A Twisted Love Affair
Chapter 64: Reluctant to let you guard an empty room alone_1

Chapter 64: Reluctant to let you guard an empty room alone_1

Under the shroud of night, Shen Jing returned to the highest floor of Yunding No.1, weary.

The lights were all on, yet the place was silent and empty.

Shen Jing tossed her phone aside as she entered. He said he would be back later, but she had no idea how much later that would be.

In her memory, Zhou Luchen was a man of his word, always fulfilling his promises—as long as he made them.

Shen Jing leaned on the bar, bent down to change her shoes, and then leisurely went to look for the kitten.

"Little Sister, I’m back."

Zhou Luchen had hired a housekeeper, who would take care of the kitten during the day when they were both away.

Even the housekeeper praised Little Sister for being so easy to care for: she ate well, was quiet, and didn’t run around knocking things over.

After making the rounds, she still had no idea which room the cat was hiding in, taking a lazy nap.

"Little Sister, are you asleep yet?"

In her idle moments, she meticulously observed every corner of the mansion. The interconnected living spaces were filled with opulence and extravagance but devoid of any warmth, feeling nothing like a home.

She glanced up at the clock: midnight. Zhou Luchen still hadn’t returned. The silence of the vast apartment settled heavily, and a wave of sadness washed over her.

She finally understood why Zhou Luchen had gotten her a cat—it could get lonely living alone in such a large house.

At least she had the company of a small creature that could call out.

Shen Jing sat by the pool, idly playing with the water, tossing rose petals into it while dipping her feet into the pool.

Hearing footsteps, and feeling an intense gaze from behind her, she turned around, startled.

Under the dazzling light of the crystal chandelier, Zhou Luchen stood. He was still in that grey shirt, its buttons carelessly fastened, his hands shoved into his dress pants pockets. Beneath his half-rolled sleeves, his watch reflected a haunting, subdued light.

He looked somewhat weary, but when their eyes met, he still gave her a regal smile.

Yet Shen Jing detected the faint scent of alcohol on him.

He must have been drinking.

His steps halted behind her, and Zhou Luchen asked in a low voice, "Have you been waiting long?"

Shen Jing flicked the water in the pool, creating ripples. "I thought you wouldn’t come back. I almost gave up waiting."

He looked at the rose petals floating in the pool and smiled. "How could I bear to leave you all alone here?"

To her ears, that sounded like a captivating endearment.

"Did you go to your family’s home?" Shen Jing asked. She recalled her grandmother’s matchmaking plans and couldn’t help but wonder if Zhou Luchen had faced something similar.

She asked, "Did your family try to arrange a marriage for you with a daughter from a wealthy family?"

Zhou Luchen squatted down, pulling her into his embrace. His chin brushed the top of her head, and the faint, acrid scent of alcohol from his breath washed over her. "Are they worthy?"

Are they worthy.

His tone was flippant and arrogant, but given his status, it was also true.

A true son of Heaven. Considering power and status, who could possibly be worthy of being the wife of Zhou Luchen, the family’s second son?

Thinking about it, Shen Jing could hardly name anyone.

Zhou Luchen’s breathing grew heavier, his warm breath falling upon the crown of her head as he murmured, "I’m sleepy."

Zhou Luchen had drunk 52-degree aged liquor.

Zhou Xiangqun had tricked him into drinking it—an entire bottle.

If one had a low tolerance, a single bottle would be enough to knock them senseless; for someone with Zhou Luchen’s self-control, it only resulted in slight intoxication.

"Take a bath first. You smell of alcohol," Shen Jing said, taking his arm. But she lacked the strength to move him even an inch.

Zhou Luchen’s arm tightened around her, holding her fast. The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became, his breathing growing heavier. He was like a spoiled, drunken young master in a fit of temper.

"Move again, and I’ll throw you into the pool."

Shen Jing stopped resisting and obediently rested her head on his arm. "Why did you drink so much tonight?"

A searing kiss landed on her earlobe. Zhou Luchen chuckled lowly. "It was cold. My coat was gone."

He had been drinking to warm himself up.