Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter 370: Farewell

Realizing she'd been tricked, she punched his shoulder and said, "You always bully me, I hate you." Zhao Ning'er pouted, looking at Shen Bin with a disgruntled expression. Shen Bin turned her face towards him, sucking on her soft lips, his tongue prying open her teeth, savoring every inch of her sweetness. Zhao Ning'er's hands restlessly tried to push Shen Bin away, her whole body feeling soft and numb.

Shen Bin felt incredibly hot, and Zhao Ning'er was almost breathless from his kisses. His restraint on her hands made her even more flustered. After what seemed like an eternity, Shen Bin finally pulled away from her lips, his hands roaming restlessly over her body. Zhao Ning'er, however, was at a loss, her body stiff with unease.

"No..." Shen Bin unbuttoned Zhao Ning'er's clothes, exposing a large portion of her chest to the air. Zhao Ning'er cried out in alarm, clutching her clothes with fear in her eyes.

"Ning'er..." Shen Bin stopped what he was doing and saw the terror on Zhao Ning'er's face. Seeing Shen Bin stop, she immediately got up, grabbed the corner of the blanket, and hid in a corner, covering herself and burying her head in her knees, remaining silent. Shen Bin knew he had done something wrong and didn't know how to comfort Zhao Ning'er, who was filled with fear.

He had completely forgotten that Zhao Ning'er was a naive young girl, and his sudden impulse had almost led him to commit a grave mistake. He didn't want to hurt Ning'er or leave her with a lasting trauma.

"Ning'er, let's go to sleep." Shen Bin slowly approached Ji Meiqing, who was hiding in the corner, and draped a coat over her shoulders. Zhao Ning'er looked up at Shen Bin, unsure of what to say, yet wanting to explain something, but ultimately remained silent.

"Okay, Lu, don't think about it anymore. It's getting late, go to sleep." Shen Bin saw her hesitant expression and knew she felt guilty. He didn't blame her and told her to sleep peacefully. Shen Bin lay down next to her, deliberately keeping some distance between them, worried that he might not be able to control himself. He quietly closed his eyes, but still couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly.

Seeing Shen Bin's expression, Zhao Ning'er didn't know what to do. She slowly moved closer to him, wrapped her slender arms around him, and buried her head in his chest. Shen Bin was startled, opened his eyes, and looked down at Zhao Ning'er in his arms. He placed his hand on her back and gently patted her, saying, "Go to sleep. You have to pay your respects to your father first thing tomorrow morning."

Zhao Ning'er looked at Shen Bin, nodded, leaned against his chest, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep. Only when she heard his even breathing did Shen Bin open his eyes and look helplessly at the person in his arms. After a while, feeling his eyelids grow heavy, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

After the banquet ended, Ji Meiqing and Lu Yu were about to kneel at the inn when they saw an old man walking towards them. His temples were gray, and his features resembled Shen Bin's. Ji Meiqing guessed that this must be Shen Bin's father.

"This must be Miss Ji, my son's business partner," Mr. Shen said excitedly upon seeing Ji Meiqing. He was surprised that a woman could have such a good business sense; it was truly rare.

"Uncle Shen, you're too kind. I only know a little bit," Ji Meiqing said somewhat shyly when an elder praised her. Shen's father looked at Ji Meiqing with an approving expression.

"Who are these two?" Mr. Shen asked, looking at the man and the boy sitting next to Ji Meiqing. Ji Meiqing was puzzled that Mr. Shen was asking her about Zhao Lei. She suddenly remembered that Zhao Ning'er had never been to the Shen residence, so it was understandable that Mr. Shen had never seen Zhao Lei and Zhao Ning'er.

"This is my husband, and this is Zhao Lei, Zhao Ning'er's younger brother, Shen Bin's brother-in-law." Ji Meiqing briefly introduced Lu Yu, while also emphasizing Zhao Lei's identity. Shen's father, listening to Ji Meiqing's words and looking at Zhao Lei beside him, was somewhat at a loss, as he didn't recognize his in-laws.

"Bin'er never tells me which girl he's taken a fancy to. He only told me the day before yesterday that he's getting married. I've never even seen what his future daughter-in-law looks like. Now that his in-laws are right in front of him, he doesn't even know what she looks like." Father Shen complained a little about Shen Bin. As he spoke, he went over and took Zhao Lei's hand. Seeing that he was still a child, he smiled kindly.

"Why are my in-laws' mother and father-in-law not here?" When Mr. Shen noticed that only Zhao Lei was there and his parents were not there, he couldn't help but ask. Hearing Mr. Shen's question, Zhao Lei lowered his eyes, not knowing what to say. After a long while, he said, "My father and mother passed away early. Only my sister and I depend on each other for survival."

Upon hearing Zhao Lei's words, Shen's father froze on the spot. Looking at Zhao Lei's grief-stricken face, he realized that his words had been too abrupt and he didn't know how to comfort him.

"Zhao Lei, may the deceased rest in peace. Don't be too sad. Don't forget you still have your sister." Ji Meiqing had a headache, not understanding why, on such a joyous day, she kept thinking about unhappy things, making everyone else unhappy. Hearing Ji Meiqing's words, Zhao Lei realized he had been a bit out of line and quickly composed himself.

A forced smile appeared on Zhao Lei's face. Looking at Zhao Lei, Zhao Lei's father felt a pang of sympathy. He patted Zhao Lei's hand and said earnestly, "Now that your sister has married Bin'er, you're family. Don't be so formal. Stay here tonight. Miss Ji, you should stay here too. Don't go back. I'll have the servants prepare a room." He then turned to look at Ji Meiqing behind him.

Ji Meiqing looked at Shen's father with some difficulty, and said with an apologetic smile, "Uncle Shen, my husband and I are going back to Rongcheng in a few days. Our home is not in Jiangnan." As she spoke, she took Lu Yu's hand, and Lu Yu unconsciously held her hand tightly as well.

Upon hearing Ji Meiqing's words, Shen's father frowned slightly and said, "Oh? You're going back in a few days? Then you must come to my residence often before you go back." Shen's father considered Ji Meiqing a talented person, but knowing that her home was not here, he felt a little regretful. Her wisdom should be greater than anyone else's; if she were to serve the country... Shen's father suddenly realized that he was thinking too much and quickly dismissed the idea, thinking that how could a woman participate in court affairs?

"Yes, my husband and I will definitely come to visit when we have time." After saying this, Ji Meiqing bid farewell to Shen's father and walked out of the Shen residence. A gust of wind blew by, and Ji Meiqing couldn't help but shiver and hug her shoulders.

Lu Yu, standing beside him, couldn't help but frown, pulling Ji Meiqing into his arms, worried he might catch a cold. Ji Meiqing, captivated by Lu Yu's embrace and warmth, couldn't resist snuggling closer. Lu Yu hired a carriage, and the two returned to the inn.

Upon arriving at the inn, Ji Meiqing quickly disembarked from the carriage and ran inside. Lu Yu paid some silver and hurried after her, afraid that he might see Ji Meiqing bump into something or something at any moment.

Ji Meiqing kept her head down and kept rushing forward. Lu Yu, watching her worriedly from behind, quickly stepped forward and grabbed her arm, saying, "Be careful, what if you bump into something?" As he spoke, he hugged Ji Meiqing in his arms, clearly feeling her trembling body. Thinking about the days, he realized that it was already late autumn, and winter was approaching. No wonder the weather had suddenly turned cold.