A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 232: Not very warm, smiled a little" _1

The man in the car, a half-smoked cigarette dangling from his lips, sharply turned the steering wheel and slammed on the brakes. He even flicked on the high beams, watching the couple on the verge of a kiss.

He smiled, a smile devoid of warmth.

He was on his way to Mr. Qiao Site’s New Year’s Day family banquet and had decided to swing by. Quite a surprise.

A plume of smoke escaped as Luchen removed the cigarette butt. He extended his long arm out the car window and flicked the ash.

At this moment, the car’s headlights were blinding. That sudden glare seemed to jolt every cell in Shen Jing’s body awake. Startled, she missed Sun Qiyan leaning in closer and, relying on her composure, managed to say, "This... this isn’t appropriate."

"I’m sorry, I overstepped and scared you," Sun Qiyan said in a low voice, his gaze flickering, perhaps intentionally, perhaps not, to the sports car parked downstairs.

He had a gut feeling. From the moment the sports car sped into the driveway, Sun Qiyan sensed who it was. The sound of the car accelerating around the bend, barrelling straight towards them—the aggression was overwhelming.

That was very much Luchen’s style.

He left the high beams on. After finishing one cigarette, Luchen lit another. He took slow drags, leaning back in his seat to savor the scene, as if in a silent standoff with the couple on the balcony.

The show was just beginning; he was in no hurry.

Just as Shen Jing turned to go back into the room, Sun Qiyan grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

And so, they stood, eyes locked.

Shen Jing glanced at his knuckles gripping her arm. His fingers pressed into the fabric of her sleeve, yet his grip was controlled, as if afraid of hurting her.

"Have you been drinking somewhere?" she asked. His earlier boldness made her think of alcohol.

Sun Qiyan’s gaze didn’t waver. "Shen Jing, I haven’t been drinking."

His directness left Shen Jing speechless. She also couldn’t help but notice the car still parked by the roadside, its lights shining in her direction. Was it broken? The feeling of being exposed made her flush with embarrassment.

"The fireworks must have been too much for you," Shen Jing said. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow, we need to seriously think about this... relationship of ours. It’s more than friendship, but not quite love. I agree, it needs to be properly addressed."

Seeing her distress, Sun Qiyan said, "There’s no need to ’address’ it. I was too impulsive. We can just follow our feelings; it’s not complicated. But what about your feelings? You don’t seem to be feeling anything."

She asked softly, "Being with someone like me, right now... won’t you feel wronged? Aren’t you afraid I’ll just dump you?"

"Are you thinking of my feelings?"

Shen Jing retorted, "Shouldn’t I?"

It suddenly occurred to her: they had spent so much time together. If there were genuine feelings, they would have kissed naturally by now, without needing a ’let’s try it’ phase. She suspected that even his advantage of proximity couldn’t overcome the man who occupied her heart.

Sun Qiyan’s voice was gentle as always. "Can feelings only be divided into ’feeling wronged’ and ’not feeling wronged’?"

But Shen Jing, at that moment, only focused on the eyes beneath his short hair. They were clear, so sincere and steadfast. Yes, what a fine man, she thought. Why would he be foolish enough to waste his time on her?

Perhaps she had been staring too intently, lost in his gaze. Sun Qiyan suddenly chuckled.

"What’s so funny, Mr. Sun?"

He was taller than Shen Jing, so his gaze easily shifted to the top of her head. "I’m laughing because you’re always so concerned about me. When it comes to feelings, it’s not about being wronged. For me, it’s only about having no regrets."

He had been the one to pursue her after Luchen left. It wasn’t about who was right or wrong, only whether they were compatible. It seemed they hadn’t quite developed their connection to that point yet.

He couldn’t hear what they were saying, only see them looking at each other and smiling. Luchen deftly tossed his cigarette, propped his arm on the car window, and toyed with the platinum band on his pinky finger.

A single man and woman living together... In the dead of night, if he wasn’t making a move on the woman he supposedly liked, then either the man was incapable, or he was exercising extreme self-control. Or, he simply didn’t love her.

"There’s a car downstairs. Let’s go inside to talk," Shen Jing said, stepping into the room. "That inconsiderate driver! Those lights are hurting my eyes. Can’t they turn them off? I’ll go blind if I keep looking."

As she said this, Sun Qiyan didn’t try to stop her. He followed her inside without glancing towards the car downstairs and slid the French door closed. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The creamy-white sheer curtains behind it swayed gently, adding an ethereal touch.

Luchen slammed his foot on the accelerator, and the car shot off down the road.

Just then, Mr. Qiao Site’s call came through, and he pressed the Bluetooth button.

"Mr. Zhou, will you still be coming over?"

Luchen replied impassively, "Shortly."