HBWMA -Chapter 405 Was It Fun?

What did he mean by “again and again”? It had clearly only happened twice—where did the third time come from?

This was slander.

Jiang Huashan opened her mouth, stammered for a while, and finally gave a dry explanation, “I was still young back then, I didn’t know any better.”

The moment she said it, she regretted it and wished she could slap herself. What was there to explain about something like this? Hadn’t she already decided to be a heartless flirt? Wasn’t it perfectly normal for a flirt to kiss and then deny it?

Shen Guiling said, “Then what about the other day underwater?”

“What underwater? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Jiang Huashan frowned, putting on a forgetful expression.

Shen Guiling slowly shifted his gaze, studying her carefully. “So… you actually already guessed that the person underwater was me?”

Jiang Huashan’s expression changed slightly. “No, I didn’t. I said from the beginning, I thought it was a kidnapper.”

Shen Guiling replied smoothly, “Didn’t you just say you didn’t know what I was talking about? Now suddenly you remember it was a kidnapper?”

“…”

“Habitual liar.”

“…,” Jiang Huashan glanced at him, then lowered her head to look at her fingertips.

So what if she kissed him? What was he going to do about it?

This was Shen Garden. Right now, she was Grandpa’s precious darling. With Grandpa around, what could Shen Guiling possibly do to her?

Her attitude couldn’t have been more provocative.

Shen Guiling could clearly see she was planning to play dumb and act shamelessly, but since things had already reached this point, he wasn’t about to let her off so easily.

He raised his hand and lightly tapped the metal plate on her leg, speaking calmly, “As the victim, it’s only reasonable for me to ask for an explanation, isn’t it?”

Victim? Jiang Huashan was about to roll her eyes but held it back.

Out in the world, titles are self-assigned—if Shen Guiling wanted to call himself a victim, let him. She wouldn’t bother with him.

“…”

“Fine, then I’ll go tell Grandpa you bit my lips until they bled.”

Jiang Huashan’s eyelid twitched. She looked up at him. “You wouldn’t dare!”

Shen Guiling replied, “Why wouldn’t I?” and made a move as if to stand.

“Wait!” Jiang Huashan didn’t even think before grabbing his sleeve and pulling him back, wearing a helpless expression like he was the unreasonable one.

“What exactly do you want?”

Shen Guiling adjusted his collar expressionlessly. “I want an answer.”

Jiang Huashan’s expression turned subtle. Bracing herself, she asked, “W-what answer?”

Shen Guiling looked at her. “Why did you kiss me?”

“…” Jiang Huashan suddenly felt a headache coming on. She held her forehead with one hand, glancing at him from time to time.

Anyone seeing them now would think she had toyed with him and abandoned him after doing something serious.

Looks like being a flirt wasn’t so easy after all—handling the aftermath was quite troublesome.

She cleared her throat, putting on an innocent face. “I already said, I was young back then and didn’t know any better. I just thought it was fun, so I kissed you.”

“Fun?” Shen Guiling repeated, savoring the word. “Then what about underwater the other day? Was that fun too? You were about to die—what was fun about that?”

“I…”

“Don’t tell me you were young. You’re already at a legal age where you’re responsible for your actions.”

Jiang Huashan’s mind raced, and suddenly she snapped her fingers. “Thrilling!”

“Thrilling?”

She nodded seriously. “Because kissing while being chased and hunted felt thrilling. So… I kissed you~”

This answer was very Jiang Huashan—completely in line with her persona. But for Shen Guiling, it was undeniably cruel.

Combined with her past of keeping a boy band at such a young age, she was practically the definition of someone who treated life like a game.

But she had no choice. Ever since Shen Guiling’s affection score suddenly skyrocketed overnight, she had already decided to abandon the “save the pitiful boy” mission.

That absurdly long affection meter clearly looked like a trap set by the system. She wasn’t falling for it.

“…” Shen Guiling fell silent for a moment, his gaze dark and unreadable. “Is everything you said true?”

“True!” Jiang Huashan nodded vigorously, afraid he wouldn’t believe her. “I admit my personality is a bit terrible, but I can’t help it. I can’t change. So I’ll just have to wrong you a little.”

Seeing he didn’t respond, she added earnestly, “It’s all in the past. You’re a guy—having more experience doesn’t hurt. Just… take it as a lesson learned.”

Shen Guiling looked at her with half-lidded eyes. How did she manage to spout such nonsense so seriously and still look so cute?

After a moment of consideration, he stood up, bracing himself against the bed. His deep eyes shimmered faintly.

“Jiang Huashan, why don’t we give it a try? I promise to make you feel it’s fun and thrilling every day.”

Jiang Huashan had been sitting there calmly like an old fisherman waiting for a bite, but the moment he said that, her composed expression shattered completely.

“Try what?”

Shen Guiling lowered his head, meeting her eyes. “Anything. As long as you’re willing to be with me, whatever you want to play, I’ll play along. As thrilling as you want.”

Jiang Huashan froze, her lips twitching as she subtly leaned back. She had been talking nonsense—but why did it feel like Shen Guiling was being serious?

“Well?”

What “well”? She forced herself to meet his gaze. “No! I want to be Grandpa’s granddaughter. We… we’re not suitable.”

Shen Guiling didn’t hesitate. “I can stop being Grandpa’s grandson.”

Jiang Huashan immediately frowned. “Shen Guiling, are you love-brained? Grandpa treats you so well—how can you say something so heartless?”

Shen Guiling replied, “Then you won’t be Grandpa’s granddaughter?”

“Pfft! Of course I will!”

“Then that settles it.”

“…” Jiang Huashan finally realized she had been led into a trap. Annoyed, she snapped, “Settles what? Even if you say that, it’s not up to you whether you’re Grandpa’s grandson or not!”

Shen Guiling remained calm. “As long as you agree, I can make it happen.”

Jiang Huashan frowned. “Agree to what? Shen Guiling, I’m warning you—don’t do anything reckless.”

Shen Guiling asked, “You’re unwilling?”

“I…” Jiang Huashan’s gaze darted around before she deliberately said, “Of course I’m unwilling. Why would I give up an entire pond just for one fish?”

“One fish?” Shen Guiling lowered his eyes slightly, lifting her chin with his hand. “You think of me as a fish?”

Since things had already come this far, she had to wear the crown of a heartless flirt properly.

“That’s right. I was just playing with you for fun,” Jiang Huashan said without hesitation.

“…Heh.”

She really dared to say it.

Shen Guiling shook her face lightly. “Then why did you stop playing?”

Why was he asking for advice now? Shouldn’t a normal person feel insulted and storm out?

Not enough? Shen Guiling clearly wasn’t normal.

Jiang Huashan casually shot back, “Because you’re not fun.”

The moment she said that, something dark flickered in Shen Guiling’s eyes. He lowered his head with a soft laugh, his voice low and dangerous.

“You haven’t even played—how do you know I’m not fun?”

Jiang Huashan’s mind suddenly buzzed. Her lips parted slightly, but she didn’t know what to say.

Shen Guiling’s gaze darkened as he suddenly leaned in and bit her lower lip.

“!”

Jiang Huashan froze, instinctively leaning back, but Shen Guiling grabbed the back of her head, pried her lips open, and kissed her deeply.

【Ding—】

【Congratulations, the hidden storyline “Save the Pitiful Boy” in the Treasure Plot Romance Arc has been triggered. Completion progress: 99.9n9%】

The notification sounds in her mind began to explode one after another, blasting Jiang Huashan’s thoughts into a blank haze.

Her body went limp as she collapsed onto the bed. Shen Guiling, multitasking with ease, stacked a few pillows beneath her and, using the height, pressed her into them and kissed her.

The tingling from his tongue gradually spread through her entire body. Only when even her scalp began to feel numb did Jiang Huashan finally come back to her senses.

“Mmph…”

Her legs, useless as if paralyzed, couldn’t muster any strength. With only one hand left, Jiang Huashan tried to push him away. But her strength was nothing more than a tickle to a beast already turned feral. Whether she grabbed his ears or pulled his hair, Shen Guiling remained completely unaffected.

“Mmph… air… mmph…”

Shen Guiling lifted his head slightly, catching his breath, only then realizing her face had turned purple from holding it in.

The corners of his eyes were tinged red, his gaze filled with amusement. “Weren’t you fine switching breaths underwater? Why can’t you do it now?”

“I—!”

Furious, Jiang Huashan raised her hand to claw at his face, but Shen Guiling tilted his head, catching her wrist. His thumb pressed against the corner of her lips, still glistening with a silver thread.

“Remember to breathe.”

This time, the kiss was gentle.

He first licked the corner of her lips, then slowly, inch by inch, worked his way in, lingering and teasing.

He kissed her carefully, his high-bridged nose brushing back and forth along her cheeks. He didn’t allow her to resist—whenever he sensed her trying to pull away, he would deliberately raise the pillow higher and deepen the kiss.

Outside the window, climbing roses bloomed in full splendor. The half-open wooden window swayed gently in the breeze.

The crystal chandelier reflected the overlapping figures of a man and woman. Her struggling hand was entwined with his, fingers interlocked and dragged back into the pillows.

“Young master? Are you looking for Master Ling?”

Suddenly, Zhang Ru’s voice sounded from below the window.

Jiang Huashan froze, then immediately looked at Shen Guiling.

“Is A-Ling upstairs?”

“Yes, he is. Young Master Ling, Sir has arrived,” Zhang Ru called out loudly.

Shen Qian added, “Is Shanshan feeling any better? I’ll take a look at her too.”

Soon, footsteps echoed up the stairs.

Now Jiang Huashan was truly panicking. She twisted her body frantically to dodge him. Shen Guiling, provoked by her movements, seemed to ignite, his gaze shifting as he abruptly lifted his head like he’d been shocked.

“Ling?” Shen Qian’s voice came from outside the door.

“Get down,” Jiang Huashan said, trying hard to steady her breathing, her peach-blossom eyes shimmering with urgency.

Shen Guiling covered her eyes with his hand, then lowered his head to kiss the soft hollow of her chin, burying his entire face into her neck and shoulder.

He tilted his head slightly, his nose tracing along the faint lines of her veins.

“You… don’t…~”

Jiang Huashan’s expression changed.

Shen Guiling suddenly kissed her neck, moving upward toward her ear. This wasn’t just a kiss—it was a coaxing, suggestive gesture.

All of Jiang Huashan’s attention was fixed on the door outside. She didn’t notice at all that the man hiding his face against her shoulder now had ears so red they looked ready to bleed.

He’s gone mad!

Outside, Shen Qian grasped the doorknob.

Click—

Inside, the sound of the lock turning echoed.

Jiang Huashan’s heart shot into her throat.

Click—

Just when she thought Shen Qian was about to push the door open, the lock jammed.

“Heh…”

Shen Guiling leaned close to her ear, a low chuckle escaping his throat.

He lifted his head, his eyes brimming with a fluttering, heartfelt affection. “So? Exciting, isn’t it? Is it fun?”

“…”

“A-Ling? Shanshan?”

Shen Qian twisted the handle again, only then realizing the door had been locked from the inside. Just as he was about to knock, a crisp smack suddenly came from within the room.

He paused, stunned. That sound… it really did resemble a slap.

Did Shanshan and A-Ling start fighting?

After a brief hesitation, he suppressed his suspicions and raised his hand to knock.

Click—

At that moment, the handle turned, and Shen Guiling pulled the door open.

“Father.”

Shen Qian blinked. “A-Ling, you…”

The Shen Guiling before him had disheveled hair, and a clear handprint bruise marked his face, even seeping with a bit of blood.

Shen Guiling lowered his gaze. “It’s nothing. Let’s go back first.” With that, he turned and walked downstairs.

Shen Qian’s expression shifted. He glanced back toward the bedroom, hesitated briefly, then stepped inside. “Shanshan, did you hit A-Ling?”

Jiang Huashan was still fuming. “Yes, I did!”

He hadn’t expected her to be so unapologetic. His expression turned stern. “What did he do for you to hit him so hard?”

“He deserved it!”

“You—”

“Sir, please calm down. Miss Jiang is still injured—please don’t take it to heart,” Zhang Ru quickly intervened with a smile, afraid Jiang Huashan might offend him.

Shen Qian had intended to lecture her, but after Zhang Ru’s persuasion, he held back.

Jiang Huashan was the old master’s precious treasure. If anything he said reached the old master’s ears, he’d probably be scolded again.

Suppressing his frustration, he walked to the door, but recalling Shen Guiling’s miserable state, he couldn’t help saying grimly, “Shanshan, no matter what, A-Ling is still your elder brother. If he’s done something wrong, it’s for me and the old master to discipline him—not you.”

Jiang Huashan immediately exploded. She grabbed the alarm clock by the bedside and hurled it at him. “I’ll hit him if I want! If you’re unhappy, Uncle, you can have Grandpa throw me out!”

“You—”

“Sir! Sir! Miss Jiang hurt her head at the estate—the doctor said she mustn’t be agitated. Please don’t argue with her,” Zhang Ru quickly blocked his way, afraid he might lose his temper.

Shen Qian took a deep breath, deciding not to stoop to her level, and turned to leave the embroidery building.

Zhang Ru leaned over the railing, watching him go. Only after seeing him leave the chrysanthemum courtyard did her heart finally settle.

She turned back into the room. “Honestly, you… Mr. Shen is decisive and formidable—how could you dare provoke even him?”

Muttering as she spoke, she picked up the alarm clock from the floor and placed it back beside the bed.

“Miss Jiang, don’t blame me for nagging. As the saying goes, what’s too rigid will snap—you really shouldn’t be so reckless in the future.”

Jiang Huashan had seen how Zhang Ru, despite knowing Shen Qian’s decisive nature, still stepped forward to shield her. She took that kindness to heart.

With no outsiders present, she dropped her earlier bravado and clung to Zhang Ru’s arm, acting spoiled. “Aunt Zhang, I want to eat the Huai-style sweet soup you make.”

Zhang Ru knew she was changing the subject and shook her head indulgently. “Alright, I’ll go make it right away.”

Once Zhang Ru left the room, the smile in Jiang Huashan’s eyes vanished instantly.

Shen Qian was so angry—he probably didn’t notice, right?

For some reason, a pair of smiling phoenix eyes suddenly appeared in her mind.

“You haven’t even tried—how do you know I’m not fun? If you want excitement, why not try me?”

“I’ll let you play.”

Jiang Huashan pressed a hand to her forehead and couldn’t help muttering, “Pervert.”