Chapter 39: Ambiguity

"Oh, it's not me; it's my friend."

Su Mian felt a bit uneasy under Huo Beihan's intense gaze. She walked over with a smile to explain.

"My friend ran away from home, and she decided to find someone for a fake marriage. She found someone online who seemed right, but it turned out to be Shen Tingzhou! I was so shocked when I saw the photo! Even though it's a fake marriage, I don't want Ningning to be bullied, so I wanted to ask what his intentions are."

Although Su Mian was a bit tipsy, her logic remained sound, and she maintained a serious tone when discussing the matter. Huo Beihan, listening to the explanation, gave an awkward cough. For a moment there, he had truly overthought it, believing Su Mian was interested in Shen Tingzhou. It had made his heart skip several beats, and he even felt a sudden impulse to ensure Shen Tingzhou never appeared before her again.

Indeed, when one cares too much, one becomes prone to panic. Only after hearing Su Mian’s explanation did his gloomy expression return to normal. His tone also regained its composure. "Even if I gave you his number, you wouldn't get a clear answer. We happen to have a gathering tomorrow; you can go and speak to Shen Tingzhou yourself."

Hearing about a gathering, Su Mian immediately recalled the awkward scenes from previous outings. She instinctively wanted to refuse, but then she considered that some things were better said in person. Moreover, Wen Kening was completely unguarded toward Shen Tingzhou, while Shen Tingzhou had hidden his family background; the relationship was built on deception from the start. She had to get to the bottom of it.

"Alright, I understand. Send me the location later, and I'll be there."

As Su Mian swayed while preparing to leave, Huo Beihan grabbed her wrist. "Wait a moment, the hangover soup will be ready soon."

Su Mian stood still. Huo Beihan turned off the stove, ladled the soup into a bowl, and set it on the table. When he looked back, he noticed Su Mian tilting her head, peering into the pot. His gaze dropped, and he caught sight of the wound on her neck.

"You're injured, so why are you drinking?"

Su Mian looked at him blankly, not having heard what he said. Huo Beihan stared at her neck for a long time, recalling how he had once lost control and kissed that very spot repeatedly. As he watched, his eyes grew profoundly deep. Su Mian, still dizzy and disoriented, looked at him with clear, unfocused eyes.

"What is it, Big Brother? Is there something dirty on my neck?"

Huo Beihan didn't answer; he simply reached out, took her hand, and led her away. Su Mian followed like a ragdoll, obediently letting him guide her out of her home and into his. Only when they reached Huo Beihan's room did she snap back to reality. Huo Beihan pressed her down into a chair and went to retrieve the medical kit.

"Sit still."

"Oh."

Huo Beihan took the ointment from the kit and squeezed some out, gently applying it to Su Mian's neck. The unusual contact made her instinctively shrink back.

"Don't move." He used his other hand to gently press down on her shoulder.

"It tickles..." Su Mian let out a faint, delicate sound from her throat.

The sound felt like a kitten's claws lightly scratching at Huo Beihan's chest. His fingers, busy with the wound, paused, trembling uncontrollably. Forcing down the rising heat in his chest and struggling to regain his composure, he continued to apply the medicine, turning his head away to rely only on his touch, afraid to look at her again.

Meanwhile, Su Mian had been staring at his Adam's apple. When Huo Beihan finished and looked down, their eyes met. During that silence, both seemed to sense an strange atmosphere. Because Su Mian had been squirming, Huo Beihan had pulled her to sit on his lap. The movement made them even more intimate.

The previously muddled Su Mian had become much clearer the moment Huo Beihan’s hand touched her. Yet, to Huo Beihan, that dazed and longing gaze seemed like an invitation. He slowly lowered his head, their lips drawing closer and closer.

But just as they were about to touch, Su Mian suddenly opened her eyes and, acting on reflex, stood up from his lap.

"Um, the soup must be cool by now. I... I'll go drink it."

She spoke stammeringly and rushed to get up, but because she moved too quickly, she tripped over her own feet. She almost fell, and Huo Beihan instinctively reached out to catch her. This time, however, Su Mian didn't even have time to say thank you before she ran off.

Watching her retreating figure as she bolted out the door, Huo Beihan felt dazed. He never expected to find himself in such a state. He had always been clear-headed and restrained before. But her eyes, her movements—they were always luring him in, and he felt he would fall into the abyss just by looking at her.

After returning home, Su Mian locked the door, went to the kitchen to fetch the soup, and downed it in one gulp. Then, leaning against the wall, she clutched her face and muttered, "No, what are you doing? That's your Big Brother."

But the more she tried to brainwash herself, the easier it was to think about what had just happened.

She stayed awake for a long time before finally getting ready for bed. The next morning, when Su Mian woke up, Wen Kening was already packed.

Su Mian couldn't help but nag a bit, "No matter what, I just hope you'll be happy. Whether it's a real marriage or a fake one, your own happiness is what matters most."

"Of course, I definitely will be," Wen Kening said, looking at Su Mian teasingly. "But what about you? You really need to put in some effort. Look at me, I’ve taken a direct step to the goal, isn't that great?"

Seeing the look in Wen Kening's eyes, Su Mian couldn't help but think of last night, and she guiltily looked away. "What effort is there for me to make?"

"Oh, come on, I’m not anyone else. You can fool others, but you can't fool me. Still, your situation is a bit awkward. Take it slow."

Seeing that Wen Kening was about to say something even more brazen, Su Mian quickly interrupted, "Alright, you should go check the apartment you rented and see if you have everything you need. I have to go to work."

"Fine, fine, fine." Wen Kening could tell Su Mian didn't want to discuss the topic. She grabbed her belongings and left.

After seeing Wen Kening off, Su Mian set out for work. Upon arriving at the company, she noticed her hair was a bit messy and headed to the restroom to fix it. Just as she entered, she found a familiar figure retching by the toilet. Looking closer, she realized it was Sun Qian.

Seeing it was Sun Qian, Su Mian wanted nothing to do with her and turned to leave after fixing her hair, but once the other woman finished vomiting, she rolled her eyes at Su Mian.

"What are you looking at?"

Sun Qian sneered as she left. Su Mian found it inexplicable and ignored her. She finished her hair and returned to her desk to complete the work she hadn't finished the day before.

Just after lunch, while everyone was still on break, she heard a commotion in the front area.

"What's going on?" Su Mian turned to ask a colleague, who shook their head. They both looked up to see what was happening, and then they heard a shout from the front.

"You shameless homewrecker! If you know what's good for you, you'll go get an abortion today, or don't blame me for what happens next!"

The person speaking was the wife of President Li from Chengguang Technology. Su Mian, like everyone else, looked on in shock, though most were just stretching their necks to watch the drama.

"What? Do you think I was wrong to hit you?" With that, she slapped her again.