Chapter 6: Aren't You Uncomfortable?

“There are no other women.” Huo Congli lowered himself onto one knee, a strand of her soft hair still wound around his fingers. His manner was yielding, almost reverent. “Only you, Su Jingwan.”

Jingwan had a double standard. She had spent years chasing Ji Huaizhi, yet if Congli became involved with another woman, she would consider him tainted.

She allowed herself what she would never allow him.

Though she had pursued Ji, she had never been intimate with him. He considered himself above her and refused to touch a married woman, especially one who had borne Congli’s child. He saw her as secondhand and kept her dangling only because he wanted her money.

Jingwan knew perfectly well that since her first time with Congli, he alone had become an addiction she couldn’t shake, in body or mind.

She sat up and rested a foot against his waist, letting it drift lower. She licked her lips and gave him a lingering look. “Go out later. I don’t feel like letting you leave just yet.”

“All right. Whatever you want.” His voice was hoarse. Holding her leg, he pressed a trail of kisses up her calf, his warm breath drawing closer.

He kissed her intimately, his tongue moving over her as his nose brushed against her. Jingwan trembled, her body softening beneath his attention. Congli slid an arm around her waist and lifted her onto his lap. Soon she was leaning against his shoulder, breathing hard.

As he filled her, they both sighed. When Congli tried to kiss her lips, Jingwan turned away and pushed his face aside. After where his mouth had just been, he wanted to kiss her?

Finding him too gentle, she pushed him back and took control, determined to continue even when tears sprang to her eyes.

His eyes reddened. He gathered her hair patiently. “Slowly, sweetheart.”

She bit her lip to keep quiet, gripping his sleeve, a fine sheen of sweat on her nose.

Nearly an hour later, she collapsed against his chest, breathless and drained.

“Are you all right?” He kissed her forehead.

Her eyes shimmered. “You haven’t finished. Aren’t you uncomfortable?”

When had she ever cared how he felt? This was the first time.

His heart raced. He pulled her closer, and that small gesture was enough to send him over the edge.

Jingwan glanced at him in surprise. Why so quickly this time?

Congli knew he was too easily affected. The slightest sweetness from her was enough to undo him. “…Shall I carry you to wash up?”

“I don’t want to move yet. Let’s stay like this a while.”

But they were still joined. The thought alone made his breathing deepen, desire stirring again.

Without opening her eyes, Jingwan knew what he was thinking. “No more. Don’t you have somewhere to be? Don’t stand them up.”

“All right.”

“Then carry me to wash. I’m sleepy.”

She was used to ordering him around and enjoyed being cared for. Congli, for his part, was happy to oblige.

By the time she was back in bed, the flush had yet to leave her face. Congli prepared to change and go out. Before leaving, he promised to return before ten. “You can call me back whenever you want, Wanwan.”

Finding him noisy, she turned away and naturally rolled onto his pillow, where she fell asleep.

He leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder again and again. Suddenly he didn’t want to leave.

* * *

The private room of the exclusive club shut out the noise outside. Warm crystal lights cast a soft glow. Congli undid two buttons, crossed his long legs, and held a gold-patterned glass, amber liquor glinting inside.

“Brother Cong, what’s on your mind? You haven’t even had a drink.” Bai Ze tapped his glass against Congli’s. “Does your wife keep such a close watch she won’t let you drink?”

Xiao Jin sighed. “If only she would. You know what she’s like. She lets him do as he pleases.”

That was a kind way of saying she hardly paid him any attention.

They both knew Congli loved Jingwan to the bone. In his eyes, her only flaw was her poor eyesight: she had fallen for trash like Ji Huaizhi.

The bar Ji and his friends had visited yesterday belonged to Xiao Jin. Jingwan had arrived right after them, and Xiao Jin had immediately told Congli.

Whenever the subject was Jingwan, Congli replied at lightning speed: Don’t let anyone bully her. Tell me if anything happens.

Most men would have felt betrayed to know their wife had followed another man to a bar. They would have stormed over to confront her. Congli knew exactly what she was doing, yet his concern was that she might be mistreated.

Xiao Jin: Brother Cong, aren’t you a little too far gone over her?

Congli hadn’t replied.

Later, Ji’s friends had agreed when someone called Jingwan his lovesick hanger-on. Congli’s men had beaten them badly enough to send them to the hospital.

As for why Ji himself had been spared, Congli’s answer was: “If he’s badly hurt, he might use it to win Wanwan’s sympathy.”

Bai Ze hadn’t realized how much drama he’d missed, much less that Congli favored Jingwan to such an extent.

With Congli’s status, women all over the city would line up for him if he wished. Jingwan alone dared defy him so openly. People said wealthy families produced hopeless romantics, and apparently they were right.

“Brother Cong, doesn’t it make you angry that she uses your money to support another man?” Bai Ze asked sincerely.

Congli lowered his eyes and swirled his glass. Ice chimed against it. “It does. But I can’t bear to be angry with her, and I don’t dare.”

If he got angry, Jingwan would only become angrier and refuse to speak to him for ten days or even half a month.

Xiao Jin and Bai Ze exchanged a look. “Why don’t you just tell her how much you love her?” Xiao Jin asked hesitantly. “Be direct!”

“I have. Many times.” Congli’s voice held a trace of helplessness. “She doesn’t believe me, and she doesn’t care for my love.”

He drained his glass. Red tinged the corners of his eyes, lending him an air of vulnerability.

Bai Ze had never seen him troubled by love. He couldn’t help shuddering. “Love is terrifying. Good thing I never keep a long-term girlfriend, at home or abroad.”

“Don’t speak too soon,” Xiao Jin said with a shrug. “Your reckoning may still be ahead.”

“Pah, pah, pah!” Bai Ze hurried to shut him up.

Two seconds later, Congli traced the rim of his glass and laughed softly, genuine happiness in his voice. “She seemed like a different person when she came home last night. Today she stayed with Little Yu instead of going to see Ji Huaizhi.”