On the way back, the driver considerately bought blankets for the drenched Li Jing and He Mo.
Seeing the two wrapped in blankets and leaning against each other in the rearview mirror, the driver couldn't help but reminisce about his own youthful days, thinking to himself:
Ah, youth is indeed wonderful.
Why is it that ten years into marriage, my wife has turned into a tigress?
Li Jing looked at He Mo, sitting next to him wet like a drenched kitten, and said, "It's late, how about staying at my place tonight? I have a large room."
Upon hearing this, He Mo squinted slightly, giving him a sidelong glance: "What? Are you already planning the next step? Can't wait?"
"Heaven preserve me, definitely not."
Li Jing immediately explained, looking very serious: "Although I don't consider myself a scumbag, even if I were one, I'd be a refined and classy scumbag.
Resorting to force or deceit is too lowbrow, not my style."
"So, do you first deceive women into opening their hearts, and then trick them into bed?" He Mo's sharp gaze fell on Li Jing's face, as if trying to see through his intentions.
"That's not right."
Li Jing glanced at her, speaking confidently, "How can matters of the heart be considered deceit? More accurately, it's being affectionate and passionate."
"Scumbag!"
He Mo rolled her eyes, then turned to look at the night view outside the window.
Li Jing thought she was angry but then heard her speak again: "However, I don't dislike scumbags. Or rather, I don't dislike your kind of scumbag. Otherwise, I wouldn't have talked to you on the first day I met you two."
This surprised Li Jing: "What do you mean by not disliking a scumbag like me?"
He Mo's long, dense eyelashes slightly trembled, her eyes calmly watching the scenery retreat outside the window, saying, "In a lifetime, it's inevitable to like many people—those who are attractive, those you can talk to, those with whom you have a connection at first sight, those who are talented or wealthy—which of these isn't appealing or worth getting to know deeply?"
Seeing her opening up, Li Jing also put away his teasing tone, leaned against the back of the seat, and said, "You mean love at first sight, right?"
"Exactly, if life were always like the first meeting, many people would explode like fireworks in the night sky at the initial contact; that strong hormonal surge and soul connection make everyone fall into it."
As she spoke, He Mo saw her reflection in the car window and continued, "But if you spend more time together, after the desires and passions have burned out, things will settle into normalcy.
"Even though you're a scumbag, you're comfortable to be around—not greasy or slick, with an honesty and ease that is indeed captivating. That's what makes you so scummy."
Hearing this, Li Jing slightly raised his brows without speaking, but he was surprised by her insightful perception.
Though he initially attracted Zhang Xinxin and others because of his wealth, his genuine interactions and the laid-back attitude born from the lack of pressure for survival became significant reasons for attracting girls like An Tong and He Mo.
Zhang Xinxin and An Tong couldn't spot what made Li Jing special, yet after a few simple interactions, He Mo clearly identified what attracted her to him.
This inevitably earned her Li Jing's admiration.
"I could tell from the first night, although that pretty girl stayed with you for the money, you didn't treat her as something disposable, which made her genuinely fond of you. I could tell by the way she looked at you."
He Mo withdrew her gaze from the window, turning to Li Jing's face: "Your attitude towards women is actually the same as your attitude towards life. Enjoying the delicate yet intense ambiguity in romantic shifts, just as you enjoy the real and pleasant moments of ordinary life.
You immerse yourself in experiencing and feeling everything deeply."
"So, is your approach to romance one of seeking fleeting pleasure rather than lasting warmth?"
Li Jing was a bit surprised, but not really: "Some say love at first sight is infatuation, and enduring affection without growing weary is true love. Do you think that's correct?"
"What's right or wrong about it? Everyone can view relationships differently, just like everyone can define success."
He Mo tilted her head towards him, revealing a half-amused expression: "As long as I enjoy this moment of joy, this fleeting splendor, isn't it just perfect for a scumbag like you?"
Seeing her looking at him in a way that said she had him all figured out, Li Jing raised his eyebrows high, while He Mo also lifted her fair chin, meeting his gaze head-on without backing down.
Their gazes shifted from confrontation to mutual appreciation, then to an ambiguous blend, ultimately turning into an intense and unrestrained connection.
Li Jing suddenly reached out, pulling her in close, and kissed her forcefully.
"Mmm..."
He Mo frowned and let out a soft moan.
This sound didn't make Li Jing stop; instead, it fueled his enthusiasm and passion, his hands like roaming dragons, causing her clothes to become gradually disheveled.
He Mo did not resist Li Jing, her hands likewise embracing his broad back, closing her eyes and indulging in the deep feelings and instinctual impulses that filled the car on this night.
At this moment, the driver in the front seat's expression changed slightly. After a glance in the rearview mirror, he quickly returned his eyes to the road ahead.
His eyes widened, waves stirring in his heart:
Damn, do young people today indulge so recklessly?
Their overwhelming hormones are practically hitting me in the face!
With this thought, he resolutely steadied his mind, forcing himself to avoid looking in the mirror, secretly gritting his teeth:
Stay calm, Hu Dazhuang; this is a test from the boss!
I must keep my position straight and not look around recklessly.
I need to earn the one thousand dollars for tonight's car rental.
This is the true challenge of a one thousand dollar car rental!
...
"Mmm... that's enough."
A moment later, He Mo returned to her senses, gently pushing against Li Jing's chest.
She rested her fingers on his moist lips, her cheeks flushed, yet her eyes exceptionally clear as she smiled and said, "Our relationship can only go this far."
Upon hearing this, Li Jing saw her calm eyes and realized her passion had subsided. There was no point in pushing further, so he retreated straightforwardly, tidying up his clothes.
Following his habitual manner, although he hadn't achieved his ultimate goal, he had taken full advantage of the moment. Her physique, although not as well-endowed as Zhang Xinxin's, had its own unique allure in his grasp.
However, this only added to his surprise at He Mo's self-control.
The more they interacted, the more he felt this woman was anything but simple.
On one hand, rational and composed, as if she saw through everything; on the other hand, passionate like a flame, longing for unrestrained freedom.
As they say, those in the arts aren't normal people, and Li Jing was now experiencing this firsthand.
Seeing Li Jing still looking somewhat unsatisfied, He Mo couldn't help but laugh and said, "Feeling unfulfilled, aren't you?"
"Of course I am."
Li Jing glanced at her, "What man enjoys leaving things halfway? What reader likes cliffhangers?"
Noticing his slight dissatisfaction, He Mo pursed her lips into a smile, not responding, only gesturing to the driver's familiar house ahead, and immediately said, "My home is just there. Please stop here."
With these words, she looked back at Li Jing with a playful smile: "To avoid things getting out of hand, I won't be going to your luxurious homestay tonight."
Getting out of the car, she seemed to remember something and turned back to Li Jing: "But Xunzi said, 'Perseverance can carve metal and stone.' Seneca also said that with continuous efforts and unyielding perseverance, there's nothing that can't be conquered."
With that, He Mo winked at Li Jing and, not waiting for his reply, slammed the car door shut and jogged into the old house by the roadside, wrapped in her blanket.
Hearing He Mo's words, the driver looked puzzled, turning to Li Jing and asking, "Boss, what did she mean by her last words?"
Li Jing watched her lithe figure swiftly disappear into the night, raised his eyebrow, and said meaningfully:
"Beyond ambiguity, yet unfulfilled desire."