Chapter 172: Graduation Ceremony
Lian Li’s whole body ached. Her clear, bright eyes looked at him, but she didn’t push him away.
She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, and with some unknown strength, pulled him down.
Jin Shi Yue’s palms pressed against the bed in time, supporting most of his body to avoid crushing her.
“I’m so sleepy,” Lian Li yawned and murmured, “Stay with me to sleep.”
She had slept with him so many times before; it was time for him to accompany her.
After being tormented by him relentlessly last night, she was now tired and weary, with no desire to get up at all.
Jin Shi Yue embraced her waist, pulling her into his arms, his hand gently patting her back in a soothing manner.
“Sleep.”
Once Lian Li’s breathing evened out and she fell asleep, he held her even tighter, inhaling the subtle fragrance of her hair, and closed his eyes.
She slept until noon.
When Lian Li groggily woke up, Jin Shi Yue beside her was playfully pinching her ear. Seeing her open her eyes, he not only didn’t stop but also caressed her soft waist, rubbing it with his palm.
“You’re awake, go wash up.”
Lian Li’s body felt weak from his caresses, and her voice was unusually hoarse, “Okay.”
After she washed up and changed clothes, she discovered marks all over her body, especially on her chest, which were particularly clear.
The Eldest Young Master was in a particularly vile mood, indulging himself excessively.
He kept biting at her heart.
Lian Li emerged from the bathroom wearing only his exquisitely made white shirt, which was loose and wide, its length covering her hips.
Jin Shi Yue scanned her from head to toe. The lingering marks on her fair legs testified to his transgressions.
Lian Li went to the restaurant to fill her stomach, then retreated into the study room. An hour later, she came out again and looked around, but couldn’t see Jin Shi Yue.
She wandered around the living room and noticed a piano by the balcony. Lian Li sat on the piano bench and idly played a few notes to test the sound; the tuning was quite accurate.
The prerequisite for practicing the cello was a foundation in piano, and she had also studied piano for several years.
Jin Shi Yue finished his phone call and, before seeing her, heard a string of beautiful notes. He walked closer and saw Lian Li engrossed in playing the piano.
Jin Shi Yue leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, admiring her for a while until Lian Li turned her head and noticed his presence.
The man was wearing black casual loungewear. He was very tall, with long legs and a narrow waist, possessing a youthful aura like a university student, reminding her of the time he went to her school to find her.
It was a very ordinary day, so ordinary that the moment she fell for him felt like it had happened countless times.
Lian Li collected her thoughts, cleared her throat, and asked, “Can you play the piano?”
“What do you think?” Jin Shi Yue raised an eyebrow slightly and strode towards her.
Bright sunlight streamed in from outside the window onto the smooth piano lid, illuminating the ivory keys. The man’s fingers were long and pale, resting on the black and white keys like exquisite works of art, possessing both beauty and strength.
Jin Shi Yue took Lian Li’s fair, slightly cool hand and slowly intertwined their fingers, placing them on the keys.
“Why are your hands as cold as your heart?”
“…”
Lian Li was trapped between the piano and Jin Shi Yue.
She sat in his lap, facing the piano, her back to him, just like in the bathroom last night.
The difference was that last night, a mirror was in front of her, not a piano.
A gentle breeze blew, lifting Lian Li’s hair and brushing against Jin Shi Yue’s chin, a cool sensation that stirred his heart.
He held her from behind, guiding her fingers to play the piano. The melody flowed slowly, a 《 Nocturne 》, its ornamental variations in the phrases making the melody an unbreakable thread of affection, beautiful with a hint of melancholy and romance.
Lian Li leaned against the man’s warm, firm chest, looked back at him, and softly asked, “Are you and Xu Jingxi really not ex-partners?”
“What?” Jin Shi Yue’s lips curled into a slight sneer. “You like Jin Yan Ting, so I have to like someone else for you to feel at ease?”
“No.”
Lian Li paused for a moment, then added, “I don’t like Jin Yan Ting anymore, don’t talk nonsense.”
Jin Shi Yue’s long fingers playing the black keys suddenly paused. He cupped her chin, forcing her to turn her face towards him.
“What do you mean you don’t like Jin Yan Ting anymore?”
Lian Li met his gaze without blinking, looking at her reflection in his dark eyes, and opened her lips to say, “Literally.”
“Who do you like now?” Jin Shi Yue pressed on.
Lian Li remained silent, her eyes flickered for a moment, she lifted her chin, opened her mouth, and bit his lip.
“I’m not playing anymore.”
She tried to leave his embrace, but his strong, powerful arms locked her firmly, leaving her unable to move.
“Does it still hurt?” Jin Shi Yue’s pupils were deep black, a nascent desire hidden within.
Lian Li knew what he was asking. “It’s okay.”
Jin Shi Yue stood up, holding Lian Li with one arm. With his left hand, he closed the piano lid and placed her on the piano. She tilted her face up slightly, accepting his passionate kiss.
His hand lifted her leg, and she skillfully wrapped it around his waist.
Pleasure surged like a flood, as if to drown her in a hot, wet abyss.
It was already orange dusk when it ended.
**
Jing University’s graduation ceremonies are usually held twice: once for the college and once for the entire university.
The college graduation ceremony comes first, followed by the university ceremony. Lian Li returned to campus on the day she was to speak on stage as the graduation representative for the college ceremony.
The Taipei Beef Noodle Shop in the deep alleyways welcomed distinguished guests.
Li Ye carried two safes, placed them on the table, and opened them for display, revealing them packed with hundred-yuan bills.
Uncle Yang, as an ordinary citizen, had never seen such a scene. He glanced at the three burly bodyguards standing at the entrance, then nervously looked at the man sitting in the chair.
How could Lian Li’s boyfriend have such a formidable background?
If Jin Shi Yue hadn’t looked so distinguished, making it obvious at a glance that he was no ordinary young master, Uncle Yang would have already called the police.
Uncle Yang cautiously asked, “Do you have any instructions?”
“Boss Yang,” Jin Shi Yue’s lips curved into a faint smile. The noble young master’s etiquette was impeccable. “I’ve come to learn how to make noodles from you. This is the tuition fee.”
Tuition fees of two safes full of yuan… Good heavens.
Uncle Yang felt dizzy and fearful. “No need. If you want to learn, I can teach you for free.”
If a noble young master from a wealthy family wanted to eat noodles, there would be plenty of people eager to make them for him. Uncle Yang didn’t understand why he wanted to learn to make noodles himself.
“The tuition fee cannot be less,” Jin Shi Yue’s tone was casual but conveyed an unyielding resolve.
His aura was too strong, exuding immense pressure. Uncle Yang didn’t dare to refuse, closed the shop, and dedicated himself to teaching.
…
On the day of the graduation ceremony.
Jing University’s university graduation ceremony this year featured Professor Lu giving the commencement address. Lian Li, as the student representative, went on stage to receive an award and give a brief speech.
She returned to the dormitory, changed into her academic dress, and leaned back lazily in her chair, yawning profusely.
Shang Lingyu adjusted her graduation cap in the mirror and asked, “Did you have insomnia last night?”
Lian Li held her mobile phone, checking if the Starbucks in the college building was open, planning to buy a cup to refresh herself.
“Yes.”
It wasn’t exactly insomnia, though.
She had felt sleepy last night and could have fallen asleep, but Jin Shi Yue thought she hadn’t been energetic enough in the bathtub. He carried her back to bed and tossed and turned her vigorously.
Her knees rubbed against the bedsheet, chafing her skin red.
The bedsheet was soft and comfortable; normally, it shouldn’t have damaged her skin… one could imagine how wild he had been.
Lian Li sighed.
Not restrained at all.
Would he one day die on her?
