Chapter 44.2

Chen Jubai had been captivated at first glance when he saw her in this dress earlier in the evening.

Deliberately lowering her voice, Song Wei teased into his ear, “I bought it just yesterday. There’s also a black strapless one, but the neckline was too low, so I didn’t dare wear it today.”

Her voice was soft and sweet, the tone melting into his ear and tugging at his heartstrings.

Her almond-shaped eyes blinked slowly, twinkling like stars falling from the night sky.

A tender and lingering intimacy flowed between them. Holding her waist, his voice was restrained. “Can you wear it for me later?”

Song Wei chuckled softly, feigning coquettishness. “No.”

Chen Jubai’s heart melted instantly. He relented, “Alright, you don’t have to.”

“Go shower first.”

“Okay.”

He headed to the bedroom to shower, while Song Wei checked on their kitten. The food bowl was full.

What a little liar.

While waiting, she texted Jiang Xiaoyu, prompted by the earlier social media post.

Jiang Xiaoyu: “Sister-in-law, did my brother really buy you a car?”

Recalling the minor disagreement over the betrothal gift from last time, Song Wei responded modestly: “Yes, but we take turns driving it. His old car was too worn out.”

Jiang Xiaoyu: “Makes sense. One car wouldn’t be enough.”

Jiang Xiaoyu: “Sister-in-law, our family is really about to have a happy occasion.”

Song Wei guessed: “Your uncle and Aunt Liao?”

Jiang Xiaoyu: “Yes, the wedding is set for early August. They’re handling all the formalities now. You know our family doesn’t have grandparents, so my mom is doing most of the arrangements.”

Song Wei: “Is there anything I can help with?”

There was a two-minute pause before the reply came: “Sister-in-law, I want to give you a heads-up. Aunt Liao is asking for a high bride price. My mom has been arguing with my uncle for two days.”

Song Wei: “How much?”

Jiang Xiaoyu: “I overheard—it’s around 688,000 yuan.”

That much? Song Wei was stunned. In Nan’an City, the average bride price for most families was around 100,000 yuan. Asking for 688,000 was several times higher.

Her brows furrowed the more she thought about it.

In recent years, Chen Ming had worked as a residential security guard. Any previous savings had been lost to gambling. Where would he get this kind of money?

If he couldn’t come up with the amount, would he have to ask Chen Jubai for help?

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice him coming out of the shower until he walked over and hugged her from behind, nuzzling her ear. “What’s on your mind?”

Since the matter was unresolved, Song Wei decided not to bring it up yet. “Nothing. You’re done showering?”

He kissed her cheek. “Mm-hmm. Go shower. I’ll handle some work in the meantime.”

Song Wei went into the bedroom to pick out clothes. After a moment’s hesitation, she grabbed the dress.

The dress was a black silk slip dress, low-cut and made of soft fabric. She wouldn’t dare wear it outside but felt it was fine for home.

While showering, she noticed the bath oil on the shelf but decided not to use it. The same went for her body lotion after the shower.

She changed into the dress and looked at herself in the mirror. The figure-hugging, sultry style wasn’t her usual look, and it made her slightly nervous. She hurried out of the bathroom and slipped into bed.

But after ten minutes, Chen Jubai still hadn’t returned.

Could he really be so absorbed in work?

With no other choice, Song Wei slipped on her slippers and went out.

The living room was empty, so she walked toward the study. Hand resting on the door handle, she hesitated for two seconds before knocking and then pushing it open.

The study was different from hers at home—spacious and minimally furnished. A wide desk sat in the center with two filing cabinets flanking it, leaving the space open and uncluttered.

Seated at the desk, Chen Jubai looked up at the sound of the door. His eyes darkened as his gaze slowly fell on her. Removing his glasses, his eyes burned with intensity, as if they could pierce through her. “Finished showering?”

Song Wei nodded, her right hand clutching the hem of her dress tightly. “Yes, are you done?”

“Almost.”

“Oh… then I’ll go back and wait for you.”

A corner of his lips lifted, his voice low and husky. “Not much left. Come here.”

Fine.

Walking toward him, each step felt increasingly difficult under his searing, heated gaze that followed her.

Finally reaching him, she was pulled into his arms before she could steady herself. Song Wei let out a soft “ah.”

The sound didn’t last long—it was swallowed by his lips.

He didn’t linger. After a couple of light kisses, he looked up, his gaze landing on her fair, delicate chest.

“Are you not wearing anything?” he asked.

Blushing, Song Wei denied it. “When did I say I wasn’t?”

The man smiled indulgently, his large hand wandering upward along the black silk. After a moment, he looked at her with a teasing smile. “Really not wearing anything?”

Earlier, thinking they were in the bedroom with the lights off and everything needing to come off anyway, she hadn’t bothered with undergarments. Swatting his hand away, Song Wei’s face turned redder. “Don’t go too far. You’re still on probation!”

Chen Jubai adjusted her position, shifting her from sitting sideways to straddling him. Warmth spread in his eyes as he murmured, “Then I’ll have to ask Boss Song to go easy on me.”

“Hmph…”

He didn’t seem to be in any rush. His hand rested on the soft curve of her waist, idly kneading. “Do you want to go up with me tomorrow morning?”

Song Wei knew exactly what he was referring to. After a weekend together, Monday would bring curious stares from everyone at work. She mulled it over briefly before replying, “Let’s just keep things as they were. We don’t need to deliberately hide it, but there’s no need to flaunt it either…”

She couldn’t bring herself to say the words “public displays of affection,” but he understood. He nodded. “Alright, how about a movie tonight?”

“Movie?” She looked at him, puzzled.

His tone was slightly unnatural. “Yeah. I saw that two films currently showing seem pretty good. I have time tonight, so we could go watch one.”

Song Wei suddenly recalled the question Chu Qi had asked during her meal with Zhu Qingfei on Saturday. Everything clicked, and a knowing smile graced her lips. “Sure, let’s go see a movie.”

Chen Jubai’s right hand caressed her cheek, his thumb gently stroking back and forth before lingering in her dimple. In a low voice, he asked, “Did you miss me?”

“It’s only been two days. What’s there to miss?”

“But it felt like forever to me.”

With no more words left to say, his restless hands slipped under the hem of her dress, and he kissed her deeply, not holding back this time.

His intensity overwhelmed her, leaving her dazed. During a brief pause, she whimpered, “Shouldn’t we go back to the bedroom?”

Chen Jubai murmured against her lips, his voice hoarse with desire, “Why not try it here?”

The study…

In her home, the study was a place for reading and working. Now, here they were, indulging in an intimate moment.

The shift in setting made Song Wei’s heart race with a thrill she couldn’t suppress.

Her dress, which fell just above her knees, was easily pushed up. His hands were cool while her body was flushed with heat—a contrast that sent shivers through her.

Amid the haze, she suddenly remembered something unfinished. She pushed him away, her breathing labored as she softly asked, “Chen Jubai, what do I smell like right now?”

His eyes, darkened with intensity, still managed a calm reply. “A fresh green tea fragrance—clean and gentle.”

“I can’t smell it. My parents never mentioned anything like that either.”

“No idea.”

“But Ning Shuhui said she could smell it.”

Chen Jubai frowned slightly. “Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”

Alright then. Song Wei decided not to dwell on it. A tea scent… Maybe it was just because she had tea that day.

She perched on his lap and continued, “Is this the scent you mentioned before—Abebe?”

“Yes…”

“So, do you like the scent on me, or do you like me?”

A long time ago, Chu Qi had asked him the same question. Back then, he couldn’t give a clear answer. But now, his response was firm and singular. Meeting her gaze, Chen Jubai’s eyes burned with sincerity.

“I like you.”