Chen Pingjiang didn't understand the happiness of King Zhou of Shang, but he knew that he was truly relaxed and happy at this moment.
With Cong Nini, there was no need for any pretense, only the unleashing of primal instincts.
Lying on a waterbed for the first time felt quite strange; his whole body gurgled and sank, half of it tightly enveloped.
It was fortunate that the bathroom was large enough that even with a waterbed, it wasn't crowded.
Cong Nini smiled, her eyes seductive, her movements gentle and slow, as she lathered a pile of bubbles and water, slowly wiping them onto Chen Pingjiang's body.
The next moment, a naked Cong Nini leaned down and slowly moved upwards from Chen Pingjiang's toes.
...
...
Chen Pingjiang felt a terrible ache in his back.
"This girl, damn it, she devours people without spitting out the bones."
The two of them lingered on the waterbed for two hours, then went to the bedroom, totaling nearly five hours of exertion.
Even a 'little steel cannon' couldn't withstand this intensity.
"Master, please rate my service."
Cong Nini giggled, hugging Chen Pingjiang and purring in a syrupy voice.
"82 points."
"Why 82 points?"
"The remaining 18 points are for you in the form of 666."
Seeing Chen Pingjiang glance at the cigarette on the bedside table, Cong Nini obediently took one and lit it for him.
The recent backstabbing business war had been quite exhausting, and it wasn't until this moment that Chen Pingjiang truly relaxed.
The pungent cigarette smoke swirled in his mouth, leaving him in a state of emptiness.
After a long while, Chen Pingjiang opened his eyes and said,
"Get ready, I'll take you to a bar tonight."
At that moment, Cong Nini looked at Chen Pingjiang with an incredulous gaze.
"Really?"
"Are you coming or not?"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Cong Nini nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
"MUA, I love you to death."
To be honest, Cong Nini was a bit overly excited.
This was the first time Chen Pingjiang had actively invited her out.
Before, Chen Pingjiang rarely stayed overnight when he came over; after they had "happy" time, he would go home.
The reason Chen Pingjiang was out of character today was also to compensate Cong Nini a little and spend more time with her.
All along, their relationship was more like that of lovers, lacking the feeling of a boyfriend and girlfriend dating; their relationship itself was somewhat distorted.
The bar chosen was naturally Tiangong.
Chen Pingjiang couldn't go to other bars; if he did, he would definitely be photographed, and he might be the front-page headline the next day.
In the internet society, information transmission is too easy; even if paparazzi can't get a shot, some tourists will take photos and upload them online.
Being a celebrity has this downside: no personal space at all, and even trivial matters are placed under public scrutiny.
"Husband, can I invite Zhang Lu along?"
Cong Nini asked hopefully after changing clothes.
Chen Pingjiang frowned.
"You didn't blurt out anything to her, did you?"
Cong Nini waved her hands repeatedly.
"No, no. Although she also stayed in Dongjiang after graduation, she's usually working, and we live far apart, so we haven't met many times in total. If you don't like it, I won't invite her."
"Never mind."
Chen Pingjiang waved his hand.
"Let her come."
Cong Nini and Zhang Lu had been close friends and roommates since school, and they were also classmates with Chen Pingjiang.
It might be hidden for a while, but not necessarily forever.
Crucially, Zhang Lu might have already guessed it by analyzing the changes in Cong Nini's life.
...
After receiving Chen Pingjiang's call, Zhou Guanghan and his two friends soon waited at the entrance.
Seeing that it was Cong Nini getting out of the Maybach 57S, Zhao Shaoyang blinked, thinking he had seen wrong.
"Old classmate, aren't you happy to see me?"
"Haha, how could that be? Class beauty, long time no see."
Behind Chen Pingjiang's back, Zhao Shaoyang gave Cong Nini a thumbs-up and said in a voice only they could hear,
"You actually captured our Brother Chen, Cong Nini, you're amazing."
At this moment, Cong Nini was so happy she almost vibrated with excitement.
Zhou Guanghan also shook his head slightly, realizing they would have another Jiulaolao from now on.
Just as Chen Pingjiang had thought, when Zhang Lu arrived at the bar and saw him, she didn't seem particularly surprised.
"Class monitor, even though the air conditioning is on full blast, aren't you hot being so bundled up?"
Chen Pingjiang smiled.
"Strange, aren't you curious at all?"
"Curious about what?"
Zhang Lu said, as if it were obvious.
"It's not surprising that Cong Nini has money, but she would never look for an old man or anyone else, because if she didn't like them, she wouldn't have this kind of mental state. And every time I asked her who it was, she would hem and haw and refuse to say. If it were someone she didn't know, would she hide it like that?"
As she spoke, she leaned closer to Chen Pingjiang and whispered,
"Don't say I told you, but haven't you noticed that ever since she was slapped by Han Zhaonan at the campus water bar and then rescued by you, she developed a pathological attachment to you?"
After Zhang Lu said this, Chen Pingjiang also nodded.
"I noticed it too, so why is that?"
"I asked a classmate who studies psychology, and she said it's a 'trauma bond'."
Zhang Lu said.
Chen Pingjiang felt a bit numb.
He had only thought it was strange at the time and didn't dwell on it, never imagining it would involve a professional term.
"A 'trauma bond' refers to an emotional attachment between an abuser and a victim, an attachment that forms through repeated abuse, violence, or control."
Chen Pingjiang quickly reached out and pressed.
"No, I haven't abused her. Besides, shouldn't she like me because I'm handsome and rich?"
Zhang Lu said with a smile,
"Class monitor, but you weren't very rich back then, were you? And Cong Nini originally didn't have a very good reputation; after that incident, she completely devoted herself to you. Aren't you surprised?"
"Alright, continue."
"This bond is usually very strong, characterized by dependency, obsessive thoughts, and extreme loyalty. A 'trauma bond' is a close emotional connection formed between two people because one person has continually caused harm to the other. This emotional bond is a feeling of both attachment and dependency, as well as fear. Victims often feel they need the abuser to feel safe and secure."
Chen Pingjiang: "..."
After thinking for a moment, Chen Pingjiang asked,
"Are you sure your doctor friend isn't actually you, and this isn't something you just Googled?"
Zhang Lu was a bit deflated.
"It's really not. I know what you're trying to say. Your case is just an atypical one, and coupled with your good circumstances, other emotions slowly became intertwined with the trauma bond."
"What are you two chatting about? So happy?"
Cong Nini asked, having just returned from the restroom.
"Talking about school days."
Zhang Lu smiled and leaned over, and soon the two of them started chattering, glancing at Chen Pingjiang every few sentences.
Chen Pingjiang still found it somewhat absurd, but he had to believe it to some extent.
Relying on its high-quality equipment, luxurious decor, and bearing Chen Pingjiang's name, Tiangong Bar had already ranked No. 1 in Dongjiang City.
Sometimes, due to too many people, they even had to limit entry.
Zhao Shaoyang and his two friends were also generous; to liven up the bar's atmosphere, they would occasionally invite some outdated singers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, or mainland China for commercial performances.
Gradually, Tiangong Bar also gained some renown in surrounding provinces and cities, and young people traveling from out of town liked to come and check in.
Another point was that Tiangong was relatively safer than other bars, without so many messy things happening.
After all, Chen Pingjiang had long ago set the rule against touching anything illicit.
After sitting for a while, Chen Pingjiang took Zhou Guanghan and his two friends upstairs to eat; his stomach had been hungry for an afternoon of exertion.
Cong Nini and Zhang Lu were free to go dancing.
"How's the bar business recently?"
At the mention of this, Dai Sheng was beaming.
"It couldn't be better! I doubt there are many places in the entire Yangtze River Delta that can beat us."
"Every day, the booths are snatched up, and guests have stored so much wine that there's hardly any space left, forcing us to open up another storage area on the second floor."
Chen Pingjiang nodded.
"Later, I plan to start a film and television company. Zhao Shaoyang, I want you to go help out then."
"No problem, Brother Chen, I'll go wherever you point."
This guy's mind was clear as a mirror; he knew that the so-called film and television company was probably meant to take care of Ni Na.
"By the way, none of you three are dating yet? I won't speak for others, but I refuse to believe Zhao Shaoyang isn't dating. This guy used to shout about pretty girls every day when we were in school."
After explaining things, Chen Pingjiang chatted with them.
Only at times like these did Chen Pingjiang feel like he was back in college.
Back then, although he didn't have much money, he wasn't as lonely as he was now.
The current Chen Pingjiang was indeed lonely, with very few friends, almost none; everyone just smiled at him.
"Who's dating? Dai Sheng and I are both using you, Brother Chen, as our role model and studying hard. As for Er Zi, he's been in high spirits recently and met a female university student at the bar."
Chen Pingjiang rolled his eyes, thinking,
"I have so many good qualities, and you choose to learn this one instead."
Zhou Guanghan, on the other hand, had quietly found a girlfriend.
"Er Zi, when did this happen? Why didn't you bring her back for me to see, and let my parents vet her for you?"
Zhou Guanghan scratched his head and chuckled, a sweet smile on his face.
"Nothing is definite yet."
Chen Pingjiang slapped his thigh.
"What a shame, I was going to introduce Cao Jie to you."
Zhao Shaoyang was drinking water and almost choked to death upon hearing this.
He had seen that chubby girl.
"That's how it is then. The day after tomorrow, when I'm free, bring her back to Zhongshan Villa for me to meet."
If Dai Sheng and Zhao Shaoyang were dating, Chen Pingjiang wouldn't bother; those two were cunning, and besides, it was their private matter.
But Zhou Guanghan was different; their families were relatives, and they had grown up together.
Just then, a security guard from downstairs walked over and whispered a few words into Dai Sheng's ear, and Dai Sheng's face instantly turned bright red, the color of a pig's liver.
He turned and glared fiercely at the security guard.
"Didn't I tell you when I left to watch carefully and protect their safety? What were you doing?"
The security guard was severely reprimanded, repeatedly apologizing with his head bowed.
"What's wrong?"
Chen Pingjiang asked.
Dai Sheng looked a bit embarrassed.
"Just now, Saozi and Zhang Lu were harassed by someone who didn't know better."
Before Chen Pingjiang could speak, Zhao Shaoyang suddenly jumped up.
"Holy crap, who's so arrogant, daring to cause trouble in my place, and bothering my Saozi?"
Chen Pingjiang tilted his head and looked at Zhao Shaoyang, thinking,
"Why is this kid's way of speaking so strange?"
"Who was that guy? Don't tell me it's some rich kid or second-generation heir, that kind of cliché plot?"
Dai Sheng shook his head.
"No, anyone with a bit of a background is a regular at our bar and knows our strength; they wouldn't mess around here. He probably just drank too much and got lustful."
Chen Pingjiang nodded.
Such incidents were common in bars.
Two groups arguing over a trivial matter, or a few hooligans whistling at pretty girls, or even bolder ones going straight up to ask how much for a quickie.
Zhao Shaoyang soon led the bodyguards downstairs.
Chen Pingjiang didn't take it seriously either.
Dealing with such a drunkard, at most, meant beating them up, then throwing them in to sober up under the pretext of disturbing the peace.
There was no real need for him to get involved.
If he had to intervene for everything, the nature of the situation would be different, and the level would also change.
Cong Nini and Zhang Lu, whose spirits had been dampened, came upstairs not long after, their faces flushed, with beads of sweat on their noses.
"That was so satisfying, I secretly kicked him just now."
"So annoying, I haven't danced in ages, and the atmosphere was ruined by that turn-off guy."
The two went upstairs one after another.
Cong Nini, completely unconcerned by others' gazes, giggled and rushed over to sit on Chen Pingjiang's lap.
Her forwardness even made Chen Pingjiang feel awkward.
"Husband, they're all classmates and brothers, so it should be fine, right?"
After speaking, Cong Nini even smugly shook her head and winked at Zhang Lu.
Zhang Lu was speechless, seeing how smug this girl was.
"If you two ever run into trouble again, just call Zhao Shaoyang and let him handle it for you."
After thinking it over, Chen Pingjiang still made the arrangements.
With Cong Nini's aggressive and show-off personality, she was truly unforgiving when she was in the right, and it was hard to say when she might offend someone.
(End of Chapter)