Chapter 11 : Kisses and Consequences

Ren Zhou’s eyes widened, staring at Chen Yanxing in disbelief.
Chen Yanxing was equally shocked, though less overt.
She frowned, stepping forward to grab Shen Mengke’s arm, pulling her aside.
Anger simmered in her eyes, but Shen Mengke’s defiant gaze kept it at bay, untouchable.

The sudden movement left Ren Zhou stumbling, nearly falling.
Regaining her balance, she gaped at the scene: her childhood friend pinned against the wall by a beauty, kissed forcefully?
Ren Zhou’s jaw dropped, but her hands didn’t hesitate—she snapped two photos.

Shen Mengke was retaliating against Chen Yanxing’s oversteps.
Pulled aside, she didn’t wait for Chen Yanxing to speak.
She spun, pinning Chen Yanxing to the wall.
The impact made Chen Yanxing wince, but soft lips met hers before she could react.

Shen Mengke gripped her shoulders, rising on tiptoes, biting down.
She used force, tasting a hint of metallic sweetness.
Meeting Chen Yanxing’s eyes, her own gleamed with triumph.

Chen Yanxing’s frown eased with the pain.
She narrowed her eyes, one arm pulling Shen Mengke close by the waist.
Their bodies pressed together through thin fabric, their orchid brooches leaving marks on each other.
Chen Yanxing’s other hand tore the black brooch from Shen Mengke’s chest, tossing it aside.
The fabric ripped, revealing a glimpse of pale skin.
The metal clattered loudly against the floor in the quiet corridor.
Shen Mengke flinched, glancing at it, then tightened her grip, kissing Chen Yanxing deeper.

Shen Mengke often thought Chen Yanxing’s kisses held some aphrodisiac—she was hooked.

Chen Yanxing’s hand slid to her neck, then gripped the back of her head, deepening the kiss, seizing control.
Her tongue teased Shen Mengke’s desires, stirring her heart.
The defiance and anger in Shen Mengke’s eyes faded.
Her lips parted, feeling Chen Yanxing’s heartbeat through their clothes.

In that moment, their pulses synced, threaded by invisible silver strands.
Shen Mengke softened, her sharp edges dulling.

“It’s for your own good,” Chen Yanxing added.
Shen Mengke understood—she wasn’t naive.
She knew Xu Shinian’s party wasn’t clean.
But the choice to leave, and how, should’ve been hers—not dictated by Chen Yanxing, the fool who’d exposed their relationship.

Her calmed heart flared again.
She tilted her head, glaring.
“I hate that phrase.
And…”
“Add this to the contract: you can’t claim I’m your girlfriend without my permission.”
Chen Yanxing paused, then nodded.
“New contract tomorrow.”
Shen Mengke smiled, shoving the crumpled contract into Chen Yanxing’s arms, patting her cheek.
“Good girl.
I’m off.”
“Wait.”
Chen Yanxing grabbed her arm, pulling her back.
Before Shen Mengke could speak, Chen Yanxing unpinned her white orchid brooch, fastening it over the tear in Shen Mengke’s shirt.
“Compensation.”
Shen Mengke blinked.
“What about you…”
“I have another,” Chen Yanxing said.
Shen Mengke met her eyes.
She knew from Xu Shinian that Yaozhou’s brooches were unique—one per member, no replacements.
But she didn’t call her out, just smiled and left.

Chen Yanxing watched her enter the elevator, then touched her bitten lip, smoothing the crumpled contract and tucking it into the file.
She looked up at Ren Zhou, who’d been watching the drama unfold.
“Delete the photos,” she said.
Ren Zhou’s face was serious for one, two, three seconds… then she burst out laughing, loud and unladylike.
“Chen Yanxing, you’ve got it bad, hahahaha…”

Chen Yanxing’s face darkened.
She picked up the discarded black brooch, tossing it into a trash can, then walked to Ren Zhou.
“Done laughing?”
Ren Zhou, doubled over, slapped Chen Yanxing’s shoulder, wiping tears.
“Yanxing, too long fasting in that temple?
Picked someone that wild?”
Chen Yanxing swatted her hand away.
“Don’t talk nonsense.
She’s not.”
Ren Zhou blinked.
“Then she’s…”
“Fake.
Just for fun.”
“My god, Chen Yanxing, what’s real with you?”
She poked Chen Yanxing’s chest.
“This heart real?”
Chen Yanxing slapped her hand away, exasperated.
“Let’s go in.”

Shen Mengke didn’t know Chen Yanxing’s thoughts, but she’d probably just laugh if she did.
Neither wanted strings—perfect match.

But…
Outside Yaozhou, summer heat mixed with the breeze, clearing her sober, un-drunk mind.
No taxis here.

Yaozhou’s area was exclusive, with registered vehicles only—no random cars, let alone taxis.

She disliked bothering others for a late-night pickup and wanted nothing to do with the building behind her.
Hesitating, she called Fan Shi.
She always knew Fan Shi’s status wasn’t ordinary—she’d have a way in.

“Sister Fan, evening.”
Shen Mengke squatted by the road, smiling.
A pause on the line.
“What’s up?”
“I’m at Yaozhou.
Can’t get back.
Pick me up?”

Hanging up, Shen Mengke exhaled.
It was nearly midnight, and she hadn’t eaten a proper meal.
Sighing, she poked the hard ground absentmindedly, unaware her reflection shone in the window behind her.

Chen Yanxing stood by the window, watching the woman squatting below.
Golden light bathed Shen Mengke’s back, gilding her dark hair.
Chen Yanxing watched as long as Shen Mengke squatted, only turning away when she climbed into a black car.

“Well, well, thought you’d drive her home.”
Ren Zhou appeared, teasing.
Chen Yanxing glanced at her, then at Ren Qi on the sofa, smirking with mischief.
She walked over.
Ren Zhou, seeing her direction, cursed inwardly and tried to stop her, but Chen Yanxing was faster, sitting beside Ren Qi.
Whatever Chen Yanxing said made Ren Qi glance at Ren Zhou, who shrank like a quail, mentally cursing Chen Yanxing a hundred times.

Ren Zhou’s fear of Ren Qi was no secret.