Chapter 36: What Did Shen Linyan Call Her

As soon as the words were spoken, the car cabin plunged into silence.

An Ling had finally been unable to hold back and said it.

Since she had this identity as his wife, why couldn't she use it?

Upon hearing this, the man's movements paused. He turned his head, his gentle eyes now quietly fixed on her.

An Ling looked up and met his gaze.

It was the first time she realized her own tone could be so calm.

"She said she wanted to give you a tie and perfume, and even asked for my opinion, meaning it as a thank-you gift for you helping her."

Perhaps unable to bear the overly quiet atmosphere in the car, or perhaps not wanting to hear Shen Linyan's response.

She lowered her head and unbuckled her seatbelt, speaking softly as she did so, not giving the man a chance to speak at all.

"But I thought the tie she picked wasn't very nice, so I didn't give any reference. So, I don't know what she ended up sending."

Once unbuckled, she hurriedly opened the car door.

Before her foot even stepped out, the man's voice suddenly came from behind.

"I know. She sent them over tonight."

An Ling's body stiffened.

She didn't turn her head, just softly uttered an "Mm."

The air fell silent again.

An Ling sat in her seat, her back to the man in silence.

Her smooth, long hair cascaded from her shoulders, barely revealing her profile. Her long, curled lashes trembled slightly, her soft, full lips pressed tightly together, and her slender fingers gripped the leather seat beneath her.

Shen Linyan's gaze fell on his young wife's fingers, clenched so tightly they were white. He lowered his head and gently unbuckled his own seatbelt.

A "click" sounded, startlingly abrupt in the silent cabin.

Like some sort of prompt sound.

An Ling's body on the seat visibly stiffened. Suddenly, she whispered, "Shen Linyan, it seems... you've violated our agreement of mutual benefit again."

Her tone was very light, but her words came rapidly, carrying a barely perceptible hoarseness:

"You accepted Zhou Wen's things, which means you're going to help her. Helping her is helping Lu Jingshen. I don't like Lu Jingshen. You helping Lu Jingshen means opposing me, and it also means you're helping your mother. Doesn't that play right into her hands? You said you didn't want to let me down, but you still helped them."

An Ling herself didn't even know what she was saying.

Her mind was a mess, she was just saying whatever came to mind. She didn't even hear the other car door open, nor notice the man getting out.

Only when the man's figure stood firmly before her did she abruptly stop speaking.

Remembering Jiang Mai's advice, An Ling regretfully closed her eyes.

Shouldn't have said so much.

Can't control her emotions once she drinks.

Something always happens every time she drinks.

She lowered her head, raised a hand to cover her forehead, shielding her eyes, her voice tinged with apology.

"Sorry, I might be a little drunk. Let me collect myself."

A few glasses of wine weren't enough to make her drunk, but it was the best excuse right now.

An Ling took a deep breath. "Just pretend I said nothing. Let's go up fir..."

"I refused her."

The man's gentle voice suddenly sounded above her head.

An Ling's gaze froze, her words instantly vanishing, her movements stopping along with them.

Before she could react, a strand of hair by her ear was gently hooked back.

A warm fingertip lightly brushed against her cheek, carrying a soothing sensation.

"You told me to refuse, Madam. I listened to you."

The man slowly crouched down, looking up at her gently.

"Were you in a bad mood tonight because of this? I didn't break our agreement. Don't be angry anymore, alright?"

An Ling stared blankly without speaking, seemingly still processing.

The next second, the man's slender fingers gently hooked hers, her cool fingertips enveloped by his dry, warm palm.

"It's alright if Madam is drunk. I will carry Madam home to rest."

In front of the car, the young, handsome man crouched before her, a faint smile playing at the corners of his eyes, his deep voice laced with amusement as he patiently coaxed her.

An Ling stared at him dumbfounded.

She truly didn't understand.

Didn't understand why Shen Linyan would go to such lengths.

This was crossing a line...

An Ling lowered her eyes, reached out, and gently touched the man's face.

As if bewitched, she slowly lowered her head and softly kissed the corner of his mouth.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

The instant the soft lips touched his, the smile in Shen Linyan's eyes abruptly froze.

His pupils constricted sharply as he stared blankly at the scene before him.

The sensation at his lips was real, fragrant, and soft. The unique, delicate fragrance of the woman wisped into his mind, like an addictive intoxicant, making his scalp tingle.

His fingertips twitched slightly, instinctively wanting to pursue it.

But the woman quickly straightened up, leaving his hand grasping empty air.

The moment she kissed him, An Ling immediately sobered up.

Realizing what she had done, her face flushed crimson. She immediately looked up, then slumped back into the seat as if drunk, closing her eyes and pretending to sleep.

Never mind, never mind, never mind, never mind, never mind!!

She was just drunk!

The man before her didn't speak, just remained quiet for several seconds before slowly standing up.

Then followed another long stretch of silence.

A shadow fell before her eyes. An Ling didn't dare open them, her lashes trembling slightly.

Shen Linyan wouldn't be so angry as to leave her here, would he?

They were both adults. What was wrong with one kiss? And that was her first kiss!

But the next second, her waist was gently encircled.

The man's scorching breath brushed against her face; his voice was somewhat hoarse.

"Lingling, hold onto me."

An Ling's body instantly stiffened, almost opening her eyes.

What did Shen Linyan just call her??

The next second, she silently wrapped her arms around the man's neck and buried her face in his shoulder.

The sound of the car door closing reached her ears.

She was steadily carried towards the elevator.

At this moment, An Ling was still hesitating about whether to get down.

Between the temporary embarrassment of being seen by others and facing Shen Linyan, she leaned more towards the former.

After all, being seen was embarrassing for a moment; facing Shen Linyan was a lifetime of shame.

When she woke up tomorrow, she absolutely had to say she remembered nothing.

What gift? What kiss? All she remembered was Shen Linyan picking her up after the dinner, and then the two of them going home together.

Just as An Ling was thinking this, the sound of the elevator door opening suddenly rang out.

Her body instinctively stiffened.

But fortunately, there was no one in the elevator at that moment.

They entered the elevator.

One pretended to sleep, the other was silent. Only a hush remained in the elevator.

An Ling felt for the first time that the elevator ride up was so long.

Then, the man suddenly spoke:

"I saw that tie. You were right, Madam. It really wasn't nice."

An Ling's movements paused, but she didn't stir, continuing to feign sleep.

The man continued speaking gently: "I saw the perfume too, but even if I accepted it, I wouldn't use it. I'm afraid if I change my scent, Madam won't recognize me after drinking anymore."

An Ling was taken aback and opened her eyes.

Only then did she remember that she had apparently said something like that before.

—"I can only feel you look familiar, but I can't match the face. I have to judge by your voice and your scent."

She hadn't expected Shen Linyan to still remember.

She pursed her lips, tilted her head slightly, and rubbed against the man's shoulder, but still held onto his neck without making a sound.

Noticing the movement, Shen Linyan glanced sideways at the young wife in his arms, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

He lowered his head slightly, his nose brushing against the woman's soft, fragrant hair, his voice very light.

"I told her if she wanted to show gratitude, she could buy a gift for my wife instead."