Jing Haohao knew he had been watching her all along, causing her arm to involuntarily tremble. She nearly spilled the wine several times, each time stopping just short of overflowing. She finally looked up at Liang Chen, thanking him timidly, her voice barely audible: "Thank you, Mr. Liang."
Then, she quickly turned her head and put down the wine bottle.
Her behavior gave the impression that Liang Chen was a beast ready to devour its prey.
Liang Chen slightly furrowed his brows, seemingly dissatisfied with Jing Haohao's reaction, but he still calmly lifted the glass on the table and raised it to Shen Liangnian.
They both finished their drinks.
Shen Liangnian pointed at the wine bottle beside him, signalling Jing Haohao to pass it to him. With practiced ease, she filled Shen Liangnian's glass.
The moment Jing Haohao finished pouring the wine, Liang Chen naturally reached out to take the wine bottle from her hand.
As he grasped the bottle, his little finger purposefully brushed against the back of Jing Haohao's hand. She felt the tender-smooth firmness of his touch.
Jing Haohao recoiled as if she had been electrocuted, instinctively pulling back her hand. She looked cautiously at Liang Chen, holding her guard high.
Liang Chen, appearing completely unbothered, filled his own glass and idly picked it up. Then, he turned his gaze towards Jing Haohao.
Jing Haohao instinctively evaded Liang Chen's gaze, turning her head to engage in conversation with Shen Liangnian instead.
Even so, Jing Haohao could distinctly feel the intensity of Liang Chen's gaze at her back, like a crackling fire, generating a wave of heat.
Even the back of her hand, which he had grazed before, seemed to be burning.
Eventually, Jing Haohao became so uneasy that she could barely sit still.
Liang Chen recognized Jing Haohao's anxiety and insecurities, which, strangely, provided some relief to his discomfort.
He did not understand his own feelings; merely observing her constant attention on Shen Liangnian left him feeling disgruntled and inexplicably restless.
Liang Chen, succumbing to a sense of mischief, deliberately shifted closer to Jing Haohao.
Jing Haohao felt herself enveloped by a dangerously enticing scent and her body tensed even more. Instinctively, she moved closer to the seat occupied by Shen Liangnian.
Seeing her subtle actions, Liang Chen let out a soft laugh. Was she trying to escape him?
Thinking this, he scanned the table, spotting a lighter beside Shen Liangnian. Getting up slightly, he reached over for the lighter.
He deliberately brushed past Jing Haohao as he reached for the lighter, and through their thin clothing, he could clearly feel her body stiffen.
He did not spare her a glimpse, yet maintained the proximity while lighting a cigarette. Only then did he leisurely withdraw.
For Jing Haohao, these moments had been excruciating. It was only a minute, but it felt like she had suffered for an eternity in hell. She had even held her breath.
Only when he finally left did she dare to breathe lightly. Her tense heart finally settled, but continued to pound fiercely.
She realized that he was doing it on purpose, but she didn't know what he would do next, nor if she could maintain this calm facade.
If she lost her composure, it would certainly embarrass Shen Liangnian.