After Letting My Guard Down, I Got Trapped by a Yandere CEO - Chapter 20:

Chapter 20: A Short Farewell

Inside the Biyu Bay Villa.

Jiang Zhao sat on the living room sofa, bored out of his mind. From the kitchen came the clattering of pots and pans—Qin Lingxue had insisted on cooking personally.

Thinking of those TV dramas where heiresses made nightmarish “dark cuisine,” he couldn’t help but glance at Uncle Fu and ask, “Uncle Fu, are you sure your Miss really knows how to cook?”

“Well… I suppose… she might,” Uncle Fu replied, clearly unsure, lacking any confidence. After all, he’d never seen her enter a kitchen before—let alone cook for a man.

Seeing that, Jiang Zhao grew even more nervous, squirming in place.

He was only 26 this year, not even married yet. He didn’t want to die so young.

But as for going in there and stopping Qin Lingxue from cooking—he didn’t have the guts. She might just stab him with a knife, and then he’d have no one to cry to.

Just then, his phone buzzed.

Ye Qianyun: I’m heading back to Jinling tomorrow. Pack up—you’re coming with me. Might stay a few days.

Jinling wasn’t far from Jiangnan; a round trip could be made in an afternoon.

Jiang Zhao unlocked his screen. His wallpaper was a photo of Qin Lingxue hugging the giant teddy bear while sleeping—one he had sneakily taken while she dozed off.

He typed a quick reply.

Jiang Zhao: Alright.

Ye Qianyun: OK.

Time ticked by. Just as Jiang Zhao was about to doze off on the sofa, Qin Lingxue finally emerged from the kitchen, carrying dish after dish, wearing a cute bear-print apron.

She placed a plate of braised beef with potatoes on the coffee table—one of Jiang Zhao’s favorite dishes.

But the beef and potatoes looked rather tragic in appearance. Jiang Zhao’s mouth twitched. As expected, he really shouldn’t have gotten his hopes up.

After placing all ten dishes on the table, Qin Lingxue, unusually nervous, said, “Try it. If it’s really bad… let Uncle Fu cook something else.”

This was her first time cooking—and for someone else, no less. Of course, she was nervous.

Jiang Zhao noticed something. He frowned slightly and reached out his hand, saying, “Let me see your hand.”

“I’m fine. Just scraped it a bit,” Qin Lingxue said, hiding her hand behind her back. The message was clear: No, you’re not seeing it.

Jiang Zhao didn’t buy it. He directly pulled her over and sat her on his lap, grabbing her fidgeting hands.

What he saw made his heart ache—those once delicate, soft hands were now wrapped in bandages. Seven out of ten fingers had adhesive bandages stuck on them, like flaws on an otherwise perfect artwork.

Holding her hands, Jiang Zhao asked softly, “Does it hurt?”

Qin Lingxue shook her head, saying nothing.

Jiang Zhao pulled her gently into his arms. Her soft, sweet-scented body pressed against him, and a strong milky fragrance filled his nose. With a heart full of ache, he said, “Don’t push yourself next time. These hands are too beautiful. What if they scar?”

Qin Lingxue nodded obediently.

When she looked into Jiang Zhao’s gentle eyes, she couldn’t summon the strength to resist. Her usual forceful demeanor disappeared.

Jiang Zhao brought out the first aid kit and carefully disinfected and re-wrapped her wounds.

Her cheeks blushed as she lay in his arms and whispered, “How long are you going to keep holding me?”

“Take a guess.”

Instead of letting go, Jiang Zhao held her tighter, then picked up chopsticks with one hand and began eating from the dishes on the table—still holding her on his lap.

As for Uncle Fu? The moment they started cuddling, he sighed and quietly walked out of the villa.

Young people… shamelessly flaunting their affection in front of an old man like me.

No decency at all!

Jiang Zhao popped a steaming piece of braised potato into his mouth. While chewing, he calmly commented, “Hmm, not bad. Not quite as good as Mom’s—Zeng Qiuqiu’s—but for a first attempt, this is solid.”

Qin Lingxue narrowed her eyes in suspicion, clearly not believing him.

Then, she pursed her lips and leaned toward his mouth.

Their lips met—and she stole the food right from his mouth.

Jiang Zhao’s eyes widened in shock as she snatched the half-chewed potato away.

Licking her lips, Qin Lingxue said playfully, “Why are you staring? Keep eating.”

With that kind of tease, how could Jiang Zhao resist? He instantly pinned her to the sofa, eyes locked onto her misty gaze, his whole body heating up.

“No rush. You taste better than the food. I’ll eat you first.”

As he leaned in, Qin Lingxue turned red and quickly dodged, pressing a hand against his chest and whispering, “Not here. Let’s go upstairs.”

Jiang Zhao didn’t say another word. He carried her upstairs in a princess hold.

Who knows how long had passed in the now silent living room. Eventually, noises began to come from upstairs again.

Later, Jiang Zhao came back down, his neck covered in strawberry-shaped kiss marks, eyes glowing with satisfaction. He sat on the sofa and resumed eating the now-cold dishes without complaint.

Mm. My wife made this—delicious.

Soon after, Qin Lingxue also came downstairs, now changed into a dress. Her gait was a bit off as she walked to the sofa and shot Jiang Zhao a death glare.

This guy… didn’t know how to be gentle at all.

After eating, Jiang Zhao told her about the trip to Jinling. Qin Lingxue didn’t seem surprised.

“How long will you be gone?”

“Just two or three days. Don’t miss me too much.”

“Hmph, who’d miss you!”

…

The next morning, the sky was gloomy and overcast, as if a storm would break at any moment.

When Jiang Zhao woke up, he saw Qin Lingxue sprawled across the bed, both legs uncovered, still hugging that giant teddy bear.

Shaking his head, he walked over and gently tucked her in.

After a moment’s thought, he leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek—then left the room smiling.

As the door closed behind him, the seemingly-asleep Qin Lingxue slowly opened her eyes. She touched the spot where he had kissed her and muttered, “Leaving without behaving… Just wait till you come back. You’ll see how I deal with you.”