Addicted after marriage - CHAPTER 10:
By the time dinner finally ended, Luo Shu was so full she could barely move.
She had drunk several extra glasses of that 1982 Lafite,
and it was already starting to blur the edges of her thoughts.
In the underground parking lot, Qin Heng insisted on
driving her home, but she waved him off.
No need to take me. I’ve got plans later, and
you’re going on your business trip tomorrow, remember?
And don’t make a mess in my car. I like it clean.
That last part—don’t make a mess—came out light,
almost teasing, but each word cut straight through Qin Heng’s chest.
Luo Shu bit back sharper words that were on the tip of her tongue.
She had drunk more than usual, yes, but not enough to lose control.
Her mind was still clear. She knew exactly what she was doing tonight.
Qin Heng obeyed like a well-trained pet, took her car keys, and got in.
Shu’er, I love you, he called from the window, sounding painfully sincere.
For a fleeting moment, she almost believed him.
A tiny smile curved her lips, but she didn’t respond.
Love such a cheap word. Anyone could say it.
There had been love once, she admitted that much to herself.
But that was a long time ago.
She watched as he drove her car out of sight,
the red taillights disappearing into the city glow.
Her vision blurred. The tears she had been holding back broke free
, streaming down her cheeks in torrents.
Her shoulders trembled with quiet sobs, the sound torn from deep within her.
B1tch. Trash.
The words came out between gritted teeth.
It felt like someone was slicing open her heart with a knife,
slow and deliberate, letting the pain seep into every part of her.
She slid down against the wall, crying until there were no tears left to give.
When she finally lifted her head again, her eyes were red and swollen.
She pushed a strand of hair from her face, trying to compose herself
only to realize someone was standing a few feet away, watching her from the elevator.
Yu Zhan.
Her breath caught. She turned her face away, frantically wiping her tears.
He walked toward her, his steps unsteady, his gaze unfocused.
Luo Shu could smell the faint scent of alcohol on him before he even spoke.
Luo Shu?
His voice was low, slurred. His glasses had slipped slightly down the bridge of his nose,
softening his usually cold, noble features.
She kept her face averted, but he leaned closer, studying her
tear-streaked cheeks without shame.
So it really is you.
He swayed, almost losing his balance.
Quick as a reflex, Luo Shu caught him.
Yu Zong, she murmured, her voice still trembling from crying.
What kind of cursed night was this? Betrayed by her boyfriend,
stabbed in the back by her friend, and now stumbling into her boss while he was drunk.
Was the universe mocking her?
You’ve been crying? he asked, his weight heavy on her arm.
No. Just got something in my eye.
She sighed impatiently. Where’s your car? Give me the keys.
She propped him up against the wall and started patting his pockets for the keys.
Empty. All of them. She hesitated at the thought of checking his pants pocket. Better not.
Didn’t drive.
He tilted his head slightly, his glassy eyes landing on her red eyes and pink-tipped nose.
Luo Shu wanted to curse him and every man alive.
Drunk from two glasses of wine? she muttered under her breath.
No wonder your contracts get signed so easily. You probably sleep your way through them.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Shen Yan.
Where are you? Your boss is drunk.
It’s late, Shen Yan texted back. I’m off work.
No kidding. So am I. You’re his assistant. If you don’t come get him, I’m leaving him here.
She wanted to cry all over again not out of heartbreak this time, but sheer frustration.
She couldn’t seem to avoid this man no matter how hard she tried.
Where are you?
Shi Fu, basement level.
A pause. Then: Put him on the phone.
Luo Shu sighed and walked back to Yu Zhan.
Your assistant. Take the call.
She shoved the phone into his hand, her fingers brushing his wrist.
His skin was warm, his pulse steady.
Yu Zhan squinted at the screen, pressed it to his ear,
and staggered a few steps away to answer.
That gave her just enough time to fix her face wipe away the tears,
smooth her hair, straighten her clothes.
Mm, he said into the phone.
You’re at Shi Fu, right? Shen Yan asked carefully.
Mm.
Need me to come?
Shen Yan had worked with him long enough to know:
two glasses of red wine wouldn’t even warm Yu Zhan’s throat.
If he was pretending to be drunk, there was a reason.
Yu Zhan almost smiled at how quickly his assistant caught on.
Mm.
Then I’m taking a sick day tomorrow. Paid.
Mm.
You’re the best boss. Enjoy your hangover. Bye.
Mm.
Shen Yan hung up, laughing so hard he nearly dropped his phone.
Yu Zhan slipped it back into his pocket and wandered back toward Luo Shu,
draping an arm over her shoulder.
She froze, trying to pull away, but he leaned heavier.
Hey! Did you call your assistant or not?
She snatched his phone again, tried calling back, but it was already off.
Great.
With no other choice, she half-dragged, half-guided him to the curb and flagged down a cab.
In the back seat, his head lolled against her shoulder.
Her hair smelled faintly of shampoo and clean linen. Yu Zhan breathed it in.
Luo Shu rolled her eyes. Of all nights, this had to happen now.
Going out drinking without a bodyguard, she muttered.
You know, with a face like yours, you’d fetch a high price in the black market.
She reached up and poked his cheek. Smooth. Too smooth.
She couldn’t resist pinching it twice more, chuckling softly to herself.
Even the driver grinned in the mirror.
By the time they reached his apartment, it was nearly eleven.
A bodyguard hurried forward to help, but Yu Zhan waved him away sharply.
Get out of my way.
Luo Shu glared at him. Are you kidding me? Do I look strong enough to carry you?
The guard blinked, wide-eyed.
She hauled him into the living room and dropped him onto the sofa, panting.
She turned to leave but before she could take a step,
his hand shot out and caught her wrist.
She stumbled forward, falling against his chest.
Hey
His chest was warm and solid, his heartbeat steady against her cheek. Just like that night.
Don’t go, he murmured.
The sound of his voice made something flicker painfully inside her.
She snapped out of it instantly and slapped him across the face.
The crack echoed through the quiet room.
Luo Shu froze. Her palm stung. What had she done?
I’m sorry, she whispered, touching his cheek lightly. Did I hurt you?
He didn’t answer. He just looked at her, eyes soft, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
The maid standing nearby almost dropped the tray in her hands.
Luo Shu straightened, cleared her throat, and told the maid,
If he doesn’t remember tomorrow, don’t say I hit him. Just tell him he fell.
The maid nodded quickly, recognizing this woman as the
one her master had spent the night with not long ago. She didn’t dare say a word.
Luo Shu gave one last glance at Yu Zhan, then turned and left the villa.
Two minutes later, Yu Zhan sat up, straightened his clothes,
and reached for the hangover soup the maid had set on the table.
He hissed softly, rubbing his cheek where she’d slapped him.
The maid bit back a laugh, her eyes wide with amusement.
Who would have thought the cold, untouchable CEO could be so petty and
that there’d be a woman out there bold enough to slap him and walk away.
Back at her apartment, Luo Shu tore off the clothes
Qin Heng had touched and threw them straight into the trash.
Then she went to the bathroom and stepped into the shower,
letting the hot water wash away the night.