Chapter 67: The Hunter, Unfortunately Encountered the Sea King

As long as the wingman isn't someone like Lawyer Zhang, the chances of success should improve, right? The atmosphere was getting heated, and Cheng Yao, taking the initiative, bit down on a French fry and raised his eyebrows at Lin Ketong.

Lin Ketong’s striking face flushed hotly; she gritted her teeth and leaned in.

He stopped just short, not really taking advantage—a move that felt a little lacking.

The circle went around again, and he lost once more.

Cheng Yao wasn’t particularly skilled at this game, while the others were all seasoned players.

“I’ll go, I’ll go…” Wang Jing laughed, turning to Cheng Yao. “Young Master Cheng, if you had a wife like me, what time would you come home every day?”

“I… Might as well make the whole world my home!”

Everyone burst out laughing.

“If you had a wife like Tongtong, you’d probably never want to go out?”

“Sigh, it really depends on the person!”

Cheng Yao wasn’t exaggerating—among his close friends, none of their looks were rated below eighty. Even the lowest, Zhou Ziqing, had a solid eighty and a hotter figure than most, though her legs were a bit short and a little thick.

Wang Jing didn’t wear makeup; her real looks scored seventy-one. She was a pretty girl, but her face shape wasn’t particularly attractive.

So, Cheng Yao felt no stirrings for her.

Wang Jing’s expression was aggrieved, swearing to get even at the bar table.

Hmph.

So what if you’re a rich kid!

Lin Ketong couldn’t help herself and covered her mouth, laughing uncontrollably.

“Let’s keep going.”

Finally, it was his turn. Cheng Yao looked at Tang Qiongyan, whose figure was especially striking. “You’re from the dance department at the Southern Arts Academy too, right? Why don’t you dance for us?”

“Sure, no problem.”

Tang Qiongyan was pretty open-minded. If there had been a pole, she wouldn't have minded showing off her special skills.

With the music and the bar’s atmosphere, she twisted and swayed with ease.

Cheng Yao clapped, leaning toward Lin Ketong’s ear. “Can you do that too?”

“Mhm, I can…” Lin Ketong nodded with a smile. How could she forget her major, even if she didn’t get to dance much anymore?

Cheng Yao thought Lin Ketong’s body must be very flexible.

After a few bottles, none of the women were drunk, but Cheng Yao was starting to feel it.

Wang Yiming laughed and asked, “Young Master Cheng, may I ask what business your family is in?”

“My family?” emboldened by the alcohol, Cheng Yao’s hand had somehow found its way onto Lin Ketong’s shoulder. He smiled and replied, “Honestly, I don’t think that question is necessary. Let’s put it this way—you wouldn’t come across it in your everyday life…”

“I see…” Wang Yiming seemed thoughtful, not pressing further. Asking more would only be awkward.

Cheng Yao glanced at his phone. “It’s getting late.”

Wang Yiming caught on immediately—Young Master Cheng was getting bored. He checked his watch; it was only 10:30, but he said, “Wow, it really is late. I have something to take care of back home. How about we call it a night and get together again another time?”

“Sure, let’s leave it at that. The noise is making my head spin.”

“Let’s go, then.”

Leaving the bar, even the chirping of insects in the night sounded more pleasant.

Cheng Yao turned to Lin Ketong. “Where do you live?”

“Héxī. It’s a bit late to go back now—the subway’s already stopped running…”

Cheng Yao understood at once. She was truly a huntress.

He sighed.

He’d been hoping she was the prey.

But thinking it over, that was impossible. If she were just innocent prey, she wouldn’t have thrived among the car models—she’d have been devoured long ago. And she wouldn’t be so uninhibited in the bar.

Cheng Yao slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t we make do for the night and find a hotel to sleep?”

“That works…”

“Aren’t you worried I might be a bad guy?” Cheng Yao asked with a smile.

Lin Ketong pressed her lips together, shaking her head with a smile. “I’m not worried.”

“Then let’s go!”

What was there to hesitate about? Cheng Yao thought, why not play the puppy for once?

So what if he was the prey, just this once?

He was a little tipsy and feeling rather excited. In fact, Lin Ketong was tipsy too and wasn’t eager to go home.

Wang Yiming appeared out of nowhere. “Young Master Cheng, I’ve already called a car for you. Just tell the driver where you want to go.”

“Thanks, I’ll message you.”

Cheng Yao glanced at Wang Yiming and waved. This guy really understood people—smooth as an egg, with enviable emotional intelligence. He might come in handy someday.

“No problem, take care!” Wang Yiming grinned and waved them into the car.

Once inside, Cheng Yao told the driver, “Shangri-La.”

“Alright.”

Shangri-La Hotel—a five-star hotel on the shore of Xuanwu Lake.

There wasn’t much of a view at night. After getting out, Cheng Yao used his ID to book a deluxe lakeview room, checked in, and took the elevator up.

The moment he opened the door and inserted the keycard, Cheng Yao pulled Lin Ketong into his arms and kissed her.

She made a soft sound—

Half resistance, half yielding.

By two in the morning, Cheng Yao was completely spent. After a brief moment, he drifted off to sleep, arms around Lin Ketong.

—

“Cheng Yao, Cheng Yao…”

It was noon the next day when he was finally awakened. After drinking last night and being intimate again, his mind and body were both exhausted.

Opening his eyes and seeing Lin Ketong, Cheng Yao finally remembered the pleasures of the night before.

“What time is it?”

“Eleven-thirty.”

“What?” Cheng Yao was stunned. He picked up his phone and saw it was full of messages—group chats, private chats, even Liu Hanyue asking why he hadn’t come to class.

And Zhang Ya had messaged him too.

Cheng Yao’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Lin Ketong, then suddenly felt relieved and at ease.

He hurriedly messaged his homeroom teacher, claiming he’d studied too hard the night before and stayed up late. Old Li just told him to get back to school soon—there was a finals match that evening.

Cheng Yao breathed a sigh of relief, then looked up. There was no escaping now.

Lin Ketong’s face was pale—she hadn’t slept well after being tossed around. She held his student ID and asked, “You’re only nineteen?”

“…About that.”

“Why did you tell me you were twenty-three?”

Lin Ketong wasn’t smiling anymore; her expression was a little stern.

Cheng Yao gave up resisting. “People look down on you if you’re too young. How else could I have flirted with you?”

“I see… Anything else you haven’t told me?” Lin Ketong took a deep breath. He was six years younger than her, and she’d actually been played by someone six years her junior.

Was this what they called an older woman preying on a younger man?

“Well, I have a girlfriend.”

Cheng Yao spread his hands, asking tentatively, “You looked at my phone, didn’t you?”

“…”

She still held on to a sliver of hope, but hearing the truth, Lin Ketong’s eyes turned red. Her nose quivered, and she pressed her lips together, unable to speak.

After a while, she stammered, tears brimming in her eyes.

“I… I didn’t have your password. I just happened to see your girlfriend’s messages. I guess… I was unfortunate enough to meet a scumbag. Let’s just pretend last night never happened!”

She no longer spoke or smiled. She took eight hundred yuan from her bag, placed it on the nightstand, slipped on her shoes, shouldered her bag, and walked out without a backward glance.

She walked a little unsteadily.

“?”

Cheng Yao stared at the eight hundred yuan on the nightstand, bewildered.

What… did that mean?

…