EIP 52

Shirley Chen pressed her moist red lips together, her fingers gloved in lace. She lightly brushed her fingers over her cheek, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing the emerald earrings. Zhou Jun furrowed his brow even deeper. His memory was too sharp, and he recalled that Shirley’s earring had a particular jade-like quality. It wasn’t purely green; sometimes, it appeared blue.

It was during a dance when he had stolen one of her earrings, only to return it later when she had him put it back on her, leading him into her home. And then, that man had appeared. Seeing that Zhou Jun understood her unspoken hint, Shirley’s smile grew sweeter. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, but not at him. She was looking past his shoulder, her gaze locking onto someone behind him.

Zhou Jun remembered how she had looked at that man the last time he spied through the window. A strange emotion surged from deep within him, growing increasingly frantic. Shirley sidestepped him, her arm brushing against his as she passed. Her hair tangled over his shoulder, slowly falling down in strands.

The time seemed to stretch, and that strand of hair slowly fell, causing the thread of rationality within Zhou Jun to teeter dangerously. He heard Shirley’s gentle voice call to the man, “Ah Jin, where did you go?” In his mind, he urged himself to leave, to take a step forward and walk away without looking back. But his body refused to obey, unresponsive to his commands. His fingers trembled for a long time, and eventually, he turned back.

Yong Jin stood not far away, and Shirley hooked her arm around his. The woman stood on tiptoe and whispered something in his ear. Zhou Jun saw Yong Jin lower his thick lashes, his cheek slightly tilted as he listened to her words, and there was no moment of eye contact as Zhou Jun had imagined. He didn’t look at her. Zhou Jun’s gaze lingered on the pair for a moment, lost in thought.

Suddenly, someone gently tugged at the hem of his coat, pulling his attention back. He turned to see Lin Mian, frowning with a slightly frustrated pout. Her eyes were bright, and her cheeks were flushed, but it wasn’t from embarrassment, it was more like she was angry. She asked, “Do you know him?” Zhou Jun instinctively felt she was asking about Yong Jin, but he feigned ignorance, “Who?”

Lin Mian looked toward the couple not far away, and it seemed that Yong Jin sensed her gaze, suddenly lifting his eyes. When his gaze landed on her and Zhou Jun, it instantly became colder, as if it was imbued with ice and snow, exuding a sharp intensity that put pressure on her. She couldn’t help but lean a little closer to Zhou Jun, trying to position herself so he could shield her. In a low voice, she said, “I know it’s rude, but could you help me?”

Zhou Jun also felt the obvious, unmasked pressure emanating from Yong Jin. He subtly shifted his body to block Lin Mian. The next moment, he reached out to take the hand she had tugged at his jacket and gently kissed it. However, instead of kissing the back of her hand, he kissed his own thumb. Lin Mian stared at him in a daze, her lips slightly parted.

Zhou Jun smiled and said, “I can help you, but first, how about we dance?” Lin Mian closed her mouth and nodded vigorously. Together, they stepped into the dance floor, swaying to the music. Although it was Zhou Jun who had initiated the dance, he was distracted, and Lin Mian could feel it. The frequent missteps made Zhou Jun bite his lip in frustration, offering a small apologetic smile to Lin Mian.

Lin Mian asked curiously, “Aren’t you going to ask what I need your help with?” Zhou Jun looked at the petite girl and replied, “It can’t be anything too difficult.” Lin Mian playfully responded, “What if it’s something difficult?” Zhou Jun pondered for a moment before answering, “Then, of course, I’d beg for your forgiveness, Miss, for my uselessness.” Lin Mian laughed, amused, and said, “I thought you’d say you’d go through fire and water for me.”

As Lin Mian spun in Zhou Jun’s arms, she rested her hand on his shoulder. A strange urge to confide in him suddenly rose within her. Maybe it was the atmosphere or perhaps because she felt he was a kind stranger, but she said, “Actually, you’ve already helped me.” Zhou Jun raised an eyebrow in surprise, and the girl in his arms seemed troubled as she continued, “I came here today for a blind date. Honestly, I’m quite satisfied with him, but… it seems like he doesn’t like me. He’s more interested in that lady next to him.”

Lin Mian finished speaking and let out a long sigh. She then looked up at Zhou Jun with a playful smile, her eyes squinting slightly as she asked, “You know him, right? Is he your friend?” Zhou Jun took a step forward, his hand gripping the soft curve of her waist as he spun her around. The cool fabric of her dress fluttered against his fingers as she twirled. He didn’t respond, but Lin Mian continued guessing on her own.

She said, “I think you two must know each other. He followed you out just now.” Zhou Jun lowered his gaze to her, smiling elegantly, his eyes holding a hint of indulgence, as if daring her to keep guessing, to try and figure out what exactly his relationship with him was. The violin’s music soared higher, and more couples joined in the dance. The sound of heels tapping on the floor created a rhythm, echoing the intensity of the moment.

The girl was starting to feel tired, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, her words coming out in short bursts. Boldly, she guessed, “Is your relationship with him not good? His gaze just now was terrifying.” Zhou Jun took her hand and spun her around in place. Lin Mian had had a few drinks before the dance, trying to calm her frustration. But instead of burning off the alcohol, the dance only made her more dizzy, and she nearly stumbled into his arms.

Mr. Zhou, being the gentleman he was, firmly supported her shoulder, ensuring she didn’t get too close, keeping her body just far enough from his. Lin Mian, embarrassed, tried to regain her balance, but Zhou Jun continued to steady her. As she became more flustered, he finally spoke, “Partly correct, partly incorrect.”

Lin Mian’s thoughts began to drift. The lights seemed to shatter, scattering in all directions, making her feel a little dizzy. She shook her head, unsure of what to say next, and asked, “You’re friends, but that lady spoke to you. Do you like her?” Zhou Jun continued to smile, his gray-blue eyes deep, making her feel even more intoxicated. He answered, “Half right, half wrong.”

This left her confused, and her curiosity grew, filling her eyes. She was like a little girl who failed at exchanging secrets, frustrated and a little pouty as she said, “I’ve told you mine, but you won’t tell me yours.” Her words didn’t really make sense, as Zhou Jun hadn’t agreed to any exchange. But he was a gentleman, and how could he disappoint a lady?

However, Zhou Jun was not the upright gentleman he seemed to be. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes, and with a hint of madness, he suddenly pulled Lin Mian into his arms. His dancing steps quickened, spinning with her in the center of the dance floor. His skill returned, no longer clumsy and erratic. Together, they became the focus of everyone’s attention, the woman’s skirt blooming like waves, clinging to the handsome gentleman’s form like a tendril of silk flowers. They looked perfectly matched, a striking couple.

Shirley Chen watched the dance floor with mixed feelings. She instinctively touched her earlobe but was startled by the faint sound of glass shattering. She turned toward the source of the sound and was stunned to see Yong Jin standing there, blood and wine mingling as they dripped from his hand. He had crushed the glass in his bare palm. Shards glittered under the light, embedded deep in his skin. Xue Li gasped and reached for him, but he quickly pushed her away.

Yong Jin pressed a handkerchief firmly against his injured hand, his expression emotionless. He turned to Shirley Chen and said, “Thank you for tonight. As for your mother’s matter, I’ll have someone take care of it.” Shirley’s lower lip quivered. She wanted to say that it wasn’t for that reason, but all she could see was his heartless figure walking away.

In the dance floor, Lin Mian’s eyes widened, and all her intoxication drained away like a receding tide, leaving only a chilling cold. Just as they were dancing with the greatest intensity, Zhou Jun had pulled her close and whispered in her ear, “Yong Jin and I don’t have the easiest relationship. He’s not my friend. He’s my lover.”