Although Zhou Qishen's business was based in Beijing, he wasn't entirely without connections in Xi'an. Through years of cultivation and maneuvering, Zhou Qishen had become adept at managing all aspects of his network. Going home for the New Year was merely a formality; he didn't dream of family happiness with Zhou Boning. In fact, Zhou Qishen rarely went home, preferring to spend his time in a life of extravagance, living a carefree life.
He lay sprawled on the sofa, his posture neither proper for sitting nor sleeping. Taking advantage of his long legs, he draped his arms over the armrest of the opposite sofa. His arms were behind his head, and the hem of his shirt rose to reveal a section of his toned waist, the beginnings of his V-line faintly visible, two gradually deepening arcs.
Zhou Qishen, with a cigar in his mouth, played a game of Banker/Player on his phone for a while, winning five or six rounds in a row with a hand of 20,000 chips.
The tattooed man, nicknamed Xiao Liu, with a mohawk, handed him a slice of watermelon. Zhou Qishen didn't take it, tossing his phone to him instead, saying, "Play a couple of rounds for me, I'm going to the restroom."
My phone rang as soon as I stepped out of the private room.
Xiao Liu exclaimed "Damn!" as he placed a bet!
Upon seeing the name displayed on the screen, Xiao Liu immediately ran towards the door, shouting as he ran, "Brother Zhou, 'wife' is calling! It's your sister-in-law!"
Zhou Qishen, standing in the corridor, was very annoyed by the shouting and found it grating. "You're twenty-five or twenty-six years old, can't you be a little more composed?"
Xiao Liu repeated clearly, "Your sister-in-law called you!"
Zhou Qishen's brows furrowed, his expression softened, but his tone remained dissatisfied, "Do you want me to give you a megaphone too?"
Xiao Liu immediately chuckled sheepishly.
Zhou Qishen took the phone, answered it, and walked to the window. "Xi'er?"
He stopped in his tracks.
"Huh? What?" Zhou Qishen's expression changed drastically. "You said you're where?"
A few seconds later, he took off running towards the elevator, overjoyed and excited, shouting, "Don't wander off, I'm coming to get you!"
Chapter 78 First Snow in Chang'an (2)
Zhao Xiyin couldn't get a taxi at Xianyang Airport, and the bus tickets were sold out. As she exited the plane, she vaguely felt something was wrong; a thin, warm flow was tingling in her lower body. Zhao Xiyin ran to the restroom and, sure enough, it was a great start to the day.
Her periods have always been irregular; last time it took her over a month to recover. Zhao Xiyin always experiences excruciating pain on the first day, but the pain is immediate. She had originally planned to take a taxi to Xi'an to surprise Zhou Qishen, but now she's not going to force herself and is eagerly waiting for someone to pick her up.
Zhou Qishen was driving a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Xi'an. On New Year's Eve, the roads were clear, and he drove like a maniac, arriving in just twenty minutes. Zhao Xiyin smiled brightly when she saw him. Zhou Qishen was still incredulous, his expression somewhat fierce, pointing at her from five or six meters away.
That helpless yet happy and gritted-toothed expression was particularly comical.
Zhao Xiyin, using gentleness to overcome strength, looked at him with a smile. She remained seated in her chair, slowly opening her arms to him.
Zhou Qishen first walked, then jogged, and finally sprinted towards her like a 100-meter dash.
"Ah!" Zhao Xiyin was pulled into his arms. He was strong and lifted her up, sending her flying off the chair.
Zhou Qishen hugged her tightly, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. "Zhao Xiyin, you're getting bolder and bolder these days."
Zhao Xiyin suppressed a laugh, "So, are you happy?"
Zhou Qishen's nose was icy cold as it brushed against her warm neck. "What are you so happy about? You're going to worry me to death."
"Well, since I'm so unpopular, I'm going back to Beijing." She pretended to push him.
Still not satisfied, Zhou Qishen bit her neck lightly, saying, "You dare."
Zhao Xiyin felt pain and the position was awkward. "Put me down, I'm not comfortable."
Zhou Qishen paused.
Zhao Xiyin whispered, "I'm on my period."
His expression instantly became complicated, and after a long pause, he managed to stammer out, "I see..."
Zhao Xiyin was amused by him, "What are you doing, looking so bitter and resentful?"
Zhou Qishen sighed softly, "I originally wanted to do something, but now I can't."
Zhao Xiyin was genuinely uncomfortable and didn't want to banter with him.
Zhou Qishen gently put her down, took off his coat and draped it over her, asking, "Why are you wearing so little?"
Zhao Xiyin's fingertips were icy cold. She embarrassedly covered the gauze skirt under her long cardigan. "It's the New Year, I want to look pretty."
Zhou Qishen nodded. "I understand. This was specially shown to me."
The two snuggled together, chatting and laughing as they got into the car. Zhou Qishen didn't turn it on immediately; he turned the heater up to the maximum and kept her hand on, touching her fingers to warm them up. Once it was warm enough, he suddenly leaned over and kissed her.
Tongues rub against each other, lips and teeth intertwine.
Gasping for breath, Zhao Xiyin whimpered and pushed him. Zhou Qishen remembered her condition and didn't dare to be too rough. He held her quietly for a while until his breathing calmed down before turning the steering wheel and saying, "Rest for a bit, I'll take you to eat."
Zhao Xiyin said in a muffled voice, "I don't want to eat, I can't eat. Also, Zhou Qishen, aren't you home? Otherwise, how could you have arrived so quickly?"
Zhou Qishen hummed in agreement, "I'm in the city center."
"Aren't you going home on New Year's Eve?"
Zhou Qishen remained silent, his expression indifferent, but his face showed clear resistance.
Just as the car came to a stop at a red light, Zhao Xiyin quietly reached across the center console and gently squeezed the back of his hand. "Brother Zhou, I came here to spend the New Year with you, and you're just planning to let me stay in a hotel?"
Zhou Qishen softened his heart, "The hotel is more comfortable than home."
Zhao Xiyin laughed in exasperation, "Then why did you go back to Xi'an? Why didn't you just stay in Beijing? Don't you want to visit Teacher Zhao for the New Year?"
"Don't speak ill of me in front of your dad." Zhou Qishen reacted strongly. "It's not easy to change his impression of me."
The red light has about ten seconds left.