Cheng Weiyue's heart trembled slightly as she gazed at the tall and handsome man sitting on the sofa. She felt an indescribable sense of panic.
He must be angry, but he hid his emotions so well that she could not be entirely sure.
Last night, she had left him behind, and he must have been very angry.
Cheng Weiyue approached him with a nervous heart, step by step.
As she sat down beside him and was about to say something, she was gently pulled into his embrace the very next moment.
Zhao Hanchen's scent was of azure cologne, very pleasant, combined with his devastatingly handsome features; he was like a walking explosion of hormones, a temptation personified.
No woman could remain indifferent in front of Zhao Hanchen; he was truly bewitching.
But Cheng Weiyue could only stare at him dumbfoundedly.
Everything happened so quickly that she was caught off guard, and only astonishment remained.
Zhao Hanchen, noticing her reaction, had a hint of amusement in his phoenix eyes.
He was fond of Cheng Weiyue's character, which was in such a stark contrast to her appearance.
So pure, it was almost too much.
He was indeed in a much better mood, and the curves at the corners of his eyes and lips were slightly uplifted, giving him an easily affectionate appearance.
At that moment, Cheng Weiyue heard him ask in a raspy, magnetic voice, "Where did you go yesterday?"
The expected outburst of anger did not happen, leaving Cheng Weiyue slightly dazed. After a pause, she replied softly, "I went outside to get a taxi, and then..."
She didn't manage to finish as, clearly, Zhao Hanchen wasn't actually looking to get to the bottom of it. He ruffled her hair with his eyelids half-closed and a murky look in his eyes, interrupting her, "Ningning, don't do such foolish things next time, understand?"
Cheng Weiyue felt a suffocating discomfort as she struggled to breathe; her eyes stung with the effort of a strained smile, "Hanchen, don't force me to do things I don't like, okay?"
Zhao Hanchen looked down and pinched Cheng Weiyue's hand, where a red mole was located at the base of her thumb.
He gently caressed it, his gaze soft, "Alright, I'll listen to you, just be good."
Cheng Weiyue was stunned.
Not until Zhao Hanchen cupped her face, gazing deeply at her.
He said, "Weiyue, this is the first time I've kept a woman by my side for so long. You should understand that you're different to me, not the same as other women, right?"
For a moment, Cheng Weiyue wanted to ask if this difference included love.
But she didn't ask.
They both knew the answer.
Her relationship with Zhao Hanchen had always been a unilateral pursuit on her part.
Cheng Weiyue would never forget the first time she met Zhao Hanchen.
It was three years ago, when she had just been admitted to the arts department at Beijing University. Her father, Cheng Cunzheng, was very pleased with her exceptional performance in the college entrance exam and excitedly organized a banquet in her honor.
Having taught at Beijing University for many years, Cheng Cunzheng was a respected and venerable teacher. His daughter's college celebrations coincided with his own retirement party, drawing a large crowd.
Zhao Hanchen was among the attendees.
Nobody expected Zhao Hanchen to come, including his father, Cheng Cunzheng.
After all, the CEO of Jingxing Group, a man at the pinnacle of Jingcheng's elite, wouldn't usually condescend to attend such a small gathering.
Even when Beijing University celebrated its centenary, the personal invitation from the president had been declined by this significant figure.
Yet, he had come.
That was why Cheng Cunzheng was in particularly high spirits that day.
Cheng Weiyue remembered how, with a buzz from the wine, her father took her by the hand and led her to Zhao Hanchen, saying, "Ningning, this is my most esteemed student. Get to know each other a little better."
That day, Zhao Hanchen wore a strikingly formal black suit with a demeanor of casual elegance and a demonic charm that was heartbreakingly enticing.
At 23, Zhao Hanchen was in his prime, a young man carelessly experiencing all the wonders of Jingcheng.
When he heard Cheng Cunzheng's words, he slightly tilted his head and smiled at himself, enunciating each word with a deliberate laziness, as if stepping right on Cheng Weiyue's heart. He said, "Ningning?"
He reached out to her, "It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time, congratulations on being accepted to Beijing University."
This was the first time in her regimented 18 years of life that Cheng Weiyue had ever seen such a high-quality man.
He was like a poisonous poppy, clearly dangerous, yet irresistibly tempting one to approach again and again.
And so she found herself helplessly drawn in at first sight.
She thought she would never meet anyone more stunning than Zhao Hanchen in this lifetime.
Zhao Hanchen enjoyed teasing Cheng Weiyue.
Just like right now, as he watched the daydreaming girl in front of him and slipped a piece of mint candy into her mouth.
With the taste of mint reviving her senses, Cheng Weiyue stared at him blankly.
"Any plans for tonight?" he asked affectionately.
Cheng Weiyue felt as if the sweetness from the mint candy had infused her entire being, washing away the previous night's friction.
She could tell what Zhao Hanchen meant; he was not going to bring up last night's incident.
She pursed her lips, her almond-shaped eyes curving in a charming smile, "I'm all yours."
"I have to meet a very important business partner. Will Ningning keep me company?" he pinched Cheng Weiyue's cheek.
Cheng Weiyue liked it when Zhao Hanchen called her by her nickname.
It gave her the false impression of an intimate bond between them.
"Of course, that's fine."
————
Zhou Jingwei sat in the reception room, clad in a striped deep blue suit, legs casually crossed as he browsed a document, his expression indifferent and relaxed.
The tips of his fingers held a light cigarette.
He wasn't accustomed to strong cigarettes; he usually smoked slender ones with less tar, the aroma more of a mild tobacco scent.
Ye Cheng stood at the doorway, first addressing him with "Mr. Zhao, hello," then paused before adding, "Miss Cheng, hello."
The families of Zhou and Zhao had been acquainted for years, and he had known Zhao Hanchen since childhood. This man was adept at keeping his personal and professional lives separate, and this was the first time he'd heard him discuss business with a woman in tow.
Zhou Jingwei lifted his eyelids slightly, his gaze inquisitively shifting toward the door.
With just one look, he seemed transfixed, unable to shift his gaze.
The girl clinging to Zhao Hanchen's arm, who from start to finish only had eyes for Zhao Hanchen, the clear and bright-eyed girl, was none other than the girl he had met in the Yuxian's corridor last night.
She turned out to be Zhao Hanchen's girlfriend.
Zhou Jingwei's brows subtly furrowed.
Zhao Hanchen, meanwhile, turned his head to Cheng Weiyue by his side and casually said, "I'll have Ye Cheng take you to the restaurant. Order whatever you want first; Jingwei and I will join you in half an hour."
Only then did Cheng Weiyue's gaze fall on Zhou Jingwei.
How to describe the man before her.
Laid-back, noble, serene.
Unlike Zhao Hanchen's bewitchingly seductive manner, this man radiated a strong sense of aloofness that made one dare not harbor any improper thoughts after just one glance.
He was like a flower high on a cliff, refined and handsome, exuding an air of abstinence.
If judging by looks alone, the impact of the man before her was on par with Zhao Hanchen when they first met.
If she were to put aside her own feelings, there was even a trend of him surpassing the other.