Chapter 20: Did I Hear That Right? Take My Clothes Off?

As Lin Mo led Zhihan and Mingxuan through the casino, gamblers and enforcers made way. Word had spread: an unknown young man had kicked Yang Biao across a room, drawn the high joker at his table, and wiped out a fifty-million-yuan debt. It was unprecedented in Beicheng’s underground casinos.

“My brother-in-law! That’s my brother-in-law!” Mingxuan followed proudly, transformed from the man who had been cowering moments before.

Outside Bailu Manor, he hurried up behind Lin Mo. “Brother-in-law, you’re incredible! That move was amazing. Yang Biao’s face turned green! You should have seen him!”

Lin Mo stopped and looked back awkwardly. “Young Master Shen, don’t call me that. You know your sister and I are acting.”

“So what? I can call you what I like! Brother-in-law!” Mingxuan leaned closer, eyes shining. “How did you learn that? Teach me! If I could do it, I’d clean up at the tables.”

Before Lin Mo could answer, Zhihan turned. “Shen Mingxuan. We’ll settle your account when we get back.”

He shrank back. “I was helping you. If I hadn’t come to the casino, he couldn’t have shown off. A blessing in disguise…”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing! I swear I won’t tell anyone you’re acting. I’ll take the secret to my grave!” It was a remarkable change from the man who had used it to demand money.

He turned back to Lin Mo. “I meant it. Teach me a few moves, and I promise I won’t do anything bad with them. If my sister married you, I’d be the first to approve. I’d do everything I could to bring you together!”

Lin Mo glanced at Zhihan. She looked away, the tips of her ears red. The silence grew awkward.

“Young Master Shen, please stop calling me brother-in-law.”

“Then Brother? Fine! Brother Mo, teach me!” Mingxuan’s tongue never stopped.

“Enough. Be quiet!” Zhihan snapped.

“Oh…” He glanced down and grinned. “Sis, you’re still holding hands. And you say I shouldn’t call him that?”

She looked down. She hadn’t released Lin Mo’s hand since leaving the private room; their fingers were intertwined. As though shocked, she pulled away and stepped aside. Then she cuffed Mingxuan on the back of the head. “Say another word and you’ll regret it.”

“Ow!” He rubbed his head, still grinning. “Fine, I won’t say it. But Brother-in-law, you have to teach me that move!”

Lin Mo smiled awkwardly. The warmth of Zhihan’s palm lingered in his hand. He looked at it, then at her flushed profile. Was she embarrassed? He pushed the thought aside.

“Mingxuan, drive yourself home,” Zhihan said, composed again. “We’re not finished with this.”

“I heard you.” Under his breath, he added, “If you’d let him teach me, I wouldn’t lose…”

“Quiet!”

He winked at Lin Mo. “I’ll treat you to dinner another day! Don’t forget to teach me!” He ran to his red Audi and sped away without waiting for an answer. His direction was clearly not toward the Shen home.

Zhihan watched him go and sighed. “Let’s go.”

Lin Mo opened the rear door for her, but she hesitated and took the passenger seat instead. He wondered whether bosses now preferred the front, but it was her choice. He closed the door, got behind the wheel, and started the car.

“Back to the office?”

“Take me home. I’m not going back this afternoon.” She rubbed her brow, exhausted by the day’s events.

They drove away in a silence that felt subtly different. After a while, she said softly, “Thank you. You saved my life and dealt with that fifty-million-yuan problem.”

“It’s my job. Besides, you promised me a bonus. I’m saving to buy a home.”

She smiled faintly. “You’ll get it at the end of the month.”

“You’re generous, Ms. Shen!” He was delighted. A good boss and occasional bonuses made life much better.

Ten minutes later, he parked below her building and went around to open her door. She looked at him instead of getting out. “Come upstairs.”

“What? Ms. Shen…”

“Don’t fuss.” She opened the door and walked toward the building. “Follow me.”

Wondering what she needed, he locked the car and followed her upstairs. Her apartment was tidy and simply, elegantly furnished, cool and refined like its owner.

He stood at the entrance, uncertain whether to change his shoes. Zhihan put on slippers, walked into the living room, and turned to him.

“Take your clothes off.”

He froze. “What?” Had he heard correctly?

…