Chapter48

Cen Zhen was mentally trying to remember the unfamiliar street names while also wondering what she would do if she couldn’t find a power bank later. What if no one would lend her one? Or, if someone did, would they accept WeChat payments, or would they insist on Hong Kong dollars?

She had come in such a rush, bringing nothing but her ID and a pass.

Her mind was in chaos, and she had even started to imagine herself wandering the streets of Hong Kong on New Year's Eve, hearing someone call her name.

After accepting that Meng Fanchuan had already left, hearing that familiar voice again made Cen Zhen hesitate, but it sounded so real, and it was so close, almost as if it were right behind her.

Cen Zhen turned around in disbelief.

The moment their eyes met, her eyes instantly reddened. The route and street names she had been trying so hard to remember flew out of her mind. Holding her dead phone, she took a few steps toward him. When she saw him quickly approaching, she couldn’t hold back and ran straight toward him.

She had intended to smile, but when she landed in his arms, she couldn’t hold back the sense of grievance, and her voice trembled, “…I thought you had left.”

Meng Fanchuan pulled her tightly into his embrace. Only when he truly felt her breath did he realize—

He wasn’t dreaming, and he hadn’t drunk too much.

The woman he had been chatting with just a few hours ago had suddenly appeared right before him.

Meng Fanchuan was almost at a loss for what to do. He didn’t know how she could be so bold. While holding her tight, he couldn’t help but feel a little afraid—what if he hadn’t asked to get off the car to grab his mother’s shawl, or if Zhuang Jiayi hadn’t forgotten it? What would she have done alone in this unfamiliar place?

Thinking about this, Meng Fanchuan loosened his grip and asked, “Aren’t you in Hangzhou? Are you crazy?”

The staff at Jialong exchanged looks. Although they didn’t know what had happened, they were quick to give them space to leave.

When Meng Fanchuan wasn’t around, Cen Zhen had felt she was strong. If worse came to worst, she could spend the night at a 7-11. But now that he had appeared, the line between strength and fragility seemed so thin. Hearing him speak like that, she couldn’t hold back her tears, “Did I disturb you?”

Meng Fanchuan realized he had scared her. He hugged her again, tenderly, “No, no.”

He kissed her on the top of her head repeatedly, “I wanted to see you so badly.”

Fortunately, the relatives upstairs had all taken the elevator down to the parking lot, so if a group of people had come down, they would have definitely seen the two young lovers in a passionate embrace.

His phone rang, and it was Zhuang Jiayi calling. Meng Fanchuan reluctantly released Cen Zhen and wiped her tears, “Wait for me here, don’t wander off.”

Cen Zhen nodded obediently.

While answering the call, Meng Fanchuan walked back upstairs. He smoothly retrieved the shawl and casually told a waiter, “Take it to Miss Zhuang’s car across the street, the one with the three-region license plate.”

On the phone, Zhuang Jiayi asked, “Where are you going?”

Meng Fanchuan didn’t want Meng Songnian to know. He made up a casual excuse, “A friend called. I won’t be back tonight.”

Zhuang Jiayi understood. She knew it was rare for Meng Fanchuan to come back to Hong Kong, and it was normal for young people to go out during the holidays, but still reminded him, “Don’t drink too much, and remember to come home for Tangyuan tomorrow morning.”

“Got it.”

Meng Fanchuan quickly returned downstairs, as though he feared that in any second he was away, Cen Zhen might be taken by someone else. He held her hand tightly while dialing a number to Wen Hui, asking only for a car and a change of clothes. Wen Hui acted fast, and ten minutes later, a low-profile R8 was parked at the entrance of the restaurant. Meng Fanchuan immediately led Cen Zhen to the car.

Once inside, he noticed her palms were slightly damp. Meng Fanchuan asked, “Is it a bit warm?”

Though the temperature in Hong Kong had dropped recently, it was still around 10 degrees, so her down jacket was still a bit thick.

Cen Zhen shook her head, “I was just too excited earlier.”

Meng Fanchuan chuckled helplessly and suddenly remembered something. He pulled out his phone and handed it to her, “Call your mom, or she’ll worry.”

When they had just landed, Cen Zhen had messaged Xiao Yunqi to assure her, but Xiao Yunqi still thought her daughter had run back to Beicheng. She had no idea that Cen Zhen was in completely unfamiliar Hong Kong.

Cen Zhen took the phone and dialed Xiao Yunqi again, telling her that her phone had died and that she was now with Meng Fanchuan.

Xiao Yunqi sighed in relief, “As long as you’re with him, that’s good.”

“Sorry, Mom.” Cen Zhen felt guilty, “I couldn’t be with you tonight.”

Xiao Yunqi smiled as she watched the Spring Festival Gala, “There’s no need to apologize. Young people, right? Everyone’s young once. I understand.”

Although she had only met Meng Fanchuan briefly, a person’s insight couldn’t be hidden or faked. After just a few words, Xiao Yunqi knew her daughter had good taste and hadn’t chosen the wrong person.

So, she understood the occasional indulgence of youth.

“Then you have a good New Year with him.” Xiao Yunqi hesitated, then added, “But you two need to pay attention to safety, okay?”

Cen Zhen didn’t quite understand her mother’s hint, “Don’t worry, I have a driver picking me up. It’s safe.”

Xiao Yunqi fell silent for a moment before directly addressing it, “I mean, pay attention to safety measures.”

Cen Zhen: “……”Cen Zhen blushed instantly, covering her phone and stammering a few "mm" sounds before hanging up the call.

Meng Fanchuan had been watching her and naturally noticed her sudden flush. He asked with amusement, "What did your mom say? Why are you blushing like this?"

"Nothing." Cen Zhen pretended to slap her face, "I’m just a little warm."

Meng Fanchuan continued to look at her, seemingly unable to get enough of her, as if the surreal feeling in his heart hadn't completely faded away.

How could he have imagined that she would come so far to find him, so recklessly, so fearlessly?

Meng Fanchuan held her hand tightly, feeling the softness in her palm, restraining himself with every fiber of his being.

—He really wanted to kiss her.

—But there was no partition in the car.

After a long while, the car arrived at the landmark Rosewood Hotel in the Kowloon Peninsula. It faced Victoria Harbour and the IFC Financial Center, offering a sweeping view of Hong Kong Island's skyline. The location and environment were extremely favorable.

Wen Hui was already waiting there, holding two paper bags, which she handed to Cen Zhen, "Here’s some change of clothes. I had to pick something quickly, so if it doesn’t fit, you can change tomorrow."

Cen Zhen felt guilty, "Sorry, Aunt Hui, I’m disturbing you during the New Year."

For Wen Hui, being a personal assistant meant being on 24-hour standby.

But she reassured Cen Zhen, "It’s not a disturbance. Your boyfriend will give me a generous red envelope."

Meng Fanchuan smiled along, "Yes, that’s right."

Their conversation lightened the mood, and Wen Hui ruffled Cen Zhen’s head, "I’ll be going now."

Before leaving, she turned to Meng Fanchuan and said in Cantonese with a meaningful tone, "I won’t disturb your happiness" .

Meng Fanchuan’s face remained expressionless, "She understands."

Wen Hui froze for a moment before shrugging casually, "Fine."

She plainly added, "Happy night. Bye~"

Cen Zhen: "…"

By the time they reached the hotel room, Cen Zhen had no idea what time it was. Finally, pulling Meng Fanchuan's wrist to check the time, she said, "It’s already 11:55."

Only five minutes left until the new year.

She sighed in relief, happy that she had managed to be with him when the clock struck midnight.

Now, with no one else around, Meng Fanchuan grunted and helped her remove her down jacket, pulling her into his arms. "Why did you suddenly come?"

His embrace carried the scent that Cen Zhen loved, the unique fragrance only he had. She quietly nestled in his arms and whispered, "...I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year."

"Is that all?"

"Also, thank you for the fireworks."

The most genuine answer was left unspoken. Cen Zhen lowered her gaze, feeling hesitant. Unable to hold back, Meng Fanchuan lowered his head and kissed her gently, brushing her lips lightly, "Is there really no other reason?"

It had only been two days since they last kissed, yet this small touch made everything inside her stir. Cen Zhen closed her eyes and finally couldn’t bear it anymore, confessing during his "kiss interrogation", "I missed you."

She whispered again, with a hint of grievance, "When you came the day before yesterday, you were in such a hurry, you left without letting me answer your question."

Meng Fanchuan paused, looking at her seriously, "My question?"

"You asked if I would miss you before you went to London, and I said I’d tell you when you came back." Her eyes moistened again, the longing she couldn’t hide. "So I came to tell you that I miss you. I’ve missed you every day since you’ve been gone."

The sudden confession left Meng Fanchuan almost breathless. He swallowed hard, his palm sliding over her cheek. He couldn’t resist and kissed her again.

All the restraint he had was released in this kiss. It was no longer a brief taste. This time, he deeply kissed her, his tongue exploring and tangling with hers, a raw and urgent desire, his body pressing forward, forcing Cen Zhen to step backward, until she stumbled and sat down on the sofa.

Only then did Cen Zhen seem to regain some sense, pushing against Meng Fanchuan’s shoulder. "You should go back."

Meng Fanchuan leaned down slightly, his hand resting on the back of the sofa, his body nearly pressed against hers. His breath was low and hoarse as he asked, "Do you want me to leave?"

It was dangerously tempting.

The unspoken emotions in their eyes made Cen Zhen’s cheeks flush. Her eyelashes fluttered, and though she wanted to make him leave, her body and will betrayed her. She had to admit it — she wanted him to stay.

No one knew how their lips collided urgently again. Cen Zhen’s hands were still on Meng Fanchuan’s shoulder, but her strength had noticeably weakened. In the end, she wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering to all his advances.

The kiss was deep and intense. He kissed her cheek, tracing the line of her neck. She didn’t know when her button had been undone, but his cool palm was now tracing her curves, making her legs go weak.

Perhaps unsatisfied, Meng Fanchuan lifted her, and her body was suddenly weightless. Cen Zhen instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist.

When they collapsed onto the soft mattress, Cen Zhen’s mind was still struggling. While enduring his relentless kisses, she asked, "Don’t you need to go back to be with Uncle and Aunt?"

Meng Fanchuan gently kissed her neck, "They’re asleep."

The hot breath tickled her skin, causing her to shrink into softness. She tilted her head back and responded to his kisses, "I’m afraid they’ll be angry. I’m afraid you’ll argue."

Meng Fanchuan kissed his way from her neck to her cheek, then stopped near her lips, gazing at her, "Is this your excuse for lying to me?"Cen Zhen: "Then why didn't you expose me?"

Meng Fanchuan paused briefly, burying his face deep into the side of her neck, "I knew you didn’t want to."

When he heard that Cen Zhen was still lying to herself about not taking a break, Meng Fanchuan realized that she might not want to go to Hong Kong with him, or perhaps she didn't want him to stay.

In any case, she didn't want it.

He truly understood the complexities of his family, and he understood her hesitation and uncertainty. So, no matter the reason, he chose to respect her decision.

But how could Cen Zhen not want it? She did, but she was afraid that this willingness was too selfish and would disturb his family.

In the end, this matter was simply the result of both of them considering each other's perspective.

Cen Zhen’s nose grew sour again, and she actively raised her body to reach his lips. After kissing for a while, he locked her waist with his arm.

The man's breath moved lower, and Cen Zhen noticed it was getting closer. Her long hair was tangled and scattered on the bed, swirling around her consciousness like a vortex. He alternated between being fierce and gentle, like tiny electric currents stimulating her nerves. Cen Zhen tried to grab hold of something around her, but in the end, her hands could only grip the pillow beneath her.

"Do you still want me to leave?" he asked, his voice hoarse with a gravelly undertone.

Cen Zhen, without any strength to resist, closed her mouth. He, however, deliberately provoked her, bringing his hand to her lips. "Want to taste what you’re like?"

Cen Zhen, tortured by the confusion, turned her head away. But he wouldn’t let her. Gripping her chin, he turned her back and kissed her again, transferring the sweet, salty taste from his mouth to hers. Their tongues intertwined, making an ambiguous sound.

Meng Fanchuan wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, pressing her closer to him. "Answer me. Do you want me to leave?"

Cen Zhen was utterly defenseless against his advance, her hand on his shoulder burning with heat.

Finally, she cried out in a muffled voice, "...No."

Meng Fanchuan stood up and walked to the side to grab something, then came back.

He pressed a scorching kiss on her, his movements slow. Cen Zhen was too nervous to look, but she could hear his voice, and it made her heart ache.

The process was tough; their bodies were tense, desperately wanting to enter each other’s world, but they could only try, little by little. When they finally broke through, the marks of his fingers were left on his shoulder.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Does it hurt?" When he asked, Meng Fanchuan’s gaze fell downward. He saw a spot of color on the bedsheet and suddenly understood. He froze.

He couldn’t believe it, and suddenly, he felt like he had failed.

Why hadn’t he been more gentle? Why hadn’t he slowed down?

"I'm sorry." Meng Fanchuan kissed Cen Zhen repeatedly, feeling guilty. "I thought you and he..."

But Cen Zhen didn’t mind. She just wanted to hold him, and at that moment, she only wanted to hold him. She pressed both hands against his broad, firm shoulders, pulling him tightly to her. "Hold me."

So Meng Fanchuan held her, pausing for a long while before continuing. After the pain subsided, a strange aching sensation surged. Several rounds later, the bedroom was filled with sounds that would make anyone blush.

The sounds were sticky and ambiguous, echoing in the room as if they could tip a small boat. Just hearing them made Cen Zhen’s scalp tingle, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

The more she listened, the more it came, nearly overwhelming her.

It even shamefully moved to another spot. He laughed softly and repeated an old phrase, "Baby, you’re amazing."

"…"

Cen Zhen’s breath was erratic, her whole body feeling as though it had been steamed, her skin flushed with desire. After he teased her, her face reddened, and she couldn’t argue. All she could say, just like last time, was, "...I hate you."

Meng Fanchuan didn’t speak or get angry. Instead, with his actions, he asked Cen Zhen, "How do you hate me?"

Today, Cen Zhen realized that this man, aside from using the "kiss punishment," had countless other tricks up his sleeve. Thin sweat dampened his back, clinging to his hair. His breath was warm, hers just as hot. She didn’t even know when she had involuntarily let out a sound that was so heated it shook her heart.

Meng Fanchuan was very pleased with her response.

He picked her up and faced her directly toward him, suddenly pressing so directly and intimately against her. Cen Zhen found herself floating in thought, and for a moment, Qin Shiyao’s words flashed through her mind. After a while, she rested her head on his shoulder and asked, "Do you still like skiing?"

She couldn’t help but ask.

Qin Shiyao had said that when he was 18, he loved skiing so much, but now he didn’t even do it anymore.

She also said that he always had a way of "playing with the heart."

So what about her? Would she be like skiing to him?

Meng Fanchuan gently rubbed her waist, his voice controlled as he asked, "Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

"You said you didn’t like snow the other day."

"…"

"I don’t like snow, but I like skiing. Does that conflict?" Meng Fanchuan didn’t dare use too much force, but it was hard to endure, "What are you thinking?"

Cen Zhen was uncomfortable from his touch, "Will you always like it?"

Meng Fanchuan suddenly stopped and looked at her, pressing his thumb on her sensitive spot as if punishing her, "Do you think I’m the kind of person who gets bored easily?"

Cen Zhen trembled from the intensity, her hands frantically propping behind her to brace her unsteady body. “I… I didn’t say that!”

“Then what did you mean?” Meng Fanchuan gave her no room to escape, leaning down with an overwhelming presence, pinning her firmly in place, his actions growing unrestrained.

The torrent of emotions overwhelmed Cen Zhen, leaving her at a loss. She wanted to apologize, to soothe him, but it seemed futile. She lacked even the chance or strength to speak, only the steady, powerful rhythm in her ears remained.

It was her careless words that sparked this, and now she alone had to bear the consequences.

Fast and slow, light and heavy—all sensations were under his control, dangerous yet tender. Cen Zhen’s vision began to blur, losing focus. She couldn’t recall how many times he teased her for being “impressive,” only that his strong grip grew fiercer, leaving her like a fragile branch snapped in a typhoon, so vulnerable she could only plead.

The neon lights across Victoria Harbour cast trailing shadows on the bed, day and night blurring as they passionately and chaotically greeted the dawn.

“Happy New Year.” At some unknown hour, Meng Fanchuan offered Cen Zhen his blessing.

Cen Zhen, already dazed, mumbled a response, then naively told him, “That’s enough…”

She genuinely feared she wouldn’t get up for the first day of the Lunar New Year, her voice weak and breathless. “I still have to go back to Hangzhou this afternoon.”

Meng Fanchuan seemed to chuckle, though it was faint. He kissed her lips gently. “Don’t worry.”

His voice was low as he said, “You’re not going anywhere.”