Prejudice - Chapter 3

Chapter 12

I decided to put an end to this hazy, half-formed love.

But people really shouldn’t make decisions at night.

By the next day, I was already regretting it a little.

I’d put on this whole one-woman show, and Zhou Yan might not even know I’d blocked him.

But since things had come to this, I stopped hoping.

Even if it still hurt a little.

I thought he and I would never have any contact again.

That day, in order to get over my heartbreak, I stayed out with my best friend until late into the night before heading home.

My mom had passed away early, my father was away on a business trip, and even the nanny had taken leave.

I stood at my front door, staring at the dead keypad lock, and fell into complete bewilderment.

Rain poured down in front of me. I couldn’t get a cab to a hotel, and my best friend was dead drunk, so no one answered when I called her.

I gripped my phone, gritted my teeth, and unblocked Zhou Yan.

Then I sent him a voice call.

It was already midnight. The man sounded as if he’d been woken up, and his tone was anything but pleasant.

“Who is this?”

He was doing it on purpose.

Knowing I was in the wrong, I said quietly, “It’s me.”

“Oh, Miss Ming. Didn’t you block me? Suddenly remembered you wanted to bait me again?”

He sounded like he’d been sulking for days.

Besides, when had I ever baited him?

“Talk.”

Zhou Yan reminded me impatiently.

I snapped back to myself and said awkwardly, “Can you… come pick me up?”

“…”

He asked, “Where are you?”

“At my front door. The lock’s out of battery. I can’t get in.”

“Where’s your dad?”

“On a business trip.”

“…”

The call fell briefly silent.

I heard the rustle of him putting on clothes, along with Zhou Yan’s irritated mutter.

“I fucking owe you in my last life.”

As he got dressed, he still didn’t forget to scold me.

“Is that old man your dad or am I your dad? He runs his mouth all day and still leaves a daughter for me to deal with.”

I felt awful inside. “Aren’t we friends? Are you coming to pick me up or not?”

Zhou Yan said coldly, “You’re my ancestor. Send me the address!”

He was really so fierce…

Chapter 13

When Zhou Yan arrived, the rain had lightened a lot. It had almost stopped.

Through the transparent threads of rain, the man rested his elbow on the car window.

A scarlet dot glowed at his fingertips, and the rising smoke was beaten down by the damp air, spreading through the air.

It was my first time seeing him out of a suit. He was wearing a white T-shirt, and somehow, it gave him a touch of youthfulness.

“Do I need to invite you in?”

He turned his head to look at me.

I hurriedly jogged over to the car.

Very sensibly, I tried to sit in the back seat.

“Ming Yan, you think I’m your driver?”

“…”

Chapter 14

And just like that, I sat in the passenger seat and was brought all the way to his place.

Of course, the whole ride there, Zhou Yan really did act like my dad.

Even after we entered his apartment, he was still talking.

“Your door lock was running out of battery. You didn’t notice a few days in advance? I seriously don’t understand how your dad raised you this big. And also, it’s the middle of the night. You’re a girl, instead of sleeping, you come home alone, and you don’t even have a friend seeing you off. Are you too trusting of men or what?”

You brat, you talk way too much!

I wanted to argue back.

Zhou Yan suddenly frowned. “Don’t tell me you went out for late-night snacks with that idiot.”

I denied it on instinct. “How could I? I’m not that stupid.”

“But we did say good night to each other last night.”

After saying that, I secretly observed his expression.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yan showed no reaction. He only glanced at me coldly.

“How sweet. I’m almost starting to ship you two.”

“…”

I was blocked so thoroughly I couldn’t say a word.

The next second, Zhou Yan took off his white T-shirt right in front of me.

His skin was very fair, the lines of his abs faintly defined. Broad shoulders, narrow waist. He looked like he had quite a bit of strength.

Without realizing it, my face turned red again.

Zhou Yan found a new short-sleeved shirt and put it on. “What are you looking at?”

I hurriedly looked away, not even knowing why I felt guilty.

“A totally desireless elementary-schooler body. I don’t want to look at that.”

Zhou Yan let out a brief scoff and didn’t argue. He simply took off the shirt he had just put on.

Then, deliberately and openly, he walked right up to me, his eyes and expression unbearably cocky.

“Well, I’m going to make you look.”

Thank you, living Bodhisattva.

I didn’t know where to put my eyes. “Put it on!”

Zhou Yan shook his head. “No. What are you going to do about it, beat me to death?”

This shameless rascal.

He advanced step by step, and I retreated again and again.

Suddenly, I tripped over myself. My body pitched forward, and my lips pressed against his collarbone.

In an instant, the air turned recklessly ambiguous.

My cheeks burned hot.

Warm skin. A touch that parted the moment it happened.

I saw Zhou Yan’s Adam’s apple dip for a second, and even his ears turned red. “What are you doing?”

“What are you trying to do?”

Zhou Yan’s expression became unnatural. “Sleep.” His tone paused, and even the spot I’d kissed had turned red. “I mean, sleep separately.”

I was so embarrassed I didn’t know what to say either. “Where am I sleeping?”

“The sofa.”

“No. I want to sleep in yours.”

Only after the words left my mouth did I realize what I’d said. I was just about to explain.

Zhou Yan’s gaze turned unreadable. “So that’s how you want to play it? Want to sleep on me while you’re at it?”

“…”

I already didn’t dare look at him. “I mean, I want to sleep in the master bedroom.”

I thought he was going to mock me for being demanding. Instead, he just muttered that I really was a fucking ancestor and brushed past me.