Thirty-Eight

 Today, the two of them didn’t enjoy shopping at all. After learning how relentless Zhou Yang could be, the atmosphere between them just kept plummeting.

Although Su Hao ignored him, she had actually left some room. Now, as they entered the elevator, the mood seemed to return somewhat, at least because Zhou Yang had picked up the bag of lipsticks.

Upon reaching the eighteenth floor and arriving at their room, Su Hao took out the room card. As her hand was about to press the sensor, Zhou Yang grabbed her wrist and lifted it up.

Su Hao raised her eyes to meet his gaze.

Zhou Yang leaned against the wall, his narrow eyes fixed on her.

The corridor was quiet, with warm lighting creating a somewhat cozy atmosphere. Neither of them spoke, and Zhou Yang just held Su Hao’s wrist.

Their skin touched; hers was very soft.

Zhou Yang asked in a deep voice, “You don’t like roses or lilies, and you don’t like lipsticks either. What do you like?”

This was the first time he had asked a woman such things. Su Hao could sense his sincerity, which reduced her resistance a bit. She said, “I’ve mentioned before that I don’t have any particular hobbies.”

“Don’t you like clothes or bags? Hmm?”

“It’s not that I don’t like them. I just only want what I need.” Su Hao's tone softened a lot. She and her circle of friends, including Liao Yun, all came from well-off families, so their spending was moderate. For instance, when she bought things today, she only bought what she wanted and didn't look at other items because she didn't need them and didn’t want to increase her expenses.

“Oh, so I bought all these for you, and you don’t want them?” Zhou Yang somewhat understood, which is why he picked up the lipsticks earlier even though he felt embarrassed.

Su Hao looked at him for a few seconds, then softly said, “Is this how you buy things?”

It’s really wasteful. She thought he bought them for someone else, which was none of her business, but if he bought them for her and she didn’t need them, and he threw them away, how much money did that cost?

Zhou Yang laughed in frustration. He pulled her hand into his embrace, and Su Hao frowned, instinctively trying to pull away. However, the next second, she ended up in his arms.

Zhou Yang rested his forehead against hers. “Give me a kiss.”

He actually bothered to ask?

Su Hao sneered inwardly.

Su Hao shifted her gaze. “What if I say no?”

“No?” Zhou Yang chuckled softly. “I can’t hear you.”

Before she could react, his lips were already at the corner of her mouth, slowly moving to cover her lips. Su Hao hit him with her fist, but Zhou Yang pressed his lips against hers.

They kissed in turns.

In the quiet environment, the only sound was the accelerated heartbeat.

Late at night, after Su Hao had taken a shower and lay in bed, she remembered she hadn't replied to Yun Lu’s WeChat message. She quickly opened WeChat and typed:

Su Hao: Yun Lu, thank you.

Yun Lu: Oh, you’re welcome.

Yun Lu: Are you in Kyoto?

Su Hao: Yes.

Yun Lu: Okay, got it.

Meanwhile, the bathroom water turned off, and Zhou Yang emerged in a bathrobe, with the belt loosely hanging and exposing a large part of his chest. He sat on the edge of the bed, picked up his phone, leaned forward, and opened the WeChat group.

Zhou Yang: Get out here.

Zhou Yang: Are you all dragging your feet?

A few seconds later, responses appeared in the group.

Xu Dian: Why are you still up so late? Don’t you have a nightlife?

Li Yi: Probably doesn’t.

Jiang Yu: Who’s dragging their feet? What’s going on?

Xu Dian: Hahaha, probably failing in pursuing someone.

Yan Xing: Congratulations, Zhou, another failure?

Zhou Yang: Tsk.

He wiped his hair, threw his phone on the nightstand, picked up a nearby glass of water, and took a large sip before going to bed.

The next day, their flight was at 9:30 AM. After Su Hao woke up, she fumbled to pack her things, making sure she hadn’t missed anything. After a busy period, she opened the door at 8:00 AM, and Zhou Yang was leaning against the door, “Ready?”

“Ready.” Su Hao pushed her suitcase out. Today, she wore a hat and a knee-length light purple dress with a white T-shirt underneath. She looked back at the room, while Zhou Yang, with his arms crossed, observed her and the face under the hat, gently flicking his finger.

The hat was pushed aside, revealing Su Hao’s beautiful eyes.

With a sparkling look, Zhou Yang silently admired her for a few moments before putting the hat back and softly said, “Beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Su Hao dragged her suitcase out calmly. Zhou Yang scoffed, took the room card from the electrical outlet, and grabbed both her and his own suitcase, heading toward the elevator.

Assistant Lu was also in the elevator. When he saw them, he quickly came over to help push the suitcases.

The three of them went down and headed to the airport.

It was still very hot outside, with the sun high in the sky, but it felt much more comfortable inside the airport. After completing all the procedures, the three of them went to the waiting area. Assistant Lu didn’t dare to get too close and sat far away. Su Hao and Zhou Yang sat on a large sofa, where Zhou Yang was working on his laptop.

A WeChat message popped up.

It was from Li Xiu.

Li Xiu: Sister Su Hao, are you back from your business trip?

Su Hao: Waiting for the 9:30 flight.

Su Hao: Yes.

Li Xiu: Is Zhou Yang with you?

Su Hao: He seems to be working.

Li Xiu: Let me see him on video.

Su Hao hesitated for a moment before receiving the video call. She ended the call and, turning her head, took a quick photo of Zhou Yang’s profile for Li Xiu.

She snapped the photo quickly. The man, with his eyes lowered and focused on the laptop, looked serious and handsome, with his long legs crossed, appearing both earnest and charming.

After sending the photo, Li Xiu replied after a while.

Li Xiu: Sister Su Hao, I know he’s pursuing you. I was just testing you to see if you would still respond to me. I didn’t expect you to even send me his photo.

Li Xiu: You probably don’t really like him, so does that mean I still have a chance?

Su Hao read the message and took a while to react before smiling.

Indeed, these girls also have their own schemes, but Li Xiu, who is so straightforward, is quite cute.

Su Hao: Yes, you still have a chance. Keep trying.

Li Xiu: Sister Su Hao, you’re really nice.

Su Hao intended to say something more but hesitated. The next second, her phone was snatched away. Su Hao looked up to see Zhou Yang glancing at her phone’s chat page, scanning it quickly. After reading it, his expression turned cold. He looked at Su Hao, and she reached for her phone, “Give it back.”

“You don’t like me?”

“Does Li Xiu still have a chance?” Zhou Yang raised his hand, turned off her screen, and didn’t care to see her privacy. He knew about the photo she took of him and was wondering what she was up to. It turned out she was chatting with a rival and even encouraging her. Su Hao stood up to retrieve her phone, but Zhou Yang also stood up abruptly, his height forcing Su Hao back into her seat. Zhou Yang leaned over, pressing his hand on the back of her chair, and narrowed his eyes at her.

Su Hao also silently looked back at him.

His expression was calm, offering no explanations and speaking little.

Zhou Yang’s face turned colder, and he said in a low voice, “Do you know how much my portrait rights are worth?”

“I could sue you.”

Su Hao: “I’ll delete it.”

“Take back what you just said?” Zhou Yang, towering over her, trapped her in his embrace and asked.

“No, I won’t.”

Fortunately, at this moment, it was time to board.

Su Hao tried to get up.

Zhou Yang wouldn’t let her. They exchanged a few glances, and Zhou Yang finally stood up, casually tossing her phone into her lap. Su Hao picked it up, silently grabbing her small bag.

Zhou Yang took his laptop and ticket, rolled up one sleeve, glanced at her, then handed the laptop to Assistant Lu, and took Su Hao’s hand, leading her out of the waiting area.

Su Hao struggled but eventually resigned. Zhou Yang even held her hand with their fingers interlocked. Su Hao glanced at their joined hands as they passed through security. Zhou Yang tugged at his collar, visibly irritated.

His mind was filled with the conversation between Su Hao and Li Xiu, replaying it repeatedly, cursed by his excellent memory.

He had never cared about such things before, but now he found himself increasingly concerned.

Once on the plane, Su Hao flipped through a magazine while Zhou Yang sat next to her, also reading. They didn’t talk. After finishing the magazine, Su Hao ordered a small cake. When she bit into the strawberry, Zhou Yang suddenly reached over, grabbed her hand, and bit off the strawberry. Su Hao looked at him briefly, then silently went back to eating her own cake. Zhou Yang watched her with a tight frown, while Assistant Lu, sitting behind, was looking at lipstick pictures.

After more than three hours, the plane landed in Li City. It was still hot here, but not as sweltering as Kyoto.

Su Qian called Su Hao.

“Haohao, come over to the house for dinner.”

Su Hao glanced at Zhou Yang beside her. The man, wearing sunglasses, also looked at her. The reflection of her face was visible in his large sunglasses. Zhou Yang pressed his lips tightly and said, “I’m not going back. There’s something going on with the military industry. I’ll have the driver take you.”

Su Hao: “I’ll take a car myself.”

Zhou Yang snorted, with a faint irritation on his brow. He grabbed her wrist and led her to the exit. There were many taxis and private cars there. The military industry’s driver arrived in a business car, opened the door, and Zhou Yang pushed Su Hao inside.

The action was domineering. After Su Hao sat down, she gave him a cold glance before looking down at her phone.

Zhou Yang and Assistant Lu got in the car, closing the door behind them.

Zhou Yang told the driver, “To Blue Bay.”

Su Hao said, “Thank you.”

It was truly polite but distant.

Zhou Yang snorted.

Su Hao pushed her luggage towards the villa while Zhou Yang stood still, watching her back without her turning around. Assistant Lu stood beside him, observing and quietly taking off his glasses, muttering, “President Zhou, doesn’t this resemble your attitude towards your ex-girlfriends?”

Zhou Yang glanced at Assistant Lu.

Assistant Lu cleared his throat, put his glasses back on, and checked his watch, “President Zhou, the lunch with Mr. Wen is about to start.”

Zhou Yang turned and went back into the car.

Assistant Lu followed, thinking to himself, Miss Su is indeed impressive. In the past, President Zhou's attitude toward his ex-girlfriends was similar—he would endure to a certain extent, and when he was fed up, he would just turn and leave. Ex-girlfriends who liked President Zhou a lot would immediately behave when he showed displeasure. Sometimes, they would even come back to flatter him.

Now, Miss Su clearly had no intention of flattering or showing weakness.

President Zhou must be experiencing that feeling now, right?

Cough.

It’s good.

Someone needs to put President Zhou in his place.

I just wonder how long President Zhou can endure.

---

“Haohao.” Su Qian took the gift Su Hao handed over and set it aside, first hugging Su Hao tightly. Su Hao smiled and hugged her back, “Aunt Su Qian, I missed you so much.”

“Ah, I missed you too.” Su Qian let go of Su Hao and looked her up and down, “You seem to have tanned a bit.”

Mention of Kyoto reminded Su Qian of Shen He, and she looked at Su Hao again. Su Hao’s expression remained natural. Su Qian cursed Shen He in her mind.

But she also thought, Shen He was really too insipid, letting go of such a good person like Haohao. Zhou Yang was a jerk too.

But Shen He could have persisted!!

“Aunt Qian, look at this scarf. Do you like it?” Su Hao, unaware of Su Qian’s thoughts, picked up a nearby box and opened it for her.

Su Qian’s eyes brightened when she saw it, “Wow, I like it. How did you get such an expensive one? This must cost you a month’s salary.”

“It wasn’t that much. It was on sale,” Su Hao quickly said.

Su Qian glanced at her, not exposing her lie. There was no sale for this brand.

She pulled Su Hao into the house. The housekeeper brought out some fruit, and the two of them sat on the sofa. Su Qian examined Su Hao carefully, and after a few seconds, she said, “Is Zhou Yang pursuing you?”

Su Hao, with an apple in her mouth, mumbled an affirmative.

Su Qian: “Don’t make it easy for him.”

Su Hao: “”

She felt a bit guilty and didn’t dare to look at Su Qian. She certainly couldn’t tell Su Qian that she actually planned to show Zhou Yang a lesson.

In the aerial restaurant of the military technology company.

Zhou Yang sat on the sofa, glancing at his phone’s WeChat for the eighth time. He chewed on a piece of cake, clicked through his Moments casually.

He saw that Lu Qi had posted several Moments like this.

Lu Qi: Special sale. Anyone interested?

Photos x9

All pictures of lipsticks. Zhou Yang didn’t think much of it and kept scrolling.

He saw Su Hao’s reply to Lu Qi from a second ago.

Su Hao: How much?

One minute later, Zhou Yang replied to Su Hao: “You have time to browse lipsticks here but not to send me a message?”

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