Chapter 8: Ambiguity

Qu Bainan gripped her waist, his voice hoarse as if it spilled from deep within his throat.

“Chen Su, don’t lose your mind,” he said.

“Big brother, haven’t you heard?” Chen Su bit his lip without a hint of hesitation. “Among artists, eight out of ten are crazy.”

The remaining two are just crazier beyond measure.

Qu Bainan’s lower abdomen tensed under her touch, on the verge of losing control.

He grabbed Chen Su by the neck, pressing her down onto his leg, then casually pulled a nearby suit jacket over them.

Just then, Mrs. Qu approached and glanced inside the car.

“Bainan?”

The sudden bite made Qu Bainan groan softly, and he looked out the window. “Mom.”

The slightly opened car window shielded Chen Su from view.

Mrs. Qu frowned. “Why are you alone? Where’s Su Su? Didn’t I tell you to bring her back for dinner?”

Veins bulged on Qu Bainan’s neck as he replied tightly, “She’ll be back later.”

Shen Zhiwei was about to speak but caught sight of the corner of the woman’s skirt beneath the jacket out of the corner of her eye.

Her breath caught briefly before she composed herself. “Aunt Qu, let’s head back. Bainan has had a lot of social engagements lately. Let him rest in the car. Besides, Miss Chen Su hasn’t returned yet.”

Having Chen Su’s earlier assurance, Mrs. Qu didn’t think twice.

“Worrying about him so much when you’re not even married,” she said, turning to walk away with Shen Zhiwei. “If you marry Bainan someday, what then?”

---

Shen Zhiwei was the sole daughter of Master Shen, and Mrs. Qu held great hopes for her as a daughter-in-law.

This was clearly a path aimed at marriage.

On the way back, the two chatted and laughed.

Chen Su stiffened ever so slightly at the word “marriage.”

Qu Bainan pulled her out from under the suit, his knuckles sharp as he cupped her jaw, his eyes dark and thick. “Not playing anymore?”

Chen Su pushed his hand away, glancing downward with a flushed ear.

“You play by yourself.”

She opened the car door, stepped out, tidied her clothes, and walked straight into the villa.

Qu Bainan lowered the window, watching her retreating figure, then leaned back against the seat, slowly exhaling.

This was truly maddening.

Inside, Shen Zhiwei was accompanying Mrs. Qu in conversation.

“Su Su,” Mrs. Qu rose with a smile upon seeing Chen Su return. “You’re back? Your sister has come too—go call everyone.”

Shen Zhiwei had just returned from abroad, and Mrs. Qu was eager to gather them for dinner.

It was nothing more than a reminder to Chen Su of her place as the younger sister.

Chen Su had no choice but to don her mask again, smiling sweetly. “Hello, Sister Shen.”

Shen Zhiwei responded with a nod, her gaze resting on the white dress Chen Su wore.

It was exactly the same as what she had seen in the car earlier.

---

A shadow of gray flickered in Shen Zhiwei’s eyes before she smiled. “Since you’re back, let’s eat.”

At that moment, Shen Zhiwei seemed more like the lady of the Qu family than Mrs. Qu herself.

Chen Su felt insulted all over again.

When Qu Bainan came in, he glanced briefly at the empty seat beside Chen Su, then sat down right next to Shen Zhiwei.

Throughout, he never once looked at Chen Su.

Mrs. Qu was very pleased and began to chat idly. “Zhiwei, you’re not leaving this time, are you?”

“No,” Shen Zhiwei turned to Qu Bainan. “When I went abroad, it was to better match Bainan. Now that I’m back, it’s also for him.”

Only a woman truly understands the admiring gaze a woman casts upon a man.

Chen Su’s hand gripping her chopsticks nearly snapped them in two.

She felt herself burning with jealous madness.

Taking a deep breath, she hesitated briefly, then grasped the edge of the table and pressed her foot against Qu Bainan’s thigh.

Qu Bainan paused mid-motion with his chopsticks.

Sensing something amiss, Shen Zhiwei asked, “Bainan, what’s wrong?”