Intimate Trial Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Shen Shenlin regained consciousness through a sharp pain, as if an awl was digging into the sun’s cheeks.

Her vision became clear before her thoughts – the unfamiliar ceiling, simple lines, expensive mainless light design, the light was dimmed to the darkest level, but she could still see the spaciousness and coldness that did not belong to her small apartment.

I had a splitting headache, my throat was as dry as sandpaper, and every time I swallowed, it stung.Deeper, there is some kind of indescribable emptiness and dull pain, as if the body has been roughly hollowed out and then hastily filled back, and every joint is sore and tender.

Memories are fragmented, like an overturned puzzle.The dazzling crystal lamp, Zhao Qiming’s greasy smile, the liquids pushed in front of her one cup after another, Ye Chang’s reddish side face…and then a searing chaos, vague touches, the bumpy carriage, the cold palm covering her lips…

“I want to kiss you…”

That sentence, along with the crazy desire that he ignored at the time, suddenly came back to his mind with such clarity that it made his scalp numb.

Shen Shenlin froze instantly, even her breathing stopped.The blood seemed to rush to the top of his head, and then was frozen by a deeper chill.She… what did she say to Ye Chang?What did you do?

The sense of shame was like hot lava, wrapped in fear and drowning her in an instant.How could she…in that situation, treat Ye Chang…

No, it’s medicine.It’s those damn pills.

She tried her best to convince herself with this reason, but her nails dug deeply into her palms.Even if it’s medicine, those words, those thoughts…did they come completely out of thin air?

At this moment, she heard an extremely slight sound of fabric rubbing.Very close.

Shen Shenlin turned her head abruptly—too quickly, feeling dizzy and nauseous again—and looked at the single armchair next to the sofa.

Ye Chang was sitting there.

She also seemed to have just woken up from a nap or deep meditation, or had not slept at all.She was still wearing the dark green satin dress from last night, but she had taken off her jacket and hung it on the back of the chair.Her long hair was tied loosely, with a few strands of hair hanging down her neck.She was holding a document in her hand, but her eyes did not fall on it. Instead, she looked calmly, even indifferently, at Shen Shenlin, who had just woken up with a frightened look on her face.

The morning light filtered through the gap in the curtains and fell on half of her face, outlining a clear and calm outline, while the other half was hidden in the shadows.Those eyes were particularly deep at the junction of light and dark. There was no emotion, no blame, no concern, no cold anger from last night in the car, and no… subtle waves after spending the night together in a private space.

It’s like looking at an instrument that…has malfunctioned and has just been restarted.

Silin’s heart was beating wildly, her throat was tight, and she didn’t know how to speak for a moment.Apologize?explain?thank?All the words were stuck in his chest, and they were crushed by the huge shame and the other person’s eyes that seemed to see everything.

“Ye…Mr. Ye.” She finally forced out her voice, which was so dry and hoarse, “Last night…I…”

“The effects of the medicine should not be completely metabolized. Headaches and fatigue are normal reactions.” Ye Chang interrupted her, his voice clear and steady, without any hint of fatigue, as if he was stating an experimental report, “There is water and oral medicine on the bedside table. Take it according to the instructions. The bathroom is on the left, and there are new toiletries in the cabinet.”

Ye Chang closed the document in his hand, stood up, and gave Shen Shenlin a condescending look.

The morning light outlines the lines of her profile, which is a little less rigid than usual, and a little more imperceptible…perhaps the illusion of softness brought about by fatigue.

“Last night,” she said, her voice was slightly lower than before, still steady, but seemed to have a little more meaning, “I did a good job.”

Not the official “valuable”, but the more subjective, even with a subtle recognition of “good”.

Silin’s heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason, and then was gripped by a deeper confusion and residual shame.She looked at Ye Chang, who was standing against the light, with an unreal expression.

“But… cooperation…” Shen Shenlin asked subconsciously, her voice hoarse.She remembered that before she finally lost consciousness, Ye Chang seemed to have broken up with Zhao Qiming because of her.

Ye Chang sighed almost inaudibly, so softly that it almost seemed like an illusion.She turned around, but did not walk away immediately. Instead, she picked up the glass kettle on the bedside table and refilled the empty cup in Silin’s hand with warm water.This movement is natural and even delicate.

“Cooperation is not important.” She put down the kettle and her fingertips rested on the cold glass bottle for a moment. “Zhao Qiming’s line was originally dispensable. If he crossed the line, he should pay the price.”

Her tone was still calm, but the content of her words revealed a clear protection – because Zhao Qiming had used dirty tricks on “her people”, the cooperation had failed and the other party had to pay the price.

“I took you there because I valued your adaptability and language skills, and I hope you can gain something in that situation.” Ye Chang’s eyes fell on Shen Silin’s face, staying a little longer this time, as if he was observing her reaction, and seemed to be considering his words, “But I underestimated what he was doing, and overestimated…the controllability of the environment. It was my oversight to put you in that situation.”

She admitted to the “oversight.”

This is a higher level of disguise.Blaming a dangerous situation that may be a test or even acquiescence on “accident” and “one’s own insufficient prediction” can not only appease the other party, but also further gain trust and… guilt.

Sure enough, Shen Silin was stunned.Ye Chang’s frank admission of his mistake was more impactful than any cold teaching or disregard she had expected.Especially after the embarrassing night she had just experienced.

“No… I’m not careful enough…” Shen Shenlin retorted subconsciously, her throat getting even drier.

“Vigilance needs experience and lessons to polish it.” Ye Chang cut off her words, and his tone returned to some of the usual guidance, but it was no longer so cold. “This time, this is your lesson. Remember this feeling of losing control of your body and being confused, and remember how fragile the so-called rules and decency are in the face of absolute malice. In the future, you will know better how to protect yourself.”

“Take medicine and water on time. There are new towels and toiletries in the bathroom, and there are spare home clothes in the guest closet. They may not fit well, so I’ll make do with them for now.” Ye Chang explained with meticulous details, as if he was really a considerate boss taking care of his sick subordinate.

Then, holding the cup of coffee that was no longer steaming, she turned and walked towards the study.His back was still straight and his pace was still steady, as if the conversation with subtle warmth just now had not happened.

Shen Silin leaned on the bedside, holding the glass of warm water. Her fingertips could feel the slight coolness transmitted by the wall of the glass and the residual coolness of Ye Chang’s fingers.

The headache is still there and the body is still feeling unwell.

But the cold confusion in my heart seemed to be stirred, and there was a ripple that was more complicated and difficult to distinguish.

Ye Chang rescued her, admitted “oversight”, gave “guidance” and seemingly “considerate” arrangements, and even attributed the breakdown of a cooperation to protecting her.

All of this perfectly fits the image of a boss who “starts to truly value and protect his capable subordinates”, and even… vaguely reveals a bit of personal protection that goes beyond the work relationship.

This made her heart palpitate more than pure coldness, and made her…involuntarily want to believe and get closer.

She didn’t know that beneath this seemingly solid layer of ice was a trap that had already been set leading to a deeper hell.