Chapter 268: Encountering Another Potential Love Rival
Chapter 268: Chapter 268: Encountering Another Potential Love Rival
Yun Sheng felt a tingle spread through her entire body under Si Jin’s teasing. The tips of her ears burned so hot they felt like they might bleed. When she spoke, her voice was as soft as cotton, carrying a slight, coquettish nasal tone.
"I didn’t..." The end of her sentence trembled slightly. Even she felt she lacked conviction. Taking the initiative to kiss him just now had indeed been intentional—partly to share her joy, but also hiding an irresistible urge for intimacy.
Si Jin let out a low chuckle. The vibration in his chest transmitted to Yun Sheng’s palms, making her heart flutter. He tightened his arms, holding her even closer, and nuzzled his nose against her soft hair. "You didn’t? Then who was it that just leaned in to kiss me? Trying to run away right after—do you think I’m that easy to bully?"
Yun Sheng’s cheeks grew even hotter at his words. "That... that was just because I was too happy."
"Being happy means you can tease me?" Si Jin looked at her, the burning heat in his eyes almost melting her. "Then I have to punish you. You need to make up for what you left unfinished just now."
Without waiting for Yun Sheng to react, he lowered his head and captured her lips. His thin lips gently pressed against her already red and swollen ones. Sometimes he would lightly nip them with his teeth, and other times he would softly grind against them, pouring all his doting affection into the kiss.
Yun Sheng went weak all over, completely leaning into his embrace. Her hands subconsciously pressed against his firm chest, palms resting flat against his muscles as she felt his steady, powerful heartbeat.
After recovering from the breathless intimacy, her fingertips grew restless, occasionally giving his well-defined pectoral muscles a gentle squeeze. As she did so, she said softly, "Once the retest results are out tomorrow and I successfully get the job at the Tower, I’ll move out of the Lin family’s home and live with you."
Si Jin gave a low hum of agreement. The vibration in his chest passed through their touching skin into her palms, making her heart flutter once more. He tightened his arms, pulling her even closer. Resting his chin on the top of her head, he nuzzled her soft hair.
"Is this your way of getting me to let you off the hook today, promising to properly make it up to me once you move in?"
Yun Sheng’s cheeks burned even redder at his question, but she still answered honestly. "Mhm... I suppose."
"Then when the time comes, you’ll have to compensate me double. Are you willing?" Si Jin’s words carried an obvious implication. Not to mention the way he was looking at her right now—his gaze was as hot as fire. It burned her skin, making her whole body tingle and her fingertips tremble slightly.
Yet, Yun Sheng nodded in agreement. "I’m willing..."
They had long since confirmed their relationship, and they had already crossed that line before. She had no reason to refuse, nor had she ever thought of doing so.
Hearing her response, Si Jin lowered his head and planted a kiss in the crook of her neck. His fingertips gently caressed the side of her waist, his tone filled with doting affection and anticipation. "Alright, I’ll remember that. Double compensation, and not a bit less."
Yun Sheng gave a soft hum of agreement. Leaning against his chest and listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, she felt completely at peace.
A short while later, the hovercar glided smoothly along the broad avenues of the Capital Star. Before long, it entered Xinglan Garden and came to a steady stop in front of the Lin family’s villa.
Si Jin unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out first. He opened the door for Yun Sheng, naturally reaching out to take her hand.
Yun Sheng used his leverage to stand up. As soon as she stepped out of the car, she spotted Zhou Lin walking out of the villa across the street. He was dressed in a crisp, sharp military uniform that accentuated his upright posture. Just as she looked over, he happened to turn his gaze toward her. Their eyes met, and out of politeness, Yun Sheng gave him a small nod.
Then, she tugged on Si Jin’s hand, intending to walk into the Lin family’s courtyard. However, Zhou Lin’s voice immediately rang out from behind her, carrying a perfectly measured degree of politeness.
"Miss Yun Sheng, please wait a moment."
Yun Sheng paused and turned to look at him. Si Jin also stopped, standing sideways by her side as he cast an indifferent glance at Zhou Lin.
Zhou Lin’s gaze subconsciously landed on Si Jin and Yun Sheng’s clasped hands. A hint of surprise flashed through his eyes, though he quickly concealed it. Suppressing the subtle emotions in his heart, he returned his gaze to Yun Sheng, his tone remaining gentle and courteous.
"Miss Yun Sheng, since I happened to run into you, I wanted to say thank you. I heard from Zhou Ying that you helped her a lot during this field training. I will remember this favor. I’d like to treat you to dinner someday as a token of my gratitude."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yun Sheng felt a slight movement in her palm. Si Jin gently squeezed her fingertips, intentionally scratching her palm with the pad of his thumb.
Feeling a bit exasperated, Yun Sheng turned her head to cast a soft glance at Si Jin. Her eyes held a reproachful yet amused smile, as if telling him to stop messing around. She then turned back to Zhou Lin with a calm expression and said lightly, "Major General Zhou, there’s no need to be so polite. Zhou Ying and I are on the same squad. It’s only natural for us to look out for each other during training. Besides, it wasn’t just me helping her; she helped me too."
Hearing this, Zhou Lin didn’t push the matter too forcefully. "Miss Yun Sheng is right. You are teammates, and that fosters camaraderie. However, I still hope you’ll do me the honor of allowing me to treat you to this meal."
He spoke with a sincere tone, a faint trace of imperceptible tenderness hidden in his eyes. Yet, he maintained proper boundaries throughout, without overstepping in the slightest.
Meeting his earnest gaze, Yun Sheng knew that refusing too vehemently would seem petty, so she gave a gentle nod. "Alright then, thank you, Major General Zhou. Just let me know once you’ve decided on a time."
Seeing her agree, the smile in Zhou Lin’s eyes deepened. "Great, I’ll contact you as soon as possible. I won’t disturb you two any longer. Goodbye." With that, he walked away with calm composure.
Watching Zhou Lin’s retreating back, Si Jin remarked quietly, "That Zhou Lin—I’ve thought for a while now that he’s interested in you. Just look at the way he was staring at you earlier. He couldn’t even hide it."
Yun Sheng playfully squeezed his fingertips in return and teased, "Oh? Are you jealous?"
Si Jin raised an eyebrow and shrugged, feigning indifference. "Not really. I’m your official boyfriend now, and you’re about to move in with me. I wouldn’t get jealous over something like this."
Despite his words, his grip on her hand tightened, as if asserting his dominance.
Seeing his hypocritical act, the amusement in Yun Sheng’s eyes grew stronger. She didn’t expose his little display of possessiveness, simply giving their clasped hands a gentle swing. "Alright, stop fussing. Let’s head inside."
At her words, the jealousy in Si Jin’s eyes melted into pure affection. He nodded and followed her at a leisurely pace into the Lin family’s courtyard.
The moment they stepped into the living room, Yun Sheng immediately spotted Lin Zhenye and Su Yuanzhou sitting on the sofa. Lin Zhenye’s face was dark, his brows tightly furrowed, radiating an aura of suppressed fury. Sitting opposite him, Su Yuanzhou had a hard, cold expression. His jawline was tense, and he glared at Lin Zhenye with obvious displeasure. The atmosphere between the two men was fraught with tension, the air thick with the invisible smell of gunpowder. It was obvious they had just been discussing something unpleasant.
Hearing footsteps, they both turned their heads in unison, their eyes landing squarely on Yun Sheng and Si Jin.
When Lin Zhenye saw Yun Sheng and Si Jin’s tightly clasped hands, the anger in his eyes became even harder to suppress. With a scowl, he demanded, "Yun Sheng, why are you with him? You returned to the Capital Star last night but didn’t come home—were you out fooling around with him?"