Chapter 24 Entangled in Passion Ella Hotel, Bangkok, Executive Suite.

Through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, the bustling city lights of Bangkok stretched out before me. I was marveling at how much the city had developed—it had become as lively as a mini Manhattan in just a few years. Then, an unfamiliar call came through.

It was Shen Jibai's second uncle, Shen Heqing—the father of Shen Jin.

"Jiang Li, know your limits."

It sounded like both a warning and a kind reminder.

"Shen Jibai has a fiancée."

Shen Heqing spoke with elegance and precision throughout the call, repeatedly mentioning someone I wasn't unfamiliar with—Song Yixin.

Wasn't she supposed to be the ex-girlfriend? How could she be the fiancée now?

So the family had arranged their future long ago?

"That's nonsense!" Lin Xi's voice came through the phone, sharp and indignant. "What era is this? Who still believes in arranged marriages? And who does his second uncle think he is? Does he think Shen Jibai will just marry whoever he says?"

Back in the day, after Lin Aunty's incident and when Shen Jibai's father had just stepped down from management, Shen Grandpa had considered giving some responsibilities to Shen Heqing. However, Shen Heqing's subsequent performance was disappointing. As Shen Jibai gradually took over, the family entrusted Shen Heqing with some stable peripheral businesses in Macau.

"Not sure about Song Yixin's family's situation in the mainland, but their influence in Macau is significant."

Lin Xi's words suddenly made everything clear to me.

I seemed to have pieced together some of the stakes involved.

Shen Heqing's business dealings were in Macau, and Song Yixin's family influence happened to be based there as well.

Lin Xi explained that back when Song Yixin and Shen Jibai broke up, she had caused quite a stir, lobbying all of Shen Jibai's family and friends to persuade him. But despite the pressure, Shen Jibai never relented.

Eventually, Song Yixin returned to Macau.

"This time, she's come to the mainland, supposedly representing her company to discuss some collaboration with the Shen Corporation. She's probably conspiring with Shen Heqing again, plotting something shady. Li Li, you need to be careful."

"I understand," I replied.

To make this call with Lin Xi, I had sneaked up to the rooftop sky bar while Shen Jibai was busy with work.

After hanging up, I curled up on a soft, oversized sofa, crossed my legs, and sipped on a cocktail laced with absinthe.

This had been my habit from years of frequenting bars—I loved strong liquor and never touched fruity, sweet drinks.

The alcohol began to stimulate my brain, partly because of this vacation, and partly because of the plan I had already devised.

From Shen Heqing's tone, it seemed he wasn't afraid of me telling Shen Jibai about the content of this call. In fact, his words even carried a hint of provocation, as if trying to incite me to cause a scene.

I had a rough idea of his next move, so I politely let him finish speaking, then blocked him.

Shen Jibai soon came up to find me. As soon as he sat down on the sofa, I wrapped my arms around his neck, clinging to him like a piece of sticky candy.

When someone is used to walking on red carpets, they'll dream of cobblestone paths. The more composed and dignified the CEO is in his daily life, the more he can't resist moments like this when he can openly indulge in affection with his little girlfriend.

For Shen Jibai, wasting time was a rare luxury.

So, of course, I wasn't going to ruin the moment by crying and forcing him to choose between me and his uncle. We clearly had more important things to do.

I stole a glance at Shen Jibai, and sure enough, the corners of his mouth curved into a satisfied smile. Then, so casually and naturally, he picked up my cocktail and took a sip.

"Absinthe?"

"Yes," I replied with a faint smile. His taste buds were truly sharp.

The soft lighting surrounded us, the singer on stage hummed a melancholy tune, and above us, the vast sky sparkled with scattered stars.

We were so small, yet so greedy for this fleeting moment.

The couple next to us was passionately kissing. I didn't look directly at them, but my face still flushed red.

The old-fashioned glass in Shen Jibai's hand turned lightly. He seemed genuinely relaxed and at ease.

We locked eyes and clinked glasses.

The strong liquor burned as it went down. To hell with family feuds.

In the luxurious room, the sheer curtains over the floor-to-ceiling windows slowly closed. He kissed me while calmly removing his watch…

Then, with a casual tug, he pulled off my hair tie… My smooth hair cascaded over my shoulders.

My nightgown slipped to the floor in a messy heap.

He kissed me all the way to the sofa.

I knew there was no escaping tonight…

Shen Jibai knew me too well—my pride, my fears, my insecurities, and my shyness. In front of him, I had nowhere to hide.

So next, he gave me extreme patience to adapt, to endure.

As his fingers gently combed through my loose hair, his warm breath brushed against my neck.

He took my earlobe into his mouth, lightly biting it.

"Relax—if anything feels uncomfortable, just tell me…"

He was guiding me with care, treading cautiously.

But my forehead and back were already covered in a fine sheen of sweat…

Saying I wasn't nervous would be a lie. Ever since I could remember, I couldn't even watch intimate scenes in TV dramas during my worst moments…

But tonight was different, unlike any other moment before—because the person was Shen Jibai. He always remained clear-headed and logical, always knowing exactly what he was doing.

He always seemed trustworthy, but when I was suddenly lifted off the ground, I still let out a startled cry as he carried me from the living room to the bedroom, pinning me onto the bed in an instant.

At some point, his suppressed restraint began to unravel.

My hands were pinned to my sides, and my breathing became erratic.

"Shen Jibai…" I trembled all over, calling his name tearfully, only for his kiss to press down, breaking my murmurs into fragmented pieces.

His fingers explored my skin, sliding over every inch of my body, growing bolder, tasting deeply.

"Li Li…" he called me hoarsely and indistinctly.

"Mm…" I was trembling so much that I could barely make a sound.

"Are you…"

"…on your period?"

As his movements abruptly stopped, I immediately realized something was wrong. After taking a few deep breaths to calm myself, I sat up in a panic, only to see a small patch of red on the sheets…

And the little fabric left on my body was barely enough to cover me.

Ah! God, just kill me now!

Of all times, my period had to come now!

"I…" Flustered, I grabbed one side of the sheet to barely cover my embarrassment. The next second, he scooped me up from the bed with one arm.

"Did you bring pads?"

"No… no, I didn't."