175: Chapter 175 Jessica Jung's Madness

The night on Hong Kong Island was thick and heavy, yet the city lights were so bright.

Jessica Jung sat in the back seat, her fingertips unconsciously stroking her skirt as she stole a glance at the man beside her.

The lines of her profile remained cold, but a lingering restlessness was hidden in the depths of her eyes.

After the cocktail party ended, Yang Xiaoyu insisted on sending a car for the two of them, and Liu Zijun didn't refuse.

Outside the car window, the lanterns of old-style tenement buildings and the LED screens of skyscrapers complemented each other.

The humid evening breeze, carrying the salty tang of seawater, drifted in through the half-open window, fluttering Jessica Jung's long hair.

Silence filled the car.

Several times Jessica Jung wanted to speak, but she swallowed her words back down.

She glanced at the man beside her once again.

From Seoul to Hong Kong Island, from the promises in the company meeting room to the effortless rescue at the cocktail party.

This man was like a sudden burst of light, crashing into her seemingly hard yet actually lost world.

She had always wanted to prove herself, to stand firm on her own abilities, but in the end, she still had to rely on his connections and influence.

What made her even more flustered was, since when did her gaze start following him unconsciously?

Seeing his tenderness toward Choi Sulli, she would feel jealous.

Seeing his tolerance toward Im Yoona, she would feel unwilling.

And at this moment, feeling the faint scent of sweat from him in the car, her heartbeat actually quickened uncontrollably.

The car slowly stopped at the entrance of the hotel where Jessica Jung was staying, a boutique hotel located in Central.

The storefront was low-key yet exuded luxury.

Liu Zijun turned to look at her, his tone flat: "We're here."

Jessica Jung didn't get out immediately; instead, she turned her head and looked straight at him.

The light in the car was dim, yet her eyes were exceptionally bright.

She spoke, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

"Liu Zijun."

Liu Zijun raised an eyebrow, gesturing for her to continue.

Jessica Jung bit her lip, mustering the courage to continue: "Today... thank you. If it weren't for you, I really might not have known what to do."

Liu Zijun responded indifferently, his tone not revealing much emotion.

"It was just a small favor."

"Yang Xiaoyu will handle the follow-up. You don't need to worry about your brand's channels and funding issues anymore."

"But after you go back, there will surely be many interests that need to be redistributed within Girls Generation and between you and the company."

"This is inevitable; many times, feelings aren't as reliable as interests."

Having said that, he reached out to unbuckle her seatbelt, but Jessica Jung suddenly grabbed his wrist.

Her hand was very cold, but her grip was unexpectedly strong.

"I don't want to just let it go like this."

Jessica Jung's gaze grew firmer. She leaned closer, the distance between them closing instantly until they could clearly feel each other's breath.

The faint scent of her perfume instantly enveloped Liu Zijun's nose.

Liu Zijun didn't pull his hand back, just looked at her with interest, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes.

"What do you want?"

Jessica Jung's cheeks flushed slightly, yet she still kept her head up, refusing to avoid his gaze.

"I know you have Sulli, Yoona, and Senior Yejin by your side.

I also know you might not have much of a favorable impression of me, and might even find me troublesome."

She paused, taking a deep breath as if making a major decision.

"But, I like you.

I can't even say for sure when it started.

Maybe it was when you stood in front of Sulli at the company entrance, or when you left me speechless with your rebuttals, or maybe just now at the cocktail party when you stepped up to help me."

Her voice grew lower, yet firmer.

"Everyone has seen it, and I don't want to hide it anymore."

"I know this is absurd and shameless, but I don't want to have regrets.

You've helped me so much, I have nothing to give you in return..."

Her fingers slowly moved up from his wrist, gently stroking his chest, her movements carrying a hint of testing and shyness.

"I want to use myself to thank you."

Liu Zijun looked at her flushed cheeks and the stubbornness and desire in her eyes, suddenly letting out a low chuckle.

He raised his other hand and pinched her chin, forcing her to look up at him.

His fingertips were slightly cool, but his grip wasn't heavy.

"Jessica Jung, do you know what you're saying?"

"As of now, I truly have no affection for you.

You aren't like Sulli and the others; they've been through a lot with me. The bond between us isn't something you can replace on a whim."

Of course, Liu Zijun didn't deny his philandering ways, nor did he hide his attitude toward her, being honest to the point of cruelty.

"Are you sure you want to thank me this way? Don't regret it afterward, and don't blame me like a resentful woman."

Jessica Jung's eyes reddened slightly, but she stubbornly shook her head.

"I won't regret it."

"I know I'm being impulsive right now, and I know I might just be one of your many women.

But I don't care. Right now, I just want you."

"I've worked hard for so long just to become strong, to stand on equal footing with you.

But I found that no matter how hard I try, I'm still so small in front of you."

"I know this is very humble, but I can't control myself."

Liu Zijun looked at the tears in her eyes and her stubborn yet humble appearance, and the teasing in his heart gradually dissipated.

He had never been a good person, nor was he some saintly Liu Xiahui.

Facing a woman who offered herself up and willingly accepted the situation despite knowing his circumstances, he had no reason to refuse.

He released his grip on her chin and instead stroked her long hair, his fingertips sliding through her soft strands. "Since you don't care yourself, why should I be pretentious?"

His tone carried a trace of laziness, but his gaze became deep, like the sea at night, possessing a fatal attraction.

"However, let me give you fair warning: don't come pestering me afterward.

Between us, let's just consider it a transaction where each gets what they need."

Jessica Jung's tears finally fell uncontrollably, yet she nodded with a smile. The tears slid down her cheeks and dripped onto the back of his hand; the warm sensation gave Liu Zijun a slight start.

"Fine, I promise you."

Liu Zijun didn't say another word. He pushed open the car door, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door for her.

Jessica Jung wiped her tears, took a deep breath, and followed him into the hotel.

In the elevator, the two stood side by side, the atmosphere ambiguous and subtle.

Jessica Jung's heart beat so fast it felt like it would jump out of her chest. She could clearly feel the powerful aura radiating from the man beside her, making her both nervous and expectant.

Back in Jessica Jung's room, as soon as she closed the door behind her, Liu Zijun hugged her from behind.

His warm chest pressed against her back, his strong arms encircling her waist, and his low breath brushed past her ear, carrying a faint scent of alcohol and cedar.

"It's not too late to regret it," Liu Zijun's voice sounded in her ear, carrying a raspy magnetic quality.

Jessica Jung's body trembled slightly, but she reached back to hug his arm, pressing her cheek against it.

"I don't regret it."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Liu Zijun turned her body around and lowered his head to kiss her.

This kiss wasn't like the tenderness he showed Choi Sulli, nor was it like the dominance he showed Im Yoona; instead, it was full of overbearing plunder.

Jessica Jung closed her eyes, responding clumsily yet passionately.

The light in the room was soft, reflecting their overlapping shadows.

Jessica Jung gradually let down all her defenses and pride, allowing herself to sink into this sudden intimacy.

She knew this might be a fleeting dream, but she was willing to indulge in it, even if she woke up with nothing.

Liu Zijun's movements were controlling yet not without tenderness.

He could feel the stiffness and shyness of the woman in his arms, as well as the passion hidden beneath her cold exterior.

This woman was truly crazy!

The night deepened, and the sounds of panting in the room gradually subsided.

Jessica Jung curled up in Liu Zijun's arms, covered by a thin quilt, her cheeks still flushed.

Her hair was scattered messily across the pillow, her eyes carrying a hint of laziness and confusion, along with a trace of imperceptible loss.

She gently pushed against Liu Zijun's chest, her voice slightly raspy: "Thank you."

Liu Zijun opened his eyes, looked at the complex emotions in her eyes, and suddenly let out a low chuckle.

He rubbed her hair, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness.

"No need for thanks."

"Someone has already thanked me on your behalf."

Jessica Jung was stunned and looked at him in confusion: "Who?"

Liu Zijun didn't answer directly, just smiled and pinched her cheek.