Chapter 2: Kiss Me

Xu En’tang lowered her eyes slightly and said, “I didn’t notice.”

“President Lu, long time no see.” Someone approached with a glass of wine, greeting him.

Lu Jin shifted his gaze away from Xu En’tang and responded with a brief acknowledgment.

He held no drink in his hand, but the visitor didn’t mind. Instead, he finished his own glass and continued speaking with familiarity.

Xu En’tang was accustomed to such scenes—people coming up to Lu Jin just to make an impression.

The man didn’t linger.

After he left, Lu Jin put his arm around Xu En’tang and led her upstairs.

Upstairs, in the private seating area, a few of Lu Jin’s childhood friends were gathered.

Before they even approached, Xu En’tang already heard the name “Zhao Man” being mentioned in a familiar tone.

“She’s a violinist now.”

“If she’s coming back to Beicheng, she should treat us to a meal.”

Noticing their arrival, the group fell silent in unspoken agreement.

Xu En’tang knew it was because of her.

She had known them for over a decade, yet every time she was around them, she felt like an outsider.

He Jiayu grinned and greeted her, “Xu Mei.”

Lu Jin, still holding Xu En’tang close, raised an eyebrow. “Who are you calling ‘Mei’?”

He Jiayu chuckled. “Of course, En’tang Mei. What else should I call her?”

Lu Jin replied, “Call her ‘Saozi.’”

He Jiayu protested, “Lu Jin, are you taking advantage of me? Trying to be my older brother now?”

Xu En’tang listened absentmindedly as the group of wealthy young men bantered and joked.

Tonight, she wore a black spaghetti-strap gown, a color that complemented her complexion. Even under the dim lighting, her skin appeared strikingly fair. When she wasn’t smiling, there was a hint of cool detachment about her, making her seem out of place in this world of indulgence and excess.

Lu Jin rested an arm along the back of the sofa, his fingertips idly brushing against her cool shoulder. He asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Xu En’tang casually found an excuse. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Lu Jin said, “Then let’s leave early.”

By a little after nine, the two of them left.

When they got home, Lu Jin went to the study to take a call. Xu En’tang sat on the sofa, drowsy, and at some point, she drifted off to sleep.

She didn’t sleep deeply. Sensing movement nearby, she groggily opened her eyes.

Lu Jin leaned down, just about to lift her into his arms.

Out of habit, she reached to wrap her arms around his neck.

But Lu Jin suddenly paused, the corners of his lips curving slightly. Instead of picking her up, he sat down on the sofa and pulled her onto his lap, leaning in to kiss her.

The unexpected movement made Xu En’tang a little more awake, and she instinctively turned her face away.

His kiss missed, his breath brushing softly against her cheek.

Lu Jin only paused briefly before raising a hand to tuck her hair behind her ear.

“Not in a good mood tonight?”

Xu En’tang parted her lips slightly, wanting to ask if he and Zhao Man had rekindled their past relationship—or if he had ever, even for a moment, truly liked her.

But as the words reached her throat, she couldn’t bring herself to say them, afraid of making a fool of herself.

Lu Jin asked, “You saw the news?”

Xu En’tang’s throat tightened, but she still asked, “Did you really meet Zhao Man last night?”

“It was just a coincidence,” Lu Jin said casually.

Lu Jin had always attracted attention from women. More than once, he had been rumored to be dating popular actresses in the entertainment industry.

Even after they got married, those women never stopped. Some actresses deliberately created scandals, while others sent photos to Xu En’tang, flaunting their supposed connection to him.

Every time, Lu Jin would say it was just a coincidence. Then he would kiss her gently and tease her for being jealous.

Xu En’tang had never minded before.

But this time—was it really just a coincidence?

A coincidence that he returned to the country early?

He hadn’t told her that the place he had “coincidentally” gone to was Haicheng.

Since moving to Beicheng at sixteen, Xu En’tang had always been by Lu Jin’s side, watching him go through girlfriend after girlfriend. She knew Zhao Man was different.

Lu Jin had always been indifferent to the women around him—never clinging, never making them stay. His breakups were clean and effortless.

Except for that one time in high school when he and Zhao Man broke up. That had been different. It had been the only time he had truly felt hurt. The only time he had been the one left behind.

Xu En’tang snapped back to reality as her chin was gently lifted. She met Lu Jin’s gaze.

“Still not going to kiss me?”

Before she could respond, his lips were already on hers.

Lu Jin was an exceptional kisser—Xu En’tang still remembered exactly how it had felt the first time he kissed her.

Sensing her distraction, he bit her lower lip lightly.

Xu En’tang let out a soft hum of pain.

Before she could react, a sudden weightlessness overtook her—Lu Jin had already lifted her into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom.

…

At some point, rain had started falling outside. The dampness in the air seemed to seep into the room, cool droplets forming like dew on bare skin.

After everything was over, Xu En’tang lay draped over Lu Jin’s chest, his long fingers tracing the curve of her shoulder.

She slowly closed her eyes, recalling the moment when Lu Jin had asked her to marry him.

That night, she had returned to the family estate to have dinner with Lu Jin’s grandparents.

Halfway through the meal, someone mentioned that Lu Jin had arrived.

He had already eaten before coming. He simply greeted the elders before leaving the dining room again.

She had heard that he came after an argument with his mother.

After dinner, Xu En’tang took a walk in the garden and spotted Lu Jin.

He stood beneath a pear blossom tree, a cigarette between his fingers, his entire demeanor cold and distant—clearly in a bad mood.

Xu En’tang paused, hesitating whether to approach him or not.

Lu Jin exhaled a stream of smoke, his gaze meeting hers through the hazy veil. “Tangtang, do you want to marry me?”

For a moment, Xu En’tang thought she had misheard.

As the smoke dissipated, her eyes locked onto his.

Lu Jin said casually, “Don’t you like me?”

Xu En’tang was utterly shocked.

How did he know?

Lu Jin continued, “Back in high school, you once secretly watched me kiss someone.”

Xu En’tang’s face flushed so red that she wished she could find a hole to hide in.

She had always thought she concealed her feelings well. But it turned out he had known all along.

Suppressing her embarrassment, she wanted to ask if he had ever liked her, even just a little.

Lu Jin said, “Do you want to give it a try?”

Xu En’tang was caught off guard. “Try what?”

Lu Jin leaned in slightly. “Kissing me.”

The words sent a rush of heat through Xu En’tang, making her entire body feel warm.

However, Lu Jin never actually kissed her in the end. He only chuckled and tapped her forehead lightly.

After that night, Xu En’tang had been blissfully happy, believing that luck had finally smiled upon her—that her years of unrequited love had finally been answered.

Now, that beautiful dream had shattered into pieces.

Xu En’tang opened her eyes. A sour ache spread through her nose as she spoke, “Let’s get a divorce.”

The hand gently stroking her shoulder came to an abrupt stop.

“…What?”

Xu En’tang took a deep breath. “Lu Jin, let’s get a divorce.”