The antique girlfriend of a chaebol heir

Shen Ci almost burst into tears.

She was terrified and ashamed, and could only compromise in a trembling voice with a thick nasal tone: "I will learn... I will learn to embroider mandarin ducks."

Jiang Duo stopped moving his hand.

His palms were still pressed against the skin of her back, burning hot.

He looked at her red-rimmed eyes, at her lips that were bitten until they turned white, at her like a little rabbit that had been bullied terribly, clearly scared to death, yet still trying her best to please.

"Good girl."

His voice was low and hoarse, like a sigh, or perhaps a dangerous approval.

His fingers slowly withdrew from her T-shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles on the hem, his movements carrying a strange tenderness.

Shen Ci was still leaning against the door, her underwear hanging loosely on the back.

She dared not lower her head, nor dared she look at him. She could only stare at the buttons on his shirt. Finally, a tear fell, hitting the floor and shattering into a silent flower.

Jiang Duo raised his hand and used his thumb to wipe away the tear stains on her cheek, the touch as light as if he were touching some fragile porcelain.

"Don't cry," he said, his voice softer than before. "I won't force you anymore."

He took a step back, widening the distance between them, like a beast that had finally been satisfied, retracting its claws.

The lingering spiciness of the hot pot and the crisp scent of cedarwood on his body blended into a dizzying aroma.

"Go back," he said, turning around and unlocking the door for her. "Your roommate should be looking for you."

Shen Ci froze for a moment, then hurriedly lowered her head to straighten her clothes, her fingers groping behind her back, trying to fasten the unbuttoned button through her T-shirt, but she was shaking so much that she couldn't fasten it.

Jiang Duo glanced at her and suddenly chuckled softly.

"Turn around."

She remained frozen in place.

He sighed, reached out and grasped her shoulder, gently turning her around. His fingers deftly hooked and fastened the clasp on her back, then closed it again, as if nothing had happened.

"alright."

Shen Ci opened the door as if fleeing, and walked unsteadily towards the stairwell.

As she reached the corner, she couldn't help but look back—

Jiang Duo was still standing at the door of the private room, leaning against the door frame, his gaze fixed on her like an invisible net.

When he saw her turn around, the corners of his lips lifted slightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, like some kind of dangerous agreement.

"Remember," his voice trailed off, "Mandarin ducks."

Shen Ci turned around abruptly and practically ran down the stairs.

The second-floor corridor was somewhat dim, with only a sliver of daylight filtering in through the window at the far end.

Jiang Duo was still standing there, looking down at his fingers, which seemed to still retain the warmth of her skin.

Shen Ci took a deep breath, trying to calm her wildly beating heart, and pretended to be nonchalant as she sat back down in her seat.

As soon as she sat down, Chu Xuanxuan leaned over, her face full of concern, and asked, "Xiaoci, why did you take so long? Did you eat something spicy and upset your stomach? Do you want some hot water?"

Yu Nuo also keenly noticed the unusual expression. Staring at her face, she asked in confusion, "Xiao Ci, why are your eyes so red?"

Shen Ci lowered her eyelashes slightly, concealing the lingering tears in her eyes, and explained calmly, "I just washed my face. The tap water was too cold, and it probably irritated my eyes."

Hearing this reasonable explanation, the roommates dispelled their doubts and did not ask any further questions.

Xie Shuheng, who was at the next table, was holding a cup, but his gaze was fixed on her.

To be precise, it landed on her lips.

He narrowed his long, phoenix-shaped eyes, staring at her lips, which were even more swollen and red than before, as if they had been brutally ravaged. A knowing glint flashed in his eyes, followed by a meaningful, cold laugh.

He quickly looked away and continued drinking water, as if he hadn't seen anything.

A moment later, Jiang Duo walked over and stopped beside Xie Shuheng.

"Have you eaten?" he asked calmly, addressing Yin Kuo and the others. "If you've eaten, go back to school."

He didn't look at Shen Ci again, as if she were really just a stranger from the same university.

After Jiang Duo and his group left, Shen Ci and the others had almost finished eating.

When they called the waiter to pay the bill, the waiter smiled and said, "Gentlemen, the guests at the next table have already paid for you."

"Huh?" Chu Xuanxuan's mouth opened into an "O" shape.

"Those were those young and handsome guys from earlier," the waiter pointed to the door. "They left together, saying they were students from the same school and it was just a small favor."

"Jiang and his friends are really rich and generous," Li Yueran murmured, "They just casually pay for their classmates' meals..."

Shen Ci's roommates got up, chattering away, while Shen Ci followed behind, her steps unsteady.

As she passed the empty table, she glanced at it subconsciously.

Most of the tableware on the table had been cleared away by the waiter, but the glass of cold water on the table where Jiang Duo had sat was still there.

She looked away and then followed her roommates.

On October 1st, the university started its holiday.

Not long after finishing breakfast, Shen Ci received a WeChat message from Jiang Duo.

"Let's go downstairs and I'll take you out."

Shen Ci silently considered how to refuse.

"I made plans with my friend to go shopping today."

Jiang Duo: "Okay."

Just as Shen Ci was wondering why he was being so agreeable today, another WeChat message appeared on the screen.

Jiang Duo: "I'm already downstairs. I can't just come all this way for nothing. I'll go upstairs and visit my uncle."

Shen Ci: "..."

Ten minutes later, Shen Ci obediently opened the car door and sat in the back seat.

"What's wrong? Not going shopping with your friends?"

Jiang Duo sat in the front without even turning his head, his voice very calm.

"Go if you want to, don't make yourself suffer."

This person is clearly asking a question they already know the answer to!

Shen Ci silently swallowed back her complaints and spoke coolly:

"No friend is as important as you."

Although he knew she wasn't being sincere, Jiang Duo's mood clearly improved. He slightly curled the corners of his lips and casually instructed the driver beside him, "Drive."

The car smoothly drove out of the residential area and through the bustling city center. After some time, the surrounding noise gradually faded away, replaced by vast expanses of greenery.

The car traveled along the winding mountain road for a while before finally stopping at the entrance of a resort hidden in the woods.

There was no eye-catching signboard, only a dark gray wrought iron gate, and on the side of the gate stood an inconspicuous stone carving with two seal characters engraved on it—Xie Garden.

This is Xie Shuheng's family property, and it has always only hosted people from his circle.

Shen Ci followed Jiang Duo inside, the bluestone path beneath their feet was spotless.

Passing through a hidden moon gate, before even getting close, one could faintly hear the voices of a man and a woman talking ahead.

The sound wasn't loud, interspersed with a few low chuckles, conveying a sense of languid comfort from a holiday gathering.

Shen Ci stopped and looked in the direction of the sound.

In the pavilion ahead, several sets of rattan sofas were arranged in a pleasing, staggered fashion. Several young men and women were sitting there, some of whom she recognized, such as Xie Shuheng, who was currently leaning back lazily, playing with a Go board in his hands.