Chapter 29: Still the Same as Five Years Ago

In Shen Suining’s memory, aside from her grandmother, no one had ever done such a thing for her. Even Jiang Runlang, who had pursued her so fervently at the start, had never once done anything of the sort during their time as lovers.

At this very moment, Jiang Ji knelt before her, gently removing her shoes. Seemingly worried that her feet might be tired, he even gave them a massage. Shen Suining’s feet were highly sensitive; when Jiang Ji touched them, she instinctively tried to pull away. The movement was so abrupt that she nearly kicked him.

Shen Suining was immediately overcome with guilt and hurriedly began to apologize. However, Jiang Ji suddenly chuckled. He looked up at her and said, "Suisui, you’re still the same as you were five years ago."

"What?" Shen Suining asked, bewildered, not understanding what he meant.

Jiang Ji stood up, bracing his hands on either side of her, and looked at her with burning intensity. "Five years ago, when I touched your feet, you kicked me just like that."

Only then did it dawn on Shen Suining that he was talking about that night five years ago. Her face flushed a deep, burning crimson in an instant.

Yet, Jiang Ji continued, "It’s a good thing I dodged quickly, otherwise, Yinuo wouldn't be here today."

Shen Suining understood immediately where she had kicked him five years ago. This only made her face grow hotter, and she felt so embarrassed she wished she could disappear into the floor. She muttered, "I didn't know about that."

She had been drunk at the time and had no memory of it. Shen Suining tried to play the ostrich, thinking that if she couldn't remember it, she could pretend it never happened.

Jiang Ji laughed, leaned over, and kissed her cheek. "Why are you so cute, Suisui?"

Shen Suining met his smiling eyes, wondering if she was overthinking it—was he just teasing her? A trace of dejection flickered in her heart. After all, Jiang Ji had promised her he would never lie to her. Summoning a courage she didn't know she possessed—for in the past, she would have just stewed in her own endless conjectures—she boldly asked, "Were you lying to me just now?"

Jiang Ji immediately sensed her sensitivity. He felt both helpless and delighted, knowing full well that it had not been easy for her to ask such a question.

"No, Suisui," Jiang Ji replied. "I told you, I will never deceive you."

Shen Suining stared at him unblinkingly, trying to discern any hint of guilt or dishonesty on his face. Fortunately, there was none. A second later, she felt a wave of self-conscious shyness. If everything he said was true, then she...

Her gaze drifted downward involuntarily, from his eyes to his nose, then his lips, and down to his Adam’s apple and chest. Finally, her eyes settled lower. Jiang Ji took in her every expression and tracked the movement of her gaze perfectly. As her demeanor grew increasingly flustered, he finally said, "Don't worry, Suisui. I’m quite capable of protecting myself; otherwise, Yinuo wouldn’t have grown up so well."

Shen Suining immediately looked away. Jiang Ji didn't let her off the hook, though; he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "However, if you don't believe me, I’d be more than happy to let you inspect it for yourself."

As he spoke, he made a show of reaching for his belt buckle. Shen Suining was truly panicked now. She pushed him away, tumbled backward onto the bed, and pulled the quilt over herself, burying her head completely.

"I'm so tired, I want to sleep," she said, squeezing her eyes shut tightly.

She didn't see the look of relief that washed over Jiang Ji's face. Ever since she had received that phone call, her nerves had been stretched to the breaking point. Jiang Ji knew that if he had simply tried to comfort her and told her to rest, she never would have agreed. At least now, he had successfully diverted her attention, allowing her to get some much-needed sleep.

Jiang Ji didn't say anything more; he simply went to turn off the light in the lounge. Hearing his footsteps as he walked away, Shen Suining was curious about what he was doing, but she was too afraid that if she asked, he would insist she perform that "inspection." Simply put, she kept her eyes shut tight and pretended to know nothing. Perhaps it was sheer exhaustion, or perhaps her taut nerves had finally relaxed, but Shen Suining was genuinely tired, and before long, she drifted off to sleep.

Jiang Ji was gone for over half an hour. When he returned, he crept toward the bed, listening to her soft, rhythmic breathing, his eyes filled with gentleness.

The bed in the lounge was small, and initially, Jiang Ji hadn't intended to lie down. But watching how sweet and composed she looked in her sleep, he couldn't help himself. He carefully nudged Shen Suining toward the center, leaving just enough room for himself to lie on his side. Unable to resist the temptation, he eventually climbed in beside her.

Shen Suining’s sleep was light. As he settled in, she murmured something in her half-waking state. Whether she felt the warmth of his body or caught the pleasant scent of him, she instinctively snuggled into his arms without a conscious thought.

This brought Jiang Ji immense joy. He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her forehead and cheeks repeatedly. His Suisui was finally sleeping by his side. Jiang Ji closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep with a heart full of contentment. On the night they had reunited, he had watched her all night long, unable to get enough, greedily trying to etch every breath and expression of hers into his mind. Now, finally holding his beloved woman as they slept, he felt complete.

They both slept well that night, but there were others who didn't sleep at all.

When Jiang Runlang returned to the old Jiang family mansion in the middle of the night, the commotion he caused woke both Jiang Zan and Pei Min. Seeing their son bruised and battered, Jiang Zan was so furious he felt like grabbing a weapon to kill someone. He had only one son, and he had spent his entire life fighting and clawing for his sake. Now, to see his precious son beaten into such a state—this wasn't just an attack on Jiang Runlang; it was a slap in the face to him!

"Who was it! Who dared to hurt my son like this!" Jiang Zan roared, smashing two antique vases in his rage.

Compared to Jiang Zan’s fury, Pei Min, while clearly worried, remained much more detached. She stared intently at Jiang Runlang and asked, "You say Shen Suining ordered someone to beat you—do you have any proof?"

Jiang Runlang sneered coldly. "I saw them leaving together with my own eyes. What more proof do I need?"