Chapter 46: I Want to Touch It

As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere grew silent. After finishing her cigarette, Felicity coughed softly, breaking the oppressive stillness. “Do men really think women who race cars or smoke are all bad?”

Li Huan was momentarily taken aback, surprised by her question. He smiled and replied, “Not necessarily. Everyone has their own preferences. Personally, I think a woman looks most elegant when she’s smoking.”

This line was one Li Huan had used countless times to placate female customers, something he could dismiss as easily as a passing breeze. Though a bit insincere, it seemed to suit Felicity perfectly.

“Yes, that’s true,” Felicity nodded, accepting his compliment. But then she frowned, stood up, and tilted her head, asking, “So you mean a woman looks beautiful when she’s smoking, but ugly when she’s racing—am I right?”

Li Huan was speechless, feeling the sudden urge to bang his head against the wall. This woman really knew how to nitpick. Had he ever said that? He only thought it was unsafe for women to race cars, especially when he was sitting in the passenger seat. Otherwise, why would he care what happened to her?

Felicity herself seemed taken aback, clearly not her usual style of conversation. Perhaps it was because she saw Li Huan as a younger, harmless type, which made her relax a bit around him.

“Do you know why I asked you here?” Felicity finally steered the conversation to business, her gaze drifting to Li Huan’s waist before continuing, “Where did you learn that technique for breaking Black Dog’s energy back in the private room?”

“Black Dog?” Li Huan frowned, then realized she must be referring to the short enforcer by his nickname. But why was she interested? Did she want to learn the technique herself?

Yet Li Huan was certain Felicity’s ability to pierce a glass with a needle was far beyond anything Black Dog could defend against. If she wanted to break someone’s internal force, her approach would be simpler and more direct, and wouldn’t require close combat, which was all too risky.

“Why do you ask?” Of course, Li Huan wasn’t about to reveal it was a family secret. He first needed to understand her intentions.

“You don’t need to worry. I won’t pry into your secrets—I’m just curious,” Felicity said, not pressing further but still filled with questions about Li Huan himself. “May I ask, where are you from?”

“My ancestral home is Wuling,” Li Huan answered honestly; there was no reason to hide it. Anyone in the bar could dig up that information with a few questions. He just didn’t get why she cared.

“Wuling? That can’t be wrong…” Felicity’s body trembled upon hearing the name, a hint of excitement flickering through her. It took a while before she calmed herself, reached for her cigarette case, and drew out another, holding it between her fingers.

Smoke curled upward, veiling half her face. Under the light, her skin took on a dusky golden hue, the swirling smoke lending her an air of mystery. Her somber expression betrayed the turbulence within.

Li Huan felt bewildered. Whatever awe he’d held for this woman seemed to have vanished the moment she took him racing. Yet now, seeing her like this, he felt an inexplicable pang of sorrow, as if watching her in such a state brought him pain as well.

Startled by his own reaction, Li Huan realized it was as if everything around him shifted with her every move. She seemed to possess a strange force that could transform the world surrounding her.

Of course, the thought was a bit exaggerated, but Li Huan had truly been affected by her mood. He stayed silent, though questions swirled in his mind, simply keeping her company.

It seemed Felicity had no intention of sharing what she knew. When she finished her cigarette, she exhaled a slow plume of smoke, turned around, and said, “Alright, I just wanted some fresh air with you. Let’s head back.”

“Alright…” Li Huan nodded. Since she clearly wasn’t going to tell him anything, there was no point in pressing further. They were two people whose paths rarely crossed, unlikely to have secrets the other didn’t know.

“No… that’s alright. I’d rather walk!” As he opened the car door, Li Huan abruptly changed his mind, quickly shutting it again and motioning to Felicity that he wouldn’t be getting in.

Felicity cocked her head, looking at the young man in front of her. “Can you drive?”

“Yes.”

“Then you drive,” she said without hesitation, moving straight to the passenger seat and sliding in.

“I can't!” Li Huan was startled. Just because he could drive didn’t mean he could race.

“I have a compulsion. Once my foot’s on the gas, I can’t help myself,” Felicity said calmly, as if it were none of her concern.

“Are you serious?” An idea flashed through Li Huan’s mind.

“Mm.”

“If I get a scratch or a dent, I can’t afford to pay. Plus, you have to let me drive all the way to the back street!” Li Huan tried hard to stifle his grin, barely containing himself.

Felicity couldn’t be bothered to argue. She closed her eyes and rested, her demeanor saying, “Do what you want.”

Seeing her like that, Li Huan said no more. He settled into the driver’s seat, took a moment to get familiar with the controls, then started the car and eased it gently onto the road.

Felicity frowned, watching Li Huan’s cautious manner. She pursed her lips. This man seemed to have no sense of adventure. She preferred the jolt of a car springing to life, but she said nothing more—people like that were rare, especially among women.

But after a few minutes, the car was still crawling along the road. Felicity, unable to adapt, glanced at Li Huan. “You’re not planning to drive all the way back at this speed, are you?”

Li Huan nodded as if it were only natural. “Yeah. Why not?”

Felicity’s lips twitched in annoyance. Turning around, she could still see the spot where they’d just been. Irritated, she snapped, “Are you trying to get back at me like this?”

“Why would I want revenge? I’ve just never driven such a nice car before—I want to enjoy it a little longer.” Li Huan grinned shamelessly, completely oblivious to the beautiful woman’s growing impatience.

Felicity couldn’t hold it in anymore. She kicked the interior of the car, only to be reminded by a sharp pain that she was wearing high heels, nearly bringing tears to her eyes. Yet seeing Li Huan’s determination, she could only sigh in resignation, fish out another cigarette, and rest her arm on the window, exhaling smoke in silence.

Nearly an hour later, the car finally rolled to a stop in front of Dancing with Wolves. Felicity’s face was dark, never expecting Li Huan to be so good at tormenting people. She shot him a glare, but quickly suppressed her irritation. To this unusual man, she felt a strange sense of anticipation. She wondered whether, with his humble background, he’d be able to find a foothold in Zhonghai.

“I’ll be dropping by to pick you up often,” Felicity declared, then switched seats. With a roar of the engine that seemed to express her displeasure, the car spun in place, belching exhaust in Li Huan’s face before screeching away.

“Women are all so petty,” Li Huan muttered, looking down at the blackened smudges on his white shirt and shaking his head, then made his way toward Sun Feifei’s office.

All his clothes were kept with Sun Feifei, a privilege that had once driven Li Gang mad with jealousy, vowing to take revenge on Li Huan’s “backyard.” But it only strengthened Li Huan’s resolve to steer clear of Li Gang—he didn’t need someone constantly scheming against him.

This time, Li Huan didn’t dare walk in without knocking. He was afraid that Li Ruotong, the lady boss, might still be inside. After rapping on the door, he heard Sun Feifei’s voice and entered, glancing around and seeing no sign of Li Ruotong. Curiously, he asked, “The boss isn’t here?”

Seeing it was Li Huan, Sun Feifei rose from her chair and approached him with a smile. “What, are you afraid of her?”

“Who said that? I just don’t want to stoop to her level…” Li Huan insisted he wasn’t afraid, but since she was the boss and he’d seen what he shouldn’t have, he still felt a little guilty.

Sun Feifei said nothing more, but glanced at Li Huan with a hint of concern. Almost without thinking, she took his hand, examined it closely, and asked with a strange look, “Your hand is all right now?”

Li Huan was startled by her gesture, quickly pulling his hand back and explaining, “Yeah, I have a family remedy for injuries. Sprinkle it on and I’m as good as new!”

Sun Feifei pursed her lips, clearly not believing him, but she was still curious. She’d seen with her own eyes how his palm had been sliced open by a knife, a shocking sight. Now there wasn’t a trace of a scar, which also put her at ease.

As Li Huan withdrew his hand, Sun Feifei didn’t seem intent on letting go. The two stood close together, her faint fragrance drifting to Li Huan’s nose, making his heart race and his cheeks flush.

Sun Feifei appeared a little flustered as well, her chest rising and falling, her white blouse stretched tight over her rounded curves. Through the gap, he caught a glimpse of black lace underneath; looking down from her collar, he could see a swath of creamy skin pressed together, forming a deep, tantalizing valley.

Li Huan swallowed, an odd sound escaping his throat, his gaze glued to her chest, seized by the urge to reach out and touch her.

Sensing the heat of his stare, Sun Feifei’s breathing quickened. She looked up at Li Huan, reading a hint of longing in his eyes, and couldn’t help but ask, “What are you thinking about?”

Li Huan was caught off guard by the question. He had wanted to play it off, but seeing no trace of disgust in Sun Feifei’s eyes, he was suddenly emboldened. In a stiff voice, he said, “I want to touch them.”