The antique girlfriend of a chaebol heir

In mid-June, the heat intensified.

Jiang Duo has become increasingly clingy lately.

In the air-conditioned room, he insisted on sitting close to Shen Ci, his arms wrapping around her like vines, his chin resting on her shoulder.

Shen Ci was holding a book, but the other man's rubbing against him made it impossible for him to concentrate on the words. The man, however, went even further, brushing his nose against Shen Ci's neck, his breath hot and menacing: "Youyou... are you hot? Shall I fan you?"

"You won't be hot if you stay away from me."

Shen Ci turned a page, her voice calm, but the tips of her ears turned slightly red.

Jiang Duo laughed, the vibrations of his chest pressing against Shen Ci's back, making her feel even more helpless.

He's more cunning than before—he knows when to stop and when to go further.

Shen Ci's bottom line has been tested inch by inch, and her tolerance is indeed much higher than before.

She used to get furious at the slightest touch, but now, even if he teases her for half a day, she just purses her lips and doesn't say anything, at most moving an inch to the side.

But everything has its limits.

One afternoon, Jiang Duo went too far.

Neither of them had classes in the afternoon.

Shen Ci had a test the next day and wanted to quietly review her materials, but Jiang Duo pounced on her from behind, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her deeply and forcefully, while his hands wandered inside her clothes.

The air conditioner was blowing cold air, but both of them were covered in a thin layer of sweat.

"Jiang Duo." Shen Ci's voice was hoarse, carrying a warning.

"Hmm?" Jiang Duo responded vaguely, his lips still pressed against the most sensitive skin on the back of his neck.

"...Let go."

"Not loose."

Then Shen Ci got really angry.

She took the book, got up, went to the bedroom she had stayed in, and then locked it with a "click".

I ignored him for over an hour.

"Youyou," Jiang Duo said through the crack in the door, his voice muffled, "I was wrong."

There was no movement.

"I was really wrong," he shifted his position, leaning against the door. "I shouldn't have bothered you, I shouldn't have... just pretend I wasn't thinking straight."

A very faint sound came from inside the door.

Jiang Duo's eyes lit up. Knowing someone was listening, he immediately seized the opportunity: "I've been reflecting on this for a long time, deeply reflecting on it. Youyou, I promise, from now on, when you're reading, I'll be quiet and still, at most... at most, I'll just hold your hand?"

Shen Ci: "..."

"It's fine if we don't hold hands, I'll just sit next to you and promise not to move."

The door finally opened.

Shen Ci stood backlit, her face expressionless. She glanced at Jiang Duo, who was smiling gently at her, remained silent for a few seconds, and then stepped aside slightly.

Jiang Duo immediately turned around, picked up the cut fruit, and squeezed through the door.

He placed the fruit plate beside the books, bent down and hugged Shen Ci from behind, nuzzling his chin against the top of her head: "...Are you still angry?"

"No," Shen Ci said calmly.

She turned around and looked up at him.

Those eyes were as clear as a deep pool, without ripples or lingering anger.

"I have a test tomorrow. Although I'm quite confident, I still want to do even better, so I want to review my study materials again."

She looked directly into his eyes, her words clear and distinct.

"What you were doing just now was very distracting."

Jiang Duo didn't interrupt her, but just listened quietly.

"Jiang Duo, I know you like being close to me. But for me, love, studies, and even my future career are all equally important. I'm not someone who can indulge in love regardless of time or place."

Her gaze grew increasingly firm and open.

"Like just now, when you asked me if I was still angry, I said no, and I wasn't lying."

"Because I prefer to spend my time on useful things, rather than wasting it on emotions."

"I'd be better off reading a book than getting angry about what just happened."

Jiang Duo stared at her intently.

She sat there, her back straight, her expression remarkably calm.

There was no coquetry, no sulking, not even the slightest hesitation—she laid bare her thoughts, clearly and plainly presenting them to him.

Jiang Duo suddenly realized that the girl in front of him was more rational than any of the countless men he knew.

He was even more clear-headed than himself.

Jiang Duo remained silent for a long time.

Then he suddenly laughed, not his usual shameless laugh, but one tinged with a hint of helplessness, a touch of admiration, and a... indescribable tenderness.

"……good."

He said softly, "You read your book, I won't bother you anymore."

He straightened up and pushed the fruit plate closer to her, saying, "Remember to eat less fruit, it won't be fresh if it sits for too long."

Shen Ci glanced at him, seemingly surprised that he was so obedient this time.

But she didn't say anything, just nodded slightly, lowered her head again, her gaze returning to the spread-out documents, her fingers holding the pen, and quickly immersed herself in the dense text.

Jiang Duo took a few steps back, pressed his back against the door frame, and stood there watching her.

She read intently, occasionally frowning and scribbling a few notes on the edge of the page.

The only sounds in the air were the rustling of paper turning and her shallow breathing.

Jiang Duo admitted that he had been somewhat radical lately.

They always thought that physical intimacy, deliberate probing and crossing boundaries, could take the relationship between two people to the next level.

She's so outstanding—so outstanding that she can easily captivate anyone.

Even Xie Shuheng would lose his composure because of her.

He saw it all, and the hidden unease in his heart grew wildly like vines. He could only repeatedly confirm his position—to assert his sovereignty as the boyfriend—through contact and kisses.

But now, he realizes he was wrong.

Shen Ci has never been the kind of girl who can be coaxed with sweet words or held onto with intimate gestures.

She has her own set of rules and her own principles.

She wouldn't abandon what she was doing because of a kiss, nor would she change her pace because of someone else.

Her world is complete; love is only a part of it, not the whole of it.

Jiang Duo thought of his mother.

It was only at this moment that Jiang Duo suddenly realized that they actually had many similarities.

They are not the kind of canaries kept in a cage of wealth and luxury, nor are they the kind of people who would willingly extinguish their own light for jewelry, mansions, or a man's promise.

What they want is never a man who can shelter them from the wind and rain and protect them under his wings.

What they want is someone who can stand by their side, genuinely care for them, but not hinder their progress.

Jiang Duo lowered his eyelashes, his throat tightening slightly.

He was suddenly very grateful that he had woken up so early.

His parents were an unhappy couple for over twenty years.

When he was a child, he witnessed his father's madness because of his mother.

In those years, my father always thought that love was about possession, about binding, about keeping someone tightly locked by your side, even if it made it hard for both of you to breathe.

In the name of love, we draw a line in the sand and imprison ourselves.

He will definitely not do that in the future...