His Addiction - Chapter 24
Xu Zhi always avoided recalling that incident—it was impossible not to empathize, and it only brought her more pain.
Returning to the window, she caught a faint scent of smoke in the air. It wasn’t unpleasant. She thought of the shirt Liang Jinmo had lent her—it carried the same faint hint of tobacco.
“I’ve washed your shirt,” she said, “but I didn’t bring it. I’ll return it another day.”
“Mm.”
His response was curt, making her feel he didn’t want to talk to her. Strangely, his indifference only made her more obstinate. “Do you talk this little when you’re alone with Zhou He too?”
Liang Jinmo flicked ash into a wall-mounted ashtray, his posture unbothered. “Not really. He keeps talking nonstop anyway.”
Xu Zhi blinked at that before smiling faintly. True enough, Zhou He was like that.
She hesitated, considering whether to bring up what had happened that drunken night. But lacking the courage, she changed the topic. “I should apologize. That night when you gave me a ride back to school, I only got out of the car because I didn’t want you and Liang Mushi to fight.”
“It’s fine,” Liang Jinmo said lightly, as if it didn’t matter. “I’m used to it.”
His casual tone made her guilt deepen. She racked her brain for a way to make it up to him. Her savings were laughable compared to his earnings, so that wasn’t an option. After some deliberation, she said, “How about this? I owe you a favor. If there’s ever anything I can help you with, just let me know.”
Liang Jinmo glanced at her, seemingly giving it some thought. “There is one thing.”
Her interest piqued. “What is it?”
“I’m planning to restructure my team to focus on AI language modeling,” he explained. “We’ll be collaborating with a company I worked for part-time in the U.S., but the new hires we’ve brought on aren’t fluent in English. We need translation support.”
Xu Zhi froze for a moment. “You mean… you want me to join your team as a translator?”
“If you’re willing.”
Her lips tightened. She owed him, sure, but working for Liang Jinmo meant entering the Liang family’s sphere—and Liang Mushi would inevitably find out.
“You’re afraid of Liang Mushi knowing,” Liang Jinmo stated flatly.
His directness made her scalp tingle. “I just think it’s better to avoid unnecessary trouble. How about this: tell me how many translators you need, and I can ask around my classmates. They’re all job hunting.”
“If it’s ever a choice between me and Liang Mushi, you’ll always pick him, won’t you?” he asked.
The question stunned her into silence.
Not that he seemed to care about her answer. He continued calmly, “There’s no rush. You still have half a semester left in your final year. Take your time to think it over.”
Xu Zhi felt trapped, her thoughts a chaotic mess. She struggled to formulate a reply and eventually murmured, “Let’s head back to the room.”
Liang Jinmo stubbed out his cigarette and turned to walk with her. As they approached the private room, he added unexpectedly, “Whatever you decide, just make sure your choice is worth it. That’s what matters most.”
Her steps faltered slightly, but he had already reached the door and pushed it open.
•————————•
At the same time, Liang Mushi stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of a Hong Kong hotel suite, gazing out at the city’s glittering nightscape.
From the bathroom, the sound of running water filled the air—Chen Jing was showering.
The suite’s living room table was piled with her shopping haul: bags, clothes, shoes, perfume, and skincare products. She had bought so much today.
It surprised him how exhausting it was to accompany a woman on a shopping spree.
Whenever Xu Zhi went shopping in the past, he’d offer to tag along occasionally, but she’d always decline, saying shopping wasn’t something guys should bother with.
Xu Zhi, soft as she seemed, had an unexpected streak of independence—likely shaped by her family circumstances. In contrast, Chen Jing was entirely different. She excelled at getting her way with coquettish charm.
He found himself unconsciously comparing them.
Tonight had been reserved for Xu Zhi’s birthday. But Chen Jing’s insistent persuasion—paired with kisses and sweet words—had worn him down. Her whispered plea to visit Hong Kong had melted his resistance.
How could he refuse?
Men’s resolve was frail, he realized anew. Now, standing here after a call with Xu Zhi, he felt an unplaceable sense of melancholy.
This was the first time he’d missed her birthday. He wondered if she’d be upset.
Despite her gentle demeanor, Xu Zhi had a temper. She had stopped talking to him out of annoyance before. And lately, her behavior had changed in ways he couldn’t quite understand.
He couldn’t shake the sense that something he had always held firmly was slipping away.
The water in the bathroom ceased.
Liang Mushi sat on the couch, sipping red wine, the bitterness of it seeping into his thoughts. He knew exactly where tonight was headed.
The bathroom door opened, and Chen Jing emerged wrapped in a bath towel, her skin glowing pale against the dim light.
Men were visual creatures, and as she approached, Liang Mushi’s gaze lingered. She perched on his lap, arms draped around his neck, her lips brushing his cheek.
“Thank you for today,” she said softly. “I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”
He pinched her cheek lightly. “Buy whatever you want. Don’t hold back.”
Chen Jing smiled, but her eyes held determination. Her family’s downfall had taught her the value of security, and she was resolved to secure her place in Liang Mushi’s life.
She leaned in again, their kiss deepening as her towel slipped.
As his lips brushed her shoulder, Liang Mushi suddenly froze.
A vivid image from a dream flashed in his mind—himself, biting down hard on a familiar shoulder.
The thought jarred him. Stiffening, he pulled away.
Chen Jing blinked, her voice hushed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he muttered, wrapping the towel back around her. “You should rest early.”
Chen Jing’s fists clenched at her sides, but she remained silent.
She wouldn’t confront him—not now. Winning Liang Mushi over required patience.
As she retreated to the bedroom, she glanced back at him standing by the window. His silhouette was unexpectedly forlorn.
Behind the closed door, Liang Mushi’s throat tightened. The dream disturbed him. He couldn’t shake the guilt that followed.
But dreams meant nothing—just fleeting illusions.
Xu Zhi, he thought, had no hold on him. She never did.