Chapter 40: Used to the Small Ones
If this were a normal relationship between a man and a woman, after such an exchange—one cold, the other tough—the outcome would almost certainly be a clean break. Yet, everything about Shang Yucheng defied the ordinary.
If red is said to incite the adrenaline of a bull, then at this moment, Liang Jinshang, dressed in pure white pajamas, was the very thing to set Shang Yucheng’s blood racing. Of course, her front was already completely undone, and what he saw was not purely white anymore.
In moments like these, the desires of an aroused man are no different from a bull’s inclinations—naturally, he seeks the red.
The transition from mutual antagonism to seamless union takes but a second. In the end, the only words Liang Jinshang could utter clearly were: “It hurts, don’t use your teeth…”
...
Dawn seemed to break earlier in the suburbs than in the city, though it was hardly early anymore. Liang Jinshang pushed at his chin, which was pressed uncomfortably against her collarbone, her voice hoarse as she urged him, “You’re so heavy, get off.”
“Hmm?” The man’s voice, so seductive before the act, now held a lazy, sated note that only made Liang Jinshang want to punch him.
He was perfectly content—she, on the other hand, was exhausted.
“Shang Yucheng, were you on something?!” Liang Jinshang could scarcely believe it—into the second round and he’d lasted almost as long as the first.
Shang Yucheng accepted this “compliment” with perfect equanimity, stretching languidly as his gaze fell on a small unopened box on the floor.
Liang Jinshang didn’t notice where he was looking and gave him another push. “Get up! If I don’t go back now, my roommate will be up soon!”
Shang Yucheng rolled away to one side. “Who’s your roommate?”
Liang Jinshang didn’t intend to answer, bracing herself on the bed to get up. She hadn’t expected him to catch a handful of her damp hair, still clinging to his shoulder, and tug her back.
Well, now the only part of her that hadn’t been sore—her scalp—started to ache too.
Seeing that he wouldn’t let go without an answer, Liang Jinshang simply gave a name: “Shang Yiming!”
One of the men who’d gossiped about Shang Yucheng in the colonnade yesterday—a clearly masculine name.
Shang Yucheng looked at her with a half-smile. “So you have a second half too.”
He shot another suggestive glance at the small box on the floor. “Can he satisfy you?”
“Of course he can.” Liang Jinshang dressed herself, returning his look with a smirk. “I’m used to the small ones.”
...
Liang Jinshang had wanted to talk to Shang Yucheng about Liang Xizhou, but in her rush to get back before Le Quan woke, she had to put it aside.
But when she entered the room, Le Quan was already waiting on the sofa, dressed in sportswear, a headband pushing her short hair up, her smooth forehead still glistening with sweat.
Clearly just finished exercising.
She looked at Liang Jinshang calmly. “Out so early? Coming back from outside?”
Liang Jinshang clutched at her collar—two buttons at the top had been torn off by Shang Yucheng; she should be grateful she’d undone the rest herself.
“You went to work out?” Liang Jinshang grabbed some clothes and, keeping her tone and expression perfectly natural, headed for the bathroom.
Le Quan didn’t press her for an answer, following her lead. “Yep, just finished. So let me shower first?”
Liang Jinshang couldn’t wait another moment. Sweat from exercise was nothing compared to the sticky feeling covering her now.
She darted into the bathroom, making a show of it. “I exercised too—let me go first.”
Le Quan braced a hand on the door, stopping it from closing. “No way. I was up running at six, didn’t see you at all!”
“Did you go running by the lake?”
“Yeah.”
“No wonder.” Liang Jinshang nodded, dead serious. “I went hiking to the west.”
Le Quan broke first, bursting into laughter.
Where did this oddball come from!
She’d always felt a natural affinity for Liang Jinshang and didn’t hesitate to brush her hand aside and sneak a look.
Though she’d expected some marks not suitable for children, what she saw on Liang Jinshang’s skin was more like “not suitable for adults.”
Le Quan sucked in a breath. “You know I was only joking about what I said to you before we came, right?”
Though this girl liked watching and even filming risqué videos, her behavior was always proper. Le Quan could scarcely imagine she’d have achieved such “complete harmony” with someone in so short a time.
They’d only been with the company a few days! And as for those suitors chasing Liang Jinshang—she hadn’t liked a single one. The only halfway decent one, Shang Yiming, was handsome but too slick, too much of a flirt; Le Quan thought he didn’t deserve her at all.
Le Quan planned to grill her about it after she finished her shower.
But Liang Jinshang’s lips were sealed. If she didn’t want to talk, no one could get a word out of her.
Originally, she’d wanted to catch an hour’s sleep before the day’s activities, but thanks to Le Quan, she didn’t get a minute. Floated out the door, she complained, “I’m dying…”
Le Quan shot back, “If you must die, let it be under the peony—better to die for love.”
...
When it rains, it pours. Today was the main event for visiting foreign guests, and as a lowly intern, Liang Jinshang not only had to follow the group everywhere, but also had to carry stacks of promotional leaflets.
Other than a few high-status individuals, everyone else took the bus.
Liang Jinshang spotted Shang Yucheng’s jet-black Bentley. Standing beside it, aside from him, was the elegantly made-up Yuan Xi.
Yesterday, they’d kept their distance in public, but today, she was openly getting into his car—as if eager for the world to know something “fundamental” had changed overnight.
Liang Jinshang looked away and started toward the bus. Suddenly, Shang Yucheng glanced at her—not a casual glance, but as if he had something to say.
Moments later, his assistant approached her.
Liang Jinshang thought to herself: besides the driver, assistant, and Yuan Xi, surely Shang Yucheng wasn’t about to “grant” her the remaining seat?
No need to be so generous.
The assistant drew near. “Miss Liang…”
Liang Jinshang cut him off, “The bus is fine for me.”
The assistant hesitated for three seconds, enough for Liang Jinshang to realize she’d probably misunderstood.
Luckily, the assistant didn’t show any sign of embarrassment, simply handed her a blister pack of pills.
That alone was mortifying enough.
Birth control pills.
When she didn’t take them, the assistant—clearly an old hand—closed his palm, ensuring no bystander could see.
“Miss Liang, Mr. Shang asked me to give you this.” He, too, seemed embarrassed, but a servant must do as he’s told. “He said, for safety’s sake, please take it as soon as possible.”
Liang Jinshang stood there, her face expressionless.
Shang Yucheng could have given it to her himself in the morning, or sent a female assistant. At worst, she would have bought them herself.
Last night, she’d deliberately chosen the wrong size—he’d complained it was too tight and wouldn’t put up with discomfort.
She would have dealt with the consequences herself and planned to visit a pharmacy today.
But he had a man deliver her the pills.