Chapter 30: Everything Beyond Control

The two stood on either side of the narrow bar counter, eating steak. Luan Nian took a couple of bites before turning to make watermelon juice. He felt as if something greasy had coated his stomach and desperately wanted something cold. Moreover, when he glanced up and saw Shang Zhitao’s lowered eyes and fluttering long lashes, it made his heart itch uncontrollably.

It was probably because he’d been single for too long. Luan Nian couldn’t find any reasonable explanation, ignoring the thoughts he’d previously had about Shang Zhitao. The glass of watermelon juice contained mostly crushed ice, which finally helped quell the fire in his chest. However, he heard Shang Zhitao ask him, “Could I have a glass of watermelon juice?”

Shang Zhitao was thirsty too; she felt her legs were a bit weak, though she couldn’t explain why.

Luan Nian placed a glass of watermelon juice in front of her, watching her finish the steak and drink the juice. She seemed to be enjoying herself, her brows curved with happiness, exuding an unusual gentleness. After finishing, she thanked him with a polite demeanor, “Thank you, Luke. I won’t disturb you anymore!”

Shang Zhitao put on her coat and walked to the door. She wanted to turn back and say goodbye to Luan Nian but saw him leaning against the wall, looking at her with an unfamiliar gaze. Remembering the pang of pain she felt when Luan Nian sang on stage earlier, the words of farewell stuck in her throat. She just looked at Luan Nian with timid eyes, filled with some indescribable emotions that even she couldn’t understand where they came from or how they would dissipate.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” Luan Nian asked her indifferently.

Shang Zhitao shook her head.

“Do you accept one-night stands?” Luan Nian asked her again, as if he frequently engaged in them.

Shang Zhitao had never been asked such a question before. In her previous shallow understanding, sex and love were connected. But now, Luan Nian’s question confused her thoughts. She shook her head, then nodded. Her body instinctively leaned back but was pinned against the door by Luan Nian.

His kiss overwhelmed her, making it hard to breathe. She wanted to leave, but when her palm touched his heartbeat, she surrendered. Shang Zhitao couldn’t tell whether she was following desire or affection; she just felt like staying there.

Luan Nian tasted her tongue, the sweetness of watermelon, the slight chill of crushed ice, and her clean scent flooding his nostrils—an unusual sensation.

Once a young girl becomes aroused, she expresses her overflowing emotions thoroughly yet remains gentle and obedient, even if Luan Nian was extremely fierce, she still thought it was wonderful.

Luan Nian wanted a purely sexual relationship without investing much emotion or effort to maintain it. If they clicked, they stayed together; if not, they parted ways. He justified his actions: love is too exhausting.

With her palm pressed against the skin of his neck, Shang Zhitao dared not open her eyes. Sweat soaked their clothes, and Luan Nian’s shirt remained on throughout. They consummated their first sexual encounter right there by the door of Luan Nian’s house—a passionate encounter.

That scene was unforgettable. One day after Shang Zhitao left Luan Nian, a strong wind blew, and as she sat by the window watching the northern wind scatter tree branches, she suddenly remembered that night with Luan Nian. She might never experience such passion and recklessness again. Luan Nian had planted a spell on her, pulling her back repeatedly over the years, yet she couldn’t take the first step to leave him.

When everything ended, neither of them spoke. Reflecting carefully, they couldn’t trace how it happened. The emotions came suddenly, the process was intense, leaving no time to think. Finally calm, Shang Zhitao realized she had fallen into Luan Nian’s scandal—too absurd, too childish. She couldn’t bring herself to publicize it, and Luan Nian could quietly dismiss her. She cautiously pondered his thoughts, guessing he probably didn’t want to waste energy on it.

After thinking for a while, she finally spoke: “Luke... what just happened was an accident. We’re both adults, and one-night stands are normal. Let’s not feel awkward about this, thank you.” She even thanked Luan Nian, then turned away to tidy her clothes. Once dressed, she stood up and said, “Well... I’ll be going now.” She attributed what happened to a momentary impulse, hoping to avoid future awkwardness. She didn’t know if Luan Nian felt taken advantage of, but she didn’t feel disadvantaged and even thought the experience was fantastic.

Is this how people usually part after a one-night stand? Or should she leave him some money? His service was good... Lost in these thoughts, she stepped out, and Luan Nian remained silent.

But after stepping out, Shang Zhitao regretted it, wishing she had stayed longer. She wouldn’t get another chance. As she neared the entrance of Luan Nian’s neighborhood, the night wind was strong, making her hesitate. Biting her lip, she turned back towards his home. Her hand was on the doorbell but hadn’t pressed it when Luan Nian opened the garden’s outer door and pulled her inside.

Still without speaking, Luan Nian lifted Shang Zhitao and carried her to the bedroom upstairs. His clothes brushed against her face, and her lips actively sought his. Shang Zhitao’s enthusiasm surprised Luan Nian, who threw her onto the bed and leaned over her, hoarsely asking, “Why did you come back?”

“Thinking I wouldn’t have this again made me regret it,” Shang Zhitao said boldly, using all her courage that night. She genuinely enjoyed being intimate with Luan Nian—it felt incredible.

Luan Nian’s lips pressed against her neck, his teeth lightly grazing her skin, whispering, “Whenever you want, anytime.”

Shang Zhitao felt reborn. After breaking up with Xin Zhaozhou, she thought she would never be with anyone else, believing her body could only accept him. Now she realized that when a woman breaks free from old-fashioned constraints and explores purely by instinct, bodily liberation comes easily.

This was simply amazing.

They hardly spoke that night, merging their bodies repeatedly in silent struggle. Shang Zhitao felt like early spring rain-soaked mud, unable to form any shape.

Dawn approached before sleep came. Having another person in bed was unfamiliar to both of them. Shang Zhitao and Luan Nian were used to solitude—he refused even to hire a live-in maid and never slept with women. Each held their corner of the blanket on opposite sides. Shang Zhitao suddenly thought: don’t one-night stands leave after finishing? Only couples spend the night together. Clearing her throat, she asked Luan Nian, “Luke, do you have a guest room?”

“Next door.”

“Can I sleep in the guest room?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Shang Zhitao felt relieved, hastily putting on her clothes and moving to the adjacent room. The night’s battle made her eyes heavy, and she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. What a carefree heart.

Luan Nian couldn’t sleep. What had happened last night? Why had he gone after Zhitao? He doubted himself, including the line he’d said: whenever you want, anytime.

Damn. Had he gone mad? Could she really think of him whenever she wanted? Would there ever be such loss of control again in his life? Impossible. He grew a little angry, realizing Shang Zhitao was quite open-minded—one-night stands were normal, fine, and great. How gratifying that she thought this way.

Lost in thought for a long time, Luan Nian finally fell asleep. This was a deep sleep—the fulfillment from last night seemed to install a sleep switch within him, making sleep effortless. Waking up in the evening, he felt refreshed, clear-headed, and happy. Jumping out of bed to shower, he suddenly remembered someone sleeping in the guest room and knocked on the door, “Time to get up.”

No response.

Pushing the door open, the bed was neatly made with no trace of sleep. A note on the pillow read, “Thanks for last night, Luke.” The bold handwriting exuded a decisive spirit.

??? Did Shang Zhitao treat him like a gigolo? Leaving a note and walking off without a word?

Luan Nian chuckled, amused by this woman! He casually tossed the note into a drawer and went downstairs. Feeling a bit uplifted, he whistled his way to the gym, stepping onto the treadmill. The rise in heart rate and dopamine from exercise exhilarated him, though not as much as last night. That well-behaved girl had surprising passion. Recalling her soft moans and pulling his face to gently end their wild night, Luan Nian smiled.

Tan Mian called to invite him for drinks, and he agreed, changing clothes and heading out.

Luan Nian carried a sense of physical satisfaction mixed with a bit of arrogance. Tan Mian’s gaze lingered on him several times, smiling knowingly.

“What’s up?” Luan Nian sat down and looked at him.

Tan Mian pointed to his face, “Your face screams: I had great sex last night.”

Luan Nian raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond, making Tan Mian curious, “Got a new girlfriend?”

“No.”

“Got a bed partner? Are you that kind of person?”

“What kind of person?”

“The kind who has casual one-night stands?”

“None of your business.”

Luan Nian was too lazy to explain; it was his private life, and he didn’t want to dissect it for others. But Tan Mian persisted, “Can’t say? You weren’t like this before.”

“Am I supposed to introduce you?”

“So you really have a bed partner?” Determined to uncover the truth, Tan Mian found this entertaining.

Luan Nian slumped in his chair, looking half-dead. After a long while, he muttered, “An accident.”

Treating this night as an accident completely ignored his long-standing intentions. It started when he looked at Shang Zhitao in Guangzhou, harboring wicked thoughts. Suppressing himself while wanting to rebel.

“Accidents are good. Men and women in big cities encounter accidents every day,” Tan Mian winked at him.

“You sure meddle a lot,” Luan Nian said.

By all accounts, he should feel regretful about last night. He admitted to being shallow, not needing his partners to be talented—just beautiful. He simply liked pretty women. Their dazzling beauty stimulated his mind to generate more creativity. Shang Zhitao was just an ordinary girl, lacking intelligence, not fitting his expectations for women.

But he didn’t regret it; instead, he felt very pleased. Earlier that morning, he had vowed never to be with Shang Zhitao again, yet now he was wavering. Luan Nian was surprised—he wasn’t the type to drag things out.

What was wrong with him today?