen made no effort to conceal what was in his eyes or on his body, allowing her to look her fill. He turned, opened a drawer, and took out a new pair of glasses and a wristwatch, putting them on with practiced ease.

When he turned back, all that had been simmering in his eyes had vanished without a trace.

Jiang Se averted her gaze, taking two slow, deep breaths to steady her racing heart. Once her pulse had calmed somewhat, she stepped out barefoot.

The lingering, indescribable sensations still coursed through her flesh and blood.

Though her legs were weak, she walked with deliberate steadiness, each step measured.

After only a few steps, a faint scent of agarwood approached from behind. The man’s iron-like arm hooked around her waist, and in a flash, he lifted her onto the glass counter where cufflinks were displayed.

Jiang Se shot him a glance. “I can walk on my own.”

“Put your shoes on first.”

With a few strides, Lu Huaichen walked to the sliding door and retrieved a pair of aqua-green indoor slippers from the gift bag.

These were the indoor shoes Jiang Se preferred to wear in winter—made of short woolen fleece, with a small indentation at the heel, a signature design of a certain luxury brand.

When the shoes were slipped on, the skin on the top of her feet appeared even paler.

Jiang Se looked down at the man kneeling on the ground to help her put on her shoes.

Just moments ago, he had been in the same position.

She had never imagined he would use such a posture and such a method to satisfy her.

It must have been his first time, as he had been somewhat clumsy at the beginning.

But he was incredibly perceptive. From her breathing, her sounds, and the uncontrollable tension in her muscles, he quickly learned where her weaknesses lay and how to manipulate them.

That sensation of her body and soul being forcibly separated at a great height—just when she thought it was over, a second and third wave of intensity would crash over her.

He had used a posture of submission to dominantly control everything.

Now, her ankle was in his grasp, his well-defined hand like a shackle, impossible to break free from once locked in place.

Jiang Se swayed her foot slightly and said, “I’m tired. Let go.”

She truly felt exhausted. After releasing certain pent-up emotions within her, her entire body relaxed, and fatigue and drowsiness washed over her like a flood, engulfing her completely.

Lu Huaichen glanced up.

The black T-shirt she wore only reached her thighs, her straight and slender legs hanging limply, a striking expanse of pale skin.

Her delicate collarbone peeked out from the loose neckline, half-hidden by her voluminous hair, exuding an alluring, tantalizing aura.

The marks he had left there were somewhat startling.

He let go of her ankle, stood up, and looked at her with a smiling gaze, saying, “Tired already? I thought you’d need a real, full-on session to vent everything out.”

Jiang Se fluttered her eyelashes.

His words carried a teasing tone, laced with ambiguity yet tinged with indulgence.

After speaking, he leaned down, scooped her up with one arm, and carried her out of the dressing room.

Jiang Se’s hands rested softly on his shoulders. Just as he was about to place her on the bed, she suddenly exerted force, hooking her arms around his neck instead. She whispered lightly in his ear, “It’s not like we can’t keep going to vent—full-on, for real.”

The two of them tumbled onto the bed together, her thick, fluffy hair spilling across the dark gray sheets.

Lu Huaiyan undid her hands clasped around his neck with one hand, pinning them above her head. He propped himself up slightly, his deep eyes fixed on her.

This girl really couldn’t handle provocation—her body so weak and soft yet still daring to recklessly tempt him.

Her allure over him far exceeded his expectations, and the desires he’d suppressed surged back with ferocious intensity, flames igniting in the depths of his eyes.

Jiang Se noticed his Adam’s apple bob, the cold, pale skin around it stretched taut, forming a subtle arc tinged with desire in the silence.

Lu Huaiyan lowered his voice, “Se Se, if your hands weren’t injured, if you hadn’t been drugged tonight, back in the bathroom earlier, I wouldn’t have let your feet touch the ground.”

With that, he looked away, pulling the blanket over her with his free hand and saying without room for argument, “Now, sleep well.”

Lu Huaiyan left a wall lamp on for Jiang Se. As he tucked her in, he asked, “Do you need a sleeping pill?”

Jiang Se shook her head. “Turn off the wall lamp. I’m not afraid of the dark.”

Lu Huaiyan switched off the light.

The curtains were drawn tight, muffling the sound of fireworks outside.

He sat on the sofa by the window, one elbow resting on the armrest, quietly watching the slight mound of blankets on the bed.

Jiang Se opened her eyes, gazing at the blurry figure by the window, and asked softly, “Why haven’t you left yet? Weren’t you going to the Cen family to get the surveillance footage?”

Since the Cen family wasn’t cooperating, Mo Jichen naturally couldn’t get into their residence.

Lu Huaiyan picking up his suit jacket was just a detour—his real purpose was to personally retrieve the surveillance footage.

“No rush. I’ll go after you fall asleep,” he replied calmly.

Jiang Se closed her eyes. “Tell Madam Ji that if the Cen family still refuses to cooperate, the scandal from the oil painting academy years ago will no longer be a secret.”

Her voice was muffled under the blanket, soft and gentle, tinged with exhaustion and drowsiness.

Yet it was a ruthless, dagger-revealing statement.

A faint smile flickered in Lu Huaiyan’s eyes, hidden in the darkness. “Mm, sleep.”

Jiang Se fell asleep shortly after.

Her breathing was steady and light, like the sound of snowflakes falling.

Lu Huaiyan listened for a moment before standing up and leaving the bedroom.

—

The crystal chandeliers at the Cen family’s old residence, lit all night, still swayed with dazzling, enchanting light.

The music had ended, the guests had dispersed, and the luxury cars parked outside the estate were gone.

For the guests who had traveled from afar, the Cen family had arranged hotels in advance.

Steward Yu had just seen off the last group of guests. Turning around, he caught sight of a familiar car and hurriedly opened an umbrella to greet it, only to be intercepted.

Upon closer look, it was that particularly mood-killing detective.

Mo Jichen stood outside the gate, smoking, a pile of cigarette butts scattered at his feet.

When Lu Huaiyan stepped out of the car, Mo Jichen removed the cigarette from his mouth and strode forward. “Didn’t you get my message? I’ve got tonight’s surveillance footage. My team is collecting the items used to make tea for Miss Jiang. The banquet just ended here; it’ll probably take another half hour to wrap up.”

As if he hadn’t noticed the old steward approaching with an umbrella, Lu Huaiyan kept walking, heading straight inside with Mo Jichen. “Cen Mingshu let you in?”

Mo Jichen grunted in affirmation. “The Cen family chairman was afraid we’d ruin tonight’s banquet and called our boss directly to complain. Luckily, that fierce one you mentioned came in person, opened the door, and let us in.”

Lu Huaiyan’s gaze darkened slightly, but he didn’t say anything, only nodding faintly.

In the banquet hall, aside from Mo Jichen’s team, there were only the servants cleaning up the mess and Cen Li. Cen Minghong and Ji Yunyi were nowhere to be seen—likely exhausted from the day and resting.

Spotting a figure in the corridor, Cen Li stepped out of the banquet hall, surprised to see Lu Huaiyan. “Why are you here? Aunt and Xiao Yu already left for the hospital to see Se Se. Didn’t you run into them?”

Lu Huaiyan glanced at him and said coolly, “I left my jacket at the viewing pavilion. I came back to get it. Show me the way.”

A jacket wasn’t worth a special trip—any phone call could’ve had it delivered. Besides, Lu Huaiyan had been to the pavilion before and wouldn’t need directions.

Asking Cen Li to lead the way was clearly a pretext to talk.

Cen Li assumed it was about Jiang Se’s hospital visit, so he nodded and walked with him toward the pavilion.

Lu Huaiyan moved quickly, his dark blue overcoat unbuttoned, the hidden hem fluttering open in the biting wind, revealing long legs clad in ink-black suit pants.

Mo Jichen glanced at his silhouette and followed, keeping a not-too-close, not-too-far distance from the men ahead.

Cen Li had been busy all night and downed a bellyful of strong liquor, leaving him dizzy. The cold wind sobered him up a bit.

“I heard from Aunt that you were the one who took Se Se to the hospital. Thanks, brother.”

Lu Huaiyan didn’t respond. At the pavilion, he immediately spotted the suit jacket Jiang Se had left on the sofa.

Draping it over his arm, he slipped one hand into his pocket, his eyes—lit by the fireplace—calmly fixed on Cen Li.

“You don’t need to thank me. I didn’t take Jiang Se to the hospital because she’s your sister.”

Lu Huaiyan paused there, a thin, cold smile slowly curling his lips. “Cen Li, haven’t you noticed? You’re always asking others to look after her, but you’ve never once stepped up for her yourself. So what kind of brother are you? And what right do you have to thank me for taking care of your ‘sister’?”

Cen Li was stunned by this barrage. “Ah Yan…”

“After your grandfather died, your Cen family couldn’t even manage to keep a decent gatekeeper. Someone reached into your home, slapped you in the face, and all you do is stand here waiting for others to clean up your mess. No wonder the Cen family now relies on marriages to prop up its crumbling decline—one sister didn’t work out, so you swap in another. If your grandfather could see this from the grave, he’d regret not passing the Cen legacy to Cen Mingshu. Because neither you nor your father has the guts or ability to lead a family.”

The man spoke in a flat, emotionless tone, delivering the harshest words.

Such merciless remarks pinned Cen Li in place like a blade.

He opened his mouth to explain, but no words came out.

And it was at that moment that Lu Huaiyan drove the final, cold, cruel dagger into Cen Li’s heart.

“You know, seven years ago, when she was blindfolded and rescued from that abandoned factory, the first thing she cried out was ‘Brother.’”

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