Chapter 31: You Make Me Sick

His strong, powerful hand swiftly seized her wrist, and with a forceful tug, he flung her onto the sofa just as she was about to pass him. All the spoils in her right hand scattered to the ground with her startled cry.

Kong Chengyi's long legs immediately straddled her waist as he leaned down, his cold voice hissing through clenched teeth, "Did you enjoy swiping the card? I had no idea your worth was so high. I underestimated your price!"

Attaching a monetary label to her, even the symbol of her purity now seemed filthy in his eyes. He even hated himself for losing control the previous night.

Caught off guard by the sudden force, Hua Lianxi was nearly flipped over before being thrown onto the sofa. Her right hand, clutching the shopping bags, slammed hard against the armrest due to the momentum, sending a sharp pain through her hand. She groaned in discomfort, her eyes tightly shut as she fought off the dizziness.

"You went all out shopping today, huh? Trying to match last night's performance? Too bad, last night you were like a dead fish. Your shopping spree today was far more impressive than last night!" His hot breath fanned across her thin cheeks as Kong Chengyi recalled the passion of the previous night, which had left him craving more. His anger only intensified, making him wish he could strangle the woman pinned beneath him.

"Heh," Hua Lianxi chuckled softly, slowly opening her eyes. Her slender left hand reached up to his chin, her palm gently caressing it. "If Young Master Kong wasn't satisfied last night, you can customize tonight's performance too. Whatever moves you want, Lianxi can deliver."

Staring at her delicate, alluring features, Kong Chengyi's veins bulged on his forehead. He roughly grabbed her wandering fingers, disgusted, and stood up straight. "Touch you? You're not worthy!"

Her hands throbbed with pain, but Hua Lianxi remained lying on the sofa, her perfect smile still in place. Her beautiful phoenix eyes, filled with a spring-like allure, lingered on his tense face as her red lips parted slightly.

Looking down at her seductive pose, Kong Chengyi pulled out a checkbook. With a few swift strokes of his pen, he tore off the check and threw it at her face. "One hundred thousand. Put on a dress and heels and make me porridge. Now!" With that, he turned and headed straight for the wine cabinet.

The fluttering check slowly descended, landing on her watery eyes, blocking her vision.

Squinting, Hua Lianxi didn't even glance at the check. Using her left hand, which had just stopped hurting, she picked it up, propped herself up on the sofa with her elbow, and sat up. She gave a bitter smile as she watched his retreating figure.

Barefoot, she floated across the pristine white floor, bending down with a smile to pick up the scattered shopping bags. With her back straight, she turned and headed for her room. "Young Master Kong, please wait. Lianxi will change and be right out to make the porridge."

With his back to her, Kong Chengyi's hand paused slightly as he poured the wine. It seemed he could hear the joy in her clear voice, as if she were very satisfied with the check in her hand. This thought made him pour a full glass of amber liquor.

Leaning against the door, Hua Lianxi closed her eyes. A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye. The pain in her hands caused her to lose her grip, and all the expensive items fell to the floor like worthless trash.

The sharp click of her heels echoed sharply in the silent Xiaoyue Residence as Hua Lianxi reappeared in the living room. She wore a tight, ultra-short black dress, her hair elegantly half-tied, revealing the graceful curve of her pale neck. Her delicate features were adorned with flawless makeup, making her look like a glamorous woman ready for a hot party.

Taking a sip of the wine, the burning sensation on his tongue made Kong Chengyi's cold eyes darken as he watched her swaying figure. His hand, tucked in his pocket, clenched into a fist.

Her long lashes fluttered as Hua Lianxi slightly raised her gaze, her pink lips pouting in a coquettish manner. She gave a sweet smile and gracefully walked past him in her dazzling gold heels, skillfully busying herself in the kitchen.

One glass after another, the spicy liquor gradually numbed his mouth. Kong Chengyi's dark eyes never left her figure as she moved leisurely in the kitchen. He even thought he could hear her softly humming a pleasant tune.

Gently rinsing the rice, Hua Lianxi bit her lip slightly. From the reflection in the silver cabinet door, she saw Kong Chengyi drinking while watching her. A sarcastic smile slowly crept onto her face. Releasing her lip, she took a deep breath and let out a low song, soft but loud enough for him to hear.

Having taken the money, she was determined to play the role he wanted. The image of a beautiful woman meticulously preparing a meal in the kitchen, humming with joy, was one she could effortlessly portray.

As the rice simmered, Hua Lianxi added chopped shrimp and meat. Turning on the noisy range hood, the pleasant song abruptly stopped. Her dry throat seemed unable to produce any sound, and her lips were bitten again. The sweet smile finally disappeared under the roar of the range hood.

The faint singing suddenly ceased, replaced by the loud hum of the range hood. Kong Chengyi's hand, holding the glass, paused. He set the glass down and strode straight into the kitchen.

Unaware of his approach, Hua Lianxi turned to get something from the fridge and suddenly collided with his solid chest. The strong scent of alcohol filled her nose, and her soft lips brushed against his chin.

Reaching out to turn off the noisy range hood, Kong Chengyi looked down at her, her neck flushed red. His lips pressed into a tight line.

Trying to hide her panic, Hua Lianxi steadied her rapid breathing and leaned back slightly to create distance. She maintained her perfect smile. "Young Master Kong, the seafood porridge will be ready soon."

From the day they started living together, Hua Lianxi knew he only ate seafood porridge, and it had to have shrimp, or he would refuse to eat. The reason for this quirk remained a mystery to her.

Narrowing his eyes, Kong Chengyi noticed her leaning back, and his anger surged. He slammed the glass in his hand against the cabinet.

The sharp sound of shattering glass made Hua Lianxi feel the cold splash of liquor and shards on her feet.

Suppressing her fear and trembling, Hua Lianxi reached up to flirtatiously tuck a strand of hair that had fallen while cooking. She whispered seductively, "Does Young Master Kong need any other customizations?"

His dark expression made it impossible for Hua Lianxi to guess his thoughts, but she stubbornly pretended to understand him, trying to dissect his mind.

Grim-faced, Kong Chengyi leaned in, grabbing her chin. His hot lips brushed against her small earlobe as he coldly spat into her ear, "Hua Lianxi, you make me sick!"

With that, he released her and strode out of the kitchen. Moments later, a loud "bang" came from his room, shaking the entire Xiaoyue Residence.

The trembling door made Hua Lianxi shiver uncontrollably. Unconsciously, she took a step back, and a sharp shard of glass lightly scratched her foot. A thin line of blood quickly stained the sole of her shoe.

Slumping against the fridge, Hua Lianxi covered her eyes with the back of her hand, tilting her head back. Tears streamed down her delicate face, eventually flowing into her mouth, the salty taste stinging her taste buds.

After silently crying for five minutes, Hua Lianxi grabbed a tissue and quickly wiped away her tears. She turned to the fridge, took out a green onion, washed and chopped it, and tossed it into the still-simmering porridge. After adding the seasoning and tasting it, she turned off the heat.

She served the seafood porridge as usual, placing it at Kong Chengyi's spot on the dining table. She forced a smile, pulling at her cheeks.

Even if she had cried while fulfilling the order, she would end it with a smile. Stubborn as she was, it was her last bit of dignity and commitment as a custom companion.

Returning to the kitchen, she saw the amber liquor still dripping down the cabinet. Looking down at the blood still oozing from her toe, Hua Lianxi briskly picked up the broom and swept away the glass shards. She cleaned the liquor-stained cabinet but didn't wash her feet. Proudly, she walked back to her room in her sharp heels.

Hua Lianxi woke from a restless sleep, turning her head to the slightly open window. The sky was still gray, with a faint blue creeping into the dark horizon. Guessing it was before six, she moved her feet under the blanket, feeling a slight pain. The memories of the previous night flashed clearly in her mind, the scattered shopping bags still lying on the floor.

After lying still for over ten minutes, Hua Lianxi decided to get up. As she picked out her loungewear, her slender fingers lingered over the cute, pink pajamas Kong Chengyi had bought for her.

After a moment's thought, she chose the pink cat pajamas. Remembering the morning he had suddenly hugged her from behind, her heart ached as if pricked by a needle.

With her hair simply tied into a ponytail, Hua Lianxi walked out of her room in soft slippers. Her light footsteps paused briefly outside Kong Chengyi's room before she continued downstairs.

The congealed seafood porridge was, unsurprisingly, still untouched on the dining table. Without a second thought, Hua Lianxi dumped it into the trash and opened the fridge.

Seeing the remaining fresh vegetables, she hesitated for a moment before taking out eggs and bread. She decided to prepare a Western breakfast, just as he had once ordered.