Chapter 526: From now on, I am yours

Longjing Caotang, inside a private room.

After a full three hours.

The air inside the private room…… finally dispelled that agitating heat that made one's heart race.

Only the cool night breeze seeping in from outside remained, carrying the fresh scent of bamboo shadows, blowing away the lingering ambiguity filling the room.

Lin Yuan and Shen Nan Zhi, in order to detoxify, their instinctive reaction……

From losing control to now, regaining rationality.

From the onset of the drug's effect to being completely resolved……

Three hours later.

"My legs……" Shen Nan Zhi wiggled her toes but found her legs so weak they could not support her body at all.

Shen Nan Zhi's mind went completely blank%……

The chaotic, scorching images just now came flooding back in fragments……

Shen Nan Zhi fell into a daze.

Not after a romantic confession, not in the warmth of things falling into place……

But in the absurdity of a drunken revelry, being completely overtaken by Lin Yuan, this "younger brother" who is ten years her junior.

"Sorry, Nan Zhi-jie." Lin Yuan sighed, turning his side to gaze at Shen Nan Zhi's pale profile, guilt flooding over him like a tide, "I couldn't control myself…… it's all my fault."

"Pa——" a crisp slap rang out suddenly, Lin Yuan's cheek instantly blooming with a clear red mark.

He did not dodge, nor even blink, merely staring stubbornly at Shen Nan Zhi, accepting her anger.

Because Lin Yuan felt a bit guilty.

But Shen Nan Zhi's hand trembled slightly after she struck.

She looked at Lin Yuan's reddened, swollen cheek, at the self-reproach in his eyes……

At this moment, Shen Nan Zhi's sense of grievance and anger…… were suddenly replaced by a complex emotion.

She suddenly leaned in, extending her arms to wrap around Lin Yuan's neck……

She and he, entwined and rubbing against each other.

"Sorry, it's not your fault……" Her tears smeared onto Lin Yuan's shirt, blooming a small wet patch, "I was the one who lost control; I shouldn't have hit you."

Shen Nan Zhi's eyes held a hint of bewilderment: "By the way, Director Su? She just said she was going to the washroom, why hasn't she come back?"

Lin Yuan's body instantly stiffened, his eyes flickering, unwilling to meet her gaze.

Su Monong's scheming is the root of this absurdity, but how should he put it?

To say Su Monong deliberately drugged them and locked the door just to force them into a relationship?

That would only make Shen Nan Zhi more embarrassed, even utterly destroying her trust in the workplace.

After hesitating for a long while, Lin Yuan vaguely explained: "Director Su…… she seemed to say she had an urgent matter and left first."

"An urgent matter?" Doubt flickered in Shen Nan Zhi's beautiful eyes.

She braced herself on the sofa armrest…… barely managing to sit upright.

She carefully recalled, and the fragmented memories suddenly linked together.

When Su Monong poured the wine just now, she wore a meaningful smile……%

And, she deliberately hinted at "tacit understanding."

Plus, her parting line before leaving, "You two drink slowly……"

These details fit together like a puzzle, causing a chill to rise in Shen Nan Zhi's heart.

"No, tonight is too strange. I clearly only had three cups of huangjiu, how did I get that drunk, and……" Her voice grew softer, her cheeks flushing again……

"Besides, the private room door—when we tried to leave just now, why couldn't we open it no matter what? We've been in here this long, not even a server came in."

Lin Yuan's heart leapt to his throat.

He knew Shen Nan Zhi was always sharp; these doubts could hardly escape her notice.

He averted her gaze, reaching out to tidy his disheveled clothing.

Lin Yuan added softly: "Director Su had already paid the bill beforehand, so perhaps that's why no server came to disturb us……"

Shen Nan Zhi's brows knit tightly, doubt deepening in her eyes; she suddenly glanced at the empty wine jar on the table, her gaze sharpening: "This wine…… could it be problematic?"

Lin Yuan's breath hitched; he hadn't expected Shen Nan Zhi to think of the wine so quickly.

Lin Yuan opened his mouth, hastily denying: "There's nothing wrong with this wine, Nan Zhi-jie, you just drank too much earlier……"

Lin Yuan covered up.

At the crucial moment, he still helped Director Su conceal the 'crime.'

Shen Nan Zhi didn't think further; at this moment her head remained hazy.

Her whole person was still somewhat drunk, her consciousness still a bit fuzzy.

She braced herself on the sofa to sit upright, gently smoothing her disheveled skirt.

Shen Nan Zhi spoke with a hint of deliberate detachment, softly saying, "Lin Yuan, tonight I drank too much, I lost control first. So this isn't your fault, and I don't need you to take responsibility."

"Nan Zhi-jie, I……" Lin Yuan froze; he hadn't expected Shen Nan Zhi to say such words, his guilt intensifying.

Lin Yuan opened his mouth…… wanting to say more, but she interrupted him again.

"Rest assured, I know you have someone else in your heart, so I won't force the issue." Shen Nan Zhi turned her head to look at him, her eyes clear and firm, "From now on we remain colleagues, good friends who can discuss R&D. Tonight's incident, let's pretend it never happened, forget it."

Lin Yuan watched her put on a strong facade, knowing she was giving him an out and also preserving his dignity.

"Good." Lin Yuan nodded.

He had thousands of words stuck in his throat, ultimately only turning into a heavy sigh,

Silence spread in the private room for a moment.

Lin Yuan was the first to stand, tidying his own clothing.

He walked over to Shen Nan Zhi, bent down, and said, "Shen Nan Zhi, it's getting late; you're weak, let me take you home."

Shen Nan Zhi did not refuse; she tried to get up by herself…

But as soon as she put force on her legs, they went soft; fortunately, Lin Yuan was quick-eyed and quick-handed and held her up.

"Let me do it." Lin Yuan sighed helplessly, carefully scooped her up horizontally… lifted Shen Nan Zhi, his movements as gentle as holding a fragile treasure.

Shen Nan Zhi's cheeks flushed instantly, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

She buried her face in Lin Yuan's shoulder…

At the tip of her nose lingered the faint scent of herbal medicine on Lin Yuan's body, mixed with a man's sweat and hormone aura.

Shen Nan Zhi's heartbeat quickened involuntarily.

Lin Yuan held her as they left the private room; the corridor was empty, only the wall lamps emitting a warm yellow glow.

Evidently, the restaurant staff had all been greeted in advance by Su Monong.

Therefore, no server dared to disturb them.

Lin Yuan carried Shen Nan Zhi all the way to the parking lot, gently placed her in the passenger seat, and carefully fastened her seatbelt and adjusted the seat angle.

Then Lin Yuan got into the car, drove the Tesla Model S, and slowly pulled away…

……

The night was hazy.

Hangcheng street.

A white Tesla sedan drove steadily through the night.

The cabin was very quiet, only a faint breeze from the air vent.

Shen Nan Zhi leaned against the seatback, turning her head to look at Lin Yuan driving…

The streetlights' light and shadow flowed across his well-defined profile, making him look more composed than usual.

At this moment, Shen Nan Zhi's heart was also very complicated.

She looked at this domineering little man who had taken over her, biting her lip with her fine teeth, unsure how to face…

Forty minutes later, the car stopped in front of the residential complex where Shen Nan Zhi lived.

Lin Yuan lifted her again; as they entered the elevator, Shen Nan Zhi instinctively buried her face deeper, afraid the neighbors would see her sorry state.

The elevator reached the top floor; Lin Yuan held her as they walked to her door…

Shen Nan Zhi told Lin Yuan the door code.

Lin Yuan helped her open the password lock door.

The moment the door opened, warm indoor light spilled out, illuminating Shen Nan Zhi's red-rimmed eyes.

"Shen Nan Zhi, aren't your parents home?" Lin Yuan asked.

"I live alone." Shen Nan Zhi explained softly.

Just as Lin Yuan was about to set her down on the shoe-changing bench in the entryway, Shen Nan Zhi suddenly tightened her arms, pulling him closer…

Immediately afterward, Shen Nan Zhi suddenly tilted her head back.

She whispered, "Anyway, I've already given you my first time; I'm a cleanliness freak. My first time belongs to you, and from now on, all my times will be yours. I will give myself only to you."

These words struck him like a thunderbolt, exploding in his mind.

He looked at Shen Nan Zhi's earnest eyes…

Lin Yuan's heart was a mix of emotions—an inexplicable urge, guilt, and confusion about the future.

Shen Nan Zhi seemed to see his turmoil.

She gently pushed him, sliding out of his embrace.

After steadying herself, Shen Nan Zhi gave him a smile: "It's late; you should head back and rest early too."

Having said that, she turned and walked inside, gently pulling the door shut, leaving him no chance to respond.

Lin Yuan stood outside the door, listening to the sound of the indoor lock clicking shut…

Lin Yuan sighed; his heart felt as if it were filled with something, yet also empty.

He raised his hand to touch his lips, as if her warmth still lingered.

After a long silence, Lin Yuan finally turned and went downstairs; his silhouette in the hallway light looked especially lonely.

……

Just as Lin Yuan reached the bottom of the residential complex, his phone in his pocket suddenly rang.

He picked up the phone and saw the three characters "Su Monong" jumping on the screen.

That name made Lin Yuan's brows furrow instantly.

He hesitated for two seconds, then still slid to answer.

"Finished?" came the voice over the phone; Su Monong's tone carried a hint of lazy amusement.

Lin Yuan startled, holding the phone, replied: "Finished."

His voice lacked emotion, only revealing hard-to-conceal fatigue.

"Then go home; I'm waiting for you downstairs at your place." Su Monong said lightly, yet with an unquestionable tone.

"You're downstairs at my place?" Lin Yuan startled.

"Yeah, hurry home." Su Monong said lightly in the call, then hung up.

Lin Yuan hurried toward his car, his irritation growing a bit more.

Several minutes later, Lin Yuan's car entered the apartment complex where he lived.

Just as he parked his car in the garage, he saw in the distance a familiar black Mercedes-Benz parked nearby.

Lin Yuan pushed open the car door and walked straight over, opened the Mercedes-Benz door, and sat in the passenger seat.

Su Monong wore that cheongsam, leaning against the seatback, playing with her phone.

"Director Su, what are you doing downstairs at my house?" Lin Yuan didn't respond to her words, asking in an icy tone.

Seeing Lin Yuan come in, she lifted her eyes to look at him, a teasing smile in her eyes: "Director Su? Now you don't even call me 'sister'?"

"I'm tired; if you have something to say, just say it straight." Lin Yuan said coldly.

Su Monong put down her phone, her body leaning slightly forward, moving closer to Lin Yuan.

Her warm breath sprayed onto his neck.

Su Monong said languidly, "Of course I'm here to see how your night's results turned out. How was it? Did you get Shen Nan Zhi? How did it taste?"

"Director Su, you've really gone too far this time." Lin Yuan jerked his head away to avoid her touch, his eyes full of disgust: "Why did you take my Silver Needle? If it weren't for you, none of this would have happened!"

Su Monong seemed prepared; she took out that antiquated wooden needle case from her bag and lightly placed it on Lin Yuan's leg: "Here, your Silver Needle is returned."

Her tone was light, as if she had merely taken an insignificant trifle.

Lin Yuan looked at the needle case on his leg, then at Su Monong's indifferent expression, and anger surged in his heart: "Is this fun? To scheme against your own employee using such despicable methods?"

"Of course it's fun." Su Monong raised her eyebrows, her tone carrying a sense of inevitability: "Sister, I'm helping you. Shen Nan Zhi is young, beautiful, and capable; you slept with her, aren't you pleased?"

"Su Monong, you've changed to the point I feel like I don't know you." Lin Yuan's voice was full of disappointment.

The former Su Monong, who was strong yet still had principles, has disappeared.

Now, in Su Monong's eyes, only calculation and selfishness remain.

Su Monong's smile vanished instantly, her tone turning cold: "Lin Yuan, you dare call me by my name directly? You won't call me sister anymore?"

"I don't have a sister like you who would stop at nothing for profit." Lin Yuan said each word deliberately.

"Hehehe..." Su Monong suddenly laughed, her laughter tinged with madness, then she suddenly reached out and shoved Lin Yuan onto the passenger seat.

Su Monong lifted the slit of her cheongsam and straddled Lin Yuan.

Su Monong pressed both hands on Lin Yuan's chest, teasing: "Stinky little brother, you dare to defy the wicked sister?"

Lin Yuan was stunned by her sudden move, then his anger flared even more.

Lin Yuan exerted force suddenly, flipped over and pressed Su Monong beneath him, gripping her wrists tightly: "Director Su, you've really disappointed me tonight."

"What's there to be disappointed about?" Su Monong struggled a bit, seeing she couldn't break free, she simply gave up resisting,

Her eyes held a provocative smile: "I've used you many times; what can you do to me, sister?"

That remark completely ignited Lin Yuan's anger.

Lin Yuan looked at Su Monong's indifferent demeanor...

He recalled Shen Nan Zhi's tearful, wronged expression.

Lin Yuan could bear it no longer; he raised his hand and slapped Su Monong.

"Pa!"

A crisp sound, especially clear in the cramped carriage.

Su Monong froze, she covered her face, looking at Lin Yuan in disbelief.

"You... you stinky little brother, you dare hit sister?"

Lin Yuan said nothing, then raised his hand and slapped her again, this time with greater force.

"You..." Su Monong's eyes instantly reddened.

She suddenly wrapped her jade arms around Lin Yuan's neck, her gorgeous red lips... sealing his lips in a kiss.

Her fine teeth, with a punishing meaning, bit hard into Lin Yuan's lip: "Stinky little brother, you really are getting bolder, huh? But if you've got the guts, try hitting me again."

As a result, Lin Yuan raised his hand again!

"Pa——!" This time, Lin Yuan fiercely whipped her body!

"You..." Su Monong's voice trembled from being hit, filled with anger.

But the result was, the more she resisted, the harder Lin Yuan hit her.

"Pa! Pa! Pa!" Lin Yuan fiercely whipped Su Monong...