Chapter 5: Was My First Affair Like This?

Zhou Beiming raised an eyebrow. “Is there a problem?”

“No, not at all,” Bai Xuan didn’t dare question him.

He actually admired his young master. “In the past half month, you’ve been locked up at home by the old man, going through dozens of blind dates. It’s impressive you didn’t get overwhelmed and even picked one to carry on the family line.”

Zhou Beiming sneered. “That old man’s so prolific himself. Does he really need me to carry on the family name?”

Bai Xuan had no response.

With six children, Old Master Zhou hardly needed to worry about his lineage ending just because his son wasn’t in a hurry to marry.

At the entrance of the research institute, Su Haiping was waiting for Su Nian.

He wasn’t the smiling type, face always serious. “Nian Nian, keep your distance from Yincheng from now on. Your sister likes him. Your Aunt Xiu and I want to match them up.”

After their divorce, her father had a daughter with his new wife, while her mother had a son with her stepfather—everyone with their own families.

Wherever Su Nian lived, she felt like an outsider.

She was soft-tempered and didn’t like to argue. “I won’t. Anything else?”

Su Haiping felt a pang of guilt.

Two years ago, when he was desperate, he’d persuaded Su Nian to become Zhou Beiming’s lover.

Now that Su Fu had risen in status, he didn’t regret it.

But towards Su Nian, there was a lingering guilt.

After all, Zhou Beiming was a notorious playboy in Yucheng. To him, Su Nian was just a toy—Su Haiping knew that well.

He patted her on the shoulder. “You’ve always been a good girl. Never made me worry. Once Su Fu settles down, I’ll make it up to you.”

Su Nian just nodded and replied, “I need to get to work. Professor Chen is waiting.”

“Go on then.”

Su Haiping watched her leave and then got into the car.

Inside sat Qin Xiu, who quickly asked, “What did Nian Nian say?”

“She agreed to keep her distance from Yincheng,” Su Haiping replied.

Then he reminded her, “Next week is Fei Xiao’s art competition celebration banquet. Madam Gu and Yincheng will be there. Frame Fei Xiao’s winning piece and gift it to Madam Gu. And dress Fei Xiao up nicely—not like a little girl.”

Qin Xiu was worried Su Nian might act out of jealousy, so she’d insisted Su Haiping handle it personally.

Now that Su Nian had backed off from Gu Yincheng, Qin Xiu was relieved. “Don’t worry. This concerns Fei Xiao’s future. You think, as her mother, I’d care less than you do?”

Seeing her in a good mood, Su Haiping softened the tone. “Buy Nian Nian a nice dress—something expensive. Don’t always give her those cheap clothes. Every time we go to a banquet, people point fingers. No matter what, she’s still my daughter.”

Qin Xiu’s expression changed instantly. “Su Haiping, do you hear yourself? All these years I’ve been more of a mother to her than her birth mom. I’ve looked after everything for her! So what if the stuff I buy is a bit cheap? I wear cheap clothes too. Do you feel sorry for me?”

Realizing he might’ve touched a nerve, Su Haiping softened further. “That’s not what I meant. I just feel guilty that she spent two years with Zhou Beiming for the sake of the company. I want to make it up to her.”

Qin Xiu snorted. “What is there to feel guilty about? You gave her the best education—piano, chess, calligraphy, painting. She’s a PhD now. You even bought her a house. At least you didn’t do what her mom did—let her live with her and end up on the streets like a beggar, brought back by the police.”

She gave a cold laugh. “And let’s be honest, the man you set her up with is Zhou Beiming, not some nobody. Even if he gets tired of her someday, there’s still a connection. If she ever gets into trouble, he’ll lend a hand. People would kill for a link to someone like Zhou Beiming.”

After that, Su Haiping felt much more at ease. “True. I guess I’ve left her with some kind of backup.”

Though raising Su Nian was purely to make a good ‘sale,’ he *had* invested money in her.

If he hadn’t raised her well, would Zhou Beiming have even looked at her?

Feeling justified, Su Haiping drove away from the research institute.

—

A few days later.

It was late autumn, and night came early in Yucheng.

Su Nian left the research institute.

She wore a plain white T-shirt, light blue jeans, and white sneakers. It took her over ten minutes on foot to reach the parking lot across the street.

Zhou Beiming’s car was parked here. She didn’t want her colleagues to see him and stir up unnecessary trouble.

She opened the car door and got into the backseat. The driver’s seat was empty.

It was dark inside. A large hand suddenly reached out and grabbed her waist. A tall figure pressed down over her.

Startled by the sudden move, Su Nian gasped. But before she could make a sound, his breath devoured her, and his lips seized hers—deep, fierce, wanton.

He kissed like he was trying to steal her soul.

She nearly suffocated.

When the kiss finally ended, he bit her gently and murmured, breathless, “So this is what my first affair looks like?”

His tone was wicked and mocking. His hands roamed wildly under her shirt.

Su Nian couldn’t withstand his teasing. Her hands clutched his shoulders tightly, lips bitten, face buried against his neck.

He’d been left waiting. That annoyed him.

Su Nian didn’t want to provoke him. “Your car is too expensive. Parking it inside would attract attention. The institute values discretion—I didn’t want any misunderstandings.”

Zhou Beiming let her go, his hand withdrawing—though not completely. It lingered on her waist, caressing idly.

He scoffed, “Superficial propriety.”

It wasn’t clear if he meant her or the institute.

Su Nian lowered her gaze and said quietly, “Weren’t we going to your family’s place for dinner? We should get going.”

He had told her about it last night.

Zhou Beiming’s gaze swept over her outfit, then curled his lips. “Going into battle without armor—aren’t you afraid you’ll get turned into a pincushion?”

Was he mocking her for not dressing up?

Su Nian hadn’t thought that far. “Do I need to wear formal clothes? I can go change.”

Zhou Beiming shook his head. “This is fine.”

He handed her a jewelry box. “Wear this.”

Su Nian opened it. It was glittering, luxurious—totally mismatched with her casual outfit.

But since he told her to wear it, she did.

She put on the earrings and bracelet. The necklace’s clasp was tricky.

Zhou Beiming leaned in, his long fingers pushing her hair aside. He didn’t move her hands away.

Their fingers touched—his cool, hers warm.

He bent close, taking his time. His breath brushed her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

Noticing her reaction, Zhou Beiming chuckled low by her ear. “Getting weak again?”

Her body was very sensitive to him. That’s why he always teased her about being “pathetic.”

Su Nian was embarrassed. She shifted slightly to create space, but he wrapped an arm around her from behind.

His elegant fingers rested casually near her chest, trailing from her collarbone down to her waist, brushing lightly.

His voice behind her ear was seductive and playful. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Su Nian didn’t move. She swallowed softly. “Nowhere.”

Zhou Beiming loved teasing her like this. Seeing her blinking rapidly, her lashes fluttering like feathers, stirred something in him.

His heart moved. Desire stirred.

He lowered his head to admire her porcelain-like profile and asked in a deep, magnetic voice:

“Little bunny, are you ready to come home with me?”

Just like that rainy night—not as frivolous, but with a touch of sincerity.