ORCBRB – Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Yancheng's nighttime temperature reached minus fifteen degrees Celsius, but the heat inside the room was so steamy it felt like drowning.

Jian Cenyu trembled with every kiss from Sang Shi'an. Her loose, long hair was damp with sweat, yet her scorching gaze remained fixed on Sang Shi'an, as if she were ready to counterattack at any moment.

Sang Shi'an's eyelashes fluttered subconsciously, but she quickly suppressed the instinct to flee that had become a habit over the past few days. She glared at Jian Cenyu with righteous indignation. "You... just... won't... listen!"

Sang Shi'an forced herself not to look at Jian Cenyu and lowered her head to continue her torment, capturing Jian Cenyu's lips in a fierce kiss, her tongue pressing hard. If Jian Cenyu had done this to her, she would have likely cried out, unable to bear it. Yet, Jian Cenyu remained resilient and stubborn. "Then... then you can try."

The hot sweat from her rising body temperature mingled with the cold sweat from the pain, yet she managed to remain lucid. Gazing at Sang Shi'an's vivid expression through her blurry vision, her pupils began to dilate, clearly reaching her limit. Sang Shi'an retracted her teeth and kissed Jian Cenyu gently, slowly extending her tongue, little by little, catering entirely to Jian Cenyu's preferences. A muffled voice suddenly escaped her lips, "Who is Thessaline?"

Her pronunciation was precise, a clear sign she had committed the name to memory the moment she heard it.

Jian Cenyu felt as if she were submerged in a hot spring, simultaneously enjoying it and instinctively guarding against Sang Shi'an's next sudden move. She let out a long sigh. "My mentor when I was studying in the UK... She's from an old noble family, with many politicians in her lineage."

Seeing that Sang Shi'an was listening intently, Jian Cenyu stopped halfway through, piquing her curiosity.

It was obvious that the person before her was no longer a docile kitty, but a little wildcat she had personally trained.

The little wildcat met Jian Cenyu's gaze for three seconds before mercilessly baring her teeth and beginning another round of torment. The bedsheets grew increasingly disheveled. Jian Cenyu couldn't last a minute before she was forced to continue her explanation. "Stop... stop tangling with me... Because Europe is about to enact a new law!"

Her soft tongue swirled deeply around Jian Cenyu's, then she created a gap to nip sharply with her teeth. After Jian Cenyu spoke, Sang Shi'an slightly eased her pressure. "What law?"

"Huaxing's public listing and investment attraction rely on the vast oil fields it purchased in Europe for energy storage, as well as some associated mineral resources." Jian Cenyu's voice trembled. She controlled her body's reactions, speaking very, very slowly, taking nearly a minute to utter a single sentence.

"But Europe is about to introduce a new policy on energy taxes, and," Jian Cenyu's voice now carried a languid yet ruthless tone, "it's highly likely that mining will be prohibited."

Sang Shi'an's eyes widened in astonishment. For a moment, she forgot what she and Jian Cenyu were doing. She sat up and asked, "So that's why Wen Yansheng wanted Huaxing's stock price to surge past 1000% as soon as possible? The bigger Huaxing's appetite for investment is now, the more devastating the fallout will be when the policy is announced."

But Jian Corporation had been preparing this project for a long time. When did Jian Cenyu get news of this policy? After she returned to the country, or before?

Sang Shi'an asked, "You knew all along. Does Uncle Jian know?"

Jian Cenyu shook her head.

That means, that means... "When Jian Zhenyang was opposing you, you already had this plan in place. That's why you didn't explicitly stop Uncle Jian from helping him before?"

Jian Cenyu raised an eyebrow, surprised and warmed that Sang Shi'an could guess her thoughts so quickly.

Jian Cenyu's flushed face suddenly drew near. Her long fingers lifted Sang Shi'an's chin. The captive prisoner had transformed in an instant. She said encouragingly, "There's more. Guess again?"

Sang Shi'an sensed Jian Cenyu's deeper meaning and decisively shook her head. "No, I don't want to hear it."

She tried to push Jian Cenyu away but was pinned down instead. Jian Cenyu's entire body was scorching hot, as if she had a fever. She bit Sang Shi'an's ear, grinding down retaliatorily, forcing her to listen. "To lure Jian Zhenyang into the trap, two things were needed. First, the support of the Jian family elders. Second, to make Jian Zhenyang himself feel a sense of urgency."

"At that time, my research results hadn't entered clinical trials yet. They were only theoretically sound, not enough to threaten him. My willingness to go to your house with my parents back then was for Jian Zhenyang's sake."

Sang Shi'an understood the key point almost instantly. Back then, Jian Cenyu and Sang Shiyue had hit it off immediately. Although their families weren't forcing a marriage alliance, Sang Shi'an had been so resistant to the scene that she hadn't paid close attention to the details of their conversation.

The marriage alliance between the Jian and Sang families pushed Jian Zhenyang to develop the Huaxing oil field project, and Old Master Jian's indulgence allowed the project to be listed and launched in the shortest possible time.

Like a delicious dish served at a banquet, it seemed Jian Zhenyang was basking in glory, but the real beneficiary was already waiting behind the scenes.

Jian Cenyu specialized in pharmacology and wasn't an expert in finance, but having been exposed to it since childhood, how could she be completely untouched by it?

She recounted it to Sang Shi'an in bed like a story. The speaker might have been casual, but the listener was deeply moved. Sang Shi'an suddenly pressed down on Jian Cenyu's shoulders, pinning her back down.

Previously, Sang Shi'an would have found it difficult to succeed. But now, Jian Cenyu had been repeatedly pushed to the edge by her and was on the verge of an unbearable collapse.

When Sang Shi'an kissed her again, Jian Cenyu finally couldn't take it anymore and raised a hand to pull her away, her voice tight. "An'an..."

"This time, it's a reward," Sang Shi'an said with a smile. "Trust me."

Her teeth were carefully retracted. As her lips descended, Sang Shi'an was utterly tender, swirling her tongue around Jian Cenyu's and sucking firmly several times, before suddenly taking all of her in with a single pull.

Jian Cenyu bit down hard on the back of her hand. Her glistening waist arched into a taut curve, and the messy bed was once again thrown into chaos.

She was lost in a daze for a full half-minute. The pain of being forcefully controlled was followed by extreme pleasure. Even someone as rational as her was not immune; it felt as if her very soul was trembling.

Sang Shi'an greedily admired Jian Cenyu's state, and in the end, she couldn't resist cupping her face and planting aimless kisses on her cheeks.

She was beautiful everywhere.

When Jian Cenyu's rationality gradually returned, she kneaded the back of Sang Shi'an's neck as if teasing a cat, her voice extremely hoarse. "Was that fun?"

Sang Shi'an's eyes were practically glued to Jian Cenyu's face, and her head felt hot. "If I say it was fun, will you get revenge on me?"

Quite self-aware. Jian Cenyu suppressed the urge to pounce on her immediately and shook her head.

Sang Shi'an hesitated. "Really?"

Jian Cenyu: "Really."

Since Jian Cenyu said so, Sang Shi'an reluctantly believed her and answered honestly, "It was fun, really fun. And you're especially beautiful."

Jian Cenyu's hand pressed down until her lips were close to Sang Shi'an's ear. She said, "Mm, I also really like... the feeling of begging you for mercy."

Sang Shi'an: ...

The next day was the macroeconomics exam. After saying that, Jian Cenyu took Sang Shi'an for a shower. Sang Shi'an was on edge the entire time, but even after her hair was dry, Jian Cenyu didn't do anything to her.

It was as if she had suddenly become normal.

But was that possible? Obviously not.

Sang Shi'an was a nervous wreck throughout her exam. When she saw Jian Cenyu waiting outside the examination hall, the hope that had been hanging by a thread finally died.

"I have one last exam on Monday. I can still spare thirty hours for you." Sang Shi'an stood before Jian Cenyu with a deadpan expression. "Let's go. We'll see who breaks who first."

Jian Cenyu was wrongly accused before she could even say a word. After a moment of surprise, she let out a low laugh. "Yes, I'm just a fierce and unrestrained girlfriend. You've really had it tough."

Hearing Jian Cenyu call her 'girlfriend', Sang Shi'an hesitated for a moment before asking in a very small voice, "So, is it over?"

"Mm," Jian Cenyu deliberately teased Sang Shi'an. "Of course, if my girlfriend has any additional physical needs, it's my duty to satisfy you."

Sang Shi'an: ...

Sang Shi'an's ears turned red against her will. Realizing that freedom was finally hers again, she wished she could immediately run a few laps on the nearby track.

Jian Cenyu had been angry for so many days because Sang Shi'an had talked about breaking up. She just wanted to teach Sang Shi'an a lesson, to not treat breaking up like spitting out chewing gum.

And of course, to satisfy some of her own private desires along the way.

It wasn't until last night, when she explained the situation with Jian Zhenyang to Sang Shi'an and clearly saw her emotions shift from worry to delight—every subtle change made from her perspective—

—that looking at this Sang Shi'an, Jian Cenyu's heart suddenly softened.

The girlfriend she had cherished in the palm of her hand for so many years and had finally managed to win over—she couldn't really bully her too much. Otherwise, who would give her another one?

So, she unilaterally reconciled with herself and with Sang Shi'an.

Five seconds after regaining her freedom, Sang Shi'an also realized this—she had finally placated Jian Cenyu.

So much so that she started skipping as she walked, with little regard for her image.

Jian Cenyu glanced at Sang Shi'an twice, then silently took two steps to the side.

She was a little reluctant to admit this was her kitten.

Sang Shi'an followed her, showing none of the image management of a former campus belle, and continued to skip.

Jian Cenyu dodged again.

Sang Shi'an: ?

Sang Shi'an figured it out. "Jian Cenyu, are you avoiding me?"

Jian Cenyu shook her head in denial. "No."

And, mimicking Su Ningyue's usual actions, she firmly linked her arm with Sang Shi'an's, holding her down to stop her from skipping around.

Restrained, Sang Shi'an finally understood what Jian Cenyu was avoiding and couldn't help but laugh. "I never realized you cared so much about your image before."

Jian Cenyu wanted to laugh but held it in. "Everyone who has a girlfriend is like this."

Is that how it is?

Sang Shi'an imagined a scene of Jian Cenyu skipping beside her...

Never mind, it was too horrifying.

Although Jian Cenyu had unilaterally declared a truce, Sang Shi'an couldn't hide her thoughts. As the food was served, she chewed on bluefin tuna while her mind wandered.

Jian Cenyu glanced at her unfocused eyes. "What are you daydreaming about?"

"Shouldn't you reflect on yourself first?" Now that they had just made up, Sang Shi'an's petulant side came out. "Have you gotten tired of me after only a week together? You don't even try to guess what I'm thinking, you just assume I'm daydreaming on our date."

Jian Cenyu chuckled and coaxed her softly, "Alright, it's all my fault."

"So, is An'an looking at the tuna because she plans to pick a piece to feed me?"

Sang Shi'an took the olive branch Jian Cenyu offered. She picked the fattest, best-shaped piece, dipped it in sauce, and brought it to Jian Cenyu's lips. "Ah—"

Jian Cenyu opened her mouth and took a small, unhurried bite from Sang Shi'an's chopsticks, then chewed slowly. After finishing it, she took another bite. Her movements were extremely elegant; the sauce didn't even touch her lips.

Sang Shi'an's arm was getting sore from holding up the chopsticks. Jian Cenyu finally took the last bite of fish, her tongue inadvertently tugging at the chopsticks as she bit down, causing Sang Shi'an's eyes to dart around.

After holding back for a while, Sang Shi'an couldn't resist any longer and said sullenly, "I was actually thinking about something. I have a question that might not be very polite and might be difficult to answer."

Jian Cenyu put down her juice glass. "Hm?"

"It's just... did you suddenly forgive me because you were scared of what I did to you last night?" Before Jian Cenyu could say or do anything, Sang Shi'an's own words made her face flush bright red.

So embarrassing.

Why did she have to ask?

Jian Cenyu looked at Sang Shi'an, and a thought came to mind: she was deliberately provoking her, clearly unsatisfied.

If she wasn't intentionally trying to provoke her, why would she ask such a question?

Jian Cenyu was a rational person. She thought about the shift in her attitude, and it had indeed happened around that time. She couldn't blame Sang Shi'an for having such thoughts.

But that didn't mean Sang Shi'an was allowed to interpret it that way.

"You think that's the reason?" Jian Cenyu looked up.

That cool gaze made Sang Shi'an's hair stand on end, as if in the next moment, Jian Cenyu would pull the tablecloth out from under everything and serve her up as the main course.

"...I just can't figure it out," Sang Shi'an finally managed to say after a long pause. "And the question you kept asking me before... I don't think I ever answered you. Are you not going to pursue it anymore?"

Jian Cenyu mentally noted one of Sang Shi'an's relationship needs: getting to the bottom of things.

"If it were any other woman in a marriage alliance with your brother, you definitely wouldn't have pretended to be Kitty. I've had the answer to that for a long time. If you're unwilling to admit it, I won't force you. At most..."

Jian Cenyu's voice paused, and she offered a solution with a smile, "The next time your self-sacrificing impulse flares up and you think breaking up is the only way to make it up to me, I'll just lock you up again."

Sang Shi'an: ...Oh.

She would never be a martyr again in this lifetime.

Especially when it came to Jian Cenyu.

"As for why I suddenly forgave you," Jian Cenyu changed the subject, deliberately going along with Sang Shi'an's words, "I'm so weak. So, An'an shouldn't bully Jiejie, okay?"

Sang Shi'an: ...

Ah—

Weak.

If Jian Cenyu was weak, then she was Lin Daiyu, the kind who would be blown over by a gust of wind.

Sang Shi'an looked left and right, up and down, trying to find a flaw in the thick-skinned face that had just uttered 'I'm so weak'.

Jian Cenyu was all smiles, her eyes full of affection.

Her eyes even seemed to be saying: It's so cold, I need An'an to warm my bed every night.

Sang Shi'an stared for a long time until her eyes grew sore, then gave up.

She thought: The reason Jian Cenyu stopped her madness isn't important. What's important is that it has stopped.

"But knowing from the start that Kitty was you and still hiding it without exposing you—that was indeed my fault. It was my own selfish desire. I apologize," Jian Cenyu's tone suddenly became serious.

Sang Shi'an was head over heels in love. She hadn't run away even when Jian Cenyu had turned her world upside down, so naturally, she wouldn't hold a grudge over this.

She quickly hummed "Mm-hmm-hmm" a few times and lowered her head to eat.

"There's one more thing." Jian Cenyu placed some food on Sang Shi'an's plate and brought up another matter. "I finished my final exam this morning. I have a business trip tomorrow, probably for three or four days, so I won't be with you."

Sang Shi'an froze. "...So you only made up with me so casually because you're going on a business trip and can't lock me up?"

Jian Cenyu looked at her with a smile. "You don't have exams this weekend. I could choose to take you with me on the trip."

Sang Shi'an detected the threat in her tone and didn't dare to joke around anymore. She shook her head like a rattle drum. "No, no, my last exam next week is public finance. I was caught skipping class once, so I lost five points from my regular score. I need my exam score to save my GPA."

Jian Cenyu had already seen Sang Shi'an's exam schedule and still feigned regret. "Alright."

Sang Shi'an hesitated for a good while before asking sourly, "On your business trip, will you be attending receptions or going out to dinner and entertainment venues with people?"

Jian Cenyu nodded. "There probably will be."

Sang Shi'an hinted desperately, "Then there must be a lot of outstanding and talented young people, right?"

Sang Shi'an couldn't hide her thoughts at all. Jian Cenyu understood immediately and said with a smile, "I think so too. How about I call you every half hour?"

Sang Shi'an's eyes lit up. She thought Jian Cenyu's suggestion was absolutely brilliant and nodded eagerly. "Okay, okay."

Jian Cenyu: "But won't that disturb your studies?"

Sang Shi'an hesitated. "Umm."

A call every half hour, with each call lasting several minutes... she really wouldn't get much studying done.

"Then once an hour."

Jian Cenyu held back a laugh. "Okay."

---

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