Disguised as a Man, She Has Eight Men Fighting Over Her - Chapter 58

Chapter 58

“Tch. Playing deaf now?”

Pei Jinye turned and strode two steps closer, his gaze lingering on the choker and tiny bell at her throat.

So damn indecent.

“This little bell…”

Yet his finger lifted of its own accord and tapped lightly at it.

“Jingle…”

Damn. It sounded ridiculously good.

Lin Cheng subtly tilted away. Pei Jinye sucked at the inside of his cheek, displeased—only for her to rise onto her toes the next second and bring the bell close to his ear herself.

Its clear little jingles poured straight into his head.

“Brother Jinye, um… I really can’t take the money. I’ll transfer it back—”

“You…”

He looked down at those soft pink lips moving endlessly, but not one word registered. All he could hear was that maddening bell, stirring him into restless irritation.

What the hell was wrong with him?

Would black look better? Maybe one with a bow? No, still missing something. If there were a fine chain hanging from it…

Fuck. Pei Jinye, are you some wild dog obsessed with collars?

His thoughts ran wild as his stare clung to her slender neck.

“Jingle…”

He suddenly hooked a finger beneath the choker and cupped the bell in his palm.

“Don’t send it back,” he cut her off harshly. “Buy this.”

Lin Cheng stared at his handsome face, now inches away. “You like it, Brother Jinye? What color do you want? I’ll return the money and buy you one.”

“I want—”

Pei Jinye abruptly came to his senses. Want his ass!

Clothes really did make the man. He had nearly fallen for this little sissy’s tricks.

He released her awkwardly and cleared his dry throat. “Quit yapping.”

“Take what I give you. What, not enough?”

Lin Cheng could not understand why he had suddenly gone off like a firecracker. “No, I—”

“Shut up. Give me your phone.” He took out his own.

Thinking he had finally seen reason, she opened their chat. He snatched the phone away.

Two seconds later it returned to her hand, a new box sitting in the conversation.

[Pei Jinye transferred 200,000 yuan to you.]

[Accepted]

Her head throbbed too badly to form words.

“Relax. I’m financially independent. My family gives me money when they feel like it, and when they don’t, I ask. I’m not short on your little bit.”

Perfect. A triple rhyme worthy of a rapper like him.

His mood inexplicably brightened again. The satisfaction of charitable relief temporarily drowned out the bell’s effect.

“Brother Jinye, I…”

“Stop bothering me. Buy some clothes.”

Get something new. Let me see what other tricks you use to seduce me.

Tch. This little sissy was full of schemes.

He headed for the sofa, leaving Lin Cheng to sigh at his lazy retreating figure.

“Teacher Lin Chen, are you changed? It’s time for makeup!” a staff member called from behind the living-room screen.

Startled, she hurried over. Behind the screen was a makeshift makeup area. Yan Ci sat before a mirror with his eyes closed while a stylist worked on his hair. His dark-purple velvet shirt was open at the first two buttons, a black ribbon tied at his neck above a stretch of pale collarbone.

At her footsteps, he glanced at her through the mirror, murmured a languid greeting, then closed his eyes again.

The makeup artist seated Lin Cheng beside him and began working. She could not shake the feeling of a dark, brooding gaze drifting over her. She instinctively tucked her neck in, making the bell give a tiny chime.

The stylist casually asked Yan Ci, “Teacher Yan, your hair is starting to cover your eyes. Shall I trim it?”

Cut it? Then his eyes would be too obvious.

Without opening them, Yan Ci answered, “No.”

When they finished and went downstairs, two vans waited in the hotel parking lot. Lin Cheng climbed into the back seat of one and left the door resting ajar.

Pei Jinye’s roguish voice sounded outside. “Why are you wearing a bell too? Give your brother a jingle.”

Someone obligingly shook it twice.

“Fuck, that’s disgusting! Shi Yu, don’t get in my van. Your bell is annoying.”

Curious, Lin Cheng was about to peek out when she saw Shen Qingrang approaching. His gaze found her through the window. He opened the door and sat beside her, carrying the scent of pine.

“You weren’t going to wait for me?”

The door clicked shut. He leaned close, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered, “Good girl.”

Her heart jumped and she glanced around. Fortunately, no one was nearby.

“What are you afraid of?” His fingertip flicked the bell.

“Jingle…”

Lin Cheng pressed her lips together and turned toward the window, refusing to acknowledge this wicked man.

Then Shen Qingrang suddenly lay down with his head in her lap. She nervously kept checking outside.

“Get up, Qin Rang!”

Still on his back, he idly tapped the tiny bell with long fingers.

Jingle… jingle…

“Good girl,” he murmured, his voice deepened by his position, his breath faint against her stomach. “I can control its rhythm.”

His finger stopped. Silence filled the car, leaving only their mingled breathing.

She looked down into his profound eyes, confused.

His lips curved as he slowly stroked the bell’s smooth surface again. “Do you want me to make it… keep ringing?”

Lin Cheng frowned and shook her head. Constantly? How noisy would that be?

Outside, Shi Yu approached while talking to the driver.

She raised a threatening hand. “Qin Rang, if you don’t get up, I can control the rhythm of my slaps too. Want me to keep making your mouth ring?”

“…”

This time Shen Qingrang did not torment her. He slowly sat up, once more refined and dignified. An angry kitten was difficult to coax, after all.

The door opened. Shi Yu swept in on a gust of air, complaining, “Jinye absolutely refused to let me ride with him. Said my bell was too loud… Huh?”

His eyes settled on Lin Cheng. “Little Chen, you’re so cute. I really want to…”

Shen Qingrang interrupted gently, “Little Shi, it isn’t the bell that’s loud. It’s you.”

Shi Yu pouted. His thick lashes hid the emotion in his eyes as he tapped his own bell and licked one pointed canine.