Chapter 117: Let Me Show You How to Push Your Luck

Chen Lie had picked a small but distinctly Jiangnan-style private restaurant, with a courtyard layout and an authentic charm that even Su Qinghu, who’d eaten her way across the country, had to praise as “the real deal.”

After dinner, they chatted casually for a while. Then Sister Li shot Yuan Hang a look, found an excuse about wanting to see Nanjing’s night scenery, and the two of them left.

Su Qinghu knew perfectly well they wanted to leave her alone with Chen Lie. Once they were gone, she pointed in a random direction. “Want to take a walk?”

Chen Lie: “Mm.”

They strolled side by side. Su Qinghu chattered cheerfully about things at home, even telling stories about making the kids cry. Chen Lie listened quietly, but there was a smile in his eyes.

Under the night sky, the mood was light and warm, filled with a gentle joy.

When Su Qinghu finished, she turned to look at Chen Lie. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

She’d just bullied the kids, and he wasn’t even going to scold her or tell her to go easy on them?

“Su Qinghu.” Chen Lie lowered his head slightly, looking at her under the soft glow of the streetlamp.

Su Qinghu tilted her face up, noticing how serious he suddenly looked. She blinked. Why was this man suddenly so solemn?

Was he about to confess to her?

Or… did he want to kiss her?

Just the thought made Su Qinghu’s heart start pounding. She even began to wonder what expression she should put on, what she should say.

“My allowance and bonus will be paid together next month,” Chen Lie said.

Su Qinghu: “…”

She almost spat out blood! With this kind of night, this kind of atmosphere, and calling her name so seriously—just to talk about his allowance?

No way!

She couldn’t take this kind of letdown!

“You—” Su Qinghu hooked her finger at him, eyes blazing. “Come here. Lower your head.”

Chen Lie thought she had something to say, so he leaned down and turned his face slightly to make it easier for her.

Then something soft landed firmly on his cheek. He froze, stunned, his heart lagging behind as heat rushed to his face.

She!

Chen Lie turned to face Su Qinghu, eyes wide in shock—or maybe disbelief.

For the first time, Su Qinghu acted on her mischievous impulses, but her aim was off and she missed her target completely—utterly defeated!

Was she frustrated?

No! She wasn’t frustrated—she was so mad she wanted to curse!

So infuriating!

This stupid man always had such poor reception for signals!

Thinking of the hug she’d missed out on earlier, and the flag she’d set for herself, Su Qinghu wanted to slap herself.

She didn’t even get a satisfying smack out of it!

“Su Qinghu.” Chen Lie took a long stride, quickly catching up to the fuming Su Qinghu storming ahead. “You—”

“What about me? Is it a crime for me to kiss you?” Su Qinghu spun around, facing Chen Lie head-on, her bright, dewy face tilted up, finger jabbing his chest, eyes blazing. “If it’s a crime, let the law punish me, not you giving me another lecture!”

Chen Lie let her soft finger press against his chest, holding her gaze for a long moment before chuckling hoarsely. “Listen, I just think—”

“I don’t want to listen, and I don’t care what you think.” Su Qinghu, hearing his words, suddenly felt like laughing, and even shot back at him.

She didn’t know why, but every time she argued with Chen Lie, it always ended up with her whining and pouting. Su Qinghu just wanted to cover her face.

“…Su Qinghu,” Chen Lie suddenly leaned in and hugged her, then quickly let go. “That’s for the hug from this morning.”

Su Qinghu’s eyes went wide, losing their usual sly charm and turning soft and adorable.

She felt her anger and embarrassment suddenly vented, like Chen Lie had poked a hole in it and all the steam was rushing out.

She felt a little dizzy~~~

Su Qinghu felt a little drunk, her eyes sparkling as she stared at his very kissable lips, her intentions obvious.

Chen Lie’s breath caught. He put his big hand on her head, didn’t say anything, just ruffled her hair.

Su Qinghu: “…”

Fine. No kiss, but a hug and a head rub would do~~~

But—

Pushing her luck, Su Qinghu looked up at him. “Can I have another hug?”

Chen Lie met her gaze, her eyes full of twinkling starlight. He couldn’t help but smile, shook his head, but still gave in and hugged her again.

His strong arms wrapped around her, the heat from his palm burning through the silk of her shirt. Suddenly, Su Qinghu started to reevaluate all the times she’d flirted with him so casually in the past.

Maybe, even before she realized how shallow her teasing had been, this mature man with such high standards for love had already noticed…

She wanted to make sure.

Su Qinghu grabbed the front of his shirt, tilted her little face up, and blinked. “How about a kiss?”

Chen Lie’s arms stiffened. He looked up at the sky and sighed, then pulled her firmly into his embrace, pressing her head against his chest.

Wrapped in his strong, steady heartbeat, Su Qinghu wanted to whimper against his chest. As expected! This man wasn’t easy! With her looks, her charm, her ability to act cute and clingy, he could still resist her request for a kiss!

Such… a dog of a man!

If she couldn’t meet his standards, would she never get to experience his passion, not even a kiss?

Su Qinghu took a deep breath, wanting to ask Chen Lie how he could tell she wasn’t serious.

But thinking back on her own behavior, she gave up. She really hadn’t been… all that sincere…

“So, where’s my birthday present?” Su Qinghu felt his grip loosen and asked directly.

At this point, she’d completely forgotten everything she’d said to Erdan earlier.

Of course, even if she remembered, Su Qinghu—who prided herself on her thick skin—could always justify it: it was all the fault of the beautiful Jiangnan moonlight on her birthday, which made her commit the same mistakes all humans do under a bewitching moon!

Chen Lie let her go, looked down at her, and said, “I’ve kept it safe for you.”

—I’ve kept it safe for you.

Su Qinghu blinked. Was this just his way of saving face because he hadn’t actually prepared a gift?

“I really did keep it safe,” Chen Lie said, holding her shoulders and nudging her to keep walking. “Running into you on this trip was unexpected. The gift’s still in my office.”

Su Qinghu eyed him suspiciously. “I’m telling you, I’m not that easy to fool!”

Chen Lie couldn’t help but laugh. “I remembered today is your birthday.”

His meaning was clear: since he could remember her birthday, of course he’d have a gift.

“What kind of gift?” Su Qinghu asked, feigning indifference. “If it’s a secret, at least give me a hint?”

The corners of Chen Lie’s lips curled up, so much that Su Qinghu wanted to reach out and freeze his smile in place.

Just when Su Qinghu thought he was finally going to talk about the gift, he looked down at her, met her eyes, and asked seriously, “When’s my birthday?”"