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Chapter 23: Qi Shen, This Isn’t How You Do Love

Jiang Linjin had drunk quite a bit, but his mind remained clear. He let out a low chuckle.
“With the way you treat Yan Man, and she still coaxes you like that? I really admire her patience.”

He Cheng nodded in agreement.
“Sometimes I think you’re way too harsh on Miss Yan. She’s just a young girl, even a year younger than you. Why bully her like that?”

The crystal chandelier cast a warm orange glow, falling on Tan Qi Shen’s brooding features. His sharp eyebrows furrowed, and he asked coldly,
“How am I bullying her?”

This counts as bullying?

Well, maybe only in bed.

Jiang Linjin sneered lightly.
“You don’t think that counts? Just think about how many times you’ve blocked her after you started dating. Either you ignore her messages or make her come here to coax you. It’s like you two swapped roles in the relationship. Sometimes I wonder if you even like her.”

Tan Qi Shen paused while flicking the ash off his cigarette.

Did he like Yan Man?

He couldn’t find an answer.

In his memory, the first time he met Yan Man was at a banquet. Luo Xi had introduced her as a newly signed artist.

His company had too many branches and countless models and stars signed under them. He had never bothered to remember any of them—Yan Man was the first.

He had never met a woman as proactive as her.

He’d agreed to a two-year breakup contract with her just for fun. But as time passed, something in his heart seemed to shift.

He didn’t want to break up anymore.

Tan Qi Shen took a drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled. The gray smoke drifted upward, hiding the emotion in his eyes. His voice was low and raspy,
“I don’t know.”

Jiang Linjin set down his glass. His face wasn’t exactly handsome, but his expression was full of character.

“Huh?”

He looked at He Cheng, who was also wearing a confused expression.

“Bro, are you serious?” Jiang Linjin scoffed.
“You’ve been with Yan Man for almost two years and you don’t know if you like her? Then what the hell are you doing?”

“Just being stubborn,” He Cheng shook his head.
“People on the outside can always see more clearly. I spent ages trying to talk you into coming over, and you ignored me. But Miss Yan says one thing, and you show up immediately.”

Jiang Linjin was exasperated. He had no idea whose love life they were even trying to sort out.
“You ‘don’t know’? My two eyes tell me loud and clear: you’re crazy about her. Just treat her better. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you regret it.”

He patted Tan Qi Shen on the shoulder, sighing deeply.
“Qi Shen, this isn’t how you do love.”

Tan Qi Shen looked at his scarred-up face and shot back sarcastically,
“And now you’re giving me advice?”

“…”

Ouch.

Jiang Linjin refilled his glass and laughed at himself,
“Fair. My love life’s a total mess too.”

He stood up, swaying a bit as he leaned on the bar, and called the manager waiting outside to bring more bottles.

He Cheng held up eight fingers to Tan Qi Shen, signaling he’d already had eight bottles.

The manager hesitated, glancing toward Tan Qi Shen to see if he should still serve more.

Tan Qi Shen frowned at Jiang Linjin.
“You trying to die?”

Jiang Linjin gave a self-deprecating smile.
“She doesn’t want me anymore. What do I need my life for?”

Tan Qi Shen exchanged a glance with He Cheng.

Hopeless.

Without caring about Jiang Linjin’s protests, Tan Qi Shen turned to the manager,
“Clean up the bedroom. Call a private doctor. Watch him—don’t let him drink again.”

The manager nodded and left to make arrangements.

Jiang Linjin, hearing all this, stayed silent though clearly frustrated. He lowered his head and drained what was left in his glass.

The rim accidentally brushed the cut on his face. He hissed from the pain.

It really hurt.

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After making sure Jiang Linjin had seen the doctor, Tan Qi Shen left “Lu Garden.” It was already late at night.

A cool wind blew through the early winter night. The car windows were rolled up. On the drive back to No. 9 Jianguomen, the city lights flickered. Neon signs reflected inside the car, painting Tan Qi Shen’s face in soft color.

His private high-rise wasn’t far off.

He didn’t like being disturbed at night. Usually, the staff left by 8 PM. For convenience, he had arranged for them to live on the lower floor.

Normally, the top floor should be dark at this hour.

But tonight… Yan Man was there.

Tan Qi Shen glanced at his watch: 11:00 PM.

Somehow, something stirred in his heart, and he looked up.

His eyes locked onto the very top of the curved building.

There was a light on.

Every other floor was dark. That small, faint orange light on the top floor stood out clearly.

Suddenly, Tan Qi Shen felt a sense of grounding—and even a bit of joy.

She was waiting for him.

Sure enough—

As soon as he walked in, he heard Yan Man’s voice coming closer.

“You’re finally back.”

She had been napping on the sofa. As soon as she heard the door open, her drowsiness vanished. She ran over and latched onto his arm.

Her soft body bumped into his chest. Tan Qi Shen instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Why aren’t you asleep?”

Yan Man looked up and whined playfully,
“How could I sleep when you’re not back?”

“How’s President Jiang?”

“He’s fine.” Tan Qi Shen didn’t want to talk about Jiang Linjin.
“Go rest.”

He was worried about her health. She’d just been on an IV yesterday and was staying up late again.

Yan Man’s eyes sparkled. She opened her arms, voice sweet,
“Carry me.”

“You can’t…”
…walk yourself?

He got halfway through the sentence but couldn’t finish it.

Jiang Linjin and He Cheng’s words echoed in his mind.

The next second, Tan Qi Shen opened his arms and scooped her up. The move startled Yan Man.

She was just joking—didn’t expect him to actually do it. Usually when she acted cute, he just ignored her.

She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck.

What the heck is going on?

Tan Qi Shen walked steadily. From the entrance to the bedroom was quite a distance, with a few stairs along the way.

Yan Man was a model—slim and proportioned—but still around 100 pounds. The walk was at least 100 meters, but Tan Qi Shen carried her with ease, breathing steady, not even winded.

Yan Man didn’t doubt his strength. After all, she’d personally experienced what he was capable of.

He gently laid her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.
“Sleep. I’m going to shower.”

Just as he turned to go, Yan Man grabbed his arm.
“Don’t. I’m scared.”

He looked back and saw her pitiful expression. His feet froze.

The apartment was over a thousand square meters, and she’d been alone—it was a little scary.

“My bad. I didn’t think it through.”

He felt a bit regretful. He should’ve left a maid or two to keep her company until he got back.

“I’ll go after you fall asleep.”

He lay down on the other side of the bed, dimmed the lights to sleep mode.

“…”

Something was definitely off.

Usually, he would’ve grumbled something like “Why are you so needy?” and walked off without a second glance.

But tonight—

Yan Man felt his arm wrap around her waist, pulling her into his chest. His cool, woodsy scent enveloped her.

“Tan… Tan Qi Shen,” she whispered his name.

“Hm?” His nose was against her neck, warm breath tickling her skin.

It made her squirm.

“…Nothing,” she hesitated, but decided not to say it after all.

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