C29 Is He Really That Old?
C29 Is He Really That Old?
Jian Yun subconsciously glanced at Huo Liancheng. Seeing as he still hadn't moved from his previous position, she had assumed that he was already in deep sleep. Stepping farther away from the bed, she whispered, "This is the first time we've met, Mom. I don't think I've gotten to know him well enough to make any assumptions of him."
Even with her hesitance, her mother didn't seem discouraged. Instead, Mrs. Jian laughed. This was definitely a change from the usual screams and lectures she received on all her previous dates. "It's fine, dear," she comforted. "Besides, Auntie Mao just called and said that her little Zhou had quite the impression of you. She asked me if you were interested in continuing to date him, and of course, I agreed on your behalf."
Not bothering to listen to any of her mother's blabbering, she rolled her eyes. Just as Jian Yun was about to walk out of the living room, she noticed that his wallet was still buried inside her bag. Taking it out, his ID had fallen out from one of its pockets, allowing her to take a better look. "He's handsome, but 32 is a pretty old age now that I think about it," Jian Yun murmured under her breath before shoving it back into his wallet.
"What are you talking about? He just turned thirty this year, and that's not too old! Besides, you're already twenty-six! It's not like you're any younger." Hearing her daughter's complaints and assuming that it was about the lawyer, Mrs. Jian immediately thought of good things to say about him. After all, from what she had heard, the man was the perfect match for her!
"You're supposed to be my mother, not his!" She sighed, feeling slightly heavy in her heart. Not wanting to hear about how great Zhou Shaolong was, Jian Yun quickly continued, "Mom, it's getting late. You should get some rest, okay? I'm going to sleep too."
"All right! Just make sure to pick up Zhou Shaolong's call, all right?" With a few more reminders, Mrs. Jian finally hung up.
Jian Yun heaved a sigh of relief and dropped the wallet on the bedside table right next to his phone. The leather wallet propped right open, displaying a small glossy photo. Just as she was about to head out to Luo Yanyan's room, she couldn't help but frown and peer closely at the picture. However, under the dark night, she couldn't really see much.
She wasn't generally the type of person to swoop in other people's stuff, but there was something about this photo that had given her a strong sense of déjà vu.
A weird feeling crawled up to her chest as she slowly reached for the wallet on the nightstand. However, just as Jian Yun was about to open the wallet to see a clearer silhouette of the woman in the picture, a hand shot out from the shadows and seized her by the wrist.
"Ah!" She screamed in fear, stumbling back. Upon turning, she saw that Huo Liancheng was already seated as he stared at her with bloodshot eyes, looking like a monster who had just crept out from the dark. Her hands trembled in fear and the wallet fell onto the carpet.
"President Huo, wh–when did you wake up?" Jian Yun stammered in guilt. Not only was she caught peeking at his wallet, but seeing how wide alert he was, he must've heard what she had said earlier, right? Her heart fell into the pits of her stomach as she struggled for words.
He didn't answer her. Instead, he only said one word, "Water."
She froze for a moment before reacting. As if lightning had struck her core, she sprang back to life and nodded over and over like a broken bobblehead. "I'll go get it for you."
Without waiting for him to reply, she bent over, placed the wallet back on the nightstand, and turned towards the door.
Jian Yun was about to head out when she heard a faint voice coming from behind her. "Is thirty-two really that old?"
Forgetting that she had yet to open the door, she rammed her head against the hardwood so hard that she could've sworn that she saw stars. Jian Yun stumbled back, blinking back the tears that were threatening to rush down her cheeks.
However, even then, she didn't dare turn her head. Pretending as if nothing had happened, she clutched her nose and made a run for it, sprinting like a thief running from the police. By the time, she had gotten out of the room, she gasped out in pain like a fish out of water.
It's over! He had heard everything? Using her hand to fan her nose, Jian Yun could only prepare herself for the worst. She squeezed her eyes shut and held back a sigh. Just as everything was getting along just fine, she had to cause another blunder! With President Huo's pettiness, he would surely hold another grudge against her.
When Jian Yun had walked back into the room with a cup of water, she saw that Huo Liancheng was already seated upright and leaning against the headstand. His fingers pinched the space in between his eyebrows, looking irritated. Although, from the looks of it, the man still looked drunk.
"Your water, President Huo." She handed him the cup.
When he reached for it, his fingers carelessly grazed the back of her hand. Jian Yun immediately pulled away as if she had just been electrocuted. Her breath hitched, and her heart skipped a few beats.
Huo Liancheng took this time to glance at her. Her forehead and nose were red from the harsh impact, and her large eyes were filled with unshed tears. She looked like a character that had just popped out from a cartoon. There was a certain smile in his eyes as he gazed at her figure.
When he had finally taken the glass, she hesitated before saying, "President Huo, maybe you can tell me your address. I can send you back in..."
The more she spoke, the softer her voice became. She wasn't even able to finish what she wanted to stay as she shuffled farther and farther away from him. Her gaze drifted onto the carpet, suddenly finding the microfibers more interesting than the man sitting right in front of her.
Huo Liancheng didn't say a word this entire time. Instead, he simply stared at Jian Yun. The environment around them had grown unusually quiet.
Giving up, she finally shook her head. "If you don't mind, you can sleep in my bed then. I can sleep next door."
Not giving him a chance to reply, she sprinted out of the room as if she was escaping from a cage. Wu Wenjing was right! Although President Huo was handsome, he was far too detached from happiness. His face was aloof, and his eyes were cold. If she had spent one more minute with him, she might even freeze to death. She had to watch her words when she's around him. Otherwise, he might hold it against her.
The moment Jian Yun left, Huo Liancheng put the glass back onto the nightstand and picked up his wallet. He slowly opened it, pulling out a small picture. There was yellowing around the sides, and a few spots danced across the glossy linings. However, the photograph was still in good shape. In the picture, there was a young woman standing in front of a flower wall. Although it was a faint silhouette, there was something about her dazzling smile that could even compete with the brilliance of the flowers surrounding her. At the sight, the corners of his lips twitched upwards.
Jian Yun couldn't sleep that night. Not only was she worried about Luo Yanyan, but she was also anxious about bringing Liancheng home tonight. After all, they had only known each other for a few days. Although he looked like a proper well-educated man, she couldn't help but worry if he'd do something to her in the middle of the night. What was she going to do then?
Although she had practiced Taiji Fist with her grandfather for a few years, Huo Liancheng would probably put up a fight. She wouldn't know if she'd be able to beat him or not.
Her back leaned against the cushions as she suppressed a sigh. From the sight of his tall frame and muscular figure, he might be a strong opponent.
However, after a few minutes of thinking and scrutinizing the entire fight, she had finally drifted off to sleep. Jian Yun snuggled under the covers comfortably, unaware that someone was standing beside her this entire time.
When she woke up, it was already morning. Squinting, she swung her legs out of the bed as her toes scrunched up the furry carpet underneath the bed. Once Jian Yun had finally mustered the courage to walk out of the room, she saw that Huo Liancheng was already awake. He stood by the window, basking in the warm sunlight. Although he was wearing the same clothes from last night and looked extremely disheveled, he still held the same intimidating aura that could render any man speechless.
The spring weather had gradually warmed, and it was far cry from the cold shattering winds they had experienced recently. The soft air wafted around them, smelling of sweet flowers.
Huo Liancheng heard the door creak behind him and turned around. The sunlight clouded around his figure, forming a radiant halo. The hard lines around his face had softened, and his dark eyes were covered with a ray of brightness, making it even harder for people to read him.
As he stared at Jian Yun, her breathing sped up and her heart stirred in her chest.