A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 208: Treating feelings is like playing a game (2)_1
During the Lantern Festival, the Zhou Family held a family banquet.
It was simply those with the surname Zhou sitting together for a meal.
The Zhou Family Matriarch had rushed from Shanghai to Beijing for the sole purpose of seeing Zhou Luchen.
Zhou Luchen sat next to the Matriarch. As a junior, he methodically brewed tea, his well-proportioned fingers manipulating the teapot. He did not broach the subject of his refusal to marry, not even mentioning it.
The Second Madam always spoke well of Zhou Luchen, fiercely protective of him. "I’ve already punished him. He was wrong, truly wrong. Elder Sister, please don’t hold it against him anymore."
The Matriarch remained cool and composed. "I see no remorse from him."
The Second Madam maintained her pleasant demeanor. "Elder Sister, you insisted on making this trip. What if the journey takes a toll on your health? He’ll be heartbroken. And if he’s heartbroken, he’ll be flying back and forth, domestically and internationally. Flights aren’t that comfortable, and he’s still young. Don’t let him get exhausted. He still has to give you great-grandchildren, doesn’t he? So please, forgive him."
The Matriarch had no such expectations of Zhou Luchen. "I’m not expecting him to give me great-grandchildren to hold. It would be good enough if he could manage the family business and his own reputation. As for that particular hope, everyone should give up on it sooner rather than later."
Zhou Luchen suppressed a smile and personally poured tea for the two elder madams.
The Matriarch sipped her tea. No matter how pleasant the words, the tea felt unsettling as it went down her throat. "Punishing him doesn’t change him. He even dares to threaten me. He said if I meddle in his affairs again, he’ll oust a United Bank executive each time, just to defy me."
The Second Madam gestured for Zhou Luchen to continue pouring tea. This Matriarch had battled in the business world her entire life. Only by placating her could this matter be put to rest. If she wasn’t appeased, given her age and her ingrained stubbornness and authority, she would never let it go so easily.
The Matriarch added, "Many of United Bank’s old guard are thoroughly dissatisfied with his actions, yet he grows increasingly brazen, chilling the hearts of many Zhou family elders. I never imagined someone would be cleaning up his messes behind the scenes. Even the news about changing executives didn’t leak to the public. If it had, and if retail investors holding United Bank shares had started a mass sell-off, he would have truly faced the music."
The Second Madam certainly knew what to say. "Then he must have ensured he had a fallback plan before making such a bold move. How could he impulsively do something that would cause United Bank’s market value to evaporate? Look, isn’t our Luchen doing very well?"
But the Matriarch was stubborn and forceful, impervious to persuasion. "Those old subordinates actually accepted his arrangements without a word. What about Aqun? Did Aqun go around smoothing things over for him again?"
The Second Madam explained, "That’s not it. Aqun has been very busy lately, away on business. He wasn’t even home for the New Year’s meal."
The Matriarch finally glanced at Zhou Luchen, exasperated but reluctant to vent her anger.
How did the Zhou Family produce such a young master? Why can’t he be serious and composed? Why can’t he exercise self-restraint and observe propriety like a normal person?
"Why is it so difficult for you to get married? You might as well remain a profligate, rebellious son, unwed and childless for life! From now on, even if you do marry, I won’t let her into this house."
Zhou Luchen, amused, poured tea for the Matriarch, acting as if nothing were amiss. He sat there listening to the two elder madams speak—one defending him, the other resentful.
Since he had done it, he had no regrets.
The night gradually darkened.
Unconsciously, his attention was drawn to the White Begonia in the courtyard.
Having sat there the entire day, he felt a craving for a cigarette. His lips pursed uncomfortably. Lonely, solitary, immersed, he watched the begonia.
The begonia was not in bloom. The Second Madam had said they would let it bloom during the Spring Equinox.
After watching for several minutes, Zhou Luchen stood up and left. He drove off, not knowing where would be appropriate to go at this hour.
Zhou Luchen couldn’t be bothered with the gathering Xie Qinyang had proposed. He indifferently ended the call, braked to a stop by the roadside, and reclined lazily in his seat. His fist propped against his temple, he closed his eyes to rest.
No thoughts, no desires.
When Zhuang Ming found him, he peered into the half-open car window. He saw that the Second Young Master had ended a call and turned off his phone.
The Second Young Master currently exuded an air of listlessness—no ambition, no enthusiasm. The person he wanted to see was unreachable, while those he didn’t want to see pestered him daily.
Zhuang Ming reminded him, "The private jet has arrived at the airport to pick you up. Are we going to New York now?"
He had stayed in Beijing to keep the Old Madam company for a long time. The United Bank meetings always required him to return personally to preside.
The Old Madam enjoyed his company and had once asked if he wanted to move to Beijing to conduct meetings. He had no particular thoughts on the matter, so he hadn’t answered.
Zhou Luchen slowly opened his eyes and glanced out the window. "What time is it?"
Zhuang Ming checked his wristwatch. "Exactly 7:00 PM."
Shen Jing boarded a flight from Shanghai and landed in Beijing. She waited at the main entrance for Uncle Liang. After a long time, he still hadn’t arrived. He’s probably getting on in years, often mixes up times, and is frequently late. But his entire family relies on this income to live. Shen Jing had no intention of changing drivers. If he didn’t show up soon, she would just take a taxi.
The stream of pick-up and drop-off vehicles flowed past, none returning. Three low-profile, unassuming Hongqi cars drove past her.
Shen Jing felt a twinge of curiosity and watched them for a moment.
She recognized the license plates. In her line of sight, through the window of a backseat that flashed past, she saw the partial profile of a man conversing with a secretary in the car, seemingly unaware of her.
The cars stopped neatly. Even if Zhuang Ming had noticed her, he managed to act nonchalantly, not sparing her a glance as he opened the car door.
Zhou Luchen stepped out of the car, dressed in a dark suit and tie. Though he was so close to her, it felt as if an entire world separated them. He exuded an air of asceticism, indifference, and aristocratic power.
Shen Jing calmly turned away and took a deep breath.
Where is he going?
The international airport... he must be flying to New York.
Is he leaving just like that?
When will he be back?
Next year?
The year after?
Or perhaps he plans to settle abroad with no intention of returning?
Many strange thoughts swirled in her mind.
Zhou Luchen glanced in her direction. Seeing her clothes and general appearance, a hint of satisfaction flickered across his expression before he quickly averted his gaze, suppressing all inappropriate thoughts.
Since she doesn’t want to see me, I won’t say a word.
An encounter under such circumstances was bound to cause some ripples. Shen Jing had been waiting for a long time. Suddenly, she detested his ability to completely forget their intimate night spent in the temple, and his air of unassuming dignity.
He treats relationships like a game, only seeking enjoyment and novelty.
Sleeping together is even more so—if there’s desire, it’s passion; if there’s no desire, it’s ’who are you?’
"Zhou Luchen."
He heard her call his name, her voice soft and delicate, yet tinged with reproach.
Zhou Luchen stopped in his tracks. The men in suits and leather shoes accompanying him also halted uniformly.
"What is it?" His voice was soft.
"Playing strangers with me, are you? Take your bank card back." She rummaged through her bag, searched for a bit, and then held out the card.
