Chapter 39: Whimpering Softly, You Scoundrel

Shen Xue-ning forced herself to smile as she spoke, “It’s really Wen Ni who’s being difficult. I’m afraid she might do something… that would offend Young Master Jiang, interrupting your pleasure. I promise I’ll apologize personally another day. To all the elders and colleagues here, my apologies as well. But right now, Wen Ni has locked herself in the bathroom next door and refuses to open the door no matter what. I’m worried she might do something drastic. Please, everyone, bear witness—I’m going to break down the door.”

The president was already losing patience.

The purpose of today’s gathering for the Lost & Found Society was simply to enjoy laughter and conversation together.

But now—

The Society seemed to have become a tribunal for catching adulterers.

What nonsense!

Even if Wen Ni truly had an affair, what business was it of the Society? Even honest officials struggle to resolve domestic disputes, let alone him, who isn’t even an official.

Yet, seeing everyone else’s eyes flickering with gossip, their fervent looks eager for a show, the president couldn’t dampen the mood at this critical moment.

He remained silent.

Shen Xue-ning took his silence as tacit approval and ordered someone to fetch a hammer.

They were going to smash open the bathroom door.

Zhou Ming-fan stepped forward, his face grim. “There’s no need for such trouble.”

With that, Zhou Ming-fan lifted his leg and kicked the door hard. The bathroom door sprang open.

Shen Xue-ning rushed in, her expression full of calculation.

But—

The room was empty.

Only an open window let in the spring breeze, making a hem dance in the air.

Disappointment flashed in everyone’s eyes.

What they’d expected to be a juicy scandal turned out to be nothing but a farce.

Really.

The prelude had been so thrilling; everyone thought they’d catch something lurid, but it was less exciting than what happened in the room next door with Jiang Shao-zhang.

The president spoke coldly, “Enough, everyone go downstairs.”

With that, he strode off without looking back.

The crowd followed suit.

Shen Xue-ning was the last to leave.

Passing the doorway of the room next door, she saw Jiang Shao-zhang had emerged.

He leaned against the doorframe, smoking, his fingertip glowing red as he flicked the ash.

Shen Xue-ning frowned. “Was it you?”

Jiang Shao-zhang asked with a half-smile, “What about me?”

Shen Xue-ning drew a deep breath. “Shao-zhang, we’re distant relatives, after all. If you won’t help me, so be it, but how could you help Wen Ni?”

Jiang Shao-zhang chuckled, “What did I help Wen Ni with?”

Shen Xue-ning was about to reply when she caught sight of Jiang Shao-zhang’s phone screen lit up in his hand. She forced a laugh. “Never mind, Shao-zhang, did you hide Wen Ni somewhere? Let her out, this is improper. She just lost her husband, and now she’s fooling around with you—it’s truly disgraceful.”

Jiang Shao-zhang curled his lips.

His smile was pure rogue. “Shen Xue-ning, you claim Wen Ni is fooling around with me, but isn’t it you who’s been with me?”

Shen Xue-ning’s face changed dramatically.

She snapped, “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Jiang Shao-zhang laughed, “Look at you—how can you not recognize me when you put on a skirt? Wasn’t it you who said your man wasn’t capable, and that I was?”

“Is that true, Xue-ning?”

“……”

Shen Xue-ning spun around in panic.

And there, not far off, was Zhou Ming-fan.

Shen Xue-ning could have explained it all—what’s false is false, what’s fabricated is fabricated—but by chance Jiang Shao-zhang’s jibe struck right at Zhou Ming-fan’s sensitive spot.

Shen Xue-ning was genuinely flustered.

She left Jiang Shao-zhang and his lies behind, hurrying to Zhou Ming-fan. “It’s not what you think. Jiang Shao-zhang is doing this on purpose, covering for Wen Ni. They must have been involved long ago.”

Zhou Ming-fan took a deep breath.

He grasped Shen Xue-ning’s hand.

He walked up to Jiang Shao-zhang. “Shao-zhang, your reputation precedes you—everyone knows you’re a reckless sort. Your words can’t be trusted.”

Jiang Shao-zhang flicked his cigarette ash.

It landed squarely on Zhou Ming-fan’s suit chest.

Jiang Shao-zhang sneered and patted Zhou Ming-fan’s shoulder. “Right now, the Jiang family isn’t what the Zhou family is, but I’m not afraid of you. Handle your wife, or else I’ll make sure you see just how many eyes the King of Hell really has.”

With that, Jiang Shao-zhang shoved Zhou Ming-fan aside and swaggered down the stairs.

Shen Xue-ning glared furiously at the disheveled man emerging from the room.

Her scheme had failed once again.

What divine protection did Wen Ni have to repeatedly escape her traps?

Zhou Ming-fan lowered his gaze.

After a long pause,

His voice was hoarse. “Xue-ning, let’s go downstairs.”

Shen Xue-ning watched Zhou Ming-fan’s expression carefully. “You don’t believe what I said?”

Zhou Ming-fan forced a smile. “No.”

Shen Xue-ning’s eyes immediately reddened.

Zhou Ming-fan fumbled to wipe her tears away.

Shen Xue-ning sobbed, “You actually doubt me. I followed you from such a young age—do you not know I was yours first? I never complained that you were inexperienced. It always hurt, to be honest, I never liked doing those things, only to please you. Now you suspect me because of what happens in bed? Zhou Lin-chuan, are you even human? Anyway, we’re only engaged, not married yet. If you really think so little of me, maybe we should just end it here…”

Zhou Ming-fan held Shen Xue-ning tightly.

He kissed her softly by her ear, his voice hoarse, full of guilt and regret. “It’s my fault. I don’t doubt you. Don’t cry, my heart is breaking.”

Shen Xue-ning clutched Zhou Ming-fan’s sleeve, stubbornly declaring, “Lin-chuan, I, Shen Xue-ning, am a principled person in everything I do.”

Zhou Ming-fan replied gently, “I know.”

Shen Xue-ning gave a heavy snort,

A hint of coquettishness in her tone.

Clearly,

Her anger had faded.

Shen Xue-ning rose on tiptoe, whispering by Zhou Ming-fan’s ear, “It used to hurt every time, but these past two times, though it was only… I felt comfortable, more than ever before.”

Zhou Ming-fan was overjoyed.

His skill surpassed Zhou Lin-chuan’s!

His voice was thick with flirtation. “It’ll be even better in the future—so good you’ll be over the moon.”

Shen Xue-ning punched him lightly. “You’re awful.”

Zhou Ming-fan chuckled.

Shen Xue-ning looked up and asked, “Where do you think Wen Ni is fooling around now?”

At the mention of Wen Ni,

Zhou Ming-fan’s eyes flashed with disgust. “Who cares! She’s nothing but a disgrace to womanhood. I… Big Brother Zhou Ming-fan must have been blind back then.”

Shen Xue-ning, understanding as ever, tugged Zhou Ming-fan’s arm, scolding gently, “I won’t let you talk about Ming-fan that way. Ming-fan is a good person. If Ming-fan hadn’t been with Wen Ni, she would have pestered you endlessly and we wouldn’t have been together. Ming-fan is a good man.”

Zhou Ming-fan’s heart surged.

So,

His efforts had all been understood by Xue-ning.

His sacrifices weren’t in vain—his Xue-ning was indeed a gentle, kind woman.

——

In the passenger seat, Wen Ni was restless.

She desperately tugged at her collar.

Zhou Jing-yi exhaled lightly and threw his jacket over Wen Ni, covering her head as well.

Instantly, Wen Ni became a silkworm wrapped in its own cocoon.

No matter what, she couldn’t find her way out.

Under the suit jacket, her muffled whimpers sounded.

She whimpered, the end of each sound quivering,

Like cotton candy drenched in honey—soft, sweet, her voice trembling with a coquettish plea, “Zhou Jing-yi, you scoundrel…”